bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relaxed Extragradient Methods with Regularization for General System of Variational Inequalities with Constraints of Split Feasibility and Fixed Point Problems
Authors: Ceng L. C. , Petruşel A. , Yao J. C.
Published: March 2013

We suggest and analyze relaxed extragradient iterative algorithms with regularization for finding a common element of the solution set of a general system of variational inequalities, the solution set of a split feasibility problem, and the fixed point set of a strictly pseudocontractive mapping defined on a real Hilbert space. Here the relaxed extragradient methods with regularization are based on the well-known successive approximation method, extragradient method, viscosity approximation method, regularization method, and so on. Strong convergence of the proposed algorithms under some mild conditions is established. Our results represent the supplementation, improvement, extension, and development of the corresponding results in the very recent literature.
Interplay of Biomechanical, Energetic, Coordinative, and Muscular Factors in a 200 m Front Crawl Swim
Authors: Figueiredo Pedro , Pendergast David R. , Vilas-Boas João Paulo , Fernandes Ricardo J.
Published: March 2013

This study aimed to determine the relative contribution of selected biomechanical, energetic, coordinative, and muscular factors for the 200 m front crawl and each of its four laps. Ten swimmers performed a 200 m front crawl swim, as well as 50, 100, and 150 m at the 200 m pace. Biomechanical, energetic, coordinative, and muscular factors were assessed during the 200 m swim. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the weight of the factors to the performance. For each lap, the contributions to the 200 m performance were 17.6, 21.1, 18.4, and 7.6% for stroke length, 16.1, 18.7, 32.1, and 3.2% for stroke rate, 11.2, 13.2, 6.8, and 5.7% for intracycle velocity variation inx, 9.7, 7.5, 1.3, and 5.4% for intracycle velocity variation iny, 17.8, 10.5, 2.0, and 6.4% for propelling efficiency, 4.5, 5.8, 10.9, and 23.7% for total energy expenditure, 10.1, 5.1, 8.3, and 23.7% for interarm coordination, 9.0, 6.2, 8.5, and 5.5% for muscular activity amplitude, and 3.9, 11.9, 11.8, and 18.7% for muscular frequency). The relative contribution of the factors was closely related to the task constraints, especially fatigue, as the major changes occurred from the first to the last lap.
Complex Formation in a Liquid-Liquid Extraction System Containing Cobalt(II), 4-(2-Pyridylazo)resorcinol, and Nitron
Authors: Racheva Petya Vassileva , Gavazov Kiril Blazhev , Lekova Vanya Dimitrova , Dimitrov Atanas Nikolov
Published: March 2013

Complex formation and liquid-liquid extraction were studied in a system containing cobalt(II), 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol (PAR), 1,4-diphenyl-3-(phenylamino)-1H-1,2,4-triazole (Nitron, Nt), water, and chloroform. The effect of some experimental parameters (pH, shaking time, concentration of PAR, and concentration of Nt) was systematically investigated, and the optimum conditions for cobalt extraction as an ion-association complex, (NtH+)[Co3+(PAR)2], were found. The following key equilibrium constants were calculated: constant of association (Log β=4.77±0.06), constant of distribution (LogKD=1.34±0.01), and constant of extraction (LogKex=6.11±0.07). Beer’s law was obeyed for Co concentrations up to 1.7 μg mL−1 with a molar absorptivity of 6.0×104 L mol−1 cm−1 at λmax=520 nm. Some additional characteristics, such as limit of detection, limit of quantification, and Sandell’s sensitivity, were estimated as well.
Physical Mistreatment in Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: VandeWeerd Carla , Paveza Gregory J. , Walsh Margaret , Corvin Jaime
Published: March 2013

Physical mistreatment has been estimated to affect 2 million older persons each year and dramatically affects health outcomes. While researchers have attempted to examine risk factors for specific forms of abuse, many have been able to focus on only victim or perpetrator characteristics, or a limited number of psychosocial variables at any one time. Additionally, data on risk factors for subgroups such as persons with Alzheimer’s disease who may have heightened and/or unique risk profiles has also been limited. This paper examines risk for physical violence in caregiver/patient dyads who participated in the Aggression and Violence in Community-Based Alzheimer’s Families Grant. Data were collected via in-person interview and mailed survey and included demographics as well as measures of violence, physical and emotional health, and health behaviors. Logistic regression analysis indicated that caregivers providing care to elders with high levels of functional impairment or dementia symptoms, or who had alcohol problems, were more likely to use violence as a conflict resolution strategy, as were caregivers who were providing care to elders who used violence against them. By contrast, caregivers with high self-esteem were less likely to use violence as a conflict resolution strategy. Significant interaction effects were also noted.
The Arabidopsis Stress Responsive Gene Database
Authors: Borkotoky Subhomoi , Saravanan Vijayakumar , Jaiswal Amit , Das Bipul , Selvaraj Suresh , Murali Ayaluru , Lakshmi P. T. V.
Published: March 2013

Plants in nature may face a wide range of favorable or unfavorable biotic and abiotic factors during their life cycle. Any of these factors may cause stress in plants; therefore, they have to be more adaptable to stressful environments and must acquire greater response to different stresses. The objective of this study is to retrieve and arrange data from the literature in a standardized electronic format for the development of information resources on potential stress responsive genes in Arabidopsis thaliana. This provides a powerful mean for manipulation, comparison, search, and retrieval of records describing the nature of various stress responsive genes in Arabidopsis thaliana. The database is based exclusively on published stress tolerance genes associated with plants.
Modeling Neutral Evolution Using an Infinite-Allele Markov Branching Process
Authors: Wu Xiaowei , Kimmel Marek
Published: March 2013

