bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional neuroanatomy of visually elicited simple phobic fear: Additional data and theoretical analysis
Authors: FREDRIKSON MAIS , WIK GUSTAV , ANNAS PETER , FRICSON KAJ , STONE‐ELANDER SHARON
Published: March 2007

We investigated central nervous system correlates of simple phobie fear, Regional cerebral blood flow (rcBF) was measured using position emission tomography(PFT) in eight volunteers with symptomatic spider phobia that were exposed to visual phobogenic and neutral stimuli Diazepam (0.1 mg/kg body weight i.v.) or placebo was administered under double blind conditions after initial PFT scans. The PFT scans were then repeated. The presence of fear was confirmed by rating procedures and increased number of nonspecific electrodermal fluctuations and by higher heart rate during phobic than during neutral stimulation. Phobic as compared to neural stimulation elevated the retional to whole brain (relative) CBF in the secondary visual cortex but reduced relative rCBF in the hippocampus, prefrontal, orbitofrontal, ttemporopolar, and posterior cingulated cortex. Dia/epam treatment did not affect the relative rCBF or the subjective or physiological fear indices. The observed rCPF pattern replicates our previous findings in snake phobics (M. Fredrikson et al.[1993]Psychophysiology, 30, 127, 131 G. Wik et al. [1993]Psychiatry Research (Neuroimaging), 50, 15–24) and indicated that fear and anxiety affect cortical areas outside the classic limbie system areas.
Processing of auditory deviants with changes in one versus two stimulus dimensions
Authors: SCHRÖGER ERICH
Published: March 2007

Auditory event‐related potentials (ERPs) in response to 50‐ms tones were recorded from the human scalp. A standard stimulus (p= .88) and three different deviants were randomly presented via earphones. There were two one‐dimensional deviants (one frequency and one location deviant) and one two‐dimensional deviant, with changes in both frequency and location. In one condition, subjects read a book and ignored the auditory stimuli, whereas in another condition they tried to discriminate deviants from standards. In the ignore condition, the two‐dimensional deviant elicited an enhanced mismatch negativity (MMN) as compared with the MMNs elicited by the one‐dimensional deviants. The temporal and the topographic distributions of the two‐dimensional MMNs could be modeled by adding the one‐dimensional MMNs. This additivity of the MMNs probably results from the independent activity of separate neural populations generating the frequency and the location MMN. In the attend condition, the deviance‐related ERP effects were not additive in the N2b and P3 range, implicating that the neural processes involved in the conscious detection of changes in location and frequency were not independent.
Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellites from Asian green mussel (Perna viridis)
Authors: LIN GRACE , FENG FELICIA , YUE GEN HUA
Published: March 2007

Asian green mussels (Perna viridis) belonging to the family Mytilidae are native to the coastal and tropical marine waters of the Indo‐Pacific region. Ten polymorphic microsatellites were isolated and their polymorphisms were determined in 36 individuals. The average allele number of the 10 microsatellites was 11.7/locus with a range of two to 24 and the expected heterozygosity averaged at 0.69, ranging from 0.18 to 0.94. Eight out of 10 microsatellites agreed with the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and showed independent segregation. These microsatellites will facilitate the studying of the genetic diversity and population structure of the green mussel in and outside of the Indo‐Pacific region of Asia.
MISCONDUCT IN MEDICAL STUDENTS
Authors: VENGOECHEA JAIME , MORENO SOCORRO , RUIZ ALVARO
Published: March 2007

Medical students, subject to unique challenges and stressors, frequently engage in misconduct. In this observational study, carried out in a medical school in Colombia, we developed a survey to explore the association between misconduct and stress, potential stressors and other possible contributing factors, such as sex, age and academic year. Of the 433 students that responded to our survey, 97.9% did not fully disagree with at least one of the mentioned misconducts and 99.8% admitted to at least one transgression. Based on a scale we developed, 61.4% of the students consistently agreed with misconduct and 44.9% frequently engaged in misconduct. A logistic regression model suggests that being male (OR 1.90, CI 95% 1.27–2.84) and stress (OR 1.04, CI 95% 1.01–1.06) may increase the likelihood of misconduct. In a subgroup of students, excluding those in their last year of studies, higher academic semester (OR 1.25, CI 95%: 1.10–1.42) may also be a risk factor for misconduct. Most of the observed variation in the data, however, is not explained by these factors. Other modifiers, such as student personality and sub‐culture, may play a greater role in determining misconduct. The proportion of medical students that engage in misconduct is very high and warrants the attention of the medical education community.
Stressful experiences in relation to depth of sedation in mechanically ventilated patients
Authors: Samuelson Karin AM , Lundberg Dag , Fridlund Bengt
Published: March 2007

In mechanically ventilated patients, sedatives and analgesics are commonly used to ensure comfort, but there is no documented knowledge about the impact of depth of sedation on patients’ perception of discomfort. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate the relationship between stressful experiences and intensive care sedation, including the depth of sedation. During 18 months, 313 intubated mechanically ventilated adults admitted to two general intensive care units (ICU) for more than 24 h were included. Patients (n= 250) were interviewed on the general ward 5 days after ICU discharge using the ICU Stressful Experiences Questionnaire. Patient data including sedation scores as measured by the Motor Activity Assessment Scale (MAAS) were collected from hospital records after the interview. Of the 206 patients with memories of the intensive care, 82% remembered at least one experience as quite a bit or extremely bothersome. Multivariate analyses showed that higher proportion of MAAS score 3 (indicating more periods of wakefulness), longer ICU stay and being admitted emergent were factors associated with remembering stressful experiences of the ICU as more bothersome. The findings indicate that the depth of sedation has an impact on patients’ perception of stressful experiences and that light sedation compared with heavy seems to increase the risk of perceiving experiences in the ICU as more bothersome. In reducing discomfort, depth of sedation and patient comfort should be assessed regularly, non‐pharmacological interventions taken into account and the use of sedatives and analgesics adapted to the individual requirements of the patient.
Nurses’ and physicians’ viewpoints regarding children visiting/not visiting adult ICUs
Authors: Knutsson Susanne , Bergbom Ingegerd
Published: March 2007

