bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MULTILEVEL THRESHOLDING METHOD BASED ON NORMALIZED CUT
Authors: ZHENG LIYING , LIU KUIFENG , YU LEI
Published: October 2009

Based on valleys of the histogram of an image as well as the normalized cut (Ncut) partitioning method, a novel multilevel thresholding technique with low computational complexity has been developed in this paper. A wavelet transform is first adopted to reduce the length of the original histogram, and to smoothen the histogram. All the valleys of the reduced histogram are then regarded as candida te thresholds based on which a weighted undirected graph is constructed. An Ncut criteria and a refinement procedure are finally adopted to determine the optimal thresholds. A comparison between the proposed multithresholding method and the methods based on GA, exhaustive search or iterative scheme has been done on benchmark images showing that our method outperforms other multilevel thresholding techniques in terms of computational complexity.
NON-PARAMETRIC ADAPTIVE APPROACH FOR THE DETECTION OF DOMINANT POINTS ON BOUNDARY CURVES BASED ON NON-SYMMETRIC REGION OF SUPPORT
Authors: DINESH R. , GURU D. S.
Published: October 2009

In this paper, we propose an efficient and effective non-parametric method for detecting dominant points on a closed boundary curve. The proposed method determines a region of support which is not necessarily symmetric for a point on a curve without requiring any input parameter. The statistical and geometrical properties associated with the small eigenvalue of the covariance matrix of a sequence of connected points are explored for determining the region of support adaptively for a point. Once the region of support of a point is determined, the reciprocal of the angle made at that point due to its left and right arms is estimated as the curvature at that point and that estimated curvature signifies the point as a dominant point. The points that bear local maxima curvature are selected as dominant points. If two or more points are selected as local maximum points within small vicinity then the point which bears longer region of support is retained. The results of the experiments conducted reveal that the proposed method is highly consistent with human perception and outperforms other well known methods.
GEOMETRIC TRANSFORM INVARIANT TEXTURE ANALYSIS WITH MODIFIED CHEBYSHEV MOMENTS BASED ALGORITHM
Authors: VYAS VIBHA S. , REGE PRITI P.
Published: October 2009

Texture based Geometric invariance, which comprises of rotation scale and translation (RST) invariant is finding application in various areas including industrial inspection, estimation of object range and orientation, shape analysis, satellite imaging, and medical diagnosis. Moments based techniques, apart from being computationally simple as compared to other RST invariant texture operators, are also robust in presence of noise. Zernike moments (ZM) based techniques are one of the well-established methods used for texture identification. As ZM are continuous moments, when discretization is done for implementation, errors are introduced. Error, calculated as difference between theoretically computed values and simulated values is proved to be prominent for fine textures. Therefore, a novel approach to detect RST invariant textures present in image is presented in this paper. This approach calculates discrete Chebyshev moments (CM) of log-polar transformed images to achieve rotation and scale invariance. The image is made translation invariant by shifting it to its centroid. The data is collected as samples from Brodatz and Vistex data sets. Zernike moments and its modifications, along with proposed scheme are applied to the same and Performance evaluation apart from RST invariance is noise sensitivity and redundancy. The performance is also compared with circular Mellin Feature extractors.
DSC, ESR AND IR SPECTRAL STUDIES ON Li2O–WO3–B2O3 GLASS SYSTEM DOPED WITH VANADIUM IONS
Authors: SRINIVASA RAO LINGANABOINA , VENKATAPPA RAO TUMU
Published: October 2009

With in glass forming region of Li2O–WO3–B2O3 glass system, a particular composition 40Li2O–5WO3–(55 –x) B2O3 : x V2O5 (with x ranging from 0.2 to 0.8, all are in mol.%) is chosen. The DSC traces are obtained to identify the glass transition temperature ( Tg ) and the glass forming ability of all the glass samples. The ESR and IR spectra portray the local structure of the glass system and valance states of the vanadium ions in the glass matrix. As the content of V2O5 increases up to 0.6 mol.% in the glass system, a gradual conversion of vanadium ions from V5+ state to V4+ state is observed, causing the depolymerization in the glass matrix by the transformation of several glass forming units BO4 → BO3 and WO4 → WO6 .
ESTIMATION OF LATTICE STRAIN, STRESS, ENERGY DENSITY AND CRYSTALLITE SIZE OF THE SPHERICAL YTTRIUM OXIDE NANOPARTICLES
Authors: SRINIVASAN R. , YOGAMALAR N. RAJESWARI , JOSEYPHUS R. JUSTIN , BOSE A. CHANDRA
Published: October 2009

