bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strong Convergence Theorems for Quasi-Bregman Nonexpansive Mappings in Reflexive Banach Spaces
Authors: Alghamdi Mohammed Ali , Shahzad Naseer , Zegeye Habtu
Published: July 2014

We study a strong convergence for a common fixed point of a finite family of quasi-Bregman nonexpansive mappings in the framework of real reflexive Banach spaces. As a consequence, convergence for a common fixed point of a finite family of Bergman relatively nonexpansive mappings is discussed. Furthermore, we apply our method to prove strong convergence theorems of iterative algorithms for finding a common solution of a finite family equilibrium problem and a common zero of a finite family of maximal monotone mappings. Our theorems improve and unify most of the results that have been proved for this important class of nonlinear mappings.
Hox Transcription Factors: Modulators of Cell-Cell and Cell-Extracellular Matrix Adhesion
Authors: Taniguchi Yasushi
Published: July 2014

Hoxgenes encode homeodomain-containing transcription factors that determine cell and tissue identities in the embryo during development.Hoxgenes are also expressed in various adult tissues and cancer cells. InDrosophila, expression of cell adhesion molecules, cadherins and integrins, is regulated by Hox proteins operating in hierarchical molecular pathways and plays a crucial role in segment-specific organogenesis. A number of studies using mammalian cultured cells have revealed that cell adhesion molecules responsible for cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions are downstream targets of Hox proteins. However, whether Hox transcription factors regulate expression of cell adhesion molecules during vertebrate development is still not fully understood. In this review, the potential roles Hox proteins play in cell adhesion and migration during vertebrate body patterning are discussed.
SER Performance of Large Scale OFDM-SDMA Based Cognitive Radio Networks
Authors: Hefnawi Mostafa
Published: July 2014

This paper proposes an adaptive large scale multiple input multiple output-beamforming scheme (LSMIMO-BF) for uplink (UL) access in broadband wireless cognitive networks with multiple primary users (PUs) and secondary users (SUs) sharing the same spectrum and employing orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM). The proposed algorithm seeks the optimal transmit/receive weight vectors that maximize the UL MIMO channel capacity for each cognitive user while controlling the interference levels to PUs. Under the assumption of very large number of antennas at the base station, a closed-form expression for the symbol error rate (SER) performance of the cognitive LSMIMO-OFDM system is derived and compared with the one based on conventional beamforming schemes such as MIMO-maximum ratio combining (MIMO-MRC). The analysis and simulation show that when SUs are transmitting with the proposed constrained capacity-aware (CCA) scheme, the total interference level at the primary base station is reduced and the SER of PUs is improved compared to the case when the secondary network is using conventional MIMO-MRC. It was also shown that, as the number of base station antennas becomes larger, the constraints imposed by the primary network could be relaxed and the symbol error rate (SER) of SUs is improved without harming the PUs performance.
Tunneling and Suture of Thoracic Epidural Catheters Decrease the Incidence of Catheter Dislodgement
Authors: Sellmann Timur , Bierfischer Victoria , Schmitz Andrea , Weiss Martin , Rabenalt Stefanie , MacKenzie Colin , Kienbaum Peter
Published: July 2014

Background.Dislocation of epidural catheters (EC) is associated with early termination of regional analgesia and rare complications like epidural bleeding. We tested the hypothesis that maximum effort in fixation by tunneling and suture decreases the incidence of catheter dislocation.Methods.Patients scheduled for major surgery (n=121) were prospectively randomized in 2 groups. Thoracic EC were subcutaneously tunneled and sutured (tunneled) or fixed with adhesive tape (taped). The difference of EC length at skin surface level immediately after insertion and before removal was determined and the absolute values were averaged. Postoperative pain was evaluated by numeric rating scale twice daily and EC tips were screened microbiologically after removal.Results.Both groups did not differ with respect to treatment duration (tunneled: 109 hours ±46, taped:97±37) and postoperative pain scores. Tunneling significantly reduced average extent (tunneled: 3 mm ±7, taped:10±18) and incidence of clinically relevant EC dislocation (>20 mm, tunneled: 1/60, taped: 9/61). Bacterial contamination showed a tendency to be lower in patients with tunneled catheters (8/59, taped: 14/54,P=0.08).Conclusion.Thorough fixation of EC by tunneling and suturing decreases the incidence and extent of dislocation and potentially even that of bacterial contamination.
A Survey on Three-Dimensional Wireless Ad Hoc and Sensor Networks
Authors: Shah Babar , Kim Ki-Il
Published: July 2014

In parallel with steady research and development in ad hoc and wireless sensor networks, many testbeds have been implemented and deployed in real world. Furthermore, some research works have addressed design issues for deployment in three-dimensional space such as sky or ocean. Since many research challenges in three-dimensional spaces have not been explored yet as much as two dimensional spaces, it is required to define the challenging tasks to provide reliable communication in three-dimensional space. In this survey, we aim to identify the unique properties of communication environments in three-dimensional space and address the overview of the state of the art in this research area. To achieve this, the survey is organized according to two good example networks, airborne ad hoc networks (AANETs) and underwater wireless sensor networks (UWSNs). For each network, we introduce and review the related research works to focus on infrastructure, localization, topology design, and position-based routing. Finally, open research issues are also discussed and presented.
Novel Global Harmony Search Algorithm for Least Absolute Deviation
Authors: Yong Longquan
Published: July 2014

