bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘… being the rage for a season’: Booms for imported commodities in treaty ports in Japan, 1850s–1870s
Authors: Proshan Chester
Published: March 2013

This article is a case study on international migration and the importing of material culture from abroad. In the second half of the nineteenth century, Japan, after some 200 years of national seclusion, was forced by western powers to open itself to international exchange. International
migrants and overseas culture impacted on Japanese society and the lives of ordinary individuals. One response of ordinary Japanese to contact with imported material culture was booms for particular commodities. This article examines Japanese interest in overseas rats, pigs and rabbits, delineating
how booms for these commodities brought to the fore important social, economic and political dynamics in the conflicted milieu of newly opened Japan. Issues of socio-economic class, individual agency and colonial aggrandizement were at play in Japanese interest in these innocuous imports.
BOOK REVIEWS
Authors: Chrystall Andrew , Johnson-Woods Toni , Laugesen Amanda , Laugesen Amanda , Franks Rachel , Braae Nick , Foley Dennis , Russell Keith
Published: March 2013

ANNA MAY WONG’S LUCKY SHOES: 1939 AUSTRALIA THROUGH THE EYES OF AN ART DECO DIVA, DERHAM GROVES (2011) Ames, IA: Culicidae Press, 103 pp., ISBN: 978-1-257-71315-8, p/bk, AUS$39.95

WHACKADEMIA: AN INSIDER’S ACCOUNT OF THE TROUBLED UNIVERSITY, RICHARD HIL (2012)
Sydney: New South Press Press, ISBN: 9781742232911; 240 pp., p/bk, RRP AUD$34.99

CAMOUFLAGE AUSTRALIA: ART, NATURE, SCIENCE AND WAR, ANN ELIAS(2011) Sydney: Sydney University Press, 239 pp., ISBN: 9781920899738, p/bk, AUD$60.00

WITNESSES TO WAR: THE HISTORY OF AUSTRALIAN
CONFLICT REPORTING, FAY ANDERSON AND RICHARD TREMBATH (2011) Melbourne: Melbourne University Press, 500 pp., ISBN: 2780522856446, p/bk, AUS$36.99, ISBN: 9780522860221, e-publication.

ENDING WAR, BUILDING PEACE, LYNDA-ANN BLANCHARD AND LEAH CHAN (EDS) (2009) Sydney: Sydney University
Press, 187 pp., ISBN: 781920899431, p/bk, AUS$35.00

SPHERE OF INFLUENCE: WRITINGS ON CRICKET AND ITS DISCONTENTS, GIDEON HAIGH (2010) Melbourne: Victory Books, 386 pp., ISBN: 978-0-522-85787-0, p/bk, AUD$ 34.99

RE-AWAKENING LANGUAGES: THEORY AND PRACTICE IN THE REVITALISATION
OF AUSTRALIA’S INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES, JOHN HOBSON, KEVIN LOWE, SUSAN POETSCH AND MICHAEL WALSH (EDS) 2010 Sydney: Sydney University Press, 457 pp., ISBN: 9781920899554, p/bk, AUS$65.00.

GLOBAL TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE: FROM HARD TECHNOLOGY TO SOFT TECHNOLOGY, ZHOUYING JIN (2011)
2nd ed., Bristol, UK: Intellect, 366 pp., ISBN: 978-1-84150-376-9, p/bk, AUS$69.95
Bracketing the Gutenberg Parenthesis
Authors: Pettitt Thomas
Published: March 2013

The concept of a ‘Gutenberg Parenthesis’ is a reformulation and an update of the thesis that the technological advances now bringing to an end the age of print are nonetheless restoring significant features of the media systems obtaining prior to its inception. This article
specifies what is entailed in this new variant of the restoration topos in deep media history, not least in relation to established formulations (McLuhan, Ong, Foley). The comparison also encompasses the ‘ecological’ perspective of how developments in media technology are related
to the analogously parenthetical trajectory of change that can be perceived in ways of thinking, for which a new formulation is also offered.
Lady Blue Shanghai: The strange case of David Lynch and Dior
Authors: Berra John
Published: March 2013

The American independent film-maker David Lynch and the French fashion house Dior would seem to make for strange bedfellows. Lynch is the director of some of the most uniquely disturbing cinematic visions of the past four decades. His work is delivered through the popular medium of
cinema but appeals to a very specific audience. Dior markets exclusivity to the masses, using widespread recognition to sell a line of products that includes clothing, handbags and perfume. Yet in 2009, Dior sponsored the production of Lynch’s short film Lady Blue Shanghai, a sixteen-minute
noir mystery starring French actress Marion Cotillard. The backer allowed the director complete creative control of the Shanghai-set production, providing that three conditions were met: a particular Dior accessory had to be featured prominently, the Oriental Pearl Tower had to be seen, and
some scenes had to be shot in old Shanghai. Although it promotes a brand, Lady Blue Shanghai is a ‘short’ rather than a conventional commercial, albeit a short that contractually features a luxury product. Lady Blue Shanghai was made available via the Dior website, reaching audiences
through new media while attracting the attention of the mainstream press due to the reputation of its director. This article will examine the dual status of Lady Blue Shanghai as a film by David Lynch and as a Dior project through reference to the director’s narrative and stylistic signatures,
while assessing such authorial elements alongside the manner in which the brand is conveyed through his aesthetic sensibility.
Bill Cunningham New York and the political potentiality of the fashion documentary
Authors: Szymanski Adam
Published: March 2013

