bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transcardiac increase in norepinephrine and prognosis in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Tsutamoto Takayoshi , Nishiyama Keizo , Sakai Hiroshi , Tanaka Toshinari , Fujii Masanori , Yamamoto Takashi , Yamaji Masayuki , Horie Minoru 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground:No previous study has compared the transcardiac gradient of norepinephrine (NE) and the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).Aim:To evaluate the prognostic role of the transcardiac gradient of NE in patients with CHF.Methods:We measured haemodynamic parameters and plasma levels of NE, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N‐terminal proBNP (NT‐proBNP) in the aortic root (AO) and coronary sinus (CS) in 356 consecutive patients with CHF.Results:During a median follow‐up of 3.5 years, 40 patients died. Transcardiac gradients of BNP (273±276 vs. 472±433 pg/mL, p<0.0001), NT‐proBNP (417±700 vs. 928±1093 pg/mL, p<0.0001) and NE (114±160 vs. 473±992 pg/mL, p<0.0001) were significantly higher in non‐survivors than survivors. After adjustment for clinical variables associated with CHF including haemodynamics and neurohumoral factors, the transcardiac gradient of NE (p<0.0001) and plasma log NT‐proBNP (p<0.0001) were independent prognostic predictors. Among 67 patients in whom 123I‐metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) could be performed, transcardiac increase in NE was correlated with the washout rate (r=0.398, p=0.0009) and was a superior predictor of mortality than MIBG parameters on stepwise multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analyses.Conclusion:The transcardiac increase in NE is an independent and useful prognostic predictor for evaluating the prognosis of CHF patients.
VARIETIES OF ABELIAN TOPOLOGICAL GROUPS AND SCATTERED SPACES
Authors: MCPHAIL CAROLYN E. , MORRIS SIDNEY A. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe variety of topological groups generated by the class of all abelian kω-groups has been shown to equal the variety of topological groups generated by the free abelian topological group on [0, 1]. In this paper it is proved that the free abelian topological group on a compact Hausdorff space X generates the same variety if and only if X is not scattered.
Turbulent flow similarity over an array of cubes in near-neutrally stratified atmospheric flow
Authors: INAGAKI A. , KANDA M. 
Published: November 2008

The main objective of this study is to examine the robustness of the inner-layer scaling similarity of near-wall turbulence. The turbulent boundary layer of interest is over a very rough surface with a very high Reynolds number and significant outer-layer disturbances. This is not consistent with the canonical turbulent flows studied in laboratories, but it is common in urban areas. The investigation was conducted using the comprehensive outdoor scale model (COSMO) facility. COSMO is composed of a regular array of 1.5 m concrete cubes on a 50×100 m2flat concrete base. This unique facility allows us to obtain the turbulent dataset within the vertical constant stress region under near-neutral stratification at high Reynolds numbers. The turbulent spectra and the standard deviation of velocity fluctuations from COSMO were compared with the values obtained over rural and urban surfaces, and in wind-tunnel experiments.The results confirmed that the inner-layer scaling similarity was robust for the wall-normal fluctuations and the Reynolds stress, independent of the roughness types and the outer-layer conditions. The inner-layer scaling similarity failed for the horizontal velocity fluctuations owing to the influence of the outer-layer disturbance. The relative importance of outer-layer turbulence to inner-layer-scale eddies in the horizontal velocity fluctuations was successfully quantified in terms of the roughness scale normalized by the outer-layer scale.
Instability of higher harmonic electrostatic ion cyclotron waves in a negative ion plasma
Authors: ROSENBERG M. , MERLINO R. L. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractWe present a kinetic theory analysis of the electrostatic ion cyclotron (EIC) instability in a plasma containing positive ions, electrons, and negative ions that are much more massive than the positive ions. Conditions are investigated for exciting the fundamental and the higher harmonic EIC waves associated with each ion species. We find that as the concentration of heavy negative ions increases, the wave frequencies increase, the unstable spectrum in general shifts to longer perpendicular wavelengths, and the growth of higher harmonic EIC waves tends to increase within certain parameter ranges. Applications to possible laboratory plasmas are discussed.
Cosmopolitanism and the Modern Girl: A Cross-Cultural Discourse in 1930s Penang
Authors: LEWIS SU LIN 
Published: November 2008

