bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
150 Jahre Historische Zeitschrift150 Years Historische Zeitschrift
Authors: Gall Lothar
Published: August 2009

150 Jahre Historische Zeitschrift  das sind auch 150 Jahre Entwicklung und Ausdifferenzierung der Geschichtswissenschaft im deutschsprachigen Raum. Die 1859 von Heinrich von Sybel begründete und von Rudolf Oldenbourg zunächst in einem Tochterunternehmen des Stuttgarter Cotta-Verlags verlegte Fachzeitschrift etablierte sich rasch als führendes Organ der wissenschaftlichen Geschichtsforschung. Diese Stellung hat die Historische Zeitschrift bis heute behaupten können  über alle gravierenden politischen Umbrüche des 20. Jahrhunderts hinweg und unbeschadet der nicht minder tiefgreifenden institutionellen, personellen und thematischen Veränderungen in der Geschichtswissenschaft selbst. In Anknüpfung an den von Theodor Schieder 1959 zum 100jährigen Jubiläum herausgegebenen Band wirft auch das Heft zum 150jährigen Jubiläum einen bilanzierenden Blick auf die zurückliegenden Jahrzehnte, um ein Bild der Geschichtswissenschaft im Spiegel der Historischen Zeitschrift zu entwerfen. Der Herausgeber und die Mitglieder des wissenschaftlichen Beirats geben dazu in acht Beiträgen aus der speziellen Perspektive der jeweiligen Teildisziplinen einen Überblick darüber, inwiefern und auf welche Weise der Gang der historischen Forschung seinen Niederschlag in der Historischen Zeitschrift gefunden hat.
China and International Harmony: The Role of Confucius Institutes in Bolstering Beijing's Soft Power
Authors: Paradise James F.
Published: August 2009

China is setting up Confucius Institutes around the world to spread its language and culture and to increase collaboration with foreign academic institutions. The institutes could increase China's "soft power" and help it project an image of itself as a benign country. Concerns exist about a "Trojan horse" effect.
Bureaucratic Politics and Overseas Investment by Chinese State-Owned Oil Companies: Illusory Champions
Authors: Liou Chih-shian
Published: August 2009

From the state-centered perspective, China's hunt for foreign energy deals has generated increasing uneasiness in international relations. By exploring Chinese national oil companies' overseas expansion, this study finds that Chinese bureaucratic fragmentation in the context of the state's changing relationship with state-owned enterprises has greater impact on firms' offshore ventures than the state-centered perspective contends.
The Institutionalization of Democratic Civil Society in Taiwan: A Case Study of NGOs Working on the Hsi-Chih Trio Case
Authors: Qian Yijiang Karina
Published: August 2009

A young democracy, Taiwan lacks agencies of horizontal accountability and aspects of a thick rule of law. This paper examines how an institutionalized, democratic civil society has held the antiquated judiciary vertically accountable for violations of due process in the famous Hsi-Chih Trio death penalty case.
The Use of Spatio-Temporal Connectionist Models in Psychological Studies of Musical Emotions
Authors: Coutinho Eduardo , Cangelosi Angelo
Published: August 2009

THIS ARTICLE PRESENTS A NOVEL METHODOLOGY TO analyze the dynamics of emotional responses to music. It consists of a computational investigation based on spatiotemporal neural networks, which "mimic" human affective responses to music and predict the responses to novel music sequences. The results provide evidence suggesting that spatiotemporal patterns of sound resonate with affective features underlying judgments of subjective feelings (arousal and valence). A significant part of the listener's affective response is predicted from a set of six psychoacoustic features of sound—â€”loudness, tempo, texture, mean pitch, pitch variation, and sharpness. A detailed analysis of the network parameters and dynamics also allows us to identify the role of specific psychoacoustic variables (e.g., tempo and loudness) in music emotional appraisal. This work contributes new evidence and insights to the study of musical emotions, with particular relevance to the music perception and cognition research community.
Identification of TV Tunes by Children with Cochlear Implants
Authors: Vongpaisal Tara , Trehub Sandra E. , Schellenberg E. Glenn
Published: August 2009

INTRINSIC PITCH PROCESSING LIMITATIONS OF cochlear implants constrain the perception of music, particularly melodies. We tested child implant users' ability to recognize music on the basis of incidental exposure.Using a closed-set task, prelingually deaf children with implants and hearing children were required to identify three renditions of the theme music from their favorite TV programs: a flute rendition of the main (sung) melody, a full instrumental version without lyrics, and the original music. Although child implant users were less accurate than hearing children, they successfully identified all versions of songs at above-chance levels—â€”a finding that contradicts widespread claims of child and adult implant users' difficulties with melody identification.We attribute their success primarily to timing cues that match those of the original music.
Audiovisual Interactions: the Impact of Visual Information on Music Perception and Memory
Authors: Boltz Marilyn G. , Ebendorf Brittany , Field Benjamin
Published: August 2009