This article draws on Walter Benjamin’s theories of modernity and fashion to theorize the political potentiality of popular documentary film Bill Cunningham New York (Press, 2010). The article begins with a theoretical consideration of the relationship between photography and
fashion in modernity. This discussion of the material and immaterial constraints and aptitudes of each artistic medium clears the space for a Benjaminian analysis of fashion photography’s singular characteristics. The article then moves on to posit an immanent political charge in what
can be termed the fashion documentary film genre; a political charge that grows out of the genre’s preoccupation with what Benjamin calls phantasmagoric society. Finally, the article takes a closer look at Bill Cunningham New York, and, using this film as a case study, teases out some
of its contradictory political gestures at once revolving around a radically democratic notion of fashion, yet falling back onto a hierarchic structure of social value based on cultural elitism.
Zimbabwean diaspora politics and the power of laughter: Humour as a tool for political communication, criticism and protest
Authors: Kuhlmann Jenny
Published: March 2013

Zimbabwean journalists and civil society activists in the diaspora have employed humour not merely to mock or ridicule but to conscientize people, and to raise attention for and awareness of the situation in Zimbabwe, including the social, economic and political realities and everyday
life concerns and hardships experienced by ordinary people in the country. This article explores how diasporic Zimbabweans have made use of the freedoms in their current locations and of new media and other means to express their dissatisfaction with the Zimbabwean government and the state
of affairs in their home country through satire and related forms of political humour. This article focuses particularly on the dissemination of cartoons and satirical messages from liberal host countries through the Internet. It is argued that political humour in the Zimbabwean diaspora has
a counter-discursive function and serves as a ‘medium of communicating dissent’.
Framing the Cape Town World Cup stadium in the media: The politics of identity and sports in South Africa
Authors: Chuma Wallace
Published: March 2013

In June/July 2010, South Africa successfully hosted the FIFA Soccer World Cup, the largest sporting and media event on earth. It was the first time the mega-spectacle was held on African soil. It offered the host country the opportunity to showcase it as a successful ‘African
event’, hereby celebrating contemporary African culture while simultaneously challenging commonly held prejudices about the continent. Within South Africa itself, the event – as was the case with previous such mega-events like the 1995 Rugby World Cup – created imaginaries
of a cohesive, shared national identity. And yet, when one explores the contours of the (mediated) public debate leading to the hosting of the 2010 event, it becomes possible to see the cohesion as transient in a country in which a segregated racial past keeps lurking beneath the surface of
a fractured post-apartheid transition. This article critically examines one site of public contestation ahead of the hosting of the World Cup: the debate around the merits of building the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town for the semi-final match as it was framed by readers of the Cape Argus
newspaper in 2007 through published short message service (SMS) messages. A framing analysis of the text messages reveals the different ways in which the stadium emerges, not just as a piece of infrastructure but as an embodiment of the conflicting racial, class, political and sporting identities
in the Western Cape and South Africa more broadly.
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Somerville Keith
Published: March 2013

REFLECTING ON REPORTING AND JOURNALISM

REPORTING CONFLICT, JAMES RODGERS (2012) Basingstoke: Palgrave,154 pp., ISBN: -13: 978-0-230-27446-4. £14.99

JOURNALISM STUDIES: THE BASICS, MARTIN CONBOY (2012) London: Routledge, 196 pp., ISBN: 978-0-415-58794-5 £13.99
The SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodeling Complex Selectively Affects Multiple Aspects of Serotonergic Neuron Differentiation
Authors: Weinberg Peter , Flames Nuria , Sawa Hitoshi , Garriga Gian , Hobert Oliver
Published: March 2013

Regulatory programs that control the specification of serotonergic neurons have been investigated by genetic mutant screens in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Loss of a previously uncloned gene, ham-3, affects migration and serotonin antibody staining of the hermaphrodite-specific neuron (HSN) pair. We characterize these defects here in more detail, showing that the defects in serotonin antibody staining are paralleled by a loss of the transcription of all genes involved in serotonin synthesis and transport. This loss is specific to the HSN class as other serotonergic neurons appear to differentiate normally in ham-3 null mutants. Besides failing to migrate appropriately, the HSNs also display axon pathfinding defects in ham-3 mutants. However, the HSNs are still generated and express a subset of their terminal differentiation features in ham-3 null mutants, demonstrating that ham-3 is a specific regulator of select features of the HSNs. We show that ham-3 codes for the C. elegans ortholog of human BAF60, Drosophila Bap60, and yeast Swp73/Rsc6, which are subunits of the yeast SWI/SNF and vertebrate BAF chromatin remodeling complex. We show that the effect of ham-3 on serotonergic fate can be explained by ham-3 regulating the expression of the Spalt/SALL-type Zn finger transcription factor sem-4, a previously identified regulator of serotonin expression in HSNs and of the ham-2 Zn transcription factor, a previously identified regulator of HSN migration and axon outgrowth. Our findings provide the first evidence for the involvement of the BAF complex in the acquisition of terminal neuronal identity and constitute genetic proof by germline knockout that a BAF complex component can have cell-type-specific roles during development.
The Nuclear Argonaute NRDE-3 Contributes to Transitive RNAi inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Zhuang Jimmy J , Banse Stephen A , Hunter Craig P
Published: March 2013

