bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EXOTIC BRANES AND BLACK HOLE MICROSTATES
Authors: SHIGEMORI MASAKI
Published: March 2013

Besides ordinary branes such as D-branes, string theory is known to contain exotic branes which are related to ordinary branes by U-duality. Exotic branes are codimension-two objects and have non-trivial U-duality monodromies around them. This means that they are intrinsically non-geometric. Even if one starts with a system only with ordinary branes, exotic branes can be spontaneously generated by the supertube effect. We argue that, if one puts together more than two mutually supersymmetric branes, then, by a multi-stage supertube effect, the system will polarize into an exotic brane extending along an arbitrary surface, dubbed as the superstratum. We conjecture that, black holes in string theory, which are constructed by combining multiple ordinary branes, necessarily include exotic superstrata as their microscopic ingredients. We review the argument for the existence of superstrata and the recent progress toward constructing examples of superstrata in the framework of supergravity in six dimensions.
M5-BRANES, TORIC DIAGRAMS AND GAUGE THEORY DUALITY
Authors: BAO LING , POMONI ELLI , TAKI MASATO , YAGI FUTOSHI
Published: March 2013

We explore a duality between five-dimensional supersymmetric linear quiver gauge theories compactified on a circle, which are the five-dimensional uplifts of four-dimensional superconformal linear quiver theories. We find a correspondence between the gauge theory parameters of two dual theories, under which identical infrared effective coupling constants are obtained on the Coulomb branch. Two independent approaches using M-theory and the topological string theory give a consistent result.
TOWARDS THE PROOF OF AGT-W RELATION: TODA 3-POINT FUNCTION AND ${\mathcal W}_{1+\infty}$ ALGEBRA
Authors: SHIBA SHOTARO
Published: March 2013

The AGT-W relation is a conjecture of the nontrivial duality between 4-dim quiver gauge theory and 2-dim conformal field theory. We verify a part of this conjecture for all the cases of quiver gauge groups by studying on the property of 3-point correlation function of conformal theory. We also mention the relation to [Formula: see text] algebra as one of the promising direction towards the proof of the remaining part.
${\mathcal N} = 2$ SUPERSYMMETRIC THEORIES ON SQUASHED THREE-SPHERE
Authors: IMAMURA YOSUKE , YOKOYAMA DAISUKE
Published: March 2013

We argue a squashing deformation of 3D [Formula: see text] supersymmetric theories on round S3, which preserves SU(2)L × U(1)r isometry and the supersymmetries. We stress that the choice of a supersymmetry for the localization affects whether the partition function calculated using the supersymmetry depends on the squashing parameter or not.
LARGE-N REDUCTION FOR $\mathcal{N} = 2$ CHERN-SIMONS THEORIES AND LOCALIZATION
Authors: ASANO YUHMA , ISHIKI GORO , OKADA TAKASHI , SHIMASAKI SHINJI
Published: March 2013

We study reduced matrix models obtained by the dimensional reduction of [Formula: see text] quiver Chern-Simons theories on S3 and show that, around a certain multiple fuzzy sphere background, the reduced models are equivalent to the original theories in the large-N limit. This is regarded as a large-N reduction on S3. By using the localization technique, we prove the large-N equivalence with respect to supersymmetric observables.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction: A Basic Mechanism in Inflammation-Related Non-Communicable Diseases and Therapeutic Opportunities
Authors: Hernández-Aguilera Anna , Rull Anna , Rodríguez-Gallego Esther , Riera-Borrull Marta , Luciano-Mateo Fedra , Camps Jordi , Menéndez Javier A. , Joven Jorge
Published: March 2013

Obesity is not necessarily a predisposing factor for disease. It is the handling of fat and/or excessive energy intake that encompasses the linkage of inflammation, oxidation, and metabolism to the deleterious effects associated with the continuous excess of food ingestion. The roles of cytokines and insulin resistance in excessive energy intake have been studied extensively. Tobacco use and obesity accompanied by an unhealthy diet and physical inactivity are the main factors that underlie noncommunicable diseases. The implication is that the management of energy or food intake, which is the main role of mitochondria, is involved in the most common diseases. In this study, we highlight the importance of mitochondrial dysfunction in the mutual relationships between causative conditions. Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles that fuse and divide in response to environmental stimuli, developmental status, and energy requirements. These organelles act to supply the cell with ATP and to synthesise key molecules in the processes of inflammation, oxidation, and metabolism. Therefore, energy sensors and management effectors are determinants in the course and development of diseases. Regulating mitochondrial function may require a multifaceted approach that includes drugs and plant-derived phenolic compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities that improve mitochondrial biogenesis and act to modulate the AMPK/mTOR pathway.
A Randomized Clinical Trial of Auricular Point Acupressure for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Yeh Chao Hsing , Chien Lung Chang , Balaban Devora , Sponberg Rebecca , Primavera Jaclyn , Morone Natalia E. , Glick Ronald , Albers Kathryn M. , Cohen Susan M. , Ren Dianxu , Huang Li Chun , Suen Lorna Kwai-Ping
Published: March 2013

