bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Swimming Performance of Juvenile Blue Catfish and Hybrid Catfish
Authors: Beecham Rachel Venn , Minchew C Douglas , Parsons Glenn R , LaBarre Susan B
Published: October 2009

We compared the swimming performance of juvenile blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus and hybrid catfish (female channel catfish I. punctatus × male blue catfish) using a protocol in which fish were forced to swim at a fixed velocity and their time to fatigue recorded at speeds of 30–120 cm/s. Hybrid catfish swam significantly longer than blue catfish at all of the speeds tested except 30 and 40 cm/s. The maximum sustained swimming speed (no fatigue in times ≥200 min) was 30 and 40 cm/s for blue catfish and hybrid catfish, respectively. The maximum prolonged swimming speed (fatigue in times >20 s but <200 min) was 100 cm/s for blue catfish and 120 cm/s for hybrid catfish. The burst swimming speed (fatigue in times <20 s) for blue catfish was 110 cm/s. The burst swimming speed for hybrid catfish was not determined; however, it is higher than its maximum prolonged swimming speed of 120 cm/s (highest speed tested). Hybrid catfish were able to swim longer before fatiguing than were blue catfish at 50 cm/s (156 versus 97 min) and at 60 cm/s (33 versus 6 min). Both blue catfish and hybrid catfish fatigued in less than 5 min at 70 cm/s, less than 3 min at 80 cm/s, and less than 60 s at 110 cm/s. No blue catfish swam at 120 cm/s while hybrids swam for 26 s at that speed. The results of this study will help fish producers understand the relationship between the speed of water currents produced by various aeration equipment and fatigue in pond-raised blue and hybrid catfish fingerlings.
Characterization of Red Drum Microsatellite Markers in Spotted Seatrout
Authors: Renshaw Mark A , Gawriluk Tom R , Gold John R
Published: October 2009

Polymerase chain reaction primers for a total of 132 nuclear-encoded microsatellites originally developed from genomic libraries for red drum Sciaenops ocellatus produced reliable and consistent amplifications in the closely related spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus. Thirty-three of the primers amplified microsatellites that were monomorphic among a sample of 30 individuals, while 12 of the remaining 99 polymorphic loci exhibited possible null alleles. This provides a set of 87 microsatellite loci that will be highly useful in future genetic studies related to the stock enhancement and culture of spotted seatrout. Spotted seatrout comprise an important recreational fishery in the bays and estuaries in U.S. waters of the Gulf of Mexico and western Atlantic Ocean, and stock enhancement via supplementation with hatchery-reared individuals is ongoing, planned, or under consideration in several southern states.
Reestruturação produtiva, trabalho e estratégias de desenvolvimento local à luz da teoria do novo regionalismo
Authors: Souza Simone de , Carvalho Neto Antonio
Published: October 2009

Este artigo busca contribuir com a discussão sobre a influência do processo de reestruturação produtiva do setor siderúrgico brasileiro na década de 1990 sobre o desenvolvimento local. A agenda das ciências sociais tem discutido os impactos dessa transformação na estrutura produtiva das empresas e no nível de emprego das cidades. Diante desse panorama, o poder local está assumindo uma série de políticas de atração de empresas e atividades econômicas para seus territórios. O enfoque teórico escolhido foi a teoria do novo regionalismo, abordagem de desenvolvimento mais rara na literatura. Este estudo de caso foi realizado na cidade pólo da região do Vale do Aço, leste de Minas Gerais, com o intuito de analisar os impactos da reestruturação produtiva de uma grande corporação industrial siderúrgica no mercado de trabalho local e o papel dos stakeholders da cidade em articular coalizões para promover o desenvolvimento. Os resultados analisados reproduzem o que foi encontrado na literatura afim, no que diz respeito à perda de significância do setor industrial em contraposição ao ocorrido nos setores de serviços e de comércio no mercado de trabalho daquela região, bem como o papel dos stakeholders da cidade na articulação de coalizões para promover o desenvolvimento local. Também se constatou que a rede de cooperação entre os stakeholders é limitada para estimular o crescimento do município.
Blocking L-type calcium channels reduced the threshold of cAMP-induced steroidogenic acute regulatory gene expression in MA-10 mouse Leydig cells
Authors: Pandey Akhilesh K , Li Wei , Yin Xiangling , Stocco Douglas M , Grammas Paula , Wang XingJia
Published: October 2009

