bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extending Lean Operating Limit and Reducing Emissions of Methane Spark-Ignited Engines Using a Microwave-Assisted Spark Plug
Authors: Rapp Vi H. , DeFilippo Anthony , Saxena Samveg , Chen Jyh-Yuan , Dibble Robert W. , Nishiyama Atsushi , Moon Ahsa , Ikeda Yuji
Published: August 2012

A microwave-assisted spark plug was used to extend the lean operating limit (lean limit) and reduce emissions of an engine burning methane-air. In-cylinder pressure data were collected at normalized air-fuel ratios ofλ=1.46,λ=1.51,λ=1.57,λ=1.68, andλ=1.75. For eachλ, microwave energy (power supplied to the magnetron per engine cycle) was varied from 0 mJ (spark discharge alone) to 1600 mJ. At lean conditions, the results showed adding microwave energy to a standard spark plug discharge increased the number of complete combustion cycles, improving engine stability as compared to spark-only operation. Addition of microwave energy also increased the indicated thermal efficiency by 4% atλ=1.68. Atλ=1.75, the spark discharge alone was unable to consistently ignite the air-fuel mixture, resulting in frequent misfires. Although microwave energy produced more consistent ignition than spark discharge alone atλ=1.75, 59% of the cycles only partially burned. Overall, the microwave-assisted spark plug increased engine performance under lean operating conditions(λ=1.68)but did not affect operation at conditions closer to stoichiometric.
Localization of Mobile Sensors and Actuators for Intervention in Low-Visibility Conditions: The ZigBee Fingerprinting Approach
Authors: Marti Jose V. , Sales Jorge , Marin Raul , Jimenez-Ruiz Ernesto
Published: August 2012

Indoor localization in smoke conditions is one of the EU GUARDIANS project goals. When smoke density grows, optical sensors such as laser range finders and cameras cease to be efficient. Zigbee sensor networks provide an interesting approach due to the fact that radiofrequency signals are propagated easily in such conditions. Moreover, they permit having an alternative communication infrastructure to the emergency brigades, allowing also the implementation of localization algorithms for the mobile sensors, actuators, and firefighters. The overall localization method (i.e., ARIEL) aims to acquire the nodes position in real time during an intervention, using different sensor inputs such as laser, sonar, Zigbee, and Wifi signals. Moreover, a fine grained localization algorithm has been implemented to localize special points of interest such as emergency doors and fire extinguishers, using a Zigbee programmable high-intensity LED panel. This paper focuses on the Zigbee fingerprinting localization method used to obtain the position of the mobile sensors and actuators by training a database of radio signals for each scenario. Once this is done the proposed recognition method runs in a quite stable and accurate manner without needing any sophisticated hardware. Results compare the procedure with others such as KNN, and neural networks, demonstrating the feasibility of the method for a real emergency intervention.
Noncirrhotic Portal Hypertension due to Nodular Regenerative Hyperplasia Treated with Surgical Portacaval Shunt
Authors: Louwers Lisa M. , Bortman Jared , Koffron Alan , Stecevic Veslav , Cohn Steven , Raofi Vandad
Published: August 2012

Nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) is an uncommon condition, but an important cause of noncirrhotic intrahepatic portal hypertension (NCIPH), characterized by micronodules of regenerative hepatocytes throughout the liver without intervening fibrous septae. Herein, we present a case of a thirty-seven-year-old female with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who was discovered to have significant esophageal varices on endoscopy for dyspepsia. Her labs revealed a slight elevation in the alkaline phosphatase and mild thrombocytopenia. Abdominal MRI revealed seven focal hepatic masses, splenomegaly, no ascites, and a patent portal vein. Ultrasound-guided core biopsy was reported as focal nodular hyperplasia. However, her varices persisted despite treatment with beta-blockers and four additional upper endoscopies with banding. She was subsequently referred for a surgical opinion. At that time, given her history of SLE, azathioprine use, and portal hypertension, suspicion for NRH was raised. Given her normal synthetic function and lack of parenchymal liver disease, the patient was offered surgical shunting. During shunt surgery, a liver wedge biopsy was also performed and this confirmed NRH. An upper endoscopy six weeks after shunting verified complete resolution of varices. Currently, fifteen months after surgery duplex ultrasonography demonstrates shunt patency and the patient is without recurrence of her portal hypertension.
Scatter Spectroscopic Imaging Distinguishes between Breast Pathologies in Tissues Relevant to Surgical Margin Assessment
Authors: Laughney Ashley M. , Krishnaswamy Venkataramanan , Rizzo Elizabeth J. , Schwab Mary C. , Barth Richard J. , Pogue Brian W. , Paulsen Keith D. , Wells Wendy A.
Published: August 2012

Purpose: A new approach to spectroscopic imaging was developed to detect and discriminate microscopic pathologies in resected breast tissues; diagnostic performance of the prototype system was tested in 27 tissues procured during breast conservative surgery.

