bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conditional modeling and the jitter method of spike resampling
Authors: Amarasingham Asohan , Harrison Matthew T. , Hatsopoulos Nicholas G. , Geman Stuart
Published: October 2011

The existence and role of fine-temporal structure in the spiking activity of central neurons is the subject of an enduring debate among physiologists. To a large extent, the problem is a statistical one: what inferences can be drawn from neurons monitored in the absence of full control over their presynaptic environments? In principle, properly crafted resampling methods can still produce statistically correct hypothesis tests. We focus on the approach to resampling known as jitter. We review a wide range of jitter techniques, illustrated by both simulation experiments and selected analyses of spike data from motor cortical neurons. We rely on an intuitive and rigorous statistical framework known as conditional modeling to reveal otherwise hidden assumptions and to support precise conclusions. Among other applications, we review statistical tests for exploring any proposed limit on the rate of change of spiking probabilities, exact tests for the significance of repeated fine-temporal patterns of spikes, and the construction of acceptance bands for testing any purported relationship between sensory or motor variables and synchrony or other fine-temporal events.
Neurobiology Underlying Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Authors: Ceko Marta , Bushnell M. Catherine , Gracely Richard H.
Published: October 2011

Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic widespread pain, clinical symptoms that include cognitive and sleep disturbances, and other abnormalities such as increased sensitivity to painful stimuli, increased sensitivity to multiple sensory modalities, and altered pain modulatory mechanisms. Here we relate experimental findings of fibromyalgia symptoms to anatomical and functional brain changes. Neuroimaging studies show augmented sensory processing in pain-related areas, which, together with gray matter decreases and neurochemical abnormalities in areas related to pain modulation, supports the psychophysical evidence of altered pain perception and inhibition. Gray matter decreases in areas related to emotional decision making and working memory suggest that cognitive disturbances could be related to brain alterations. Altered levels of neurotransmitters involved in sleep regulation link disordered sleep to neurochemical abnormalities. Thus, current evidence supports the view that at least some fibromyalgia symptoms are associated with brain dysfunctions or alterations, giving the long-held “it is all in your head” view of the disorder a new meaning.
Geometric Buildup Algorithms for Sensor Network Localization
Authors: Zheng Zhenzhen , Luo Xinlong , Wu Zhijun
Published: October 2011

We present a geometric buildup algorithm for solving the sensor network localization problem with either accurate or noisy distance data. The algorithm determines the locations of the sensors, one at a time, by using the distances between the determined sensors and the undetermined ones. Each time, only a small system of distance equations needs to be solved and therefore, in an ideal case when the required distances are available for every sensor to be determined, the computation can be completed in n steps if n sensors are to be determined. An algorithm with two buildup phases is also
implemented to handle not only noisy but also sparse distance data with for example only a few distant anchors. We show our test results and compare them with other approaches.
The Influence of UGT1A6 Variants and Aspirin Use in a Randomized Trial of Celecoxib for Prevention of Colorectal Adenoma
Authors: Chan Andrew T. , Hsu Meier , Zauber Ann G. , Hawk Ernest T. , Bertagnolli Monica M.
Published: October 2011

Aspirin and celecoxib prevent colorectal adenoma recurrence. Genetic variants in the UGT1A6 enzyme are associated with delayed aspirin metabolism and greater chemopreventive efficacy. We examined the effect of combining aspirin and celecoxib in relation to UGT1A6 T181A and R184S variants among 1,647 patients in the Adenoma Prevention with Celecoxib (APC) trial who were stratified according to the use of low-dose aspirin after removal of adenomas and randomized to placebo, 200-mg twice daily, or 400-mg twice daily celecoxib for 3 years. Patients underwent follow-up colonoscopies at 1 and 3 years to assess on-treatment efficacy. At 5 years, 538 patients underwent a colonoscopy to assess risk of recurrence after treatment was discontinued for at least 1 year. During treatment, the relative risk (RR) of recurrent adenoma was 0.68 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.59–0.79] for 200-mg twice daily celecoxib and 0.54 (95% CI, 0.46–0.64) for 400-mg twice daily celecoxib compared with placebo. Aspirin use was not independently associated with recurrent adenoma (RR, 0.98, 95% CI, 0.86–1.15). These results did not vary according to UGT1A6 genotype. However, among those with a variant UGT1A6 genotype on aspirin, the RR of adenoma was 1.60 (95% CI, 0.81–3.15) after withdrawal of 200-mg twice daily and 1.98 (95% CI, 1.06–3.70) after withdrawal of 400-mg twice daily celecoxib compared with withdrawal of placebo. In contrast, there was no increased risk associated with discontinuing celecoxib among any other groups. Concurrent use of low-dose aspirin does not influence the efficacy of celecoxib in adenoma prevention. However, discontinuing celecoxib among aspirin-using individuals who initially developed adenoma despite a UGT1A6 variant genotype resulted in rapid reemergence of disease. Cancer Prev Res; 5(1); 61–72. ©2011 AACR.
The formation of alluvial fans and young floodplain deposits in the Lieser catchment, Eifel Mountains, western German Uplands: A study of soil erosion budgeting
Authors: Stolz Christian , Grunert Jörg , Fülling Alexander
Published: October 2011

