bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seed Dispersal in the Dark: Shedding Light on the Role of Fruit Bats in Africa
Authors: Seltzer Carrie E. , Ndangalasi Henry J. , Cordeiro Norbert J.
Published: February 2013

In spite of their recognized importance as seed dispersers in other parts of the tropics, seed dispersal by fruit bats has received scant research attention in Africa. To evaluate the role of African fruit bats in seed dispersal, we studied fruits and seeds below 480 bat feeding roosts in the East Usambara Mountains of Tanzania. We compared these findings to those reported in other African localities to place our results in a broader context. We found 49 plant species dispersed by bats: 28 species, 18 genera, and one family are novel reports of bat dispersal in Africa. Approximately 20 percent of the submontane tree flora of the East Usambaras is bat‐dispersed, including both widespread and endemic trees. African fruit bats are important seed dispersers at our study site because they move seeds of dozens of species tens or hundreds of meters, even seeds that are too large to ingest (greater than 5 mm in length). Fruit bats are likely important seed dispersers in other Afrotropical forests, as bats elsewhere in Africa are known to consume 20 genera and 16 species of plants reported here. Insights from studying remains under bat feeding roosts offer a simple method to further document and substantially increase our understanding of the role of African fruit bats in seed dispersal.
Greasing the wheels of international commerce: how services facilitate firms’ international sourcing
Authors: Debaere Peter , Görg Holger , Raff Horst
Published: February 2013

Abstract We use plant‐level data to study the link between the local availability of services and the decision of manufacturing firms to source materials from abroad. We develop a model to generate predictions about how the intensity of international sourcing of materials depends on the availability of services and firm characteristics. These predictions are supported by the data. Greater availability of services across regions, industries, and time increases firms’ foreign sourcing of materials relative to sales. The impact of services differs by firm type. National firms’ sourcing responds to changes in regional service conditions, whereas multinationals tend to be less affected.
Claudin‐7 increases chemosensitivity to cisplatin through the upregulation of caspase pathway in human NCI‐H522 lung cancer cells
Authors: Hoggard John , Fan Junming , Lu Zhe , Lu Qun , Sutton Leonard , Chen Yan‐Hua
Published: February 2013

Claudins are a family of tight junction (TJ) integral membrane proteins that play a crucial role in maintaining cell polarity, adhesion, and paracellular permeability. Changes in expression levels of claudin proteins have been associated with human lung cancer. Previously, we have reported that claudin‐7 expression is significantly downregulated in human lung carcinomas. To investigate the role of claudin‐7 in lung cancer cells after anti‐cancer drug treatments, we transfected claudin‐7 cDNA into human NCI‐H522 lung cancer cells, which have no detectable expression of claudin‐7 protein. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that cells transfected with claudin‐7 had a significantly higher percentage of cell apoptosis when compared to that of vector transfected cell population. The cell viability assayed by MTT and Annexin V was significantly decreased and cell apoptosis was dramatically increased in claudin‐7 transfected cells compared to that of vector transfected cells after cisplatin treatment. Cisplatin is an anti‐cancer drug clinically used to treat tumors in several tissues including lung tumors. Most importantly, after cisplatin treatment, the expression levels of cleaved caspase‐3, ‐8, and poly adenosine 5′‐diphosphate ribose polymerase (PARP) were much higher in claudin‐7 transfected cells than in control cells. Furthermore, using the site‐directed mutagenesis approach, we identified that claudin‐7 was phosphorylated at serine 204 by protein kinase C. Non‐phosphorylated claudin‐7 mutant showed increased cell viability, suggesting that phosphorylation increases chemosensitivity to cisplatin treatment. We concluded that claudin‐7 expression in H522 lung cancer cells increases chemosensitivity to cisplatin through the increased activation of caspase pathway.
Local Redundancy Governs Infants' Spontaneous Orienting to Visual‐Temporal Sequences
Authors: Addyman Caspar , Mareschal Denis
Published: February 2013

Two experiments demonstrate that 5‐month‐olds are sensitive to local redundancy in visual‐temporal sequences. In Experiment 1, 20 infants saw 2 separate sequences of looming colored shapes that possessed the same elements but contrasting transitional probabilities. One sequence was random whereas the other was based on bigrams. Without any prior exposure, infants looked longer at the random sequence. In Experiment 2, 17 infants looked equally long at bigram‐ and trigram‐based sequences. However, an analysis of local redundancy revealed that in both experiments disengagement from the sequences was governed by local repetitions rather than by global sequence statistics. This finding suggests that a spontaneous sensitivity to stimulus complexity helps orient infants to sequences they can learn from.
Discordant Left and Right Ventricular Optimal Atrioventricular and Interventricular Delays during Biventricular Pacemaker Optimization
Authors: Qamruddin Salima , Rafie Reza , Naqvi Tasneem Z.
Published: February 2013