We consider an infinite-allele Markov branching process (IAMBP). Our main focus is the frequency spectrum of this process, that is, the proportion of alleles having a given number of copies at a specified time point. We derive the variance of the frequency spectrum, which is useful for interval estimation and hypothesis testing for process parameters. In addition, for a class of special IAMBP with birth and death offspring distribution, we show that the mean of its limiting frequency spectrum has an explicit form in terms of the hypergeometric function. We also derive an asymptotic expression for convergence rate to the limit. Simulations are used to illustrate the results for the birth and death process.
Age Differences in the Association of Severe Psychological Distress and Behavioral Factors with Heart Disease
Authors: Wang Liang , Wang Ke-Sheng
Published: March 2013

Few studies have examined the risk factors of serious psychological distress (SPD) and behavioral factors for heart disease separately stratified as young (18–44 years), middle aged (45–64 years), and elderly (65 years or older). A total of 3,540 adults with heart disease and 37,703 controls were selected from the 2005 California Health Interview Survey. Data were weighted to be representative and adjusted for potential undercoverage and nonresponse biases. Multiple logistic regression models were used to estimate the associations of the factors with heart disease at different ages. The prevalence of SPD was 8% in cases and 4% in controls, respectively. For young adults, SPD and higher federal poverty level (FPL) were associated with an increased risk of heart disease while for middle-aged adults, SPD, past smoking, lack of physical activity, obesity, male, and unemployment were associated with an increased risk of heart disease. In addition, SPD, past smoking, lack of physical activity, obesity, male, unemployment, White, and lower FPL were associated with an increased risk of heart disease in elderly. Our findings indicate that risk factors for heart disease vary across all ages. Intervention strategies that target risk reduction of heart disease may be tailored accordingly.
A Phase I Trial of Vorinostat and Alvocidib in Patients with Relapsed, Refractory, or Poor Prognosis Acute Leukemia, or Refractory Anemia with Excess Blasts-2
Authors: Holkova Beata , Supko Jeffrey G. , Ames Matthew M. , Reid Joel M. , Shapiro Geoffrey I. , Perkins Edward Brent , Ramakrishnan Viswanathan , Tombes Mary Beth , Honeycutt Connie , McGovern Renee M. , Kmieciak Maciej , Shrader Ellen , Wellons Martha D. , Sankala Heidi , Doyle Austin , Wright John , Roberts John D. , Grant Steven
Published: March 2013

Purpose: This phase I study was conducted to identify the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of alvocidib when combined with vorinostat in patients with relapsed, refractory, or poor prognosis acute leukemia, or refractory anemia with excess blasts-2. Secondary objectives included investigating the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of the combination.

Experimental Design: Patients received vorinostat (200 mg orally, three times a day, for 14 days) on a 21-day cycle, combined with 2 different alvocidib administration schedules: a 1-hour intravenous infusion, daily × 5; or a 30-minute loading infusion followed by a 4-hour maintenance infusion, weekly × 2. The alvocidib dose was escalated using a standard 3+3 design.

Results: Twenty-eight patients were enrolled and treated. The alvocidib MTD was 20 mg/m2 (30-minute loading infusion) followed by 20 mg/m2 (4-hour maintenance infusion) on days one and eight, in combination with vorinostat. The most frequently encountered toxicities were cytopenias, fatigue, hyperglycemia, hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, and QT prolongation. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) were cardiac arrhythmia-atrial fibrillation and QT prolongation. No objective responses were achieved although 13 of 26 evaluable patients exhibited stable disease. Alvocidib seemed to alter vorinostat pharmacokinetics, whereas alvocidib pharmacokinetics were unaffected by vorinostat. Ex vivo exposure of leukemia cells to plasma obtained from patients after alvocidib treatment blocked vorinostat-mediated p21CIP1 induction and downregulated Mcl-1 and p-RNA Pol II for some specimens, although parallel in vivo bone marrow responses were infrequent.

Conclusions: Alvocidib combined with vorinostat is well tolerated. Although disease stabilization occurred in some heavily pretreated patients, objective responses were not obtained with these schedules. Clin Cancer Res; 19(7); 1873–83. ©2013 AACR.
ERK Phosphorylation Is Predictive of Resistance to IGF-1R Inhibition in Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Zinn Rebekah L. , Gardner Eric E. , Marchionni Luigi , Murphy Sara C. , Dobromilskaya Irina , Hann Christine L. , Rudin Charles M.
Published: March 2013

