bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ZapE Is a Novel Cell Division Protein Interacting with FtsZ and Modulating the Z-Ring Dynamics
Authors: Marteyn Benoit S. , Karimova Gouzel , Fenton Andrew K. , Gazi Anastasia D. , West Nicholas , Touqui Lhousseine , Prevost Marie-Christine , Betton Jean-Michel , Poyraz Oemer , Ladant Daniel , Gerdes Kenn , Sansonetti Philippe J. , Tang Christoph M.
Published: March 2014

Bacterial cell division requires the formation of a mature divisome complex positioned at the midcell. The localization of the divisome complex is determined by the correct positioning, assembly, and constriction of the FtsZ ring (Z-ring). Z-ring constriction control remains poorly understood and (to some extent) controversial, probably due to the fact that this phenomenon is transient and controlled by numerous factors. Here, we characterize ZapE, a novel ATPase found in Gram-negative bacteria, which is required for growth under conditions of low oxygen, while loss of
zapE
results in temperature-dependent elongation of cell shape. We found that ZapE is recruited to the Z-ring during late stages of the cell division process and correlates with constriction of the Z-ring. Overexpression or inactivation of
zapE
leads to elongation of
Escherichia coli
and affects the dynamics of the Z-ring during division.
In vitro
, ZapE destabilizes FtsZ polymers in an ATP-dependent manner.

IMPORTANCE
Bacterial cell division has mainly been characterized
in vitro
. In this report, we could identify ZapE as a novel cell division protein which is not essential
in vitro
but is required during an infectious process. The bacterial cell division process relies on the assembly, positioning, and constriction of FtsZ ring (the so-called Z-ring). Among nonessential cell division proteins recently identified, ZapE is the first in which detection at the Z-ring correlates with its constriction. We demonstrate that ZapE abundance has to be tightly regulated to allow cell division to occur; absence or overexpression of ZapE leads to bacterial filamentation. As
zapE
is not essential, we speculate that additional Z-ring destabilizing proteins transiently recruited during late cell division process might be identified in the future.
Very late stent thrombosis following the placement of a crossing Y-stent with dual closed-cell stents for the coiling of a wide-necked aneurysm
Authors: Lee Chang-Young , Kim Chang-Hyun
Published: March 2014

The crossing Y-stent technique is a viable option for coiling of wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms. However, little is known about the long-term impact of this technique. Very late (>1 year) stent thrombosis following the placement of a crossing Y-stent with dual closed-cell stents for the coiling of a wide-necked basilar tip aneurysm, which has not been reported to date, is described.
A bidirectional pedestrian flow model with the effect of friction parameter
Authors: Ge Hong-Xia , Lo Siu-Ming , Cheng Rong-Jun
Published: March 2014

In this paper, a new lattice model for bidirectional pedestrian flow on single path which involves the effect of friction parameter is presented. Linear stability analysis is used to obtain the stability condition. The modified Korteweg–de Vries (mKdV) equation and time-dependent Ginzburg–Landan (TDGL) equation are deduced by means of the reductive perturbation method respectively. Further, the influence of the friction parameters upon pedestrian flow has been discussed. Our results also indicate that pedestrians moving along both directions uniformly are most stable.
The quenching field effect on the motion of an electron in an electromagnetic field potential
Authors: Fouokeng Georges Collince , Tchoffo Martin , Fai Lukong Cornelius , Afuoti Ngwa Engelbert , Kuetche J. C. Ngana , Nouaze A. M. Temgoua
Published: March 2014

In this paper, the Feynman path integral approach based on the Gaussian wave packet approximation is employed to evaluate the coherence factor and the probability distribution for a single electron subjected to a magnetic field tailored by a variable on/off force. The quenching field effect is observed to create decoherence in the motion of the electron. The coherence factor is observed to decrease while the distribution probability function shows dephasing characteristics for weak and strong field strengths.
DISCOVERY OF RDFS:SEEALSO PATTERNS IN SEMANTIC WEB
Authors: MATINFAR FARZAM , NEMATBAKHSH MOHAMMAD ALI , LAUSEN GEORG
Published: March 2014