Allowing children to visit adult intensive care units (ICUs) has been an area of controversy. There is a lack of recent research dealing with visits by children and physicians’ views and whether differences exist between the views held by nurses and physicians regarding visits by children. The aim of this study was to describe and compare reasons given by nurses and physicians for restricting visits by children to a relative hospitalized in an adult ICU. This was a quantitative, descriptive multicentre study. Nurses and physicians (n= 291) at 72 general adult ICUs participated, each completing a questionnaire. A majority of the nurses and physicians were positive to children visiting patients in ICU, but they also imposed restrictions. The most common reasons were: severity of the patient’s injury (50%); the environment was frightening for the child (50%); the infection risk for the child (36%) and the patient (56%). Children <7 years were restricted more than those >7 years. Nurses were more positive than physicians to visits by younger children. Physicians were more positive to visits if the patient was tired and critically ill/injured or was a friend/cousin. More physicians refused visits due to the fact that children are too noisy for the staff. Risks of negative effects on the children’s health by visiting patients were also stated. Nurses and physicians still restrict children’s visits to adult ICUs for a number of reasons, and nurses’ and physicians’ views on children visiting differ and so also the views within each professional group. The differences in views show that the dynamics are complicated and this could be attributed to a lack of a common view of care, which prevents family‐centred care that includes children from being practised.
Beyond Reaping the First Harvest: Management Objectives for Timber Production in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: ZARIN DANIEL J. , SCHULZE MARK D. , VIDAL EDSON , LENTINI MARCO
Published: March 2007

Abstract: Millions of hectares of future timber concessions are slated to be implemented within large public forests under the forest law passed in 2006 by the Brazilian Congress. Additional millions of hectares of large, privately owned forests and smaller areas of community forests are certified as well managed by the Forest Stewardship Council, based on certification standards that will be reviewed in 2007. Forest size and ownership are two key factors that influence management objectives and the capacity of forest managers to achieve them. Current best ecological practices for timber production from Brazil's native Amazon forests are limited to reduced‐impact logging (RIL) systems that minimize the environmental impacts of harvest operations and that obey legal restrictions regarding minimum diameters, rare species, retention of seed trees, maximum logging intensity, preservation of riparian buffers, fire protection, and wildlife conservation. Compared with conventional, predatory harvesting that constitutes >90% of the region's timber production, RIL dramatically reduces logging damage and helps maintain forest cover and the presence of rare tree species, but current RIL guidelines do not assure that the volume of timber removed can be sustained in future harvests. We believe it is counterproductive to expect smallholders to subscribe to additional harvest limitations beyond RIL, that larger private forested landholdings managed for timber production should be sustainable with respect to the total volume of timber harvested per unit area per cutting cycle, and that large public forests should sustain volume production of individual harvested species. These additional requirements would improve the ecological sustainability of forest management and help create a stable forest‐based sector of the region's economy, but would involve costs associated with lengthened cutting cycles, reduced harvest intensities, and/or postharvest silviculture to promote adequate growth and regeneration.
Greenhouse Gases as Clues to Permanence of Farmlands
Authors: JANZEN H. HENRY
Published: March 2007

Abstract: Farmlands are expansive, diverse, and intensively managed ecosystems. These lands, so critical to human welfare, are threatened by growing stresses as demand for food escalates, fresh water wanes, cheap fuels deplete, and other uses jostle for space. With these coming pressures, how can we foster permanence on the lands that sustain us? In this essay I contemplate the hypothesis that the greenhouse gases, because they emanate from the interwoven flows of C, N, and energy in ecosystems, can help steer us toward permanence (sustainability). Alongside other indicators these emissions may detect the ecosystem's pulse, alerting us to inefficiencies and guiding us to better practices. To be effective signals, however, the greenhouse gases will need to be considered in their local settings, monitored longer and in more “listening places,” and measured across boundaries of disciplines and biomes. This approach may help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our farmlands. But we may find that, in the long run, the main beneficiaries of our inquiry have been, not just the atmosphere, but our fragile lands, perhaps in ways we cannot yet foresee.
A Resistant‐Kernel Model of Connectivity for Amphibians that Breed in Vernal Pools
Authors: COMPTON BRADLEY W. , McGARIGAL KEVIN , CUSHMAN SAMUEL A. , GAMBLE LLOYD R.
Published: March 2007

