bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bounding the regularity of subschemes invariant under Pfaff fields on projective spaces
Authors: Cruz Joana D. A. , Esteves Eduardo
Published: September 2011

A Pfaff field on

\mathbb{P}^n_k

is a map

\eta \colon \Omega^s_{\mathbb{P}^n_k} \to \mathcal{L}

from the sheaf of differential

s

-forms to an invertible sheaf. The interesting ones are those arising from a Pfaff system, as they give rise to a distribution away from their singular locus. A subscheme

X \subseteq \mathbb{P}^n_k

is said to be invariant under

\eta

if

\eta

induces a Pfaff field

\Omega^s_X\to\mathcal{L} |_X

. We give bounds for the Castelnuovo–Mumford regularity of invariant complete intersection subschemes (more generally, arithmetically Cohen–Macaulay subschemes) of dimension

s

, depending on how singular these schemes are, thus bounding the degrees of the hypersurfaces that cut them out.
Avaliação de micro e pequenas empresas utilizando a metodologia multicritério e o método do fluxo de caixa descontado
Authors: Lima Marcus Vinicius Andrade de , Lima Carlos Rogério Montenegro de , Dutra Ademar , Lopes Ana Lúcia Miranda
Published: September 2011

Neste artigo é apresentada uma contribuição ao método do fluxo de caixa descontado utilizando a metodologia multicritério de apoio à decisão. Esta metodologia incorpora variáveis de natureza qualitativa e subjetiva ao método tradicional do fluxo de caixa descontado utilizado na avaliação de empresas. Para ilustrar o método proposto foi realizado um estudo descritivo de natureza exploratória aplicado a um multicaso. A intervenção foi em Micro e Pequenas Empresas (MPE) do ramo químico, farmacêutico e de turismo. Como resultado, o avaliador ajustou o preço do negócio levando em conta a resultante da mixagem entre as duas metodologias.
Teleconnection between Australian winter temperature and Indian summer monsoon rainfall
Authors: Lee S.-Y. , Koh T.-Y.
Published: September 2011

Abstract. The large-scale circulation over the Indian Ocean during the boreal summer raises the question of whether atmospheric conditions in Australia could influence conditions over the Indian subcontinent, despite the long passage of air over the Indian Ocean. Using a combination of reanalysis, satellite and in situ data, we argue that unusually low temperature over inland Australia during austral winter can enhance evaporation rate over the eastern tropical Indian Ocean, and hence enhance rainfall over western India after 10–18 days. Since extreme winter temperature in Australia is often associated with cold-air outbreaks, the above mechanism can be an example of how southern hemispheric mid-latitude weather can influence northern hemispheric monsoon rainfall.
Seasonal and inter-annual temperature variability in the bottom waters over the western Black Sea shelf
Authors: Shapiro G. I. , Wobus F. , Aleynik D. L.
Published: September 2011

Abstract. Long-term changes in the state of the Bottom Shelf Water (BSW) on the Western shelf of the Black Sea are assessed using analysis of intra-seasonal and inter-annual temperature variations. For the purpose of this study the BSW is defined as such shelf water mass between the seabed and the upper mixed layer (bounded by the σθ = 14.2 isopycnal) which has limited ability to mix vertically with oxygen-rich surface waters during the warm season due to formation of a seasonal pycnocline. A long-term time series of temperature anomalies in the BSW is constructed from in-situ observations taken over the 2nd half of the 20th century. The BSW is shown to occupy nearly half of the shelf area during the summer stratification period (May–November).The results reveal a warm phase in the 1960s/70s, followed by a cold phase between 1985 and 1995 and a further warming after 1995. The transition between the warm and cold periods coincides with a regime shift in the Black Sea ecosystem. While it was confirmed that the memory of winter convection is well preserved over the following months in the deep sea, the signal of winter cooling in the BSW significantly reduces during the warm season. The potential of the BSW to ventilate horizontally during the warm season with the deep-sea waters is assessed using isopycnic analysis of temperature variations. It is shown that temperature in the BSW is stronger correlated with the temperature of Cold Intermediate Waters (CIW) in the deep sea than with the severity of the previous winters, thus indicating that the isopycnal exchanges with the deep sea are more important for inter-annual/inter-decadal variability of the BSW on the western Black Sea shelf than effects of winter convection on the shelf itself.
Thermal state of the active layer and permafrost along the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) railway from 2006 to 2010
Authors: Wu Q. , Zhang T. , Liu Y.
Published: September 2011

Abstract. In this study, we investigated changes in active layer thickness (ALT) and permafrost temperatures at different depths using data from permafrost monitoring network along the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Railway since 2005. Among sites, average ALT is about 3.1 m with a range from about 1.1 m to 4.9 m. From 2006 through 2010, ALT has increased at a rate of about 6.3 cm a−1. The mean rising rate of permafrost temperature at the depth of 6.0 m is about 0.02 °C a−1 estimated by linear regression using five years of data, and the mean rising rate of mean annual ground temperature (MAGT) at depth of zero amplitude is about 0.012 °C a−1. Changes for colder permafrost (MAGT < −1.0 °C) is greater than that for relatively warmer permafrost (MAGT > −1.0 °C). This is consistent with results observed in the Arctic and Subarctic.
O significado do cuidado perioperatório para a criança cirúrgica
Authors: Silva Josilaine Porfírio da , Garanhani Mara Lucia
Published: September 2011

