bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differences in plant‐size structure and biomass allocation in plants between exposed and shaded Plantago asiatica populations at a mid‐elevated habitat in the cool‐temperate region of Japan
Authors: KOBAYASHI TSUYOSHI , OKAMOTO KAZUYASU , KANAZAWA YUKO , HORI YOSHIMICHI
Published: March 2005

Plantago asiatica L. (Plantaginaceae) is a perennial herb that is distributed over a wide range of habitats from exposed to shaded sites in lowlands to the subalpine zone in Japan. We investigated the patterns of biomass allocation and population structures based on the frequency distribution of individual plants in order to clarify the extent of plasticity in significant life‐history traits and also population dynamics of this plantain species, which occurs under two contrasting light regimes—in exposed and shaded habitats—at Numappara, 1230 m a.s.l., Tochigi Prefecture, central Honshu. The plants at the shaded site allocated more biomass to leaves, but less to rhizomes than those at the exposed site. Increasing the biomass of the reproductive organs resulted in a reduction of the leaf and rhizome fractions. This trend is clearer in the shaded plants than in the exposed plants. In both exposed and shaded populations, the number of seedlings was greater in the first year, but the population structure was skewed more negatively in the second year during two consecutive study years. The possible effects of allocation traits of individuals on the population structures and regeneration mechanisms of P. asiatica at elevated habitats are discussed in terms of cyclic changes in population structure with the fluctuations of seeding activity over some years.
Discomforting research: colliding moralities and looking for ‘truth’ in a study of parental drug problems
Authors: Barnard Marina
Published: March 2005

Abstract Research on socially‐sensitive areas of human experience is particularly prone to raising thorny issues over the legitimacy and social consequences of the sociological gaze. In drugs research there is probably no more prickly a subject than the impact of a parents’ problem drug use on the wellbeing and safety of children. This paper sets out to explore the processes and consequences of interpretation of narrative accounts provided by parents and their children through moving between substantive and methodological issues. Through consideration of the substantive data the paper draws away from the epistemological position that all accounts can be treated as equally valid. Instead it argues that whilst some objectified definitive ‘truth’ of the impact of parental problem drug use on children is not achievable, it is possible to say something of the processes by which drugs can take precedence over childcare concerns, even where some accounts are apparently contradictory. The logic of such an interpretation of a certain incompatibility between dependent drug use and childcare raises the issue of the capacity for research to harm those who form the focus of empirical research.
Ophiostomatoid fungi isolated fromPinus radiatalogs imported from New Zealand to Korea
Authors: Kim Gyu-Hyeok , Kim Jae-Jin , Lim Young Woon , Breuil Colette
Published: March 2005

Ophiostomatoid fungi discolor lumber, logs, and tree sapwood. Stained wood has a lower market value and can be refused by importing customers because such products can potentially carry pathogenic fungi. Little information is available on the ophiostomatoid fungi that colonize Pinus radiata D. Don (radiata pine) logs imported from New Zealand into Korea. In this work, we attempted to identify the native and non-native fungi colonizing wood imported into Korea. At least 12 species of ophiostomatoid fungi, including an unknown Ophiostoma sp. A, were identified among the fungi-staining radiata pine. They were Leptographium procerum (Kendr.) Wingf., Leptographium bistatum Kim & Kim, Ophiostoma floccosum Mathiesen, Ophiostoma huntii (Rob.) Hoog & Scheff., Ophiostoma ips (Rumbold) Nannf., Ophiostoma nigrocarpum (David.) Hoog, Ophiostoma piceae (Münch) H. & P. Sydow, Ophiostoma piliferum (Fries) H. & P. Sydow, Ophiostoma quercus (Georgév.) Nannf., Ophiostoma radiaticola Kim et al., and Ophiostoma setosum Uzunovic et al. Of these species, O. floccosum was the dominant species in both logs and boards. We confirmed that many of the sapstain species that we isolated have been previously reported in Korea. However, four species, O. radiatcola, O. setosum, O. huntii, and O. nigrocarpum have not been reported previously in Korea. We also found the new species, L. bistatum, along with an unknown Ophiostoma sp. A.Key words: radiata pine, ophiostomatoid fungi, New Zealand, non-native organisms, β-tubulin gene.
Daily and seasonal spore dispersal by Mycosphaerella pinodes and development of mycosphaerella blight of field pea
Authors: Zhang Jin Xiu , Dilantha Fernando W G , Xue Allen G
Published: March 2005

