bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regional White Matter Variation Associated with Domain-specific Metacognitive Accuracy
Authors: Baird Benjamin , Cieslak Matthew , Smallwood Jonathan , Grafton Scott T. , Schooler Jonathan W.
Published: October 2014

The neural mechanisms that mediate metacognitive ability (the capacity to accurately reflect on one's own cognition and experience) remain poorly understood. An important question is whether metacognitive capacity is a domain-general skill supported by a core neuroanatomical substrate or whether regionally specific neural structures underlie accurate reflection in different cognitive domains. Providing preliminary support for the latter possibility, recent findings have shown that individual differences in metacognitive ability in the domains of memory and perception are related to variation in distinct gray matter volume and resting-state functional connectivity. The current investigation sought to build on these findings by evaluating how metacognitive ability in these domains is related to variation in white matter microstructure. We quantified metacognitive ability across memory and perception domains and used diffusion spectrum imaging to examine the relation between high-resolution measurements of white matter microstructure and individual differences in metacognitive accuracy in each domain. We found that metacognitive accuracy for perceptual decisions and memory were uncorrelated across individuals and that metacognitive accuracy in each domain was related to variation in white matter microstructure in distinct brain areas. Metacognitive accuracy for perceptual decisions was associated with increased diffusion anisotropy in white matter underlying the ACC, whereas metacognitive accuracy for memory retrieval was associated with increased diffusion anisotropy in the white matter extending into the inferior parietal lobule. Together, these results extend previous findings linking metacognitive ability in the domains of perception and memory to variation in distinct brain structures and connections.
Functional Properties of Parietal Hand Manipulation–related Neurons and Mirror Neurons Responding to Vision of Own Hand Action
Authors: Maeda Kazutaka , Ishida Hiroaki , Nakajima Katsumi , Inase Masahiko , Murata Akira
Published: October 2014

Parietofrontal pathways play an important role in visually guided motor control. In this pathway, hand manipulation-related neurons in the inferior parietal lobule represent 3-D properties of an object and motor patterns to grasp it. Furthermore, mirror neurons show visual responses that are concerned with the actions of others and motor-related activity during execution of the same grasping action. Because both of these categories of neurons integrate visual and motor signals, these neurons may play a role in motor control based on visual feedback signals. The aim of this study was to investigate whether these neurons in inferior parietal lobule including the anterior intraparietal area and PFG of macaques represent visual images of the monkey's own hand during a self-generated grasping action. We recorded 235 neurons related to hand manipulation tasks. Of these, 54 responded to video clips of the monkey's own hand action, the same as visual feedback during that action or clips of the experimenter's hand action in a lateral view. Of these 54 neurons, 25 responded to video clips of the monkey's own hand, even without an image of the target object. We designated these 25 neurons as “hand-type.” Thirty-three of 54 neurons that were defined as mirror neurons showed visual responses to the experimenter's action and motor responses. Thirteen of these mirror neurons were classified as hand-type. These results suggest that activity of hand manipulation-related and mirror neurons in anterior intraparietal/PFG plays a fundamental role in monitoring one's own body state based on visual feedback.
C. Licinius Mucianus, Vespasian’s Co-ruler in Rome
Authors: Kleijn Gerda de
Published: October 2014

Abstract

Leadership in Rome after the Flavian victory in the civil war of AD 68-9 is based on an agreement made by Vespasian, Titus, and C. Licinius Mucianus. Tacitus presents the latter in hisHistoriaeas the person in charge in the western part of the empire. This article centers on the way in which Tacitus shows Mucianus’ leadership facing different serious challenges. It turns out that Mucianus is able to meet all threats to stability by appropriate measures. In Tacitus’ account, Mucianus shows excellent situational leadership.
Morphological differentiation between the larval forms of two cryptic species of dusky salamander (Desmognathus)
Authors: Camp Carlos , Barbour Megan , Wooten Jessica
Published: October 2014

Desmognathus quadramaculatus and D. folkertsi are cryptic salamander species that occur sympatrically across the entire range of the latter species. However, the larval form of D. folkertsi has never been formally described, and studies of salamander larval communities within its range require the ability to distinguish it from its cryptic relative. We conducted morphometric analyses in order to compare the larval forms of these two species living in allopatry and searched for characters that may be useful in distinguishing them in the field. Larvae of D. quadramaculatus had a larger average body size than D. folkertsi, and larger specimens of the former species had redder tail fins. MANCOVA indicated significant differences in a suite of 22 morphological characters between the two species. Additional principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant function analysis (DFA) indicated strong separation of factor and discriminant scores, respectively. Besides body size and tail-fin color, the best potential field character appears to be the forelimb length (FLL)/snout-vent length (SVL) ratio with larvae of D. quadramaculatus having a ratio above 0.2 and those of D. folkertsi having a lower ratio. However, these differences need to be confirmed in sympatry before they can be completely relied upon as useful field characters.
Empiricism and normative ethics: What do the biology and the psychology of morality have to do with ethics?
Authors: Flanagan Owen , Ancell Aaron , Martin Stephen , Steenbergen Gordon
Published: October 2014

