bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selenoprotein P genetic variants and mrna expression, circulating selenium, and prostate cancer risk and survival
Authors: Penney Kathryn L. , Li Haojie , Mucci Lorelei A. , Loda Massimo , Sesso Howard D. , Stampfer Meir J. , Ma Jing
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND

Low levels of selenium have been associated with increased risk of prostate cancer (PCa). Selenoprotein P is the most abundant selenoprotein in serum and delivers ten selenocysteine residues to tissues. Variation in the selenoprotein P gene (SEPP1) may influence PCa development or modify the effects of selenium. We examined the association of SEPP1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with PCa risk and survival, and tested for interactions.

METHODS

The Physicians' Health Study (PHS) is a prospective cohort of 22,071 US physicians; we utilized a nested case–control study of 1,352 PCa cases and 1,382 controls. We assessed four SNPs capturing common variation within the SEPP1 locus. In a subset of men (n = 80), we evaluated SEPP1 mRNA expression in tumors.

RESULTS

Two SNPs were significantly associated with PCa risk. For rs11959466, each T allele increased risk (odds ratio (OR) = 1.31; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02,1.69; Ptrend = 0.03). For rs13168440, the rare homozygote genotype decreased risk compared to the common homozygote (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.33, 0.96). Moreover, there was a significant interaction of rs13168440 with plasma selenium; increasing selenium levels were associated with decreased PCa risk only among men with the minor allele (Pinteraction = 0.01). SEPP1 expression was significantly lower in men with lethal PCa than long‐term survivors.

CONCLUSIONS

SEPP1 genetic variation was associated with PCa incidence; replication of these results in an independent dataset is necessary. These findings further support a causal link between selenium and PCa, and suggest that the effect of selenium may differ by genetics. Prostate 73: 700–705, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sensitive ionization of non‐volatile analytes using protein solutions as spray liquid in desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhu Zhiqiang , Han Jing , Zhang Yan , Zhou Yafei , Xu Ning , Zhang Bo , Gu Haiwei , Chen Huanwen
Published: November 2012

RATIONALE

Desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) is the most popular ambient ionization technique for direct analysis of complex samples without sample pretreatment. However, for many applications, especially for trace analysis, it is of interest to improve the sensitivity of DESI‐mass spectrometry (MS).

METHODS

In traditional DESI‐MS, a mixture of methanol/water/acetic acid is usually used to generate the primary ions. In this article, dilute protein solutions were electrosprayed in the DESI method to create multiply charged primary ions for the desorption ionization of trace analytes on various surfaces (e.g., filter paper, glass, Al‐foil) without any sample pretreatment. The analyte ions were then detected and structurally characterized using a LTQ XL mass spectrometer.

RESULTS

Compared with the methanol/water/acetic acid (49:49:2, v/v/v) solution, protein solutions significantly increased the signal levels of non‐volatile compounds such as benzoic acid, TNT, o‐toluidine, peptide and insulin in either positive or negative ion detection mode. For all the analytes tested, the limits of detection (LODs) were reduced to about half of the original values which were obtained using traditional DESI. The results showed that the signal enhancement is highly correlated with the molecular weight of the proteins and the selected solid surfaces.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed DESI method is a universal strategy for rapid and sensitive detection of trace amounts of strongly bound and/or non‐volatile analytes, including explosives, peptides, and proteins. The results indicate that the sensitivity of DESI can be further improved by selecting larger proteins and appropriate solid surfaces. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improved reporter ion assignment of raw isobaric stable isotope labeled liquid chromatography/matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time‐of‐flight mass spectral data for quantitative proteomics
Authors: Jakoby Thomas , Tholey Andreas , van den Berg Bart H.J.
Published: November 2012

RATIONALE

Isobaric labeling strategies (e.g. iTRAQ or TMT) are commonly applied in tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) level quantitative proteomics. However, we frequently observed missing isotope reporter ion signals in a large‐scale liquid chromatography/matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time‐of‐flight mass spectrometric (LC/MALDI‐TOF/TOF) quantitative proteomics experiment. To understand this issue, we systematically investigated the processing of MS/MS spectra into peak lists prior to peptide identification and quantification.

METHODS

A 15‐protein standard, with six proteins in different concentrations, was labeled with iTRAQ 4‐plex, iTRAQ 8‐plex or TMT 6‐plex, tryptic digested and measured using LC/MALDI‐TOF/TOF. Three commercially and open‐source available peak list generation software tools were compared based on missing reporter ions, peptide identification and quantification.

RESULTS

We found that each tool discarded lower‐intensity reporter ions, when they followed a higher intensity reporter ion, due to the implemented de‐isotoping algorithms. By using the non‐de‐isotoping setting within TS2Mascot, we found that all reporter ions are exported, yet less peptides were identified with Mascot. Therefore, we developed a strategy merging the de‐isotoped and non‐de‐isotoped outputs from TS2Mascot using the Perl script RICmerge.pl.

