bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“The Meaning of ‘Meaning is Normative’ ”
Authors: Fennell John
Published: February 2012

This paper defends the thesis that meaning is intrinsically normative. Recent anti‐normativist objectors have distinguished two versions of the thesis – correctness and prescriptivity – and have attacked both. In the first two sections, I defend the thesis against each of these attacks; in the third section, I address two further, closely related, anti‐normativist arguments against the normativity thesis and, in the process, clarify its sense by distinguishing a universalist and a contextualist reading of it. I argue that the anti‐normativist position is successful only against the universalist reading but point out that normativists do not require this reading of the thesis; the contextualist one is both possible and desirable for them. Furthermore, I argue that anti‐normativists require the contextualist reading of the normativity thesis to make their case, as well as to avoid meaning relativism. In the final two sections of the paper, I explain how a contextualist understanding of the normativity thesis is compatible with Quine's elimination of analyticity, thus undermining a key underlying reason for anti‐normativism, and I respond to the objection that a contextualist reading of the normativity thesis is either self‐contradictory or else trivial.
A Sort of Prologue: Philosophical Investigations §§1–7
Authors: Lugg Andrew
Published: February 2012

§§1–7 of the Investigations should be taken at face value and not read against the grain. Wittgenstein is best understood as saying what he means and meaning what he says, and it is a mistake to suppose the examples of the shopkeeper and builders in §§1–2 cannot be read straightforwardly. The seven sections function as a prologue alerting the reader to the type of problem he intends to tackle and the type of approach he intends to pursue.
Generalized Linear Latent Variable Models with Flexible Distribution of Latent Variables
Authors: IRINCHEEVA IRINA , CANTONI EVA , GENTON MARC G.
Published: February 2012

Abstract.  We consider a semi‐nonparametric specification for the density of latent variables in Generalized Linear Latent Variable Models (GLLVM). This specification is flexible enough to allow for an asymmetric, multi‐modal, heavy or light tailed smooth density. The degree of flexibility required by many applications of GLLVM can be achieved through this semi‐nonparametric specification with a finite number of parameters estimated by maximum likelihood. Even with this additional flexibility, we obtain an explicit expression of the likelihood for conditionally normal manifest variables. We show by simulations that the estimated density of latent variables capture the true one with good degree of accuracy and is easy to visualize. By analysing two real data sets we show that a flexible distribution of latent variables is a useful tool for exploring the adequacy of the GLLVM in practice.
SCIENCE AND TRANSCENDENCE: WESTPHAL, DERRIDA, AND RESPONSIBILITY
Authors: Kowalsky Nathan
Published: February 2012

Abstract.  On the naive reading, “radical social constructivism” would be the result of “deconstructing” science. Science would simply be a contingent construction in accordance with social determinants. However, postmodernism does not necessarily abandon fidelity to the objects of thought. Merold Westphal's Derridean philosophy of religion emphasizes that even theology need not eliminate the transcendence of the divine other. By drawing an analogy between natural and supernatural transcendence, I argue that science is similarly called to responsibility in the encounter with that which lies outside its horizon of expectation. Science's rational autonomy is overcome by the heteronomy of realities that precede it. Understanding species as homeostatic property clusters is an example of nonessentialist, postmodern, and scientific realism. Science is still a vehicle for encountering natural alterity, thus decentering the relativism thought to characterize postmodernism. However, natural science must not attempt to place the whole of being at human disposal if it is to fulfill the potential of Westphal's philosophy of religion.
IS THE CONSUMPTION–INCOME RATIO STATIONARY? EVIDENCE FROM LINEAR AND NON‐LINEAR PANEL UNIT ROOT TESTS FOR OECD AND NON‐OECD COUNTRIES*
Authors: CERRATO MARIO , DE PERETTI CHRISTIAN , STEWART CHRIS
Published: February 2012

This paper applies recently developed heterogeneous non‐linear and linear panel unit root tests that account for cross‐sectional dependence to 24 OECD and 33 non‐OECD countries' consumption–income ratios over the period 1951–2003. We apply a recently developed methodology that facilitates the use of panel tests to identify which individual cross‐sectional units are stationary and which are non‐stationary. We find that the majority (78 per cent) of the series are non‐stationary with slightly fewer non‐OECD countries' (74 per cent) series exhibiting a unit root than OECD countries (83 per cent).
DECLINE IN US OUTPUT GROWTH VOLATILITY: A WAVELET ANALYSIS*
Authors: LO CASCIO IOLANDA
Published: February 2012

The aim of the paper is to determine (endogenously) whether the volatility of the US output growth rate has changed since the late 1940s. By applying the discrete wavelet transform to the annualized quarter‐to‐quarter output growth series, we test the homogeneity of the variance on a scale‐by‐scale basis. A version of the Normalized and Centered Cumulative Sum of Squares test, adapted to wavelets, leads us to reject the null of constant variance in the two levels of decomposition of the highest resolution and to locate a single break in 1982. The economic implications are explored.
Compelling Fictions: Spinoza and George Eliot on Imagination and Belief
Authors: Gatens Moira
Published: February 2012

