bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BODY HATRED
Authors: Parker Rozsika
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT
Body dysmorphic disorder is described and extended to cover both acute and mild cases of body hatred, in order to problematize a condition that Western culture normalizes. It is argued that contemporary Western culture does not cause BDD but provides a matrix within which it can flourish. The features of the culture that impact upon the condition are explored with particular emphasis given to the fear both of difference and of heterogeneity.

In terms of the individual, the origins of the condition are located in the early imposition of transgenerational shame, elaborated, usually at adolescence, into body hatred. The perceived bodily defect is then experienced as encapsulated unacceptability. It is suggested that the selection of a body part for hatred be understood as a desperate effort to conceal and, paradoxically, to heal shame.

The specific challenges in working psychotherapeutically with shame‐driven BDD are discussed; the demands made of the psychotherapist by the rituals associated with BDD, the stress on the psychotherapist's relationship with their own body and the significance of language used in addressing body hatred.
PROJECTIVE IDENTIFICATION: A CLINICAL EXPLORATION OF THE CONCEPT FROM A CONTEMPORARY FREUDIAN PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Midgley Nicholas
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT
This paper makes use of a clinical vignette from the therapy of a 13‐year‐old boy to explore the concept of projective identification. After presenting a session in which there was a particularly difficult enactment between the boy and his therapist, the paper asks how the ‘public face’ of our psychoanalytic theories relates to the ‘private face’ of our moment‐to‐moment responses in a clinical situation, and explores this question further by looking at the concept of projective identification. After a brief survey of the historical development of the term, focusing especially on Klein and Bion, the clinical material is re‐examined. The paper ends by reviewing contemporary Freudian perspectives on projective identification, including the work of Joseph Sandler, and suggests that we may discover the value of theoretical concepts by exploring how they enable us to think and respond differently in the clinical situation.
NARCISSISM AND THE EXPERIENCE OF CRYING
Authors: Alexander Tracey
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT
This paper explores crying in the clinical setting and offers a perspective on the nature of the emotional link which is formed with the crying narcissistic patient. Crying is an ordinary and familiar experience in the clinical setting which is generally characterized by the therapist feeling emotionally moved with a deepening of empathy. In contrast narcissistic crying can be associated with an absence or lack of emotional fit between the therapist and patient. The nature of this lack of fit throws an important light on the underlying difficulties of the patient which must be lived out in the therapeutic relationship and, more importantly, tolerated in the countertransference, before interpretation can be realized.
CLOSED SYSTEMS AS METAPHOR FOR TRANSFERENCE
Authors: Summers Alison
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT
The systems theory concept of the closed system is suggested by Ronald Fairbairn as one metaphor both for internal object relationships, and their expression in transference. This paper considers how this metaphor may be helpful in analysing the patient–therapist relationship and, particularly, in deciding when aspects of it should be understood as transference. The argument is that one major challenge could be seen as lying in the complexity and subtlety of internal world systems, and a second in the many factors that conspire to lure the therapist to participate in rather than notice them. The systems metaphor seems useful both in bringing into focus some of the difficulties in analysing the therapist–patient relationship and also in offering a vehicle for thinking about them.
SETTING THE SCENE I: FROM COMMON LAW TO STATUTE LAW
Authors: Hale Rob
Published: November 2006

