bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Green and efficient production of octyl hydroxyphenylpropionate using an ultrasound-assisted packed-bed bioreactor
Authors: Lee Chih Chen , Chen Hsiao Ching , Ju Hen Yi , Chen Jiann Hwa , Kuo Chia Hung , Chung Yi Lin , Liu Yung Chuan , Shieh Chwen Jen
Published: November 2011

A solvent-free system to produce octyl hydroxyphenylpropionate (OHPP) from p-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid (HPPA) and octanol using immobilized lipase (Novozym® 435) as a catalyst in an ultrasound-assisted packed-bed bioreactor was investigated. Response-surface methodology (RSM) and a three-level-three-factor Box-Behnken design were employed to evaluate the effects of reaction temperature (x  1), flow rate (x  2) and ultrasonic power (x  3) on the percentage of molar production of OHPP. The results indicate that the reaction temperature and flow rate were the most important variables in optimizing the production of OHPP. Based on a ridge max analysis, the optimum conditions for OHPP synthesis were predicted to consist of a reaction temperature of 65°C, a flow rate of 0.05 ml/min and an ultrasonic power of 1.74 W/cm2 with a yield of 99.25%. A reaction was performed under these optimal conditions, and a yield of 99.33 ± 0.1% was obtained.
Ultrafast imaging of the entire chest without ECG synchronisation or beta-blockade: to what extent can we analyse the coronary arteries?
Authors: de Malherbe Maxime , Duhamel Alain , Tacelli Nunzia , Hachulla Anne-Lise , Pontana François , Faivre Jean-Baptiste , Remy Jacques , Remy-Jardin Martine
Published: November 2011

Objectives

To evaluate the accessibility of coronary arteries from chest CT examinations acquired without ECG gating or beta-blockade.

Materials and methods

Two hundred forty-two patients (median heart rate: 81.7 bpm) underwent a non-ECG-gated CT examination with high pitch and high temporal resolution. Image analysis was obtained by consensus between two readers.

Results

The percentage of accessible segments was 88% at the proximal level (i.e. 4 segments), 75% at the proximal and mid-segment level (i.e. 7 segments), and 61% and 48% when considering 10 and 15 segments, respectively. The mean (± SD) number of accessible segments per patient was 3.5 ± 0.78 and 5.2 ± 1.50 when considering four and seven segments per patient, respectively. The percentage of patients with four segments accessible was 67% (126/242), decreasing to 23% (55/242) with seven segments accessible and 3% (7/242) with ten segments accessible, while the entire coronary artery tree was not accessible for any of the patients. No significant difference was found in the patients’ mean hearts with four, seven, or ten accessible segments (P = 0.4897).

Conclusion

Diagnostic image quality was attainable at the level of proximal segments in 67% of patients, while proximal and mid-coronary segments were accessible in 23% of patients.

Main Messages

• High-pitch and high-temporal resolution scanning modes make accessible proximal coronary arteries on non ECG-gated chest CT angiograms

• It is not necessary to administer beta-blockers to achieve good results.

• Tobacco-related cardiovascular disorders could benefit from this scanning mode.
Multilayer shallow water equations with complete Coriolis force. Part 2. Linear plane waves
Authors: Stewart Andrew L. , Dellar Paul J.
Published: November 2011

We investigate the behaviour of linear plane waves in multilayer shallow water equations that include a complete treatment of the Coriolis force. These equations improve upon the conventional shallow water equations, based on the traditional approximation, that include only the part of the Coriolis force due to the locally vertical component of the rotation vector. Including the complete Coriolis force leads to dramatic changes in the structure of long linear plane waves. It allows subinertial waves to exist with frequencies below the inertial frequency, the minimum frequency for which waves exist under the traditional approximation. These subinertial waves are characterized by a distinguished limit in which the horizontal pressure gradient becomes comparable to the upwellings and downwellings driven by the non-traditional Coriolis term in the vertical momentum equation. The subinertial waves connect wave modes that remain separate in the conventional multilayer shallow water equations, such as the surface and internal waves in a two-layer system. Eastward-propagating surface waves in a two-layer system connect with westward-propagating internal waves, and vice versa, via the long subinertial waves. The long subinertial waves cannot be classified as either surface or internal waves, due to the phase difference between the disturbances to the interfaces in these waves.
Bolgiano scale in confined Rayleigh–Taylor turbulence
Authors: Boffetta G. , De Lillo F. , Mazzino A. , Musacchio S.
Published: November 2011

We investigate the statistical properties of Rayleigh–Taylor turbulence in a three-dimensional convective cell of high aspect ratio, in which one transverse side is much smaller that the others. By means of high-resolution numerical simulation we study the development of the turbulent mixing layer and the scaling properties of the velocity and temperature fields. We show that the system undergoes a transition from a three- to two-dimensional turbulent regime when the width of the turbulent mixing layer becomes larger than the scale of confinement. In the late stage of the evolution the convective flow is characterized by the coexistence of Kolmogorov–Obukhov and Bolgiano–Obukhov scaling at small and large scales, respectively. These regimes are separated by the Bolgiano scale, which is determined by the scale of confinement of the flow. Our results show that the emergence of the Bolgiano–Obukhov scaling in Rayleigh–Taylor turbulence is connected to the onset of an upscale energy transfer induced by the geometrical constraint of the flow.
Stratified flows with vertical layering of density: experimental and theoretical study of flow configurations and their stability
Authors: Camassa Roberto , McLaughlin Richard M. , Moore Matthew N. J. , Yu Kuai
Published: November 2011