PREVIOUS RESEARCH HAS DEMONSTRATED THAT MUSICAL soundtracks can influence the emotional impact, interpretation, and remembering of visual information. The present research examines the reverse relationship and whether visual information influences the perception and memory of music. In Experiment 1, listeners were presented with affectively ambiguous tunes paired with visual displays varying in their affect (positive, negative) and format (video, montage), or a control condition (no visual information at all). After each, participants were asked to provide a set of perceptual ratings that evaluated different melody characteristics and qualities of the visual displays. Results showed that both the affect and format of visual information differentially influenced the way a melody was perceived. Experiment 2 extended these findings by revealing that the affect of visual displays distorted melody recognition in a mood congruent fashion. These results are discussed in terms of their theoretical implications for audiovisual processing.
The Chill Parameter: Goose Bumps and Shivers as Promising Measures in Emotion Research
Authors: Grewe Oliver , Kopiez Reinhard , Altenmüller Eckart
Published: August 2009

STRONG EMOTIONAL FEELINGS SEEM TO INCLUDE physiological and motor responses, as well as the cognitive appraisal of a stimulus (Scherer, 2004). Individuals may thus reach emotional peaks at different points in time. "Chills" (goose bumps or shivers) offer useful indications of individual emotional peaks (Panksepp, 1995). Reported chills of 95 participants in response to seven music pieces are presented. Subjective intensity as well as physiological arousal—Skin Conductance Response (SCR) and Heart Rate (HR)—revealed peaks during chill episodes. A possible influence of breathing was excluded. Familiarity with the music had a significant impact on chills. Age, gender, and music education showed no influence on chill frequency. In an exploratory approach, the influence of active music listening (i.e., singing along, lip syncing, etc.) could not be confirmed. These results suggest that chills are a reliable parameter, synchronizing subjective feeling with the physiological arousal component, without being influenced by motor responses.
The Accuracy of Genomic Selection in Norwegian Red Cattle Assessed by Cross-Validation
Authors: Luan Tu , Woolliams John A , Lien Sigbjørn , Kent Matthew , Svendsen Morten , Meuwissen Theo H E
Published: August 2009

Genomic Selection (GS) is a newly developed tool for the estimation of breeding values for quantitative traits through the use of dense markers covering the whole genome. For a successful application of GS, accuracy of the prediction of genomewide breeding value (GW-EBV) is a key issue to consider. Here we investigated the accuracy and possible bias of GW-EBV prediction, using real bovine SNP genotyping (18,991 SNPs) and phenotypic data of 500 Norwegian Red bulls. The study was performed on milk yield, fat yield, protein yield, first lactation mastitis traits, and calving ease. Three methods, best linear unbiased prediction (G-BLUP), Bayesian statistics (BayesB), and a mixture model approach (MIXTURE), were used to estimate marker effects, and their accuracy and bias were estimated by using cross-validation. The accuracies of the GW-EBV prediction were found to vary widely between 0.12 and 0.62. G-BLUP gave overall the highest accuracy. We observed a strong relationship between the accuracy of the prediction and the heritability of the trait. GW-EBV prediction for production traits with high heritability achieved higher accuracy and also lower bias than health traits with low heritability. To achieve a similar accuracy for the health traits probably more records will be needed.
Adolescent Prescription ADHD Medication Abuse Is Rising Along With Prescriptions for These Medications
Authors: Setlik Jennifer , Bond G. Randall , Ho Mona
Published: August 2009

OBJECTIVE: We sought to better understand the trend for prescription attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication abuse by teenagers.

METHODS: We queried the American Association of Poison Control Center's National Poison Data System for the years of 1998–2005 for all cases involving people aged 13 to 19 years, for which the reason was intentional abuse or intentional misuse and the substance was a prescription medication used for ADHD treatment. For trend comparison, we sought data on the total number of exposures. In addition, we used teen and preteen ADHD medication sales data from IMS Health's National Disease and Therapeutic Index database to compare poison center call trends with likely availability.

RESULTS: Calls related to teenaged victims of prescription ADHD medication abuse rose 76%, which is faster than calls for victims of substance abuse generally and teen substance abuse. The annual rate of total and teen exposures was unchanged. Over the 8 years, estimated prescriptions for teenagers and preteenagers increased 133% for amphetamine products, 52% for methylphenidate products, and 80% for both together. Reports of exposure to methylphenidate fell from 78% to 30%, whereas methylphenidate as a percentage of ADHD prescriptions decreased from 66% to 56%. Substance-related abuse calls per million adolescent prescriptions rose 140%.

CONCLUSIONS: The sharp increase, out of proportion to other poison center calls, suggests a rising problem with teen ADHD stimulant medication abuse. Case severity increased over time. Sales data of ADHD medications suggest that the use and call-volume increase reflects availability, but the increase disproportionately involves amphetamines.
Profiling Families Enrolled in Food Allergy Immunotherapy Studies
Authors: DunnGalvin Audrey , Chang Wen Chin , Laubach Susan , Steele Pamela H. , Dubois Anthony E. J. , Burks A. Wesley , Hourihane Jonathan O'B.
Published: August 2009

BACKGROUND: Little is known about specific psychological factors that affect parents' decisions to take part in clinical studies. We examined factors, related to health-related quality of life (HRQoL), that may influence parents' decision to allow their children to participate in research on clinical food allergy.

METHODS: Parents of children with food allergies were offered investigational oral immunotherapy (OIT) in a regular outpatient clinic. Forty parents (group A) declined, and 25 parents (group B) agreed to take part. Both groups agreed to complete the Food Allergy Quality of Life–Parent Form and the Food Allergy Independent Measure.

