bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Inverted Nuke in the Garden: Archival Emergence and Anti-Eschatology in David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest
Authors: Fest Bradley J.
Published: December 2012

This essay historically situates David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest as a transitional text between the first and second nuclear ages. Written in the immediate wake of the Cold War, Infinite Jest complexly develops the nuclear trope’s fabulously textual persistence despite the relative disappearance of the discourse of Mutually Assured Destruction. Through recursively inverting what he called postmodern metafiction’s “Armageddon-explosion,” I argue that Wallace attempts to articulate an anti-eschatological imagination capable of attending to the second nuclear age. Paying particular attention to his projection of US “Experialism” and the nuclear simulation Eschaton, I analyze Wallace’s construction of the Entertainment as the emergence of the nuclear, not as an “event,” a moment where the bomb explodes, a moment of destruction and indetermination, but rather as a result of archival accumulation and network assemblage, of the materiality of text becoming catastrophic. If the American eschatological imagination continues to project fantasies of annihilation, Wallace quite presciently warns us throughout Infinite Jest that even without the “presence” of the nuclear bomb, or indeed even without the teleological end to America’s Cold War narrative, we should be wary of disaster remaining a dominant form of cultural representation.
The Enigma of Arrival; Or, When Should We Have Read Ralph Ellison’s Three Days Before the Shooting?
Authors: Purcell Richard
Published: December 2012

“The Enigma of Arrival; or, When Should We Have Read Ralph Ellison’s Three Days Before the Shooting?” is a review essay that looks at the context in which we as readers have come to receive Ellison’s posthumously published novel. It is also a provocation that suggests a way of approaching Ellison’s posthumously published novel that takes seriously Ellison’s move away from the tropes and figures of race that concerned him in his previous work. I argue that Ellison’s novel speaks directly to our contemporary moment and what he already saw in 1982: the “potent and dangerous force” evangelicalism plays in American political and cultural life. Using Erich Auerbach’s understanding of “passio” as a guide, I suggest ways in which Ellison’s novel figures a worldly vision of human passion and belonging that is a rebuttal to the ultranationalist evangelicalism of the eighties and now.
FUZZINESS AND PERCEPTIONS OF LANGUAGE IN THE MIDDLE AGES
Authors: Butterfield Ardis
Published: December 2012

This article on fuzziness in medieval language use is the second part of a three-part contribution to the Common Knowledge symposium “Fuzzy Studies: On the Consequence of Blur.” Each part corresponds broadly to Clifford Geertz's trifold instances of blur as involving “face-to-face interaction” (“life as game”), “collective intensities” (“life as stage”), and “imaginative forms” (“life as text”). Part 2 discusses “collective intensities” by means of some of the key examples of diplomatic negotiations in the Hundred Years War. The main focus of interest is the Treaty of Brétigny, the funeral of Jean II, and the Treaty of Leulinghen. The article asks how English and French negotiators worked collectively through language to create, identify, and maintain borderlines in their public, political relationships.
WATCH OUT FOR THINKING (EVEN FUZZY THINKING)
Authors: Shiff Richard
Published: December 2012

This article, a contribution to the Common Knowledge symposium “Fuzzy Studies: On the Consequence of Blur,” documents how some modern artists and critics have argued against any sort of verbal thinking about art. Beyond describing works of visual art and pronouncing on their relative quality, critics often assume responsibility for explaining what a given work means. Because paintings and sculptures are less precisely codified, less articulate, than verbalized communications, they may seem to require verbal translation. Yet some artists and critics have warned that the advantageous emotional force of a visual presentation is diminished or even destroyed by the generalizing classifications that verbal thinking entails. Sensation suffers from any reconstitution in words. “Watch Out for Thinking” focuses on the views of two critics (Clement Greenberg, Charles Harrison) and two artists (Willem de Kooning, Donald Judd), each of whom was sympathetic to the principle that visual observation and expression should remain independent of verbal explanation. Their common principle required that each develop some method of dealing with the gap between the experience of sensation and the thoughts generated by or directed at such feeling. On this issue, each disagreed with the others, whether expressing his difference directly or indirectly; and the differences often hinged on matters of aesthetic judgment. Ironically, the practice of such judgment demanded verbal concepts for its articulation. In turn, the verbal discourse tended to render the initial aesthetic judgment more extreme, more polarizing, than it may have felt as a lived response to a specific work of art. To remedy the situation, a viewer might allow feeling to divert the logical course of thinking.
Latitudinal comparison of thermotolerance and HSP70 production in F2 larvae of the Greenshell mussel (Perna canaliculus)
Authors: Dunphy Brendon J. , Ragg Norman L. C. , Collings Melanie G.
Published: December 2012