New therapies are critically needed to improve the outcome for patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) inhibition is a potential treatment strategy for SCLC: the IGF-1R pathway is commonly upregulated in SCLC and has been associated with inhibition of apoptosis and stimulation of proliferation through downstream signaling pathways, including phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase. To evaluate potential determinants of response to IGF-1R inhibition, we assessed the relative sensitivity of 19 SCLC cell lines to OSI-906, a small molecule inhibitor of IGF-1R, and the closely related insulin receptor. Approximately one third of these cell lines were sensitive to OSI-906, with an IC50 < 1 μmol/L. Cell line expression of IGF-1R, IR, IGF-1, IGF-2, IGFBP3, and IGFBP6 did not correlate with sensitivity to OSI-906. Interestingly, OSI-906 sensitive lines expressed significantly lower levels of baseline phospho-ERK relative to resistant lines (P = 0.006). OSI-906 treatment resulted in dose-dependent inhibition of phospho-IGF-1R and phospho-Akt in both sensitive and resistant cell lines, but induced apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest only in sensitive lines. We tested the in vivo efficacy of OSI-906 using an NCI-H187 xenograft model and two SCLC patient xenografts in mice. OSI-906 treatment resulted in 50% tumor growth inhibition in NCI-H187 and 30% inhibition in the primary patient xenograft models compared with mock-treated animals. Taken together our data support IGF-1R inhibition as a viable treatment strategy for a defined subset of SCLC and suggest that low pretreatment levels of phospho-ERK may be indicative of sensitivity to this therapeutic approach. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(6); 1131–9. ©2013 AACR.
Two Novel Vitamin D Receptor Modulators with Similar Structures Exhibit Different Hypercalcemic Effects in 5/6 Nephrectomized Uremic Rats
Authors: Wu-Wong J. Ruth , Kawai Megumi , Chen Yung-wu , Wessale Jerry L. , Huang Ching-jang , Wu Meng-ting , Nakane Masaki
Published: March 2013

Background/Aims: Vitamin D receptor modulators (VDRMs) are indicated for secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Clinical observations demonstrate that VDRM therapy provides cardiovascular (CV) benefit in CKD. Current on-market VDRMs have a narrow therapeutic index at 1- to 4-fold [hypercalcemic toxicity vs. parathyroid hormone (PTH)-suppressing efficacy]. Hypercalcemia leads to the need for frequent drug dose titration and serum calcium (Ca) monitoring. A VDRM with a wider therapeutic index and beneficial CV effects will be clinically useful. Methods: Two structurally similar VDRMs were tested in the 5/6 nephrectomized (NX) rats with elevated PTH, endothelial dysfunction and left ventricular hypertrophy. Results: VS-110 and VS-411 at 0.01-1 μg/kg (i.p. 3 times/week for 2 weeks) suppressed serum PTH effectively. VS-411 raised serum Ca with an 11% increase at 0.01 μg/kg (therapeutic index = ∼1-fold), while VS-110 did not raise serum Ca even at 1 μg/kg (therapeutic index >50-fold). VS-110 improved endothelium-dependent aortic relaxation in a dose-dependent manner and significantly reduced left ventricular fibrosis without affecting serum Ca. VS-411 also exhibited effects on the CV parameters, but was less potent at the high doses with severe hypercalcemia. VS-110 and VS-411 specifically activated the reporter gene via a chimeric receptor containing the VDR ligand binding domain with EC50 <0.1 nM. Conclusions: Structurally similar VDRMs can exhibit distinctly different hypercalcemic effects in 5/6 NX uremic rats. While differences exist for the Ca and CV effects of VS-110 and VS-411, the clinical implications are unclear. VS-110's results are promising but clinical outcome studies need to be performed.
Successful Treatment of Plasmacytosis Circumorificialis with Topical Tacrolimus: Two Case Reports and an Immunohistochemical Study
Authors: Fujimura Taku , Furudate Sadanori , Ishibashi Masaya , Kambayashi Yumi , Tojo Gen-ichi , Wakusawa Chihiro , Mayama Hiroshi , Aiba Setsuya
Published: March 2013

Plasmacytosis circumorificialis (PLC), a benign chronic inflammatory disease with an unknown pathogenesis, is characterized by erythema, erosion nodules and ulcers around the openings of the human body. In this report, we describe two cases of PLC successfully treated with topical tacrolimus. Interestingly, immunohistochemical staining revealed that prominent CD163+ proinflammatory macrophages and IL-17-producing cells were infiltrating around plasma cells, which might suggest the reason for the therapeutic effect of topical tacrolimus on PLC.
Diverticular Choledochal Cyst with a Large Impacted Stone Masquerading as Mirizzi's Syndrome
Authors: Hwang Soon Oh , Lee Tae Hoon , Bae Sang Ho , Han Dong Jae , Lee Han Min , Park Sang-Heum , Kim Chang Ho , Kim Sun-Joo
Published: March 2013

Choledochal cysts are congenital anomalies of the biliary tract manifested by cystic dilatation of the extrahepatic and intrahepatic bile ducts. Choledochal cyst is not rare in far-East Asian countries. Type II choledochal cysts account for 2% of all such cysts. They are true diverticula of the extrahepatic bile duct and communicate with the bile duct through a narrow stalk. This condition is associated with significant complications, such as ductal strictures, stone formation, cholangitis, rupture and secondary biliary cirrhosis. We describe a case of a huge impacted stone in a diverticular choledochal cyst which masqueraded as an unusual cystic duct stone causing Mirizzi's syndrome.
Diagnosis and Management of Primary Umbilical Melanoma with Omphalitis Features
Authors: Song Y. , Xu D. , Sun L. , Ding K. , Hu Y. , Yuan Y.
Published: March 2013