Yttria nanoparticles are synthesized by co-precipitation method and as-prepared nanoparticles are annealed at various temperatures. The as-prepared and annealed particles are characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Here we estimated the lattice strain, crystallite size, deformation stress, and deformation energy density for annealed (800°C) yttrium oxide nanoparticles by Williamson-Hall-Isotropic Strain Model (W-H-ISM), W-H-Anisotropic Strain Model (W-H-ASM) and W-H-Energy Density Model (W-H-EDM) based on W-H plot from powder X-ray diffraction data. The shape and size of the nanoparticles are determined using TEM. The results of the estimated crystallite size of yttria nanoparticles by various methods agreed with the TEM results.
HIERARCHICAL POROUS MATERIALS: CAPILLARIES IN NANOPOROUS CARBON
Authors: BRUNO MARIANO M. , CORTI HORACIO R. , BALACH JUAN , COTELLA N. GUSTAVO , BARBERO CESAR. A.
Published: October 2009

A hierarchical carbon material containing nanopores (micropores and mesopores) and micrometric sized capillaries (macropores) is produced using a combination of hard and soft templates. The hard template is a polypropylene (PP) cloth which decomposes during pyrolysis leaving a macroporous structure. The soft template is a cationic polyelectrolyte which stabilizes the resorcinol/formaldehyde (RF) resin porous structure during drying to give a nanoporous RF resin. The method produces a nanocomposite of the porous RF resin with an imbibed PP cloth. The composite is then pyrolyzed in a inert gas atmosphere to render a carbon material having macropores as well as micro/mesopores. The material exhibits both a large surface area ( S BET = 742 ± 2 m 2/ g ) due to nanopores and goof fluid permeability due to micrometric sized pores. The macropores can be oriented during fabrication. The nanoporous surface can be used to support metal nanoparticles for fuel cell while the macropores allow easy flux of gas and liquids through the monolithic material.
A BRIEF REVIEW OF Sn2P2(SexS1-x)6 CRYSTALLINE FAMILY PROPERTIES
Authors: TYAGUR IRYNA
Published: October 2009

The Sn2P2S6 compound is a member of a large isomorphous ferroelectric family. This compound exhibits a strong piezoelectric effect, combining large photorefractive coefficients with a fast holographic response, a high pyroelectric coefficient and a bulk piezoelectric modulus, which make them promising materials in a wide temperature and pressure range for optical and acoustical applications and also interesting materials for sensor applications in modern electronics.
Effects of Methotrexate on Plasma Cytokines and Cardiac Remodeling and Function in Postmyocarditis Rats
Authors: Zhang Zhengang , Zhao Pei , Li Aihua , Lv Xiaolei , Gao Yang , Sun Hongguang , Ding Yongling , Liu Jian
Published: October 2009

Excessive immune activation and inflammatory mediators may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of chronic heart failure. Methotrexate is a commonly used anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drug. In this study, we used a rat model of cardiac myosin-induced experimental autoimmune myocarditis to investigate the effects of low-dose methotrexate (0.1 mg/kg/d for 30 d) on the plasma level of cytokines and cardiac remodeling and function. Our study showed that levels of tumor necrosis factor-(TNF-)alpha and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are significantly increased in postmyocarditis rats, compared with the control rats. Methotrexate treatment reduced the plasma levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 and increased IL-10 level, compared to saline treatment. In addition, postmyocarditis rats showed significant cardiac fibrosis characterized by increased myocardial collagen volume fraction, perivascular collagen area, and the ratio of collagen type I to type III, compared with the control rats. However, MTX treatment not only markedly attenuated cardiac fibrosis, diminished the left ventricular end-diastolic dimension, but also increased the left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening. Collectively, these results suggest that low-dose methotrexate has ability to regulate inflammatory responses and improves cardiac function and hence contributes to prevent the development of postmyocarditis dilated cardiomyopathy.
Synthesis and Characterization of New Schiff Bases Derived from N (1)‐Substituted Isatin with Dithiooxamide and Their Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Pd(II), and Pt(IV) Complexes
Authors: Abdul-Ghani Ahlam J. , Khaleel Asmaa M. N.
Published: October 2009

Three new Schiff bases of N‐substituted isatin LI, LII, and LIII = Schiff base of N‐acetylisatin, N‐benzylisatin, and N‐benzoylisatin, respectively, and their metal complexes , , C3 = [CuLICl(H2O)]Cl · 0.5BuOH,
, , C6a = [CoLIICl]Cl · 0.4H2O · 0.3DMSO, C6b = [CoLIICl]Cl · 0.3H2O · 0.1BuOH, C7 = [NiLIICl2], C8 = [CuLII]Cl2 · H2O , , , C11a = [Co(LIII)]C12 · H2O, C11b = [Co(LIII)]Cl2 · 0.2H2O, and , were reported. The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, metal and chloride content, spectroscopic methods, magnetic moments, conductivity measurements, and thermal studies. Some of these compounds were tested as antibacterial and antifungal agents against Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger.
A Human Hepatocyte‐Bearing Mouse: An Animal Model to Predict Drug Metabolism and Effectiveness in Humans
Authors: Yoshizato Katsutoshi , Tateno Chise
Published: October 2009