This is an account of the talk that I gave at the BCP conference on confidentiality. It is personal and, at times, journalistic, and concerns itself with much that is political.
THE LAST RESORT: SOME NOTES ON THE SUICIDE OF A PATIENT
Authors: Valentine Marguerite
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT
Working with severely disturbed patients is one of the most challenging and difficult areas for the psychotherapist in private practice. Not only is there an ever present risk of a psychotic episode but, worse, the patient may threaten or actually commit suicide. The following gives an account of one such patient. Describing the typical ambience of the sessions, it tracks the developing realization for the therapist of the patient's involvement with the psychiatric system, and the consequent ethical dilemmas, which remained unresolved. Finally, it considers from the therapist's point of view what factors may have led to the patient's suicide.
GROUPWORK WITH MOTHERS WHO HAVE BEEN SEXUALLY ABUSED IN CHILDHOOD
Authors: Noack Amélie , Baraitser Lisa
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT
This paper presents some thoughts about working clinically with mothers who have been sexually abused in childhood. We review the research literature that indicates that survivor mothers face interpersonal difficulties relating to their children, and, in the light of this research, suggest that survivor mothers may benefit from a therapeutic service that is specifically designed to meet their needs. We draw on recent explorations of transgenerational processes in the transmission of trauma to present an understanding of the psychodynamics involved in the difficulties survivors have with mothering. This understanding informs the design and implementation of groups for survivor mothers at the Maya Centre, a psychodynamic counselling centre for women living in poverty in the London Borough of Islington. Clinical examples taken from three short‐term therapeutic groups are presented and discussed.
DEFENSIVE PROCESSES ENACTED THROUGH MOUNTAINEERING AND THEIR IMPACT ON CLIMBERS
Authors: Hunt Pat , Daines Brian
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT
This paper looks at the split‐off nature of climbing for those who practise extreme mountaineering, and for whom climbing is a way of life. The regressive processes and idealization involved in this are explored. In particular, the breakdown of idealization at the point where the possibility of death has to be faced is discussed. The impact on close relationship is outlined and conclusions drawn about the main underlying object‐relation processes operating in climbers.
LUST FOR LIFE: PLEASURE UNDER THE REALITY PRINCIPLE AND GROWTH IN EROS
Authors: Abel‐Hirsch Nicola
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT
Drawing on ideas from the psychoanalytic thought of Bion and the philosophy of Whitehead the paper explores the difference between‘prehended lust’and perverse sexuality. Prehended lust is regarded as life‐enhancing whereas in perverse sexuality excitement is generated to disencumber the individual of anxiety. This view is illustrated by clinical material and by a more lengthy discussion of the recent British film The Principles of Lust, directed by Penny Woolcock.
BRIEF THERAPY IN PRIMARY CARE: THE SETTING, THE DISCIPLINE AND THE BORDERLINE PATIENT
Authors: Bravesmith Anna
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT
This paper explores some distinctive features of brief analytic psychotherapy as I practise it in a busy inner London GP surgery. The application of brief therapy to a borderline patient is discussed and there is an emphasis on a collaborative way of working. Psychodynamic ideas are applied to the use of the setting and, in particular, the clinical meeting of GPs and psychotherapist where important decisions are made about the continuation and nature of the treatment. Particular features of the discipline of brief therapy are examined such as the use of companionable interaction and exploration of the reasons why ordinary solutions cannot not be spontaneously employed by the patient. Assessment of underlying disorder which had previously remained undiagnosed is discussed in the context of the patient's concealment of her selfharm.
SOME HOLISTIC THOUGHTS ON CONSCIOUSNESS AND PSYCHOANALYSIS
Authors: Arden Margaret
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT
In this paper the history of consciousness will be discussed in relation to the place of psychoanalysis in the history of ideas. A holistic way of thinking is described, which brings together various ideas about how the nature of reality is perceived, when science has for the last 200 years seemed to win out over religion. The influence of Goethe on Freud suggests an unrecognized holistic element in Freud's work. A holistic approach reconciles some of the divisions between scientific and religious thinking and leads to a discussion of the sacred.
LISTENING TO SILENCE
Authors: Sabbadini Andrea
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT
I have examined the function of silence ‐ its possible role and meanings ‐ in the psychoanalytic encounter. I have argued that silence is complementary to words in general, and to analytic free associations in particular, and that silence in the patient is often more than just the expression of his resistance. It could be useful to consider the silent space within a session as a sort of container of words ‐ words that for complex, overdetermined, unconscious reasons cannot be uttered. I have insisted on the significance of analytic silences and warned against responding to them either through a retaliatory silence or through a flood of premature interpretations. These inadequate reactions often stem from the analyst's own anxiety evoked in him by the patient's silence. Anxiety and silence are closely connected. Each silence is a compromise formation, concealing the unconscious fantasy from which it originates, while expressing a conscious one, often related to the transference situation. It is the task of the analyst to listen to his patient's silences in order to help him understand their meanings.
STRUGGLING TOWARDS MANHOOD: NARRATIVES OF HOMOPHOBIA AND FATHERING
Authors: Frosh Stephen , Phoenix Ann , Pattman Rob
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT
From the perspective of psychotherapists involved in working with young men, it is particularly interesting to consider ways in which boys may construct versions of their masculinities through an amalgam of social and personal discourses. Amongst the issues relating to young masculinities to arise systematically in research studies and in psychotherapeutic work, two are of particular interest for emerging understanding of the emotional consequences of new structures of masculine identities. These are the relationship boys have with their fathers, and the impact of social discourses on homosexuality. In this paper, material is presented from one boy who participated in an in‐depth interview study of boys in London secondary schools. This boy reveals in unusual detail the ways in which dominant discourses on being‘gay’and on fathers govern the construction of contemporary young masculinities, even when boys themselves seek to resist these discourses. It is suggested that consideration of the operation of these discourses in young people's lives is a relevant concern for psychotherapists.
Metabotropic suppression of excitation in murine autaptic hippocampal neurons
Authors: Straiker Alex , Mackie Ken
Published: November 2006

