bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Mouse Model for Adolescent Alcohol Abuse: Stunted Growth and Effects in Brain
Authors: Huang Chiming , Titus Jennifer A. , Bell Richard L. , Kapros Tamas , Chen Jie , Huang Rosa
Published: March 2012

Background

Adolescent alcohol abuse remains a serious public health concern, with nearly a third of high school seniors reporting heavy drinking in the previous month.

Methods

Using the high ethanol‐consuming C57BL/6J mouse strain, we examined the effects of ethanol (3.75 g/kg, IP, daily for 45 days) on body weight and brain region mass (cerebral cortex, cerebellum, corpus callosum) during peri‐adolescence (postnatal day [P]25 to 70) or adulthood (P180 to 225) of both males and females.

Results

In control peri‐adolescent animals, body weight gain was greater in males compared with females. In the peri‐adolescent exposure group, ethanol significantly reduced body weight gain to a similar extent in both male and female mice (82 and 84% of controls, respectively). In adult animals, body weight gain was much less than that of the peri‐adolescent mice, with ethanol having a small but significant effect in males but not females. Between the control peri‐adolescent and adult cohorts (measurements taken at P70 and 225, respectively), there were no significant differences in the mass of the cerebral cortex or the cerebellum from either male or female mice, although the rostro‐caudal length of the corpus callosum increased slightly but significantly (6.1%) between these time points.

Conclusions

Ethanol treatment significantly reduced the mass of the cerebral cortex in peri‐adolescent (−3.1%), but not adult, treated mice. By contrast, ethanol significantly reduced the length of the corpus callosum in adult (−5.4%), but not peri‐adolescent, treated mice. Future studies at the histological level may yield additional details concerning ethanol and the peri‐adolescent brain.
Behavioral and Neurotransmitter Specific Roles for the Ventral Tegmental Area in Reinforcer‐Seeking and Intake
Authors: Czachowski Cristine L. , DeLory Michael J. , Pope Jason D.
Published: March 2012

Background

The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is a pivotal relay site within the reinforcement circuit that has been shown to play a role in ethanol (EtOH)‐motivated behaviors. The primary dopamine projections within this system originate in the VTA and innervate several areas including the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and prefrontal cortex (PFC), and the PFC has afferent glutamate projections to the VTA and the NAc. The following studies utilized 2 different operant paradigms, one focusing on reinforcer‐seeking and the other on reinforcer drinking (both with an EtOH and a sucrose reinforcer solution), to elucidate regulation of these behaviors by the posterior VTA, and the specific roles of dopamine and glutamate in this region.

Methods

The present experiments assessed the effects of microinjections of the glutamate (AMPA/kainate) antagonist CNQX and the dopamine D1‐like antagonist SCH23390 in the posterior VTA, as well as transient chemical inactivation of this region using tetrodotoxin (TTX). In 4 separate experiments (2 dopamine, 2 glutamate, both with TTX), male Long Evans rats were trained to complete a single response requirement that resulted in access to 10% EtOH or 2% sucrose for a 20‐minute drinking period.

Results

Prior to microinjections, EtOH‐reinforced subjects were consuming approximately 0.45 to 0.65 g/kg EtOH and making approximately 50 responses during intermittent nonreinforced artificial cerebrospinal fluid sessions (Sucrose groups had similar baseline response levels). Overall, TTX inactivation of the VTA consistently decreased reinforcer‐seeking but not intake in all experiments. CNQX also dose‐dependently decreased EtOH‐seeking, with no significant effect on sucrose‐seeking or reinforcer intake. SCH23390 had no significant effects on reinforcer‐seeking, and very moderately decreased intake of both EtOH and sucrose.

Conclusions

Inactivation of the posterior VTA implicated this region in reinforcer‐seeking as opposed to reinforcer intake. Overall, the present findings provide support for the importance of posterior VTA glutamate activity specifically in EtOH‐seeking behavior in animals consuming pharmacologically relevant amounts of EtOH.
Women's Health and Hygiene Experiences During Deployment to the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, 2003 through 2010
Authors: Doherty Mary Ellen , Scannell‐Desch Elizabeth
Published: March 2012

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to describe women's health and hygiene experiences during their deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan during the war years, 2003 through 2010.

Methods: A phenomenological method described the essential structures embedded in the women's health and hygiene experiences. Colaizzi's method of data analysis was used to guide the discovery of themes. Interview data were gathered from 24 interviews with military nurses who served in the war zones. Female military nurses were specifically selected for this study because of their insight, awareness, and knowledge base.

Results: Seven themes emerged from the data and captured the essence of the women's experiences: 1) bathroom trips and facilities: a walk on the wild side; 2) shower challenges: lack of privacy, water problems, and location issues; 3) menstruation: to suppress or not to suppress; 4) staying clean: a monumental task; 5) various infections: annoying distractions; 6) unintended pregnancies: wartime surprises; and 7) safety issues: enemy attacks and sexual assaults.