RESULTS: Children were aged between 1 and 12 years (mean: 6.5 years). Groups A and B displayed a similar and typical distribution for gender, age, number of foods, severity and number of symptoms, and socioeconomic variables. Parents who chose to enroll their children in the OIT trial reported a similar impact of food allergy on the HRQoL of their children as parents of children who did not volunteer for the study. Participating parents perceived a significantly higher likelihood (odds ratio: 6.753) of their child having a severe reaction and dying if food is ingested. By using this model, the likelihood of taking part in immunotherapy could be predicted accurately in 90% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS: Parents who had higher anxiety about negative outcomes from accidental ingestion were more likely to consent to experimental therapy for their child. This finding has ethical implications for investigators and supports the need to create mechanisms to avoid unintended coercion in vulnerable groups.
Kawasaki Disease at the Extremes of the Age Spectrum
Authors: Manlhiot Cedric , Yeung Rae S. M. , Clarizia Nadia A. , Chahal Nita , McCrindle Brian W.
Published: August 2009

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine outcomes of Kawasaki disease (KD) and to explore factors associated with poor clinical outcomes for patients diagnosed outside the age range of 1 to 4 years.

METHODS: A retrospective review of data for all patients seen between January 1990 and April 2007 was performed. Patients were stratified into 5 groups on the basis of age at diagnosis.

RESULTS: A total of 1374 patients were identified; 61 (4%) were <6 months of age at diagnosis, 114 (8%) 6 months to <1 year, 854 (62%) 1 to 4 years, 258 (19%) 5 to 9 years, and 87 (6%) >9 years. Patients <1 year of age and those >9 years of age were more likely to have coronary artery abnormalities than were patients diagnosed between 1 and 4 years of age. Patients diagnosed between the ages of 5 and 9 years were at the lowest risk. Patients at both extremes of the age spectrum were more likely to present with <4 of the classic KD features, but only those <6 months or >5 years of age were at increased risk of being diagnosed >12 days after illness onset. Patients <6 months of age had lower albumin levels, and those <1 year of age had higher white blood cell and platelet counts, all of which are known predictors of coronary artery abnormalities. Patients >9 years of age were less likely to receive intravenous immunoglobulin treatment.

CONCLUSION: Outcomes for children diagnosed with KD at either extreme of the age spectrum are suboptimal, although the associated factors are different.
Obesity and body dissatisfaction
Authors: Czeglédi Edit , Urbán Róbert , Rigó Adrien
Published: August 2009

A tanulmány az elhízás és a testképpel való elégedetlenség kapcsolatát vizsgálja elhízott személyeknél. A testképpel való elégedetlenség kockázati tényezői között a nemet, az elhízás mértékét, az életkort és a karcsúságideál internalizálását vizsgáltuk.Módszertan:Kutatási elrendezés: keresztmetszeti elrendezést és elérhetőségi mintavételt alkalmaztunk. Mérőeszközök: Testi Attitűdök Tesztje, Emberalakrajzok Tesztje, Vonásszorongás skála. Vizsgálati személyek: a minta 189 főből (99 nő és 90 férfi) áll. Életkori átlag 36,4 év (szórás: 9,74, terjedelem: 19-50 év). Testtömeg-index átlag 30,6 kg/m2(szórás: 4,42; terjedelem: 25,0–46,7 kg/m2).Eredmények:A testképpel való elégedetlenség kockázati tényezőinek vizsgálata során alátámasztást nyert a nem szerepe: a nők az elhízás mértékétől függetlenül szignifikánsan és nagymértékben elégedetlenebbek a testképükkel, mint a férfiak. Az életkor csak a nők esetében mutatkozott a testképpel való elégedetlenség kockázati tényezőjének: a fiatalabb nők kedvezőtlenebb attitűddel viseltetnek a testük iránt, mint az idősebbek. Az elhízás mértéke ugyancsak a testképpel való elégedetlenség rizikófaktorának bizonyult: a súlyfelesleg mértéke szignifikáns kapcsolatot mutatott a testképpel való elégedetlenséggel az életkor, az iskolai végzettség és a vonásszorongás kontrollálása mellett. Az összefüggés a férfiak esetében erősebbnek mutatkozott. A megjelenés szociokulturális standardjának (karcsú testideál) felismerése és elfogadása (azaz internalizálása) mindkét nem esetében előre jelezte a testképpel való elégedetlenséget; továbbá a vonásszorongás, az iskolai végzettség és az életkor kontrollja mellett a testképpel való elégedetlenség jobb magyarázó változójának bizonyult, mint a testtömeg-index.Konklúzió:A nemzetközi szakirodalom eredményeivel összhangban az általunk vizsgált, elhízott személyekből álló mintában a nem, az elhízás mértéke, az életkor és a karcsúságideál internalizálása a testképpel való elégedetlenség kockázati tényezőinek bizonyultak.
Quantum Dynamics of the Excited‐State Intramolecular Proton Transfer in 2‐(2′‐Hydroxyphenyl)benzothiazole
Authors: Kim Justin , Wu Yinghua , Brédas Jean‐Luc , Batista Victor S.
Published: August 2009