The rdfs:seeAlso predicate plays an important role in linking web resources in semantic web. Based on the W3C definition, it shows that the object resource provide additional information about the subject resource. Since providing additional information can take various forms, the definition is generic. In the other words, the rdfs:seeAlso link can present different meanings to the users and it can represents different kind of patterns and relationships between web resources. These patterns are unknown and have to be specified to help organizations, and individuals to interlink, and publish their datasets on Web of Data using the rdfs:seeAlso link. In this paper, we investigate to the traditional usages of seealso and then present a methodology to specify the patterns of rdfs:seeAlso usages in Semantic Web. The results of our investigation show that the discovered patterns constitute a significant portion of rdfs:seeAlso usages in Web of Data.
ABSTRACT REGULAR POLYTOPES FOR THE O'NAN GROUP
Authors: CONNOR THOMAS , LEEMANS DIMITRI , MIXER MARK
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we consider how the O'Nan sporadic simple group acts as the automorphism group of an abstract regular polytope. In particular, we prove that there is no regular polytope of rank at least five with automorphism group isomorphic to O′N. Moreover, we classify all rank four regular polytopes having O′N as their automorphism group.
LOWER BOUND APPROXIMATION TO BASKET OPTION VALUES FOR LOCAL VOLATILITY JUMP-DIFFUSION MODELS
Authors: XU GUOPING , ZHENG HARRY
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we derive an easily computed approximation to European basket call prices for a local volatility jump-diffusion model. We apply the asymptotic expansion method to find the approximate value of the lower bound of European basket call prices. If the local volatility function is time independent then there is a closed-form expression for the approximation. Numerical tests show that the suggested approximation is fast and accurate in comparison with the Monte Carlo (MC) and other approximation methods in the literature.
On groups with finitely many derived subgroups
Authors: Zarrin Mohammad
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we show that every locally graded group with a finite number k of derived subgroups is nilpotent-by-abelian-by-(finite of order ≤ k!)-by-abelian. Also we give some sufficient conditions on the number of derived subgroups of a locally graded group to be solvable.
Local finite-dimensional Gorenstein k-algebras having Hilbert function (1,5,5,1) are smoothable
Authors: Jelisiejew Joachim
Published: March 2014

We consider the question of irreducibility of the Hilbert scheme of points ℋilbdℙn and its Gorenstein locus. This locus is known to be reducible for d ≥ 14. For d ≤ 11 the irreducibility of this locus was proved in the series of papers [G. Casnati and R. Notari, On the Gorenstein locus of some punctual Hilbert schemes, J. Pure Appl. Algebra 213(11) (2009) 2055–2074; On the irreducibility and the singularities of Gorenstein locus of the Punctual Hilbert scheme of degree 10, J. Pure Appl. Algebra 215(6) (2011) 1243–1254; Irreducibility of the Gorenstein locus of the Punctual Hilbert Scheme of degree 11, preprint (2012)] and Iarrobino conjectured that the irreducibility holds for d ≤ 13. In this paper, we prove that the subschemes corresponding to the Gorenstein algebras having Hilbert function (1, 5, 5, 1) are smoothable, i.e. lie in the closure of the locus of smooth subschemes. This result completes the proof of irreducibility of the Gorenstein locus of ℋilb12ℙn, see Theorem 2.
Arithmetic properties of a partition pair function
Authors: Chen Shi-Chao
Published: March 2014

For a positive integer n, let ped (n) be the number of partitions of n where the even parts are distinct, and [Formula: see text] be the number of overpartitions of n into odd parts. Moreover, let Q(n) denote the number of the partition pairs of n into two colors (say, red and blue), where the parts colored red satisfy restrictions of partitions counted by ped (n), while the parts colored blue satisfy restrictions of partitions counted by [Formula: see text]. We establish several congruences for Q(n). We also obtain an asymptotic formula for Q(n).
A family of Eisenstein polynomials generating totally ramified extensions, identification of extensions and construction of class fields
Authors: Monge Maurizio
Published: March 2014

Let K be a local field with finite residue field, we define a normal form for Eisenstein polynomials depending on the choice of a uniformizer πK and of residue representatives. The isomorphism classes of extensions generated by the polynomials in the family exhaust all totally ramified extensions, and the multiplicity with which each isomorphism class L/K appears is always smaller than the number of conjugates of L over K. An algorithm to recover the set of all special polynomials generating the extension determined by a general Eisenstein polynomial is described. We also give a criterion to quickly establish that a polynomial generates a different extension from that generated by a set of special polynomials, such criterion does not only depend on the usual distance on the set of Eisenstein polynomials considered by Krasner and others. We conclude with an algorithm for the construction of the unique special equation determining a totally ramified class field in general degree, given a suitable representation of a group of norms.
Covering arrays, augmentation, and quilting arrays
Authors: Colbourn Charles J.
Published: March 2014

Numerous constructions of the best known covering arrays are effective only for specific numbers of symbols. Fusion replaces numerous symbols by one, and can thereby employ such constructions to produce useful covering arrays on fewer symbols. Augmentation instead replaces one symbol by many, permitting the construction of covering arrays from those with fewer symbols. Until this time, augmentation has been of limited value because it introduces substantial redundant coverage. Here a general augmentation method is improved upon by analyzing the classes of interactions to be covered and employing variants of covering arrays, quilting arrays, to reduce the redundancy introduced. For strengths four, five, and six, quilting arrays are produced that can be used in the refined augmentation to produce many best known covering arrays.
Finite-element impact response of debonded composite turbine blades
Authors: Dey Sudip , Karmakar Amit
Published: March 2014

This paper investigates on the transient behavior of debonded composite pretwisted rotating shallow conical shells which could be idealized as turbine blades subjected to low velocity normal impact using finite-element method. Lagrange's equation of motion is used to derive the dynamic equilibrium equation and the moderate rotational speeds are considered neglecting the Coriolis effect. An eight-noded isoparametric plate bending element is employed in the finite element formulation incorporating rotary inertia and effects of transverse shear deformation based on Mindlin's theory. The modified Hertzian contact law which accounts for permanent indentation is utilized to compute the impact parameters. The time-dependent equations are solved by using Newmark's time integration scheme. Parametric studies are performed to investigate the effects of triggering parameters like angle of twist, rotational speed, laminate configuration and location of debonding considering low velocity normal impact at the center of eight-layered graphite-epoxy composite cantilevered conical shells with bending stiff [Formula: see text], torsion stiff ([45°/-45°/-45°/45°]s) and cross-ply ([0°/90°/0°/90°]s) laminate configurations.
Anthocyanin increases adiponectin secretion and protects against diabetes-related endothelial dysfunction
Authors: Liu Yan , Li Dan , Zhang Yuhua , Sun Ruifang , Xia Min
Published: March 2014

