bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regularized implicit surface reconstruction from points and normals
Authors: Mederos B. , Lage M. , Arouca S. , Petronetto F. , Velho L. , Lewiner T. , Lopes H.
Published: November 2010

We consider the problem of surface reconstruction of a geometric object from a finite set of sample points with normals. Our contribution is to present a new scheme for implicit surface reconstruction. Similarly to the multilevel partition of unity (MPU) method we hierarchically divide the domain obtaining local approximation for the object on each part, and then patch all together obtaining a global description of the object. Our new scheme uses ridge regression and weighted gradient one fitting techniques to get better stability on local approximations. The method behaves reasonably on sparse set of points and data with holes as those which comes from 3D scanning of real objects.
Synthesis of N‐(3‐Oxapropanoxyl)dodecanamide and its Application in Surfactant‐Polymer Flooding
Authors: Cui Zheng‐gang , Song Hong‐xing , Yu Jun‐jie , Jiang Jian‐zhong , Wang Feng
Published: November 2010

Alkali‐surfactant‐polymer (ASP) flooding has been considered to be one of the useful tertiary oil recovery techniques. However, field tests in China have revealed that serious side effects may occur due to using alkali. Thus alkali‐free SP flooding is more favorable in China. Unfortunately, surfactants effective in ASP flooding are usually ineffective in the absence of alkali and new surfactants need to be designed. In this paper N‐(3‐Oxapropanoxyl)dodecanamide as a pure compound and a mixture of homologues with narrow EO number distribution, synthesized by the reaction of lauroyl chloride with diglycolamine and addition of one ethylene oxide to coconut monoethanolamide respectively, are examined for their adaptability in SP flooding. It is found that, when mixed with betaines, both products can reduce Daqing crude oil/connate water interfacial tension to a magnitude of 10−3–10−4 mNm−1 at 45 °C in a wide surfactant concentration range, 0.01–0.5 wt%, and oil displacement tests using natural cores indicates that a tertiary oil recovery of 18.6 ± 0.4% OOIP can be achieved by SP flooding with the N‐(3‐Oxapropanoxyl)dodecanamide as the main surfactant without adding any alkaline agent and neutral electrolyte. N‐(3‐Oxapropanoxyl)dodecanamide, as a nonionic surfactant without a cloud point and producible industrially from renewable materials, is an ideal surfactant for SP flooding in the absence of an alkaline agent.
IL‐1beta in the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis contributes to extra‐territorial allodynia/hyperalgesia following a trigeminal nerve injury
Authors: Takahashil Kouji , Watanabel Mineo , Suekawal Yohei , Itol Goshi , Inubushil Toshihiro , Hirosel Naoto , Murasakil Kyoko , Hiyamal Shinji , Uchidal Takashi , Tannel Kazuo
Published: November 2010

It has been reported that the whisker pad (WP) area, which is innervated by the second branch of the trigeminal nerve, shows allodynia/hyperalgesia following transection of the mental nerve (MN: the third branch of the trigeminal nerve). However, the mechanisms of this extra‐territorial pain induction still remain unclear. Glia and cytokines are known to facilitate perception of noxious input, raising a possibility that these non‐neuronal elements are involved in the induction and spread of allodynia/hyperalgesia at non‐injured skin territory. One day after MN transection, tactile allodynia/hyperalgesia developed on the ipsilateral WP area, which is in the non‐injured skin territory. The tactile allodynia/hyperalgesia lasted for more than 56 days. In response to MN transection, astrocytes and microglia appeared to be in an activated state, and interleukin (IL)‐1beta was up‐regulated in astrocytes in the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc). Allodynia/hyperalgesia at WP area induced by MN transection was attenuated dose‐dependently by IL‐1 receptor antagonist IL‐1ra (i.t., 0.05, 0.5, and 5pg/rat). Fos‐like immunoreactive (Fos‐Li) neurons were observed in the Vc after non‐noxious mechanical stimulation of the WP area in the rats with MN transection. Administration of IL‐1ra also attenuated the number of Fos‐Li neurons dose‐dependently. Administration of a noncompetitive antagonist of NMDA receptors MK‐801 (i.t., 5μg/rat) reversed allodynia/hyperalgesia. IL‐1 receptor type I (IL‐1RI) was localized in Fos‐ and phospho NR1‐immunoreactive neurons. These results suggest that IL‐1beta in the Vc plays an important role in the development of extra‐territorial tactile allodynia/hyperalgesia after MN transection.
The somatostatin analogue octreotide inhibits capsaicin‐mediated activation of nociceptive primary afferent fibres in spinal cord lamina II (substantia gelatinosa)
Authors: Bencivinnil Ileana , Ferrinil Francesco , Saliol Chiara , Beltramol Massimiliano , Merighil Adalberto
Published: November 2010

Somatostatin (SST) in spinal cord has been linked with the inhibition of nociceptive neurotransmission in several experimental paradigms. The SST2 receptor (SSTR2) is the main SST receptor subtype in the superficial dorsal horn (DH) and is activated, besides to the naïve peptide, by the SST synthetic analogue octreotide (OCT). In the present work, we have studied the central effects of SSTR2 activation on capsaicin (CAP)‐induced glutamate release in mouse DH.

In neurons of the lamina II of DH, CAP (2μM) induced a strong increase of mEPSC frequency that was significantly reduced (70%) by OCT. SSTR2 involvement was assessed by using the specific antagonist CYN 154806. No differences were observed between frequency increase in CAP alone vs. CAP in the presence of CYN 154806+OCT. The effect of OCT was further investigated by studyingc‐fosexpression in spinal cord slices. The CAP‐induced increase in density of Fos immunoreactive nuclei in the superficial DH was strongly prevented by OCT.

