bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Calcitic nanofibres in soils and caves: a putative fungal contribution to carbonatogenesis
Authors: Bindschedler Saskia , Millière L. , Cailleau G. , Job D. , Verrecchia E. P.
Published: June 2010

The origin of soil mineralized nanofibres remains controversial. It is attributed to either biogenic factors or physicochemical processes. Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope observations show that nanofibres could originate from the breakdown of fungal hyphae, especially its cell wall. It is hypothesized that during the decay of organic matter, cell wall microfibrils are released in the soil where they are exposed to mineralizing pore fluids, leading to their calcitic pseudomorphosis and/or are used as a template for calcite precipitation. When associated with needle fibre calcite bundles, nanofibres could indicate the relict of an organic sheath in which calcite has precipitated. This paper emphasizes the important roles of both organic matter and fungi in carbonatogenesis, and consequently in the soil carbon cycle.
Travertine terracing: patterns and mechanisms
Authors: Hammer Øyvind , Dysthe Dag K. , Jamtveit Bjørn
Published: June 2010

Travertine terracing is one of the most eye-catching phenomena in limestone caves and around hydrothermal springs, but remains fairly poorly understood. The interactions between water chemistry, precipitation kinetics, topography, hydrodynamics, carbon dioxide degassing, biology, erosion and sedimentation constitute a complex, dynamic pattern formation process. The processes can be described and modeled at a range of abstraction levels. At the detailed level concerning the physical and chemical mechanisms responsible for precipitation localization at rims, a single explanation is probably insufficient. Instead, a multitude of effects are likely to contribute, of varying importance depending on scale, flux and other parameters.
Factors controlling growth of modern tufa: results of a field experiment
Authors: Gradziński Michał
Published: June 2010

A field experiment was performed at four sites in Slovakia and Poland in order to identify factors that influence the growth rate and textures of modern tufas. Two pairs of tablets were placed at each study point, every pair consisting of a limestone tablet and a copper tablet. One pair at each site was changed every three or four months, while the second pair was left for approximately 14 months. Each tablet was weighed before placing and after removal to find the amount of the tufa growth.

Tufa growth rate was found to depend on SI
calc.
of parent water, though deposition of tufa on limestone tablets was substantially faster than on copper tablets. This result indicates that micro-organisms are essential for more efficient growth of tufa. Tufa growth rate was higher in fast-flowing water than in nearby sluggish flow settings.

Fast-growing tufa has crystalline texture or consists of highly encrusted algal filaments. The latter texture is due to faster growth of micro-organisms, forced by rapid crystallization of calcite on their cells. The slow-growing tufa exhibits mainly micritic textures. Clotted micrite with numerous diatoms forms mostly in winter, while encrusted algal filaments are typical for spring and summer growth.
Effects of cholesterol on CCK-1 receptors and caveolin-3 proteins recycling in human gallbladder muscle
Authors: Cong P. , Pricolo V. , Biancani P. , Behar J.
Published: June 2010

The contraction of gallbladders (GBs) with cholesterol stones is impaired due to high cholesterol concentrations in caveolae compared with GBs with pigment stones. The reduced contraction is caused by a lower cholecystokinin (CCK)-8 binding to CCK-1 receptors (CCK-1R) due to caveolar sequestration of receptors. We aimed to examine the mechanism of cholesterol-induced sequestration of receptors. Muscle cells from human and guinea pig GBs were studied. Antibodies were used to examine CCK-1R, antigens of early and recycling endosomes, and total (CAV-3) and phosphorylated caveolar-3 protein (pCAV-3) by Western blots. Contraction was measured in muscle cells transfected with CAV3 mRNA or clathrin heavy-chain small-interfering RNA (siRNA). CCK-1R returned back to the bulk plasma membrane (PM) 30 min after CCK-8 recycled by endosomes, peaking at 5 min in early endosomes and at 20 min in recycling endosomes. Pretreatment with cholesterol-rich liposomes inhibited the transfer of CCK-1R and of CAV-3 in the endosomes by blocking CAV-3 phosphorylation. 4-Amino-5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-7-( t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4- d]pyrimidine (inhibitor of tyrosine kinase) reproduced these effects by blocking pCAV-3 formation, increasing CAV-3 and CCK-1R sequestration in the caveolae and impairing CCK-8-induced contraction. CAV-3 siRNA reduced CAV-3 protein expression, decreased CCK-8-induced contraction, and accumulated CCK-1R in the caveolae. Abnormal concentrations of caveolar cholesterol had no effect on met-enkephalin that stimulates a δ-opioid receptor that internalizes through clathrin. We found that impaired muscle contraction in GBs with cholesterol stones is due to high caveolar levels of cholesterol that inhibits pCAV-3 generation. Caveolar cholesterol increases the caveolar sequestration of CAV-3 and CCK-1R caused by their reduced recycling to the PM.
Hyperoxic stimulation of synchronous orthodromic activity and induction of neural plasticity does not require changes in excitatory synaptic transmission
Authors: Garcia Alfredo J. , Putnam Robert W. , Dean Jay B.
Published: June 2010