Spinoza took it to be an important psychological fact that belief cannot be compelled. At the same time, he was well aware of the compelling power that religious and political fictions can have on the formation of our beliefs. I argue that Spinoza allows that there are ‘good’ and ‘bad’ fictions. His complex account of the imagination and fiction, and their disabling or enabling roles in gaining knowledge of Nature, is a site of disagreement among commentators. The novels of George Eliot (who translated Spinoza's works) represent a significant development for those who aim to resolve such disagreement in favour of the epistemic value of the imagination and fiction. Although Eliot agreed with Spinoza that belief cannot be compelled, she nevertheless affirmed the potential of certain kinds of fiction to be not only compelling but also edifying. The parallel reading of Eliot and Spinoza offered here raises the question of whether his philosophy can accommodate a theory of art in which the artist is seen to be capable of attaining and imparting dependable knowledge.
Identity, Individuation and Substance
Authors: Wiggins David
Published: February 2012

The paper takes off from the problem of finding a proper content for the relation of identity as it holds or fails to hold among ordinary things or substances. The necessary conditions of identity are familiar, the sufficient conditions less so. The search is for conditions at once better usable than the Leibnizian Identity of Indiscernibles (independently suspect) and strong enough to underwrite all the formal properties of the relation.

It is contended that the key to this problem rests at the level of metaphysics and epistemology alike with a sortalist position. Sortalism is the position which insists that, if the question is whether a and b are the same, it has to be asked what are they? Any sufficiently specific answer to that question will bring with it a principle of activity or functioning and a mode of behaviour characteristic of some particular kind of thing by reference to which questions of persistence or non‐persistence through change can be adjudicated.

These contentions are illustrated by reference to familiar examples such as the human zygote, the Ship of Theseus and Shoemaker's Brown‐Brownson. The first example is hostage for a mass of unproblematical cases. The problems presented by the second and third sort of examples arise chiefly (it is claimed) from an incompleteness in our conceptions of the relevant sort—the what the thing in question is. That incompleteness need not prevent us from knowing perfectly well which thing we are referring to. In the concluding section, sortalism is defended against various accusations of anthropocentrism.

The paper touches on the interpretation of Heraclitus, Leibniz's theory of clear indistinct ideas, the difficulties of David Lewis's ‘perdurantist’ or stroboscopic view of persistence, four‐dimensionalism, and the relation of personal identity both to experiential memory and to the particular bodily physiognomy of a subject. At some points—as in connection with the so‐called Only a and b rule—the paper corrects, supplements or extends certain theses or formulations proposed in the author's Sameness and Substance Renewed (2001).
The clinical spectrum of the m.10191T>C mutation in complex I‐deficient Leigh syndrome
Authors: NESBITT VICTORIA , MORRISON PATRICK J , CRUSHELL ELLEN , DONNELLY DEIRDRE E , ALSTON CHARLOTTE L , HE LANGPING , MCFARLAND ROBERT , TAYLOR ROBERT W
Published: February 2012

Mitochondrial respiratory chain diseases represent one of the most common inherited neurometabolic disorders of childhood, affecting a minimum of 1 in 7500 live births. The marked clinical, biochemical, and genetic heterogeneity means that accurate genetic counselling relies heavily upon the identification of the underlying causative mutation in the individual and determination of carrier status in the parents. Isolated complex I deficiency is the most common respiratory chain defect observed in children, resulting in organ‐specific or multisystem disease, but most often presenting as Leigh syndrome, for which mitochondrial DNA mutations are important causes. Several recurrent, pathogenic point mutations in the MTND3 gene – including m.10191T>C (p.Ser45Pro) – have been previously identified. In this short clinical review we evaluate the case reports of the m.10191T>C mutation causing complex I‐deficient Leigh syndrome described in the literature, in addition to two new ones diagnosed in our laboratory. Both of these appear to have arisen de novo without transmission of the mutation from mother to offspring, illustrating the importance not only of fully characterizing the mitochondrial genome as part of the investigation of children with complex I‐deficient Leigh syndrome but also of assessing maternal samples to provide crucial genetic advice for families.
Informed consent: are researchers accurately representing risks and benefits?
Authors: Ahern Kathy
Published: February 2012

