bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurement of yarn bending and torsion rigidities of naturally curved yarns Part 1: Monofilament yarn in helical shape
Authors: Lo Wai-Sze , Choi Ka-Fai , Lo T.Y.
Published: May 2010

A new method to determine yarn bending and torsional rigidities was proposed in this paper. Measuring methods of yarn bending and yarn torsion were reviewed. The proposed method is a combination of theoretical modeling, instrumentation and statistical analysis. One major feature of this method is that bending and torsional rigidities of a naturally curved yarn, like those yarns in knitted fabrics, can be measured. With the aid of modeling, a recently developed Crimped Yarn Length Measurement Instrument (CLI) is able to measure both bending and torsional rigidities at the same time. The CLI generates a large amount of data points for the force and extension relationship during the decrimping of the curved yarn, multiple regression analysis was applied to determine bending and torsional rigidities. In this way, the experimental errors can be minimized and hence more representative results can be obtained. Experimental results from the new proposed method were compared with those measured by the KES-F bending tester and the KES-YN yarn torsion tester; good agreement was evident in testing results from both methods. The advantages of the proposed method were discussed including the capability of measuring the yarn bending rigidity at higher curvature. This is part 1 of the paper in which crimped nylon monofilament was used for the study. The measurements of bending and torsion moduli of crimped short staple spun yarn unraveled from knitted fabric will be further studied in Part 2.
Derivation of an empirical frequency-dependent friction factor for transient response analysis of water trap seals in building drainage systems
Authors: Gormley M. , Beattie RK
Published: May 2010

Flows in building drainage systems (BDS) are inherently unsteady. The changing nature of these flows produce pressure transients that can be harmful to water trap seals, the last line of defence against sewer gas ingress into habitable spaces. Air pressure transients propagate throughout BDS until they are diminished by either a relief valve, an open termination or, under certain circumstances, produce their own ‘relief valve’ through a compromised water trap seal. The spread of the SARS virus through empty water traps in Hong Kong in 2003 highlighted the worst possible consequences of water trap seal compromise. These air pressure transients can be simulated and their effects predicted. Only one numerical model exists for modelling airflow and the associated air pressure regime in BDS—the method of characteristics-based AIRNET. The current water trap boundary condition within the AIRNET model consists of a steady laminar frictional flow relationship, which does not replicate the unsteady pressure regime in the building drainage system. An improvement on this frictional representation is due to Carsten—Zilke, a methodology that allows a moving frictional term for water to trap surface interaction. This research proposes an alternative, empirically derived friction factor, and represents a significant simplification of the calculation process, leading to a robust, dynamic prediction methodology for water trap seal response to applied air pressure waves.

Practical application: The development of new empirically derived frictional expressions to predict the effects of air pressure transients on appliance trap seals within a method of characteristics model provides far superior prediction results to those currently available. These new expressions enhance the modelling capabilities of AIRNET and prove that high frequency air pressure waves do not contribute to water trap seal depletion. The non-destructive nature of short duration or high frequency air pressure wave oscillations has contributed to the development of a non-invasive methodology for detecting water trap seal defects in building drainage systems, and this research serves to prove conclusively that using low amplitude, short duration pulses or sinusoidal pressure waves with a frequency above 3 Hz is non-destructive to traditional water trap seals in building drainage systems.
Estimation of the urban heat island for UK climate change projections
Authors: Kershaw T. , Sanderson M. , Coley D. , Eames M.
Published: May 2010

Cities are known to exert a significant influence on their local climate, and are generally warmer than their surroundings. However, climate models generally do not include a representation of urban areas, and so climate projections from models are likely to underestimate temperatures in urban areas. A simple methodology has been developed to calculate the urban heat island (UHI) from a set of gridded temperature data; the UHI may then be added to climate model projections and weather data files. This methodology allows the UHI to be calculated on a monthly basis and downscaled to hourly for addition to weather generator data. The UHI intensities produced are found to be consistent with observed data.

Practical application: There is overwhelming consensus amongst the scientific community that the Earth’s climate is warming. In addition to the effects of climate change the urban heat island (UHI) effect can increase air temperatures significantly in urban areas above those of the rural areas around them. The proposed methodology for calculating the UHI from a set of gridded temperature data allows the UHI to be added to climate model projections such as UKCP09 or HadRM3 and weather data files. The methodology also allows for the temporal downscaling of the UHI from monthly values to hourly data for use in building thermal simulation software.
Eye Gaze as Relational Evaluation: Averted Eye Gaze Leads to Feelings of Ostracism and Relational Devaluation
Authors: Wirth James H. , Sacco Donald F. , Hugenberg Kurt , Williams Kipling D.
Published: May 2010

Eye gaze is often a signal of interest and, when noticed by others, leads to mutual and directional gaze. However, averting one’s eye gaze toward an individual has the potential to convey a strong interpersonal evaluation. The averting of eye gaze is the most frequently used nonverbal cue to indicate the silent treatment, a form of ostracism. The authors argue that eye gaze can signal the relational value felt toward another person. In three studies, participants visualized interacting with an individual displaying averted or direct eye gaze. Compared to receiving direct eye contact, participants receiving averted eye gaze felt ostracized, signaled by thwarted basic need satisfaction, reduced explicit and implicit self-esteem, lowered relational value, and increased temptations to act aggressively toward the interaction partner.
Invited Editorial: The Use of Resources in Resource Acquisition
Authors: Wernerfelt Birger
Published: May 2010