This study deals with the exploration and spatiotemporal quantification of the young Holocene, nearly skeleton-free floodplain sediments of the Lieser River, a tributary of the Mosel River in the Eifel Mts. The deposits are primarily a consequence of anthropogenic-triggered soil erosion in the catchment. To observe the phenomenon of corresponding soil erosion on multiple levels two small alluvial fans of tributary catchments were investigated. For comparison, one location in the neighboring Salm valley was described. The results were compared with those of other streams. With extensive fieldwork more than 100 drillings and pits were made at 12 locations. For dating the sediments OSL dating, 14C dating of organic contents and archaeological artifacts were used. In the floodplains of the Lieser and its tributaries, 35.1 × 106 t of overbank fines are stored. To achieve this, an average soil erosion of 61.4 mm in the whole catchment would have been necessary. About 28% of young floodplain sediments in upper and lower course were deposited before ad 1000. However, prehistoric deposits could not be positively proven. Only 18% of floodplain sediments were deposited between ad 1000 and 1320 (early and high Middle Ages) and 54% during late Middle Ages and early Modern Time (ad 1320–1850), respectively. The thickness of floodplain sediments is mostly independent of the valley gradient. The largest sediment thickness (> 5 m) was found by drilling in the upper reaches. However, a part of this could be dated to the early Holocene. In the narrow middle reaches, the maximum thickness of the skeleton-free deposits was only 1.2–2 m. The average thickness of the floodplain sediments rose again in the depression of Wittlich up to 2.4 m. The formation of the investigated small fans was quite different. Sedimentation occurred within limited periods as a result of single events.
Diffusive wave-absorbing control: example of the boundary stabilization of a thin flexible beam
Authors: Montseny Gérard
Published: October 2011

In this paper we deal with the boundary control of the Euler–Bernoulli beam by means of wave-absorbing feedback. Such controls are based upon the reduction of reflected waves and involve long memory non-rational convolution operators resulting from specific properties of the system. These operators are reformulated under so-called diffusive input–output state-space realizations, which allow us to represent the global closed-loop system under the abstract form d X/d t = A X with A the infinitesimal generator of a continuous semigroup. So, well-posedness and stability of the controlled system result from classical semigroup theory. Finite-dimensional approximations of the diffusive realizations are then studied, with the aim of providing implementable controls close to the ideal ones. Finally, significant numerical simulations are presented.
Segmental vibration transmissibility of seated occupant from lumped parameter models
Authors: Alphin Masilamany Santha , Sankaranarayanasamy Krishnaswamy , Sivapirakasam Suthangathan Paramashivan
Published: October 2011

One of the important parameters for the comfort of a seated occupant of a vehicle is the dynamic parameter. The effects of vibration depend on biomechanical characteristics, transmissibility (TR) and apparent mass. The range of input vibration at the seat and TR at the driving frequency will decide the magnitude of the displacement at any point of the human occupant. The most preferred form of biomechanical model for unidirectional whole body vibration is the lumped parameter model. Lumped parameter models are formulated by number of masses depending on the number of degrees-of-freedom (d.f.). The objective of this work is to study the vibration TR by developing the equations of motion (EOM) for different d.f. models for the seated occupant. Then the generated equations of motion for lumped parameter models are solved using the frequency domain technique. In this paper two, four, seven and 11 d.f. models are considered. The TR values are determined by solving the derived parameters using the MATLAB program. The maximum seats to head TR in the case of two, four, seven and 11 d.f. are obtained at the frequency of 2 Hz, 2.5 Hz, 3.15 Hz, and 4 Hz respectively. The TR obtained from models is compared with real time experimental results. The comparison shows a better fit for the TR obtained from the four and seven d.f. models. There is a wide deviation from the TR observed with two and 11 degrees of models when compared with experimental results of the past literature.
An experimental testbed for investigating nonsmooth bifurcations in an electromechanical system
Authors: Wilcox Bryan , Dankowicz Harry
Published: October 2011

In this paper we detail the design, construction, experimental investigation, theoretical modeling, and numerical exploration of a laboratory-scale electromechanical device, which includes the possibility of recurrent mechanical contact and exploitable multidomain signal transduction. In particular, we illustrate the use of inductive coupling between electrical and mechanical degrees of freedom to actuate and interrogate changes in the mechanical response due to the onset of contact through the coupled behavior of the device current. It is shown that nonsmooth bifurcations associated with a transition from nonimpacting to impacting dynamics, induced by changes in critical parameter values, may result in detectable changes in the current amplitude and, significantly, frequency content. The device design and the observed results are argued to support a similar functionality in microscale devices, where multidomain coupling is common.
Self-help and self-help groups for people with long-lasting health problems or mental health difficulties in a Nordic context: A review
Authors: Aglen BJørg , Hedlund Marianne , Landstad Bodil J.
Published: October 2011

