bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiplicity and Bifurcation of Solutions for a Class of Asymptotically Linear Elliptic Problems on the Unit Ball
Authors: Xu Benlong
Published: April 2013

This paper mainly dealt with the exact number and global bifurcation of positive solutions for a class of semilinear elliptic equations with asymptotically linear function on a unit ball. As byproducts, some existence and multiplicity results are also obtained on a general bounded domain.
The Production of Nickel-Chromium-Molybdenum Alloy with Open Pore Structure as an Implant and the Investigation of Its Biocompatibility In Vivo
Authors: Er Yusuf , Unsaldi Emine
Published: April 2013

A dental crown material, Nickel-Chrome-Molybdenum alloy, is manufactured using precision casting method from a polyurethane foam model in a regular and open-pore form, as a hard tissue implant for orthopedic applications. The samples produced have 10, 20, and 30 (±3) pores per inch of pore densities and 0.0008, 0.0017, and 0.0027 g/mm3densities, respectively. Samples were implanted in six dogs and observed for a period of two, four, and six months for the histopathological examinations. The dogs were examined radiologically in 15-day intervals and clinically in certain intervals. The implants were taken out with surrounding tissue at the end of these periods. Implants and surrounding tissues were examined histopathologically in terms of biocompatibility. As a result, it is seen that new bone tissue was formed, in pores of the porous implant at the head of the tibia in dogs implanted. Any pathology, inflammation, and reaction in old and new tissues were not observed. It was concluded that a dental alloy (Ni-Cr-Mo alloy) could also be used as a biocompatible hard tissue implant material for orthopedics.
An Empirical Bayes Optimal Discovery Procedure Based on Semiparametric Hierarchical Mixture Models
Authors: Noma Hisashi , Matsui Shigeyuki
Published: April 2013

Multiple testing has been widely adopted for genome-wide studies such as microarray experiments. For effective gene selection in these genome-wide studies, the optimal discovery procedure (ODP), which maximizes the number of expected true positives for each fixed number of expected false positives, was developed as a multiple testing extension of the most powerful test for a single hypothesis by Storey (Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, Series B,vol. 69, no. 3, pp. 347–368, 2007). In this paper, we develop an empirical Bayes method for implementing the ODP based on a semiparametric hierarchical mixture model using the “smoothing-by-roughening" approach. Under the semiparametric hierarchical mixture model, (i) the prior distribution can be modeled flexibly, (ii) the ODP test statistic and the posterior distribution are analytically tractable, and (iii) computations are easy to implement. In addition, we provide a significance rule based on the false discovery rate (FDR) in the empirical Bayes framework. Applications to two clinical studies are presented.
Automatic Vertebral Column Extraction by Whole-Body Bone SPECT Scan
Authors: Huang Sheng-Fang , Chao Hao-Yu , Kao Pan-Fu , Shen Wei-Chih , Chou Yu-Hsiang , Liu Shu-Hsin
Published: April 2013

Bone extraction and division can enhance the accuracy of diagnoses based on whole-body bone SPECT data. This study developed a method for using conventional SPECT for automatic recognition of the vertebral column. A novel feature of the proposed approach is a novel “bone graph" image description method that represents the connectivity between these image regions to facilitate manipulation of morphological relationships in the skeleton before surgery. By tracking the paths shown on the bone graph, skeletal structures can be identified by performing morphological operations. The performance of the method was evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively by two experienced nuclear medicine physicians. Datasets for whole-body bone SPECT scans in 46 lung cancer patients with bone metastasis were obtained with Tc-99m MDP. The algorithm successfully segmented vertebrae in the thoracolumbar spine. The quantitative assessment shows that the segmentation method achieved an average TP, FP, and FN rates of 95.1%, 9.1%, and 4.9%. The qualitative evaluation shows an average acceptance rate of 83%, where the data for the acceptable and unacceptable groups had a Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.718, which indicated reasonable internal consistency and reliability.
Renal Cell Carcinoma Metastatic to Thyroid Gland, Presenting Like Anaplastic Carcinoma of Thyroid
Authors: Riaz Khalid , Tunio Mutahir A. , AlAsiri Mushabbab , Elbagir Mohammad Asim Ali , Fareed Muhammad Mohsin
Published: April 2013

Background.Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has unpredictable and diverse behavior. The classic triad of hematuria, loin pain, and abdominal mass is uncommon. At time of diagnosis, 25%–30% of patients are found to have metastases. Bones, lungs, liver, and brain are the frequent sites of metastases. RCC with metastasis to the head and neck region and thyroid gland is the rarest manifestation and anaplastic carcinoma behaving metastatic thyroid mass is an extremely rare presentation of RCC.Case Presentation.A 56-year-old Saudi man with past history of right radical nephrectomy 5 years back presented with 3 months history of rapid increasing neck mass with dysphagia, presenting like anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. Tru-cut biopsy turned out to be metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Patient was treated with radiation therapy 30 Gy in 10 fractions to mass. Patient died 4 months after the discovery of anaplastic thyroid looking metastasis.Conclusion.Rapidly progressing thyroid metastases secondary to RCC are rare and found often unresectable which are not amenable to surgery. Palliative radiotherapy can be considered for such patients.
TheERK1/2Inhibitor U0126 Attenuates Diabetes-Induced Upregulation of MMP-9 and Biomarkers of Inflammation in the Retina
Authors: Mohammad Ghulam , Mairaj Siddiquei Mohammad , Imtiaz Nawaz Mohammad , Abu El-Asrar Ahmed M.
Published: April 2013