What do the biology and psychology of morality have to do with normative ethics? Our answer is, a great deal. We argue that normative ethics is an ongoing, ever-evolving research program in what is best conceived as human ecology.
Is a naturalized ethics possible?
Authors: Kitcher Philip
Published: October 2014

I offer an account of the evolution of ethical life, using it to elaborate a meta-ethical perspective and a normative stance. In light of these discussions, I attempt to answer my title question.
Supernatural beliefs: Adaptations for social life or by-products of cognitive adaptations?
Authors: Girotto Vittorio , Pievani Telmo , Vallortigara Giorgio
Published: October 2014

In this paper, we discuss the limits of the traditional view that supernatural beliefs and behaviours are adaptations for social life. We compare it to an alternative hypothesis, according to which supernatural thinking is a secondary effect of cognitive predispositions originally shaped for different adaptive reasons. Finally, we discuss the respective role of such predispositions and socio-cultural factors in shaping and promoting the diffusion of supernatural beliefs.
Income Inequality in Advanced Capitalism: How Protective Institutions can Promote Egalitarian Societies
Authors: Kollmeyer Christopher
Published: October 2014

This study develops a Polanyian perspective on income inequality in advanced capitalist countries. Polanyi’s historical account of the rise and fall of classic liberalism in Britain illustrated how social groups and society at large devised “protective institutions” to shield themselves from socially destructive market forces. Recent qualitative applications of this idea identify three protective institutions as being the most important – the public sector economy, trade unions, and the family. Using data from 16 Western countries from 1970 to 2010, this study demonstrates that cross-national and temporal variations in these protective institutions explain a considerable amount of the observed patterns of income inequality among these countries, helping to explain why some countries have recently experienced rising inequality but others have not. The study ends by arguing that a Polanyian perspective provides more analytical and theoretical leverage than other sociological approaches to understanding income inequality.
Chinese Energy Companies’ Relations with Russia and Kazakhstan
Authors: Cutler Robert M.
Published: October 2014

This article concerns Chinese energy relations with Kazakhstan and Russia, surveying the foreign direct investment (fdi) behavior of Chinese National Oil Companies (nocs) in Kazakhstan and Russia. The first section provides a schematic overview of the general development of Chinese fdi strategy and behavior from the disintegration of the Soviet Union up until the present day. It systematically explains how that development occurred in three phases and gives some key indicators for distinguishing among the phases and the transition between successive phases. The second section looks more closely at the fdi strategy and behavior of the Chinese nocs specifically regarding Kazakhstan and Russia, periodizing it according to the first two of the three chronological phases distinguished in the first section. The third section of the article examines still more closely the phenomenon regarding Kazakhstan and Russia from the end of the last decade up until the present day, dividing the third above-mentioned phase into three subphases and inspecting the first two, of which the second is still ongoing. The fourth section of the article evaluates the conduct of Chinese nocs with regard to Kazakhstan and Russia from the standpoint of motives of corporate behavior and comparative incentive structures. The fifth section of the article concludes by introducing some caveats on the basis of a glance at recent behavior with respect to another large resource-rich country, Canada, where Chinese nocs have made massive fdi for some years now, but which has a rather different economic and social structure from Kazakhstan and Russia. The last section of the conclusion also includes a few final comments on the prospects for Chinese energy and Chinese nocs during the remainder of the decade and into the 2020s, on the basis of the analytical framework employed to structure the narrative analysis in the body of the article.
Writing on Proust Today: Notes on Mauro Carbone’s An Unprecedented Deformation
Authors: Benjamin Andrew
Published: October 2014

Mauro Carbone’s interpretation of Proust is grounded in his interpretation of Deleuze and Merleau-Ponty. The aim of this paper is to call this interpretation into question by arguing that neither Deleuze nor Merleau-Ponty provides the basis for an interpretation of Proust that concentrates on the role of expression understood as ‘translation’ within his literary project. What is precluded is the possibility of an identification of expression with the process of writing. This is, however, exactly what an interpretation of Proust demands.
Historical Epistemology and Pentecostal Origins: History and Historiography in Ethiopian Pentecostalism
Authors: Haustein Jörg
Published: October 2014

Abstract

This article revisits the issue of historiography in Pentecostal studies, seeking to connect this debate to recent theories of history coming from postcolonial and poststructuralist thought. I argue that the historian of Pentecostalism should seek not only to reconstruct past events, but, more than that, to offer a historical analysis of Pentecostal historiography. By drawing on four related theoretical insights into history and applying them to a concrete example from Ethiopian Pentecostalism, I aim to contribute to the epistemological reflection of Pentecostal historiography.
Liturgical Prayer of the Faithful: A Theological Adaptation from a Pentecostal Perspective
Authors: Ukpong Donatus Pius
Published: October 2014