The author considers the processes through which a firm can acquire resources and argues that its current stock of resources create asymmetries in competition for new resources. Two simple models illustrate how this can work through linkages on the demand and/or cost side. The normative implication is that firms should expand their resource portfolios by building on their existing resources; different firms will then acquire different new resources, and small initial heterogeneities will amplify over time.
Outcome of the Open Bankart Procedure for Shoulder Instability and Development of Osteoarthritis
Authors: Ogawa Kiyohisa , Yoshida Atsushi , Matsumoto Hideo , Takeda Tsuyoshi
Published: May 2010

Background: The etiologic factors, time of development, and extent of the progression of postoperative osteoarthritis (OA) in traumatic shoulder instability remain controversial.

Hypothesis: Most OA seen postoperatively occurs before surgery and progresses very slowly.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods: Review of 167 joints of 163 patients undergoing the open Bankart procedure, who had no history of shoulder surgery and were younger than 45 years at follow-up, was done at a mean follow-up of 8.7 years (range, 5-20 years). The shoulders were directly examined and radiographed. A statistical analysis was performed to examine the correlation between OA development/progression and patients’ demographic characteristics and various factors, and to evaluate the correlation between these factors.

Results: Recurrence of instability occurred in 8 of 167 joints (4.8%). Preoperative computed tomography (CT) showed OA in 44 shoulders (26.3%), among which 12 shoulders (7.2%) showed OA on the preoperative radiographs. Consequently, CT-proven OA in the remaining 32 shoulders was incipient OA that was not revealed radiographically. Radiographs taken at follow-up revealed OA in 30 shoulders (18.0%), of which 24 (80%) had had OA proven by preoperative imaging. Preoperative CT-proven OA in 20 shoulders never became visible on postoperative radiographs. The severity of OA slightly increased in 14 joints (32%) during the postoperative period. The number of preoperative subluxations and the total number of preoperative dislocations/subluxations were significantly greater, and the percentages of male patients and glenoid bone defect greater than 20% of the anteroposterior diameter were higher for the 30 shoulders with postoperative OA.

Conclusion: Most postoperatively detected OA developed before surgery. The preoperative factors are profoundly involved in the development of OA. The role of surgery in favoring the OA development appears to be inconclusive. The development and progression of OA cannot be prevented by surgical intervention, but the progression of postoperative OA is extremely slow.
Immediate Effect and Predictors of Effectiveness of Taping for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Authors: Lan Tsung-Yu , Lin Wei-Peng , Jiang Ching-Chuan , Chiang Hongsen
Published: May 2010

Background: Taping has been used to treat patellofemoral pain syndrome for more than 20 years, but its effectiveness is still controversial.

Purpose: This study was undertaken to investigate the effect and predictors of effectiveness of taping in the treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods: A total of 118 consecutive patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome were recruited; 100 of them completed this study. Patient sex, age, body mass index, Q angle, lateral patellar displacement, and lateral patellofemoral angle were recorded/measured. One therapist applied adhesive tape to each patient by the McConnell method. Patients scored their pain level on a 100-mm visual analog scale during stepping down from an 8-in platform, before and after taping. The change of score was evaluated by paired t test. Patients with a visual analog scale score decrease of 20 mm or more after taping were considered responsive, and the others were considered nonresponsive. The influences of the aforementioned factors, plus pretaping visual analog scale score, on the effectiveness of taping were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression.

Results: The overall mean visual analog scale score decreased significantly after taping (from 49.0 to 29.3 mm; P < .001). There were 66 patients in the responsive group and 34 in nonresponsive group. Among the factors, body mass index, lateral patellofemoral angle, and Q angle were significant predictors of effectiveness. The responsive group had significantly smaller mean lateral patellofemoral angle, larger mean Q angle, and larger mean pretaping visual analog scale score than the nonresponsive group.

Conclusion: Taping was an effective treatment for patellofemoral pain syndrome, but was less effective in patients with higher body mass index, larger lateral patellofemoral angle, and smaller Q angle.
The effects of carbon disulfide on male sexual function and semen quality
Authors: Ma Ji-Ying , Ji Jia-Jia , Qing Ding  , Liu Wei-Dong , Wang Si-Quan , Ning Wang  , Chen Guo-Yuan
Published: May 2010

