bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relationship of nursing staff to the hospitalization of nursing home residents
Authors: Decker Frederic H.
Published: January 2008

Researchers have found registered nurse (RN) staffing unrelated to the prevention of hospitalizations of nursing home residents. Although most nursing home admissions are from hospitals, their studies involved residents who probably were not admitted from hospitals. In this study I examined data on 6,623 discharges of nursing home residents admitted or not admitted from a hospital. For patients with longer stays (>30 days), higher RN staffing levels in nursing homes reduced hospitalizations only for residents admitted from hospitals. Higher RN levels reduced hospitalizations more than higher licensed nurse levels or skill mix. Only among longer‐stay residents not admitted from hospitals was RN staffing unrelated to hospitalizations. Researchers may have found RN staffing unrelated to hospitalizations because samples were primarily longer‐stay residents not admitted from hospitals. Published 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 31:238–251, 2008
Patients' and health care practitioners' attributions about adherence problems as predictors of medication adherence
Authors: Cook Paul F.
Published: January 2008

Patients and healthcare practitioners (HCPs) each have theories about the causes of medication adherence problems. Traditional patient education focuses on correcting patients' inaccurate beliefs, but more recent models suggest working within patients' theories. Secondary data from a telehealth medication adherence program were analyzed to determine whether patients' or HCPs' causal theories better predicted adherence, and the effect of discrepancy between HCP and patient theories. Patients with osteoporosis (N = 402) or endometriosis (N = 2,015) received telephone counseling. Adherence levels and patients' and HCPs' causal attributions were recorded at each call. Hierarchical linear modeling showed associations between patients' attributions and current‐session adherence, but HCP‐patient attribution discrepancies predicted better subsequent adherence in three of six empirical tests performed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 31:261–273, 2008
Proton conducting membranes based on poly(vinyl chloride) graft copolymer electrolytes
Authors: Choi Jin Kyu , Kim Yong Woo , Koh Joo Hwan , Kim Jong Hak
Published: January 2008

The direct preparation of proton conducting poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) graft copolymer electrolyte membranes using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) is demonstrated. Here, direct initiation of the secondary chlorines of PVC facilitates grafting of a sulfonated monomer. A series of proton conducting graft copolymer electrolyte membranes, i.e. poly(vinyl chloride)‐g‐poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PVC‐g‐PSSA) were prepared by ATRP using direct initiation of the secondary chlorines of PVC. The successful syntheses of graft copolymers were confirmed by 1H‐NMR and FT‐IR spectroscopy. The images of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) presented the well‐defined microphase‐separated structure of the graft copolymer electrolyte membranes. All the properties of ion exchange capacity (IEC), water uptake, and proton conductivity for the membranes continuously increased with increasing PSSA contents. The characterization of the membranes by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) also demonstrated their high thermal stability up to 200°C. The membranes were further crosslinked using UV irradiation after converting chlorine atoms to azide groups, as revealed by FT‐IR spectroscopy. After crosslinking, water uptake significantly decreased from 207% to 84% and the tensile strength increased from 45.2 to 71.5 MPa with a marginal change of proton conductivity from 0.093 to 0.083 S cm−1, which indicates that the crosslinked PVC‐g‐PSSA membranes are promising candidates for proton conducting materials for fuel cell applications. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of formulation variables on entrapment efficiency and release characteristics of bovine serum albumin from carboxymethyl xanthan microparticles
Authors: Maiti Sabyasachi , Ray Somasree , Sa Biswanath
Published: January 2008

Xanthan gum was derivatized to sodium carboxymethyl xanthan (SCMX) gum with a view to prepare bovine serum albumin (BSA)‐loaded carboxymethyl xanthan (CMX) microparticles through interaction with metal ion in a completely aqueous environment. The effect of various formulation variables, such as a pH of SCMX gum solution, concentration of BSA and SCMX gum, and gelation time on BSA entrapment efficiency and release of the protein in different media were studied. While BSA entrapment efficiency was found to decrease with increase in gelation time and initial BSA loading, the same was found to increase with increase in concentration of SCMX gum. Although the release of BSA in acidic medium was almost equal to that in alkaline medium, as compared up to 2 hr, the release in alkaline medium was found to be prolonged to a different extent depending upon the formulation variables. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of spherical silica particles by sol‐gel method and application
Authors: Fuchigami Kiyomi , Taguchi Yoshinari , Tanaka Masato
Published: January 2008

Spherical silica particles were synthesized using the sol‐gel method by hydrolyzing tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) with an alkali catalyst, and it was investigated how the experimental conditions (the reaction temperature, the concentration and dropping rate of the hydrolysis catalyst solution) affected the size and morphology of silica particles. Furthermore, the silica particles were doped with sodium fluoride to measure their ion release ability. The mean diameters of the silica particles changed according to the reaction temperature and the dropping rate of the hydrolysis catalyst, namely the higher the reaction temperature or the slower the dropping rate the smaller are the mean diameters. The surface area of the silica particles was significantly different depending on the dropping rate of the hydrolysis catalyst, namely the slower the dropping rate the larger the specific surface area. The specific heat capacity and thermal reduction (TG) of the silica particles were significantly different according to the reaction temperature, namely the higher the reaction temperature the lower the specific heat capacity and the TG. It was found that the fluoride‐retaining ability was proportional to the surface area of silica particles. The fluoride ion release was equilibrated on elapsing 5 min. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Schiff base substitute polyphenol and its metal complexes derived from o‐vanillin with 2,3‐diaminopyridine: synthesis, characterization, thermal, and conductivity properties
Authors: Kaya İsmet , Bilici Ali , Gül Murat
Published: January 2008