Depolarization‐induced suppression of excitation (DSE) and inhibition (DSI) are forms of short‐term neuronal plasticity involving postsynaptic release of an endocannabinoid and the activation of presynaptic cannabinoid CB1 receptors. We have recently reported that CB1‐dependent DSE can be elicited in autaptic cultures of excitatory hippocampal neurons of the mouse. We now report that the same preparation exhibits a parallel Gq‐coupled receptor‐dependent production of endocannabinoids causing retrograde inhibition, also via CB1 receptors, which we will refer to as metabotropic suppression of excitation (MSE). We tested a spectrum of Gq‐coupled receptor agonists and found that both muscarinic and metabotropic glutamate receptors (group I) mediate retrograde inhibition via CB1 receptors in autaptic hippocampal neurons. Thus these neurons possess not only the pre‐ and postsynaptic machinery necessary for DSE but also that for MSE. This permitted a closer examination of MSE and its interaction with other aspects of the endocannabinoid retrograde signalling machinery: MSE mimics and occludes DSE and is itself occluded by the endocannabinoid 2‐arachidonoyl glycerol (2‐AG), consistent with 2‐AG as a likely mediator of MSE. In contrast to DSE, MSE undergoes heterologous desensitization over the time course of minutes. In keeping with data reported for metabotropic suppression of inhibition (MSI) and DSI in the hippocampus, subthreshold MSE and DSE act synergistically. We additionally found that Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol, which has been shown to attenuate DSE, antagonizes MSE. Finally, we have distinguished a neuronal subpopulation that exhibits DSE and a differential complement of MSE‐mediating Gq‐coupled receptors, making possible contrasting studies of MSE. Autaptic endocannabinoid signalling is rich, robust and complex in a deceptively simple package, including a previously unreported postsynaptic mechanism of adaptation in addition to known presynaptic CB1 desensitization. These adaptive sites offer novel targets for modulation of endogenous cannabinoid signalling.
Effects of L‐type Ca2+channel antagonism on ventricular arrhythmogenesis in murine hearts containing a modification in theScn5agene modelling human long QT syndrome 3
Authors: Thomas Glyn , Gurung Iman S. , Killeen Matthew J. , Hakim Parvez , Goddard Catharine A. , Mahaut‐Smith Martyn P. , Colledge William H. , Grace Andrew A. , Huang Christopher L.‐H.
Published: November 2006

Ventricular arrhythmogenesis in long QT 3 syndrome (LQT3) involves both triggered activity and re‐entrant excitation arising from delayed ventricular repolarization. Effects of specific L‐type Ca2+channel antagonism were explored in a gain‐of‐function murine LQT3 model produced by a ΔKPQ 1505–1507 deletion in theSCN5Agene. Monophasic action potentials (MAPs) were recorded from epicardial and endocardial surfaces of intact, Langendorff‐perfusedScn5a+/Δ hearts. In untreatedScn5a+/Δ hearts, epicardial action potential duration at 90% repolarization (APD90) was 60.0 ± 0.9 ms compared with 46.9 ± 1.6 ms in untreated wild‐type (WT) hearts (P< 0.05;n= 5). The corresponding endocardial APD90values were 52.0 ± 0.7 ms and 53.7 ± 1.6 ms inScn5a+/Δ and WT hearts, respectively (P> 0.05;n= 5). Epicardial early afterdepolarizations (EADs), often accompanied by spontaneous ventricular tachycardia (VT), occurred in 100% of MAPs fromScn5a+/Δ but not in any WT hearts (n= 10). However, EAD occurrence was reduced to 62 ± 7.1%, 44 ± 9.7%, 10 ± 10% and 0% of MAPs following perfusion with 10 nm, 100 nm, 300 nmand 1 μmnifedipine, respectively (P< 0.05;n= 5), giving an effective IC50concentration of 79.3 nm. Programmed electrical stimulation (PES) induced VT in all fiveScn5a+/Δ hearts (n= 5) but not in any WT hearts (n= 5). However, repeat PES induced VT in 3, 2, 2 and 0 out of 5Scn5a+/Δ hearts following perfusion with 10 nm, 100 nm, 300 nmand 1 μmnifedipine, respectively. Patch clamp studies in isolated ventricular myocytes fromScn5a+/Δ and WT hearts confirmed that nifedipine (300 nm) completely suppressed the inward Ca2+current but had no effect on inward Na+currents. No significant effects were seen on epicardial APD90, endocardial APD90or ventricular effective refractory period inScn5a+/Δ and WT hearts following perfusion with nifedipine at 1 nm, 10 nm, 100 nm, 300 nmand 1 μmnifedipine concentrations. We conclude that L‐type Ca2+channel antagonism thus exerts specific anti‐arrhythmic effects inScn5a+/Δ hearts through suppression of EADs.
The effects of acute oral antioxidants on diving‐induced alterations in human cardiovascular function
Authors: Obad Ante , Palada Ivan , Valic Zoran , Ivančev Vladimir , Baković Darija , Wisløff Ulrik , Brubakk Alf O. , Dujić Željko
Published: November 2006

Diving‐induced acute alterations in cardiovascular function such as arterial endothelial dysfunction, increased pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and reduced heart function have been recently reported. We tested the effects of acute antioxidants on arterial endothelial function, PAP and heart function before and after a field dive. Vitamins C (2 g) and E (400 IU) were given to subjects 2 h before a second dive (protocol 1) and in a placebo‐controlled crossover study design (protocol 2). Seven experienced divers performed open sea dives to 30 msw with standard decompression in a non‐randomized protocol, and six of them participated in a randomized trial. Before and after the dives ventricular volumes and function and pulmonary and brachial artery function were assessed by ultrasound. The control dive resulted in a significant reduction in flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) and heart function with increased mean PAP. Twenty‐four hours after the control dive FMD was still reduced 37% below baseline (8.1 versus 5.1%, P= 0.005), while right ventricle ejection fraction (RV‐EF), left ventricle EF and endocardial fractional shortening were reduced much less (∼2–3%). At the same time RV end‐systolic volume was increased by 9% and mean PAP by 5%. Acute antioxidants significantly attenuated only the reduction in FMD post‐dive (P < 0.001), while changes in pulmonary artery and heart function were unaffected by antioxidant ingestion. These findings were confirmed by repeating the experiments in a randomized study design. FMD returned to baseline values 72 h after the dive with pre‐dive placebo, whereas for most cardiovascular parameters this occurred earlier (24–48 h). Right ventricular dysfunction and increased PAP lasted longer. Acute antioxidants attenuated arterial endothelial dysfunction after diving, while reduction in heart and pulmonary artery function were unchanged. Cardiovascular changes after diving are not fully reversed up to 3 days after a dive, suggesting longer lasting negative effects.
Chloride and the endosomal–lysosomal pathway: emerging roles of CLC chloride transporters
Authors: Jentsch Thomas J.
Published: November 2006