The excited‐state intramolecular proton‐transfer dynamics and photoabsorption associated with the ketoenolic tautomerization reaction in 2‐(2′‐hydr oxyphenyl)benzothiazole are simulated according to a numerically exact quantum‐dynamics propagation method and a full‐dimensional excited‐state potential energy surface based on an ab initio reaction surface Hamiltonian. The simulations involve the propagation of 69‐dimensional wave packets according to the matching‐pursuit/split‐operator Fourier transform (MP/SOFT) method (Wu, Y.; Batista, V.S. J. Chem. Phys. 2004, 121, 1676–1686). The underlying propagation scheme recursively applies the time‐evolution operator as defined by the Trotter expansion to second‐order accuracy in dynamically adaptive coherent‐state expansions. Computations of time‐dependent survival amplitudes, the time‐dependent product population, and photoabsorption linewidths are compared to experimental data. The reported results provide fundamental insight on the nature of the excited‐state reaction dynamics and demonstrate the capabilities of the MP/SOFT method as a powerful computational tool to study ultrafast reaction dynamics in polyatomic systems.
Ultrafast Protonation of Cyanate Anion in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Adamczyk Katrin , Dreyer Jens , Pines Dina , Pines Ehud , Nibbering Erik T. J.
Published: August 2009

We use femtosecond infrared spectroscopy to study the aqueous protonation dynamics of cyanate, OCN−, using a photoacid, 2‐naphthol‐6,8‐disulfonate (2N‐6,8S) excited by a 60‐fs pulse tuned at 336 nm. The transient response in the spectral range of the cyano‐stretching vibrational marker modes of cyanic acid, HOCN, and isocyanic acid, HNCO, reveals how much of both reaction products are formed at early delay times, and whether the on‐contact reactive complex between 2N‐6,8S and OCN− has a well‐defined structure. Using the Szabo‐Collins‐Kimball approach to describe bimolecular reaction dynamics subject to the Debye‐von Smoluchowski diffusional motions, an on‐contact proton transfer reaction rate is derived that follows the correlation between free energy and reaction rates found for a large class of aqueous proton transfer of photoacid dissociation and photoacid‐base neutralization reactions.
Reducing image sticking in AMOLED displays with time‐ratio gray scale by analog calibration
Authors: Shin Dong‐Yong , Woo Jong‐Kwan , Hong Yongtaek , Kim Keum‐Nam , Kim Do‐Ik , Yoo Myoung‐Hwan , Kim Hye‐Dong , Kim Suhwan
Published: August 2009

Abstract— Early loss of image uniformity has been a critical drawback of active‐matrix organic light‐emitting‐diode (AMOLED) displays operated in time‐ratio gray‐scale mode. This problem is addressed with an analog calibration technique which measures the voltage across each OLED for a given current and subsequently controls the supply voltage of pixels and the voltage drop across the driving th in‐film transistor (TFT) of each OLED. The uniformity of test cells, which were aged to produce image sticking in a chessboard pattern, were improved. A measure of image sticking, called the extracted image‐sticking value (EISV), was formulated, which is developed and used for the quantitative evaluation of the calibration method. OLED voltages over a range of about 0.35 V were compensated to produce more uniform OLED currents than those before aging. The variation of luminance associated with image sticking was reduced by about 40% for a full‐white image after between 2 and 10 hours of accelerated aging with a constant voltage of 8 V across an OLED.
Reading dynamic Chinese text on the go
Authors: Chien Yu‐Hung
Published: August 2009

Abstract— Previous studies have shown that dynamic displays during rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) privilege temporal rather that spatial information in overcoming the limits of small screens. Such studies have been conducted under stationary or idealized conditions using conventional desktop‐paradigm evaluation strategies, resulting in deficient understandings of how changes in motion affect users' ability to perform effectively. This study examined the impact of two important dynamic display factors on the reading comprehension achieved by participants while walking on a predefined path and standing: word‐by‐word and one‐line presentation formats and presentation rates of 182, 232, 282, and 332 characters per minute (cpm). The results of this study showed that an RSVP display can represent an alternative for reading textual information when a word‐by‐word format is presented with a 332‐cpm presentation rate. When the one‐line presentation format is used, however, a lower presentation rate of 282 cpm should be chosen. Future research should attempt to simulate real life more closely and explore the effects of the multiple functions performed by various RSVP displays on reading comfort and comprehension.
Effect of source/drain overlap region on device performance in a‐IGZO thin‐film transistors
Authors: Nam Dong‐Ho , Choi Kwang‐il , Park Sung‐Soo , Park Jeong‐Gyu , Choi Won‐Ho , Han In‐Shik , Lee Hi‐Deok , Jeong Jae‐Kyeong , Lee Ga‐Won
Published: August 2009

Abstract— In this paper, the effect of source/drain overlap length on the amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide (a‐IGZO) TFT performance has been investigated. Results of this paper show that as source/drain overlap length decreases to a negative value forming S/D offset, the threshold voltage and S parameters of a‐IGZO TFTs increased and the field‐effect mobility decreased. The VT variation increases sharply as the channel length decreases because of the large resistance Roffset when it is formed at a‐IGZO source/drain. In the experiment, Roffset of each 1 μm, evaluated from the transfer length method (TLM), shows approximately 54–66 kΩ. This means thatthe source/drain overlap length is a very important control parameter for uniform device characteristics of a‐IGZO TFTs.
Electron‐beam curing of color filters for flexible‐display applications
Authors: Kim Jeong Seog , Lee Kyoung Ho , Cheon Chae Il , Cho Jung Min , Lee Byoung Cheol , Han Young Hwan
Published: August 2009