Poly‐2,3‐bis[(2‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)methylene]diamino pyridine (PHMPMDAP) that a new Schiff base polymer has been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopy, elemental, and thermal analyses techniques. This azomethine polymer was found to form complexes readily with Cu(II), Zn(II), Co(II), Pb(II), and Fe(II). From IR and UV‐Vis studies, the phenolic oxygen and imine nitrogen of the ligand were found to be the coordination sites. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) data indicate the polymer to be more stable than the monomer. The structure of the polymer obtained was confirmed by FT‐IR, UV‐Vis, 13C‐NMR, and 1H‐NMR. Characterization was undertaken by TGA, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and solubility tests. Also, electrical conductivities of PHMPMDAP and polymer–metal complexes are measured by four probe technique. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐performance polyimide–clay nanocomposite materials based on a dual intercalating agent system
Authors: Huang Chao‐Cheng , Jang Guang‐Way , Chang Kung‐Chin , Hung Wei‐I , Yeh Jui‐Ming
Published: January 2008

BACKGROUND: Polymer–clay nanocomposites (PCNs) have attracted considerable interest in recent years owing to their unique physical and chemical properties that lead to a wide range of applications. A series of PCN materials consisting of polyimide and layered montmorillonite (MMT) clay were successfully prepared by in situ polymerization.

RESULTS: Silicate layers are better dispersed in polymer matrices when dual intercalating agents (hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide–4,4′‐oxydianiline) are applied for MMT modification according to wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies. Effects of single and dual intercalating agents on thermal stability, mechanical strength and the molecular barrier of PCN materials consisting of organo‐modified MMT were studied by means of thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analyses, gas permeability analysis and vapor permeability analysis.

CONCLUSION: Improved thermal and mechanical stabilities, as well as barrier properties were observed for the PCN materials containing dual intercalating agent‐modified MMT. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Accelerant‐promoted free radical polymerization of methacrylates by stabilized nitroxide unimolecular initiators: synthesis and characterization
Authors: Ansong Omari E , Jansen Susan , Wei Yen , Pomrink Gregory , Li Shuxi , Patel Alpa
Published: January 2008

BACKGROUND: This investigation evaluates the effectiveness of initiator adducts for living and controlled polymerization of methacrylates, crosslinking of dimethacrylates and thermal stabilities of the resulting polymers. Adducts of 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinyloxy with benzoyl peroxide and with azobisisobutyronitrile were prepared and evaluated as stabilized unimolecular initiators for the free radical polymerization of methacrylate monomers using sulfuric acid as catalyst. The monomers used were methyl methacrylate, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) and ethoxylated bisphenol A dimethacrylate (EBPADMA).

RESULTS: Successful polymerization was achieved at 70 and 130 °C with reaction times ranging from 45 min to 120 h. The dispersity (D) of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was 1.09–1.28. The livingness and extent of control over polymerization were confirmed with plots of Mn evolution as a function of monomer conversion and of the first‐order kinetics. The glass transition temperature (Tg) for PMMA was 123–128 °C. The degradation temperature (Td) for PMMA was 350–410 °C. Td for poly(TEGMA) was 250–310 °C and for poly(EBPADMA) was 320–390 °C.

CONCLUSION: The initiators are suitable for free radical living and controlled polymerization of methacrylates and dimethacrylates under mild thermal and acid‐catalyzed conditions, yielding medium to high molecular weight polymers with low dispersity, high crosslinking and good thermal stability. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Rheological behavior of polypropylene/octavinyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane composites
Authors: Zhou Zhiyong , Zhang Yong , Zhang Yinxi , Yin Nianwei
Published: January 2008

The reactive blending composites of isotactic polypropylene (PP)/octavinyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) were prepared in the presence of dicumyl peroxide. Comparison of the rheological behavior of physical and reactive blending composites was made by oscillatory rheological measurements. It was found that the viscosity of physical blending composites drops at lower POSS content (0.5–1 wt %) and thereafter increases with increasing POSS content; that of reactive blending composites increases with increasing POSS content and displays a solid‐like rheological behavior at low frequency region when POSS content is higher than 1 wt %. The deviation of reactive blending composites from the scaling log G′–log G″ of linear polymer in Han plot, upturning at high viscosity in Cole–Cole plot, and from van Gurp–Palmen plot are related to the gelation behavior reactively. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 526–533, 2008
Layer structure estimation of three‐dimensional crystal and two‐dimensional molecular film for fluorinated comb copolymers
Authors: Fujimori Atsuhiro , Hoshizawa Hiroko , Kobayashi Satoshi , Kanai Kaname , Ouchi Yukio , Seki Kazuhiko
Published: January 2008