Objectives. This prospective, randomized clinical trial (RCT) was designed to investigate the feasibility and effects of a 4-week auricular point acupressure (APA) for chronic low back pain (CLBP).Methods. Participants were randomized to either true APA (true acupoints with taped seeds on the designated ear points for CLBP) or sham APA (sham acupoints with taped seeds but on different locations than those designated for CLBP). The duration of treatment was four weeks. Participants were assessed before treatment, weekly during treatment, and 1 month following treatment.Results. Participants in the true APA group who completed the 4-week APA treatment had a 70% reduction in worst pain intensity, a 75% reduction in overall pain intensity, and a 42% improvement in disability due to back pain from baseline assessment. The reductions of worst pain and overall pain intensity in the true APA group were statistically greater than participants in the sham group(P<0.01)at the completion of a 4-week APA and 1 month followup.Discussion. The preliminary findings of this feasibility study showed a reduction in pain intensity and improvement in physical function suggesting that APA may be a promising treatment for patients with CLBP.
The Evaluation of Solar Contribution in Solar Aided Coal-Fired Power Plant
Authors: Zhai Rongrong , Yang Yongping , Zhu Yong , Chen Denggao
Published: March 2013

Solar aided coal-fired power plants utilize various types of solar thermal energy for coupling coal-fired power plants by using the characteristics of various thermal needs of the plants. In this way, the costly thermal storage system and power generating system will be unnecessary while the intermittent and unsteady way of power generation will be avoided. Moreover, the large-scale utilization of solar thermal power and the energy-saving aim of power plants will be realized. The contribution evaluating system of solar thermal power needs to be explored. This paper deals with the evaluation method of solar contribution based on the second law of thermodynamics and the principle of thermoeconomics with a case of 600 MW solar aided coal-fired power plant. In this study, the feasibility of the method has been carried out. The contribution of this paper is not only to determine the proportion of solar energy in overall electric power, but also to assign the individual cost components involving solar energy. Therefore, this study will supply the theoretical reference for the future research of evaluation methods and new energy resource subsidy.
Improved Tissue Culture Conditions for Engineered Skeletal Muscle Sheets
Authors: Hinds Sara , Tyhovych Natalia , Sistrunk Clint , Terracio Louis
Published: March 2013

The potential clinical utility of engineered muscle is currently restricted by limited in vitro capacity of expanded muscle precursor cells to fuse and form mature myofibers. The purpose of this study was to use isotropic skeletal muscle sheets to explore the impact of (1) fibroblast coculture and (2) fibroblast‐conditioned media (fCM) on in vitro myogenesis. Muscle sheets were prepared by seeding varying ratios of skeletal myoblasts and fibroblasts on a biomimetic substrate and culturing the resulting tissue in either control media or fCM. Muscle sheets were prepared from two cell subpopulations, (1) C2C12 and NOR‐10 and (2) primary neonatal rat skeletal muscle cells (nSKM). In C2C12/Nor‐10 muscle sheets fCM conferred a myogenic advantage early in culture; at D1 a statistically significant 3.12 ± 0.8‐fold increase in myofiber density was observed with fCM. A high purity satellite cell population was collected from an initially mixed population of nSKMs via cell sorting for positive α7‐integrin expression. On D6, tissue sheets with low fibroblast concentrations (0 & 10%) cultured in fCM had increased average myofiber density (4.8 ± 0.2 myofibers/field) compared to tissue sheets with high fibroblast concentrations (50%) cultured in control media (1.0 ± 0.1 myofibers/field). Additionally, fCM promoted longer, thicker myofibers with a mature phenotype.
A Case of Abdominal Sarcoidosis in a Patient with Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Baskaran Vadsala , Goodwin Amanda , Athithan Lavanya , Rinaldi Ciro Roberto , Addeo Alfredo
Published: March 2013

The allogeneic bone marrow transplantation usually preceded by induction chemotherapy, in fit patients, represents the gold standard in the acute myeloid leukaemia. In the last years, many trials have been set up with the view of improving the number of remissions during the induction by adding new drugs. Several early or late side effects have been described in the literature. We herein present a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia patient who, after chemotherapy, developed ascites that turned out to be abdominal sarcoidosis.
Toward Structure Prediction for Short Peptides Using the Improved SAAP Force Field Parameters
Authors: Dedachi Kenichi , Shimosato Taku , Minezaki Toshiya , Iwaoka Michio
Published: March 2013