A cross-sectional study was initiated to clarify whether the current level of exposure to carbon disulphide (CS2) is low enough to prevent occurrence of subclinical health impairments. This paper describes the effects of exposure to CS2 on male sexual function and semen quality in a baseline observation. The effects of CS2 on male sexual function were evaluated, including number of sexual encounters and length of sexual encounters related to solvents in 80 male workers exposed to CS2 and 49 reference workers from the filature and cotton pulp departments of a fabric factory in China. And the semen samples were obtained from 43 of the exposed and 35 of the control. Adjustment was made for potential confounding factors such as age or alcohol drinking. Exposure to CS2 was dichotomized by job type. The rate of sexual dysfunction was higher, number of sexual encounters was lower, and length of sexual encounters was shorter compared with the control (p < 0.001). It was indicated that exposed workers had fewer semen quantity, longer liquefaction time, lower acrosomal membrane integrity rate, vitality and density, and more deformity of semen than the control (p < 0.01). The age and type of work played the most important roles in sexual dysfunction by the multinomial logistic regression analysis (p < 0.01).The duration of exposure had the effect on sexual function and semen quality but no statistical significance (p > 0.05). Clinical effects on the male sexual function and semen quality were found in the workers exposed to CS2.
Biochemical changes in urine and plasma of rats in food chain-mediated cadmium toxicity
Authors: Ogheneovo Asagba Samuel
Published: May 2010

The present study sets out to assess the toxicity of cadmium (Cd) administered via the food chain. The food chain was mimicked by exposing rats to diet containing milled Cd-exposed catfish as the source of protein. The toxicity of Cd was monitored by the determination of indices of oxidative stress and kidney dysfunction in plasma and urine of the rats after 1- and 3-month exposure periods. The results obtained indicate that Cd exposure in the rats was followed by marked accumulation of the metal in the liver and kidney with time. However, the kidney accumulated more Cd relative to the liver after both exposure periods. The levels of glucose, creatinine and lipid peroxidation were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in both plasma and urine of the rats after 1 month of exposure. Conversely, rats fed the test diet for 3 months had significantly (p < 0.05) decreased level of lipid peroxidation in the plasma and urine. However, the plasma and urine glucose concentrations were restored to levels not significantly (p > 0.05) different from control in rats fed the test diet for 3 months. Similarly, after 3 months, the creatinine level in the plasma was also restored to a level not significantly (p > 0.05) different from that of the control but was significantly (p < 0.05) elevated in the urine. A significant increase in urine protein concentration was demonstrated after 1-month exposure to Cd, but no significant change occurred in the plasma. Rats fed diet containing the Cd-incorporated fish for 3 months also had no significant (p > 0.05) change in plasma and urine protein concentrations. These results suggest that this route of exposure caused kidney impairment, oxidative stress as well as alteration in glucose metabolism after 1 month but not after 3 months, possibly due to adaptation occasioned by the antioxidative defense armory of the rats.
Prospective role of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in attenuating hexavalent chromium-induced functional and cellular damage in rat thyroid
Authors: Irfan Zia Qureshi  , Mahmood Tariq
Published: May 2010

Occupational exposure to toxic heavy metals may render industrial workers with thyroid-related problems. Here, we examined the role of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) against hexavalent chromium Cr (VI)-induced damage in rat thyroid gland. Potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) and ascorbic acid doses were 60 µg and 120 mg kg—1 body wt (intraperitoneally [i.p.]) respectively. Treatment regimens were group I rats, saline treated control; group II, only K2Cr2O7; group III, ascorbic acid 1 hour prior K2Cr2O7; group IV, simultaneous doses of ascorbic acid and K2Cr2O 7, and group V, a combined premix dose of ascorbic acid and K2 Cr2O7 (2:1 ratio). Blood samples were taken before dosing the animals and 48 hours post exposure to determine the serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) concentrations. Toward end of experiment, rats were sacrificed and thyroid glands were processed to evaluate the extent of cellular insult. Results showed significantly increased TSH and decreased FT3 and FT4 concentrations in groups II, III and IV rats as compared to control levels (p < 0.05). In contrast, in group V rats, serum TSH, FT3 and FT4 concentrations neared control concentrations. Histopathologically, protective effect of ascorbic acid was found in group V rats only, where thyroid gland structure neared control thyroid except the follicular size that was decreased (p < 0.05). Follicular density was no different from control. Basal laminae were intact, interfollicular spaces were normal. Colloid retraction and/or reabsorption were reduced maximally. Epithelial cell height was no different from control; epithelial follicular index increased only 1.3 fold, whereas nuclear-cytoplasmic (N/C) ratio was decreased by 14% only. The study indicates that the ascorbic acid may have the potential to protect thyroid gland from chromium toxicity; however, the study warrants further in-depth experimentation to precisely elucidate this role.
Nephrotoxicity induced by long-term oral administration of different doses of chlorpyrifos
Authors: Tripathi Sarojni , Ajai Kumar Srivastav
Published: May 2010