CONCLUSIONS

With this approach, we correctly quantified all labeled peptides that were identified within the 15‐protein standard. This strategy allows improved annotation of isobaric tag labeled peptide MS/MS spectra and improves downstream peptide and protein quantification in proteomics studies. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microsynthesis and electron ionization mass spectral studies of O(S)‐alkyl N,N‐dimethyl alkylphosphono(thiolo)thionoamidates for Chemical Weapons Convention verification
Authors: Saeidian Hamdollah , Babri Mehran , Abdoli Morteza , Sarabadani Mansour , Ashrafi Davood , Naseri Mohammad Taghi
Published: November 2012

RATIONALE

The availability of mass spectra and interpretation skills are essential for unambiguous identification of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)‐related chemicals. The O(S)‐alkyl N,N‐dimethyl alkylphosphono(thiolo)thionoamidates are included in the list of scheduled CWC‐related compounds, but there are very few spectra from these compounds in the literature. This paper examines these spectra and their mass spectral fragmentation routes.

METHODS

The title chemicals were prepared through microsynthetic protocols and were analyzed using electron ionization mass spectrometry with gas chromatography as a MS‐inlet system. Structures of fragments were confirmed using analysis of fragment ions of deuterated analogs, tandem mass spectrometry and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

RESULTS

Mass spectrometric studies revealed some interesting fragmentation pathways during the ionization process, such as alkene and amine elimination and McLafferty‐type rearrangements. The most important fragmentation route of the chemicals is the thiono‐thiolo rearrangement. DFT calculations are used to support MS results and to reveal relative preference formation of fragment ions. The retention indices (RIs) of all the studied compounds are also reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Mass spectra of the synthesized compounds were investigated with the aim to enrich the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Central Analytical Database (OCAD) which may be used for detection and identification of CWC‐related chemicals during on‐site inspection and/or off‐site analysis such as OPCW proficiency tests. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification and separation of protein, contaminant and substrate peaks using gentle‐secondary ion mass spectrometry and the g‐ogram
Authors: Aoyagi Satoka , Gilmore Ian S. , Mihara Ichiro , Seah Martin P. , Fletcher Ian W.
Published: November 2012

RATIONALE

Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) is an important technique for the characterization of proteins at surfaces. However, interpretation of the mass spectra is complicated owing to confusion with peaks from contaminants and the substrate which is further compounded by complex fragmentation mechanisms. We test a new development of the G‐SIMS method called the g‐ogram to separate out spectral components without a priori information about which peaks to include in the analysis and which peaks relate to each component.

METHODS

The effectiveness of the g‐ogram method is investigated using a model system of lysozyme adsorbed onto a silicon wafer and indium tin oxide substrates. In the method, two SIMS spectra are acquired using Bi+ and Mn+ primary ions which create lower and higher fragmentation in the spectra, respectively. The g‐ogram separates out components using a separation parameter that is related to the fragmentation energy.

RESULTS

The g‐ogram separates the spectrum of lysozyme adsorbed onto a silicon wafer into three components: (i) the substrate and PDMS contamination; (ii) a second, but unexpected, contaminant; and (iii) peaks from the protein amino acids. Similar results are achieved for the indium tin oxide substrate. In addition, evidence of fragments from plural amino acids with two candidate peaks at 140.12 Da and 185.08 Da is observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The g‐ogram method effectively separates out mass peaks relating to the substrate, contamination and protein without any a priori information or subjective decisions about which peaks to include in the analysis (so called 'peak picking'). This is a great help to analysts. We find two possible peaks from plural amino acids but no evidence of pluralities is found for peaks above 240 Da that are generated from when using Bi or Mn primary ions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The secretary problem on an unknown poset
Authors: Garrod Bryn , Morris Robert
Published: November 2012

We consider generalizations of the classical secretary problem, also known as the problem of optimal choice, to posets where the only information we have is the size of the poset and the number of maximal elements. We show that, given this information, there is an algorithm that is successful with probability at least
\documentclass{article} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \begin{align*}\frac{1}{e}\end{align*} \end{document}. We conjecture that if there are k maximal elements and k ≥ 2 then this can be improved to
\documentclass{article} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \begin{align*}\sqrt\lbrack k-1\rbrack {\frac{1}{k}}\end{align*} \end{document}, and prove this conjecture for posets of width k. We also show that no better bound is possible. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 43, 429–451, 2013
Coping Response and Survival in Breast Cancer Patients: A New Analysis
Authors: Watson M. , Homewood J. , Haviland J.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to analyse the impact of coping response on survival of breast cancer by using a new method of assessing coping.

