bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimal Deployment and Scheduling with Directional Sensors for Energy-Efficient Barrier Coverage
Authors: Zhao Lu , Bai Guangwei , Jiang Yanhui , Shen Hang , Tang Zhenmin
Published: January 2014

In recent years, barrier coverage problem in directional sensor networks has been an interesting research issue. Most of the existing solutions to this problem aim to find as many barrier sets as possible to enhance coverage for the target area, which did not consider the power conservation. In this paper, we address the efficient sensor deployment (ESD) problem and energy-efficient barrier coverage (EEBC) problem for directional sensor networks. First, we describe a deployment model for the distribution of sensor locations to analyze whether a target area can be barrier covered. By this model, we examine the relationship between the probability of barrier coverage and network deployment parameters. Moreover, we model the EEBC as an optimization problem. An efficient scheduling algorithm is proposed to prolong the network lifetime when the target area is barrier covered. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the performance of this algorithm.
Exact Finite Difference Scheme and Nonstandard Finite Difference Scheme for Burgers and Burgers-Fisher Equations
Authors: Zhang Lei , Wang Lisha , Ding Xiaohua
Published: January 2014

We present finite difference schemes for Burgers equation and Burgers-Fisher equation. A new version of exact finite difference scheme for Burgers equation and Burgers-Fisher equation is proposed using the solitary wave solution. Then nonstandard finite difference schemes are constructed to solve two equations. Numerical experiments are presented to verify the accuracy and efficiency of such NSFD schemes.
Use of Heavy Water (D2O) in Developing Thermostable Recombinant p26 Protein Based Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Serodiagnosis of Equine Infectious Anemia Virus Infection
Authors: Singha Harisankar , Goyal Sachin K. , Malik Praveen , Singh Raj K.
Published: January 2014

Thermostabilizing effect of heavy water (D2O) or deuterium oxide has been demonstrated previously on several enzymes and vaccines like oral poliovirus vaccine and influenza virus vaccine. In view of the above observations, effect of heavy water onin situthermostabilization of recombinant p26 protein on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for serodiagnosis of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) infection was investigated in the present study. The carbonate-bicarbonate coating buffer was prepared in 60% and 80% D2O for coating the p26 protein in 96-well ELISA plate and thermal stability was examined at 4°C, 37°C, 42°C, and 45°C over a storage time from 2 weeks to 10 months. A set of positive serum (n=12) consisting of strong, medium, and weak titer strength (4 samples in each category) and negative serum (n=30) were assessed in ELISA during the study period. At each time point, ELISA results were compared with fresh plate to assess thermal protective effect of D2O. Gradual increase in the stabilizing effect of 80% D2O at elevated temperature (37°C < 42°C < 45°C) was observed. The 80% D2O provides the thermal protection to rp26 protein in ELISA plate up to 2 months of incubation at 45°C. The findings of the present study have the future implication of adopting cost effective strategies for generating more heat tolerable ELISA reagents with extended shelf life.
The S-Transform of Distributions
Authors: Singh Sunil Kumar
Published: January 2014

Parseval’s formula and inversion formula for the S-transform are given. A relation between the S-transform and pseudodifferential operators is obtained. The S-transform is studied on the spaces𝒮(ℝn)and𝒮′(ℝn).
Evaluating the Role of Content in Subjective Video Quality Assessment
Authors: Mirkovic Milan , Vrgovic Petar , Culibrk Dubravko , Stefanovic Darko , Anderla Andras
Published: January 2014

Video quality as perceived by human observers is the ground truth when Video Quality Assessment (VQA) is in question. It is dependent on many variables, one of them being the content of the video that is being evaluated. Despite the evidence that content has an impact on the quality score the sequence receives from human evaluators, currently available VQA databases mostly comprise of sequences which fail to take this into account. In this paper, we aim to identify and analyze differences between human cognitive, affective, and conative responses to a set of videos commonly used for VQA and a set of videos specifically chosen to include video content which might affect the judgment of evaluators when perceived video quality is in question. Our findings indicate that considerable differences exist between the two sets on selected factors, which leads us to conclude that videos starring a different type of content than the currently employed ones might be more appropriate for VQA.
Serum Levels of Three Angiogenic Factors in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Their Clinical Significance
Authors: Zhou Ling , Lu Guoyuan , Shen Lei , Wang Linfeng , Wang Mingjun
Published: January 2014

Our research investigates the serum levels of three angiogenic factors in the AF family, namely, placenta growth factor (PlGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), in 54 patients with SLE (SLE group) and 28 healthy controls (normal control) through ELISA measurement. And their interrelationships were also systematically analyzed. The SLE patients were then divided into active SLE group and inactive SLE group according to the SLEDAI score. The results show that serum levels of PlGF, bFGF, and VEGF in all SLE group and active SLE group were higher than those in normal controls. Serum levels of PlGF and bFGF in inactive SLE group were higher than those in normal controls. The level of PlGF was positively correlated with VEGF in SLE patients and positive correlation is also shown in bFGF with VEGF. The levels of PlGF and VEGF in SLE patients were positively correlated with both ESR and SLEDAI score. Thus a tentative conclusion can be drawn that the serum levels of the angiogenic factors, for example, PlGF, bFGF, and VEGF, may be relevant in the pathogenesis of SLE, and the concentrations of PlGF and VEGF seem to be the markers of SLE activity.
Partial Relay Selection with Feedback Delay and Cochannel Interference: Performance Analysis and Power Optimization
Authors: Tang Xuanxuan , Mou Weifeng , Fang Fang , Cai Yueming , Yang Weiwei , Zhang Tao
Published: January 2014