SSTR2a (a splicing variant of SSTR2) immunoreactivity was found in both pre‐ and post‐synaptic compartments of laminae I—II synapses. By light and electron microscopy, SSTR2a was mainly localized onto non‐peptidergic isolectin B4 (IB4)‐positive primary afferent fibres (PAFs). A subset of them was also found to express the CAP receptor TRPV1.

These data show that the SST analogue OCT inhibits CAP‐mediated activation of non‐peptidergic nociceptive PAFs in lamina II. Our data indicate that SSTR2a plays an important role in the pre‐synaptic modulation of central excitatory nociceptive transmission in mouse.
A randomized clinical trial of a levonorgestrel‐releasing intrauterine system and a low‐dose combined oral contraceptive for fibroid‐related menorrhagia
Authors: Sayed Gamal H. , Zakherah Mahmoud S. , El‐Nashar Sherif A. , Shaaban Mamdouh M.
Published: November 2010

Objective

To compare the efficacy of a levonorgestrel‐releasing intrauterine system (LNG‐IUS) with that of a low‐dose combined oral contraceptive (COC) in reducing fibroid‐related menorrhagia.

Methods

In this single‐center, open, randomized clinical trial, 58 women with menorrhagia who desired contraception were randomized to receive a LNG‐IUS or COC. The outcomes included treatment failure, defined as the need for another treatment; menstrual blood loss (MBL) by the alkaline hematin method and a pictorial assessment chart (PBAC); hemoglobin levels; and “lost days.”

Results

Treatment failed in 6 women (23.1%) in the LNG‐IUS group and 11 (37.9%) in the COC group, for a hazard ratio of 0.46 (95% CI, 0.17–1.17, P = 0.101). Using the alkaline hematin test, the reduction of MBL was significantly greater in the LNG‐IUS group (90.9% ± 12.8% vs 13.4% ± 11.1%; P < 0.001). Using PBAC scores, the reduction was also significantly greater in the LNG‐IUS group (88.0% ± 16.5% vs 53.5% ± 51.2%; P = 0.02). Moreover, hemoglobin levels increased from 9.7 ± 1.9 g/dL to 11.7 ± 1.2 g/dL (P < 0.001) and lost days decreased from 8.2 ± 3.3 days to 1.3 ± 1.5 days (P = 0.003) in the LNG‐IUS group.

Conclusion

Although the rate of treatment failure was similar in both groups, the LNG‐IUS was more effective in reducing MBL than the COC in women with fibroid‐related menorrhagia.
Dietary pattern and weight change in a 5-year follow-up among Chinese adults: results from the Jiangsu Nutrition Study
Authors: Shi Zumin , Yuan Baojun , Hu Gang , Dai Yue , Zuo Hui , Holmboe-Ottesen Gerd
Published: November 2010

The aim of the present study was to examine the association between dietary patterns and weight change prospectively. We followed up 1231 adults aged 20 years and older (mean age 49·3 years) from 2002 to 2007. Food intake was assessed at baseline by an FFQ. Factor analysis was used to identify dietary patterns. Nutrient intake was measured by food weighing plus consecutive individual 3 d food records. Body weight and height were measured. The mean 5-year weight gain among all participants was 0·8 (sd4·7) kg. The mean weight changes across quartiles of the ‘traditional’ pattern (rice, fresh vegetables, pork and wheat flour) were 2·0, 0·6, 0·6 and 0·0 kg. The corresponding values were 0·4, 0·5, 0·7 and 1·6 kg across quartiles of the ‘vegetable-rich’ pattern. No significant association between the ‘macho’ dietary pattern (meat and alcohol), the ‘sweet tooth’ pattern (drinks and cake) and weight gain was found. In multivariate linear regression, using the first quartile as the reference, participants in the highest quartile of the ‘traditional’ pattern had a β of − 2·18 (95 % CI − 2·91, − 1·45) for weight gain. However, the β from weight change of the highest quartile of the ‘vegetable-rich’ pattern was 1·00 (95 % CI 0·25, 1·74). In conclusion, the ‘traditional’ dietary pattern was negatively and the ‘vegetable-rich’ pattern was positively associated with weight gain in Chinese adults.
Some Proposals Submitted to the World Congress of Jewish Physicians
Authors: Ringelblum Emanuel
Published: November 2010

The World Congress of Jewish Physicians is to be held during a very difficult period for the Jewish population. Grim reactionary policies and their sibling, anti-Semitism, pose a growing threat to all the beautiful ideas that humanity has created over the centuries. In the struggle between progress and reaction the whole world is experiencing in these uncertain times, the Jewish population is becoming a target of assault and attack.
Auf dem schmalen Grat zwischen Thrombosen und Verbluten
Authors: Reinhart Walter H.
Published: November 2010