Discussion: In the current military structure, more women are being deployed to combat zones and will endure the challenges and hardships described in this study. The health and hygiene experiences of deployed women are an important part of their daily lives in combat zones. Educational programs and clinical services need to be tailored to this cadre of women, with focused attention on preparation and anticipatory guidance prior to deployment. Access to health promotion and appropriate clinical services during deployment is critical. Finally, as these women return home as veterans, it is important for all providers to understand the contextual framework of their service and its impact on their lives.
Silica‐Based NTPC‐Fly Ash for Dye‐Removal Application and Effect of Its Modification
Authors: Babu Babitha K. , Purayil Jeena Vadakke , Padinhattayil Hareesh , Shukla Satyajit , Warrier Krishna Gopakumar
Published: March 2012

Silica‐based fly ash (FA) received from the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), India has been utilized for determining its dye‐adsorption capacity. The dye adsorption using the NTPC‐FA has been examined by varying the initial methylene blue dye concentration (7.5–150 μM) and initial solution‐pH (2.5–11.5). The dye‐adsorption capacity of NTPC‐FA has been found to be 0.43 mg/g. To increase the dye‐adsorption capacity, the NTPC‐FA is subjected to the hydrothermal treatment and typical washing cycles without and with the coating of sol–gel derived anatase‐titania. The hydrothermally treated NTPC‐FA and hydrogen titanate–silica composite thus obtained exhibit dye‐adsorption capacity higher than that of NTPC‐FA.
Tooth discolouration: Staining effects of various sealers and medicaments
Authors: Thomson Andrew David , Athanassiadis Basil , Kahler Bill , Walsh Laurence
Published: March 2012

The aim of this investigation was to quantify the discolouration of tooth roots caused by various medicaments and sealers. The roots of extracted teeth were chemo‐mechanically prepared and the smear layer removed. The roots were filled with either Multi‐Cal (Pulpdent Corporation, Watertown, MA, USA), Ledermix (Lederle Laboratories, Wolfratshausen, Germany), 2% chlorhexadine acetate in polyethylene glycol (PEG), 5% clindamycin in PEG, PEG alone (as a vehicle control), sealers AH26 (De Trey Dentsply, Zurich, Switzerland), AH Plus (De Trey Dentsply), an experimental epoxy resin with zirconium dioxide (Millenium Chemicals, Rockingham, Western Australia) or Araldite (Selleys Pty Ltd, Sydney, Australia). The roots were maintained at 37°C in dark humid conditions and standardised images of the coronal surfaces recorded over 12 months. Ledermix caused the most darkening of the introduced medicaments, while calcium hydroxide and the materials in PEG did not cause darkening. AH26 caused more darkening than did the other sealers. It was concluded that the use of alternatives to Ledermix and AH26 should be considered when aesthetics are important.
Co‐inherited β‐thalassemia trait and HbH disease: clinical characteristics and interference in diagnosis of thalassemia by high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: YIN X.‐L. , WU Z.‐K. , ZHOU X.Y. , ZHOU T.‐H. , ZHOU Y.‐L. , WANG L. , HUANG J. , ZHANG X.‐H.
Published: March 2012

Introduction:  To identify the clinical and hematological characteristics in a large group of patients with combined HbH disease and β‐thalassemia trait.

Methods:  Hemoglobinopathy analysis and full genotyping identified a cohort of patients with HbH disease, β‐thalassemia trait, or combined HbH disease and β‐thalassemia trait.

Results:  Co‐inheritance of β‐thalassemia trait and HbH disease significantly decreased the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) in 27 patients when compared to 287 patients with HbH disease alone. The combined condition also alleviated anemia in nondeletional HbH disease but not in the deletional cases. Beta‐thalassemia trait also significantly decreased the expression of HbH, Hb Constant Spring when present, and HbA2, with levels as low as 3.6% on high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Conclusion:  These cases, although relatively common in the South Chinese population, may be difficult do diagnose correctly when only examined on HPLC. Therefore, molecular analysis of the α and β globin genes should be done in all cases with hemolytic anemia and low MCV without clear HbH disease or β‐thalassemia parameters.
Borders and Bridges: Exploring a New Conceptual Architecture for (U.S.–Mexico) Border Studies
Authors: Alvarez Robert
Published: March 2012

Resúmen

La esencia de los estudios de frontera y su metodología circula alrededor de la terminología de fronteras, límites, tierras fronterizas y su metáfora. El entendimiento y estudio sobre el comportamiento social‐ya sea de grupos étnicos, individuos, o de estructuras sociales más amplias como el Estado‐nación‐ son muchas veces enmarcados dentro de estos marcos analíticos. El presente artículo analiza críticamente la epistemología actual que trata el tema de la frontera Mexico‐Estado Unidos para plantear nuevas preguntas metodológicas. Propongo que necesitamos una nueva arquitectura que se enriquezca de los estudios y epistemologías del pasado, pero que ayude a romper con la cartografía que hemos creado, para así producir nuevas percepciones de análisis y entendimiento. El enfoque del artículo es de cruces de fronteras, y utilizo la metáfora de Fronteras y Puentes para cuestionar y trastornar la noción de frontera centrada en el Estado – una línea horizontal que atraviesa los Estados‐nación. Este enfoque enfatiza los procesos de conectividad y contrastes, asi como profundidad y alcance tanto del pensamiento como delanálisis empírico de las fronteras.
Making Carlactone
Authors: Hines Pamela J.
Published: March 2012

Elucidation of the biosynthetic pathway of a new plant hormone variant that may be useful in agricultural settings is shown.
Toward Addiction
Authors: Vignieri Sacha N.
Published: March 2012

In laboratory experiments, male fruit flies respond to lack of sex by increasing alcohol consumption.
Telling Sandpaper from Satin
Authors: Hines Pamela J.
Published: March 2012