Adiponectin is an adipose tissue-secreted adipokine with beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. In this study, we evaluated a potential role for adiponectin in the protective effects of anthocyanin on diabetes-related endothelial dysfunction. We treated db/db mice on a normal diet with anthocyanin cyanidin-3- O-β-glucoside (C3G; 2 g/kg diet) for 8 wk. Endothelium-dependent and -independent relaxations of the aorta were then evaluated. Adiponectin expression and secretion were also measured. C3G treatment restores endothelium-dependent relaxation of the aorta in db/db mice, whereas diabetic mice treated with an anti-adiponectin antibody do not respond. C3G treatment induces adiponectin expression and secretion in cultured 3T3 adipocytes through transcription factor forkhead box O1 (Foxo1). Silencing Foxo1 expression prevented C3G-stimulated induction of adiponectin expression. In contrast, overexpression of Foxo1-ADA promoted adiponectin expression in adipocytes. C3G activates Foxo1 by increasing its deacetylation via silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (Sirt1). Furthermore, purified anthocyanin supplementation significantly improved flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and increased serum adiponectin concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes. Changes in adiponectin concentrations positively correlated with FMD in the anthocyanin group. Mechanistically, adiponectin activates cAMP-PKA-eNOS signaling pathways in human aortic endothelial cells, increasing endothelial nitric oxide bioavailability. These results demonstrate that adipocyte-derived adiponectin is required for anthocyanin C3G-mediated improvement of endothelial function in diabetes.
Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Allergy
Authors: Simon Dagmar , Straumann Alex , Simon Hans-Uwe
Published: March 2014

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) has been associated with allergic diseases of the airways and skin. Here, we review the current literature on the sensitization pattern of adult EoE patients and critically discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic tools available. Most EoE patients have elevated total IgE levels in serum and are sensitized to aero- and food allergens as assessed by measuring specific IgE levels and/or the skin prick test. Whereas in children with EoE sensitization to food allergens predominate, in adults EoE symptoms do not correlate with IgE sensitization to specific food allergens. However, in two thirds of adult EoE patients, sensitization to cross-reactive plant allergen components have been be detected, mainly to profilins and PR10 proteins. So far, food triggering EoE can only be identified by an elimination diet and following reintroduction controlled by endoscopy and histology. Further research is required to elucidate the role of allergens in the pathogenesis of EoE and develop appropriate tools for diagnostic and specific treatment.
Monitoring in Metastatic Breast Cancer: Is Imaging Outdated in the Era of Circulating Tumor Cells?
Authors: Alunni-Fabbroni Marianna , Müller Volkmar , Fehm Tanja , Janni Wolfgang , Rack Brigitte
Published: March 2014

In clinical practice imaging technologies such as computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET)/CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are well-established methods for monitoring metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients and for assessing therapeutic efficacy. However, several weeks of treatment are required before these technologies can offer any reliable information on effective disease regression, and, in the meanwhile, the patients are exposed to potentially unnecessary therapy. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have been shown to be powerful prognostic and predictive markers and provide clinicians with valuable information. However, in one clinical trial, an early change of chemotherapy based on CTC detection did not result in improved survival. Currently, CTC detection outside clinical trials should be limited to selected clinical situations, i.e. increased treatment toxicity or as risk estimation.
‘Iam Corpus’ or ‘Non Corpus’? On Abelard’s First Argument Against Material Essence Realism in the Logica ‘Ingredientibus’
Authors: Tarlazzi Caterina
Published: March 2014

Abstract

This paper investigates Abelard’s first argument against the ‘material essence’ realist view on universals in the Logica ‘Ingredientibus’. It analyses three different interpretations of the argument, those of Alain de Libera, Peter King and Martin Tweedale. Much depends on the (for this section, single) manuscript reading ‘iam corpus’ in a crucial passage. The paper argues against the manuscript reading (endorsed by some scholars) and in favour of the emendation ‘non corpus’ suggested by the editor, Bernhard Geyer. The emended reading is supported by comparison with similar arguments of Abelard and his school found in published and unpublished sources.
A new genus and species of felt scale (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Eriococcidae) from New Caledonia
Authors: HODGSON CHRIS , MILLE CHRISTIAN , CAZÈRES SYLVIE
Published: March 2014

A new genus of Eriococcidae, Choneochiton Hodgson, is introduced to take a new species, Choneochiton casuarinae     Hodgson, Mille & Cazères, off Casuarina collina (Casuarinaceae) from New Caledonia.  All stages except the pupa and prepupa are described and illustrated.  The new species is thought to be endemic to New Caledonia.
TRPS1 expression promotes angiogenesis and affects VEGFA expression in breast cancer
Authors: Hu Jing , Su Peng , Jia Ming , Wu Xiaojuan , Zhang Hui , Li Weiwei , Zhou Gengyin
Published: March 2014