Previous studies have reported the roles of Ca2+ in steroidogenesis. The present study has investigated an inhibitory effect of Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels on gene expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory (STAR) protein that regulates the transfer of substrate cholesterol to the inner mitochondrial membrane for steroidogenesis. Blocking Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels using the selective Ca2+ channel blocker, nifedipine, markedly enhanced cAMP-induced STAR protein expression and progesterone production in MA-10 mouse Leydig cells. This was confirmed by utilization of different L-type Ca2+ channel blockers. Reverse transcription-PCR analyses of Star mRNA and luciferase assays of Star promoter activity indicated that blocking Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels acted at the level of Star gene transcription. Further studies showed that blocking the Ca2+ channel enhanced Star gene transcription by depressing the expression of DAX-1 (NR0B1 as listed in the MGI Database) protein, a transcriptional repressor of Star gene expression. It was also observed that there is a synergistic interaction between nifedipine and cAMP. Normally, sub-threshold levels of cAMP are unable to induce steroidogenesis, but in the presence of the L-type Ca2+ channel blocker, they increased STAR protein and steroid hormone to the maximal levels. However, in the absence of minimal levels of cAMP, none of the L-type Ca2+ channel blockers are able to induce Star gene expression. These observations indicate that Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels is involved in an inhibitory effect on Star gene expression. Blocking L-type Ca2+ channel attenuated the inhibition and reduced the threshold of cAMP-induced Star gene expression in Leydig cells.
Use of New Hydrostatic-Packer Concept To Manage Lost Returns, Well Control, and Cement Placement in Field Operations
Authors: Dupriest Fred E.
Published: October 2009

A hydrostatic packer consists of a column of light fluid pumped into the annulus or drillstring to cause the total hydrostatic head to be equal to or less than the integrity, which is a product of the fracture-closure stress (FCS). This result is positive surface pressure, which allows accurate placement of cement, lost-returns treatments, or other fluids in situations where they would otherwise be overdisplaced if a full column of drill-weight mud were used. Although hydrostatic packers are not a physical device, they are referred to as packers because they serve many of the same functions as retainers and squeeze tools and are used in similar operational situations.

The operator has used hydrostatic packers in one area for 15 years and globally for the last seven years. Despite the maturity of the practice, it has not been adopted by the industry. The business value is large, but the lack of understanding of fracture mechanics in the drilling industry raises a significant barrier. The use of hydrostatic packers requires that engineering, operations, and contractor personnel understand the fracture propagation mechanism through which major lost returns events occur, and particularly the role of FCS. The team must also develop field practices to mitigate specific risks associated with hydrostatic packers. This paper discusses these points along with the operational issues that must be considered in certain unique situations.

The applications described include stabilizing the annulus following lost returns, controlling placement of lost-circulation material (LCM) when pumping pills, controlling cement placement during squeeze operations, achieving high-quality cement coverage behind liners with lost returns, and management of downward underground flow.

Hydrostatic packers have been used effectively in more than 30 fields and have contributed greatly to the operator's high success rate in treating lost returns events (Dupriest 2005). Their use requires training and structured risk assessment, but they are simple in concept and have been effective in controlling fluid placement in all field applications to date.
Predicting Changes in Older Adults' Interpersonal Control Strivings
Authors: Sorkin Dara H. , Rook Karen S. , Heckhausen Jutta , Billimek John
Published: October 2009

People vary in the importance they ascribe to, and efforts they invest in, maintaining positive relationships with others. Research has linked such variation in interpersonal control strivings to the quality of social exchanges experienced, but little work has examined the predictors of interpersonal control strivings. Given the importance of close relationships in later life, this study examined conditions that might precipitate increases or declines in interpersonal control strivings over a 2-year period. Specifically, change in interpersonal control strivings was hypothesized to be particularly influenced by the interplay of two co-occurring conditions: 1) experiences in the social environment that bolster or undermine older adults' motivation to foster satisfying social ties and 2) the availability of personal resources to respond to these experiences. The findings suggest that a change in older adults' interpersonal control strivings over a 2-year period was affected jointly by the frequency with which they experienced positive social exchanges and their health status. Features of the social environment, therefore, may interact with personal resources to influence interpersonal control strivings in later life.
Immigration & Immigration Reform in the United States: An Outsider's View
Authors: Hansen Randall
Published: October 2009

This article examines the immigration issue in the United States in a comparative and (to a lesser degree) historical context. It begins by stepping back and examining broader immigration patterns, first to the United States and then to Canada and select European countries. It then moves on to the issue of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S., their numbers, motivations for travelling to the United States, past efforts to address unauthorized immigration, and developments since the onset of the 2008-present recession. Finally, the article concludes by reflecting on the possibilities, and limitations, surrounding President Obama's  indeed, any president's  attempts to end unauthorized immigration to the U.S. and to bring some closure to the debate about what to do with those already there. It makes a qualified case, given how unappealing the alternative is, for legalization and a temporary workers program.
Navigating an American Minefield: The Politics of Illegal Immigration
Authors: Tichenor Daniel J
Published: October 2009