Abstract— Color filters spin‐coated on plastic and glass substrates have been cured by electron‐beam radiation instead of by the conventional thermal‐heating method. The electron‐beam curing of the color filters has many advantages over the thermal curing method. Electron‐beam curing is, in principle, a non‐thermal method where low‐temperature (<100°C) curing of color filters on plastic substrates can be realized for the manufacturing process of flexible display panels. A color‐filter resist having a 1.5‐μm thickness was spin‐coated on plastic (polycarbonate) and glass (corning 1737) substrates. The effect of the electron‐beam radiation conditions, such as electron‐beam energy (0.3–1.0 keV), radiation dosage (10–200 kGy), and ambient oxygen has been characterized. The degree of curing was analyzed by using the characteristic absorption peaks at 808 and 1405 cm−1 in the FT‐IR spectrum. These two peaks originate from the carbon double bonds (>C=C<) of the multi‐functional acrylate monomer which exist in the color‐filter resist. By electron‐beam radiation, the spin‐coated color filter can be effectively polymerized at <Tg (glass transition temperature) of the plastic substrates. The electron beam can solve the problems of the conventional thermal curing method, such as thermal deformation of a plastic substrate and difficulty in achieving dimensional control of a color‐filter pattern due to a large coefficient of thermal expansion (20–70 ppm/°C) compared to that of a glass substrate.
Electron‐beam deposition of MgO on plastic substrate and manufacturing flexible flat fluorescent lamp
Authors: Cho Jung Min , Lee Kyoung Ho , Cheon Chae Il , Choi Woon Seog , Kim Jeong Seog , Cho Nam In
Published: August 2009

Abstract— A flexible fluorescent lamp that utilizes the same plasma discharge mode as in PDPs has been manufactured. The structure of the flexible lamp is simple and easy to manufacture. All‐plastic materials including plastic substrates, barrier ribs (spacers), and sealants for low‐temperature manufacturing processing have been adopted except for the phosphor and MgO thin film. The MgO thin films were coated on the plastic substrates as a protection layer against the plasma discharge. The adhesion and biaxial texture of MgO thin film deposited on the plastic substrates, poly‐ethyle‐nenaphthalate (PEN) and polycarbonate (PC), at low temperature (100–180°C) has been characterized. The MgO film on PEN shows good adhesion under a repeated bending test. The manufactured flexible lamp consists of two plastic substrates of about 3 in. on the diagonal, barrier rib (spacer), and external ITO electrodes. The Ne‐Xe (5%) gas mixture at 100–200 Torr was used for the discharge gas. A maximum surface luminance of about 100 cd/m2 was achieved for a 1 ‐kHz AC pulse.
Dynamic adaptation model and equal‐whiteness CCT curves for the choice of display reference white
Authors: Kim Eun‐Su
Published: August 2009

Abstract— A dynamic adaptation model (DAM), based on the variations in the luminance levels under the same chromaticity viewing conditions and equal‐whiteness correlated‐color‐temperature (CCT) curves (EWCCs) derived by using the proposed DAM, is proposed. The proposed model was obtained by the transformation of the test colors for high luminance into the corresponding colors for low luminance. In the proposed model, the optimal coefficients are obtained from the corresponding color data from Breneman's experiments. From the experimental results, it was confirmed that the chromaticity errors between the predicted colors by the proposed model and the corresponding colors of Breneman's experiments are 0.004 in u′v′ chromaticity coordinates. The prediction performance of the proposed model is excellent because this error is the threshold value that distinguishes two adjacent color patches. Equal‐whiteness CCT curves (EWCs) are also proposed using the proposed DAM. By using the proposed EWCCs, an analysis of the difference between the selected video‐display‐unit reference‐white CCT values can be made. Additionally, the proposed EWCCs can be used as the theoretical standard which determines the reference white of the color video display units.
Dietary Protein and Cellulose Effects on Chemical and Microbial Characteristics of Swine Feces and Stored Manure
Authors: Ziemer Cherie J. , Kerr Brian J. , Trabue Steven L. , Stein Hans , Stahl David A. , Davidson Seana K.
Published: August 2009

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of dietary crude protein (14.5 or 12.0%) and cellulose (8.7 or 2.5%) levels on composition of feces and manure after 8 wk of diet feeding and storage. Pigs were fed twice daily; after each feeding, urine and feces were collected and added to manure storage containers. On weeks 2 and 8 after initiation of the experiment, fresh fecal and manure samples were obtained. On Week 8, increased dietary cellulose resulted in significantly higher levels of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and phenols in feces compare to other diets. In contrast, dietary protein had the greatest effect on manure chemical composition; lower protein decreased sulfur content, ammonia, and phenolic compound concentrations. High levels of either dietary cellulose or protein tended to increase microbial community similarity in fecal samples, but only high protein increased similarity among manure sample microbial communities. Fecal and manure samples from Week 8 differed from samples taken in Week 2 both in chemical and microbiological composition. Week 2 samples had lower concentrations of many of chemical compounds and microbial diversity than samples from Week 8. The fecal results indicate that after 2 wk of feeding experimental diets the animals were not fully adapted to the diets. More importantly, after only 2 wk of urine and fecal collection, manure was not representative of stored manure, limiting its usefulness in developing standards and recommendations for on‐farm management practices.
Evaluating the Success of Phosphorus Management from Field to Watershed
Authors: Sharpley Andrew N. , Kleinman Peter J.A. , Jordan Philip , Bergström Lars , Allen Arthur L.
Published: August 2009