This study was conducted to determine the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in a time-dependent manner and the effect of extracellular-signal-regulated kinases-1/2 (ERK1/2) inhibition on the expressions of MMP-9, TIMP-1, and inflammatory biomarkers in the retinas of diabetic rats. The expression of MMP-9 was quantified by zymography, and the mRNA level of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 was quantified by RT-PCR. The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) was examined by Western blot analysis. MMP-9 expression was significantly higher in diabetic rat retinas compared to controls at all time points.TIMP-1 expression was nonsignificantly upregulated at 1week of diabetes and was significantly downregulated at 4 and 12 weeks of diabetes. Intravitreal administration of the ERK1/2inhibitor U0126 prior to induction of diabetes decreased ERK1/2activation, attenuated diabetes-induced upregulation of MMP-9, iNOS, IL-6, and TNF-αand upregulated TIMP-1 expression. In MMP-9 knockout mice, diabetes had no effect on retinal iNOS expression and its level remained unchanged. These data provide evidence that ERK1/2signaling pathway is involved in MMP-9, iNOS, IL-6, and TNF-αinduction in diabetic retinas and suggest that ERK1/2can be a novel therapeutic target in diabetic retinopathy.
A Review of Nutritional Factors in Hypertension Management
Authors: Nguyen Ha , Odelola Olaide A. , Rangaswami Janani , Amanullah Aman
Published: April 2013

Hypertension is a major health problem worldwide. Its attendant morbidity and mortality complications have a great impact on patient’s quality of life and survival. Optimizing blood pressure control has been shown to improve overall health outcomes. In addition to pharmacological therapies, nonpharmacological approach such as dietary modification plays an important role in controlling blood pressure. Many dietary components such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium have been studied substantially in the past decades. While some of these nutrients have clear evidence for their recommendation, some remain controversial and are still of ongoing study. Dietary modification is often discussed with patients and can provide a great benefit in blood pressure regulation. As such, reviewing the current evidence will be very useful in guiding patients and their physician and/or dietician in decision making. In this review article of nutritional factors in hypertension management, we aim to examine the role of nutritional factors individually and as components of whole dietary patterns.
Multifactorial Model and Treatment Approaches of Refractory Hypotension in a Patient Who Took an ACE Inhibitor the Day of Surgery
Authors: Srivastava Karan , Sacher Vikas Y. , Nelson Craig T. , Lew John I.
Published: April 2013

In the field of anesthesiology, there is wide debate on discontinuing angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) therapy the day of noncardiac surgery. Although there have been many studies attributing perioperative hypotension to same-day ACEI and ARB use, there are many additional variables that play a role in perioperative hypotension. Additionally, restoring blood pressure in these patients presents a unique challenge to anesthesiologists. A case report is presented in which a patient took her ACEI the day of surgery and developed refractory hypotension during surgery. The evidence of ACEI use on the day of surgery and development of hypotension is reviewed, and additional variables that contributed to this hypotensive episode are discussed. Lastly, current challenges in restoring blood pressure are presented, and a basic model on treatment approaches for refractory hypotension in the setting of perioperative ACEI use is proposed.
Prandtl's Boundary Layer Equation for Two-Dimensional Flow: Exact Solutions via the Simplest Equation Method
Authors: Aziz Taha , Fatima A. , Khalique C. M. , Mahomed F. M.
Published: April 2013

The simplest equation method is employed to construct some new exact closed-form solutions of the general Prandtl's boundary layer equation for two-dimensional flow with vanishing or uniform mainstream velocity. We obtain solutions for the case when the simplest equation is the Bernoulli equation or the Riccati equation. Prandtl's boundary layer equation arises in the study of various physical models of fluid dynamics. Thus finding the exact solutions of this equation is of great importance and interest.
Resilient - Filtering of Uncertain Markovian Jumping Systems within the Finite-Time Interval
Authors: He Shuping
Published: April 2013

This paper studies the resilient - filtering problem for a class of uncertain Markovian jumping systems within the finite-time interval. The objective is to design such a resilient filter that the finite-time - gain from the unknown input to an estimation error is minimized or guaranteed to be less than or equal to a prescribed value. Based on the selected Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional, sufficient conditions are obtained for the existence of the desired resilient - filter which also guarantees the stochastic finite-time boundedness of the filtering error dynamic systems. In terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) techniques, the sufficient condition on the existence of finite-time resilient - filter is presented and proved. The filter matrices can be solved directly by using the existing LMIs optimization techniques. A numerical example is given at last to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Exact Solutions and Conservation Laws of a (2+1)-Dimensional Nonlinear KP-BBM Equation
Authors: Adem Khadijo Rashid , Khalique Chaudry Masood
Published: April 2013