Comb copolymers containing both hydrogenated and fluorinated side‐chains were prepared by copolymerization using acrylic or methacrylic monomers in several ratios. The crystal structures of these copolymers and layer structures of their organized molecular films were investigated by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), and out‐of plane X‐ray diffraction. Further, to selectively estimate the regularity of shorter fluorocarbon side‐chains, organized molecular films of copolymers were investigated by polarized near‐edge X‐ray adsorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy. From the results of these measurements, it was inferred that these copolymers formed highly ordered layer structures, and a long spacing was predominantly determined by the arrangement of hydrogenated side‐chains, except in copolymers having extremely high fluorocarbon contents. In the case of the organized molecular films, the fluorinated side‐chains of methacrylate copolymers cannot form a highly ordered arrangement, whereas those of acrylate copolymers were oriented on monolayers. However, in both cases, the hydrogenated side‐chains predominantly formed layer structures in the organized films, and the fluorinated side‐chains did not contribute to the formation of the layer structures. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 534–546, 2008
Identification of five hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids in a commonly used traditional Chinese medicinal herb, Herba Senecionis scandentis (Qianliguang)
Authors: Li Song‐Lin , Lin Ge , Fu Peter P. , Chan Chi‐Leung , Li Mi , Jiang Zhi‐Hong , Zhao Zhong‐Zhen
Published: January 2008

Senecio scandensBuch.‐Ham is a plant source for a commonly used traditional Chinese medicinal (TCM) herb Qianliguang. A TCM herbal proprietary product containing Qianliguang as the major herb for the treatment of sinusitis has been used in China for several decades, and has also been exported to other regions and countries worldwide. In the present study, the aqueous extract ofS.scandenscollected in the Shanxi Province of China was determined, for the first time, to contain hepatotoxic and tumorigenic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) by using high‐performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometric (HPLC/MS) analysis in various scanning modes. A total of nine toxic and two non‐toxic PAs were detected in the aqueous extract ofS.scandens, of which six PAs, namely neoplatyphylline, senecionine, senecionineN‐oxide, seneciphylline, seneciphyllineN‐oxide and senkirkine, were unequivocally characterized, while other PAs were tentatively assigned as jacobine, jacozineN‐oxide (or erucifolineN‐oxide), 7‐tigloylplatynecine, usaramine and an isomer of yamataimine. The estimated total content of toxic PAs inS.scandenswas 10.82 µg/g herb, which was significantly higher than that (≥1 µg/g herb) recommended by Belgium and Germany not to be used clinically. Among the PAs definitively identified, senecionine, seneciphylline, and senkirkine are known tumorigens capable of inducing liver tumors in experimental animals, while seneciphyllineN‐oxide and senecionineN‐oxide are probably tumorigenic due to their potential conversion into seneciphylline and senecionine via metabolic reduction in the body. Thus, the current finding of the presence of toxic/tumorigenic PAs inS.scandenschallenges the safety of using this TCM herb and its proprietary products. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation of the Inner Environment of Carbon Nanotubes with a Fullerene‐Nitroxide Probe
Authors: Campestrini Sandro , Corvaja Carlo , De Nardi Marco , Ducati Caterina , Franco Lorenzo , Maggini Michele , Meneghetti Moreno , Menna Enzo , Ruaro Giorgio
Published: January 2008

A fulleropyrrolidine bearing a nitroxide free radical has been inserted into single‐walled carbon nanotubes with the aid of supercritical CO2. Thanks to the encapsulated paramagnetic probes, it has been possible to detect and characterize the resulting peapod‐like structure through electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. In particular, the analysis of spectral parameters derived from extensive EPR studies has elucidated the orientation and the residual rotational dynamics of the molecules embedded in the nanotubes. A limited anisotropic rotational freedom of the encapsulated fullerene nitroxide reveals a rather strong interaction of the probe with the surrounding nanotube walls. The interaction seems to involve the fullerene cage (as confirmed by Raman spectroscopy) and not the nitroxide moiety, whose EPR spectral characteristics, such as the isotropic hyperfine constant and the g‐tensor, remain unaltered after encapsulation.
Cooperative fault‐detection mechanism with high accuracy and bounded delay for underwater sensor networks
Authors: Wang Pu , Zheng Jun , Li Cheng
Published: January 2008

This paper proposes a cooperative fault‐detection mechanism for detecting cluster‐head failures in cluster‐based UnderWater Sensor Networks (UWSNs). The proposed detection mechanism aims to accurately and fast detect the failure of a cluster head in order to avoid unnecessary energy consumption caused by a mistaken detection. For this purpose, it allows each cluster member to independently detect the fault status of its cluster head and then employs a distributed agreement protocol to reach an agreement on the fault status of the cluster head among multiple cluster members. It runs concurrently with normal network operation by periodically performing a detection process at each cluster member. To reduce energy consumption, it uses a time division multiple access medium access control (TDMA MAC) protocol and makes use of the data periodically sent by a cluster head as the heartbeats for fault detection. A couple of forward and backward time‐division‐multiplexing (TDM) frames are specially structured for enabling multiple cluster members to reach an agreement within two frames in each detection process. Moreover, a schedule generation algorithm is also proposed for a cluster head to generate the transmission schedule in the forward and backward frames. Through simulation results, we show that the proposed detection mechanism can achieve high detection accuracy under high packet loss rates in the harsh underwater environment, and can detect a cluster‐head failure faster than a traditional fault‐detection mechanism within a delay bound of two TDM frames. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An adaptive wideband antenna array receiver of low complexity
Authors: Xie Ning , Zhou Yuanping
Published: January 2008

A low complexity wideband antenna array receiver is proposed for wideband wireless communication systems. With the proposed algorithm, the array beampattern remains almost the same within a wide frequency range of interest. In comparison to the conventional algorithm, the new algorithm offers a faster convergence rate with a lower computational complexity. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the proposed algorithm. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adjacent channel interference in a macrocell/microcell WCDMA system
Authors: Chen Wen‐Tzu
Published: January 2008

