bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustained virological response prevents the development of insulin resistance in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Aghemo Alessio , Prati Gian Maria , Rumi Maria Grazia , Soffredini Roberta , D'Ambrosio Roberta , Orsi Emanuela , De Nicola Stella , Degasperi Elisabetta , Grancini Valeria , Colombo Massimo
Published: May 2012

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with insulin resistance (IR), which is a condition known to influence the progression of liver fibrosis and the response to pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN)/ribavirin (RBV) therapy. We aimed to assess whether a sustained virological response (SVR) after antiviral therapy prevents the development of IR in the long term. Members of the Milan Safety Tolerability study cohort, who received PEG-IFNα2a/RBV or PEG-IFNα2b/RBV, underwent a homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) at the baseline and 24 months after treatment completion. For all patients (n = 431), a liver biopsy sample was scored for grading, staging (Ishak), and steatosis. At the baseline, IR (HOMA value > 2) was detected in 48 patients (12%), and it was associated with body weight (

P

= 0.03), an HCV load < 0.6 × 106 IU/L (

P

= 0.006), fibrosis staging ≥ 4 (

P

= 0.01), and moderate to severe steatosis (

P

= 0.03). IR did not influence the rates of end-of-treatment response (75% versus 69%,

P

= 0.4), SVR (63% versus 60%,

P

= 0.8), or relapse (19% versus 24%,

P

= 0.5). After treatment, IR developed in 49 of the 384 nondiabetic patients (14%). Although the mean baseline and posttreatment HOMA values were similar in SVR patients (1.11 ± 0.8 versus 1.18 ± 1.1,

P

= 0.25), patients experiencing treatment failure showed a significant increase in the mean HOMA value at the follow-up visit (1.20 ± 0.85 versus 1.49 ± 1.3,

P

= 0.007), and there was an increased rate of

de novo

IR in non-SVR patients versus SVR patients (17% versus 7%,

P

= 0.007). According to a logistic regression analysis, treatment failure (odds ratio = 2.81, 95% confidence interval = 1.39-5.67,

P

= 0.004) and a 10% body mass index increase (odds ratio = 6.42, 95% confidence interval = 1.69-24.3,

P

= 0.006) were significantly associated with the development of

de novo

IR.

Conclusion :

In nondiabetic patients with chronic HCV, the achievement of SVR with PEG-IFN and RBV prevents the development of

de novo

IR.
Baseflow separation in a small watershed in New Brunswick, Canada, using a recursive digital filter calibrated with the conductivity mass balance method
Authors: Zhang Ruigang , Li Qiang , Chow Thien Lien , Li Sheng , Danielescu Serban
Published: May 2012

Baseflow separation is important for obtaining critical parameters for hydrological models. As measuring the baseflow component directly is difficult, various analytical and empirical baseflow separation methods have been developed and tested. The recursive digital filter (RDF) method is commonly used for baseflow separation due to its simplicity and low data requirement. However, parameters used in the RDF method are often determined arbitrarily, resulting in high uncertainty of the estimated baseflow rate. A more accurate method is the conductivity mass balance (CMB) method, which is established based on the differences in physical processes between baseflow and surface runoff. In this research, the output of the CMB method was used to calibrate the parameters of an RDF model, and the calibrated RDF model was used to estimate monthly, seasonal and annual baseflow rate and baseflow index for the past 19 years using streamflow discharge records. The characteristics of the baseflow hydrographs were found to be consistent with the hydrological and hydrogeological conditions of the research area. Research results indicated that the accuracy of the RDF model has been greatly enhanced after being calibrated with the CMB method so that the RDF model can provide more reliable baseflow separation results for a long‐term study. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Postnatal mental health and parenting: The importance of parental anger
Authors: Parfitt Ylva , Ayers Susan
Published: May 2012

Parents' postnatal mental health and subjective perceptions of their baby are likely to influence the quality of their relationship with their baby. To date, this has largely been examined in mothers; therefore, this study aimed to also explore this in both parents. Semistructured clinical interviews [The Birmingham Interview for Maternal Mental Health (BIMMH); Brockingon, Chandra et al., 2006] were carried out with 85 first‐time parents. The BMMHI identifies disorders of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and parental anger. Sections of the BMMHI also elicit qualitative accounts of parenthood. These were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Differences in the frequency of themes were examined for parents with or without mental health disorders or parental anger. Themes are reported for (a) baby characteristics, needs, and development; (b) parents' emotions, responses, coping strategies, and general parenthood; and (c) parent and baby relationship. Results indicated that both the presence of parental mental health problems and, more notably, parental anger were associated with more negative accounts of the self, the baby, and parenthood. This study provides insight into first‐time parents' perceptions of early parenthood. Results especially highlight the need to consider parental experiences of anger in more detail for assessment and interventions in the early postpartum period.
Inorganic composition and filler particles morphology of conventional and self‐adhesive resin cements by SEM/EDX
Authors: Aguiar Thaiane Rodrigues , Di Francescantonio Marina , Bedran‐Russo Ana Karina , Giannini Marcelo
Published: May 2012