The performance of a dual-hop amplify-and-forward (AF) relay system is studied with the kth worst partial relay selection (PRS) protocol under the joint impact of feedback delay and multiple cochannel interference (CCI) at the relay nodes. In our analysis, the closed-form and asymptotic expressions of the outage probability are derived and the achievable coding gain and diversity gain of the system are accurately revealed. Further, based on the asymptotic analysis we propose a power allocation scheme, which can lead to SNR performance gains of more than 1 dB compared to the equal power allocation scheme. Finally, Monte-Carlo simulation results are presented to verify the validity of our theoretical analysis.
Applying an Ontology to a Patrol Intrusion Detection System for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Hsieh Chia-Fen , Chen Rung-Ching , Huang Yung-Fa
Published: January 2014

With the increasing application of wireless sensor networks (WSN), the security requirements for wireless sensor network communications have become critical. However, the detection mechanisms of such systems impact the effectiveness of the entire network. In this paper, we propose a lightweight ontology-based wireless intrusion detection system (OWIDS). The system applies an ontology to a patrol intrusion detection system (PIDS). A PIDS is used to detect anomalies via detection knowledge. The system constructs the relationship of the sensor nodes in an ontology to enhance PIDS robustness. The sensor nodes preload comparison methods without detection knowledge. The system transfers a portion of the detection knowledge to detect anomalies. The memory requirement of a PIDS is lower than that of other methods which preload entire IDS. Finally, the isolation tables prevent repeated detection of an anomaly. The system adjusts detection knowledge until it converges. The experimental results show that OWIDS can reduce IDS (intrusion detection system) energy consumption.
Preparation of Nanosilver and Nanogold Based on Dog Rose Aqueous Extract
Authors: Pulit Jolanta , Banach Marcin
Published: January 2014

This paper describes a process of obtaining nanosilver and nanogold based on chemical reduction using substances contained in the aqueous extract of dog rose (Rosa canina). The resulting products were subjected to spectrophotometric analysis (UV-Vis), and testing of the nanoparticles’ size and suspension stability was carried out by measuring the electrokinetic potential,ζ, via dynamic light scattering (DLS). Solid samples were imaged by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The obtained data were given to statistical analysis in order to illustrate the properties of the suspension depending on the values of the input parameters: metal salts concentration, pH of the reaction mixture, and process temperature. In the course of the work, samples of nanosilver and nanogold were obtained, which were stable for over two months and which had a monomodal particle size distribution.
Characterization of the Polycaprolactone Melt Crystallization: Complementary Optical Microscopy, DSC, and AFM Studies
Authors: Speranza V. , Sorrentino A. , De Santis F. , Pantani R.
Published: January 2014

The first stages of the crystallization of polycaprolactone (PCL) were studied using several techniques. The crystallization exotherms measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were analyzed and compared with results obtained by polarized optical microscopy (POM), rheology, and atomic force microscope (AFM). The experimental results suggest a strong influence of the observation scale. In particular, the AFM, even if limited on time scale, appears to be the most sensitive technique to detect the first stages of crystallization. On the contrary, at least in the case analysed in this work, rheology appears to be the least sensitive technique. DSC and POM provide closer results. This suggests that the definition of induction time in the polymer crystallization is a vague concept that, in any case, requires the definition of the technique used for its characterization.
The Model of Severity Prediction of Traffic Crash on the Curve
Authors: Xi Jian-feng , Liu Hai-zhu , Cheng Wei , Zhao Zhong-hao , Ding Tong-qiang
Published: January 2014

With the study of traffic crashes on curved road segments as the focus of research, a logistic regression based curve road crash severity prediction model was established based on a sample crash database of 20000 entries collected from 4 regions of China and 15 evaluation indicators involving driver, driving environment, and traffic environment factors. Maximum Likelihood Estimation and step‐back technique were deployed for data analysis, the conclusion of which is that the three main contributory factors on curve road crash severity are weather, roadside protection facility, and pavement structure. Hosmer and Lemeshow tests were used to verify the reliability of the model, and the model variables were discussed to a certain degree as well.
Determination of Efficacy of Reflexology in Managing Patients with Diabetic Neuropathy: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Dalal Krishna , Maran V. Bharathi , Pandey Ravindra M. , Tripathi Manjari
Published: January 2014