Several members of the CLC family of Cl− channels and transporters are expressed in vesicles of the endocytotic–lysosomal pathway, all of which are acidified by V‐type proton pumps. These CLC proteins are thought to facilitate vesicular acidification by neutralizing the electric current of the H+‐ATPase. Indeed, the disruption of ClC‐5 impaired the acidification of endosomes, and the knock‐out (KO) of ClC‐3 that of endosomes and synaptic vesicles. KO mice are available for all vesicular CLCs (ClC‐3 to ClC‐7), and ClC‐5 and ClC‐7, as well as its β‐subunit Ostm1, are mutated in human disease. The associated mouse and human pathologies, ranging from impaired endocytosis and nephrolithiasis (ClC‐5) to neurodegeneration (ClC‐3), lysosomal storage disease (ClC‐6, ClC‐7/Ostm1) and osteopetrosis (ClC‐7/Ostm1), were crucial in identifying the physiological roles of vesicular CLCs. Whereas the intracellular localization of ClC‐6 and ClC‐7/Ostm1 precluded biophysical studies, the partial expression of ClC‐4 and ‐5 at the cell surface allowed the detection of strongly outwardly rectifying currents that depended on anions and pH. Surprisingly, ClC‐4 and ClC‐5 (and probably ClC‐3) do not function as Cl− channels, but rather as electrogenic Cl−–H+ exchangers. This hints at an important role for luminal chloride in the endosomal–lysosomal system.
Versatile Formulation for Multiobjective Reliability-Based Design Optimization
Authors: Zou T. , Mahadevan S.
Published: November 2006

This paper develops a multiobjective optimization methodology for system design under uncertainty. Model-based reliability analysis methods are used to compute the probabilities of unsatisfactory performance at both component and system levels. Combined with several multiobjective optimization formulations, a versatile reliability-based design optimization (RBDO) approach is used to achieve a tradeoff between two objectives and to generate the Pareto frontier for decision making. The proposed RBDO approach uses direct reliability analysis to decouple the reliability and optimization iterations, instead of inverse first-order reliability analysis as other existing decoupled approaches. This helps to solve a wide variety of RBDO problems with competing objectives, especially when system-level reliability constraints need to be considered. The approach also allows more accurate methods to be used for reliability analysis, and reliability terms to be included in the objective function. Two important automotive quality objectives, related to the door closing effort (evaluated using component reliability analysis) and the wind noise (evaluated using system reliability analysis), are used to illustrate the proposed method.
Ultimate Limits for Counterweight Balancing of Crank-Rocker Four-Bar Linkages
Authors: Demeulenaere Bram , Aertbeliën Erwin , Verschuure Myriam , Swevers Jan , De Schutter Joris
Published: November 2006

This paper focuses on reducing the dynamic reactions (shaking force, shaking moment, and driving torque) of planar crank-rocker four-bars through counterweight addition. Determining the counterweight mass parameters constitutes a nonlinear optimization problem, which suffers from local optima. This paper, however, proves that it can be reformulated as a convex program, that is, a nonlinear optimization problem of which any local optimum is also globally optimal. Because of this unique property, it is possible to investigate (and by virtue of the guaranteed global optimum, in fact prove) the ultimate limits of counterweight balancing. In a first example a design procedure is presented that is based on graphically representing the ultimate limits in design charts. A second example illustrates the versatility and power of the convex optimization framework by reformulating an earlier counterweight balancing method as a convex program and providing improved numerical results for it.
Optimal Synthesis of Cam-Linkage Mechanisms for Precise Path Generation
Authors: Mundo D. , Liu J. Y. , Yan H. S.
Published: November 2006

The paper proposes a method for the optimal synthesis of planar mechanisms, where a combination of cams and linkages is used in order to obtain a precise path generation. As a first step, based on Gruebler’s mobility criterion, a linkage mechanism is considered, with as many degrees of freedom as required by the generation task. One or more disk cams are then synthesized in order to reduce the system’s mobility and to obtain a single-input combined mechanical system. The final combined mechanism is able to guide a coupler point through any number of precision positions. A strategy for the global optimization of the synthesis process, based on evolutionary theory, is also proposed. A goal function is defined on the basis of dimensional and kinematic constraints and performance criteria, while a genetic algorithm is employed as an optimum searching procedure. An industrial application of the proposed methodology is described, where a path generation problem with time prescription is dealt with. The objective of the generation task is to guide a coupler point along a figure-eight trajectory, with a constant tangential velocity. Such a task is required by polishing machines for fiber optic connectors and similar components. A kinematic simulation of the optimal mechanism is used to validate the proposed synthesis methodology.
Robust Design of Cellular Materials With Topological and Dimensional Imperfections
Authors: Seepersad Carolyn Conner , Allen Janet K. , McDowell David L. , Mistree Farrokh
Published: November 2006