We report on a 62-year-old Chinese male patient who presented with a pigmented lesion in the umbilical area and who was treated for omphalitis in a local hospital for 1 month. Biopsy pathological examination revealed that the lesion was a melanoma. The Breslow depth was estimated at 3 mm, and Clark's level was IV. Ultrasonography showed no suspicious pathological lymph nodes, and no metastases were detected in the lung, liver or brain through CT scans. Reexcision was performed with lateral margins >2 cm from the original scar down to the peritoneum, including the umbilicus, round ligament of the liver and urachus. No adjuvant therapy was suggested, and the patient was still alive without recurrences or metastases after 36 months.
Gene-Centric Analysis Identifies Variants Associated With Interleukin-6 Levels and Shared Pathways With Other Inflammation Markers
Authors: Shah Tina , Zabaneh Delilah , Gaunt Tom , Swerdlow Daniel I. , Shah Sonia , Talmud Philippa J. , Day Ian N. , Whittaker John , Holmes Michael V. , Sofat Reecha , Humphries Steve E. , Kivimaki Mika , Kumari Meena , Hingorani Aroon D. , Casas Juan P
Published: March 2013

Background—

Inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6), a possible risk factor for coronary heart disease, has an estimated heritability of >60%, but to date few genetic variants influencing IL-6 levels are known.

Methods and Results—

We used the ITMAT-Broad-Care (IBC) HumanCVD disease BeadChip in the Whitehall II study (N=4911) and British Women’s Heart and Health Study (N=3445) to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with circulating IL-6 levels. Twenty-two single-nucleotide polymorphisms from 7 loci (
IL6R/TDRD10
,
HLA-DRB1
,
BUD13
,
SEZ6L
,
IL1RN
,
TRIB3
, and
ABO
) were associated with IL-6 (
P
<10
–5
), although none were associated with the
IL6
gene itself. With the exception of
TRIB3
, all loci have been previously reported in genome-wide association studies for autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases. Fourteen single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the
IL6R
region in high-linkage disequilibrium (r
2
>0.9) with a nonsynonymous variant, rs2228145, were also associated with IL-6 and C-reactive protein concentration (
P
<10
–5
). An IL-6–specific weighted allele score explained 2% of the variance of log IL-6 levels (
P
=2.4410
–22
) in Whitehall II and 1% (
P
=1.910
–8
) in British Women’s Heart and Health Studies.

Conclusions—

Multiple common genetic variants of modest effect influence IL-6 concentration. Several loci contain single-nucleotide polymorphisms, exhibiting overlapping associations with autoimmune and cardiovascular disorders and other circulating biomarkers. Genetic variants associated with IL-6 provide important tools for probing the causal relevance of IL-6 signaling in a range of cardiometabolic diseases.
The Support Feature Machine: Classification with the Least Number of Features and Application to Neuroimaging Data
Authors: Klement Sascha , Anders Silke , Martinetz Thomas
Published: March 2013

By minimizing the zero-norm of the separating hyperplane, the support feature machine (SFM) finds the smallest subspace (the least number of features) of a data set such that within this subspace, two classes are linearly separable without error. This way, the dimensionality of the data is more efficiently reduced than with support vector–based feature selection, which can be shown both theoretically and empirically. In this letter, we first provide a new formulation of the previously introduced concept of the SFM. With this new formulation, classification of unbalanced and nonseparable data is straightforward, which allows using the SFM for feature selection and classification in a large variety of different scenarios. To illustrate how the SFM can be used to identify both the smallest subset of discriminative features and the total number of informative features in biological data sets we apply repetitive feature selection based on the SFM to a functional magnetic resonance imaging data set. We suggest that these capabilities qualify the SFM as a universal method for feature selection, especially for high-dimensional small-sample-size data sets that often occur in biological and medical applications.
A New Supervised Learning Algorithm for Spiking Neurons
Authors: Xu Yan , Zeng Xiaoqin , Zhong Shuiming
Published: March 2013

The purpose of supervised learning with temporal encoding for spiking neurons is to make the neurons emit a specific spike train encoded by the precise firing times of spikes. If only running time is considered, the supervised learning for a spiking neuron is equivalent to distinguishing the times of desired output spikes and the other time during the running process of the neuron through adjusting synaptic weights, which can be regarded as a classification problem. Based on this idea, this letter proposes a new supervised learning method for spiking neurons with temporal encoding; it first transforms the supervised learning into a classification problem and then solves the problem by using the perceptron learning rule. The experiment results show that the proposed method has higher learning accuracy and efficiency over the existing learning methods, so it is more powerful for solving complex and real-time problems.
Flexibility in feeding behaviour may compensate for morphological constraints of fossoriality in the amphisbaenian Blanus cinereus
Authors: López Pilar , López Pilar , Martín José , López Pilar , Martín José , Salvador Alfredo
Published: March 2013

Morphological adaptations for burrowing, such as an elongated body, and a small head may constrain feeding behaviour in fossorial reptiles. We experimentally examined the effect of prey type on prey capture and handling behaviour of the amphisbaenian Blanus cinereus. This amphisbaenian showed four different handling modes according to the characteristics of each prey type. When prey diameter was narrower than gape-size, prey were consumed without prey processing; when prey diameter was wider than gape-size, B. cinereus shifted handling mode to prey processing. Amphisbaenians scraped or tore off bite-sized pieces of large prey and showed longer handling times for some prey types than most epigean saurians. Flexibility in feeding behaviour may allow amphisbaenians to exploit variable underground trophic resources, overcoming constraints of morphological adaptation to fossoriality.
Philopatric vervet monkey females are the focus of social attention rather independently of rank
Authors: Renevey N. , Bshary R. , van de Waal E.
Published: March 2013