Experimental Design: A custom-built, scanning in situ spectroscopy platform sampled broadband reflectance from a 150-μm-diameter spot over a 1 × 1 cm2 field using a dark field geometry and telecentric lens; the system was designed to balance sensitivity to cellular morphology and imaging the inherent diversity within tissue subtypes. Nearly 300,000 broadband spectra were parameterized using light scattering models and spatially dependent spectral signatures were interpreted using a cooccurrence matrix representation of image texture.

Results: Local scattering changes distinguished benign from malignant pathologies with 94% accuracy, 93% sensitivity, 95% specificity, and 93% positive and 95% negative predictive values using a threshold-based classifier. Texture and shape features were important to optimally discriminate benign from malignant tissues, including pixel-to-pixel correlation, contrast and homogeneity, and the shape features of fractal dimension and Euler number. Analysis of the region-based diagnostic performance showed that spectroscopic image features from 1 × 1 mm2 areas were diagnostically discriminant and enabled quantification of within-class tissue heterogeneities.

Conclusions: Localized scatter-imaging signatures detected by the scanning spectroscopy platform readily distinguished benign from malignant pathologies in surgical tissues and showed new spectral-spatial signatures of clinical breast pathologies. Clin Cancer Res; 18(22); 6315–25. ©2012 AACR.
Targeting the Apoptotic Pathway in Chondrosarcoma Using Recombinant Human Apo2L/TRAIL (Dulanermin), a Dual Proapoptotic Receptor (DR4/DR5) Agonist
Authors: Subbiah Vivek , Brown Robert E. , Buryanek Jamie , Trent Jonathan , Ashkenazi Avi , Herbst Roy , Kurzrock Razelle
Published: August 2012

Recombinant human Apo2L/TRAIL (dulanermin) is based on the ligand for death receptors (DR4 and DR5), which promotes apoptosis. We report a patient with refractory chondrosarcoma who showed a prolonged response to dulanermin and explore mechanisms of response and resistance. This heavily pretreated patient had progressive metastatic chondrosarcoma to the lung. On dulanermin (8 mg/kg i.v. on days 1–5 in a 21-day cycle), the patient achieved a sustained partial response with only subcentimeter nodules remaining. After 62 months of dulanermin treatment, progressive disease in the lungs was noted, and the patient underwent a resection that confirmed chondrosarcoma. DR4 was detected (immunohistochemistry) in the patient's tumor, which may have enabled the response. However, upregulation of prosurvival proteins, namely, phosphorylated (p)-NF-κBp65 (Ser 536), p-STAT3 (Tyr 705), p-ERK 1/2 (Thr 202/Tyr 204), p-mTOR (Ser 2448), FASN, and Bcl-2, were also detected, which may have provided the underlying mechanisms for acquired dulanermin resistance. The patient was restarted on dulanermin and has continued on this treatment for an additional 16 months since surgery (78 months since initiation of treatment), with his most recent computed tomography (CT) scans showing no evidence of disease. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(11); 2541–6. ©2012 AACR.
Management of Radiation Maculopathy
Authors: Singh Arun D. , Pabon Sheila , Aronow Mary E.
Published: August 2012

Radiation maculopathy is a delayed onset complication of radiation exposure. Various host and radiation parameters determine the risk of developing radiation maculopathy, which may be progressive. Total radiation dose delivered to the macula is the most important modifiable factor. Radiation maculopathy is not a singular entity as clinical manifestations reflect combined effects of all damaged tissues. Current treatment using anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents offers only a short-term, temporary, and modest visual improvement. Avoidance or prevention of radiation maculopathy may be the best option. Use of periocular steroid during plaque brachytherapy may prevent radiation maculopathy over the short term. Newer designs and techniques of delivering radiation to the eye need to be explored.
Prognostic Utility of Novel Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Stress
Authors: Wang Thomas J. , Wollert Kai C. , Larson Martin G. , Coglianese Erin , McCabe Elizabeth L. , Cheng Susan , Ho Jennifer E. , Fradley Michael G. , Ghorbani Anahita , Xanthakis Vanessa , Kempf Tibor , Benjamin Emelia J. , Levy Daniel , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Januzzi James L.
Published: August 2012

Background—

Biomarkers for predicting cardiovascular events in community-based populations have not consistently added information to standard risk factors. A limitation of many previously studied biomarkers is their lack of cardiovascular specificity.

Methods and Results—

To determine the prognostic value of 3 novel biomarkers induced by cardiovascular stress, we measured soluble ST2, growth differentiation factor-15, and high-sensitivity troponin I in 3428 participants (mean age, 59 years; 53% women) in the Framingham Heart Study. We performed multivariable-adjusted proportional hazards models to assess the individual and combined ability of the biomarkers to predict adverse outcomes. We also constructed a “multimarker” score composed of the 3 biomarkers in addition to B-type natriuretic peptide and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. During a mean follow-up of 11.3 years, there were 488 deaths, 336 major cardiovascular events, 162 heart failure events, and 142 coronary events. In multivariable-adjusted models, the 3 new biomarkers were associated with each end point (
P
<0.001) except coronary events. Individuals with multimarker scores in the highest quartile had a 3-fold risk of death (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.2; 95% confidence interval, 2.2–4.7;
P
<0.001), 6-fold risk of heart failure (6.2; 95% confidence interval, 2.6–14.8;
P
<0.001), and 2-fold risk of cardiovascular events (1.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.3–2.7;
P
=0.001). Addition of the multimarker score to clinical variables led to significant increases in the c statistic (
P
=0.005 or lower) and net reclassification improvement (
P
=0.001 or lower).