Few issues have proven more contentious in American politics during recent decades than immigration. Although there is wide agreement that the existing immigration system is "broken," major policy reform poses enormous political perils for presidents and congressional leaders. The internal conflicts within the Republican and Democratic Parties are at least as great as those between rival partisans. The obstacles to reform are especially daunting when focused on illegal immigration and the status of unauthorized immigrants. This article explains why immigration policymaking is so politically divisive, and how illegal immigration in particular makes even basic problem definition difficult, focusing on the role of rival ideas and interests, elusive coalition-building, widespread cynicism over past implementation failures, an expanded scope of conflict, and flawed policy alternatives. It also illuminates how the Clinton and Bush administrations formulated strategic responses to pressures for immigration reform. The implications of recent immigration reform politics are striking: Whereas Clinton translated its lethargy and defensive opportunism on immigration policy into consequential electoral gains for the Democrats among Latinos and Asians, Bush's vigorous advocacy produced a rebellious and unmanageable party base and further eroded support for the Republican Party among new immigrant voters and kindred ethnics. Significantly, the Obama administration is almost certain to have far fewer degrees of freedom on immigration than its recent predecessors.
Why "Comprehensive Immigration Reform" Is Not Comprehensive
Authors: Skerry Peter
Published: October 2009

"Comprehensive immigration reform" has become the banner around which highly visible efforts to address this seemingly intractable issue now assemble. Yet even as immigration has been drawn by various political entrepreneurs onto the center stage of American politics, the quiet workings of client politics are still very much in evidence. The by-play between these two different types of politics has been evident in connection with foreign agricultural laborers, refugees, and skilled temporary workers. A proposed immigration commission might be the means of buffering immigration policy-making from the drawbacks of both client and entrepreneurial politics.
Geographical changes in relative frequency of inversions in chromosome III of Drosophila pseudoobscura among natural populations from Mexico
Authors: Salceda Víctor
Published: October 2009

Chromosomal polymorphism in natural populations of Drosophila pseudoobscura have been broadly studied in the USA but scarcely in Mexico where only about 60 localities have been analyzed. Differences among both regions are notorious with respect to their chromosomal constitution. Northern populations, those of USA, have as representative inversions the sequences ST, AR and CH contrasting with those in Southern populations (Mexico) in which prevail the gene arrangements TL, CU and SC. Assuming as a probable mechanism that has allowed these substitutions the flow generated by the presence of a North - South clines, we took as a goal find out if such clines really exist. With that objective in mind we studied 29 populations of this species distributed along four North - South transects. Specimens of D. pseudoobscura caught by attracting them with fermenting bananas were carried to the laboratory where from each female an isofemale line was established. When their offspring appeared a single larva from each isofemale was taken, its salivary glands extracted and stained with a solution of lacto-aceto- orcein, by these means the polytene chromosomes were obtained. On these chromosomes we identified, for each larva, the inversion (s) carried in the third chromosome, in such a way 3439 third chromosomes were analyzed. Among the 29 localities we identified 17 different inversions but the number of them varied from population to population from three to eleven. Relative frequencies of each inversion at every location were calculated and with them for each transect the presence or absence of clines was determined. Among each transect the existence of clines was observed only between two or three near by populations, but we were not able to find a clear manifestation of the presence of clines along a complete transect. Our results at this respect are similar to those previously reported for USA populations. A mechanism that explains North - South substitutions of predominant inversions remains as open question.
Solid phase extraction and a spectrophotometric method for the determination of trace amounts of gold with 4-rhodanineazo benzoic acid
Authors: Huang Jie , Wang Guo , Zhang Jun
Published: October 2009

The synthesis and application of 4-rhodanineazo benzoic acid (4-BARA) as a new chromogenic reagent for the determination of gold is described. A highly sensitive, selective, and fast method for the determination of gold based on its rapid reaction with 4-rhodanineazo benzoic acid and the solid phase extraction of the colored complex on a reversed phase Clean-up? C5 cartridge was developed. In the presence of 0.02-0.2 mol/L phosphoric acid solution and a polyoxyethylene nonylphenol ether (emulsifier-OP) medium, 4-rhodanineazo benzoic acid reacted with gold to form a colored complex with a gold-to-4-BARA molar ratio of 1:2. The complex was enriched by solid phase extraction with a reversed phase Clean-up? C5 cartridge. The complex was eluted from the cartridge with ethanol and an enrichment factor of 50 was achieved. In ethanol medium, the molar absorptivity of the complex was 2.39?105 L mol-1 cm-1 at 505 nm. The Beer Law was obeyed in the concentration range 0.01-~1.2 ?g/mL. The relative standard deviation for eleven replicate samples at the 0.001 ?g/mL level was 2.3%. In the original sample, the detection limit was 8.0?10-5 ?g/mL. This method was applied to the determination of trace amounts of gold in ore samples with good result.
Recanalization of Chronic Carotid Occlusion: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Matic Predrag , Ilijevski Nenad , Radak Sandra , Kolar Jovo , Radak Djordje
Published: October 2009

Recanalization of an occluded extracranial internal carotid artery is a rare event. The mechanism remains unclear. We report a case of recanalized internal carotid artery in its extracranial portion. The patient underwent successful carotid endarterectomy.
Hybrid Approach for Treatment of Behind the Knee Popliteal Artery Aneurysms
Authors: Hingorani Anil P. , Ascher Enrico , Marks Natalie , Shiferson Alexander , Puggioni Alessandra , Tran Victor , Patel Nirav , Jacob Theresa
Published: October 2009