Abstract

The eucharistic celebration is the highest prayer of the church, where through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is given to God. In this article I examine the modus of the prayer of the faithful at the Roman Catholic eucharistic celebration in Nigeria. Are individuals free to express themselves in worship? I study the church’s worship and prayer and offer proposals from the perspective of modern Pentecostalism, which, according to recent surveys and research, is seriously influencing Catholicism in many African countries. Furthermore, I articulate a model of adaptation that respects the church’s liturgy and, at the same time, permits the faithful to experience their freedom and the power of the Holy Spirit during liturgical celebrations. Finally, I contend that both intellectualism and emotionalism are valid dimensions of being human and, therefore, are pleasing and acceptable to God in the liturgy.
Are Police Records Criminal Records?
Authors: Larrauri Elena
Published: October 2014

Criminal background checks are used often for employment purposes. In some countries like the uk these checks tend to disclose not only convictions but also police information like arrests, cautions, and acquittals. By contrast, in other continental European countries criminal background checks for employment purposes tend to disclose only convictions. This paper argues that the disclosure of police information like, for example, arrest records is against the presumption of innocence and the right to privacy as interpreted by the European Court of Human Rights.
Immunity of International Organizations
Authors: Lammers Johan G.
Published: October 2014

In December 1958, the General Assembly invited the International Law Commission to consider the question of relations between states and intergovernmental international organizations after undertaking a study of diplomatic intercourse and immunities, consular intercourse and immunities and ad hoc diplomacy. This paper presents a brief overview of the work of the ilc over a period of 30 years, which was led by two Special Rapporteurs: Abdullah El-Erian (1962–1979); and Leonardo Díaz González (1979–1992). In 1992, the ilc decided to discontinue its work on this topic: this paper will outline the main reasons given by the ilc for this decision, and draw some conclusions from the work of the ilc in this area.
Immunities of International Organizations
Authors: Olson Peter
Published: October 2014

This article argues that recent developments in Europe have eroded the privileges and immunities nato has historically enjoyed. The European Court of Human Rights and national courts interpreting its jurisprudence have increasingly held States accountable for the actions of the international organizations to which they play host and to which they have granted absolute judicial immunities. This trend involves serious overreach by the courts and, at least in the case of NATO, fails to respect the intentions of the states that simultaneously prepared and adopted the core NATO treaties and the European Convention on Human Rights. This approach presents significant and unnecessary risks to the functioning of an Organization whose effectiveness is essential to maintaining international peace and security.
Belgian Courts and the Immunity of International Organizations
Authors: De Brabandere Eric
Published: October 2014

The functional underpinning of institutional immunity remains crucial today in order to guarantee the independent fulfilment by the organization of its mandate. Despite this relatively firmly established principle, domestic courts and tribunals have shown in recent cases that they are very critical of the idea of the absolute character of international organization immunity, not the least in relation to the right of access to court, guaranteed inter alia by Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Belgium is host to between 50 and 100 international organizations or liaison offices of international organizations, most of which are located in Brussels. For that reason, the number of potential disputes involving an international organization in Belgium is important. This paper gives an overview of the official Belgian policy in respect of international organization immunity, and analyses relevant Belgian case-law that considers the rationale behind the grant of privileges and immunities to international organizations. It then considers the source of an international organization’s immunity, the scope of that immunity, and the obligation to provide for alternative means of dispute settlement and the individual’s right of access to court.
To What Extent Can and Should National Courts ‘Fill the Accountability Gap’?
Authors: Reinisch August
Published: October 2014

International organizations are generally recognised as requiring privileges and immunities, in particular immunity from the jurisdiction of domestic courts, in order to remain independent and unimpeded in the fulfilment of their functions and duties. However, this approach often neglects the effect of a grant of immunity to international organizations, in that potential claimants may be deprived of their ability to raise claims against international organizations before the ‘natural forum’ of domestic courts. Recently, both legal doctrine and practice have devoted particular attention to the potential accountability gap created by sweeping jurisdictional immunities of international organizations. This has even led to calls for filling the gap by denying immunity. This paper will outline the development of the increased awareness of accountability gaps and assess the reactions so far. Finally, it will turn to an evaluation of the suitability of national courts as institutions for securing the accountability of international organizations.
Demonic Possessions and Mental Illness: Discussion of selected cases in Late Medieval Hagiographical Literature
Authors: Espí Forcén Carlos , Espí Forcén Fernando
Published: October 2014