Conclusion—

Multiple biomarkers of cardiovascular stress are detectable in ambulatory individuals and add prognostic value to standard risk factors for predicting death, overall cardiovascular events, and heart failure.
Land Surface Albedo from Geostationary Satelites: A Multiagency Collaboration within SCOPE-CM
Authors: Lattanzio Alessio , Schulz Jörg , Matthews Jessica , Okuyama Arata , Theodore Bertrand , Bates John J. , Knapp Kenneth R. , Kosaka Yuki , Schüller Lothar
Published: August 2012

Climate has been recognized to have direct and indirect impact on society and economy, both in the long term and daily life. The challenge of understanding the climate system, with its variability and changes, is enormous and requires a joint long-term international commitment from research and governmental institutions. An important international body to coordinate worldwide climate monitoring efforts is the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) has the mission to provide coordination and the requirements for global observations and essential climate variables (ECVs) to monitor climate changes. The WMO-led activity on Sustained, Coordinated Processing of Environmental Satellite Data for Climate Monitoring (SCOPE-CM) is responding to these requirements by ensuring a continuous and sustained generation of climate data records (CDRs) from satellite data in compliance with the principles and guidelines of GCOS. SCOPE-CM represents a new partnership between operational space agencies to coordinate the generation of CDRs. To this end, pilot projects for different ECVs, such as surface albedo, cloud properties, water vapor, atmospheric motion winds, and upper-tropospheric humidity, have been initiated. The coordinated activity on land surface albedo involves the operational meteorological satellite agencies in Europe [European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT)], in Japan [the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)], and in the United States [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)]. This paper presents the first results toward the generation of a unique land surface albedo CDR, involving five different geostationary satellite positions and approximately three decades of data starting in the 1980s, and combining close to 30 different satellite instruments.
On the Geographic Asymmetry of Typhoon Translation Speed across the Mountainous Island of Taiwan
Authors: Hsu Li-Huan , Kuo Hung-Chi , Fovell Robert G.
Published: August 2012

This paper examines the effect of topographically phase-locked convection on the motion of typhoons across the island of Taiwan. Data for 84 typhoons that reached Taiwan’s eastern coast from 1960 to 2010 are analyzed, with motions compared to the long-term average overland translation speed. For 61 continuous-track typhoons among all cases, 77% of the slow-moving tropical cyclones (TCs) made landfall on the northern end of Taiwan’s eastern coast, while 60% of the fast storms had southeastern coastal landfalls.

This geographic asymmetry with respect to typhoon translation speeds widened after landfall, as the slow movers typically decelerated during the overland period, whereas the faster TCs sped up. In particular, the average overland duration was 16 h for the slow class, compared to only 3 h for the fast-moving typhoons. The combination of slower translation with longer duration for the northern class of TCs led to large rainfall on the southwestern slope of the island’s Central Mountain Range.

Weather Research and Forecasting model experiments are used to study the effect of convection on storm motion over a mountainous island resembling Taiwan. The authors find that the topographically phase-locked convection acts to slow down (speed up) the northern (southern) landfalling typhoons. The model results also suggest that a positive feedback mechanism exists for the slow storms, in which the convective heating pattern forced by topography acts to reduce the TC motion, leading to even more prolonged precipitation and heating, yielding further speed reductions.
Analytic Listening and the Five Senses
Authors: Chodorow Nancy J.
Published: August 2012

This introductory essay, the three papers that follow—by Jonathan Palmer, Forrest Hamer, and Peter Goldberg—and the commentary by Susan Yamaguchi are products of the panel “Analytic Listening and the Five Senses,” presented at the American Psychoanalytic Association meeting in San Francisco, June 11, 2011.
Culture and the periphery: Nomadic wanderings in the Argentine sociology of culture
Authors: Alabarces Pablo
Published: August 2012

This work presents both a history and an overview of current production in the Argentine sociology of culture. Based on the so-called double periphery – the peripheral location of Argentine sociology in the western social sciences, but also of cultural research within local sociology – the author seeks to analyze the emergence of this subdiscipline. It owes to both the concern for mass culture and its relationship with populism at the end of the 1960s. At that time, these studies were being done by researchers with training in literary criticism, researchers who approached cultural phenomena as a political concern, in a way similar to what occurred when British cultural studies were born. At the end of Argentina’s last dictatorship (1976–1983), the reappearance and growth of a sociology of culture expanded into Nomadic terrains and into varied themes and institutions: this was due to a proliferation of studies in social communication and new university departments, but it can also be attributed to the influence of Brazilian anthropology. Another factor is the delayed creation of graduate programs and their clearly multidisciplinary nature. Today the field is testing its potential while undergoing both quantitative and qualitative growth. However, it is essential to re-examine the field’s sociological aspects as it moves along this path.
Terrorist attack and target diversity
Authors: Santifort Charlinda , Sandler Todd , Brandt Patrick T
Published: August 2012