The Caenorhabditis elegans  nuclear RNA interference defective (Nrde) mutants were identified by their inability to silence polycistronic transcripts in enhanced RNAi (Eri) mutant backgrounds. Here, we report additional nrde-3-dependent RNAi phenomena that extend the mechanisms, roles, and functions of nuclear RNAi. We show that nrde-3 mutants are broadly RNAi deficient and that overexpressing NRDE-3 enhances RNAi. Consistent with NRDE-3 being a dose-dependent limiting resource for effective RNAi, we find that NRDE-3 is required for eri-dependent enhanced RNAi phenotypes, although only for a subset of target genes. We then identify pgl-1 as an additional limiting RNAi resource important for eri-dependent silencing of a nonoverlapping subset of target genes, so that an nrde-3; pgl-1; eri-1 triple mutant fails to show enhanced RNAi for any tested gene. These results suggest that nrde-3 and pgl-1 define separate and independent limiting RNAi resource pathways. Limiting RNAi resources are proposed to primarily act via endogenous RNA silencing pathways. Consistent with this, we find that nrde-3 mutants misexpress genes regulated by endogenous siRNAs and incompletely silence repetitive transgene arrays. Finally, we find that nrde-3 contributes to transitive RNAi, whereby amplified silencing triggers act in trans to silence sequence-similar genes. Because nrde-dependent silencing is thought to act in cis to limit the production of primary transcripts, this result reveals an unexpected role for nuclear processes in RNAi silencing.
Venture capital and private equity industry in Hungary
Authors: Karsai Judit
Published: March 2013

Hungary represents the second most developed venture capital and private equity (VC&PE) market in Central and Eastern Europe. This article is based on a detailed survey of the entire VC industry between 1989–2010. It demonstrates that while there was a relatively strong correlation between the allocation of capital to VC&PE funds and the capital flow into the Budapest Stock Exchange, the changes in investment activities were closely related to election years. Investments had been hampered primarily not by the shortage of capital, but by a lack of demand and attractive business plans. The article illustrates the different roles and approaches of global, regional and country VC&PE funds in Hungary. It points out that VC investments hardly satisfied their principal function or mission, namely to support innovative start-up and small businesses. Government interventions in the VC market proved to be ineffective as well. Similarly to the whole region, the Hungarian market profited from a transitory situation in the case of high-value PE transactions between 2007 and 2008, at the beginning of the crisis, when the investment problems in Western Europe had yet not extended to the CEE region. From 2009 onward, however, the crisis has resulted in a drop in investments despite the significant amount of uninvested capital accumulated in recent years. As to the prospects for 2013, the early-stage VC segment in Hungary is expected to flourish owing to the Jeremie funds, while the high-value buyout segment of the market will suffer from both the euro zone debt crisis and the loss of transparency in economic policy.
The determinants of lifelong learning incidence across European countries (evidence from EU-SILC dataset)
Authors: Biagetti Marco , Scicchitano Sergio
Published: March 2013

The aim of this paper is to explore the potential of EU-SILC data to deepen our understanding of the determinants of workers’ formal lifelong learning (LLL) incidence in Europe. To this purpose, a twofold procedure is adopted here: first, LLL incidence is estimated for the total number of men and women taken separately, regardless of their country of residence; second, the information on the country where they live is taken into account and 21 country-specific equations are computed. Again, this is made for both sexes. This procedure allows us to shed light on cross-country gender differences. In the whole sample, our results show that for both men and women formal LLL incidence is significantly higher among young, better-educated, part-time and temporary workers, and lower among those who changed their job in the preceding year, are employed in small firms and have low-skilled occupations. When the above-mentioned separate equations are estimated for each country and for both sexes, relevant results emerge in the case of Scandinavian countries. Those results seem to be consistent with the implementation of the well-known “flexicurity” policy.
Molecular Diversity through Novel Organosulfur Synthons: Versatile Templates for Heterocycle Synthesis
Authors: Ila Hiriyakkanavar , Junjappa Hiriyakkanavar
Published: March 2013

This review highlights some of our recent work on design and development of new synthetic methods for diverse classes of heterocycles employing novel organosulfur synthons i.e. polarized ketene dithioacetals, N, S-acetals, ?-oxodithioesters and 2,3-(hetero)aryl-3-(methylthio)acrylonitriles,
easily accessible from a wide range of active methylene compounds.
Convenient Methods for the Synthesis of Chiral Amino Alcohols and Amines
Authors: Periasamy Mariappan , Vairaprakash Pothiappan , Muthukumaragopal G. P. , Anwar Shaik , Suresh Surisetti , Reddy Meda Narsi , Padmaja Meduri , Satishkumar Sakilam , Suresh Sundaram , Reddy Polimera Obula , Alakonda Laxhmaiah , Dalai Manasi , Sanjeevakumar Nalluri , Gurubrahamam Ramani , Seenivasaperumal Muthu
Published: March 2013

Simple, convenient methods have been developed using readily available, easy-to-handle reagents to access a variety of chiral amino alcohols and amines, which have considerable potential for applications in asymmetric organic transformations. Scholars from this laboratory in India have
made significant contributions to this field, which is the subject of the current review.
?-Trimethylsilylmethylamine Radical Cation in the Synthesis of Cyclic Amines and Beyond
Authors: Pandey Ganesh , Dey Debasis , Gadre Smita R.
Published: March 2013