A paradigm shift is underway in which the classical materials selection approach in engineering design is being replaced by the design of material structure and processing paths on a hierarchy of length scales for multifunctional performance requirements. In this paper, the focus is on designing mesoscopic material topology—the spatial arrangement of solid phases and voids on length scales larger than microstructures but smaller than the characteristic dimensions of an overall product. A robust topology design method is presented for designing materials on mesoscopic scales by topologically and parametrically tailoring them to achieve properties that are superior to those of standard or heuristic designs, customized for large-scale applications, and less sensitive to imperfections in the material. Imperfections are observed regularly in cellular material mesostructure and other classes of materials because of the stochastic influence of feasible processing paths. The robust topology design method allows us to consider these imperfections explicitly in a materials design process. As part of the method, guidelines are established for modeling dimensional and topological imperfections, such as tolerances and cracked cell walls, as deviations from intended material structure. Also, as part of the method, robust topology design problems are formulated as compromise Decision Support Problems, and local Taylor-series approximations and strategic experimentation techniques are established for evaluating the impact of dimensional and topological imperfections, respectively, on material properties. Key aspects of the approach are demonstrated by designing ordered, prismatic cellular materials with customized elastic properties that are robust to dimensional tolerances and topological imperfections.
Solving Driving Forces of 2(3-SPR) Serial-Parallel Manipulator by CAD Variation Geometry Approach
Authors: Lu Yi , Hu Bo
Published: November 2006

A novel 2(3-SPR) serial-parallel manipulator is proposed. A novel approach for solving driving forces of the 2(3-SPR) parallel manipulator is proposed by using the virtual work theory and the computer aided design variation geometry. The solving procedure of this method is divided into following steps: First, constitute an initial simulation mechanism by using link dimension chains and driving dimensions of driving limbs; and then constitute a workloads simulation mechanism by using central force and central torque on initial simulation mechanism; finally constitute the force/torque simulation mechanism by giving a virtual displacement to one of the driving limbs, so that the virtual displacement about force and torque can be drawn, the driven force of this driven limb can be calculated by using the virtual work theory. In the same way, the others driven forces can be gotten.
Feasibility of Autothermally Reformed Natural Gas on Anode Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Noponen Matti , Halinen Matias , Kiviaho Jari , Saarinen Jaakko
Published: November 2006

Three different planar anode supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) were tested with hydrogen, with autothermally prereformed natural gas from which sulfur was removed, and with autothermally prereformed natural gas that contained sulfur. The cells were obtained from Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ), Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN), and HTceramix SA (HTc). All cells were so called Real-SOFC first generation cells. Cell polarizations were first measured with hydrogen, followed by a 200h test (25A, 800°C) with a selected fuel, and finally cell polarizations were measured with hydrogen. When hydrogen was used as the fuel in the 200h test, the performance for all cells was comparable and no degradation was observed. All cells underwent an initial deactivation process when reformate fuels were used but their cell voltage stabilized during the first 50h. All cells also showed deactivation after the reformate tests when the area specific resistance values were compared to the values obtained from the hydrogen tests. The deactivation was comparable between the sulfur-free and sulfur-rich reformate tests. Sulfur-rich reformate, however, caused oscillation in cell voltages as the sulfur level in natural gas was not constant.
A Cytokinin Perception Mutant Colonized by
Rhizobium
in the Absence of Nodule Organogenesis
Authors: Murray Jeremy D. , Karas Bogumil J. , Sato Shusei , Tabata Satoshi , Amyot Lisa , Szczyglowski Krzysztof
Published: November 2006

In legumes, Nod-factor signaling by rhizobia initiates the development of the nitrogen-fixing nodule symbiosis, but the direct cell division stimulus that brings about nodule primordia inception in the root cortex remains obscure. We showed that
Lotus japonicus
plants homozygous for a mutation in the
HYPERINFECTED 1
(
HIT1
) locus exhibit abundant infection-thread formation but fail to initiate timely cortical cell divisions in response to rhizobial signaling. We demonstrated that the corresponding gene encodes a cytokinin receptor that is required for the activation of the nodule inception regulator
Nin
and nodule organogenesis.
The Ground State of the Pseudogap in Cuprate Superconductors
Authors: Valla T. , Fedorov A. V. , Lee Jinho , Davis J. C. , Gu G. D.
Published: November 2006

We present studies of the electronic structure of La
2–x
Ba
x
CuO
4
, a system where the superconductivity is strongly suppressed as static spin and charge orders or “stripes” develop near the doping level of
x
= ⅛. Using angle-resolved photoemission and scanning tunneling microscopy, we detect an energy gap at the Fermi surface with magnitude consistent with
d
-wave symmetry and with linear density of states, vanishing only at four nodal points, even when superconductivity disappears at
x
= ⅛. Thus, the nonsuperconducting, striped state at
x
= ⅛ is consistent with a phase-incoherent
d
-wave superconductor whose Cooper pairs form spin-charge–ordered structures instead of becoming superconducting.
IMPLEMENTING GAUSSIAN PROCESS INFERENCE WITH NEURAL NETWORKS
Authors: FREAN MARCUS , LILLEY MATT , BOYLE PHILLIP
Published: November 2006