The purpose of this study was to characterize the inorganic components and morphology of filler particles of conventional and self‐adhesive, dual‐curing, resin luting cements. The main components were identified by energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy microanalysis (EDX), and filler particles were morphologically analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Four resin cements were used in this study: two conventional resin cements (RelyX ARC/3M ESPE and Clearfil Esthetic Cement/Kuraray Medical) and two self‐adhesive resin cements (RelyX Unicem/3M ESPE and Clearfil SA Luting/Kuraray Medical). The materials (n = 5) were manipulated according to manufacturers' instructions, immersed in organic solvents to eliminate the organic phase and observed under SEM/EDX. Although EDX measurements showed high amount of silicon for all cements, differences in elemental composition of materials tested were identified. RelyX ARC showed spherical and irregular particles, whereas other cements presented only irregular filler shape. In general, self‐adhesive cements contained higher filler size than conventional resin luting cements. The differences in inorganic components and filler particles were observed between categories of luting material and among them. All resin cements contain silicon, however, other components varied among them. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of bone morphogenetic protein 2 on tendon‐to‐bone healing in a canine flexor tendon model
Authors: Thomopoulos Stavros , Kim H. Mike , Silva Matthew J. , Ntouvali Eleni , Manning Cionne N. , Potter Ryan , Seeherman Howard , Gelberman Richard H.
Published: May 2012

Tendon‐to‐bone healing is typically poor, with a high rate of repair‐site rupture. Bone loss after tendon‐to‐bone repair may contribute to poor outcomes. Therefore, we hypothesized that the local application of the osteogenic growth factor bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP‐2) would promote bone formation, leading to improved repair‐site mechanical properties. Intrasynovial canine flexor tendons were injured in Zone 1 and repaired into bone tunnels in the distal phalanx. BMP‐2 was delivered to the repair site using either a calcium phosphate matrix (CPM) or a collagen sponge (COL) carrier. Each animal also received carrier alone in an adjacent repair to serve as an internal control. Repairs were evaluated at 21 days using biomechanical, radiographic, and histologic assays. Although an increase in osteoid formation was noted histologically, no significant increases in bone mineral density occurred. When excluding functional failures (i.e., ruptured and gapped repairs), mechanical properties were not different when comparing BMP‐2/CPM groups with carrier controls. A significantly higher percentage of BMP‐2 treated specimens had a maximum force <20 N compared to carrier controls. While tendon‐to‐bone healing can be enhanced by addressing the bone loss that typically occurs after surgical repair, the delivery of BMP‐2 using the concentrations and methods of the current study did not improve mechanical properties over carrier alone. The anticipated anabolic effect of BMP‐2 was insufficient in the short time frame of this study to counter the post‐repair loss of bone. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:1702–1709, 2012
Effect of vitrification on promoter methylation and the expression of pluripotency and differentiation genes in mouse blastocysts
Authors: Zhao Xue‐Ming , Du Wei‐Hua , Hao Hai‐Sheng , Wang Dong , Qin Tong , Liu Yan , Zhu Hua‐Bin
Published: May 2012

The present study was designed to determine the effects of vitrification on promoter methylation and the expression levels of pluripotency and differentiation genes in mouse blastocysts. Promoter region CpG methylation patterns and the expression levels of octamer‐binding transcription factor (Oct4), Nanog homeobox (Nanog), caudal‐type homeobox 2 (Cdx2), and heart and neural crest derivatives‐expressed transcript 1 (Hand1) were analyzed in fresh and vitrified mouse blastocysts. Methylation was measured by bisulphate mutagenesis and sequencing; gene expression was determined by real‐time reverse transcription‐PCR. The results showed that vitrification significantly reduced the methylation levels of the Oct4 (85% vs. 62.5%), Nanog (77.5% vs. 55%), and Cdx2 promoters (4.6% vs. 1.4%; P < 0.05) in mouse blastocysts, which correlated with increased expression of Oct4 and Nanog in vitrified blastocysts. Hand1 promoter methylation was not significantly different in the fresh (17.9%) versus vitrification group (21.4%; P > 0.05). The expression levels of Cdx2 and Hand1 were not significantly different in fresh and vitrified blastocysts. In conclusion, vitrification significantly decreased Oct4, Nanog, and Cdx2 promoter methylation in mouse blastocysts, which correlated with increased expression of Oct4 and Nanog. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 79:445–450, 2012. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Soft constraints in nonlinear spectral fitting with regularized lineshape deconvolution
Authors: Zhang Yan , Shen Jun
Published: May 2012

This article presents a novel method for incorporating a priori knowledge into regularized nonlinear spectral fitting as soft constraints. Regularization was recently introduced to lineshape deconvolution as a method for correcting spectral distortions. Here, the deconvoluted lineshape was described by a new type of lineshape model and applied to spectral fitting. The nonlinear spectral fitting was carried out in two steps that were subject to hard constraints and soft constraints, respectively. The hard constraints step provided a starting point and, therefore, only the changes of the relevant variables were constrained in the soft constraints step and incorporated into the linear substeps of the Levenberg‐Marquardt algorithm. The method was demonstrated using localized averaged echo time point resolved spectroscopy proton spectroscopy of human brains. Magn Reson Med 69:912–919, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Relationship between cervical cord 1H‐magnetic resonance spectroscopy and clinoco‐electromyographic profile in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Ikeda Ken , Murata Kiyoko , Kawase Yuji , Kawabe Kiyokazu , Kano Osamu , Yoshii Yasuhiro , Takazawa Takanori , Hirayama Takehisa , Iwasaki Yasuo
Published: May 2012