Studies have demonstrated some P loss reduction following implementation of remedial strategies at field scales. However, there has been little coordinated evaluation of best management practices (BMPs) on a watershed scale to show where, when, and which work most effectively. Thus, it is still difficult to answer with a degree of certainty, critical questions such as, how long before we see a response and where would we expect to observe the greatest or least response? In cases where field and watershed scales are monitored, it is not uncommon for trends in P loss to be disconnected. We review case studies demonstrating that potential causes of the disconnect varies, from competing sources of P at watershed scales that are not reflected in field monitoring to an abundance of sinks at watershed scales that buffer field sources. To be successful, P‐based mitigation strategies need to occur iteratively, involve stakeholder driven programs, and address the inherent complexity of all P sources within watersheds.
Phosphorus and Greenhouse Gas Dynamics in a Drained Calcareous Wetland Soil in Minnesota
Authors: Berryman Erin M. , Venterea Rodney T. , Baker John M. , Bloom Paul R. , Elf Brandy
Published: August 2009

Restoration of wetland hydrology can produce ecological benefits but may have unintended consequences. We examined effects of altered water level on release of dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) and greenhouse gases (GHG) in soil cores from a marsh being evaluated for restoration. We also measured field concentrations of DRP and other constituents in wetland porewater. Intact cores from a sampling location with higher Fe and lower calcium carbonate (CaCO3) contents released more DRP than another location, and displayed higher DRP under completely saturated compared to partly drained conditions. Porewater samples collected from the high‐Fe location also contained higher DRP levels. Chemical data suggest that redox‐driven reactions largely controlled DRP levels at the high‐Fe site, while CaCO3 adsorption was more important at the low‐Fe site. Over the long term, water table elevation may attenuate P draining from the wetland due to decreased mineralization. However, such measures may increase P release in the short term. Raising the water level in soil cores resulted in decreased nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, increased methane (CH4) emissions, and an overall increase in total global warming potential (GWP). The proportion of total GWP contributed by N2O decreased from 14% to ≤ 1% as water level was raised, while the proportion contributed by CH4 increased from 10 to 20% to 60 to 80%. Restoration of hydrology in the Rice Lake wetland has the potential to affect both local water quality and global air quality. These combined effects complicate the cost‐to‐benefit analysis of such wetland restoration efforts.
Semen Quality Decline Among Men in Infertile Relationships: Experience Over 12 Years in the South of Tunisia
Authors: Feki N. Chakroun , Abid N. , Rebai A. , Sellami A. , Ayed B. Ben , Guermazi M. , Bahloul A. , Rebai T. , Ammar L. Keskes
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT:Concerns about the worldwide decline in semen quality over the past 50 years are increasing. Western countries have shown a decline in semen quality. However, in non‐Western countries studies are sparse. We investigated trends in semen parameters between 1996 and 2007 in the Sfax area of southern Tunisia in a sample of 2940 men in infertile relationships. Age at semen collection, duration of sexual abstinence, volume of seminal fluid, the sperm count, percentages of motile and morphologically normal spermatozoa, and semen leukocyte concentration were determined. Linear regression was used to examine trends over time in sperm count, sperm motility, normal morphology, and semen leukocyte concentration. Mean age and semen volume did not change between 1996 and 2007. Data adjusted for age and abstinence showed a decreasing trend in sperm count and percentage of normal morphology over the last 12 years (R2= 0.71,P= .0004, andR2= 0.87,P< .0001, respectively). There was no significant change in sperm motility. However, semen leukocyte concentration increased significantly over time (R2= 0.38,P= .03). These results coincide with the high prevalence of genital infectious diseases in the Sfax area, suggesting that infection may be a potential contributing factor in semen quality decline.
Chemoprotective Effect of a Nuclear Factor‐κB Inhibitor, Pyrrolidine Dithiocarbamate, Against Cisplatin‐Induced Testicular Damage in Rats
Authors: Ilbey Yusuf Ozlem , Ozbek Emin , Simsek Abdulmuttalip , Cekmen Mustafa , Otunctemur Alper , Somay Adnan
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT:The objective of this study was to evaluate inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nuclear factor‐κB inhibitor (NF‐κB) expression and the potential chemoprotective effects of an NF‐κB inhibitor, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), against cisplatin‐induced testicular damage in rats. Rats were divided into 4 equal groups: group 1, control; group 2, injected with cisplatin (CIS) for 5 days (7 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally [IP]); group 3, injected with PDTC alone; group 4, injected with CIS plus PDTC (100 mg/kg IP). Body and testicular weights, plasma testosterone levels, and histopathologic structure of the testicular tissue were determined. The iNOS and NF‐κB activity were evaluated immunohistochemically by staining p65 to define NF‐κB activity. Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and nitric oxide (NO) levels and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activity were assessed in testicular tissue. Body and testicular weights, plasma testosterone levels, activity of GSH‐Px, and GSH levels were all significantly decreased, whereas the levels of MDA and NO were significantly increased in rats of the CIS group. PDTC treatment increased plasma testosterone levels. A significant increase in GSH levels and GSH‐Px activity and a decrease in MDA and NO levels in testicular tissue were observed in the CIS + PDTC group. Immunohistochemically, there was a marked staining for iNOS and NF‐κB/p65 expression in rats injected with CIS compared with the control (P< .001). CIS caused irregular seminiferous tubules, reduction of seminiferous epithelial layers, significant arrest of maturation, and perivascular fibrosis. Moreover, PDTC administration to CIS‐treated rats significantly prevented these histopathologic chances, as well. CIS induces iNOS expression through activation of NF‐κB/p65, and CIS‐induced testicular toxicity may be prevented by PDTC, which is a selective NF‐κB inhibitor.
Is Penile Length a Factor in Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction With PDE‐5 Inhibitor?
Authors: Savas Murat , Yeni Ercan , Ciftci Halil , Topal Ufuk , Utangac Mazhar , Verit Ayhan
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is prevalent among men, and several factors can contribute to the failure of ED treatment based on phosphodiesterase‐5 (PDE‐5) inhibitors. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of penile size in treatment of ED with PDE‐5 inhibitor (tadalafil; 20 mg). We prospectively scrutinized and enrolled in the present study 42 consecutive patients with ED. All measurements of penile length in fully stretched states and the erectile function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF‐EF) scores were recorded by the same physician (M.S.). Patients were divided into 3 groups according to stretched penile length: small (<25th percentile), normal (25th to 75th percentiles), and large (>75th percentile). Mean IIEF‐EF scores were recorded before and after treatment period. Patients received tadalafil (20 mg), taken on demand, a minimum of 6 times. The mean stretched penile length was 13.44 ± 2.4 cm (range, 9.50–18.00 cm). Overall mean IIEF‐EF domain scores were 11.90 ± 4.78 and 18.67 ± 6.70 for before and after the treatment period, respectively. Although PDE‐5 inhibitor treatment significantly improved all domains of the IIEF‐EF scores (P < .05), no statistically significant difference was found among the 3 groups according to mean IIEF‐EF domain scores before and after treatment (P > .05). We conclude that penile size is not a factor in treatment of ED patients with a PDE‐5 inhibitor.
Equilibrium and Kinetics of Reactive Extraction of Propionic Acid Using Aliquat 336 and Tri-n-Butyl Phosphate in n-Hexanol
Authors: Wasewar Dr. Kailas L. , Keshav Amit , Chand Shri
Published: August 2009

