bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BOUNDS ON THE PRICE OF STABILITY OF UNDIRECTED NETWORK DESIGN GAMES WITH THREE PLAYERS
Authors: BILÒ VITTORIO , BOVE ROBERTA
Published: December 2011

After almost seven years from its definition,2 the price of stability of undirected network design games with fair cost allocation remains to be elusive. Its exact characterization has been achieved only for the basic case of two players2,7 and, as soon as the number of players increases, the gap between the known upper and lower bounds becomes super-constant, even in the special variants of multicast and broadcast games. Motivated by the intrinsic difficulties that seem to characterize this problem, we analyze the already challenging case of three players and provide either new or improved bounds. For broadcast games, we prove an upper bound of 1.485 which exactly matches a lower bound given in Ref. 4; for multicast games, we show new upper and lower bounds which confine the price of stability in the interval [1.524; 1.532]; while, for the general case, we give an improved upper bound of 1.634. The techniques exploited in this paper are a refinement of those used in Ref. 7 and can be easily adapted to deal with all the cases involving a small number of players.
KINEMATIC ANALYSIS AND PROTOTYPE OF A METAMORPHIC ANTHROPOMORPHIC HAND WITH A RECONFIGURABLE PALM
Authors: WEI GUOWU , DAI JIAN S. , WANG SHUXIN , LUO HAIFENG
Published: December 2011

A novel metamorphic anthropomorphic hand is for the first time introduced in this paper. This robotic hand has a reconfigurable palm that generates changeable topology and augments dexterity and versatility of the hand. Structure design of the robotic hand is presented and based on mechanism decomposition kinematics of the metamorphic anthropomorphic hand is characterized with closed-form solutions leading to the workspace investigation of the robotic hand. With characteristic matrix equation, twisting motion of the metamorphic robotic hand is investigated to reveal both dexterity and manipulability of the metamorphic hand. Through a prototype, grasping and prehension of the robotic hand are tested to illustrate characteristics of the new metamorphic anthropomorphic hand.
HOW TO COMPENSATE FOR THE DISTURBANCES THAT JEOPARDIZE DYNAMIC BALANCE OF A HUMANOID ROBOT?
Authors: BOROVAC BRANISLAV , NIKOLIĆ MILUTIN , RAKOVIĆ MIRKO
Published: December 2011

It is expected that the humanoid robots of the near future will "live" and work in a common environment with humans, which imposes the requirement that their operative efficiency ought to be close to that of humans. The main prerequisite to achieve this is to ensure the robot's efficient motion, which is its ability to compensate for the ever-present disturbances. The work considers the different strategies of how to compensate for the large disturbances that jeopardize the robot's dynamic balance in a most direct way, as well as the requirements to be met in the control synthesis. The ways in which such compensation can be efficiently realized are proposed and then verified by simulation.
GLOBAL UNITS MODULO ELLIPTIC UNITS AND IDEAL CLASS GROUPS
Authors: VIGUIÉ STÉPHANE
Published: December 2011

Let p be a prime number, and let k be an imaginary quadratic number field in which p decomposes into two distinct primes 𝔭 and [Formula: see text]. Let k∞be the unique ℤp-extension of k which is unramified outside of 𝔭, and let K∞be a finite extension of k∞, abelian over k. Following closely the ideas of Belliard in [1], we prove that in K∞, the projective limit of the p-class group and the projective limit of units modulo elliptic units share the same μ-invariant and the same λ-invariant. We deduce that a version of the classical main conjecture, which is known to be true for p ∉ {2, 3}, holds also for p ∈ {2, 3} once we neglect the μ-invariants.
ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF PSEUDORANDOM NUMBERS AND VECTORS DERIVED FROM EULER–FERMAT QUOTIENTS
Authors: CHEN ZHIXIONG , WINTERHOF ARNE
Published: December 2011

We study the distribution of s-dimensional vectors of consecutive Euler–Fermat quotients modulo a composite m. More precisely, we prove two different discrepancy bounds for s = 1 and s > 1 based on the celebrated Burgess bound and on bounds on the number of zeros of a polynomial modulo m, respectively. The results extend some known bounds for Fermat quotients modulo a prime of Ostafe and Shparlinski. However, the case of composite modulus brings some interesting twists.
THE SIGN OF FOURIER COEFFICIENTS OF HALF-INTEGRAL WEIGHT CUSP FORMS
Authors: HULSE THOMAS A. , KIRAL E. MEHMET , KUAN CHAN IEONG , LIM LI-MEI
Published: December 2011

From a result of Waldspurger [W. Kohnen and D. Zagier, Values of L-series of modular forms at the center of the critical strip, Invent. Math.64 (1981) 175–198], it is known that the normalized Fourier coefficients a(m) of a half-integral weight holomorphic cusp eigenform 𝔣 are, up to a finite set of factors, one of [Formula: see text] when m is square-free and f is the integral weight cusp form related to 𝔣 by the Shimura correspondence [G. Shimura, On modular forms of half-integral weight, Ann. of Math.97 (1973) 440–481]. In this paper we address a question posed by Kohnen: which square root is a(m)? In particular, if we look at the set of a(m) with m square-free, do these Fourier coefficients change sign infinitely often? By partially analytically continuing a related Dirichlet series, we are able to show that this is so.
ACTION OF A GROTHENDIECK–TEICHMÜLLER GROUP ON TORSION ELEMENTS OF FULL TEICHMÜLLER MODULAR GROUPS OF GENUS ONE
Authors: COLLAS BENJAMIN
Published: December 2011