Aim: The aim of this review is to provide systematic knowledge of research from Nordic countries about the meaning of self-help and self-help groups when these are used as a concept or method addressing issues related to long-lasting health problems or mental health difficulties. Methods: Included were studies conducted in the Nordic countries that were published between January 1999 and September 2009. These studies investigated self-help and self-help groups addressing issues related to long-lasting health problems. Results: A total of 83 publications met the inclusion criteria. Four major characteristics of self-help were found to be present in the publications: self-help as an intrapsychological process, self-help as an interpsychological or group process, self-help as a coping, individual learning or empowerment process, and self-help as an alternative or complement to medical treatment. Of the 83 studies, 72 publications used a professional treatment perspective for studying self-help and 11 publications used a perspective derived from alternative or complementary therapies. Conclusions: The review shows that most of the research on self-help and self-help groups for people with long-lasting health problems or disability is conducted with an interest to improve the professional healthcare system. That is, the health-promotion strategy is mainly considered in the framework of treatment or care settings. This means that self-help in this context does not challenge the dominant biomedical health model.
Interrogating differentiated citizenship education: Students’ perceptions of democracy, rights and governance in two Singapore schools
Authors: Ho Li-Ching , Sim Jasmine B.-Y. , Alviar-Martin Theresa
Published: October 2011

Across and within democratic societies, youth experiences of education for citizenship vary widely. A growing body of research suggests that students’ experiences of democratic citizenship education will differ according to how academic programmes, community culture, socio-economic status and gender intersect with prevailing conceptions of equality, mutual respect and reciprocity. This qualitative study explores how democratic citizenship education is enacted in two secondary schools with very dissimilar academic programmes and policies. A key finding in the study is fissures in perceptions of civic engagement and democratic rights between students from the two schools, thus suggesting that academic programmes and policies can differentiate the manner in which students are prepared to fulfil their roles as citizens.
Native X-DING-CD4 protein secreted by HIV-1 resistant CD4+ T cells blocks activity of IL-8 promoter in human endothelial cells infected with enteric bacteria
Authors: Ivanova Anna , Shilpi Rasheda Y , Sachdeva Rakhee , Li Guanhua , Simm Malgorzata
Published: October 2011

Onsets of bacterial infections devastate the compromised immune system in AIDS patients. Damaged gut mucosa permits dissemination of bacterial toxins into deeper layers and hyper-activation of the immune system. We previously reported that the unfractionated supernatants of HIV-resistant CD4+ T cells impeded the NF-κB/DNA binding in macrophages induced by either HIV-1 or LPS. The active component of this soluble material was identified as X-DING-CD4 (extracellular DING from CD4 T cells). We hypothesized that the anti-inflammatory effect of the X-DING-CD4 protein might extend to non-immune cells, for example endothelial cells, undergoing persistent endotoxin stimulation in the course of advanced HIV disease. To test this proposition, we evaluated the efficiency of NF-κB and Ap-1 binding to the IL-8 promoter in LPS-activated endothelial cells and control human macrophages exposed to native X-DING-CD4 protein. We found a deficiency of NF-κB- but not AP-1-DNA binding in the systems where cells were treated with native soluble X-DING-CD4 protein. The X-DING-CD4-mediated inhibition of the IL-8 promoter also resulted in a reduction of the soluble IL-8 protein in endothelial cells and human macrophages infected with a subset of enteric bacteria frequently causing diarrhea in progressive HIV disease . Bacterial endotoxin did not induce the endogenous X-DING-CD4 mRNA activity in human macrophages and transformed CD4+T cells, indicating that the reduction of LPS-mediated IL-8 promoter activation was not related to de novo X-DING-CD4 protein synthesis, but depended on function of the exogenous X-DING-CD4 protein. This study provides evidence that the X-DING-CD4 protein might be developed as a novel biotherapeutic to control LPS-mediated inflammation in advanced HIV disease.
Mechanism of transfer of functional microRNAs between mouse dendritic cells via exosomes
Authors: Montecalvo Angela , Larregina Adriana T. , Shufesky William J. , Beer Stolz Donna , Sullivan Mara L. G. , Karlsson Jenny M. , Baty Catherine J. , Gibson Gregory A. , Erdos Geza , Wang Zhiliang , Milosevic Jadranka , Tkacheva Olga A. , Divito Sherrie J. , Jordan Rick , Lyons-Weiler James , Watkins Simon C. , Morelli Adrian E.
Published: October 2011

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent APCs. Whereas immature DCs down-regulate T-cell responses to induce/maintain immunologic tolerance, mature DCs promote immunity. To amplify their functions, DCs communicate with neighboring DCs through soluble mediators, cell-to-cell contact, and vesicle exchange. Transfer of nanovesicles (< 100 nm) derived from the endocytic pathway (termed exosomes) represents a novel mechanism of DC-to-DC communication. The facts that exosomes contain exosome-shuttle miRNAs and DC functions can be regulated by exogenous miRNAs, suggest that DC-to-DC interactions could be mediated through exosome-shuttle miRNAs, a hypothesis that remains to be tested. Importantly, the mechanism of transfer of exosome-shuttle miRNAs from the exosome lumen to the cytosol of target cells is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that DCs release exosomes with different miRNAs depending on the maturation of the DCs. By visualizing spontaneous transfer of exosomes between DCs, we demonstrate that exosomes fused with the target DCs, the latter followed by release of the exosome content into the DC cytosol. Importantly, exosome-shuttle miRNAs are functional, because they repress target mRNAs of acceptor DCs. Our findings unveil a mechanism of transfer of exosome-shuttle miRNAs between DCs and its role as a means of communication and posttranscriptional regulation between DCs.
Snat: a SNP annotation tool for bovine by integrating various sources of genomic information
Authors: Jiang Jicai , Jiang Li , Zhou Bin , Fu Weixuan , Liu Jian-Feng , Zhang Qin
Published: October 2011

Background

Most recently, with maturing of bovine genome sequencing and high throughput SNP genotyping technologies, a large number of significant SNPs associated with economic important traits can be identified by genome-wide association studies (GWAS). To further determine true association findings in GWAS, the common strategy is to sift out most promising SNPs for follow-up replication studies. Hence it is crucial to explore the functional significance of the candidate SNPs in order to screen and select the potential functional ones. To systematically prioritize these statistically significant SNPs and facilitate follow-up replication studies, we developed a bovine SNP annotation tool (Snat) based on a web interface.