Angiogenesis is a hallmark of the malignant process in breast cancer in which vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) plays an important role. Trichorhinophalangeal syndrome type 1 (TRPS1) is a GATA-type transcription factor and is involved in trichorhinophalangeal syndrome type 1. To investigate the role of TRPS1 in breast cancer angiogenesis, we analyzed the expression of TRPS1 and microvessel density (MVD) marker CD31 by immunohistochemistry in 117 paraffin-embedded breast tissues. TRPS1 expression was positively correlated with CD31. We further investigated whether TRPS1induces human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) migration and VEGFA expression of breast cancer cells. The over-expression of TRPS1 induced a significant increase in HUVEC migration accompanied by VEGFA up-regulation in transfected cells. In contrast, knockdown of TRPS1 decreased the induction of HUVEC migration and significantly down-regulated VEGFA expression. Furthermore, endogenous TRPS1 was present in the VEGFA promoter, as determined by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Taken together, this study showed that TRPS1 promotes angiogenesis and affects VEGFA expression in breast cancer.
DB2: a probabilistic approach for accurate detection of tandem duplication breakpoints using paired-end reads
Authors: Yavaş Gökhan , Koyutürk Mehmet , Gould Meetha P , McMahon Sarah , LaFramboise Thomas
Published: March 2014

Background

With the advent of paired-end high throughput sequencing, it is now possible to identify various types of structural variation on a genome-wide scale. Although many methods have been proposed for structural variation detection, most do not provide precise boundaries for identified variants. In this paper, we propose a new method,DistributionBased detection ofDuplicationBoundaries (DB2), for accurate detection of tandem duplication breakpoints, an important class of structural variation, with high precision and recall.

Results

Our computational experiments on simulated data show that DB2outperforms state-of-the-art methods in terms of finding breakpoints of tandem duplications, with a higher positive predictive value (precision) in calling the duplications’ presence. In particular, DB2’s prediction of tandem duplications is correct 99% of the time even for very noisy data, while narrowing down the space of possible breakpoints within a margin of 15 to 20 bps on the average. Most of the existing methods provide boundaries in ranges that extend to hundreds of bases with lower precision values. Our method is also highly robust to varying properties of the sequencing library and to the sizes of the tandem duplications, as shown by its stable precision, recall and mean boundary mismatch performance. We demonstrate our method’s efficacy using both simulated paired-end reads, and those generated from a melanoma sample and two ovarian cancer samples. Newly discovered tandem duplications are validated using PCR and Sanger sequencing.

Conclusions

Our method, DB2, uses discordantly aligned reads, taking into account the distribution of fragment length to predict tandem duplications along with their breakpoints on a donor genome. The proposed method fine tunes the breakpoint calls by applying a novel probabilistic framework that incorporates the empirical fragment length distribution to score each feasible breakpoint. DB2is implemented in Java programming language and is freely available athttp://mendel.gene.cwru.edu/laframboiselab/software.php.
Markers of gut mucosal inflammation and cow's milk specific immunoglobulins in non‐IgE cow's milk allergy
Authors: Merras‐Salmio Laura , Kolho Kaija‐Leena , Pelkonen Anna S , Kuitunen Mikael , Mäkelä Mika J , Savilahti Erkki
Published: March 2014

Background

Allergy to cow's milk protein (CMP) may cause gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in the absence of CMP specific IgE. The immunological mechanisms involved in such disease are not fully understood. Therefore we examined markers of gut mucosal inflammation and the immunoglobulin profiles in children with Gl symptoms suspected of cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA).

Patients and methods

We prospectively recruited infants and young children (n = 57; median age 8.7 months) with gastrointestinal complaints suspected of CMPA. The diagnosis of CMPA was made using the double‐blind, placebo‐controlled food challenge. Serum and stool samples were collected during CMP‐free diet and after both placebo and active challenges. We analyzed the stool samples for calprotectin, human β‐defensin 2 and IgA. In serum, we analyzed the levels of β‐lactoglobulin and α‐casein specific IgA, and IgG antibodies (total IgG and subclasses IgG1 and IgG4). Control group included children with e.g. dermatological or pulmonary problems, consuming normal diets.

Results

Fecal calprotectin levels were higher in the challenge positive group (n = 18) than in the negative (n = 37), with respective geometric means 55 μg/g [95% confidence interval 38–81] and 29 [24–36] μg/g (p = 0.0039), during cow's milk free diet. There were no significant inter‐group differences in the fecal β‐defensin and IgA levels. The CMP specific IgG and IgA were not elevated in patients with CMPA, but the levels of β‐lactoglobulin‐IgG4 (p = 0.0118) and α‐casein‐IgG4 (p = 0.0044), and total α‐casein‐IgG (p = 0.0054) and ‐IgA (p = 0.0050) in all patient samples (regardless of CMPA diagnosis) were significantly lower compared to the control group using dairy products.