Eine 67-jährige Patientin erlitt einen Herzinfarkt. In der Koronarangiographie fand sich thrombotisches Material in Koronararterien. Ursache dafür war eine paroxysmale nächtliche Hämoglobinurie, ein Stammzelldefekt, welcher durch komplementvermittelte hämolytische Schübe mit thromboembolischen Ereignissen gekennzeichnet ist. Wegen der koronaren Thrombosen wurden eine Antikoagulation und eine Antiaggregation eingeleitet. Darunter kam es zu einer intrazerebralen Massenblutung, an der die Patientin trotz zweimaliger neurochirurgischer Kraniektomie schließlich verstarb. Dieser tragische Fall zeigt, dass eine antithrombotische Behandlung immer wieder eine Gratwanderung mit ungewissem Ausgang ist.
Beobachtungen und Gedanken beim Durchblättern hausärztlicher Krankengeschichten
Authors: Horn Benedikt
Published: November 2010

Die hausärztliche Krankengeschichte, die im Verlauf von Jahren und Jahrzehnten in der Praxis entsteht, geht in der Regel weit über die Medizin hinaus. Politische, soziale, psychologische, historische, statistische, pädagogische, theologische, ethische, juristische, ökologische und ökonomische Probleme und Diskussionen prägen den intensiven Kontakt zwischen Patienten und Hausarzt. Um die hohen Erwartungen von Patienten und deren Angehörigen erfüllen zu können, sind Hausärzte und – in Zukunft immer häufiger – Hausärztinnen gefordert, ihre Aus-, Weiter- und Fortbildung ausgesprochen breit basiert und interdisziplinär zu planen und zu absolvieren.
Fieberhafter Infekt bei unklarem Fokus
Authors: Kononowa Nina , Schifferli Jürg A.
Published: November 2010

Obwohl fieberhafte Erkrankungen in der allgemeinen klinischen Praxis sehr häufig sind, fehlen heutzutage immer noch gute und zuverlässige Parameter, um die Ursache des Fiebers besser diagnostizieren zu können. Immer noch können wir für viele Erkrankungen keine exakte Aussage über die Notwendigkeit, die Dauer und den Zeitpunkt der Therapieeinleitung anhand von Laborwerten geben. Biomarker wie Procalcitonin, IL-6, IL-8 zeigen erste Lösungsansätze, allerdings gibt es weiterhin viele ungelöste Fragen.
Neglecting the Risks: The Irrationality of Health Behavior and the Quest for La Dolce Vita
Authors: Sjöberg Lennart
Published: November 2010

The paper is a discussion of personal risk taking and risk perception in the field of health-related behavior. It reviews work on addictions, which has shown the difficulties of impulse control in the pursuit of long-term commitments. Such long-term commitments are typically in conflict with temporary and strong urges to indulge in seeking pleasure and comfort. People know and do not know, at the same time, the likely consequences of their behavior, and relapses in addictions are very common. Risk perception research has elucidated some of these points and shown that people see risks as very different for themselves and others, especially lifestyle risks. This difference is related to the notion that they can control their own risks, while others neither can, nor want to, exercise such control. Hence, own competence and motivation is overestimated, and that of other people is underestimated. Wishful thinking further contributes to irrational tendencies. Campaigns intended to change risk-taking behavior run into very difficult resistance due to these factors, and risk messages may be interpreted as pertinent to others rather than oneself.
Colonization of subsurface microbial observatories deployed in young ocean crust
Authors: Orcutt Beth N , Bach Wolfgang , Becker Keir , Fisher Andrew T , Hentscher Michael , Toner Brandy M , Wheat C Geoffrey , Edwards Katrina J
Published: November 2010

Oceanic crust comprises the largest hydrogeologic reservoir on Earth, containing fluids in thermodynamic disequilibrium with the basaltic crust. Little is known about microbial ecosystems that inhabit this vast realm and exploit chemically favorable conditions for metabolic activities. Crustal samples recovered from ocean drilling operations are often compromised for microbiological assays, hampering efforts to resolve the extent and functioning of a subsurface biosphere. We report results from the first in situ experimental observatory systems that have been used to study subseafloor life. Experiments deployed for 4 years in young (3.5 Ma) basaltic crust on the eastern flank of the Juan de Fuca Ridge record a dynamic, post-drilling response of crustal microbial ecosystems to changing physical and chemical conditions. Twisted stalks exhibiting a biogenic iron oxyhydroxide signature coated the surface of mineral substrates in the observatories; these are biosignatures indicating colonization by iron oxidizing bacteria during an initial phase of cool, oxic, iron-rich conditions following observatory installation. Following thermal and chemical recovery to warmer, reducing conditions, the in situ microbial structure in the observatory shifted, becoming representative of natural conditions in regional crustal fluids. Firmicutes, metabolic potential of which is unknown but may involve N or S cycling, dominated the post-rebound bacterial community. The archaeal community exhibited an extremely low diversity. Our experiment documented in situ conditions within a natural hydrological system that can pervade over millennia, exemplifying the power of observatory experiments for exploring the subsurface basaltic biosphere, the largest but most poorly understood biotope on Earth.
Developmental Sexual Dimorphism of the Oral and Pharyngeal Portions of the Vocal Tract: An Imaging Study
Authors: Vorperian Houri K. , Wang Shubing , Schimek E. Michael , Durtschi Reid B. , Kent Ray D. , Gentry Lindell R. , Chung Moo K.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The anatomic origin for prepubertal vowel acoustic differences between male and female subjects remains unknown. The purpose of this study is to examine developmental sex differences in vocal tract (VT) length and its oral and pharyngeal portions.

Method

Nine VT variables were measured from 605 imaging studies (magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography) of subjects between birth and age 19 years. Given sex differences in growth rate (Vorperian et al., 2009), assessment of sex differences was done through use of a localized comparison window of 60 months. Analysis entailed applying this comparison window first to 4 discrete age cohorts, followed by a progressive assessment in which this comparison window was moved in 1-month increments from birth across all ages.