We report the first measures of thermotolerance (recorded as percent mortality and induced HSP70 production) for pelagic larvae of three populations of the New Zealand Greenshell (green-lipped) mussel Perna canaliculus. Our goal was to determine whether distinct populations of P. canaliculus were more susceptible to predicted climate change than others, and whether such patterns of susceptibility were either genetically controlled (local adaptation of populations) or simply reflect the acclimatory capacity of this species. F2 larvae from three P. canaliculus populations (D’Urville Island, Banks Peninsula and Stewart Island) were subjected to an acute thermal challenge (3 h exposure to a fixed temperature in the range 20-42°C). No latitudinal patterns in either % mortality or HSP70 protein production were apparent. For all populations LT50 was between 32.9 and 33.9°C, with significant amounts of HSP70 induction only occurring in those individuals that experienced temperatures of 40°C or greater. The data presented therefore do not support the hypothesis that genetic adaptation of P. canaliculus to distinct thermal environments will be reflected by a corresponding difference in acute heat tolerance. In fact, the apparently vulnerable veligers show a surprisingly wide thermal safety margin. To develop a comprehensive understanding of ocean warming upon this species, subsequent studies should consider the impacts of sub-lethal stress upon fitness in addition to chronic thermal challenge and, critically, the response of sedentary juvenile and adult stages.
Roles of crustacean hyperglycaemic hormone in ionic and metabolic homeostasis in the Christmas Island Blue crabDiscoplax celeste
Authors: Turner Lucy M. , Webster Simon G. , Morris Stephen
Published: December 2012

There is a growing body of evidence implicating the involvement of crustacean hyperglycaemic hormone (CHH) in ionic homeostasis in decapod crustaceans. However, little is known regarding hormonally influenced osmoregulatory processes in terrestrial decapods. Since many terrestrial decapods experience opposing seasonal demands upon ionoregulatory physiologies, we reasoned that these would make interesting models in which to study the role of CHH upon these phenomena. In particular, those (tropical) species which also undergo seasonal migrations might be especially informative, since not only do we know relatively little regarding the nature of CHHs in terrestrial decapods, but also, hormonally mediated responses to seasonal changes in metabolic demands might also be superimposed or otherwise integrated with those associated with ionic homeostasis. Using Discoplax celeste, as a model crab which experiences seasonal extremes in water availability, and diurnal and migratory activity patterns, we identified two CHHs in the sinus gland. We firstly biochemically characterised (cDNA cloning) one and functionally characterised (in terms of dose-dependent hyperglycaemic responses and glucose-dependent negative feedback loops)both CHHs. Whole animal in situ branchial chamber 22NaCl perfusion experiments showed that injection of both CHHs increased gill Na+ uptake in a seasonally dependent manner, and 51Cr-EDTA clearance experiments demonstrated that CHH increased urine production by the antennal gland. Seasonal and salinity dependent differences in haemolymph CHH titre further implicated CHH in osmoregulatory processes. Intriguingly, CHH appeared to have no effect on gill Na+/K+-ATPase or V-ATPase activity, suggesting unknown mechanisms of this hormone’s action on Na+ transport across gill epithelia.
Muscle mitochondrial volume and aerobic capacity in a small marsupial (Sminthopsis crassicaudata) match those of 'athletic' placentals, reflecting flexible links between energy-use levels in mammals generally.
Authors: Dawson Terence J. , Webster Koa N. , Lee Enhua , Buttemer William A.
Published: December 2012

We investigated the muscle structure/function relationships that underlie the aerobic capacities of an insectivorous, small (~15 g) marsupial, Sminthopsis crassicaudata (Family: Dasyuridae). This was for further insight into energy use patterns in marsupials, relative to those in placentals, their sister clade within the Theria (advanced mammals). Disparate hopping marsupials (Suborder Macropodiformes), a kangaroo (Macropus rufus) and a rat-kangaroo (Bettongia penicillata), show aerobic capabilities as high as those of athletic placentals. Equivalent muscle mitochondrial volumes and cardiovascular features support these capabilities. We examined S. crassicaudata to determine whether highly developed aerobic capabilities are widespread in marsupials, rather than just being in the lately evolved Macropodiformes. This was the case. Treadmill-trained S. crassicaudata attained a maximal aerobic metabolic rate (V.O2max or MMR) of 272 mlO2 min-1 kg-1 (N=8), similar to that reported for a small (~20g), athletic placental, Apodemus sylvaticus, 264 mlO2 min-1 kg-1. Hopping marsupials have comparable aerobic levels when body mass variation is considered. S. crassicaudata has a basal metabolic rate (BMR) about 75% of placental values but it has a notably large factorial aerobic scope (fAS) of 13; elevated fAS also feature in hopping marsupials. The V.O2max of S. crassicaudata was supported by an elevated total muscle mitochondria volume, which was largely achieved through high muscle mitochondria volume densities, Vv(mt,f), the mean value being 14.0 ± 1.33%. These data were considered in relation to energy use levels in mammals, particularly field metabolic rate (FMR). BMR is consistently lower in marsupials, but this is balanced out by a high fAS, such that marsupial MMR matches that of placentals. However, FMR shows different mass relationships in the two clades, with the FMR of small (<125 g) marsupials being higher than in comparable placentals with the reverse applying for larger marsupials. The flexibility of energy output in marsupials provides explanations for this pattern. Overall our data refute widely held notions of mechanistically closely linked relationships between body mass, BMR, FMR and MMR in mammals.
Crisis Leadership and Military Community Resilience
Authors: Stern Eric K. , Saathoff Gregory
Published: December 2012