Introduction: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of motor neurons, leading to limb paralysis and respiratory failure. Methods: C1–C3 cord 1H‐magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐MRS) was performed in 19 patients with ALS and 20 controls. N‐acetylaspartate (NAA), choline‐containing compounds, creatine plus phosphocreatine (Cr), and myo‐Inositol (m‐Ins) were measured. ALS Functional Rating Scale‐Revised (ALSFRS) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were assessed. The rates of decline were calculated at 6 months before and after 1H‐MRS. Results: NAA/Cr and NAA/m‐Ins were decreased significantly, and m‐Ins/Cr was increased significantly in ALS patients compared with controls. NAA/Cr and NAA/m‐Ins were correlated with ALSFRS and FVC and inversely linked to the decline rates. NAA/Cr, NAA/m‐Ins, and m‐Ins/Cr were altered markedly in 9 patients with denervation and neurogenic changes in both C2 paraspinal and upper limb muscles. Conclusions: These metabolite ratios were associated with disease progression and ongoing denervation in neck and hand muscles. C1–C3 cord 1H‐MRS might reflect anterior horn cell damage causing neck/arm weakness and respiratory dysfunction in ALS patients. Muscle Nerve, 2013
Durable flame‐retardant finishing for polyamide 66 fabrics by surface hydroxymethylation and crosslinking
Authors: Sun Jun , Gu Xiaoyu , Dong Qiulan , Zhang Sheng , Liu Wei , Li Lingyao , Chen Xiaosui
Published: May 2012

This paper describes an attempt to develop a durable finishing method in order to improve the fire performance of polyamide 66 fabrics. Hydroxymethylation with a 36% formaldehyde aqueous solution in association with a pad‐curing process to enable the fabric to react with flame‐retardant solutions was used in the finishing process. The fire performance of treated samples was characterized by limiting oxygen index (LOI) and vertical flammability tests, and the results show that the LOI value can increase from 21.6% to 46.2%. The thermal behavior of untreated and treated polyamide 66 fabrics was investigated by using thermogravimetic analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Furthermore, residual char of treated fabric sample is much higher than that of untreated fabric sample. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy proves that the substituted hydroxymethyl groups do exist on the molecular chain of polyamide fabric sample after surface modification. The morphology of residue char of polyamide 66 fabric samples was analyzed by scanning electron microscope, and the mechanical properties were also investigated and discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mannosylglycerate stabilizes staphylococcal nuclease with restriction of slow β‐sheet motions
Authors: Pais Tiago M. , Lamosa Pedro , Matzapetakis Manolis , Turner David L. , Santos Helena
Published: May 2012

Mannosylglycerate is a compatible solute typical of thermophilic marine microorganisms that has a remarkable ability to protect proteins from thermal denaturation. This ionic solute appears to be a universal stabilizing agent, but the extent of protection depends on the specific protein examined. To understand how mannosylglycerate confers protection, we have been studying its influence on the internal motions of a hyperstable staphylococcal nuclease (SNase). Previously, we found a correlation between the magnitude of protein stabilization and the restriction of fast backbone motions. We now report the effect of mannosylglycerate on the fast motions of side‐chains and on the slower unfolding motions of the protein. Side‐chain motions were assessed by 13CH3 relaxation measurements and model‐free analysis while slower unfolding motions were probed by H/D exchange measurements at increasing concentrations of urea. Side‐chain motions were little affected by the presence of different concentrations of mannosylglycerate or even by the presence of urea (0.25M), and show no correlation with changes in the thermodynamic stability of SNase. Native hydrogen exchange experiments showed that, contrary to reports on other stabilizing solutes, mannosylglycerate restricts local motions in addition to the global motions of the protein. The protein unfolding/folding pathway remained undisturbed in the presence of mannosylglycerate but the solute showed a specific effect on the local motions of β‐sheet residues. This work reinforces the link between solute‐induced stabilization and restriction of protein motions at different timescales, and shows that the solute preferentially affects specific structural elements of SNase.
Curcumin Inhibits Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis of Human Colorectal Cancer Cells by Activating the Mitochondria Apoptotic Pathway
Authors: Guo Li‐da , Chen Xue‐jie , Hu Yu‐hong , Yu Zhi‐jun , Wang Duo , Liu Jing‐ze
Published: May 2012