O objetivo deste estudo foi compreender o significado do cuidado perioperatório para a criança cirúrgica. Pesquisa de caráter qualitativo, na modalidade da estrutura do fenômeno situado, realizada em um hospital geral do norte do Paraná, com 10 crianças entre sete e 11 anos que foram submetidas a procedimentos cirúrgicos pela primeira vez, durante os meses de janeiro e agosto de 2009. Para a coleta de dados foram utilizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas. Os resultados foram agrupados em quatro categorias: orientações recebidas, procedimentos realizados, sentimentos da criança submetida à cirurgia e os significados de cuidado e autocuidado. Com esta análise concluímos que o cuidado para a criança cirúrgica significa orientar e realizar procedimentos técnicos adequados à sua faixa etária, respeitando as diferentes fases de seu desenvolvimento, assegurando a permanência de sua família e incluindo atividades lúdicas. Reforça-se a necessidade do enfermeiro apresentar-se para a criança de maneira mais visível. Descritores: Enfermagem Perioperatória; Criança Hospitalizada; Pesquisa Qualitativa.
Processo de limpeza da sala operatória: riscos à saúde do usuário e do trabalhador
Authors: Barreto Regiane Aparecida dos Santos Soares , Rocha-Vilefort Larissa Oliveira , Souza Adenícia Custódia Silva e , Prado-Palos Marinésia Aparecida , Barbosa Maria Alves , Borges Vanderléia Patrícia Freitas Nunes
Published: September 2011

Estudo descritivo realizado de 2007 a 2008, em um hospital de ensino de Goiânia-GO, com a equipe de enfermagem e de higienização e limpeza que objetivou caracterizar a limpeza de salas operatórias do centro cirúrgico e a adesão ao uso dos equipamentos de proteção individual pelos profissionais. A limpeza preparatória foi efetuada em 87,5% das salas operatórias. Das 40 cirurgias observadas, houve queda de matéria orgânica no piso em 37,5%, sem a devida limpeza. A desinfecção de superfícies e equipamentos com álcool a 70% não foi observada em nenhum dos turnos. O uso adequado de EPI foi ignorado por 14,3% profissionais de enfermagem no matutino e 41,7%, no vespertino. É clara a necessidade de capacitação dos profissionais quanto ao processo da limpeza de sala operatória, ao uso de equipamentos de proteção individual, à higienização das mãos e a reflexão sobre a sua responsabilidade no controle de infecção de sitio cirúrgico.Descritores: Enfermagem; Descontaminação; Salas Cirúrgicas.
The Nanos Short Stem in Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Mid Term Follow-Up
Authors: Ettinger Max , Ettinger Peter , Lerch Matthias , Radtke Kerstin , Budde Stefan , Ezechieli Marco , Becher Christoph , Thorey Fritz
Published: September 2011

A number of short stems for total hip arthroplasty have been introduced during the last decade. We describe our experience with the NANOS prosthesis (Smith and Nephew, Marl, Germany). The potential increase of bone mass around a femoral short stem using bone densitometry may be an indicator for secondary ingrowth.

We report the outcome of 72 NANOS short stems in 65 patients between March 2003 and October 2007. The mean follow-up was 5.2±0.7 years and the mean age of the patients was 63±8.3 years. Along with demographic data and co-morbidities, the Harris Hip Score, the Merle d'Aubigné mobility score, and a patient-centred questionnaire were evaluated pre-operatively and during follow-up.

The Mean Harris Hip Score increased from 47.3±12.2 pre-operatively to 97.6±0.6 at the final follow-up. The Merle d'Aubigné mobility score increased from 7.6±1.4 pre-operatively to 11.8±0.3 at the final follow-up. None of the 72 stems were revised, providing a survival rate of 100%. Radiolucent lines were visible rasiographically in two patients during follow-up.

The NANOS short stem demonstrated a satisfactory outcome at mid term follow-up. The clinical and radiological results support to the principle of metaphyseal anchorage of a short stem prosthesis. Long term evaluation will be of interest to determine if these encouraging trends are reflected by prolonged survivorship.
An Effort to Isolate Mycobacterium bovis from Environmental Substrates during Investigations of Bovine Tuberculosis Transmission Sites (Cattle Farms and Wildlife Areas) in Michigan,
USA
Authors: Fine Amanda E. , O'Brien Daniel J. , Winterstein Scott R. , Kaneene John B.
Published: September 2011