In this paper, we study the two-dimensional nonlinear Kadomtsov-Petviashivilli-Benjamin-Bona-Mahony (KP-BBM) equation. This equation is the Benjamin-Bona-Mahony equation formulated in the KP sense. We first obtain exact solutions of this equation using the Lie group analysis and the simplest equation method. The solutions obtained are solitary waves. In addition, the conservation laws for the KP-BBM equation are constructed by using the multiplier method.
Histochemical Expression of Mast Cell Chymase in Chronic Periodontitis and Cyclosporine-Induced Gingival Overgrowth
Authors: Subramani Tamilselvan , Senthilkumar Kamatchiammal , Periasamy Soundararajan
Published: April 2013

Mast cell (MC) mediators play a vital role in fibrosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the MCs and their enzyme chymase in gingival tissues showing drug-induced gingival overgrowth (DIGO) and also to evaluate the correlation of MC counting and expression with the chronic periodontitis. In this study, 30 samples, including cyclosporine-induced gingival overgrowth, chronic periodontitis (10 for each), and ten normal gingival tissues, were collected. We analyzed the histochemical expression of MC chymase in all the collected tissues. In addition, the number of MCs was counted for each deparaffinized section stained with toluidine blue. Furthermore, total RNA was extracted from tissue samples, and RT-PCR was performed for MC chymase. The numbers of MCs were found to be increased in relative lesions compared to normal gingival tissues (). Moreover, chymase-containing MCs in DIGO tissues showed striking differences from those of control subjects and chronic periodontitis (). The RT-PCR analysis further revealed that MC chymase mRNA increased significantly in DIGO tissues. In conclusion, although the MCs were less numerous in numbers, the cells exhibited significant expression of chymase enzyme suggesting the involvement of MCs in DIGO.
MicroRNA-124 Regulates the Proliferation of Colorectal Cancer Cells by TargetingiASPP
Authors: Liu Kuijie , Zhao Hua , Yao Hongliang , Lei Sanlin , Lei Zhendong , Li Tiegang , Qi Haizhi
Published: April 2013

MicroRNAs are a class of small, noncoding RNAs that function as critical regulators of gene expression by targeting mRNAs for translational repression or degradation. In this study, we demonstrate that expression of microRNA-124 (miR-124) is significantly downregulated in colorectal cancer tissues and cell lines, compared to the matched adjacent tissues. We identified and confirmed inhibitor of apoptosis-stimulating protein of p53 (iASPP) as a novel, direct target of miR-124 using target prediction algorithms and luciferase reporter gene assays. Overexpression of miR-124 suppressed iASPP protein expression, upregulated expression of the downstream signaling molecule nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and attenuated cell viability, proliferation, and colony formation in SW480 and HT-29 colorectal cancer cells in vitro. Forced overexpression ofiASPPpartly rescued the inhibitory effect of miR-124 on SW480 and HT29 cell proliferation. Taken together, these findings shed light on the role and mechanism of action of miR-124, indicate that the miR-124/iASPP axis can regulate the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells, and suggest that miR-124 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for colorectal cancer.
Delivery Time Reliability Model of Logistics Network
Authors: Wu Liusan , Tan Qingmei , Zhang Yuehui
Published: April 2013

Natural disasters like earthquake and flood will surely destroy the existing traffic network, usually accompanied by delivery delay or even network collapse. A logistics-network-related delivery time reliability model defined by a shortest-time entropy is proposed as a means to estimate the actual delivery time reliability. The less the entropy is, the stronger the delivery time reliability remains, and vice versa. The shortest delivery time is computed separately based on two different assumptions. If a path is concerned without capacity restriction, the shortest delivery time is positively related to the length of the shortest path, and if a path is concerned with capacity restriction, a minimax programming model is built to figure up the shortest delivery time. Finally, an example is utilized to confirm the validity and practicality of the proposed approach.
Preparation of Gd Complex-Immobilized Silica Particles and Their Application to MRI
Authors: Kobayashi Yoshio , Morimoto Hikaru , Nakagawa Tomohiko , Kubota Yohsuke , Gonda Kohsuke , Ohuchi Noriaki
Published: April 2013

A preparation method for Gd-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt dihydrate (ETDA) complex-immobilized silica particles
(Gd-EDTA/SiO2) is proposed. Preparation of spherical silica particles was performed by a sol-gel method at 35°C
using 0.2 M tetraethylorthosilicate, 25 M H2O, and 0.01 M NaOH in ethanol, which produced silica particles with an
average size of  nm. Immobilization of Gd-EDTA on the silica particles was conducted at 35°C by introducing amino groups on the silica particles with (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane at pH 3 (NH2/SiO2) and then making Gd-EDTA act on the NH2/SiO2 particles at pH 5. The as-prepared Gd-EDTA/SiO2 particle colloid solution was concentrated up to a Gd concentration of 0.347 mM by centrifugation. The sphere structure of Gd-EDTA/SiO2 particles was undamaged, and the colloid solution was still colloidally stable, even after the concentrating process. The concentrated Gd-EDTA/SiO2 colloid solution revealed good MRI properties. A relaxivity value for T1-weighted imaging was as high as 5.15 mM−1 s−1, that was comparable to that for a commercial Gd complex contrast agent.
Ursolic-Acid-Enriched Herba Cynomorii Extract Protects against Oxidant Injury in H9c2 Cells and Rat Myocardium by Increasing Mitochondrial ATP Generation Capacity and Enhancing Cellular Glutathione Redox Cycling, Possibly through Mitochondrial Uncoupling
Authors: Chen Jihang , Ko Kam Ming
Published: April 2013