Social learning has potential advantages over individual learning but one challenge is to identify valuable information. One possibility is to not randomly learn from any social partner but mainly from specific role models like for example the mother or high ranking group members. A potential mechanism for such directed social learning could be that individuals observe the actions of role models more often than of other group members. Field experiments showed that in vervet monkeys — a species with female philopatry — dominant females are more closely watched than dominant males in an artificial fruit-type social learning task. Here, we quantified social attention to males and females under natural conditions in six groups of vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops) at Loskop Dam Nature Reserve, South Africa. Using the focal sampling method, we quantified the frequencies with which all adult individuals were observed by other group members of known age class, rank, sex and degree of relatedness during foraging bouts and grooming interactions. We found that group members generally paid more attention to females than to males. This effect remained when we excluded matriline members from the analyses. Furthermore, we found that an individual’s rank did not affect the attention it received from other group members. These results suggest that philopatry may promote social attention independently of an individual’s rank and across situations.
Vernacular Architecture in Venetian Crete: Urban and Rural Practices
Authors: Georgopoulou Maria
Published: March 2013

Abstract

The architecture built in Venice’s colony on Crete between its establishment in 1211 and the Ottoman conquest of the island in 1669 displays an intermingling of Western (Latin) architectural traditions with pre-Venetian Byzantine (Orthodox) forms and styles. Previous scholarship has explored the urban architecture of Venetian Crete, but less attention has been granted to the many rural Orthodox churches of the later medieval period that dot the Cretan countryside. While the official monuments of Cretan cities have been interpreted as employing architectural forms with a strong ideological—especially political—intent, the use of forms in rural buildings was not as ideologically charged. These more modest structures employed “Western” and “Byzantine” architectural styles in an ideologically neutral manner that reflected trends in fashion or taste rather than distinctions of cultural or political identity. By the fourteenth century, “Latin” and “Orthodox” architectural traditions had merged into a local style that expressed the cosmopolitan character of medieval Crete.
The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Transforming World Politics: Between Isomorphism and Path Dependence
Authors: Georgiadou Elena
Published: March 2013

Summary

This article explores the contemporary organization and functions of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the ways in which it responds to the transforming world politics. In contemporary foreign policy management discourse, the study of the foreign ministry — its organization, role, functions and position within national foreign policy and diplomatic systems — constitutes a central theme. This is because patterns of change within its structure, processes and operation can provide significant evidence regarding the state’s responses to systemic change, as well as its fundamental assumptions about world politics. There is no uniformity of opinion in the literature regarding foreign ministries’ responses to the changing policy milieus. On the one hand there are observations and arguments that view the foreign ministry as adaptive and retaining its centrality in national foreign policy systems, while on the other hand there are suggestions that the transforming world politics have diminished its significance, leading to its decline. Evidence gathered through a series of interviews with Greek diplomats indicates no discernible trend towards a decline of the Greek MFA. The data rather demonstrate that this Greek diplomatic institution, similar to other European foreign ministries, is in a process of adapt-ing to its contemporary operational environment, but that this process is slow because of its organizational culture.
Diplomacy and Symbolism
Authors: Faizullaev Alisher
Published: March 2013

Summary

Diplomacy makes extensive use of symbols, rituals and ceremonies. This practice is related to the nature of the state and diplomatic representation: (a) states and their intentions can be objectified through symbols, symbolic actions and interactions; and (b) diplomatic agencies and agents symbolically represent the state. Symbolism in diplomacy helps people to capture the meaning of international affairs and socially and individually to experience states and inter-state relations. Symbols, rituals and ceremonies in diplomacy are designed to create a shared sense and also to motivate and regulate the moods of groups and individuals who directly or indirectly participate in or observe diplomatic practice. Linguistics, imagery and ritualistic/ceremonial formats of symbolism exist in diplomatic practice. Each can have communicative, regulative and affective functions. Symbolism is meaningful and instrumental in making sense of states and international politics and in managing and regulating inter-state relations. However, diplomatic symbolism can also be used formally and manipulatively.
Recasting Qushayrī’s Risāla in Fifteenth-Century Egypt
Authors: Ingalls Matthew
Published: March 2013

Abstract

The scholarly works of the Egyptian Sufi and chief qadi Zakariyyā al-Anṣārī (d. 926/1520) often reflect a late-medieval Muslim trend of subtle intellectual innovation—that is, innovation that cloaks itself in the received tradition while often diverging markedly from it. It is particularly his celebrated Iḥkām al-dalāla ʿalā taḥrīr al-Risāla, a commentary on ʿAbd al-Karīm al-Qushayrī’s (d. 465/1072) Risāla in Sufism, that embodies such an intellectual trend quite starkly. This study examines the Iḥkām to understand how Anṣārī adapted an eleventh-century Nishapuri handbook in Sufism to his own fifteenth-century Egyptian context. It argues that Anṣārī’s redirecting of Qushayrī’s Risāla occurs through three broad interpretative techniques: a recasting in content, a recasting in form, and a recasting in tone and objective of the original text. After exploring these techniques in depth, a few larger implications for the field of commentary theory are noted in a concluding section. A preliminary consideration of Anṣārī’s biography, particularly those biographical details related to his scholarly training and career, his background in Sufism, and the writing of his Iḥkām, appears as a preface to the textual analysis that comprises the second half of the study.
The Spiritual and Physical Progeny of ʿAbd al-Karīm al-Qushayrī: A Preliminary Study in Abū Naṣr al-Qushayrī’s (d. 514/1120) Kitāb al-Shawāhid wa-l-amthāl
Authors: Chiabotti Francesco
Published: March 2013