Results

With Snat, various sources of genomic information are integrated and retrieved from several leading online databases, including SNP information from dbSNP, gene information from Entrez Gene, protein features from UniProt, linkage information from AnimalQTLdb, conserved elements from UCSC Genome Browser Database and gene functions from Gene Ontology (GO), KEGG PATHWAY and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals (OMIA). Snat provides two different applications, including a CGI-based web utility and a command-line version, to access the integrated database, target any single nucleotide loci of interest and perform multi-level functional annotations. For further validation of the practical significance of our study, SNPs involved in two commercial bovine SNP chips, i.e., the Affymetrix Bovine 10K chip array and the Illumina 50K chip array, have been annotated by Snat, and the corresponding outputs can be directly downloaded from Snat website. Furthermore, a real dataset involving 20 identified SNPs associated with milk yield in our recent GWAS was employed to demonstrate the practical significance of Snat.

Conclusions

To our best knowledge, Snat is one of first tools focusing on SNP annotation for livestock. Snat confers researchers with a convenient and powerful platform to aid functional analyses and accurate evaluation on genes/variants related to SNPs, and facilitates follow-up replication studies in the post-GWAS era.
Protein and lipid MALDI profiles classify breast cancers according to the intrinsic subtype
Authors: Kang Han Sung , Lee Seok Cheol , Park Young Seung , Jeon Young Eun , Lee Jeong Hwa , Jung So-Youn , Park In Hae , Jang Seok Hoon , Park Hye Min , Yoo Chong Woo , Park Seok Hee , Han Sang Yun , Kim Kwang Pyo , Kim Young Hwan , Ro Jungsil , Kim Hark Kyun
Published: October 2011

Background

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) has been demonstrated to be useful for molecular profiling of common solid tumors. Using recently developed MALDI matrices for lipid profiling, we evaluated whether direct tissue MALDI MS analysis on proteins and lipids may classify human breast cancer samples according to the intrinsic subtype.

Methods

Thirty-four pairs of frozen, resected breast cancer and adjacent normal tissue samples were analyzed using histology-directed, MALDI MS analysis. Sinapinic acid and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid/α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid were manually deposited on areas of each tissue section enriched in epithelial cells to identify lipid profiles, and mass spectra were acquired using a MALDI-time of flight instrument.

Results

Protein and lipid profiles distinguish cancer from adjacent normal tissue samples with the median prediction accuracy of 94.1%. Luminal, HER2+, and triple-negative tumors demonstrated different protein and lipid profiles, as evidenced by permutation P values less than 0.01 for 0.632+ bootstrap cross-validated misclassification rates with all classifiers tested. Discriminatory proteins and lipids were useful for classifying tumors according to the intrinsic subtype with median prediction accuracies of 80.0-81.3% in random test sets.

Conclusions

Protein and lipid profiles accurately distinguish tumor from adjacent normal tissue and classify breast cancers according to the intrinsic subtype.
Reprogramming adult dermis to a neonatal state through epidermal activation of β-catenin
Authors: Collins Charlotte A. , Kretzschmar Kai , Watt Fiona M.
Published: October 2011

Hair follicle formation depends on reciprocal epidermal-dermal interactions and occurs during skin development, but not in adult life. This suggests that the properties of dermal fibroblasts change during postnatal development. To examine this, we used a PdgfraEGFP mouse line to isolate GFP-positive fibroblasts from neonatal skin, adult telogen and anagen skin and adult skin in which ectopic hair follicles had been induced by transgenic epidermal activation of β-catenin (EF skin). We also isolated epidermal cells from each mouse. The gene expression profile of EF epidermis was most similar to that of anagen epidermis, consistent with activation of β-catenin signalling. By contrast, adult dermis with ectopic hair follicles more closely resembled neonatal dermis than adult telogen or anagen dermis. In particular, genes associated with mitosis were upregulated and extracellular matrix-associated genes were downregulated in neonatal and EF fibroblasts. We confirmed that sustained epidermal β-catenin activation stimulated fibroblasts to proliferate to reach the high cell density of neonatal skin. In addition, the extracellular matrix was comprehensively remodelled, with mature collagen being replaced by collagen subtypes normally present only in developing skin. The changes in proliferation and extracellular matrix composition originated from a specific subpopulation of fibroblasts located beneath the sebaceous gland. Our results show that adult dermis is an unexpectedly plastic tissue that can be reprogrammed to acquire the molecular, cellular and structural characteristics of neonatal dermis in response to cues from the overlying epidermis.
A Trio-RhoA-Shroom3 pathway is required for apical constriction and epithelial invagination
Authors: Plageman Timothy F. , Chauhan Bharesh K. , Yang Christine , Jaudon Fanny , Shang Xun , Zheng Yi , Lou Ming , Debant Anne , Hildebrand Jeffrey D. , Lang Richard A.
Published: October 2011