AbstractIn the 1920s and 1930s, the Modern Girl emerged in advertisements, cinema and public discourse all over the globe. While she was implicated in nationalist projects of social reform in post-war Britain and Japan, in multicultural, port-city environments such as Penang, the Modern Girl was central to a discourse of ‘cosmopolitanism’. Lively debates about the Modern Girl in Penang's English press wrestled with the tensions between cultural authenticity, diversity and modernity. Male and female readers of theStraits Echo, from different ethnic backgrounds, engaged with each other in a shared public space about issues ranging from education and politics to women's liberality and fashion. The Modern Girl thus represents a new way of looking at the history of colonial Malaysia in the interwar period: one not focused on ethnic nationalism and communalism, but on a shared, multi-ethnic mode of belonging rooted in the globalist environment of the late colonial port-city.
Isolation and genetic characterization of Neospora caninum from asymptomatic calves in Spain
Authors: REGIDOR-CERRILLO J. , GÓMEZ-BAUTISTA M. , PEREIRA-BUENO J. , ADURIZ G. , NAVARRO-LOZANO V. , RISCO-CASTILLO V. , FÉRNANDEZ-GARCÍA A. , PEDRAZA-DÍAZ S. , ORTEGA-MORA L. M. 
Published: November 2008

SUMMARYNeospora caninum is a cyst-forming parasite that causes abortion in cattle. Despite this parasite's ubiquitous distribution and wide host range, the number of N. caninum isolates obtained to date is limited. In vitro isolation of the parasite is arduous and often unsuccessful. In addition, most isolates have been obtained from clinically affected hosts and therefore could be biased towards more virulent isolates. In this report, an improved isolation approach from transplacentally infected newborn calves was undertaken and 9 new isolates were obtained. Moreover, a microsatellite technique was applied to investigate the genetic diversity of these isolates. Most isolates showed specific genetic profiles. However, the Nc-Spain10 isolate was identical to the previously described Nc-Spain1H isolate and Nc-Spain3H was identical to Nc-Spain4H. These isolates were likely to have identical genotypes because they were isolated from distinct calves of the same herd. Future pathogenic characterization of these isolates will contribute to the investigation of the relationship between isolate virulence and the outcome of infection, as well as other epidemiological features, such as transmission.
Evolutionary history of trypanosomes from South American caiman (Caiman yacare) and African crocodiles inferred by phylogenetic analyses using SSU rDNA and gGAPDH genes
Authors: VIOLA L. B. , ALMEIDA R. S. , FERREIRA R. C. , CAMPANER M. , TAKATA C. S. A. , RODRIGUES A. C. , PAIVA F. , CAMARGO E. P. , TEIXEIRA M. M. G. 
Published: November 2008

SUMMARYIn this study, using a combined data set of SSU rDNA and gGAPDH gene sequences, we provide phylogenetic evidence that supports clustering of crocodilian trypanosomes from the Brazilian Caiman yacare (Alligatoridae) and Trypanosoma grayi, a species that circulates between African crocodiles (Crocodilydae) and tsetse flies. In a survey of trypanosomes in Caiman yacare from the Brazilian Pantanal, the prevalence of trypanosome infection was 35% as determined by microhaematocrit and haemoculture, and 9 cultures were obtained. The morphology of trypomastigotes from caiman blood and tissue imprints was compared with those described for other crocodilian trypanosomes. Differences in morphology and growth behaviour of caiman trypanosomes were corroborated by molecular polymorphism that revealed 2 genotypes. Eight isolates were ascribed to genotype Cay01 and 1 to genotype Cay02. Phylogenetic inferences based on concatenated SSU rDNA and gGAPDH sequences showed that caiman isolates are closely related to T. grayi, constituting a well-supported monophyletic assemblage (clade T. grayi). Divergence time estimates based on clade composition, and biogeographical and geological events were used to discuss the relationships between the evolutionary histories of crocodilian trypanosomes and their hosts.
Differential inhibition of high and low Mrthioredoxin reductases of parasites by organotelluriums supports the concept that low Mrthioredoxin reductases are good drug targets
Authors: McMILLAN P. J. , PATZEWITZ E. M. , YOUNG S. E. , WESTROP G. D. , COOMBS G. H. , ENGMAN L. , MÜLLER S. 
Published: November 2008