Method

Adjustment to cancer was assessed using a revised measure in a large cohort of breast cancer patients (N = 578) followed up over a period of 10 years. Impact of coping response measured early in the disease process (<4 months from primary diagnosis of early‐stage breast cancer) was assessed, and survival analyses were undertaken including known clinical staging data and cancer treatment details.

Results

After 5 years of follow‐up from primary diagnosis, the effect of prior ‘negative adjustment’ was statistically significantly linked to increased risk of death and relapse of breast cancer, and for the 10‐year analysis, this result remained for both risk of death and relapse. There was no statistically significant effect on survival of the novel ‘positive adjustment’ response.

Conclusions

Coping with cancer was assessed using a new methodology and is linked to an adverse impact of negative adjustment on overall survival. Positive adjustment was unrelated to survival. The current study strengthens previous evidence that there is a link between survival and coping response. The question remains of how coping response might affect physical outcome. It is considered that coping response likely impacts survival through the mediating effects on lifestyle and health behaviour that may contribute to an adverse prognosis. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of Strain Rate, Temperature, Plastic Strain, and Microstructure on the Strain Rate Sensitivity of Automotive Sheet Steels
Authors: Larour Patrick , Bäumer Annette , Dahmen Kirsten , Bleck Wolfgang
Published: November 2012

This work identifies the influence of strain rate, temperature, plastic strain, and microstructure on the strain rate sensitivity of automotive sheet steel grades in crash conditions. The strain rate sensitivity m has been determined by means of dynamic tensile tests in the strain rate range 10−3–200 s−1 and in the temperature range 233–373 K. The dynamic flow curves have been tested by means of servohydraulic tensile testing. The strain rate sensitivity decreases with increasing plastic strain due to a gradual exhausting of work hardening potential combined with adiabatic softening effects. The strain rate sensitivity is improved with decreasing temperature and increasing strain rate, according to the thermally activated deformation mechanism. The m‐value is reduced with increasing strength level, this decrease being most pronounced for steels with a yield strength below 400 MPa. Solid solution alloying with manganese, silicon, and especially phosphorous elements lowers the strain rate sensitivity significantly. Second phase hardening with bainite and martensite as the second constituent in a ferritic matrix reduces the strain rate sensitivity of automotive sheet steels. A statistical modeling is proposed to correlate the m‐value with the corresponding quasistatic tensile flow stress.
Zur Bestimmung der Tragfähigkeit von Kehlnahtverbindungen höherfester Baustähle
Authors: Rasche Christina , Kuhlmann Ulrike
Published: November 2012

Im Stahlbau gibt es einen Trend zu zunehmend schlankeren und leichten Konstruktionen aus Baustählen mit höherer Festigkeit (Streckgrenze ReH > 355 N/mm2). In den letzten Jahren wurden hierzu moderne Stähle entwickelt, die neben einer hohen Festigkeit gute Schweißeigenschaften und eine hohe Zähigkeit besitzen. Trotz der guten Schweißeigenschaften ist die normative Tragfähigkeit insbesondere von Kehlnahtverbindungen dieser Stähle gering. In diesem Beitrag werden experimentelle und numerische Untersuchungen zur Tragfähigkeit von Kehlnahtverbindungen höherfester Baustähle vorgestellt. Als Ergebnis wird die Tragfähigkeit dieser Kehlnahtverbindungen bestimmt und ein erweitertes Bemessungsmodell zur Bestimmung der Tragfähigkeit von Kehlnahtverbindungen höherfester Baustähle S460 und S690 unter Berücksichtigung des Schweißzusatzwerkstoffs vorgestellt.

Load bearing capacity of fillet welded connections of high strength steel. In recent years a trend towards an increasing number of slim and lightweight steel constructions using high‐strength steels can be observed (yield strength ReH > 355 N/mm2). Therefore, modern high‐strength steels have been developed, which comprise aside a high strength, good welding characteristics and a high ductility. Despite the good welding characteristics there is a low normative load‐bearing capacity of fillet welded joints of high‐strength steels. In this article experimental and numerical investigations on the load‐bearing capacity of fillet welds are presented. As a result the load bearing capacity of these fillet welded connections is determined. An expanded design model for high‐strength steels S460 and S690 is presented, which considers both, the strength of the base and the filler metal.
Casting New Physicochemical Light on the Fundamental Biological Processes in Single Living Cells by Using Raman Microspectroscopy
Authors: Kaliaperumal Venkatesh , Hamaguchi Hiro‐o
Published: November 2012

