bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Constructing cultural relevance in science: A case study of two elementary teachers
Authors: Patchen Terri , Cox‐Petersen Anne
Published: April 2008

Classrooms across the United States increasingly find White teachers paired with ethnic minority students, but few of these teachers are prepared for the disparities such cultural integration presents. This is particularly true vis‐à‐vis science education. While classrooms have diversified, science instruction has not necessarily followed suit. Two theories, constructivism and culturally relevant pedagogy, have been identified as mechanisms to diminish the disparities in science education. Yet culturally relevant pedagogy has not had the same impact as constructivism, even though it has been posited as a crucial means to better assure ethnic minority access to education. A case study of two classroom teachers investigates whether and how constructivism can be leveraged to develop culturally relevant pedagogy in science instruction. Identifying practical possibilities for culturally relevant pedagogy in science education is important for students, teachers, and the future of the U.S. workforce because it provides a means of increasing marginalized students' access to science and technological fields. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed 92:994–1014, 2008
The recency of technological inputs and financial performance
Authors: Heeley Michael B. , Jacobson Robert
Published: April 2008

Inventions differ in terms of the age of the knowledge base they build upon. We examine what effects differences in the recency of knowledge inputs have on financial performance. Using threshold regression analysis, we isolate three regimes that exhibit different associations between recency and stock return. We find that for firms whose new patents use inputs in the mid‐range of the technological recency distribution, the relationship is positive; higher recency leads to higher stock return. However, for firms whose new patents make use of either nascent or very mature technological inputs, the effects are negative; higher recency leads to lower stock return. These findings indicate that it is not firms utilizing the most recent technological inputs that experience the highest returns to their inventive activity. Indeed, firms operating at the technological input frontier have market returns significantly below the mean. Rather, it is firms whose new patents utilize medial‐aged technological inputs (i.e., firms using inputs slightly behind the technology frontier) that tend to experience the highest returns. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Research Trends for Mechanical Characterization of MEMS Materials in Korea: Research Needs and New Developments
Authors: Kim Jae‐Hyun , Lee Hak‐Joo , Choa Sung‐Hoon
Published: April 2008

The mechanical properties of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) materials are the basic parameters for designing MEMS devices and evaluating their reliability. The methods used to measure them, however, are not yet well established, and several unresolved issues require further investigation. In this paper, we introduce recent work on the mechanical characterization of MEMS materials in Korea with an emphasis on research needs and new developments. After a description of the research needs of MEMS industries, research activities on tensile and fatigue tests are introduced. Because of a strong interest in simpler test methods in Korea, their concepts and technical issues are described, especially for indentation, strip‐bending, and pillar compression tests. Some techniques based on atomic force microscope (AFM) are also introduced as new research activities. © 2008 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Extraction of Alpha Activities from an EEG Obtained During Gum Chewing
Authors: Sakata Osamu , Kohyama Kaoru , Satake Takaaki , Saito Yoichi
Published: April 2008

We propose a method for extracting alpha activities from electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings contaminated by noise from sources such as electromyograms (EMGs), electro‐oculograms (EOGs), or blinking, using independent component analysis (ICA) with simple preprocessing. In the preprocessing, Gaussian signals are connected to the back and front of the original EEG data. Then waveforms of the original EEG are not subjected to any change in shape. In this paper, we extract alpha activities from an EEG recorded while a subject chews gum. As a result, the ICA separation accuracy is often improved, and alpha activities during gum chewing can be successfully extracted. Furthermore, we investigate whether or not the extracted signals satisfy the general characteristics of an alpha rhythm. Copyright © 2008 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Dependence of the LC Parameter on the Temperature Rise of a Resonant Circuit for Hyperthermia Implant
Authors: Kunisaki Junichi , Takano Azusa , Yamada Tsutomu , Takemura Yasushi
Published: April 2008