The evolution of chemistry associated with the photoinduced electron transfer (PET)-generated ?-trimethylsilylmethylamine radical cation cyclization to a tethered olefin to synthesize cyclic amine structural frame works is presented in chronological order. The importance of this
interesting chemistry is demonstrated by the synthesis of several novel glycosidase inhibitors.
Optimal Compounds Discovery by Design of Experiments and Algorithmic Evolution of Linear Models
Authors: Dumeunier Raphaël , Hascher Florent A.
Published: March 2013

Based on the premise that, for a given class of related chemical compounds, there exists a relationship between their structure and their properties (i.e. activity), it is demonstrated herein that an elementary algorithm can readily identify, with simplistic models and without recourse
to molecular descriptors, the most active compounds of a categorical, pre-defined space of molecules. In an actual case study using public experimental data on two thousand related molecules, D-optimal design of experiments initially identified the best subset of compounds considered for the
construction of simple models. Subsequently, predictions of a first generation of best candidates, their preparation and inclusion into a new data set, allowed the exploration of the most active region within the space of interest. Survival of the algorithm by iterative generations ensured
that most of the best (active) compounds had been prepared. A certain partial survival condition, followed by a complete termination criterion, helped to minimize the total amount of compounds to prepare while identifying the n best individuals of the matrix.
Modes of Constructing Evidence: Sustainable Development as Social Experimentation-The Cases of Chemical Regulations and Climate Change Politics
Authors: Böschen Stefan
Published: March 2013

Envisioning strategies for sustainable development and its governance are knowledge-intensive processes. Against this background, conflicts about the correct form and actual validity of knowledge supporting sustainable development have arisen. What can be seen as evident-and what not? This article is based on the argument that there are differing modes creating evidence within “epistemic“ and “practice“ communities. Therefore, I propose to decipher knowledge production for sustainable development as processes of social experimentation in Dewey's sense. To do so, I introduce the concept of a “formative public“ for analyzing the cultural and institutional contexts of such processes. The argument is underlined by a focused description of the cases of chemical regulations and climate change politics. The findings support the argument that the politics of sustainable development has to elaborate guidelines and institutional structures for processing knowledge as a social experiment in order to resolve the conflicting ideas mirrored through differing accounts of the evidence.
Kinetics and Isotherm for Adsorption of Hg(II) from Aqueous Solution by Silica Gel Encapsulated by Polyamine-Functionalised Polystyrene
Authors: Xu Qiang , Yin Ping , Kang Lijun , Wang Zhi , Zhang Jiang , Tang Qinghua
Published: March 2013

This paper presents the synthesis of two novel composite adsorbents, namely (i) silica gel microspheres encapsulated with diethylenetriamine-functionalised polystyrene (SG – PS – SO2 – DETA) and (ii) silica gel microspheres encapsulated with triethylenetetramine-functionalised polystyrene (SG – PS – SO2 – TETA). Our objective was to design adsorbents with high adsorption capacities via different functional groups, and the results showed that SG – PS – SO2 – TETA has an excellent adsorption capacity for Hg(II) ions. A kinetic investigation of SG – PS – SO2 – DETA and SG – PS – SO2 – TETA for adsorption of Hg(II) is reported here and the results show that SG – PS – SO2 – DETA/SG – PS – SO2 – TETA could attain their saturation adsorption capacities within 4 h, and their excellent adsorption capacities for Hg(II) were 0.252 mmol g −1 and 0.383 mmol g −1, respectively. Moreover, the kinetic data indicated that the adsorption process is governed by the film diffusion. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied to analyse the experimental data and the maximum adsorption capacities of SG – PS – SO2 – DETA and SG – PS – SO2 – TETA for Hg(II) were 46.54 mg g −1 and 113.47 mg g −1, respectively.
Effect of Substitution on the Inhibition of Mushroom Tyrosinase by Pyridine Carboxaldehydes
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Punam , Jha Sujeetkumar
Published: March 2013

The effect of pyridine carboxaldehydes on the inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase has been investigated. The results indicated that pyridine carboxaldehydes can inhibit tyrosinase activity reversibly. Pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde (A), pyridine-3-carboxaldehyde (B) and pyridine-4-carboxaldehyde (C) were found to inhibit both monophenolase and diphenolase activities of mushroom tyrosinase. The trend of tyrosinase inhibition obtained was pyridine-3-carboxaldehyde > pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde > pyridine-4-carboxaldehyde. The IC50 for diphenolase activity for these molecules was 0.0225 mM, 1.3 mM, and 5 mM respectively. The results showed that these aldehydes can not only form Schiff bases with the amino acids of the protein residue but can also undergo hydrogen bonding interaction and nucleophilic reactions with the enzyme which may play important roles in the inhibition of tyrosinase activity. During inhibition of the monophenolase activity, the lag time was not lengthened, but the steady state was reduced. Pyridine-3-carboxaldehyde, which was the strongest inhibitor, reduced the steady state of monophenolase activity by almost 50%. Kinetic analyses showed that all these pyridine carboxaldehydes were mixed inhibitors of mushroom tyrosinase.
Theoretical Study of Methanol Decomposition Mediated by Au3+, Au3 and Au3−: Mechanism and Effect of Charge State of Gold on its Catalytic Activity
Authors: Zhong Wenhui , Zhang Dongju
Published: March 2013