During the Middle Ages, demonic possession constituted an explanation for an erratic behavior in society. Exorcism was the treatment generally applied to demoniacs and seems to have caused some alleviation in the suffering of mentally distressed people. We have selected and analyzed some cases of demonic possession from thirteenth-century hagiographical literature. In the description of demoniacs we have been able to find traits of psychotic, mood, neurotic, personality disorders and epilepsy. The exorcisms analyzed in our article are the result of literary invention more than the description of a contemporary event. Nevertheless, the writers were witnesses of their time, transferred their knowledge about exorcism and possession in their narrative and presumably incorporated their actual experience with demoniacs.
Religious Freedom and Freedom of Expression in Spain
Authors: Arribas Santiago Cañamares
Published: October 2014

This article deals with the conflicts produced in the Spanish legal system between the exercise of religious freedom and freedom of expression, focusing on those cases in which certain expressions have been considered offensive to religious feelings and on those where the religious discourse has been considered contrary to public order. The Spanish case-law shows the difficulties in protecting the religious feelings by means of criminal law.
Combating Religious Hate Speech: Lessons Learned from Five Years of Country-Monitoring by the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ecri)
Authors: Stavros Stephanos
Published: October 2014

European governments that have to react to religious hate speech can turn for guidance to ecri—the Council-of-Europe specialized monitoring-mechanism on racism and intolerance. They can be advised on how to use a variety of tools: criminal, administrative and civil law, self-regulation, prevention and, quite significantly, more speech. ecri’s protection complements that afforded by the European Court of Human Rights. The combination of judicial and non-judicial responses proposed by the Council of Europe can ensure that the fight against religious hatred does not entail unnecessary restrictions to fundamental freedoms.
Reputation by Committee? Finland’s Committee for International Information, 1988-1990
Authors: Clerc Louis
Published: October 2014

Summary

In October 1988, an ordinance of the Finnish government created the Committee for International Information (Kansainvälisen tiedottamisen neuvottelukunta, or Kantine). Kantine came as the last of a series of Cold War efforts to centrally define an image of Finland fit for foreign consumption, and to establish the communication methods through which state authorities and their partners could use this image as an economic and political asset. Established under the coordination of the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kantine acts as a window into the evolution of Finnish national image management and its state at the end of the Cold War. However, the context of the late 1980s and the desire of Kantine’s members to use the committee as the platform for a ‘wide societal debate on Finland in the twenty-first century’ gave it a broader scope than other ‘national image committees’ that had preceded it since 1945. This article will place Kantine in the evolution of Finland’s national image management and image policy, and will summarize its work and consequences.
The Participation of npos in the Economic Development of Rural Communities in China: A Review of the Existing Literature
Authors: Zhao Xiaoping , Zhu Zhaonan
Published: October 2014

This article reviews literature of the last ten years on the participation of nonprofit organizations (npos) in the economic development of Chinese rural communities. The article starts by illustrating the significant role of npos in the economic development of Chinese rural communities, and summarizing three ways of npos’ participation: mobilizing farmers to establish and join mutual aid organizations; providing farmers with market information services; providing farmers with technological services. The existing literature investigates the positive role of npos in the economic development of Chinese rural communities from three theoretical perspectives: “social capital,” “collective action,” and “community-driven development.” However, in reality, unlike in theory, npos do not always play a positive role. They are faced with challenges in such areas as sound internal governance, professional external services, institutional environment, social cognition and financing environment. These issues are mentioned in some literature, but have not attracted enough theoretical attention. The existing literature is mainly based on theorization, and empirical studies are relatively insufficient.
‘Rebellious Slaves’ and ‘Great Citizen’
Authors: Kolonitskii Boris Ivanovich
Published: October 2014

The article treats one of A. F. Kerenskii’s most important speeches, the speech of 29 April 1917, known to historians for its reference to ‘rebellious slaves.’ It examines the speech’s political significance by reconstructing its reception and political currency and by analyzing its effect on the revolution’s political culture. The article compares variants of the speech as reported in the political press, resolutions and collective letters printed in the press, and also Kerenskii’s personal documents bearing on the speech. The article demonstrates that Kerenskii’s speech was a part of his tactical effort to create a coalition government on conditions favorable to him. The speech had a major impact on the political rhetoric of the revolutionary epoch, with various participants in the political arena manipulating Kerenskii’s reference to ‘rebellious slaves’ for their own purposes. The address contributed to the formation of a personality cult, built on Kerenskii’s image as ‘leader of the people.’
K. F. Luchivka-Neslukhovskii, the ‘First Colonel of the February Revolution’
Authors: Nikolaev Andrei Borisovich
Published: October 2014