This Personal Account highlights the capabilities of spontaneous Raman microspectroscopy for studying fundamental biological processes in a single living cell. Raman microspectroscopy provides time‐ and space‐resolved vibrational Raman spectra that contain detailed information on the structure and dynamics of biomolecules in a cell. By using yeast as a model system, we have made great progress in the development of this methodology. The results that we have obtained so far are described herein with an emphasis placed on how three cellular processes, that is, cell‐division, respiration, and cell‐death, are traced and elucidated with the use of time‐ and space‐resolved structural information that is extracted from the Raman spectra. For cell‐division, compositional‐ and structural changes of various biomolecules are observed during the course of the whole cell cycle. For respiration, the redox state of mitochondrial cytochromes, which is inferred from the resonance Raman bands of cytochromes, is used to evaluate the respiration activity of a single cell, as well as that of isolated mitochondrial particles. Special reference is made to the “Raman spectroscopic signature of life”, which is a characteristic Raman band at 1602 cm−1 that is found in yeast cells. This signature reflects the cellular metabolic activity and may serve as a measure of mitochondrial dysfunction. For cell‐death, “cross‐talk” between the mitochondria and the vacuole in a dying cell is suggested. DOI 10.1002/tcr.201200008
Patterns of root growth acclimation: constant processes, changing boundaries
Authors: Baskin Tobias I.
Published: November 2012

Plasticity, the hallmark of plant morphogenesis, extends to kinetics. To enhance acclimation, growing plant organs adeptly adjust their growth rate, up or down. In roots, rates of division and elemental expansion as well as the length of division and elongation zones are readily characterized because of their linear organization, radial symmetry, and indeterminate growth, and can be measured accurately with kinematic methods. Here, for roots, I describe key concepts from kinematics and review patterns of growth and division during acclimation. The growth rate of a root reflects the integral of elemental expansion activity over the span of the growth zone; therefore, an acclimating plant can change the rate of root growth by changing either or both the span of the growth zone or the rate of elemental expansion. The analogous dichotomy exists for cell division where the rate at which cells are produced reflects the integral of cell division rate over the span of the division zone. Surprisingly, expansion responses nearly always involve changes in the length of the growth zone. Similarly, although based on fewer data, changes in cell division rate are rare, whereas changes in meristem length are common. These patterns imply that setting the boundaries for meristem and elongation zone is the key regulatory act for root growth rate acclimation. WIREs Dev Biol 2013, 2:65–73. doi: 10.1002/wdev.94

This article is categorized under:

Establishment of Spatial and Temporal Patterns > Cell Sorting and Boundary Formation

Establishment of Spatial and Temporal Patterns > Regulation of Size, Proportion, and Timing

Plant Development > Root Development
Testing Effects of Community Collaboration on Rates of Low Infant Birthweight at the County Level
Authors: Darnell Adam J. , Barile John P. , Weaver Scott R. , Harper Christopher R. , Kuperminc Gabriel P. , Emshoff James G.
Published: November 2012

Interorganizational collaboration has become a popular strategy for addressing population health and well‐being. However, evidence for its effectiveness in achieving outcomes at the population level is limited, at least in part due to a variety of methodological challenges such as reduced sample size at the population level, the availability of suitable comparison groups of communities, and study durations that are too short to detect slowly emerging outcomes. The present study addresses these challenges by retrospectively examining the effectiveness of a mature network of community collaboratives, using latent growth modeling of longitudinal change in an archival community‐level outcome, low infant birthweight, and propensity score matching of comparison communities. A group of 25 Georgia counties with collaboratives targeting low infant birthweight was compared to a weighted comparison group of counties from other southeastern states, using propensity score matching. We report results of full matching methods and outcome analyses examining differences in change in county rates of low infant birthweight from 1997 to 2004 between intervention and comparison counties. Results indicated significantly smaller increases in low weight birth rates in intervention counties than in comparison counties.
The Effect of Germination on Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Pulses
Authors: Gharachorloo Maryam , Ghiassi Tarzi Babak , Baharinia Marzieh
Published: November 2012

In this study the changes of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of four different pulses namely white bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L), Common vetch (Vicia sativa), Lentil (Lens culinaris) and Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) seeds before and after germination were investigated. Seeds germinated in dark chambers maintained near 100 % relative humidity at 20 °C. Three different solvents namely acetone, hexane and methanol were employed to extract the phenolic compounds present in the seeds and sprouts. Total content of phenolic compounds was measured by the Folin–Ciocalteu method and antioxidant activity determined by the delay in fat oxidation. Different concentrations of extracts (0.02 and 0.1 % w/w) were added to tallow and the stabilities of the treatments were determined by the peroxide value and induction period measurements to evaluate the antioxidant activities. The results indicated that the increases in phenolic content from dormant seed to sprouted seed were significant (P ≤ 0.05) in all the samples. The significant differences between induction periods of tallow treated with sprouted seed extracts were observed (P < 0.05). The results indicated that the greatest increase in stability was obtained when tallow was treated with a 0.1 % concentration of acetone chickpea sprout extract. The pulses' sprout flour or extract might be recommended for use as a source of natural antioxidants in functional foods.
Protein and lipid damage in maple syrup urine disease patients: l‐carnitine effect
Authors: Mescka Caroline Paula , Wayhs Carlos Alberto Yasin , Vanzin Camila Simioni , Biancini Giovana Brondani , Guerreiro Gilian , Manfredini Vanusa , Souza Carolina , Wajner Moacir , Dutra‐filho Carlos Severo , Vargas Carmen Regla
Published: November 2012