Gaussian processes compare favourably with backpropagation neural networks as a tool for regression, and Bayesian neural networks have Gaussian process behaviour when the number of hidden neurons tends to infinity. We describe a simple recurrent neural network with connection weights trained by one-shot Hebbian learning. This network amounts to a dynamical system which relaxes to a stable state in which it generates predictions identical to those of Gaussian process regression. In effect an infinite number of hidden units in a feed-forward architecture can be replaced by a merely finite number, together with recurrent connections.
REGULARIZATION NETWORK-BASED GENE SELECTION FOR MICROARRAY DATA ANALYSIS
Authors: ZHOU XIN , MAO K. Z.
Published: November 2006

Microarray data contains a large number of genes (usually more than 1000) and a relatively small number of samples (usually fewer than 100). This presents problems to discriminant analysis of microarray data. One way to alleviate the problem is to reduce dimensionality of data by selecting important genes to the discriminant problem. Gene selection can be cast as a feature selection problem in the context of pattern classification. Feature selection approaches are broadly grouped into filter methods and wrapper methods. The wrapper method outperforms the filter method but at the cost of more intensive computation. In the present study, we proposed a wrapper-like gene selection algorithm based on the Regularization Network. Compared with classical wrapper method, the computational costs in our gene selection algorithm is significantly reduced, because the evaluation criterion we proposed does not demand repeated training in the leave-one-out procedure.
VALUE AT RISK ESTIMATION USING INDEPENDENT COMPONENT ANALYSIS-GENERALIZED AUTOREGRESSIVE CONDITIONAL HETEROSCEDASTICITY (ICA-GARCH) MODELS
Authors: WU EDMOND H. C. , YU PHILIP L. H. , LI W. K.
Published: November 2006

We suggest using independent component analysis (ICA) to decompose multivariate time series into statistically independent time series. Then, we propose to use ICA-GARCH models which are computationally efficient to estimate the multivariate volatilities. The experimental results show that the ICA-GARCH models are more effective than existing methods, including DCC, PCA-GARCH, and EWMA. We also apply the proposed models to compute value at risk (VaR) for risk management applications. The backtesting and the out-of-sample tests validate the performance of ICA-GARCH models for value at risk estimation.
MANIFOLD LEARNING FOR ROBOT NAVIGATION
Authors: KEERATIPRANON NARONGDECH , MAIRE FREDERIC , HUANG HENRY
Published: November 2006

In this paper we introduce methods to build a SOM that can be used as an isometric map for mobile robots. That is, given a dataset of sensor readings collected at points uniformly distributed with respect to the ground, we wish to build a SOM whose neurons (prototype vectors in sensor space) correspond to points uniformly distributed on the ground. Manifold learning techniques have already been used for dimensionality reduction of sensor space in navigation systems. Our focus is on the isometric property of the SOM. For reliable path-planning and information sharing between several robots, it is desirable that the robots build an internal representation of the sensor manifold, a map, that is isometric with the environment. We show experimentally that standard Non-Linear Dimensionality Reduction (NLDR) algorithms do not provide isometric maps for range data and bearing data. However, the auxiliary low dimensional manifolds created can be used to improve the distribution of the neurons of a SOM (that is, make the neurons more evenly distributed with respect to the ground). We also describe a method to create an isometric map from a sensor readings collected along a polygonal line random walk.
QUASINORMAL MODES OF THE SCHWARZSCHILD BLACK HOLE WITH ARBITRARY SPIN FIELDS: NUMERICAL ANALYSIS
Authors: PAN QIYUAN , JING JILIANG
Published: November 2006

The quasinormal modes (QNMs) associated with the decay of massless arbitrary spin fields around a Schwarzschild black hole are investigated by using the continued fraction method in a united form and their universal properties are found. It is shown that these QNMs become evenly spaced for large angular quantum number l (for the boson perturbations) and j (for the fermion perturbations) and the spacing is given by [Formula: see text] which is independent of the spin number s and overtone number n, and in the complex plane they have an interesting trend which depends on n before they become the same value with the increasing l (or j). The distribution of the QNMs with arbitrary spin fields for large values l (or j) and small n can be expressed as [Formula: see text]. It is also shown that the angular quantum number has the surprising effect of increasing real part of the QNMs, but it almost does not affect the imaginary part, especially for the lowest lying mode. In addition, the spacing for imaginary part of the QNMs at high overtones is equidistant and equals to -i/4M, which is independent of l (or j) and s.
EXACT SEIBERG–WITTEN MAP AND INDUCED GRAVITY FROM NONCOMMUTATIVITY
Authors: YANG HYUN SEOK
Published: November 2006