The method of least absolute deviation (LAD) finds applications in many areas, due to its robustness compared to the least squares regression (LSR) method. LAD is robust in that it is resistant to outliers in the data. This may be helpful in studies where outliers may be ignored. Since LAD is nonsmooth optimization problem, this paper proposed a metaheuristics algorithm named novel global harmony search (NGHS) for solving. Numerical results show that the NGHS method has good convergence property and effective in solving LAD.
Autonomous, Distributed Parking Lot Vacancy Management Using Intervehicle Communication
Authors: Yamashita Shohei , Takami Kazumasa
Published: July 2014

We have developed a method of managing vacancy information of a large parking lot in a distributed manner using only intervehicle communication. A group of parking spaces is defined as a cluster. Vacancy information of a cluster is managed by a vehicle in it. This vehicle is called a cluster head. The proposed method generates a communication path topology between cluster heads. The topology is a tree structure with the cluster head of the cluster nearest to the parking lot entrance as the root node. Cluster heads are ranked in order of the number of vacant spaces and the distance to the shop entrance. The vehicle entering the parking lot collects vacancy information of clusters. This information is transmitted along the tree structure from the lowest ranking cluster head. We have developed a simulation model for a parking lot that can accommodate nearly 1,000 vehicles and used it to evaluate the proposed method. We have confirmed that the proposed method generates less communication traffic and enables the vehicle entering a parking lot to collect vacancy information about the area near the shop entrance with a higher probability and in a shorter time.
Characterization of Path-Loss Disparity in Virtual Multiple-Input-Single-Output Links
Authors: Jung Haejoon , Weitnauer Mary Ann
Published: July 2014

Cooperative transmission (CT) is an effective technique to achieve spatial diversity in fading environments, where spatially separated wireless nodes collaborate to form a virtual antenna array or virtual multiple-input-multiple-output (VMISO) link. Many authors model the path loss of the VMISO link as though the elements in the virtual antenna array are colocated, even though they are spread out. In this paper, we show that the spreading causes a signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) penalty of up to 3 dB. Moreover, in the high SNR regime, we show that the performance degradation caused by the path-loss disparity can be characterized equivalently by log-normal distribution. We use these two observations to propose a new CT link model, expressed in closed form as an outage probability based on the log-normal shadowing model. The quality of the model is evaluated by a statistical test based on Kolmogorov-Smirnov method.
Performance Analysis of Single-Frequency MPPSK Integrated System for Ranging Applications
Authors: Yao Yu , Wu Lenan
Published: July 2014

The dual-frequency MPPSK-MODEM is a flexible platform. When ranging accuracy request is low or platform is particularly limited by power, the platform would perform both data transmission and range measurement with single-frequency modes. In this paper, the ranging resolution of MPPSK pulse waveforms with the match filter and impacting filter processing are discussed, respectively. Also, the parameter selection of MPPSK modulator for ranging is considered. In particular, requirements that allow for employing such special parameter values for range measurements with high accuracy and high range are investigated. Moreover, high repetition frequency (HRF) biphase code MPPSK pulse train base onmsequence is presented, and the ranging accuracy of the proposed signal with the match filter processing is deduced. In addition to theoretical considerations, the paper presents system simulations and measurement results of single-frequency MPPSK integrated systems, demonstrating the high-performance of ranging applications.
Venomous and Poisonous Australian Animals of Veterinary Importance: A Rich Source of Novel Therapeutics
Authors: Hardy Margaret C. , Cochrane Jonathon , Allavena Rachel E.
Published: July 2014

Envenomation and poisoning by terrestrial animals (both vertebrate and invertebrate) are a significant economic problem and health risk for domestic animals in Australia. Australian snakes are some of the most venomous animals in the world and bees, wasps, ants, paralysis ticks, and cane toads are also present as part of the venomous and poisonous fauna. The diagnosis and treatment of envenomation or poisoning in animals is a challenge and can be a traumatic and expensive process for owners. Despite the potency of Australian venoms, there is potential for novel veterinary therapeutics to be modeled on venom toxins, as has been the case with human pharmaceuticals. A comprehensive overview of envenomation and poisoning signs in livestock and companion animals is provided and related to the potential for venom toxins to act as therapeutics.
Evaluation of Corrosion Inhibition of Mild Steel in 1 M Hydrochloric Acid Solution byMollugo cerviana
Authors: Arockiasamy P. , Sheela X. Queen Rosary , Thenmozhi G. , Franco M. , Sahayaraj J. Wilson , Santhi R. Jaya
Published: July 2014