Wistar rats (male) were divided into 3 groups — group A (GA) served as control, group B (GB) were daily administered chlorpyrifos (Anu Products Ltd., India) orally at a dose of 5 mg/kg b wt. and animals in group C (GC) received daily an oral administration of chlorpyrifos at a dose of 10 mg/kg b wt. Rats were sacrificed on 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th week after initiation of the experiment. Kidneys were extirpated and fixed in aqueous Bouin’s solution. The tissues thus fixed were routinely processed for histological studies. The present study showed that the histopathological changes were caused in kidney of rats by chlorpyrifos administration. The changes noticed were mainly the shrinkage of glomerulus at initial stage of treatment, the tubular dilation, the glomerular hypercellularity, hypertrophy of tubular epithelium, degeneration of glomerulus and renal tubules, deposition of eosin-positive substances in the glomerulus and renal tubules and infiltration of leucocytes. A decrease in the body weight gain was observed in chlorpyrifos-treated rats. However, variable intensities of these changes were noticed depending upon the doses and duration of the treatment.
Preneoplastic and neoplastic changes in the Leydig cells population in mice exposed to low doses of cadmium
Authors: Blanco Alfonso , Moyano Rosario , Molina López Ana M , Blanco Carmen , Flores-Acuña Rafaela , García-Flores Jose R , Espada Mercedes , Monterde Jose G
Published: May 2010

The morphological consequences of chronic exposition to low doses of cadmium (Cd) in the Leydig cells population were investigated in 40 sexually mature male mice at morphological and ultrastructural levels. Animals were orally exposed to cadmium (0.015 g/L of CdCl2 in drinking water) for 3, 6, 12 and 18 months and then sacrificed, samples were collected for toxicological, light and electron microscope studies. Vascular lesions were evident from 6 months of Cd exposure, the severity of the morphological changes observed in the testicular vases were highly and clearly correlated to the time of exposure to Cd. The severity of the Leydig cells morphological changes were increasing along the time of exposure. Presence of cytoplasm vacuolization and degenerative images of the cells were frequent after 12 months of Cd exposure. Also two Leydig cells tumours after 12 and 18 months Cd exposure were presented. These results indicate that prolonged exposures to low doses of Cd are able to induce morphological damage on the Leydig cells.
Melatonin in Epilepsy and Febrile Seizures
Authors: Ardura Julio , Andres Jesus , Garmendia Jose R. , Ardura Francisco
Published: May 2010

A study on melatonin rhythm in children with generalized idiopathic epilepsy and simple fever is presented in this article. A population of 40 children was divided into 4 groups, namely, epilepsy, febrile seizure, and 2 control groups. Salivary melatonin was measured by means of radioimmunoassay. Friedman 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Wilcoxon tests were employed to assess the existence of melatonin rhythm. Comparison across groups was performed by means of ANOVA and Mann-Whitney tests. Higher melatonin levels were found at night, with a peak at 04:00 h in all groups. Significant diurnal rhythm was also detected for these levels. No significant overall differences between case and control groups were found for melatonin levels, though patients showed lower peak melatonin values than controls at 04:00 h with a significant difference in the febrile seizure group (10.70 vs 19.5 pg/mL respectively; P<.04). Our data support the presence of diurnal rhythm in blood melatonin concentrations in children with epileptic and febrile seizures. Comparison between case and control groups showed lower peak concentrations in the febrile seizure group with respect to healthy controls.
Attachment to the Body in the Greek Testament of Abraham: A Reappraisal of the Short Recension
Authors: Mirguet Françoise
Published: May 2010

The Greek text of the Testament of Abraham has been preserved in two recensions. While most studies focus on the long recension, the short one has been often overlooked as lacking coherence and unity. In this article, I suggest that the attachment to the body can be regarded as one of the main themes around which the short recension revolves, as death is presented as a separation between body and soul. In contrast with the long recension, where a disobedient Abraham opposes God’s messengers, the short text does not stage a conflict between characters, but a common apprehension of death as loss of the body, voiced primarily by the archangel Michael.
Mangrove dynamics in the southwestern Caribbean since the ‘Little Ice Age’: A history of human and natural disturbances
Authors: González Catalina , Urrego Ligia Estela , Martínez José Ignacio , Polanía Jaime , Yokoyama Yusuke
Published: May 2010

Relatively little is known about the long-term response of Caribbean mangroves to human and natural disturbances during the ‘Little Ice Age’ (LIA). We present new palynological information on the dynamics of the Bahia Honda mangrove from the eastern coast of San Andres Island in the southwestern Caribbean for the late Holocene. Major changes in the Bahia Honda pollen record show the combined effects of natural events (strong storms and sea-level rise), and human disturbances. These changes are supported by 14C dates, sedimentological and palynological information. A storm (most probably a hurricane) was recorded around AD 1600, caused sediment reworking and the subsequent loss of about 2000 years of the vegetation record. The devastation of tree vegetation by this event allowed the expansion of heliophytic vegetation (e.g. grasses and vines). Mangroves and coastal vegetation started to recover at AD 1700, reaching their maximum extent within a few decades, when microforaminifera shells became abundant at the coring site, thus suggesting a relative sea-level rise because of the geomorphic reconfiguration of the coastal plain after the storm. Furthermore, the pollen evidence indicates more humid regional climates during the late LIA (AD 1700—1850). Mangrove and coastal vegetation declined sharply as a consequence of the establishment of coconut plantations around AD 1850. The recovery of the mangroves after AD 1960 is a result of the combined effect of relative sea-level rise and drastic changes in the local economy from coconut plantations to commerce.
Genetic support for perglacial survival of Juniperus communis L. in Central Europe
Authors: Michalczyk Inga M. , Opgenoorth Lars , Luecke Yvonne , Huck Stefan , Ziegenhagen Birgit
Published: May 2010