SUMMARYThioredoxin reductase (TrxR), a NADPH-dependent disulfide oxidoreductase, is vital in numerous cellular processes including defence against reactive oxygen species, cell proliferation and signal transduction. TrxRs occur in 2 forms, a high Mrenzyme characterized by those of mammals, the malaria parasitePlasmodium falciparumand some worms, and a low Mrform is present in bacteria, fungi, plants and some protozoan parasites. Our hypothesis is that the differences between the forms can be exploited in the development of selective inhibitors. In this study, cyclodextrin- and sulfonic acid-derived organotelluriums known to inhibit mammalian TrxR were investigated for their relative efficacy againstP. falciparumTrxR (PfTrxR), a high Mrenzyme, andTrichomonas vaginalisTrxR (TvTrxR), a low Mrform of TrxR. The results suggest that selective inhibition of low MrTrxRs is a feasible goal.
Effects of front surface plasma expansion on proton acceleration in ultraintense laser irradiation of foil targets
Authors: McKenna P. , Carroll D.C. , Lundh O. , Nürnberg F. , Markey K. , Bandyopadhyay S. , Batani D. , Evans R.G. , Jafer R. , Kar S. , Neely D. , Pepler D. , Quinn M.N. , Redaelli R. , Roth M. , Wahlström C.-G. , Yuan X.H. , Zepf M. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe properties of beams of high energy protons accelerated during ultraintense, picosecond laser-irradiation of thin foil targets are investigated as a function of preplasma expansion at the target front surface. Significant enhancement in the maximum proton energy and laser-to-proton energy conversion efficiency is observed at optimum preplasma density gradients, due to self-focusing of the incident laser pulse. For very long preplasma expansion, the propagating laser pulse is observed to filament, resulting in highly uniform proton beams, but with reduced flux and maximum energy.
Trajectory optimization of flexible link manipulators in point-to-point motion
Authors: Korayem M. H. , Nikoobin A. , Azimirad V. 
Published: November 2008