The first study, described in the companion article, reports that acute exposure of rat hippocampal slices to either hyperbaric oxygen (HBO: 2.84 and 4.54 atmospheres absolute, ATA) or normobaric reoxygenation (NBOreox; i.e., normobaric hyperoxia: 0.6 or 0.0 → 0.95 ATA) stimulates synchronous orthodromic activity in CA1 neurons, which includes activation of O2-induced potentiation (OxIP) and, in some cases, hyperexcitability (secondary population spikes, sPS). In this second study we tested the hypothesis that HBO and NBOreox increase orthodromic activity of CA1 neurons (oPS, orthodromic population spike) and OxIP via a combination of both increased excitatory synaptic transmission (field excitatory postsynaptic potential, fEPSP) and intrinsic excitability (antidromic population spike, aPS). HBO and NBOreox increased the oPS but rarely increased or potentiated the fEPSP. HBO exposure produced epileptiform antidromic activity, which was abolished during inhibition of fast GABAergic and glutamatergic synaptic transmission. Decreasing O2 from 0.95 ATA (control) to 0.6 ATA (intermediate O2) or 0.0 ATA (hypoxia) reversibly abolished the fEPSP, and reoxygenation rarely induced potentiation of the fEPSP or aPS. Intracellular recordings and antidromic field potential recordings, however, revealed that synaptic transmission and neuronal excitability were preserved, albeit at lower levels, in 0.60 ATA O2. Together, these data indicate that 1) the changes in excitatory postsynaptic activity are not required for stimulation of the oPS during and HBO/NBOreox or for activation of OxIP, suggesting the latter is a form of intrinsic plasticity; 2) HBO disinhibits spontaneous synaptic transmission to induce epileptiform activity; and 3) although synchronous synaptic activation of the CA1 neuronal population requires hyperoxia (i.e., 0.95 ATA O2), synaptic activation of individual CA1 neurons does not.
Critical Point Theorems for Nonlinear Dynamical Systems and Their Applications
Authors: Du Wei-Shih
Published: June 2010

We present some new critical point theorems for nonlinear dynamical systems which are generalizations of Dancš-Hegedüs-Medvegyev's principle in uniform spaces and metric spaces by applying an abstract maximal element principle established by Lin and Du. We establish some generalizations of Ekeland's variational principle, Caristi's common fixed point theorem for multivalued maps, Takahashi's nonconvex minimization theorem, and common fuzzy fixed point theorem for "Equation missing"-functions. Some applications to the existence theorems of nonconvex versions of variational inclusion and disclusion problems in metric spaces are also given.
High-Mobility Group Box-1 Protein Serum Levels Do Not Reflect Monocytic Function in Patients with Sepsis-Induced Immunosuppression
Authors: Unterwalder Nadine , Meisel Christian , Savvatis Konstantinos , Hammoud Ben , Fotopoulou Christina , Volk Hans-Dieter , Reinke Petra , Schefold Joerg C.
Published: June 2010

Background. High-mobility group box-1 (HMGB-1) protein is released during “late sepsis” by activated monocytes. We investigated whether systemic HMGB-1 levels are associated with indices of monocytic activation/function in patients with sepsis-induced immunosuppression.Methodology. 36 patients (31 male,64±14years) with severe sepsis/septic shock and monocytic deactivation (reduced mHLA-DR expression and TNF-αrelease) were assessed in a subanalysis of a placebo-controlled immunostimulatory trial using GM-CSF. HMGB-1 levels were assessed over a 9-day treatment interval. Data were compared to standardized biomarkers of monocytic immunity (mHLA-DR expression, TNF-αrelease).Principle findings. HMGB-1 levels were enhanced in sepsis but did not differ between treatment and placebo groups at baseline (14.6±13.5versus12.5±11.5ng/ml,P=.62). When compared to controls, HMGB-1 level increased transiently in treated patients at day 5 (27.8±21.7versus11.0±14.9,P=.01). Between group differences were not noted at any other point of assessment. HMGB-1 levels were not associated with markers of monocytic function or clinical disease severity.Conclusions. GM-CSF treatment for sepsis-induced immunosuppression induces a moderate but only transient increase in systemic HMGB-1 levels. HMGB-1 levels should not be used for monitoring of monocytic function in immunostimulatory trials as they do not adequately portray contemporary changes in monocytic immunity.
Spontaneous Pneumothorax as an Atypical Presentation of Pulmonary Paracoccidioidomycosis: A Case Report with Emphasis on the Imaging Findings
Authors: Pereira Mariana Leite , Marchiori Edson , Zanetti Gláucia , Abdalla Guilherme , Ventura Nina , Constantino Carolina Pesce Lamas , Brandão Viviane , Martins Pedro , Canellas Rodrigo , Muccillo Antonio , Varella de Oliveira Romulo
Published: June 2010

We describe the case of a 45-year-old male with pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis and spontaneous pneumothorax. The patient presented to the hospital with sudden and intense chest pain accompanied by dyspnea and had a six-month history of dry cough, weight loss, and progressive dyspnea on exertion. Chest X-ray showed a small right pneumothorax, bilateral nonhomogeneous opacities, and emphysematous areas in the lung base. Chest computed tomography showed consolidation in both lungs, with architectural distortion, nodules, interlobular septal thickening, and emphysema, in addition to the right pneumothorax. A lung biopsy revealed yeast consistent withParacoccidioides brasiliensis. No drainage was needed, and the lung was re-expanded. The patient was treated with antifungal drugs, showed mild improvement, and was referred to outpatient care.
Thermodynamics of Peptide and Non-Peptide Interactions with the Human 5HT1a Receptor
Authors: Hall Brian , Burnett Andrea , Christians Alicia , Halley Cortney , Goldstein Eric , Thiagaraj Harish V. , Parker Keith K.
Published: June 2010