Deer movements on cattle farms, wildlife feeding, and livestock management practices in Michigan are thought to create opportunities for indirect transmission of Mycobacterium bovis via environmental substrates. To confirm the presence of viable M. bovis in the environment, substrates were collected from 13 farms with culture-confirmed M. bovis in cattle and 5 sites with high prevalence of M. bovis in free-ranging deer. None of the samples processed for mycobacterial culture were positive for M. bovis. Agent, host, and landscape-level factors decrease the probability of detecting M. bovis in the environment using conventional mycobacterial culture. Molecular techniques that increase the probability of M. bovis detection in environmental substrates should be applied to known sites of M. bovis transmission in Michigan. In the interim, epidemiological investigations informed by experimental studies will be most effective in characterizing M. bovis persistence in the environment and its role in the indirect interspecies transmission of M. bovis.
Influence of Cognitive Abilities and Age on Word Recall Performance Across Trials and List Segments
Authors: Krueger Lacy E. , Salthouse Timothy A.
Published: September 2011

The influence of cognitive abilities and age on multitrial word recall performance was examined for different list segments (i.e., first, middle, and last) and across trials by having 2,497 participants ages 18–98 complete a multitrial word list test along with reference cognitive ability tests. As expected, higher episodic memory ability was associated with better recall on all list segments but with a smaller influence for the last items on the early trials. Performance improved across trials, but there were no relations of the fluid intelligence construct that might be postulated to be associated with effective strategy implementation with any of the recall measures. Advanced age was associated with lower levels of performance, but very few of the age relations were significant after the variation in the reference cognitive abilities was controlled for.
Integration of Facial and Newly Learned Visual Cues in Speech Perception
Authors: Massaro Dom , Cohen Michael M. , Meyer Heidi , Stribling Tracy , Sterling Cass , Vanderhyden Sam
Published: September 2011

We are developing technology to translate acoustic characteristics of speech into visual cues that can be used to supplement speechreading when hearing is limited. Research and theory have established that perceivers are influenced by multiple sources of sensory and contextual information in spoken language processing. Previous research has also shown that additional sources of information can be learned and used to supplement those that are normally available but have been degraded by sensory impairment or difficult environments. We tested whether people can combine or integrate information from the face and information from newly learned cues in an optimal manner. Subjects first learned the visual cues and then were tested under three conditions. Words were presented with just the face, just the visual cues, or both together. Performance was much better with both cues than with either one alone. Similar to the description of previous results with audible and visible speech, the present results were well described by the Fuzzy Logical Model of Perception (Massaro, 1998), which predicts optimal or maximally efficient integration.
An interactive modeling lesson increases students' understanding of ploidy during meiosis
Authors: Wright L. Kate , Newman Dina L.
Published: September 2011

Chromosome structure is confusing to students at all levels, and chromosome behavior during meiosis is a notoriously difficult topic. Undergraduate biology majors are exposed to the process of meiosis numerous times during their presecondary and postsecondary education, yet understanding of key concepts, such as the point at which haploidy is established, does not improve substantially with repeated exposure. Based on student's drawings, 96% of intermediate‐level biology majors have unclear or incorrect ideas about meiosis. Students have difficulty diagramming the process of meiosis starting with three unreplicated pairs of chromosomes, and even when they can produce an accurate diagram, they are unclear how to assign the terms “haploid” and “diploid.” We designed an interactive lesson based on constructivist theory to address these issues in a large lecture class. Pretest and posttest scores showed a significant improvement in students' understanding of ploidy compared to a parallel class taught in the traditional way (e.g. using the textbook diagrams). In interviews afterward, those students whose scores improved on exams specifically pointed to the features of the in‐class modeling that were deliberately incorporated for that purpose. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education Vol. 39, No. 5, pp. 344–351, 2011
Optimisation of petroleum refinery water network systems retrofit incorporating reuse, regeneration and recycle strategies
Authors: Khor Cheng Seong , Shah Nilay , Mahadzir Shuhaimi , Elkamel Ali
Published: September 2011

Scarcities in freshwater supply and increasingly stringent rules on wastewater discharges have emerged as major environmental concerns for petroleum refineries. Hence, this work attempts to develop an optimisation framework for refinery water network systems design and retrofit that integrates the complementary advantageous features of water pinch analysis (WPA). The framework explicitly incorporates water minimisation strategies by first postulating a superstructure representation that embeds all feasible flowsheet alternatives for implementing water reuse, regeneration and recycle (W3R) opportunities. Subsequently, a nonlinear programming (NLP) model is formulated based on the superstructure and computational experiments on a real‐world case study are conducted using the GAMS/CONOPT3 modelling language platform. Post‐optimality analysis on the numerical results are performed to achieve the desired water reuse quality, hence presenting a viable framework to aid decision‐making in water network systems synthesis. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Functional interaction between AQP2 and TRPV4 in renal cells
Authors: Galizia Luciano , Pizzoni Alejandro , Fernandez Juan , Rivarola Valeria , Capurro Claudia , Ford Paula
Published: September 2011