Abstract

This article discusses discoveries made concerning the teachings of ʿAbd al-Karīm al-Qushayrī based on a preliminary analysis of the manuscript Kitāb al-Shawāhid wa l-amthāl recorded by Abū Naṣr al-Qushayrī (d. 514/1120), one of Qushayrī’s six sons. This text is the most significant attestation to the transmission of Qushayrī’s influence as it was passed down directly by his progeny. The first part of this study will briefly examine the careers of Qushayrī’s sons and their intellectual and spiritual legacy. The primary questions here are: what did the sons receive from their father and how did they transmit it? What role did familial bonds play in the transmission of religious knowledge and the mystical path? How should we understand the term Qushayriyya that the biographical sources used to describe the Qushayrī family? The second part will concentrate on the above mentioned manuscript and its transmission. After summing up the life and the career of Abū Naṣr and discussing issues of this manuscript’s authorship, the significance of the term shawāhid will be analyzed according to the role of poetry in Sufi literature. Then three important aspects of the Kitāb will be also examined.
Molecular xylem cell wall structure of an inclined Cycas micronesica stem, a tropical gymnosperm
Authors: Altaner Clemens M. , Jarvis Michael C. , Fisher Jack B. , Marler Thomas E.
Published: March 2013

The molecular structure of tracheid walls of an inclined eccentrically grown stem of Cycas micronesica K.D. Hill did not differ between the upper and lower side. The absence the typical molecular features of compression wood tracheids, i.e. an increased galactose and lignin content as well as an increased microfibril angle, indicated that cycads do not have the ability to form even very mild forms of compression wood, which lacks anatomical features commonly observed in compression wood. Analysis of the sugar monomers in Cycas micronesica tracheids did reveal a rather unique composition of the non-cellulosic polysaccharides for a gymnosperm. The low mannose and high xylose content resembled a cell wall matrix common in angiosperms. The crystalline cellulose structure in Cycas micronesica tracheids closely resembled those of secondary cell walls in Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr. tracheids. However, the spacing between the sheets of cellulose chains was wider and the cellulose fibrils appeared to form larger aggregates than in Sitka spruce tracheids.
Root structure of Rumex scutatus growing on slopes
Authors: De Micco Veronica , Aronne Giovanna
Published: March 2013

The effect of slope on root architecture and anatomy of Rumex scutatus L. was analysed in plants growing on slopes and on flat ground, on the flanks of Mt. Vesuvius. Roots of plants on steep slopes developed asymmetrically, with lateral roots growing upslope acting as tie-rods. In roots growing on flat ground, lignified xylem was limited to thin radial strips, surrounded by unlignified parenchyma cells filled with starch. A trend towards a larger lignified area was evident from plants growing on flat ground to those on steep slopes, as well as from taproots to tie-rod roots. The latter also showed larger vessels and a lower incidence of narrow vessels than taproots. Roots developing on steep slopes were characterised by high frequency of very-thick-walled, lignified fibres with long tips which accumulated both starch and phenolic compounds. Such fibres did not show lignified cell walls in roots growing on flat ground. Overall analysis showed that slope influences root architecture and anatomical traits, not only affecting mechanical properties but also water transport capacity.
Effect of Lignin Genetic Modification on Wood Anatomy of Aspen Trees
Authors: Horvath Balazs , Peszlen Ilona , Peralta Perry , Kasal Bohumil , Li Laigeng
Published: March 2013

The directed modification of specific traits of trees through genetic engineering provides opportunities for making significant genetic improvements to wood properties in matter of years instead of extended time frames required for traditional natural selection. An attractive target of forest- tree engineering is the modification of lignin content and lignin structure. While lower lignin content improves pulping efficiency, a decrease in lignin content could affect wood characteristics that are critical for solid wood use.

After one year of growth in a greenhouse, a total of forty transgenic aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) with reduced lignin content and increased syringyl to guaiacyl ratio were harvested and diameter growth and cell morphology were investigated using quantitative wood anatomy and fiber quality analysis techniques. Comparing genetic groups to the wild-type as the control, similar radial growth and quantitative anatomical properties were observed for the genetic group with reduced lignin content. The genetic group with increased S/G ratio had lower diameter growth, lower vessel lumen diameter, but more numerous vessels. The combined effect of changes in lignin content and structure on radial growth and cell morphology seems to be more complex and gave inconsistent results.
Wood Anatomical features and chemical composition of Prosopis kuntzei from the paraguayan chaco
Authors: Scholz Gunthard , Windeisen Elisabeth , Liebner Falk , Bäucker Ernst , Bues Claus-Thomas
Published: March 2013