The human serotonin 1a receptor (H5HT1aR) is a highly studied member of the 7 transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors. This model receptor, negatively coupled to adenylyl cyclase via Gi, is linked to physiological processes such as cognition and mood regulation and to associated disorders like anxiety and depression. Gibb’s free energies, enthalpies, and entropies were calculated for the agonist [3H]8-OH-DPAT in the presence of synthetic peptides derived from sequences of intracellular loops 2 and 3 of the H5HT1aR. For comparative purposes, the thermodynamic parameters were also determined in the presence of a limited number of ligand-binding site substances (the partial agonist dipropyltryptamine [DPT], and the full agonist [3H]8-OH-DPAT alone). All of these thermodynamic measurements were based on binding data accumulated over a range of temperatures (0–35°C). Representative examples of binding constant experiments and van’t Hoff plots are shown to establish the thermodynamic variables. Although differences exist between the peptides themselves and the non-peptide agonists, in all situations the binding events are highly entropy driven. Differences between this information and published data for rat 5HT1aR are discussed, as are relationships to other receptor systems. Overall, the conclusions should be useful in further defining a comprehensive model of 5HT1aR, and for future development of binding-site and non-binding-site directed agents for the receptor.
Evidence for Hermaphroditism in the Squalius alburnoides Allopolyploid Fish Complex
Authors: Matos I. , Machado M.P. , Sucena É. , Collares-Pereira M.J. , Schartl M. , Coelho M.M.
Published: June 2010

Fish show an amazing variety of mechanisms of sex determination and modes of reproduction. Of these, simultaneous hermaphroditism has rarely been described. Here, we report a novel case of this phenomenon in adults of the Squalius alburnoides allopolyploid cyprinid complex. We found evidence for the simultaneous presence of mature male and female gonads on the basis of gonad gross morphology and histological analyses. Different stages of male and female germ cell maturation were identified, including motile spermatocytes. We hypothesize on the genetic and/or environmental causes of this phenomenon.
To Grow Old in Southern Italy: A Comprehensive Description of the Old and Oldest Old in Calabria
Authors: De Rango Francesco , Montesanto Alberto , Berardelli Maurizio , Mazzei Bruno , Mari Vincenzo , Lattanzio Fabrizia , Corsonello Andrea , Passarino Giuseppe
Published: June 2010

Background: The unprecedented growth of the elderly population is posing important social and medical problems as management of this population is highly demanding in terms of assistance and care. Consequently, many studies are focusing on the elderly subjects in order to better understand their needs by identifying various environmental, social, psychological, and genetic factors determining the quality of ageing. Objectives: Our aim was to carry out a survey of the elderly Calabrian population in order to highlight the social and medical conditions of this continuously growing population group. Methods: We have been monitoring the elderly population of Calabria for more than 10 years. For the present study, we collected data regarding 853 subjects by using two specific questionnaires, one for the subjects older than 90 years (400 subjects) and one for the subjects aged between 65 and 85 years (453 subjects). Results: The survey allowed us to carry out an extensive description of the ageing Calabrian population regarding the sociodemographic characteristics, living conditions, cognitive functioning, level of independence in activities of daily living, former and current diseases and health disorders. We could notice that males were in a better condition than females. In fact, male subjects turned out to have better physical performance and lower comorbidity, although their life expectancy is lower. Ultranonagenarians had a lower incidence of serious diseases (such as diabetes, osteoporosis and gastric ulcer), but a higher incidence of non-fatal chronic, debilitating conditions (cataract and bronchitis among others). Conclusion: The data we collected and analyzed offer a portrait of elderly Calabrian subjects, on who they are, how they feel, which social and psychological resources they have, and what their health status is. Analysis of the data highlighted that they are characterized by a lower physical performance in comparison to other European populations. Finally, the data presented here may also serve as a valuable source of information to characterize the ageing Calabrian population and improve the care of these subjects.
Tobacco Smoke Induces the Generation of Procoagulant Microvesicles From Human Monocytes/Macrophages
Authors: Li Mingzhen , Yu Demin , Williams Kevin Jon , Liu Ming-Lin
Published: June 2010

Objective—

To investigate whether exposure of human monocytes/macrophages to tobacco smoke induces their release of membrane microvesicles (MVs) that carry tissue factor (TF) released from cells, whether smoke-induced MVs are procoagulant, and what cellular processes might be responsible for their production.

Methods and Results—

We found that exposure of human THP-1 monocytes and primary human monocyte–derived macrophages to 3.75% tobacco smoke extract (TSE) significantly increased their total and TF-positive MV generation. More importantly, MVs released from TSE-treated human monocytes/macrophages exhibited 3 to 4 times the procoagulant activity of control MVs, as assessed by TF-dependent generation of factor Xa. Exposure to TSE increased TF mRNA and protein expression and cell surface TF display by both THP-1 monocytes and primary human monocyte–derived macrophages. In addition, TSE exposure caused activation of C-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38, extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), and apoptosis (a major mechanism for MV generation). Treatment of THP-1 cells with inhibitors of ERK, MAP kinase kinase (MEK), Ras, or caspase 3, but not p38 or JNK, significantly blunted TSE-induced apoptosis and MV generation. Surprisingly, neither ERK nor caspase 3 inhibition altered the induction of cell surface TF display by TSE, indicating an effect solely on MV release. Inhibition of ERK or caspase 3 essentially abolished TSE-induced generation of procoagulant MVs from THP-1 monocytes.