Abstract:  Pool‐breeding amphibian populations operate at multiple scales, from the individual pool to surrounding upland habitat to clusters of pools. When metapopulation dynamics play a role in long‐term viability, conservation efforts limited to the protection of individual pools or even pools with associated upland habitat may be ineffective over the long term if connectivity among pools is not maintained. Connectivity becomes especially important and difficult to assess in regions where suburban sprawl is rapidly increasing land development, road density, and traffic rates. We developed a model of connectivity among vernal pools for the four ambystomatid salamanders that occur in Massachusetts and applied it to the nearly 30,000 potential ephemeral wetlands across the state. The model was based on a modification of the kernel estimator (a density estimator commonly used in home range studies) that takes landscape resistance into account. The model was parameterized with empirical migration distances for spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum), dispersal distances for marbled salamanders (A. opacum), and expert‐derived estimates of landscape resistance. The model ranked vernal pools in Massachusetts by local, neighborhood, and regional connectivity and by an integrated measure of connectivity, both statewide and within ecoregions. The most functionally connected pool complexes occurred in southeastern and northeastern Massachusetts, areas with rapidly increasing suburban development. In a sensitivity analysis estimates of pool connectivity were relatively insensitive to uncertainty in parameter estimates, especially at the local and neighborhood scales. Our connectivity model could be used to prioritize conservation efforts for vernal‐pool amphibian populations at broader scales than traditional pool‐based approaches.
Ecological consequences of shelter sharing by leaf‐tying caterpillars
Authors: Lill John T. , Marquis Robert J. , Walker Melissa A. , Peterson Lauren
Published: March 2007

A wide variety of insect herbivores construct and inhabit leaf shelters (ties, rolls, folds, and webs). Shelter construction can lead to a high rate of secondary occupation by other arthropods, including other species of constructors. The consequences for the inhabitants of secondarily occupying these shelters are currently unknown. In this study, we conducted field experiments to examine the fitness consequences (survival and attack by natural enemies) for caterpillars that (i) occupy a shelter with conspecifics vs. occur singly; and (ii) establish a new shelter vs. colonize a pre‐existing one. In addition, we conducted factorial laboratory experiments to test the hypothesis that caterpillars sharing shelters with conspecifics might have reduced construction costs (a potential benefit of shelter‐sharing or secondary occupation). Larvae of Psilocorsis quercicella Clemens (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae) placed in white oak [Quercus alba L. (Fagaceae)] leaf ties alone or in groups of three had equal likelihood of survival from natural enemies. This same caterpillar species, however, had a higher disappearance rate when placed in pre‐existing leaf ties than when placed in newly formed ones, suggesting a potential cost of secondary colonization. A similar experiment with a closely related species [Psilocorsis cryptolechiella (Chambers)], however, failed to detect a cost of secondarily occupying shelters made on beech, Fagus grandifolia Ehrh. (Fagaceae). In the laboratory experiment, we found no evidence of shelter‐sharing benefits; rather larvae reared in shelters in groups of three had lower pupal mass (and thus lower potential fecundity) than larvae reared singly, suggesting a cost of shelter sharing. Moreover, groups of larvae forced to repeatedly construct new shelters tended to have reduced survival relative to the other treatment, suggesting that energetic constraints are more likely to reduce fitness when larvae cohabit shelters. Taken together, these results indicate that the common phenomenon of shelter sharing by leaf‐tying caterpillars has either neutral or negative effects for the occupants. The fact that these leaf‐tying caterpillars actually share shelters may simply reflect limited availability of oviposition sites.
Kaolin particle film associated with increased cotton aphid infestations in cotton
Authors: Showler Allan T. , Armstrong John S.
Published: March 2007

Highly reflective white kaolin‐based particle film was sprayed on cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L. (Malvaceae), plots in south Texas during 2004 and 2005 to observe its effect on the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae). Populations of cotton aphids on the ventral surfaces of leaves in the kaolin‐treated plots were greater than in non‐treated control plots during both years. Alate cotton aphids were attracted less to white than to other pan trap colors, and parasitism by Lysiphlebus spec. (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) was either unaffected or greater in the kaolin‐treated plots, hence these two factors (color and parasitism) do not explain the increased infestations in the treated plots. However, mean temperatures on the ventral surfaces of kaolin‐treated cotton leaves were cooler than those of control leaves. The observed temperature difference where cotton aphids reside on cotton leaves is a potential reason for the greater infestations in the kaolin treatment plots. Our study demonstrates that applications of kaolin can exacerbate a pest infestation in cotton.
Expression of apoptotic, cell proliferation regulatory, and structural proteins in actinic keratosis and their association with dermal elastosis
Authors: Da Silva Tarcília Aparecida , Coelho Getúlio , Lorenzetti Bocca Anamélia , Figueiredo Cavalcante Neto Florêncio
Published: March 2007

Background:  Actinic keratosis (AK) is a premalignant lesion caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation and characterized by epithelial and connective tissue alterations. However, little is known about the link between connective and UV‐damaged epithelial tissues in AK.

Objective and Methods:  To examine the potential relationship between connective tissue degeneration and molecular alterations in epithelial cells without evident morphologic changes, 30 cases of AK (8, grade I; 10, grade II; 12, grade III), divided into three grades according to the proportion of dermal elastosis (in grade I, up to 30% of collagen degeneration; in grade II, 30–60%; in grade III, more than 60%), were immunohistochemically analyzed for the expression of Ki67, p53, p63, bcl‐2, E‐cadherin, 34‐betaE12, and CD99.

Results:  The increase in the solar elastosis grade was associated with an increase in positive cell numbers for all analyzed markers. Basal expression predominated in the lesions with low and moderate levels of connective tissue degeneration, while a basal and suprabasal expression pattern was prevalent in the lesions with high degeneration. In grade I and II lesions, proliferation marker, Ki67, expression was found to be significantly associated with the proapoptotic marker p53, while in grade III lesions, its expression was correlated with the anti‐apoptotic marker, bcl‐2.