This paper takes the current all hazards (with a special emphasis on the CBRNE) threat picture to military installations within and outside of the continental United States and their associated military communities, as well as evolving patterns of community vulnerability and changing preparedness concepts (community resilience, whole of community), as a point of departure for re-examining strategic leadership challenges (Boin et al, 2005) associated with crisis management and community-resilience development. The paper identifies two key modes of response to pervasive threat to military communities: evacuation and shelter in place. Both academic research and practical planning in both the civilian and military realms have tended to focus on evacuation to the relative neglect of shelter-in-place. The paper examines the pros and cons of each mode of response. While traditional shelter-in-place concepts have significant limitations, many of these are transcended by state of the art community-shielding strategies which provide a more robust and enhanced form of sheltering-in place. In fact, community shielding provides a potentially superior alternative in many contingencies in terms of force protection, mission assurance, and continuity of operations. The paper concludes with an agenda for improving the resilience (and crisis management) capacity of military communities.
Comparison of Sampling Methods for Post-Hurricane Damage Survey
Authors: Liang Daan , Cong Lin , Brown Tanya , Song Lingguang
Published: December 2012

In the United States, residents and businesses in the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal regions are confronted with an increasing risk of hurricane-induced damages. It is often too costly and labor intensive to survey every structure within a large area affected by a major storm. Therefore, this paper is aimed at proposing and evaluating three sampling methods specifically designed for post-hurricane damage survey: Simple Random Sampling, Equal Spatial Sampling, and Route Based Sampling. After describing their general formation, a case study is presented in which these three sampling methods are applied to 1,020 residential houses affected by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, allowing for systematic and objective selection of samples for ground inspection. Then the distributions of damage conditions of samples are compared with that of population. The result shows that the sample sets selected by the Equal Spatial Sampling and Route Based Sampling methods reasonably represent the full data set with a few exceptions in high damage categories while the performance of the Simple Random Sampling is far less consistent. This work could serve as a guidance for designing a balanced sampling scheme with the consideration of expected performance and available resources in future post-disaster damage surveys.
The Italian Regulatory Framework for Developing Smart Distribution Grids
Authors: Olivieri Valeria , Delfanti Maurizio , Lo Schiavo Luca
Published: December 2012

The integration of Dispersed Generation (DG) is by far the most important and challenging issue that modern power systems are facing nowadays, and is the only way of exploiting Renewable Energy Sources (RES) for electric production. This revolution is running particularly fast in Europe, where significant incentive schemes have been promoted by many Member States in order to match the targets decided by the European institutions. As a consequence of the important share of RES already connected (especially to low voltage and medium voltage networks), new technical challenges have to be faced both at a distribution network level and at a transmission system level. Some of these challenges are covered by Smart grids that represent a new framework for improved management of distribution and transmission networks with attention to interoperability, security, resilience problems, and quality of service (QoS). It is recognized that an intelligent use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), as enabling technology, is the only approach able to solve new problems arising on energy networks due to larger DG penetration, without hindering system security and QoS.The paper focuses on the Italian case and in particular on the Italian regulatory framework for developing Smart Grids, and describes the technical foundations of the regulatory innovations introduced by the Italian energy regulatory authority (Autorità per l’energia elettrica e il gas - AEEG). After a selection process based on cost/benefit assessment, some demonstration projects for Smart Grid proposed by Distribution System Operators have been awarded with special capital cost remuneration (extra WACC of 2% for 12 years, on top of the ordinary WACC equal to 7% for distribution investments). The smart grid demonstration projects founded by AEEG introduce and test a new advanced management of DG in order to avoid the problems coming from reverse power flowing and maintain the necessary level of security, availability and quality of service.
A Comprehensive Study of Imagery Use by Coaches
Authors: Short Sandra E.
Published: December 2012

This study provides a comprehensive summary at how coaches (n = 214) used imagery. The results highlight the usefulness of Paivio’s (1985) model and corresponding measure (SIQ: Hall et al., 1998) for use with coaches. Descriptive statistics for how often coaches used imagery, why they use imagery and their perceptions of the direction (effectiveness) of the images are provided at the subscale and item levels. Also described is the relationship between imagery use and effectiveness. Several personal, coaching, and imagery-related variables were also shown to be related to imagery use and perceptions of effectiveness.
Effects of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic imagery interventions on dancers' plié arabesques
Authors: Heiland Teresa L. , Rovetti Robert , Dunn Jan
Published: December 2012

