bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Slipping motion of large neutrally buoyant particles in turbulence
Authors: Cisse Mamadou , Homann Holger , Bec Jérémie 
Published: October 2013

AbstractDirect numerical simulations are used to investigate the individual dynamics of large spherical particles suspended in a developed homogeneous turbulent flow. A definition of the direction of the particle motion relative to the surrounding flow is introduced and used to construct the mean fluid velocity profile around the particle. This leads to an estimate of the particle slipping velocity and its associated Reynolds number. The flow modifications due to the particle are then studied. The particle is responsible for a shadowing effect that occurs in the wake up to distances of the order of its diameter: the particle calms turbulent fluctuations and reduces the energy dissipation rate compared to its average value in the bulk. Dimensional arguments are presented to draw an analogy between particle effects on turbulence and wall flows. Evidence is obtained for the presence of a logarithmic sublayer at distances between the thickness of the viscous boundary layer and the particle diameter ${D}_{p} $. Finally, asymptotic arguments are used to relate the viscous sublayer quantities to the particle size and the properties of the outer turbulence. It is shown in particular that the skin-friction Reynolds number behaves as $R{e}_{\tau } \propto {({D}_{p} / \eta )}^{4/ 3} $.
Identification of sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with the levels of human β-defensin-1 and human β-defensin-2 in the human milk of Han Chinese
Authors: Wang Xiao-Fang , Cao Rui-Ming , Li Jing , Wu Jing , Wu Sheng-Mei , Chen Tong-Xin 
Published: October 2013

Human milk provides infants with various immune molecules. The objective of the present study was to measure human β-defensin-1 (hBD-1) and human β-defensin-2 (hBD-2) levels in the colostrum and mature milk of healthy Han Chinese, to identify factors regulating milk hBD-1 and hBD-2 expression and to explore the potential protective effect of milk hBD-1 and hBD-2 on infants. A total of 100 mothers and their babies were recruited into the study. Sociodemographic characteristics and other factors were obtained by a questionnaire. Babies were followed up for a period of 6 months. Colostrum samples (n100) and mature milk samples (n82) were collected by hand expression. The hBD-1 and hBD-2 concentrations were measured by ELISA. The hBD-1 and hBD-2 levels differed in the colostrum and mature milk. In the colostrum, the concentration ranges of hBD-1 and hBD-2 were 1·04–12·81 μg/ml and 0·31–19·12 ng/ml, respectively. In mature milk, the hBD-1 and hBD-2 levels were 1·03–31·76 ng/ml and 52·65–182·29 pg/ml, respectively. Several independent factors influence their production. The multivariable analysis showed a strong association between pre-pregnancy BMI and hBD-1 levels in the colostrum (P= 0·001), mode of delivery was significantly associated with hBD-2 levels in the colostrum (P= 0·006) and gestational age was significantly associated with hBD-1 levels in mature milk (P= 0·010). During the first 6 months of life, the incidence rate of upper respiratory infection was found to be less in the high-colostrum hBD-1 group than in the low-colostrum hBD-1 group (χ2= 4·995,P= 0·025). The present study suggested that the abundance of hBD-1 in the colostrum may have a protective function against upper respiratory infection for infants younger than 6 months.
ELITE STRATEGIES, CIVIL SOCIETY, AND SECTARIAN IDENTITIES IN POSTWAR LEBANON
Authors: Clark Janine A. , Salloukh Bassel F. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThis article explains the endurance of sectarian identities and modes of political mobilization in Lebanon after the civil war. This is done by examining three case studies that demonstrate a recursive relation between sectarian elites and civil society actors: on one side of this relation, sectarian elites pursue their political and socioeconomic interests at the expense of civil society organizations (CSOs); on the other side, civil society actors instrumentalize the sectarian political system and its resources to advance their own organizational or personal advantage. These mutually reinforcing dynamics enable sectarian elites to penetrate, besiege, or co-opt CSOs as well as to extend their clientelist networks to CSOs that should otherwise lead the effort to establish cross-sectarian ties and modes of political mobilization or that expressly seek to challenge the sectarian system. The article fills a gap in the literature on sectarianism in postwar Lebanon and helps explain a puzzle identified by Ashutosh Varshney in the theoretical debate on ethnic conflict, namely the reasons behind the “stickiness” of historically constructed ethnic identities.
Sacral Suicides, Unpunishable Killings, Rites of Power
Authors: McDougall James 
Published: October 2013