Epithelial invagination is a common feature of embryogenesis. An example of invagination morphogenesis occurs during development of the early eye when the lens placode forms the lens pit. This morphogenesis is accompanied by a columnar-to-conical cell shape change (apical constriction or AC) and is known to be dependent on the cytoskeletal protein Shroom3. Because Shroom3-induced AC can be Rock1/2 dependent, we hypothesized that during lens invagination, RhoA, Rock and a RhoA guanine nucleotide exchange factor (RhoA-GEF) would also be required. In this study, we show that Rock activity is required for lens pit invagination and that RhoA activity is required for Shroom3-induced AC. We demonstrate that RhoA, when activated and targeted apically, is sufficient to induce AC and that RhoA plays a key role in Shroom3 apical localization. Furthermore, we identify Trio as a RhoA-GEF required for Shroom3-dependent AC in MDCK cells and in the lens pit. Collectively, these data indicate that a Trio-RhoA-Shroom3 pathway is required for AC during lens pit invagination.
A novel role for the floral homeotic gene APETALA2 during Arabidopsis fruit development
Authors: Ripoll Juan José , Roeder Adrienne H. K. , Ditta Gary S. , Yanofsky Martin F.
Published: October 2011

The majority of the Arabidopsis fruit comprises an ovary with three primary tissue types: the valves, the replum and the valve margins. The valves, which are derived from the ovary walls, are separated along their entire length by the replum. The valve margin, which consists of a separation layer and a lignified layer, forms as a narrow stripe of cells at the valve-replum boundaries. The valve margin identity genes are expressed at the valve-replum boundary and are negatively regulated by FUL and RPL in the valves and replum, respectively. In ful rpl double mutants, the valve margin identity genes become ectopically expressed, and, as a result, the entire outer surface of the ovary takes on valve margin identity. We carried out a genetic screen in this sensitized genetic background and identified a suppressor mutation that restored replum development. Surprisingly, we found that the corresponding suppressor gene was AP2, a gene that is well known for its role in floral organ identity, but whose role in Arabidopsis fruit development had not been previously described. We found that AP2 acts to prevent replum overgrowth by negatively regulating BP and RPL, two genes that normally act to promote replum formation. We also determined that AP2 acts to prevent overgrowth of the valve margin by repressing valve margin identity gene expression. We have incorporated AP2 into the current genetic network controlling fruit development in Arabidopsis.
Dynamic Behavior of Sand/Rubber Mixtures. Part I: Effect of Rubber Content and Duration of Confinement on Small-Strain Shear Modulus and Damping Ratio
Authors: Anastasiadis Anastasios , Senetakis Kostas , Pitilakis Kyriazis , Gargala Chrysanthi , Karakasi Iphigeneia
Published: October 2011

The paper examines the small-strain dynamic properties of mixtures composed of sandy soils with recycled tire rubber. For this purpose, the experimental results stemming from a torsional resonant column testing program on twenty four [24] saturated and dry specimens are analyzed. The percentages of rubber used range between 0 and 35 % by mixture weight. GO values increase whereas DTO values decrease systematically as the content of rubber decreases and the mean confining pressure increases. Based on the experimental results we propose an analytical relationship for the estimation of GO, which is expressed in terms of an equivalent void ratio that considers the volume of rubber solids as part of the total volume of voids, along with an analytical relationship for the estimation of DTO. Finally, the effect of the specimen’s size and the duration of confinement on the initial shear modulus and damping ratio of the mixtures are also discussed.
One Half Living for Two: Cross-Cultural Paradigms of Twinship and Twin Loss
Authors: McIlroy Emily C.
Published: October 2011

Many indigenous African religions, specifically that of the Yoruba of Nigeria, the Bamana and Malinke of Mali, and the Nuer of southern Sudan, are characterized by a system of spiritual beliefs surrounding the life and death of twins. Separation by death poses an extreme threat to the soul(s) of twins, and many rituals and customs designed to sustain the spirit of surviving twins are widely practiced. Despite twin loss being overlooked in Western psychological studies of grief, recent research and in-depth interviews of bereaved twins clearly identifies the unique nature of losing a twin, and the importance of acknowledging this distinction in the surviving twin's ability to cope with the death. The spiritual practices of the Yoruba, Bamana, Malinke, and Nuer are conducive to dealing with the specific nature of twin loss. They take into account the uniqueness of the twinship experience, and provide material for reflection on healing approaches outside the traditional parameters of psychology.
Family Members' Experiences with Viewing in the Wake of Sudden Death
Authors: Harrington Christina , Sprowl Bethany
Published: October 2011