Conclusion—

Tobacco smoke exposure of human monocytes/macrophages induces cell surface TF display, apoptosis, and ERK- and caspase 3–dependent generation of biologically active procoagulant MVs. These processes may be novel contributors to the pathological hypercoagulability of active and secondhand smokers.
Pericardial Fat Is Associated With Prevalent Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Thanassoulis George , Massaro Joseph M. , O'Donnell Christopher J. , Hoffmann Udo , Levy Daniel , Ellinor Patrick T. , Wang Thomas J. , Schnabel Renate B. , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Fox Caroline S. , Benjamin Emelia J.
Published: June 2010

Background—

Obesity represents an important risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF). We tested the hypothesis that pericardial fat, a unique fat deposit in close anatomic proximity to cardiac structures and autonomic fibers, is associated with prevalent AF.

Methods and Results—

Participants from the Framingham Heart Study underwent multidetector computed tomography from 2002 to 2005. We estimated the association between quantitative pericardial, intrathoracic and visceral adipose tissue volumes (per standard deviation of volume) with prevalent AF adjusting for established AF risk factors (age, sex, systolic blood pressure, blood pressure treatment, PR interval, and clinically significant valvular disease). Of the 3217 eligible participants (mean age, 50.6±10.1 years; 48% women), 54 had a confirmed diagnosis of AF. Pericardial fat but not intrathoracic or visceral abdominal fat was associated with prevalent AF in multivariable-adjusted models (odds ratio per standard deviation of pericardial fat volume, 1.28; 95% confidence intervals, 1.03 to 1.58). Further adjustments for body mass index, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and intrathoracic fat volume did not materially change the association between pericardial fat and AF.

Conclusions—

Pericardial fat was associated with prevalent AF even after adjustment for AF risk factors, including body mass index. If this association is replicated, further investigations into the mechanisms linking pericardial fat to AF are merited.
Lack of Uniform Progression of Endocardial Scar in Patients With Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia/Cardiomyopathy and Ventricular Tachycardia
Authors: Riley Michael P. , Zado Erica , Bala Rupa , Callans David J. , Cooper Joshua , Dixit Sanjay , Garcia Fermin , Gerstenfeld Edward P. , Hutchinson Mathew D. , Lin David , Patel Vickas , Verdino Ralph , Marchlinski Francis E.
Published: June 2010

Background—

The endocardial substrate for ventricular arrhythmias in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) is thought to be caused by a progressive degenerative process. Many clinical decisions and treatment plans are guided by this pathophysiologic assumption, but the extent of progression of macroscopic endocardial scar and right ventricular (RV) dilatation have not been assessed.

Methods and Results—

Eleven patients with ARVD/C and ventricular tachycardia had 2 detailed sinus rhythm electroanatomic endocardial voltage maps (average, 291±122 points per map; range, 114 to 558 points) performed a mean of 57 months apart (minimum, 9 months) as part of ventricular tachycardia ablation procedures. Voltage-defined scar (<1.5 mV) and RV volume were measured by area and volume measurement software and compared. Two of the 11 patients had a clear increase in scar area (47 cm
2
; 32 cm
2
) confirmed by visual inspection. The remaining 9 (81%; 95% CI, 48% to 98%) patients had no increase (<10-cm
2
difference) in scar area between studies. In contrast, 10 of the 11 patients had a significant increase in RV volume, with an average increase of 24% (212±67 mL to 263±52 mL;
P
≤0.01).

Conclusions—

In patients with ARVD/C and ventricular tachycardia, progressive RV dilatation is the rule, and rapid progression of significant macroscopic endocardial scar occurs in only a subset of patients. These results have important management implications, suggesting that efforts to prevent RV dilatation in this population are needed and that an aggressive substrate-based ablation strategy offers the potential to provide long-term ventricular tachycardia control.
Electrocardiographic and Electrophysiological Characteristics in Idiopathic Ventricular Arrhythmias Originating From the Papillary Muscles in the Left Ventricle
Authors: Yamada Takumi , Doppalapudi Harish , McElderry H. Thomas , Okada Taro , Murakami Yoshimasa , Inden Yasuya , Yoshida Yukihiko , Yoshida Naoki , Murohara Toyoaki , Epstein Andrew E. , Plumb Vance J. , Litovsky Silvio H. , Kay G. Neal
Published: June 2010

Background—

Idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) can originate from the left ventricular papillary muscles (PAMs). This study investigated the electrophysiological characteristics of these VAs and their relevance for the results of catheter ablation.