Studies of violence relating to the Middle East have sometimes done more harm than they have explained. Like the intended effects of the U.S. military's doctrine of “rapid dominance,” compared by its proponents to “tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes . . . famine and disease,” violence in the Middle East would appear to be “incomprehensible,” though less to “the people at large” who are affected by it than to its prolific theoreticians. Over the past two decades, much of the literature on the region as a “cauldron of war”—generating five times its share (by population size) of total global conflict since the mid-20th century—has tended to update and propagate well-known mythologies of primitivism, authoritarian personalities, and ancient hatreds. The significance of such mythopoeia has been its capacity to realize, at least in part, the conditions of its own truthfulness by shaping perception and policy, framing and enabling the infliction of a new wave of warfare on the region. Much contemporary writing on post–Cold War global crisis, the geopolitics of instability, regional conflict, and the future of warfare has not only signally failed to understand the dynamics of the Middle East but has actively contributed to the spread of violence in the region.
Production and carcass traits of purebred Nordic Red and Nordic Red×beef breed crossbred bulls
Authors: HUUSKONEN A. , PESONEN M. , KÄMÄRÄINEN H. , KAUPPINEN R. 
Published: October 2013

SUMMARYThe objective of the current study is to determine the beef production traits of purebred Nordic Red (NR) and NR×beef breed crossbred bulls. The data collected from slaughterhouses included observations of 164 812 purebred NR, 2329 NR×Aberdeen Angus, 1466 NR×Blonde d'Aquitaine, 1044 NR×Charolais, 782 NR×Hereford, 5293 NR×Limousin and 1270 NR×Simmental bulls. For estimating valuable cuttings, a separate dataset including a total of 16 827 observations was collected. Crossbreeding NR cows with late-maturing breeds (Blonde d'Aquitaine, Charolais, Limousin or Simmental) had favourable effects on carcass gain, conformation and proportion of high-value joints of the progeny when compared with purebred NR bulls. No advantages in proportion of valuable cuttings seemed to be obtained by crossbreeding with Aberdeen Angus or Hereford breeds, while the improvements in gain and conformation were intermediate compared with the late-maturing crossbreds. A feeding experiment comprised 36 bulls: nine purebred NR, nine NR×Aberdeen Angus (NR×Ab), nine NR×Limousin (NR×Li) and nine NR×Blonde d'Aquitaine (NR×Ba). The animals were offered total mixed ration (TMR) ad libitum. The dry matter (DM) of the TMR consisted of grass silage (500 g/kg DM), rolled barley (425 g/kg DM) and rapeseed meal (75 g/kg DM). There were no differences in DM, energy or nutrient intakes between NR and crossbred bulls during the feeding experiment. Instead, the carcass gain of the NR×Ba bulls was 13% higher than that of the pure NR bulls. In addition, the carcass gain of the NR×Li bulls tended to be 8% higher than that of the NR bulls. The feed (kg DM/kg carcass gain) and energy (MJ/kg carcass gain) conversion rates of the NR×Ba bulls tended to be better compared with purebred NR bulls. There were no differences in feed or energy conversion between NR, NR×Ab and NR×Li bulls. In conclusion, crossbreeding, especially with late-maturing bulls, largely improved carcass production compared with purebred NR bulls. The feeding experiment indicates that there is no difference in DM intake between pure NR and crossbred bulls when animals are fed with high-energy rations. Therefore, differences in growth and carcass traits describe well the economic superiority of crossbreds compared with pure dairy bulls from beef producers’ point of view.
Benzimidazole-resistant gastrointestinal nematodes in indigenous Chiapas and Pelibuey sheep breeds from Chiapas, Mexico
Authors: Liébano-Hernández E. , González-Olvera M. , Vázquez-Peláez C. , Mendoza-de-Gives P. , Ramírez-Vargas G. , Peralta-Lailson M. , Reyes-García M.E. , Osorio J. , Sánchez-Pineda H. , López-Arellano M.E. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBecause of the natural adaptation of Mexican sheep, the aim of the present study was to identify the presence or absence of gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes (GIN) resistant to benzimidazole (BZ) in both Chiapas and Pelibuey sheep breeds on local farms. Both male and female GIN-infected grazing sheep of the two breeds were selected. Sheep faecal samples were collected to obtain infective larvae (L3). This evolving stage of the parasite was used for taxonomic identification of the genus, based on its morphological characteristics. BZ anthelmintic resistance was evaluated using a nematode–compound in vitro interaction bioassay and the allele-specific polymerase chain reaction technique to detect mutations of residues 198 and 200 on isotype 1 of the β-tubulin gene. Three BZ-based compounds (febendazole (FBZ), tiabendazole (TBZ) and albendazole (ABZ)) at concentrations of 1, 0.5, 0.25, 0.125, 0.062 and 0.03 mg/ml were used to estimate the anthelmintic efficacy and lethal dose (LD50, LD90 and LD99) of the drugs. Two parasitic nematodes, Haemonchus and Teladorsagia, were identified in both isolates. Also, the proportions of anthelmintic resistance identified in GIN of the two sheep breeds were 68% in isolates from the Chiapas breed and 71.8% in the Pelibuey breed. The specific lethal activity obtained with FBZ was higher than 90%. However, TBZ and ABZ showed a lethal activity lower than 50%. High variability in the discriminating dose values was found among the BZ drugs. For example, FBZ LD ranged from 0.01 to 1.20 mg/ml; on the other hand, TBZ and ABZ required a dose ranging from 0.178 to 759 mg/ml. In addition, amino acid changes of Phe (TTC) to Tyr (TAC) at codon 200 of the β-tubulin gene, showing resistance to BZ, and no changes at codon 198 Glu (GAA) to Ala (GCA) were observed for both isolates. These results confirmed the presence of a genetic mutation associated with BZ in both Chiapas and Pelibuey nematode isolates.
Unusual presentation of an asymptomatic pseudomeningocele within the sphenoid sinus
Authors: McNamara K J , Exley R P , Khwaja S , Bhalla R K 
Published: October 2013