Recovery of propionic acid from different sources, like aqueous streams or from fermentation broth, is important in view of its wide usage in food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Reactive extraction is an emerging separation technique having numerous advantages like high selectivity and recovery. Effect of acid concentration, extractant concentration, pH, temperature and kinetics are the important steps in the reactive extraction. Equilibrium of propionic acid extraction using tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) and Aliquat 336 in n-hexanol respectively was carried out to find the better extractant out of the two for extraction of propionic acid. Aliquat 336 was found to be better than TBP with Ks = 2.2119 m3/kmol, thus indicating good complexation between it and the acid. The kinetics of extraction of the acid using Aliquat 336 in a stirred cell was investigated. The reaction was found to be first order in acid concentration and zero order in Aliquat 336 concentration. The reaction was found to be fast pseudo first order reaction occurring in the diffusion film and was found to be independent of hydrodynamics conditions. Rate constant was evaluated to be 163.398 1/s.
Neuroendocrine Tumors and Tumor Syndromes in Childhood
Authors: Gaal JosÉ , de Krijger Ronald R.
Published: August 2009

Endocrine and neuroendocrine cells form a large and diverse array of cell types. They are present in the form of specialized organs, such as the pituitary, parathyroid, thyroid, and adrenal gland, or in the form of the diffuse neuroendocrine system in the respiratory and digestive tracts. Neuroendocrine tumors are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms, yet they present certain unifying features. These include frequent hormonal overproduction that leads to specific symptoms and a typical immunohistochemical staining profile with chromogranin A and synaptophysin reactivity. Over the past decades, many neuroendocrine tumors have been described in the context of heritable tumor syndromes, and there exist several syndromes that are almost entirely composed of neuroendocrine tumors. Tumors occurring as part of these hereditary syndromes are characterized by specific genetic abnormalities that have helped our understanding of tumorigenesis, and they frequently appear at a young age. It is therefore important for the pediatric pathologist to be aware of specific histologic characteristics of neuroendocrine tumors in childhood and of their association with specific tumor syndromes. This may alert other clinicians to the possibility of multiple tumors in the patient or his family members. This review focuses on hereditary syndromes with neuroendocrine tumors, including multiple endocrine neoplasia types 1 and 2, Von Hippel-Lindau disease, neurofibromatosis type 1, Carney complex, pheochromocytoma-paraganglioma syndrome, and familial nonmedullary thyroid carcinoma. In addition, several individual neuroendocrine tumors are described, such as medullary thyroid carcinoma, gastroenteropan-creatic tumors, pheochromocytoma, and paraganglioma, emphasizing specific histopathologic characteristics.
Phytoseiid Mites (Parasitiformes, Phytoseiidae) on Plants in Trostyanets Dendrological Park (Ukraine)
Authors: Omeri I.
Published: August 2009

Phytoseiid Mites (Parasitiformes, Phytoseiidae) on Plants in Trostyanets Dendrological Park (Ukraine)

Species composition and distribution of phytoseiid mites (Parasitiformes, Phytoseiidae) are studied studied on plants in Trostyanets state dendrological park NAS of Ukraine (Trostyanets village, Ichnya region, Chernigiv oblast, Ukraine) for the first time. Mites of twenty phytoseiid species from nine genera were found. Frequency of occurrence of each species is estimated as well as their relative biotopic allocation to both vegetation type and plant species.
Wise use of Wetlands in Nepal
Authors: Bhandari BB
Published: August 2009