Conclusions:  These results demonstrate that the epithelial expression of apoptotic, cell proliferation, and structural proteins is augmented with the increase of the solar elastosis grade. Thus, the grade of solar elastosis could be a helpful morphologic marker in the assessment of neoplastic changes in sun‐damaged skin.
Clathrin‐Dependent Mechanisms of G Protein‐coupled Receptor Endocytosis
Authors: Wolfe Breann L. , Trejo JoAnn
Published: March 2007

The heptahelical G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) family includes ∼900 members and is the largest family of signaling receptors encoded in the mammalian genome. G protein‐coupled receptors elicit cellular responses to diverse extracellular stimuli at the plasma membrane and some internalized receptors continue to signal from intracellular compartments. In addition to rapid desensitization, receptor trafficking is critical for regulation of the temporal and spatial aspects of GPCR signaling. Indeed, GPCR internalization functions to control signal termination and propagation as well as receptor resensitization. Our knowledge of the mechanisms that regulate mammalian GPCR endocytosis is based predominantly on arrestin regulation of receptors through a clathrin‐ and dynamin‐dependent pathway. However, multiple clathrin adaptors, which recognize distinct endocytic signals, are now known to function in clathrin‐mediated endocytosis of diverse cargo. Given the vast number and diversity of GPCRs, the complexity of clathrin‐mediated endocytosis and the discovery of multiple clathrin adaptors, a single universal mechanism controlling endocytosis of all mammalian GPCRs is unlikely. Indeed, several recent studies now suggest that endocytosis of different GPCRs is regulated by distinct mechanisms and clathrin adaptors. In this review, we discuss the diverse mechanisms that regulate clathrin‐dependent GPCR endocytosis.
Evidence for a Direct Role of the Doa4 Deubiquitinating Enzyme in Protein Sorting into the MVB Pathway
Authors: Nikko Elina , André Bruno
Published: March 2007

Degradation of various membrane proteins in the lumen of the vacuole/lysosome requires their prior sorting into the multivesicular body (MVB) pathway. In this process, ubiquitin serves as a sorting signal for most cargoes. The yeast ubiquitin hydrolase Doa4 acts late in the MVB pathway. It's role is to catalyze deubiquitination of cargo proteins prior to their sorting into the endosomal vesicles. This step rescues ubiquitin from degradation in the vacuole/lysosome, enabling it to be recycled. Accordingly, the level of monomeric ubiquitin is typically reduced in doa4mutants. Although MVB sorting of cargo proteins is also impaired in doa4mutants, the question of whether this defect is due solely to Doa4’s role in maintaining a normal pool of ubiquitin in the cell remains open. We here show that the requirement of Doa4 for correct MVB sorting of the endocytic cargo general amino acid permease and of the biosynthetic cargo carboxypeptidase S are not because of the role of Doa4 in ubiquitin recycling. This suggests a direct role of Doa4 in MVB sorting and we show that this role depends on Doa4’s catalytic activity. We propose that deubiquitination by Doa4 of cargo proteins and/or some components of the MVB sorting machinery is essential to correct sorting of cargoes into the MVB pathway.
The type 1 equilibrative nucleoside transporter regulates anxiety‐like behavior in mice
Authors: Chen J. , Rinaldo L. , Lim S.‐J. , Young H. , Messing R. O. , Choi D.‐S.
Published: March 2007

Activation of adenosine receptors in the brain reduces anxiety‐like behavior in animals and humans. Because nucleoside transporters regulate adenosine levels, we used mice lacking the type 1 equilibrative nucleoside transporter (ENT1) to investigate whether ENT1 contributes to anxiety‐like behavior. The ENT1 null mice spent more time in the center of an open field compared with wild‐type littermates. In the elevated plus maze, ENT1 null mice entered more frequently into and spent more time exploring the open arms. The ENT1 null mice also spent more time exploring the light side of a light–dark box compared with wild‐type mice. Microinjection of an ENT1‐specific antagonist, nitrobenzylthioinosine (nitrobenzylmercaptopurine riboside), into the amygdala of C57BL/6J mice reduced anxiety‐like behavior in the open field and elevated plus maze. These findings show that amygdala ENT1 modulates anxiety‐like behavior. The ENT1 may be a drug target for the treatment of anxiety disorders.
Do the Claims Hold Up? A Study of Medical Negligence Claims Against Neurologists
Authors: Cranberg Lee D. , Glick Thomas H. , Sato Luke
Published: March 2007

We performed an in‐depth review of each of the 42 closed medical malpractice claims filed in the past 20 years against neurologist defendants covered by a common insurer. For each case, we determined whether the neurologist had rendered harmful, substandard care and noted the case outcome. In 23 of 42 claims (55 percent), there had been no harmful negligence, and payment on behalf of the neurologist occurred only once. The other 19 claims had negligent harm, but in 13 of them (68 percent) no payment was made on behalf of the negligent neurologist. In our series, the medical negligence system performed poorly, yielding a majority of inappropriate claims and no payment in a majority of appropriate claims.
Structure of the optimal income tax in the quasi‐linear model
Authors: Hashimzade Nigar , Myles Gareth D.
Published: March 2007