Conclusions

Despite cow's milk elimination in children intolerant to cow's milk there might be ongoing low‐grade inflammation in the gut mucosa. CMP specific IgG or IgA should not be used to diagnose non‐IgE CMPA. The observed frequency of impaired CMP specific total IgA, IgG and IgG4 production in patients following cow's milk free diet warrants further studies.
President's Page
Authors: Servos Gary
Published: March 2014

Let me begin with the assertion that the current finances of SEG are in excellent condition. We have an outstanding budgeting process and a dedicated Finance Committee that reviews and recommends solid policy and actions relative to the financial conditions of the Society. Your Board of Directors continually reviews the financial condition of SEG, and staff members adjust any necessary expenses to ensure that results are in line with budget expectations on an annual basis. A reserve based on policy is adequately and aggressively maintained. This reserve fund is the safety factor if something unexpected happens financially that could affect the ongoing operation of SEG. Solid staff and volunteers with years of financial experience contribute to the outstanding condition of the SEG financial picture.
SEAM Update
Authors: Pangman Peter , Blythe Natalie
Published: March 2014

The SEG Advanced Modeling (SEAM) initiative was launched in 2007 with the mission to “advance the science and technology of applied geophysics by organizing industry research consortia to develop industrial-strength earth models and synthetic data sets to address current high-impact geophysical challenges.” Since then SEAM Phase I Deepwater Subsalt Imaging (2007–2013) was completed with 24 participating companies and a budget supplemented with a $2.7 million research grant from RPSEA (a research organization affiliated with the U. S. Department of Energy). SEAM Phase II Land Seismic Challenges was launched in 2011 with 22 participating companies and is making excellent progress tackling three challenges: unconventional reservoir (shale) delineation, arid near surface (deserts), and foothills topography.
The SEG Wiki: A look ahead
Authors: Farley Isaac
Published: March 2014

Believe me when I tell you that momentum, real energy, is building in the SEG Wiki. If you need confirmation, point your browser to http://wiki.seg.org/wiki/Category:Biographies and begin. Are you there? These biographies, chronicling well-known contributors to the science of applied geophysics, originated in SEG's Virtual Museum, http://virtualmuseum.seg.org/people.html , and appear today in the Wiki for your viewing and editing pleasure because of one dedicated volunteer: John W. Stockwell Jr., a research associate with the Center for Wave Phenomena at the Colorado School of Mines.
Student Zone
Authors: Ma Amelie
Published: March 2014

After a five-day intensive competition, the inaugural Oriental Cup National Exploration Geophysics Competition for College Students (NEGCCS) in China came to a successful close on 27 October 2013 at BGP's training center in Zhuozhou, China.
ESR studies on the free radical generation in wood by irradiation with selected sources from UV to IR wavelength regions
Authors: Baur Sandra I. , Easteal Allan J.
Published: March 2014

The formation of free radicals in pine and kwila woods and cellulose and kraft lignin was studied to understand better the impact of radiation on wood degradation. Wood specimens were irradiated with sources emitting in the UV, Vis, and IR regions and then analyzed by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy and the increment of free radicals generated was measured. In addition, samples were irradiated by color filtered light. Lignin was found to be more susceptible to radiation than cellulose. Kwila wood is more photostable than pine, probably due to the photoprotective extractive contents in the former. As expected, lower energy wavelengths generated fewer free radicals. However, fluorescent lighting generated as many free radicals as UV irradiation indicating that high-energy visible radiation is equally harmful to wood surfaces. Light-colored filters absorbing the latter wavelength region reduced the photodegrading damage. Accordingly, transparent stains containing colored pigments which imitate the filter effect should provide better protection of wood surfaces against sunlight.
Compensatory Changes Accompanying Chronic Forced Use of the Nondominant Hand by Unilateral Amputees
Authors: Philip Benjamin A. , Frey Scott H.
Published: March 2014

Amputation of the dominant hand forces patients to use the nondominant hand exclusively, including for tasks (e.g., writing and drawing) that were formerly the sole domain of the dominant hand. The behavioral and neurological effects of this chronic forced use of the nondominant hand remain largely unknown. Yet, these effects may shed light on the potential to compensate for degradation or loss of dominant hand function, as well as the mechanisms that support motor learning under conditions of very long-term training. We used a novel precision drawing task and fMRI to investigate 8 adult human amputees with chronic (mean 33 years) unilateral dominant (right) hand absence, and right-handed matched controls (8 for fMRI, 19 for behavior). Amputees' precision drawing performances with their left hands reached levels of smoothness (associated with left hemisphere control), acceleration time (associated with right hemisphere control), and speed equivalent to controls' right hands, whereas accuracy maintained a level comparable with controls' left hands. This compensation is supported by an experience-dependent shift from heavy reliance on the dorsodorsal parietofrontal pathway (feedback control) to the ventrodorsal pathway and prefrontal regions involved in the cognitive control of goal-directed actions. Relative to controls, amputees also showed increased activity within the former cortical sensorimotor hand territory in the left (ipsilateral) hemisphere. These data demonstrate that, with chronic and exclusive forced use, the speed and quality of nondominant hand precision endpoint control in drawing can achieve levels nearly comparable with the dominant hand.
Notes on California as an Island
Authors: Solnit Rebecca
Published: March 2014