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is an inborn error of metabolism biochemically characterized by elevated levels of the branched chain amino acids (BCAA) leucine, isoleucine, valine and the corresponding branched‐chain α‐keto acids. This disorder is clinically characterized by ketoacidosis, seizures, coma, psychomotor delay and mental retardation whose pathophysiology is not completely understood. Recent studies have shown that oxidative stress may be involved in neuropathology of MSUD. l‐Carnitine (l‐Car) plays a central role in the cellular energy metabolism because it transports long‐chain fatty acids for oxidation and ATP generation. In recent years many studies have demonstrated the antioxidant role of this compound. In this work, we investigated the effect of BCAA‐restricted diet supplemented or not with l‐Car on lipid peroxidation and in protein oxidation in MSUD patients. We found a significant increase of malondialdehyde and of carbonyl content in plasma of MSUD patients under BCAA‐restricted diet compared to controls. Furthermore, patients under BCAA‐restricted diet plus l‐Car supplementation presented a marked reduction of malondialdehyde content in relation to controls, reducing the lipid peroxidation. In addition, free l‐Car concentrations were negatively correlated with malondialdehyde levels. Our data show that l‐Car may have an antioxidant effect, protecting against the lipid peroxidation and this could represent an additional therapeutic approach to the patients affected by MSUD.
Yinyang
Authors: Wang Robin R.
Published: November 2012

The concept of yinyang lies at the heart of Chinese thought and culture. The relationship between these two opposing, yet mutually dependent, forces is symbolized in the familiar black and white symbol that has become an icon in popular culture across the world. The real significance of yinyang is, however, more complex and subtle. This brilliant and comprehensive analysis by one of the leading authorities in the field captures the richness and multiplicity of the meanings and applications of yinyang, including its visual presentations. Through a vast range of historical and textual sources, the book examines the scope and role of yinyang, the philosophical significance of its various layers of meanings and its relation to numerous schools and traditions within Chinese (and Western) philosophy. By putting yinyang on a secure and clear philosophical footing, the book roots the concept in the original Chinese idiom, distancing it from Western assumptions, frameworks and terms, yet also seeking to connect its analysis to shared cross-cultural philosophical concerns.
On the Sensations of Tone as a Physiological Basis for the Theory of Music
Authors: Helmholtz Hermann L. F.
Published: November 2012

Hermann von Helmholtz (1821–94) was a leading scientist who made important contributions to physiology, psychology, physics, philosophy and early neuroscience. Following his foundational work in ophthalmics during the 1850s, he became Professor of Physiology at Heidelberg and, in 1863, published On the Sensations of Tone. This investigation into the physical theory of music remains a central text for the study of physiological acoustics and aesthetics. In it, Helmholtz applies physics, anatomy and physiology. He explains how tones are built from a base tone with upper partial tones, and his later discussions on consonance and musical scales develop this theory and discuss how the ear perceives these tones. His work on consonance and dissonance was of particular interest to composers and musicologists well into the twentieth century. This English translation, published in 1875 from the third German edition, retains the original's straightforward language, making this classic work accessible to non-specialists.
Digital Integrated Circuit Design
Authors: Kaeslin Hubert
Published: November 2012

This practical, tool-independent guide to designing digital circuits takes a unique, top-down approach, reflecting the nature of the design process in industry. Starting with architecture design, the book comprehensively explains the why and how of digital circuit design, using the physics designers need to know, and no more. Covering system and component aspects, design verification, VHDL modeling, signal integrity, clocking and more, the scope of the book is uniquely comprehensive. With a focus on CMOS technology, numerous examples - VHDL and Verilog code, architectural concepts, and failure reports - practical guidelines, and design checklists, this engaging textbook for senior undergraduate and graduate courses on digital ICs will prepare students for the realities of real-world circuit design. Practitioners will also find the book valuable for its insights and its practical approach. Instructor only solutions and lecture slides are available at: www.cambridge.org/Kaeslin.
Environmental Valuation in South Asia
Authors: Haque A. K. Enamul , Murty M. N. , Shyamsundar Priya
Published: November 2012

This book is about understanding the value of environmental services in South Asia. It provides an overview of different environmental problems in South Asia and examines how economic valuation techniques can be used to assess these problems. It brings together multiple case studies on valuation undertaken by economists and environmental scientists from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka under the aegis of the South Asian Network for Development and Environmental Economics (SANDEE). The book addresses the challenges of valuing environmental changes that are unique to developing countries. Each chapter starts with a description of an environmental problem and the valuation strategy used, followed by a discussion of estimation methods and results. It is designed to serve as a reference book for students, teachers, researchers, non-government organizations and practitioners of environmental valuation. Those interested in development and environmental economics, and natural resource management policies, will also find it useful.
Roman Architecture in Provence
Authors: Anderson, jr. James C.
Published: November 2012