Anatomical features for Prosopis kuntzei Harms were studied by light and scanning electron microscopy. The wood is mainly diffuse-porous with indistinct growth ring boundaries. Vessel diameter ranges between 11 to 193 μm. The thick-walled fibres average 1275 μm in length. Parenchyma bands are 66 to 1066 μm apart. Heartwood extractives were studied in the vessels, rays and part of the fibres by means of scanning UV microspectrophotometry. The pyrolitic lignin content is 30.7%. The percentage of polyphenolic compounds, such as flavonoids, hydrolysable tannins and proanthocyanidins, is comparatively high at 5.8%. Total extract contents were determined after organic solvent extractions (23.2%) and water extractions (24.9%). The FTIR spectroscopy showed nearly identical spectra for the methanol and water extracts, with characteristic absorption bands for aromatic substances at 1615 and 1520 cm-1. The spectrum of the acetone extract differs only due to an additional but distinct absorption in the carbonyl range at 1695 cm-1. GC/MS analyses revealed that in the acetone and methanol extracts, tetrahydroxy-flavan-3-ols (isomers of catechin and epicatechin) were the main constituents with a ratio of 25.3 and 27.6%.
Torus-Bearing Pit Membranes in Cercocarpus
Authors: Dute Roland , Patel Jaynesh , Jansen Steven
Published: March 2013

Intervascular pit membranes of Cercocarpus possess torus thickenings. The thickenings, or pads, consist of lignified, secondary wall material. Torus pad deposition occurs late in cell ontogeny and is not associated with a microtubule plexus. Half-bordered pit pairs between tracheary elements and parenchyma cells often have a torus pad on the membrane surface facing the conducting cell. In contrast, a thick protective layer fills the pit cavity on the side of the parenchyma cell. Ontogeny of the torus thickenings in Cercocarpus represents a third mode of torus development in eudicots when compared to that occurring in Osmanthus/Daphne and Ulmus/Celtis.
The Anatomy of raised grain on Pinus Radiata weatherboards
Authors: Singh Adya P. , Dawson Bernard S.W. , Hands Karen D. , Ward John V. , Greaves Mark , Turner John C.P. , Rickard Catherine L.
Published: March 2013

Surface irregularities on machined Pinus radiata weatherboards, visible as localised protrusions, were examined by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) to understand the anatomical basis for the surface deformities present. The SEM observations confirmed that the location of protruded regions corresponded with raised grain. Raised grain is related to moisture content changes of wood after machining and this can cause problems in the acceptability of affected boards on buildings when the raised grain is visible as surface protrusions. A comparison of the SEM images obtained from sections cut sequentially from the same protruded regions prior to and after a brief (five seconds) dipping of the blocks in water suggested that the raised grain resulted from spring back of compressed earlywood tissues underlying the thin, tapered part of latewood bands.
First Record of Paraphyllanthoxylon from China
Authors: Feng Xin-Xin , Yi Tie-Mei , Jin Jian-Hua
Published: March 2013

A new species, Paraphyllanthoxylon hainanensis, is described from the Eocene Changchang Formation of the Changchang Basin on Hainan Island, South China. It is the first record of this genus in China, providing important fossil evidence for research on the phytogeographic history of this genus. The form genus Paraphyllanthoxylon was previously only known from the Cretaceous and Neogene of North America, Mexico, France, Belgium, Japan, India and South Africa.
Fossil Woods from the Miocene in the Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
Authors: Choi Sung-Kook , Kim Kyungsik , Jeong Eun-Kyoung , Terada Kazuo , Suzuki Mitsuo , Uematsu Houhei
Published: March 2013

Eighty-two silicified fossil woods were collected from Miocene formations on the western coast of the Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. Twenty-two taxa (5 conifers and 17 dicotyledons) were identified. Five new species (Chamaecyparis parathyoides, Pterocarya parvipora, Populus soyaensis, Schima protowallichii, Lagerstroemia odaniense) and two species not previously known from the Miocene of Yamagata are described. This brings the number of fossil wood taxa from the Miocene of Yamagata to 39. Warm temperate elements such as Keteleeria, Liquidambar, Distylium and Lagerstroemia were found in the formations studied. The fossil wood assemblages from four Miocene formations (except Onisakatoge Formation from which only one sample was collected) suggest that the woody flora changed gradually during the Miocene from a mixture of cool and warm temperate elements to a warm temperate assemblage. These changes agree well with the vegetation changes during the Miocene in Japan; from the Aniai type to the Daijima-type.
PCA of Cites Listed Pterocarpus Santalinus (Leguminosae) Wood
Authors: MacLachlan Ian R. , Gasson Peter
Published: March 2013

Pterocarpus santalinus L. f. is endemic to south eastern India where it is known as ‘red sandal wood’ or ‘red sanders wood’. A highly valued timber for its structural and medicinal properties P. santalinus is listed under CITES Appendix II, reflecting the possibility of extinction should unregulated trade continue. Currently timber identification uses comparative wood anatomy. Some P. santalinus specimens are very distinct from closely related species, but this is not always the case. PCA was applied to data on 17 wood anatomical characters and one physical character of several Pterocarpus species including P. santalinus. A comparative description of P. santalinus is presented using the same data as PCA. The primary quantitative outcome was discrete clustering of P. santalinus in PCA axes scores plots, distinguishing it from the other included species. PCA eigenvector data indicated which characters were responsible for the greatest amount of variance in the data set. With simple modifications PCA has considerable potential in quantitative wood anatomy as a complementary technique to comparative wood anatomy for the identification of cryptic wood specimens.
Simplified Procedure for Hand Fracturing, Identifying, and Curating Small Macrocharcoal Remains
Authors: Boutain Jeffrey R. , Brown Adam R. , Webb David T. , Toyofuku Bryson H.
Published: March 2013