SUMMARYThe aim of this paper is to determine the optimal trajectory and maximum payload of flexible link manipulators in point-to-point motion. The method starts with deriving the dynamic equations of flexible manipulators using combined Euler–Lagrange formulation and assumed modes method. Then the trajectory planning problem is defined as a general form of optimal control problem. The computational methods to solve this problem are classified as indirect and direct techniques. This work is based on the indirect solution of open-loop optimal control problem. Because of the offline nature of the method, many difficulties like system nonlinearities and all types of constraints can be catered for and implemented easily. By using the Pontryagin's minimum principle, the obtained optimality conditions lead to a standard form of a two-point boundary value problem solved by the available command in MATLAB®. In order to determine the optimal trajectory a computational algorithm is presented for a known payload and the other one is then developed to find the maximum payload trajectory. The optimal trajectory and corresponding input control obtained from this method can be used as a reference signal and feedforward command in control structure of flexible manipulators. In order to clarify the method, derivation of the equations for a planar two-link manipulator is presented in detail. A number of simulation tests are performed and optimal paths with minimum effort, minimum effort-speed, maximum payload, and minimum vibration are obtained. The obtained results illustrate the power and efficiency of the method to solve the different path planning problems and overcome the high nonlinearity nature of the problems.
Spatial variation in structural damage to a keystone plant species in the sub-Antarctic: interactions betweenAzorella selagoand invasive house mice
Authors: Phiri Ethel E. , McGeoch Melodie A. , Chown Steven L. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractOn Southern Ocean islands the effects of the house mouse on plants are not well understood. In particular, its influence at the landscape scale has largely been overlooked. To address this issue, we systematically mapped the distribution of a keystone, cushion plant species,Azorella selago, and mouse damage to it across Marion Island. Mouse damage was observed in a third of the sampled sites from sea level to 548 m a.s.l. Damage to individual cushions ranged from single burrows to the disintegration of entire cushions. Mouse damage was high in sites with lowA. selagodensity, suggesting that in areas of low cushion density the impact of mice may be substantial. Moreover, it is not simply direct impacts on theA. selagopopulation that are ecologically significant.Azorella selagocushions serve as nurse plants for many epiphyte species, so increasing the altitudinal range of a variety of them, and also house high densities of invertebrates especially in fellfield landscapes. In consequence, this study demonstrates that mice are having a significant, negative impact at the landscape scale on Marion Island, so adding to the growing list of species and ecosystem-level effects attributable to this invasive rodent.
The First Electroacoustic Pieces by Karlheinz Stockhausen: Technologies and Aesthetics
Authors: Tissot Gaël 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThis article aims to bring to light the links between technology and aesthetics in the first electroacoustic pieces written between 1953 and 1966 by Karlheinz Stockhausen. After reviewing the technological differences of the two aesthetics of musique concrète (France) and elektronische Musik (Germany), it is possible to see how Stockhausen transcended this distinction by gradually creating more diversified material, leading to a ‘world material’, independent from the tools used. This comes along with a more global approach to the sound. The composer, by an appropriate use of the equipment, does not seek an individual control of each element or each parameter, but has a larger-scale view, in which time units are longer and are considered as a whole. This conception, while remaining as precise as an analytical approach, involves a rethinking of the time development, proposed by Stockhausen as the Momentform, a new musical form in which each part is independent and does not constitute the continuation of the preceding one. This reflection on non-linearity in a work, and on relative perception of time, is a key to understanding Stockhausen's music.
The influence of technology on the composition of Stockhausen's Octophonie, with particular reference to the issues of spatialisation in a three-dimensional listening environment
Authors: Clarke Michael , Manning Peter 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe legacy of Stockhausen's role in developing the art and practice of electroacoustic music is significant, in terms of both the repertory of works he produced for the medium from the early 1950s right up to his death in 2007, and also the supporting documentation he has provided in terms of scores and technical records and his many writings on the medium over the years. What emerges from this documentation is a fascinating and at times significant insight into his compositional methods and underlying aesthetic, itself shaped and influenced by the changing nature of the technology itself. Whereas his earlier works have been subject to close scrutiny in this context far less attention has been paid to those composed in more recent years, involving the use of digital technologies. A key consideration in this context is the distinctive and highly individual nature of his approach to the resources at his disposal, in turn driven by aesthetic considerations which of necessity become embedded in the practicalities of realisation. Thus the study of the changing nature of his techné as new tools became available becomes a crucial consideration. This article examines these issues in the context of Octophonie (1991) and with particular reference to the concepts and practicalities addressed in his use of three-dimensional spatialisation.
This is not a C#: What My Computer Means
Authors: Iglesia Daniel 
Published: November 2008

AbstractComputers contain layers of abstraction between the raw audio bits and the user experience; each layer requires a method of traversal that reflects the attitudes of the programmer/composer/performer. The navigation of this hierarchy results in modes of thought that affect notions of how musical signifiers can be subverted and redefined. This explosion of individualistic technological systems defines meaning for new sonic results, devoid of traditional communicative signs; the manipulations within these systems directly assail the traditional signification of artistic value and of institutional canonisation. A few pieces and scenarios are presented as examples. Additionally presented are two opposing tendencies (with some empirical manifestations) in the creation of live performances systems, here labelled as extensional and algorithmic. The article posits that a performance system cannot amplify human expression without necessarily having either predefined processes or predefined limitations, and that the choice in this design is reflected in the composer's attitude towards layer-traversal.
The Analysis of Generative Music Programs
Authors: Collins Nick 
Published: November 2008