Terrorists choose from a wide variety of targets and attack methods. Unlike past literature, this article investigates how diversity in target choice and attack modes among domestic and transnational terrorists has evolved and changed over the past 40 years. Changes in the practice of homeland security, which affects the marginal costs of target–attack combinations, and changes in the dominant terrorist influence at the global level, which affects the marginal benefits of target–attack combinations, drive the changepoints. Our empirical analysis relies on count data drawn from the Global Terrorism Database (GTD) for 1970–2010 that distinguishes between domestic and transnational terrorist incidents. Given the data-intensity requirements of our methods, the study is necessarily from a global perspective. A Bayesian Reversible Jump Markov chain Monte Carlo (RJMCMC) changepoint analysis is applied to identify arrival rate changes in both domestic and transnational terrorism. The changepoints in these aggregate series are then matched with those of the subset time series for attack modes (e.g. assassinations and bombings) and target types (e.g. officials and private parties). The underlying drivers of these changepoints are then identified. The article also calculates a Herfindahl index of attack diversity for the aggregate and component domestic and transnational terrorism time series for the entire period and during four subperiods. The variation in both domestic and transnational terrorist attacks has generally fallen over the last four decades; nevertheless, this diversity still remains high. Bombings of private parties have become the preferred target–attack combination for both transnational and domestic terrorists. This combination is the hardest-to-defend target–attack combination and requires the most homeland security resources. Policymakers can use these and other results to focus their counter-terrorism measures.
Neighbourhood Income Sorting and the Effects of Neighbourhood Income Mix on Income: A Holistic Empirical Exploration
Authors: Hedman Lina , Galster George
Published: August 2012

An econometric model is specified in which an individual’s income and the income mix of the neighbourhood in which the individual resides are endogenous, thus providing a holistic model of phenomena that previously have been fragmented into neighbourhood effects and neighbourhood selection literatures. To overcome the biases from selection and endogeneity, the parameters of this model are estimated using instrumental variables in a fixed-effect panel analysis employing annual data on 90 438 working-age males in Stockholm over the 1995–2006 period. Evidence is found of both neighbourhood effects and neighbourhood selection, but more importantly, it is found that the magnitudes of these effects are substantially altered when taking selection and endogeneity biases into account, compared with when only controlling for selection. When taking endogeneity into account, the apparent impact of neighbourhood income mix on individual income is magnified and the effect of individual income on the percentage of high income in the neighbourhood is magnified.
The Impact of Distance to Nearest Education Institution on the Post-compulsory Education Participation Decision
Authors: Dickerson Andy , McIntosh Steven
Published: August 2012

This paper uses data sources from England with the unique capacity to measure distances between home addresses and education institutions, to investigate, for the first time, the effect that such distance has on an individual’s post-compulsory education participation decision. The results show that there is a small overall effect. However, when attention is focused on young people who are on the margin of participating in post-compulsory education (according to their prior attainment and family background) and when post-compulsory education is distinguished by whether it leads to academic or vocational qualifications, then greater distance to nearest education institution is seen to have a significant impact on the decision to continue in full–time post-compulsory education.
Optimal guaranteed cost control of uncertain 2D discrete systems with both shift delays and input delays via memory state feedback
Authors: Tiwari Manish , Dhawan Amit
Published: August 2012

The problem of optimal guaranteed cost control for a class of 2D discrete uncertain systems under shift delays and input delays in a Fornasini–Marchesini (FM) second model setting via memory state feedback is considered in this paper. A linear matrix inequality (LMI)-based criterion for the existence of guaranteed cost controllers is established. Furthermore, a convex optimization problem with LMI constraints is formulated to design the optimal guaranteed cost controllers that minimize the upper bound of the closed-loop cost function. Illustrative examples are given to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method.
Effect of forming temperature on the quality of hot diaphragm formed C-shaped thermosetting composite laminates
Authors: Sun Jing , Gu Yizhuo , Li Min , Ma Xiaoxing , Zhang Zuoguang
Published: August 2012

Hot diaphragm-forming process is a promising technology for production of angle-shaped thermosetting composites with high efficiency and consistent quality. This technique can be used to form prepreg laminates with abrupt or complex structures before final cure in an autoclave. In this work, the mechanism of the forming process using double diaphragms for carbon fiber/epoxy resin prepreg laminate with C-shaped structure was discussed, and the effect of the forming temperature on the quality of formed laminate was investigated using a designed hot diaphragm-forming device. A testing system was set up to evaluate the frictional resistance of prepreg at different temperatures. The results indicate that a proper forming temperature is essential for quality control of the process and there is a close relationship between prepreg properties and forming qualities of parts.
Prediction on macroscopic elastic properties of interphase-contained long-fiber-reinforced composites and multiple nonlinear regression analysis
Authors: Liu YuJia , Yan Ying , Yang Lei , She Haiqiang , He Mingze
Published: August 2012