By performing density functional theory calculations, we studied methanol decomposition promoted by neutral, anionic and cationic Au trimers, which represent the three simplest prototypes of Au-cluster-based catalysts with different charge states. The results show that the Au3– and Au3+-mediated reactions proceed via four successive single dehydrogenation steps, CH3OH → CH3O → CH2O → CHO → CO, while the Au3–-mediated reaction occurs through two double dehydrogenation steps, CH3OH → CH 2O → CO. The additional negative charge reduces remarkably the binding capability of CO (the completely dehydrogenated product of methanol) on the cluster, and is thus beneficial in reducing poisoning of the catalyst by CO. In contrast, the neutral and positively charged clusters present strong interactions with CO, making the catalyst readily poisoned by CO. Furthermore, the reaction promoted by the cationic cluster shows a much higher energy barrier than those by the neutral and anionic clusters. So selecting suitable substrates that make Au nanoparticles negatively charged may be a promising strategy for promoting methanol oxidation.
Kinetic study of electrochemically induced Michael addition reaction of o-benzoquinone with CH-acid nucleophiles
Authors: Nematollahi Davood , Gomar Fatemeh , Varmaghani Fahimeh
Published: March 2013

Electrochemical oxidation of catechol (1) has been studied in the presence of benzoylnitromethane (2a), benzoylacetonitrile (2b), benzoylacetone (2c) and dibenzoylmethane (2d) as nucleophiles in water/acetonitrile (60/40, v/v) solution, by means of cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry. The results indicate the participation of electrochemically generated o-benzoquinone (1ox) in the Michael addition reaction with nucleophiles 2a–d, to form the corresponding benzofuran derivatives. Based on the EC mechanism, the observed homogeneous rate constants (kobs ) of the reaction of o-benzoquinone (1ox) with CH-acid nucleophiles (2a–d) were estimated by comparing the experimental cyclic voltammograms with the digitally simulated results. The calculated observed homogeneous rate constants (kobs ) were found to vary in the order 2a > 2b > 2c > 2d.
Polymer-Based Restoration of Left Ventricular Mechanics
Authors: Lee Randall J. , Hinson Andy , Helgerson Sam , Bauernschmitt Robert , Sabbah Hani N.
Published: March 2013

Heart failure continues to be a major health care concern with relatively few options for severely advanced heart failure patients. The hallmark of heart failure is the progressive dilatation of the left ventricle, thinning of the left ventricular wall leading to increased wall stress and increased myocardial oxygen consumption. Applying Laplace's law to the failing dilated ventricle, left ventricular augmentation utilizes a tissue engineering strategy to increase wall thickness and reduce chamber diameter, resulting in a decrease in wall stress and improved left ventricular function. A review of the rationale for an in situ tissue engineering approach for this treatment of heart failure and early clinical results of the Algisyl-LVR™ program are presented.
Direct Intramyocardial Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Injections in Patients with Severe Refractory Angina: One-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Haack-Sørensen Mandana , Friis Tina , Mathiasen Anders B. , Jørgensen Erik , Hansen Louise , Dickmeiss Ebbe , Ekblond Annette , Kastrup Jens
Published: March 2013

In patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and refractory angina, we performed direct intramyocardial injections of autologous mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) and followed the safety and efficacy of the treatment for 12 months. A total of 31 patients with stable CAD, moderate to severe angina, normal left ventricular ejection fraction, and no further revascularization options were included. Bone marrow MSCs were isolated and culture expanded for 6–8 weeks and then stimulated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for 1 week. The 12-month follow-up demonstrated that it was safe to culture expand MSCs and use the cells for clinical treatment. The patients' maximal metabolic equivalent (MET) during exercise increased from 4.23 MET at baseline to 4.72 MET at 12-month follow-up ( p < 0.001), Canadian Cardiovascular Society Class (CCS) was reduced from 3.0 to 0.8 ( p < 0.001), angina attacks per week from 13.8 to 3.2 ( p < 0.001), and nitroglycerin consumption from 10.7 to 3.4 per week ( p < 0.001). In addition, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) evaluations demonstrated highly significant improvements in physical limitation, angina stability, angina frequency, and quality of life ( p < 0.001 for all). It is safe in the intermediate/long term to treat patients with stable CAD using autologous culture expanded MSCs. Previously reported, early and highly significant improvements in exercise capacity and clinical symptoms persist after 12 months. The results are encouraging, and a larger controlled study is warranted.
Influenza virus Infects Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Vitro: Implications for Bone Marrow Transplantation
Authors: Khatri Mahesh , Saif Yehia M.
Published: March 2013

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have differentiation, immunomodulatory, and self-renewal properties and are, therefore, an attractive tool for regenerative medicine and autoimmune diseases. MSCs may be of great value to treat graft-versus-host disease. Influenza virus causes highly contagious seasonal infection and occasional pandemics. The infection is severe in children, elderly, and immunocompromised hosts including hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients. The objective of this study was to determine if MSCs are permissive to influenza virus replication. We isolated MSCs from the bone marrow of 4- to 6-week-old germ-free pigs. Swine and human influenza virus strains were used to infect MSCs in vitro. MSCs expressed known influenza virus α-2,3 and α-2,6 sialic acid receptors and supported replication of swine and human influenza viruses. Viral infection of MSCs resulted in cell lysis and proinflammatory cytokine production. These findings demonstrate that bone marrow-derived MSCs are susceptible to influenza virus. The data also suggest that transplantation of bone marrow MSCs from influenza virus-infected donors may transmit infection to recipients. Also, MSCs may get infected if infused into a patient with an ongoing influenza virus infection.
Human Mesenchymal Precursor Cells (Stro-1+) from Spinal Cord Injury Patients Improve Functional Recovery and Tissue Sparing in an Acute Spinal Cord Injury Rat Model
Authors: Hodgetts Stuart I. , Simmons Paul J. , Plant Giles W.
Published: March 2013