This book provides a survey of the architecture and urbanism of Provence during the Roman era. Provence, or 'Gallia Narbonensis' as the Romans called it, was one of the earliest Roman colonies in Western Europe. In this book, James C. Anderson, jr. examines the layout and planning of towns in the region, both those founded by the Romans and those redeveloped from native settlements. He provides an in-depth study of the chronology, dating and remains of every type of Roman building for which there is evidence in Provence. The stamp of Roman civilization is apparent today in such cities as Orange, Nimes and Arles, where spectacular remains of bridges, theaters, fora and temples attest to the sophisticated civilization that existed in this area during the imperial period and late antiquity. This book focuses on the remains of buildings that can still be seen, exploring decorative elements and their influence from Rome and local traditions, as well as their functions within the urban environment.
Evolutionary Linguistics
Authors: McMahon April , McMahon Robert
Published: November 2012

How did the biological, brain and behavioural structures underlying human language evolve? When, why and where did our ancestors become linguistic animals, and what has happened since? This book provides a clear, comprehensive but lively introduction to these interdisciplinary debates. Written in an approachable style, it cuts through the complex, sometimes contradictory and often obscure technical languages used in the different scientific disciplines involved in the study of linguistic evolution. Assuming no background knowledge in these disciplines, the book outlines the physical and neurological structures underlying language systems, and the limits of our knowledge concerning their evolution. Discussion questions and further reading lists encourage students to explore the primary literature further, and the final chapter demonstrates that while many questions still remain unanswered, there is a growing consensus as to how modern human languages have arisen as systems by the interplay of evolved structures and cultural transmission.
Essential Microeconomics
Authors: Riley John G.
Published: November 2012

Essential Microeconomics is designed to help students deepen their understanding of the core theory of microeconomics. Unlike other texts, this book focuses on the most important ideas and does not attempt to be encyclopedic. Two-thirds of the textbook focuses on price theory. As well as taking a new look at standard equilibrium theory, there is extensive examination of equilibrium under uncertainty, the capital asset pricing model, and arbitrage pricing theory. Choice over time is given extensive coverage and includes a basic introduction to control theory. The final third of the book, on game theory, provides a comprehensive introduction to models with asymmetric information. Topics such as auctions, signaling and mechanism design are made accessible to students who have a basic rather than a deep understanding of mathematics. Examples and diagrams are used to illustrate issues as well as formal derivations.
Sport and Democracy in the Ancient and Modern Worlds
Authors: Christesen Paul
Published: November 2012

This book explores the relationship between sport and democratization. Drawing on sociological and historical methodologies, it provides a framework for understanding how sport affects the level of egalitarianism in the society in which it is played. The author distinguishes between horizontal sport, which embodies and fosters egalitarian relations, and vertical sport, which embodies and fosters hierarchical relations. Christesen also differentiates between societies in which sport is played and watched on a mass scale and those in which it is an ancillary activity. Using ancient Greece and nineteenth-century Britain as case studies, Christesen analyzes how these variables interact and finds that horizontal mass sport has the capacity to both promote and inhibit democratization at a societal level. He concludes that horizontal mass sport tends to reinforce and extend democratization.
Absolute Constructions in Early Indo-European
Authors: Ruppel Antonia
Published: November 2012

In the past, discussions of absolute constructions (ACs) have been limited by an imprecise understanding of what ACs are. By examining the nature and function of ACs and related constructions in Greek, Latin and Sanskrit, this new study arrives at a clear and simple definition of ACs. Focussing on the earliest attested material in each language, it highlights how AC usage differs between languages and offers explanations for these differences. Identifying the common core shared by all ACs, it suggests a starting-point and way by which they developed into Greek, Latin and Sanskrit. Further historical study reveals how ACs have been conceived of by grammarians, philologists and even Christian missionaries over the last two thousand years and how enduring misconceptions still affect our discussion of them today. All Sanskrit material is annotated in detail, making it accessible for classicists in particular and allowing a better understanding of ACs in Greek and Latin.
The World in the Model
Authors: Morgan Mary S.
Published: November 2012

During the last two centuries, the way economic science is done has changed radically: it has become a social science based on mathematical models in place of words. This book describes and analyses that change - both historically and philosophically - using a series of case studies to illuminate the nature and the implications of these changes. It is not a technical book; it is written for the intelligent person who wants to understand how economics works from the inside out. This book will be of interest to economists and science studies scholars (historians, sociologists and philosophers of science). But it also aims at a wider readership in the public intellectual sphere, building on the current interest in all things economic and on the recent failure of the so-called economic model, which has shaped our beliefs and the world we live in.
Teaching, Learning, and Visual Literacy
Authors: Eilam Billie
Published: November 2012