Based on the observation that Ramachandran‐type potential energy surfaces of single amino acid units in water are in good agreement with statistical structures of the corresponding amino acid residues in proteins, we recently developed a new all‐atom force field called SAAP, in which the total energy function for a polypeptide is expressed basically as a sum of single amino acid potentials (ESAAP) and electrostatic (EES) and Lennard‐Jones (ELJ) potentials between the amino acid units. In this study, the SAAP force field (SAAPFF) parameters were improved, and classical canonical Monte Carlo (MC) simulation was carried out for short peptide models, that is, Met‐enkephalin and chignolin, at 300 K in an implicit water model. Diverse structures were reasonably obtained for Met‐enkephalin, while three folded structures, one of which corresponds to a native‐like structure with three native hydrogen bonds, were obtained for chignolin. The results suggested that the SAAP‐MC method is useful for conformational sampling for the short peptides. A protocol of SAAP‐MC simulation followed by structural clustering and examination of the obtained structures by ab initio calculation or simply by the number of the hydrogen bonds (or the hardness) was demonstrated to be an effective strategy toward structure prediction for short peptide molecules.
Immunobiologic and Antiinflammatory Properties of a Bark Extract fromAmpelozizyphus amazonicusDucke
Authors: Peçanha Ligia Maria Torres , Fernandes Patricia Dias , Simen Tatiana Jotha-Mattos , Oliveira Danilo Ribeiro de , Finotelli Priscilla Vanessa , Pereira Marina Vieira Agostinho , Barboza Fernanda Ferreira , Almeida Thays da Silva , Carvalhal Stephanie , Pierucci Anna Paola Trindade Rocha , Leitão Gilda Guimarães , Rastrelli Luca , Piccinelli Anna Lisa , Leitão Suzana Guimarães
Published: March 2013

Ampelozizyphus amazonicusis used in the treatment and prevention of malaria. The effect of an aqueous extract from this plant (SART) on the immune response was investigated by measuring immunoglobulin production induced by immunization with the antigen TNP-Ficoll inPlasmodium chabaudi-infected mice. SART treatment increased antigen-specific IgM and IgG levels in TNP-Ficoll-immunized mice. The B cell response during malarial infection was also modified by SART. There was an increase in total serum IgM and IgG and a decrease in the percentage of splenic plasma cells (CD138+ cells) inP. chabaudi-infected, SART-treated animals. SART (1, 3 or 10 mg/kg, p.o.) and the reference drug dexamethasone (5 mg/kg) were also tested in carrageenan-induced leukocyte migration to the subcutaneous air pouch (SAP). All SART doses significantly reduced leukocyte migration into the SAP. The protein concentration resulting from extravasation into the peritoneum was also significantly reduced. Our data indicate that SART possesses immunomodulatory properties, inducing anin vivomodification of the B lymphocyte response and anti-inflammatory properties, which are partly due to a reduction in cell migration and are most likely due to an inhibition of the production of inflammatory mediators. Preliminary HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of SART shows a complex saponin profile with deprotonated molecule [M-H]−ions in the range ofm/z800–1000.
Synthesis, CP-MAS NMR Characterization, and Antibacterial Activities of Glycine and Histidine Complexes of Cd(SeCN)2and Hg(SeCN)2
Authors: Al-Maythalony Bassem A. , Monim-ul-Mehboob M. , Wazeer Mohammed I. M. , Isab Anvarhusein A. , Shaikh M. Nasiruzzaman , Altuwaijri Saleh
Published: March 2013

The synthesis and characterization of cadmium and mercury complexes of selenocyanate of the type [(L)M(SeCN)2] are described, where L is L-Histidine (His) or L-Glycine (Gly) and M is Cd2+or Hg2+. These complexes are obtained by the reaction of 1 equivalent of respective amino acids with metal diselenocyanate precursor in a mixture of solvents (methanol : water = 1 : 1). These synthesized compounds are characterized by analytical and various spectroscopic techniques such as elemental analysis (EA), IR,H,1andC13NMR in solution and in the solid state forC13andN15. Thein vitroantibacterial activities of these complexes have been investigated with standard type cultures ofEscherichia coli(MTCC 443),Klebsiella pneumoniae(MTCC 109),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(MTCC 1688),Salmonella typhi(MTCC 733), andStaphylococcus aureus(MTCC 737).
Synthesis of Silver‐Doped Titanium TiO2 Powder‐Coated Surfaces and Its Ability to Inactivate Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Khan Saman , Qazi Ishtiaq A. , Hashmi Imran , Awan M. Ali , Zaidi Najum-us-Sehar Sadaf
Published: March 2013

Hard, nonporous environmental surfaces in daily life are now receiving due recognition for their role in reducing the spread of several nosocomial infections. In this work, we established the photokilling effects of 1% silver‐doped titanium dioxide TiO2. The nanoparticles synthesized by liquid impregnation method were characterized using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The Ag‐TiO2 nanoparticle coatings that have been applied on glass and venetian blind surfaces were effective in generating a loss of viability of two bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis) after two hours of illumination under normal light in the visible spectrum. Such surfaces can be applicable to medical and other facilities where the potential for infection should be controlled.
A Rare Cause of Right Upper Quadrant Pain in a 17-Year-Old Female
Authors: Nwankwo Nwabundo , Barbaryan Aram , Ali Alaa M. , Mirrakhimov Aibek E.
Published: March 2013

A 17-year-old Hispanic female presented to our hospital with complaints of right upper quadrant abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever. Physical exam was positive for hepatomegaly. Abdominal computed tomography showed multiple hypoechoic liver masses. Liver biopsy was done, which was diagnostic for hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma.
Postpartum Acquired Hemophilia: A Rare Cause of Postpartum Hemorrhage
Authors: Seethala Srikanth , Gaur Sumit , Enderton Elizabeth , Corral Javier
Published: March 2013