The goal of this study was to examine the influence of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic delivery modes of Franklin Method images (anatomical bone rhythms, metaphorical image, and tactile aid, respectively) on the performance of college dancers’ plié arabesques by assessing its influence on three measures: plié depth; maintenance of rotation; and simultaneous use of hip, knee, and ankle (Tri-fold). Eighteen participants performed a series of plié arabesques during three visits over a period of two months; at each visit, pliés were performed before and after an image intervention, and the change in mean Likert scale rating was calculated for each measure. In 130 out of 162 ratings, plié arabesque scores were higher following the image interventions. Based on t-test comparisons, the visual mode produced significant positive improvement for all three measures (p ≤ 0.001 for each), while the kinesthetic mode produced increased ratings for the Rotation (p=0.012) and Tri-fold (p=0.019) measures. The auditory mode was associated with increased ratings in the Tri-fold measure only (p < 0.001). One-way ANOVA suggests no one image modality performed significantly better or worse than the others for the Rotation or Tri-fold; however, the Visual mode did have a noticeably stronger positive effect for Plié (p = 0.003). We also explored possible relationships between years of experience dancing and preferred learning styles (as measured by the VARK, VAK, and MIQ-R assessment tools) to performance outcomes, and observed highly varied relationships but no definitive pattern of correlations. Dancers’ anecdotal comments about their perceived success with the imagery were qualitatively compared to their performance outcomes. This exploratory study suggests that Franklin Method imagery employing various delivery modalities can be successfully used to improve aspects of the Plié Arabesque, although some modalities may have a stronger effect. We offer recommendations for both the pedagogical application of Franklin Method based on aspects of technique as well as design of future studies to further explore learning styles and other personal aspects of imagery abilities.
Matching, Wage Rigidities and Efficient Severance Pay
Authors: Fella Giulio
Published: December 2012

This paper studies the effect of mandated severance pay in a matching model featuring wage rigidity for ongoing, but not new, matches. Mandated severance pay matters only if binding real wage rigidities imply inefficient separation under employment at will. In such a case, large enough severance payments reduce job destruction, and increase job creation and social efficiency, under very mild conditions. Furthermore, mandated severance pay never results in inefficient labor hoarding. Whenever separation is jointly optimal, the parties agree to end the match with a spot severance payment below the statutory one. The marginal effect of mandated severance pay is zero when its size exceeds that which induces the same allocation that would prevail in the absence of wage rigidity. The results hold under alternative micro-foundations for wage rigidity.
Costs of Engaging in Corruption: Equilibrium with Extortion and Framing
Authors: Yun Sungho
Published: December 2012

This paper presents a three-tier law enforcement model in which an inspector monitors a firm’s discharge of waste and reports it to a regulator. The inspector may engage in three forms of corruption – bribery, extortion and framing – with two types of costs: the cost of distorting information against the firm and the cost of side-transfer. In contrast with the earlier literature on corruption, we show that not only bribery but also extortion and framing may occur in equilibrium, even when all the forms of corruption could be deterred. We also find that higher costs of engaging in corruption may result in lower social welfare. Although these costs make engaging in corruption more difficult and hence more easily deter corruption, when corruption occurs in equilibrium, the costs cause wastage of scarce resources from society’s point of view. This analysis also provides an explanation of why corruption is more pervasive in less developed countries.
Dynamics of Competitive Rivalry
Authors: Maggitti Patrick G. , Coff Russell W. , Hatfield Donald E. , Ferrier Walter J.
Published: December 2012

This energetic lecture consist of a paper fight and another exercise to provide background, methodology, and findings from research that has empirically examined competitive dynamics. Foundational to this stream of research are several literatures including game theory and the Structure-Conduct-Performance paradigm. Unlike these literatures, however, research in competitive dynamics directly measures and analyzes firm action and rival action using a methodology of examining competitive actions identified through a structured content analysis of newspapers and trade magazines for firms in an industry. This robust methodology has enabled better understanding of competitive dynamics and the outcomes of this rivalry. It also has very practical implications. Thus, students also do an exercise in which they analyze actual competitive data between Coke and Pepsi to illustrate differences in their competitive behavior and the strengths and weaknesses of each of their approaches.
Rational Reasonableness: Toward a Positive Theory of Public Reason
Authors: Hadfield Gillian K. , Macedo Stephen
Published: December 2012

Why is it important for people to agree on and articulate shared reasons for just laws, rather than whatever reasons they personally find compelling? What, if any, practical role does public reason play in liberal democratic politics? We argue that the practical role of public reason can be better appreciated by examining the confluence of normative and positive political theory; the former represented here by liberal social contract theory of John Rawls and others, and the latter by rational choice or game theory. Citizens in a diverse society face a practical as well as a moral problem. How can they have confidence that others will reciprocate their commitment to supporting governing principles that depart from their own ideal conceptions of truth and value in order to be reasonable to all? Citizens face a practical problem of mutual assurance that public reason helps them solve, and solve as a matter of common knowledge. The solution, on both views, requires citizens’ reciprocal commitment to basing law on a system of shared reasons. Both views place public reason at the core of liberal democratic politics in conditions of diversity, and for quite similar reasons. Our argument illustrates the (often) complementary roles of positive and values-based analysis in constitutional design.
Health Care Insurance Pricing Using Alternating Renewal Processes
Authors: Adekambi Franck , Mamane Salha
Published: December 2012

This paper uses an Alternating Renewal Process to model the lengths of the health and sickness periods. The first two moments of the discounted aggregate benefits paid out up to an arbitrary time t are then derived.
Statistical Review of Nuclear Power Accidents
Authors: Hofert Marius , Wüthrich Mario V.
Published: December 2012