Curcumin, a natural plant extract from Curcuma longa, is known for its anti‐carcinogenic and chemopreventive effects on a variety of experimental cancer models. In this study, we evaluated the effects of curcumin and elucidated its mechanism in human colorectal carcinoma cells. Cell viability assay showed that curcumin significantly inhibited the growth of LoVo cells. Curcumin treatment induced the apoptosis accompanied by ultra‐structural changes and release of lactate dehydrogenase in a dose‐dependent manner. Moreover, treatment with 0–30 µg/mL curcumin decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential and activated the caspase‐3 and caspase‐9 in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Nuclear and annexin V/PI staining showed that curcumin induced the apoptosis of LoVo cells. FACS analysis revealed that curcumin could induce the cell cycle arrest of LoVo cells at the S phase. Furthermore, western blotting analysis indicated that curcumin induced the release of cytochrome c, a significant increase of Bax and p53 and a marked reduction of Bcl‐2 and survivin in LoVo cells. Taken together, our results suggested that curcumin inhibited the growth of LoVo cells by inducing apoptosis through a mitochondria‐mediated pathway. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An equivalent neutral wind observation operator for variational assimilation of scatterometer ocean surface wind data
Authors: Tardif Robert , Laroche Stéphane
Published: May 2012

This article describes a new observation operator developed for improved variational data assimilation of scatterometer ocean wind vectors. The forward operator is designed explicitly to take into account the equivalent neutral calibration of scatterometer wind retrievals. The corresponding tangent linear and adjoint (TL/AD) operators are developed for the calculation of near‐surface increments based explicitly on parametrizations of surface‐layer turbulent momentum transfer. Tangent linear and adjoint operators are formulated using the Jacobian of the forward operator estimated using the perturbation method. Various TL/AD configurations are investigated in more detail to assess the impact of sensitivities affecting the vertical gradient of surface‐layer temperature during assimilation of ocean surface wind data. It is argued that these sensitivities should be neglected in the context of a stand‐alone atmospheric prediction system. The complete form of the operator has, however, the potential to be a key component of a coupled atmosphere–ocean data assimilation system. Two data assimilation experiments were performed using distinct scatterometer observation operators, i.e. new equivalent neutral versus the simpler operational configuration using stability‐dependent (real) background winds. Associated medium‐range forecasts were run for a complete impact assessment. The impact of the new operator is tracked through the entire data assimilation and forecast process by comparing analyses and forecasts from both experiments. A significant sensitivity of the data assimilation system to the configuration of the observation operator has been found. Modest but beneficial impacts are obtained with the equivalent neutral wind observation operator with respect to short‐range forecasts of ocean surface winds and medium‐range forecasts of extratropical geopotential heights. © 2012 Crown in the right of Canada. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Theoretical EXAFS studies of a model of the oxygen‐evolving complex of photosystem II obtained with the quantum cluster approach
Authors: Li Xichen , Sproviero Eduardo M. , Ryde Ulf , Batista Victor S. , Chen Guangju
Published: May 2012

The oxygen‐evolving complex (OEC) of photosystem II is the only natural system that can form O2 from water and sunlight and it consists of a Mn4Ca cluster. In a series of publications, Siegbahn has developed a model of the OEC with the quantum mechanical (QM) cluster approach that is compatible with available crystal structures, able to form O2 with a reasonable energetic barrier, and has a significantly lower energy than alternative models. In this investigation, we present a method to restrain a QM geometry optimization toward experimental polarized extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) data. With this method, we show that the cluster model is compatible with the EXAFS data and we obtain a refined cluster model that is an optimum compromise between QM and polarized EXAFS data. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
First‐principles investigation of magnetic property and defect formation energy in Ni‐Mn‐Ga ferromagnetic shape memory alloy
Authors: Bai Jing , Xu Nan , Raulot Jean‐Marc , Esling Claude , Zhao Xiang , Zuo Liang
Published: May 2012

The magnetic properties of the different phases of Ni2MnGa and the defect formation energies in off‐stoichiometric Ni2MnGa are systematically investigated by means of the first‐principles calculations within the framework of density functional theory using the Vienna Ab Initio Software Package. The individual magnetic moment of each constituent atom keeps constant in austenite and NM martensite, whereas those of Ni and Mn in the 5M and 7M martensites oscillate according to the atomic position. The formation energies of the various point defects (antisite and vacancy) have been systematically calculated. Furthermore, the magnetic structures of the defective structures have been shown in detail. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantum chemical investigation on the reaction mechanism of tertiary phosphines with unsaturated carboxylic acids: An insight into kinetic data
Authors: Salin Alexey V. , Aminova Roza M. , Galkin Vladimir I.
Published: May 2012

The structures of intermediates and transition states in the reaction of tertiary phosphines with unsaturated carboxylic acids have been calculated at the B3LYP level of theory using the 6‐31+G(d,p) basis set. Analysis of the results shows that [1,3]‐intramolecular migration of carboxylic proton to carbanionic center of generated zwitterionic intermediate is strongly kinetically unfavorable, and external proton‐donor source is essential to complete quaternization. A molecular cluster of the intermediate with one molecule of water has been modeled for intermolecular reaction pathway, but even in this case, the proton transfer remains to be the rate‐determining step that is in a good agreement with previous kinetic investigations on this reaction. The data obtained for this reaction have much in common with recent studies on the mechanisms of the Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction and phosphine‐catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition, which revealed paramount importance of proton‐transfer steps. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Expanding a System of Systems Model with the Schelling Segregation Model
Authors: Baldwin W. Clifton , Boardman John T. , Sauser Brian J.
Published: May 2012