This study aimed to determine the potential of purified (Stro-1+) human mesenchymal precursor cells (hMPCs) to repair the injured spinal cord (SC) after transplantation into T-cell-deficient athymic RNU nude rats following acute moderate contusive spinal cord injury (SCI). hMPCs were isolated from the bone marrow (BM) stroma of SCI patients and transplanted as a suspension graft in medium [with or without immunosuppression using cyclosporin A (CsA)]. Extensive anatomical analysis shows statistically significant improvement in functional recovery, tissue sparing, and cyst reduction. We provide quantitative assessment of supraspinal projections in combination with functional outcomes. hMPC-transplanted animals consistently achieved mean BBB scores of 15 at 8 weeks postinjury. Quantitative histological staining revealed that graft-recipient animals possessed more intact spinal tissue and reduced cyst formation than controls. Fluorogold (FG) retrograde tracing revealed sparing/regeneration of supraspinal and local propriospinal axonal pathways, but no statistical differences were observed compared to controls. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased serotonergic (5-HT) and sensory (CGRP) axonal growth within and surrounding transplanted donor hMPCs 2 weeks posttransplantation, but no evidence of hMPC transdifferentiation was seen. Although hMPCs initially survive at 2 weeks posttransplantation, their numbers were dramatically reduced and no cells were detected at 8 weeks posttransplantation using retroviral/lentiviral GFP labeling and a human nuclear antigen (HNA) antibody. Additional immunosuppression with CsA did not improve hMPC survival or their ability to promote tissue sparing or functional recovery. We propose Stro-1+-selected hMPCs provide (i) a reproducible source for stem cell transplantation for SC therapy and (ii) a positive host microenvironment resulting in the promotion of tissue sparing/repair that subsequently improves behavioral outcomes after SCI. Our results provide a new candidate for consideration as a stem cell therapy for the repair of traumatic CNS injury.
Clinical Transplantation of Individualized Recipient Serum-Adapted Cornea Reduces the Risk of Graft Rejection after Keratoplasty
Authors: Thanos Solon , Gatzioufas Zissis , Schallenberg Maurice , König Simone , Meyer-Rüsenberg Hans-Werner , Busse Holger
Published: March 2013

Corneal diseases cause severe visual impairment that necessitates corneal transplantation and frequently repetitive procedures due to graft rejection. We tested the hypothesis that exposure of donor corneas to recipient serum-derived factors during eye banking triggers a preoperative adaptation that is beneficial for postoperative tolerance. Donor corneas were incubated in a medium containing human serum (HS) obtained in each case from the prospective graft recipient in order to individually expose the donor cornea to the recipient's serum. All recipient serum-adapted corneas (RSACs) fulfilled the clinical criteria required by the national law and were transplanted successfully. The postoperative ophthalmological examination extended up to 8 years. All RSACs were tolerated by their recipients and did not cause postoperative complications and no rejection. Proteomic analysis of corneas cultivated in culture medium containing either fetal calf serum (FCS) that is routinely used for cornea banking or HS revealed different patterns of proteins. HS-cultured corneas showed a greater proteomic similarity with native human corneas than did the FCS-cultured corneas, indicating a differential nutrification of the cultured corneal tissue by HS-derived factors. The clinical results show for the first time that postoperative complications such as tissue intolerance and graft rejection might be managed if the corneal tissue is individually adapted to the recipient's serum trophic factors. This new donor tissue treatment procedure offers incontrovertible advantages and could be adapted for low-risk eyes as well as other transplantable tissues.
SOCIB: The Balearic Islands Coastal Ocean Observing and Forecasting System Responding to Science, Technology and Society Needs
Authors: Tintoré Joaquín , Vizoso Guillermo , Casas Benjamín , Heslop Emma , Pascual Ananda , Orfila Alejandro , Ruiz Simón , Martínez-Ledesma Miguel , Torner Marc , Cusí Simó , Diedrich Amy , Balaguer Pau , Gómez-Pujol Lluís , Álvarez-Ellacuria Amaya , Gómara Sonia , Sebastian Kristian , Lora Sebastián , Beltrán Joan Pau , Renault Lionel , Juzà Melanie , Álvarez Diego , March David , Garau Bartomeu , Castilla Carlos , Cañellas Tomeu , Roque David , Lizarán Irene , Pitarch Saul , Carrasco Maria Antonia , Lana Aránzazu , Mason Evan , Escudier Romain , Conti Daniel , Sayol Juan Manuel , Barceló Bàrbara , Alemany Francisco , Reglero Patricia , Massuti Enric , Vélez-Belchí Pedro , Ruiz Javier , Oguz Temel , Gómez Marta , Álvarez Enrique , Ansorena Luís , Manriquez Mario
Published: March 2013