In this paper we define a new version of Grothendieck–Teichmüller group [Formula: see text] defined by three generalized equations coming from finite-order diffeomorphisms, and we prove that it is isomorphic to the known version IΓ of the Grothendieck–Teichmüller defined in [H. Nakamura and L. Schneps, On a subgroup of the Grothendieck–Teichmüller group acting on the tower of profinite Teichmüller modular groups, Invent. Math.141 (2000) 503–560]. We show that [Formula: see text] acts on the full mapping class groups [Formula: see text] for 2g - 2 + n > 0. We then prove that the conjugacy classes of prime-order torsion of [Formula: see text] are exactly the discrete prime-order ones of [Formula: see text]. Using this we prove that [Formula: see text] acts on prime-order torsion elements of [Formula: see text] in a particular way called λ-conjugacy, analogous to the Galois action on inertia.
LATEST SYSTEM SIMULATION MODELS FOR HEATING, REFRIGERATION, AND AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEMS, AND THEIR APPLICATIONS
Authors: SAITO KIYOSHI , JEONG JONGSOO
Published: December 2011

The energy consumption of the systems used in the heating, refrigerating, and air-conditioning field continues to increase. This necessitates improvements to the efficiency of these systems. However, in Japan, the performance of heating, refrigerating, and air-conditioning systems has already been improved greatly owing to the considerable efforts of manufacturers, the government, and academia. Therefore, it will not be easy to further decrease energy consumption simply by improving the efficiency of each system. In order to adhere to the demands of the worldwide energy saving policy, we need to investigate the best combinations and total energy management schemes for heating, refrigeration, and air-conditioning systems. To this end, simulation holds greater promise than actual field-testing because it is not easy to carry out such experiments on actual large-scale systems. High-precision simulation models are necessary for these investigations. Hence, we are developing simulation models for a heat pump, room air-conditioner, desiccant dehumidifier, indirect evaporative cooler, fuel cell, solar panel, and so on. This paper describes high-accuracy simulation models for a CO2 heat pump, absorption heat pump, and desiccant dehumidification system. We also discuss the simulator that we have developed, based on those models. This simulator is called "Energy Flow + M". It is very easy to use because it has a user-friendly GUI. It has already been made available worldwide through the Internet. It is expected to be used to decrease the energy consumed by heating, refrigeration, and air-conditioning systems.
Intraperitoneal Gemcitabine Chemotherapy Treatment for Patients with Resected Pancreatic Cancer: Rationale and Report of Early Data
Authors: Sugarbaker Paul H. , Stuart O. Anthony , Bijelic Lana
Published: December 2011

Currently, the surgical management of pancreas cancer is recognized around the world as inadequate. Despite a potentially curative R0 resection, long-term survival is rare. There is a strong rationale for the use of chemotherapy in the operating room to reduce local-regional of recurrent/progressive disease. Gemcitabine monotherapy administered by an intraperitoneal route in the operating room with hyperthermia and then for long-term treatment postoperatively has a pharmacologic basis in that the exposure of peritoneal surfaces to intraperitoneal gemcitabine is approximately 200–500 times the exposure that occurs within the plasma. A standardized treatment with intraoperative and long-term chemotherapy that is well tolerated would greatly facilitate further improvements in pancreas cancer treatment and may lead the way to an evolution of more successful treatment strategies of this dread disease. The aim of this paper is to present the early data on a protocol in progress in patients with resected pancreatic cancer.
Oxaliplatin-Induced Neuropathy in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Weickhardt Andrew , Wells Keith , Messersmith Wells
Published: December 2011

Oxaliplatin use in palliative and adjuvant treatment of colon cancer is frequently limited by cumulative neurotoxicity, leading to reduced quality of life and decreased dose. The mechanism of this neurotoxicity is unclear, but may relate to neuronal voltage-gated sodium channels involving calcium chelation by a metabolite of the drug. Various preventative measures have been tested to reduce the incidence of neurotoxicity, including calcium and magnesium infusions, dose interruption of the drug, and prophylactic neuromodulatory agents. Despite the promising efficacy of these measures, they are not universally accepted. Less is known about the best way to treat established neurotoxicity, which is permanent in some patients, although venlafaxine has shown promise in small clinical trials. This paper analyzes the extent, cause and risk factors for neuropathy, and the potential preventative and therapeutic treatments for oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy.
Association of Heavy Rainfall on Genotypic Diversity inV. choleraeIsolates from an Outbreak in India
Authors: Goel A. K. , Jiang S. C.
Published: December 2011