A 36-year-old female started having postpartum vaginal bleeding after normal vaginal delivery. She underwent hysterectomy for persistent bleeding and was referred to our institution. An elevation of PTT and normal PT made us suspect postpartum acquired hemophilia (PAH), and it was confirmed by low factor VIII activity levels and an elevated factor VIII inhibitor. Hemostasis was achieved with recombinant factor VII concentrates and desmopressin, and factor eradication was achieved with cytoxan, methylprednisolone, and plasmapheresis.
Existence of Positive Solutions forp-LaplacianDynamic Equations with Derivative on Time Scales
Authors: Fan Jinjun , Li Liqing
Published: March 2013

We consider the existence of positive solutions of nonlinearp-Laplaciandynamic equations with derivative on time scales. Applying the Avery-Peterson fixed point theorem, we obtain at least three positive solutions to the problem. An example is also presented to illustrate the applications of the obtained results.
A Rare Cause of Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Disease together with Granulomatous Reaction: Pulmonary Amyloidosis
Authors: Ozer Simsek Zuhal , Oymak Fatma Sema , Tutar Nuri , Canoz Ozlem , Demir Ramazan
Published: March 2013

Amyloidosis is a heterogeneous group of disorder associated with the deposition of protein in an abnormal fibrillar form. Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (PSS) is a systemic inflammatory disorder that commonly affects the exocrine glands. The reported frequency of pulmonary involvement in PSS varies widely, ranging from 9% to 75%. Pulmonary involvement occurs in light-chain (AL) amyloidosis and is uncommon in the reactive (AA) and hereditary forms. Herein we present a case of PSS associated diffuse multinodular amyloidosis in the lung. We followed up the patient without treatment for three years. There are only minimal lung symptoms related to lung infiltration. In conclusion, pulmonary involvement in SS is an extremely rare clinical manifestation and usually has a good survival rate without treatment.
Applying a Cerebellar Model Articulation Controller Neural Network to a Photovoltaic Power Generation System Fault Diagnosis
Authors: Chao Kuei-Hsiang , Liao Bo-Jyun , Hung Chin-Pao
Published: March 2013

This study employed a cerebellar model articulation controller (CMAC) neural network to conduct fault diagnoses on photovoltaic power generation systems. We composed a module array using 9 series and 2 parallel connections of SHARP NT-R5E3E 175 W photovoltaic modules. In addition, we used data that were outputted under various fault conditions as the training samples for the CMAC and used this model to conduct the module array fault diagnosis after completing the training. The results of the training process and simulations indicate that the method proposed in this study requires fewer number of training times compared to other methods. In addition to significantly increasing the accuracy rate of the fault diagnosis, this model features a short training duration because the training process only tunes the weights of the exited memory addresses. Therefore, the fault diagnosis is rapid, and the detection tolerance of the diagnosis system is enhanced.
Current Controlled Differential Difference Current Conveyor Transconductance Amplifier and Its Application as Wave Active Filter
Authors: Pandey Neeta , Kumar Praveen , Choudhary Jaya
Published: March 2013

This paper proposes current controlled differential difference current conveyor transconductance amplifier (CCDDCCTA), a new active building block for analog signal processing. The functionality of the proposed block is verified via SPICE simulations using 0.25 μm TSMC CMOS technology parameters. The usefulness of the proposed element is demonstrated through an application, namely, wave filter. The CCDDCCTA-based wave equivalents are developed which use grounded capacitors and do not employ any resistors. The flexibility of terminal characteristics is utilized to suggest an alternate wave equivalents realization scheme which results in compact realization of wave filter. The feasibility of CCDDCCTA-based wave active filter is confirmed through simulation of a third-order Butterworth filter. The filter cutoff frequency can be tuned electronically via bias current.
A Case of Branch Retinal Artery Occlusion following Uneventful Phacoemulsification
Authors: Dragnev Daniel , Barr Dai , Kulshrestha Manoj , Shanmugalingam Sinnathamboo
Published: March 2013

We would like to present a case of branch retinal artery occlusion following uneventful phacoemulsification, possibly caused by sub-Tenon's anaesthesia. There were no predisposing general health problems. There are two possible mechanisms: (1) mechanical effect of the bolus anaesthetic; (2) pharmacologically mediated changes in the vascular calibre. The latter mechanism is much more probable, because of the vasoconstrictive properties of both medications used. This is the first reported case of branch retinal artery occlusion after sub-Tenon's anaesthesia with preservative-free medications.
Pediatric Gastric Volvulus: Diagnostic and Clinical Approach
Authors: Porcaro Federica , Mattioli Girolamo , Romano Claudio
Published: March 2013