A statistical analysis which provides a risk assessment of nuclear safety based on historical data is conducted. Classical probabilistic models from risk theory are used to analyze data on nuclear power accidents from 1952 to 2011. Findings are that the severities of nuclear power accidents should be modeled with an infinite mean model and, thus, cannot be insured by an unlimited cover.
Projecting the Cost of Long-Term Care Insurance in Korea
Authors: Kwon Hyuk-Sung , Lee Chang-Soo , Hur Jun-Soo
Published: December 2012

These days aging population is a common phenomenon in most countries in the world. As a result, many countries are making great effort to improve the quality of life of elderly people after retirement. A long-term care insurance system is one of the products of those efforts. In the middle of year 2008, long term care insurance as a form of social insurance was introduced in Korea and has been providing various services for people who need assistance with daily living activities. A myriad of opinions from various perspectives such as finance and quality have been suggested for improvement of the system. In order to resolve problems and to reflect suggestions for the purpose of developing the system, the future demand and cost needs to be carefully estimated. Also, various important decisions associated with the insurance policy should be based on the results of the projection. This paper provides a case study of public long-term care insurance in Korea and discusses methods to make projections on the future costs of long-term care insurance.
Making Space for Space Traders
Authors: Adams Amelia , Laughter Judson
Published: December 2012

Should a focus on empowering education for a socially just world stretch across schooling generally? Is it really the responsibility of science educators to focus on such a struggle? We believe the answer to both questions is an enthusiastic “yes” and in this article report on the planning and execution of a 6th grade science unit designed to spark classroom dialogue around issues of bias in science and in society. We begin with a brief grounding in the relevant literature of culturally relevant science teaching before introducing the context of the unit and the methods of study. We then describe the planning and execution of the unit. We close with lessons that we feel important to carry forward into later replications and recommendations for future research.
Thermal optical path difference analysis of the telescope correct lens assembly
Authors: Hsu Ming-Ying , Chang Shenq-Tsong , Huang Ting-Ming
Published: December 2012

The effect of correct lens thermal optical path difference (OPD) on the optical performance of the Cassegrain telescope system is presented. The correct lens assembly includes several components such as a set of correct lenses, lens mount, spacer, mount barrel, and retainer. The heat transfer from the surrounding environment to the correct lens barrel will cause optical system aberration. The temperature distribution of the baffle is from 20.546°C to 21.485°C. Meanwhile, the off-axis ray’s path of the OPD has taken the lens incidence point and emergence point into consideration. The correct lens temperature distribution is calculated by the lens barrel heat transfer analysis; the thermal distortion and stress are solved by the Finite Element Method (FEM) software. The temperature distribution is weighted to each incidence ray path, and the thermal OPD is calculated. The thermal OPD on the Z direction is transferred to optical aberration by fitting OPD into a rigid body motion and the Zernike polynomial. The aberration results can be used to evaluate the thermal effect on the correct lens assembly in the telescope system.
Effects of salinity on survival of the exotic seagrass Zostera japonica subjected to extreme high temperature stress
Authors: Kaldy James E. , Shafer Deborah J.
Published: December 2012

Zostera japonica is a non-indigenous seagrass that is expanding along the Pacific Coast of North America. The ecophysiology of this seagrass is poorly studied and management of the species is fragmented. This split-plot mesocosm experiment was designed to evaluate the response of Z. japonica to chronic, extreme temperature and salinity stress to facilitate development of models to predict potential Z. japonica colonization. We collected Z. japonica plants from Padilla Bay, Washington and Yaquina Bay and Coos Bay, Oregon and exposed them to a constant water temperature of 15°C or 35°C at three different salinities (5, 20 and 35). After 7 days exposure, shoot survival ranged between 6% and 42%; after 9 days exposure, only a few plants from the Yaquina Bay population survived. At a ambient temperature (15°C), no differences were detected among the three salinity treatments. However, at a temperature of 35°C, the survival of plants grown at a salinity of 5 was significantly lower than at higher salinities (20 and 35). Although the effect of population was weak, the northern population appeared to be more susceptible to the combined effects of heat stress and low salinity than the southern populations. We suggest that Z. japonica will continue to spread southward along the Pacific coast of North America until it reaches systems that regularly exceed the temperature tolerances of this non-indigenous seagrass.
Recognition and distribution of Polysiphonia morrowii (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta) in New Zealand
Authors: D’Archino Roberta , Neill Kate F. , Nelson Wendy A.
Published: December 2012

Polysiphonia morrowii, a species native to the North Pacific, is believed to have been introduced to Chile, Turkey, Italy and France. This species was first recorded from New Zealand in 2011, based on collections made in 2004 from two sites on South Island, but no commentary was provided in the distribution or characteristics of the material collected. In 2009, as part of a study on macroalgae associated with soft sediment habitats in New Zealand, several samples of P. morrowii were collected from Otago Harbour, a location already known to host 17 non-indigenous macroalgal species. However, this species has gone unnoticed in New Zealand. We present the current understanding of the distribution of this species in New Zealand, and the distinguishing features of the specimens collected, to assist with biosecurity and monitoring programmes. Including this report of P. morrowii, there are now seven species of Polysiphonia and Neosiphonia that are regarded as non-indigenous in New Zealand.
Cryptic diversity and biogeography of the widespread brown alga Colpomenia sinuosa (Ectocarpales, Phaeophyceae)
Authors: Lee Kyung Min , Boo Sung Min , Kain (Jones) Joanna M. , Sherwood Alison R.
Published: December 2012