Changes in the scope of health research in the last 50 years require evidence to support assumptions about what constitutes harm and benefit to research participants. The aim of this study was to investigate the actual benefits and harm individuals experienced while participating in potentially distressing qualitative research. Data were collected via semi‐structured interviews and subjected to thematic analysis. Five themes emerged: (i) motivation to participate, (ii) expectations of participation, (iii) sources of harm, (iv) mitigating harm and (v) benefits of participation. Results indicated that all participants benefited through participation in the qualitative research. Most participants also reported varying degrees of distress during the interviews, but did not consider this harmful. In contrast, dissemination of the findings did constitute an unexpected source of potential harm for the participants and researcher. It is concluded that for these participants, distress during qualitative interviewing is not in itself harmful, and that participant information sheets need to reflect the harms and benefits of participation more accurately in a user‐friendly format. Furthermore, the sensitivity with which research is disseminated needs to be considered as a fundamental protection for participants from unwarranted criticism by third parties. Recommendations include that researchers conducting interviews have specific personal and professional attributes relevant to the participant group, and that transcripts/raw data should not be sent automatically to participants.
Effects of Repetitive Activation and Changes in External Ionic Environment on Hippocampal CA1 Pyramidal Cell Afterhyperpolarizations
Authors: Tancredi Virginia , Dichter Marc A.
Published: February 2012

Summary Afterhyperpolarizations (AHPs) in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons known to be generated predominantly by a Ca‐dependent K conductance were examined to see if they could be inverted by changes in extracellular potassium of the magnitude observed during interictal or ictal discharges and for their lability during repetitive activation under normal ionic conditions or in the presence of elevated extracellular potassium and decreased extracellular calcium. Under all circumstances tested, the AHP remained hyperpolarizing and was associated with a conductance increase. Thus, the very labile hyperpolarizing event that follows a depolarizing shift in hippocampal pyramidal neurons in various epileptic foci (which disappears early during the transition between interictal and ictal activity) probably is not due to the same mechanism as that which underlies the AHP.

Les post‐hyperpolarisations des neurones pyramidaux hippocampiques CA1 sont générées de façon prédominante par une conductance au K Ca‐dépendante; l'auteur a recherché s'il était possible de les inverser en modifiant le potassium extra‐cellulaire dans un ordre de grandeur correspondant à celui qui est constaté pendant les décharges intercritiques ou critiques; l'auteur a également étudié leur labilité au cours d'activations répétitives dans un environnement ionique normal, ou en présence d'une élévation du potassium extra‐cellulaire et d'une diminution du calcium extra‐cellulaire. Dans toutes les conditions expérimentales, les posthyperpolarisations sont restées hyperpolarisantes et ont toujours été accompagnées d'une augmentation de conductance. Il apparaît ainsi peu probable que l'hyperpolarisation très labile qui suit la dépolarisation des neurones pyramidaux hippocampiques au niveau de divers foyers épileptiques (cette hyperpolarisation labile disparaît rapidement pendant la transition entre activité inter‐critique et critique) soit due au même mécanisme que les post‐hyperpolarisations.

Para ver si las post‐hiperpolarizaciones en las neuronas piramidales del sector CA1 del hipocampo que parecen ser generadas predominantemente por la conductancia del potasio, Ca dependiente, se observó si podrían ser invertidas mediante cambios extracelulares del potasio de una magnitud como la que se observa durante las descargas interictales o ictales. También se examinó su labilidad durante la activación repetitiva bajo condiciones iónicas normales o en presencia de potasio extracelular elevado y calcio extracelular reducido. Bajo todas las circunstancias examinadas la AHP permaneció hiperpolarizante y se asoció a un incremento de la conductancia. Asi pues, es improbable que el muy labil acontecimiento hiperpolarizante que sigue al cambio polarizante en las neuronas piramidales del hipocampo en varios focos epilépticos (que desaparece precozmente durante la transición entre la actividad interjctal y la ictal), sea debido a los mismos mecanismos en los que subyace el AHP.
Beyond School Spirit: The Effects of Youth‐Led Participatory Action Research in Two Urban High Schools
Authors: Ozer Emily J. , Wright Dana
Published: February 2012

Prior research highlights the mismatch between adolescents' growing capacities for autonomy and the limited opportunities for influence in U.S. secondary schools. Youth‐led participatory research (YPAR), an approach in which young people research and advocate for change on problems of concern to them, could increase students' autonomy in secondary schools. This qualitative study of YPAR examined whether and how the intervention meaningfully affected the interactions and roles of students and adults in two distinctive urban high school settings, identifying concepts for further empirical investigation. Results suggested that YPAR enabled processes of student professionalization that led to novel student‐adult “collegial” interactions, expansion of domains of student influence, and diversification of students with opportunities to influence policies and practices across these two schools.
Methodological issues in oral health research: intervention studies
Authors: O’Mullane Denis , James Patrice , Whelton Helen , Parnell Carmel
Published: February 2012

O’Mullane D, James P, Whelton H, Parnell C. Methodological issues in oral health research: intervention studies. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2012; 40 (Suppl. 1): 15–20. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S

Abstract – 
Objectives:  To provide a broad overview of methodological issues in the design and evaluation of intervention studies in dental public health, with particular emphasis on explanatory trials, pragmatic trials and complex interventions.