Gastric volvulus is a significant, rare cause of non-bilious vomiting and consists of a pathological rotation of the stomach of more than 180° around the axis without obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract. A definitive diagnosis is made with upper radiological gastrointestinal studies. Treatment may be conservative or surgical with anterior and fundal gastropexy in patients with ingravescent symptoms. We describe the case of a 16-month-old female admitted to our hospital for recurrent and postprandial vomiting episodes which had started at 11 months of age. A history of gastroesophageal reflux was present until 1 year of age, in association with recurrent respiratory infections. The basic metabolic panel was normal. Barium study showed stomach rotation along a horizontal plane stomach. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed no mucosal alterations. The diagnosis was chronic organoaxial gastric volvulus. In our patient, the surgical procedure of gastropexy, both anterior and fundal, without fundoplication was performed. She showed good improvement after surgery, with resolution of symptoms and weight gain.
Review Article: Buddhist Sūtras in Sanskrit from the Potala
Authors: Silk Jonathan A.
Published: March 2013

The recent publication of twenty shorter Buddhist sūtras in Sanskrit edited from a manuscript kept in the Potala Palace, with corresponding editions of Tibetan and Chinese translations, when available, is a noteworthy contribution to our inventory of Indian scriptural materials. The present contribution offers several suggestions for improvement to the edited texts in anticipation of their further future study.
A Radar Analysis of Urban Snowfall Modification in Minneapolis–St. Paul
Authors: Perryman Nyssa , Dixon P. Grady
Published: March 2013

A better understanding of urban snowfall climatology will help to mitigate winter weather hazards in highly populated cities, such as Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota. Winter road maintenance accounts for roughly 25% of Minnesota Department of Transportation maintenance budgets, and state and local agencies spend more than $2.3 billion on snow and ice control operations annually. Urban snowfall has also been shown to enhance health problems and increase mortality rates. Further research on urban snowfall climatology is needed to more accurately diagnose urban regions susceptible to such winter health risks. The winter urban heat island effect has been suggested to reduce snowfall downwind of city centers because of localized energy and moisture flux variations, but previous research lacks spatial detail since it is primarily based on sparse surface observations. This project utilizes radar data for two studies—a 25-event snowfall composite and an individual-event analysis of 13 snow-only events—occurring from 1995 to 2012 and passing over the Minneapolis–St. Paul urban area to quantify the change in radar reflectivity values as a proxy for snowfall intensity downwind of the city. Results show that for the summed maximum composite event snowfall was significantly decreased downwind of the urban region; however, the highest maximum composite event, as well as 4 of the 13 individual snowfall events evaluated, did not have significantly decreased snowfall downwind of the city center, with the highest maximum composite and two of the three individual events having increased reflectivity values downwind. Analysis of related atmospheric variables for events with increased downwind reflectivity suggests that atmospheric instability and convergence may play a critical role in urban snowfall modification.
Earlobe Crease May Provide Predictive Information on Asymptomatic Peripheral Arterial Disease in Patients Clinically Free of Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease
Authors: Korkmaz Levent , Ağaç Mustafa Tarık , Acar Zeydin , Erkan Hakan , Gurbak Ismail , Kurt Ibrahim Halil , Bektas Huseyin , Pelit Erdinc , Korkmaz Ayca Ata , Çelik Şükrü
Published: March 2013

The diagonal earlobe crease (ELC) has been regarded as a simple marker of atherosclerosis. There is no knowledge concerning the relation of ELC to the presence, extent, and severity of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Patients (n = 253) without known atherosclerotic vascular disease and symptoms were enrolled consecutively. Ankle brachial index (ABI) was measured. Patients with ELC had lower ABI compared to those with no ELC (1.02 ± 0.12 vs 1.11 ± 0.08, P < .001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated ELC (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.3-21.9; P: .001) and age (95% CI: 0.87-0.99; P = .02) as independent determinants of abnormal ABI. There was incremental increased frequency of ELC from normal ABI to significant PAD. We have shown for the first time a significant and independent association between presence of ELC and increased prevalence, extent, and severity of PAD in patients without overt atherosclerotic vascular disease.
Flexural failure mechanisms of three-dimensional woven textile sandwich panels: Experiments
Authors: Fan Hualin , Chen Hailong , Zhao Long , Zhou Jiannan , Jin Fengnian , Zheng Jingjing , Kuang Ning
Published: March 2013

Three-point bending tests were conducted to reveal the failure mechanisms of the three-dimensional WTSC. Sixteen groups of experiments were designed and performed based on the orthotropic core structure and different thicknesses of the two skins. Bended along the weft direction, skin yielding and crimpling renders WTSC ductile failure mode. Bended along the warp direction, skin cracking renders WTSC brittle–ductile failure mode, while core shearing renders a quasi-brittle mode. After the initial failure, the progression of plastic hinges renders WTSC residual load capacity in a long deformation plateau, while fractures of lower skins lead to complete and abrupt failures. According to the experiments, failure mechanisms of WTSC include skin fracture, skin yielding, skin crimpling, tensile failure, indentation, and core shearing. Strength of the skins and the core in the warp and weft directions were predicted. The woven skin and the woven core are stronger in the weft direction. These failure mechanisms lead to six typical styles of flexural deflection curves having different brittle and ductile characteristics.
The Role of Interpretative Tour Guiding in Sustainable Destination Management
Authors: Poudel Surya , Nyaupane Gyan P.
Published: March 2013