Mitochondrial decay is considered to be a major contributor to aging-related diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disorders, and certain metabolic diseases. Therefore, the maintenance of mitochondrial functional capacity and antioxidant status should play an essential role in preventive health. Herba Cynomorii, which is one of the most potent “Yang-invigorating” Chinese tonic herbs, was found to increase mitochondrial ATP generation capacity (ATP-GC) in rat heartsex vivo. In the present study, we demonstrated that HCY2, an active fraction of Herba Cynomorii, and its major ingredient ursolic acid (UA) could protect against hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced cell apoptosis in H9c2 cellsin vitroand also against ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury in rat heartsex vivo. The cardioprotection was associated with an increase in ATP-GC and an enhancement of glutathione redox cycling. The results suggest that UA may be one of the active ingredients responsible for the cardioprotection afforded by Herba Cynomorii, and this effect may be mediated, at least in part, by enhancement of mitochondrial functional capacity and antioxidant status, possibly through the induction of mitochondrial uncoupling.
A Conjugate Gradient Type Method for the Nonnegative Constraints Optimization Problems
Authors: Li Can
Published: April 2013

We are concerned with the nonnegative constraints optimization problems. It is well known that the conjugate gradient methods are efficient methods for solving large-scale unconstrained optimization problems due to their simplicity and low storage. Combining the modified Polak-Ribière-Polyak method proposed by Zhang, Zhou, and Li with the Zoutendijk feasible direction method, we proposed a conjugate gradient type method for solving the nonnegative constraints optimization problems. If the current iteration is a feasible point, the direction generated by the proposed method is always a feasible descent direction at the current iteration. Under appropriate conditions, we show that the proposed method is globally convergent. We also present some numerical results to show the efficiency of the proposed method.
Prognostic Significance of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Children With Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Moledina Shahin , Pandya Bejal , Bartsota Margarita , Mortensen Kristian H. , McMillan Merlin , Quyam Sadia , Taylor Andrew M. , Haworth Sheila G. , Schulze-Neick Ingram , Muthurangu Vivek
Published: April 2013

Background—

There are very few validated prognostic markers in pediatric pulmonary hypertension. Cardiac MRI is a useful, noninvasive method for determining prognosis in adults. The present study is the first to assess its prognostic value in children.

Methods and Results—

A total of 100 children with pulmonary hypertension (median, 10.4 years; range, 0.5–17.6 years) were evaluated (idiopathic, n=60; repaired congenital heart disease, n=22; miscellaneous, n=18). In all patients, ventricular volumes and great vessel flow were measured. Volumetric data were obtained using retrospectively gated cine imaging (n=37) or real-time imaging (n=63), depending on the patient’s ability to hold his or her breath. During a median follow-up of 1.9 years, 11 patients died and 3 received lung transplantation. Of the cardiac MR parameters measured, right ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular stroke volume index were most strongly predictive of survival on univariate analysis (2.6- and 2.5-fold increase in mortality for every 1-SD decrease, respectively;
P
<0.05). These results were reflected in good separation of tertile-based Kaplan-Meier survival curves for these variables.

Conclusions—

Cardiac MR measures correlate with clinical status and prognosis in children with pulmonary hypertension. Cardiac MR is feasible and may be useful in clinical decision making in pediatric pulmonary hypertension.
Long-Term Survival and Repeat Coronary Revascularization in Dialysis Patients After Surgical and Percutaneous Coronary Revascularization With Drug-Eluting and Bare Metal Stents in the United States
Authors: Shroff Gautam R. , Solid Craig A. , Herzog Charles A.
Published: April 2013

Background—

Few published data describe long-term survival of dialysis patients undergoing surgical versus percutaneous coronary revascularization in the era of drug-eluting stents (DES).

Methods and Results—

Using United States Renal Data System data, we identified 23 033 dialysis patients who underwent coronary revascularization (6178 coronary artery bypass grafting, 5011 bare metal stents, 11 844 DES) from 2004 to 2009. Revascularization procedures decreased from 4347 in 2004 to 3344 in 2009. DES use decreased by 41% and bare metal stent use increased by 85% from 2006 to 2007. Long-term survival was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and independent predictors of mortality were examined in a comorbidity-adjusted Cox model. In-hospital mortality for coronary artery bypass grafting patients was 8.2%; all-cause survival at 1, 2, and 5 years was 70%, 57%, and 28%, respectively. In-hospital mortality for DES patients was 2.7%; 1-, 2-, and 5-year survival was 71%, 53%, and 24%, respectively. Independent predictors of mortality were similar in both cohorts: age >65 years, white race, dialysis duration, peritoneal dialysis, and congestive heart failure, but not diabetes mellitus. Survival was significantly higher for coronary artery bypass grafting patients who received internal mammary grafts (hazard ratio, 0.83;
P
<0.0001). The probability of repeat revascularization accounting for the competing risk of death was 18% with bare metal stents, 19% with DES, and 6% with coronary artery bypass grafting at 1 year.