Daily and seasonal spore dispersal of Mycosphaerella pinodes (Berk & Bloxam) Vestergren and the relationship of spore dispersal to distance and disease severity were investigated in a pea field in western Canada during two consecutive years. Most ascospores were released in response to rain events, during the first 2327 d after the inoculum source area was infested with naturally diseased pea residue, whereas most pycnidiospores were trapped during the first 20 d. For both ascospores and pycnidiospores, the highest peaks of spore release occurred during the first 1420 d after infestation. Few spores were trapped after day 27 after infestation. Daily peaks of ascospore and pycnidiospore release occurred between 1700 and 0400 hours. Most ascospores were released 12 d after a rain event and the largest peak appeared the first day after rain. In contrast, most pycnidiospores were released on the same day as rain occurred or the following day. The release of both spore types was associated with rainfall events ≥2 mm during the first 27 d after infestation but not with rainfall events after 27 d. Ascospore density was negatively correlated with distance from the inoculum source (r ≤ 0.92) and positively related to the disease severity (r ≥ 0.92). Disease severity decreased with increasing distance from the inoculum source. The patterns of spore dispersal associated with rain events have practical applications in the disease forecasting and spraying of chemicals to control the disease.Key words: field pea, mycosphaerella blight, rainfall, spore release.
Helmolepis cyphognathus, sp. nov., a new platysiagid actinopterygian from the Lower Triassic Sulphur Mountain Formation (British Columbia, Canada)
Authors: Neuman Andrew G , Mutter Raoul J
Published: March 2005

A new species of stem actinopterygian, Helmolepis cyphognatus sp. nov., is reported from the Lower Triassic Sulphur Mountain Formation of western Canada (probably Smithian). This taxon differs from the only other known Early Triassic platysiagid, H. gracilis from the Lower Triassic Wordie Creek Formation of East Greenland (Griesbachian), in counts of branchiostegal rays, shape of the maxilla, shape (and possibly counts) of extrascapulars, and the size ratio of major opercular bones. In spite of their overall unfavorable preservation, the numerous available specimens amend our knowledge of the little known genus Helmolepis considerably: it has become evident that the morphology of Helmolepis cyphognatus sp. nov. comes closest to Platysiagum minus (Middle Triassic Besano Formation of central Europe). This study suggests placement of the two genera in the family Platysiagidae. Investigation of this new species also shows certain features of the cheek and the caudal fin are more primitive than previously believed, whereas the snout region is probably derived but of yet uncertain affinities in Helmolepis.
Geophysical evidence for a pre-impact Sudbury dome, southern Superior Province, Canada
Authors: Prevec Stephen A , Cowan Duncan R , Cooper Gordon RJ
Published: March 2005

New filtering of aeromagnetic images of the Sudbury area indicates the existence of a large, elliptical feature that appears to underlie the deformed Sudbury Structure in the region of the exposed Levack Gneiss Complex, such that the two features have long axes which are significantly orthogonal to one another. A northsouth-oriented ellipse appears to be crosscut by that of the Sudbury Structure and does not correspond to known local lithological or structural trends. The magnetic images, combined with existing tectonic, petrological, geothermometric and geobarometric, and geochronological data, are used to suggest the existence of a pre-impact crustal dome in the southernmost Abitibi subprovince, probably related to ca. 2450 Ma rifting and magmatism in the area. This is consistent with existing petrological and tectonic evidence from a variety of sources. Although the doming is itself unrelated to the ca. 1850 Ma Sudbury event, it may have affected the thermal regime existing at the time of impact, which would have profound implications for the subsequent evolution of the Sudbury Igneous Complex.
Ten-day endurance training attenuates the hyperosmotic suppression of cutaneous vasodilation during exercise but not sweating
Authors: Ichinose Takashi , Okazaki Kazunobu , Masuki Shizue , Mitono Hiroyuki , Chen Mian , Endoh Hiroshi , Nose Hiroshi
Published: March 2005

It is well known that hyperosmolality suppresses thermoregulatory responses and that plasma osmolality (Posmol) increases with exercise intensity. We examined whether the decreased esophageal temperature thresholds for cutaneous vasodilation (THFVC) and sweating (THSR) after 10-day endurance training (ET) are caused by either attenuated increase in Posmol at a given exercise intensity or blunted sensitivity of hyperosmotic suppression. Nine young male volunteers exercised on a cycle ergometer at 60% peak oxygen consumption rate (V̇o2 peak) for 1 h/day for 10 days at 30°C. Before and after ET, thermoregulatory responses were measured during 20-min exercise at pretraining 70% V̇o2 peak in the same environment as during ET under isoosmotic or hyperosmotic conditions. Hyperosmolality by ∼10 mosmol/kgH2O was attained by acute hypertonic saline infusion. After ET, V̇o2 peak and blood volume (BV) both increased by ∼4% ( P < 0.05), followed by a decrease in THFVC ( P < 0.05) but not by that in THSR. Although there was no significant decrease in Posmol at the thresholds after ET, the sensitivity of increase in THFVC at a given increase in Posmol [ΔTHFVC/ΔPosmol,°C·(mosmol/kgH2O)−1], determined by hypertonic infusion, was reduced to 0.021 ± 0.005 from 0.039 ± 0.004 before ET ( P < 0.05). The individual reductions in ΔTHFVC/ΔPosmol after ET were highly correlated with their increases in BV around THFVC ( r = −0.89, P < 0.005). In contrast, there was no alteration in the sensitivity of the hyperosmotic suppression of sweating after ET. Thus the downward shift of THFVC after ET was partially explained by the blunted sensitivity to hyperosmolality, which occurred in proportion to the increase in BV.
Changes in Intrinsic Properties of Pyramidal Neurons in Adult Rat S1 During Cortical Reorganization
Authors: Hickmott Peter W.
Published: March 2005