The outbreak of waterborne disease cholera has been associated with rainfall and flooding events by contamination of potable water with environmentalVibrio cholerae. The continuation of the epidemic in a region, however, is often due to secondary transmission of the initial outbreak strain through human waste. This paper reports, on the contrary, a rapid shift of genotype from oneV. choleraestrain to another one in an epidemic region.V. choleraeisolated from patients during 2005 cholera epidemic in Chennai, India were characterized using PCR identification of toxin genes, antibiogram, and genomic fingerprinting analysis. The results showed that in spite of the similarity of toxin genes and antibiogram, theVibrioisolates grouped into two different clusters based on the ERIC-PCR fingerprinting. Each cluster corresponded to a distinct peak of cholera outbreak, which occurred after separate heavy rainfall. The results suggest that the rainfall event can bring various genotypes ofV. choleraestrains causing multiple outbreaks.
A Patient of Lupus Presenting with Myocarditis and Overlapping Autoimmune Hepatitis
Authors: Chattopadhyay P. , Dhua D. , Philips C. A. , Ghosh J.
Published: December 2011

Systemic lupus erythematosus has myriad presentations. Symptomatic myocarditis and/or symptomatic autoimmune hepatitis associated with lupus are rare at presentation. Here we report a young Asian girl, who presented to us with features of symptomatic myocarditis and overlapping autoimmune hepatitis. She was eventually diagnosed to be harboring systemic lupus erythematosus, in whom rigorous management led to gratuitous recovery.
Adaptive WSN Scheduling for Lifetime Extension in Environmental Monitoring Applications
Authors: Lim Jong Chern , Bleakley Chris
Published: December 2011

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are often used for environmental monitoring applications in which nodes periodically measure environmental conditions and immediately send the measurements back to the sink for processing. Since WSN nodes are typically battery powered, network lifetime is a major concern. A key research problem is how to determine the data gathering schedule that will maximize network lifetime while meeting the user's application-specific accuracy requirements. In this work, a novel algorithm for determining efficient sampling schedules for data gathering WSNs is proposed. The algorithm differs from previous work in that it dynamically adapts the sampling schedule based on the observed internode data correlation as well as the temporal correlation. The performance of the algorithm has been assessed using real-world datasets. For two-tier networks, the proposed algorithm outperforms a highly cited previously published algorithm by up to 512% in terms of lifetime and by up to 30% in terms of prediction accuracy. For multihop networks, the proposed algorithm improves on the previously published algorithm by up to 553% and 38% in terms of lifetime and accuracy, respectively.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Tooth Erosion
Authors: Ranjitkar Sarbin , Kaidonis John A. , Smales Roger J.
Published: December 2011

The increasing prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in children and adults, and of “silent refluxers” in particular, increases the responsibility of dentists to be alert to this potentially severe condition when observing unexplained instances of tooth erosion. Although gastroesophageal reflux is a normal physiologic occurrence, excessive gastric and duodenal regurgitation combined with a decrease in normal protective mechanisms, including an adequate production of saliva, may result in many esophageal and extraesophageal adverse conditions. Sleep-related GERD is particularly insidious as the supine position enhances the proximal migration of gastric contents, and normal saliva production is much reduced. Gastric acid will displace saliva easily from tooth surfaces, and proteolytic pepsin will remove protective dental pellicle. Though increasing evidence of associations between GERD and tooth erosion has been shown in both animal and human studies, relatively few clinical studies have been carried out under controlled trial conditions. Suspicion of an endogenous source of acid being associated with observed tooth erosion requires medical referral and management of the patient as the primary method for its prevention and control.
Couple‐Stress Fluid Improves Dynamic Response of Gear‐Pair System Supported by Journal Bearings
Authors: Chang-Jian Cai-Wan , Chang Shiuh Ming , Hsu Hsieh-Chung
Published: December 2011

A systematic analysis of the dynamic behavior of a gear‐bearing system with nonlinear suspension, couple‐stress fluid flow effect, nonlinear oil‐film force, and nonlinear gear mesh force is performed in the present study. The dynamic orbits of the system are observed using bifurcation diagrams plotted using the dimensionless rotational speed ratio as a control parameter. The onset of chaotic motion is identified from the phase diagrams, power spectra, Poincaré maps, Lyapunov exponents and fractal dimension of the gear‐bearing system. The numerical results reveal that the system exhibits a diverse range of periodic, subharmonic, quasiperiodic, and chaotic behaviors. The couple‐stress fluid would be a useful lubricating fluid to suppress nonlinear dynamic responses and improve the steady of the systems. The results presented in this study provide some useful insights into the design and development of a gear‐bearing system for rotating machinery that operates in highly rotational speed and highly nonlinear regimes.
Measuring Genome Instability in Aging – A Mini-Review
Authors: Li Wenge , Vijg Jan
Published: December 2011

Background: There is mounting evidence for an age-dependent accumulation of somatic mutations as a result of the inherent imperfection of DNA replication and repair. A possible age-related decline in genome maintenance systems may exacerbate this age-related loss of genome integrity. A review of the current methods of mutation detection is timely in view of the lack of insight as to the magnitude of somatic mutation accumulation, the types of mutations that accumulate, and their functional consequences. Objective: In this paper we review the current methods for measuring genome instability in organisms during aging or in relation to life span. Methods: The review is based on established and novel concepts from the existing literature, with some examples from our own laboratory. Results: Studies using cytogenetic assays and endogenous or transgenic mutation reporter assays provide strong evidence for age-related increases of different types of mutations in animals and humans during aging. This increase in DNA mutations is tissue-specific and also differs between species. Conclusion: Today, our knowledge of somatic mutation profiles in aging is mainly derived from cytogenetics and the use of endogenous and transgenic mutation reporter assays. The emergence of new approaches, most notably massively parallel sequencing, will give us deeper insight into the nature of spontaneous genome instability and its possible causal relationship to aging and age-related disease.
Reliability of Urodynamic Interpretation in Women Presenting with Urinary Incontinence at a Tertiary Hospital
Authors: Mohsin Rizvi Raheela , Chughtai Novera G.
Published: December 2011