We find a closed form for Seiberg–Witten (SW) map between ordinary and noncommutative (NC) Dirac–Born–Infeld actions. We show that NC Maxwell action after the exact SW map can be regarded as ordinary Maxwell action coupling to a metric deformed by gauge fields. We also show that reversed procedure by inverse SW map lead to a similar interpretation in terms of induced NC geometry. This implies that noncommutativity in field theory can be interpreted as field-dependent fluctuations of spacetime geometry, which genuinely realizes an interesting idea recently observed by Rivelles.
IMPORTANT REMARKS ON (ANTI) de SITTER SPACES AND THE COSMOLOGICAL CONSTANT
Authors: CASTRO CARLOS
Published: November 2006

A class of proper and novel generalizations of the (anti) de Sitter solutions (parametrized by a family of radial functions R(r)) are presented that could provide a very plausible resolution of the cosmological constant problem along with a natural explanation of the ultraviolet/infrared (uv/ir) entanglement required to solve this problem. A nonvanishing value of the vacuum energy density of the order of [Formula: see text] is derived in agreement with the experimental observations. The presence of the radial function R(r) is instrumental to understand why the cosmological constant is not zero and why it is so tiny. The correct lower estimate of the mass of the observable universe related to the Dirac–Eddington's large number N = 1080is also obtained. Finally we present our most recent findings of how Weyl Geometry via a Brans–Dicke scalar field solves the riddle of dark energy in addition to providing another derivation of the vacuum energy density.
Methods for Improving Regression Analysis for Skewed Continuous or Counted Responses
Authors: Afifi Abdelmonem A. , Kotlerman Jenny B. , Ettner Susan L. , Cowan Marie
Published: November 2006

Standard inference procedures for regression analysis make assumptions that are rarely satisfied in practice. Adjustments must be made to insure the validity of statistical inference. These adjustments, known for many years, are used routinely by some health researchers but not by others. We review some of these methods and give an example of their use in a health services study for a continuous and a count outcome. For the continuous outcome, we describe retransformation using the smear factor, accounting for missing cases via multiple imputation and attrition weights and improving results with bootstrap methods. For the count outcome, we describe zero inflated Poisson and negative binomial models and the two-part model to account for overabundance of zero values. Recent advances in computing and software development have produced user-friendly computer programs that enable the data analyst to improve prediction and inference based on regression analysis.
Intermittent hyperthermia enhances skeletal muscle regrowth and attenuates oxidative damage following reloading
Authors: Selsby J. T. , Rother S. , Tsuda S. , Pracash O. , Quindry J. , Dodd S. L.
Published: November 2006

Skeletal muscle reloading following disuse is characterized by profound oxidative damage. This study tested the hypothesis that intermittent hyperthermia during reloading attenuates oxidative damage and augments skeletal muscle regrowth following immobilization. Forty animals were randomly divided into four groups: control (Con), immobilized (Im), reloaded (RC), and reloaded and heated (RH). All groups but Con were immobilized for 7 days. Animals in the RC and RH groups were then reloaded for 7 days with (RH) or without (RC) hyperthermia (41–41.5°C for 30 min on alternating days) during reloading. Heating resulted in ∼25% elevation in heat shock protein expression ( P < 0.05) and an ∼30% greater soleus regrowth ( P < 0.05) in RH compared with RC. Furthermore, oxidant damage was lower in the RH group compared with RC because nitrotyrosine and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenol were returned to near baseline when heating was combined with reloading. Reduced oxidant damage was independent of antioxidant enzymes (manganese superoxide dismutase, copper-zinc superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase). In summary, these data suggest that intermittent hyperthermia during reloading attenuates oxidative stress and improves the rate of skeletal muscle regrowth during reloading after immobilization.
Technical and physiological background of plasma volume measurement with indocyanine green: a clarification of misunderstandings
Authors: Jacob Matthias , Conzen Peter , Finsterer Udilo , Krafft Alexander , Becker Bernhard F. , Rehm Markus
Published: November 2006

The indocyanine green (ICG) dilution technique (DT) is frequently used for plasma volume (PV) measurement. However, because of inadequate knowledge about the properties of this dye, lack of accuracy has been attributed to the method. The aim of this report is to provide physiological background information about the ICG-DT to avoid some profound misunderstandings. When performing tracer dilution, one has to consider the tracer's distribution space before interpreting the result. For ICG, the distribution space is the total PV, i.e., circulating + noncirculating PV, fixed within the endothelial glycocalyx. The distribution space of red blood cells and large molecules, in contrast, is only the circulating part of PV. Therefore, it is erroneous to compare directly PV derived from different tracer dilution methods. The transcapillary escape rate of ICG should not relevantly influence measured PV if the method is performed properly, i.e., if a short time window of measurement is subjected to monoexponential extrapolation. A major problem of PV measurement in general is that the target itself is very inconstant. Thus, checking for constancy of ICG-DT with two consecutive measurements is unreliable. Nevertheless, the ICG-DT is a useful tool for determining PV, provided it is well understood by the investigator to enable correct interpretation of the results.
Transpulmonary pressures and lung mechanics with glossopharyngeal insufflation and exsufflation beyond normal lung volumes in competitive breath-hold divers
Authors: Loring Stephen H. , O'Donnell Carl R. , Butler James P. , Lindholm Peter , Jacobson Francine , Ferrigno Massimo
Published: November 2006