Sustainable tourism is lauded for simultaneously benefitting local residents, tourists, and the environment. Environmental interpretation is considered a vehicle for sustainable tourism as it minimizes the adverse environmental and social impacts of tourism by creating pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors. The purpose of this paper is to assess the effectiveness of interpretative tour guiding by comparing guided and nonguided tourists’ attitudes and behaviors. Data were collected from 230 visitors at the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal, using self-administered questionnaires. Results showed that the effectiveness of interpretation varies in relation to a number of ecological and sociocultural attitudes and behaviors. The positive change in attitude and behavior indicated that interpretation can be an effective and desirable tool in sustainable tourism. The conditions when interpretation cannot produce desirable outcomes and the theoretical and managerial implications of study findings are also discussed.
An Experimental Evaluation of Four Face-to-Face Teaching Strategies
Authors: Wood David , Wood Heather , Middleton David
Published: March 2013

This study tests a number of predictions about the effectiveness of four different strategies for teaching three to four year old children how to master a difficult construction task. These strategies were derived from previous studies of mother-child and experimenter-child interactions in an assisted learning situation. One strategy the 'contingent approach' was based primarily on theoretical considerations and when used in earlier work as a basis for describing and evaluating maternal teaching it enabled us to predict how well children taught by their mothers would do with a task after instruction. The three other strategies are idealised versions of the teaching methods used by less successful mothers-as-teachers. On the basis of our analysis of effective instruction it is possible to predict how well children taught by these four different techniques by a trained instructor should perform after instruction.

The present study largely confirms these predictions. In so doing, it strengthens the supposition that it was maternal behaviour in the earlier work which influenced the children's task abilities and it also corroborates various hypotheses about the essential nature of effective face-to-face instruction.
Cognitive Dissonance and Internalization of Social Norms: Effects of Threat Severity on Children
Authors: Amerio Piero , Bosotti Ellenis , Amione Franca
Published: March 2013

The cognitive consistency in social behaviour was analysed in ninety pre-school children within the context of the cognitive dissonance theory in the forced compliance paradigm. The aim of the experiment was to ascertain the effect of the dissonance reduction process on the internalization of social norms in a resistance-to-deviation situation creating dissonance. The procedure involved tempting a child to engage in counterattitudinal behaviour (not playing with the desired toy). The child was given either a sufflcient (severe threat of punishment) or insufficient (mild threat) justification for not performing the activity. As predicted from dissonance theory, the smaller the threat, the greater the dissonance and it was reduced by derogating the forbidden toy. Dissonance reduction implications in socialization are validated: the children who were threatened least were the most likely to internalize a norm not to play. Self-awareness processes are involved.
Cerebral Asymmetry and Hemispheric Specialisation: Some Implications of Sex Differences
Authors: Hutt Corinne
Published: March 2013

The evidence for the cerebral organisation of and hemispheric specialisation for man's two principal psychological domains, language and visuospatial function, are selectively reviewed. Three theoretical models of cerebral organisation are outlined. Some neuropsychological and educational implications of sex differences in hemisperic specialisation are considered.
Perception of Number
Authors: Smitsman A. W.
Published: March 2013

Configurations varying in arrangement of elements were constructed to assess whether number is abstracted in estimation tasks. In some configurations, circles (or squares) were placed in separate groups of two or four, and interspersed randomly among single randomly placed squares (or circles). Other configurations consisted of single circles and squares randomly placed. Besides arrangement, the proportion of circles or squares varied from 0.40 to 0.60. It was expected that estimations would systematically favour the category that was arranged in separate groups. This effect was found in all experiments, but was not larger for group 4 compared to group 2 arrangement. Moreover, the effect occurred for eight year-old and older subjects, and could be induced in six year-olds who did not show the effect prior to training by training them to abstract number. Results were interpreted in terms of the perception of a higher order structure of number.
The Development of Organizational Strategies in Children's Recall of Familiar Information: Using Social Organization to Recall the Names of Classmates
Authors: Bjorklund David F. , Zeman Barbara R.
Published: March 2013

1st, 3rd and 5th graders were asked to recall the names of their classmates and were later given photographs of their classmates to sort into social groups. Clustering in recall was assessed on the basis of each child's self-defined social groupings, as well as in terms of common structural groupings in the classroom (e.g., seating arrangement, reading groups) and characteristics inherent in the children (e.g., sex, race). Although levels of recall and clustering were high for all groups of children, the majority of subjects at each grade level was unable to describe accurately a strategy they had used in recalling their classmates' names. The tendency to use social groupings as a basis for organization increased with age, although children who organized retrieval by social groupings demonstrated overall lower levels of recall (5th graders) and clustering (1st, 3rd and 5th graders) than children who organized on the basis of other criteria. Examination of clustering for each half of recall suggested that most subjects did not use a single strategy throughout recall, but switched between modes of organization during the course of retrieval. It was suggested that some children may have only deliberately used a strategy after "discovering" it in the process of recall (i.e., organization at time of output).
Behavioral Factors, Life Changes, and the Development of Vital Exhaustion and Depression in Myocardial Infarction Patients
Authors: Falger Paul R. J.
Published: March 2013

Epidemiological studies on psychosocial precursors of myocardial infarction (MI) in middle-aged subjects suggest that in the year prior to MI, psychological phenomena of 'vital exhaustion and depression' may be an equally important diagnostic measure as manifestations of chest pain, and other cardiac symptoms. A self-administered psychological survey the 'Maastricht Questionnaire' (MQ) was constructed in order to measure the prodromal phenomena of 'vital exhaustion and depression'.