Existing numerical characterizations of the optimal income tax have been based on a limited number of model specifications. As a result, they do not reveal which properties are general. We determine the optimal tax in the quasi‐linear model under weaker assumptions than have previously been used; in particular, we remove the assumption of a lower bound on the utility of zero consumption and the need to permit negative labor incomes. A Monte Carlo analysis is then conducted in which economies are selected at random and the optimal tax function constructed. The results show that in a significant proportion of economies the marginal tax rate rises at low skills and falls at high. The average tax rate is equally likely to rise or fall with skill at low skill levels, rises in the majority of cases in the centre of the skill range, and falls at high skills. These results are consistent across all the specifications we test. We then extend the analysis to show that these results also hold for Cobb‐Douglas utility.
Nonlinear taxation and punishment
Authors: Andersson Tommy
Published: March 2007

The paper analyzes nonlinear tax schedules that are identified by maximizing a welfare function represented by a weighted summation of net utilities over a set of n ≥ 3 differing individuals. It is demonstrated that some of the feasible and Pareto efficient tax schedules that satisfy self‐selection can only be identified by maximizing a welfare function of the above form if (at least) one of the individuals in the economy is assigned a negative weight.
FSR 1735 — a new globular cluster candidate in the inner Galaxy
Authors: Froebrich D. , Meusinger H. , Scholz A.
Published: March 2007

We carry out a large program to classify newly discovered star clusters from Froebrich, Scholz & Raftery in the inner Galaxy. Here, we present a first analysis of a new high-priority globular cluster candidate, FSR 1735 at l = 339.1879; b = −1.8534, based on new deep, near-infrared observations from Sofi at the ESO New Technology Telescope (NTT). A significant peak in the K-band luminosity function is found, which is interpreted as the clump of post-He-flash stars. The distance and the reddening of the cluster are determined to 9.1 kpc and AK = 0.5 mag, respectively, the metallicity is estimated to be [M/H] = −0.8. Radial star density profiles are used to measure the core radius and the tidal radius of the cluster. The lack of signs for ongoing star formation and the position in the Galaxy pose strong arguments against the interpretation of this object as a young or old open cluster. All the observational evidence is in agreement with the interpretation that FSR 1735 is a so far unknown globular cluster in the inner Galaxy.
NEOGENE TECTONIC HISTORY OF THE SUB‐BIBANIC AND M'SILA BASINS, NORTHERN ALGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL
Authors: Kheidri H. L. , Zazoun R. S. , Sabaou N.
Published: March 2007

The southern Bibans region in northern Algeria is located in the external zone of the Tell fold‐and‐thrust belt. Field observations in this area together with seismic data integrated with previous studies provide evidence for a number of Tertiary deformation phases. Late Eocene Atlassic deformation was followed by Oligocene (?)‐Aquitanian‐Burdigalian compression, which was associated with the development of a foreland basin in front of a southerly‐propagating thrust system. Gravity‐driven emplacement of the Tellian nappes over the basin margin probably occurred during the Langhian‐Serravallian‐Tortonian. The Hodna Mountains structural culmination developed during the Miocene‐Pliocene. Analysis of brittle structures points to continued north‐south shortening during the Neogene, consistent with convergence between the African and Eurasian Plates.

The unconformably underlying Mesozoic‐Cenozoic autochthonous sequence in this area contains two potential source rock intervals: Cenomanian‐Turonian and Eocene. Reservoir rocks include Lower Cretaceous siliciclastics and Upper Cretaceous to Palaeogene carbonates. Structural style has controlled trap types. Thus traps in the Tell fold‐and‐thrust belt are associated with folds, whereas structural traps in the Hodna area are associated with reactivated normal faults. In the latter area, there is also some evidence for base‐Miocene stratigraphic traps.
Taxonomic study of the genus Trichopteryx Hübner (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) in Korea
Authors: CHOI Sei‐Woong
Published: March 2007

The larentiine genus Trichopteryx Hübner in Korea is reviewed. Nine species, including one newly recorded species, T. misera (Butler), are recognized. Diagnostic characters of each species with photographs of adults and genitalia are provided. A key to the Korean species is also given.
An In Vivo Mobile Robot for Surgical Vision and Task Assistance
Authors: Rentschler Mark E. , Dumpert Jason , Platt Stephen R. , Iagnemma Karl , Oleynikov Dmitry , Farritor Shane M.
Published: March 2007

Current laparoscopic surgical robots are expensive, bulky, and fundamentally constrained by the small entry incisions. A potential new approach to minimally invasive surgery is to place the robot completely within the patient. We have developed several such miniature mobile robots and conducted tests during animal surgeries. These robots can provide vision and task assistance to the surgeon without being constrained by the entry port. We used a mobile biopsy and camera robot to sample hepatic tissue from an anesthetized porcine animal model. This successful test demonstrated the capability of performing a single port laparoscopic biopsy procedure. In the future, a family of such robots could be remotely controlled and used to perform surgical procedures without the need for conventional laparoscopic tools.
A NONPERTURBATIVE CALCULATION FOR THE EFFECTIVE POTENTIAL OF THE $\left(\frac{g}{4}\phi^{4}-J\phi\right)_{1+1}$ SCALAR FIELD THEORY USING THE OSCILLATOR REPRESENTATION METHOD WITH BOREL RESUMMATION
Authors: SHALABY ABOUZEID M. , EL-BASYOUNY S. T.
Published: March 2007