Background. The restricted usage of existing pharmacological methods which do not seem to provide the treatment of diabetic neuropathy may lead to exploring the efficacy of a complementary therapy. In this context, this paper was devoted to evaluate the efficacy of foot reflexology. This health science works on the hypothesis that the dysfunctional states of body parts could be identified by observing certain skin features and be rectified by stimulating certain specific areas mapped on feet. Method. Subjects (N = 58) with diagnosed diabetic neuropathy were randomly distributed into reflexology and control groups in which both group patients were treated with ongoing pharmacological drugs. Reflexology group patients were additionally treated holistically with the hypothesis that this therapy would bring homeostasis among body organ functions. This was a caregiver‐based study with a follow‐up period of 6 months. The outcome measures were pain reduction, glycemic control, nerve conductivity, and thermal and vibration sensitivities. The skin features leading to the detection of the abnormal functional states of body parts were also recorded and analyzed. Results. Reflexology group showed more improvements in all outcome measures than those of control subjects with statistical significance. Conclusion. This study exhibited the efficient utility of reflexology therapy integrated with conventional medicines in managing diabetic neuropathy.
Gearbox Low‐Noise Design Method Based on Panel Acoustic Contribution
Authors: Zhou Jianxing , Sun Wenlei , Tao Qing
Published: January 2014

This paper presents a comprehensive procedure to calculate steady dynamic response and generated noise radiation from a gear reducer. In this process, the dynamic model of the cylindrical gear transmission system is built in consideration of the time‐varying mesh stiffness, gear errors, and bearing supporting, while the data of dynamic bearing force is obtained through solving the model. Furthermore, taking the data of bearing force as the excitation, the gearbox vibrations and noise radiation are calculated by numerical simulation, and then the time history of node dynamic response, noise spectrum, and resonance frequency range of the gearbox are obtained. At last, the gearbox panel acoustic contribution at the resonance frequency range is calculated. According to the conclusions of the gearbox panel acoustic contribution analyses and the mode shapes, two gearbox stiffness improving plans is researched. By contrastive analysis of gearbox noise radiation, the effectiveness of the improving plans are verified. The study provides useful theoretical guideline to the gearbox design.
Fast Second-Order Orthogonal Tensor Subspace Analysis for Face Recognition
Authors: Zhou Yujian , Bao Liang , Lin Yiqin
Published: January 2014

Tensor subspace analysis (TSA) and discriminant TSA (DTSA) are two effective two-sided projection methods for dimensionality reduction and feature extraction of face image matrices. However, they have two serious drawbacks. Firstly, TSA and DTSA iteratively compute the left and right projection matrices. At each iteration, two generalized eigenvalue problems are required to solve, which makes them inapplicable for high dimensional image data. Secondly, the metric structure of the facial image space cannot be preserved since the left and right projection matrices are not usually orthonormal. In this paper, we propose the orthogonal TSA (OTSA) and orthogonal DTSA (ODTSA). In contrast to TSA and DTSA, two trace ratio optimization problems are required to be solved at each iteration. Thus, OTSA and ODTSA have much less computational cost than their nonorthogonal counterparts since the trace ratio optimization problem can be solved by the inexpensive Newton-Lanczos method. Experimental results show that the proposed methods achieve much higher recognition accuracy and have much lower training cost.
Plants as Useful Vectors to Reduce Environmental Toxic Arsenic Content
Authors: Mirza Nosheen , Mahmood Qaisar , Maroof Shah Mohammad , Pervez Arshid , Sultan Sikander
Published: January 2014

Arsenic (As) toxicity in soil and water is an increasing menace around the globe. Its concentration both in soil and environment is due to natural and anthropogenic activities. Rising arsenic concentrations in groundwater is alarming due to the health risks to plants, animals, and human beings. Anthropogenic As contamination of soil may result from mining, milling, and smelting of copper, lead, zinc sulfide ores, hide tanning waste, dyes, chemical weapons, electroplating, gas exhaust, application of municipal sludge on land, combustion of fossil fuels, As additives to livestock feed, coal fly ash, and use of arsenical pesticides in agricultural sector. Phytoremediation can be viewed as biological, solar-driven, pump-and-treat system with an extensive, self-extending uptake network (the root system) that enhances the natural ecosystems for subsequent productive use. The present review presents recent scientific developments regarding phytoremediation of arsenic contaminated environments and its possible detoxification mechanisms in plants.
Thickness‐Dependent Strain Effect on the Deformation of the Graphene‐Encapsulated Au Nanoparticles
Authors: Ye Shuangli , Huang Honghua , Yuan Cailei , Liu Feng , Zhai Min , Shi Xinzhi , Qi Chang , Wang Gaofeng
Published: January 2014

The strain effect on graphene‐encapsulated Au nanoparticles is investigated. A finite‐element calculation is performed to simulate the strain distribution and morphology of the monolayer and multilayer graphene‐encapsulated Au nanoparticles, respectively. It can be found that the inhomogeneous strain and deformation are enhanced with the increasing shrinkage of the graphene shell. Moreover, the strain distribution and deformation are very sensitive to the layer number of the graphene shell. Especially, the inhomogeneous strain at the interface between the graphene shell and encapsulated Au nanoparticles is strongly tuned by the graphene thickness. For the mono‐ and bilayer graphene‐encapsulated Au nanoparticles, the dramatic shape transformation can be observed. However, with increasing the graphene thickness further, there is hardly deformation for the encapsulated Au nanoparticles. These simulated results indicate that the strain and deformation can be designed by the graphene layer thickness, which provides an opportunity to engineer the structure and morphology of the graphene‐encapsulated nanoparticles.
Smoking, Lower Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and Risk for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Hoffmeister Michael , Jansen Lina , Stock Christian , Chang-Claude Jenny , Brenner Hermann
Published: January 2014

Background: Lower gastrointestinal endoscopy can decrease colorectal cancer risk strongly through detection and removal of adenomas. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether utilization of lower gastrointestinal endoscopy modifies the effect of lifetime smoking exposure on colorectal cancer risk in a population-based case–control study.