Conclusions—

Among dialysis patients undergoing coronary revascularization, in-hospital mortality was higher after coronary artery bypass grafting, but long-term survival was superior with internal mammary grafts. In-hospital mortality was lower for DES patients, but the probability of repeat revascularization was higher and comparable to that in patients receiving a bare metal stent. Revascularization decisions for dialysis patients should be individualized.
“Kingdom of God” and Potentia Dei. An Interpretation of Divine Omnipotence in Hobbes’s Thought
Authors: Altini Carlo
Published: April 2013

The relationships between politics and religion have always been the focus of Hobbesian literature, which generally privileges the theme of the Christian State, i.e. the union of temporal and spiritual power in a sovereign-representative person. This essay presents other perspectives of interpretation, which analyze the relationships between politics and religion in Hobbes’ works by using specifically metaphysical and theological categories – liberty/necessity, causality, kingdom of God, divine prescience, potentia Dei etc. – which allow us to reconsider the nature of political power (and the relevance of modern technology for the contemporary politics). The core of Hobbes’ argumentation concerns the theoretical status of determinism (i.e. the relationships between liberty and necessity) with regard to the reduction of «potentia» to «potestas» not only in political philosophy, but also in metaphysics and theology. In many passages of Hobbes’ works, then, it is possible to understand the role of God’s idea in the natural and political philosophy: God’s idea as first cause or as omnipotence is only a reassuring word useful to describe the necessary, mechanical and eternal movement of the bodies and useful to justify the materialistic determinism in anthropology and politics. Body and movement are the necessary fundaments of the universe which find in itself - without reference to the category of «possibility» in politics and in physics - the motives and the reasons of his own structure and function (from causes to effects).
Thomas Hobbes, Heresy, and the Theological Project of Leviathan
Authors: Collins Jeffrey R.
Published: April 2013

In the later years of his life, Thomas Hobbes developed an intense interest in the history of Christian heresy, an interest which informed half a dozen of his manuscripts and publications. These heresy writings have typically been studied within the context of Restoration church politics. This article offers a broader account of the significance of these writings. It reads them as extensions of Hobbes’s longstanding project of theological reform. Hobbes’s heresy writings were not merely intended to defend him from prosecution under English law. They also constituted an audacious and risky reassertion of the assault on Trinitarian orthodoxy that Hobbes had supposedly retracted in the Latin translation of Leviathan. The article concludes by considering what this interpretation might tell us about Hobbes’s vacillating commitment to religious toleration.
XYLEM STRUCTURE IN PINE TREES GROWN NEAR THE CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR POWER PLANT / UKRAINE
Authors: Schmitt Uwe , Grünwald Claudia , Eckstein Dieter
Published: April 2013

Pine trees around the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Ukraine, were investigated by light- and electron-microscopy as well as UV-microspectrophotometry in order to find out whether the accident on April 26 in 1986 affected the structure of xylem formed. The analysis of increment cores did not reveal any influence on the amount of xylem formed in 1986, but there was a distinct reduction during the subsequent three years. The xylem formation had recovered in 1990. ʻForkingʼ in the rows of tracheids was frequently seen at the cellular level in the 1986 tree ring. This phenomenon also occurred in the 1987 tree ring, but was less pronounced. It appears that the radioactive irradiation had no direct effect on the cambium in 1986, but affected the differentiation of xylem mother cells. The reduced wood formation between 1987 and 1989 appeared to be a consequence of the massive losses in needles in the year of the accident rather than of the uptake of radiobiologically active elements. The layering and lignification of the tracheid walls were not affected.
The description of Alloxysta chinensis, a new Charipinae species from China (Hymenoptera, Figitidae)
Authors: FÜLÖP DÁVID , MIKÓ ISTVÁN , SELTMANN KATJA , PÉNZES ZSOLT , MELIKA GEORGE
Published: April 2013

A new figitid species, Alloxysta chinensis Fülöp & Mikó sp nova, based on females, is described from China and South Korea. The functional morphology and the phylogenetic implication of some anatomical structures frequently used in Charipinae and the validity of the genus Carvercharips is discussed. This manuscript is the first of its kind linking descriptive terminology to Hymenoptera Anatomy Ontology classes, which provides persistent links to definitions for terms used within this manuscript.
The genera Nothacrobeles Allen & Noffsinger, 1971 and Zeldia Thorne, 1937 (Nematoda: Rhabditida: Cephalobidae) from southern Iran, with description of N. abolafiai sp. n.
Authors: MEHDIZADEH SARA , SHOKOOHI EBRAHIM
Published: April 2013