Sudden deaths leave families in crisis and interacting with many professionals from notification through to burial. Whether to view the deceased is often central to discussion. Practice guidelines have evolved over time regarding where, when, how, and why viewing should or should not occur. Unfortunately, there is much contradiction in existing recommendations and a marked absence of a supporting evidence base for the practice of viewing itself, and the influence of this practice on the overall bereavement process. Using a qualitative approach, this study explored the perspectives and experiences of the suddenly bereaved with respect to: viewing or not having viewed; whether or not their viewing experiences have impacted on their bereavement process; and explored particular aspects of their experience such as interactions with various professionals. Results of this study are clustered and presented under three core themes: viewing specifics; intrapersonal responses; and professional interactions.
The Relationship between Body Mass Index, the Use of Second-Generation Antipsychotics, and Dental Caries among Hospitalized Patients with Schizophrenia
Authors: Chu Kuan-Yu , Yang Nan-Ping , Chou Pesus , Chi Lin-Yang , Chiu Hsien-Jane
Published: October 2011

Objective:

Weight gain is common in schizophrenia due to use of the second-generation antipsychotic medicines (SGAs). Studies have also shown that body mass index (BMI) and the side effect of SGAs, such as anticholinergic activity, are related to the risk of dental caries. This study aims to investigate the relationship between BMI, the use of the SGAs, and the decayed, missing, and filled tooth index (DMFT) among hospitalized patients with schizophrenia.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey of oral health was conducted in a psychiatric long-term care hospital in Taiwan in 2006. A total of 878 schizophrenic inpatients participated in this survey. The DMFT index was used to assess dental caries, the use of SGAs of subjects were recorded, and the BMI classification was done in accordance with Asian standard scales. Multiple regression models were used to measure the effects of SGAs or BMI on the DMFT index in each subject.

Results:

Among the subjects with schizophrenia, DMFT is significantly related to independent variables such as age, length of stay, BMI, education, marital status, and grade of disability. Consequent multiple linear regression showed that being underweight (β = 0.07, p = 0.041) and age were the most significant factors that influence the DMFT score.

Conclusions:

We found that the use of SGAs was not significantly associated with the DMFT index. After adjusting for age, being underweight is a significant factor associated with the increased risk of dental caries in hospitalized patients with schizophrenia. Psychologists and dentists should pay more attention to the relation between BMI and dental caries in this population.
Harmonicity of vector fields on four-dimensional generalized symmetric spaces
Authors: Calvaruso Giovanni
Published: October 2011

Let (M = G/H;g)denote a four-dimensional pseudo-Riemannian generalized symmetric space and g = m + h the corresponding decomposition of the Lie algebra g of G. We completely determine the harmonicity properties of vector fields belonging to m. In some cases, all these vector fields are critical points for the energy functional restricted to vector fields. Vector fields defining harmonic maps are also classified, and the energy of these vector fields is explicitly calculated.
An adjustable law of motion for relativistic spherical shells
Authors: Zaninetti Lorenzo
Published: October 2011

A classical and a relativistic law of motion for an advancing shell are deduced applying the thin layer approximation. A new parameter connected with the quantity of absorbed matter in the expansion is introduced; this allows the matching of theory with observation.
Detection of the near surface structure through a multidisciplinary geophysical approach
Authors: Kokinou Eleni , Sarris Apostolos
Published: October 2011

The present survey aimed to image the subsurface structure, including karstic voids, and to evaluate the extent of the heterogeneities that can result in potentially dangerous collapse of road segments overlying these features. A multidisciplinary geophysical approach (seismic refraction, frequency domain electromagnetic and ground penetrating radar) in combination with a detailed geological survey indicated the presence of tectonic faults as well as velocity and conductivity anomalies along an old road within the area of Akrotiri at Chania (Crete). Due to the presence of subsurface fuel pipes, perpendicular to the direction of the road, 2D resistivity imaging was excluded from the applied geophysical methods.

Interpretation of the geophysical data revealed that the section of the road investigated overlies prominent voids attributed mostly to karst features. The conductivity and velocity anomalies are interpreted to indicate an area where the host limestone rock has been downthrown by faulting and associated karstification. The continuation of this fault zone was observed in the slope of the road during later excavations. Interpretation, using geographic information systems (GIS) to integrate data, allowed these controls and relationships to be understood and monitored. The above methodology was proved successful for areas where the application of resistivity method is not possible.
Linear Polystyrene-Stabilized PdO Nanoparticle-Catalyzed Mizoroki-Heck Reactions in Water
Authors: Ohtaka Atsushi , Yamaguchi Tomohiro , Teratani Takuto , Shimomura Osamu , Nomura Ryôki
Published: October 2011

Linear polystyrene-stabilized PdO nanoparticles (PS-PdONPs) were prepared by thermal decomposition of Pd(OAc)2 in the presence of polystyrene. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated the production of PdO nanoparticles. The loading of palladium was determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). PS-PdONPs exhibited high catalytic activity for Mizoroki-Heck reactions under air in water and could be recycled without loss of activity.
Populations et tendances démographiques des pays européens (1980-2010)
Authors: Avdeev Alexandre , Eremenko Tatiana , Festy Patrick , Gaymu Joëlle , Le Bouteillec Nathalie , Springer Sabine
Published: October 2011