Charred plant remains are common and significant components of many archeological assemblages, and the proper identification of these remains is essential for an excavation team to gather the maximum amount of information. Identification of charred plant remains, especially of small pieces, can be difficult due to the brittle characteristics of charcoal and changes in anatomical structure due to charring. Charcoal must be snapped, which is difficult for small specimens, or sectioned with time consuming resin embedding procedures. This study presents an alternative procedure in which small (0.7 mm thick) charcoal specimens are produced, attached to specimen mounting stubs used in scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and then hand snapped. This procedure consistently produced flat viewing surfaces. It also reduced the air evacuation time in SEM and facilitated the production of replicas.
The Potential of Ipê (Handroanthus SPP.) and Maçaranduba (Manilkara SPP.) Woods in the manufacture of bows for string instruments
Authors: Longui Eduardo Luiz , Yojo Takashi , Lombardi Daniel Romeu , Alves Edenise Segala
Published: March 2013

While the wood Caesalpinia echinata (pernambuco wood) is traditionally used in the manufacture of bows for string instruments, wood of other genera such as Handroanthus (syn. Tabebuia) and Manilkara are also used in bow making, but still on a very small scale. This study aims to evaluate the anatomical, chemical, physical, mechanical, and acoustic characteristics of these two latter woods, establishing their potential for bow making. Length, frequency of vessel elements and rays, and the higher percentage of fibers influence the density, modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, and the speed of sound propagation, whereas the content of lignin influence the sticks’ stiffness. It appears that Handroanthus bows can provide quality equivalent to that of pernambuco wood. Despite its appropriate heartwood color and texture, Manilkara provides bows of inferior quality.
Alternative methods for Nondestructively determining Modulus of Elasticity in young trees
Authors: Schimleck Laurence R , Mora Christian R. , Peter Gary F. , Evans Robert
Published: March 2013

Several nondestructive technologies are briefly described that can examine wood modulus of elasticity (MOE) variation in young trees. In genetic trials nondestructive sampling is often a priority; hence sampling is limited to the use of standing tree acoustic tools or increment cores whose wood properties are subsequently analyzed. If a detailed knowledge of radial variation is required, then SilviScan presents the most suitable option. If the number of trees examined is in the low thousands, then near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy or ultrasonics may be more cost effective than SilviScan. However, information regarding MOE radial variation will be of lower resolution than SilviScan and the estimation of wood properties by NIR spectroscopy relies on suitable calibrations that need to be created and maintained at some expense. If thousands of trees need to be assessed and knowledge of radial variation is not required then time-of-flight (ToF) acoustic instruments are the most suitable.
Ring width, latewood proportion and density relationships in black locust wood of different origins and clones
Authors: Adamopoulos Stergios , Passialis Costas , Voulgaridis Elias
Published: March 2013

Cross-sectional discs were cut at breast height from 19 black locust trees aged 18–39 years of different clones and origin (Greece, Bulgaria and Hungarian clones J, U and NY). Ring width, latewood proportion and dry density were measured according to standard laboratory techniques in order to examine their relationships. Latewood proportion was found to increase (except for one tree from Bulgaria) with increasing ring width and logarithmic equations were calculated with relatively high correlation coefficients. A positive relation between dry density and latewood proportion was found in black locust of Bulgarian origin and in the Hungarian clone NY while in all other cases no meaningful relationship was observed. In mature wood, improved positive linear correlations were observed between dry density and latewood proportion with the exception of the Hungarian clone U. Regression analysis revealed low correlations between dry density and ring width and only black locust from Bulgaria had a high positive correlation. The positive correlations between dry density and ring width were slightly improved in mature wood with the exception of clone J from Hungary.
Ecological Wood Anatomy of Miconia Sellowiana (Melastomataceae) in three vegetation types of paraná state, Brazil
Authors: Bosio Fabio , Soffiatti Patrícia , Torres Boeger Maria Regina
Published: March 2013

Miconia sellowiana (Melastomataceae), a widespread species occurring in Araucaria Forest, Montane Dense Forest and Upper Montane Forest (Paraná state, Brazil) has a highly variable foliar morphology. This study investigated whether the wood anatomy follows this pattern influenced by environmental conditions. Samples of six individuals per area were collected, fixed and prepared, according to standard techniques in wood anatomy. ANOVA indicated differences for length and diameter of vessel elements and fibres, fibre wall thickness, width of rays and ray frequency, especially regarding the population of the Upper Montane Forest. The secondary xylem from this vegetation is characterized by shorter vessel elements and fibres, thicker fibre walls and wider rays. These characteristics are associated to a certain degree of water stress imposed to the plants in the Upper Montane Forest, mainly due to the shallow neosol soils. The Araucaria Forest and the Montane Dense Forest have more similar environmental conditions, supported by the Cluster analysis. The Principal Components Analysis explained 98% of the total variance, where fibre and vessel element lengths showed a posi-tive correlation; however, this analysis did not allow the separation of three distinct groups. Although less pronounced, the wood anatomical differences corroborate the results obtained with foliar morphology, where leaves from the Upper Montane Forest presented the most xeric characteristics among the populations of Miconia sellowiana studied.