AbstractComposers have spent more than fifty years devising computer programs for the semi-automated production of music. This article shall focus in particular on the case of minimal run-time human intervention, where a program allows the creation of a musical variation, typically unravelling in realtime, on demand. These systems have the capacity to vary their output with each run, often from no more input information than the seeding of a random number generator with the start time. Such artworks are accumulating, released online as downloads, or exhibited through streaming radio sites such as rand()%. Listener/users and composer/designers may wish for deeper insight into these programs' ontological status, mechanisms and creative potential. These works are challenging to dissect; this article makes a tentative start at confronting the unique problems and rich behaviours of computer-program-based generative music, from the social and historical context to the backwards engineering of programs in relation to their sound world. After a discussion of exemplars and definitions of generative art, strategies for analysis are outlined. To provide practical examples, analyses are provided of two small scale works by James McCartney.
Formalising Form: An Alternative Approach To Algorithmic Composition
Authors: Hedelin Fredrik 
Published: November 2008

AbstractOne main issue in the field of algorithmic composition is the relationship
between the algorithm and the final musical structure. This article investigates
that relationship further and presents a method of algorithmic thinking in which
the musical form is the starting point. Kimon, an object-oriented programming environment for computer-aided
composition in which one creates abstractions of musical form, will be
introduced. The aim is to take algorithmic composition closer to the musical
output in order to work systematically with form and dramaturgy. An
electroacoustic piece that has been conceived and generated in its entirety by
the system will also be presented.
HIEMPA: Hybrid Instruments from Electroacoustic Manipulation and Models of Pütorino and Aquascape
Authors: Whalley Ian 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe HIEMPA project combined a team of people with technical, artistic, environmental and cultural expertise towards an artistic outcome aiming to extend the New Zealand sonic art tradition. The work involved collecting audio samples from the aquascape of the Ruakuri Caves and Nature Reserve in Waitomo, South Waikato, New Zealand; and samples of a variety of pütorino – a New Zealand Mäori wind instrument. Following a machine learning analysis of this audio material and an analysis of the performance material, hybrid digital instruments were built and mapped to suitable hardware triggers. The new instruments are playable in realtime, along with the electroacoustic manipulation of pütorino performances. The project takes into account the environmental and cultural significance of the source material, with the results to be released as a set of compositions. This paper discusses the background research and process of the project.
Imperial paths, big comparisons: the late Ottoman Empire
Authors: Emrence Cem 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe main goals of this article are to review historiographical trends and set new directions for late Ottoman history. First, the paper demonstrates that current research on the late Ottoman Empire still operates within the confines of the centre–periphery model, and sustains dualistic and state-centred narratives. Second, I argue that a ‘historical trajectory’ framework is a better analytical tool and empirical strategy. It is spatial, path-dependent, and comparative. With special reference to the Middle Eastern provinces, I show that the Ottoman Empire was characterized by distinct imperial paths during the nineteenth century, each representing an alternative route to state–society and local–global relations. The article further suggests that a trajectory-specific approach can provide new prospects for understanding Eurasian land-based empires from a comparative perspective.
Knowledge and divergence from the perspective of early modern India
Authors: Roy Tirthankar 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThis article explores the origins of divergent technological pathways in the early modern world, and the role that artisanal knowledge played in this process. It rejects older explanations based on societal differences in entrepreneurial propensities and incentives, and a more modern one based on factor cost. It argues instead for the importance of conditions that facilitated transactions between complementary skills. In India, the institutional setting within which artisan techniques were learned had made such transactions less likely than in eighteenth-century Europe. The cost of acquiring knowledge, therefore, was relatively high in India.