This article examines the biography of Konstantin Frantsevich Luchivka-Neslukhovskii, the ‘first colonel of the February Revolution,’ who welcomed the allegiance to the State Duma of both soldiers and officers from the 1st Infantry Reserve Regiment. This work draws on materials from Luchivka-Neslukhovskii’s great-granddaughter Olga, and great-great-grandson Anton, on documents from various St. Petersburg and Moscow archives, and on periodicals published in 1917. The article shows that, from a young age, Luchivka-Neslukhovskii was fascinated with revolutionary ideas: he was influenced by his aunt L.E. Vorontsova, by a member of Narodnaia vol’ia, N. Kuliabko-Koretskii, and by the circles of D.S. Bruevich and K.R. Kocharovskii. Later, he came under the strong influence of the Bolsheviks. During the revolutionary days, Luchivka–Neslukhovskii developed connections with other ‘left groups’ – the Trudoviks and the SRS. The article argues that Luchivka-Neslukhovskii played an important role in ensuring the victory of the February uprising in Petrograd in 1917. He also participated in other events of the 1917 revolution in Russia, without joining any political party.
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk and the Fate of the Russian Navy in Finland, 11 April – 28 May 1918, based on Materials of the Central State Naval Archive
Authors: Smolin Anatolii Vasil'evich
Published: October 2014

The article examines the situation that developed after the relocation of the Baltic Fleet from Helsingfors to Kronstandt and after the occupation of Helsingfors by German and Finnish troops. During this time, 283 small ships and vessels from the Russian Navy, various Russian military equipment and shoreline artillery batteries remained in Finland. To safeguard and evaculate these assets, the Soviet government created a naval task force in Finnish waters under the leadership of Rear-Admiral A.P. Zelenoi. The article draws on previously unexploited documents from Zelenoi's command, showing how the admiral preserved Russian ships and other naval assets from destruction by the Germans.
A Note on the Significance of the Surface Inquiry
Authors: McDowell John
Published: October 2014

It is a plain fact that the backs of solid objects are not in view. This has no skeptical significance, for reasons Austin explains. Skeptical implications could attach only to a corresponding non-plain fact. This brings out a distinctive interest in Clarke’s surface inquiry.
The Unboundedness of the Plain; or the Ubiquity of Lilliput? How to Do Things with Thompson Clarke?
Authors: Gorodeisky Keren , Jolley Kelly Dean
Published: October 2014

In this essay, we focus primarily on Moore’s “Proof of an External World” and Kant’s “Refutation of Idealism.” We are not exactly commenting on Clarke’s “The Legacy of Skepticism,” interpreting it, although what we do involves us in (some of) that. Instead of directly commenting on it, we do things with Legacy; we read Moore’s Proof and Kant’s Refutation with Clarke in mind. And by way of doing this, we bring onto the stage a post-Legacy Moore, and a post-Legacy Kant. We do not claim to present Moore and Kant per se (to use Clarke’s term); we do not portray Moore and Kant as they are independently of “The Legacy of Skepticism.” We propose instead Moore and Kant as we read them after Legacy, i.e., in light of the pure/plain distinction.
Measuring Foreign Accent Strength in English
Authors: Wieling Martijn , Bloem Jelke , Mignella Kaitlin , Timmermeister Mona , Nerbonne John
Published: October 2014

With an eye toward measuring the strength of foreign accents in American English, we evaluate the suitability of a modified version of the Levenshtein distance for comparing (the phonetic transcriptions of) accented pronunciations. Although this measure has been used successfully inter alia to study the differences among dialect pronunciations, it has not been applied to studying foreign accents. Here, we use it to compare the pronunciation of non-native English speakers to native American English speech. Our results indicate that the Levenshtein distance is a valid native-likeness measurement, as it correlates strongly (r = -0.81) with the average “native-like” judgments given by more than 1000 native American English raters.
Position and Self Understanding of Sunni Muslim Imams in Norway
Authors: Døving Cora Alexa
Published: October 2014

Norwegian society is markedly secular, and religious leaders generally have no power beyond their own religious community. Public debate is nevertheless distinguished by a commonly held belief that religious leaders are powerful individuals. This is particularly the case with imams, who are accused of having too much power and of using this power to inhibit the integration of Muslims into Norwegian society. This article nuances this image by presenting imams’ activities and work; the conditions for this; and their self-understanding of their position of power in Norway. The imam’s role is illuminated through four fields: 1) the imam’s formal position, activities and areas of responsibility, 2) the imam’s authority regarding religious interpretation and advice or council, 3) the imam as he is presented in the Norwegian press, 4) the imam’s position as tempered by new Muslim authorities.1
‫دور الكلمة في الفكر الديني‬ (The Role of Creative Words in Ancient Egyptian Religious Thought)
Authors: ‫قنديل‬ ‫هدى عبد الله‬
Published: October 2014