A new species of the genus Nothacrobeles Allen & Noffsinger, 1971 is described from a natural area in Kerman Province, Iran. Nothacrobeles abolafiai sp. n. is characterized by its body length (518–655 μm in females), “single” cuticle, lateral field with three incisures, labial probolae 8.5–9.4 μm long, bifurcated and without tines, bearing a minor curvature at the tip, pharyngeal corpus 3.3–4.1 times isthmus length, Rex= 25–32, spermatheca 22–30 μm long or 0.8–1.2 times the corresponding body diameter, postuterine sac 15–18 μm long or 0.5–0.7 times the corresponding body diameter, female tail conical with rounded terminus (31–43 μm, c = 11.9–18.1, c' = 1.7–2.4), and phasmid at 38–43% of tail length. In addition, two species of the genus Zeldia Thorne, 1937: Z. punctata (Thorne, 1925) Thorne, 1937 and Z. spannata Waceke, Bumbarger, Mundo-Ocampo, Subbotin & Baldwin, 2005, were recovered. The latter is recorded for the first time from Iran. Description, measurements, illustrations and LM pictures are provided for these three species. Furthermore, comparative morphometrics for the species of Nothacrobeles are given. Molecular analysis based on 28S rDNA (D2-D3 expansion) places this new species of Nothacrobeles in a different clade to other Nothacrobeles species. The results suggest that the genus Nothacrobeles may be a paraphyletic taxon.
Reducing Inconsistencies in Point Observations of Maximum Flood Inundation Level
Authors: Parkes Brandon L. , Cloke Hannah L. , Pappenberger Florian , Neal Jeff , Demeritt David
Published: April 2013

Flood simulation models and hazard maps are only as good as the underlying data against which they are calibrated and tested. However, extreme flood events are by definition rare, so the observational data of flood inundation extent are limited in both quality and quantity. The relative importance of these observational uncertainties has increased now that computing power and accurate lidar scans make it possible to run high-resolution 2D models to simulate floods in urban areas. However, the value of these simulations is limited by the uncertainty in the true extent of the flood. This paper addresses that challenge by analyzing a point dataset of maximum water extent from a flood event on the River Eden at Carlisle, United Kingdom, in January 2005. The observation dataset is based on a collection of wrack and water marks from two postevent surveys. A smoothing algorithm for identifying, quantifying, and reducing localized inconsistencies in the dataset is proposed and evaluated showing positive results. The proposed smoothing algorithm can be applied in order to improve flood inundation modeling assessment and the determination of risk zones on the floodplain.
Satellite Detection of Spatial Distribution and Temporal Changes of Surface Soil Moisture at Three Gorges Dam Region from 2003 to 2011
Authors: Du Jinyang , Liu Qiang
Published: April 2013

Knowledge of the spatial distribution and temporal changes of the land surface parameters at the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) region is essential to understanding the changes of hydrological processes and climate systems possibly brought by TGD. Based on accumulated observations for years from a spaceborne passive microwave radiometer, this study presents and analyzes the spatial and temporal distribution of soil moisture in the TGD region. Major drought and flood events are identified from the satellite-derived soil moisture products. Moreover, the areas around the largest freshwater lakes of China, the Dongting and Poyang Lakes, are frequently subjected to drought events, which might be partially related to the impoundment of TGD since the year 2006. Data analysis further reveals a statistically significant drying trend in May in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River over the years 2003–11. These analyses indicate that water shortage becomes a realistic challenge for the once water abundant Yangtze River region, and more considerations on the possible consequences brought by climate changes are needed for the operation of TGD.
Comparison of PMP-Driven Probable Maximum Floods with Flood Magnitudes due to Increasingly Urbanized Catchment: The Case of American River Watershed
Authors: Yigzaw Wondmagegn , Hossain Faisal , Kalyanapu Alfred
Published: April 2013

Since historical (predam) data are traditionally the sole criterion for dam design, future (postdam) meteorological and hydrological variability due to land-use and land-cover change cannot be considered for assessing design robustness. For example, postdam urbanization within a basin leads to definite and immediate increase in direct runoff and reservoir peak inflow. On the other hand, urbanization can strategically (i.e., gradually) alter the mesoscale circulation patterns leading to more extreme rainfall rates. Thus, there are two key pathways (immediate or strategic) by which the design flood magnitude can be compromised. The main objective of the study is to compare the relative contribution to increase in flood magnitudes through direct effects of land-cover change (urbanization and less infiltration) with gradual climate-based effects of land-cover change (modification in mesoscale storm systems). The comparison is cast in the form of a sensitivity study that looks into the response to the design probable maximum flood (PMF) from probable maximum precipitation (PMP). Using the American River watershed (ARW) and Folsom Dam as a case study, simulated peak floods for the 1997 (New Year's) flood event show that a 100% impervious watershed has the potential of generating a flood that is close to design PMF. On the other hand, the design PMP produces an additional 1500 m3 s−1 peak flood compared to the actual PMF when the watershed is considered 100% impervious. This study points to the radical need for consideration future land-cover changes up front during the dam design and operation formulation phase by considering not only the immediate effects but also the gradual climatic effects on PMF. A dynamic dam design procedure should be implemented that takes into account the change of land–atmospheric and hydrological processes as a result of land-cover modification rather than relying on historical records alone.
Globalization and Politics of the Poor in India
Authors: Sahoo Sarbeswar
Published: April 2013