Preclinical studies to predict the efficacy and safety of drugs have conventionally been conducted almost exclusively in mice and rats as rodents, despite the differences in drug metabolism between humans and rodents. Furthermore, human (h) viruses such as hepatitis viruses do not infect the rodent liver. A mouse bearing a liver in which the hepatocytes have been largely repopulated withh‐hepatocytes would overcome some of these disadvantages. We have established a practical, efficient, and large‐scale production system for such mice. Accumulated evidence has demonstrated that these hepatocyte‐humanized mice are a useful and reliable animal model, exhibitingh‐type responses in a series of in vivo drug processing (adsorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) experiments and in the infection and propagation of hepatic viruses. In this review, we present the current status of studies on chimeric mice and describe their usefulness in the study of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors.
Purple Sweet Potato Color Ameliorates Cognition Deficits and Attenuates Oxidative Damage and Inflammation in Aging Mouse Brain Induced by D‐Galactose
Authors: Shan Qun , Lu Jun , Zheng Yuanlin , Li Jing , Zhou Zhong , Hu Bin , Zhang Zifeng , Fan Shaohua , Mao Zhen , Wang Yong-jian , Ma Daifu
Published: October 2009

Purple sweet potato color (PSPC), a naturally occurring anthocyanin, has a powerful antioxidant activity in vitro and in vivo. This study explores whether PSPC has the neuroprotective effect on the aging mouse brain induced by D‐galactose (D‐gal). The mice administrated with PSPC (100 mg/kg.day, 4 weeks, from 9th week) via oral gavage showed significantly improved behavior performance in the open field and passive avoidance test compared with D‐gal‐treated mice (500 mg/kg.day, 8 weeks). We further investigate the mechanism involved in neuroprotective effects of PSPC on mouse brain. Interestingly, we found, PSPC decreased the expression level of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), inhibited nuclear translocation of nuclear factor‐kappaB (NF‐κB), increased the activity of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn‐SOD) and catalase (CAT), and reduced the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), respectively. Our data suggested that PSPC attenuated D‐gal‐induced cognitive impairment partly via enhancing the antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory capacity.
Modeling of the Radial Heat Flow and Cooling Processes in a Deep Ultraviolet Cu+ Ne‐CuBr Laser
Authors: Iliev Iliycho Petkov , Gocheva-Ilieva Snezhana Georgieva , Temelkov Krassimir Angelov , Vuchkov Nikolay Kirilov , Sabotinov Nikola Vassilev
Published: October 2009

An improved theoretical model of the gas temperature profile in the cross‐section of an ultraviolet copper ion excited copper bromide laser is developed. The model is based on the solution of the one‐dimensional heat conduction equation subject to special nonlinear boundary conditions, describing the heat interaction between the laser tube and its surroundings. It takes into account the nonuniform distribution of the volume power density along with the radius of the laser tube. The problem is reduced to the boundary value problem of the first kind. An explicit solution of this model is obtained. The model is applied for the evaluation of the gas temperature profiles of the laser in the conditions of free and forced air‐cooling. Comparison with other simple models assumed constant volume power density is made. In particular, a simple expression for calculating the average gas temperature is found.
Pilot Date on Swallow Function in Nondysphagic Patients Requiring a Tracheotomy Tube
Authors: Brady Susan L. , Wesling Michele , Donzelli Joseph
Published: October 2009

Objective. To evaluate the effects of occlusion status (i.e., open, finger, capped) of the tracheotomy tube and removal of the tracheotomy tube that may have upon bolus flow and durational measurements in nondysphagic persons requiring a tracheotomy tube.Study Design. Prospective, single subject, repeated measure design.Methods. Participants had their swallow evaluated with 5 mL pureed boluses using nasal endoscopy with the tracheotomy tube in place, removed, and under the following occlusion conditions: open, finger, and capped. The order of occlusion condition was randomized.Results. Aspiration was never observed but laryngeal penetration was a common finding. Durational measurements for swallow initiation and duration of white out were not significantly different by occlusion status or after removal of the tracheotomy tube.Conclusion. This study provides corroborating evidence demonstrating the lack of a relationship between a tracheotomy tube and swallowing dysfunction.
Strong Convergence of a Hybrid Projection Algorithm for Equilibrium Problems, Variational Inequality Problems and Fixed Point Problems in a Banach Space
Authors: Chuayjan Wariam , Thianwan Sornsak
Published: October 2009

We introduce and study a new hybrid projection algorithm for finding a common element of the set of solutions of an equilibrium problem, the set of common fixed points of relatively quasi‐nonexpansive mappings, and the
set of solutions of the variational inequality for an inverse‐strongly‐monotone operator in a Banach space. Under suitable assumptions, we show a strong convergence theorem. Using this result, we obtain some applications in a Banach space. The results obtained in this paper extend and improve the several recent results in this area.
Nosocomial Infections among Pediatric Patients with Neoplastic Diseases
Authors: Oberdorfer Peninnah , Pongwilairat Natthida , Washington Charles H.
Published: October 2009