A vertically moving boundary in a stratified fluid can create and maintain a horizontal density gradient, or vertical layering of density, through the mechanism of viscous entrainment. Experiments to study the evolution and stability of axisymmetric flows with vertically layered density are performed by towing a narrow fibre upwards through a stably stratified viscous fluid. The fibre forms a closed loop and thus its effective length is infinite. A layer of denser fluid is entrained and its thickness is measured by implementing tracking analysis of dyed fluid images. Thickness values of up to 70 times that of the fibre are routinely obtained. A lubrication model is developed for both a two-dimensional geometry and the axisymmetric geometry of the experiment, and shown to be in excellent agreement with dynamic experimental measurements once subtleties of the optical tracking are addressed. Linear stability analysis is performed on a family of exact shear solutions, using both asymptotic and numerical methods in both two dimensions and the axisymmetric geometry of the experiment. It is found analytically that the stability properties of the flow depend strongly on the size of the layer of heavy fluid surrounding the moving boundary, and that the flow is neutrally stable to perturbations in the large-wavelength limit. At the first correction of this limit, a critical layer size is identified that separates stable from unstable flow configurations. Surprisingly, in all of the experiments the size of the entrained layer exceeds the threshold for instability, yet no unstable behaviour is observed. This is a reflection of the small amplification rate of the instability, which leads to growth times much longer than the duration of the experiment. This observation illustrates that for finite times the hydrodynamic stability of a flow does not necessarily correspond to whether or not that flow can be realised from an initial-value problem. Similar instabilities that are neutral to leading order with respect to long waves can arise under the different physical mechanism of viscous stratification, as studied by Yih (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 27, 1967, pp. 337–352), and we draw a comparison to that scenario.
Effect of n-3 fatty acids on patients with advanced lung cancer: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Authors: Finocchiaro Concetta , Segre Olivia , Fadda Maurizio , Monge Taira , Scigliano Mara , Schena Marina , Tinivella Marco , Tiozzo Elisa , Catalano Maria G. , Pugliese Mariateresa , Fortunati Nicoletta , Aragno Manuela , Muzio Giuliana , Maggiora Marina , Oraldi Manuela , Canuto Rosa A.
Published: November 2011

PUFA from fish oil appear to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects and improve nutritional status in cancer patients. With this as background, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of EPA plus DHA on inflammatory condition, and oxidative and nutritional status in patients with lung cancer. In our multicentre, randomised, double-blind trial, thirty-three patients with a diagnosis of advanced inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer and undergoing chemotherapy were divided into two groups, receiving four capsules/d containing 510 mg of EPA and 340 mg of DHA, or 850 mg of placebo, for 66 d. At the start of chemotherapy (T0), after 8 d (T1), 22 d (T2) and 66 d (T3), biochemical (inflammatory and oxidative status parameters) and anthropometric parameters were measured in both groups. A significant increase of body weight in the n-3 group at T3v. T0 was observed. Concerning inflammation, C-reactive protein and IL-6 levels differed significantly between the n-3 and placebo groups at T3, and progressively decreased during chemotherapy in the n-3 group, evidencing n-3 PUFA anti-inflammatory action. Concerning oxidative status, plasma reactive oxygen species levels increased in the placebo group v. the n-3 group at the later treatment times. Hydroxynonenal levels increased in the placebo group during the study, while they stabilised in the n-3 group. Our data confirm that the continual assumption of EPA plus DHA determined an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative action which could be considered a preliminary goal in anti-cachectic therapy.
UNRAVELLING CROP WATER PRODUCTIVITY OF TEF (ERAGROSTIS TEF (ZUCC.) TROTTER) THROUGH AQUACROP IN NORTHERN ETHIOPIA
Authors: TSEGAY ALEMTSEHAY , RAES DIRK , GEERTS SAM , VANUYTRECHT ELINE , ABRAHA BERHANU , DECKERS JOZEF , BAUER HANS , GEBREHIWOT KINDEYA
Published: November 2011

At various locations in North Ethiopia (Tigray), field experiments were conducted from 2006 to 2009 to assess the crop response to water stress of tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) under rainfed, fully irrigated and deficit irrigation conditions. Observed soil water content (SWC), canopy cover (CC), biomass production (B) and final grain yield (Y) were used to calibrate and validate AquaCrop for tef. Data from an experiment in a controlled environment in 2008 were also considered in the calibration process. Simulations of SWC, CC, B and Y were evaluated by determining the index of agreement, the root mean square error, the coefficient of determination and the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency. The statistical parameters showed an adequate fit between observations and simulations. The model was able to simulate for tef growing under rainfed condition the observed fast drop in SWC and CC when the rains ceased. The overall goodness of fit between the observed and simulated CC and SWC indicated that the thresholds for root zone depletion at which water stress (i) affects canopy development, (ii) induces stomata closure and (iii) triggers early canopy senescence were well selected. The normalised biomass water productivity (WP*) for tef was 14 g m−2 for the local variety and 21 g m−2 for the improved variety, which is a lot smaller than the WP* expected for C4 plants (30–35 g m−2). The results revealed an increase of 27% in reference harvest index (HIo) of tef in response to mild water stress during the yield formation of up to 33%. However, severe water stress causing stomata closure had a negative effect on HIo. Once it is properly calibrated, AquaCrop can provide room to improve the water productivity of tef by developing guidelines for good agricultural management strategies.
Fat-soluble vitamins and atopic disease: what is the evidence?
Authors: Litonjua Augusto A.
Published: November 2011