Hyperthermia is a therapeutic procedure for raising the body temperature in cancer patients. A resonant circuit is expected to be used as the heating source for hyperthermia, because the circuit can be heated by an applied AC magnetic field. In order to miniaturize the resonant circuit, optimal design of the circuit parameters is essential. In this paper, the characteristics of resonant circuits consisting of various combinations of the inductor and the capacitor are studied. The measurements of temperature rise and the impedance of the circuits determine the optimum circuit parameters. Copyright © 2008 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Color M‐mode propagation velocity, but not its ratio to early diastolic inflow velocity, changes throughout gestation in normal human fetuses
Authors: Moon‐Grady A. J. , Taylor D. , Bennett S. H. , Hornberger L. K. , Tacy T. A.
Published: April 2008

Objectives

Color M‐mode propagation velocity (Vp) is a measure of diastolic function in adults and, when combined with early diastolic inflow velocity (E), the ratio E/Vp reflects ventricular filling pressure. Early detection of diastolic compromise may benefit fetal patients at risk for developing heart failure. The objectives of this study were to measure values for Vp and inflow peak E in a group of normal fetuses, to analyze age‐dependent alterations in these measurements, and to evaluate the interobserver and intraobserver variability of the measurements.

Methods

Thirty‐two normal fetuses at between 20 and 35 weeks' gestation underwent echocardiography. Color M‐mode Vp was measured from the four‐chamber view for the right (RV) and left (LV) ventricles, and mitral and tricuspid inflow velocities were determined by pulsed‐wave Doppler ultrasound. The values obtained were compared with previously reported findings in adults.

Results

Adequate tracings were obtainable in 23 patients for the RV and 29 for the LV. Mean Vp values for the RV (15.3 ± 3.2 cm/s) and LV (20.8 ± 5.6 cm/s) were lower than normal adult values, and Vp values were significantly lower for the RV than the LV (P < 0.001). Applying Bazett's heart rate correction, values for RV (23.4 ± 4.8 cm/s) and LV (31.9 ± 8.7 cm/s) remained lower than normal adult values. There was a linear correlation of Vp with gestational age for the RV (R = 0.69, P < 0.001), and the ratio of E/Vp corrected for heart rate for the RV (1.51 ± 0.26) remained constant throughout gestation. Interobserver bias was high but intraobserver bias low, at 19 and 1.1%, respectively.

Conclusions

Vp is lower in fetal than in adult life. Vp for the RV changes in a manner indicative of improving diastolic function throughout normal gestation, providing insight into the alterations in diastolic function with gestation that contribute to increases in cardiac output. The use of Vp to assess diastolic function disturbance in fetuses is feasible, but high interobserver variability is problematic. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Risk Factors for Wound Infection After Surgery for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Nakamura Takatoshi , Mitomi Hiroyuki , Ihara Atsushi , Onozato Wataru , Sato Takeo , Ozawa Heita , Hatade Kazuhiko , Watanabe Masahiko
Published: April 2008

Background

Among complications after surgery for colorectal cancer, wound infections may prolong hospitalization and increase healthcare costs. This study was designed to clarify the incidence, risk factors, and pathogens responsible for wound infections after surgery for colorectal cancer.

Methods

The study group comprised 144 patients (94 men and 50 women) with colorectal cancer in whom the same surgeon at Kitasato University Hospital performed resection from January 2004 through December 2005. Their mean age was 67.1 years (range = 38–90). To identify risk factors for surgical wound infections, we examined the following 11 variables: gender, age (>65 vs. ≤65 years), body‐mass index (>25 vs. ≤25 kg/m2), the presence or absence of diabetes mellitus, physical status according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists classification (ASA score), stage of cancer according to the TNM staging system, surgical procedure (laparoscopic colectomy vs. open colectomy), procedure type (right colectomy vs. left colectomy vs. anterior resection), operation time (>180 vs. ≤180 min), intraoperative bleeding volume (>120 vs. ≤120 ml), and the presence or absence of intraoperative transfusion. Tissue specimens of infected wounds were cultured to identify pathogens.