This paper studies the impacts of adjacent channel interference (ACI) on uplink capacity in a multi‐macrocell/multi‐microcell wideband code‐division multiple access (WCDMA) system. A method is presented for computing ACI and deriving capacity limitation. This method is based on an interference analysis that accounts for shadow fading, and random distribution of mobile users. The results indicate that both the base station (BS) separation and adjacent channel interference power ratio (ACIR) strongly affect system capacity reduction. The proposed method in this paper is useful for measuring the impacts of ACI on uplink capacity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Emergency Transfusion Score (ETS): A Useful Instrument for Prediction of Blood Transfusion Requirement in Severely Injured Patients
Authors: Kuhne C. A. , Zettl R. P. , Fischbacher M. , Lefering R. , Ruchholtz S.
Published: January 2008

Background

Efficient blood transfusion management presents an ongoing challenge for many trauma centers. We present the Emergency Transfusion Score (ETS), a measure that may allow important time and cost savings in the treatment of severely injured patients in the Emergency Room (ER).

Methods

The ETS includes the parameters low blood pressure, free fluid on ultrasound, clinical instability of the pelvic ring, age, admission from the scene, and trauma mechanism. An ETS ≥ 3 indicates a transfusion probability of 5% and was set as the cut‐off to order blood products (10 packed red blood cells [PRBC]/10 fresh frozen plasma [FFP]).

Results

A total of 481 patients requiring trauma team activation (ISS 18 ±18; 7/03–12/04) were prospectively included. The ETS was < 3 in 306 patients (64%) and ≥ 3 in 175 subjects (36%). Some 40 patients (8.3%) received blood (8 ± 8 PRBC) after 23 ± 9 min during ER treatment, and 39 of these patients had an ETS of ≥ 3 (5.4 ± 1.5 points). Sensitivity of the ETS was 97.5%; specificity, 68%. Positive predictive value of the ETS was 0.222; negative predictive value, 0.998.

Conclusions

(1) The ETS is a safe and highly sensitive tool with which to detect severely injured patients in need of blood products. (2) The ETS is highly predictive for patients not in need of PRBC (negative predictive value 0.998) and helps to avoid unnecessary cross‐matching and transport. (3) After implementation of the ETS, a sum of about 109,296 USD was saved per year by reducing the costs for cross‐matching, transportation, and wasted blood products.
Establishment and characterization of atypical fibroblasts from human adult liver contributing to hepatocyte cord‐like arrangement
Authors: de Villeroché Vanina Jodon , Brouty‐Boyé Danièle
Published: January 2008

We report the phenotypic and functional characterization of fibroblasts established in culture from the non‐parenchymal epithelial cell populations of adult human livers. Human liver fibroblasts (hLF) expressed mesenchymal antigens vimentin, alpha‐smooth muscle actin, collagen, fibronectin, CD73, CD90, CD105, and CD166 together with non‐mesenchymal antigens cytokeratins 8 and 18, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and nestin. Mixed cell lineage‐specific protein expression was not associated with stem‐like cell properties. Coculturing hepatocytes onto confluent hLF showed that they survived and maintained metabolic activity such as albumin, glycogen, and urea production. Moreover, hepatocytes formed cord‐like arrangements resembling those established in vivo. Hepatocyte arrangement depended on cell‐to‐cell contact and the tissue origin of fibroblasts. Time‐lapse video imaging of cocultured cells showed that hepatocyte arrangement was coordinated by the stretching and shortening of underneath hLF. Our data suggest that hLF may represent resident fibroblasts of the adult human liver, which could assume guiding functions for hepatic epithelial cells.
Promoter regulatory motifs involved in c‐mpl gene expression induced by PMA
Authors: Sunohara Masataka , Morikawa Shigeru , Sato Takeyuki , Miyado Mami , Sato Iwao , Sato Toru , Fuse Akira
Published: January 2008

Phorbol‐12‐myristate‐13‐acetate (PMA) significantly elevated c‐mpl promoter activity and the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors GF 109203, H7 and calphostin C conspicuously reduced the steady level of the activity. Destruction of the −107Sp1 and the −57Sp1 sites in the c‐mpl promoter enhancer region resulted in decrease of the promoter activity by 49.6% and 48.2%, respectively, and destruction of −69Ets and −28Ets elements dramatically decreased the activity by 93.4% and 82.6%, respectively, while mutation of −77GATA moderately reduced the activity by 28.6%. We conclude that the expression of the c−mpl gene is modulated by transcription through a PKC−dependent pathway and that Ets elements at −69 and −28 nucleotides in front of the transcription start site are critical that Sp1(−107) and Sp1(−57) are also important and that GATA(−77) is less involved as a positive regulatory element in c−mpl gene expression induced by PMA in CMK cells.
Expression of the monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) in cells of the porcine intestine
Authors: Welter Harald , Claus Rolf
Published: January 2008