Peripheral denervation causes significant changes in the organization of developing or adult primary somatosensory cortex (S1). However, the basic mechanisms that underlie reorganization are not well understood. Most attention has been focused on possible synaptic mechanisms associated with reorganization. However, another important determinant of cortical circuit function is the intrinsic membrane properties of neurons in the circuit. Here we document changes in the intrinsic properties of pyramidal neurons in cortical layer 2/3 in adult rat primary somatosensory cortex (S1) after varying durations of forepaw denervation. Denervation of the forepaw induced a rapid and sustained shift in the location of the border between the forepaw and lower jaw representations of adult S1 (reorganization). Coronal slices from the reorganized region were maintained in vitro and the intrinsic properties of layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons of S1 were determined using whole cell recordings. In general, passive membrane properties were not affected by denervation; however, a variety of active properties were. The most robust changes were increases in the amplitudes of the fast and medium afterhyperpolarization (AHP) and an increase in the interval between action potentials (APs). Additional changes at some durations of denervation were observed for the AP threshold. These observations indicate that changes in intrinsic properties, mostly reflecting a decrease in overall excitation, may play a role in changes in cortical circuit properties during reorganization in adult S1, and suggest a possible role for AHPs in some of those changes.
Tropical Atlantic SST Forcing of Coupled North Atlantic Seasonal Responses
Authors: Peng Shiling , Robinson Walter A. , Li Shuanglin , Hoerling Martin P.
Published: March 2005

Recent observational studies reveal that a fall Pan-Atlantic sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly, composed of a horseshoe-like dipole in the North Atlantic and a southern center in the equatorial Atlantic, tends to precede the winter North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and its related SST tripole by several months. This study seeks to understand this relationship using large ensembles of atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) experiments and experiments with the AGCM coupled to a mixed layer ocean (AGCM_ML). The models are forced either by the North Atlantic horseshoe (NAH) or by the tropical SST anomalies over the boreal winter months. The AGCM results show that the NAH anomaly induces a baroclinic response in geopotential heights throughout the winter, with little projection on the NAO. Since the NAH anomaly is ineffective in forcing the wintertime NAO, it cannot account for observations that the NAH SST leads the NAO. In contrast, in the AGCM_ML, the coupled North Atlantic response forced by the tropical anomaly exhibits a strong seasonal dependence. In early winter, the positive anomaly induces a trough east of Newfoundland with a wave train to the northeast, and in late winter the response projects strongly on a negative NAO. Correspondingly, the extratropical SST response features an NAH-like pattern in early winter and a tripole in late winter. These results suggest that tropical Atlantic SST anomalies can significantly influence the coupled extratropical variability. The observed relationship between the fall NAH SST and the winter NAO (or the SST tripole) may be a consequence of persistent forcing of the seasonally varying atmosphere by tropical SST anomalies.

Comparisons with the parallel AGCM results indicate that the largely sign-symmetric NAO responses developed in the AGCM_ML are in part due to active extratropical SST feedbacks. Diagnostic experiments using a linear model further illustrate that, in the absence of transient-eddy feedbacks, an idealized tropical heating induces anomalous flows that are qualitatively similar in early and late winter, with a trough southeast of Newfoundland and a ridge to the northeast. The enhanced seasonality in the SST-induced coupled response likely arises from the seasonal modulation of transient-eddy feedbacks on the heating-forced anomalous flow.
Chromated Copper Arsenate Preservative Treatment of North American Hardwoods. Part 2. CCA Leaching Performance
Authors: Stevanovic-Janezic T. , Cooper P.A. , Ung Y.T.
Published: March 2005

Seven North American hardwood species were vacuum or vacuum/pressure treated with 2% CCA-C
solution and fixed at temperatures of 21°C and 50°C under conditions of high relative humidity (95%).
The rates of fixation results are presented in Part 1 of this study. Red maple (Acer rubrum L.), red oak
(Quercus rubra L.), American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh), white birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.),
trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), basswood (Tilia americana L.) and yellow poplar (Liriodendron
tulipifera L.) were evaluated. The softwood red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) was included for
comparison. Adequately fixed wood blocks (99.9% chromium reduction) were exposed to leaching by
the AWPA E11 procedure. All CCA components were leached in high quantities from oak wood, while
from red maple and beech, high arsenic leaching occurred. Leaching losses from aspen, basswood and
yellow poplar were low and comparable for both fixation temperatures. In most species, the amount of
leaching was affected by the treating method, with lower leaching from pressure treated wood blocks
than from vacuum treated blocks. Removal of extractives from maple and oak blocks before treatment
affected the CCA leaching performance in these species. Extracted red oak had lower chromium and copper
leaching, but higher arsenic leaching. In contrast, extracted red maple had reduced leaching of all
CCA components compared to unextracted wood.