We have previously demonstrated that renal cortical collecting duct cells (RCCD1), responded to hypotonic stress with a rapid activation of regulatory volume decrease (RVD) mechanisms. This process requires the presence of the water channel AQP2 and calcium influx, opening the question about the molecular identity of this calcium entry path. Since the calcium permeable nonselective cation channel TRPV4 plays a crucial role in the response to mechanical and osmotic perturbations in a wide range of cell types, the aim of this work was to test the hypothesis that the increase in intracellular calcium concentration and the subsequent rapid RVD, only observed in the presence of AQP2, could be due to a specific activation of TRPV4. We evaluated the expression and function of TRPV4 channels and their contribution to RVD in WT‐RCCD1 (not expressing aquaporins) and in AQP2‐RCCD1 (transfected with AQP2) cells. Our results demonstrated that both cell lines endogenously express functional TRPV4, however, a large activation of the channel by hypotonicity only occurs in cells that express AQP2. Blocking of TRPV4 by ruthenium red abolished calcium influx as well as RVD, identifying TRPV4 as a necessary component in volume regulation. Even more, this process is dependent on the translocation of TRPV4 to the plasma membrane. Our data provide evidence of a novel association between TRPV4 and AQP2 that is involved in the activation of TRPV4 by hypotonicity and regulation of cellular response to the osmotic stress, suggesting that both proteins are assembled in a signaling complex that responds to anisosmotic conditions. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 580–589, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Creatine affects in vitro electrophysiological maturation of neuroblasts and protects them from oxidative stress
Authors: Sartini Stefano , Sestili Piero , Colombo Evelin , Martinelli Chiara , Bartolini Fanny , Ciuffoli Stefano , Lattanzi Davide , Sisti Davide , Cuppini Riccardo
Published: September 2011

Creatine (Cr) is a very popular ergogenic molecule that has recently been shown to have antioxidant properties. The effectiveness of Cr supplementation in treating neurological diseases and Cr deficiency syndromes has been demonstrated, and experimental reports suggest that it plays an important role in CNS development. In spite of this body of evidence, the role of Cr in functional and structural neuronal differentiation is still poorly understood. Here we used electrophysiological, morphological, and biochemical approaches to study the effects of Cr supplementation on in vitro differentiation of spinal neuroblasts under standard conditions or subjected to oxidative stress, a status closely related to perinatal hypoxia‐ischemia, a severe condition for developing brain. Cr supplementation (10 and 20 mM) completely prevented the viability decrease and neurite development impairment induced by radical attack, as well as nonprotein sulphydryl antioxidant pool depletion. Similar results were obtained using the antioxidant trolox. Furthermore, Cr supplementation induced a significant and dose‐dependent anticipation of Na+ and K+ current expression during the period of in vitro network building. Consistently with the latter finding, higher excitability, expressed as number of spikes following depolarization, was found in supplemented neuroblasts. All effects were dependent on the cytosolic fraction of Cr, as shown using a membrane Cr‐transporter blocker. Our results indicate that Cr protects differentiating neuroblasts against oxidative insults and, moreover, affects their in vitro electrophysiological maturation, suggesting possibly relevant effects of dietary Cr supplementation on developing CNS. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Abundance trends of American martens in Michigan based on statistical population reconstruction
Authors: Skalski John R. , Millspaugh Joshua J. , Clawson Michael V. , Belant Jerrold L. , Etter Dwayne R. , Frawley Brian J. , Friedrich Paul D.
Published: September 2011

Estimating the dynamics of furbearer populations is challenging because their elusive behavior and low densities make observations difficult. Statistical population reconstruction is a flexible approach to demographic assessment for harvested populations, but the technique has not been applied to furbearers. We extended this approach to furbearers and analyzed 8 yr of age‐at‐harvest data for American marten (Martes americana) in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Marten abundance estimates showed a general downward trend from an estimate of${\hat {N}}$ = 1,733.3$(\widehat {{\rm SE}} = 861.3)$animals in 2000 to${\hat {N}}$ = 1,163.9$(\widehat {{\rm SE}} = 520.1)$in 2007. The harvest probability of martens increased nearly 5‐fold from 0.0542$(\widehat {{\rm SE}} = 0.0250)$in 2000 to 0.2637$(\widehat {{\rm SE}} = 0.1154)$in 2007, which corresponded to a 5‐fold increase in trap‐nights. Continued monitoring of martens in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan, and a reassessment of current harvest regulations are necessary given the estimated decreases. Moreover, we do not encourage the use of harvest indices as the sole technique to assess the status and trends of marten and fisher populations. Auxiliary studies in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan, will allow for continued use and improvement in the application of these models. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Effects of selective harvest on antler size in white‐tailed deer: A modeling approach
Authors: Webb Stephen L. , Demarais Stephen , Strickland Bronson K. , DeYoung Randy W. , Kinghorn Brian P. , Gee Kenneth L.
Published: September 2011