We established a resummed formula for the effective potential of [Formula: see text] scalar field theory that can mimic the true effective potential not only at the critical region but also at any point in the coupling space. We first extend the effective potential from the oscillator representation method, perturbatively, up to g3 order. We supplement perturbations by the use of a resummation algorithm, originally due to Kleinert, Thoms and Janke, which has the privilege of using the strong coupling as well as the large coupling behaviors rather than the conventional resummation techniques which use only the large order behavior. Accordingly, although the perturbation series available is up to g3 order, we found a good agreement between our resummed effective potential and the well-known features from constructive field theory. The resummed effective potential agrees well with the constructive field theory results concerning existing and order of phase transition in the absence of an external magnetic field. In the presence of the external magnetic field, as in magnetic systems, the effective potential shows nonexistence of phase transition and gives the behavior of the vacuum condensate as a monotonic increasing function of J, in complete agreement with constructive field theory methods.
PERSISTENT CURRENT IN TWO SUB-RINGS COUPLED BY ONE EMBEDDED QUANTUM DOT
Authors: WANG YA-RU , BAI ZHI-MING , QIU JI-QING , CHEN YUNG-CHUNG
Published: March 2007

We investigate a two sub-rings mesoscopic system embedded with one quantum dot in common. Owing to the screening cloud of the two sub-rings, the change of the magnetic flux and the number of lattice sites in one sub-ring influence the persistent current not only in itself but also in another. Kondo-assisted (suppressed) tunneling appears in the two sub-rings system constructed by even (odd) number of lattice sites.
NONLINEAR TE SURFACE WAVES IN A LEFT-HANDED MATERIAL AND SUPER LATTICES WAVE-GUIDE STRUCTURE
Authors: MOUSA H. M. , SHABAT M. M.
Published: March 2007

The paper is concerned with the propagation characteristics of TE surface waves in a planar wave-guide structure of a lateral antiferromagnetic-non magnetic super lattices (LANS) film bounded by a nonlinear dielectric cover and a left-handed substrate (LHM). In LHM substrate both permittivity and magnetic permeability are negative in definite frequency range. We study nonlinear dispersion properties of the TE surface waves and illustrate the power flow variation with the wave index in three different cases, i.e., when both permittivity and magnetic permeability are negative, when permittivity is negative and permeability is positive, and when both permittivity and magnetic permeability are positive.

In the first case, we found that surface waves are backward traveling and the wave power variation with the wave index shows bistability behavior. We also found that by increasing the film thickness the waves turn from forward to backward traveling in the second case. In the third case, surface waves are always forward traveling.
METALLIC FERROMAGNETISM DRIVEN BY PHONON-ENHANCED SPIN FLUCTUATIONS
Authors: KOO JE HUAN , CHO GUANGSUP
Published: March 2007

We investigate the metallic ferromagnetism for materials with incomplete 3d-orbitals. The ferromagnetism occurs in electrons of s-orbitals by phonon-enhanced spin flippings of d-electrons via s-d exchange interactions, which was discussed by us [Phys. Rev. B61, 4289 (2000)]. We know the electron-electron interaction, U sd , mediated by phonon-enhanced spin flippings is repulsive for metallic ferromagnetic materials but attractive for high transition temperature superconductors (HTSC). The electron-electron interaction, U sd , is an order of magnitude stronger than that by Kondo-type bare spin-flippings. We elucidate non-occurrence of ferromagnetism in Pd even though it has very strong exchange interactions. We also show that the charge sum rule is recovered in the case of inclusion of U sd . We calculate the resistivity in normal states.
FOKKER–PLANCK EQUATION FOR FRACTIONAL SYSTEMS
Authors: TARASOV VASILY E.
Published: March 2007

The normalization condition, average values, and reduced distribution functions can be generalized by fractional integrals. The interpretation of the fractional analog of phase space as a space with noninteger dimension is discussed. A fractional (power) system is described by the fractional powers of coordinates and momenta. These systems can be considered as non-Hamiltonian systems in the usual phase space. The generalizations of the Bogoliubov equations are derived from the Liouville equation for fractional (power) systems. Using these equations, the corresponding Fokker–Planck equation is obtained.
INFLUENCE OF SAMARIUM SUBSTITUTION ON IMPEDANCE DIELECTRIC AND ELECTROMECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF Pb(1-x)K2xNb2O6
Authors: SAMBASIVA RAO K. , MURALI KRISHNA P. , MADHAVA PRASAD D. , LEE JOON HYUNG
Published: March 2007

Ferroelectric, hysteresis, impedance spectroscopy parameters, AC conductivity, and piezoelectric properties in the ceramics of Pb 0.74 K 0.52 Nb 2 O 6 and Pb 0.74 K 0.13 Sm 0.13 Nb 2 O 6 have been studied. X-ray diffraction study reveals single phase with the orthorhombic structure. The samples were characterized for ferroelectric and impedance spectroscopy properties from room temperature to 600°C. Cole–Cole plots (Z″ versus Z′) are drawn at different temperatures. The results obtained are analyzed to understand the conductivity mechanism in both the samples. The piezoelectric constant d33 has been found to be 96 × 10-12 C/N in PKN.
THEORETICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE ELASTIC PROPERTIES AND LATTICE DYNAMICS OF THE MgSxSe1-x ALLOY
Authors: BOUAMAMA K. , DJEMIA P.
Published: March 2007