Background: Urodynamic testing is often regarded as essential to the proper diagnosis of bladder storage and emptying disorders but urodynamic testing is an invasive and expensive procedure. Pakistan is a developing country with limited provision of urogynecological services, and therefore few urodynamic studies. Study Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2009 to January 2010 at the Aga Khan University Hospital to assess the frequency of agreement between clinical findings and urodynamic studies in accurately diagnosing urinary incontinence. Methods: We included 157 women and their symptoms of urge urinary incontinence (UUI), stress urinary incontinence (SUI) or mixed urinary incontinence were matched with urodynamic study findings. Results: Out of 157 women 47 (29.9%) presented with SUI and 33 (21%) with UUI but urodynamic stress incontinence (USI) was found in 59 (37.6%) and detrusor overactivity in 38 (24.2%). This shows a reliability level of ĸ = 0.41 for SUI and ĸ = 0.7 for UUI. There was a weak agreement (ĸ = 0.33) between clinical findings of urinary incontinence and urodynamic studies; in 78 cases (49.7%) the urodynamic findings matched the clinical findings. Conclusions: The poor level of agreement between clinical findings and urodynamic study interpretations re-emphasizes the fact that the bladder is not a reliable source of identifying urinary symptoms in women.
Pretransplant Physical Activity Predicts All-Cause Mortality in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Authors: Rosas Sylvia E. , Reese Peter P. , Huan Yonghong , Doria Cataldo , Cochetti Philip T. , Doyle Alden
Published: December 2011

Background: Low physical activity (PA) has been associated with higher rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality in the general population. Despite the benefits of kidney transplantation, kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) remain at elevated risk for CVD and mortality compared to individuals without kidney disease. Methods: A prospective cohort of 507 adult KTRs from three academic centers completed the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) at transplantation. PASE scores were divided into tertiles. Results: PA was lower with older age, history of CVD, smoking, and diabetes. During the median 8-year follow-up period, 128 individuals died, among whom 101 had a functioning allograft. In multivariable Cox regression for all-cause mortality, greater PA was strongly associated with better survival (HR: 0.52 for most active vs. inactive tertiles, 95% CI: 0.31–0.87, p = 0.01). Secondary analyses, in which (1) death with a functioning graft was the primary outcome, and (2) PASE scores were converted to the metabolic equivalent of task, revealed similar results. We did not find an association between change of PA after transplantation and mortality. Conclusions: PA at the time of kidney transplantation is a strong predictor of all-cause mortality and death with graft function. Evaluation of PA level among kidney transplant candidates may be a useful method to risk-stratify patients for survival after kidney transplantation. Kidney transplant candidates and recipients should also be encouraged to be physically active.
In vivo Measurements of Tooth Wear over 12 Months
Authors: Rodriguez J.M. , Austin R.S. , Bartlett D.W.
Published: December 2011

The aim of this study was to measure the progression of tooth wear in a cohort of 63 patients, 43 males and 20 females with a mean age of 39.1 years. Recruitment followed referral from general practice to Guy’s Hospital for advice/management of tooth wear. Addition silicone impressions were taken at 6-month intervals for a total of 12 months; impressions were subsequently poured in type IV gypsum. Casts were scanned using a non-contacting laser profilometer and then superimposed using Geomagic® Qualify 11. Wear was measured in µm by tooth per time interval. A questionnaire highlighting dietary, parafunctional and gastric risk factors was obtained from each participant. Clustered multiple regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between tooth wear progression and risk factors. Maximum follow-up times were 6 months for 63 participants and 12 months for 30 participants. The measurement error was 15 µm. At the tooth level, 72.2% of 1,078 teeth wore <15 µm over a 6-month period. At the subject level, 77.7% of 63 participants showed median wear <15 µm over a 6-month period. There was a statistical trend towards tooth wear progression being associated with gastric risk factors (p < 0.05). The lower molars and the upper anterior teeth were the most commonly affected teeth; the lower molars and the upper central incisors were the most severely affected teeth. Tooth wear progression was slow in this cohort, suggesting that tooth wear may be cyclical and inactive in the majority of participants.
Age, sex and escape behaviour in the Striped Plateau Lizard (Sceloporus virgatus) and the Mountain Spiny Lizard (S. jarrovii), with a review of age and sex effects on escape by lizards
Authors: Cooper Jr. William E.
Published: December 2011