Selective harvesting in wild deer (Odocoileus spp.) populations is a common practice that may influence antler size. However, in free‐ranging populations, response due to selection is unknown or difficult to quantify because antlers are influenced by nutrition and population demographics. We used quantitative genetic models to predict how white‐tailed deer (O. virginianus) antlers would respond to selection and what variables (i.e., population size, age structure, mating ratio, and heritability) most affected antler size. We validated our quantitative genetics program by comparing model results with a population of deer used for controlled breeding experiments; modeled antler points (AP) and score increased (2.2–4.3 AP and 48.5–97.7 cm, respectively) after 8 years of selection, similar to observed increases in AP (3.2) and score (92.3 cm) from the controlled population. In modeled free‐ranging populations, mating ratio, age structure, and heritability were more important in influencing antler size than size of the population. However, response to selection in free‐ranging populations was lower (0.1–0.9 AP) than controlled breeding populations even after 20 years of selection. These results show that selective harvesting of free‐ranging white‐tailed deer may be inefficient to change population‐level genetic characteristics related to antler size. Response of antlers in free‐ranging deer will be less than controlled populations, and possibly modeled free‐ranging simulations, because individual reproductive success of males is lower, breeding is done by a large group of males, and reproductive and survival rates are lower. These factors, and others, reduce the amount of improvement that can be made to antlers due to selection. Therefore, selective harvesting in free‐ranging populations should be justified for managing population demographics and dynamics, but not for changing the genetic characteristics of populations. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
An improved multi‐scale approach to modeling habitat occupancy of northern bobwhite
Authors: Duren Kenneth R. , Buler Jeffrey J. , Jones William , Williams Christopher K.
Published: September 2011

Predicting species presence requires knowledge of detection of individuals, scale of model variables, model selection uncertainty, and spatial autocorrelation. Our objective was to incorporate recent modeling advances to predict potential habitat occupancy of northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus). From 15 May–15 August 2008 and 2009, we conducted repeat‐visit surveys at 360 sites within Delaware to sample presence of bobwhite. We randomly selected half the data to model scale‐dependent relationships of bobwhite presence with metrics of landscape‐ and site‐scale habitat composition and configuration. The final averaged habitat‐occupancy model fit the remainder testing dataset with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value of 0.62. At the site scale, bobwhite presence was negatively related to interspersion and juxtaposition of early successional habitat (ESH; grassland and shrubland), ESH to forest edge density, and agriculture to forest edge density, though relative effect sizes were weak to moderate after accounting for model selection uncertainty. At the landscape scale, bobwhite presence was negatively related to patch cohesion of human development within 2.5 km and positively related to patch cohesion of ESH within 2.0 km, with both variables exerting strong effects. Bobwhite presence was also weakly and positively related to percentage of shrubland habitat within 1.0 km of the sampling point. We applied our habitat occupancy model to map the predicted presence of breeding bobwhite within the Delmarva Peninsula, USA. The modeling results and distribution map will provide guidance to State and Federal private land management programs in the Mid‐Atlantic to identify where habitat management efforts will be most effective. Our methodology can also serve as a basis for future habitat modeling of bobwhite and other grassland–shrubland species across their range. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
GlobalView: building global view with log files in a distributed/networked system for accountability
Authors: Xiao Yang , Yue Songqing , Fu Bo , Ozdemir Suat
Published: September 2011

In this work, we will illustrate our attempt to exploit log files that are recorded locally on each node in a distributed system or a wired/wireless network. In order to improve the efficiency of retrieving data, we propose the idea of building a global view of the system with a clustered log‐collecting scheme; this would help the monitoring node gain a whole view of the system by building up and maintaining high‐level log files. We also introduce an efficient, tamper‐evident scheme to detect whether a local flow‐net has been deliberately compromised. We provide both simulation results and implementation of the proposed scheme on Emulab, a network testbed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assertion-based slicing and slice graphs
Authors: Barros José Bernardo , da Cruz Daniela , Henriques Pedro Rangel , Pinto Jorge Sousa
Published: September 2011

This paper revisits the idea of slicing programs based on their axiomatic semantics, rather than using criteria based on control/data dependencies. We show how the forward propagation of preconditions and the backward propagation of postconditions can be combined in a new slicing algorithm that is more precise than the existing specification-based algorithms. The algorithm is based on (a) a precise test for removable statements, and (b) the construction of a
slice graph
, a program control flow graph extended with semantic labels and additional edges that “short-circuit” removable commands. It improves on previous approaches in two aspects: it does not fail to identify removable commands; and it produces the smallest possible slice that can be obtained (in a sense that will be made precise). Iteration is handled through the use of loop invariants and variants to ensure termination. The paper also discusses in detail applications of these forms of slicing, including the elimination of (conditionally) unreachable and dead code, and compares them to other related notions.
Molecules, cells and networks involved in processing olfactory stimuli in the mouse olfactory bulb
Authors: Kuner T. , Schaefer A.
Published: September 2011

How sensory stimuli are processed by neural networks is a key question of neurosci­ence. Olfactory conditioning experiments in mice demonstrated that odour processing is fast and stimulus-dependent. Selective ge­netic perturbation of the inhibitory circuitry in the first relay station of olfactory processing, the olfactory bulb, altered such discrim­ination times, with increased inhibition accelerating and decreased inhibition slowing down odour discrimination. This illustrates that inhibition fulfils a key role in sensory processing.
Singularities in the complex physical plane for deep water waves
Authors: Baker Gregory R. , Xie Chao
Published: September 2011