A mutation known to cause cataracts also disables a specialized mechanosensory receptor in mice and humans.
A Synaptic Vesicle in Time
Authors: Hurtley Stella M.
Published: March 2012

Tracking of individual synaptic vesicles reveals that kiss-and-run fusion is concentrated near the center of the synapse.
PKM2 Moonlights as a Protein Kinase
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: March 2012

Pyruvate kinase M2 phosphorylates the transcription factor STAT3.
Copper as a Kinase Cofactor
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: March 2012

Copper promotes MAPK signaling by enhancing MEK-mediated phosphorylation of ERK.
Moving Forward in the Climate Negotiations: Multilateralism or Minilateralism?
Authors: Eckersley Robyn
Published: March 2012

The slow progress of the international climate negotiations has generated calls for a shift from large-n multilateralism (inclusive multilateralism) to more streamlined negotiations that are confined to the major emitters whose support is crucial for an effective climate treaty (exclusive minilateralism). This article pushes critical theory in an applied direction to explore under what circumstances, if any, minilateralism might help to advance the climate negotiations. I show that inclusive multilateralism is unlikely to produce a timely climate treaty, while exclusive minilateralism is elitist, procedurally unjust, and likely to be self-serving. Instead, I defend inclusive minilateralism, based on “common but differentiated representation,” or representation by the most capable, the most responsible, and the most vulnerable. I also offer some practical suggestions as to how a minilateral climate council might be constituted, what its remit should be, and how it might be embedded in and answerable to the UNFCCC.
Shopping in the Political Arena
Authors: Holyoke Thomas T. , Brown Heath , Henig Jeffrey R.
Published: March 2012

This article explores how advocacy organizations strategically select one or more venues for lobbying in a government system that provides multiple access points to state and local lawmakers. Advocates unable to make headway at the state level may refocus their efforts locally, convincing lawmakers in hitherto uninvolved venues to take-up an issue. The data used to test venue shopping hypotheses comes from a survey of charter school advocacy at state and local levels in three states. While ideological congruence between lawmakers and advocates matters, it also turns out that most advocates are also drawn to any venue actively working on an issue. Advocacy resources also limit the number of venues targeted and that implementing venues are chosen when they can be pressured by elected officials who support an advocate’s policy preferences.
The Challenges and Possibilities for Regional Collaboration among Small Jurisdictions
Authors: Kraus Neil
Published: March 2012

This research note examines the Western Wisconsin Intergovernmental Collaborative (WWIC), located in three mainly rural Wisconsin counties bordering the Minneapolis–St. Paul region, including the results of a survey of chief elected officials representing local governments in the region. Despite the fact that the WWIC has not generated significant interest among most prospective member governments, survey results indicate that many of these governments are engaged in collaborations with other jurisdictions. The lack of interest of smaller communities in participating in a regional organization should not necessarily be seen as evidence that such communities are not using collaborative arrangements with other jurisdictions.
Local Government Diversity Initiatives in Oregon
Authors: Nishishiba Masami
Published: March 2012

Recognition of cultural changes in the US workforce has prompted many public sector organizations to take action to increase diversity and cultural awareness. Specific characteristics of diversity initiatives in local government organizations are not well documented. In this study, interviews were conducted with representatives from eleven local governments in the Willamette Valley region in Oregon. Through thematic analysis of the interview transcripts and other documents, this study catalogues types of diversity activities conducted by local governments and identifies key factors in the development and successful implementation of diversity initiatives.
Social Media Sites at the State and Local Levels
Authors: Perlman Bruce J.
Published: March 2012

This essay reviews some of the recent research on operational uses of Social Media Sites (SMS) in state and local governments throughout the world. Also, it assesses the recent research on the employment of SMS for the tasks of governance at the state and local level as distinguished from service delivery. Finally, it discusses the opportunity and need for further research in this latter area and concludes with a call for research in four areas.
Properties of resistant cells generated from lung cancer cell lines treated with EGFR inhibitors
Authors: Ghosh Gargi , Lian Xiaojun , Kron Stephen J , Palecek Sean P
Published: March 2012

Background

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling plays an important role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and therapeutics targeted against EGFR have been effective in treating a subset of patients bearing somatic EFGR mutations. However, the cancer eventually progresses during treatment with EGFR inhibitors, even in the patients who respond to these drugs initially. Recent studies have identified that the acquisition of resistance in approximately 50% of cases is due to generation of a secondary mutation (T790M) in the EGFR kinase domain. In about 20% of the cases, resistance is associated with the amplification of MET kinase. In the remaining 30-40% of the cases, the mechanism underpinning the therapeutic resistance is unknown.

Methods

An erlotinib resistant subline (H1650-ER1) was generated upon continuous exposure of NSCLC cell line NCI-H1650 to erlotinib. Cancer stem cell like traits including expression of stem cell markers, enhanced ability to self-renew and differentiate, and increased tumorigenicity in vitro were assessed in erlotinib resistant H1650-ER1 cells.