Visual literacy is an increasingly critical skill in a globalizing, digital world. This book addresses the core issues concerning visual literacy in education, underscoring its importance for the instruction of students and educators. Professor Billie Eilam argues that the incorporation of visual skill development in teacher training programs will help break the cycle of visual illiteracy. Understanding the pedagogical benefits and risks of visual representation can help educators develop effective strategies to produce visually literate students. Eilam presents a broad overview of theoretical knowledge regarding visual representation, as well as a discussion of best practices for the use of visual elements in schools. In addition to theory, Eilam includes practical exercises for introducing visual literacy into teacher education, offering strategies for analyzing visualization in curricula and for increasing awareness of visual culture.
London
Authors: Bucholz Robert O. , Ward Joseph P.
Published: November 2012

Between 1550 and 1750 London became the greatest city in Europe and one of the most vibrant economic and cultural centres in the world. This book is a history of London during this crucial period of its rise to world-wide prominence, during which it dominated the economic, political, social and cultural life of the British Isles, as never before nor since. London incorporates the best recent work in urban history, contemporary accounts from Londoners and tourists, and fictional works featuring the city in order to trace London's rise and explore its role as a harbinger of modernity, while examining how its citizens coped with those achievements. London covers the full range of life in London, from the splendid galleries of Whitehall to the damp and sooty alleyways of the East End. Readers will brave the dangers of plague and fire, witness the spectacles of the Lord Mayor's Pageant and the hangings at Tyburn, and take refreshment in the city's pleasure-gardens, coffee-houses and taverns.
Observing the Solar System
Authors: North Gerald
Published: November 2012

Written by a well-known and experienced amateur astronomer, this is a practical primer for all aspiring observers of the planets and other Solar System objects. Whether you are a beginner or more advanced astronomer, you will find all you need in this book to help develop your knowledge and skills and move on to the next level of observing. This up-to-date, self-contained guide provides a detailed and wide-ranging background to Solar System astronomy, along with extensive practical advice and resources. Topics covered include: traditional visual observing techniques using telescopes and ancillary equipment; how to go about imaging astronomical bodies; how to conduct measurements and research of scientifically useful quality; the latest observing and imaging techniques. Whether your interests lie in observing aurorae, meteors, the Sun, the Moon, asteroids, comets, or any of the major planets, you will find all you need here to help you get started.
Anthropology and Development
Authors: Crewe Emma , Axelby Richard
Published: November 2012

In recent decades international development has grown into a world-shaping industry. But how do aid agencies work and what do they achieve? How does aid appear to the adults and children who receive it? And why has there been so little improvement in the position of the poor? Viewing aid and development from anthropological perspectives gives illuminating answers to questions such as these. This essential textbook reveals anthropologists' often surprising findings and details ethnographic case studies on the cultures of development. The authors use a fertile literature to examine the socio-political organisation of aid communities, agencies and networks, as well as the judgements they make about each other. The everyday practice of development work is about negotiating power and culture, but in vastly different ways in different contexts and for different social groups. Exploring the spaces between policy and practice, success and failure, the future and the past, this book provides a rounded understanding of development work that suggests new moral and political possibilities for an increasingly globalised world.
Kennedy, Johnson, and the Nonaligned World
Authors: Rakove Robert B.
Published: November 2012

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy initiated a bold new policy of engaging states that had chosen to remain nonaligned in the Cold War. In a narrative ranging from the White House to the western coast of Africa and the shores of New Guinea, Robert B. Rakove examines the brief but eventful life of this policy during the presidencies of Kennedy and his successor, Lyndon Baines Johnson. Engagement initially met with real success, but it faltered in the face of serious obstacles, including colonial and regional conflicts, disputes over foreign aid and the Vietnam War. Its failure paved the way for a lasting hostility between the United States and much of the nonaligned world, with consequences extending to the present. This book offers a sweeping account of a critical period in the relationship between the United States and the Third World.
Dendrimers, Dendrons, and Dendritic Polymers
Authors: Tomalia Donald A. , Christensen Jørn B. , Boas Ulrik
Published: November 2012

Dendrimer science has exploded onto the polymer science scene as the fourth major class of polymer architecture. Capturing the history of dendrimer discovery to the present day, this book addresses all the essential information for newcomers and those experienced in the field, including:
• Fundamental theory, chemistry and physics of the 'dendritic state'
• Synthetic strategies (click chemistry, self-assembly, and so on)
• Dendron/dendrimer characterization techniques
• Architecturally driven 'dendritic effects'
• Developments in scientific and commercial applications
• Convergence with nanotechnology, including dendrimer-based nanodevices, nanomaterials, nanotoxicology and nanomedicine
• Dendrimers as a window to a new nano-periodic system.
Including first-hand accounts from pre-1995 pioneers, progress in the dendrimer field is brought to life with anticipated developments for the future. This is the ideal book for researchers in both academia and industry who need a complete introduction to the 'dendritic state' with a special focus on dendrimer and dendron polymer science.
Matroids: A Geometric Introduction
Authors: Gordon Gary , McNulty Jennifer
Published: November 2012