Results

Findings document significant postpubertal sex differences in both the oral and pharyngeal portions of the VT. They also document periods of significant prepubertal sex differences in the oral region first, followed by segments in the pharyngeal region.

Conclusions

Assessment of developmental sex differences using localized age ranges is effective in unveiling sex differences that growth rate differences may conceal. Findings on the presence of prepubertal sex differences in the oral region of the VT may clarify, in part, the anatomic basis of documented prepubertal acoustic differences.
Modulation of Neck Intermuscular Beta Coherence During Voice and Speech Production
Authors: Stepp Cara E. , Hillman Robert E. , Heaton James T.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to better understand neck intermuscular beta coherence (15–35 Hz; NIBcoh) in healthy individuals, with respect to modulation by behavioral tasks.

Method

Mean NIBcoh was measured using surface electromyography at 2 anterior neck locations in 10 individuals during normal speech, static nonspeech maneuvers, “clear” speech (intentionally produced to maximize intelligibility), divided-attention speech, singing, and mimicked hyperfunctional speech.

Results

An analysis of variance showed significant effects of both individual and condition (
p
= .001) on the mean beta-band intermuscular coherence. Dunnett’s simultaneous paired
t
tests found decreased NIBcoh during low-attention speech, singing, and hyperfunctional speech (
p
adj
< .05), but no significant difference in NIBcoh during nonspeech tasks or clear speech production relative to normal speech.

Conclusions

Compared with normal speech, mean NIBcoh was decreased in a divided-attention speech task, but clear speech did not result in increased mean coherence relative to normal speech, possibly due to ceiling effects caused by heightened attention and precision during experimental recording. Mimicking a strained, hyperfunctional voice resulted in a reduction in mean beta intermuscular coherence quantitatively and qualitatively similar to the lowered values of mean beta coherence seen in individuals with vocal nodules relative to individuals with normal voice.
Analytical investigation of electrical breakdown properties in a nitrogen-SF6 mixture gas
Authors: Uhm Han S. , Byeon Yong S. , Song Ki B. , Choi Eun H. , Ryu Han-Yong , Lee Jaimin
Published: November 2010

The electrical breakdown properties in nitrogen gas mixed with SF6 are analytically investigated in this article by making use of the ionization and attachment coefficients of the mixed gas. The ionization coefficients of nitrogen and SF6 gas are obtained in terms of the electron temperature Te by assuming a Maxwellian distribution of the electron energy. The attachment coefficient of SF6 gas is also obtained in terms of the gas temperature Te. An algebraic equation is obtained, relating explicitly the electron breakdown temperature Tb in terms of the SF6 mole fraction χ. It was found from this equation that the breakdown temperature Tb increases from approximately 2 to 5.3 eV as the mole fraction χ increases from zero to unity. The breakdown temperature Tb of the electrons increases very rapidly from a small value and then approaches 5.3 eV slowly as the SF6 mole fraction increases from zero to unity. This indicates that even a small mole fraction of SF6 in the gas dominates the electron behavior in the breakdown system. The breakdown electric field Eb derived is almost linearly proportional to the breakdown electron temperature Tb. The experimental data agree remarkably well with the theoretical results. Therefore, it is concluded that even a small fraction of SF6 gas dominates nitrogen in determining the breakdown field. In this context, nearly 25% of the SF6 mole fraction provides a reasonable enhancement of the breakdown field for practical applications.
Phase transformations induced by high electronic excitation in ion-irradiated Gd2(ZrxTi1−x)2O7 pyrochlores
Authors: Sattonnay G. , Moll S. , Thomé L. , Decorse C. , Legros C. , Simon P. , Jagielski J. , Jozwik I. , Monnet I.
Published: November 2010

The pyrochlore oxides (A2B2O7) exhibit a remarkable range of structural, physical, and magnetic properties related to their various chemical compositions. This article reports the phase transformations induced by high electronic excitation in pyrochlores of the Gd2(ZrxTi1−x)2O7 family irradiated with swift ions. The structural changes, investigated by using several analytical techniques (x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy), strongly depend on the chemical composition. The high electronic excitation along the ion trajectory results in the amorphization of ion tracks for Gd2Ti2O7 and Gd2TiZrO7, whereas a defective fluorite structure is formed in Gd2Zr2O7. Moreover, the results underline the existence of an electronic stopping power threshold of 6 keV/nm for amorphizable compounds and 10 keV/nm for Gd2Zr2O7, below which phase transformations do not occur. Finally, the study of the thermal recovery of irradiated pyrochlores provides the recrystallization temperature for amorphized samples and reveals differences in the recovery process which are related to the chemical composition.
Depinning of evaporating liquid films in square capillary tubes: Influence of corners’ roundedness
Authors: Chauvet F. , Duru P. , Prat M.
Published: November 2010

In this paper, evaporation of a volatile, perfectly wetting liquid confined in an initially filled capillary tube of square internal cross section is studied, when conditions are such that liquid films develop along the tube internal corners under the effect of capillary forces, as the bulk meniscus recedes inside the tube. More precisely, the emphasis is on the moment when the liquid film tips depin from the tube top once they have reached a critical length, a phenomenon observed in experiments. A model taking into account liquid corner flow and phase change at the film tip is proposed in order to predict the critical film length at depinning. The model is found to be in good agreement with experimental data and highlights that the critical film length depends strongly on the degree of roundedness of the tube internal corners. Thus, it is crucial to take into account this purely geometrical factor when modeling evaporation in polygonal capillary tubes or, more generally, corner flows in a rounded wedge.
Two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations of transport in a magnetized electronegative plasma
Authors: Kawamura E. , Lichtenberg A. J. , Lieberman M. A.
Published: November 2010