Results

The erlotinib resistant subline contained a population of cells with properties similar to cancer stem cells. These cells were found to be less sensitive towards erlotinib treatment as measured by cell proliferation and generation of tumor spheres in the presence of erlotinib.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that in cases of NSCLC accompanied by mutant EGFR, treatment targeting inhibition of EGFR kinase activity in differentiated cancer cells may generate a population of cancer cells with stem cell properties.
A New Generation of Complementary Medicine Users?
Authors: Thompson Simon
Published: March 2012

Objectives: To determine regular use of alternative remedies amongst undergraduate students. Design: Questionnaire covered use of alternative remedies as well as demographic details. Settings/Location: Online completion of the questionnaire. Subjects: Sixty-nine participants (55 female, 14 male) aged between 18 to 30 years studying undergraduate psychology at Bournemouth University, Dorset, UK. Interventions: Structured open and closed questions; all questions were given to all of the participants. Outcome Measures: Qualitative comments were captured as well as percentage of respondents according to answers collected. Results: Most respondents had used remedies for exam "anxiety" and obtained these products from relatives or friends or relatives. Conclusions: Reasons of effect provided by participants were that they provided a genuine effect; a general effect; or a placebo effect.
Contractile Effect of Radish and Betel Nut Extracts on Rabbit Gallbladder
Authors: Ghayur Muhammad Nabeel , Gilani Anwarul Hassan
Published: March 2012

Raphanus sativus (abbreviated in this paper as Rs.Cr) and Areca catechu (Ac.Cr), commonly known as radish and betel nut respectively, are traditionally used in South Asia for different gastrointestinal, gallbladder, and hepatic diseases. There has not been any study to see how they modulate gallbladder contractility. We selected isolated rabbit gallbladder tissue preparations, mounted them in tissue baths containing Krebs-Henseleit solution at 37 °C, and then recorded the changes in baseline tone of the tissues upon administration of Rs.Cr and Ac.Cr. Both the extracts exhibited concentration-dependent stimulant effect on the baseline tone of gallbladder tissues, similar to carbachol, a muscarinic receptor agonist. The stimulant effect of the extract, as well as that of carbachol, was completely blocked in the presence of atropine, a muscarinic antagonist, indicating similarity in the mechanism of action of the extracts with carbachol. The result shows potential of these extracts to contract the gallbladder and to subsequently increase bile secretion, but this remains to be investigated in detail. This study justifies the traditional use of radish and betel nut in different gastrointestinal disorders.
Functional Characteristics of Extruded Blends of Potato Flakes and Whey Protein Isolate
Authors: Dushkova Mariya A. , Menkov Nikolay D. , Toshkov Nesho G.
Published: March 2012

The purpose of the present study was to explore the effects of feed moisture and the addition of whey protein isolate on some physicochemical properties of the obtained extrudates from potato flakes. Extrudates were produced using a laboratory single-screw extruder. Conditions during extrusion were: screw speed - 200 rpm; compression ratio - 3:1; extruders temperature zones - 120, 150, 160 °C; diameter of the nozzle - 5 mm. With increasing of feed moisture content and protein level, there was a significant rise of density as well as lowering of expansion of extrudates. As the feed moisture content increased from 13 to 20 percent w.w. the water absorption index (WAI) increased and the water solubility index (WSI) decreased. The feed protein level increased the protein content and decreased WAI. A maximum of WSI was observed at feed moisture content 20 percent w.w. and protein level 18 percent w.w. The extrusion and the protein addition do not affect the equilibrium moisture of the potato flakes extrudates.
Evaluation of Boundary Conditions for CFD Simulation of Liquid Food Thermal Process in Glass Bottles
Authors: Augusto Pedro Esteves Duarte , Cristianini Marcelo
Published: March 2012

The growing demand for safer and high-quality food products creates the need for better knowledge of the processes involved in food production. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) have been widely used to better understand food thermal process, one of the safest and most frequently used methods for food preservation. However, no consistency in mathematical models has been observed, especially on the boundary conditions definition. The present study has evaluated four methodologies for the definition of boundary conditions for heating water in two commercial bottles: (M1) temperature profile of heating water (T∞) and convective heat transfer coefficient (h), (M2) T∞ as boundary condition for the outside package wall, (M3) T∞ as boundary condition for the outside heated liquid edge, and (M4) internal temperature profile (T=T(x,y,z,t)), previously measured in the inner package wall, as boundary condition for the outside heated liquid edge. Models that considered the measured value of h e T∞ as boundary condition showed good agreement with experimental values, compared by thermal history and sterilization value (F). The models that considered the temperature profile of the heating water or the inner package wall as boundary conditions, showed faster heating. By over-estimating the product heating rate, those models are not appropriated for thermal process modelling, as it compromises the safety and preservation of food products.
Mathematical Modelling of the Heat Transfer and Microbial Inactivation During a Meat Pet Food Sterilization in Retortable Pouches
Authors: Santana Frampton Franklin , Augusto Pedro Esteves Duarte , Cristianini Marcelo
Published: March 2012

Thermal process is still the most used and safer method for food preservation. Although the mathematical modelling of heat transfer has been used for thermal process evaluation, microbial validation is rarely carried out, and the evaluation of retortable stand up pouch processes were not studied. The present work employed a finite elements analysis model (FEA) for the evaluation of a conductive meat pet food process sterilization in stand up retortable pouches. The results obtained by the model showed good agreement with the experimental values, for both temperature histories and microbial inactivation comparison. The results obtained demonstrate the utility of using mathematical models for describing the heat transfer and microbial inactivation in food thermal process, and reinforce that it can be a powerful tool in food process evaluation and design.
Toward Standardization of Benefit-Cost Analysis of Early Childhood Interventions
Authors: Karoly Lynn A.
Published: March 2012