The Schelling segregation model is a well‐established representation of social issues in a neighbourhood. On the basis of the systems approach, a model of system of systems (SoS) that is validated through comparison with the Schelling model and applies to more neighbourhoods is proposed. The systems model of an SoS empirically demonstrates the potential for conflict to arise as the autonomy of systems within a geographically distributed SoS increases. The results may contribute to future international policy as well as ecological management. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rewriting Theory: From Autopoiesis to Communication
Authors: Vanderstraeten Raf
Published: May 2012

This paper analyzes the causes and motives for the transition to a communication‐based theory of social systems in the late work of Niklas Luhmann. In the first part of this paper, I present a brief sketch of advances in the field of cybernetics and systems research. I give special attention to some basic concepts introduced by Humberto Maturana and Francisco Varela: autopoiesis, organizational closure and enaction. In the second part, I discuss how these ideas may contribute to a ‘conceptual revolution’ in the social and behavioral sciences. In the late work of Niklas Luhmann, attempts to incorporate the idea of autopoiesis in his own social theory resulted in the preference for a communication‐based, instead of an action‐based, theory of social systems. Moreover, given the current transition to the information age or the knowledge society, it can also be argued that structural changes in society nowadays favor the rise of a communication‐based theory of social systems. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Variable Sonnenschutzgläser – von den Grundlagen zur Praxis
Authors: Wittkopf Hartmut , Dittmar Manfred
Published: May 2012

Gläser mit variablen und steuerbaren energie‐ und lichttechnischen Parametern sind ein effektiver Baustein zur Reduzierung von Klimatisierungslasten und zur Minimierung des Gebäudeenergieverbrauches. Unter den möglichen Wirkprinzipien setzt sich die Elektrochromie bei Sonnenschutzglasanwendungen durch, dank des Grades der möglichen Licht‐ und Energiemodulation, der komfortablen Regelbarkeit und der Nutzung bewährter Technologien der Flachglasindustrie. Zahlreiche Einsatzbeispiele und ausgeführte Projekte der letzten 5 Jahre belegen die Machbarkeit und die Anwendungsbreite schaltbarer Verglasungen für das Energiemanagement von Wohn‐ und Gewerbebauten.
The Self as Public Property: Made in Israel
Authors: Shoshana Avi
Published: May 2012

This article examines the connection between state order and self‐understandings in everyday life through a case study of the “Boarding School for Gifted Disadvantaged” in Israel. It includes content analysis of governmental protocols that documented the establishment of the boarding school (governmental constitution of a new self‐concept) and interviews with sixty of its graduates (self‐understandings in everyday life). The findings reveal how the new cultural order invented a new selfhood, “gifted disadvantaged,” previously unknown in Israel. This category is based on structural distinctions between being “naturally” gifted versus the governmental constitution of gifted status. Interviews with graduates indicate that they experience selfhood as a philanthropic gift bestowed on them by the state of Israel and voice their gratitude toward the state. The concluding discussion suggests that the graduates experience their selfhood as “public property.” The self, perceived as having been constructed from outside, is in a continuous dialectic between the presence and the absence of certain personal qualities.
High accuracy postbuckling analysis of box section struts
Authors: Ghannadpour S.A.M. , Ovesy H.R. , Nassirnia M.
Published: May 2012

This paper presents the theoretical developments of two finite strip methods (i.e. semi‐analytical and full‐analytical) for the post‐buckling analysis of some box section struts. In the semi‐analytical finite strip approach, all the displacements are postulated by the appropriate shape functions while in the development process of the full‐analytical approach, the von‐Kármán's equilibrium equation is solved exactly to obtain the buckling loads and the corresponding form of out‐of‐plane buckling deflection modes. The investigation of struts buckling behaviour is then extended to the post‐buckling study with the assumption that the deflected form after the buckling is the combination of first, second and higher (if required) modes of buckling. Thus, the full‐analytical post‐buckling study is effectively a multi term analysis, which is attempted by utilizing the so‐called semi‐energy method. In this method the von‐Kármán compatibility equation is used together with a consideration of the total strain energy of the strut. Through the solution of the compatibility equation, the in‐plane displacement functions which are themselves related to the Airy stress function are developed in terms of the unknown coefficients in the assumed out‐of‐plane deflection function. The in‐plane and out‐of‐plane deflection functions are substituted in the total strain energy expressions and the theorem of minimum total potential energy is applied to solve for the unknown coefficients. It is noted that the Classical Plate Theory (CPT) is applied throughout the theoretical developments. Through the comparison of the results and the appropriate discussion, the knowledge of the level of capability of these methods is significantly promoted.
The decomposed form of the stress state for transversely isotropic beam bending based on elastic theory
Authors: Gao Y.
Published: May 2012