AbstractNew monitoring technologies are being progressively implemented in open-ocean and coastal observatories. The Mediterranean Sea is a well-known, reduced-scale ocean, an ideal natural laboratory to study global ocean processes, in particular those associated with meso-
and submesoscale variability, interactions with mean flows and associated ecosystem response. SOCIB, the Balearic Islands Coastal Ocean Observing and Forecasting System, is one of such observatories, a multiplatform distributed and integrated system, a facility of facilities that extends from
the nearshore to the open sea. SOCIB profits from the strategic position of the Balearic Islands at the Atlantic/Mediterranean transition area, one of the “hot spots” of biodiversity in the world’s oceans, and also of societal needs in islands where preservation of the environment
is essential to assure both residents’ welfare and the competitiveness of the tourist sector. SOCIB is unique in that, from peer-reviewed excellence, its mission and objectives are science-, technology-, and society-driven. These types of new marine infrastructures, because of their
critical mass and sustained funding, are presently establishing new ways of international cooperation, leading to major science breakthroughs, innovations in oceanographic instrumentation, and new ways of more efficient and science-based coastal and ocean management. We describe the major
elements and structure of SOCIB and present some recent scientific, technological, and society-related results that are of relevance at a global ocean scale.
The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System: An Integrated Approach to Building an Operational Regional Observing System
Authors: Jochens Ann E. , Watson Stephanie M.
Published: March 2013

Abstract The Gulf of Mexico is one of the most important ecologic and economic resources in the United States. To help protect this resource and to support a wide range of decision-making, the Gulf of Mexico Ocean Observing System (GCOOS) is being built to be a sustained
network that provides integrated coastal and ocean data from a diverse array of data sources in real time, near real time, and historically. GCOOS is 1 of the 11 regional components of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (U.S. IOOS). Because of the very limited resources available to
date, the GCOOS Regional Association (GCOOS-RA), which is working to build the GCOOS, has not deployed any of its own observing systems. That, coupled with strong volunteer participation, has led the GCOOS-RA to focus its efforts on integrating existing federal and non-federal (regional, state,
local, academic, and private) assets and data. The GCOOS-RA is working to adapt and expand the GCOOS to address data gaps identified by stakeholders and to apply the lessons learned from events such as the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill, harmful algal blooms (HABs), Gulf hurricanes, and
hypoxia. The contributions of GCOOS demonstrate the value of a sustained U.S. IOOS and provide specific lessons necessary for the successful build-out of the system in the Gulf of Mexico. However, the lessons also demonstrate the importance of applying additional resources to improve GCOOS’
ability to meet stakeholder needs such as in response to environmental events. A full, comprehensive GCOOS, exclusive of federal assets, is estimated to cost roughly $22 M for capital and $20-25 M/year for operation and maintenance (O&M) in the near term with approximately
an additional $25 M in capital to complete the build-out and $35-50 M/year in O&M costs to maintain the system—an excellent value when compared to the billions of dollars of economic impact of four major industries in the Gulf of Mexico: oil and gas, tourism and recreation,
fishing, and shipping.
On 7,000 m Sea Trials of the Manned Submersible Jiaolong
Authors: Cui Weicheng , Liu Feng , Hu Zhen , Zhu Min , Guo Wei , Liu Chenggang
Published: March 2013

AbstractDevelopment of the deep manned submersible Jiaolong was one of the key projects of the National 863 high-tech program. The program’s target was to build a practical product to carry out a set of predefined missions. The 7,000 m sea trial was the last
stage of the development process, a final phase that incorporated higher risks. During the preceding periods from August 6 to October 20, 2009, May 31 to July 18, 2010, and July 1 to August 18, 2011, the 1,000, 3,000, and 5,000 m depth class tests were successfully completed. The main purpose
of this paper is to introduce the results of the 7,000 m depth class test, which was conducted from June 3 to July 16, 2012. The paper describes the general sea trial procedures, and technological and scientific achievements realized during the tests, main faults experienced in the field,
along with corresponding troubleshooting methods and suggestions for future application of the Jiaolong submersible. In addition, several conclusions are drawn from all the experiences gained from these sea trials.
Ship Energy Efficiency Management Requires a Total Solution Approach
Authors: Ballou Philip J.
Published: March 2013