A growing body of benefit-cost analyses (BCAs) of early childhood programs has been prompted by the increased demand for results-based accountability when allocating public and private sector resources. While the BCAs of early childhood programs serve to make such investments more compelling, there are limitations in the current state of the art, including a lack of standardization in the BCA methods used, from discount rates to shadow prices. The objective of this paper is to delineate a set of standards for conducting BCAs of early childhood programs. The paper reviews the existing evidence of the economic returns from early childhood programs that serve children and families in the first five years of life, discusses the challenges that arise in applying the BCA methodology such programs, highlights the variation in current methods used, and proposes a set of standards for applying the BCA methodology to early childhood programs. The recommendations concern issues such as the discount rate to use and the age to which costs and benefits should be discounted; stakeholder disaggregation; outcomes to value, the associated values, and projections of future outcomes; accounting for uncertainty; sensitivity analysis; and reporting of results. The proposed standards can guide the choices that analysts need to make about the methods to use when performing BCAs for one or more early childhood programs and they can support greater transparency in the results the analysts provide. The standards can also support consumers of the BCA results in their need to understand the methods employed and the comparability across different studies.
Dutch manner of motion verbs: Disentangling auxiliary choice, telicity and syntactic function
Authors: Beliën, Maaike
Published: March 2012

Dutch manner of motion verbs play a prominent role in the literature on unaccusativity. As these verbs can take both hebben ‘have’ and zijn ‘be’ as their perfective auxiliaries, they are considered to show both unergative and unaccusative behavior. The general consensus is that these verbs normally take hebben, yet occur with zijn if they are ‘telicized’ by an endpoint, and that the auxiliaries are diagnostics for the syntactic status of prepositional phrases (PPs). The paper presents attested data that reveal that this generalization is untenable: there are examples that take the opposite auxiliary from what the generalization predicts. To account for the full set of data, the paper takes a cognitive-grammar perspective, arguing that auxiliary choice, telicity and syntactic status of PPs are independent issues requiring their own explanations. Auxiliary choice is analyzed in terms of alternate construals of a motion event: with hebben as a type of act and with zijn as a change of location. In this manner, the paper adds to a growing body of literature that questions the usefulness of the coarse unergative–unaccusative distinction, advocating a ‘local analysis’ instead.
Toward a frame-semantic definition of sound-symbolic words: A collocational analysis of Japanese mimetics
Authors: Akita, Kimi
Published: March 2012

This article presents empirical evidence of the high referential specificity of sound-symbolic words, based on a FrameNet-aided analysis of collocational data of Japanese mimetics. The definition of mimetics, particularly their semantic definition, has been crosslinguistically the most challenging problem in the literature, and different researchers have used different adjectives (most notably, “vivid,” since Doke 1935) to describe their semantic peculiarity. The present study approaches this longstanding issue from a frame-semantic point of view combined with a quantitative method. It was found that mimetic manner adverbials generally form a frame-semantically restricted range of verbal/nominal collocations than non-mimetic ones. Each mimetic can thus be considered to evoke a highly specific frame, which elaborates the general frame evoked by its typical host predicate and contains a highly limited set of frame elements, which correlate and constrain one another. This conclusion serves as a unified account of previously reported phenomena concerning mimetics, including the lack of hyponymy, the one-mimetic-per-clause restriction, and unparaphrasability. This study can be also viewed as a methodological proposal for the measurement of frame specificity, which supplements bottom-up linguistic tests.
The acquisition of the active transitive construction in English: A detailed case study
Authors: Theakston, Anna L. , Maslen, Robert , Lieven, Elena V. M. , Tomasello, Michael
Published: March 2012

In this study, we test a number of predictions concerning children's knowledge of the transitive Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) construction between two and three years on one child (Thomas) for whom we have densely collected data. The data show that the earliest SVO utterances reflect earlier use of those same verbs, and that verbs acquired before 2;7 show an earlier move towards adult-like levels of use in the SVO construction and in object argument complexity than later acquired verbs. There is not a close relation with the input in the types of subject and object referents used, nor a close adherence to Preferred Argument Structure (PAS) before 2;7, but both early and late acquired verbs show a simultaneous move towards PAS patterns in selection of referent type at 2;9. The event semantics underpinning early transitive utterances do not straightforwardly fit prototype (high or inalienable) notions of transitivity, but rather may reflect sensitivity to animacy and intentionality in a way that mirrors the input. We conclude that children's knowledge of the transitive construction continues to undergo significant development between 2;0 and 3;0, reflecting the gradual abstraction and integration of the SVO and VO constructions, verb semantics, discourse pragmatics, and the interactions between these factors. These factors are considered in the context of a prototype for the transitive construction.
Group valued null sequences and metrizable non-Mackey groups
Authors: Dikranjan Dikran , Martín-Peinador Elena , Tarieladze Vaja
Published: March 2012

For a topological abelian group X we topologize the group

c
0

(
X
)

$c_0(X)$

of all X-valued null sequences in a way such that when

X
=
ℝ

${X={\mathbb {R}}}$

the
topology of

c
0

(
ℝ
)

$c_0({\mathbb {R}})$

coincides with the usual Banach space
topology of the classical Banach space c0
. If X is
a non-trivial compact
connected metrizable group, we prove that

c
0

(
X
)

$c_0(X)$

is a non-compact Polish locally
quasi-convex group with countable dual group

c
0

(
X
)

∧

$c_0(X)^{\wedge }$

.
Surprisingly, for a compact metrizable X, countability of

c
0

(
X
)

∧

$c_0(X)^{\wedge }$

leads to connectedness of X.