The paper attempts to throw light on Nepal's stride towards the wise use of wetlands in the country. The paper begins with the statement that wetland is a nascent term, which means many things to many people. In general wetlands are taken as the area covered with water for a part of the day or year. Biologically wetlands become the most productive when they dry out periodically. The Ramsar Convention defines wetlands as the "area of marsh, fen, peatlands or water". The global importance of Nepal's wetlands are manifested by the presence of the rare and endangered species of flora and fauna, rest place for migratory birds, waterway for the migratory fishes and availability of wild native rice. Nepal in its journey to the wise use of wetlands has passed through the four stages; primary, awakening, take-off and mass consciousness stages. Nepal's wetlands have been the victim of human conversion, over-exploitation, pollution of water, invasion of invasive species, human encroachment and deposition of sediments. Nepal has already designated wetlands in the Ramsar list and adopted a National Wetland Policy. The paper suggests that the loss of wetlands can be ameliorated by developing a national wetland act and national inventory, forming an interdisciplinary body to look over the issue, controlling invasive species etc. Key words: Wise use, Ramsar site, wetlands, wetland loss, invasive species   doi: 10.3126/banko.v19i3.2206 Banko Janakari, Special Issue February 2009, 10-17
Ecological study of Ghodaghodi lake
Authors: Diwakar J , Barjracharya S , Yadav UR
Published: August 2009

Wetlands comprise 5% of world's total land areas of Nepal. The present study Ghodaghodi Lake in the Far-West Nepal Terai manifested the physicochemical contamination in the lake. All the parameters were within the WHO guideline values except for Phosphate and Dissolved Oxygen. Water depth varies form 1-4 m. High phosphate level suggested that the lake is hypertrophic. Dissolved oxygen was low, ranging between 5.27-6.56 mg/l. The presence of high density of Hemiptera (384.23 ind/m2) and Ephimeripterae (273.66 ind/ m2) indicted that water was polluted due to high nutrient deposition both from the decaying of the abundant aquatic flora and from the surrounding area. The most important challenge that we have to face is to strike a balance between sustainable human exploitation and maintaining the ecological character of a wetland ecosystem. Key words: Ghodaghodi Lake, phytoplankton, macroinvertebrates, phosphate, nitrate   doi: 10.3126/banko.v19i3.2207 Banko Janakari, Special Issue February 2009, 18-23
Biodegradability of Plastics
Authors: Tokiwa Yutaka , Calabia Buenaventurada  P. , Ugwu Charles  U. , Aiba Seiichi
Published: August 2009

Plastic is a broad name given to different polymers with high molecular weight, which can be degraded by various processes. However, considering their abundance in the environment and their specificity in attacking plastics, biodegradation of plastics by microorganisms and enzymes seems to be the most effective process. When plastics are used as substrates for microorganisms, evaluation of their biodegradability should not only be based on their chemical structure, but also on their physical properties (melting point, glass transition temperature, crystallinity, storage modulus etc.). In this review, microbial and enzymatic biodegradation of plastics and some factors that affect their biodegradability are discussed.
Cell Guidance by 3D-Gradients in Hydrogel Matrices: Importance for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Lühmann Tessa , Hall Heike
Published: August 2009

Concentration gradients of soluble and matrix-bound guidance cues in the extracellular matrix direct cell growth in native tissues and are of great interest for design of biomedical scaffolds and on implant surfaces. The focus of this review is to demonstrate the importance of gradient guidance for cells as it would be desirable to direct cell growth onto/into biomedical devices. Many studies have been described that illustrate the production and characterization of surface gradients, but three dimensional (3D)-gradients that direct cellular behavior are not well investigated. Hydrogels are considered as synthetic replacements for native extracellular matrices as they share key functions such as 2D- or 3D-solid support, fibrous structure, gas- and nutrition permeability and allow storage and release of biologically active molecules. Therefore this review focuses on current studies that try to implement soluble or covalently-attached gradients of growth factors, cytokines or adhesion sequences into 3D-hydrogel matrices in order to control cell growth, orientation and migration towards a target. Such gradient architectures are especially desirable for wound healing purposes, where defined cell populations need to be recruited from the blood stream and out of the adjacent tissue, in critical bone defects, for vascular implants or neuronal guidance structures where defined cell populations should be guided by appropriate signals to reach their proper positions or target tissues in order to accomplish functional repair.
Evaluation and Normalization of Cloud Obscuration Related BRDF Effects in Field Spectroscopy
Authors: Stuckens Jan , Somers Ben , Verstraeten Willem W. , Swennen Rony , Coppin Pol
Published: August 2009

The impact of target bidirectional reflectance in dual field of view spectroscopy was described and quantified using field measurements and ray-tracing simulations. A data-driven normalization method was developed to convert reflectance factors under cloud obscured conditions into clear sky reflectance by decomposing the target bidirectional reflectance into an isotropic target-specific component and a group-specific bidirectional component. An evaluation on tree, grass and gravel targets suggests a reduction in relative reflectance error obtained by normalization from 15% to less than 5% between 400 and 1800 nm. At higher wavelengths a decreased signal-to-noise ratio increases the errors.