In this paper, several retrospective and longitudinal studies on MI patients and controls are commented on in which the MQ was employed. Since these studies as such cannot explain why an association exists, a retrospective investigation in a sample of 136 healthy middle-aged men was undertaken. In this study, the interrelationships between the Type A coronary-prone behavior pattern, exposure to stressful life changes over a two year period, and the association with the MQ were explored. Coronary-prone behavior was assessed through the Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS), exposure to stressful life changes through our Middle Adulthood Life Changes Questionnaire (MALC), which is described in full.

It is demonstrated that manifestations of 'vital exhaustion and depression' are associated in particular with life changes in the Home & Social domain on the MALC, and with Type A coronary-prone behavior. The latter is associated also in particular with life changes connoting work involvement and conflict proneness in the Work & Career domain on the MALC.

The extended MALC, now covering the whole human life span, and the MQ are current employed in a case-control study on MI patients, neighborhood and hospital controls in order to explore further the ontogenetic factors that may be conducive to the development of 'vital exhaustion and depression', and subsequent MI. Methodological considerations for extending the MALC are discussed, together with an illustrative case history on a MI patient from this study.
Effects of Perceptual Variations on Number Comparison Tasks
Authors: Kingma Johannes , Loth Franciska L.
Published: March 2013

Three types of number-comparison tasks were administered to 502 children (in the age range between four years, and six years and ten months). The tasks consisted of two-choice tasks and multiple-choice in which the density of the elements (dots) was manipulated, i.e., in one condition the elements stood far apart and for the other condition the distance between the elements was small, but within each of these conditions the elements were evenly spaced. The multiple-choice tasks were divided into tasks with constant target size (i.e. the area of all the elements of each set was identical) and tasks without constant target size. It was shown that two-choice tasks were easier than multiple-choice tasks controlling for chance responding. The density manipulation produced a strong effect, i.e., tasks in which the elements were placed closely together were more difficult than tasks in which the elements were spaced far apart. Multiple-choice tasks with constant target size were easier than tasks without constant target size. This is a noteworthy finding, because the opposite result might be expected. Since in tasks without constant target size a correct judgment could be based on either the relative numerosity or on redundant non-numerical cues (e.g. amount of target size, brightness, background area)), these tasks might be considered easier than tasks with constant target size in which the influence of these cues was reduced. However, our results can be interpreted that by using constant target size another cue has been introduced, because an accurate judgment can be made now by simply relying on the size of the target.
The Young Child's Processing of Dot Patterns: A Chronometric and Eye Movement Analysis
Authors: van Oeffelen Michiel P. , Vos Peter G.
Published: March 2013

The present study reports the measurement of response latencies and the recording of eye movement in a task where children of about 5.5 years had to count arrangements of 1-8 dots in different configurations. Consistent with earlier findings, response latencies for numbers up to 5 suggested subitizing rather than counting strategies. Data from concomittant eye movement recordings clearly showed that even the processing of the small numbers required at least four fixations per response. Records of eye movements under the conditions of numbers of dots larger than n = 5 were found to reflect mixed strategies and not elementary one-by-one counting procedures. It is hypothesized that large processing times in comparison with adults were mainly due to interim verifications of results already established: children were, much more than adults, mentally loaded by the double task of storing partial results and processing new information at the same time.
Developmental Changes in the Contribution of Shared Experience to Social Role-Taking Competence
Authors: Chandler Michael J. , Helm David
Published: March 2013

The contribution of shared experience to the social role-taking competence of 120 preschool, second- and fifth-grade children was evaluated under experimental conditions which did or did not provide subjects the opportunity to previously occupy the perspective of those whose points of view they were later required to assume. It was demonstrated that the youngest subjects regularly failed in their role-taking efforts with or without such backgrounds of shared experience, that the 11-year-olds succeeded in either case, and that the success of the 7-year-olds was a direct function of whether or not they shared common background experiences with those whose roles they attempted to assume. These results indicate that social role-taking competence in early and middle childhood is a joint function of both cognitive ability level and the actual degree of overlap which exists between the experiences of subjects and their role-taking partners.
Applied Developmental Psychology: Tasks, Problems, Perspectives
Authors: Montada Leo
Published: March 2013

In order to consider possible contributions of developmental psychology to the analysis and solution of practical problems a model of practical action is proposed comprising the following six steps or questions: (1) What is the phenomenon or the problem we have to deal with? (2) How did the phenomenon or problem come into existence? (3) What will be the outcome of further development if no action is taken to change the phenomenon or outcome. (4) What are possible goals for intervention? (5) How can the goals be achieved? (6) What is the outcome in terms of evaluation of prognosis, intervention or counselling?