We describe herein a combined approach to the treatment of popliteal artery aneurysms (PAA) that averts extensive dissections and potential blood loss particularly in cases of behind-the-knee aneurysms. Over the last 4 years, 13 patients (12 males) with mean age of 75 ± 8 years were treated for PAAs at our institution with a combined surgical and endovascular approach. The mean size of popliteal aneurysms was 2.9 cm ± 1.7 cm. One of the 13 cases (8%) was performed for acute ischemia and an additional 5 (38%) for claudication. All operations were performed under general anesthesia in supine position. Vein conduits (eight ipsilateral great saphenous veins, two contralateral great saphenous veins and one arm vein) were utilized for 11 bypasses. Of these, eight were from superficial femoral artery (SFA) to below the knee popliteal artery, two popliteal to popliteal and one SFA to posterior tibial artery. In addition, two expanded polytetrafluoroethylene femoral popliteal bypasses were performed. The distal anastomosis was performed after the popliteal artery was ligated distal to the aneurysm. Next, coil embolization of the aneurysmal sac was performed under fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance. Coils were embolized through a 5F sheath. Lastly, the popliteal artery was ligated distal to the proximal anastomosis. Completion studies were obtained with duplex in six cases and arteriography in the remaining five cases. Mean follow-up was 11.6 months ± 9.6. One bypass occluded in 2 months after surgery. One patient demonstrated continued growth of his aneurysm despite coil embolization twice and underwent an open ligation of the branches perfusing the aneurysm from within the sac through a posterior approach. This approach may be particularly useful for PAAs located behind the knee where optimal surgical exposure is often difficult and the collateral circulation is abundant. The proposed technique is simple, effective and averts extensive dissections required to minimize blood loss.
Klippel-Trénaunay Syndrome: Treatment of Lower Extremity Pain with a Spinal Cord Stimulator
Authors: Franz Randall W. , Prok Aleksey
Published: October 2009

A young adult man with Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome presented to our pain management service with complaints of severe lower extremity neuropathic pain (pain scale 8 of 10 on the left and 4 of 10 on the right). The pain in his left leg was so severe that he wanted to undergo a left lower extremity amputation. The patient declined chronic use of narcotic medications for pain relief, believing that this would interfere with his educational and lifestyle pursuits. After a complete evaluation for possible sources of pain, we performed a trial placement of a spinal cord stimulator at the T9 level, which relieved his pain. We then placed a stimulator at the T10 level. At 1 year postimplantation, he was pain free (pain scale 1 of 10 bilaterally) and was able to function normally without narcotic support. We believe this to be the first use of a spinal cord stimulator for lower extremity pain resulting from Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome. We also discuss the clinical evaluation and treatment of a Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome patient with chronic pain.
Use of the Angiojet Catheter to Remove Plaque Outside a Neuroprotection Filter during Carotid Artery Stenting
Authors: Wellons Eric D. , Kochupura Paul V. , Burkett Allison B. , McDevitt Daniel T. , Rosenthal David
Published: October 2009

Carotid protection devices (CPD) during carotid artery stenting reduce the risk of cerebral embolization. The presence of debris outside the filter presents a problem as the material may be plaque or thrombus. We report a case that required the use of the Angiojet catheter to remove debris outside the CPD.
Self-Rated Health and Health Care Use Among Women With Histories of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Kim Catherine , Vahratian Anjel
Published: October 2009

OBJECTIVE

To examine self-rated health and health care utilization among women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (hGDM).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This study was a cross-sectional analysis of the 2006 National Health Interview Survey of parous women with (n = 370) and without (n = 6,695) hGDM.

RESULTS

Women with hGDM reported fair or poor health status and ≥10 office visits in the past year more frequently than women without hGDM. The higher prevalence of obesity in hGDM women accounted for their poorer self-rated health after adjustment for other demographic factors. Whereas the association between hGDM and more frequent office visits was reduced after adjustment for demographic factors including health insurance, hGDM was still associated with a lower odds of contact with a mental health professional.

CONCLUSIONS

Because of obesity, women with hGDM have poorer self-rated health than women without hGDM. Contact with mental health providers was reduced compared with women without hGDM.
Learning From Our Differences: A Dialogue Across Perspectives on Quality in Education Research
Authors: Moss Pamela A. , Phillips D. C. , Erickson Frederick D. , Floden Robert E. , Lather Patti A. , Schneider Barbara L.
Published: October 2009

The dialogue re-presented in this article is intended to foster mutual engagement—and opportunity for learning—across different perspectives on research within the education research community. Participants in the dialogue each addressed the following questions: (1) What are the touchstones by which you judge quality or rigor in education research (for a single study, a set of studies, or a “field” or community of researchers in dialogue)? What is your chief concern or fear that the touchstones guard against? (2) Where do you see challenges to your perspective in the perspectives of other members of the panel? How might your perspective evolve to respond to those challenges? Given all of this, what are the implications for the preparation of education researchers? Opening and closing comments set the dialogue in historical context, highlight issues raised, and suggest next steps for collaborative learning from the diversity of perspectives in our field.
Mixing It Up About Methods
Authors: Croninger Robert G. , Valli Linda
Published: October 2009