The inhibiting effect of methanolic extract ofMollugo cervianaplant on the corrosion of mild steel in 1 M HCl solution has been investigated by different techniques like potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and weight loss methods for five different concentrations of plant extract ranging from 25 to 1000 mg/L. The results indicated that the corrosion inhibition efficiency increased on increasing plant extract concentration till 500 mg/L and decreased on further increasing concentration. The extract was a mixed type inhibitor with the optimum inhibition concentration of 500 mg/L in potentiodynamic polarization. The adsorption of the plant extract on the mild steel surface was found to obey Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Surface analysis was also carried out to find out the surface morphology of the mild steel in the presence and in the absence of the inhibitor to find out its efficiency. The obtained results showed that theMollugo cervianaextract acts as a good inhibitor for the corrosion of mild steel in 1 M HCl solution.
On the Preservation of Infinite Divisibility under Length-Biasing
Authors: Pakes Anthony G.
Published: July 2014

The law L(X) of X≥0 has distribution function F and first moment 0<m<∞. The law L(X^) of the length-biased version of X has by definition the distribution function m-1∫0x‍ydF(y). It is known that L(X) is infinitely divisible if and only if X^=dX+Z, where Z is independent of X. Here we assume this relation and ask whether L(Z) or L(X^) is infinitely divisible. Examples show that both, neither, or exactly one of the components of the pair (L(X),L(X^)) can be infinitely divisible. Some general algorithms facilitate exploring the general question. It is shown that length-biasing up to the fourth order preserves infinite divisibility when L(X) has a certain compound Poisson law or the Lambert law. It is conjectured for these examples that this extends to all orders of length-biasing.
Risk Factors for Glaucoma Suspicion in Healthy Young Asian and Caucasian Americans
Authors: Doss E. Lauren , Doss Linden , Han Ying , Huang Susan , Porco Travis , Pekmezci Melike , Lin Shan
Published: July 2014

Purpose.To determine the prevalence of certain risk factors for glaucoma in a healthy, young population and to compare these risk factors between Asian Americans and Caucasians.Methods.120 healthy graduate students (mean age24.8±3.0years) underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination. Regression analyses controlling for age, sex, and refraction, comparing glaucoma risk factors in Asians (n=54) and Caucasians (n=41), were performed. Outcome variables included family history, intraocular pressure (IOP), spherical equivalent, central corneal thickness (CCT), mean deviation (MD) and pattern standard deviation (PSD), and disc and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) parameters.Results.61% of subjects were female; the mean spherical equivalent was-3.81±3.2 D; and the mean axial length (AL) was25.1±1.7 mm. Regression analysis showed race affected spherical equivalent (P<0.001), AL (P=0.0073), IOP (P<0.001), and cup to disc area ratio (CDAR) (P=0.012). Family history, CCT, MD, and PSD did not vary between Asians and Caucasians (P>0.05). In this study, we found Asian Americans, compared to Caucasians, had2.95±0.64 D greater myopia; greater IOP by2.74±0.62 mmHg; and larger CDAR by0.12±0.046.Conclusions.In our study population, young, healthy Asian Americans had greater myopia, IOP, and CDAR as compared to Caucasians, suggesting that racial variations can be important when diagnosing glaucoma.
First Principles Study of Cerium Monochalcogenides
Authors: Eryiğit Recep
Published: July 2014

A theoretical investigation of structural, magnetic, electronic, and lattice dynamical properties of cerium monochalcogenides using the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) +Uwithin ultrasoft pseudopotentials and a plane-wave basis is presented. All the calculated quantities, except the local magnetic moments, are found to be in good agreement with the experimental data. The lattice dynamical results indicate a strong chalcogenide dependence for the anomalous features of the phonon dispersions.
Determination of the Iodine Content of Some Commonly Consumed Foods in Zaria Metropolis, Nigeria, Using PCNAA and Sandell-Kolthoff Reaction
Authors: Muhammad T. , Uzairu A. , Sallau M. S. , Oladipo M. O. A.
Published: July 2014

The Nigerian Research Reactor-1 was employed in the analysis of iodine in local food samples at an operating flux of 5.0×1011 ncm−2 s−1. Preconcentration neutron activation analysis (PCNAA) was compared against the most common spectroscopic (Sandell-Kolthoff reaction) technique, giving a concentration range of 0.295 to 2.960 mg/Kg and 0.264 to 2.725 mg/Kg, respectively, with an average percentage deviation of 11.34% and a positive correlation between the methods at 0.89. PCNAA and Sandell-Kolthoff spectroscopy of NIST 1548a reported values of 0.759±0.06 mg/Kg and 0.751±0.05 with Student’s t-test score of 1 and 0.95 and percentage standard deviation of 0 and 1.12%, respectively.
A Contrast on Conductor Galloping Amplitude Calculated by Three Mathematical Models with Different DOFs
Authors: Liu Bin , Zhu KuanJun , Sun XiaoQin , Huo Bing , Liu XiJun
Published: July 2014

It is pivotal to find an effective mathematical model revealing the galloping mechanism. And it is important to compare the difference between the existing mathematical models on the conductor galloping. In this paper, the continuum cable model for transmission lines was proposed using the Hamilton principle. Discrete models of one DOF, two DOFs, and three DOFs were derived from the continuum model by using the Garlekin method. And the three models were compared by analyzing the galloping vertical amplitude and torsional angle with different influence factors. The influence factors include wind velocity, flow density, span length, damping ratio, and initial tension. The three-DOF model is more accurate at calculating the galloping characteristics than the other two models, but the one-DOF and two-DOF models can also present the trend of galloping amplitude change from the point view of qualitative analysis. And the change of the galloping amplitude relative to the main factors was also obtained, which is very essential to the antigalloping design applied in the actual engineering.
Hot-Stage Microscopy for Determination of API Particles in a Formulated Tablet
Authors: Šimek Michal , Grünwaldová Veronika , Kratochvíl Bohumil
Published: July 2014