Particle transport in a uniformly magnetized electronegative plasma is studied in two-dimensional (2D) geometry with insulating (dielectric) boundaries. A 2D particle-in-cell (PIC) code is employed, with the results compared to analytic one-dimensional models that approximate the end losses as volume losses. A modified oxygen reaction set is used to scale to the low densities used in PIC codes and also to approximately model other gases. The principal study is the limiting of the transverse electron flow due to strong electron magnetization. The plasma in the PIC calculation is maintained by axial currents that vary across the transverse dimension. For a cosine current profile nearly uniform electron temperature is obtained, which at the B-fields studied (600–1200 G) give a small but significant fraction (0.25 or less) of electron to negative ion transverse loss. For a more transverse-confined current, and approximating the higher mass and attachment reaction rate of iodine, the fraction of electron to negative ion transverse loss can be made very small. The models which have been constructed reasonably approximate the PIC results and indicate that the cross-field transport is nearly classical.
Investigation of argon nanocrystalline thermal conductivity by molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Ju Shenghong , Liang Xingang
Published: November 2010

The molecular dynamics simulation (MD) method has been widely applied to the investigation of the thermal conductivity of single crystalline materials during last decade but no report on the thermal conductivity of polycrystalline solids by direct MD simulation with three-dimensional polycrystalline structure is found so far. In this paper, the periodic configuration of nanocrystalline argon for MD simulation is constructed based on the Voronoi tessellation method. The thermal conductivity of both perfect single crystal and nanocrystalline bulk argon are calculated by the Green–Kubo method. The results are compared with experiments as well as MD simulation results reported by others. The thermal conductivity of nanocrystalline argon with the average grain size of 5 nm is much lower than that of the corresponding perfect single crystal at temperatures between 10 and 70 K. The reduction can be attributed to grain boundary thermal resistance due to large number of grain interfaces in polycrystalline argon, as well as their limitation on the phonon mean free path. The magnitude of estimated grain boundary thermal resistance at different temperatures is on the scale of 10−9 m2 K/W. The grain boundary thermal resistance is larger at lower temperature. This report demonstrates that the thermal property of polycrystalline materials can be investigated by MD simulation.
Pressure and temperature dependences of electronic transport properties in CaB6
Authors: Li Ming , Wang Huixin , Snoussi Karim , Li Lixin , Yang Wuming , Gao Chunxiao
Published: November 2010

Using in situ resistance measurements on diamond anvil cell, we have monitored the pressure and temperature dependence of the CaB6 electronic transport properties. We report that CaB6 is a semiconductor at room temperature and at ambient pressure, in contrast to previous studies suggesting a semimetal nature. From ambient pressure to 12 GPa, the CaB6 conductivity smoothly increases, and CaB6 behaves as a semiconductor, although the CaB6 conductivity shows a metallic temperature dependence over a temperature interval ranging from 110 to 300 K due to its extrinsic region (where an increase in the temperature produces no effect on the CaB6 sample carrier densities and the CaB6 conductivity is, therefore, solely determined by the carrier mobilities). At around 12.4 GPa, CaB6 undergoes a metalliclike transition leading to a change in the CaB6 conductivity by a factor exceeding three orders of magnitude. This large increase in the CaB6 conductivity has been interpreted as resulting from an overlap between the conduction band and the valence band. From 12.4 to 26 GPa, the CaB6 conductivity markedly increases and is similar to a metallic one.
Intrinsic and extrinsic relaxation of CaCu3Ti4O12 ceramics: Effect of sintering
Authors: Li J. Y. , Zhao X. T. , Li S. T. , Alim Mohammad A.
Published: November 2010

The effect of sintering process on the electrical properties of CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO) ceramic dielectrics were investigated in this paper. It was found that grain size is affected by sintering and the nonlinear current-voltage (I-V) property will decrease with the increased sintering time. Also, the frequency and temperature dependences of dielectric permittivity and loss in the ranges of 10−1–107 Hz and 130–270 K were studied. Two relaxation processes with activation energy of 0.51 eV and 0.10 eV, respectively, were found in the frequency dependence of tan δ and Cole–Cole planes, which can be interpreted in terms of insulating grain boundaries and semiconducting grains. It was suggested that grain boundary Maxwell–Wagner relaxation and ionization of oxygen vacancy VO++, proposed as extrinsic and intrinsic relaxations, are responsible for the dielectric behaviors of CCTO ceramics.
Single crystalline Pr2−xYxO3 (x=–2) dielectrics on Si with tailored electronic and crystallographic structure
Authors: Seifarth O. , Schubert M. A. , Giussani A. , Klenov D. O. , Schmeißer D. , Schroeder T.
Published: November 2010

Crystalline oxides on Si with tailored electronic and crystallographic properties are of importance for the integration of functional oxides or alternative semiconductors to enable novel device concepts in Si microelectronics. We present an electronic band gap study of single crystalline Pr2−xYxO3 (0≤x≤2) heterostructures on Si(111). The perfect solubility of the isomorphic bixbyites Pr2O3 and Y2O3 during molecular beam epitaxy thin film growth on Si enables a linear band gap tuning. Special focus is devoted to the determination of the electronic band offsets across the dielectric/Si interface. In addition, the composition x allows to control the crystallographic lattice parameter where, for example, Pr0.8Y1.2O3 enables the growth of fully lattice matched oxide heterostructures on Si.
Phenomenological quantum description of the ultrafast response of arrayed waveguide gratings
Authors: Grave de Peralta L.
Published: November 2010