Methods:  We present a narrative summary of selected publications from the literature outlining both historical and recent challenges in the design and evaluation of intervention studies and describe some recent tools that may help researchers to address these challenges.

Results:  It is now recognised that few intervention studies in dental public health are purely explanatory or pragmatic. We describe the PRECIS tool which can be used by trialists to assess and display the position of their trial on a continuum between the extremes of explanatory and pragmatic trials. The tool aims to help trialists make design decisions that are in line with their stated aims. The increasingly complex nature of dental public health interventions presents particular design and evaluation challenges. The revised Medical Research Council (MRC) guidance for the development and evaluation of complex interventions which emphasises the importance of planning and process evaluation is a welcome development. We briefly describe the MRC guidance and outline some examples of complex interventions in the field of oral health. The role of observational studies in monitoring public health interventions when the conduct of RCTs is not appropriate or feasible is acknowledged. We describe the STROBE statement and outline the implications of the STROBE guidelines for dental public health.

Conclusion:  The methodological challenges in the design, conduct and reporting of intervention studies in oral health are considerable. The need to provide reliable evidence to support innovative new strategies in oral health policy is a major impetus in these fields. No doubt the ‘Methodological Issues in Oral Health Research’ group will have further opportunities to highlight this work.
Chronic pain and weather conditions in patients suffering from temporomandibular disorders: a pilot study
Authors: Edefonti Valeria , Bravi Francesca , Cioffi Iacopo , Capuozzo Riccardo , Ammendola Lucia , Abate Giancarlo , Decarli Adriano , Ferraroni Monica , Farella Mauro , Michelotti Ambra
Published: February 2012

Edefonti V, Bravi F, Cioffi I, Capuozzo R, Ammendola L, Abate G, Decarli A, Ferraroni M, Farella M, Michelotti A. Chronic pain and weather conditions in patients suffering from Temporomandibular disorders: a pilot study. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2012; 40 (Suppl. 1): 56–64. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S

Abstract – Objectives: Patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) often report increased pain in response to changes in weather conditions. Nevertheless, scientific evidence supporting this relationship is scarce. The aim of this study was to assess a potential relationship between pain intensity and meteorological factors, through a newly developed, portable device, in patients affected by chronic masticatory muscle pain.

Methods: Seven female subjects were diagnosed with myofascial pain of the masticatory muscles, according to RDC/TMD criteria, were recruited, and participated in the study. Each patient was provided with a portable data logger that recorded and stored weather variables (atmospheric pressure, air humidity, temperature) every 15 min. Patients were asked to record the level of perceived pain on an electronic visual analogue scale (VAS) every hour. The relationship between meteorological variables and pain scores was investigated using separate generalized least squares regression models with a correlation structure estimated via autoregressive integrated moving average models.

Results: Individual VAS trajectories in the study period were different. The effect of meteorological factors on VAS scores was statistically significant in five subjects, with at least one main effect and/or one two‐way interaction between meteorological variables being significant.

Conclusions: The analyses suggest the existence of different interindividual responses to climatic changes. However, the identified putative role of meteorological variables and of their two‐way interactions suggests that further investigations on larger samples may be useful to assess the research question under examination.
Plant performance in central and northern peripheral populations of the widespreadPlantago coronopus
Authors: Villellas Jesús , Ehrlén Johan , Olesen Jens M. , Braza Rita , García María B.
Published: February 2012

Peripheral populations have long been predicted to show lower vital rates, higher demographic fluctuations, and lower densities than central populations. However, recent research has questioned the existence of clear patterns across species’ ranges. To test these hypotheses, we monitored five central and six northern peripheral populations of the widespread herbPlantago coronopusalong the European Atlantic coast during 5 yr. We estimated population density, and calculated mean values and temporal variability of four vital rates (survival, individual growth, fecundity and recruitment) in hundreds of plants in permanent plots. Central populations showed higher fecundity, whereas peripheral populations had higher recruitment per reproductive plant, indicating a higher overall reproductive success in the periphery. Central populations showed a marginally significant tendency for higher growth, and there were no differences between range positions in survival. Fecundity and growth were affected by intraspecific competition, and recruitment was affected by precipitation, highlighting the importance of local environmental conditions for population performance. Central and peripheral populations showed no significant differences in temporal variability of vital rates. Finally, density was significantly higher in peripheral than in central populations, in discrepancy with the abundant‐centre model. Density was correlated to seedling recruitment, which would counterbalance in peripheral populations the lower fecundity and the tendency for lower growth of established plants. Such compensations among vital rates might be particularly common in widespread plants, and advise against simplistic assumptions of population performance across ranges. The whole species’ life cycle should be considered, since different arrangements of vital rates are expected to maximize fitness in local environments. Our results show also the importance of discerning between geographical periphery and ecological marginality. In a context of climate‐induced range shifts, these considerations are crucial for the reliability of niche‐models and the management of plant peripheral populations.
The Balance of the Immune System between T Cells and NK Cells in Miscarriage
Authors: Nakashima Akitoshi , Shima Tomoko , Inada Kumiko , Ito Mika , Saito Shigeru
Published: February 2012