Throughout life, most mammals breathe between maximal and minimal lung volumes determined by respiratory mechanics and muscle strength. In contrast, competitive breath-hold divers exceed these limits when they employ glossopharyngeal insufflation (GI) before a dive to increase lung gas volume (providing additional oxygen and intrapulmonary gas to prevent dangerous chest compression at depths recently greater than 100 m) and glossopharyngeal exsufflation (GE) during descent to draw air from compressed lungs into the pharynx for middle ear pressure equalization. To explore the mechanical effects of these maneuvers on the respiratory system, we measured lung volumes by helium dilution with spirometry and computed tomography and estimated transpulmonary pressures using an esophageal balloon after GI and GE in four competitive breath-hold divers. Maximal lung volume was increased after GI by 0.13–2.84 liters, resulting in volumes 1.5–7.9 SD above predicted values. The amount of gas in the lungs after GI increased by 0.59–4.16 liters, largely due to elevated intrapulmonary pressures of 52–109 cmH2O. The transpulmonary pressures increased after GI to values ranging from 43 to 80 cmH2O, 1.6–2.9 times the expected values at total lung capacity. After GE, lung volumes were reduced by 0.09–0.44 liters, and the corresponding transpulmonary pressures decreased to −15 to −31 cmH2O, suggesting closure of intrapulmonary airways. We conclude that the lungs of some healthy individuals are able to withstand repeated inflation to transpulmonary pressures far greater than those to which they would normally be exposed.
Impact of endurance training on murine spontaneous activity, muscle mitochondrial DNA abundance, gene transcripts, and function
Authors: Chow Lisa S. , Greenlund Laura J. , Asmann Yan W. , Short Kevin R. , McCrady Shelly K. , Levine James A. , Nair K. Sreekumaran
Published: November 2006

We hypothesized that enhanced skeletal muscle mitochondrial function following aerobic exercise training is related to an increase in mitochondrial transcription factors, DNA abundance [mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)], and mitochondria-related gene transcript levels, as well as spontaneous physical activity (SPA) levels. We report the effects of daily treadmill training on 12-wk-old FVB mice for 5 days/wk over 8 wk at 80% peak O2consumption and studied the training effect on changes in body composition, glucose tolerance, muscle mtDNA muscle, mitochondria-related gene transcripts, in vitro muscle mitochondrial ATP production capacity (MATPC), and SPA levels. Compared with the untrained mice, the trained mice had higher peak O2consumption (+18%; P < 0.001), lower percentage of abdominal (−25.4%; P < 0.02) and body fat (−19.5%; P < 0.01), improved glucose tolerance ( P < 0.04), and higher muscle mitochondrial enzyme activity (+19.5–43.8%; P < 0.04) and MATPC (+28.9 to +32.4%; P < 0.01). Gene array analysis showed significant differences in mRNAs of mitochondria-related ontology groups between the trained and untrained mice. Training also increased muscle mtDNA (+88.4 to +110%; P < 0.05), peroxisome proliferative-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α protein (+99.5%; P < 0.04), and mitochondrial transcription factor A mRNA levels (+21.7%; P < 0.004) levels. SPA levels were higher in trained mice ( P = 0.056, two-sided t-test) and significantly correlated with two separate substrate-based measurements of MATPC ( P < 0.02). In conclusion, aerobic exercise training enhances muscle mitochondrial transcription factors, mtDNA abundance, mitochondria-related gene transcript levels, and mitochondrial function, and this enhancement in mitochondrial function occurs in association with increased SPA.
Oxidative stress contributes to chronic leg vasoconstriction in estrogen-deficient postmenopausal women
Authors: Moreau Kerrie L. , DePaulis Ashley R. , Gavin Kathleen M. , Seals Douglas R.
Published: November 2006

Basal whole leg blood flow and vascular conductance are reduced in estrogen-deficient postmenopausal compared with premenopausal women. The underlying mechanisms are unknown, but oxidative stress could be involved. We studied 9 premenopausal [23 ± 1 yr (mean ± SE)] and 20 estrogen-deficient postmenopausal (55 ± 1 yr) healthy women. During baseline control, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL), a marker of oxidative stress, was 50% greater in the postmenopausal women ( P < 0.001). Basal whole leg blood flow (duplex ultrasound of femoral artery) was 34% lower in the postmenopausal women because of a 38% lower leg vascular conductance ( P < 0.0001); mean arterial pressure was not different. Intravenous administration of a supraphysiological dose of the antioxidant ascorbic acid increased leg blood flow by 15% in the postmenopausal women as a result of an increase in leg vascular conductance (both P < 0.001), but it did not affect leg blood flow in premenopausal controls or mean arterial pressure in either group. In the pooled subjects, the changes in leg blood flow and leg vascular conductance with ascorbic acid were related to baseline plasma oxidized LDL ( r = 0.46 and 0.53, P < 0.01) and waist-to-hip ratio and total body fat ( r = 0.41–0.44, all P < 0.05). Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that oxidative stress contributes to chronic leg vasoconstriction and reduced basal whole leg blood flow in estrogen-deficient postmenopausal women. This oxidative stress-related suppression of leg vascular conductance and blood flow may be linked in part to increased total and abdominal adiposity.