Recent DNA sequencing studies have demonstrated that many widespread species consist of species complexes with high genetic diversity. The brown alga Colpomenia sinuosa is a suitable candidate for studies into cryptic diversity because of its cosmopolitan distribution in the world’s oceans. To examine the genetic diversity within the species and the relationships of the genetic lineages to current distribution, we analyzed a total of 134 cox3 sequences from C. sinuosa specimens collected in 19 countries; we also examined 16 rbcL from a subset of the specimens for comparative purposes. Phylogenetic trees and haplotype analyses of cox3 and rbcL revealed high cryptic diversity comprising three genealogical groups within C. sinuosa. Two groups overlapped in the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic regions, one was confined to the tropics, while the remaining group was localized in the Red Sea and western Mediterranean Sea. Thus, the current distribution of C. sinuosa may well result from a mixture of modern anthropogenic introductions and ancient relicts.
Moderate elevations of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I and B-type natriuretic peptide in chronic hemodialysis patients are associated with mortality
Authors: Geerse Daniël A. , van Berkel Miranda , Vogels Steffie , Kooman Jeroen P. , Konings Constantijn J.A.M. , Scharnhorst Volkher
Published: December 2012

Background: Several biomarkers are associated with mortality in hemodialysis patients. In particular, elevated cardiac troponin T and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) are strong predictors of mortality; however, less is known about cardiac troponin I (cTnI). Elevated troponin I is detected in many hemodialysis patients, but the association of moderate elevations with mortality is unclear.

Methods: The relation between mortality and cTnI, using a high-sensitivity cTnI assay, as well as BNP and C-reactive protein (CRP) was evaluated in 206 chronic hemodialysis patients.

Results: Median follow-up was 28 months with a total mortality of 35%. Mortality was significantly associated with elevated cTnI, BNP and CRP. Even patients with only moderate elevation of cTnI (0.01–0.10 μg/L) showed 2.5-fold increased mortality. Interestingly, hazard ratios for mortality for single (random) measurements were comparable to those for mean/median measurements. Subsequently, subgroup analysis based on combined markers was performed. Patients with both cTnI <0.01 μg/L and BNP in the first quartile had 100% survival. Patients with either cTnI <0.01 μg/L or BNP in the lowest quartile had significantly lower mortality (12% and 13%, respectively) than patients with BNP levels in the second quartile or higher and cTnI of 0.01–0.05 μg/L and patients with cTnI ≥0.05 μg/L (mortality 46 and 58%, respectively).

Conclusions: A combination of moderate elevation of cTnI and BNP provided additional prognostic value. A single measurement of these biomarkers performed comparably to the mean/median of multiple measurements.
ADAM12s and PP13 as first trimester screening markers for adverse pregnancy outcome
Authors: Deurloo Koen L. , Linskens Ingeborg H. , Heymans Martijn W. , Heijboer Annemieke C. , Blankenstein Marinus A. , van Vugt John M.G.
Published: December 2012

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the screening performance of first trimester maternal serum measurements of A-disintegrin-and-metalloprotease 12-s (ADAM12s) and placental protein 13 (PP13) for preeclampsia (PE), gestational hypertension (GH) and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses.

Methods: In this retrospective case-control study 220 pregnant women were matched for gestational and maternal age at sampling. Results were expressed as multiples of the median (MoM) and compared using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-test. Screening performance was assessed by receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC).

Results: Seventeen cases of PE, 30 cases of GH and eight cases of SGA fetuses were matched with 165 controls. ROC-analysis yielded AUCs for ADAM12s and PP13 of 0.63 and 0.59 for PE, 0.68 and 0.57 for GH and 0.59 and 0.62 for SGA, respectively. Combined ADAM12 and PP13 did not improve the AUC value. When the specificity was set at 80%, corresponding detection rate of ADAM12s was 52% for GH.

Conclusions: Combined ADAM12s and PP13 measurements do not predict adverse pregnancy outcome, but decreased first trimester ADAM12s levels are associated with GH.
Biological variation and prognosis usefulness of new biomarkers in liver transplantation
Authors: Miguel Diego , Prieto Belén , Álvarez Francisco V.
Published: December 2012

Background: An observational retrospective study has been conducted, including 52 patients (37 male and 15 female), ranging from 22 to 65 years old, who underwent an orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) at the Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA) between 2007 and 2010.