This article considers California as an island, as a place apart. In five fragments, it looks at the state as a place where ideas are exchanged, imported and exported; as a place whose economy, geography and politics keep it apart from the rest of the country; as islands within islands; as a place that early cartographers and explorers believed to literally be an island; and as a place of ecological richness rivaling mythical islands.
Bajalta California
Authors: Dear Michael
Published: March 2014

Michael Dear examines the history of the U.S.-Mexico borderlands, from the first commission formed to map and delineate the physical border to the border fences constructed in recent decades as a response to illegal immigration and fears of terror threats. He considers this place in between two nations to be its own third country, which he calls Bajalta, where the border isn’t a division but the connective membrane of the borderlands.
The dynamics of the trade balance and the terms of trade in Central and Eastern European countries
Authors: Ferreira Lopes Alexandra , Neves Sequeira Tiago
Published: March 2014

In this work, we assess the existence of an S-Curve pattern in 10 Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC-10) for the relation between the trade balance and the terms of trade. Empirical results support the existence of this curve for Slovenia and Hungary. In the case of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia the pattern is weaker, but it still prevails, as is the case for an aggregate of the 10 transition countries. We then document this property of business cycles in the dynamic general equilibrium trade model of Backus et al. (1994), calibrated specifically to match the CEEC-10 aggregate economy. Results support the existence of an S-Curve, except when technology shocks are absent and domestic and imported goods are perfect substitutes. Since technological shocks are determinant in explaining the S-Curve pattern and transition countries seem to be experiencing some type of technological shocks, it is not likely that this pattern will fade away in the near future and hence it is important for economic policy to be aware of this phenomenon and its consequences for these countries in terms of real convergence and the timing of euro adoption.
Soft soil improved by stone columns and/or ballast layer
Authors: Al Saoudi Namir Khoursheed Said , Rahil Falah , Abbawi Zeena
Published: March 2014

Iraq has the oldest railway network in the region. Currently the Iraqi railway company is rehabilitating the existing network in different regions and planning to expand it for the future. About 30–40% of the total length of the network is located in the southern part of Iraq, passing over soft, saturated, sedimentary deposits and in many areas close to the marshland. Stability and settlement are the major challenges to the safety and serviceability of rail tracks in these areas, thus ground improvement is essential to achieve the required level of performance. The paper presents results of tests of three treatment patterns. The first investigates the presence of a ballast embankment overlying a bed of soft, saturated clay. The second pattern focuses on the improvements achieved in load-carrying capacity and settlement as a result of eight stone columns added at an area replacement ratio of 0·196. The third pattern investigates the improvements achieved when patterns one and two are combined. In all tests, the ballast model embankment is loaded gradually by stress increments up to failure and stress deformation measurements are recorded and analysed in terms of bearing improvement ratio and settlement reduction ratio. Optimum outcomes are deducted from the third pattern, revealing bearing improvement ratio of 2·3 and settlement reduction ratio of 0·17.
On the stability of some properties of partial algebras under powers
Authors: Chaisansuk N. , Leeratanavalee S. , Šlapal J.
Published: March 2014

In the paper, we study eight properties of partial algebras most of which are related to diagonality. For each of the properties, we give sufficient conditions under which this property is preserved by powers of partial algebras.
Radii of starlikeness and convexity of analytic functions satisfying certain coefficient inequalities
Authors: Ravichandran V.
Published: March 2014

For 0 ≤ α < 1, the sharp radii of starlikeness and convexity of order α for functions of the form f(z) = z + a
2
z
2 + a
3
z
3 + ... whose Taylor coefficients a
n satisfy the conditions |a
2| = 2b, 0 ≤ b ≤ 1, and |a
n| ≤ n, M or M/n (M > 0) for n ≥ 3 are obtained. Also a class of functions related to Carathéodory functions is considered.
Persistence of periodic orbits in periodically forced impact systems
Authors: Fečkan Michal , Pospíšil Michal
Published: March 2014

This paper is devoted to the study of persistence of forced periodic solutions for impact systems from single periodic solutions of unperturbed impact equations. An example of planar discontinuous ordinary differential equations is given to illustrate the theory.
Growth and approximation of solutions to a class of certain linear partial differential equations in ℝN
Authors: Kumar Devendra
Published: March 2014

In this paper we consider the equation ∇2
φ + A(r
2)X · ∇φ + C(r
2)φ = 0 for X ∈ ℝN whose coefficients are entire functions of the variable r = |X|. Corresponding to a specified axially symmetric solution φ and set C
n of (n + 1) circles, an axially symmetric solution Λn*(x, η;C
n) and Λn(x, η;C
n) are found that interpolates to φ(x, η) on the C
n and converges uniformly to φ(x, η) on certain axially symmetric domains. The main results are the characterization of growth parameters order and type in terms of axially symmetric harmonic polynomial approximation errors and Lagrange polynomial interpolation errors using the method developed in [MARDEN, M.: Axisymmetric harmonic interpolation polynomials in ℝN, Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 196 (1974), 385–402] and [MARDEN, M.: Value distribution of harmonic polynomials in several real variables, Trans. Amer. math. Soc. 159 (1971), 137–154].
A modified Halpern-type iteration algorithm for quasi-ϕ -asymptotically nonexpansive mappings and applications
Authors: Tang Yong , Chang Shih-sen , Wang Lin , Zhao Y. , Chan Chi
Published: March 2014