Echocardiography‐guided optimization of atrioventricular (AV) delay (AVD) improves left ventricular (LV) filling, and optimized interventricular delay (VVD) leads to further improvement in cardiac output in patients with biventricular (Biv) pacing. Investigators use LV filling and ejection to optimize AV and VV delay in patients with Biv pacing. Effect of such optimization on right‐sided hemodynamics remains unknown. In our experience, few patients experience worsening of right ventricle (RV) hemodynamics when LV parameters are optimized. We present a series of cases where we observed suboptimal RV filling or ejection at optimal AVD and VVD for LV. This RV‐LV discordance may contribute to nonresponder rate to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and should be evaluated in a consecutive series of CRT nonresponder patients to help improve CRT response.
New‐Onset Seizure after Perflutren Microbubble Injection during Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography
Authors: Quiñones Adriana , Benenstein Ricardo , Saric Muhamed
Published: February 2013

Intravenous microbubble contrast agents are frequently used during ultrasound imaging to improve endocardial border detection, enhance Doppler signals, differentiate thrombi from tumors or define vascular anatomy. Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) with or without addition of atropine is a standard technique for evaluation of coronary artery disease. Noncontrast or contrast‐enhanced DSE is generally considered a safe procedure. We report what appears to be the first case of new‐onset seizure activity following perflutren microbubble contrast injection during dobutamine‐atropine stress echocardiography. On the basis of this single occurrence, we are only able to demonstrate a temporal, but not a causal relationship between the administration of microbubble echo contrast and onset of seizure. We do not suggest withholding administration of microbubble contrast when clinically indicated. However, increased vigilance in monitoring for seizure development in patients receiving microbubble contrast seems warranted.
Transcriptome analysis of Inbred Long Sleep and Inbred Short Sleep mice
Authors: Darlington T. M. , Ehringer M. A. , Larson C. , Phang T. L. , Radcliffe R. A.
Published: February 2013

Many studies have utilized the Inbred Long Sleep and Inbred Short Sleep mouse strains to model the genetic influence on initial sensitivity to ethanol. The mechanisms underlying this divergent phenotype are still not completely understood. In this study, we attempt to identify genes that are differentially expressed between these two strains and to identify baseline networks of co‐expressed genes, which may provide insight regarding their phenotypic differences. We examined the whole brain and striatal transcriptomes of both strains, using next generation RNA sequencing techniques. Many genes were differentially expressed between strains, including several in chromosomal regions previously shown to influence initial sensitivity to ethanol. These results are in concordance with a similar sample of striatal transcriptomes measured using microarrays. In addition to the higher dynamic range, RNA‐Seq is not hindered by high background noise or polymorphisms in probesets as with microarray technology, and we are able to analyze exome sequence of abundant genes. Furthermore, utilizing Weighted Gene Co‐expression Network Analysis, we identified several modules of co‐expressed genes corresponding to strain differences. Several candidate genes were identified, including protein phosphatase 1 regulatory unit 1b (Ppp1r1b), prodynorphin (Pdyn), proenkephalin (Penk), ras association (RalGDS/AF‐6) domain family member 2 (Rassf2), myosin 1d (Myo1d) and transthyretin (Ttr). In addition, we propose a role for potassium channel activity as well as map kinase signaling in the observed phenotypic differences between the two strains.
Potential for evolutionary responses to climate change – evidence from tree populations
Authors: Alberto Florian J. , Aitken Sally N. , Alía Ricardo , González‐Martínez Santiago C. , Hänninen Heikki , Kremer Antoine , Lefèvre François , Lenormand Thomas , Yeaman Sam , Whetten Ross , Savolainen Outi
Published: February 2013

Evolutionary responses are required for tree populations to be able to track climate change. Results of 250 years of common garden experiments show that most forest trees have evolved local adaptation, as evidenced by the adaptive differentiation of populations in quantitative traits, reflecting environmental conditions of population origins. On the basis of the patterns of quantitative variation for 19 adaptation‐related traits studied in 59 tree species (mostly temperate and boreal species from the Northern hemisphere), we found that genetic differentiation between populations and clinal variation along environmental gradients were very common (respectively, 90% and 78% of cases). Thus, responding to climate change will likely require that the quantitative traits of populations again match their environments. We examine what kind of information is needed for evaluating the potential to respond, and what information is already available. We review the genetic models related to selection responses, and what is known currently about the genetic basis of the traits. We address special problems to be found at the range margins, and highlight the need for more modeling to understand specific issues at southern and northern margins. We need new common garden experiments for less known species. For extensively studied species, new experiments are needed outside the current ranges. Improving genomic information will allow better prediction of responses. Competitive and other interactions within species and interactions between species deserve more consideration. Despite the long generation times, the strong background in quantitative genetics and growing genomic resources make forest trees useful species for climate change research. The greatest adaptive response is expected when populations are large, have high genetic variability, selection is strong, and there is ecological opportunity for establishment of better adapted genotypes.
Forage yield components and classification of common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) cultivars of diverse geographic origin
Authors: Mikić A. , Mihailović V. , Ćupina B. , Milić D. , Katić S. , Karagić Đ. , Pataki I. , D'Ottavio P. , Kraljević‐Balalić M.
Published: February 2013