A convenient method to predict the macroscopic elastic performance of composite containing interphase was developed in this paper based on a new modified random sequential adsorption method and multiple nonlinear regression analysis. First, a three-phase micromechanical model with randomly distributed fibers was established with a new modified random sequential adsorption method named the Moving Window Method. Second, the macroscopic elastic behaviors of T300/914C were predicted based on micromechanical parameters of constituent materials using energy method, and the influence of the randomness of fiber distribution on the prediction was analyzed. Third, the effects of interphase thickness, interphase modulus and Poisson’s ratio on the macroscopic elastic properties of the composite were studied by changing these interphase micromechanical parameters gradually within certain ranges. Finally, the multiple nonlinear regression models that describe the relationship between the macroscopic elastic properties of T300/914C and micromechanical characteristic parameters of the interphase were established using a limited number of data from numerical simulation. Results indicate that the relative errors for the longitudinal modulus and the major Poisson's ratio are within ±1% while for the transverse modulus, shear modulus and Poisson’s ratio at cross section, the relative errors are within 5%.
Influence of nanoparticle weight fraction on morphology and thermal properties of epoxy/TiO2 nanocomposite
Authors: Ghosh PK , Pathak Abhishek , Goyat MS , Halder Sudipta
Published: August 2012

Titania nanoparticle dispersion and its effect on thermal properties of epoxy-based nanocomposite were examined by producing it via ultrasonic vibration process. Atomic force microscope images of the epoxy/TiO2 nanocomposite revealed a good dispersion of nanoparticle up to an optimum level of loading (10 wt%), which results in its improved glass transition temperature and thermal stability. But, a higher particle loading in epoxy reflects decrease in the glass transition temperature and thermal stability of the nanocomposite, which may be attributed to the significant increase in clustering of the nanoparticles.
Declining Free Health Care and Rising Treatment Costs in India: An Analysis of National Sample Surveys 1986–2004
Authors: Gumber Anil , Dhak Biplab , Lalitha N.
Published: August 2012

The article focuses on trends in health-seeking behaviour of people and choosing between government and private sources, reasons for not accessing health care and the cost of treatment by examining three rounds of NSS data on health care use and morbidity pattern during 1986–87, 1995–96 and 2004. With variation across states, treatment-seeking from public providers has declined and preference for private providers has increased over the period. Although overall health-seeking behaviour has improved for both males and females, a significant percentage of people, more in rural than urban areas, do not seek treatment due to lack of accessibility and consider that the illness is not serious enough to require treatment. The financial reason for not seeking treatment was also an important issue in rural areas. There has also been change in the cost of health care over time. While the health care cost has increased, the gap between the public and the private has reduced, owing to perhaps increased cost of treatment in public health facilities following the levying of user-fees and curtailing distribution of free medicine care. Practically all states reported decline in availability of free both out-patient and in-patient care. The article concludes with supporting the adaptation of innovative public-private partnership in health sector for various services realizing the limitations of the state provision of health, particularly in rural and remote areas, and the growing preference of consumers for private health providers. As effectiveness of public spending also depends on the choice of health interventions, target population and technical efficiency partnering with private health providers could work towards reducing the health inequalities in the country.
Coupling Mechanical Forces to Electrical Signaling
Authors: Barry Joshua , Gu Chen
Published: August 2012

Proper localization of various ion channels is fundamental to neuronal functions, including postsynaptic potential plasticity, dendritic integration, action potential initiation and propagation, and neurotransmitter release. Microtubule-based forward transport mediated by kinesin motors plays a key role in placing ion channel proteins to correct subcellular compartments. PDZ- and coiled-coil-domain proteins function as adaptor proteins linking ionotropic glutamate and GABA receptors to various kinesin motors, respectively. Recent studies show that several voltage-gated ion channel/transporter proteins directly bind to kinesins during forward transport. Three major regulatory mechanisms underlying intracellular transport of ion channels are also revealed. These studies contribute to understanding how mechanical forces are coupled to electrical signaling and illuminating pathogenic mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases.
Affective solidarity: Feminist reflexivity and political transformation
Authors: Hemmings Clare
Published: August 2012

This article seeks to intervene in what I perceive to be a problematic opposition in feminist theory between ontological and epistemological accounts of existence and politics, by proposing an approach that weaves together Elspeth Probyn’s conceptualisation of ‘feminist reflexivity’ with a re-reading of feminist standpoint through affect. In so doing, I develop the concept of affective solidarity as necessary for sustainable feminist politics of transformation. This approach is proposed as a way of moving away from rooting feminist transformation in the politics of identity and towards modes of engagement that start from the affective dissonance experience can produce. Moving beyond empathy as a privileged way of connecting with others, I argue that the difference between ‘womanhood’ and ‘feminism’ is critical for a universal yet non-essential understanding of what motivates gendered change.
Affective (self-) transformations: Empathy, neoliberalism and international development
Authors: Pedwell Carolyn
Published: August 2012