The prevalence of asthma and other atopic disorders continues to increase worldwide. Examination of the epidemiologic patterns has revealed that this rise has occurred primarily in western, industrialised countries and countries transitioning to this lifestyle. While many changes have occurred in human populations over the years, it has been hypothesised that some of the relevant changes that have led to the rise in asthma and atopic disorders have been the changes from a traditional diet to a more western diet consisting of decreased intake of fruits and vegetables (sources of antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids) leading to decreased intakes of vitamins E and A, and a decrease in sun exposure (e.g. greater time spent indoors and heavy use of sunscreen) leading to decreased circulating levels of vitamin D. This review will examine the evidence for an effect of fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D and K) on the development and severity of assthma and allergies. While observational studies suggest that these vitamins may play a salutary role in asthma and allergies, large, well-designed clinical trials are lacking. Of the fat-soluble vitamins, vitamin D holds great promise as an agent for primary and secondary prevention of disease. Ongoing clinical trials will help determine whether results of observational studies can be applied to the clinical setting.
THE FINDS FROM THE PREHISTORIC SITE OF AYIOS NIKOLAOS MYLON, SOUTHERN EUBOEA, GREECE
Authors: Tankosić Žarko , Mathioudaki Iro
Published: November 2011

In this paper we present the unpublished finds from the survey of Ayios Nikolaos Mylon. The site is located on one of the foothills of Mount Ochi, on a strategic defensive position overlooking the Bay of Karystos. The site, although unexcavated, is important for establishing the chronological sequence of events in southern Euboean prehistory, as it is the only locality in the area that has produced evidence for habitation which can be dated to the Middle Bronze Age. In the paper we analyse the material and offer some tentative interpretations not only of the archaeological evidence but also of the place of Ayios Nikolaos Mylon in the wider prehistoric world of the Aegean.
ROMAN POTTERY FROM AN INTENSIVE SURVEY OF ANTIKYTHERA, GREECE
Authors: Quercia A. , Johnston A. , Bevan A. , Conolly J. , Tsaravopoulos A.
Published: November 2011

Recent intensive survey over the entire extent of the small island of Antikythera has recovered an episodic sequence of human activity spanning some 7,000 years, including a Roman pottery assemblage that documents a range of important patterns with respect to land use, demography and on-island consumption. This paper addresses the typological and functional aspects of this assemblage in detail, and also discusses Roman period Antikythera's range of off-island contacts and affiliations.
TRACING THE ANCESTRY OF THE MINOAN HALL SYSTEM
Authors: Shaw Joseph W.
Published: November 2011

Among the more intriguing Minoan architectural forms is the so-called ‘Minoan Hall’. It consists, at its simplest, of a light well, a fore hall, and a room (polythyron) closed off by what are known as pier-and-door partitions. The Hall was located in the residential areas of the palaces, also in some Neopalatial houses, and was usually accompanied by a ‘lustral basin’, a square sunken room reached by steps often flanked by an elaborate balustrade. A window or a platform often enabled observation within the basin from ground level.

Examples of the Hall were once known only from the Neopalatial period, but two earlier, Protopalatial, examples have been identified at Malia. The later of the two occurs in Middle Minoan II Building A in Quartier Mu. It consists of the lustral basin, a large hall with a light well, anda polythyron. The earlier example, a Minoan Hall suite in the Middle Minoan ICrypte hypostyle, consists of a unique series of five basement rooms, the first bordered by a light well, then apolythyron, followed by a relatively small, square room with a large interior window (a lustral basin?), with a benched entrance room next door. South of these rooms was a large hall at ground level, probably for groups, from which one accessed separately the first and last of the rooms underground.

Comparison of the two room groups suggests that theCrypte hypostyleexample is the forerunner of the Quartier Mu group. Specifically, the latter'spolythyronwas, for practical reasons, set at ground level while its lustral basin, which involved chthonic connections, remained at basement level and was approached by steps. The same arrangement, but with some adjustments, was to be adapted later, in Neopalatial times, completing a long history of a social and ceremonial architectural form that may have begun as early as the Early Minoan Period.
Alcaeus on the career of Myrsilos: Greeks, Lydians and Luwians at the east Aegean-west Anatolian interface
Authors: Dale Alexander
Published: November 2011