The paper addresses two basic questions in the globalization literature: (1) is globalization a threat or an opportunity? And (2) how far does market deepening actually encourage genuine substantive democracy in the world? Many scholars have argued that globalization has resulted in increasing inequality and marginalization of the poor, which is not conducive for democracy. Drawing on the case of India, this paper, however, argues that the rolling back of the welfare state and the demise of developmentalism led to the mobilization of the masses against the elitist and exploitative agenda of globalization. As a result, a counter-hegemonic vibrant civil society has emerged, which challenges the hegemony of the elites and channels the empowerment agenda of the subaltern groups. This new politics of the subaltern is grounded on the idea of social justice and citizenship rights, which is redefining the nature of the Indian state and democracy.
Intraperitoneal medetomidine: A novel analgesic strategy for postoperative pain management in pregnant sheep
Authors: Murdoch F R , Maker G L , Nitsos I , Polglase G R , Musk G C
Published: April 2013

The absorption of medetomidine released by continuous infusion from an osmotic pump in the abdominal cavity was studied in pregnant sheep during the 24 h postoperative period. Additionally pain and sedation was assessed. Eleven sheep were studied: six were treated with a medetomidine loaded osmotic pump delivering 10 μL/h (3 μg/kg/h medetomidine); and five with a saline loaded osmotic pump (control). Serial blood samples were taken and analysed to determine plasma medetomidine levels. Medetomidine was absorbed from the peritoneal cavity and a steady plasma concentration was achieved within 10 h, mean (SD) peak concentration was 2.87 (0.22) ng/mL. Sheep receiving medetomidine analgesia had significantly lower pain scores at 10 h than controls. Four control sheep required rescue analgesia, compared with 0 in the treatment group. Delivery of 3 μg/kg/h medetomidine by an intraperitoneal osmotic pump to pregnant sheep in the 24 h postoperative period provides adequate plasma concentrations of medetomidine for analgesia without sedation.
Monitoring chronic physical stress using biomarkers, performance protocols and mathematical functions to identify physiological adaptations in rats
Authors: De Araujo Gustavo Gomes , Papoti Marcelo , De Barros Manchado-Gobatto Fúlvia , De Mello Maria Alice Rostom , Gobatto Claudio Alexandre
Published: April 2013

This study was undertaken to characterize the effects of monotonous training at lactate minimum (LM) intensity on aerobic and anaerobic performances; glycogen concentrations in the soleus muscle, the gastrocnemius muscle and the liver; and creatine kinase (CK), free fatty acids and glucose concentrations in rats. The rats were separated into trained ( n = 10), baseline ( n = 10) and sedentary ( n = 10) groups. The trained group was submitted to the following: 60 min/day, 6 day/week and intensity equivalent to LM during the 12-week training period. The training volume was reduced after four weeks according to a sigmoid function. The total CK (U/L) increased in the trained group after 12 weeks (742.0 ± 158.5) in comparison with the baseline (319.6 ± 40.2) and the sedentary (261.6 ± 42.2) groups. Free fatty acids and glycogen stores (liver, soleus muscle and gastrocnemius muscle) increased after 12 weeks of monotonous training but aerobic and anaerobic performances were unchanged in relation to the sedentary group. The monotonous training at LM increased the level of energy substrates, unchanged aerobic performance, reduced anaerobic capacity and increased the serum CK concentration; however, the rats did not achieve the predicted training volume.
Gender and strain-specific differences in the development of steatosis in rats
Authors: Stöppeler S , Palmes D , Fehr M , Hölzen J P , Zibert A , Siaj R , Schmidt H H-J , Spiegel H-U , Bahde R
Published: April 2013

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common problem with a wide variety of phenotypes. While its pathogenesis is still not fully understood, several risk factors for disease progression have been identified. Therefore, defining adequate animal models may serve to unreveal the pathogenesis in NAFLD. We studied Lewis and Sprague-Dawley rats of both genders ( n = 6) fed standard (Std) or high-fat (HF) diet for three weeks. Disease stage was assessed by haematoxylin–eosin, Azan Heidenheim and Oil-Red staining, apoptosis by single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) detection and liver regeneration by Ki-67 staining. Serum markers of liver injury and lipid metabolism including adipocytokines were analysed. Livers of both strains and genders fed with HF diet demonstrated evidence of steatosis. Lewis rats developed microvesicular steatosis whereas Sprague-Dawley rats presented macrovesicular steatosis accompanied by pronounced fibrosis. Female gender of both strains was associated with lower steatosis grade and higher proliferation rate ( P < 0.05). Gender-specific differences were most prominent in Lewis rats on a HF diet, where females showed lower alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, triglyceride and leptin levels and a more favourable low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein ratio than males ( P < 0.05). Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed to demonstrate changes in expression of various genes important for liver regeneration, fibrosis and steatosis. HF diet induced downregulation of proangiogenic genes such as vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 and 2 ( P < 0.05) in males was not present in females. In conclusion, strain and gender served major roles in disease progression. These differences should be considered when designing studies and may offer new ways to advance therapeutic strategies.
An online outlier detection method based on wavelet technique and robust RBF network
Authors: Su Weixing , Zhu Yunlong , Liu Fang , Hu Kunyuan
Published: April 2013