This work presents a detailed and quantitative quantum description of the ultrafast response of arrayed waveguide gratings (AWG) illuminated with relatively intense short pulses of light. This is achieved with no more mathematical or conceptual complexities than that required by a classical description. The presented approach is based on the phenomenological interpretation of the photon, that is, a photon is what produces a “click” in a photodetector. This phenomenological approach was combined with the application of Feynman’s rules for describing interference and Bohr’s correspondence principle, i.e., quantum theory should somehow converge in the limit with the classical description of the interference phenomena. This basic approach reveals that, in apparent opposition to wide-held beliefs, especially designed AWGs can be used to produce interference in conditions where the “which-path” information is available.
Enhanced transmittance and fields of a thick metal sandwiched between two dielectric photonic crystals
Authors: Du Gui-qiang , Jiang Hai-tao , Wang Li , Wang Zhan-shan , Chen Hong
Published: November 2010

We demonstrated that transmittance and field intensities of a thick metal sandwiched between two dielectric photonic crystals (PCs) can be enhanced by more than two orders of magnitude and by nearly 20 times, respectively, compared to a single metal layer with the same thickness. Under the tunneling mechanism, the light can enter the sandwiched structure without reflection and localizes at the two interfaces of the metal film and PCs. This configuration of fields facilitates the reduction of absorption in the metal. Experimental results are in good agreement with simulations.
Thermomodulated cell culture/harvest in polydimethylsiloxane microchannels with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-grafted surface
Authors: Ma Dan , Chen Hengwu , Li Zhiming , He Qiaohong
Published: November 2010

Cell culture and harvest are the most upstream operation for a completely integrated cell assay chip. In our previous work, thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) was successfully grafted onto polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surface via benzophenone-initiated photopolymerization. In the present work, the PNIPAAm-grafted-PDMS (PNIPAAm-g-PDMS) surface was explored for thermomodulated cell culture and noninvasive harvest in microfluidic channels. Using COS 7 fibroblast from African green monkey kidney as the model cells, the thermomodulated adhering and detaching behaviors of the cells on the PNIPAAm-g-PDMS surfaces were optimized with respect to PNIPAAm-grafting yields and gelatin modification. The viability of the cells cultured on and harvested from the PNIPAAm-g-PDMS surface with the thermomodulated noninvasive protocol was estimated against the traditional cell culture/harvest method involving trypsin digestion. The configuration of the microchannel on the PNIPAAm-g-PDMS chip was evaluated for static cell culture. Using a pipette-shaped PNIPAAm-g-PDMS microchannel, long-term cell culture could be achieved at 37 °C with periodic change of the culture medium every 12 h. After moving the microchip from the incubator set at 37 °C to the room temperature, the proliferated cells could be spontaneously detached from the PNIPAAm-g-PDMS surface of the upstream chamber and transferred by a gentle fluid flow to the downstream chamber, wherein the transferred cells could be subcultured. The thermomodulated cell culture, harvest, and passage operations on the PNIPAAm-g-PDMS microfluidic channels were demonstrated.
Surface currents on ideal plasmas
Authors: Webster Anthony J.
Published: November 2010

The surface (or “skin”) current that can flow at a perturbed interface between plasma and vacuum is considered in the approximation where a surface marks a sharp transition from plasma to vacuum. A short magnetohydrodynamic calculation gives an exact and general expression for the component perpendicular to the average of the magnetic field either side of the surface, finding it proportional to the edge plasma pressure. A consequence is that for all plasmas with zero surface current at equilibrium, the surface current associated with any linear instability will flow parallel to the magnetic field. The surface current is calculated for a simple but realistic model of a cylindrical plasma, and found to depend on the type of instability, and consequently on the particular plasma equilibrium. This is illustrated for two well known cases.
ISBAR for clear communication: one hospital's experience spreading the message
Authors: Finnigan Monica A. , Marshall Stuart D. , Flanagan Brendan T.
Published: November 2010

All health services rely on efficient and accurate communication between health professionals to ensure safe and effective patient care. Our health service introduced a standardised technique, ISBAR (Identify, Situation, Background, Assessment, Request), for telephone communication. We describe and evaluate the implementation of this project; evaluation was undertaken using program logic mapping. Recommendations for other health services planning to introduce communication tools into routine clinical use are also provided.
Climate change and Australia's healthcare system - risks, research and responses
Authors: Weaver Haylee J. , Blashki Grant A. , Capon Anthony G. , McMichael Anthony J.
Published: November 2010

Climate change will affect human health, mostly adversely, resulting in a greater burden on the health care system, in addition to any other coexistent increases in demand (e.g. from Australia’s increasingly ageing population). Understanding the extent to which health is likely to be affected by climate change will enable policy makers and practitioners to prepare for changing demands on the health care system. This will require prioritisation of key research questions and building research capacity in the field. There is an urgent need to better understand the implications of climate change for the distribution and prevalence of diseases, disaster preparedness and multidisciplinary service planning. Research is needed to understand the relationship of climate change to health promotion, policy evaluation and strategic financing of health services. Training of health care professionals about climate change and its effects will also be important in meeting long-term workforce demands.
Pathology tissue–chromatin immunoprecipitation, coupled with high-throughput sequencing, allows the epigenetic profiling of patient samples
Authors: Fanelli Mirco , Amatori Stefano , Barozzi Iros , Soncini Matias , Dal Zuffo Roberto , Bucci Gabriele , Capra Maria , Quarto Micaela , Dellino Gaetano Ivan , Mercurio Ciro , Alcalay Myriam , Viale Giuseppe , Pelicci Pier Giuseppe , Minucci Saverio
Published: November 2010