Results

Postoperative wound infections occurred in 12% (17/144) of the patients. In univariate analyses, the incidence of wound infection was 26% (11/43) in patients who underwent open colectomy compared with 6% (6/101) in those who underwent laparoscopic colectomy. This difference was significant (P = 0.001). In multivariate analyses, only surgical procedure was identified as an independent risk factor for wound infection. The odds ratio for open colectomy compared with laparoscopic colectomy was 3.322 (P = 0.021). Pus from infected wounds was cultured in 7 of the 17 patients and cultures were positive for pathogens in 5 patients: 1 laparoscopic colectomy and 4 open colectomy. Bacteroides species were the most common pathogen.

Conclusion

To prevent wound infections after surgery for colorectal cancer, laparoscopic surgery should be performed when indicated.
Transglutaminase 2 activity promotes membrane resealing after mechanical damage in the lung cancer cell line A549
Authors: Kawai Yoshiki , Wada Fumitaka , Sugimura Yoshiaki , Maki Masatoshi , Hitomi Kiyotaka
Published: April 2008

Transglutaminase is a Ca2+‐dependent enzyme catalyzing protein cross‐linking reactions. We investigated the contribution of this enzyme to the resealing of the injured plasma membrane in animal cells, using a lung cancer‐derived cell line, A549. After mechanical injury by razor‐scratching, the level of membrane resealing was estimated by differential incorporation of dextrans labeled with two distinct fluorescent dyes. The recovery level was decreased in the presence of excess primary amine, as a competitive inhibitor of transglutaminase. We established a cell line that stably expresses shRNA (short hairpin RNA) to specifically inhibit the expression of TGase 2 (tissue‐type isozyme of transglutaminase) and confirmed the suppressed resealing level in the cell. Furthermore, additional expression of TGase 2 rescued the ability for membrane resealing. These results show that, after mechanical damage, this enzyme appeared to contribute to membrane resealing.
Proliferation, multipotency and neuronal differentiation of cryopreserved neural progenitor cells derived from the olfactory neuroepithelium of the adult rat
Authors: Xue Tao , Qiao Li , Qiu Jianhua , Lu Lianjun , Zha Dingjun , Wei Li
Published: April 2008

The use of olfactory neuroepithelium neural progenitor cells for transplantation has attracted attention in the treatment of many neurological disorders, which require efficient recovery methods and cryopreservation procedures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate different cryopreservation techniques for neural progenitor cells derived from the olfactory neuroepithelium (ONe NPCs) in adult rats. Initially, we compared the survival rates of cryopreserved ONe NPCs treated with six different cryoprotectants: dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), ethylene glycol (EG) and glycerol, each with or without 10% FBS and with two different storage periods in liquid nitrogen (−196 °C), specifically 3 days short‐term storage and 3 months long‐term storage. We assessed the recovery efficiency of ONe NPCs after freezing and thawing by viability testing and colony‐forming assay as well as immunocytochemistry under different conditions. No significant difference in the survival rate was observed among these different cryoprotectants. With these protocols, ONe NPCs retained their multipotency and differentiated into glial (GFAP‐positive), neuronal (NeuN‐positive) and oligodendroglia (Galc‐positive) cells. Collectively, our results imply that, under optimal conditions, ONe NPCs might be cryopreserved for periods of >3 months without losing their proliferative and multipotency activities.
Effect of biventricular pacing on symptoms and cardiac remodelling in patients with end‐stage hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Rogers Dominic P.S. , Marazia Stefania , Chow Anthony W. , Lambiase Pier D. , Lowe Martin D. , Frenneaux Michael , McKenna William J. , Elliott Perry M.
Published: April 2008

Background:

Biventricular (BiV) pacing is an established therapy for heart failure in ischaemic and dilated cardiomyopathy. Its effects in end‐stage hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are unknown.

Aims:

To assess the potential benefits of BiV pacing in patients with symptomatic end‐stage HCM.

Methods:

Twenty patients with non‐obstructive HCM (12 male, mean age 57±13 years), left bundle branch block and symptoms of heart failure refractory to medical therapy underwent implantation of a BiV device. NYHA class, echocardiographic parameters and exercise capacity were assessed before and after implantation.