Immunological dysfunction has been proposed to explain the etiology of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). The immunological environment differs between the decidua basalis and decidua parietalis, and also between RPL cases with normal fetal chromosomes and those with abnormal fetal chromosomes. The problem with analyzing decidual tissues from spontaneous abortions is that cause versus effect phenomena are difficult to distinguish. Recent data show that the immune system in a late‐stage miscarriage is completely different from that in an early‐stage miscarriage. If immunocompetent cells can cause RPL, the immunological environment may be a causative factor, especially in an early‐stage miscarriage, at the decidua basalis, and/or in cases of RPL with a normal embryo. Careful examination of the immune system at the decidua basalis in an early‐stage miscarriage in RPL cases with normal fetal chromosomes may reveal useful information. This paper aimed at finding a cause of RPL by analyzing the balance of the immune system between T cells and NK cells in an early‐stage miscarriage.
Are competitive effects of native species on an invader mediated by water availability?
Authors: Mason Tanya J. , French Kristine , Russell Ken
Published: February 2012

Question

Climate change processes could influence the dynamics of biotic interactions such as plant competition, especially in response to disturbance phenomena such as invasional processes. Are competitive effects of native species on an invader mediated by water availability?

Location

Glasshouse facility, New South Wales, Australia.

Methods

We constructed competitive hierarchies for a representative suite of species from coastal dune communities that have been invaded by the Asteraceae shrub, bitou (Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. rotundata). We used a comparative phytometer approach, where the invader species was grown with or without a suite of native species in glasshouse trials. This was used to construct competition hierarchies under two water stress conditions: non‐droughted and droughted. The treatments were designed to simulate current and potential future water availability respectively.

Results

We found that the invader experienced fewer competitive effects from some native species under water stress, particularly with regard to below‐ground biomass effects. Native species were often poor competitors with the invader, despite their adaptation to periodic water stress in native coastal environments. Of the native species with significant competitive effects on the invader, functionally similar shrub species were the most effective competitors, as expressed in below‐ground biomass. The relative position of species in the hierarchy was consistent across water treatments based on below‐ground bitou biomass, but was contingent on water treatment when based on above‐ground bitou biomass.

Conclusions

The competitive effects of native species on an invader are affected by water stress. While the direction of response to water stress is species‐specific, many species have small competitive effects on the invader under droughted conditions. This could allow an increase in invader dominance with climate change.
Compliance with dietary guidelines in grocery purchasing among older adults by chewing ability and socio‐economic status
Authors: Brennan David S. , Singh Kiran A.
Published: February 2012

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2012.00631.x   Compliance with dietary guidelines in grocery purchasing among older adults by chewing ability and socio‐economic status

Background:  Dietary guidelines promote good nutrition through healthy eating. Chewing deficiencies may hinder food intake while lower socio‐economic status (SES) may restrict food purchasing. The aim was to examine compliance of grocery purchasing behaviour with dietary guidelines by chewing ability and SES.

Methods:  Adults aged 60–71 years in Adelaide, South Australia were surveyed in 2008. Dietary guideline compliance was measured using 16 grocery purchasing items. Chewing ability was based on a 5‐item Chewing Index. SES was assessed using a subjective social status rating representing where people stand in society.

Results:  Responses were collected from n = 444 persons (response rate = 68.8%). Among dentate persons, 10.3% were chewing deficient and 21.3% were in the lower SES group. Prevalence ratios (PR: 95%CI) controlling for SES showed chewing deficiency was related to (p < 0.05) non‐compliance with dietary guidelines in relation to bread (1.7: 1.1–2.5), juice (2.7: 1.6–4.5), tinned fruit (2.9: 1.5–5.6), yoghurt (2.1: 1.2–3.7) and tinned fish (1.5: 1.2–1.9).

Conclusions:  Chewing deficiency was associated with lower compliance with dietary guidelines in relation to fibre, sugar, fat and salt. Chewing deficiency may have a direct effect on diet as well as reflect a clustering of risk in relation to a range of health behaviours.
THE BEST AND THE REST: REVISITING THE NORM OF NORMALITY OF INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE
Authors: O’BOYLE JR. ERNEST , AGUINIS HERMAN
Published: February 2012