The authors respond to the commentaries (this issue of Educational Researcher) on a series of articles (in the March 2009 issue of Educational Researcher) that discuss the challenges associated with measuring reading instruction. The authors argue that the teaching of reading is a complex, multifaceted phenomenon best studied through a variety of overlapping and complementary methods, quantitative and qualitative. They describe how they put this belief into practice in their longitudinal study of reading and mathematics instruction, and they use other articles derived from that study to demonstrate how a mixed methods research design can enhance our understanding of instructional practices and aspects of the social and cultural contexts that influence those practices. They argue against a return to the paradigm wars that plagued education research during the 1980s.
Measuring Reading Instruction With Teacher Logs
Authors: Rowan Brian , Correnti Richard
Published: October 2009

The authors argue that the criticisms of their earlier article on teacher logs ( Educational Researcher, March 2009) by Smagorinsky and Willis (this issue of Educational Researcher) do not address, much less undermine, the evidence they presented as part of their validation argument about the teacher logs. Moreover, they argue that their method for studying classrooms is not nearly as incommensurate with Smagorinsky’s and Willis’s methods as those authors’ arguments seem to imply. The authors of this rejoinder see the main differences between themselves and their critics as being around the notion of “consequential” validity, an issue they discuss at the end of this article.
Bede, the Firth of Forth, and the Location of Urbs Iudeu
Authors: FRASER JAMES E.
Published: October 2009

The stronghold of Iudeu, which Bede called urbs Giudi, appears to have been a royal centre held by the seventh-century kings of the Bernician English, and sufficiently prominent to lend its name to the Firth of Forth in the British and Gaelic languages. The name appears not to have survived in any modern place -name, leaving us reliant on Bede's vague description of the site in Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum, as well as a few other scraps of circumstantial evidence, in seeking to locate it. The situation naturally encouraged debate among scholars until, in 1959, identification with Stirling was proposed. This article reviews both that hypothesis and the primary evidence relating to Iudeu, and argues that the Stirling identification is far from satisfactory. Two new alternatives – and a third one, discarded in 1947 – are put forward as sites most in keeping with the crucial evidence provided by Bede, but no firm decision between them seems possible in our present state of knowledge.
Digital Media and the Order of Ethnography: On Modes of Digitization in the Museum of World Culture
Authors: Henriksson Andreas
Published: October 2009

The article applies and elaborates an Actor-Network Theory approach to digitization. Defining digitization as the determining of relations between new digital media and old materials within local networks, the article attempts to investigate locally engendered ambiguities of such processes. The model is applied in a case study of the Swedish Museum of World Culture and its attempt at renewing old ethnographic objects through the use of digital media. The study is comprised of several interviews, observations and extensive document analysis. The article concludes by underlining the contingency and ambiguity involved in introducing digital media into the networks of old objects. It also addresses the cohesive and stabilizing roles played by computer programs and museum objects respectively.
Cultural Research and Intangible Heritage
Authors: Pietrobruno Sheenagh
Published: October 2009

Intangible heritage deemed worthy of preservation is often regarded as traditional culture that reflects the identity of a particular nation or group. Traditional cultures are distinct from commercial forms, which are transmitted and promoted via businesses, commercial establishments, and media. Research on culture reveals the way that a large part of the world’s intangible heritage includes practices that interweave tradition and commodification as well as blur the boundaries between nations. As these practices do not fit into the clear categories of “traditional” or “national”, they may not be considered for preservation in official project documents such as the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003), by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Many of these practices are being, nonetheless, stored today through the unofficial archiving of moving images on the Internet, facilitated by Web 2.0. Through the case studies of various Caribbean performing arts, this paper illustrates how cultural research can provide a comprehensive understanding of intangible culture in both its lived and digital contexts, knowledge that in turn challenges the process of categorization and the measures of preservation of intangible heritage proposed by UNESCO.
Incentive Compatible and Globally Efficient Position Based Routing for Selfish Reverse Multicast in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Eidenbenz Stephan , Ercal-Ozkaya Gunes , Meyerson Adam , Percus Allon , Varatharajan Sarvesh
Published: October 2009

We consider the problem of all-to-one selfish routing in the absence of a payment scheme in wireless sensor networks, where a natural model for cost is the power required to forward, referring to the resulting game as a Locally Minimum Cost Forwarding (LMCF). Our objective is to characterize equilibria and their global costs in terms of stretch and diameter, in particular finding incentive compatible algorithms that are also close to globally optimal. We find that although social costs for equilibria of LMCF exhibit arbitrarily bad worst-case bounds and computational infeasibility of reaching optimal equilibria, there exist greedy and local incentive compatible heuristics achieving near-optimal global costs.
Landauer’s Principle and Divergenceless Dynamical Systems
Authors: Zander Claudia , Plastino Angel  Ricardo , Plastino Angelo , Casas Montserrat , Curilef Sergio
Published: October 2009