Methods: In this study from Southern Germany including 2,916 patients with colorectal cancer and 3,044 controls, information about lifetime smoking and other risk factors was obtained from standardized interviews. Self-reported endoscopies were validated by medical records. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to investigate associations of smoking with colorectal cancer risk after stratification by utilization of lower gastrointestinal endoscopy in the preceding 10 years.

Results: Median age of patients and controls was 69 and 70 years, respectively. Former regular smoking was associated with increased colorectal cancer risk in the group with no previous endoscopy [adjusted OR, 1.50; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.28–1.75], whereas no association was found in the group with preceding endoscopy (OR, 1.05; CI, 0.83–1.33; P for interaction <0.01). Lower gastrointestinal endoscopy did not modify the association of smoking and colorectal cancer risk among current smokers and among the more recent quitters.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that the increased risk of colorectal cancer among former regular smokers is essentially overcome by detection and removal of adenomas at lower gastrointestinal endoscopy. However, risk of colorectal cancer was increased if smoking was continued into higher adult age.

Impact: The strong protective effect of lower gastrointestinal endoscopy may be compromised by continued smoking. Smoking cessation may increase the efficacy of lower gastrointestinal endoscopy. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(3); 525–33. ©2014 AACR.
Short- and Long-Term Treatment of Mouse Cortical Primary Astrocytes with β-Amyloid Differentially Regulates the mRNA Expression of L-Type Calcium Channels
Authors: Daschil Nina , Geisler Stefanie , Obermair Gerald J. , Humpel Christian
Published: January 2014

Background: It is well established that reactive astrocytes express L-type calcium channels (LTCC), but their functional role is completely unknown. We have recently shown that reactive astrocytes highly express the CaV1.2 α1-subunit around β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques in an Alzheimer mouse model. The aim of the present study was to explore whether Aβ peptides may regulate the mRNA expression of all LTCC subunits in primary mouse astrocytes in culture. Methods: Confluent primary astrocytes were incubated with 10 µg/ml of human or murine Aβ or the toxic fragment Aβ25-35 for 3 days or for 3 weeks. The LTCC subunits were determined by quantitative RT-PCR. Results: Our data show that murine Aβ42 slightly but significantly increased CaV1.2 and CaV1.3 expression when incubated for 3 days. This acute treatment with murine Aβ enhanced β2 and β3 mRNA levels but decreased α2δ-2 mRNA expression. When astrocytes were incubated for 3 weeks, the levels of CaV1.2 α1 were significantly decreased by the murine Aβ and the toxic fragment. As a control, the protein kinase C-ε activator DCP-LA displayed a decrease in CaV2.1 expression. Conclusion: In conclusion, our data show that Aβ can differentially regulate LTCC expression in primary mouse astrocytes depending on incubation time.
Meta-Analysis of Lipid-Lowering Therapy in Maintenance Dialysis Patients
Authors: Green Darren , Ritchie James P. , Kalra Philip A.
Published: January 2014

Background/Aims: The use of lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) in patients on chronic dialysis is contentious. Here we present an aggregate data meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing long-term LLT versus placebo in dialysis patients. Method: A search of Medline, Google Scholar, COCHRANE database, EMBASE, and cardiovascular and nephrology society proceedings was performed. Criteria for inclusion were RCTs of LLT versus placebo, in which LLT was demonstrated to significantly reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, >12 months of follow-up, and at least one cardiovascular or mortality endpoint in an independently reported dialysis population. Meta-analysis was performed for atherosclerotic cardiovascular events, stroke and mortality using a random-effects method for odds ratio (OR) of risk. Results: Three studies were included with 7,051 patients (3,541 treatment and 3,510 placebo). Twenty-five percent of the LLT patients suffered an atherosclerotic cardiovascular event versus 27% for placebo. The OR was 0.89 (95% CI: 0.80-0.99, p = 0.04). For stroke (haemorrhagic and non-haemorrhagic combined), the figures were 6.2% (LLT) versus 5.7% (placebo) [OR = 1.11 (95% CI: 0.85-1.46, p = 0.45)]. For all-cause mortality, the figures were 40 versus 42% [OR = 0.97 (95% CI: 0.88-1.06, p = 0.49)]. Conclusion: There was an overall significant reduction in risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular events in dialysis patients treated with LLT compared to placebo. There was a numerical but not a statistical reduction in mortality. There was no statistically significant increase in risk of stroke as has been previously reported.
Kcne2
Deletion Creates a Multisystem Syndrome Predisposing to Sudden Cardiac Death
Authors: Hu Zhaoyang , Kant Ritu , Anand Marie , King Elizabeth C. , Krogh-Madsen Trine , Christini David J. , Abbott Geoffrey W.
Published: January 2014

Background—

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading global cause of mortality, exhibiting increased incidence in patients with diabetes mellitus. Ion channel gene perturbations provide a well-established ventricular arrhythmogenic substrate for SCD. However, most arrhythmia-susceptibility genes, including the KCNE2 K
+
channel β subunit, are expressed in multiple tissues, suggesting potential multiplex SCD substrates.