We revisit a long‐held assumption in human resource management, organizational behavior, and industrial and organizational psychology that individual performance follows a Gaussian (normal) distribution. We conducted 5 studies involving 198 samples including 633,263 researchers, entertainers, politicians, and amateur and professional athletes. Results are remarkably consistent across industries, types of jobs, types of performance measures, and time frames and indicate that individual performance is not normally distributed—instead, it follows a Paretian (power law) distribution. Assuming normality of individual performance can lead to misspecified theories and misleading practices. Thus, our results have implications for all theories and applications that directly or indirectly address the performance of individual workers including performance measurement and management, utility analysis in preemployment testing and training and development, personnel selection, leadership, and the prediction of performance, among others.
IS THERE METHOD TO THE MADNESS? EXAMINING HOW RACIOETHNIC MATCHING INFLUENCES RETAIL STORE PRODUCTIVITY
Authors: AVERY DEREK R. , MCKAY PATRICK F. , TONIDANDEL SCOTT , VOLPONE SABRINA D. , MORRIS MARK A.
Published: February 2012

This article considers the efficacy of matching the racioethnicity of employees and the customer base as a human resource strategy within service organizations. Despite being advocated widely, the literature on its effectiveness is scant and riddled with conflicting findings. We revisit the theoretical rationale underlying this strategy, formulate new theory, and introduce the demographic representativeness construct (i.e., the congruence between employee and customer base profiles) to the organizational literature to test our hypotheses. Using multisource data pertaining to 739 stores of a U.S. retailer, the results indicate a positive effect of racioethnic representativeness on productivity, which is accounted for by improved customer satisfaction. Moreover, additional analyses showed this indirect relationship to be more pronounced in stores with larger minority customer bases.
Elemental Concentrations in Scalp Hair, Nutritional Status and Health‐Related Quality of Life in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Ochi Akinobu , Ishimura Eiji , Tsujimoto Yoshihiro , Kakiya Ryusuke , Tabata Tsutomu , Mori Katsuhito , Tahara Hideki , Shoji Tetsuo , Yasuda Hiroshi , Nishizawa Yoshiki , Inaba Masaaki
Published: February 2012

Elemental concentrations in hair from hemodialysis (HD) patients have not been well investigated. We examined the relationships between the elemental concentrations in scalp hair and health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) and nutritional status in HD patients. Twenty six elemental concentrations were measured in scalp hair samples from 60 male HD patients using inductively‐coupled plasma mass spectrometry. To evaluate HRQOL, the Short Form 36 item health survey (SF36) was used. As indices of nutritional status, body mass index, serum parameters, and geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) were used. Phosphorus correlated positively with serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), GNRI and the physical domains of the SF36. Zinc correlated positively with serum creatinine, BUN and the physical domains of the SF36. Mercury and arsenic correlated positively with BUN. Cadmium correlated negatively with serum albumin, BUN and GNRI. Copper correlated positively with the physical domains of the SF36. Iodine correlated negatively with the physical domains of the SF36. Selenium correlated negatively with the mental domains of the SF36. In conclusion, phosphorus and zinc concentrations in scalp hair can be additional biomarkers of HRQOL and/or nutritional status in HD patients. Cadmium accumulation correlated with malnutrition. Iodine and selenium accumulation may adversely affect HRQOL. Further investigation is necessary to determine precisely how these elements affect these measures.
Effects of Trunk Restraint in Addition to Home-Based Modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy after Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Lima Renata Cristina , Teixeira-Salmela Luci , Michaelsen Stella Maris
Published: February 2012

Rationale

Upper limb deficits contribute to disabilities after stroke, and constraint-induced movement therapy has been recommended to improve functional activity. People with stroke excessively move their trunk when reaching and grasping objects. Therefore, trunk restraints in addition to constraint-induced movement therapy may provide advantages over constraint-induced movement therapy alone by promoting both increases in upper limb use and movement recovery. Although a pilot study has previously evaluated this combination, the assessors were not blinded, thus compromising the validity of the results.

Aim

This study will test the hypothesis that home-based constraint-induced movement therapy plus trunk restraints are superior to constraint-induced movement therapy alone in improving strength, function, and participation with chronic stroke patients.

Design

For this prospective, blinded, randomized clinical trial, people after stroke will be randomly allocated into either experimental or control groups. The experimental group will undertake three-hours/day of modified constraint-induced movement therapy plus trunk restraints to prevent trunk displacements, five-days/week over two-weeks, while the control group only will undertake the same doses of modified constraint-induced movement therapy. At baseline, after two-weeks of interventions, and four and 12 weeks after the cessation of the interventions, researchers blinded to group allocations will collect outcome measures. The interventions will be delivered in the individuals' homes by trained physical therapists. The constraint-induced movement therapy will include shaping, task practice, and the transfer packages.