Résumé Au cours des trente dernières années, la croissance de la population européenne s’est effectuée à un rythme de plus en plus ralenti. L’excédent naturel des naissances sur les décès n’a cessé de reculer, et l’excédent migratoire représente désormais un apport substantiel, parfois décisif pour le maintien d’une croissance positive. Cette tendance générale est largement partagée par la plupart des pays, à travers un mouvement qui combine recul de la fécondité, progression des espérances de vie et solde migratoire positif en augmentation. À un niveau plus fin d’analyse, on observe une évolution semblable des formes familiales vers moins de mariages et davantage de situations de fait, et un même recul des causes majeures de mortalité, cancéreuses ou cardiovasculaires. Pourtant, il y a moins convergence de ces tendances à travers l’espace européen que répétition à quelques années d’intervalle de ces transformations, les écarts se maintenant entre les pays ou les régions du continent. L’avenir de la population européenne dépendra largement du niveau de la fécondité future?: croissance ou décroissance selon qu’elle sera élevée ou faible, quasi-stabilité si elle reste moyenne. Quelle que soit la fécondité des quarante ans à venir, le vieillissement de la population européenne est inéluctable, y compris en cas de poursuite de l’immigration, et des différences notables vont perdurer à travers l’Europe.
Penser l'informel
Authors: Geoffroy François
Published: October 2011

Résumé Le présent travail vise à expliquer la notion d’informel au sein des organisations en s’appuyant sur deux théories complémentaires : la théorie des organisations et la théorie des institutions. Malgré ces apports incontestables, l’informel reste une notion inévitablement attachée à une autre telle que l’organisation et l’institution. Peu de recherches considèrent l’informel comme objet théorique à part entière. Ainsi, nous essayons de théoriser l’informel pour comprendre cette notion tant discutée et discutable. Nous concluons que l’informel, du fait de son importance et de sa transdisciplinarité, doit être appréhendé comme un méta-concept dans l’étude des organisations.
Sur la nature interstitielle de l'agir
Authors: Bibard Laurent
Published: October 2011

Résumé L’action est actuellement structurellement empêchée au sein des organisations : pris dans les injonctions contradictoires spécifiques à la tension entre court et long terme, les acteurs doivent se frayer un chemin entre des impossibilités de plus en plus nombreuses. Outre une action d’ordre politique, cette évolution de la vie économique demande de penser les raisons de la possibilité de ces contradictions. L’on montre que c’est parce que le « sujet » de l’action est structurellement double - et féminin et masculin – qu’il est à la fois susceptible d’être saisi dans de douloureuses contradictions et de les dépasser.
Penser le changement à partir de la notion de milieu interstitiel
Authors: Bonnet Daniel
Published: October 2011

Résumé Cet article explore l’hypothèse de l’existence d’un milieu interstitiel au sein des environnements de coopération inter-organisationnelle. Il établit la thèse d’une relation hodologique entre les acteurs qui organisent dans ce milieu le déplacement des transformations à envisager pour réaliser un changement stratégique.
Quand des associations font face aux failles des politiques publiques
Authors: Chemin Carine
Published: October 2011

Résumé L’article consiste en une lecture des stratégies associatives en fonction des quatre « discours » de Lacan. L’ambition est de montrer qu’il existe différentes façons pour les managers de considérer les interstices que recèle l’environnement, ici ramené aux politiques publiques. L’association 1 base sa stratégie sur le repérage de lignes budgétaires inutilisées ou d’interstices dans les textes législatifs nouveaux qui mettent le « maître » Conseil général ou CAF en position d’obligation de réponse à une obligation légale. Cette stratégie est une stratégie d’esclave. L’association 2 base sa stratégie sur une fine connaissance des travaux d’experts dans son champ et elle propose/ impose aux acteurs locaux des innovations qui s’inscrivent dans ces travaux d’experts. Il s’agit d’une stratégie de type maître moderne. L’objet de l’association 3 est de proposer aux pouvoirs publics des projets qui correspondent à des besoins repérés sur le terrain et à des envies des bénévoles impliqués dans l’association. Ces projets sont pensés en-dehors des pouvoirs publics, dans une dynamique interne basée sur l’expression du désir des bénévoles. Le projet de cette association est d’essence hystérique et il fait apparaître les failles des dispositifs publics dans une dynamique d’où les stratégies de séduction ne sont pas absentes.
Le Moi subverti par le sujet s'autorisant parfois à être malicieux
Authors: Botet-Pradeilles Georges , Drillon Dominic
Published: October 2011

Résumé Entre psychanalyse et management, parler d’interstices est un euphémisme, nous aurions pu dire aussi abîme. L’objet de cette communication est de montrer quels espaces de liberté et d’action peuvent se créer si on les confronte l’un à l’autre. Lacan disait par l’une de ses formules joueuses : « Lorsque je suis, je ne me pense pas » en paraphrasant Descartes. Le valet de Comédie n’est pas dans la position de ses maîtres auxquels il importe de dominer, de contrôler, de savoir, de posséder, de séduire. Il est indifférent aux acquis hiérarchiques et territoriaux et mène son jeu malicieux dans l’invention, le plaisir et l’aventure. Son adaptation subjective lui donne une plasticité qui devient peu à peu sa nature qui rend plaisante et nécessaire la leçon de la Comédie. Le Moi dans ses schèmes, ses conditionnements, toutes les matérialités et les contraintes périphériques intériorisées qui le constituent, s’efface pour laisser place à une nouvelle vision, un nouvel énoncé, une émergence qui fait surprise et invente un nouveau fonctionnement. Piaget voyait là le processus d’accommodation qui amène le vivant organique ou intelligent vers de nouveaux stades « majorants » d’équilibration... La quête de larves enfouies demandait un bec plus fin à certains pinsons de Darwin. La malice de l’évolution le leur donna par son jeu secret qui offre les moyens aux fins utiles sans nul secours d’une conscience.
Systémique archétypique
Authors: Luc Sylvain
Published: October 2011