Deep water waves in two-dimensional flow can have curvature singularities on the surface profile; for example, the limiting Stokes wave has a corner of $2\lrm{\pi} / 3$ radians and the limiting standing wave momentarily forms a corner of $\lrm{\pi} / 2$ radians. Much less is known about the possible formation of curvature singularities in general. A novel way of exploring this possibility is to consider the curvature as a complex function of the complex arclength variable and to seek the existence and nature of any singularities in the complex arclength plane. Highly accurate boundary integral methods produce a Fourier spectrum of the curvature that allows the identification of the nearest singularity to the real axis of the complex arclength plane. This singularity is in general a pole singularity that moves about the complex arclength plane. It approaches the real axis very closely when waves break and is associated with the high curvature at the tip of the breaking wave. The behaviour of these singularities is more complex for standing waves, where two singularities can be identified that may collide and separate. One of them approaches the real axis very closely when a standing wave forms a very narrow collapsing column of water almost under free fall. In studies so far, no singularity reaches the real axis in finite time. On the other hand, the surface elevation $y(x)$ has square-root singularities in the complex $x$ plane that do reach the real axis in finite time, the moment when a wave first starts to break. These singularities have a profound effect on the wave spectra.
Prichard's Heresy
Authors: Berkovski Sandy
Published: September 2011

H. A. Prichard ascribed to Aristotle a form of closeted hedonism. Aristotle allegedly misunderstood his own task: while his avowed goal inNicomachean Ethicsis to give an account of the nature of happiness, his real goal must be to offer an account of the factors most efficiently generating happiness. The reason is that the nature of happiness is enjoyment, and this fact is supposed to have been recognised by Aristotle and his audience. While later writers judged Prichard's view obviously mistaken, I argue that the issue is more complex. In the process of reconstructing the logical skeleton of Prichard's argument I show that Aristotle may have had to endorse the identification of the subject's good with that subject's psychological satisfaction. But I also argue that, while making prior assumptions about the meaning of ‘eudaimonia’, Aristotle made no such assumptions about the nature of eudaimonia.
Ethical Necessities
Authors: Reader Soran
Published: September 2011

In this paper I introduce my work in ethics, inviting others to draw on my approach to address the ethical issues that concern them. I set up the Centre for Ethical Philosophy at Durham University in 2007 to plug a puzzling gap in philosophical work to help us help the world. In 1. I set out ethical philosophy. In 2. I consider some implications, for example, that to do good we must pay much more attention to the beings around us, less to ourselves. In 3. I consider the implications for how we should think about war and peace. In 4. I draw out some implications for good political practice. In 5. I consider objections and conclude.
Early New Persian in Syriac script: Two texts from Turfan
Authors: Sims-Williams Nicholas
Published: September 2011

The German Turfan collection includes fragments of two Early New Persian manuscripts in Syriac script, a bilingual (Syriac and New Persian) Psalter and a pharmacological handbook containing prescriptions similar to those in the Syriac Book of Medicines published by E. A. W. Budge. Both texts make use of certain non-Syriac characters, some of which were also used for writing Sogdian while others may have been created especially for writing Persian in Syriac script. The Syriac text of the Psalter fragments is that of the Peshitta; the translation is particularly valuable for the vocalization of the Persian words. In addition to many unusual and interesting words, the pharmacological fragments attest the rare Syriac numeral symbols derived from those of ancient Aramaic. The present article contains a transliteration and translation of all these texts together with a glossary and full philological discussion.
Formal Constitutions in Informal Politics: Institutions and Democratization in Post-Soviet Eurasia
Authors: Hale Henry E.
Published: September 2011

How do formal constitutions impact the prospects for democratization in hybrid regimes, where corruption is typically high and rule of law weak? It is often assumed either that they set “rules of the game,” having effects by being followed, or that they do not matter, being overwhelmed by informal politics. In fact, a logic of collective action reveals that constitutions do matter, but as much by shaping informal political arrangements as by being obeyed. Presidentialist constitutions, through an information effect and a focal effect, generate expectations of future informal power that encourage clientelistic networks to coordinate law-disregarding practices around a “single pyramid” of power led by the president. The information and focal effects of divided-executive constitutions, by contrast, create expectations that complicate the coordination of clientelistic networks around a single patron, promoting “competing-pyramid” politics. To isolate the impact of formal constitutional design and rule out other causes, a tightly controlled process-tracing paired comparison is employed using Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan during 2005–10, explaining why Ukraine's Orange Revolution produced a true democratic opening (even if short lived) while Kyrgyzstan's Tulip Revolution did not.
Sur la concentration de certaines fonctions additives
Authors: DE LA BRETÈCHE R. , TENENBAUM G.
Published: September 2011

Improving on estimates of Erdős, Halász and Ruzsa, we provide new upper and lower bounds for the concentration function of the limit law of certain additive arithmetic functions under hypotheses involving only their average behaviour on the primes. In particular we partially confirm a conjecture of Erdős and Kátai. The upper bound is derived via a reappraisal of the method of Diamond and Rhoads, resting upon the theory of functions with bounded mean oscillation.
Ordered groups, eigenvalues, knots, surgery and L-spaces
Authors: CLAY ADAM , ROLFSEN DALE
Published: September 2011