Conventional breeding programmes on common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) are based on knowledge of relationships between forage yield components and economically important characteristics. To improve this knowledge, a small‐plot trial was carried out in 2005 and 2006 at Rimski Šančevi, Serbia, with fourteen common vetch accessions from the Novi Sad Vicia collection of diverse geographic origin and collection status. Results showed significant variability in forage yield components and related characteristics. Two‐year average values of forage dry matter (DM) yield ranged from 8·0 t ha−1 (cvs. Armantes and Labari) to 10·2 t ha−1 (cv. Slavej). The highest 2‐year average concentration of crude protein (CP) was for cv. Armantes (239 g kg−1 DM). Highly significant positive genetic correlation coefficients were found between time from sowing to first flowering and main stem length (0·938) and between number of stems per plant and CP content in the forage DM (0·910). Significant positive phenotypic correlation coefficients were detected between main stem length and time from sowing to first flowering (0·830). A cluster analysis showed four main groups of cultivars based on the recorded forage yield components and related characteristics. It is concluded that common vetch represents a stable and reliable source of protein‐rich forage for regions such as the Balkans area of SE Europe. Genetic variability within common vetch and knowledge of the tested cultivars offer a basis for further improvement and developing novel cultivars.
Improved Photoluminescence Property of YBO3:Eu3+ Phosphor by Structure Tailoring
Authors: Jin Dalai , Yang Jingjing , Miao Xiang , Wang Lina , Wang Longcheng
Published: February 2013

YBO3:Eu3+ microspheres were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. Size and surface morphology of the spheres were tailored by ion‐adding. Phase identification, morphology observation, and photoluminescence (PL) performance of the YBO3:Eu3+ microspheres were characterized byX‐ray diffraction (XRD), field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and PL spectrophotometer, respectively. Moderate particles with enlarged size and perfect surface were achieved by adding Li+ ion or/and Mg2+ ion. PL emissions of such YBO3:Eu3+ phosphors were enhanced. Significantly improved PL intensity was achieved when 1% Li+ ion and 5% Mg2+ ion were added, which was nearly doubled compared with the reference sample.
A Fresh Defense: A Cultural Biography of Quality in Puerto Rican Fishing
Authors: Griffith David , García‐Quijano Carlos , Pizzini Manuel Valdés
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT  Puerto Rican artisanal fishers, like artisanal food producers around the world, emphasize the quality of their products to compete with industrial food producer‐distributors. In this article, we trace the cultural biographies of three important fish species, focusing on their roles in creating social relationships and, through this process, creating value and political alliances to contest fisheries laws. We argue that fishers move strategically between moral and political economies to maintain fishing livelihoods and defend themselves against coastal developments that threaten those livelihoods.
The Role of Adenosine Following Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Patients Undergoing Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review
Authors: MCLELLAN ALEX J.A. , KUMAR SAURABH , SMITH CATHERINE , MORTON JOSEPH B. , KALMAN JONATHAN M. , KISTLER PETER M.
Published: February 2013

A Systematic Review of Adenosine in AF Ablation

 Introduction

Pulmonary vein reconnection is a major limitation of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF). Adenosine may unmask dormant PV conduction and facilitate consolidation of PV isolation.

We performed a systematic review of the literature to determine the impact of routine adenosine administration on clinical outcomes in patients undergoing PVI.

Methods

References and electronic databases reporting AF ablation and adenosine following PVI were searched through to 31 July 2012. Six studies included 544 patients to assess the impact of catheter ablation to target adenosine‐induced PV reconnection on AF ablation outcome and 3 studies included 612 patients to assess the impact of adenosine testing on AF ablation outcome. Relative risks were calculated and combined in a meta‐analysis using random effects modeling.

Results

Routine adenosine testing for PV reconnection with additional targeted ablation resulted in a significant increase in freedom from AF post‐PVI (RR 1.25; 95% CI 1.12–1.40; P < 0.001). However, within the group of patients undergoing adenosine testing, those with reconnection identified a population with a trend to reduction in freedom from AF despite the use of further targeted ablation in the reconnection group (RR 0.91 with 95% CI 0.81–1.03; P = 0.15).

Conclusion

Routine adenosine testing is associated with an improvement in freedom from AF post‐PVI. Paradoxically acute adenosine‐induced PV reconnection may portend a greater likelihood of AF recurrence despite additional ablation. Randomized controlled trials are required to determine the role of adenosine testing post‐PVI.
The molecular epidemiology of hepatitis B in the Indigenous people of northern Australia
Authors: Davies Jane , Littlejohn Margaret , Locarnini Stephen A , Whiting Sarah , Hajkowicz Krispin , Cowie Benjamin C , Bowden David S , Tong Steven Y C , Davis Joshua S
Published: February 2013

Background and Aim

The hepatitis B surface antigen was first described in the blood of an Indigenous Australian man, yet little is known about its molecular epidemiology in this population, in which it is endemic. The study aimed to determine the clinical and molecular epidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Indigenous people from northern Australia.