Background. Pediatric patients with neoplastic diseases are more likely to develop nosocomial infections (NIs). NIs may prolong their hospital stay, and increase morbidity and mortality.Objectives. The objectives of this study were to determine: (1) the incidence of NIs, (2) sites of NIs, (3) causal organisms, and (4) outcomes of NIs among pediatric patients with neoplastic diseases.Methods. This study was a prospective cohort study of pediatric patients with neoplastic diseases who were admitted to the Chiang Mai University Hospital, Thailand.Results. A total of 707 pediatric patients with neoplastic diseases were admitted. Forty-six episodes of NIs in 30 patients were reported (6.5 NIs/100 admission episodes and 7 NIs/1000 days of hospitalization). Patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia had the highest number of NIs (41.3%). The most common causal organisms were gram-negative bacteria (47.1%). Patients who had undergone invasive procedures were more likely to develop NIs than those who had not (P<.05). The mortality rate of patients with NIs was 19.6%.Conclusion. Pediatric patients with neoplastic diseases are more likely to develop NIs after having undergone invasive procedures. Pediatricians should be aware of this and strictly follow infection control guidelines in order to reduce morbidity and mortality rates related to NIs.
Oxidative Imbalance in HIV‐1 Infected Patients Treated with Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Mandas Antonella , Iorio Eugenio Luigi , Congiu Maria Gabriella , Balestrieri Cinzia , Mereu Antonello , Cau Daniela , Dessì Sandra , Curreli Nicoletta
Published: October 2009

It is generally accepted that oxidative stress is involved in HIV infection. However, the role in oxidative balance of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) is still debated. In our study we assessed serum oxidant and antioxidant levels in an HIV‐1‐infected population treated with HAART, and compared them with those of untreated HIV‐1 patients and HIV‐1‐negative subjects. The study included 116 HIV‐1‐infected patients (86 HAART‐treated and 30 untreated), and 46 HIV‐negative controls. Serum oxidant levels were significantly higher in the HIV‐1 treated group as compared to untreated and control groups. In addition, a decrease of serum total antioxidant status was observed in the HIV‐1 treated group. To be noted is that patients who rigorously follow antiretroviral therapy (optimal HAART adherence) have significantly higher oxidative status than those who do not closely follow the therapy (poor HAART adherence). Analysis of variance revealed no significant further increase in oxidative status in HIV‐1‐infected patients taking antiretroviral and other drugs with the exception of psychiatric drugs (e.g. anxiolytics or antidepressants). Taken together, our results indicate that HAART may affect oxidative stress in HIV‐1‐infected patients and suggest that antiretroviral therapy plays an important role in the synergy of HIV infection and oxidative stress.
Mirror Writing and a Dissociative Identity Disorder
Authors: Le Catherine , Smith Joyce , Cohen Lewis
Published: October 2009

Individuals with dissociative identity disorder (DID) have been known to show varied skills and talents as they change from one dissociative state to another. For example, case reports have described people who have changed their handedness or have spoken foreign languages during their dissociative states. During an interview with a patient with DID, a surprising talent emerged when she wrote a sentence for the Folstein Mini-Mental State Exam—mirror writing. It is not known whether her mirror writing had a deeper level of meaning; however, it does emphasize the idiosyncratic nature of dissociative identity disorder.
Current Understanding of the Role of PPARγ in Gastrointestinal Cancers
Authors: Zou Bing , Qiao Liang , Wong Benjamin C. Y.
Published: October 2009

Numerous studies have indicated that PPARγ plays multiple roles such as in inflammation, cell cycle control, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and carcinogenesis, thus PPARγ contributes to the homeostasis. Many in vitro studies have showed that ligand‐induced activation of PPARγ possess antitumor effect in many cancers including CRC. However, the role of PPARγ in gastrointestinal cancers, especially in colorectal cancer, is rather controversial. Nevertheless, some recent studies with the positive results on the possible application of PPARγ ligands, such as Bezafibrate or Rosiglitazone in gastrointestinal cancers, have suggested a potential usefulness of PPARγ agonists in cancer prevention and therapy. In this review, the authors discuss the recent developments in the role of PPARγ in gastrointestinal cancers.
Investigation of themiR16-1(C>T) + 7 Substitution in Seven Different Types of Cancer from Three Ethnic Groups
Authors: Yazici Hulya , Zipprich Jennifer , Peng Tao , Akisik Elif Z. , Tigli Hulya , Isin Mustafa , Akisik Ebru E. , Terry Mary Beth , Senie Ruby T. , Li Lequn , Peng Minhao , Liu Zhiming , Dalay Nejat , Santella Regina M.
Published: October 2009