The purpose of this article is to modify the Halpern-type iteration algorithm for quasi-ϕ-asymptotically nonexpansive mapping to have the strong convergence under a limit condition only in the framework of Banach spaces. The results presented in the paper improve and extend the corresponding results of Qin et al. [Convergence of a modified Halpern-type iterative algorithm for quasi-ϕ-nonexpansive mappings, Appl. Math. Lett. 22 (2009), 1051–1055], Wang et al. [A modified Halpern-type iteration algorithm for a family of hemi-relative nonexpansive mappings and systems of equilibrium problems in Banach spaces, J. Comput. Appl. Math. 235 (2011), 2364–2371], Su et al. [Strong convergence theorems for two countable families of weak relatively nonexpansive mappings and applications, Nonlinear Anal. 73 (2010), 3890–3906], Nartinez-Yanes et al}. [Strong convergence of the CQ method for fixed point iteration processes, Nonlinear Anal. 64 (2006), 2400–2411], and others.
Some considerations on Hydra groups and a new bound for the length of words
Authors: Otera Daniele , Russo Francesco , Russo Vincenzo
Published: March 2014

After a survey on some recent results of Riley and others on Ackermann functions and Hydra groups, we make an analogy between DNA sequences, whose growth is the same of that of Hydra groups, and a musical piece, written with the same algorithmic criterion. This is mainly an aesthetic observation, which emphasizes the importance of the combinatorics of words in two different contexts. A result of specific mathematical interest is placed at the end, where we sharpen some previous bounds on deterministic finite automata in which there are languages with hairpins.
Costar modules, r-Costar modules over ring extensions
Authors: Al-Nofayee S.
Published: March 2014

For a ring A, an extension ring B, and a fixed right A-module M, we prove that M is costar module, r-costar module if and only if the induced module Hom
A(B,M) is costar module, r-costar module respectively.
Science Opportunities at the SwissFEL X-ray Laser
Authors: Patterson Bruce D. , Szlachentko Jakub , Pedrini Bill , Patthey Luc , Milne Christopher , Ingold Gerhard , Dejoiea Catherine , Braun Hans H. , Beaud Paul , Abela Rafael
Published: March 2014

Next-generation X-ray sources, based on the X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) concept, will provide highly coherent, ultrashort pulses of soft and hard X-rays with peak intensity many orders of magnitude higher than that of a synchrotron. These pulses will allow studies of femtosecond
dynamics at nanometer resolution and with chemical selectivity. They will produce diffraction images of organic and inorganic nanostructures without deleterious effects of radiation damage.
'Seeing' Atoms: The Crystallographic Revolution
Authors: Schwarzenbach Dieter
Published: March 2014

Laue's experiment in 1912 of the diffraction of X-rays by crystals led to one of the most influential discoveries in the history of science: the first determinations of crystal structures, NaCl and diamond in particular, by W. L. Bragg in 1913. For the first time, the visualisation
of the structure of matter at the atomic level became possible. X-ray diffraction provided a sort of microscope with atomic resolution, atoms became observable physical objects and their relative positions in space could be seen. All branches of science concerned with matter, solid-state physics,
chemistry, materials science, mineralogy and biology, could now be firmly anchored on the spatial arrangement of atoms. During the ensuing 100 years, structure determination by diffraction methods has matured into an indispensable method of chemical analysis. We trace the history of the development
of 'small-structure' crystallography (excepting macromolecular structures) in Switzerland. Among the pioneers figure Peter Debye and Paul Scherrer with powder diffraction, and Paul Niggli and his Zurich School with space group symmetry and geometrical crystallography. Diffraction methods
were applied early on by chemists at the Universities of Bern and Geneva. By the 1970s, X-ray crystallography was firmly established at most Swiss Universities, directed by full professors. Today, chemical analysis by structure determination is the task of service laboratories. However, the
demand of diffraction methods to solve problems in all disciplines of science is still increasing and powerful radiation sources and detectors are being developed in Switzerland and worldwide.
Knowledge and practices regarding menstruation among school going adolescents of rural Nepal
Authors: Sapkota D , Sharma D , Pokharel H P , Budhathoki Shyam Sundar , Khanal Vijay Kumar
Published: March 2014