In this paper we study a plane stress problem of rectangular beams which are slender and thin elastic bodies with free upper and lower surfaces and in the absence of body forces. Without employing ad hoc stress assumptions, the decomposed form of the stress state for transversely isotropic beam bending is proposed on the basis of the classical elastic theory, and the corresponding decomposition theorem is inextenso presented for the first time. It is shown that the stress state of transversely isotropic beams with free faces can be uniquely decomposed into two parts: the interior state and the Papkovich‐Fadle (P‐F) state. In the proof course of the decomposition theorem, some basic mathematical methods are used only, so the proof is more convenient for being understood. These two states are identical to two equations derived in the refined theory of transversely isotropic beams, so this work practically proves the consistency between the decomposed form and the refined theory of transversely isotropic beams. Moreover, with the separate consideration of the interior state and P‐F state, a relatively simple analytical solution is often practical and desirable, and the numerical computation process is greatly simplified.
Shared features of S100B immunohistochemistry and cytochrome oxidase histochemistry in the ventroposterior thalamus and lateral habenula in neonatal rats
Authors: Muneoka Katsumasa , Funahashi Hisayuki , Ogawa Tetsuo , Whitaker‐Azmitia Patricia M. , Shioda Seiji
Published: May 2012

The ventroposterior thalamus and the habenular nuclei of the epithalamus are relevant to the monoaminergic system functionally and anatomically. The glia‐derived S100B protein plays a critical role in the development of the nervous system including the monoaminergic systems. In this study, we performed an immunohistochemical study of glia‐related proteins including S100B, serotonin transporter, and microtubule‐associated protein 2, as well as cytochrome oxidase histochemistry in neonatal rats. Results showed the same findings for S100B immunohistochemistry between the ventroposterior thalamus and the lateral habenula at postnatal day 7: intense staining in cell bodies of astrocytes, diffusely spread immunoproduct in the intercellular space, and S100B‐free areas as well as a strong reaction to cytochrome oxidase histochemistry. Further common features were the scarcity of glial fibrillary acidic protein‐positive astrocytes and the few apoptotic cells observed. The results of the cytochrome oxidase reaction suggested that S100B is released actively into intercellular areas in restricted brain regions showing high neuronal activity at postnatal day 7. Pathology of the ventroposterior thalamus and the habenula is suggested in mental disorders, and S100B might be a key factor for investigations in these areas.
A NOTE ON RELATIVE PSEUDOCOMPACTNESS IN THE CATEGORY OF FRAMES
Authors: DUBE THEMBA
Published: May 2012

A subspace S of Tychonoff space X is relatively pseudocompact in X if every f∈C(X) is bounded on S. As is well known, this property is characterisable in terms of the functor υ which reflects Tychonoff spaces onto the realcompact ones. A device which exists in the category CRegFrm of completely regular frames which has no counterpart in Tych is the functor which coreflects completely regular frames onto the Lindelöf ones. In this paper we use this functor to characterise relative pseudocompactness.
In vitroindications for favourable non-additive effects on ruminal methane mitigation between high-phenolic and high-quality forages
Authors: Jayanegara Anuraga , Marquardt Svenja , Wina Elizabeth , Kreuzer Michael , Leiber Florian
Published: May 2012

Feeding plants containing elevated levels of polyphenols may reduce ruminal CH4emissions, but at the expense of nutrient utilisation. There might, however, be non-additive effects when combining high-phenolic plants with well-digestible, high-nutrient feeds. To test whether non-additive effects exist, the leaves ofCarica papaya(high in dietary quality, low in polyphenols),Clidemia hirta(high in hydrolysable tannins),Swietenia mahagoni(high in condensed tannins) andEugenia aquea(high in non-tannin phenolics) were tested alone and in all possible mixtures (n15 treatments). An amount of 200 mg DM of samples was incubatedin vitro(24 h; 39oC) with buffered rumen fluid using the Hohenheim gas test apparatus. After the incubation, total gas production, CH4concentration and fermentation profiles were determined. The levels of absolute CH4, and CH4:SCFA and CH4:total gas ratios were lower (P< 0·05) when incubating a combination ofC. papayaand any high-phenolic plants (C. hirta,S. mahagoniandE. aquea) than when incubatingC. papayaalone. Additionally, mixtures resulted in non-additive effects for all CH4-related parameters of the order of 2–15 % deviation from the expected value (P< 0·01). This means that, by combining these plants, CH4in relation to the fermentative capacity was lower than that predicted when assuming the linearity of the effects. Similar non-additive effects of combiningC. papayawith the other plants were found for NH3concentrations but not for SCFA concentrations. In conclusion, using mixtures of high-quality plants and high-phenolic plants could be one approach to CH4mitigation; however, this awaitsin vivoconfirmation.
From Literal to Spiritual Soldiers of Christ: Disputed Episcopal Elections and the Advent of Christian Processions in Late Antique Rome
Authors: Latham Jacob A.
Published: May 2012

There were at least five disputed episcopal elections in the fourth through the sixth centuries. This intra-Christian competition did not, however, lead to the contestation of space in the form of processions as it did, for example, in Constantinople. At Rome, intra-Christian competition took the form, at least rhetorically, of siege and occupation. Instead of conquering urban space through processions—impossible as the Roman aristocracy and their patronage of traditional spectacles still dominated and defined the public sphere—Roman Christians resorted to warfare, until the mid-sixth century C.E. when an impoverished aristocracy ceased to lavish its diminished wealth on traditional forms of public display.