Landauer’s principle is one of the pillars of the physics of information. It constitutes one of the foundations behind the idea that “information is physical”. Landauer’s principle establishes the smallest amount of energy that has to be dissipated when one bit of information is erased from a computing device. Here we explore an extended Landauerlike principle valid for general dynamical systems (not necessarily Hamiltonian) governed by divergenceless phase space flows.
An Application of Entropy in Survey Scale
Authors: Oruç Özlem  Ege , Kuruoğlu Emel , Vupa Özgül
Published: October 2009

This study demonstrates an application of entropy for information theory in the field of survey scale. Based on computer anxiety scale we obtain that the desired information may be achieved with fewer questions. In particular, one question is insufficient and two questions are necessary for a survey subscale.
Physical Basis for Creating Energy and Resource-Saving Rheo-Technology in Oil Production
Authors: Salavatov Tulparkhan  Sh. , Panakhov Emin  A.
Published: October 2009

In a previous paper we presented the results of our investigations on the application of externally imposed temperature fields for the improvement of the non-Newtonian properties of raw oil in the well and also on the possible use of electric and magnetic fields in the water flooding process of the oil layer. In this article, some additional results are presented with regards to the application of external pressure fields to the same purpose, with the goal of increasing the well output and improve the efficiency of gaslift wells and oil pipelines. The possibility of regulating the gas-liquid system saturation pressure is discussed as well, to expand the opportunity of varying the well operating regime.
4-{[(3-Cyanophenyl)imino]methyl}-3-hydroxyphenyl Tetradecanoate
Authors: Ha Sie-Tiong , Ong Siew-Teng , Chong Yee-Ting , Yeap Guan-Yeow
Published: October 2009

A new Schiff base ester, 4-{[(3-cyanophenyl)imino]methyl}-3-hydroxyphenyl tetradecanoate, was synthesized and its IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and MS spectroscopic data are presented.
Addition and Cycloaddition Reactions of Phosphinyl- and Phosphonyl-2H-Azirines, Nitrosoalkenes and Azoalkenes
Authors: Lemos Américo
Published: October 2009

An overview of the use of 2H-azirines, conjugated nitrosoalkenes and conjugated azoalkenes bearing phosphorus substituents in addition and cycloaddition reactions is presented, focused on strategies for the synthesis of aminophosphonate and aminophosphine oxide derivatives.
Fabrication of Poly(p-Phenylene)/Zeolite Composites and Their Responses Towards Ammonia
Authors: Phumman Pimchanok , Niamlang Sumonman , Sirivat Anuvat
Published: October 2009

Poly(p-phenylene) (PPP) was chemically synthesized via oxidative polymerization using benzene and doped with FeCl3. The electrical conductivity response of the doped PPP (dPPP) towards CO, H2 and NH3 is investigated. dPPP shows no electrical conductivity response towards the first two gases (CO and H2), but it shows a definite negative response towards NH3. The electrical conductivity sensitivity of dPPP increases linearly with increasing NH3 concentration. To improve the sensitivity of the sensor towards NH3, ZSM-5 zeolite is added into the conductive polymer matrix. The electrical sensitivity of the sensor increases with increasing zeolite content up to 30%. The effect of the type of cation in the zeolite pores is investigated: namely, Na+, K+, NH4+ and H+. The electrical conductivity sensitivity of the composites with different cations in the zeolite can be arranged in this order: K+ < no zeolite < Na+ < NH4+ < H+. The variation in electrical sensitivity with cation type can be described in terms of the acid-base interaction, the zeolite pore size and surface area. The PPP/Zeolite composite with H+ possesses the highest electrical sensitivity of −0.36 since H+ has the highest acidity, the highest pore volume and surface area, which combine to induce a more favorable NH3 adsorption and interaction with the conductive polymer.
Film-induced Tourism: An Incidental Experience
Authors: Macionis Niki , Sparks Beverley
Published: October 2009

This research was conducted to discover how film viewing might be related to tourism activities and whether motivations drive people to become film-specific tourists or whether visitation to film locations is simply an incidental tourism experience. A survey collected data relating
to film tourism motivation, film viewing behavior, general travel behavior, and demographic profiles. Factor analysis was applied to reduce 29 statements into themes of motivations that were labeled Novelty, Prestige, and Personalization. Logistic regression was used to predict
likely future film tourist behavior.
Supporting Independent Film Production Through Tourism Collaboration
Authors: Cynthia Diane , Beeton Sue
Published: October 2009

This article explores the linkages between the film and tourism industries and the potential for the tourist industry to provide support for film production. The aim was to produce recommendations of benefit to both industries concerning methods of strategic development of tourism marketing,
linked with independent film production, creating alliances between these industries. The study uses a case study of the NRS group, an independent film production company based in Canberra. The data obtained revealed that tourism bodies can render practical assistance to film production and
benefit in return from the exposure gained, particularly from planned publicity. Collaboration and even formal partnerships benefit both industries.
The Man from Snowy River: Australia's Bush Legend and Commercial Nationalism
Authors: White Leanne
Published: October 2009