This paper examines the evidence for the life and career of the Lesbian tyrant Myrsilos. Following an examination of the ancient testimonia for Myrsilos in the text of Alcaeus and later sources, the name Myrsilos is then considered in relation to the Hittite royal name Muršiliš, Myrsilos as an alternate name for the Lydian king Kandaules and various toponyms in Lydia and Caria that appear to be derived from the same underlying name or title. The consequences of the distribution of these names is then considered in the cultural and historical context of the Aegean-Anatolian interface, with implications for early Lesbian history and cultural continuity from the Late Bronze Age down to the Archaic period.
Greek slavery: from domination to property and back again
Authors: Vlassopoulos Kostas
Published: November 2011

Modern historians of Greek slavery seem to agree, despite other differences, on an understanding of slavery as a relationship of property. This understanding of slavery essentially goes back to Aristotle's theory of natural slavery. An examination of the Greek vocabulary of slavery though shows that the vast majority of Greeks had a very different understanding of slavery as a relationship of domination. This article argues that this alternative Greek understanding of slavery can account for some serious conundrums in Greek attitudes and thought, and explains the reasons behind Aristotle's reformulation of slavery as a relationship of property. Finally, it is argued that seeing slavery as a relationship of domination has enormous potential for the modern study of slavery from a dynamic historical perspective.
The ethico-politics of writing in Plutarch's Life of Dion
Authors: Zadorojnyi Alexei V.
Published: November 2011

The paper focuses on the representation of pedagogical and political communication between (and around) Plato, Dion and Dionysius II in Plutarch's Life of Dion. Plutarch's narrative invokes both the Platonic critique of writing as an inadequate medium for teaching philosophy, and the polarity between free oral speech and writing as a symptom of tyranny. It is argued that the Life espouses but also complicates and implicitly interrogates the opposition between writtenness and orality across the philosophical and the political domain, thus constituting a rich intertextual response, from an Imperial Platonist author, to the Platonic concerns about the written word.
A NECESSARY MOMENT CONDITION FOR THE FRACTIONAL FUNCTIONAL CENTRAL LIMIT THEOREM
Authors: Johansen Søren , Ørregaard Nielsen Morten
Published: November 2011

We discuss the moment condition for the fractional functional central limit theorem (FCLT) for partial sums of xt = Δ−dut, where $d\, \in \,\left({ - {1 \over 2}\,,\,{1 \over 2}} \right)$ is the fractional integration parameter and ut is weakly dependent. The classical condition is existence of q ≥ 2 and $q\, > \,\left( {d\, + \,{1 \over 2}} \right)^{ - 1} $ moments of the innovation sequence. When d is close to $ - {1 \over 2}$ this moment condition is very strong. Our main result is to show that when $d\, \in \,\left({ - \,{1 \over 2},\,0} \right)$ and under some relatively weak conditions on ut, the existence of $q\, \ge \,\left({d\, + \,{1 \over 2}} \right)^{ - 1} $ moments is in fact necessary for the FCLT for fractionally integrated processes and that $q\, > \,\left( {d\, + \,{1 \over 2}} \right)^{ - 1} $ moments are necessary for more general fractional processes. Davidson and de Jong (2000, Econometric Theory 16, 643–666) presented a fractional FCLT where only q > 2 finite moments are assumed. As a corollary to our main theorem we show that their moment condition is not sufficient and hence that their result is incorrect.
MEASUREMENT ERRORS AND CENSORED STRUCTURAL LATENT VARIABLES MODELS
Authors: Chen Songnian , Hsiao Cheng , Wang Liqun
Published: November 2011

We consider censored structural latent variables models where some exogenous variables are subject to additive measurement errors. We demonstrate that overidentification conditions can be exploited to provide natural instruments for the variables measured with errors, and we propose a two-stage estimation procedure. The first stage involves substituting available instruments in lieu of the variables that are measured with errors and estimating the resulting reduced form parameters using consistent censored regression methods. The second stage obtains structural form parameters using the conventional linear simultaneous equations model estimators.
An introduction to argumentation semantics
Authors: Baroni Pietro , Caminada Martin , Giacomin Massimiliano
Published: November 2011

This paper presents an overview on the state of the art of semantics for abstract argumentation, covering both some of the most influential literature proposals and some general issues concerning semantics definition and evaluation. As to the former point, the paper reviews Dung's original notions of complete, grounded, preferred, and stable semantics, as well as subsequently proposed notions like semi-stable, ideal, stage, and CF2 semantics, considering both the extension-based and the labelling-based approaches with respect to their definitions. As to the latter point, the paper presents an extensive set of general properties for semantics evaluation and analyzes the notions of argument justification and skepticism. The final part of the paper is focused on the discussion of some relationships between semantics properties and domain-specific requirements.
RENEWAL SEQUENCES WITH PERIODIC DYNAMICS
Authors: Fralix Brian , Livsey James , Lund Robert
Published: November 2011

Discrete-time renewal sequences play a fundamental role in the theory of stochastic processes. This article considers periodic versions of such processes; specifically, the length of an interrenewal is allowed to probabilistically depend on the season at which it began. Using only elementary renewal and Markov chain techniques, computational and limiting aspects of periodic renewal sequences are investigated. We use these results to construct a time series model for a periodically stationary sequence of integer counts.
MONOTONICITY PROPERTIES OF RESIDUAL LIFETIMES OF PARALLEL SYSTEMS AND INACTIVITY TIMES OF SERIES SYSTEMS WITH HETEROGENEOUS COMPONENTS
Authors: Ding Weiyong , Li Xiaohu , Balakrishnan Narayanaswamy
Published: November 2011