Study outcomes

Primary outcomes will be the upper limb function (referred amounts and quality of movement). Secondary outcomes will be measured for levels of impairments (strength and dexterity), activity (reaching kinematics and observed upper limb function), and levels of participation (quality of life).
Climate change‐induced impacts on urban flood risk influenced by concurrent hazards
Authors: Pedersen A.N. , Mikkelsen P.S. , Arnbjerg‐Nielsen K.
Published: February 2012

In coastal regions, several hazards may lead to floods, and if they occur concurrently, the damage will be higher than for the hazards individually. The paper outlines an approach for carrying out a risk analysis with several hazards and applies it on a case study in Greater Copenhagen where two hazards, rainfall and sea surge, are both important. The core in the methodology is the application of copula functions as an extension of one‐dimensional risk analysis and projections of future climatic changes. The results for Greater Copenhagen indicate that the dependence between the hazards is weak and that climate change most likely will not increase the correlation. The overall change in flood return periods over a forecast horizon of 110 years are estimated to decrease by one to three orders of magnitude.
Net atmospheric impacts of forest bioenergy production and utilization in Finnish boreal conditions
Authors: Kilpeläinen Antti , Kellomäki Seppo , Strandman Harri
Published: February 2012

The net CO2 exchange of forests was investigated to study net atmospheric impact of forest bioenergy production (BP) and utilization in Finnish boreal conditions. Net CO2 exchange was simulated with a life cycle assessment tool over a 90‐year period and over the whole Finland based on National Forest Inventory data. The difference in the net exchanges between the traditional timber production (TP) and BP regime was considered the net atmospheric impact of forest bioenergy utilization. According to the results, forests became net sources of CO2 after about 20 years of simulation, and the net exchange was higher in the BP regime than in the TP regime until the middle of the simulation period. From 2040 onwards, the net exchange started to decrease in both regimes and became higher in the TP regime, excluding the last decade of the simulation. The shift of forests to becoming a CO2 source reflected the decrease in CO2 sequestration due to the increasing share of recently harvested and seedling stands that are acting as sources of CO2, and an increase of emissions from degradation of wood products. When expressed in terms of radiative forcing, the net atmospheric impact was on average 19% less for bioenergy compared with that for coal energy over the whole simulation period. The results show the importance of time dependence when considering dynamic forest ecosystems in BP and climate change mitigation. Furthermore, the results emphasize the dualistic role and possibilities of forest management in controlling the build and release of carbon into and from the stocks and in controlling the rate of the build speed, i.e. growth. This information is needed in identifying the capability and possibilities of ecosystems to produce biomass for energy, alongside other products and ecosystem services (e.g. pulp wood and timber), and simultaneously to mitigate climate change.
Paternal isodisomy of chromosome 2 in a child with bile salt export pump deficiency
Authors: Giovannoni Isabella , Terracciano Alessandra , Gennari Fabrizio , David Ezio , Francalanci Paola , Santorelli Filippo M.
Published: February 2012

We describe a child with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) of type 2 inherited as uniparental isodisomy of chromosome 2. Bile salt export pump (BSEP) deficiency is a severe, genetically determined subtype PFIC caused by mutations in ABCB11, the gene encoding a bile salt transporter protein. Clinical and pathological diagnosis in PFIC2 is corroborated by an ample array of ABCB11 mutations, inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion. We report clinical, pathological, and molecular studies in a child with PFIC2. A 5.5‐year‐old boy harbored a described pathogenic mutation (p.R832C) in ABCB11. The mutation was found to be homozygous in the patient and heterozygous in DNA from paternal, but not maternal blood. Having ruled out maternal gene deletion and somatic mosaicism, we showed that the child had inherited an isodisomic paternal chromosome 2, including the 2q31.1 region where ABCB11 is located. The present report is the first description of uniparental isodisomy in a hepatic heritable disorder. Recognizing isodisomic transmission may have a significant impact on genetic counseling helping to define the risk of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies.
Establishment of a cell-based drug screening model for identifying agonists of human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ)
Authors: Ma Jing-Jing , Zhang Tao , Fang Ning , Zou Yan , Gong Qi-Hai , Yu Li-Mei , Chen Dai-Xiong
Published: February 2012

Objectives

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) plays a critical role in regulation of diverse biological processes, including lipid metabolism and adipogenesis, cell division and apoptosis, and is involved in variety of disease conditions, such as obesity, atherosclerosis, inflammation and tumour. Developing a cell-based reporter gene model targeting PPARγ would be useful to screen human PPARγ agonists that could be beneficial to patients with these diseases.

Methods

We stably co-transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK) cell line 293T cells with phPPARγ-IRES2-EGFP vector to express human PPARγ (hPPARγ), a reporter vector pPPRE×3-TK-LUC, and control vector pRL-CMV. The efficiency of the co-transfection was evaluated with flow cytometry of hPPARγ expressing cells. Specificity of hPPARγ activity was determined by dual luciferase reporter assay of co-transfected cells exposed to PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone, PPARα agonist WY14643 and retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα) agonist all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA).

Key findings

The phPPARγ-IRES2-EGFP co-transfected HEK293T cells showed concentration- and time-dependent luciferase induction upon exposure to the rosiglitazone, while WY14643 and ATRA were unable to activate the co-transfected HEK293T cells.