Methods and Results—

We studied 19 patients who underwent successful catheter ablation of idiopathic VAs originating from the anterior (n=7) and posterior PAMs (n=12). Although an excellent pace map was obtained at the first ablation site in 17 patients, radiofrequency ablation at that site failed to eliminate the VAs, and radiofrequency lesions in a relatively wide area around that site were required to completely eliminate the VAs in all patients. Radiofrequency current with an irrigated or nonirrigated 8-mm-tip ablation catheter was required to achieve a lasting ablation of the PAM VA origins. During 42% of the PAM VAs, a sharp ventricular prepotential was recorded at the successful ablation site. In 9 (47%) patients, PAM VAs exhibited multiple QRS morphologies, with subtle, but distinguishable differences occurring spontaneously and after the ablation. In 7 (78%) of those patients, radiofrequency lesions on both sides of the PAMs where pacing could reproduce an excellent match to the 2 different QRS morphologies of the VAs were required to completely eliminate the VAs.

Conclusions—

Radiofrequency catheter ablation of idiopathic PAM VAs is challenging probably because the VA origin is located relatively deep beneath the endocardium of the PAMs. PAM VAs often exhibit multiple QRS morphologies, which may be caused by a single origin with preferential conduction resulting from the complex structure of the PAMs.
COL4A1
Mutations as a Monogenic Cause of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease
Authors: Lanfranconi Silvia , Markus Hugh S.
Published: June 2010

Background and Purpose—

A number of single gene disorders can cause cerebral small vessel disease. Mutations in the
COL4A1
gene encoding the type IV collagen alpha 1 chain, which are already associated with porencephaly and infantile hemiparesis, have been recently recognized as a further monogenic cause of small vessel disease that can present in adulthood.

Methods—

We performed a systematic review of published data from 1966 to January 8, 2010 to characterize the features of small vessel disease seen with
COL4A1
mutations.

Results—

We identified a total of 52 mutation carriers. A history of stroke was reported in 9 subjects (17.3%); in 6 cases it was attributable to subcortical hemorrhage and in 3 cases it was attributable to lacunar infarction. Stroke often occurred as first presentation of the disease, with a mean age of onset of 36.1 (SD, 12.95; range, 14–49). Hemorrhages, often recurrent, have been associated with physical trauma and activity and anticoagulant therapy. Brain imaging showed frequent leukoaraiosis (63.5%), microbleeds that are usually subcortical (52.9%), lacunar infarction (13.5%), and dilated perivascular spaces (19.2%). Extensive leukoaraiosis was seen in a number of asymptomatic adult mutation carriers. Asymptomatic intracranial aneurysms were common (44.4% of 18 with angiography). Migraine (with and without aura) was reported in 10 subjects, with a mean age at onset of 31.7. Systemic features are also frequent, affecting the eye (10/21, 47.6%), kidney (15.4%), and muscle (15.4%).

Conclusions—

COL4A1
is a further cause of familial vasculopathy and may present with stroke, ischemic as well as hemorrhagic, in adult life and with radiological features of leukoaraiosis and microbleeds.
Nationwide Trends in In-Hospital Mortality Among Patients With Stroke
Authors: Ovbiagele Bruce
Published: June 2010

Background and Purpose—

Recent data suggest declining overall deaths attributable to stroke. However, little is known about time trends in mortality during stroke hospitalization, which may reflect a stroke’s direct effects, medical complications, or care quality. This study assessed nationwide patterns in hospital deaths after experiencing an acute stroke.

Methods—

Data were obtained from all US states that contributed to the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. All patients admitted to hospitals between 1997 and 2006 with a discharge diagnosis of stroke (identified by the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision procedure codes) were included. Time trends in the proportion of stroke hospitalizations that resulted in death were assessed. Independent predictors of in-hospital mortality after stroke were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression.

Results—

Between 1997 and 2006, overall stroke hospitalizations lessened from 1 351 293 in 1997 to 1998 to 1 202 449 in 2005 to 2006, whereas percentage stroke hospitalizations that resulted in death decreased from 11.5% in 1997 to 1998 to 10.3% in 2005 to 2006 (
P
<0.0001). Odds of mortality decreased regardless of stroke type: ischemic stroke (OR 0.89, 95% CI=0.86 to 0.92), subarachnoid hemorrhage (OR 0.85, 95% CI=0.78 to 0.92), and intracerebral hemorrhage (OR 0.90, 95% CI=0.86 to 0.94). In multivariable analyses, older age, female sex, non-Medicare insurance, and multiple comorbidities were independently linked to higher odds of in-hospital mortality.

Conclusions—

The percentage of stroke hospitalizations resulting in death decreased over the last decade likely reflecting advancements in acute stroke care. However, specific individual/hospital-level characteristics may be targets for facilitating further declines.
No Simple Relationship between Technological Improvements and Employment Generation in a Large Developing Country like China: Thoughts Stimulated by Sjöholm and Lundin
Authors: Zhao Changwen
Published: June 2010

Fredrik Sjöholm and Nannan Lundin (this issue) have found that China's science and technology (S&T) activities had no effect on employment growth. I disagree with their conclusion and attribute it to the neglect of important factors like the S&T upgrading by small firms, the spillover effects from S&T activities, differences across industries, and differences in the stage of economic development. I used macroeconomic and cross-regional data in China to estimate the effect of technology development on job creation and found that technology innovation did have a positive impact on employment in the eastern region of China. This suggests that a positive relationship between technological improvement and employment creation is reliably seen only after the economy has reached a middle-level of economic development.
An Efficient Algorithm for Computing Hypervolume Contributions
Authors: Bringmann Karl , Friedrich Tobias
Published: June 2010

The hypervolume indicator serves as a sorting criterion in many recent multi-objective evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs). Typical algorithms remove the solution with the smallest loss with respect to the dominated hypervolume from the population. We present a new algorithm which determines for a population of size n with d objectives, a solution with minimal hypervolume contribution in time [Formula: see text](nd/2 log n) for d > 2. This improves all previously published algorithms by a factor of n for all d > 3 and by a factor of [Formula: see text] for d = 3.