Methods and Results—

Using whole-transcript transcriptomics, we uncovered cardiac angiotensinogen upregulation and remodeling of cardiac angiotensinogen interaction networks in P21
Kcne2
–/–
mouse pups and adrenal remodeling consistent with metabolic syndrome in adult
Kcne2
–/–
mice. This led to the discovery that
Kcne2
disruption causes multiple acknowledged SCD substrates of extracardiac origin: diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, hyperkalemia, anemia, and elevated angiotensin II.
Kcne2
deletion was also a prerequisite for aging-dependent QT prolongation, ventricular fibrillation and SCD immediately after transient ischemia, and fasting-dependent hypoglycemia, myocardial ischemia, and AV block.

Conclusions—

Disruption of a single, widely expressed arrhythmia-susceptibility gene can generate a multisystem syndrome comprising manifold electric and systemic substrates and triggers of SCD. This paradigm is expected to apply to other arrhythmia-susceptibility genes, the majority of which encode ubiquitously expressed ion channel subunits or regulatory proteins.
Dantrolene Improves Survival After Ventricular Fibrillation by Mitigating Impaired Calcium Handling in Animal Models
Authors: Zamiri Nima , Massé Stéphane , Ramadeen Andrew , Kusha Marjan , Hu Xudong , Azam Mohammed Ali , Liu Jie , Lai Patrick F. H. , Vigmond Edward J. , Boyle Patrick M. , Behradfar Elham , Al-Hesayen Abdul , Waxman Menashe B. , Backx Peter , Dorian Paul , Nanthakumar Kumaraswamy
Published: January 2014

Background—

Resistant ventricular fibrillation, refibrillation. and diminished myocardial contractility are important factors leading to poor survival after cardiac arrest. We hypothesized that dantrolene improves survival after ventricular fibrillation (VF) by rectifying the calcium dysregulation caused by VF.

Methods and Results—

VF was induced in 26 Yorkshire pigs for 4 minutes. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was then commenced for 3 minutes, and dantrolene or isotonic saline was infused at the onset of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Animals were defibrillated and observed for 30 minutes. To study the effect of VF on calcium handling and its modulation by dantrolene, hearts from 14 New Zealand rabbits were Langendorff-perfused. The inducibility of VF after dantrolene administration was documented. Optical mapping was performed to evaluate diastolic spontaneous calcium elevations as a measure of cytosolic calcium leak. The sustained return of spontaneous circulation (systolic blood pressure ≥60 mm Hg) was achieved in 85% of the dantrolene group in comparison with 39% of controls (
P
=0.02). return of spontaneous circulation was achieved earlier in dantrolene-treated pigs after successful defibrillation (21±6 s versus 181±57 s in controls,
P
=0.005). The median number of refibrillation episodes was lower in the dantrolene group (0 versus 1,
P
=0.04). In isolated rabbit hearts, the successful induction of VF was achieved in 83% of attempts in controls versus 41% in dantrolene-treated hearts (
P
=0.007). VF caused diastolic calcium leaks in the form of spontaneous calcium elevations. Administration of 20 μmol/L dantrolene significantly decreased spontaneous calcium elevation amplitude versus controls. (0.024±0.013 versus 0.12±0.02 arbitrary unit [200-ms cycle length],
P
=0.001).

Conclusions—

Dantrolene infusion during cardiopulmonary resuscitation facilitates successful defibrillation, improves hemodynamics postdefibrillation, decreases refibrillation, and thus improves survival after cardiac arrest. The effects are mediated through normalizing VF-induced dysfunctional calcium cycling.
PFC Neurons Reflect Categorical Decisions about Ambiguous Stimuli
Authors: Roy Jefferson E. , Buschman Timothy J. , Miller Earl K.
Published: January 2014

We examined whether PFC neuron activity reflects categorical decisions in monkeys categorizing ambiguous stimuli. A morphing system was used to systematically vary stimulus shape and precisely define category boundaries. Ambiguous stimuli were centered on a category boundary, that is, they were a mix of 50% of two prototypes and therefore had no category information, so monkeys guessed at their category membership. We found that the monkeys' trial-by-trial decision about the category membership of an ambiguous image was reflected in PFC activity. Activity to the same ambiguous image differed significantly, depending on which category the monkey had assigned it to. This effect only occurred when that scheme was behaviorally relevant. These indicate that PFC activity reflects categorical decisions.
Three new species and new records of the orb-weaving spider genus Philoponella (Araneae, Uloboridae) from Brazil and Ecuador
Authors: FALEIRO BÁRBARA T. , SANTOS ADALBERTO J.
Published: January 2014