Structural and elastic properties as well as lattice dynamics of ternary MgS x Se 1-x alloy have been studied using first-principles calculations. These are done using density functional theory (DFT) and density functional perturbation theory (DFPT) within the local density approximation (LDA) and employing the virtual-crystal approximation (VCA). We found that the lattice parameter, the elastic constants and the phonon frequencies follow a quadratic law in x.
INFLUENCE OF ELECTRIC FIELD ON THE BINDING ENERGY OF HYDROGENIC IMPURITY WITH SPATIALLY DEPENDENT MASS IN NITRIDE PARABOLIC QUANTUM WELLS
Authors: ZHAO FENG-QI , GONG JIAN
Published: March 2007

The ground state and binding energies of the hydrogenic impurity in a finite GaN/Al x Ga 1-x N parabolic quantum well (PQW) are investigated by using variational method. The effect of an electric field and spatial dependence effective mass (SDEM) are considered in the calculation. The results indicate that the effect of the SDEM on the energy levels is more obvious in the case of the narrower well width L. The effects decrease with increasing L, and tend to zero. The electric field shifts the energy levels towards lower energies with increasing well width L. Furthermore the ground state binding energy of the hydrogenic impurity in GaN/Al x Ga 1-x N PQWs is larger than that in GaAs/Al x Ga 1-x As PQWs. Therefore, we affirm that there is stronger quantum confinement effect in GaN/Al x Ga 1-x N PQW.
WAVELET DESCRIPTORS FOR RECOGNITION OF BASIC SYMBOLS IN PRINTED KANNADA TEXT
Authors: KUNTE R. SANJEEV , SAMUEL R. D. SUDHAKER
Published: March 2007

Optical Character Recognition (OCR) systems have been effectively developed for the recognition of printed characters of non-Indian languages. Efforts are underway for the development of efficient OCR systems for Indian languages, especially for Kannada, a popular South Indian language. We present in this paper an OCR system developed for the recognition of basic characters in printed Kannada text, which can handle different font sizes and font sets. Wavelets that have been progressively used in pattern recognition and on-line character recognition systems are used in our system to extract the features of printed Kannada characters. Neural classifiers have been effectively used for the classification of characters based on wavelet features. The system methodology can be extended for the recognition of other south Indian languages, especially for Telugu.
Effects of TNF-α neutralization on adipocytokines and skeletal muscle adiposity in the metabolic syndrome
Authors: Lo Janet , Bernstein L. Elizabeth , Canavan Bridget , Torriani Martin , Jackson Malaka B. , Ahima Rexford S. , Grinspoon Steven K.
Published: March 2007

In a prior study, we have shown that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α neutralization improves inflammatory markers and total adiponectin in patients with the metabolic syndrome, without improving insulin sensitivity. In this study, we sought to extend our understanding of the effects of TNF-α neutralization in this human model of obesity by investigating the responses of high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin, resistin, leptin, and muscle adiposity to etanercept in patients with the metabolic syndrome. Fifty-six men and women with the metabolic syndrome enrolled in a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. Circulating concentrations of total and HMW adiponectin, resistin, and leptin were determined at baseline and after 4 wk of treatment with etanercept. Muscle adiposity was measured by computed tomography (CT). Although etanercept increased total adiponectin concentration, the HMW form, which is thought to mediate insulin sensitivity, was unchanged. Thus the ratio of HMW to total adiponectin decreased following etanercept treatment compared with placebo (−0.03 ± 0.03 vs. 0.06 ± 0.03, P = 0.02). Resistin tended to decrease in the etanercept-treated group compared with placebo (−0.6 ± 0.7 vs. 1.2 ± 0.7 ng/ml, P = 0.06), whereas leptin was not altered. Etanercept decreased muscle attenuation on CT [−0.61 ± 0.64 Hounsfield units (HU) vs. 1.54 ± 0.77 HU in placebo, P = 0.04], suggesting an increase in muscle adiposity. Together, these results demonstrate that neutralization of TNF-α in obese humans results in differential effects on critical adipokines and body composition indexes. These findings may help to explain the lack of effect on insulin sensitivity and extend our knowledge of the biological effects of TNF-α neutralization in obesity.
Ciliated epithelial-specific and regional-specific expression and regulation of the estrogen receptor-β2 in the fallopian tubes of immature rats: a possible mechanism for estrogen-mediated transport process in vivo
Authors: Shao Ruijin , Weijdegård Birgitta , Fernandez-Rodriguez Julia , Egecioglu Emil , Zhu Changlian , Andersson Niklas , Thurin-Kjellberg Ann , Bergh Christina , Billig Håkan
Published: March 2007

Several ERβ isoforms have been identified in human and rodent tissues, but it is unclear whether each isoform has distinctly different cellular targeting characteristics and physiological functions. We have investigated the intracellular localization and regulatory patterns for ERβ isoforms in rat fallopian tubes. Western blot analysis reveals that two ERβ isoforms corresponding to ERβ1 and ERβ2 are expressed in rat fallopian tubes. However, ERβ2 is the predominant form of ERβ in this tissue. High-resolution confocal imaging and immunohistochemical analysis provide ample evidence that ERβ expression is limited almost exclusively to the ciliated epithelial cells, in contrast to ERα, which is widely distributed. Furthermore, within the ciliated epithelial cells, ERβ is colocalized with β-tubulin IV at stem portion of the cilia. We show that ERβ2 protein expression is tightly regulated by E2or DPN in a time-dependent manner without changes in ERβ1 expression. These estrogenic effects are inhibited by an ER antagonist, ICI 182,780. In addition, significant alteration of ERβ immunoreactivity is detected only histologically in the ampullary region. Since the cilia are considered an essential determinant of tubal transport, we further demonstrate that E2- or DPN-induced ERβ2 activation is associated with alterations in tubal protein expression crucial for the regulation of calcium-dependent ciliary beating. Given the coordinated regulation and interaction of ER and progesterone receptor in the cilia, we hypothesize that tubal ERβ2 may facilitate the estrogen-mediated transport process by processing protein-protein interaction under physiological and/or pathological conditions. We show for the first time that a previously unrecognized localization of ERβ isoform in rat fallopian tubes can combine with estrogen to individually control the expression of ER β-isoforms in normal target tissues.
Spinal glutamatergic NMDA-dependent cyclic pelvic nerve-to-external urethra sphincter reflex potentiation in anesthetized rats
Authors: Liao Jiuan-Miaw , Yang Cho-Hsun , Cheng Chen-Li , Pan Shwu-Fen , Chen Mei-Jung , Huang Pei-Chen , Chen Gin-Den , Tung Kwong-Chung , Peng Hsien-Yu , Lin Tzer-Bin
Published: March 2007