Background. MicroRNAs are a type of small noncoding RNA molecules that have been shown to control gene expression in eukaryotes. Aberrant expression and alteration of miRNAs may be responsible for human diseases including cancer. AnmiR16-1(C>T)  + 7 gene mutation has been previously found in familial chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients, one of which reported a family history of breast cancer.miR16-1regulates the expression ofbcl-2, which is important in retinoblastoma, and is located in a genomic region that is frequently lost in nasopharyngeal and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). Therefore,miR16-1may be potentially important in the etiology of several solid tumors. To understand the power of themiR16-1(C>T)  + 7 mutation as a prognostic and diagnostic risk factor, we investigated the mutation in patients with seven different types of cancer including 188 with breast, 102 with ovarian, and 22 nasopharyngeal carcinomas, 96 HCC, 872 chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), 39 chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and 46 retinoblastoma cases from three different ethnic groups and of hereditary and sporadic etiology.Methods.5′Nuclease TaqMan SNP genotyping assay was used to detect the miR16-1 geneC>Tsubstitution.Results. The miR16-1 (C>T)  + 7 substitution was not detected in any of the groups studied.Conclusions. Considering the large scale of our study, the representation of different ethnicities and levels of hereditary risk, we conclude that themiR-16-1(C>T)  + 7 mutation is not a good diagnostic or prognostic indicator of risk for the cancers tested.
Tidal Dwarf Galaxies and Missing Baryons
Authors: Bournaud Frederic
Published: October 2009

Tidal dwarf galaxies form during the interaction, collision, or merger of massive spiral galaxies. They can resemble “normal” dwarf galaxies in terms of mass, size, and become dwarf satellites orbiting around their massive progenitor. They nevertheless keep some signatures from their origin, making them interesting targets for cosmological studies. In particular, they should be free from dark matter from a spheroidal halo. Flat rotation curves and high dynamical masses may then indicate the presence of an unseen component, and constrain the properties of the “missing baryons,” known to exist but not directly observed. The number of dwarf galaxies in the Universe is another cosmological problem for which it is important to ascertain if tidal dwarf galaxies formed frequently at high redshift, when the merger rate was high, and many of them survived until today. In this paper, “dark matter” is used to refer to the nonbaryonic matter, mostly located in large dark halos, that is, CDM in the standard paradigm, and “missing baryons” or “dark baryons” is used to refer to the baryons known to exist but hardly observed at redshift zero, and are a baryonic dark component that is additional to “dark matter”.
The Evolution of Reaction-Diffusion Controllers for Minimally Cognitive Agents
Authors: Dale Kyran , Husbands Phil
Published: October 2009

This article describes work carried out to investigate whether a classic reaction-diffusion (RD) system could be used to control a minimally cognitive animat. The RD system chosen was that first described by Gray and Scott, and the minimally cognitive behaviors were those used by Beer et al. involving the fixation and discrimination of diamond and circle shapes by a whiskered animat. A further task was added, which required the RD controllers to maintain and use a chemical memory. The parameters of these controllers were evolved using an evolutionary, or genetic, algorithm.
Systems Architecture: A New Model for Sustainability and the Built Environment using Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information Technology, and Cognitive Science with Living Technology
Authors: Armstrong Rachel
Published: October 2009

This report details a workshop held at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London, to initiate interdisciplinary collaborations for the practice of systems architecture, which is a new model for the generation of sustainable architecture that combines the discipline of the study of the built environment with the scientific study of complexity, or systems science, and adopts the perspective of systems theory. Systems architecture offers new perspectives on the organization of the built environment that enable architects to consider architecture as a series of interconnected networks with embedded links into natural systems. The public workshop brought together architects and scientists working with the convergence of nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, and cognitive science and with living technology to investigate the possibility of a new generation of smart materials that are implied by this approach.
Artificial Symbiogenesis and Differing Reproduction Rates
Authors: Bull Larry
Published: October 2009

Symbiosis is the phenomenon in which organisms of different species live together in close association. Symbiogenesis is the name given to the process by which symbiotic partners combine and unify. This letter reconsiders previous work using the NKCS model of coevolution to explore symbiogenesis. In particular, the role of different replication rates between the coevolving partners is considered. This is shown to provide a broader scope for the emergence of endosymbioses and subsequent horizontal gene transfers.
Computational Discovery of Instructionless Self-Replicating Structures in Cellular Automata
Authors: Pan Zhijian , Reggia James A.
Published: October 2009

Cellular automata models have historically been a major approach to studying the information-processing properties of self-replication. Here we explore the feasibility of adopting genetic programming so that, when it is given a fairly arbitrary initial cellular automata configuration, it will automatically generate a set of rules that make the given configuration replicate. We found that this approach works surprisingly effectively for structures as large as 50 components or more. The replication mechanisms discovered by genetic programming work quite differently than those of many past manually designed replicators: There is no identifiable instruction sequence or construction arm, the replicating structures generally translate and rotate as they reproduce, and they divide via a fissionlike process that involves highly parallel operations. This makes replication very fast, and one cannot identify which descendant is the parent and which is the child. The ability to automatically generate self-replicating structures in this fashion allowed us to examine the resulting replicators as their properties were systematically varied. Further, it proved possible to produce replicators that simultaneously deposited secondary structures while replicating, as in some past manually designed models. We conclude that genetic programming is a powerful tool for studying self-replication that might also be profitably used in contexts other than cellular spaces.
Evaluation of the Town Energy Balance Model in Cold and Snowy Conditions during the Montreal Urban Snow Experiment 2005
Authors: Lemonsu A. , Bélair S. , Mailhot J. , Leroyer S.
Published: October 2009