Although methods exist to readily determine the particle size distribution (PSD) of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) before its formulation into a final product, the primary challenge is to develop a method to determine the PSD of APIs in a finished tablet. To address the limitations of existing PSD methods, we used hot-stage microscopy to observe tablet disintegration during temperature change and, thus, reveal the API particles in a tablet. Both mechanical and liquid disintegration were evaluated after we had identified optimum milling time for mechanical disintegration and optimum volume of water for liquid disintegration. In each case, hot-stage micrographs, taken before and after the API melting point, were compared with image analysis software to obtain the PSDs. Then, the PSDs of the APIs from the disintegrated tablets were compared with the PSDs of raw APIs. Good agreement was obtained, thereby confirming the robustness of our methodology. The availability of such a method equips pharmaceutical scientists with an in vitro assessment method that will more reliably determine the PSD of active substances in finished tablets.
Mutation and Chaos in Nonlinear Models of Heredity
Authors: Ganikhodjaev Nasir , Saburov Mansoor , Nawi Ashraf Mohamed
Published: July 2014

We shall explore a nonlinear discrete dynamical system that naturally occurs in population systems to describe a transmission of a trait from parents to their offspring. We consider a Mendelian inheritance for a single gene with three alleles and assume that to form a new generation, each gene has a possibility to mutate, that is, to change into a gene of the other kind. We investigate the derived models and observe chaotic behaviors of such models.
An Empirical Estimation of the Underground Economy in Ghana
Authors: Asiedu Edward , Stengos Thanasis
Published: July 2014

The main aim of this paper is to estimate the size of the underground economy in Ghana during the period 1983–2003. There is no agreement on the appropriate estimation approach to adopt to measure the size of the underground activities. To this end, we employ the well-applied currency demand approach in our measurement. Parameter estimates from the estimated currency demand equation are used in quantifying the ratio of “underground” to “measured” output/income for the Ghanaian economy. The estimated long-run average size of the underground economy to GDP for Ghana over the period is 40%. The underground economy is found to vary from a high of 54% in 1985 to a low of 25% in 1999. Estimates may represent lower bound estimates.
Path-Counting Formulas for Generalized Kinship Coefficients and Condensed Identity Coefficients
Authors: Cheng En , Ozsoyoglu Z. Meral
Published: July 2014

An important computation on pedigree data is the calculation of condensed identity coefficients, which provide a complete description of the degree of relatedness of two individuals. The applications of condensed identity coefficients range from genetic counseling to disease tracking. Condensed identity coefficients can be computed using linear combinations of generalized kinship coefficients for two, three, four individuals, and two pairs of individuals and there are recursive formulas for computing those generalized kinship coefficients (Karigl, 1981). Path-counting formulas have been proposed for the (generalized) kinship coefficients for two (three) individuals but there have been no path-counting formulas for the other generalized kinship coefficients. It has also been shown that the computation of the (generalized) kinship coefficients for two (three) individuals using path-counting formulas is efficient for large pedigrees, together with path encoding schemes tailored for pedigree graphs. In this paper, we propose a framework for deriving path-counting formulas for generalized kinship coefficients. Then, we present the path-counting formulas for all generalized kinship coefficients for which there are recursive formulas and which are sufficient for computing condensed identity coefficients. We also perform experiments to compare the efficiency of our method with the recursive method for computing condensed identity coefficients on large pedigrees.
A Hybrid Wavelet Transform Based Short-Term Wind Speed Forecasting Approach
Authors: Wang Jujie
Published: July 2014

It is important to improve the accuracy of wind speed forecasting for wind parks management and wind power utilization. In this paper, a novel hybrid approach known as WTT-TNN is proposed for wind speed forecasting. In the first step of the approach, a wavelet transform technique (WTT) is used to decompose wind speed into an approximate scale and several detailed scales. In the second step, a two-hidden-layer neural network (TNN) is used to predict both approximated scale and detailed scales, respectively. In order to find the optimal network architecture, the partial autocorrelation function is adopted to determine the number of neurons in the input layer, and an experimental simulation is made to determine the number of neurons within each hidden layer in the modeling process of TNN. Afterwards, the final prediction value can be obtained by the sum of these prediction results. In this study, a WTT is employed to extract these different patterns of the wind speed and make it easier for forecasting. To evaluate the performance of the proposed approach, it is applied to forecast Hexi Corridor of China’s wind speed. Simulation results in four different cases show that the proposed method increases wind speed forecasting accuracy.
Role of CT Perfusion in Monitoring and Prediction of Response to Therapy of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Preda Lorenzo , Calloni Sonia Francesca , Moscatelli Marco Elvio Manlio , Cossu Rocca Maria , Bellomi Massimo
Published: July 2014