The examined hardwoods can be classified into three groups according to their CCA fixing and leaching
characteristics: fast fixing/high leaching group (beech, red oak and red maple), intermediate fixation
rate and leaching group (white birch and red pine) and slow fixing and low leaching group (aspen, yellow
poplar and basswood).
The Flakes Alignment Efficiency and Orthotropic Properties of Oriented Strand Board
Authors: Wang S.Y. , Chen B.J.
Published: March 2005

This study was designed to investigate the efficiency of flake's alignment and orthotropic properties of
oriented strand board (OSB) by using ultrasonic wave method. It was designed also to discuss the correlation
among ultrasonic velocity (V), dynamic modulus of elasticity (Ed), modulus of elasticity in
bending (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR). Results are summarized as follows:

The flake's aligned angle (θ): the angles between flake length direction and mechanical alignment
direction on the face layer of OSB within 0°–30° were 93–97% for JSP(OSB made from 100% of Japanese
cedar flakes), JMP(OSB made from 50% of Japanese cedar flakes and 50% of Taiwan paulownia
flakes) and CMP(OSB made from 50% of China fir flakes and 50% of Taiwan paulownia flakes) groups
OSB, and on the bottom layer, 76–85% for these three groups OSB, respectively.

The ultrasonic velocity (V) at 0° of angle between flake's length direction and mechanical alignment
direction (V0) was the highest, decreasing rapidly with increase of aligned angle (θ). The lowest value
of ultrasonic velocity occurred at 90° of angle between flake's length direction and mechanical alignment
direction (V90) and the relationship between θ and V could be represented by Hankinson's formula,
and Jacoby equation.

The orthotropic properties of OSB, defined as the ratio of V0/V90 were 2.4–3.2 for the full piece specimens,
and 2.4–2.6 for the bending tested specimens.

Interrelationships between V, Ed, MOR and MOE were positive linear regression formulas.
Performance of Centrifuge Data Acquisition Systems Using Wireless Transmission
Authors: Zornberg JG , Friedrichsen J , Dell'Avanzi E
Published: March 2005

Centrifuge testing requires transmitting data collected in a moving, increased-acceleration environment to a data acquisition system. Typical transmission methods include analog and digital data transmission through slip rings. However, these methods have often limited the accuracy of the measured data as well as the number of instruments that can be used in a test. A wireless ethernet data acquisition system was implemented for a centrifuge in this study. Using a computer equipped with a wireless ethernet card inside the centrifuge allows increased throughput while maintaining control of the centrifuge test by an external computer. Such a computer workgroup connected with wireless ethernet provides high throughput of noiselessly transmitted data. This approach allows a significant increase in the number of channels, and thus instruments, that can be used in a test when compared with other digital communication standards. An evaluation of the performance of this system indicates that the data throughput of the wireless system is consistently higher than conventional hard-wired serial communication systems, but depends on the g-level, transmission direction, and type of wireless card.
Influence of Pavement Surface Type on Tire/Pavement Generated Noise
Authors: Bennert T , Hanson D , Maher A , Vitillo N
Published: March 2005

Pavement noise evaluations were conducted on 42 pavement surfaces in New Jersey using the Close Proximity Method (CPX) via the NCAT Noise Trailer. The CPX Method is a current ISO Standard that measures sound levels of the tire/pavement interface, thereby providing a method to evaluate solely the influence of pavement surface on traffic noise. The surfaces were comprised of both hot mix asphalt (HMA) and Portland cement concrete (PCC). The HMA surfaces consisted of dense-graded asphalt mixes (DGA), open-graded friction course (OGFC) with and without crumb rubber, stone-mastic asphalt (SMA), NovaChip®, and a microsurfacing slurry mix. The PCC surfaces, pavements and bridge decks, had varying surface treatments consisting of transverse tining, saw-cut tining, diamond grinding, and broom finish. The main focus of the research was to: 1) Evaluate how different pavement surfaces influence the generation of tire/pavement noise, 2) Evaluate the effect of vehicle speed on the tire/pavement generated noise, and 3) Provide guidance as to the repeatability of the CPX method and optimal test distance on the roadway to aid in maximizing testing efficiency.

Results of the testing indicated that the asphalt-based surfaces provided the lowest tire/pavement noise levels. Of the HMA surfaces tested, the OGFC mixes modified with crumb rubber provided the lowest noise levels (96.5 dB(A) at 60 mph (96.5 km/h)). However, not only were these mixes modified with crumb rubber, but they also had the finest aggregate gradation. The loudest HMA surface was a 12.5 mm SMA mix (100.5 dB(A) at 60 mph (96.5 km/h)). The PCC surfaces had the highest noise levels. Of all PCC surfaces tested, the transverse tined surface obtained the loudest noise levels (106.1 dB(A) at 60 mph (96.5 km/h)). It was found that if the PCC surface was diamond ground, the noise levels could be comparable, and sometimes lower, than typical HMA pavement surfaces. Typical noise levels of the diamond ground PCC surfaces were approximately 98.7 dB(A) at 60 mph (96.5 km/h). To evaluate the effect of vehicle speed, noise measurements were conducted at 55, 60, and 65 mph (88.5, 96.5, and 104.6 km/h). Test results within this range indicate that on average, the tire/pavement noise increases linearly and at a rate of approximately 0.18 dB(A) for every 1.0 mph (1.6 km/h). The NovaChip® mixes were less susceptible to the increase in vehicle speed (0.15 dB(A) increase for every 1.0 mph (1.6 km/h) increase), while the PCC broom finish (no treatment) surfaces were affected the greatest by vehicle speed (0.29 dB(A) increase for every 1.0 mph (1.6 km/h) increase). The CPX method was found to be repeatable, with an average standard deviation of approximately 0.13 dB(A), as long as the test distance was greater than 0.2 miles (0.32 km). This is most likely due to the sensitivity of the test method being influenced by the ability to track the identical wheel-path in successive test runs.
The Papers of Henry Laurens and Modern Historical Documentary Editing
Authors: Massey Gregory D.
Published: March 2005