Methods

Following ethics approval and informed consent, blood specimens and clinical details from Indigenous adults known to be infected with HBV and who were born and raised in Indigenous communities in northern Australia were obtained. HBV genotypes were determined in isolates with sufficient HBV DNA by polymerase chain reaction by sequencing of the polymerase/surface gene.

Results

Between June 2010 and June 2012, 65 patients were recruited from six different regions of northern Australia. Thirty‐two patients (49%) were hepatitis B e‐antigen‐positive, and 48% were hepatitis B e‐antibody‐positive. No patients were found to be coinfected with hepatitis C virus or human immunodeficiency virus. Of the 49 samples with sufficient viral load for genotyping, 100% were infected with genotype C4, previously only reported from two Indigenous Australians. All isolates had wild‐type polymerase gene sequences despite 14 currently or previously receiving antiviral treatment. The canonical sG145R vaccine‐escape variant was detected in the surface antigen of virus from two patients.

Conclusions

The exclusive HBV genotype in this ancient population is genotype C4. Whole genome sequencing and clinical follow‐up of this cohort are in progress, with the aim of exploring the clinical significance of these findings.
Duodenal bulb biopsy in children for the diagnosis of coeliac disease: Experience from Perth, Australia
Authors: Sharma Ajay , Mews Cathy , Jevon Gareth , Ravikumara Madhur
Published: February 2013

Aim

The study aims to assess the usefulness of duodenal bulb biopsy in the diagnosis of coeliac disease (CD) in a paediatric population.

Methods

Since February 2009, in our institution, we have routinely included duodenal bulb biopsy in addition to distal duodenal biopsies in children undergoing diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. All children diagnosed with CD between February 2009 and May 2011 were identified, and those children who had biopsy finding of CD limited to duodenal bulb were reviewed with regard to clinical, serological and histopathological parameters. Duodenal bulb biopsy reports of those children who did not have CD were also reviewed as control group.

Results

A total of 101 children were diagnosed with CD during the study period. The mean age was 8.21 years (±3.63), 33 males and 68 females. There were 8 out of 101 (7.92%) who had histological changes consistent with CD exclusively in the duodenal bulb, with normal histology in the distal duodenum. None of duodenal bulb biopsy was abnormal in the control group.

Conclusions

In some children, diagnostic CD changes may be limited to the duodenal bulb only and hence we recommend that duodenal bulb biopsies be included routinely in children suspected with CD to improve the diagnostic yield.
The Structure of Subjective Well‐being: A Vector Autoregressive Approach
Authors: Binder Martin , Ward Felix
Published: February 2013

We use panel vector autoregressions to analyze the underlying structure of changes in subjective well‐being and its coevolution with changes in income, health, worries, marital status and employment status for the German Socio‐Economic Panel (SOEP) data set. We find that positive changes in the named life domains are followed by decreases in subjective well‐being (except for health, which is followed by well‐being increases). Positive changes in well‐being are followed by positive changes in most life domains. We also examine how the structure of subjective well‐being differs with respect to different Big Five personality traits.
Neonatal Lupus Syndrome Associated with Ribonucleoprotein Antibodies
Authors: Heelan Kara , Watson Rosemarie , Collins Sinead M.
Published: February 2013

Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) is a rare acquired autoimmune disease caused by transplacental transfer of maternal immunoglobulin G antibodies to the fetus. NLE has well‐recognized cutaneous features and may also manifest in other organs. The majority of cases are associated with Ro/SSA and La/SSB antibodies. Neonatal lupus due to antiribonucleoprotein (RNP) antibodies has rarely been reported. On rare occasions RNP has been found in association with other antibodies. We report a case of NLE occurring solely due to RNP antibodies presenting as varicelliform lesions at birth. We recorded the features in our case and 14 additional cases identified in the literature. It is important to recognize that maternal transfer of RNP antibodies may produce the classic cutaneous features of neonatal lupus. The limited case reports of this condition suggest that manifestations are limited to the skin; specifically, there are no reports of cardiac involvement. The long‐term outcome remains unknown. RNP‐positive, Ro/La‐negative NLE seems to represent a different clinical subset of NLE. The recognition of RNP antibody NLE as a benign condition limited to the skin is helpful in planning antenatal care for subsequent pregnancies.
Teaching/Learning Strategies for the Essentials of Baccalaureate Nursing Education for Entry‐Level Community/Public Health Nursing
Authors: Callen Bonnie , Smith Claudia M. , Joyce Barbara , Lutz Jayne , Brown‐Schott Nancy , Block Derryl
Published: February 2013