Three new species of the spider genus Philoponella Mello-Leitão, 1917 are described: Philoponella opelli n. sp. from Brazil and Ecuador, and Philoponella fluviidulcifis n. sp. , and Philoponella duopunctata n. sp. from Brazil. New records for Philoponella vittata (Keyserling, 1881), P. republicana (Simon, 1891), P. fasciata (Mello-Leitão, 1917) and P. divisa Opell, 1979 are provided for Brazil and Ecuador.
Early Enteral Nutrition Is Associated With Lower Mortality in Critically Ill Children
Authors: Mikhailov Theresa A. , Kuhn Evelyn M. , Manzi Jennifer , Christensen Melissa , Collins Maureen , Brown Ann‐Marie , Dechert Ronald , Scanlon Matthew C. , Wakeham Martin K. , Goday Praveen S.
Published: January 2014

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the association of early enteral nutrition (EEN), defined as the provision of 25% of goal calories enterally over the first 48 hours of admission, with mortality and morbidity in critically ill children. Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study of patients in 12 pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). We included patients aged 1 month to 18 years who had a PICU length of stay (LOS) of ≥96 hours for the years 2007–2008. We obtained patients’ demographics, weight, Pediatric Index of Mortality–2 (PIM2) score, LOS, duration of mechanical ventilation (MV), mortality data, and nutrition intake data in the first 4 days after admission. Results: We identified 5105 patients (53.8% male; median age, 2.4 years). Mortality was 5.3%. EEN was achieved by 27.1% of patients. Children receiving EEN were less likely to die than those who did not (odds ratio, 0.51; 95% confidence interval, 0.34–0.76; P = .001 [adjusted for propensity score, PIM2 score, age, and center]). Comparing those who received EEN to those who did not, adjusted for PIM2 score, age, and center, LOS did not differ (P = .59), and the duration of MV for those receiving EEN tended to be longer than for those who did not, but the difference was not significant (P = .058). Conclusions: EEN is strongly associated with lower mortality in patients with PICU LOS of ≥96 hours. LOS and duration of MV are slightly longer in patients receiving EEN, but the differences are not statistically significant.
Effect of welding energy on interface zone of Al–Cu ultrasonic welded joint
Authors: Zhao Y Y , Li D , Zhang Y S
Published: January 2014

Ultrasonic welding is attracting increasing attentions in joining of dissimilar materials. The effect of welding energy on joint strength, failure behaviour and microstructure of Al–Cu ultrasonic welded joint has been experimentally investigated. The results showed that joint strength increased with welding energy initially and reached its maximum at 1000 J, then dropped significantly instead. Meanwhile, the failure mode changed from interfacial debonding to nugget pullout, and then back to cleavage failure. Various microstructures with different morphologies and properties were also observed at the interfacial region. At lower energy, the joint was only partly bonded by numbers of dispersed microbonds. A swirl-like structure appeared at the weld interface and led to a mechanical interlocking between the materials at higher energies (∼1000 J). However, cavity defects and intermetallic compound (IMC) were more likely to form under excessively high energies. A 0·5 μm thick IMC layer with dominant phase of Al4Cu9 was found in 2000 J joint.
‘Conquering the souls’: nationalism and Greek guerrilla warfare in Ottoman Macedonia, 1904-1908
Authors: Livanios Dimitris
Published: January 2014

This article aims to analyse the Greek struggle against Bulgarian bands and ‘Bulgarian’ villages in Ottoman Macedonia between 1904 and 1908. Greek views on the necessity of violence, the logic of terror, and guerrilla tactics are examined and set against their particular context. It is argued that the form, purpose and intensity of violence were shaped not only by Greek intentions and peasant reactions, but mainly by the prevalence in Macedonia of pre-national religious identities, which obstructed the transformation of peasants into Greeks and allowed violence to function as the ultimate arbitrator of ‘national’ affiliations.
The Making & Distribution of Clothes
Authors: Ginsburg Madeleine
Published: January 2014

Big shops, publicity agencies, model girls, flamboyant designers make a large scale industry with a million pounds investment. In the making and distribution of clothes the Belle Epoque is not the end of an era but the beginning of modern times. You have seen what people wore; now let us consider who made them and why.
The Sources for the Study of Belle Epoque Costume
Authors: Ormond Richard
Published: January 2014

Before discussing the pictorial and photographic images which are useful for a study of Belle Epoque costume, a brief glance at the preceeding era will help to clarify some of the problems. Until the1870s couturiers had things very much their own way, and women conscientiously followed the dictates of fashion as ordained by some mysterious source in Paris. The rise of the aesthete movement, with its conscious search for the ideal and the beautiful, resulted in some very distinctive styles of dress, directly in opposition to contemporary fashion. Male aesthes wore what James Laver has described as 'a polite modification of French artistic costume of 1830 — knee-breeches, large floppy ties, velvet jackets and wideawake hats: the costume which Gilbert and Sullivan immortalized in Patience, and with which Oscar Wilde scandalized America. Aesthete ladies wore loose, long-flowing, waistless dresses, with leg-of-mutton sleeves and no bustles — a mixture of motifs from any period that was sufficiently distant and romantic.
Lace in Costume 1890-1914
Authors: Halls Zillah
Published: January 2014

Lace was used in great quantities throughout this period; it is the ideal material for conveying the impression of expensive femininity so highly valued during the last years of the nineteenth century, and, particularly, during the opulent Edwardian period that followed it. Hand-made and machine-made laces were both used, but machine-made lace by this period was by far the more popular. However, it still depended very largely on the hand-made for its inspiration, so it would be as well first to consider what part the hand-made product still played in fashion at this time.
The Beaded Dress
Authors: Edwards Joan
Published: January 2014