Methods: The main objective was to evaluate the post-OLT critical complication prognosis usefulness of the precursors of three new biomarkers: mid-regional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM), carboxy-terminal-proendothelin-1 (CT-ProET-1) and mid-regional proatrial natriuretic peptide (MR-ProANP). As all of them are blood pressure mediators, stress-associated physiological phenomena are expected to affect their expression and secretion, mainly those related to blood circulation. Therefore, as a second goal, the biological variability of the biomarkers has been studied in a set of OLT patients without complications during the first postoperative week. The knowledge of the reference change value of the new biomarkers will be interesting for their correct interpretation in future investigations. The prognostic value of the new biomarkers was also compared to that of procalcitonin (PCT).

Results: It has been shown that the basal concentration of the biomarkers is higher in patients that undergo OLT than in the normal population, correlating with the severity of the pathology. The intra-individual biological variation of these biomarkers is similar to other biochemical parameters, the reference change value for OLT patients being 90% for CT-proET-1, 112% for MR-proADM and 127% for MR-proANP.

Conclusions: Multivariate analysis showed that MR-proADM was the best biomarker for the prognosis of severe complications.
50th anniversary of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine – a historical overview1)
Authors: Körber Friedrich , Plebani Mario
Published: December 2012

In the early 1960s, Joachim Brugsch, one of the founders of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM) (then Zeitschrift für Klinische Chemie), had the idea to found a journal in the upcoming field of clinical chemistry. He approached Ernst Schütte, who was associated with the De Gruyter publishing house through another journal, to participate, and Schütte thus became the second founder of this Journal. The aim was to create a vehicle allowing the experts to express their opinions and raise their voices more clearly than they could in a journal that publishes only original experimental papers, a laborious and difficult, but important endeavor, as the profession of clinical chemistry was still in the early stages of development at this time. The first issue of this Journal was published in early 1963, and today, we are proud to celebrate the 50th anniversary of CCLM. This review describes the development of this Journal in light of the political situation of the time when it was founded, the situation of the publisher Walter De Gruyter after the erection of the Berlin Wall, and the development of clinical chemistry, and later on, laboratory medicine as a well-acknowledged discipline and profession.
Synthesis and antioxidant activity of a series of novel 3-chalcone-substituted 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives
Authors: Sun Hao , Shang Chengxiang , Jin Longfei , Zhang Jian
Published: December 2012

New 3-chalcone-substituted 1,4-dihydropyridine (DHP) derivatives have been synthesized based on dimethyl or diethyl 2,6-dimethyl-4-phenyl-1,4-DHP-3,5-dicarboxylate. Their structures were confirmed by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and elemental analyses. The synthesized compounds were also screened for antioxidant properties.
Focused microwave-assisted efficient and convenient synthesis of new pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidinone derivatives
Authors: Quan Zheng-Jun , Liang Jun-Ling , Bai Lin , Zhang Zhang , Da Yu-Xia , Wang Xi-Cun
Published: December 2012

A rapid and efficient method for the preparation of new pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidinone derivatives by the condensation of 2-amino-4-aryl-6-arylnicotinamides with carbon disulfide or cycloalkanones under focused microwave irradiation is described.
Homo- and heterotypic interactions between Pss proteins involved in the exopolysaccharide transport system in Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii
Authors: Marczak Małgorzata , Dźwierzyńska Monika , Skorupska Anna
Published: December 2012

Rhizobium leguminosarum produces large amounts of exopolysaccharide (EPS) that has been shown to be an important determinant of successful nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with legume plants. EPS is assembled in a Wzx/Wzy-dependent manner, and proteins involved in the process are proposed to form a complex that enables coupling the synthesis of EPS subunits with their polymerization and transport. Pss proteins, which are encoded within the chromosomal polysaccharide synthesis cluster of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii TA1, were subjected to interaction analysis. PssN was shown to form multimeric complexes in the outer membrane and interact with the extracellular PssO protein and the inner membrane oligomeric PssP co-polymerase. PssO was demonstrated to form oligomers in the presence of the cross-linker. Bacterial two-hybrid analysis showed that PssP interacts with PssL and PssT, counterparts of Gram-negative bacteria Wzx and Wzy proteins. Membrane topology of PssT is discussed in the context of its plausible Wzy-like polymerase activity, interactions with PssP and a possible impact of these interactions on EPS polymerization and chain length determination. The importance of protein-protein and putative protein-polysaccharide interactions in EPS transport is discussed. A topology model for the EPS transport system, with highlights on localization, functions and interactions between the Pss proteins, is proposed.
HIF mediated and DNA damage independent histone H2AX phosphorylation in chronic hypoxia
Authors: Wrann Simon , Kaufmann Muriel R. , Wirthner Renato , Stiehl Daniel P. , Wenger Roland H.
Published: December 2012