In early 2003 the Papers of Henry Laurens published the sixteenth and last volume of its letterpress edition. Since its inception over forty years ago, the project has been a microcosm of the changes that have occurred in historical documentary editing. The project pioneered the use of computers to create more accurate and comprehensive indexes. It went further than most projects in adopting a literal transcription policy. Over the past twenty years, the Laurens Papers' difficulties in maintaining a staff and producing volumes in the face of budget constraints mirror the problems faced by other projects as federal support for documentary editing has decreased or remained stagnant.
Down syndrome and comorbid autism‐spectrum disorder: Characterization using the aberrant behavior checklist
Authors: Capone George T. , Grados Marco A. , Kaufmann Walter E. , Bernad‐Ripoll Susana , Jewell Amy
Published: March 2005

To report on the cognitive and behavioral attributes of 61 children with Down syndrome (DS) and autistic‐spectrum disorder (ASD) according to DSM‐IV criteria; to determine the utility of the aberrant behavior checklist (ABC) to characterize these subjects for research purposes; and to test the hypothesis that subjects with DS + ASD could be distinguished from their typical DS peers using the ABC. Cross‐sectional design. Cases with DS + ASD (N = 61), comparison group of DS + stereotypy movement disorder (SMD) (N = 26) and typical DS controls without behavior problems (N = 44) were ascertained and enrolled sequentially upon presentation to a DS clinic at an academic medical center over a 10‐year period from 1991 to 2001. All subjects underwent neurodevelopmental and medical evaluation, and standardized cognitive testing. The parents provided responses to standardized behavioral questionnaires. Cognitive function (IQ) differed markedly across the three groups. The Lethary and Stereotypy subscales of the ABC were highly significant (P < 0.001) in distinguishing the three groups from one another. Within the ASD group differences were apparent by DSM‐IV type on the Lethargy subscale, which reached significance, ANOVA (F = 0.002) andt‐test (Autism > PDD,P = 0.005; PDD < CDD,P = 0.002). Using a multivariate regression model, the ABC scales alone explained 62% of variance of ASD outcome; addition of demographic variables explained up to 68% of the variance. There is good correlation between DSM‐IV criteria for autism and subscales scores on the ABC in subjects with DS. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using the ABC to characterize the neurobehavioral phenotype of a cohort of children with trisomy 21 and ASD for ongoing research purposes. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
XEpac, a guanine nucleotide‐exchange factor for Rap GTPase, is a novel hatching gland specific marker during the Xenopus embryogenesis
Authors: Lee Seung Joon , Han Jin‐Kwan
Published: March 2005

cAMP is a second messenger controlling various cellular processes through cAMP‐dependent protein kinase (cAPK, PKA) and cyclic nucleotide‐gated ion channels. Recently, the PKA‐independent–cAMP‐mediated signaling pathway by means of exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac) has been demonstrated. Epac is a guanine nucleotide‐exchange factor (GEF) for Rap, a Ras‐like small GTPase. To investigate this new target for cAMP in development, we have isolated Xepac, the Xenopus laevis homologue of Epac by cDNA library screening. Xepac (Xepac1) encodes 890 amino acids, which have 57% identity with human Epac1 and 59% with that of rat Epac1 in amino acids. Whole‐mount in situ hybridization and reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction analysis show that XEpac is expressed both maternally and zygotically and is restricted within the developing hatching gland. Intriguingly, overexpression of XEpac induces the anterior markers XAG‐1 and XOtx2 and can convert ectoderm into cement‐ and hatching gland‐expressing cells. These results suggest that XEpac contains anterior positional information. Developmental Dynamics 232:1091–1097, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Recent applications of capillary electrophoresis‐electrospray ionisation‐mass spectrometry in drug analysis
Authors: Smyth W. Franklin
Published: March 2005