Results:

At a mean follow‐up of 13±6 months, an improvement of at least one NYHA class was reported in 8 (40%) patients. A clinical response was associated with an increase in ejection fraction (from 41±14% to 50±12%, p=0.009), and reductions in left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter (from 57±6 mm to 52±7 mm, p=0.031) and left atrial diameter (from 65±8 mm to 57±6 mm, p=0.005). Percentage predicted peak oxygen consumption was unchanged in responders but significantly declined in non‐responders (p=0.029).

Conclusions:

BiV pacing improved heart failure symptoms in a significant proportion of patients with end‐stage HCM. Symptomatic improvement was associated with reverse remodelling of the left atrium and ventricle.
Interferon γ is recognised by importin α/β: Enhanced nuclear localising and transactivation activities of an interferon γ mimetic
Authors: Fulcher Alex J. , Ahmed Chulbul M.I. , Noon-Song Ezra N. , Kwan Rain Y.Q. , Subramaniam Prem S. , Johnson Howard M. , Jans David A.
Published: April 2008

MINT‐6478573, MINT‐6478550, MINT‐6478516:

IFN gamma (uniprotkb:P01580) directly interacts (MI:0407) with IMP beta (uniprotkb:Q6GTI5) and IMP alpha (uniprotkb:P52293) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (MI:0411)

MINT‐6478503, MINT‐6478490:

IFN gamma (uniprotkb:P01580) directly interacts (MI:0407) with IMP alpha (uniprotkb:P52293) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (MI:0411)

MINT‐6478601:

T-ag (uniprotkb:P03070) directly interacts (MI:0407) with IMP beta (uniprotkb:Q6GTI5) and IMP alpha (uniprotkb:P52293) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (MI:0411)

MINT‐6478541:

T-ag (uniprotkb:P03070) directly interacts (MI:0407) with IMP alpha (uniprotkb:P52293) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (MI:0411)
Downregulation of CCND1 and CDK6 by miR‐34a induces cell cycle arrest
Authors: Sun Fang , Fu Hanjiang , Liu Qin , Tie Yi , Zhu Jie , Xing Ruiyun , Sun Zhixian , Zheng Xiaofei
Published: April 2008

miRNAs regulate gene expression by inhibiting translation or by targeting messenger RNA (mRNA) for degradation in a post‐transcriptional fashion. In the present study, we show that ectopic expression of miR‐34a reduces both mRNA and protein levels of cyclin D1 (CCND1) and cyclin‐dependent kinase 6 (CDK6). We also demonstrate that miR‐34a targets the 3′‐untranslated mRNA region of CCND1 as well as CDK6, which in turn interferes with phosphorylation of retinoblastoma. In addition, we show that overexpression of miR‐34a induces a significant G1 cell‐cycle arrest in the A549 cell line. Taken together, our data suggest that the effects of miR‐34a on G1 cell cycle arrest are through the down‐regulation of CCND1 and CDK6, which is associated with other targets of miR‐34a either additively or synergistically.
A supplementation study in human subjects with a combination ofmeso-zeaxanthin, (3R,3′R)-zeaxanthin and (3R,3′R,6′R)-lutein
Authors: Thurnham David I. , Trémel Aurélie , Howard Alan N.
Published: April 2008