This review aims to summarize the technique and clinical applications of CT perfusion (CTp) of head and neck cancer. The most common pathologic type (90%) of head and neck cancer is squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC): its diagnostic workup relies on CT and MRI, as they provide an accurate staging for the disease by determining tumour volume, assessing its extension, and detecting of lymph node metastases. Compared with conventional CT and MRI, CTp allows for obtaining measures of tumour vascular physiology and functional behaviour, and it has been demonstrated to be a feasible and useful tool in predicting local outcomes in patients undergoing radiation therapy and chemotherapy and may help monitor both treatments.
Wind Power Assessment Based on a WRF Wind Simulation with Developed Power Curve Modeling Methods
Authors: Guo Zhenhai , Xiao Xia
Published: July 2014

The accurate assessment of wind power potential requires not only the detailed knowledge of the local wind resource but also an equivalent power curve with good effect for a local wind farm. Although the probability distribution functions (pdfs) of the wind speed are commonly used, their seemingly good performance for distribution may not always translate into an accurate assessment of power generation. This paper contributes to the development of wind power assessment based on the wind speed simulation of weather research and forecasting (WRF) and two improved power curve modeling methods. These approaches are improvements on the power curve modeling that is originally fitted by the single layer feed-forward neural network (SLFN) in this paper; in addition, a data quality check and outlier detection technique and the directional curve modeling method are adopted to effectively enhance the original model performance. The proposed two methods, named WRF-SLFN-OD and WRF-SLFN-WD, are able to avoid the interference from abnormal output and the directional effect of local wind speed during the power curve modeling process. The data examined are from three stations in northern China; the simulation indicates that the two developed methods have strong abilities to provide a more accurate assessment of the wind power potential compared with the original methods.
A Comparative Study: Globality versus Locality for Graph Construction in Discriminant Analysis
Authors: Yang Bo , Chen Songcan
Published: July 2014

Localgraph based discriminant analysis (DA) algorithms recently have attracted increasing attention to mitigate the limitations ofglobal(graph) DA algorithms. However, there are few particular concerns on the following important issues: whether the local construction is better than the global one for intraclass and interclass graphs, which (intraclass or interclass) graph should locally or globally be constructed? and, further how they should be effectively jointed for good discriminant performances. In this paper, pursuing our previous studies on the graph construction and DA, we firstly address the issues involved above, and then by jointly utilizing both the globality and the locality, we develop, respectively, a Globally marginal and Locally compact Discriminant Analysis (GmLcDA) algorithm based on so-introduced global interclass and local intraclass graphs and a Locally marginal and Globally compact Discriminant Analysis (LmGcDA) based on so-introduced local interclass and global intraclass graphs, the purpose of which is not to show how novel the algorithms are but to illustrate the analyses in theory. Further, by comprehensively comparing the Locally marginal and Locally compact DA (LmLcDA) based on locality alone, the Globally marginal and Globally compact Discriminant Analysis (GmGcDA) just based on globality alone, GmLcDA, and LmGcDA, we suggest that the joint of locally constructed intraclass and globally constructed interclass graphs is more discriminant.
Protein Kinase D3 Is Essential for Prostratin-Activated Transcription of Integrated HIV-1 Provirus Promoter via NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Authors: Wang Huiping , Zhu Xinxing , Zhu Ying , Liu Jiangfang , Hu Xiangming , Wang Yu , Peng Sijia , Chen Yanheng , Chen Ruichuan , Ding Feng , Liu Runzhong
Published: July 2014

Prostratin has been proposed as a promising reagent for eradicating the latent HIV-1 provirus by inducing HIV-1 transcription activation. The molecular mechanism of this activation, however, is far from clear. Here, we show that the protein kinase D3 (PKD3) is essential for prostratin-induced transcription activation of latent HIV-1 provirus. First, silencing PKD3, but not the other members of PKD family, blocked prostratin-induced transcription of HIV-1. Second, overexpressing the constitutively active form of PKD3, but not the wild-type or kinase-dead form of PKD3, augmented the expression of HIV-1. Consistent with this observation, we found that prostratin could trigger PKD3 activation by inducing the phosphorylation of its activation loop. In addition, we identified PKCεof the novel PKC subfamily as the upstream kinase for this phosphorylation. Finally, the activation effect of PKD3 on HIV-1 transcription was shown to depend on the presence ofκB element and the prostratin-induced activation of NF-κB, as indicated by the fact that silencing PKD3 blocked prostratin-induced NF-κB activation and NF-κB-dependent HIV-1 transcription. Therefore, for the first time, PKD3 is implicated in the transcription activation of latent HIV-1 provirus, and our results revealed a molecular mechanism of prostratin-induced HIV-1 transcription via PKCε/PKD3/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Editorial
Authors: Mauch Michel , Carneiro Leonel Martins , Lopes Beth
Published: July 2014

A Revista aSPAs verticalizou-se em sua edição 4.1 para o tema Arte e Vida. Nosso propósito foi contemplar a diversidade e/ou pluralidade de publicações, que se relacionassem aos mundos teatrais e performáticos. Às novas estéticas que insurgem do cotidiano, do que parece habitual, mas podem se sobressair por meio do prisma tratado.Esse olhar ao diverso faz parte da estreita parceria e colaboração mútua entre os professores e os estudantes-pesquisadores do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Artes Cênicas (PPGAC), da Universidade de São Paulo.
DEPOIMENTOS E ARQUIVOS NA CONSTRUÇÃO DA DRAMATURGIA CONTEMPORÂNEA
Authors: Leite Janaina Fontes
Published: July 2014