The first stage in the manufacture of the little round seed beads used for embroidery consists of drawing a number of fine tubes or canes from a gathering of molten glass and passing these in bundles through a chopping machine; subsequently they are washed, polished and coloured. They are known commercially as rocailles (French rococo, granulated, gritty) and are sold by weight. By a simple adjustment of the machine the canes are cut into short lengths thus producing long, cylindrical beads called bugles (etymology unknown), a term formerly applied to trade beads.
The Trap Re-baited: Mourning Dress 1860-1890
Authors: Buck Anne
Published: January 2014

Mourning dress has been worn for centuries all over the world taking many different forms. In England, between 1860 and 1890, it did not show divergence from the general fashion of its time; the mourning element was expressed by the wearing of black materials, by the draping of garments with crape, and by the wearing of one or two accessories peculiar to mourning dress. As far as men's dress was concerned, most of their normal dress was black, so mourning appeared through the third expression, the wearing of mourning accessories, often of the mourning material, crape.
Clogs or Wooden Soled Shoes
Authors: Vigeon Evelyn
Published: January 2014

CLOGS: Ther's hag-clogs at's as stupid as they mak 'em; ther's clogs fassened tull a bull snoot; clogs fer t' fire; an' clogs fer t'feet — wooden soled shoes, t'lawyer co'ed 'em. ‘Let's see, your father wore wooden soled shoes, called clogs, I believe?’ “Aye”, sez t' fella he was bullyin', “An' if thy faddur hed worn wooden soled shoes co'ed clogs thoo'd bin weeren clogs noo”.
Reconstructing prehistoric metallurgical knowledge: the northern Italian Copper and Bronze Ages
Authors: Pearce Mark
Published: January 2014

The paper attempts to integrate the results of chemical analyses, which are seriously underused in archaeological discourse, with other classes of information in order to try to interpret ancient metal working behaviour and knowledge within a semiotic framework, adopting the modernist premise that ancient metalworking was both rational and deliberate. A number of case studies from northern Italy is discussed. In the first it is noted that in the Copper Age Remedello culture arsenical copper was used for halberds and daggers while purer copper was used for flat axes; it is suggested that this distinction reflects deliberate choice and explanations are offered for it. The second case study regards the interpretation of the Pieve Albignola early Bronze Age axe hoard; evidence for the workshop practices of ancient bronzesmiths and for the use of axe preforms as ingots is discussed. The third case study concerns the swords and daggers of the middle and recent Bronze Age; finds context (tombs and wetlands) are discussed and it is suggested that metal analyses may indicate that sometimes these artefacts are not primarily functional.
Iron Age Iberian sculptures as territorial markers: the Córdoban example (Andalusía)
Authors: Brunet Teresa Chapa
Published: January 2014

The Iron Age Iberian Culture, centred on the eastern part of the Iberian Peninsula, is closely connected with other Mediterranean areas. The use of monumental sculpture is one of the parallels we can find with other places, like Greece or Etruria. This has led to the study of Iberian sculptures within the framework of a comparative and diffusionist model. This paper aims to study the Córdoban Pre-Roman sculptures, interpreting them as symbols of power and a reflection of the territorial organization which emerged in this part of Andalusia in the late fifth and early fourth centuries BC. It also suggests that, during this period, sculpture was not used purely for funerary purposes, as it had been in the past, but that it was also beginning to acquire a certain public character, although it continued to be associated with the aristocracy.
Stone Age settlement in the Lega Valley microregion of north-east Poland
Authors: Siemaszko Jerzy
Published: January 2014

Over a period of 14 years, and as part of the Polish Archaeological Record research project, the author directed a field survey of the whole of the Lega river basin (NE Poland) – an area of over 850 km2. As a result of the survey of this hitherto poorly investigated area, almost 1100 archaeological sites were discovered, 748 of which contained lithic materials. The most interesting sites were initially studied by detailed mapping of surface-find distribution and later by excavation. A complete study of the whole drainage basin was very important for settlement research. The large number of the surface lithic assemblages enables reliable statistical analyses and accurate cartographic studies supported by palaeo-environmental reconstructions. Lithic assemblages were analysed from the point of production techniques and typology, dispelling some doubts about chronological-cultural affiliations of flint inventories from north-east Poland and neighbouring countries, but also raising new questions. It was possible to observe clear and changing settlement preferences in the late Palaeolithic and Mesolithic in the zone of late Glacial lakes and their adjacent outwash territories to the south. Six concentrations of sites were discovered, associated with communication routes and zones of economic activity.
Coins and Continuity in the Dutch River Area at the End of the Third Century AD
Authors: Kropff Antony , Van der Vin Jos P.A.
Published: January 2014

The coin series from sites in the Dutch River area show a break during the last three decades of the third century and the first decade of the fourth century AD. Coins minted for Aurelian and his successors to the throne up to Constantine I are very scarce for all sites. The break has been interpreted to indicate the end of occupation of castella and settlements around AD 275. When the site finds from the Dutch River area are presented in the form of an adapted histogram however, the coin series show a striking similarity to site finds from Roman Britain, where, on the whole, continuity was safeguarded during the third century. The article argues that this gap in the coin series – detectable all over the western part of the Roman Empire – is caused by the special character of coin circulation during this period in the west and does not indicate the end of activities on the site that provided the coins. Coin finds even seem to suggest continuity during this period for a number of sites in the Dutch River area.
The Use and Significance of Socketed Axes During the Late Bronze Age
Authors: Roberts Ben , Ottaway Barbara S.
Published: January 2014