We measured the blood uptake ofmeso-zeaxanthin (MZ) from a mixture of macular pigments since its bioavailability in man has not been studied. Volunteers (ten men and nine women) were recruited and received one capsule of Lutein Plus®/d. Blood was taken at baseline, day 10 and day 22. One capsule contained 10·8 mg lutein, 1·2 mg (3R,3′R)-zeaxanthin and 8·0 mg MZ. Plasma lutein and total zeaxanthin concentrations were quantified using isocratic liquid chromatography and the eluting xanthophyll fractions were collected and re-chromatographed on a chiral column to assess the proportion of MZ. Plasma concentrations per mg dose at day 22 suggested that (3R,3′R)-zeaxanthin (0·088 μmol/l per mg) was about 50 % more actively retained by the body than lutein (0·056 μmol/l per mg) (although the difference was not significant in women) and 2·5–3·0 times more than MZ (0·026 μmol/l per mg). Concentrations of MZ at day 22 were 2·5 times higher in women than men. The plasma responses from lutein and (3R,3′R)-zeaxanthin in the Lutein Plus®were lower than literature values for the pure substances. That is, their uptake into plasma appeared to be slightly depressed by the presence of MZ. Plasma concentrations of β-carotene were depressed by about 50 % at day 10 and about 35 % at day 22. In conclusion, the lower plasma response to MZ compared with (3R,3′R)-zeaxanthin probably indicates that MZ is less well absorbed than (3R,3′R)-zeaxanthin but work with pure MZ will be needed to confirm that the lower plasma response was not due to the large amount of lutein in the Lutein Plus®.
Late Pliocene volcaniclastic products from Southern Apennines: distal witness of early explosive volcanism in the central Tyrrhenian Sea
Authors: PROSSER GIACOMO , BENTIVENGA MARIO , LAURENZI MARINELLA A. , CAGGIANELLI ALFREDO , DELLINO PIERFRANCESCO , DORONZO DOMENICO
Published: April 2008

Two volcaniclastic successions intercalated in Pliocene basinal clays from the Southern Apennines have been analysed to determine their provenance and their relationship with the geodynamic evolution of the Western Mediterranean. The studied deposits are exclusively made up of ashy pyroclasts, dominated by fresh acidic to intermediate glass, mostly in the form of shards, pumice fragments and groundmass fragments with vitrophyric texture. Crystals include Pl, Opx, Cpx, Hbl and rare Bt. Sedimentological features suggest that the volcanic material accumulated near the basin margin by primary fallout processes and was later remobilized by density currents. 40Ar–39Ar geochronology allowed dating of one succession at 2.24±0.06 Ma, corresponding to the Late Pliocene. Composition of the volcaniclastic material is typical of a transitional high-K calc-alkaline series. The age and chemical composition constrain the provenance of the volcaniclastic rocks from the Southern Tyrrhenian domain. Here, volcanic centres were active during Pliocene time, approximately at the northern end of a volcanic arc formed before the opening of the southernmost part of the sea. This paper shows that a detailed study of volcaniclastic products from the southern Apennines and Calabria can be very useful in collecting new pieces of information on the eruption history of the southern Tyrrhenian domain, since they record additional data not available from the study of exposed volcanic edifices.
Multiple magmatic fabrics in plutons: an overlooked tool for exploring interactions between magmatic processes and regional deformation?
Authors: ŽÁK JIŘÍ , VERNER KRYŠTOF , TÝCOVÁ PATRICIE
Published: April 2008

This paper elaborates on the concept of multiple magmatic fabrics in plutons. After a general overview of various types of multiple fabrics that may develop in magmatic rocks, two case examples of porphyritic granite and melasyenite plutons in the Bohemian Massif are examined. In the Jizera granite, complex variations in K-feldspar phenocryst shape-fabric revealed by image analysis of a 200 m long section of an underground tunnel are in contrast with homogeneously oriented magnetic (AMS) fabric carried by coaxial contributions of biotite, magnetite and maghemite. In the Knížecí Stolec melasyenite pluton, emplacement-related margin-parallel feldspar foliation was overprinted by flat-lying foliation; the latter is interpreted to record regional tectonic strain. At the two stations examined in detail, the crystallographic-preferred orientation of biotite and amphibole in the inter-phenocryst matrix (measured using electron back-scatter diffraction – EBSD) differed from both feldspar fabric and also from the AMS principal directions. Multiple magmatic fabrics in these two plutons are interpreted in terms of fabric superposition, where late weak strain is superposed onto a high-strength phenocryst framework, but is accommodated preferentially by small mineral grains (biotite, magnetite) in the melt-bearing matrix. This mechanism may explain the discrepancy between mesoscopic feldspar fabric and AMS. We conclude that multiple magmatic fabrics in plutons may thus result from accumulated strain caused by different processes during final crystallization and, as such, may serve as a sensitive indicator of the evolving interactions between magmatic and tectonic processes in the Earth's crust.
Biological therapy of salivary duct carcinoma
Authors: Nashed M , Casasola R J
Published: April 2008

Background:

The incidence of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positivity in salivary duct carcinoma ranges from 25 to 100 per cent and is associated with a poor outcome. Salivary duct carcinoma has significant pathological similarities to ductal carcinoma of the breast.