Uptake of energy into cells and its allocation to individual cellular compartments by transporters are essential for tissue homeostasis. The present study gives an analysis of MCT1 expression and its cellular occurrence in the porcine intestine. Tissue portions from duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon ascendens, colon transversum and colon descendens were collected and prepared for immunohistochemistry, Western blot and real time RT‐PCR. A 169 bp porcine MCT1 cDNA fragment was amplified and published. MCT1 mRNA expression in the large intestine was 20 fold higher compared to the small intestine. Western blot detected a single protein band of 41 kDa at a much higher amount of MCT1 protein in the large intestine vs. the small intestine. MCT1 protein was detected in mitochondrial fractions of the large but not the small intestine. Immunohistochemistry in the small intestine showed that immune cells in the lamina propria and in the lymphoid follicles primarily expressed MCT1 while in the colon epithelial cells were the main source of MCT1. In summary, cellular expression of MCT1 differs between epithelial cells in the colon and small intestine. A possible role of MCT1 for uptake of butyrate into immune cells and the overall role of MCT1 for intestinal immune cell function remains elusive.
A 160 kDa protein with carbonic anhydrase activity is complexed with rubisco on the outer surface of thylakoids
Authors: Lazova Galia N. , Stemler Alan J.
Published: January 2008

This study provides evidence that, in the soluble fraction from buffer‐washed pea thylakoids, one form of soluble carbonic anhydrase (CA) is associated with rubisco in a stromal protein complex. On native‐PAGE gels, it is present as a protein band with MW approximately 160 kDa. On SDS‐PAGE gels, it is resolved as a single 25‐kDa polypeptide. Analysis of Western blots developed with polyclonal antibodies to barley rubisco and to soluble pea CA shows that a 160‐kDa protein with CA activity is associated with rubisco in a protein complex localized on the outer surface of thylakoid membranes.
Active faults and crustal stress in the northeastern flank of the Baikal rift system
Authors: Lunina O.V. , Gladkov A.S.
Published: January 2008

We discuss the patterns of Late Cenozoic faulting and crustal stress in the northeastern flank of the Baikal rift system. The Late Cenozoic faults are mainly of NE and ENE strikes. Faults of these trends, along with W-E faults, have been principal seismogenic structures. They have normal or left-lateral oblique geometry with different amounts of horizontal motion. The N-S, NW, and NNW faults bear signature of mostly right-lateral strike slip, and those of the WNW direction are left-lateral strike-slip faults, often with a normal component. The rift basins in this part of the rift system have had different evolution dynamics, with the most rapid faulting and sedimentation in the Muya basin. According to structural and seismological data, regional stress in the area has been stable and dominated by NW extension through the Pleistocene-Holocene and the Present. The directions and obliquity angles of principal normal stresses and percentages of stress types show local lateral variations. The evolution of the northeastern flank of the Baikal rift system can be explained by a model of oblique rifting which accounts for the architecture of rift basins, the pattern of Late Cenozoic active faults, and the stress pattern derived from structural and seismicity data. The model is consistent with centrifuge models of magma emplacement during continental oblique rifting. Oblique extension associated with underplated magma can be maintained in the area by mantle plumes beneath the Kichera, Upper Angara, and Chara rift basins. The presence of subcrustal magma chambers may explain why the three basins formed before other basins in the NE flank of the rift system.
Changing fire regimes in the temperate rainforest region of southern Chile over the last 16,000 yr
Authors: Abarzúa Ana M. , Moreno Patricio I.
Published: January 2008

A high-resolution macroscopic charcoal record from Lago Melli (42°46′S, 73°33′W) documents the occurrence of forest fires in the lowlands of Isla Grande de Chiloé, southern Chile, over the last 16,000 yr. Our data suggest that fire activity in this region was largely modulated by the position/intensity of the southern westerlies at multi-millennial time scales. Fire activity was infrequent or absent between 16,000–11,000 and 8500–7000 cal yr BP and was maximal between ∼ 11,000–8500 and 3000–0 cal yr BP. A mosaic of Valdivian/North Patagonian rainforest species started at ∼ 6000 cal yr BP, along with a moderate increase in fire activity which intensified subsequently at 3000 cal yr BP. The modern transition between these forest communities and the occurrence of fires are largely controlled by summer moisture stress and variability, suggesting the onset of high-frequency variability in summer precipitation regimes starting at ∼ 5500 cal yr BP. Because negative anomalies in summer precipitation in this region are teleconnected with modern El Niño events, we propose that the onset of El Niño-like variability at ∼ 5700–6200 cal yr BP led to a reshuffling of rainforest communities in the lowlands of Isla Grande de Chiloé and an increase in fire activity.
Timing of the Nihewan formation and faunas
Authors: Deng Chenglong , Zhu Rixiang , Zhang Rui , Ao Hong , Pan Yongxin
Published: January 2008

Magnetostratigraphic dating of the fluvio-lacustrine sequence in the Nihewan Basin, North China, has permitted the precise timing of the basin infilling and associated Nihewan mammalian faunas. The combined evidence of new paleomagnetic findings from the Hongya and Huabaogou sections of the eastern Nihewan Basin and previously published magnetochronological data suggests that the Nihewan Formation records the tectono-sedimentary processes of the Plio–Pleistocene Nihewan Basin and that the Nihewan faunas can be placed between the Matuyama–Brunhes geomagnetic reversal and the onset of the Olduvai subchron (0.78–1.95 Ma). The onset and termination of the basin deposition occurred just prior to the Gauss–Matuyama geomagnetic reversal and during the period from the last interglaciation to the late last glaciation, respectively, suggesting that the Nihewan Formation is of Late Pliocene to late Pleistocene age. The Nihewan faunas, comprising a series of mammalian faunas (such as Maliang, Donggutuo, Xiaochangliang, Banshan, Majuangou, Huabaogou, Xiashagou, Danangou and Dongyaozitou), are suggested to span a time range of about 0.8–2.0 Ma. The combination of our new and previously published magnetostratigraphy has significantly refined the chronology of the terrestrial Nihewan Formation and faunas.
A Jurassic peraluminous leucogranite from Yiwulüshan, western Liaoning, North China craton: age, origin and tectonic significance
Authors: ZHANG XIAO-HUI , MAO QIAN , ZHANG HONG-FU , WILDE SIMON A.
Published: January 2008