In contrast to many plant species, which had not survived in Central Europe during the last glacial maximum (LGM) and therefore recolonized from various southern or eastern refugia, we put forward the hypothesis that Juniperus communis L., a species with large ecological amplitude, could have survived in a cold steppe-like biome of the LGM throughout Central Europe. Fossils from locations above the 50th latitude dating back to 15 000—11 000 BP lead to this assumption. However, there is an absolute lack of records for the LGM. We used DNA markers to obtain genetic support for our hypothesis. If common juniper had survived in Central Europe and had not recolonized this area from diverse outside refugia, we would expect the gene pool of J. communis being imprinted in a different way than what is common for classic Holocene ‘recolonizers’. The latter tend to exhibit profound large-scale isolation-by-distance effects where genetic distances are positively correlated with geographic distances. Using AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism) markers in 23 modern common juniper populations sampled throughout Europe, we found a high level of genetic differentiation. However, there are no underlying phylogeographic signals or any other meaningful geographic genetic structures. Consistent with a scenario of perglacial survival there is no correlation between genetic and geographic distances as a result from Mantel tests.The present study again demonstrates the power of genetic tools when fossil records are not available. It contributes to an increasing knowledge about species distribution during unfavourable climatic conditions.
Association between anti-β2 glycoprotein I antibodies and renal glomerular C4d deposition in lupus nephritis patients with glomerular microthrombosis: a prospective study of 155 cases
Authors: Shen Y. , Chen X-W. , Sun C-Y. , Dai M. , Yan Y-C. , Yang C-D.
Published: May 2010

Glomerular microthrombosis (GMT) is a common vascular change in patients with lupus nephritis (LN). The mechanism underlying GMT is still unknown. In our previous study, we found that the level of IgG anti-β2 glycoprotein I (β2GPI) antibodies was higher in the LN-GMT group than in the LN-non-GMT group, which indicated that anti-β2GPI antibodies may play a role in GMT formation. Many studies have demonstrated that the activation of the classical complement pathway may play a critical role in fetal loss and aPL-induced thrombosis formation. To investigate whether complement activation plays a role in GMT formation and to evaluate its relationship with aPL, we prospectively investigated deposition of C4d in 155 renal biopsy specimens of LN patients. The results revealed a strong relationship between the intensity of glomerular C4d staining and the presence of microthrombi (p < 0.001). The detection rate of IgG anti-β2GPI antibodies was higher in the LN-GMT group than in the LN-non-GMT group (p < 0.05). Further, the intensity of glomerular C4d staining was significantly related with IgG anti-β2GPI antibodies (p < 0.05). The results of our study suggest that anti-β2GPI antibodies may play a role in GMT formation, and this process might involve complement activation. Lupus (2010) 19, 1195—1203.
Control of Linear Time-varying Structures by Vibration Confinement Using Limited Number of Actuators
Authors: Choura S. , Bouaziz S. , Yigit A.S.
Published: May 2010

A control strategy based on time-varying gains for suppression and confinement of vibrations in linear time-varying structures using a limited number of actuators is proposed. It is assumed that the structure consists of parts that are sensitive to vibration. The proposed strategy makes use of control inputs whose number is less than or equal to that of the dimension of the discretized model. The design objective is to devise a time-varying feedback scheme that leads to transferring the vibrational energy from the sensitive parts to the remaining parts of the structure. An illustrative example of a system of five coupled pendulums moving in a horizontal plane, and subjected to time-dependent loading was simulated to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
Annealing Robust Radial Basis Function Networks with Support Vector Regression for Nonlinear Inverse System Identification with Outliers
Authors: Fu Yu-Yi , Wu Chia-Ju , Jeng Jin-Tsong , Ko Chia-Nan
Published: May 2010

In this paper, the proposed annealing robust radial basis function networks (RBFNs) based on support vector regression (SVR), RBFNs and annealing robust learning algorithm (ARLA) for the nonlinear inverse system identification with outliers. That is, a two-stage structure; namely, an identification stage and an inverse identification stage is proposed. Firstly, the ε or v SVR uses the quadratic programming optimization to determine the initial structure of the annealing robust RBFNs in each stage for the system identification and the inverse system identification with outliers. Then, the proposed annealing robust RBFNs are trained by the ARLA, which uses the annealing concept in the cost function of robust back-propagation learning algorithm, can overcome the error measurement caused by the outliers for each stage. Hence, the proposed method has the same capability of universal approximator with the traditional RBFNs, a faster learning speed than the traditional RBFNs and outlier noise rejection with the proposed neural network for the nonlinear inverse system identification with outliers. Finally, the proposed approach is applied to magneto-rheological damper systems. Simulation results show the superiority of the proposed method for the prototype magneto-rheological damper and the nonlinear inverse system identification with outliers.
Intersectional Politics at the Boundaries of the Nation State
Authors: Bassel Leah
Published: May 2010