A critical review of applications for the period 2000–2004, taken from the Web of Knowledge database, of the technique capillary electrophoresis‐electrospray ionisation‐mass spectrometry (CE‐ESI‐MS) in drug analysis is presented. The review is concerned with molecules of mass less than 500 Da, chosen according to selected structural classes in which they give ESI signals primarily as [M+H]+ ions although other ions, such as [M−H]−, [M+Na]+, and [M+NH4]+, are also reported. These structural classes are drugs with amine‐containing side chains, drugs with N‐containing saturated ring structures, 1,4‐benzodiazepines, other heterocyclic hypnotics, carbohydrates, sulphonylureas, anthracyclines, sulphonamides, penicillins, cephalosporins, tetracyclines, nitrocatechols, steroids, flavonoids/polyphenols, cannabinols, and miscellaneous molecules. Details are given on the fragmentations, where available, that these ionic species exhibit in‐source and in ion‐trap, triple quadrupole, and time of flight‐mass spectrometers. The review gives a critical evaluation of these recent CE‐ESI‐MS analytical methods in drug analysis. Analytical information on, for example, sample concentration techniques, CE separation conditions, recoveries from biological media and limits of detection (LODs) are provided. Potential applications of CE‐MS to particular drugs or drug classes are also briefly discussed in the text.
Why humanistic approaches in HRD won't work
Authors: McGuire David , Cross Christine , O'Donnell David
Published: March 2005

Humanism has long been considered a cherished worldview underpinning human resource development. As such, it occupies a privileged status within the field, and in the main, its central tenets have gone unchallenged, despite massive changes in the economic, sociological, and technological structure of work and society. This article challenges the preeminence of humanism and argues that the rhetoric of humanistic approaches is not matched by organizational actions of compressed career progression pathways, tight budgetary constraints, and a market‐driven economic philosophy.
Toroid formation in charge neutralized flexible or semi‐flexible biopolymers: potential pathway for assembly of DNA carriers
Authors: Tang Mary X. , Li Weijun , Szoka Francis C.
Published: March 2005

Background

The theoretical state diagram for semi‐flexible macromolecules such as DNA predicts that a tightly wound toroid can be a stable structure. Experimentally, toroids roughly 100 nm in diameter are routinely observed for DNA in the presence of multivalent cations at low DNA concentration. Theory also predicts toroids can form between non‐DNA semi‐flexible polymers and multivalent counterions. This phenomenon provides a means to co‐package DNA with functionalized anionic polymers to create gene delivery systems.

Methods and results

We show using electron microscopy that non‐DNA polymers (polylysine, polyglutamic acid, and dextran sulfate) form toroids when mixed with multi‐ or polyvalent ions of opposite charge. The non‐DNA toroids are similar in diameter to ones made with DNA. The results using dextran sulfate, a semi‐flexible polymer, are explained by current theory. However, theory predicts that high flexibility in polypeptides should discourage their incorporation into stable toroids. To explain these latter observations we propose that charge neutralization facilitates secondary structure formation, which confers stiffness, thereby allowing stable toroids for the polypeptides studied. We measured the secondary structure of the toroid‐forming polypeptides using circular dichroism (CD). The CD spectrum indicates the polypeptides undergo transitions from non‐ordered structures (random coil) to ordered secondary structures (either α‐helix or β‐sheet) upon charge neutralization which supports the hypothesis. The type of secondary structure is dependent on the type of multivalent counterion used to form the toroids. Formation of the polypeptide toroids confers resistance to heat denaturation of the resulting polypeptide secondary structure. The CD spectrum of DNA in a toroid also is changed from that of uncomplexed DNA, but all of the counterions used to form DNA toroids created structures with similar CD spectra in the DNA region (250–290 nm).

Conclusions

The toroid structure obtained using DNA is observed in other semi‐flexible non‐DNA polymers such as dextran sulfate, and also in flexible polymers such as polylysine and polyglutamic acid upon charge neutralization with multivalent counterions. In the flexible polymers we propose that this phenomenon is due to induction of secondary structure upon charge neutralization, which decreases polymer flexibility, i.e. increases polymer stiffness, to enable toroid formation. These results have significant implications for the co‐assembly of non‐DNA anionic polymers with DNA to create nanoscopic gene carriers. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Control of silicate nanocomposite morphology in binary fluids: Coarse‐grained molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Anderson Kelly L. , Sinsawat Anuchai , Vaia Richard A. , Farmer B. L.
Published: March 2005

In situ polymerization is the most successful technique for thermoplastics and thermosets for the preparation of well‐dispersed polymer‐layered silicate nanocomposites with desirable mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. The efficiency of this approach depends significantly on the polarity of the monomer and curing agent and the intermolecular interactions at the silicate surface. To explore the intermolecular interactions that influence morphology development on the mesoscale, large‐scale coarse‐grained models comprising a coherent stack of platelets immersed in a sea of binary fluids (representing the monomer and curing agent) have been used under isothermal isobaric conditions. The beads in the mixtures differ in their relative affinity for the silicate sheets. The simulation results indicate that completely intercalated structures can be obtained by the simple adjustment of the relative concentration of the binary fluid mixture and the pressure experienced by the nanocomposite. The generation of internal pressures associated with intercalation within a microcanonical (constant particle–volume–temperature, NVT) simulation has an impact on the observed processes. The isobaric (constant particle–pressure–temperature, NPT) ensemble is believed to more effectively represent the actual nonequilibrium intercalation process. Partial intercalation occurs at low concentrations of the component most strongly attracted to the sheets. Under select conditions, a steady increase of intercalated fluid beads indicates the initial stages of the formation of an exfoliated structure. Indeed, exfoliated structures have been observed in simulations of sheets with lower aspect ratios. A strong partitioning effect can be seen even for low concentrations of the attractive fluid. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 1014–1024, 2005
Investigating interactions of biomembranes and alcohols: A multiscale approach
Authors: Dickey Allison N. , Faller Roland
Published: March 2005