Here, we discuss the stochastic comparison of residual lifetimes of parallel systems and inactivity times of series systems by means of the reversed hazard rate order when the components of the systems are independent but not necessarily identically distributed. We also establish some monotonicity properties of such residual lifetimes of parallel systems and inactivity times of series systems. These results extend some of the recent results in this direction due to Zhao, Li, and Balakrishnan [21], Kochar and Xu [12], and Saledi and Asadi [16].
OPTIMAL MARKDOWN PRICING STRATEGY WITH DEMAND LEARNING
Authors: Kwon H. Dharma , Lippman Steven A. , Tang Christopher S.
Published: November 2011

When launching a new product, a firm has to set an initial price with incomplete information about demand. However, after observing the demand over a period of time, the firm might decide to mark down the price, especially when the Bayesian updated belief about demand is lower than originally anticipated. We consider the case in which the manufacturer makes three decisions: initial price, when to mark down the price, and the markdown price. Modeling the cumulative demand as a Brownian motion with an unknown drift, we compute the posterior probability distribution of the unknown drift. We then show that it is optimal to mark down the price when the posterior probability is below a computable threshold. This threshold policy enables us to determine the optimal (a) regular price, (b) markdown price, and (c) markdown time. Additionally, we examine the impact of demand volatility and evaluate the value of learning.
COMBINATORIAL APPROACH TO COMPUTING COMPONENT IMPORTANCE INDEXES IN COHERENT SYSTEMS
Authors: Gertsbakh Ilya B. , Shpungin Yoseph
Published: November 2011

We consider binary coherent systems with independent binary components having equal failure probability q. The system DOWN probability is expressed via its signature's combinatorial analogue, the so-called D-spectrum. Using the definition of the Birnbaum importance measure (BIM), we introduce for each component a new combinatorial parameter, so-called BIM-spectrum, and develop a simple formula expressing component BIM via the component BIM-spectrum. Further extension of this approach allows obtaining a combinatorial representation for the joint reliability importance (JRI) of two components. To estimate component BIMs and JRIs, there is no need to know the analytic formula for system reliability. We demonstrate how our method works using the Monte Carlo approach. We present several examples of estimating component importance measures in a network when the DOWN state is defined as the loss of terminal connectivity.
GIOVE Satellites Pseudorange Error Assessment
Authors: Angrisano Antonio , Gaglione Salvatore , Gioia Ciro , Robustelli Umberto , Vultaggio Mario
Published: November 2011

Galileo is a global civil navigation satellite system developed in Europe as an alternative to the GPS controlled by the US Department of Defense and GLONASS controlled by Russian Space Forces. It is scheduled to be operative in 2013 and it will have 30 satellites orbiting on three inclined planes with respect to the equatorial plane at an altitude of about 24 000 km. The aim of this work is the study of the pseudorange error of the GIOVE satellites. To achieve this goal, the specifications defined in Giove A-B Navigation Signal in Space Interface Control Document (ICD) are used to develop a suitable software tool in MATLAB® environment. The tool is able to compute GIOVE A and GIOVE B position from the broadcast ephemerides, to calculate the pseudorange error and to process it. From the known receiver position and the computed satellite coordinates, the geometric range is obtained and compared with the pseudorange measurement, in order to obtain the pseudorange error.
On Modelling of Second-Order Ionospheric Delay for GPS Precise Point Positioning
Authors: Elsobeiey Mohamed , El-Rabbany Ahmed
Published: November 2011

Recent developments in GPS positioning show that a user with a standalone GPS receiver can obtain positioning accuracy comparable to that of carrier-phase-based differential positioning. Such technique is commonly known as Precise Point Positioning (PPP). A significant challenge of PPP, however, is that about 30 minutes or more is required to achieve centimetre to decimetre-level accuracy. This relatively long convergence time is a result of the un-modelled GPS residual errors. A major residual error component, which affects the convergence of PPP solution, is higher-order Ionospheric Delay (IONO). In this paper, we rigorously model the second-order IONO, which represents the bulk of higher-order IONO, for PPP applications. Firstly, raw GPS measurements from a global cluster of International GNSS Service (IGS) stations are corrected for the effect of second-order IONO. The corrected data sets are then used as input to the Bernese GPS software to estimate the precise orbit, satellite clock corrections, and Global Ionospheric Maps (GIMs). It is shown that the effect of second-order IONO on GPS satellite orbit ranges from 1·5 to 24·7 mm in radial, 2·7 to 18·6 mm in along-track, and 3·2 to 15·9 mm in cross-track directions, respectively. GPS satellite clock corrections, on the other hand, showed a difference of up to 0·067 ns. GIMs showed a difference up to 4·28 Total Electron Content Units (TECU) in the absolute sense and an improvement of about 11% in the Root Mean Square (RMS). The estimated precise orbit clock corrections have been used in all of our PPP trials. NRCan's GPSPace software was modified to accept the second-order ionospheric corrections. To examine the effect of the second-order IONO on the PPP solution, new data sets from several IGS stations were processed using the modified GPSPace software. It is shown that accounting for the second-order IONO improved the PPP solution convergence time by about 15% and improved the accuracy estimation by 3 mm.
Numerical Simulations on the Motions of Anchored Capesize Ships
Authors: Zou Youjia , Shen Chun , Xi Xiangying
Published: November 2011