This paper presents an analytical study of the role of creative words in ancient Egyptian religious thought. Magic was considered to be a creative word. Also, the word of God was penetrative; because the world was created by seven words spoken consecutively by the creator, and every word spoken by the gods was considered to be penetrative. Puns were among the most preferable expressions by the gods, as any sentence or expression used by the god –concerning a given place or creature- gave it a name and, subsequently, a concrete reality; and this was one of the ways often used by the creator. A certain reality emerged from every oral conversation spoken by the gods, whoever they were. Similar to words, writing entailed a magical power.
Knowing the power of the word, the god Djhwty is able to transfer anything into any image he wanted. Djhwty is not the real creator, but he works on the permanence of knowledge, as he was considered the gods' memory which records words and allows the creator himself to be aware of all the existence. While the creator knows about the future, Djhwty gained a non mistaken vision from this knowledge thanks to his records. The exchange of knowledge between him and the god of gods made him an intermediary between godly knowledge and the knowledge that he suggests and the one he takes.
Djhwty is not only the deity that 'has the powerful insight' (sἰʒ), but also which 'knows everything' (rḫ), as he receives the former and transmits the latter. And he who records, saves and spreads the knowledge between gods and humans. Finally, writing is considered to be the medium for such transmission, i.e. a means of transmitting the knowledge (rḫ). (Please note that this article is in Arabic)
‫*Ag1 نقش سبئي جديد من نقوش الاهداءات‬ (New Sabaean Inscription)
Authors: ‫الأغبري‬ ‫فهمي علي‬
Published: October 2014

The paper throws light on newly discovered Sabaean cult inscriptions, also known as 'gift inscriptions'. Offered to the gods in their temples, gift inscriptions supply us many details about the relationship between the people and their gods. They are written on either the offering itself or the offering table. Very often were the offerings in the form of a written inscription, as is the case with the subject of my paper: a bronze slab bearing inscriptions. These inscriptions are offered to the Sabaean Moon God Ilumquh, to grant the donor peace, health, protection and satisfaction and to keep them away from hateful and jealous ones.
The importance of these inscriptions lies in the first-time mention of the tribe of Aser; Aser is now the name of a mountain located in the west of the Yemeni Cap ital, Sana' a. These inscriptions indicate that Aser was the place where the tribe settled or at least is somehow related to it.
The inscriptions also mention for the first time the name ofllumquh's temple. However, if this temple is not located in Aser, it would be in some place nearby Sana' a, possibly Arhab.
To our knowledge, the temple belonged to the god Taleb. Does this imply that the temple was dedicated to both gods? Maybe, evidence from the Sabaean civilization confirm the existence of temples dedicated to multiple gods. (Please note that this article is in Arabic)
‫المكتبة الرقمية للنقوش والخطوط‬ (The digital library for inscriptions and scripts)
Authors: ‫مركز الخطوط‬ Calligraphy Center
Published: October 2014

(Please note that this article is in Arabic)
Rock art as a source of the history of prehistory (An account to promote the understanding of prehistoric rock art)
Authors: Abd-EI-Moniem Hamdi Abbas Ahmed
Published: October 2014

Abstract

Some may believe that the history of mankind begins with the appearance of writing only a few several thousands of years ago (cf. 4000-3000 BCE). Our history, however, extends beyond that date millions of years. The history of mankind, indeed, is deeply rooted in the remote past which is called 'prehistory'. With the lacking of any form of writing, this 'prehistoric' period can be examined directly solely by recourse to the study of archaeological remains.

The purpose of this account is to introduce rock art to the readers and show the significant role of this sort of archaeological material in studying the history of mankind before the appearance of written records. The current work, therefore, is divided into three main sections: the first deals with definition of rock art and its nature; the second section is devoted to showing the significance of this aspect of material culture in exploring a long and mysterious period of the early history of man characterized by the complete absence of written records or historical documents; the third and last section, which is a vital and integral part of this work, comprises an explanatory pictorial record to promote the understanding of prehistoric rock art as a source of information needed for writing the history of prehistory.
Sinocyclocheilus brevifinus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae), a new species of cavefish from Guangxi, China
Authors: LI JIE , LI XINHUI , MAYDEN RICHARD L.
Published: October 2014

Sinocyclocheilus brevifinus sp. nov. is described from a subterranean river at Maohedong Village, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Southern China. The new species can be distinguished from all congeners in having functional eyes, last simple dorsal fin ray soft and without serrations along posterior margin, eye diameter small (3.4−5.0 %SL), tip of depressed dorsal fin not reaching vertical at anal fin origin, tip of depressed pelvic fin far from anus, maxillary barbel not reaching anterior edge of operculum, rostral barbel not reaching posterior edge of operculum, scales of lateral line row significantly larger than those of scale rows immediately above and below lateral line, and flanks with distinct black spots and blotches.
A revision of the endemic South African sac spider genus Lessertina Lawrence, 1942 (Araneae: Eutichuridae)
Authors: HADDAD CHARLES R.
Published: October 2014

The endemic South African sac spider genus Lessertina Lawrence, 1942, previously known only from the type species (L. mutica Lawrence, 1942), is revised. Both sexes of L. mutica are redescribed and the species is recorded from the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo Provinces. A new species, L. capensis sp. nov., is described from the Eastern and Western Cape Provinces.
A New Dew and Frost Detection Sensor Based on Computer Vision
Authors: Zhu Lei , Cao Zhiguo , Zhuo Wen , Yan Ruicheng , Ma Shuqing
Published: October 2014