Within the framework of these six steps or questions available scientific knowledge as well as relevant methodological problems are discussed.

Moreover, the relationships and differences between theory, basic research, applied research and practical application are analyzed, namely the problem of equivalence of concepts and measures, the problem of deduction of technologies from theory, the problem of falsification of theory by failures in its practical application and the problem of discrepancies in metatheoretical correspondence.

The article closes with some recommendations concerning developmental research in relation to applications.
The Social Cognitive Ecology of Preschool Classrooms: Contextual Relations Revisited
Authors: Pellegrini Anthony D.
Published: March 2013

In the present study children from two age groups (three and four years old) were observed in their preschool classrooms during free play. We were interested in the extent to which social cognitive aspects of their play behaviors varied according to two classroom contextual variables: presence in different learning centers and participants (number of children and adults present) in those centers. Results indicated that children behaved differently according to these variables. Children engaged in lower order social-cognitive behaviors in art centers than they did in blocks and housekeeping centers. Adult presence related to less mature forms of play whereas peer presence related to more mature forms of play.
The Cumulative Deficit Hypothesis in the Light of Cross-Cultural Evidence
Authors: Saco-Pollitt Carmen , Pollitt Ernesto , Greenfield Daryl
Published: March 2013

The cumulative deficit hypothesis proposes that under conditions of marked social and environmental deprivation growth and development deficits in children will augment as children grow older. This study assessed between group (cultures) differences in intra-group (age) changes in performance of 3 to 6-year-old children in a battery of tests (Discrimination Learning, Short-Term Memory and Oddity Learning) derived from a theoretical model relating attention, learning and memory processes. Subjects were selected from Cambridge, Massachusetts, and from two lowland villages in Guatemala. The two groups of children were exposed to markedly different environments and presented significant differences in health and nutrition status. The focus of the study is on whether the developmental trends observed within groups are different between groups. Age trends within samples were analyzed by breaking the age into three groups: 31 to 42, 43 to 54, and 55 to 66 months.

In Cambridge changes in test performance as a function of age were present in all Discrimination Learning and Oddity Learning tasks; whereas in Guatemala there was no systematic evidence of an age improvement in learning. In both samples there were generally no age effects in the Memory tests. The evidence presented is in line with the notion of progressively increased risk, at least during the preschool period, among severely impoverished populations where the psychosocial and biophysical needs of children are not adequately met.
A Comparison of Complementary and Taxonomic Utilization: Significance of the Dependent Measure
Authors: Scott Marcia S. , Greenfield Daryl B. , Urbano Richard C.
Published: March 2013

Preschool children's utilization of complementary relations (e.g., environmental associates such as bird-nest, dog-bone) and taxonomic relations (e.g., items related categorically such as two or more fruit) was compared using three response measures that varied the task demands placed on the child. These three response measures were: generating a related verbal response to a single picture study card; selecting the one of two choice pictures that was related to the study pictures; justifying the picture choice selected. For one set, the correct response was related taxonomically to the study picture. For the second set, a correct response formed a complementary pair with the study picture.

Based on a conceptual analysis of the task, it was argued that picture choice would be less demanding for the child than justification of the picture choice which in turn would be less demanding than generating an appropriate pair. It was predicted that as task demands increased performance would decrease for both complementary and taxonomic pairing. More importantly, functionally and perceptually available complementary pairs should be maintained at progressively higher levels relative to more abstract and hierarchically related taxonomic pairs. In addition, as task demands increase, complementary intrusions should produce one source of systematic error in the taxonomic condition. The results supported these predictions.
Effects of Visual and Auditory Stimulation on Subsequent Visual Preferences in Neonates
Authors: Gardner Judith M. , Lewkowicz David J. , Rose Susan A. , Karmel Bernard Z.
Published: March 2013

The effects of prior exposure to slow or fast temporal frequencies of visual or auditory stimuli on subsequent preferences for visual temporal frequencies were examined in three groups of neonates (N =12 in each group). The 2 Hz group was exposed to lights flashing at 2 Hz prior to half the preference trials and sounds pulsing at 2 Hz prior to the other half of the preference trials. The 8 Hz group was similarly prestimulated with 8 Hz lights and sounds. The control group received no prestimulation prior to preference trials. Preference trials consisted of the presentation of all possible pairs of 2, 4, or 8 Hz flashing lights for 20 sec per pair. Regardless of modality, visual preferences varied systematically with changes in prior stimulation such that there was an inverse relationship between amount of prestimulation and preferred temporal frequency. Infants looked more at slower frequencies and less at faster frequencies as the amount of prestimulation increased from none to 2 Hz to 8 Hz. These effects are similar to those found when internal stimulation is increased by testing neonates before feeding while unswaddled. Thus, we conclude that additional stimulation, whether from external or internal sources, influences neonates' visual attention through general rather than stimulus-specific effects on arousal.