The Gangjia granite stock is a garnet-bearing muscovite leucogranitic body emplaced in Yiwulüshan in Western Liaoning Province at the eastern segment of the Yanshan orogenic belt, North China craton. The SHRIMP U–Pb zircon age is 153±5 Ma. The Gangjia granites are peraluminous with A/CNK of more than 1.14, and exhibit a tetrad effect in their REE distribution patterns, as well as non-charge-and-radius-controlled trace element behaviour. This is in contrast to the LREE-enriched patterns of the host Lüshan monzogranites. These geochemical characteristics, together with low Th/U ratios in zircon, suggest that the parental magmas for the Gangjia granites have experienced extensive magmatic differentiation, including interaction between residual melt and a coexisting high-temperature aqueous fluid. Their similar ϵNd(t), model ages, compatible age patterns and common volcanic arc signature in source materials between the Gangjia granites and the host Lüshan monzogranites indicate their comagmatic relationship. These unusual peraluminous leucogranites, coupled with the voluminous adakitic granites hosting them, represent typical post-orogenic magmatism developed under an intra-continental extensional tectonic regime. At the very end of the prolonged Jurassic magmatic evolution in Western Liaoning, extensive fractionation of most probably ferromagnesian phases and plagioclase from a calc-alkaline magma parental to the host Lüshan pluton, with overprint of the magmatic hydrothermal fluid, produced highly evolved peraluminous parental magmas for the Gangjia granites.
Dynamic model based formation control and obstacle avoidance of multi-robot systems
Authors: De La Cruz Celso , Carelli Ricardo
Published: January 2008

This work presents, first, a complete dynamic model of a unicycle-like mobile robot that takes part in a multi-robot formation. A linear parameterization of this model is performed in order to identify the model parameters. Then, the robot model is input-output feedback linearized. On a second stage, for the multi-robot system, a model is obtained by arranging into a single equation all the feedback linearized robot models. This multi-robot model is expressed in terms of formation states by applying a coordinate transformation. The inverse dynamics technique is then applied to design a formation control. The controller can be applied both to positioning and to tracking desired robot formations. The formation control can be centralized or decentralized and scalable to any number of robots. A strategy for rigid formation obstacle avoidance is also proposed. Experimental results validate the control system design.
Accident Proneness (Unfallneigung): A Classic Case of Simultaneous Discovery/Construction in Psychology
Authors: Burnham John C.
Published: January 2008

Argument

Using a striking example from the history of applied psychology, the concept of accident proneness, this paper suggests that historians of science may still find viable the idea of simultaneous discovery or construction of a scientific idea. Accident proneness (Unfallneigung) was discovered independently in Germany and in Britain during the period of World War I. Later on, in 1926, the idea was independently formulated and named in both countries. The evidence shows not only striking simultaneity but true novelty and commensurateness of the two formulations that crystallized at the same time in parallel, but distinctly separate, settings.
MORBID ADHERENT PLACENTA: PREDICTION, DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT
Authors: JARAQUEMADA JM PALACIOS , BRUNO CH , CLAVELLI WA
Published: January 2008

Morbid adherent placenta (MAP), also known as placenta accreta, increta or percreta, is one of the main causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. Its incidence has noticeably increased in the last few decades, a fact directly related to the increase in caesarean sections. There is a close relation between iterative caesarean sections and MAP. This connection is of vital importance, since caesarean rates have risen worldwide, especially in the countries where there is the possibility of caesarean section on demand.
Genetische Befunde zu Schizophrenie
Authors: Mehler-Wex Claudia , J. Renner Tobias
Published: January 2008

Zusammenfassung: Schizophrene Erkrankungen zeichnen sich durch eine sehr heterogene Symptomatik mit übergreifenden Funktionsstörungen verschiedenster kognitiver Bereiche aus. Die vielfältigen Phänotypen werden durch das Zusammenwirken von genetischer Prädisposition und Umwelteinflüssen erklärt. Pathophysiologische Modelle beinhalten die Dopamin-Überschuss- sowie Glutamat-Mangel-Hypothese, die Radikal-Hypothese und die Hypothese entwicklungsbedingter versus degenerativer Genese. Neben den neurobiologischen Erklärungsansätzen geben Kopplungsstudien mit nachfolgenden Feinkartierungen Hinweise auf potentiell an der Pathophysiologie beteiligte Gene. Den wichtigsten Kandidatengenen, wie Dysbindin (DTNBP1), Neuregulin1 (NRG1) oder DISC-1 (disrupted-in schizophrenia-1), werden Einfluss auf die Signalübertragung sowie der Ausbildung und dem Erhalt der Struktur von neuronalen Netzwerken zugeschrieben. Zu ihnen werden zahlreiche weitere Gene gezählt. Insgesamt ist bei der Pathogenese der Schizophrenie von einer multifaktoriellen Entstehung mit der Interaktion von verschiedenen genetischen und neurobiologischen sowie exogenen Komponenten auszugehen.
Genetische Befunde bei Zwangsstörungen im Kindes- und Jugendalter und bei Erwachsenen
Authors: Walitza Susanne , J. Renner Tobias , Wewetzer Christoph , Warnke Andreas
Published: January 2008