Throughout all of these electoral disputes a number of elements consistently emerge: one, the use of martial language to describe the events; two, the concentration on a few contested sites; and three, internal divisions among Roman Christians. A strategy of militaristic occupation of centrally important churches clearly marked these schisms, as each side marched upon and occupied the principal churches of Rome, invading and expelling their enemies from other principal churches when they could. The martial language in the descriptions of these conflicts often veered close to the religious, indicating, hinting, that the origins of Christian processions lie in conflict and battle. From the literal soldiers of Christ, armed with clubs, rocks, and swords, emerged spiritual soldiers bearing crosses and singing hymns.
Weapons of Reform: Gregory VII, Armenia, and the Liturgy
Authors: Rennie Kriston R.
Published: May 2012

This paper examines Gregory VII's (1073–85) evolutionary efforts to unite the Armenian Church with Rome in the 1070s and 1080s. The pope's changing attitude towards Armenian liturgical practices, it is argued, illustrates a broader and visionary papal outlook, revealing in turn many social, cultural, political, and doctrinal dynamics at work during his pontificate. As a consequence of this interplay, Gregory's vested interest in the world beyond Latin Christendom becomes manifest, contributing ultimately to a more nuanced portrait of this pope and a broader historical understanding of his papacy and its governance.
Carl McIntire and the Fundamentalist Origins of the Christian Right
Authors: Ruotsila Markku
Published: May 2012

Recent scholarship has argued that Cold War anticommunism was key among the tools with which conservative evangelicals in the United States negotiated their return to the mainstream of American public conversation. While useful, such renderings of the anticommunist leaven in the repoliticization of religious conservatives remain misleading as long as they remain pivoted on the small cadre of reputedly moderate new evangelical intellectuals. Entirely obscured in such portrayals is the agency of the militant separatist fundamentalists whose engagement with anticommunism was at once broader in scope, more systematic, organized and pervasive, and of significantly earlier lineage than that of their new evangelical rivals. The roots of the Christian Right do indeed lie in Cold War Christian anticommunism but the lines of influence stretch as much, if not more, from the fundamentalists gathered around the controversial pastor Carl McIntire and his American (and International) Council of Christian Churches as they do from the new evangelicals. A pivotal transitional figure who nurtured, renovated, and passed on to a new generation the anticollectivist public doctrines of the original fundamentalist movement. In his anticommunist work McIntire pioneered, as well, the faith-based mass demonstration and petition, the political use of Christian radio, and the lobbying of government officials that the later Christian Right perfected.
Bayesian B-spline mapping for dynamic quantitative traits
Authors: XING JUN , LI JIAHAN , YANG RUNQING , ZHOU XIAOJING , XU SHIZHONG
Published: May 2012

Owing to their ability and flexibility to describe individual gene expression at different time points, random regression (RR) analyses have become a popular procedure for the genetic analysis of dynamic traits whose phenotypes are collected over time. Specifically, when modelling the dynamic patterns of gene expressions in the RR framework, B-splines have been proved successful as an alternative to orthogonal polynomials. In the so-called Bayesian B-spline quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping, B-splines are used to characterize the patterns of QTL effects and individual-specific time-dependent environmental errors over time, and the Bayesian shrinkage estimation method is employed to estimate model parameters. Extensive simulations demonstrate that (1) in terms of statistical power, Bayesian B-spline mapping outperforms the interval mapping based on the maximum likelihood; (2) for the simulated dataset with complicated growth curve simulated by B-splines, Legendre polynomial-based Bayesian mapping is not capable of identifying the designed QTLs accurately, even when higher-order Legendre polynomials are considered and (3) for the simulated dataset using Legendre polynomials, the Bayesian B-spline mapping can find the same QTLs as those identified by Legendre polynomial analysis. All simulation results support the necessity and flexibility of B-spline in Bayesian mapping of dynamic traits. The proposed method is also applied to a real dataset, where QTLs controlling the growth trajectory of stem diameters in Populus are located.
Crustacean-borne infections with microphallid metacercariae (Digenea: Microphallidae) from focal areas in Meghalaya, north-east India
Authors: Goswami L.M. , Prasad P.K. , Biswal D.K. , Chatterjee A. , Tandon V.
Published: May 2012

During a survey of edible Crustacea for recovery of infective stages (metacercariae) of potential helminthozoonoses of trematode origin in north-east India, the crab speciesBarytelphusa lugubris mansoniana,collected from suspected foci of lungfluke infection in Meghalaya and Assam, was found to harbour metacercarial cysts that were different from the earlier reported infection, in which the lungflukeParagonimuswas confirmed to be implicated. Using morphological criteria, this metacercaria was identified asMicrophallus indicusMukherjee & Ghosh, 1967 of the trematode family Microphallidae. The present study extends the previous work by providing molecular characterization of this parasite using ribosomal internal transcribed spacer regions (rDNA ITS1 and ITS2) and the partial large ribosomal subunit DNA, lsr. These target regions were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using trematode universal primers and sequenced. In BLAST analysis the query sequences were found close to members of Microphallidae and closest to the genusMicrophallus.
The Economics of Reproduction: Horse-breeding in early colonial India, 1790–1840
Authors: MISHRA SAURABH
Published: May 2012