Our principal
application of the above results is to the class of locally quasi-convex Mackey groups (

LQC

$\rm {LQC}$

-Mackey groups). A topological group

(
G
,
μ
)

$(G,\mu )$

from a class

𝒢

$\mathcal {G}$

of topological abelian groups will be called a Mackey
group in

𝒢

$\mathcal {G}$

or a

𝒢

$\mathcal {G}$

-Mackey group if it has the
following property: if ν is a group topology in G such that

(
G
,
ν
)
∈
𝒢

${(G,\nu )\in \mathcal {G}}$

and

(
G
,
ν
)

$(G,\nu )$

has the same
character group as

(
G
,
μ
)

$(G,\mu )$

, then

ν
≤
μ

${\nu \le \mu }$

.

Based upon the results obtained for

c
0

(
X
)

$c_0(X)$

, we provide a large family of metrizable precompact
(hence, locally quasi-convex)
connected groups which are not

LQC

$\rm {LQC}$

-Mackey. Namely, we show that for a connected
compact metrizable group

X
≠
{
0
}

${X\ne \lbrace 0\rbrace }$

, the group

c
0

(
X
)

$c_0(X)$

, endowed with the topology
induced from the product topology on

X
ℕ

$X^{{\mathbb {N}}}$

, is a metrizable precompact connected group which is not a Mackey group in LQC.

Since metrizable locally convex spaces always carry the Mackey topology – a well-known fact from Functional Analysis –, our results prove that a Mackey theory for abelian groups is not a simple traslation of items known to hold for locally convex spaces. This paper is a contribution to the Mackey theory for groups, where properties of a topological nature like compactness or connectedness have an important role.
Unital associahedra
Authors: Muro Fernando , Tonks Andrew
Published: March 2012

We construct a topological cellular operad such that the algebras over its cellular chains are the homotopy unital A-infinity algebras of Fukaya–Oh–Ohta–Ono.
A characterization of degree two Siegel cusp forms
by the growth of their Fourier coefficients
Authors: Kohnen Winfried , Martin Yves
Published: March 2012

We characterize all cusp forms among the degree two Siegel modular forms by the growth of their Fourier coefficients. We also give a similar
result for Jacobi forms over the group

SL
2

(
ℤ
)

⋉

ℤ
2

$\mathrm {SL}_{2}(\mathbb {Z}) \ltimes \mathbb {Z}^2$

.
Hyperbolic-sine analogues of Eisenstein series, generalized Hurwitz numbers, and q-zeta functions
Authors: Komori Yasushi , Matsumoto Kohji , Tsumura Hirofumi
Published: March 2012

We consider certain double series of Eisenstein type
involving hyperbolic-sine functions. We define certain generalized Hurwitz numbers, in terms of which we evaluate
those double series. Our main results can be regarded as a certain
generalization of well-known results of Hurwitz, Herglotz, Katayama and so on. Our results also include recent formulas of the third-named author which are
double analogues of the formulas of Cauchy, Mellin, Ramanujan, Berndt and
so on, about certain Dirichlet series involving hyperbolic
functions. As an application, we give some evaluation formulas for q-zeta
functions at positive integers.
Toward Visible Light Response: Overall Water Splitting Using Heterogeneous Photocatalysts
Authors: Takanabe Kazuhiro , Domen Kazunari
Published: March 2012

Extensive energy conversion of solar energy can only be achieved by large-scale collection of solar flux. The technology that satisfies this requirement must be as simple as possible to reduce capital cost. Overall water splitting by powder-form photocatalysts directly produces a mixture of H
Sustainable Development of Green Energy Technologies in the Republic of Sudan
Authors: Omer Abdeen Mustafa
Published: March 2012

Sudan is an agricultural country with fertile soil and ample water resources, as well as livestock and forestry resources, and agricultural residues. Energy is one of the key factors in the development of Sudan's national economy. We present an overview of the energy situation in Sudan, with reference to its end uses and its regional distribution. We separate energy sources into two main types: conventional energy (biomass, petroleum products, and electricity) and non-conventional energy (solar power, wind energy, hydro-electric, etc.). Sudan has a relatively high abundance of sunshine and solar radiation, and has moderate biomass, hydro-electric and wind energy resources. Exploiting the available new and renewable energy sources to provide part of the local energy demand, as alternatives to conventional fossil energy, has become a major issue in Sudan's strategic planning of future energy policies. Sudan presents an important case study with respect to renewable energy, as it has a long history of meeting its energy needs by use of renewable sources; Sudan's portfolio is broad and diverse, due in part to the country's wide range of climates and landscapes. Like many African frontrunners in the utilisation of renewable energy, Sudan has a well-defined commitment to continue research, development, and implementation of new technologies. Sustainable low-carbon energy scenarios in the new century emphasize the importance of exploiting the untapped potential of renewable resources. Sudan's rural areas in particular, can benefit from this transition. The increased availability of reliable and efficient energy services will stimulate the development of new alternatives. We conclude that using renewable, environmentally friendly energy must be encouraged, promoted, implemented, and demonstrated by full-scale energy plants or collection devices, in particular for use in remote rural areas.
Zero-Emission Power Generation – Fuel Cells Are Coming, But Still Facing Obstacles in Germany
Authors: Hickmann Thorsten
Published: March 2012