O presente artigo reflete sobre o crescente uso de material autobiográfico na cena contemporânea e na maneira pela qual esta prática vem fomentando novas possibilidades de composição. Seja em processos chamados ‘colaborativos’, em que os atores contribuem ativamente na criação da dramaturgia, seja em propostas nas quais o uso do material autobiográfico é o próprio cerne do projeto do artista ou do grupo, como vemos em trabalhos de performance e, mais recentemente, numa vertente importante do chamado ‘teatro documentário’.
DISSOLUÇÃO DE FRONTEIRAS: a obra performativa de Sophie Calle
Authors: Boito Sofia Rodrigues
Published: July 2014

O artigo analisa a obra Suíte Vénitienne, da artista francesa Sophie Calle, utilizando instrumentos teóricos provenientes de diversos campos: as artes visuais, o urbanismo e a as artes cênicas. A autora pretende, a partir de tal estudo de caso, investigar como as obras contemporâneas promovem a dissolução das antigas categorias artísticas e das fronteiras que separam “arte” e “vida”.
SEM TÍTULO – uma coreografia em três versões: investigações dramatúrgicas em dança
Authors: Macedo Vanessa Freitas de Paiva
Published: July 2014

Esse artigo relata uma investigação prática com três artistas que interpretaram uma mesma coreografia. O objetivo da investigação era discutir as implicações dramatúrgicas sofridas por uma obra que possui uma partitura fechada de movimentos, mas é aberta a encenações diferenciadas. O ambiente em que é desenvolvido o processo criativo, a relação de autoria, a presença cênica e a dramaturgia construída pelo espectador são alguns dos aspectos abordados.
First record of the genus Tagalis Stål, 1860 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Saicinae) from Colombia with the description of two new species
Authors: CASTRO-HUERTAS VALENTINA , FORERO DIMITRI
Published: July 2014

Tagalis Stål is recorded for the first time from Colombia and two species are described as new: Tagalis dichroa sp. nov., from Acandí (Chocó), and Tagalis albispina sp. nov., from Gorgona Island (Cauca). Based on the structure of the male genitalia of the known species, we here propose at least four species groups within Tagalis: 1) T. evavilmae, 2) T. femorata, 3) T. baenai, T. grossii, and T. marquesi, and 4) T. dichroa sp. nov., T. inornata, and T. seminigra. Tagalis albispina sp. nov. known only from the female holotype, cannot be placed into this scheme. Digital micrographs of the habitus and genitalia of the new species are provided. An updated key to the species of Tagalis is presented to facilitate the identification of the new species.
A new species of ant mimicking spider, Myrmecotypus jasmineae (Araneae: Corinnidae: Castianeirinae), from Nicaragua
Authors: LEISTER MATTHEW , MILLER KELLY
Published: July 2014

Spiders of the corinnid genus Myrmecotypus Pickard-Cambridge, 1894 are known for being morphological and behavioral mimics of ants (Reiskind 1969, 1977; Cushing 1997, 2012; Rubio & Arbino 2009; Rubio et al. 2013). This genus currently includes nine species from to the New World. They occur from the United States (one species) to Argentina (one species), but most (seven species) occur from Mexico to Panama (Reiskind 1969; Rubio & Arbino 2009, Platnick 2014). A new species, M. jasmineae, from Nicaragua is described here from two males. A key to males and females of Myrmecotypus, adapted from Reiskind (1969), is modified to include all of the known species.
Validating ENSO Teleconnections on Southeastern U.S. Winter Hydrology
Authors: Nag Bappaditya , Misra V. , Bastola S.
Published: July 2014

In this study, the authors contrast four century-long meteorological datasets comprising of two sets of observations [Climate Research Unit (CRU) and Parameter–Elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM)] and two atmospheric reanalyses [Twentieth Century Reanalysis (20CR) and Florida Climate Institute–Florida State University Land–Atmosphere Regional Reanalysis version 1.0 (FLAReS1.0)] to diagnose the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) forced variations on the streamflow in 28 watersheds spread across the southeastern United States (SEUS). The datasets are used to force three different lumped (calibrated) hydrological models with precipitation from these four sources of century-long datasets separately to obtain the median prediction from 1800 (=3 models × 600 simulations per model per watershed per season) multimodel estimates of seasonal mean streamflow across the 28 watersheds in the SEUS for each winter season from 1906 to 2005. The authors then compare and contrast the mean streamflow and its variability estimates from all three of the century-long climate forcings. The multimodel strategy of simulating the seasonal mean streamflow is to reduce the hydrological model uncertainty. The authors focus on the boreal winter season when ENSO influence on the SEUS climate variations is well known.