AbstractObjective:We report the rare case of a 55-year-old woman with an asymptomatic left sphenoid sinus pseudomeningocele mimicking a mucocele.Case report:A 55-year-old woman was found to have an incidental mass in the left sphenoid sinus on computed tomography. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of a mucocele. A left endoscopic sphenoidotomy was performed to drain the mucocele. Despite an anatomical puncture through a stenosed sphenoid ostium, alarmingly, the opening leaked cerebrospinal fluid. A dehiscent lateral wall was identified with a dural opening communicating with the sphenoid sinus. This was immediately repaired with a free nasal septal mucosal graft. Six months post-operatively, the patient remained free from cerebrospinal fluid leakage.Conclusion:Pseudomeningoceles are extremely rare in the absence of trauma or iatrogenic injury. Surgeons should be alert to their presence as they can mimic a unilateral mucocele or nasal polyp. Endoscopic management lends itself to a single-stage repair.
Current status of organophosphorus compounds contamination in Maizuru Bay, Japan
Authors: Harino Hiroya , Yatsuzuka Emi , Yamao Chiaki , Ueno Masaaki , Ohji Madoka 
Published: October 2013

The concentrations of organophosphoric acid triesters (OPEs) in water samples from Maizuru Bay were in the range of 3.0–62 ng/l. In general, the concentrations of OPEs were found in the order of TBXP > TDCPP > TCEP > TBP > TCP > TPP > TEP. The organophosphorous pesticides (OPPs) diazinon, fenitrothion, iprobenfos and chlorpyrifos were detected in water samples. The concentrations of OPEs in sediment from Maizuru Bay were in the range of <0.5–56 µg kg−1 dry weight (dw). Among OPPs, diazinon in sediment samples were in the range of 1.8–71 µg kg−1 dw. However, the detection frequencies of fenitrothion and chlorpyrifos in sediment were low. The concentrations of OPEs in mussels from Maizuru Bay were in the range of <1–34 µg kg−1 wet weight (ww). The concentrations of OPEs were found in the order of TBP > TDCPP > TCP > TBXP = TPP = TCEP. Pesticides were detected in mussels, but these concentrations were lower than the acceptable daily intake (ADI) values. The partition coefficients between water and sediment (Kws) of diazinon and fenitrothion were 200–1300 and 200–300, respectively and the partition coefficients between water and biological samples (Kwb) of diazinon and fenitrothion were 700–3300 and 450–700, respectively, suggesting that these pesticides accumulate in biological samples at higher rates than in sediment.
Poverty in China's Colleges and the Targeting of Financial Aid
Authors: Li Hongbin , Meng Lingsheng , Shi Xinzheng , Wu Binzhen 
Published: October 2013