The purposes of this study were to investigate whether the pelvic nerve-to-external urethra sphincter (EUS) reflex potentiation can be induced under physiological conditions and to determine whether glutamatergic neurotransmission is involved in the reflex potentiation. Stimulation-evoked reflex activities, during rhythmic bladder contractions caused by a continuous saline infusion, in 21 anesthetized rats were recorded with/without the intrathecal administration of 10 μl of CNQX (a glutamatergic AMPA receptor antagonist; 100 μM) and APV( a glutamatergic NMDA receptor antagonist; 100 μM). Reflex activities became potentiated following the increment of intravesical pressure (IVP) during the storage phase (2.39 ± 0.28 spikes/mmHg, n = 21) and the ascending period of the voiding phase (1.46 ± 0.35 spikes/mmHg, n = 21) and decreased following the decrement of IVP during the descending period of the voiding phase (1.50 ± 0.33 spikes/mmHg, n = 21). Although it is characterized by a low IVP, a postvoiding reflex potentiation in stimulation-evoked activities was elicited at the critical period after a voiding contraction had just finished (23.95 ± 8.96 spikes/mmHg, n = 21). The slope of the regression line of evoked activities vs. the IVP during the storage phase was significantly ( P < 0.01) higher than that of the ascending and descending periods of the voiding phase, but there was no statistical difference between the ascending and the descending periods ( P > 0.05). In addition, the slope of the regression line of posttetanic reflex potentiation was significantly higher than that of the storage phase ( P < 0.01). All the slopes of the regression lines decreased after intrathecal CNQX administration (from 3.15 ± 0.44, 2.10 ± 0.57, 2.13 ± 0.53, and 21.30 ± 3.41 to 0.83 ± 0.31, 0.74 ± 0.12, 0.76 ± 0.12, and 4.31 ± 3.71 spikes/mmHg in storage, ascending and descending period of the voiding phase, and postvoiding potentiation, respectively; all P < 0.01, n = 10). The slopes of the regression lines became almost horizontal after intrathecal APV administration (from 3.15 ± 0.44, 2.10 ± 0.57, 2.13 ± 0.53, and 21.30 ± 3.41 to 0.16 ± 0.12, 0.21 ± 0.07, 0.18 ± 0.05, and 0.23 ± 0.76 spikes/mmHg in storage, ascending and descending period of voiding phase, and postvoiding potentiation, respectively; all P < 0.01, n = 10). Our results suggest that a potentiation in the pelvic nerve-to-EUS reflex can be induced under physiological conditions and the glutamatergic mechanism appears to be involved in this reflex potentiation.
Long-term aldosterone treatment induces decreased apical but increased basolateral expression of AQP2 in CCD of rat kidney
Authors: de Seigneux Sophie , Nielsen Jakob , Olesen Emma T. B. , Dimke Henrik , Kwon Tae-Hwan , Frøkiær Jørgen , Nielsen Søren
Published: March 2007

The purpose of the present studies was to determine the effects of high-dose aldosterone and dDAVP treatment on renal aquaporin-2 (AQP2) regulation and urinary concentration. Rats were treated for 6 days with either vehicle (CON; n = 8), dDAVP (0.5 ng/h, dDAVP, n = 10), aldosterone (Aldo, 150 μg/day, n = 10) or combined dDAVP and aldosterone treatment (dDAVP+Aldo, n = 10) and had free access to water with a fixed food intake. Aldosterone treatment induced hypokalemia, decreased urine osmolality, and increased the urine volume and water intake in ALDO compared with CON and dDAVP+Aldo compared with dDAVP. Immunohistochemistry and semiquantitative laser confocal microscopy revealed a distinct increase in basolateral domain AQP2 labeling in cortical collecting duct (CCD) principal cells and a reduction in apical domain labeling in Aldo compared with CON rats. Given the presence of hypokalemia in aldosterone-treated rats, we studied dietary-induced hypokalemia in rats, which also reduced apical AQP2 expression in the CCD but did not induce any increase in basolateral AQP2 expression in the CCD as observed with aldosterone treatment. The aldosterone-induced basolateral AQP2 expression in the CCD was thus independent of hypokalemia but was dependent on the presence of sodium and aldosterone. This redistribution was clearly blocked by mineralocorticoid receptor blockade. The increased basolateral expression of AQP2 induced by aldosterone may play a significant role in water metabolism in conditions with increased sodium reabsorption in the CCD.