The purpose of this article is to describe teaching/learning strategies for each of the 15 Essentials of Baccalaureate Nursing Education for Entry‐Level Community/Public Health Nursing (ACHNE, 2009). Carper's ways of knowing serve as foundations for creating classroom and clinical experiences that focus on clinical action with community as client. Each community/public health essential is defined with relevance to community/public health nursing practice. Five teaching/learning strategies have been delineated for each essential with suggestions of teaching resources and/or target population application. Teaching/learning strategies that focus on community as client, population health, and the essential knowledge and competencies of C/PH nursing will help ensure preparation of baccalaureate prepared nurses with knowledge and skills to improve the health of populations.
Nutritional support and functional capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Collins Peter F. , Elia Marinos , Stratton Rebecca J.
Published: February 2013

Currently, there is confusion about the value of using nutritional support to treat malnutrition and improve functional outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized, controlled trials (RCT) aimed to clarify the effectiveness of nutritional support in improving functional outcomes in COPD. A systematic review identified 12 RCT (n = 448) in stable COPD patients investigating the effects of nutritional support (dietary advice (1 RCT), oral nutritional supplements (10 RCT), enteral tube feeding (1 RCT)) versus control on functional outcomes. Meta‐analysis of the changes induced by intervention found that while respiratory function (forced expiratory volume in 1 s, lung capacity, blood gases) was unresponsive to nutritional support, both inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory mouth pressure +3.86 standard error (SE) 1.89 cm H2O, P = 0.041; maximal expiratory mouth pressure +11.85 SE 5.54 cm H2O, P = 0.032) and handgrip strength (+1.35 SE 0.69 kg, P = 0.05) were significantly improved and associated with weight gains of ≥2 kg. Nutritional support produced significant improvements in quality of life in some trials, although meta‐analysis was not possible. It also led to improved exercise performance and enhancement of exercise rehabilitation programmes. This systematic review and meta‐analysis demonstrates that nutritional support in COPD results in significant improvements in a number of clinically relevant functional outcomes, complementing a previous review showing improvements in nutritional intake and weight.
A novel method of CD34+ cell separation from umbilical cord blood
Authors: Mehrishi J.N. , Bakács Tibor
Published: February 2013

Background

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is rich in the heavily glycosylated CD34 antigen–bearing hematopoietic stem cells that are valuable for transplantation therapy of malignant and nonmalignant disease. CD34+ cell yields (0.13%‐0.25%‐0.3%) of mononuclear cells (UCMCs) isolated by anti‐CD34 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) on immunomagnetic particles (e.g., Miltenyi particles) are insufficient to treat adults.

Study Design and Methods

We fractionated UCMCs by physicochemical charge‐based methods. Avoiding Miltenyi particles and HESPAN yielded 30 x 106 to 54 x 106 UCMCs/20 mL UCB by Ficoll‐Isopaque for serial depletion fractionation, using nylon wool column (NWC) or direct rosetting with sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) without incubation in the cold.

Results

CD34+ cell yields (approx. 5.12%) were 39 times greater than 0.13% (Korean study, 11,098 UCB units) and 10 to 20 times greater than 0.25% to 0.3% harvested by anti‐CD34 Miltenyi particles. SRBC depletion of most high‐specific‐gravity T cells achieved considerable enrichment of CD34+ and BY55+ cells. Using NWC achieved 2.5‐fold enrichment of CD34+ cells and twofold enrichment of BY55+ cells. Direct SRBC rosetting provided better or higher enrichment of CD34+ cells. Overall CD34+ cell yield in low‐density fraction was more than twice after direct rosetting (38% vs. 16%) in contrast to separation by NWC followed by SRBC rosetting. CD3+ cell yields (by three CD markers) were approximately 8.83%, far below approximately 30 x 107/kg considered acceptable to avoid graft‐versus‐host disease. Natural killer cell yields (CD16+/CD56+ and BY55+/ CD160+) are in perfect agreement.

Conclusions

Achieving approximately 5% CD34+ cell yields from single UCB donations, a major advance, holds great promise for CD34+ cell therapy of adults and larger children, and cheaper cultured RBC manufacture.
Contextual variation and Hong Kong English
Authors: CHAN JIM Y. H.
Published: February 2013

One of the decisive factors in Schneider's innovative Dynamic Model for the transition from phase 3 (nativisation) to phase 4 (endonormative stabilisation) for the case of Hong Kong English (HKE) is the parameter of local acceptance. This paper examines the attitudes of young professionals towards native vis‐à‐vis non‐native English accents in a number of English‐speaking contexts in Hong Kong by means of the verbal‐guise technique, focus group discussions and a written task. The findings suggest that many of the participants have the ability to distinguish native speakers’ from non‐native speakers’ accents. Although an Anglophone‐centric attitude is still found to be prominent in high‐stakes English‐using situations, there seems to be a tendency that the less formal and more interactive the communication context, the fewer reservations the participants have about non‐native accents. The correlation analysis indicates a lack of association between the participants’ perceived intelligibility and their preferred accents in nearly all of the designated contexts for the case of HKE and, thus, the paper offers explanations based on the tension between English pronunciation as economic capital and identity carrier in local people's perception. It concludes by discussing the implications of this contextual variation in pronunciation acceptance for future attitudinal studies.
An Intelligent Tire Based Tire-Road Friction Estimation Technique and Adaptive Wheel Slip Controller for Antilock Brake System
Authors: Singh Kanwar B. , Ali Arat Mustafa , Taheri Saied
Published: February 2013