We studied the interaction of lipid bilayers with short‐chain alcohols, using molecular dynamics on different length scales. We used detailed atomistic modeling and modeling on a length scale on which an alcohol is just an amphiphilic dimer. Our strategy was to calibrate a coarse‐grained model against the detailed model at selected state points at a low alcohol concentration and then perform a wider range of simulations with the coarse‐grained model. We obtained semiquantitative agreement with experimental data for the major observables, such as the order parameter and area per molecule. We found a linear increase in the area per molecule with the alcohol concentration. The alcohol molecules in both system descriptions were in close contact with the glycerol backbone. Butanol molecules could enter the bilayer to some extent, in contrast to the behavior of shorter alcohols. At very high alcohol concentrations, we found clearly increased interdigitation between leaflets. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 1025–1032, 2005
Thermodynamic properties from ab‐initio calculations: New theoretical developments, and applications to various materials systems
Authors: Fähnle Manfred , Drautz Ralf , Lechermann Frank , Singer Reinhard , Diaz‐Ortiz Alejandro , Dosch Helmut
Published: March 2005

The great power of the cluster‐expansion method for atomistic simulations of the ground state properties and the thermodynamic properties of multi‐component solids is highlighted. In the first part of the paper some recently developed combinations of this method with other atomistic simulation techniques (N‐body potentials and cluster functionals) are discussed. In the second part the ab‐initio cluster expansion method is used to investigate the ground‐state structures for bulk FexCo1–x, the Ni90%–Al(110) surface and for adatom configurations on Mo(112), and the phase diagram for the system Ni–Fe–Al. Finally, an outlook for future applications of this calculational technique is given. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Heterogeneous coupled dissipation modeling of volume and enthalpy recovery in glass systems
Authors: Wang C. J. , He J. , Ying X. N. , Huang Y. N. , Riande E.
Published: March 2005

The dynamics of volume and enthalpy recovery of glasses are studied by introducing a new fictive temperature form and the size distribution of the solid‐like clusters into the original heterogeneous coupled dissipation model. The renewed model gives a satisfactory description of the pertinent experiments. The present model is also compared with the successful Kovacs–Aklonis–Hutchinson–Ramos and the Tool–Narayanaswamy–Moynihan models. It is found that the parameters describing the non‐linearity and non‐exponentiality of the recovery in these two models are related with the heterogeneity of glass‐formers. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Rough surface scattering in many‐mode conducting channels: gradient versus amplitude scattering
Authors: Izrailev F. M. , Makarov N. M. , Rendón M.
Published: March 2005

We study transport properties of many‐mode electron waveguides paying the main attention to the interplay between the amplitude and gradient scattering from rough surfaces. Our analysis shows that the two types of scattering are governed by different control parameters. The first (common) parameter is the ratio of the roughness amplitude to the transverse average width of a waveguide. The second parameter is determined by the squared derivative of a surface profile. We have found that the latter parameter can play the major role in the expression for the inverse mean free path, in contrast to all previous studies where the square‐gradient terms were neglected. Our results may be used in experimental realizations of the surface scattering of electron waves, as well as in other applications (e.g., for optical and microwave waveguides). (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A Hopfield Neural Network Approach to the Dual Response Problem
Authors: Köksoy Onur , Yalcinoz Tankut
Published: March 2005

The application of neural networks to optimization problems has been an active research area since the early 1980s. Unconstrained optimization, constrained optimization and combinatorial optimization problems have been solved using neural networks. This study presents a new approach using Hopfield neural networks (HNNs) for solving the dual response system (DRS) problems. The major aim of the proposed method is to produce a string of solutions, rather than a ‘one‐shot’ optimum solution, to make the trade‐offs available between the mean and standard deviation responses. This gives more flexibility to the decision‐maker in exploring alternative solutions. The proposed method has been tested on two examples. The HNN results are very close to those obtained by using the NIMBUS (Nondifferentiable Interactive Multiobjective Bundle‐based Optimization System) algorithm. Choosing an appropriate solution method for a certain multi‐objective optimization problem is not easy, as has been made abundantly clear. Unlike the NIMBUS method, the HNN approach does not set any specific assumptions on the behaviour or the preference structure of the decision maker. As a result, the proposed method will still work and generate alternative solutions whether or not the decision maker has enough time and capabilities for co‐operation. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Bayesian Approach to Obtain a Lower Bound for the Cpm Capability Index
Authors: Lin G. H. , Pearn W. L. , Yang Y. S.
Published: March 2005