Background: Adolescence is a transition period from childhood to adult life during which pubertal development and sexual maturation take place, thus making physiological development a challenge adolescents have to face. There is a substantial lacuna in the knowledge towards menstruation among adolescent girls. Menstrual hygiene and management is an issue that is insufficiently acknowledged and has not received adequate attention. Objective: This study was done to assess the knowledge and practices regarding menstruation among school going adolescents. Methods: A descriptive study was done among sixty-one female adolescents of Shree Himali Secondary School, Panchkanya, Sunsari, where data were collected from the adolescents meeting the inclusion criteria. Results: It was found that 36.1% correctly reported about menstruation where most common informant was mother (39.3%). Dysmenorrhoea was the commonest problem faced during menstruation (78.7%) followed by back pain and excessive blood loss. More than half of respondents (54.1%) used sanitary pads and frequency of changing pads twice a day was highest (50.8%). Initial reaction was of fear/apprehension at menarche by 36.1% of girls whereas 44.3% perceived it as an expectant process. Girls still faced different types of restrictions like not being allowed to visit holy places, not being allowed to cook and touch male family member etc. Conclusion: Traditional beliefs regarding menstruation still persist and menstrual hygiene among the adolescents was found to be unsatisfactory. It highlights the need of targeted interventions to raise awareness and provision of family health education package to all girls. Menstrual hygiene is an issue that needs to be addressed at all levels.Journal of Kathmandu Medical College Vol. 2, No. 3, Issue 5, Jul.-Sep., 2013 Page: 117-121DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jkmc.v2i3.9962Uploaded date : 3/4/2014
Corporal punishment and its effects in children
Authors: Rimal Hem Sagar , Pokharel Archana
Published: March 2014

Corporal punishment in children is still a major problem throughout the globe and more common in developing countries like Nepal. Several researches done across the globe have clearly established the fact that use of corporal punishment at home, school or alternative settings is associated with higher prevalence of externalizing behaviour of youth, substance use, depression, juvenile delinquency, poor academic performance and marital conflict as an adult. Authors have reviewed the journals, websites and books to find out the magnitude of problem in the national as well as international context. It has also looked at the long-term and short term adverse effects of corporal punishment in children, current legislative status, and suggested strategies to discipline children. Reinforcing legal actions against this practice can contribute to expedite the process to end corporal punishment of children globally with strong advocacy from paediatricians and other health professionals.Journal of Kathmandu Medical College Vol. 2, No. 3, Issue 5, Jul.-Sep., 2013 Page: DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jkmc.v2i3.9968Uploaded date : 3/4/2014
Evaluation of Pedestrian Safety
Authors: Jang Kitae , Park Shin Hyoung , Kang Sanghyeok , Song Ki Han , Kang Seungmo , Chung Sungbong
Published: March 2014

Pedestrian-involved crashes that occurred in the city of San Francisco, California, over 6 years from 2002 to 2007 were analyzed to evaluate two key aspects of pedestrian safety: occurrence and severity. This analysis was done to identify locations with frequent occurrences of pedestrian-involved crashes and to examine various risk factors for the injury severity of pedestrian-involved crashes. A geographical information system analysis for hot spot identification showed that the frequency of pedestrian crashes was greater in the vicinity of the central business district but that the crash rate (the number of crashes per walking trip) was higher in the periphery of the city. For injury analysis, an ordered probit model was specified to evaluate risk factors that increased the probability of severe injury and fatality. Those factors were age (<15 and ≥65), alcohol consumption, and cell phone use among pedestrian characteristics; nighttime, weekends, and rainy weather among environmental characteristics; and, among crash characteristics, the influence of alcohol, larger vehicles (pickups, buses, and trucks), and vehicles proceeding straight and striking a pedestrian. The methods discussed are readily applicable to the evaluation of safety performance in other regions where pedestrian crash data are available.
Re-reading Simone de Beauvoir's Les Belles Images: The Global Politics of (Not) Eating
Authors: Cruickshank Ruth
Published: March 2014

The many meals and food metaphors of Simone de Beauvoir's Les Belles Images have hitherto (and only incidentally) been discussed as implicitly critical representations of various forms of 1960s bourgeois bad faith including unquestioning consumption, swallowing of media myths and flight from responsibility. However, this article shows how the novel can be re-read through images of (not) eating as a strikingly prescient reflection of how today's global marketplace is predicated on exploitative cycles of consumption. Demonstrating the untapped interpretive potential of eating, food is shown to link advertising, conflict in self-Other relations and domestic political wrangling with French co-implication in the slave trade, colonialism and neo-colonialism. Considering how the unanswered questions revolving around (not) eating which punctuate Les Belles Images intersect with Lacan's figuring of lack and the return of the repressed, this re-reading of the text shows how food-related trauma at once fuels the novel and, enduringly, the inequities of global food supply.
Characteristics of Loads of Cattle Stopping for Feed, Water and Rest during Long-Distance Transport in Canada
Authors: Flint Hannah , Schwartzkopf-Genswein Karen , Bateman Ken , Haley Derek
Published: March 2014

This study is the first comprehensive examination of long-haul cattle being transported across Canada and off-loaded for feed, water and rest. A total of 129 truckloads were observed at one of two commercial rest stations near Thunder Bay, Ontario. Data collected included information regarding the truck driver, the trailer, the trip, the animals and animal handling. The majority of the loads stopping were feeder calves (60.94%) while 21.09% were weaned calves, and the remaining 14.84% were market weight cattle. The truck loads surveyed were in transit for, on average, 28.2 ± 5.0 hours before stopping and cattle were rested for an average of 11.2 ± 2.8 hours. These data suggest that loads stopping at the rest station were adhering to the regulations stated in the Health of Animals Act, which outline a maximum of 48 hours in transit before a mandatory stop of at least 5 hours for feed, water and rest. There was a large amount of variability around how well recommendations, such as stocking density were followed. Further research is required to assess how well cattle are coping with long-distance transport under current regulations and industry practices.