Zusammenfassung: Im Kindes- und Jugendalter sind Zwangsstörungen bei einer Inzidenz von ein bis zwei Prozent keine Seltenheit und können die Betroffenen in ihrer Entwicklung deutlich beeinträchtigen. Die Erkrankung ist durch wiederkehrende und anhaltende Verhaltensweisen, Gedanken und Impulse gekennzeichnet, die als quälend erlebt werden und sich je nach Entwicklungstand gegen inneren Widerstand aufdrängen und vom Patienten als unsinnig und übertrieben wahrgenommen werden. Die Entstehung von Zwangsstörungen hängt sowohl von Umweltfaktoren, nicht genetischen hirnpathologischen als auch von genetischen Einflussfaktoren ab. Die Mehrheit der bisherigen Ergebnisse bezieht sich dabei auf Untersuchungen im Erwachsenenalter. Es wird eine aktuelle Übersicht über genetische Befunde bei Zwangsstörungen unter besonderer Berücksichtigung des Kindes- und Jugendalters gegeben. Bei jung erkrankten Patienten findet sich eine deutlichere familiäre Belastung. Befunde aus Kopplungs- und Assoziationsstudien sowie Tiermodellen werden vorgestellt und diskutiert. Die phänotypische und genetische Heterogenität von Zwangsstörungen trägt zu den unterschiedlichen Studienergebnissen bei und erfordert für künftige Untersuchungen die Differenzierung von Subtypen, z.B. die Einbeziehung des Alters bei Erkrankungsbeginn, von Symptomdimensionen, geschlechtlichen Besonderheiten und komorbider Störungen.
Wie genau können kognitive Fähigkeiten gemessen werden?
Authors: Brunner Martin , Süß Heinz-Martin
Published: January 2008

Zusammenfassung. In der Intelligenzdiagnostik können für Skalenscores Gesamt- und Konstruktreliabilitäten unterschieden werden. Während Gesamtreliabilitäten sich auf die gesamte “wahre“ Varianz in einem Skalenscore beziehen, spiegeln Konstruktreliabilitäten die Genauigkeit wider, mit dem ein Skalenscore ein bestimmtes Fähigkeitskonstrukt erfasst. Gesamt- und Konstruktreliabilitäten sind nicht identisch, wenn man annimmt, dass sich die Skalenscores multidimensional aus Varianzanteilen zusammensetzen, welche die allgemeine kognitive Fähigkeit g sowie spezifischere kognitive Fähigkeiten messen. In dieser Arbeit illustrieren wir dieses Problem für die Skalen des Berliner Intelligenzstrukturtests (BIS-Test) anhand einer Schülerstichprobe (N = 910). Zur Berechnung von Gesamt- und Konstruktreliabilitäten verwendeten wir eine Methode, die auf Modellparametern aus konfirmatorischen Faktorenanalysen basiert. Während die Gesamtreliabilitäten weitestgehend zufrieden stellend waren (die Werte lagen zwischen .77 für die Merkfähigkeit und .93 für g), waren die Konstruktreliabilitäten der spezifischen kognitiven Fähigkeiten unabhängig vom verwendeten Koeffizienten nicht zufrieden stellend (die Werte lagen zwischen .17 für die numerische Fähigkeit und .67 für die Verarbeitungskapazität). Mögliche Implikationen der Ergebnisse für die Einzelfalldiagnostik werden diskutiert.
Sequential Modulations of Valence Processing in the Emotional Stroop Task
Authors: Kunde Wilfried , Mauer Nadine
Published: January 2008

Abstract. This study investigated trial-to-trial modulations of the processing of irrelevant valence information. Participants (N = 126) responded to the frame color of pictures with positive, neutral, or negative affective content - a procedure known as an emotional Stroop task (EST). As is typically found, positive and negative pictures delayed responses as compared to neutral pictures. However, the type and extent of this valence-based interference depended on the irrelevant picture valence in the preceding trial. Whereas preceding exposure to negative valence prompted interference from positive and negative pictures, such interference was removed after neutral trials. Following positive pictures, interference from negative but not from positive pictures was observed. We suggest that these sequential modulations reflect automatic self-regulatory selection processes that help to keep the balance between attending to task-relevant information and task-irrelevant information that signals important changes in the environment.
Influence of Category Size and Target Set Size on Unconscious Priming by Novel Words
Authors: Abrams Richard L.
Published: January 2008

Abstract. In support of their argument that unconscious priming by novel words is critically influenced by target set size, Kiesel, Kunde, Pohl, and Hoffman (2006) report priming from novel words when target sets were large but not when they were small. The present experiment examined the possibility that target set size interacts with category size. (In both experiments in Kiesel et al., category size was large.) In the present experiment, with a small target set, novel-word priming did occur when categories were small (farm animals, fruits) but not when categories were large (larger or smaller than a computer monitor). This finding suggests that, contrary to the position advanced by Kiesel et al., priming when target sets are small involves a mechanism other than preactivation of perceptual features belonging to the target set.
Deriving historical total solar irradiance from lunar borehole temperatures
Authors: Miyahara Hiroko , Wen Guoyong , Cahalan Robert F. , Ohmura Atsumu
Published: January 2008