The widespread employment and acceptance of use-wear analysis on materials such as flint and bone has not been accompanied by a parallel development in archaeometallurgy. This article explores its potential and problems through the investigation of socketed axes in eastern Yorkshire, in England and south-east Scotland during the late Bronze Age. Experimental work on modern replications of socketed axes was compared with wear traces on prehistoric socketed axes. The results indicate that prehistoric socketed axes had been used as multi-purpose tools, but that the nature and extent of their uses before deposition varied considerably. By combining use-wear analysis with contextual information on socketed axes in the late Bronze Age landscape, ideas concerning their significance can be explored.
‘Carnegie Offered Money and a Lot of South Wales Refused to Have It: It Was Blood Money’ Bringing Public Libraries to the South Wales Valleys 1870 to 1939
Authors: Baggs Chris
Published: January 2014

Public libraries were slow to be established in the South Wales Valleys. This was largely because of the multiplicity of Miners’ Institute and Welfare Hall libraries. Their users, the coalminers, valued their independence and scorned the advances of would-be benefactors such as Andrew Carnegie. But circumstances changed with the recession of the I920S, which deeply affected the Institutes which then had to face the rapid spread of the county library movement.
Durban Public Library and Reading Rooms, 1900
Authors: Armstrong Gordon B.
Published: January 2014

The paper examines Durban Public Library and Reading Rooms in 1900, studying the relationship between the library and the local council, the institutional culture of the library, and the relationship the institution had with library members and users. It is impossible to take a snap shot of history with any degree of accuracy. The author examined the library from 1898 to 1902 to provide a holistic picture of the library in 1900, using minute books and also secondary sources for background information. Findings indicate the library had a complex and frustrating relationship with the council, with the latter not fully appreciating the value of the library to society. The library had two major contentious issues with the council where the library had good reason to feel aggrieved: lack of space in the current library and the proposed new library building and funding. Due to the culture of the librarian and library committee, the library had a condescending and patronising relationship with its members and users. Paradoxically the library, playing its small part in the (Anglo-Boer) war effort, benefited by pressurizing the council to provide better library facilities and received an increase in subscriptions from the new members.

I would like to thank Ruby Pretorius who so diligently transcribed five years of the manuscript minutes of Durban Public Library and Reading Rooms and without whose help this paper could not have been written. This paper would have been difficult to write without availing oneself of library facilities in Durban. To this end I would like to thank Mr jayaram, Director of Durban Metro Library and his staff, for all the time and help I received whilst I was completing my research.
‘There is No Describing the Library’: The Parkers of Saltram and Their Books
Authors: Lawrence Elizabeth Quarmby
Published: January 2014

It is arguable that a collection of books needs to meet certain conditions before it can qualify as a library.1 This is perhaps particularly the case with libraries in country houses, where the difference between a purposeful library and a random collection of books is often not recognized. Country house libraries are often taken to be random collections of books: unconsidered, disordered and serving no other function than to furnish a room. Indeed, a collection of books which was once purposeful can sink to this condition if not cared for and maintained. This paper will examine when a country house book collection becomes a library, and will trace the growth and development of these conditions in the library at Saltram House, near Plymouth, Devon.
Two Public Libraries in Victorian Liverpool
Authors: Glasgow Eric
Published: January 2014

The following papers examine two different libraries in nineteenth-century Liverpool: the Athenaeum, which, though a private subscription library, provided the closest alternative to a ‘public’ library service in Liverpool in the first half of the century; and the public library, opened in I852, which owed a great debt to a number of wealthy benefactors and supporters, notably Sir William Brown, Joseph Mayer, and Sir James Picton.
More on the Name California
Authors: Stewart George R.
Published: January 2014

(no abstract)
Chaucer's “Nun's Priest's Tale,” VII.3218
Authors: Pearcy Roy J.
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe statement that the fox in Chaucer's Nun's Priest's Tale breaks through a hedge to penetrate Chauntec1eer's barnyard would seem to conflict with the earlier description of the barnyard as surrounded by a fence and a dry ditch. The apparent anomaly may be resolved, however, if we recognize that breaking through hedges could be a conventional activity for a fox, not necessarily linked to the topography of a particular expedition. Such a possibility is suggested by the name Percehaie ‘hedge breaker’ of Renart's son in Le Roman de Renart, one of the sources for Chaucer's tale.
Bibliography of Placename Literature, United States and Canada, 1980-1988
Authors: Powell Margaret S. , Powell Stephen D.
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis is a supplement to Richard B. Sealock, Margaret M. Sealock, and Margaret S. Powell, Bibliography of Place-Name Literature, United States and Canada (3rd ed., Chicago: American Library Association, 1982). The present bibliography contains 655 individual bibliographic citations arranged geographically representing the current literature from 1980 to 1988 and significant earlier works not found in the Bibliography.