Escape behaviour often differs between sexes, reproductive states and ages. Escape theory predicts that flight initiation distance (FID = predator–prey distance when escape begins) increases as predation risk and fitness increase, and decreases as cost of escaping increases. Similar predictions hold for distance fled and refuge entry, suggesting that age and sex differences in escape behaviour may occur when risk, fitness, and opportunity costs differ. I studied such differences in two lizard species and reviewed relevant literature on escape by lizards. In Sceloporus virgatus no difference occurred between sexes or female reproductive states in FID, distance fled, distance from refuge, or probability of entering refuge. In S. jarrovii juveniles had shorter FID and distance fled than adults; juveniles were closer than females to refuge, but this did not affect FID or distance fled. Juveniles were more likely than adults to be on rocks and use them as refuges. The literature review showed that sexual dimorphism in FID occurs in about 1/5 of species (male FID usually > female FID), but distance fled differed between sexes in only 1 of 21 species. Juveniles had shorter FID than adults in all of five species; the relationship between age and distance fled was highly variable. Reasons for patterns of age/sex differences are discussed. Because age and sex differences in these factors and escape strategy can alter multiple components affecting optimality, sometimes in opposite ways, these factors and escape strategy must be known to predict effects of age, sex and reproductive state on escape.
The evolution of the Lombard effect: 100 years of psychoacoustic research
Authors: Brumm Henrik , Zollinger Sue Anne
Published: December 2011

On the occasion of the centenary of the discovery of the Lombard effect, we
review the literature on noise-dependent regulation of vocal amplitude in
humans and other animals. The article addresses the scientific and the
biological history of the Lombard effect: first, it sketches the evolution
of the study of the Lombard effect, and second it reflects on the biological
evolution of the effect itself. By comparing the findings from anurans,
birds and mammals, we try to trace back the phylogenetic origins of this
basic vocal mechanism for acoustic communication in noise. The current
evidence suggests two alternative parsimonious hypotheses: either the
Lombard effect is the outcome of a convergent evolution in birds and mammals
or it may be a synapomorphy of all amniotes. If the latter is true, then the
Lombard effect would have evolved to maintain vocal communication in the
presence of noise more than 300 million years ago.
On the Biblical Notion of the “Fear of God” as a Condition for Human Existence
Authors: Jindo Job Y.
Published: December 2011

This article examines the biblical notion of the “fear of God” as a fundamental normative category for all human beings. First, the Hebrew word for “fear” is examined in correspondence with the word for “knowledge,” for they oftentimes appear as synonyms in the Bible. Fear of God is thereby identified as a particular state of mind that directs one’s perception of the world and the self and qualifies, essentially, one’s existence as human. This study is part of a work-in-progress that explores the conceptual world of biblical authors.
Growth and Recruitment of the Atlantic Seabob Shrimp, Xiphopenaeus kroyeri (Heller, 1862) (Decapoda, Penaeidae), on the Coast of Rio De Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil
Authors: Jardim L. P. , Silva A. C. , Fernandes L. P. , Keunecke K. A. , Di Beneditto A. P. M.
Published: December 2011

The objective of this study was to analyse the population growth of the Atlantic seabob shrimp, Xiphopenaeus kroyeri (Heller, 1862) and to establish its recruitment period in the northern part of the State of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. Monthly samples of the species were collected over four years (2005-06, 2006-07, 2008-09, and 2009-10) through local artisanal fishery. The size of males and females varied from 25.0 to 134.0 mm and 33.0 to 146.0 mm in total length, 6.0 to 30.0 mm and 5.0 to 33.0 mm in carapace length, and 0.3 to 13.8 g and 0.2 to 17.4 g in weight, respectively. The total weight-length relationship was adjusted with the equations W = 0.000008TL2.9038 (R2 = 0.9446) (males) and W = 0.000002TL3.1719 (R2 = 0.9499) (females). The Von Bertalanffy growth function TLt = TL∞(1 – exp−k(t–t0)) was applied to the data, and the average asymptotic lengths (TL∞) and growth rates (k) were 134.4 ± 6.2 mm and 1.93 ± 0.3 mm for males, and 148.8 ± 3.6 mm and 1.65 ± 0.05 mm for females. The species' average longevity was 2.5 years for males and 2.8 years for females. Males are considered mature when their reach a total length of 66.0 mm and a carapace length of 12.0 mm, while females mature with 109.0 mm total length and 22.0 mm carapace length. In general, the species' recruitment occurred from June to August and from January to May, which partially supports the current legislation to maintain this fishery resource in the region.
Five New Species of Eudactylina Van Beneden, 1853 (Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida, Eudactylinidae) Parasitic on Japanese Elasmobranchs
Authors: Izawa Kunihiko
Published: December 2011

Five new species of the genus Eudactylina are described based on specimens recovered from the branchial lamellae of six species of Japanese elasmobranchs. These are E. musteli nov. sp. from Mustelus griseus Pietschmann, 1908 (Triakidae), E. squatini nov. sp. from Squatina japonica Bleeker, 1858 (Squatinidae), E. dasyati nov. sp. from Dasyatis akajei (Müller & Henle, 1841) and Taeniura meyeni Müller & Henle, 1841 (Dasyatidae), E. taeniuri nov. sp. from T. meyeni, and E. gymnuri nov. sp. from Gymnura japonica (Temminck & Schlegel, 1850) (Gymnuridae). The males of four new species and the copepodid stages IV and V of E. gimnuri nov. sp. are described. Segment formation of the abdomen in the late copepodid stages of this genus and a peculiar process of the 1st endopodal segment of the male leg 2 are discussed.
Rediscovery of the Rare Pilumnid Crab, Actumnus Simplex Rathbun, 1911 (Decapoda, Brachyura) and a New Record for the Persian Gulf
Authors: Naderloo Reza , Ng Peter K. L.
Published: December 2011