The authors find that the atmospheric reanalysis over the SEUS is able to reasonably capture the ENSO teleconnections as depicted in the CRU and PRISM precipitation datasets. Even the observed decadal modulation of this teleconnection by Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO) is broadly captured. The streamflow in the 28 watersheds also show similar consistency across the four datasets in that the positive correlations of the boreal winter Niño-3.4 SST anomalies with corresponding anomalies of streamflow, the associated shift in the probability density function of the streamflow with the change in phase of ENSO, and the decadal modulation of the ENSO teleconnection by the AMO are sustained in the streamflow simulations forced by all four climate datasets (CRU, PRISM, 20CR, and FLAReS1.0). However, the ENSO signal in the streamflow is consistently much stronger in the southern watersheds (over Florida) of the SEUS across all four climate datasets. During the negative phase of the AMO, however, there is a clear shift of the ENSO teleconnections with streamflow, with winter streamflows in northern watersheds (over the Carolinas) exhibiting much stronger correlations with the ENSO Niño-3.4 index relative to the southern watersheds of the SEUS. This study clearly indicates that the proposed methodology using FLAReS1.0 serves as a viable alternative to reconstruct twentieth-century SEUS seasonal winter hydrology that captures the interannual variations of ENSO and associated decadal variations forced by the AMO. However, it is found that the FLAReS1.0 forced streamflow is far from adequate in simulating the streamflow dynamics of the watershed over the SEUS at a daily time scale.
Mechanisms Governing the Persistence and Diurnal Cycle of a Heavy Rainfall Corridor
Authors: Trier Stanley B. , Davis Christopher A. , Carbone Richard E.
Published: July 2014

Observations and convection-permitting simulations are used to study a 12-day warm-season heavy precipitation corridor over the central U.S. plains and Mississippi River valley regions. Such precipitation corridors, defined by narrow latitudinal widths (~3°–4°) and only modest north–south drifts of their centroids (<2° day−1), often yield extreme total precipitation (100–250 mm), resulting in both short-term and seasonal impacts on the regional hydrologic cycle.

The corridor precipitation is predominately nocturnal and located several hundred kilometers north of a quasi-stationary surface front. There, hot, dry air from the daytime boundary layer located underneath a persistent upper-level anticyclone requires large vertical displacements along the axis of the southerly low-level jet (LLJ) above the front to eliminate convection inhibition (CIN). Composites reveal ~500 J kg−1 of average convective available potential energy (CAPE) when this air reaches the southern edge of the precipitation corridor. Despite the relatively modest CAPE, convection is favored by the large reductions in CIN along the vertical displacements and by high ambient midtropospheric relative humidity located above, which is influenced by persistent nightly convection in the region.

Though internal feedbacks resulting from the large nightly spatial coherence of convection (including enhanced midtropospheric relative humidities and frontogenetic daytime sensible heat flux gradients owing to residual cloudiness) are favorable for maintaining the corridor, its persistence is most sensitive to large-scale external factors. Here, changes to the intensity and position of the large-synoptic upper-tropospheric anticyclone are associated with changes in the frequency of strong LLJs and the surface frontal position, dramatically affecting the intensity and stationarity of the precipitation corridor.
Objective Inference for Climate Parameters: Bayesian, Transformation-of-Variables, and Profile Likelihood Approaches
Authors: Lewis Nicholas
Published: July 2014

Insight is provided into the use of objective-Bayesian methods for estimating climate sensitivity by considering their relationship to transformations of variables in the context of a simple case considered in a previous study, and some misunderstandings about Bayesian inference are discussed. A simple model in which climate sensitivity (S) and effective ocean heat diffusivity (Kυ) are the only parameters varied is used, with twentieth-century warming attributable to greenhouse gases (AW) and effective ocean heat capacity (HC) being the only data-based observables. Probability density functions (PDFs) for AW and HC are readily derived that represent valid independent objective-Bayesian posterior PDFs, provided the error distribution assumptions involved in their construction are justified. Using them, a standard transformation of variables provides an objective joint posterior PDF for S and Kυ; integrating out Kυ gives a marginal PDF for S. Close parametric approximations to the PDFs for AW and HC are obtained, enabling derivation of likelihood functions and related noninformative priors that give rise to the objective posterior PDFs that were computed initially. Bayes’s theorem is applied to the derived AW and HC likelihood functions, demonstrating the effect of differing prior distributions on PDFs for S. Use of the noninformative Jeffreys prior produces an identical PDF to that derived using the transformation-of-variables approach. It is shown that similar inference for S to that based on these two alternative objective-Bayesian approaches is obtained using a profile likelihood method on the derived joint likelihood function for AW and HC.
U.S. Daily Temperatures: The Meaning of Extremes in the Context of Nonnormality
Authors: Huybers P. , McKinnon K. A. , Rhines A. , Tingley M.
Published: July 2014