When a ship is moored by a single anchor at the anchorage, its combined motions (i.e. yaw, sway, surge, etc.) are usually induced by external forces. Previous studies have gained some insights into the forces on anchor chains, but the motions for Capesize vessels still need to be further investigated. The length of anchor chain required for safe anchoring also needs to be carefully calculated rather than determined solely by the experience and judgement of Captains. The relationship between the length of chain and water depth, wind force, current velocity and the trim (draught difference forward/aft) requires further study. Our new methods consider all necessary factors which may exert significant influence on ships, including not only the water depth at the anchoring location but also the particulars of the ships, its equipment and the environmental conditions. Here, a numerical simulation model to describe the behaviour of an anchored Capesize ship is presented, with the comparison of results between simulations and real time model tests carried out. A discussion highlights the important features of the methods which provide mariners with theoretical solutions.
Who are the children at risk? Lessons learned from measles outbreaks
Authors: STEIN-ZAMIR C. , SHOOB H. , ABRAMSON N. , ZENTNER G.
Published: November 2011

We investigated a measles outbreak in the Jerusalem district in 2007–2008 (992 cases). Most cases (72·6%) were aged <15 years, 42·9% aged <5 years, and 12·8% were infants aged <1 year. The peak incidence rate was in infants aged 6–12 months (916·2/100 000). This represents a significant shift from former outbreaks in 2003–2004, where the peak incidence was in the 1–4 years age group. Of children aged <5 years the proportion aged 6–12 months tripled (7·7%vs. 25·6%). In a case-control study (74 cases, 148 controls) children who developed measles were less likely to be registered in a well-baby clinic and had lower overall immunization coverage. The differences in proportions for registration, DTaP3 and MMR1 coverage were 35·1%, 48·6% and 80·8%, respectively (allP<0·001). Rising birth order of cases and their siblings was associated with non-registration and non-compliance with MMR immunization. The vulnerability of young infants and the risk markers noted above should be taken into account in planning intervention programmes.
DEONTOLOGY, THRESHOLDS, AND EFFICIENCY
Authors: Wonnell Christopher T.
Published: November 2011

This article explores four topics raised by Eyal Zamir and Barak Medina's treatment of constrained deontology. First, it examines whether mathematical threshold functions are the proper way to think about limits on deontology, given the discontinuities of our moral judgments and the desired phenomenology of rule-following. Second, it asks whether constrained deontology is appropriate for public as well as private decision-making, taking issue with the book's conclusion that deontological options are inapplicable to public decision-making, whereas deontological constraints are applicable. Third, it examines the issue of the relationship between deontology and efficiency, asking whether deontological constraints should yield in situations where everyone would expect to benefit from their suspension, either ex ante or ex post. Finally, the article concludes that constrained deontology is susceptible to political abuse because of the many degrees of freedom involved in identifying constrained actions and the point at which those constraints yield to consequentialist benefits.
Nutrition policy in whose interests? A New Zealand case study
Authors: Jenkin Gabrielle , Signal Louise , Thomson George
Published: November 2011

Objective

In the context of the global obesity epidemic, national nutrition policies have come under scrutiny. The present paper examines whose interests – industry or public health – are served by these policies and why.

Design

Using an exemplary case study of submissions to an inquiry into obesity, the research compared the positions of industry and public health groups with that taken by government. We assessed whether the interests were given equal consideration (a pluralist model of influence) or whether the interests of one group were favoured over the other (a neo-pluralist model).

Setting

2006 New Zealand Inquiry into Obesity.

Subjects

Food and advertising industry and public health submitters.

Results

The Government's position was largely aligned with industry interests in three of four policy domains: the national obesity strategy; food industry policy; and advertising and marketing policies. The exception to this was nutrition policy in schools, where the Government's position was aligned with public health interests. These findings support the neo-pluralist model of interest group influence.

Conclusions

The dominance of the food industry in national nutrition policy needs to be addressed. It is in the interests of the public, industry and the state that government regulates the food and advertising industries and limits the involvement of industry in policy making. Failure to do so will be costly for individuals, in terms of poor health and earlier death, costly to governments in terms of the associated health costs, and costly to both the government and industry due to losses in human productivity.
Personalised support delivered by support workers for people with severe and persistent mental illness: a systematic review of patient outcomes
Authors: Siskind D. , Harris M. , Pirkis J. , Whiteford H.
Published: November 2011

Aims.

Personalised support services assist patients with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) to live with functional deficits by providing living skills, emotional support, community access and advocacy. This paper aims to systematically review the evidence for personalised support.

Methods.

Systematic searches of Medline, PsycINFO and Google Scholar (inception to March 2011) identified studies investigating patient outcomes for personalised support services. The quality of the selected studies was assessed. The strength of evidence for the three categories of patient outcomes (illness acuity, personal functioning and patient satisfaction) was graded.

Results.