We establish a necessary condition that an automorphism of a nontrivial finitely generated bi-orderable group can preserve a bi-ordering: at least one of its eigenvalues, suitably defined, must be real and positive. Applications are given to knot theory, spaces which fibre over the circle and to the Heegaard–Floer homology of surgery manifolds. In particular, we show that if a nontrivial fibred knot has bi-orderable knot group, then its Alexander polynomial has a positive real root. This implies that many specific knot groups are not bi-orderable. We also show that if the group of a nontrivial knot is bi-orderable, surgery on the knot cannot produce anL-space, as defined by Ozsváth and Szabó.
Exploring the Neglected Constraints on Chindia: Analysing the Online Chinese Perception of India and its Interaction with China's Indian Policy
Authors: Shen Simon
Published: September 2011

In recent years, the governments of China and India have initiated a strategic partnership. Talks of creating an integrated “Chindia” economic hub have been commonplace. Many studies have been undertaken from conflicting perspectives on bilateral relations at the high level, but how ordinary Chinese people view their contemporary Indian counterparts and how this provides a civic dimension to the partnership remains under-explored. In an authoritarian nation where exhibiting sentiments contrary to the party-state's policy is not encouraged and remains uncommon, the Chinese have increasingly relied upon the internet to express their views on various aspects of policy, including that towards India. Using systematic, qualitative research on the online community, this article categorizes the various opinions expressed by Chinese internet users about India, the Indians and Beijing's Indian policy; analyses the apparent huge gap between these perceptions and the official rhetoric of Beijing; and forecasts how such perceptions might influence future Sino-Indian relations.
Is Taiwan Studies in Decline?
Authors: Sullivan Jonathan
Published: September 2011

Taiwan studies is confronting several challenges from within and outside the academy to its vitality if not viability. The growing attraction of mainland China to researchers, the encroachment of disciplines and marginalization of area studies, and the closing life cycles of several of the most salient research themes on Taiwan, have all contributed to the sense of a field in decline. This article seeks to provide a more concrete empirical basis for assessing the state of the Taiwan studies field. Drawing on content analysis of journal publications, combined with citation data and a survey of Taiwan specialists, the article addresses a number of key questions about the field.
Foundations of a General Ethics: Selves, Sentient Beings, and Other Responsively Cohesive Structures
Authors: Fox Warwick
Published: September 2011

Everything we can refer to – physical, biological, psychological, or a human-created entity, institution, activity, or expression of some kind, and whether constituted of brute physical stuff or less tangible complexes of social arrangements, ideas, images, movements, and so on – can be considered in terms of its form of organization or structure. This applies even if what we want to say about these things is that they represent a disorganized or unstructured example of their kind or else that they simply lack any discernible form of internal organization or structure in the sense that their internal structure is undifferentiated or homogenous as opposed to being ‘all over the place’. We therefore live in a world in which everything can be characterized, either positively or negatively, in terms of its form of organization or structure. (The terms ‘form of organization’ and ‘structure’ can be used interchangeably in the context of this paper, although I will tend to use the term ‘structure’ in what follows.)
Sustainable Consumption, Climate Change and Future Generations
Authors: Helm Dieter
Published: September 2011

What makes climate change such a difficult problem to solve is that it is so pervasive: it is global but with very different effects on regions and nations. It stretches through time to many future generations. Its causes are ultimately the growth of population, the structure of production and growing consumption: greater numbers require ever more to make them happy.
Maternal intention to breast-feed and breast-feeding outcomes in term and preterm infants: Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), 2000–2003
Authors: Colaizy Tarah T , Saftlas Audrey F , Morriss Frank H
Published: September 2011

Objective

To determine the effect of intention to breast-feed on short-term breast-feeding outcomes in women delivering term and preterm infants.

Design

Data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) for three states, Ohio, Michigan and Arkansas, during 2000–2003 were analysed. SAS 9·1·3 and SUDAAN 10 statistical software packages were used for analyses.

Setting

Arkansas, Michigan and Ohio, USA.

Subjects

Mothers of recently delivered infants, selected by birth certificate sampling.

Results

Of 16 839 mothers included, 9·7 % delivered preterm. Some 52·2 % expressed definite intention to breast-feed, 16·8 % expressed tentative intention, 4·3 % were uncertain and 26·8 % had no intention to breast-feed. Overall 65·2 % initiated breast-feeding, 52·0 % breast-fed for ≥4 weeks and 30·8 % breast-fed for ≥10 weeks. Women with definite intention were more likely to initiate (OR = 24·3, 95 % CI 18·4, 32·1), to breast-feed for ≥4 weeks (OR = 7·12, 95 % CI 5·95, 8·51) and to breast-feed for ≥10 weeks (OR = 2·75, 95 % CI 2·20, 3·45) compared with women with tentative intention. Levels of intention did not differ between women delivering preterm and term. Women delivering at <34 weeks were more likely to initiate breast-feeding (OR = 2·24, 95 % CI 1·64, 3·06) and to breast-feed for ≥4 weeks (OR = 2·58, 95 % CI 1·96, 3·41), but less likely to breast-feed for ≥10 weeks (OR = 0·55, 95 % CI 0·44, 0·68), compared with those delivering at term. Women delivering between 34 and 36 weeks were less likely to breast-feed for ≥10 weeks than those delivering at term (OR = 0·63, 95 % CI 0·49, 0·81).