The contact between the tire and the road is the key enabler of vehicle acceleration, deceleration and steering. However, due to changes to the road conditions, the driver's ability to maintain a stable vehicle may be at risk. In many cases, this requires intervention from the chassis control systems onboard the vehicle. Although these systems perform well in a variety of situations, their performance can be improved if a real-time estimate of the tire-road friction coefficient is available. Existing tire-road friction estimation approaches often require certain levels of vehicle longitudinal and/or lateral motion to satisfy the persistence of excitation condition for reliable estimations. Such excitations may undesirably interfere with vehicle motion controls. This paper presents a novel development and implementation of a real-time tire-road contact parameter estimation methodology using acceleration signals from an intelligent tire. The proposed method characterizes the terrain using the measured frequency response of the tire vibrations and provides the capability to estimate the tire road friction coefficient under extremely lower levels of force utilization. Under higher levels of force excitation (high slip conditions), the increased vibration levels due to the stick/slip phenomenon linked to the tread block vibration modes make the proposed tire vibrations based method unsuitable. Therefore for high slip conditions, a brush model-based nonlinear least squares (NLLS) parameter estimation approach is proposed. Hence an integrated approach using the intelligent tire based friction estimator and the model based estimator gives us the capability to reliably estimate friction for a wider range of excitations. Considering the strong interdependence between the operating road surface condition and the instantaneous forces and moments generated; this real time estimate of the tire-road friction coefficient is expected to play a pivotal role in improving the performance of a number of vehicle control systems. In particular, this paper focuses on the possibility of enhancing the performance of the ABS control systems. In order to achieve the aforementioned objectives, the design and implementation of a fuzzy/sliding mode/proportional integral (fuzzy-SMC-PI (FSP)) control methodology is proposed. The results show significant improvements in the stopping distance of a vehicle equipped with an intelligent tire based FSP controller as compared to a vehicle equipped with a standard ABS.
Alternative Fuels Based on Biomass: An Investigation of Combustion Properties of Product Gases
Authors: Herzler Jürgen , Herbst Julia , Kick Thomas , Naumann Clemens , Braun-Unkhoff Marina , Riedel Uwe
Published: February 2013

Fuels from low quality feedstock such as biomass and biomass residues are currently discussed with respect to their potential to contribute to a more sustainable electrical power supply. In the present work, we report on the study of generic representative gas mixtures stemming from the gasification of different feedstock, from wood and algae. Two major combustion properties—burning velocities and ignition delay times—were measured for different parameters: (i) for two pressures—1 bar and 3 bar—at a constant preheat temperature T0 = 373 K, to determine burning velocities by applying the cone angle method; and (ii) for elevated pressures—up to 16 bar—in the temperature range between about 1000 and 2000 K, at fuel-equivalence ratios φ of 0.5 and 1.0, to obtain ignition delay times by applying the shock tube method. Additional studies performed in our group on gas mixtures of natural gas, methane, and hydrogen were also taken into account as major components of biogenic gas mixtures. It was found that the reaction behavior of the wood gasification product (N2, CO, H2, CO2, CH4) is mainly determined by its H2 content, besides CH4; methane determines the kinetic behavior of the algae fermentation product (CH4, CO2, N2) due to its relatively high amount. Detailed chemical kinetic reaction models were used to predict the measured data. The trends and main features were captured by predictions applying different reaction models. The agreement of the experiments and the predictions is dependent on the pressure range.
Rotating Flow and Heat Transfer in Cylindrical Cavities With Radial Inflow
Authors: Vinod Kumar B. G. , Chew John W. , Hills Nicholas J.
Published: February 2013

The design and optimization of an efficient internal air system of a gas turbine requires a thorough understanding of the flow and heat transfer in rotating disc cavities. The present study is devoted to the numerical modeling of flow and heat transfer in a cylindrical cavity with radial inflow and a comparison with the available experimental data. The simulations are carried out with axisymmetric and 3-D sector models for various inlet swirl and rotational Reynolds numbers up to 1.2 × 106. The pressure coefficients and Nusselt numbers are compared with the available experimental data and integral method solutions. Two popular eddy viscosity models, the Spalart–Allmaras and the k-ɛ, and a Reynolds stress model have been used. For cases with particularly strong vortex behavior the eddy viscosity models show some shortcomings, with the Spalart–Allmaras model giving slightly better results than the k-ɛ model. Use of the Reynolds stress model improved the agreement with measurements for such cases. The integral method results are also found to agree well with the measurements.
Robust Output Tracking Control for a Class of Uncertain Switched Nonlinear Systems
Authors: Dong Xiao X. , Zhao Jun
Published: February 2013