We focus on the issue of outlier detection for time-series data in a process control system (PCS), since outlier detection is a critical step before performing data-based system analysis. Several published articles have proved that a wavelet transform (WT) technique can be used to detect outliers in time-series data, but the standard WT detection method, as well as any other univariate outlier detection technique, does not distinguish between the sudden change caused by the changes of inputs and the fluctuations caused by outliers in PCS. In order to improve this shortcoming of the conventional WT method for the data in a PCS, a new algorithm combining the wavelet technique with a robust radial basis function (RBF) network is proposed here. In this method, a robust RBF network (RBFN) training algorithm is proposed, which can train the RBFN online using the original data as a training set without the need of clean data and thus fits the application of online detection. Furthermore, a hidden Markov model is adopted as an analysis tool to accomplish online automatic detection without pre-selecting the threshold. We compare the performance of our proposed method with the conventional wavelet method and the AR model method to demonstrate its validity through simulation and experimental applications to the data pretreatment process in an electric arc furnace electrode regulator system.
A developmental model of financial capability
Authors: Serido Joyce , Shim Soyeon , Tang Chuanyi
Published: April 2013

This study proposes a developmental model of financial capability to understand the process by which young adults acquire the financial knowledge and behaviors needed to manage full-time adult social roles and responsibilities. The model integrates financial knowledge, financial self-beliefs, financial behavior, and well-being into a single financial decision-making process. With two-time longitudinal survey data from college students ( N = 1,511; aged 18–23 years at Wave 1 and 21–26 years at Wave 2), the findings provide support for a pattern of co-occurring change: changing knowledge about personal finances associated with changing self-beliefs about finances; changing self-beliefs associated with changing financial behaviors; and changing financial behaviors ultimately associated with changes in financial and overall well-being. We discuss the findings in the context of facilitating a positive transition to adulthood during widespread economic uncertainty.
Basic-level categories: A review
Authors: Hajibayova Lala
Published: April 2013

This paper analyses selected literature on basic-level categories, explores related theories and discusses theoretical explanations of the phenomenon of basic-level categories. A substantial body of research has proposed that basic-level categories are the first categories formed during perception of the environment, the first learned by children and those most used in language. Experimental studies suggest that high-level (or superordinate) categories lack informativeness because they are represented by only a few attributes and low-level (or subordinate) categories lack cognitive economy because they are represented by too many attributes. Studies in library and information science have demonstrated the prevalence of basic-level categories in knowledge organization and representation systems such as thesauri and in image indexing and retrieval; and it has been suggested that the universality of basic-level categories could be used for building crosswalks between classificatory systems and user-centred indexing. However, while there is evidence of the pervasiveness of basic-level categories, they may actually be unstable across individuals, domains or cultures and thus unable to support broad generalizations. This paper discusses application of Heidegger’s notion of handiness as a framework for understanding the relational nature of basic-level categories.
On economics and social sciences
Authors: Akat Asaf Savas
Published: April 2013

The global economic crisis makes closer collaboration between economics and other social sciences even more urgent. One major cause of divergence has been the attitudes of the parties towards the ‘market’. Yet, the market economy, in all its diversity, is one of the immutable facts of modern life. Understanding the causes of its survival will improve the dialogue. Another interesting puzzle is the lack of credible alternatives to it despite the depth of the crisis. The experience of the economists in constructing models of society based on the behaviour of individuals composing it can be valuable for other social sciences. We apply the framework developed by ‘institutional economics’ to gain insights into the relations between Islam, capitalism and democracy. The article finishes with some observations on Turkey and draws lessons for other Muslim societies.
The Impact of Work–Family Conflict and Facilitation on Women’s Perceptions of Role Balance
Authors: Lee NaYeon , Zvonkovic Anisa M. , Crawford Duane W.
Published: April 2013

This study investigated married women’s feelings of balance between their occupational and family roles. Data from 274 married and full-time employed women were collected and structural equation modeling techniques were used to assess the connection between their work and leisure lives, work–family conflict and work–family facilitation, and role balance. Women’s satisfaction with their experiences at work and at home, the time they spent in each sphere, and the social support they received from others in each domain were considered. Women’s satisfaction with their workplace and family experiences, most notably, spousal support, were positively related to feelings of role balance. The results of this study suggested that satisfaction with experience in one sphere is stronger and more important than the hours spent doing activities in that sphere when accounting for married women’s role balance.
Records management practices in oil marketing companies in Uganda
Authors: Luyombya David , Bukirwa Joyce
Published: April 2013

The study examined the records management practices in the major oil marketing companies (OMC) in Uganda. The aim was to ascertain the extent to which oil companies meet legal and regulatory requirements, as should be underpinned by effective records management for achieving their operational and strategic goals. The paper applies the perception of different levels of managers in 10 OMC to assess their records management capacity. Through structured interviews, the study investigated the records management legal framework, existing policy and regulations, ICT initiatives and their alignment to records management requirements, and the records management challenges faced. Results reveal that OMC face daunting challenges, including the ability to meet legal compliance to create and retain records in both paper and electronic format, inadequate records identifiers and access guidelines, a continuing need for storage space for growing volume of records and a pressing need for trained records staff. The paper concludes that records management should be supported with corporate policy, adoption of international records management standards, skilled people and streamlining storage as measures for the OMC to undertake to strengthen the management of their records to respond to customer needs more directly and effectively and open up communication channels and share information with the oil and gas sector regulating institutions.