This article explores what it means to take women’s agency seriously and to fulfill the potential of intersectional politics. If we accept the central tenets of intersectionality, that axes of oppression are simultaneous and interacting, then we must interrogate the framing of current debates over women’s rights around the tension between gender and religious/cultural accommodation. It is argued that the unfulfilled potential of intersectional politics leads to the denial of intersectional voices. This potential can only be fulfilled by enabling participation that goes beyond responding to predetermined positions to permit the exercise of meaningful power in the construction of contexts. These claims are illustrated through analysis of the debate over so-called ‘shari’a tribunals’ in Canada. The debate is juxtaposed with the experiences of Somali refugee women who instead assert interacting and simultaneous challenges that combine the axes of religion, legal status, ‘race’, class and gender.
Revisiting New Right citizenship discourse in Thatcher’s Britain
Authors: Kim Nam-Kook
Published: May 2010

The aim of this article is to examine the rationales that Thatcher’s Britain employed in dealing with immigration and multicultural policies. With a focus on the responsible political elite hypothesis, I trace the role of New Right citizenship discourse as a combined reflection of elite behaviors as well as mass concerns. I analyze various writings and remarks of Enoch Powell as a precursor of the New Right, and those of Margaret Thatcher as an executor of the New Right, discourses of the reconstruction of the British nation and the bringing back of the active citizen as the main campaign of the New Right, and the emergence of two nations and controversies over the cause of this cleavage as a probable policy outcome of the New Right. Through the theoretical account of New Right citizenship as an unstable combination of libertarian individualism and republican conservatism, I offer an interpretation of post-war Britain that can explain the relationship between the shift toward neo-liberalism and shifts in immigration conceptions and multicultural policies.
Nancy on Film: Regarding Kiarostami, Re-Thinking Representation (with a Coda on Claire Denis)
Authors: Balfour Ian
Published: May 2010

This article considers Nancy’s thinking about film in the light of his writings on art in general. Nancy contends that what is so commonly considered ‘representation’ is more properly understood as presentation, even, perhaps counter-intuitively, in the domain of film. Nancy proposes that the principal dynamic in Kiarostami’s exemplary films turns on the regard, the gaze that is not simply looking but even proximate to thinking. The article also briefly considers Claire Denis’ L’Intrus (The Intruder) as a compelling example of a film responding to Nancy’s text of the same name and of his thinking more generally.
What Makes an Image Singular Plural? Questions to Jean-Luc Nancy
Authors: Kenaan Hagi
Published: May 2010

This article examines the connection between Jean-Luc Nancy’s thinking of images and his radical ontology of the singular plural. It shows how Heidegger’s conception of Dasein becomes operative in Nancy’s understanding of the visual and examines the implications which Nancy’s critique of Heidegger carries for a new ontology of the image. The article’s central concern is the question of what it means for a philosophy of the visual to embrace the singular plural? In what senses is the singular plural the foundation of an image’s being? How should the singular plural play itself out in a thinking of the image? Focusing on Nancy’s interpretation of painting’s origins, the article questions the manner in which the ethical consequences of Nancy’s ontology are brought to bear on his understanding of art.
Feeling the Cut
Authors: Phillips Catherine , Bellinger Avril
Published: May 2010

We are interested in exploring the use of visual arts in teaching relationality and difference within social work education. Our current research is based on the examination of photographic works on the subject of asylum seeking. In this article, we report on our findings from an analysis of the exhibit Leave to Remain. Leave to Remain is an installation of large format photographic prints, accompanied by individual testimonies. Beginning in 2002, photographer Diane Matar interviewed and photographed over 100 politically displaced people living in Britain. Her exhibit functions as a visual and oral history of how life in Britain is for people seeking asylum. In this article, we analyse Matar’s work using contemporary visual methodology, and present segments of our conversation with one another that provide the texture of this methodology. We conclude that relationality and difference are imbued in questions about vulnerability and what Judith Butler (2004: 28) calls ‘the fundamental sociality of embodied life’ — that we are each ‘implicated in lives that are not our own’.
Picture-Elicited Written Narratives, Process and Product, in 18 Children With Cochlear Implants
Authors: Asker-Árnason Lena , Ibertsson Tina , Wass Malin , Wengelin Åsa , Sahlén Birgitta
Published: May 2010

The purpose of the study was to explore the narrative writing of 18 children, ages 11 to 19, with severe and profound hearing impairment who had cochlear implants (CI), compared with the performance of hearing children. Nine of the 18 children had prelingual deafness and 9 children had postlingual deafness. The hearing impairment was progressive in 11 children. The participants thus formed a heterogeneous group, which was split in two ways: according to age at testing and age at implantation. The narratives were collected by means of keystroke logging. The difference between the children with CI and the hearing children was most prominent for two measures: the percentage of pause time (in the group of children older than 13 years) and lexical density. Furthermore, the children implanted after 5 years of age performed more like the hearing children. This group consisted of children with postlingual deafness and also of children who were deafened progressively. Our interpretation is that these children benefited from the early linguistic input. Taking the whole group of participants into consideration, the results reflect linguistic and cognitive processing limitations in complex linguistic tasks like narration for the children with CI in comparison with their hearing peers.
Development of Advanced Personal Protective Equipment Fabrics for Protection Against Slashes and Pathogenic Bacteria Part 1: Development and Evaluation of Slash-resistant Garments
Authors: Govarthanam K. Kanchi , Anand S.C. , Rajendran S.
Published: May 2010