Affective self-transformation premised on empathy has been understood within feminist and anti-racist literatures as central to achieving social justice. Through juxtaposing debates about empathy within feminist and anti-racist theory with rhetorics of empathy in international development, and particularly writing about ‘immersions’, this article explores how the workings of empathy might be reconceptualised when relations of postcoloniality and neoliberalism are placed in the foreground. I argue that in the neoliberal economy in which the international aid apparatus operates, empathetic self-transformation can become commodified in ways that fix unequal affective subjects. Empathy may function here less to produce more intersubjective relations and ways of knowing than it does to augment the moral and affective capacities of development professionals. Yet, I suggest, it is in the ambivalences, tensions and contradictions of both emotion and neoliberalism that spaces for thinking and feeling transnational encounters differently might be cultivated.
Judging Obama
Authors: Hung Ho-Fung
Published: August 2012

The presidency of Barack Obama, the first African American president of the United States, is not going to be judged by its symbolic significance and healthcare reform alone. Sociologists, Ho-fung Hung, Fred Block, Alejandro Portes, Beverly J. Silver, and Richard Lachmann assess Obama’s first term from the perspectives of green economy, immigration reform, foreign policy, and social movements.
Journalists’ emotional reactions after working with the Jokela school shooting incident
Authors: Backholm Klas , Björkqvist Kaj
Published: August 2012

Journalists’ psychological distress after working with the Jokela school shooting incident was examined with a mixed methods research design using a sample of 196 journalists (27 on the scene, 169 working indirectly with the crisis). Quantitative results were compared to those of a control group of 297 journalists. Results from the quantitative data showed that in all journalists investigated, a minority indicated a level of PTSD, depression, secondary traumatic stress and burnout sufficient for being labeled as belonging to an ‘at risk’ subgroup. However, no significant group differences were found. In regard to journalists working with the shooting, previous personal traumatic exposure significantly predicted more distress due to the assignment, while work-related exposure did not. An analysis of qualitative data showed that the incident provoked work-related ethical difficulties, as well as a range of personal post-trauma reactions in journalists. The criticism of journalists after the incident provoked additional personal stress in a group of journalists.
A threat to impartiality: Reconstructing and situating the BBC’s denial of the 2009 DEC appeal for Gaza
Authors: Engelbert Jiska , McCurdy Patrick
Published: August 2012

In January 2009, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) denied a request from the Disaster’s Emergency Committee (DEC) to broadcast an emergency appeal to relieve human suffering in Gaza in the wake of the Israeli ground offensive ‘Cast Lead’. The decision marked the first time in the over 40-year relationship between the two organisations that a request was refused by the BBC, but an appeal went ahead. BBC Executives argued that airing the appeal could pose a threat to public confidence in the BBC’s impartiality. This article, both descriptive and exploratory in scope, first reconstructs a chronology of this ‘impartiality argument’, providing a detailed overview of the key players, the (historical) relationship between them, and the run-up to and aftermath of the BBC’s decision. The second part of the article analyses the BBC’s denial of the DEC request and explores how the BBC’s concerns over impartiality articulate its new ‘wagon wheel’ approach to impartiality. Finally, the authors study the BBC’s decision and the – rekindled – centrality of impartiality within the context of the BBC being increasingly bound by the nature of its brand and the visibility of the Middle East conflict.
The Latest Link in the Long Tradition of Maritime Archaeology in Turkey: The Yenikapı Shipwrecks
Authors: Kocabaş Ufuk
Published: August 2012

Thirty-six shipwrecks dated to the fifth to tenth centuries AD have been discovered in the Theodosian (Byzantine) harbour of Istanbul, in the district of Yenikapı. Under the auspices of the ‘Istanbul University Yenikapı Shipwrecks Project’, carried out by Istanbul University's Department of Conservation of Marine Archaeological Objects, our team has undertaken the recording and dismantling of twenty-seven shipwrecks as well as conservation/restoration and reconstruction projects of thirty-one shipwrecks in total. Shipwrecks of various types and sizes have been exposed since 2005; the majority are still under study.
The Underwater Archaeological Heritage of Andalusia: Actions for the Protection of an Emerging Heritage
Authors: Rivera Carmen García , García Milagros Alzaga
Published: August 2012

The Underwater Archaeology Centre of Andalusia opened in 1997 due to the need to correctly manage and preserve the underwater archaeological heritage of Andalusia; the main goal set was protection. Aware that the protection of this heritage necessarily involved global knowledge thereof, the Centre decided to focus its efforts on executing a core project – an archaeological map – a tool that would enable the establishment of specific protection and preservation mechanisms and the design of research strategies. The results obtained from this project have enabled the achievement in recent years of some of the goals set, notably guaranteeing the legal protection of these space, and drawing up projects with specific research targets.
CD16+ monocytes control T-cell subset development in immune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Zhong Hui , Bao Weili , Li Xiaojuan , Miller Allison , Seery Caroline , Haq Naznin , Bussel James , Yazdanbakhsh Karina
Published: August 2012