Methods and results:

A 49-year-old man developed lung and liver metastasis a few months after surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy for salivary duct carcinoma of the parotid gland. There was no response to palliative chemotherapy with doxorubicin. We followed the biological model of breast cancer, whereby two-thirds of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive patients respond to a combination of docetaxel and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 blocker (trastuzumab). A durable, complete response was achieved with this combination. A rationalised treatment approach targeting the biological characteristics of salivary duct carcinoma had proven successful.
A systematic review of older people's perceptions of facilitators and barriers to participation in falls-prevention interventions
Authors: BUNN FRANCES , DICKINSON ANGELA , BARNETT-PAGE ELAINE , MCINNES ELIZABETH , HORTON KHIM
Published: April 2008

The prevention of falls is currently high on the health policy agenda in the United Kingdom, which has led to the establishment of many falls-prevention services. If these are to be effective, however, the acceptability of services to older people needs to be considered. This paper reports a systematic review of studies of older people's perceptions of these interventions. The papers for review were identified by searching electronic databases, checking reference lists, and contacting experts. Two authors independently screened the studies and extracted data on the factors relating to participation in, or adherence to, falls-prevention strategies. Twenty-four studies were identified, of which 12 were qualitative. Only one study specifically examined interventions that promote participation in falls-prevention programmes; the others explored older people's attitudes and views. The factors that facilitated participation included social support, low intensity exercise, greater education, involvement in decision-making, and a perception of the programmes as relevant and life-enhancing. Barriers to participation included fatalism, denial and under-estimation of the risk of falling, poor self-efficacy, no previous history of exercise, fear of falling, poor health and functional ability, low health expectations and the stigma associated with programmes that targeted older people.
Optimal configuration of dual-arm cam-lock robot based on task-space manipulability
Authors: Osgouie Kambiz Ghaemi , Meghdari Ali , Sohrabpour Saeed
Published: April 2008

In this paper obtaining the optimal configuration of the dual-arm cam-lock (DACL) robot at a specific point is addressed. The objective is to optimize the applicable task-space force in a desired direction. The DACL robot is a reconfigurable manipulator formed by two parallel cooperative arms. The arms normally operate redundantly but when needed, they can lock into each other in certain joints in order to achieve a higher stiffness, while losing some degrees of freedom. Furthermore, the dynamics of the DACL robot is discussed and parametrically formulated. Considering the geometrical constraints at a given point in the robot's workspace, the optimum configuration for maximizing the cooperatively applicable force by dual arms is determined.
Whither Jewish Music? Jewish Studies, Music Scholarship, and the Tilt Between Seminary and University
Authors: Cohen Judah M.
Published: April 2008

In this essay, I explore the history of what has conventionally been described as “Jewish music” research in relation to parallel developments in both ethnomusicology and Jewish studies in the American academic world during the twentieth century. As a case study, I argue, the issues inherent in understanding Jewish music's historical trajectory offer a complex portrait of scholarship that spans the discourses of community, practice, identity, and ideology. Subject to the principles of Wissenschaft since the second half of the nineteenth century, Jewish music study has constantly negotiated the lines between the scholar and practitioner; between the seminary, the conservatory, and the university; between the good of science, the assertion of a coherent Jewish narrative in history, and the perceived need to reconnect an attenuating Jewish populace with its reinvented traditions; and between the core questions of musicology, comparative musicology, theology, and modern ethnomusicology.
Irano-Talmudica I: The Three-Legged Ass and Ridyā in B. Ta‘anith: Some Observations about Mythic Hydrology in the Babylonian Talmud and in Ancient Iran
Authors: Kiperwasser Reuven , Shapira Dan D. Y.
Published: April 2008