For several years, low-emission energy systems have been asked for. It is all the more astonishing that an almost zero-emission method of power generation was invented more than 150 years ago but has not been successfully established yet. Fuel cells have been gaining ground since the new millennium, especially in Germany and Japan. Following the Japanese Government's decision to significantly reduce emission rates of the insular state, the economy has started to develop and refine fuel cell technology. Due to the planned nuclear phase-out, this new energy concept has started to come into focus in Germany as well. The new technology is designed for stationary and mobile applications alike and can hence provide power for domestic housing as well as for vehicles. There are, however, still supply chain deficiencies that impede a more widespread commercialisation.
Some heterocyclic compound formation under hydrothermal conditions: implications for prebiotic chemistry
Authors: He Chao , Hu Bin , Liu Ziwei , Wang Yu , Lv Bohui , Yuan Hongming , Tian Ge , Feng Shouhua
Published: March 2012

The hydrothermal system is considered to be one of the most possible environments for the origin of life. Here we report a hydrothermal reaction from phenol and alanine to four important heterocyclic compounds, 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran (1), indoline (2), indole (3) and 2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro­quinoline (4). This reaction suggests a prebiotic route to synthesize the heterocyclic compounds which could be precursors for the chemical evolution of life.
Catalyst-free synthesis of polysubstituted furans
Authors: Damavandi Saman , Sandaroos Reza
Published: March 2012

An efficient strategy for the preparation of polysubstituted furans involves a catalyst-free one-pot reaction of 1,3-diphenylpropane-1,3-dione, aromatic aldehydes, and cyclohexyl isocyanide.
An efficient method for the synthesis of naphthoquinoline derivatives catalyzed by iodine
Authors: Wang Wei , Lu Lian , Wang Xiang-Shan
Published: March 2012

A series of naphtho[2,3-f]quinoline derivatives were synthesized by the reaction of an aromatic aldehyde, anthracen-2-amine and acetone or an acetophenone in tetrahydrofuran (THF) catalyzed by iodine. The features of this procedure are mild conditions, good to high yields and operational simplicity.
First Remark on a ζ-Analogue of the Stirling Numbers
Authors: Dziemiańczuk Maciej
Published: March 2012

The so-called

Our generalization includes these and now also the
New Sequences that Converge to a Generalization of Euler's Constant
Authors: Sîntămărian Alina
Published: March 2012

The purpose of the paper is to give some sequences that converge quickly to a generalization of Euler's constant, i.e., the limit of the sequence

where
On the Number of Factorizations of an Integer
Authors: Balasubramanian Ramachandran , Luca Florian
Published: March 2012

Let ƒ(
The Intrinsic Periodic Behaviour of Sequences Related to a Rational Integral
Authors: Prodinger Helmut
Published: March 2012

For sequences defined in terms of 2-adic valuations, we exploit the intrinsic periodic behaviour obtained by a double summation. The tool is the Mellin–Perron formula.
A Cauchy–Davenport Type Result for Arbitrary Regular Graphs
Authors: Hegarty Peter
Published: March 2012

Motivated by the Cauchy–Davenport theorem for sumsets, and its interpretation in terms of Cayley graphs, we prove the following main result: There is a universal constant
Newman Polynomials, Reducibility, and Roots on the Unit Circle
Authors: Mercer Idris
Published: March 2012

A

 

 

 

 

We also show that certain plausible conjectures imply that the proportion of length 5 Newman polynomials with roots on the unit circle is
On the Number of Carries Occurring in an Addition Mod
Authors: Flori Jean-Pierre , Randriam Hugues
Published: March 2012

In this paper we study the number of carries occurring while performing an addition modulo

Although quite innocent, this conjecture has resisted different attempts of proof and only a few cases have been proved so far. The most manageable cases involve modular integers
Extending Nathanson Heights to Arbitrary Finite Fields
Authors: Huicochea Mario
Published: March 2012

In this paper, we extend the definition of the Nathanson height from points in projective spaces over

where
Lower signalizer lattices in alternating and symmetric groups
Authors: Aschbacher Michael
Published: March 2012

We prove that the subgroup lattices of finite alternating and symmetric groups do not contain so-called lower signalizer lattices in the class
A note on convexity properties of Thompson's group F
Authors: Horak Matthew , Stein Melanie , Taback Jennifer
Published: March 2012

We prove that Thompson's group
Subgroups of algebraic groups which are clopen in the S-congruence topology
Authors: Mason A. W. , Sury B.
Published: March 2012

Let

By applying the lemma to
Cardiac morbidity in twin-twin transfusion syndrome?
Authors: Martins Yolanda , Silva Sara , Matias Alexandra , Blickstein Isaac
Published: March 2012

Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) affects about 10% of monochorionic pregnancies and develops when uncompensated unidirectional blood flow from one twin (‘donor’) to the other (‘recipient’) causes circulatory imbalance. The cardiac effect of the underlying hypervolemia or endocrine dysregulation, or both, manifests in the recipient as echocardiographic findings of the syndrome-related cardiomyopathy. The Quintero staging system for TTTS has recently been questioned, because more refined measurement of cardiac function may improve evaluation of disease severity and prediction of outcome. Much has been done to increase survival and diminish the cardiac morbidity associated with TTTS. The purpose of this paper was to review the literature on cardiac morbidity associated this syndrome.
Intermittent flushing improves cannula patency compared to continuous infusion for peripherally inserted venous catheters in newborns: results from a prospective observational study
Authors: Perez Anna , Feuz Isabelle , Brotschi Barbara , Bernet Vera
Published: March 2012