AbstractShip and fleet operating efficiencies are multifaceted and interdependent. As such, efficiency management must involve an integrated solution that extends across the entire operation of the fleet. No single metric can be used to indicate success or failure of improving
overall efficiency. Rather, a comparative analysis of multiple metrics is required. Furthermore, to be viable, efficiency management must accommodate operating priorities, goals, and constraints. Technology to save fuel and reduce carbon footprint is only useful if critical mission objectives
are also met. Most ships can reduce fuel consumption simply by slowing down, albeit at the expense of increased passage duration. Tactical objectives that require fast transit times or reliable just-in-time arrival may justify the associated increase in fuel consumption. Ship operators fulfilling
those objectives must look for ways other than slow steaming to improve energy efficiency, including, for example, deployment optimization, smart voyage planning, and onboard energy management. Other key metrics associated with operating efficiency include health and safety of crew and cargo,
ship life cycle costs, and unscheduled time in port. Through strategic application of multiple efficiency management tools, these costs may be maintained or reduced while supporting the operational objectives and constraints of ship, fleet, and operator. All of these aspects of ship and fleet
operating efficiency may be quantitatively compared to previous baselines using objective benchmarking methodologies.
Experience With Moored Observations in the Western Gulf of Maine From 2006 to 2012
Authors: Irish James D. , Vandemark Douglas , Shellito Shawn , Salisbury Joseph E.
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe University of New Hampshire is studying CO2 gas exchange, ocean acidification, air-sea dynamics, and associated biological processes in the western Gulf of Maine. Two buoys provide data supporting these studies. The UNH CO2 buoy has been
deployed jointly with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory northeast of the Isles of Shoals since 2006. The Jeffreys Ledge Moored Observatory is a development mooring testing new techniques and is deployed east of Gloucester,
MA. This mooring is testing the direct covariance measurement of wind stress using a 3-D sonic anemometer with a motion package to remove buoy motion effects. A fast-rate atmospheric CO2 sensor is mounted by the anemometer to evaluate its potential for direct covariance gas flux
measurements. Both buoys have additional meteorological and oceanographic sensors to provide supporting measurements. Six years of CO2 buoy data have helped quantify the seasonal air-sea flux cycle of CO2 in the Western Gulf of Maine. The buoy is now a node in near-term
ocean carbon cycle process control experiments and longer-term ocean acidification monitoring. The Jeffreys Ledge buoy momentum flux measurements using wind and motion measurements indicate reasonable first-order buoy motion corrections can be made. Also, buoy-induced flow disturbance requires
postmeasurement corrections. Rapid buoy azimuthal rotations were corrected with the addition of a steering vane. A vertical array of oxygen sensors captures phytoplankton bloom signatures and provides net community production estimates that augment in-water SAMI-CO2 measurements
and add to a robust system to support process studies and improved biophysical modeling within this region.
Electrochemical Cell Applications for Ballast Water Treatment
Authors: Güney Ceren Bilgin , Yonsel Fatma
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe transportation of exotic species in ballast tanks is one of the most important global environmental problems facing the shipping industry. Electrochemical techniques offer one of the most viable solutions for ballast water problems. This work reports laboratory
experiments conducted by Istanbul Technical University (ITU) for the best and optimal electrochemical cell design for EU Project BaWaPla (Contract 031529), in which a new hybrid ballast water treatment system has been developed. The capability of an electrochemical system to effectively eliminate
these organisms depends on various internal and external parameters. Five different electrochemical cells were assessed for the BaWaPla system. The variable parameters of the cell design were the geometry and dimensions of the electrodes. In additional to cell design, the effects of Ca2+
and Mg2+ concentrations, along with ammonia, were also investigated as external parameters for system capability. The results show that the enlargement of electrode surfaces result in increased chlorine concentrations in the disinfectant. On the other hand, suitable electrode and
coating materials are essential for “reverse polarity” operation in order to avoid scaling of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions on electrodes and clogging the membrane. Ammonia, if present in ballast water, has a negative effect on disinfection quality. Experiments show
that presence of 7.8 mg/L ammonia in electrolyte may cause up to 73% loss of free available chlorine and 38% loss of total available chlorine concentrations. Measures should be considered, both in the design stage and during the disinfection process, to reduce the negative effect of ammonia.AbbreviationsASW:
NaCl solution with tap water (Artificial seawater)FAC: free available chlorineSW: seawaterTRC: total residual chlorine
Periodicities of T-systems and Y-systems, Dilogarithm Identities, and Cluster Algebras I: Type $B_r$
Authors: Inoue Rei , Iyama Osamu , Keller Bernhard , Kuniba Atsuo , Nakanishi Tomoki
Published: March 2013

We prove the periodicities of the restricted T-systems and Y-systems associated with the quantum affine algebra of type

B_r

at any level. We also prove the dilogarithm identities for the Y-systems of type

B_r

at any level. Our proof is based on the tropical Y-systems and the categorification of the cluster algebra associated with any skew-symmetric matrix by Plamondon. Using this new method, we also give an alternative and simplified proof of the periodicities of the T-systems and Y-systems associated with pairs of simply laced Dynkin diagrams.
Market Analysis of Direct Payment Options for New EU Member States Using the AGMEMOD Partial Equilibrium Modelling Tool
Authors: Chantreuil Frédéric , Salputra Guna , Erjavec Emil
Published: March 2013

This paper presents an analysis of the impact of different direct payment policy scenarios on agricultural markets for 10 new EU member states (NMS). The study is based on the AGMEMOD EU-27 dynamic econometric partial equilibrium models. The baseline scenario assumes the preservation of current policy, which would lead to further growth in production for most agricultural markets, resulting from accelerated technological development and the opportunities provided by the EU common market. The only exceptions are the dairy and beef sectors, in which NMS would face a reduction in competitiveness. According to model simulations, reducing the level of payments or abolishing them entirely would not result in any dramatic medium-term changes to agricultural markets in NMS by 2020, which could serve as an argument for supporting future CAP reform.
Impact of NGO-Led Self-Help Groups on the Empowerment of Rural Women – Experiences from South India
Authors: Sangeetha V. , Bahal Ram , Singh Premlata , Venkatesh P.
Published: March 2013

The concept and process of the empowerment of women encompass a wide range of actions and issues, among them enhancing awareness and increasing access to economic, social and political resources. The organization of women into groups is a key element of the process of empowerment, as groups provide a basis for solidarity, strength and collective action. In this context, a study was conducted in the Madurai district of Tamil Nadu to assess the impact of self-help groups (SHGs) led by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on the empowerment of rural women. The effectiveness of such groups was measured using Bennett's Hierarchy. Following multi-stage random sampling, data were collected from 180 SHG members of the most prominent NGO, the Association of Sarva Seva Farms (ASSEFA). The authors' analysis shows that the SHG members were more empowered psychologically, socially, economically and politically than other women.