This paper is devoted to the problem of robust output tracking control for uncertain cascade switched nonlinear systems with external disturbances. A sufficient condition for the output tracking problem of switched systems to be solvable is given in terms of the average dwell-time scheme and linear matrix inequalities where no solvability of the output tracking control problem for all subsystems is assumed. The controllers are designed based on a variable structure control method in order to conquer the uncertainties. Simulations illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed robust tracking design method.
Detection and Learning of Floral Electric Fields by Bumblebees
Authors: Clarke Dominic , Whitney Heather , Sutton Gregory , Robert Daniel
Published: February 2013

Flowers and Bees Have “Sparks”

Plants and their pollinators have very intimate interactions, as emphasized by the many classic cases of coevolution among species of each. Such close relationships require signaling between plant and pollinator. Coordination between plant signals and pollinator perception has been shown to exist in flower color, shape, and odor.

Clarke
et al.

(p.
66
, published online 21 February) report the potential for a distinct mode of plant–pollinator communication, electric fields. Natural floral electric fields, which are impacted by visits from naturally charged bees, were easily discriminated by bees, based on their level, pattern, and structure, and improved the rate at which bees remembered the location of a nectar reward.
Complete Genome Sequences of Bovine Parainfluenza Virus Type 3 Strain BN-1 and Vaccine Strain BN-CE
Authors: Ohkura Takashi , Kokuho Takehiro , Konishi Misako , Kameyama Ken-ichiro , Takeuchi Kaoru
Published: February 2013

Bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 (BPIV3) is associated with upper respiratory disease in cattle in many countries. Here, we report the complete genome sequences of the BPIV3 BN-1 strain, isolated from cattle in Japan, and the BN-CE vaccine strain, derived from the BN-1 strain by passages in chicken embryo fibroblasts.
Sleep-related eating disorder secondary to zolpidem
Authors: Nzwalo Hipólito , Ferreira Ligia , Peralta Rita , Bentes Carla
Published: February 2013

Sleep-related eating disorder (SRED) is characterised by eating episodes during the first period of the night sleep with partial loss consciousness, and amnesia. It can rarely be induced by some drugs, including zolpidem. We present a video report of a patient with a 1-year history of SRED caused by zolpidem causing important repercussions in the sleep structure and life quality. The night eating episodes ceased promptly with discontinuation of zolpidem. Upon the follow-up, the sleep structure improved and the daily consequences disappeared. As in few reported cases of zolpidem-induced SRED, our patient was suffering from the parasomnia for a long time before the diagnosis. Active exclusion of symptoms suggestive of SRED in patients under zolpidem treatment can avoid the deleterious effect of the sleep disorder.
Canine atopic dermatitis – what have we learned?
Authors: Nuttall Tim , Uri Maarja , Halliwell Richard
Published: February 2013

Canine atopic dermatitis is a complex multifactorial disease. Here, Tim Nuttall, Maarja Uri and Richard Halliwell, representing three generations of veterinary dermatologists, describe the research underpinning our understanding of the condition and highlight its relevance to clinical practice.
Tackling TB and other challenges in Wales
Authors: Glossop Christianne
Published: February 2013

Christianne Glossop, the Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, discusses the TB eradication programme in Wales, some of the other disease challenges being faced, and how thoughts are turning to how to replace the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy for Great Britain, which is due to come to an end in 2014
Primordial magnetism in CMB B modes
Authors: Pogosian Levon , Vachaspati Tanmay , Yadav Amit
Published: February 2013

Cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization B modes induced by Faraday rotation (FR) can provide a distinctive signature of primordial magnetic fields because of their characteristic frequency dependence and because they are only weakly damped on small scales. FR also leads to mode-coupling correlations between the E- and B-type polarizations and between the temperature and the B mode. These additional correlations can further help distinguish magnetic fields from other sources of B modes. We review the FR-induced CMB signatures and present the constraints on primordial magnetism that can be expected from upcoming CMB experiments. Our results suggest that FR of CMB will be a promising probe of primordial magnetic fields.
Proof Nets for Herbrand’s Theorem
Authors: McKinley Richard
Published: February 2013

This article explores Herbrand’s theorem as the source of a natural notion of abstract proof object for classical logic, embodying the “essence” of a sequent calculus proof. We see how to view a calculus of abstract Herbrand proofs (Herbrand nets) as an analytic proof system with syntactic cut-elimination. Herbrand nets can also be seen as a natural generalization of Miller’s expansion tree proofs to a setting including cut. We demonstrate sequentialization of Herbrand nets into a sequent calculus
LK
H
; each net corresponds to an equivalence class of
LK
H
proofs under natural proof transformations. A surprising property of our cut-reduction algorithm is that it is non-confluent despite not supporting the usual examples of non-confluent reduction in classical logic.
SIFT match verification by geometric coding for large-scale partial-duplicate web image search
Authors: Zhou Wengang , Li Houqiang , Lu Yijuan , Tian Qi
Published: February 2013