The histone variant 2AX (H2AX) is phosphorylated at Serine 139 by the PI3K-like kinase family members ATM, ATR and DNA-PK. Genotoxic stress, such as tumor radio- and chemotherapy, is considered to be the main inducer of phosphorylated H2AX (γH2AX), which forms distinct foci at sites of DNA damage where DNA repair factors accumulate. γH2AX accumulation under severe hypoxic/anoxic (0.02% oxygen) conditions has recently been reported to follow replication fork stalling in the absence of detectable DNA damage. In this study, we found HIF-dependent accumulation of γH2AX in several cancer cell lines and mouse embryonic fibroblasts exposed to physiologically relevant chronic hypoxia (0.2% oxygen), which did not induce detectable levels of DNA strand breaks. The hypoxic accumulation of γH2AX was delayed by the RNAi-mediated knockdown of HIF-1α or HIF-2α and further decreased when both HIF-αs were absent. Conversely, basal phosphorylation of H2AX was increased in cells with constitutively stabilized HIF-2α. These results suggest that both HIF-1 and HIF-2 are involved in γH2AX accumulation by tumor hypoxia, which might increase a cancer cell’s capacity to repair DNA damage, contributing to tumor therapy resistance.
Synthesis of Different Morphologies of PbS Nanostructures via Hydrothermal Process
Authors: Ghanbari Davood , Salavati-Niasari Masoud , Davar Fatemeh
Published: December 2012

Lead sulfide nanostructures with different morphologies and particle sizes were obtained via a simple hydrothermal reaction between lead salicylate (Pb(Hsal)2) and thioglycolic acid The novelty in this synthesis is using of thioglycolic acid as a sulfur source and stability agent simultaneously. Depending on the pH of the solution, morphologies of the PbS varied and crystals with shapes of nanoparticles, flower-like nanostructures and microrods were obtained. The effect of the reaction time on the morphology of the nanostructures has been investigated. Products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy.
Calculation of the Raman Linewidths of Lattice Modes Close to the α-β Transition in Quartz
Authors: Lider Mustafa Cem , Yurtseven Hamit
Published: December 2012

The Raman frequencies of the lattice modes (147 cm−1 and 207 cm−1) are analyzed for the α-β transition in quartz according to a power-law formula with the critical exponent by using the experimental data. The temperature dependence of the Raman frequency is associated with the order parameter (polarization P) for this transition in the quartz crystal.

The damping constant of the lattice modes studied here is calculated using the Raman frequencies at various temperatures for the α-β transition in quartz (Tc = 846 K) using the soft mode – hard mode and the energy fluctuation models. Our calculations for the damping constant (bandwidths) give an evidence that the lattice mode of the 147 cm−1 exhibits a soft mode behavior for the α-β transition in quartz.
Production and Characterization of Hydroxyapatite-Zirconia Composites
Authors: Ozmen Melis , Akin Ipek , Marsoglu Muzeyyen
Published: December 2012

Hydroxyapatite (HA) ceramics are used extensively in different medical applications, such as biomaterial for repair or replacement of bone tissues since it resembles mineral component of bone and teeth. However, HA exhibits low fracture toughness due to its lack of strength and brittleness, thereby providing an obstacle to its application in implants that must withstand to high loads. In this study, HA was synthesized from human teeth by using a single calcinations method. Hydroxyapatite powders were mixed with different amounts of zirconia. The composites were sintered at different temperatures and characterized in terms of mechanical properties and the optimum sintering temperature was determined for good mechanical properties.
Thermodynamic Modeling of the CaO-SiO2-M2O (M=K,Na) Systems
Authors: Zhang Ligang , Schmetterer Clemens , Masset Patrick J.
Published: December 2012

The aim of the present study is the CALPHAD modeling of the systems CaO-SiO2-M2O (M=K,Na) based on a careful review of the available literature data – phase diagram and thermodynamics – as well as own experiments. The heat capacities (Cp) of three compounds, CaSiO3, K2Ca2Si2O7 and K8CaSi10O25 (determined using drop calorimetry), were included in the optimization of the ternary phase diagram CaO-SiO2-K2O.
Short- and medium-term impact of a residential weight-loss camp for overweight adolescents
Authors: Fonseca Helena , Palmeira Antonio Labisa , Martins Sandra , Ferreira Pedro Dias
Published: December 2012

Introduction: Management of adolescent obesity in clinical practice has been usually centered on the promotion of healthy eating and an active lifestyle, with a weak evidence base. In search of creative and more effective interventions, our objective was to evaluate the immediate and follow-up effectiveness of a residential camp program for obese adolescents.

Methods: A total of 28 obese adolescents (15 girls), mean age 13.3±1.7 years and body mass index (BMI) 30.3±5.4 kg/m2, who were attending a tertiary health unit, enrolled in a 2-week camp. The activities were prepared and supervised by different specialists. All adolescents were assessed for anthropometric and psychosocial variables including body image, self-esteem, quality of life and depressive symptoms. Evaluations were conducted on the first and last day of the camp and at 6 months’ follow-up. The effect of treatment was analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) mixed models.

Results: At the end of the camp, weight was reduced by –2.7±1.2%, BMI by –0.8±0.4 units and waist circumference by –2.8±9.8 cm. A reduction in depressive symptoms was identified, with greater reductions in BMI associated with a more significant improvement in depressive symptoms. At the 6 months’ follow-up only girls maintained BMI reduction, with boys having increased their BMI.

Discussion: In the short-term the camp was effective in reducing BMI and improving depressive symptoms. Only girls were able to proceed with BMI reduction at 6 months. These gender differences should be further explored. Ongoing research is examining the maintenance of these improvements.