The Taguchi capability index Cpm, which incorporates the departure of the process mean from the target value, has been proposed to the manufacturing industry for measuring manufacturing capability. A Bayesian procedure has been considered for testing process performance assuming $\mu =T$, which was generalized without assuming $\mu = T$. Statistical properties of the natural estimator of the index Cpm for normal processes have been investigated extensively. However, the investigation was restricted to processes with symmetric tolerances. Recently, a generalized Cpm, referred to as $C''_{{\rm p}m}$, was proposed to cover processes with asymmetric tolerances. Under the normality assumption, the statistical properties of the estimated $C''_{{\rm p}m}$ including the exact sampling distribution, the rth moment, expected value, variance, and the mean‐squared error were obtained. In this paper, we use a Bayesian approach to obtain the interval estimation for the generalized Taguchi capability index $C''_{{\rm p}m}$. Consequently, the manufacturing capability testing can be performed for quality assurance. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Coin flipping from a cosmic source: On error correction of truly random bits
Authors: Mossel Elchanan , O'Donnell Ryan
Published: March 2005

We study a problem related to coin flipping, coding theory, and noise sensitivity. Consider a source of truly random bits x ∈ {0, 1}n, and k parties, who have noisy version of the source bits yi ∈ {0, 1}n, when for all i and j, it holds that P[y = xj] = 1 − ϵ, independently for all i and j. That is, each party sees each bit correctly with probability 1 − ϵ, and incorrectly (flipped) with probability ϵ, independently for all bits and all parties. The parties, who cannot communicate, wish to agree beforehand on balanced functions fi: {0, 1}n → {0, 1} such that P[f1(y1) = … = fk(yk)] is maximized. In other words, each party wants to toss a fair coin so that the probability that all parties have the same coin is maximized. The function fi may be thought of as an error correcting procedure for the source x. When k = 2,3, no error correction is possible, as the optimal protocol is given by fi(yi) = y. On the other hand, for large values of k, better protocols exist. We study general properties of the optimal protocols and the asymptotic behavior of the problem with respect to k, n, and ϵ. Our analysis uses tools from probability, discrete Fourier analysis, convexity, and discrete symmetrization. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2005
Characterizing configurable software product families and their derivation
Authors: Raatikainen Mikko , Soininen Timo , Männistö Tomi , Mattila Antti
Published: March 2005

Configurable software product families are a subclass of software product families that are customized in a product individual derivation process without design or programming. This article presents results on analyzing two such families and their derivation processes found in a descriptive case study on software product families. Some characteristics particular to such product families and their derivation seem to emerge: There is a configurable product base that is configured to the customer requirements. The variability has two distinct levels, of which the first is visible to the customer at sales. The derivation process consists of requirements specification, configuring, delivery, installing, and tailoring activities. Derivation is very flexible and efficient. Most derivations can be carried out without programming. The activities primarily require application domain understanding, system administrator skills, and understanding of the family. The product developers can be separated organizationally from product derivators. We further proposed some hypotheses on the success factors for configurable software product families: A large enough number of derivations, understanding and stability of the application domain, and clear software product family–oriented culture and processes. However, very advanced or software product family–oriented software engineering methods or similar methods do not seem a prerequisite for success. We also suggest further research on configurable software product families. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Managing variability of self‐customizable systems throughcomposablecomponents
Authors: Şora Ioana , Creţu Vladimir , Verbaeten Pierre , Berbers Yolande
Published: March 2005

Self‐customizable systems must adapt themselves to evolving user requirements or to their changing environment. One way to address this problem is through automatic component composition, systematically (re‐)building systems according to the current requirements by composing reusable components. Our work addresses requirements‐driven composition of multi‐flow architectures.

This article presents the central element of our automated runtime customization approach, the concept of composable components: the internal configuration of a composable component is not fixed, but is variable in the limits of its structural constraints. In this article, we introduce the mechanism of structural constraints as a way of managing the variability of customizable systems. Composition is performed in a top–down stepwise refinement manner, while recursively composing the internal structures of the composable components according to external requirements over the invariant structural constraints.

The final section of the article presents our cases of practical validation. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of Northridge earthquake on precast concrete design practice
Authors: Englekirk Robert E.
Published: March 2005

The Northridge earthquake did not change precast concrete design practice per se—and this is unfortunate. Valid concerns regarding the performance of precast concrete members were overlooked in a rush to judgment that illogically imposed empirical constraints on design practice: this is all too characteristic of our approach to structural engineering and especially true in the recent codification of seismic design practice. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improvements in the estimates of ice thickness and production in the Chukchi Sea polynyas derived from AMSR‐E
Authors: Martin Seelye , Drucker Robert , Kwok Ronald , Holt Benjamin
Published: March 2005

For January–March 2003, we use 12.5‐km resolution Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR) data for the first time in a comparison with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) data to study two Chukchi coast polynyas, one consisting of many, the other of only a few 25‐km SSM/I pixels. Within these polynyas, the ice thicknesses are derived separately from the SMM/I 37‐GHz and AMSR 36‐GHz channels; the heat fluxes are derived by combining thicknesses with meteorological data. Comparison with ScanSAR data shows that for the large polynya, because AMSR provides better resolution of the surrounding coastline and first‐year ice, the AMSR heat losses are greater than the SSM/I; for the small polynya, AMSR measures its variability even when its area is order of a single SSM/I pixel. This means that AMSR permits more accurate calculation of polynya heat losses, yielding the potential of improved estimates of Arctic polynya productivity.