Aims: Peripheral cannulas in newborns are commonly used for intravenous treatment. However sustained maintenance of cannula patency is often difficult to achieve in this age group. This study compares the duration for which cannula patency can be maintained in newborns under continuous infusion, or an intermittent flushing regimen, with normal saline.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted during a 12-month period. All newborns admitted to the 16-bed intermediate care unit, who required intravenous treatment, received either continuous peripheral infusion with 0.9% saline at an infusion rate of 2 mL/h or an intravenous cannula, which was flushed with 1 mL of 0.9% saline at least once every 24 h.

Results: A total of 53 patients with 86 cannulas were included. Twenty-five (47%) patients received 41 continuous infusions. The intermittent flushing group consisted of 28 (53%) patients with 45 cannulas administered. The cannula patency was significantly longer in the intermittent flushing group (mean 62.1 vs. 92.8 h, P=0.01). The patient’s underlying disease and the cannula insertion site were not related with the duration of the cannula patency.

Conclusions: Our study shows that intermittent cannula flushing is associated with improved cannula patency for peripherally inserted venous catheters in newborns.
Supranationale Gesellschaftsformen
Authors: Frenz Walter
Published: March 2012

Die Schaffung supranationaler Gesellschaftsformen auf Unionsebene ist eine noch nicht abgeschlossene Entwicklung, wie jüngst das Scheitern der Europäischen Privatgesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung am deutschen Widerstand zeigte. Sie führt zu Gesellschaftsformen, deren Gründung, Bestehen, Tätigkeit und Auflösung unionsweit einheitlich geregelt ist. Diese Gesellschaftsformen überlagern das nationale Gesellschaftsrecht der Mitgliedstaaten bzw. erweitern es um die
vorher nicht existierenden europäischen Gesellschaftsformen.
Die aktuelle Entscheidung Die Zustimmungsbedürftigkeit von Bundesgesetzen bei der Bundesauftragsverwaltung
Authors: Funke Andreas
Published: March 2012

Das Bundesverfassungsgericht hat in seiner zweiten Entscheidung zum Luftsicherheitsgesetz dessen ordnungsgemäßes Zustandekommen bejaht. Das Gesetz bedurfte nicht der Zustimmung des Bundesrates. Regelungen des Verwaltungsverfahrens darf der Bund bei der Bundesauftragsverwaltung ohne Zustimmung des Bundesrates treffen. Der Zustimmungsvorbehalt des Art. 87 d II GG wird nicht durch Regelungen ausgelöst, die eine bereits übertragene Aufgabe ausgestalten, ohne ihr eine wesentlich andere Bedeutung und Tragweite zu verleihen. Aus diesen Maßgaben lassen sich aufschlussreiche Folgerungen für den Vollzug der Bundesgesetze im Wege der Bundesauftragsverwaltung ziehen.
Die Prokura
Authors: Petersen Jens
Published: March 2012

In früheren Beiträgen wurde nach einem Überblicksbeitrag über »Bestand und Umfang der Vertretungsmacht« das Stellvertretungsrecht im Einzelnen behandelt (JURA 2003, 844; 2004, 829; 2009, 204; 2010, 187). In diesem Rahmen geht es jetzt und im Folgenden um die Besonderheiten der handelsrechtlichen Stellvertretung.
Zugang zu amtlichen Informationen nach dem Informationsfreiheitsgesetz des Bundes (IFG)
Authors: Schoch Friedrich
Published: March 2012

»Transparenz der öffentlichen Verwaltung« ist ein uraltes Thema. Die Informationsfreiheitsgesetzgebung des letzten Jahrzehnts stellt insoweit einen bemerkenswerten Entwicklungsschritt dar. Soweit von der neuen Informationsfreiheit im öffentlichen Sektor Gebrauch gemacht wird, geht es nicht selten um brisante, mitunter sogar hochpolitische Informationen, die die Exekutive vielfach nicht offenbaren möchte. Mit einem systematischen Überblick zum IFG des Bundes werden die auftretenden Rechtsfragen erläutert und anhand ausgewählter Beispiele aus der aktuellen Rechtsprechung veranschaulicht.
»Card counting« im Blackjack aus strafrechtlicher Sicht
Authors: Witte Andreas
Published: March 2012

Der Beitrag widmet sich einer im amerikanischen Recht vieldiskutierten, im deutschen Raum aber bislang vernachlässigtem Thematik, nämlich dem »card counting«. Hierbei handelt es sich um eine Technik, die die beträchtliche Erhöhung des zu erwartenden Gewinns beim Kartenglücksspiel Blackjack erlaubt. Es wird die Strafbarkeit des »card counting« im Lichte einer Reihe von Entscheidungen des BGH aus dem Bereich des Glücksspiels diskutiert und im Ergebnis verneint. Zugleich versteht sich der Aufsatz als Beitrag zur dogmatischen Grundsatzdiskussion um § 263 StGB und seine Anwendung im Bereich ungewisser Ereignisse generell sowie zur Diskussion um die zu erwartende Liberalisierung des deutschen Glücksspielrechts.