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) results from decreased platelet production and accelerated platelet destruction. Impaired CD4+ regulatory T-cell (Treg) compartment and skewed Th1 and possibly Th17 responses have been described in ITP patients. The trigger for aberrant T-cell polarization remains unknown. Because monocytes have a critical role in development and polarization of T-cell subsets, we explored the contribution of monocyte subsets in control of Treg and Th development in patients with ITP. Unlike circulating classic CD14hiCD16− subpopulation, the CD16+ monocyte subset was expanded in ITP patients with low platelet counts on thrombopoietic agents and positively correlated with T-cell CD4+IFN-γ+ levels, but negatively with circulating CD4+CD25hiFoxp3+ and IL-17+ Th cells. Using a coculture model, we found that CD16+ ITP monocytes promoted the expansion of IFN-γ+CD4+ cells and concomitantly inhibited the proliferation of Tregs and IL-17+ Th cells. Th-1–polarizing cytokine IL-12, secreted after direct contact of patient T-cell and CD16+ monocytes, was responsible for the inhibitory effect on Treg and IL-17+CD4+ cell proliferation. Our findings are consistent with ITP CD16+ monocytes promoting Th1 development, which in turn negatively regulates IL-17 and Treg induction. This underscores the critical role of CD16+ monocytes in the generation of potentially pathogenic Th responses in ITP.
A genome-wide detection of copy number variations using SNP genotyping arrays in swine
Authors: Wang Jiying , Jiang Jicai , Fu Weixuan , Jiang Li , Ding Xiangdong , Liu Jian-Feng , Zhang Qin
Published: August 2012

Background

Copy Number Variations (CNVs) have been shown important in both normal phenotypic variability and disease susceptibility, and are increasingly accepted as another important source of genetic variation complementary to single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). Comprehensive identification and cataloging of pig CNVs would be of benefit to the functional analyses of genome variation.

Results

In this study, we performed a genome-wide CNV detection based on the Porcine SNP60 genotyping data of 474 pigs from three pure breed populations (Yorkshire, Landrace and Songliao Black) and one Duroc × Erhualian crossbred population. A total of 382 CNV regions (CNVRs) across genome were identified, which cover 95.76Mb of the pig genome and correspond to 4.23% of the autosomal genome sequence. The length of these CNVRs ranged from 5.03 to 2,702.7kb with an average of 250.7kb, and the frequencies of them varied from 0.42 to 20.87%. These CNVRs contains 1468 annotated genes, which possess a great variety of molecular functions, making them a promising resource for exploring the genetic basis of phenotypic variation within and among breeds. To confirmation of these findings, 18 CNVRs representing different predicted status and frequencies were chosen for validation via quantitative real time PCR (qPCR). Accordingly, 12 (66.67%) of them was successfully confirmed.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that currently available Porcine SNP60 BeadChip can be used to capture CNVs efficiently. Our study firstly provides a comprehensive map of copy number variation in the pig genome, which would be of help for understanding the pig genome and provide preliminary foundation for investigating the association between various phenotypes and CNVs.
Identification of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) microRNAs and microRNA-related SNPs
Authors: Zhu Ya-Ping , Xue Wei , Wang Jin-Tu , Wan Yu-Mei , Wang Shao-Lin , Xu Peng , Zhang Yan , Li Jiong-Tang , Sun Xiao-Wen
Published: August 2012

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) exist pervasively across viruses, plants and animals and play important roles in the post-transcriptional regulation of genes. In the common carp, miRNA targets have not been investigated. In model species, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been reported to impair or enhance miRNA regulation as well as to alter miRNA biogenesis. SNPs are often associated with diseases or traits. To date, no studies into the effects of SNPs on miRNA biogenesis and regulation in the common carp have been reported.

Results

Using homology-based prediction combined with small RNA sequencing, we have identified 113 common carp mature miRNAs, including 92 conserved miRNAs and 21 common carp specific miRNAs. The conserved miRNAs had significantly higher expression levels than the specific miRNAs. The miRNAs were clustered into three phylogenetic groups. Totally 394 potential miRNA binding sites in 206 target mRNAs were predicted for 83 miRNAs. We identified 13 SNPs in the miRNA precursors. Among them, nine SNPs had the potential to either increase or decrease the energy of the predicted secondary structures of the precursors. Further, two SNPs in the 3’ untranslated regions of target genes were predicted to either disturb or create miRNA-target interactions.

Conclusions

The common carp miRNAs and their target genes reported here will help further our understanding of the role of miRNAs in gene regulation. The analysis of the miRNA-related SNPs and their effects provided insights into the effects of SNPs on miRNA biogenesis and function. The resource data generated in this study will help advance the study of miRNA function and phenotype-associated miRNA identification.
A transition-constrained discrete hidden Markov model for automatic sleep staging
Authors: Pan Shing-Tai , Kuo Chih-En , Zeng Jian-Hong , Liang Sheng-Fu
Published: August 2012

Background

Approximately one-third of the human lifespan is spent sleeping. To diagnose sleep problems, all-night polysomnographic (PSG) recordings including electroencephalograms (EEGs), electrooculograms (EOGs) and electromyograms (EMGs), are usually acquired from the patient and scored by a well-trained expert according to Rechtschaffen & Kales (R&K) rules. Visual sleep scoring is a time-consuming and subjective process. Therefore, the development of an automatic sleep scoring method is desirable.