Knife is the most commonly used single weapon in the UK, being 32% of the weapons used in violent incidents. Studies reveal that the majority (63.3%) of the knife-inflicted wounds were slash-type and could be disfiguring or life threatening if the blood vessels are ruptured. The stab-resistant armors currently available do not protect the arms, neck, and face as they are very rigid to be worn comfortably and are expensive and heavy for everyday use by the civilian population. The main objectives of this research program are to (a) develop and characterize a novel cut-resistant and slashproof material that is lightweight, comfortable, and efficient and (b) integrate barrier properties in such garments that would incorporate suitable antimicrobial and other suitable chemicals to provide protection against a range of microorganisms. During this research program, various composite yarns were thoroughly investigated, at different proportions, to determine the most appropriate yarn for the slashproof material. The slashproof fabric structures were developed by using knitting technology as it offers significant advantages in terms of cost, design flexibility, and versatility. The fabrics were characterized by using Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB) Slash Resistance Standard for UK Police (2006), Publication No. 48/05. The results indicate that the developed fabric meets the criteria required by the HOSDB. The article discusses the results obtained during the development of the novel slashproof material for the police, armed forces, children, and the public, that is lightweight, comfortable, and efficient, and can be utilized for long periods.
PI3K/p110δ is a novel therapeutic target in multiple myeloma
Authors: Ikeda Hiroshi , Hideshima Teru , Fulciniti Mariateresa , Perrone Giulia , Miura Naoya , Yasui Hiroshi , Okawa Yutaka , Kiziltepe Tanyel , Santo Loredana , Vallet Sonia , Cristea Diana , Calabrese Elisabetta , Gorgun Gullu , Raje Noopur S. , Richardson Paul , Munshi Nikhil C. , Lannutti Brian J. , Puri Kamal D. , Giese Neill A. , Anderson Kenneth C.
Published: May 2010

In this study, we demonstrate expression and examined the biologic sequelae of PI3K/p110δ signaling in multiple myeloma (MM). Knockdown of p110δ by small interfering RNA caused significant inhibition of MM cell growth. Similarly, p110δ specific small molecule inhibitor CAL-101 triggered cytotoxicity against LB and INA-6 MM cell lines and patient MM cells, associated with inhibition of Akt phosphorylation. In contrast, CAL-101 did not inhibit survival of normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells. CAL-101 overcame MM cell growth conferred by interleukin-6, insulin-like growth factor-1, and bone marrow stromal cell coculture. Interestingly, inhibition of p110δ potently induced autophagy. The in vivo inhibition of p110δ with IC488743 was evaluated in 2 murine xenograft models of human MM: SCID mice bearing human MM cells subcutaneously and the SCID-hu model, in which human MM cells are injected within a human bone chip implanted subcutaneously in SCID mice. IC488743 significantly inhibited tumor growth and prolonged host survival in both models. Finally, combined CAL-101 with bortezomib induced synergistic cytotoxicity against MM cells. Our studies therefore show that PI3K/p110δ is a novel therapeutic target in MM and provide the basis for clinical evaluation of CAL-101 to improve patient outcome in MM.
The first non-mammalian CXCR5 in a teleost fish: molecular cloning and expression analysis in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
Authors: Xu Qiao Q , Chang Ming X , Sun Rong H , Xiao Fan S , Nie P
Published: May 2010

Background

Chemokines, a group of small and structurally related proteins, mediate chemotaxis of various cell types via chemokine receptors. In mammals, seven different CXC chemokine receptors denoted as CXCR1 to CXCR7 have been reported. However, the chemokine receptor CXCR5 has not been reported in other vertebrates.

Results

In the present study, the genomic sequence of CXCR5 was isolated from the grass carpCtenopharyngodon idella. The cDNA sequence of grass carp CXCR5 (gcCXCR5) consists of 1518 bp with a 43 bp 5' untranslated region (UTR) and a 332 bp 3' UTR, with an open reading frame of 1143 bp encoding 381 amino acids which are predicted to have seven transmembrane helices. The characteristic residues (DRYLAIVHA) and conserved cysteine residues are located in the extracellular regions and in the third to seventh transmembrane domains. The deduced amino acid sequence shows 37.6-66.6% identities with CXCR5 of mammals, avian and other fish species. The grass carp gene consists of two exons, with one intervening intron, spaced over 2081 bp of genomic sequence. Phylogenetic analysis clearly demonstrated that the gcCXCR5 is clustered with those in other teleost fish and then in chicken and mammals. Real-time PCR analysis showed that gcCXCR5 was expressed in all tested organs/tissues and its expression level was the highest in trunk kidney, followed by in the spleen. The expression of gcCXCR5 was significantly modulated by immunostimulants such as peptidoglycan (PGN), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid sodium salt (Poly I:C) and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA).