AbstractWe use the Chinese College Student Survey, conducted in 2010, to examine levels of poverty among students on China's campuses. With the poverty line defined as the college-specific expenditures a student needs to maintain a basic living standard on campus, we find that 22 per cent of college students in China are living in poverty. Poverty is more severe among students from rural or western parts of the country. With a targeting count error of more than 50 per cent, it is important that the college need-based aid programme be improved. Lacking other income sources, poor students rely heavily on loans and paid employment to finance their college education.
Interrupted aorta diagnosed in a 51-year-old woman
Authors: Stoyanov Nik , Bullock Andrew , Erickson Matthew 
Published: October 2013

AbstractA 51-year-old lady presented with increasing heart failure symptoms and palpitations. She had recently been diagnosed with a congenital ventricular septal defect, bicuspid aortic valve, and Eisenmenger’s syndrome. There was clinical evidence of right heart failure and differential clubbing and cyanosis affecting the feet but not hands. A cardiac magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated interruption of the aortic arch beyond the left subclavian artery, with the descending aorta perfused entirely through a large patent ductus arteriosus.
ON SMALL SUBSPACE LATTICES IN HILBERT SPACE
Authors: DONG AIJU , WU WENMING , YUAN WEI 
Published: October 2013

AbstractWe study the reflexivity and transitivity of a double triangle lattice of subspaces in a Hilbert space. We show that the double triangle lattice is neither reflexive nor transitive when some invertibility condition is satisfied (by the restriction of a projection under another). In this case, we show that the reflexive lattice determined by the double triangle lattice contains infinitely many projections, which partially answers a problem of Halmos on small lattices of subspaces in Hilbert spaces.
Equivalent circuit model of reliable RF-MEMS switches for component synthesis, fabrication process characterization and failure analysis
Authors: Torres Matabosch Núria , Coccetti Fabio , Kaynak Mehmet , Espana Beatrice , Tillack Bernd , Cazaux Jean-Louis 
Published: October 2013

An accurate and very large band (30–110 GHZ) lumped element equivalent circuit model of capacitive RF-MEMS components based on a standard 250 nm BiCMOS technology is presented. This model is able to predict the effect of the fabrication process dispersion, synthesize new components and monitor the failure mechanisms. Moreover, a reliability study is performed in order to define a screening criterion (VPOUT > 36 V and |VPIN − VPOUT| ≤ 1) based on which a selection of the devices with optimal performance in terms of RF and lifetime performance can be made. Finally, a very quick effective technique (non-intrusive) is proposed to carry out this operation.
A search for varying fundamental constants using hertz-level frequency measurements of cold CH molecules
Authors: Truppe S. , Hendricks R.J. , Tokunaga S.K. , Lewandowski H.J. , Kozlov M.G. , Henkel Christian , Hinds E.A. , Tarbutt M.R. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractMany modern theories predict that the fundamental constants depend on time, position or the local density of matter. Here we develop a spectroscopic method for pulsed beams of cold molecules, and use it to measure the frequencies of microwave transitions in CH with accuracy down to 3 Hz. By comparing these frequencies with those measured from sources of CH in the Milky Way, we test the hypothesis that fundamental constants may differ between the high- and low-density environments of the Earth and the interstellar medium. For the fine structure constant we find Δα/α=(0.3±1.1) × 10−7, the strongest limit to date on such a variation of α. For the electron-to-proton mass ratio we find Δμ/μ=(−0.7±2.2) × 10−7. We suggest how dedicated astrophysical measurements can improve these constraints further and can also constrain temporal variation of the constants.
Extended interaction network of procollagen C-proteinase enhancer-1 in the extracellular matrix
Authors: Salza Romain , Peysselon Franck , Chautard Emilie , Faye Clément , Moschcovich Laura , Weiss Tali , Perrin-Cocon Laure , Lotteau Vincent , Kessler Efrat , Ricard-Blum Sylvie 
Published: October 2013