We study the feasibility of deriving historical TSI (Total Solar Irradiance) from lunar borehole temperatures. As the Moon lacks Earth's dynamic features, lunar borehole temperatures are primarily driven by solar forcing. Using Apollo observed lunar regolith properties, we computed present‐day lunar regolith temperature profiles for lunar tropical, mid‐latitude, and polar regions for two scenarios of solar forcing reconstructed by Lean (2000) and Wang et al. (2005). Results show that these scenarios can be distinguished by small but potentially detectable differences in temperature, on the order of 0.01 K and larger depending on latitude, within ∼10 m depth of the Moon's surface. Our results provide a physical basis and guidelines for reconstructing historical TSI from data obtainable in future lunar exploration.
A cloud‐resolving modeling study of diurnal variations of tropical convective and stratiform rainfall
Authors: Cui Xiaopeng
Published: January 2008

Diurnal variations of convective and stratiform rainfalls over the tropical ocean are investigated on the basis of data from a two‐dimensional cloud‐resolving simulation. The model is integrated for 40 days to a quasi‐equilibrium state with imposed zero zonally uniform vertical velocity, a constant zonal wind, and a constant sea surface temperature of 29°C. The convective rain rate contributes more to the diurnal variation of model domain‐mean surface rain rate than the stratiform rain rate does. The calculations of the surface rainfall equation show that more vapor convergence yields higher convective rain rate and that more vapor convergence and more local vapor loss cause higher stratiform rain rate in early morning than in afternoon. Analysis of cloud microphysics budgets reveals that variations in vapor condensation and associated water microphysical processes are responsible for the diurnal variations of both convective and stratiform rain rates.
Modeling aerosol formation in alpha‐pinene photo‐oxidation experiments
Authors: Capouet M. , Müller J.‐F. , Ceulemans K. , Compernolle S. , Vereecken L. , Peeters J.
Published: January 2008

We present BOREAM (Biogenic hydrocarbon Oxidation and Related Aerosol formation Model), a detailed model for the oxidation of α‐pinene and the resulting formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). It is based on a quasi‐explicit gas phase mechanism for the formation of primary products, developed on objective grounds using advanced theoretical methods, and on a simplified representation for the further oxidation of the products. The partitioning of the products follows a kinetic representation with coefficients estimated from vapor pressures calculated using a dedicated group contribution method. Particle phase and heterogeneous reactions are generally neglected, but the impact of peroxyhemiacetal formation in the aerosol is tested on the basis of laboratory estimates of the reaction rates. The model is evaluated against 28 laboratory experiments from 6 studies of α‐pinene photo‐oxidation covering a wide range of photochemical conditions. In contrast with previous modeling studies, the modeled and measured SOA yields agree to within a factor of 2 in most cases. The SOA yields are underestimated for the ozonolysis experiments of Presto et al. (2005a) when the standard version of the ozonolysis mechanism is used, presumably because of the lack of credible pathways for the formation of pinic and hydroxy pinonic acid. The underestimation is drastically reduced when the mechanism is modified to account for the formation of these compounds. Accounting for peroxyhemiacetal formation in the particle phase is found to further increase the SOA yields by about one third in high VOC ozonolysis experiments and to have a much smaller impact in all other cases. The model calculates that ozonolysis contributes about twice more to SOA formation than oxidation by OH, whereas NO3‐initiated oxidation is negligible. In agreement with previous studies, low NOx conditions and low temperatures are calculated to favor aerosol formation, but the estimated temperature dependence is stronger than found in recent laboratory experiments.
Differential effects of the hypocretin 1 receptor antagonist SB 334867 on high‐fat food self‐administration and reinstatement of food seeking in rats
Authors: Nair S G , Golden S A , Shaham Y
Published: January 2008

Background and purpose:

Many studies have demonstrated a role of hypocretin 1 (orexin 1) receptors in home‐cage food consumption in rodents. However, the role of these receptors in operant food self‐administration or relapse to food seeking in animal models is unknown.

Experimental approach:

In Experiment 1, we trained food‐restricted rats (16–20 g per day) to lever press for high‐fat (35%) pellets (3–6 h per day, every other day). We then tested the effect of the hypocretin 1 receptor antagonist SB 334867 (10, 20 mg kg−1, i.p) on pellet self‐administration. In Experiment 2, we trained rats to self‐administer the food pellets, and following extinction of the food‐reinforced responding, we tested the effect of hypocretin 1 (3 and 6 μg, i.c.v) on reinstatement of food‐seeking and the effect of SB 334867 on this reinstatement. In Experiment 3, we tested the effect of SB 334867 on reinstatement induced by non‐contingent pellet exposure (pellet‐priming) or the pharmacological stressor yohimbine (2 mg kg−1, i.p).

Key results:

SB 334867 attenuated high‐fat pellet self‐administration. In contrast, SB 334867 had no effect on reinstatement of lever presses induced by hypocretin 1, pellet‐priming or yohimbine.

Conclusions and implications:

These data indicate that during dieting, hypocretin 1 receptors contribute to operant high‐fat pellet self‐administration, but not to relapse to food seeking induced by acute re‐exposure to the food itself or by the induction of a stress‐like state.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 154, 406–416; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.3; published online 28 January 2008