Epigenetic alterations in the pattern of DNA and histone modifications play a crucial role in cancer development. Analysis of patient samples, however, is hampered by technical limitations in the study of chromatin structure from pathology archives that usually consist of heavily fixed, paraffin-embedded material. Here, we present a methodology [pathology tissue–ChIP (PAT-ChIP)] to extract and immunoprecipitate chromatin from paraffin-embedded patient samples up to several years old. In a pairwise comparison with canonical ChIP, PAT-ChIP showed a high reproducibility of results for several histone marks and an identical ability to detect dynamic changes in chromatin structure upon pharmacological treatment. Finally, we showed that PAT-ChIP can be coupled with high-throughput sequencing (PAT-ChIP-Seq) for the genome-wide analysis of distinct chromatin modifications. PAT-ChIP therefore represents a versatile procedure and diagnostic tool for the analysis of epigenetic alterations in cancer and potentially other diseases.
Energetics and mechanisms of folding and flipping the myristoyl switch in the β-trefoil protein, hisactophilin
Authors: Smith Martin T. J. , Meissner Joseph , Esmonde Samantha , Wong Hannah J. , Meiering Elizabeth M.
Published: November 2010

Myristoylation, the covalent linkage of a saturated, C
14
fatty acyl chain to the N-terminal glycine in a protein, plays a vital role in reversible membrane binding and signaling by the modified proteins. Currently, little is known about the effects of myristoylation on protein folding and stability, or about the energetics and molecular mechanisms of switching involving states with sequestered versus accessible myristoyl group. Our analysis of these effects in hisactophilin, a histidine-rich protein that binds cell membranes and actin in a pH-dependent manner, shows that myristoylation significantly increases hisactophilin stability, while also markedly increasing global protein folding and unfolding rates. The switching between sequestered and accessible states is pH dependent, with an apparent pK
switch
of 6.95, and an apparent free energy change of 2.0 kcal·mol
-1
. The myristoyl switch is linked to the reversible uptake of ∼1.5 protons, likely by histidine residues. This pH dependence of switching appears to be the physical basis of the sensitive, pH-dependent regulation of membrane binding observed in vivo. We conclude that an increase in protein stability upon modification and burial of the attached group is likely to occur in numerous proteins modified with fatty acyl or other hydrophobic groups, and that the biophysical effects of such modification are likely to play an important role in their functional switches. In addition, the increased global dynamics caused by myristoylation of hisactophilin reveals a general mechanism whereby hydrophobic moieties can make nonnative interactions or relieve strain in transition states, thereby increasing the rates of interconversion between different states.
CO impedes superfast O
2
binding in
ba
3
cytochrome oxidase from
Thermus thermophilus
Authors: Szundi Istvan , Funatogawa Chie , Fee James A. , Soulimane Tewfik , Einarsdóttir Ólöf
Published: November 2010

Kinetic studies of heme-copper terminal oxidases using the CO flow-flash method are potentially compromised by the fate of the photodissociated CO. In this time-resolved optical absorption study, we compared the kinetics of dioxygen reduction by
ba
3
cytochrome
c
oxidase from
Thermus thermophilus
in the absence and presence of CO using a photolabile O
2
-carrier. A novel double-laser excitation is introduced in which dioxygen is generated by photolyzing the O
2
-carrier with a 355 nm laser pulse and the fully reduced CO-bound
ba
3
simultaneously with a second 532-nm laser pulse. A kinetic analysis reveals a sequential mechanism in which O
2
binding to heme
a
3
at 90 μM O
2
occurs with lifetimes of 9.3 and 110 μs in the absence and presence of CO, respectively, followed by a faster cleavage of the dioxygen bond (4.8 μs), which generates the
P
intermediate with the concomitant oxidation of heme
b
. The second-order rate constant of 1 × 10
9
 M
-1
 s
-1
for O
2
binding to
ba
3
in the absence of CO is 10 times greater than observed in the presence of CO as well as for the bovine heart enzyme. The O
2
bond cleavage in
ba
3
of 4.8 μs is also approximately 10 times faster than in the bovine enzyme. These results suggest important structural differences between the accessibility of O
2
to the active site in
ba
3
and the bovine enzyme, and they demonstrate that the photodissociated CO impedes access of dioxygen to the heme
a
3
site in
ba
3
, making the CO flow-flash method inapplicable.
Regulation of selected genome loci using de novo-engineered transcription activator-like effector (TALE)-type transcription factors
Authors: Morbitzer Robert , Römer Patrick , Boch Jens , Lahaye Thomas
Published: November 2010