Most large-scale image retrieval systems are based on the bag-of-visual-words model. However, the traditional bag-of-visual-words model does not capture the geometric context among local features in images well, which plays an important role in image retrieval. In order to fully explore geometric context of all visual words in images, efficient global geometric verification methods have been attracting lots of attention. Unfortunately, current existing methods on global geometric verification are either computationally expensive to ensure real-time response, or cannot handle rotation well. To solve the preceding problems, in this article, we propose a novel geometric coding algorithm, to encode the spatial context among local features for large-scale partial-duplicate Web image retrieval. Our geometric coding consists of geometric square coding and geometric fan coding, which describe the spatial relationships of SIFT features into three geo-maps for global verification to remove geometrically inconsistent SIFT matches. Our approach is not only computationally efficient, but also effective in detecting partial-duplicate images with rotation, scale changes, partial-occlusion, and background clutter.

Experiments in partial-duplicate Web image search, using two datasets with one million Web images as distractors, reveal that our approach outperforms the baseline bag-of-visual-words approach even following a RANSAC verification in mean average precision. Besides, our approach achieves comparable performance to other state-of-the-art global geometric verification methods, for example, spatial coding scheme, but is more computationally efficient.
Identification of scene locations from geotagged images
Authors: Park Jong-Seung , Jain Ramesh
Published: February 2013

Due to geotagging capabilities of consumer cameras, it has become easy to capture the exact geometric location where a picture is taken. However, the location is not the whereabouts of the scene taken by the photographer but the whereabouts of the photographer himself. To determine the actual location of an object seen in a photo some sophisticated and tiresome steps are required on a special camera rig, which are generally not available in common digital cameras. This article proposes a novel method to determine the geometric location corresponding to a specific image pixel. A new technique of stereo triangulation is introduced to compute the relative depth of a pixel position. Geographical metadata embedded in images are utilized to convert relative depths to absolute coordinates. When a geographic database is available we can also infer the semantically meaningful description of a scene object from where the specified pixel is projected onto the photo. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in accurately identifying actual locations.
Can computer professionals and digital technology engineers help reduce gun violence?
Authors: Johnson Jeff
Published: February 2013

Ten idea seeds.
Exploration and mapping with autonomous robot teams
Authors: Olson Edwin , Strom Johannes , Goeddel Rob , Morton Ryan , Ranganathan Pradeep , Richardson Andrew
Published: February 2013

The MAGIC 2010 robot competition showed how well multi-robot teams can work with human teams in urban search.
Document engineering education
Authors: Nicholas Charles , Munson Ethan
Published: February 2013

A workshop on Document Engineering Education took place as part of the 2012 Document Engineering conference in Paris. We report on the discussions and recommendations that arose from that workshop.
Recommendations based on users' information-centered networks
Authors: LEE DANIELLE
Published: February 2013

Danielle H. Lee is a doctoral candidate at the School of Information Sciences, University of Pittsburgh. She successfully passed her dissertation defense on November 9, 2012 and is now looking for an assistant professor job. She received her Master's degree in Information Science at Syracuse University. She worked for Samsung SDS Co. as a software engineer, Jangan College as an invited professor and Center for Dental Informatics, University of Pittsburgh as a researcher. She published several papers concentrating on knowledge sharing patterns on social media and personalized recommendations based on users' social networks in various journals and conferences, such as Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology; Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems; Journal of Information Processing Systems; ACM Conference on Hypertext and Hypermedia; ACM Conference on Recommender Systems; etc. She also participated in several journals and conferences (e.g. Transactions on Intelligent Systems and Technology; User Modeling and User-Adapted Interaction; Web Intelligence; User Modeling, Adaptation and Personalization; ACM Conference on Recommender Systems) as reviewers. Her research interests are personalized recommendations using users' social networks, behavioral influence and information propagation in online social networks and knowledge mining of collective intelligence.
CCured
Authors: Necula George C. , McPeak Scott , Weimer Westley
Published: February 2013

In this paper we propose a scheme that combines type inference and run-time checking to make existing C programs type safe. We describe the CCured type system, which extends that of C by separating pointer types according to their usage. This type sysiem allows both pointers whose usage can be verified statically to be type safe, and pointers whose safety must be checked at run time. We prove a type soundness result and then we present a surprisingly simple type inference algoriihm that is able lo infer the appropriate pointer kinds for existing C programs.

Our experience wiih the CCured sysiem shows that the inference is very effective for many C programs, as it is able to infer that most or all of the pointers are statically verifiable to be type safe. The remaining pointers are instrumented wiih efficient run-time checks to ensure that they are used safely. The resulting performance loss due to run-time checks is 0-150%, which is several times better than comparable approaches thai use only dynamic checking. Using CCured we have discovered programming bugs in established C programs such as several SPECINT95 benchmarks.