Conclusion

The cDNA and genomic sequences of CXCR5 have been successfully characterized in a teleost fish, the grass carp. The CXCR5 has in general a constitutive expression in organs/tissues examined, whereas its expression was significantly up-regulated in immune organs and down-regulated in brain, indicating its potential role in immune response and central nervous system.
A highly conserved gene island of three genes on chromosome 3B of hexaploid wheat: diverse gene function and genomic structure maintained in a tightly linked block
Authors: Breen James , Wicker Thomas , Kong Xiuying , Zhang Juncheng , Ma Wujun , Paux Etienne , Feuillet Catherine , Appels Rudi , Bellgard Matthew
Published: May 2010

Background

The complexity of the wheat genome has resulted from waves of retrotransposable element insertions. Gene deletions and disruptions generated by the fast replacement of repetitive elements in wheat have resulted in disruption of colinearity at a micro (sub-megabase) level among the cereals. In view of genomic changes that are possible within a given time span, conservation of genes between species tends to imply an important functional or regional constraint that does not permit a change in genomic structure. Thectg1034contig completed in this paper was initially studied because it was assigned to theSr2resistance locus region, but detailed mapping studies subsequently assigned it to the long arm of 3B and revealed its unusual features.

Results

BAC shotgun sequencing of the hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivumcv. Chinese Spring) genome has been used to assemble a group of 15 wheat BACs from the chromosome 3B physical map FPC contigctg1034into a 783,553 bp genomic sequence. Thisctg1034sequence was annotated for biological features such as genes and transposable elements. A three-gene island was identified among >80% repetitive DNA sequence. Using bioinformatics analysis there were no observable similarity in their gene functions. Thectg1034gene island also displayed complete conservation of gene order and orientation with syntenic gene islands found in publicly available genome sequences ofBrachypodium distachyon,Oryza sativa,Sorghum bicolorandZea mays, even though the intergenic space and introns were divergent.

Conclusion

We propose thatctg1034is located within the heterochromatic C-band region of deletion bin 3BL7 based on the identification of heterochromatic tandem repeats and presence of significant matches to chromodomain-containinggypsyLTR retrotransposable elements. We also speculate that this location, among other highly repetitive sequences, may account for the relative stability in gene order and orientation within the gene island.

Sequence data from this article have been deposited with the GenBank Data Libraries under accession no. GQ422824
A dynamic estimation of the daily cumulative cases during infectious disease surveillance: application to dengue fever
Authors: Chuang Pei-Hung , Chuang Jen-Hsiang , Lin I-Feng
Published: May 2010

Background

In infectious disease surveillance, when the laboratory confirmation of the cases is time-consuming, there is often a time lag between the number of suspect cases and the number of confirmed cases. This study proposes a dynamic statistical model to estimate the daily number of new cases and the daily cumulative number of infected cases, which was then applied to historic dengue fever data.

Methods

The duration between the date of disease onset and date of laboratory confirmation was assumed to follow a gamma distribution or a nonparametric distribution. A conditional probability of a case being a real case among the unconfirmed cases on a given date was then calculated. This probability along with the observed confirmed cases was integrated to estimate the daily number of new cases and the cumulative number of infected cases.

Results

The distribution of the onset-to-confirmation time for the positive cases was different from that of the negative cases. The daily new cases and cumulative epidemic curves estimated by the proposed method have a lower absolute relative bias than the values estimated solely based on the available daily-confirmed cases.

Conclusion

The proposed method provides a more accurate real-time estimation of the daily new cases and daily cumulative number of infected cases. The model makes use of the most recent "moving window" of information relative to suspect cases and dynamically updates the parameters. The proposed method will be useful for the real-time evaluation of a disease outbreak when case classification requires a time-consuming laboratory process to identify a confirmed case.
Primary liposarcoma of the ascending colon: a rare case of mixed type presenting as hemoperitoneum combined with other type of retroperitoneal liposarcoma
Authors: Choi Yoon Young , Kim Yong Jin , Jin So Young
Published: May 2010

Background

Liposarcoma occurs most commonly in the extremities and retroperitoneum, however, it has been rarely observed in the colon.

Case Presentation

A case is reported a 41-year-old man with liposarcoma of ascending colon which was presented as hemoperitoneum and combined with a different histological type of retroperitoneal liposarcoma. He visited hospital with right lower abdominal pain and palpable mass. Laboratory data including tumor markers were within normal limits, and computed tomography revealed a 15 × 10 cm sized enhancing soft mass. Right hemicolectomy was performed, and after that, a further large retroperitoneal mass was revealed and this was also radically excised. Mixed-type colon liposarcoma and well differentiated type of retroperitoneal liposarcoma were diagnosed in pathologic report. The patient has remained free of disease for 24 months.

Conclusions

No standardized guidelines have been established for its treatment because too small a number of cases have been reported, but surgical resection was considered the treatment of choice.