Variations in extreme daily temperatures are explored in relation to changes in seasonal mean temperature using 1218 high-quality U.S. temperature stations spanning 1900–2012. Extreme temperatures are amplified (or damped) by as much as ±50% relative to changes in average temperature, depending on region, season, and whether daily minimum or maximum temperature is analyzed. The majority of this regional structure in amplification is shown to follow from regional variations in temperature distributions. More specifically, there exists a close relationship between departures from normality and the degree to which extreme changes are amplified relative to the mean. To distinguish between intraseasonal and interannual contributions to nonnormality and amplification, an additional procedure, referred to as z bootstrapping, is introduced that controls for changes in the mean and variance between years. Application of z bootstrapping indicates that amplification of winter extreme variations is generally consistent with nonnormal intraseasonal variability. Summer variability, in contrast, shows interannual variations in the spread of the temperature distribution related to changes in the mean, especially in the Midwest. Changes in midwestern temperature variability are qualitatively consistent with those expected from decreases in evapotranspiration and are strongly correlated with a measure of drought intensity. The identified patterns of interannual variations in means and extremes may serve as an analog for modes of variability that can be expected at longer time scales.
Using the elements of cooperative learning in school band classes in the United States
Authors: Whitener John L.
Published: July 2014

The purpose of this article is to answer the question of how we might use the elements of cooperative learning in school band classes in the United States. Current school band programs use age-old traditions that overemphasize group and individual competitiveness, stress large ensemble performance at the expense of all other activities, are teacher/director-centered, content/repertoire-driven, and rarely educate band members to be independent musicians capable of deeply understanding, creating, or responding to the art of music. Cooperative learning strategies provide music teachers with a theory- and research-based approach to education that promises students will learn more, like school better, like each other better, and learn more effective social skills when the approach is used. Over 50 years of empirical research reveals that when comparing cooperative learning to competitive and individualistic classroom efforts in the three broad categories of effort to achieve, interpersonal relationships, and psychological health, cooperative learning is the more effective approach. Cooperative learning elements may be implemented in band classes using small chamber music ensembles, small-group sectionals, and the formation of small cooperative learning groups. The implementation of the approach will naturally require additional effort on the part of the band director and a shift away from the traditional competitive performance emphasis of band programs.
‘Selves’ in contradiction: Power and powerlessness in South African shelter residents’ narratives of leaving abusive heterosexual relationships
Authors: van Schalkwyk Samantha , Boonzaier Floretta , Gobodo-Madikizela Pumla
Published: July 2014

South Africa has one of the most advanced constitutions in the world. Several progressive laws that promise the protection of women, including the Domestic Violence Act, and a range of state-funded bodies have been established to promote women’s rights. Despite these signs of transition to democracy in the post-apartheid era, violence against women remains problematically high. The dominant perspective in both South African and international literature on the high rate of violence against women has been that of women’s ‘powerlessness’. This article goes beyond approaches that emphasise women’s victimhood. It explores women’s agency from the perspective of the narratives of 16 women in two shelters in Cape Town. Drawing from Scott’s (1990) concept of power and resistance, and using a feminist poststructuralist analytic lens, the article provides insight into the complexity of women’s subjectivities ‘post-abuse’. It highlights women’s shifting sense of power in relation to their abusers, and how this imbued women with a sense of agency as seen through their retrospective accounts of their motivations to leave the abusive relationships.
Addition of Solids and Sweeteners in Toddler Bottles and Sippy Cups
Authors: Hyden Christel J. , Bonuck Karen A.
Published: July 2014

Serving cereal and other foods by baby bottle is a common infant feeding practice, yet little research explores how this practice may continue beyond the first year of life or following transition from the bottle to sippy cups. This article describes the addition of solids and sweeteners into bottles and sippy cups of milk, formula, or nondairy milk among children aged 1 to 2 years in an urban Women, Infants, and Children clinic. This observational study recruited n = 299 low-income nutrition program clients whose 12-month-olds consumed ≥2 nonwater bottles per day. Dietary recall data were extracted for the 3105 servings of milk, formula, or nondairy milk in bottles or sippy cups and analyzed for vessel, content, addition of solids or sweeteners (eg, cereals or syrups), calories, and added grams of sugar. Sixty-one percent of children had a solid or sweetener added to their beverage at least once. Solids or sweeteners were added to 38% of baby bottles and 21% of sippy cups. Presence of solids and sweeteners did not vary by ethnic group; however, cereal was more common in beverages served to Hispanic children and sweeteners were more common in the beverages of African American children. Beverages with added ingredients had nearly 3 times the added sugar and 23% more calories than those without added ingredients. Additions of solids and sweeteners to milk, formula, and nondairy milk is a practice that continues beyond infancy. Further research is needed to understand this behavior in a larger population and to determine the potential effects on diet quality and health.
Residual stress and micro-structure of GCr15 steel after multistep shot peening
Authors: Fu P. , Jiang C. , Zhang Z. , Ji V.
Published: July 2014

Experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of different shot peening (SP) techniques on the residual stress and micro-structure of GCr15 steel by X-ray diffraction (XRD) profile analysis. The results showed that SP induced the martensitic phase transformation, compressive residual stress (CRS) and micro-structure modification within the deformed layer. Under the optimum SP intensity of 0·52+0·25+0·16 mmA, the maximum compressive residual stress (MCRS) for martensite attains 745 MPa at the depth of 35 μm while the MCRS for austenite attains 869 MPa at the depth of 50 μm; and the domain size of GCr15 steel attains the minimum value of 9 nm at the top surface; The micro-strain and dislocation density attain the maximum values of 0·0042 and 2·29×1015 m−2 at the top surface respectively.