Using the Montreal Urban Snow Experiment (MUSE) 2005 database, surface radiation and energy exchanges are simulated in offline mode with the Town Energy Balance (TEB) and the Interactions between Soil, Biosphere, and Atmosphere (ISBA) parameterizations over a heavily populated residential area of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, during the winter–spring transition period (from March to April 2005). The comparison of simulations with flux measurements indicates that the system performs well when roads and alleys are snow covered. In contrast, the storage heat flux is largely underestimated in favor of the sensible heat flux at the end of the period when snow is melted. An evaluation and an improvement of TEB’s snow parameterization have also been conducted by using snow property measurements taken during intensive observational periods. Snow density, depth, and albedo are correctly simulated by TEB for alleys where snow cover is relatively homogeneous. Results are not as good for the evolution of snow on roads, which is more challenging because of spatial and temporal variability related to human activity. An analysis of the residual term of the energy budget—including contributions of snowmelt, heat storage, and anthropogenic heat—is performed by using modeling results and observations. It is found that snowmelt and anthropogenic heat fluxes are reasonably well represented by TEB–ISBA, whereas storage heat flux is underestimated.
The Sensitivity of Simulated River Discharge to Land Surface Representation and Meteorological Forcings
Authors: Materia Stefano , Dirmeyer Paul A. , Guo Zhichang , Alessandri Andrea , Navarra Antonio
Published: October 2009

The discharge of freshwater into oceans represents a fundamental process in the global climate system, and this flux is taken into account in simulations with general circulation models (GCMs). Moreover, the availability of realistic river routing schemes is a powerful instrument to assess the validity of land surface components, which have been recognized to be crucial for the global climate simulation. In this study, surface and subsurface runoff generated by the 13 land surface schemes (LSSs) participating in the Second Global Soil Wetness Project (GSWP-2) are used as input fields for the Hydrology Discharge (HD) routing model to simulate discharge for 30 of the world’s largest rivers. The simplest land surface models do not provide a good representation of runoff, and routed river flows using these inputs are affected by many biases. On the other hand, HD shows the best simulations when forced by two of the more sophisticated schemes. The multimodel ensemble GSWP-2 generates the best phasing of the annual cycle as well as a good representation of absolute values, although the ensemble mean tends to smooth the peaks. Finally, the intermodel comparison shows the limits and deficiencies of a velocity-constant routing model such as HD, particularly in the phase of mean annual discharge.

The second part of the study assesses the sensitivity of river discharge to the variation of external meteorological forcing. The Center for Ocean–Land–Atmosphere Studies version of the SSiB model is constrained with different meteorological fields and the resulting runoff is used as input for HD. River flow is most sensitive to precipitation variability, but changes in radiative forcing affect discharge as well, presumably because of the interaction with evaporation. Also, this analysis provides an estimate of the sensitivity of river discharge to precipitation variations. A few areas (e.g., central and eastern Asia, the Mediterranean, and much of the United States) show a magnified response of river discharge to a given percentage change in precipitation. Hence, an amplified effect of droughts as indicated by the consensus of climate change predictions may occur in places such as the Mediterranean. Conversely, increasing summer precipitation foreseen in places like southern and eastern Asia may amplify floods in these poor and heavily populated regions. Globally, a 1% fluctuation in precipitation forcing results in an average 2.3% change in discharge. These results can be used for the definition and assessment of new strategies for land use and water management in the near future.
Vertically Pointing Airborne Doppler Radar Observations of Kelvin–Helmholtz Billows
Authors: Geerts Bart , Miao Qun
Published: October 2009

A train of Kelvin–Helmholtz billows in a deep stratiform cloud over a mountain range is documented using data from a high-resolution vertically pointing airborne Doppler radar. The billows had a spacing of 2–2.5 km and a small aspect ratio. The formation and decay of the billows appear to be related to flow acceleration over a mountain.
Homer in the New Testament
Authors: Derrett Professor J.D.M.
Published: October 2009

Apart from the many allusions to the Hebrew Bible, traces abound of New Testament authors’ use of Homer, and not only by way of verbal allusions.
Matthew and Character Formation
Authors: Talbert Charles H.
Published: October 2009

This article attempts to answer several questions: What is character? What is character formation, and how did the ancients do it? How does Matthew fit into the ancient context? How can Matthew function today to shape the character of its readers?
When Did ‘Messiah’ Become a Proper Name
Authors: Hare Douglas R.A.
Published: October 2009

The thesis of this article is that the words for ‘anointed’ in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek were used by Jews as early as Paul not only as a title ‘the Messiah’ but also as a proper name, ‘Messiah’. After reviewing the scholarly debate, the writer points to New Testament evidence that supports the thesis, notably the use of messias in John 1:41, 4:25.
Methods and Measures: Growth mixture modeling: A method for identifying differences in longitudinal change among unobserved groups
Authors: Ram Nilam , Grimm Kevin J.
Published: October 2009