The expansionist policies of the early colonial regime led to a significant emphasis on the importance of a large cavalry, but horses of a suitable quality appeared difficult to obtain within the subcontinent. Several measures were consequently taken to encourage horse-breeding, including the establishment of government studs and policies directed towards the creation of a ‘native’ market in quality horses. However, these measures did not appear to produce any significant results, despite sustained implementation. This paper examines in detail colonial policies on horse-breeding and links them to the larger economic logic of empire. It touches on several related themes such as early colonial interaction with ‘native’ agents, the question of free markets, and the impact of utilitarian and physiocratic doctrines on colonial policies.
A new political anatomy of the older body? An examination of approaches to illness in old age in primary care
Authors: PICKARD SUSAN
Published: May 2012

This paper examines the new approaches to older bodies found within primary care, with the purpose of determining whether they represent a significant disjunction from established approaches in geriatric medicine. A genealogical review of clinical approaches to certain conditions commonly found in old age is undertaken utilising (a) key texts of pioneering British geriatricians and (b) three editions of a key textbook of general practice, published between 1989 and 2009. The discourses and practices established by the Quality and Outcome Frameworks in England are then examined, focusing on evidence-based guidance for these same conditions. Following this excavation of written texts, empirical data are analysed, namely the accounts of general practitioners and practice nurses regarding application of the technologies associated with chronic disease management to older patients. Continuities and changes identified by these practitioners are explored in terms of three specific consequences, namely conceptualising and treatment of older bodies and interaction with patients. The paper's conclusion considers whether these changes are significant enough to warrant describing them as representative of an epistemic rupture or break in the way older bodies are perceived, both in medicine and also in society more generally, and thus of constituting a new political anatomy of the older body.
A monocular mobile robot reactive navigation approach based on the inverse perspective transformation
Authors: Bonin-Font Francisco , Burguera Antoni , Ortiz Alberto , Oliver Gabriel
Published: May 2012

This paper presents an approach to visual obstacle avoidance and reactive robot navigation for outdoor and indoor environments. The obstacle detection algorithm includes an image feature tracking procedure followed by a feature classification process based on the IPT (Inverse Perspective Transformation). The classifier discriminates obstacle points from ground points. Obstacle features permit to draw out the obstacle boundaries which are used to construct a local and qualitative polar occupancy grid, analogously to a visual sonar. The navigation task is completed with a robocentric localization algorithm to compute the robot pose by means of an EKF (Extended Kalman Filter). The filter integrates the world coordinates of the ground points and the robot position in its state vector. The visual pose estimation process is intended to correct possible drifts on the dead-reckoning data provided by the proprioceptive robot sensors. The experiments, conducted indoors and outdoors, illustrate the range of scenarios where our proposal has proved to be useful, and show, both qualitatively and quantitatively, the benefits it provides.
Hedonic Tone and the Heterogeneity of Pleasure
Authors: LABUKT IVAR
Published: May 2012

Some philosophers have claimed that pleasures and pains are characterized by their particular ‘feel’ or ‘hedonic tone’. Most contemporary writers reject this view: they hold that hedonic states have nothing in common except being liked or disliked (alternatively: pursued or avoided) for their own sake. In this article, I argue that the hedonic tone view has been dismissed too quickly: there is no clear introspective or scientific evidence that pleasures do not share a phenomenal quality. I also argue that analysing hedonic states in terms of liking or wanting is implausible.Ifit is correct that pleasures and pains are not united by any particular hedonic tone, we should instead simply conclude that there are several different hedonic tones. This pluralistic understanding of the hedonic tone view has generally been overlooked in the literature, but appears to be fairly plausible as a philosophical account of pleasure and pain.
Duty and Liability
Authors: TADROS VICTOR
Published: May 2012

In his recent book, Killing in War, Jeff McMahan sets out a number of conditions for a person to be liable to attack, provided the attack is used to avert an objectively unjust threat: (1) The threat, if realized, will wrongfully harm another; (2) the person is responsible for creating the threat; (3) killing the person is necessary to avert the threat, and (4) killing the person is a proportionate response to the threat. The present article focuses on McMahan's second condition, which links liability with responsibility. McMahan's use of the responsibility criterion, the article contends, is too restrictive as an account of liability in general and an account of liability to be killed in particular. In order to defend this claim, the article disambiguates the concept of liability and explores its role in the philosophical analysis of the permission to cause harm to others.
Individual Liability in War: A Response to Fabre, Leveringhaus and Tadros
Authors: McMAHAN JEFF
Published: May 2012

This article is a response to commentaries on my book, Killing in War, by Cécile Fabre, Alex Leveringhaus and Victor Tadros. It discusses the implications of the approach I have defended for the morality of war for such issues as internecine killing in war, humanitarian intervention and the bases of individual liability to attack in war.