Proteins that can be tailored to bind desired DNA sequences are key tools for molecular biology. Previous studies suggested that DNA-binding specificity of transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs) from the bacterial genus
Xanthomonas
is defined by repeat-variable diresidues (RVDs) of tandem-arranged 34/35-amino acid repeat units. We have studied chimeras of two TALEs differing in RVDs and non-RVDs and found that, in contrast to the critical contributions by RVDs, non-RVDs had no major effect on the DNA-binding specificity of the chimeras. This finding suggests that one needs only to modify the RVDs to generate designer TALEs (dTALEs) to activate transcription of user-defined target genes. We used the scaffold of the TALE AvrBs3 and changed its RVDs to match either the tomato
Bs4
, the
Arabidopsis EGL3
, or the
Arabidopsis KNAT1
promoter. All three dTALEs transcriptionally activated the desired promoters in a sequence-specific manner as mutations within the targeted DNA sequences abolished promoter activation. This study is unique in showing that chromosomal loci can be targeted specifically by dTALEs. We also engineered two AvrBs3 derivatives with four additional repeat units activating specifically either the pepper
Bs3
or
UPA20
promoter. Because AvrBs3 activates both promoters, our data show that addition of repeat units facilitates TALE-specificity fine-tuning. Finally, we demonstrate that the RVD NK mediates specific interaction with G nucleotides that thus far could not be targeted specifically by any known RVD type. In summary, our data demonstrate that the TALE scaffold can be tailored to target user-defined DNA sequences in whole genomes.
Replication error deficient and proficient colorectal cancer gene expression differences caused by 3′UTR polyT sequence deletions
Authors: Wilding Jennifer L. , McGowan Simon , Liu Ying , Bodmer Walter F.
Published: November 2010

Replication error deficient (RER+) colorectal cancers are a distinct subset of colorectal cancers, characterized by inactivation of the DNA mismatch repair system. These cancers are typically pseudodiploid, accumulate mutations in repetitive sequences as a result of their mismatch repair deficiency, and have distinct pathologies. Regulatory sequences controlling all aspects of mRNA processing, especially including message stability, are found in the 3′UTR sequence of most genes. The relevant sequences are typically A/U-rich elements or U repeats. Microarray analysis of 14 RER+ (deficient) and 16 RER− (proficient) colorectal cancer cell lines confirms a striking difference in expression profiles. Analysis of the incidence of mononucleotide repeat sequences in the 3′UTRs, 5′UTRs, and coding sequences of those genes most differentially expressed in RER+ versus RER− cell lines has shown that much of this differential expression can be explained by the occurrence of a massive enrichment of genes with 3′UTR T repeats longer than 11 base pairs in the most differentially expressed genes. This enrichment was confirmed by analysis of two published consensus sets of RER differentially expressed probesets for a large number of primary colorectal cancers. Sequence analysis of the 3′UTRs of a selection of the most differentially expressed genes shows that they all contain deletions in these repeats in all RER+ cell lines studied. These data strongly imply that deregulation of mRNA stability through accumulation of mutations in repetitive regulatory 3′UTR sequences underlies the striking difference in expression profiles between RER+ and RER− colorectal cancers.
Directional hospital signs as sociological data
Authors: Sharrock Wesley W. , Anderson Digby C.
Published: November 2010

The authors use some photographs of hospital signs to illustrate basic issues in the analysis of signs. They discuss the issues of quantity of data, of pragmatics, of the unity of 'disparate' data, of location, juxtaposition, and of sequence, showing the many ways in which sign reading is an embedded activity. The latter part of the paper discusses the possibility of generalising their analysis to other sig
London's flood peril — is the public well warned?
Authors: Barrett Stephen
Published: November 2010

Anyone who works, lives or simply travels in the flood-risk area should have received explanatory literature, be aware of the flood threat and have prepared themselves for the possible event of a flood warning. This paper reviews the literature that has been produced to educate the public and discusses whether it has been successful. This review is based on a report presented to the GLC in 1978. Since then some of the recommendations made in the report have been acted upon. Though this has resulted in the improvement of individual pieces of borough literature the overall standard is as yet far from what was recommended.
Designing public information symbols
Authors: Simlinger Peter
Published: November 2010

On the occasion of the publication of the first International Standard on Public Information Symbols ISO 7001, the author gives some background information on the development of the subject within ISO. This is supplemented by basic design recommendations and a discussion of the graphic guideline examples contnbuted to ISO 7001. The article is completed with a report on ongoing activities within the responsible ISO committee and its working groups.
The connotative dimensions of selected display typefaces
Authors: Rowe Camille L.
Published: November 2010

This paper reports research on the use of the semantic differential to determine the connotative meaning of ten display typefaces using laymen as subjects. There were several surprising outcomes of the study. Helvetica, the only sans serif typeface, was not perceived as differing significantly from serifed typefaces on most dimensions. Examples of different typeface classifications were also perceived as having similar connotative meanings, and two very distinctive novelty typefaces were surprisingly neutral on all factoral dimensions.
Information mapping
Authors: Hartley James
Published: November 2010

The Information Mapping system of structured writing is described and reviewed. Various difficulties in accepting the system are listed and solutions suggested. Problems of evaluating the system are noted and further research questions posed. In conclusion, Information Mapping is seen as a valuable and powerful format.
Instructing through pictures
Authors: Zimmerman Margot L. , Perkin Gordon W.
Published: November 2010

For the past few years, PIACT has been helping to develop culturally appropriate print materials to explain correct contraceptive use to illiterate and semiliterate audiences in eight Asian and Latin American countries. Our experience has shown that this understanding is most effectively and economically acquired through the use of the print medium in conjunction with personalized instruction in individual or small group settings. PIACT has developed its own methodology for the production of non-verbal instructional print materials. This methodology is based on working with, and learning from, the target audience at each stage of the materials' design and development process.