Growth mixture modeling (GMM) is a method for identifying multiple unobserved sub-populations, describing longitudinal change within each unobserved sub-population, and examining differences in change among unobserved sub-populations. We provide a practical primer that may be useful for researchers beginning to incorporate GMM analysis into their research. We briefly review basic elements of the standard latent basis growth curve model, introduce GMM as an extension of multiple-group growth modeling, and describe a four-step approach to conducting a GMM analysis. Example data from a cortisol stress-response paradigm are used to illustrate the suggested procedures.
Trust, Calculation, and Interorganizational Learning of Tacit Knowledge: An Organizational Roles Perspective
Authors: Janowicz-Panjaitan Martyna , Noorderhaven Niels G.
Published: October 2009

Learning of tacit knowledge in an interorganizational context is a process fraught with risks for the collaborating partners. Two conflicting perspectives on what motivates partners to cooperatively share tacit knowledge with each other emerge from extant literature: one based on calculative considerations and the other on trust-based considerations. This paper aims to show that the two perspectives can be reconciled if the unique learning-related roles of boundary spanners at the corporate and operating levels are taken into account. Operating-level boundary spanners are the primary agents of tacit knowledge learning across organizational borders, and we argue that trust is the primary determinant of knowledge sharing at that level. In contrast, the corporate-level boundary spanners shape the structures and systems of the collaboration and thus affect the extent of sharing that can take place between operating-level boundary spanners. In this role, we propose, their learning behavior is predominantly driven by calculative considerations of potential costs and benefits of knowledge sharing.
Enacting Fit in Work Organization and Occupational Structure Design: The Case of Intermediary Occupations in a Dutch Hospital
Authors: van Offenbeek Marjolein , Sorge Arndt , Knip Marrig
Published: October 2009

We report and interpret findings from an investigation of work redesign and the introduction of a new occupational position, nurse practitioner (NP), in four different subunits in a large Dutch university hospital. Full development of the new position and its contribution to performance crucially depend on the delegation of medical tasks to NPs. The motive for introducing the new occupation and redesigning the work processes was to improve treatment quality and patient-centredness, to reduce throughput times and to assure operating efficiency. However, the degree and modality of reaching such objectives depends on the local politics of management and medical practitioners, resting on interpretations of appropriate roles and task divisions. Thus, task environmental influences affect work structure redesign as the former were perceived and enacted by local practitioners. The overall process of redesign and the way it differed between departments is best explained by combining a modified contingency theory with an interactionist and organizational politics approach.
The Co-Evolution of Organizational Value Capture, Value Creation and Sustainable Advantage
Authors: Pitelis Christos N.
Published: October 2009

Despite much progress, scholarship on organizations and strategic management remains unduly reliant on economic models such as the industrial organization (IO) market structure-based analysis. The focus of such models is on price-output determination by firms and the economy-wide efficient allocation of scarce resources, under conditions of full knowledge and certainty. This limits their usefulness for students of organizations who have wider concerns and also focus on organizations, as opposed to just markets. In this article, we aim to provide a framework for analysing the most fundamental, even existential, issue of organization studies and strategic management scholarship. This is whether and how the pursuit of value capture from economic agents who perceive that they possess appropriable value creating advantages, capabilities and action potential, can motivate the emergence of organizations and their strategies and actions intended to capture socially co-created value in conditions of real life. To do so, we explore (the co-evolution of) value capture and creation and their relationship to organizational sustainable advantage (SA). We delve into the nature, determinants and relationship between organizational value capture and creation and explore causal pathways, trade-offs and co-evolution, as well as vehicles through which SA can be effected in an evolving and uncertain environment. We also discuss implications for managerial practice, limitations and future research opportunities.
Storytelling skills of children with specific language impairment
Authors: Epstein Shelley-Ann , Phillips Julie
Published: October 2009

Research has demonstrated that children with specific language impairment (SLI) have difficulties producing oral narratives, particularly features of macrostructural and microstructural organization. In addition, numerous methods of eliciting oral narratives (e.g. visual images and conversation techniques) have been used, with little agreement as to which is the most effective in eliciting optimal narratives in children with and without SLI. The aim of the current study was to investigate the oral narrative skills of children with SLI, focusing on their ability to generate and use elements related to macrostructural and microstructural organization when presented with visual vs. verbal methods of oral narrative elicitation. Eight participants with SLI (mean age 7;7) were recruited from a mainstream school with an attached language unit in the North West of England. The participants produced oral narratives elicited using a wordless picture book and a conversation prompt technique. An examination of the results and raw data suggested that the conversation prompts (verbal method) were more effective at recognizing the oral narrative abilities of children with SLI. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.
Case against diagnosing developmental language disorder by default: A single case study of acquired aphasia associated with convulsive disorder
Authors: Marinac Julie V. , Harper Laura
Published: October 2009