Conclusions

These data indicated that the HEK293T cells could be stably transfected with hPPARγ. This cell-based drug screening platform could be used targeting specific nuclear receptor of hPPARγ with effectiveness and specificity for hPPARγ agonists discovery.
Monitoring Wind Turbine Vibration Based on SCADA Data
Authors: Zhang Zijun , Kusiak Andrew
Published: February 2012

Three models for detecting abnormalities of wind turbine vibrations reflected in time domain are discussed. The models were derived from the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) data collected at various wind turbines. The vibration of a wind turbine is characterized by two parameters, i.e., drivetrain and tower acceleration. An unsupervised data-mining algorithm, the k-means clustering algorithm, was applied to develop the first monitoring model. The other two monitoring models for detecting abnormal values of drivetrain and tower acceleration were developed by using the concept of a control chart. SCADA vibration data sampled at 10 s intervals reflects normal and faulty status of wind turbines. The performance of the three monitoring models for detecting abnormalities of wind turbines reflected in vibration data of time domain was validated with the SCADA industrial data.
A DOCUMENT RECTIFICATION APPROACH DEALING WITH BOTH PERSPECTIVE DISTORTION AND WARPING BASED ON TEXT FLOW CURVE FITTING
Authors: FU BIN , LI WENXIN , WU MINGHUI , LI RONGFENG , XU ZHUOQUN
Published: February 2012

In this paper, we propose a coordinate transform model and document rectification process for book dewarping. This model can handle both perspective distortion and book surface warping problems. The main idea is to find the boundary of a region, which is a rectangle on a flat surface before warping and using the correspondence between the warped boundary and the original rectangle sides to map each pixel in the warped region into the rectangle. On a book page, two text lines and the left and right boundaries of a text region form a rectangle before warping. Therefore, we detect two text flow curves and text region boundaries on the left and right sides on a warped image and use the two curves and two line segments to do the transformation. The experimental results illustrate the effectiveness of our proposed book dewarping approach.
FACE RECOGNITION USING HYBRID APPROACH
Authors: RANI J. SHEEBA
Published: February 2012

In this paper, a hybrid feature extraction technique using 2D principal component analysis (2DPCA) and discrete orthogonal Krawtchouk moment (KM) are used to extract the global and local features from the face. Ensemble of RBF classifiers are used to classify the image. Decision-level fusion is done using fuzzy integral to generate more accurate classification than each of the constituent classifiers. The proposed system is evaluated using ORL and YALE databases. Experimental results show that the combination of global and local features promotes the system performance. The fusion of multiple RBFs using fuzzy integral performed better as compared to conventional aggregation rules.
The role of mineralogy and geochemistry in forming anomalies on interfaces and in areas of deep basin cover: implications for exploration
Authors: Anand Ravi R. , Robertson Ian D. M.
Published: February 2012

This paper examines how geochemical dispersion may be used in areas of deep transported cover to locate buried mineralization. Two regions with contrasting weathering history and transported cover were investigated. These are the Mt Isa region of northern Queensland and the Yilgarn Craton of Western Australia. At both locations, transported cover is from 20–70 m thick. A range of techniques and instruments, including bulk geochemistry, SEM, electron microprobe and selective extraction analyses were used to understand the vertical distribution and nature of ore-related elements.

At the Eloise Cu-Au Deposit in the Mt Isa region, Mesozoic cover lies over prospective Proterozoic basement which is largely unweathered. At Eloise, the degree of weathering, below the unconformity and transported cover, is minimal so weathering-related dispersion in basement and cover is also minimal. There is no dispersion of indicator elements into the upper parts of the unweathered Mesozoic sediments. Mechanical dispersion dominates as is indicated by the SEM and petrographic study and is restricted to basal sediments (last few metres). Unweathered sulphides occur in the basement and in the fragments of clastic basement material and fossil organic matter in the silty matrix of the Mesozoic sediments. The palaeotopography governs the direction of dispersion and needs to be thoroughly understood before meaningful interpretation.

The Lancefield South Au Deposit has a cover of highly weathered Permian to Quaternary sediments on Archaean basement of the Yilgarn Craton. Stacked weathering profiles in each sedimentary unit allowed transfer of Au, As, Cu and Zn across the weathering profiles (paleosols) by hydrogeochemical and vegetation interactions as they evolved. High paleo-watertables within the Permian sediments have allowed upward migration of metals reaching close to the surface of the Permian sediments. Bioturbation and transpiration pumped the anomalous metals into the overlying Tertiary and Quaternary sediments from the Permian. Although regolith anomalies are weakened, especially in the Tertiary and Quaternary cover by post-depositional weathering processes over a long time, they still clearly remain. Thus, a highly weathered sedimentary cover is likely to trap indicator elements more effectively than an unweathered sedimentary cover, such as at Eloise. In addition to basal sediments or interfaces, ferruginous horizons in weathered sediments high in the sequence can also be anomalous in ore-related metals.