Fifteen studies met inclusion criteria with most rated as having moderate or weak study designs. The selected studies evaluated programs for outpatients with SPMI. There was moderate strength of evidence for reducing illness acuity and improving patient satisfaction with services, and weak strength of evidence for improving personal functioning in studies published to date. Most programs delivered multiple service types, and no clear pattern of service types leading to specific patient outcomes could be discerned.

Conclusions.

Although evidence published to date for personalised support is of variable quality, it suggests that services may be effective. More research on the effects of personalised support subtypes on patient outcomes is required.
Synaptonemal complex protein SYCP3 impairs mitotic recombination by interfering with BRCA2
Authors: Hosoya Noriko , Okajima Miyuki , Kinomura Aiko , Fujii Yoshihiro , Hiyama Takashi , Sun Jiying , Tashiro Satoshi , Miyagawa Kiyoshi
Published: November 2011

The meiosis‐specific synaptonemal complex protein SYCP3 has been reported to be aberrantly expressed in tumours. However, in contrast to its well‐defined function in meiosis, its possible role in mitotic cells is entirely unknown. Here, we show that SYCP3 is expressed in a range of primary tumours and that it impairs chromosomal integrity in mitotic cells. Expression of SYCP3 inhibits the homologous recombination (HR) pathway mediated by RAD51, inducing hypersensitivity to DNA‐damaging agents such as a poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor and chromosomal instability. SYCP3 forms a complex with BRCA2 and inhibits its role in HR. These findings highlight a new mechanism for chromosomal instability in cancer and extend the range of PARP‐inhibitor sensitive tumours to those expressing SYCP3.
MOCA is an integrator of the neuronal death signals that are activated by familial Alzheimer's disease-related mutants of amyloid β precursor protein and presenilins
Authors: Tachi Nobuyuki , Hashimoto Yuichi , Matsuoka Masaaki
Published: November 2011

The death of cholinergic neurons in the cerebral cortex and certain subcortical regions is linked to irreversible dementia relevant to AD (Alzheimer's disease). Although multiple studies have shown that expression of a FAD (familial AD)-linked APP (amyloid β precursor protein) or a PS (presenilin) mutant, but not that of wild-type APP or PS, induced neuronal death by activating intracellular death signals, it remains to be addressed how these signals are interrelated and what the key molecule involved in this process is. In the present study, we show that the PS1-mediated (or possibly the PS2-mediated) signal is essential for the APP-mediated death in a γ-secretase-independent manner and vice versa. MOCA (modifier of cell adhesion), which was originally identified as being a PS- and Rac1-binding protein, is a common downstream constituent of these neuronal death signals. Detailed molecular analysis indicates that MOCA is a key molecule of the AD-relevant neuronal death signals that links the PS-mediated death signal with the APP-mediated death signal at a point between Rac1 [or Cdc42 (cell division cycle 42)] and ASK1 (apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1).
Interfacial water molecules in SH3 interactions: a revised paradigm for polyproline recognition
Authors: Martin-Garcia Jose M. , Ruiz-Sanz Javier , Luque Irene
Published: November 2011

In spite of its biomedical relevance, polyproline recognition is still not fully understood. The disagreement between the current description of SH3 (Src homology 3) complexes and their thermodynamic behaviour calls for a revision of the SH3-binding paradigm. Recently, Abl-SH3 was demonstrated to recognize its ligands by a dual binding mechanism involving a robust network of water-mediated hydrogen bonds that complements the canonical hydrophobic interactions. The systematic analysis of the SH3 structural database in the present study reveals that this dual binding mode is universal to SH3 domains. Tightly bound buried-interfacial water molecules were found in all SH3 complexes studied mediating the interaction between the peptide ligand and the domain. Moreover, structural waters were also identified in a high percentage of the free SH3 domains. A detailed analysis of the pattern of water-mediated interactions enabled the identification of conserved hydration sites in the polyproline-recognition region and the establishment of relationships between hydration profiles and the sequence of both ligands and SH3 domains. Water-mediated interactions were also systematically observed in WW (protein–protein interaction domain containing two conserved tryptophan residues), UEV (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 variant) and EVH-1 [Ena/VASP (vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein) homology 1] structures. The results of the present study clearly indicate that the current description of proline-rich sequence recognition by protein–protein interaction modules is incomplete and insufficient for a correct understanding of these systems. A new binding paradigm is required that includes interfacial water molecules as relevant elements in polyproline recognition.
Increasing expression of oxytocin and vasopressin receptors in the equine conceptus between Days 10 and 16 of pregnancy
Authors: Budik Sven , Palm Franziska , Walter Ingrid , Helmreich Magdalena , Aurich Christine
Published: November 2011