Actumnus simplex Rathbun, 1911, described 100 years ago and never reported again since, is recorded for the first time from the Persian Gulf. The species is characterized by a prominently convex dorsal carapace surface, regions that are weakly defined, four serrated anterolateral teeth, and a gently serrated frontal margin with a distinct median notch. It is morphologically close to Neoactumnus convexus Sakai, 1965, and N. unispina Garth & Kim, 1983, both from the western Pacific, but is easily distinguishable by possessing a distinct median notch in the frontal margin.
Comparative Karyotype Investigations in the European Crayfish Astacus astacus and A. leptodactylus (Decapoda, Astacidae)
Authors: Mlinarec J. , Mcžić M. , Pavlica M. , Šrut M. , Klobučar G. , Maguire I.
Published: December 2011

This study reports on the chromosome number and karyological characteristics of the endangered species of European crayfish, Astacus astacus and A. leptodactylus (Decapoda, Astacidae), both native to Croatian freshwater habitats. The karyotype of A. astacus and A. leptodactylus consists of 2n = 176 and 2n = 180 chromosomes, respectively. The haploid chromosome complement of A. astacus consists of 52 metacentric, 35 metacentric-submetacentric, and 1 acrocentric chromosomes. Fluorochrome staining with 4,6-diamino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) has revealed that the karyotypes of A. astacus and A. leptodactylus are characterized by large heterochromatic blocks located at centromeric and intercalary positions on the chromosomes. Interstitial heterochromatic blocks were more frequent in A. astacus than in A. leptodactylus. In both species pairing of chromosomes in meiosis was regular with the majority of bivalents in a ring- and a dumbbell-form. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has revealed that two 45S rDNA loci were present in the investigated species. In A. astacus one of the two 45S rDNA-bearing chromosome pairs was highly heteromorphic, exhibiting a three-fold size difference between 45S rDNA sites on homologous chromosomes. Such a size difference was significantly less pronounced in A. leptodactylus. The karyotype differences between A. astacus and A. leptodactylus suggest changes in chromosome number as well as position of repetitive DNAs have played a role in the karyotype evolution of the species of Astacus.
Moult-Inhibiting Hormone from the Swimming Crab, Portunus Trituberculatus (Miers, 1876): PCR Cloning, Tissue Distribution, and Expression of Recombinant Protein in Escherichia Coli (Migula, 1895)
Authors: Zhu D. F. , Hu Z. H. , Shen J. M.
Published: December 2011

In the present study, a genomic DNA of MIH (GenBank: #EU869539) was cloned from the swimming crab, Portunus trituberculatus (Miers, 1876). The genome DNA, consisting of 2865 bp, is comprised of three exons interrupted by two introns. Multiple sequence alignments revealed that in the 5 upstream region of MIH, sequences with high similarity to arthropod initiator, TATA box, CREB (cyclic AMP response element binding) protein were the common structure. The signal peptide in the genomic DNA was encoded by exon1 and exon2, which was interrupted by 242 bp-intron (intron1), located between gln12 and arg13. The mature peptide was encoded by exon2 and exon3, which was interrupted by 313 bp-intron (intron2), at the position between 2nd and 3rd nucleotides of the codon encoding arg41. Pot-MIH was expressed only in the eyestalk ganglia, ovaries, testes, posterior spermatic duct, bristle in ejaculatory duct, cranial ganglia, and thoracic ganglia, as determined in various tissues by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. A cDNA encoding the mature peptide was used to express recombinant MIH (rMIH) using the Escherichia coli (Migula, 1895) expression system. Two constructs were designed to yield either a mature MIH fusion protein with and without histidine (His) tag at the carboxyl terminus. The rMIH protein was detected by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis, indicating that the antibody prepared by two rMIH proteins has high specificity.
Children's Political Representation: The Right to Make a Difference
Authors: Dar Anandini , Wall John
Published: December 2011

While children's rights have made significant gains in recent decades, children and youth continue to wield relatively little power in determining the nature of their societies' rights as such. This article sets out to explore what it might mean for children to enjoy genuine political representation. While it is often acknowledged that children should possess political rights to participation, voice, and citizenship, we argue that there is a need also for their more specific right to representation in democratic government. Furthermore, this right can be realized only if the very notion of representation is rethought along post-modern lines in light of children's particular experiences: as a right not so much to exercise autonomy as to make a political difference. The article examines recent movements toward children's involvement in policy-making, children's parliaments, and children's voting, and then makes practical proposals for enabling children's fuller representational empowerment.
Sur les traces du De motibus / iudiciis planetarum attribué à Ptolémée
Authors: Frunzeanu Eduard , Draelants Isabelle
Published: December 2011

A short astrological treatise about the properties of the planets in the zodiac, called De motibus / iudiciis planetarum and attributed to Ptolemy (inc. Sub Saturno sunt hec signa Capricornus et Aquarius et sunt eius domus), appears from the thirteenth century onwards in two distinct traditions: in the encyclopedias of Bartholomew the Englishman and Arnold of Saxony, both written around 1230–1240, and in astronomical miscellanies copied in the fifteenth century either in or around Basel and in Northern Italy. These fifteenth-century manuscripts fall into two distinct groups of astronomical texts: the first is copied together with the De signis of Michael Scot, the second together with a part of the third book of Hyginus' De astronomia. The present article aims to describe the characteristics of the distinct textual filiations of De m. / iud. pl. and gives the first critical edition of the text.
WRF Model Simulation of Two Alberta Flooding Events and the Impact of Topography
Authors: Flesch Thomas K. , Reuter Gerhard W.
Published: December 2011