Many weather features such as precipitation and snow depth can be recorded using automatic surface observation systems. However, automatically observing dew and frost presents several problems. Many studies have used various wetness sensors and passive microwave devices to detect dew. Unfortunately, several of these sensors are complex, and only a few are capable of detecting frost. This paper proposes a novel method for indirectly detecting dew and frost based on computer vision. The setup is simple, inexpensive, and only requires images of several glass substrates near the underlying surface. Images taken during dew or frost formation exhibit distinct changes in hierarchical visual features. These changes are detected by tracking the variations of several low-level statistical features that are extracted from the images in time. Additionally, an effective texture analysis method is proposed to describe the morphology of frost. Field experiments were conducted at several weather stations in Beijing, China. The validation of the method for measuring the onset and duration of dew/frost on short grass shows that 1) the proposed computer-vision-based algorithm achieves an accuracy of approximately 90% in discriminating among dewy, frosty, and dry nights based on the hourly manual observations of the grass surface and 2) the algorithm is also capable of measuring the duration of dew and frost on grass with about 70% accuracy.
Endovenous laser ablation in patients with wide diameter of the proximal segment of the great saphenous vein: Comparison of methods
Authors: Starodubtsev V , Lukyanenko M , Karpenko A , Ignatenko P
Published: October 2014

Objective

To estimate the safety and efficacy of using the laser 1560 nm wavelength for treatment of chronic venous disease in patients with wide diameters of the proximal segment of the great saphenous vein.

Methods

In the study 88 patients with lower limb varicose veins were included. Maximum diameter of the great saphenous vein proximal segment varied from 15 to 34 mm (22 ± 2.3) in all patients. In the 1st group in 34 cases crossektomy and endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) were performed. In the 2nd group in 30 cases EVLA regardless diameter of the great saphenous vein proximal segment was performed. In the 3rd group in 34 cases EVLA taking into account the diameter of the great saphenous vein proximal segment was performed. The laser 1560 nm wavelength was used. Linear endovenous energy density in the 1st and 2nd groups was 90 J/cm for the proximal segment and trunk of great saphenous vein. Linear endovenous energy density in the 3rd group was personalized on the size of the veins: 100 J/cm for diameter of great saphenous vein proximal segment 15–20 mm, 150 J/cm for diameter 20–30 mm, 90 J/cm for middle and distal segments of great saphenous vein.

Results

In the 1st group obliteration of the trunk of the great saphenous veins and accessory great saphenous veins in all cases without additional interventions was reached. In the 2nd group at four cases (13.3%) the second procedure EVLA was carried out, after which the obliteration of the trunk was achieved. In the 3rd group the obliteration of the trunk of great saphenous vein was achieved without additional interventions.

Conclusion

Our experience of using the laser 1560 nm wavelength for the treatment of the chronic venous disease in patients with wide diameter of the proximal segment of great saphenous vein shows the safety and efficacy of this technique. EVLA has to be personalized on the size of the segments of vein in patients with wide proximal segment of great saphenous vein.
Exogenous administration of lipids to steers alters aspects of the innate immune response to endotoxin challenge
Authors: Burdick Sanchez Nicole C , Carroll Jeffery A , Donaldson Janet R , Buntyn Joe O , Schmidt Ty B
Published: October 2014

This study examined the effects of increasing energy availability from both dextrose and lipid treatments on the pro-inflammatory response to LPS in Holstein steers. Steers were randomly assigned to one of three groups: saline at 0.5 ml/kg body weight (Control) or 50% dextrose [0.5 ml/kg body weight (Dextrose) to mimic calm cattle’s response to LPS] administered immediately prior to LPS (0.5 µg/kg body weight at 0 h) or continuous lipid emulsion infusion from −1 to 6 h [Intralipid 20% (Baxter, Deerfield, IL USA); 0.5 ml/kg/hr (Lipid) to mimic temperamental cattle]. Concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were greater in Lipid compared with Control and Dextrose steers. A greater decrease in the change in rectal temperature, relative to baseline, was observed in response to LPS in Dextrose in comparison to control and Lipid steers. Cortisol was greater in Lipid than Dextrose and Control steers from −0.5 to 0 h, yet decreased from 0.5 to 5.5 h relative to LPS challenge. Concentrations of IL-6 were decreased in Lipid steers compared with Dextrose and Control steers, and were decreased in Dextrose compared with Control steers post-LPS challenge. These data suggest that increasing circulating NEFA using an exogenous Lipid emulsion may modulate the pro-inflammatory response in steers.
Energy-efficient uplink power control for multiuser SIMO systems with imperfect channel state information
Authors: Jang Moonheok , Kwon Younggap , Park Hyunsung , Hwang Taewon
Published: October 2014