Various interpretations of The Man from Snowy River have played a central role in keeping the Australian bush myth firmly fixed in the national consciousness. The producers of products and services associated with the legend clearly benefit from the telling and retelling of Banjo
Paterson's bush ballad. This article examines the numerous texts of this classic Australian epic and the ways industries such as the entertainment industry, bush clothing, and tourism carefully work to deliberately sustain and nurture the legend. Texts to be examined include the poem, the
films, the novel, the TV series, TV advertisements, the welcome sequence performed at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, the Arena Spectacular, and the Australian Outback Spectacular.
Film-Induced Tourism in the High Country: Recreation and Tourism Contest
Authors: Croy W. Glen , Buchmann Anne
Published: October 2009

Political, economic, and social changes have increased the importance of tourism in diversifying and sustaining rural areas. This article examines the impact of film-induced tourism on recreational use of the South Island High Country, New Zealand. Changes to the High Country's economic
and administrative environment, coupled with image presented and reinforced in the filmed media (prominently in The Lord of the Rings and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe), has amplified landholders' opportunity to engage in tourism. However, the different (and to some degree
incompatible) activity and user profiles of traditional recreationists and new tourists has implications for the High Country.
Given Dimensions of Neoplastic Events as Aberrantly Operative Alternative Splicing
Authors: Agius Lawrence M.
Published: October 2009

The provision of dynamic splicing events constitutes the reflected nature of neoplasia that locally infiltrates and systemically spreads in terms of evolutionary attributes of the primary and various secondary pathways in malignant transformation. The significant diversity in molecular characterization of the given tumor lesion would adaptively conform to dynamics of splicing as enhanced or silenced exons of the premessenger RNA molecule. The proteins synthesized are in turn potential modifiers in further gene expression within such contexts as RNA:protein and RNA:DNA binding events. The recognition of pathways of incremental scope would underline the development of lesions, such as tumors, as multiple alternative splicing phenomena primarily affecting molecular physicochemical identity. It is within contexts of operative intervention and modification that the real identity of the malignant neoplastic process arises, within terms of reference of contextual splicing events. Disrupted gene expression is thus a referential pathway in the modification of splicing that may prove constitutive or alternative, in first instance, but also aberrant as the lesion progresses locally and systemically.
‘And I was very very crying’: Children's self‐descriptions of distress as predictors of recall
Authors: Peterson Carole
Published: October 2009

One hundred and forty‐five children's (2–13‐year‐olds) self‐descriptions of how much they cried when injured and subsequently treated in a hospital emergency room were used as predictors of their recall accuracy, completeness and number of unique details in interviews occurring a week, a year and 2 years later. Hierarchical regressions showed that stress was related to all three ways of evaluating children's recall of their injury in initial interviews, although only the completeness of hospital recall was related to stress. For accuracy, stress compromised recall of 2–6‐year‐olds in initial but not later interviews; for completeness, stress compromised recall of both events in initial but not later interviews. In contrast, highly distressed children provided the most detail in their first two interviews and the oldest children still did so 2 years later. However, stress effects were modest. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Following navigation instructions presented verbally or spatially: Effects on training, retention and transfer
Authors: Schneider Vivian I. , Healy Alice F. , Barshi Immanuel , Kole James A.
Published: October 2009

Two experiments investigated participants' ability to follow navigation instructions in a situation simulating communication between air traffic controllers and aircrews. A verbal condition, in which instructions were given orally, was compared with a spatial condition, in which commands were shown on a computer display as simulated movements, with the presentation times in the two conditions equated. Retention and transfer were studied a week later when participants performed in either the same or the other condition. In both sessions, participants' initial proportion correct was much higher in the spatial than in the verbal condition, but after three blocks, accuracy in the two conditions was equivalent. Retention was perfect when training and test conditions matched. Training in the verbal condition transferred to the spatial condition but notvice versa. Thus, there is evidence that participants' representations of the movements in the verbal and spatial conditions were not equivalent. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A hybrid noise canceller with a real‐time adaptive Wiener filter and a geometric‐based voice–activity detector for an automotive application
Authors: Qi T. Z. , Moir T. J.
Published: October 2009

In real‐time environments a speech recognition system in a car has to receive the driver's voice only while suppressing the background noise. This paper presents a hybrid real‐time adaptive filter that operates within a geometrical zone defined around the head of the desired speaker. Any sound outside of this zone is considered to be noise and is suppressed. As this defined geometrical zone is small, it is assumed that only driver's speech is incoming from this zone. The technique uses three microphones to define a geometric‐based voice–activity detector (VAD) to cancel the unwanted speech coming from outside of the zone. However, when unwanted speech and desired speech are incoming at the same time, the VAD fails to identify the unwanted speech or desired speech. In such a situation an adaptive Wiener filter is switched on for noise reduction. In the case of sole unwanted speech incoming from outside of a desired zone, this speech is muted at the output of the hybrid noise canceller. In the case of desired and unwanted speeches incoming together, the SNR is improved by as much as 20 dB. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Corticosteroids for acute chest syndrome in children with sickle cell disease: Variation in use and association with length of stay and readmission
Authors: Sobota Amy , Graham Dionne A. , Heeney Matthew M. , Neufeld Ellis J.
Published: October 2009