We also analyze hypervolume indicator based optimization algorithms which remove λ > 1 solutions from a population of size n = μ + λ. We show that there are populations such that the hypervolume contribution of iteratively chosen λ solutions is much larger than the hypervolume contribution of an optimal set of λ solutions. Selecting the optimal set of λ solutions implies calculating [Formula: see text] conventional hypervolume contributions, which is considered to be computationally too expensive. We present the first hypervolume algorithm which directly calculates the contribution of every set of λ solutions. This gives an additive term of [Formula: see text] in the runtime of the calculation instead of a multiplicative factor of [Formula: see text]. More precisely, for a population of size n with d objectives, our algorithm can calculate a set of λ solutions with minimal hypervolume contribution in time [Formula: see text](nd/2 log n + nλ) for d > 2. This improves all previously published algorithms by a factor of nmin{λ,d/2} for d > 3 and by a factor of n for d = 3.
On the Effect of Populations in Evolutionary Multi-Objective Optimisation
Authors: Giel Oliver , Lehre Per Kristian
Published: June 2010

Multi-objective evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs) have become increasingly popular as multi-objective problem solving techniques. An important open problem is to understand the role of populations in MOEAs. We present two simple bi-objective problems which emphasise when populations are needed. Rigorous runtime analysis points out an exponential runtime gap between the population-based algorithm simple evolutionary multi-objective optimiser (SEMO) and several single individual-based algorithms on this problem. This means that among the algorithms considered, only the population-based MOEA is successful and all other algorithms fail.
Exploring the Runtime of an Evolutionary Algorithm for the Multi-Objective Shortest Path Problem
Authors: Horoba Christian
Published: June 2010

We present a natural vector-valued fitness function f for the multi-objective shortest path problem, which is a fundamental multi-objective combinatorial optimization problem known to be NP-hard. Thereafter, we conduct a rigorous runtime analysis of a simple evolutionary algorithm (EA) optimizing f. Interestingly, this simple general algorithm is a fully polynomial-time randomized approximation scheme (FPRAS) for the problem under consideration, which exemplifies how EAs are able to find good approximate solutions for hard problems. Furthermore, we present lower bounds for the worst-case optimization time.
Rhetoric and Ideology in Egypt’s Wasaiyya Movement
Authors: Høigilt Jacob
Published: June 2010

Islamic centrism (Wasaiyya) is commonly presented as an open-minded and dialogue-oriented form of Islamism. This article questions that view by analyzing texts written by two prominent centrists: Muammad ‘Ammāra and Fahmī Huwaydī. Focusing on rhetorical techniques, the article argues that their texts are characterized by aggressive polemics not conducive to pluralist public debate. While relying heavily on barrages of rhetorical questions and implicit arguments, they avoid serious discussion of difficult issues. These characteristics of their texts are brought out by a discourse analysis based on modern text linguistics, specifically Functional Grammar as developed by Michael Halliday. This approach to Islamism is new and helps explaining why centrism, despite its professed open-mindedness, has failed both to defuse the high ideological tension in contemporary Egyptian debates about Islam in society and to contribute to bringing those debates forward.
Features of Annexion Strings in Colloquial and Literary Arabic and Hebrew
Authors: Rosenhouse Judith
Published: June 2010

Arabic annexion is a basic and frequent nominal (phrase) structure which can be important not only in itself but also for translation and automatic text generation applications. The structure is expanded by concatenating to it more nouns, thus forming annexion strings. We examine here whether in colloquial and Modern Literary Arabic similar limitations exist, whether there are differences between them. Limitations and constraints on the number of words that can be connected in an annexion string were investigated for another Semitic language, Hebrew (Rosenhouse, “On the use”, “Construct”, and here). This study compares also Hebrew and Arabic annexion strings from the point of view of their length limitations. The article is based on literary Arabic as used in newspapers and books and on transcribed texts of colloquial Arabic. Some Hebrew journalese and spoken texts have also been examined for comparison. Our findings suggest positive answers to our questions.
Le lieu de la parole dans Awlād āritnā
Authors: Sleiman Rima
Published: June 2010

Moment de rupture dans l’oeuvre réaliste de Nağīb Mafū, Awlād āritnā, ce roman dit « symboliste », fut précédé de cinq années de silence. Il est à l’origine de ce récit, une crise de la parole qui devient le sujet même de l’écriture. Mafū semble moins y interroger le sens des textes religieux que les regarder comme l’unique trace qui subsiste après la disparition du lieu original d’où la parole a jadis surgi. Cet article analyse les modalités d’exposition de cette quête du lieu de la parole dans Awlād āritnā. Deux conversions majeures sont opérées par Mafū pour retracer ce surgissement: d’une part, le lieu unique est converti en une pluralité d’espaces, de l’autre, la parole originelle bifurquée en discours infinis. À mesure que le référent se retire, le vide ontologique se creuse et la prolifération des discours fait écran au lieu de cette présence originelle. Mais la nostalgie du silence fondateur alimente le mythe du retour. Or, seule la représentation, une « mimésis du discours », permet de recouvrer la présence première. Cette reconversion ultime passe par les techniques de l’écriture narrative, d’une mimésis pensant désormais le spirituel, d’une métaphysique coïncidant avec le poétique.
Quasigeostrophic Dynamics of a Finite-Thickness Tropopause
Authors: Plougonven R. , Vanneste J.
Published: June 2010