This study examines simulations of two flooding events in Alberta, Canada, during June 2005, made using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF). The model was used in a manner readily accessible to nonmeteorologists (e.g., accepting default choices and parameters) and with a relatively large spatial resolution for rapid model runs. The simulations were skillful: strong storms were developed having the correct timing and location, generating precipitation rates close to observations, and with precipitation amounts near that observed. The model was then used to examine the sensitivity of the two storms to the topography of the Rocky Mountains. Comparing model results using the actual topographic grid with those of a reduced-mountain grid, it is concluded that a reduction in mountain elevation decreases maximum precipitation by roughly 50% over the mountains and foothills. There was little sensitivity to topography in the precipitation outside the mountains.
Asenapine
Authors: Henry Jessica M. , Fuller Matthew A.
Published: December 2011

Asenapine is a new psychopharmacologic agent approved for the acute and maintenance treatment of schizophrenia and the acute and maintenance treatment of manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder. The efficacy of asenapine in treating schizophrenia was evaluated in four 6-week studies in which placebo and active controls (risperidone, olanzapine, and haloperidol) were used. Two 3-week placebo-controlled trials examined the efficacy of asenapine and active control (olanzapine) in the treatment of bipolar I disorder. Asenapine demonstrated efficacy in relation to placebo for 2 of the acute schizophrenia trials and both trials examining the acute treatment of bipolar I disorder. Several factors should be examined when considering asenapine therapy in relation to other antipsychotics including efficacy, atypicality of receptor binding, obstacles to administration and compliance, and finally cost. No efficacy advantage is evident with asenapine over other antipsychotic agents. Barriers to achieving compliance with asenapine include the recommendations of twice daily dosing, the need to avoid food and liquids for at least 10 minutes postadministration, the need for patient cooperation with sublingual administration, and the low bioavailability of the tablet if swallowed. Finally, no cost advantage is evident for using asenapine in comparison to the already available generic risperidone or other soon-to-be generic atypical antipsychotics.
Industry-Wide Power to Impose Sanctions and Fines
Authors: Telford Donald
Published: December 2011

The former Observer editor revisits history to urge the creation of a Press Standards Commission with investigatory powers plus "an annual audit of the press, using academic research to check back on how accurately a sample of major stories has been reported."
A New Age of Transparency -and Let the Public Know
Authors: Christmas Linda
Published: December 2011

The journalism tutor, and former Guardian staffer, argues that how the press behaves is "a moral and ethical question that can be answered only from within." Therefore, owners and editors should accept that standards have dropped and take steps, before Leveson reports, to reform the news-gathering culture.
Redress for All - Not Only the Rich and Powerful
Authors: Jowell Tessa
Published: December 2011

The shadow cabinet minister and phone hacking victim wants to see the appointment of internal readers’ editors, or ombudsmen, at every newspaper. It is also essential, she writes, for "a clearer exposition of the tensions between the public interest and stories which are of interest to the public."
I've Seen the Future and it's Crap
Authors: Williams Michael
Published: December 2011

Michael Williams, a former Independent on Sunday deputy editor and now a journalism lecturer, reveals the reality of a culture where bullying has always been the norm. But he thinks it has got worse - newspapers are less principled nowadays.
What if Milly had been Found Alive?
Authors: Young Noel
Published: December 2011

Noel Young, a former red-top editor, laments the closure of the News of the World, pointing to examples of its public interest investigative journalism. The whole country is poorer for its disappearance, he writes.
A Job Worth Dying for? Oh, Please…
Authors: Blundy Anna
Published: December 2011

Anna Blundy's father, David, was a respected war correspondent who was killed by a sniper when covering a civil war in El Salvador in 1989. At the time, he was 44 and Anna was 19. She followed him into journalism and eventually became a foreign correspondent for The Times. She tells why she eventually took a very different view from him of parental priorities.
Private Eye at 50: The Forgotten Editor
Authors: Macqueen Adam
Published: December 2011

Christopher Booker was the magazine’s original editor. But, as Adam Macqueen reveals, he managed to fall out with two other co-founders – Willie Rushton and Richard Ingrams – edged him out. Though there is still no agreement on what exactly happened. Booker believes Ingrams feels guilty. It doesn’t sound like it…
Where Big Money Controls Content
Authors: Thussu Daya
Published: December 2011

Despite booming newspaper sales in India its journalism is mired in an ethical crisis due to the phenomenon of 'paid news.' This involves people and political parties paying for favourable coverage. Daya Thussu of Westminster University looks at some of the worst cases..
Piercing the Fog of Propaganda
Authors: Rodgers James
Published: December 2011