PCPE-1 (procollagen C-proteinase enhancer-1) is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein that can stimulate procollagen processing by procollagen C-proteinases such as BMP-1 (bone morphogenetic protein 1). PCPE-1 interacts with several proteins in addition to procollagens and BMP-1, suggesting that it could be involved in biological processes other than collagen maturation. We thus searched for additional partners of PCPE-1 in the extracellular matrix, which could provide new insights into its biological roles. We identified 17 new partners of PCPE-1 by SPR (surface plasmon resonance) imaging. PCPE-1 forms a transient complex with the β-amyloid peptide, whereas it forms high or very high affinity complexes with laminin-111 (KD=58.8 pM), collagen VI (KD=9.5 nM), TSP-1 (thrombospondin-1) (KD1=19.9 pM, KD2=14.5 nM), collagen IV (KD=49.4 nM) and endostatin, a fragment of collagen XVIII (KD1=0.30 nM, KD2=1.1 nM). Endostatin binds to the NTR (netrin-like) domain of PCPE-1 and decreases the degree of superstimulation of PCPE-1 enhancing activity by heparin. The analysis of the PCPE-1 interaction network based on Gene Ontology terms suggests that, besides its role in collagen deposition, PCPE-1 might be involved in tumour growth, neurodegenerative diseases and angiogenesis. In vitro assays have indeed shown that the CUB1CUB2 (where CUB is complement protein subcomponents C1r/C1s, urchin embryonic growth factor and BMP-1) fragment of PCPE-1 inhibits angiogenesis.
Native oligomerization determines the mode of action and biological activities of human cathelicidin LL-37
Authors: Xhindoli Daniela , Pacor Sabrina , Guida Filomena , Antcheva Nikolinka , Tossi Alessandro 
Published: October 2013

LL-37 is a multifunctional component of innate immunity, with a membrane-directed antimicrobial activity and receptor-mediated pleiotropic effects on host cells. Sequence variations in its primate orthologues suggest that two types of functional features have evolved; human LL-37-like peptides form amphipathic helical structures and self-assemble under physiological conditions, whereas rhesus RL-37-like peptides only adopt this structure in the presence of bacterial membranes. The first type of peptide has a lower and more medium-sensitive antimicrobial activity than the second type, but an increased capacity to stimulate host cells. Oligomerization strongly affects the mode of interaction with biological membranes and, consequently, both cytotoxicity and receptor-mediated activities. In the present study we explored the effects of LL-37 self-association by using obligate disulfide-linked dimers with either parallel or antiparallel orientations. These had an increased propensity to form stacked helices in bulk solution and when in contact with either anionic or neutral model membranes. The antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria, as well as the cytotoxic effects on host cells, strongly depended on the type of dimerization. To investigate the extent of native oligomerization we replaced Phe5 with the photoactive residue Bpa (p-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine), which, upon UV irradiation, enabled covalent cross-linking and allowed us to assess the extent of oligomerization in both physiological solution and in model membranes.
Stability of cerebral metabolism and substrate availability in humans during hypoxia and hyperoxia
Authors: Ainslie Philip N. , Shaw Andrew D. , Smith Kurt J. , Willie Christopher K. , Ikeda Keita , Graham Joseph , Macleod David B. 
Published: October 2013

Characterization of the influence of oxygen availability on brain metabolism is an essential step toward a better understanding of brain energy homoeostasis and has obvious clinical implications. However, how brain metabolism depends on oxygen availability has not been clearly examined in humans. We therefore assessed the influence of oxygen on CBF (cerebral blood flow) and CMRO2 (cerebral metabolic rates for oxygen) and carbohydrates. PaO2 (arterial partial pressure of oxygen) was decreased for 15 min to ~60, ~44 and ~35 mmHg [to target a SaO2 (arterial oxygen saturation) of 90, 80 and 70% respectively], and elevated to ~320 and ~430 mmHg. Isocapnia was maintained during each trial. At the end of each stage, arterial–jugular venous differences and volumetric CBF were measured to directly calculate cerebral metabolic rates. During progressive hypoxaemia, elevations in CBF were correlated with the reductions in both SaO2 (R2=0.54, P&lt;0.05) and CaO2 (arterial oxygen content) (R2=0.57, P&lt;0.05). Despite markedly reduced CaO2, cerebral oxygen delivery was maintained by increased CBF. Cerebral metabolic rates for oxygen, glucose and lactate remained unaltered during progressive hypoxia. Consequently, cerebral glucose delivery was in excess of that required, and net lactate efflux increased slightly in severe hypoxia, as reflected by a small increase in jugular venous lactate. Progressive hyperoxia did not alter CBF, CaO2, substrate delivery or cerebral metabolism. In conclusion, marked elevations in CBF with progressive hypoxaemia and related reductions in CaO2 resulted in a well-maintained cerebral oxygen delivery. As such, cerebral metabolism is still supported almost exclusively by carbohydrate oxidation during severe levels of hypoxaemia.