A model of tropopause dynamics is derived that is of intermediate complexity between the three-dimensional quasigeostrophic model and the surface quasigeostrophic (SQG) model. The model assumes that a sharp transition in stratification occurs over a small but finite tropopause region separating regions of uniform potential vorticity (PV). The model is derived using a matched-asymptotics technique, with the ratio of the thickness of the tropopause region to the typical vertical scale of perturbations outside as a small parameter. It reduces to SQG to leading order in this parameter but takes into account the next-order correction. As a result it remains three-dimensional, although with a PV inversion relation that is greatly simplified compared to the Laplacian inversion of quasigeostrophic theory.

The model is applied to examine the linear dynamics of perturbations at the tropopause. Edge waves, described in the SQG approximation, are recovered, and explicit expressions are obtained for the corrections to their frequency and structure that result from the finiteness of the tropopause region. The sensitivity of these corrections to the stratification and shear profiles across the tropopause is investigated. In addition, the evolution of perturbations with near-zero vertically integrated PV is discussed. These perturbations, which are filtered out by the SQG approximation, are represented by a continuous spectrum of singular modes and evolve as sheared disturbances. The decomposition of arbitrary perturbations into edge-wave and continuous-spectrum contributions is discussed.
An Example Crossover Experiment for Testing New Vicarious Calibration Techniques for Satellite Ocean Color Radiometry
Authors: Voss Kenneth J. , McLean Scott , Lewis Marlon , Johnson Carol , Flora Stephanie , Feinholz Michael , Yarbrough Mark , Trees Charles , Twardowski Mike , Clark Dennis
Published: June 2010

Vicarious calibration of ocean color satellites involves the use of accurate surface measurements of water-leaving radiance to update and improve the system calibration of ocean color satellite sensors. An experiment was performed to compare a free-fall technique with the established Marine Optical Buoy (MOBY) measurement. It was found in the laboratory that the radiance and irradiance instruments compared well within their estimated uncertainties for various spectral sources. The spectrally averaged differences between the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) values for the sources and the instruments were <2.5% for the radiance sensors and <1.5% for the irradiance sensors. In the field, the sensors measuring the above-surface downwelling irradiance performed nearly as well as they had in the laboratory, with an average difference of <2%. While the water-leaving radiance Lw calculated from each instrument agreed in almost all cases within the combined instrument uncertainties (approximately 7%), there was a relative bias between the two instrument classes/techniques that varied spectrally. The spectrally averaged (400–600 nm) difference between the two instrument classes/techniques was 3.1%. However, the spectral variation resulted in the free-fall instruments being 0.2% lower at 450 nm and 5.9% higher at 550 nm. Based on the analysis of one matchup, the bias in Lw was similar to that observed for Lu(1 m) with both systems, indicating the difference did not come from propagating Lu(1 m) to Lw.
Calibration and Downscaling Methods for Quantitative Ensemble Precipitation Forecasts
Authors: Voisin Nathalie , Schaake John C. , Lettenmaier Dennis P.
Published: June 2010

Two approaches for downscaling and calibrating error estimates from ensemble precipitation forecasts are evaluated; the two methods are intended to be used to produce flood forecasts based on global weather forecasts in ungauged river basins. The focus of this study is on the ability of the approaches to reproduce observed forecast errors when applied to daily precipitation forecasts from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Ensemble Prediction System (EPS) for a 10-day forecast period. The two approaches are bias correction with spatial disaggregation (BCSD) and an analog technique. Mean forecast errors and skills are evaluated with respect to Tropical Rainfall Monitoring Mission (TRMM) observations over the Ohio River basin for the period 2002–06 for daily and 5-day accumulations and for 0.25° and 1° spatial resolutions. The Ohio River basin was chosen so that a relatively dense gauge-based observed precipitation dataset could also be used in the evaluation of the two approaches. Neither the BCSD nor the analog approach is able to improve on the forecast prediction skill resulting from a simple spatial interpolation benchmark. However, both approaches improve the forecast reliability, although more so for the analog approach. The BCSD method improves the bias for all forecast amounts (but less so for large amounts), but the downscaled precipitation patterns are unrealistic. The analog approach reduces biases over a wider range of forecast amounts, and the precipitation patterns are more realistic.
Oil and Youth Militancy in Nigeria’s Niger Delta Region
Authors: Oluwaniyi Oluwatoyin O.
Published: June 2010

This study explores the myriad of reasons responsible for the role of the youth in violence in the Niger Delta region. Based on data drawn from primary studies of community youth groups in four oil-rich communities in Bayelsa and Rivers States and secondary sources, findings reveal that community youth revolt over socio-economic and political deprivation arising from oil exploitation and exploration by multinational oil corporations in collaboration with the Nigerian state. These deprivations and marginalization have transformed youth from merely engaging in community protests to militancy with deleterious consequences threatening the security of the region.
Sociology and the Problem of Eroticism
Authors: Shilling Chris , Mellor Philip A.
Published: June 2010