Oxytocin (OT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) have been detected in the yolk sac of the pre-attachment equine conceptus. Therefore, we have assessed the presence of OT and AVP receptors in equine conceptuses between Days 10 and 16 of pregnancy by qualitative PCR, quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. Expression of OT receptor and of the AVP receptors V1aR and V2R could be verified after sequencing the RT-PCR products of the expected length. The size of conceptuses used for quantitative PCR significantly increased with day of pregnancy (P < 0.01) as did their quantitative expression of OTR (P < 0.01). Immunohistochemistry of OTR resulted in weak trophectodermal abundance on Day 10, increasing at Day 12. On Day 14, staining intensity increased in individual cells of the trophectoderm while it decreased in other cells; this trend became more apparent on Day 16. The endoderm of the trophoblast and surrounding subtrophoblastic compartments always showed moderate staining for OTR. On Day 10 immunoreactive V2R protein was localised in the trophectodermal apical membrane; on Day 12 it was also present in the basal membrane and weakly in the cytoplasm. On Day 14 only individual trophectodermal cells showed positive supranuclear cytoplasmic areas or V2R, whereas on Day 16 about one-third of the trophectodermal cells were stained entirely and intensely positive. These results suggest an involvement of OT and AVP action in the development and expansion of the early equine conceptus.
Oocyte quality determines bovine embryo development after fertilisation with hydrogen peroxide-stressed spermatozoa
Authors: Rahman Mohammad Bozlur , Vandaele Leen , Rijsselaere Tom , Zhandi Mahdi , Maes Dominiek , Shamsuddin Mohammed , Van Soom Ann
Published: November 2011

Exposure of gametes to specific stressors at sublethal levels can enhance the gametes’ subsequent performance in processes such as cryopreservation. In the present study, bull spermatozoa were subjected to H2O2 for 4 h at 100-, 200- and 500-μM levels; computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) assay were used for evaluation of subsequent sperm motility and DNA integrity, respectively. Exposure of spermatozoa to H2O2 did not affect sperm motility but DNA integrity was negatively affected by 500 μM H2O2 compared with mock-exposed spermatozoa, whereas both motility and DNA integrity were affected compared with untreated spermatozoa. Nevertheless, insemination of oocytes with spermatozoa exposed to 200 μM H2O2 increased fertilisation, cleavage and blastocyst rates (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the higher blastocyst yield after fertilisation of oocytes with spermatozoa exposed to 200 μM H2O2 was related to oocyte diameter, with large–medium oocytes yielding higher blastocyst rates, while small-diameter oocytes consistently failed to develop into blastocysts. In conclusion, the results indicate that exposure of spermatozoa to 200 μM H2O2 before sperm–oocyte interaction may enhance in vitro embryo production in cattle. However, this increased embryo production is largely dependent on the intrinsic quality of the oocytes.
Crystal structure of the central axis DF complex of the prokaryotic V-ATPase
Authors: Saijo Shinya , Arai Satoshi , Hossain K. M. Mozaffor , Yamato Ichiro , Suzuki Kano , Kakinuma Yoshimi , Ishizuka-Katsura Yoshiko , Ohsawa Noboru , Terada Takaho , Shirouzu Mikako , Yokoyama Shigeyuki , Iwata So , Murata Takeshi
Published: November 2011

V-ATPases function as ATP-dependent ion pumps in various membrane systems of living organisms. ATP hydrolysis causes rotation of the central rotor complex, which is composed of the central axis D subunit and a membrane c ring that are connected by F and d subunits. Here we determined the crystal structure of the DF complex of the prokaryotic V-ATPase of
Enterococcus hirae
at 2.0-Å resolution. The structure of the D subunit comprised a long left-handed coiled coil with a unique short β-hairpin region that is effective in stimulating the ATPase activity of V
1
-ATPase by twofold. The F subunit is bound to the middle portion of the D subunit. The C-terminal helix of the F subunit, which was believed to function as a regulatory region by extending into the catalytic A
3
B
3
complex, contributes to tight binding to the D subunit by forming a three-helix bundle. Both D and F subunits are necessary to bind the d subunit that links to the c ring. From these findings, we modeled the entire rotor complex (DFdc ring) of V-ATPase.
Expression of a desaturase gene,desat1, in neural and nonneural tissues separately affects perception and emission of sex pheromones inDrosophila
Authors: Bousquet François , Nojima Tetsuya , Houot Benjamin , Chauvel Isabelle , Chaudy Sylvie , Dupas Stéphane , Yamamoto Daisuke , Ferveur Jean-François
Published: November 2011

Animals often use sex pheromones for mate choice and reproduction. As for other signals, the genetic control of the emission and perception of sex pheromones must be tightly coadapted, and yet we still have no worked-out example of how these two aspects interact. Most models suggest that emission and perception rely on separate genetic control. We have identified aDrosophila melanogastergene,desat1, that is involved in both the emission and the perception of sex pheromones. To explore the mechanism whereby these two aspects of communication interact, we investigated the relationship between the molecular structure, tissue-specific expression, and pheromonal phenotypes ofdesat1. We characterized the fivedesat1transcripts—all of which yielded the same desaturase protein—and constructed transgenes with the differentdesat1putative regulatory regions. Each region was used to target reporter transgenes with either (i) the fluorescent GFP marker to revealdesat1tissue expression, or (ii) thedesat1 RNAisequence to determine the effects of genetic down-regulation on pheromonal phenotypes. We found thatdesat1is expressed in a variety of neural and nonneural tissues, most of which are involved in reproductive functions. Our results suggest that distinctdesat1putative regulatory regions independently drive the expression in nonneural and in neural cells, such that the emission and perception of sex pheromones are precisely coordinated in this species.