Conclusions

Prenatal intention to breast-feed is a powerful predictor of short-term breast-feeding outcomes in women delivering both at term and prematurely.
Food and drink consumption at school lunchtime: the impact of lunch type and contribution to overall intake in British 9–10-year-old children
Authors: Harrison Flo , Jennings Amy , Jones Andy , Welch Ailsa , van Sluijs Esther , Griffin Simon , Cassidy Aedín
Published: September 2011

Objective

To examine the differences in dietary intakes of children consuming school meals and packed lunches, the contribution of lunchtime intake to overall dietary intake, and how lunchtime intake relates to current food-based recommendations for school meals.

Design

Cross-sectional analysis of overall intake of macronutrients and food choice from 4 d food diaries and school lunchtime intake from the two diary days completed while at school.

Setting

Norfolk, UK.

Subjects

One thousand six hundred and twenty-six children (aged 9–10 years) attending ninety Norfolk primary schools.

Results

At school, lunchtime school meal eaters consumed more vegetables, sweet snacks, chips, starchy foods and milk, and less squash/cordial, fruit, bread, confectionery and savoury snacks than packed lunch eaters. These differences were also reflected in the overall diet. On average school meal eaters met the School Food Trust (SFT) food-based standards, while food choices among packed lunch eaters were less healthy. The contribution of food consumed at school lunchtime to overall diet varied by food and lunch type, ranging from 0·8 % (milk intake in packed lunches) to 74·4 % (savoury snack intake in packed lunches).

Conclusions

There were significant differences in the foods consumed by school meal and packed lunch eaters, with food choices among school meal eaters generally in line with SFT standards. The food choices made at school lunchtime make a significant contribution to overall diet.
Momentary Affect Surrounding Loss of Control and Overeating in Obese Adults With and Without Binge Eating Disorder
Authors: Goldschmidt Andrea B. , Engel Scott G. , Wonderlich Stephen A. , Crosby Ross D. , Peterson Carol B. , Le Grange Daniel , Tanofsky‐Kraff Marian , Cao Li , Mitchell James E.
Published: September 2011

Research suggests that loss of control (LOC) while eating (the sense that one cannot control what or how much one is eating) is a more salient feature of binge eating than the amount of food consumed. This study examined the unique contributions of LOC and episode size to negative affect surrounding eating episodes in binge eating disorder (BED) and obesity. Twenty‐two obese adults with (n = 9) and without (n = 13) BED completed daily records of eating patterns and mood using ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Linear mixed modeling revealed that across groups, greater premeal self‐reported LOC was associated with higher premeal negative affect independent of episode size. For individuals with BED, greater premeal self‐reported LOC was associated with higher postmeal negative affect, regardless of the amount of food eaten, whereas for obese controls, the combination of LOC and consumption of large amounts of food was associated with lower postmeal negative affect. Results indicate that LOC, but not the quantity of food consumed, is associated with momentary distress related to aberrant eating in BED. Findings also highlight the need for further research investigating the emotional context surrounding aberrant eating in obese individuals without BED.
Scientific Challenges and Policy Needs
Authors: Moore Michael N. , Owen Richard , Depledge Michael H.
Published: September 2011

A key determinant of the quality and sustainability of the coastal marine environment is the dramatic growth of the human population, in particular along the global coastal zone, over the course of the last century. Burgeoning population growth, often as a result of reduced infant mortality and migration from rural communities, has created unprecedented social and economic demands for food resources, both in fisheries and aquaculture, while poor governance in respect of haphazard urbanisation and industrialisation and poorly regulated waste management have contributed extensively to the degradation of coastal ecosystems. Human health and wellbeing are consequently at risk from the resultant increased burdens of bacterial and viral pathogens from sewage and agricultural faecal run-off, as well as chemical and particulate waste from a variety of sources such as industry, domestic effluent, combustion processes, agricultural run-off of pesticides and nutrients, transport and road run-off. Unless policy formulation recognises that expansion of the human populations is often a key causative factor in the degradation of the coastal marine environment and related human health risks, and develops effective sustainability and mitigation strategies to deal with this, then any other actions will only provide expensive stop-gap solutions that are essentially ‘papering over the cracks’. A recognition of the complex nature of the connectivity of the coastal marine environment with public health is critical for understanding the relationships involved.

A holistic systems approach such as Integrated Coastal Zone Management is necessary to address the highly interconnected scientific challenges of increased human population pressure, pollution and over-exploitation of food (and other) resources as drivers of adverse ecological, social and economic impacts, and the urgent and critical requirement for effective public health solutions to be developed through the formulation of politically and environmentally meaningful policies. Since coastal zone environmental problems and related health and socio-economic issues are trans-national in character, the demands on regulation and governance go well beyond the actions of a single government and will require integrated action on a regional and global scale by national governments and stakeholders (e.g. non-governmental organisations), regional organisations (e.g. European Union) and international organisations (e.g. United Nations).