Former foreign correspondent James Rodgers explains why the fog of propaganda persists in war reporting despite the proliferation of digital media. Professional media management techniques continue to be effective weapons of governments that aim to influence coverage.
Characterization of modified kaolin from the Ranong deposit Thailand by XRD, XRF, SEM, FTIR and EPR techniques
Authors: Worasith N. , Goodman B. A. , Neampan J. , Jeyachoke N. , Thiravetyan P.
Published: December 2011

Various physical and analytical techniques (XRD, XRF, SEM, FTIR and EPR) have been used to investigate the effects of chemical and/or physical modification of Ranong kaolin, which has been proposed as a potential bleaching clay for vegetable oils. Acid treatment after grinding resulted in major changes compared with acid treatment of the original mineral sample or mechanical treatment alone. Previous work has shown that the combined treatments produce increases in surface area and new porous structures, and the present measurements show reductions in Al:Si ratios. These are accompanied by a major reduction in O–H stretching vibrations as a result of grinding, although acid treatment produced little subsequent effect on the O–H bands in the FTIR spectra. However, acid treatment resulted in a reduction in the Al–OH–Al bending vibrations and the appearance of Si–O bands associated with newly synthesized material; these effects were much greater with samples that had been ground prior to the acid treatment. There were appreciable qualitative differences in the way in which the EPR spectra of Fe and Mn were affected; the Fe signal was sensitive to mechanical treatment, but little subsequent change was induced by acid extraction, whereas the Mn peaks were sensitive to the both the pH and the chemical nature of the acid used. These results therefore indicate that the Fe and Mn are in different types of site in the kaolin structure. Little change was observed in the main oxygen-based free radical centre associated with Si atoms, but that associated with Al was lost as a result of the treatments. Such mineral characterization is of fundamental importance to understanding the modification of kaolins and their uses as adsorbents in the food and environmental sciences.
Another insight into illitization by K-Ar dating of micro- to nano-metric illite-type particles exchanged with alkylammonium cations
Authors: Clauer N.
Published: December 2011

Micrometric and nanometric illite-rich size fractions of claystones, bentonites and shales were exchanged with alkylammonium cations that have the specificity of stoichiometrically replacing K in trioctahedral mica interlayers. The purpose of the study was a separate evaluation of the K-Ar ages of potentially dioctahedral residual particles not affected by alkylammonium leaching and of potentially trioctahedral illites that were exchanged by the organic molecules.

The K-Ar ages of micrometric size fractions from an Estonian Blue Clay sample collected next to another studied previously show that, even if identical in their mineralogical characteristics, the fractions contain variable amounts of trioctahedral particles that are of different origins. The alkylammonium treatment modifies slightly, within analytical uncertainty, the K-Ar ages of the <0.1 and 0.1–0.4 mm size fractions from, respectively, 464±13 and 530±14 Ma before organic exchange to 480 ± 11 and 546±12 Ma after. The K-Ar ages of alkylammonium exchanged nanometric size fractions from the rim and centre of a thick Upper Cretaceous bentonite bed in Montana suggest that trioctahedral illite-rich particles mineralogically and chemically homogeneous and about 30 Ma old precipitated next to older dioctahedral particles of ∼60–65 Ma. The untreated mixtures consist of two generations of authigenic illite having apparently different di/trioctahedral layerings. The same type of authigenic di/trioctahedral illite layering could be demonstrated for nanometric illite particles of a bentonite bed from the East Slovak Basin, one size fraction appearing to even consist of a pure trioctahedral illite as the alkylammonium exchange emptied completely the illite interlayers. The nearby shale level consisted of detrital illite particles that were found to be of different ages, di/trioctahedral layerings and therefore varied origin.

K-Ar ages of alkylammonium exchanged micrometric to nanometric illite and illite-smectite mixed layers, either increasing or decreasing, appear to outline variable di/trioctahedral layering assemblages or independent particle mixtures resulting from a more complex smectite illitization process than the conventionally assumed homogeneous reaction. It could record changing chemical compositions of the interacting pore fluid during crystallization, even when illitization progressed slowly. Similar ages before and after alkylammonium exchange suggest a constant chemical composition and therefore an homogeneous dioctahedral crystal structure. Alternatively, a changing chemical composition of the fluids during illitization is potentially recorded by variable K-Ar ages of the alkylammonium-leached illite resulting from differentiated ion exchanges.
Fine sepiolite addition to air lime-metakaolin mortars
Authors: Andrejkovičová S. , Ferraz E. , Velosa A. L. , Silva A. S. , Rocha F.
Published: December 2011

Lime-based mortars with admixtures of metakaolin (10, 20 and 30 wt.%) and fine sepiolite (5 wt.%) were prepared with the aim of facilitating their use as repair mortars in low-humidity conditions. The mechanical properties and the dynamic modulus of elasticity were studied after 28, 90 and 180 days of curing. With an increasing amount of metakaolin in lime mortars, improved mechanical strength was observed mainly after 90 days. Addition of fine sepiolite, due to its adsorption properties for storing water for later supply to the mortar system and its microfibrous morphology, led to an improvement of compressive and flexural strength of blended air lime/air lime-metakaolin mortars, espec ially at later ages of curing. Incorporation of fine sepiolite into air lime-metakaolin mortars resulted in comprehensive densification of the core of the mortars. Air lime mortar containing 5 wt.% of fine sepiolite and 20 wt.% of metakaolin appears to be an optimal admixture.