This paper addresses energy-efficient design for uplink multiuser SIMO systems with imperfect channel state information (CSI) at the base station (BS). Since the CSI at the BS is always imperfect due to the channel estimation error and delay, the imperfectness of the CSI needs to be considered in practical system design. It causes interuser interference at the zero-forcing (ZF) receiver and makes it difficult to obtain the globally optimal power allocation that maximizes the energy efficiency (EE). Hence, we propose a non-cooperative energy-efficient uplink power control game, where each user selfishly updates its own uplink power. The proposed uplink power control game is shown to admit a unique Nash equilibrium. Furthermore, to improve the efficiency of the Nash equilibrium, we study a new game that utilizes a pricing mechanism. For the new game, the existence of a Nash equilibrium and the convergence of the best response dynamics are studied based on super-modularity theory. Simulation results show that the proposed schemes can significantly improve the EEs of the mobile users in uplink multiuser SIMO systems.
Is puberty a risk factor for back pain in the young? a systematic critical literature review
Authors: Lardon Arnaud , Leboeuf-Yde Charlotte , Le Scanff Christine , Wedderkopp Niels
Published: October 2014

Background

Back pain is a common condition that starts early in life and seems to increase markedly during puberty. A systematic review was performed in order to investigate the link between puberty and back pain, using some Bradford Hill criteria for causality.

Objectives

We sought to obtain answers to the following questions: 1) Is there an association between puberty and back pain? If so, how strong is this association? And do the results remain unchanged also when controlling for age and sex? 2) Are the results of the studies consistent? 3) Is there a dose-response, showing a link between the increasing stages of puberty and the subsequent prevalence of back pain? 4) Is there a temporal link between puberty and back pain?

Design

A systematic critical literature review.

Methods

Systematic searches were made in March 2014 in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and PsycINFO including longitudinal or cross-sectional studies on back pain for subjects <19 years, written in French or English. The review process followed the AMSTAR recommendations. Interpretation was made using some of the Bradford-Hill criteria for causality.

Results

Four articles reporting five studies were included, two of which were longitudinal. 1) Some studies show a weak and others a strong positive association between puberty and back pain, which remains after controlling for age and sex; 2) Results were consistent across the studies; 3) There was a linear increase of back pain according to the stage of puberty 4) Temporality has not been sufficiently studied.

Conclusion

All our criteria for causality were fulfilled or somewhat fulfilled indicating the possibility of a causal link between puberty and back pain. Future research should focus on specific hypotheses, for example investigating if there could be a hormonal or a biomechanical aspect to the development of back pain at this time of life.
Using an equivalent source with positivity for low-latitude reduction to the pole without striation
Authors: Li Yaoguo , Nabighian Misac , Oldenburg Douglas W.
Published: October 2014

We present a reformulation of reduction to the pole (RTP) of magnetic data at low latitudes and the equator using equivalent sources. The proposed method addresses both the theoretical difficulty of low-latitude instability and the practical issue of computational cost. We prove that a positive equivalent source exists when the magnetic data are produced by normal induced magnetization, and we show that the positivity is sufficient to overcome the low-latitude instability in the space domain. We further apply a regularization term directly to the recovered RTP field to improve the solution. The use of equivalent source also naturally enables the processing of data acquired on uneven surface. The result is a practical algorithm that is effective at the equatorial region and can process large-scale data sets with uneven observation heights.
Spectroscopic and Molecular Dynamics Studies on Binding of Dimethylplatinum(II) Complex Drug to Human Serum Albumin
Authors: Yousefi Reza , Alavianmehr Mohammad Mehdi , Mokhtari Fatemeh , Keshavarz Fatemeh , Nabavizadeh Seyed Masoud , Rashidi Mehdi , Moosavi-Movahedi Ali Akbar
Published: October 2014

In the present work, the interaction of a dimethylplatinum(II) complex (Pt(II) complex) with DNA and human serum albumin (HSA) was studied by different spectroscopic techniques, including UV–vis spectroscopy, fluorescence, and far-UV circular dichroism (CD). The Pt(II) complex exhibits strong ability in quenching the intrinsic fluorescence of HSA. The results of far-UV CD suggest that this Pt(II) complex induces significant reduction of HSA α-helical structure which was accompanied with the elevation in quantity of the other protein structures. Molecular simulation and fluorescence spectroscopic results were employed to define the van der Waals and hydrophobic interactions of this complex with HSA. Also, the half maximal cytotoxic concentration (Cc50) of the complex was found to be 17.33 and 3.95 µM for the incubation times of 24 and 48 h, respectively. The results show that this complex is a promising antiproliferative agent that can serve as a new drug with anticancer properties.
Photoisomerization and Single Bond Rotation in trans-1,2-Di(2-naphthyl)ethene-Cored Dendrimers
Authors: Nakazato Satoshi , Arai Tatsuo
Published: October 2014

A trans-1,2-di(2-naphthyl)ethane-cored dendrimer formed molecular assemblies in aqueous KOH solution exhibiting excimer fluorescence that disappeared upon photoirradiation.