Acute chest syndrome (ACS) causes significant morbidity and mortality in sickle cell disease. The role of corticosteroids is unclear. The objectives of our study were to examine the variation between hospitals in their use of corticosteroids for ACS, describe characteristics associated with corticosteroids, and investigate the association between corticosteroids, length of stay, and readmission. We performed a retrospective examination of 5,247 hospitalizations for ACS between January 1, 2004, and June 30, 2008, at 32 hospitals in the Pediatric Health Information System database. We used multivariate regression to examine the variability in the use of corticosteroids adjusting for hospital case mix, identify factors associated with corticosteroid use, and evaluate the association of corticosteroids with length of stay and 3‐day readmission rates controlling for propensity score. Corticosteroid use varied greatly by hospital (10–86% among all patients, 18–92% in patients with asthma). Treatment with corticosteroids was associated with comorbid asthma (OR 3.9, 95% CI: 3.2–4.8), inhaled steroids (OR 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1–1.7), bronchodilators (OR 3.2, 95% CI: 2.5–4.2), nitric oxide (OR 2.4, 95% CI: 1.2–5.0), oxygen (OR 2.3, 95% CI: 1.8–2.9), ICU (OR 1.7, 95% CI: 1.3–2.3), ventilation (OR 2.0, 95% CI: 1.4–2.8), APR‐DRG severity level (OR 1.4, 95% CI: 1.2–1.6), and discharge year (OR 0.86, 95% CI: 0.80–0.92). Corticosteroids were associated with an increased length of stay (25%, 95% CI: 14–38%) and a higher 3‐day readmission rate (OR 2.3, 95% CI: 1.6–3.4), adjusted for confounding. Hospitals vary greatly in the use of corticosteroids for ACS, even in patients with asthma. Clear evidence of the efficacy and toxicity of corticosteroid treatment in ACS may reduce variation in care. Am. J. Hematol. 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Milk composition of captive tufted capuchins (Cebus apella)
Authors: Milligan Lauren A.
Published: October 2009

Little is known about the milk composition of nonhuman primates, and it has never been examined in capuchin monkeys (genus Cebus). This article reports on the macronutrient milk composition (fat, crude protein (CP), lactose, dry matter (DM), and total gross energy (GE)) of captive housed tufted capuchins (Cebus apella) (n=8). C. apella milk averaged 5.22% fat, 2.40% CP, 6.94% lactose, 16.48% DM, and 0.89 kcal/g. Fat was the most variable macronutrient and was significantly higher in samples collected after 2 months of lactation. To explore the adaptive significance of C. apella milk composition, results were compared with data on milk composition from a closely related cebid, Saimiri boliviensis boliviensis, and another large‐brained anthropoid, Homo sapiens. C. apella milk was only significantly different from Saimiri milk in CP and the proportion of energy from CP. Compared with human milk, C. apella milk was lower in lactose but higher in fat, CP, DM, GE, and the proportion of energy from CP. Results from this small dataset suggest that among anthropoid primates, the macronutrient composition of milk is influenced by phylogeny, may vary relative to infant growth rates, but may not be related in any direct way to relative brain size. Am. J. Primatol. 72:81–86, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Specific immunotherapy of experimental myasthenia gravis by a novel mechanism
Authors: Luo Jie , Kuryatov Alexander , Lindstrom Jon M.
Published: October 2009

Objective

Myasthenia gravis (MG) and its animal model, experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG), are antibody (Ab)‐mediated autoimmune diseases, in which autoantibodies bind to and cause loss of muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) at the neuromuscular junction. To develop a specific immunotherapy of MG, we treated rats with ongoing EAMG by intraperitoneal injection of bacterially‐expressed human muscle AChR constructs.

Methods

Rats with ongoing EAMG received intraperitoneal treatment with the constructs weekly for 5 weeks beginning after the acute phase. Autoantibody concentration, subclassification, and specificity were analyzed to address the underlying therapeutic mechanism.

Results

EAMG was specifically suppressed by diverting autoantibody production away from pathologically relevant specificities directed at epitopes on the extracellular surface of muscle AChRs toward pathologically irrelevant epitopes on the cytoplasmic domain. A mixture of subunit cytoplasmic domains was more effective than a mixture containing both extracellular and cytoplasmic domains or than only the extracellular domain of α1 subunits.

Interpretation

Therapy using only cytoplasmic domains, which lack pathologically relevant epitopes, avoids the potential liability of boosting the pathological response. Use of a mixture of bacterially‐expressed human muscle AChR cytoplasmic domains for antigen‐specific immunosuppression of myasthenia gravis has the potential to be specific, robust, and safe. ANN NEUROL 2010;67:441–451