Résumé Dans le cadre de cet article, nous introduisons une méthodologie expérimentale d’analyse organisationnelle se situant au croisement de la psychologie analytique et des approches systémiques de l’école de Palo Alto. Au départ des concepts d’archétypes de C.G. Jung et du symbolisme organisationnel, nous proposons une narratologie métasymbolique décrivant le système inconscient auquel participent les membres d’une organisation. Nous amenons l’idée que cette narratologie est créatrice de sens par le biais de la réflexivité qu’elle propose à tous les membres de l’organisation sur leur vécu organisationnel. Afin d’illustrer notre propos, nous présentons une étude de cas longitudinale réalisée auprès d’un orchestre de jazz professionnel.
Clustering Via Centroids a Bag of Qualitative values and Measuring its Inconsistency
Authors: Guzman-Arenas Adolfo , Cuevas Alma-Delia
Published: October 2011

All observers are equally credible, so differences in their findings arise from perception errors.
Learning Full-Sentence Co-Related Verb Argument Preferences from Web Corpora
Authors: Calvo Hiram , Inui Kentaro , Matsumoto Yuji
Published: October 2011

Learning verb argument preferences has been approached as a verb and argument problem, or at most as a tri-nary relationship between subject, verb and object. However, the simultaneous correlation of all arguments in a sentence has not been explored thoroughly for sentence plausibility mensuration because of the increased number of potential combinations and data sparseness. In this work the authors present a review of some common methods for learning argument preferences beginning with the simplest case of considering binary co-relations, then they compare with tri-nary co-relations, and finally they consider all arguments. For this latter, the authors use an ensemble model for machine learning using discriminative and generative models, using co-occurrence features, and semantic features in different arrangements. They seek to answer questions about the number of optimal topics required for PLSI and LDA models, as well as the number of co-occurrences that should be required for improving performance. They explore the implications of using different ways of projecting co-relations, i.e., into a word space, or directly into a co-occurrence features space. The authors conducted tests using a pseudo-disambiguation task learning from large corpora extracted from Internet.
3D Shape Compression Using Holoimage
Authors: Karpinsky Nikolaus , Zhang Song
Published: October 2011

As 3D becomes more ubiquitous with the advent of 3D scanning and display technology, methods of compressing and transmitting 3D data need to be explored. One method of doing such is depth mapping, in which 3D depth data is compressed into a 2D image, and then 2D image processing techniques may be leveraged. This chapter presents a technique of depth mapping 3D scenes into 2D images, entitled Holoimage. In this technique, digital fringe projection, a special kind of structured light technique from optical metrology, is used to encode and decode 3D scenes pixel-by-pixel. Due to the pixel-by-pixel 3D data processing nature, this technique can be used on parallel hardware to realize real-time speed for high definition 3D video encoding and decoding.
Comparison of Focus Measures under the Influence of Various Factors Effecting their Performance
Authors: Malik Aamir Saeed
Published: October 2011

This chapter presents a comparison of eleven focus measures which are categorized in four main classes or groups. The performance of focus measures is evaluated by considering various factors that might hinder their smooth operation. These factors include illumination variation, texture reflectance, object distance variation, distance variation in between consecutive frames, and various types of noise including Gaussian, Shot, and Speckle noise. The focus measures are tested for depth estimation for 3D shape recovery using Shape From Focus (SFF) techniques. Three measures are used to compare the performance of the focus measures, namely, visual inspection as a qualitative measure and root mean square error and correlation as quantitative measures.
Characterization of Ionic Currents in Peptidergic Neurons from Eyestalks of Chinese Mitten Crab Eriocheir sinensis
Authors: Sun Jin Sheng , Wang Li Ping , Geng Xu Yun
Published: October 2011

The Whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to study the properties of voltage dependent ion channel expressed by the cultured types A、B、C neurosecretory cells dissociated from medulla terminalis X-organ (MTXO) of Chinese mitten crabEriocheir sinensis24-48 hours after plating. Under voltage clamp conditions, significantly inward currents were recorded from all three kinds of neurons, followed by large outward currents. When outward currents were suppressed with use of 3mmol/L 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and 30mmol/L tetraethylammonium (TEA), a tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na+current （INa） and a slow (time to peak current 6~8mS at +10mV), Cd2+-sensitive Ca2+current (ICa) were resolved. INawas activated at potential-40mV and was maximal at-10mV. In TTX, ICawas activated at potential-30mV, was maximal at 10~20mV. In the presence of 1mol/L TTX and 0.5mmol/L Cd2+, a 4-AP-sensitive transient current and a slower-rising, TEA-sensitive current were recorded from a holding potential of-50mV. On the basis of electric feature and pharmacology, transient current was identified as IA, and late, slower-rising current as IK. IAand IKshowed the same activation threshold of-30mV. In conclusion, no differences were observed on the properties and kinetics of ionic current among the three kinds of neurons. By comparison with those described in crabCardisoma carnifexand crayfishProcambarus clarkia, there existed diversity of excitability in X-organ peptidergic neurons from different crustaceans.