Method

The EEG, EOG and EMG signals from twenty subjects were measured. In addition to selecting sleep characteristics based on the 1968 R&K rules, features utilized in other research were collected. Thirteen features were utilized including temporal and spectrum analyses of the EEG, EOG and EMG signals, and a total of 158 hours of sleep data were recorded. Ten subjects were used to train the Discrete Hidden Markov Model (DHMM), and the remaining ten were tested by the trained DHMM for recognition. Furthermore, the 2-fold cross validation was performed during this experiment.

Results

Overall agreement between the expert and the results presented is 85.29%. With the exception of S1, the sensitivities of each stage were more than 81%. The most accurate stage was SWS (94.9%), and the least-accurately classified stage was S1 (<34%). In the majority of cases, S1 was classified as Wake (21%), S2 (33%) or REM sleep (12%), consistent with previous studies. However, the total time of S1 in the 20 all-night sleep recordings was less than 4%.

Conclusion

The results of the experiments demonstrate that the proposed method significantly enhances the recognition rate when compared with prior studies.
Adoptive cell therapy with autologous tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and low-dose Interleukin-2 in metastatic melanoma patients
Authors: Ellebaek Eva , Iversen Trine Zeeberg , Junker Niels , Donia Marco , Engell-Noerregaard Lotte , Met Özcan , Hölmich Lisbet Rosenkrantz , Andersen Rikke Sick , Hadrup Sine Reker , Andersen Mads Hald , thor Straten Per , Svane Inge Marie
Published: August 2012

Background

Adoptive cell therapy may be based on isolation of tumor-specific T cells, e.g. autologous tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), in vitro activation and expansion and the reinfusion of these cells into patients upon chemotherapy induced lymphodepletion. Together with high-dose interleukin (IL)-2 this treatment has been given to patients with advanced malignant melanoma and impressive response rates but also significant IL-2 associated toxicity have been observed. Here we present data from a feasibility study at a Danish Translational Research Center using TIL adoptive transfer in combination with low-dose subcutaneous IL-2 injections.

Methods

This is a pilot trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00937625) including patients with metastatic melanoma, PS ≤1, age <70, measurable and progressive disease and no involvement of the central nervous system. Six patients were treated with lymphodepleting chemotherapy, TIL infusion, and 14 days of subcutaneous low-dose IL-2 injections, 2 MIU/day.

Results

Low-dose IL-2 considerably decreased the treatment related toxicity with no grade 3–4 IL-2 related adverse events. Objective clinical responses were seen in 2 of 6 treated patients with ongoing complete responses (30+ and 10+ months), 2 patients had stable disease (4 and 5 months) and 2 patients progressed shortly after treatment. Tumor-reactivity of the infused cells and peripheral lymphocytes before and after therapy were analyzed. Absolute number of tumor specific T cells in the infusion product tended to correlate with clinical response and also, an induction of peripheral tumor reactive T cells was observed for 1 patient in complete remission.

Conclusion

Complete and durable responses were induced after treatment with adoptive cell therapy in combination with low-dose IL-2 which significantly decreased toxicity of this therapy.
Induction of interleukin-10 is dependent on p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in macrophages infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus
Authors: Hou Jun , Wang Lianghai , Quan Rong , Fu Yi , Zhang Hexiao , Feng Wen-hai
Published: August 2012

Background

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes reproductive failure and respiratory illness in pigs and usually establishes a persistent infection. Previous studies suggested that interleukin-10 (IL-10) could play a critical role in PRRSV-induced immunosuppression. However, the ability of PRRSV to induce IL-10 in infected cells is controversial. In this study, we further investigated this issue using PRRSV strain CH-1a, which is the first North American genotype strain isolated in China.

Results

PRRSV strain CH-1a could significantly up-regulate IL-10 production both at mRNA and protein levels in porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs), bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs), and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs). However, up-regulation of IL-10 by PRRSV was retarded by specific inhibitors of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) (SB203580) and NF-κB (BAY11-7082). Additionally, p38 MAPK and NF-κB pathways but not ERK1/2 MAPK were actually activated in PRRSV-infected BMDMs as demonstrated by western blot analysis, suggesting that p38 MAPK and NF-κB pathways are involved in the induction of IL-10 by PRRSV infection. Transfection of PAMs and PAM cell line 3D4/21 (CRL-2843) with viral structural genes showed that glycoprotein5 (GP5) could significantly up-regulate IL-10 production, which was dependent on p38 MAPK and signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) activation. We also demonstrated that a full-length glycoprotein was essential for GP5 to induce IL-10 production.

Conclusions

PRRSV strain CH-1a could significantly up-regulate IL-10 production through p38 MAPK activation.