Matroid theory is a vibrant area of research that provides a unified way to understand graph theory, linear algebra and combinatorics via finite geometry. This book provides the first comprehensive introduction to the field which will appeal to undergraduate students and to any mathematician interested in the geometric approach to matroids. Written in a friendly, fun-to-read style and developed from the authors' own undergraduate courses, the book is ideal for students. Beginning with a basic introduction to matroids, the book quickly familiarizes the reader with the breadth of the subject, and specific examples are used to illustrate the theory and to help students see matroids as more than just generalizations of graphs. Over 300 exercises are included, with many hints and solutions so students can test their understanding of the materials covered. The authors have also included several projects and open-ended research problems for independent study.
The Albert N'yanza, Great Basin of the Nile, and Explorations of the Nile Sources
Authors: Baker Samuel White
Published: November 2012

Sir Samuel Baker (1821–93) was one of the most famous Victorian explorers and hunters. First published in two illustrated volumes in 1866, this account of his most celebrated expedition is amongst the most important works of its type. Baker promises 'to take the reader by the hand, and lead him step by step … through scorching deserts and thirsty sands; through swamp and jungle … until I bring him, faint with the wearying journey, to that high cliff … from which he shall look down upon the vast Albert Lake and drink with me from the sources of the Nile!' Volume 2 finds Baker a prisoner of a native king. Baker offers a number of 'gifts' to buy his release, and after an arduous journey, with his wife in a coma, in March 1864 he reaches Luta N'zige, which he renames in memory of Prince Albert. A compelling account of an historic adventure.
Children's Books in England
Authors: Darton Frederick Joseph Harvey
Published: November 2012

From fables to fairy tales, romances to nursery rhymes, this highly influential 1932 study analyses the evolution of children's literature. Publisher and writer F. J. Harvey Darton (1878–1936) draws upon his family's involvement in children's publishing since the late eighteenth century, his knowledge of medieval literature, and his own extensive collection of children's books to present the first account of English children's literature seen as a continuous whole. Setting children's books in their historical context, the work reflects much about the history of English social life as well as providing an in-depth perspective on the genre - in the author's words 'a chronicle of the English people in their capacity of parents, guardians and educators of children'. A classic and authoritative study for anyone interested in the history of children's literature, Darton's book remains an invaluable source of information on the genre.
Witchcraft and a Life in the New South Africa
Authors: Niehaus Isak
Published: November 2012

Witchcraft and a Life in the New South Africa reconstructs the biography of an ordinary South African, Jimmy Mohale. Born in 1964, Jimmy came of age in rural South Africa during apartheid, then studied at university and worked as a teacher during the anti-apartheid struggle. In 2005, Jimmy died from an undiagnosed sickness, probably related to AIDS. Jimmy gradually came to see the unanticipated misfortune he experienced as a result of his father's witchcraft and sought remedies from diviners rather than from biomedical doctors. This study casts new light on scholarly understandings of the connections between South African politics, witchcraft and the AIDS pandemic.
A Comprehensive Course in Number Theory
Authors: Baker Alan
Published: November 2012

Developed from the author's popular text, A Concise Introduction to the Theory of Numbers, this book provides a comprehensive initiation to all the major branches of number theory. Beginning with the rudiments of the subject, the author proceeds to more advanced topics, including elements of cryptography and primality testing, an account of number fields in the classical vein including properties of their units, ideals and ideal classes, aspects of analytic number theory including studies of the Riemann zeta-function, the prime-number theorem and primes in arithmetical progressions, a description of the Hardy–Littlewood and sieve methods from respectively additive and multiplicative number theory and an exposition of the arithmetic of elliptic curves. The book includes many worked examples, exercises and further reading. Its wider coverage and versatility make this book suitable for courses extending from the elementary to beginning graduate studies.
The Power of Scientific Knowledge
Authors: Grundmann Reiner , Stehr Nico
Published: November 2012

It is often said that knowledge is power, but more often than not relevant knowledge is not used when political decisions are made. This book examines how political decisions relate to scientific knowledge and what factors determine the success of scientific research in influencing policy. The authors take a comparative and historical perspective and refer to well-known theoretical frameworks, but the focus of the book is on three case studies: the discourse of racism, Keynesianism and climate change. These cases cover a number of countries and different time periods. In all three the authors see a close link between 'knowledge producers' and political decision makers, but show that the effectiveness of the policies varies dramatically. This book will be of interest to scientists, decision makers and scholars alike.