Sociology has traditionally been concerned with problems of social order and meaning, and with how modern societies confronted these challenges when religion was in apparent decline, yet classical sociologists struggled to reconcile within their analyses the (dis)ordering and meaningful potentialities of eroticism. This ar ticle examines how eroticism has been viewed as a source of life-affirming meanings and as personally and socially destructive. Utilizing the contrasting theories of Weber and Bataille, we explore sociology’s ambivalence towards eroticism, and criticize contemporary sociological approaches to the subject, before turning to the writings of Cixous, Irigaray and Kristeva for alternative models of the religiously informed eroticization of daily life. The perspectives these French theorists bring to the subject, and the issues that remain unresolved in their work, identify new lines of inquiry and re-emphasize the importance of building a sociology of eroticism that can address adequately its relationship to questions of order and meaning.
Personal Communities: Responsible Individualism or Another Fall for Public [Man]?
Authors: Wilkinson Jennifer
Published: June 2010

There is a lively debate in sociology about the consequences of what is seen as growing individualism, especially the capacity of individualism for realizing collective outcomes. Research on personal communities offers one solution to this dilemma, evaluating friendship as a source of social capital with potential public value. However, it fails to show that personal communities might arise from or lead to civic engagement. This ar ticle draws examples from a small study of volunteers to extend this concept, in the process revealing how individualism merges with public participation. I emphasize the voluntarist underpinnings of friendship, which demonstrates its similarities with volunteering. By exploring volunteering relationships, personal communities are shown to be ‘a different kind of friendship’, combining intimacy, sociability and civility within the public domain. Identity concerns also inform ‘these different kinds of friendship’, suggesting further ways that individualism can fuse with civic aims.
The Impact of Lie to Me on Viewers’ Actual Ability to Detect Deception
Authors: Levine Timothy R. , Serota Kim B. , Shulman Hillary C.
Published: June 2010

The new television series Lie to Me portrays a social scientist solving crimes through his ability to read nonverbal communication. Promotional materials claim the content is based on actual science. Participants ( N = 108) watched an episode of Lie to Me, a different drama, or no program and then judged a series of honest and deceptive interviews. Lie to Me viewers were no better at distinguishing truths from lies but were more likely than control participants to misidentify honest interviewees as deceptive. Watching Lie to Me decreases truth bias thereby increasing suspicion of others while at the same time reducing deception detection ability.
The Circulation of Ideas across Academic Communities: When locals re-import exported ideas
Authors: Battilana Julie , Anteby Michel , Sengul Metin
Published: June 2010

The circulation of ideas across academic communities is central to academic pursuits and has attracted much past scholarly attention. As North American-based scholars with European ties, we decided to examine the impact of Organization Studies in North American academia with the objective of understanding what, if anything, makes some Organization Studies articles more likely to have impact in North America than others. To set the stage for better understanding the role of Organization Studies in this academic community, we first present the key characteristics of North American academia. Secondly, relying on archival data spanning the first 29 years of Organization Studies (1980 to 2008, inclusive), we identify an apparent dynamic of select re-importation of exported ideas. Put otherwise, top North American journals tend to re-import ideas authored (and exported) by select North American scholars in Organizations Studies. Thirdly, we discuss the implications of this process on the field of organization studies and on the circulation of ideas across academic communities.
Between Contending Perspectives and Logics: Organizational Studies in Europe
Authors: Üsdiken Behlül
Published: June 2010

With early characterization of the 1970s in the background, this paper examines change and differentiation within organizational studies in Europe over the last three decades. In doing so, it draws upon theories on change in scientific fields and institutional ideas in organizational analysis. The two main questions asked are (a) whether there has been change in theoretical perspectives, research practices and societal contextualization and (b) whether these have been uniform across Europe. The empirical part of the study is based on a content analysis of the articles published by European authors in the journal Organization Studies over its 30-year life-span. Overall, results show an initial movement away from US-based ‘mainstream’ to UK-based ‘alternative’ perspectives, tempered more lately by a renewed influence of the former; a marked shift towards research practices shaped by a ‘subjectivist’ logic; and a decline in societal contextualization. Findings also demonstrate, however, that organization studies in Europe is not as homogeneous as it is often considered to be.
Empirical evidence of banking relationships for Spanish SMEs
Authors: Iturralde Txomin , Maseda Amaia , San-Jose Leire
Published: June 2010

Theoretical papers on banking relationships have focused on how the strength of a bank—firm relationship affects the design of credit agreements. In empirical studies, the number of bank relationships has been often used as a proxy for the strength of the bank—firm relationship. Any analysis of bank—firm relationships must also include a study of the reasons why a particular bank is selected. This means identifying the most significant decision-making variables concerned with such contracting. In this article, we examine the determinants of the number of banking relationships and the factors that influence the choice of banks in a sample of small and medium-sized firms. The reference to SME firms is very useful, since SMEs are highly dependent on banking finance to undertake their projects. The results provide some evidence in support of the idea that, for SMEs, the size of the firm, age, leverage and financial cost have significant links with the number of banking relationships. On the other hand, the results confirm the tendency for qualitative aspects to become determining factors in the choice of financial institutions.