The aim of this article is to inform the diagnostic kwnowledge base for professionals working in the field of language disorders when classic symptoms, characteristics and sequences are not found. The information reveals the risk of diagnosis with a developmental language disorder (DLD) by default when no underlying cause can be readily identified. Diagnostic history was obtained retrospectively from parental interview and contemporary professional reports. Ten years of diagnostic investigations are reported in time-related sequences. Due to variability and inconsistency in his receptive and expressive language skills, the case-study participant (David) was unable to be reliably assessed using standardized tests. Therefore, numerical data and statistical analyses are not reported. The report, however, details the multitude of investigations and opinions obtained before a definitive diagnosis of acquired aphasia associated with convulsive disorder (AACD) was made. David’s history cautions that diagnosing developmental language disorder when no underlying cause for the impairment is recognized may allow underlying disorders and conditions to progress. Clinicians faced with a child whose skill profile is not consistent with a specific diagnosis or expected criteria are thus advised to pursue a definitive diagnosis rather than accept one by default.
Task-setting at home and in speech and language therapy
Authors: Tykkyläinen Tuula
Published: October 2009

The aim of this article is to analyse and describe task-setting in game-like interactions. The task-setting is studied in two contexts: in everyday interaction and in speech and language therapy. The data comprises task interaction between mothers and 5-year-old typically developing children (6 pairs) and task interaction between speech and language therapists and 5-year-old children with specific language impairment (6 pairs). Through detailed examination of data extracts it is shown how mothers and speech and language therapists set tasks. Analysis and comparison of the empirical findings reveal the multimodal and specified character of the speech and language therapists’ task-setting. The use of speech prosody (use of pausing and focal emphasis) and the non-verbal substance of interaction (body behaviour, gestures and the use of therapy materials) play a prominent role. When comparing the task-setting between mothers and speech and language therapists it is evident how practices found in everyday interaction become specialized tools systematically used in the institutional context of speech and language therapy.
European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC) recommended framework for the use of sedation in palliative care
Authors: Cherny Nathan I , Radbruch Lukas ,   The Board of the European Association for Palliative Care
Published: October 2009

The European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC) considers sedation to be an important and necessary therapy in the care of selected palliative care patients with otherwise refractory distress. Prudent application of this approach requires due caution and good clinical practice. Inattention to potential risks and problematic practices can lead to harmful and unethical practice which may undermine the credibility and reputation of responsible clinicians and institutions as well as the discipline of palliative medicine more generally. Procedural guidelines are helpful to educate medical providers, set standards for best practice, promote optimal care and convey the important message to staff, patients and families that palliative sedation is an accepted, ethical practice when used in appropriate situations. EAPC aims to facilitate the development of such guidelines by presenting a 10-point framework that is based on the pre-existing guidelines and literature and extensive peer review.
Defending whiteness indirectly: a synthetic approach to race discourse analysis
Authors: Foster John D.
Published: October 2009

This article examines the discursive method utilized by a sample of white college students in the United States when engaging in racetalk. Findings reveal myriad contradictions within their responses. It is suggested that these contradictions are not coincidental; rather, they serve two important functions for the speakers: first, they aid the interlocutors in their impression management (i.e. their image of a non racist); and second, the rationalization of the racial order. Utilizing an integrative approach, it is argued that this form of racetalk, whether intentionally or unintentionally, defends the white racial frame. This racetalk allows respondents to (1) project blame onto nonwhite Americans for race problems in US society, and (2) acknowledge racial difference only in contexts in which it favors whites.
Discourse and striving for power: an analysis of Barisan Nasional's 2004 Malaysian general election manifesto
Authors: Aman Idris
Published: October 2009

This study analyses the political party of Barisan Nasional's victory in the llth Malaysian general election 2004, looking at the way it manipulated and utilized language or discourse in order to retain and gain political power. Using a critical discourse analysis framework, this article holds that discourse is able to portray social practices, such as the striving for political power. This study also holds that political-power striving is a part of the organization's discourse management. The discourse chosen for this study is the Barisan Nasional's 2004 general election manifesto. The finding shows that the striving for political power by Barisan Nasional is manifested through textual features and discursive properties of discourse. The discursive properties are shown by certain processes in the production, distribution, consumption, force of utterances, and semiotic aspect of the discourse. The textual aspects of the discourse, on the other hand, are shown by certain features of grammar, vocabulary, and the generic structure tenet of the discourse.
A Multiresolution Transformation Rule of Material Defects
Authors: Shen Jie , Mao Jianghui , Reyes German , Chow Chi L. , Boileau James , Su Xuming , Wells Joseph M.
Published: October 2009

The ability to quantify the material damage at different length scales is critical in the multiscale analysis of material behavior from nanoscale to macroscale. In this article, on the basis of the equivalence of complementary elastic energy we propose a multiresolution rule that transforms different levels of material defects to the equivalent degradation of material properties. It facilitates a sequential memory-efficient processing of massive material defects in a multiresolution framework, and also supports a functionality of partial damage conversion to serve different needs in subsequent numerical analyses. Numerical simulation was conducted with different settings of material defects. The analysis results indicate the efficacy of the proposed method, offering a potential (i) to interface between multiscale material defects and (ii) as an effective method of homogenization for the determination of the damage variable in continuum damage mechanics.