In this paper we shall study an aggadic tradition from the Babylonian Talmud while trying to find traces of early Iranian mythological conceptions that were absorbed by the talmudic sages as a part of their own biblically enrooted knowledge. We shall also attempt to gain a better understanding of the talmudic text by presuming that it reflects ideas absorbed from the Iranian—or, rather, “Iraqian”—environment. Occasionally, however, early Iranian myths do not always survive in their original, complete forms, and sometimes only fragmentary remains in medieval Zoroastrian literature can be used for their reconstruction. The so-called ninth-century books in Pahlavi were edited by Zoroastrian priests at a rather late date, and in a quite tendentious manner. Significantly, the bulk of the numerous “pagan” strains were excised, probably because the editing work took place in a Muslim environment, and our knowledge of the actual popular religions of Sasanian—or, for our purpose, talmudic—western Iran and Mesopotamia/Iraq is far from adequate. Thus, every piece of secondary evidence regarding the popular Iranian beliefs is precious.
Identification of hydrologic indicators related to fish diversity and abundance: A data mining approach for fish community analysis
Authors: Yang Yi‐Chen E. , Cai Ximing , Herricks Edwin E.
Published: April 2008

This paper develops a new approach to identify hydrologic indicators related to fish community and generate a quantitative function between an ecological target index and the identified hydrologic indicators. The approach is based on genetic programming (GP), a data mining method. Using the Shannon Index (a fish community diversity index) or the number of individuals (total abundance) of a fish community, as an ecological target, the GP identified the most ecologically relevant hydrologic indicators (ERHIs) from 32 indicators of hydrologic alteration, for the case study site, the upper Illinois River. Robustness analysis showed that different GP runs found a similar set of ERHIs; each of the identified ERHI from different GP runs had a consistent relationship with the target index. By comparing the GP results with those from principal component analysis and autecology matrix, the three approaches identified a small number (six) of common ERHIs. Particularly, the timing of low flow (Dmin) seems to be more relevant to the diversity of the fish community, while the magnitude of the low flow (Qb) is more relevant to the total fish abundance; large rising rates result in a significant improvement of fish diversity, which is counterintuitive and against previous findings. The quantitative function developed by GP was further used to construct an indicator impact matrix (IIM), which was demonstrated as a potentially useful tool for streamflow restoration design.
Controls on plume heat flux and plume excess temperature
Authors: Leng Wei , Zhong Shijie
Published: April 2008

Plume heat flux and plume excess temperature in the upper mantle inferred from surface observations may pose important constraints on the heat flux from the core and mantle internal heating rate. This study examined the relationship between plume heat flux Qp, core‐mantle boundary (CMB) heat flux Qcmb and plume excess temperature ΔTplume in thermal convection using both numerical modeling and theoretical analysis. 3‐D regional spherical models of mantle convection were computed with high resolution and for different Rayleigh number, internal heat generation rate, viscosity structures and dissipation number. An analytic model was developed for variations in Qp and ΔTplume with depth. The results can be summarized as following. (1) Mantle plumes immediately above the CMB carry nearly 80%–90% of the CMB heat flux. (2) Qp and ΔTplume decrease by approximately a factor of two for plumes to ascend from near the CMB to the upper mantle depth. (3) Our analytic model indicates that the decrease in Qp and ΔTplume is mainly controlled by the steeper adiabatic gradient of plumes compared with the ambient mantle and the reduction ratios for Qp and ΔTplume due to this effect depend upon the dissipation number and the distance over which plumes ascend. (4) The subadiabatic temperature also contributes to the reduction of Qp and ΔTplume, but its contribution is only 20% to 30%. Subadiabatic temperature from our models with >50% internal heating rate ranges from 35 K to 170 K for CMB temperature of 3400°C. (5) Our results confirms that ∼70% internal heating rate for the mantle or Qcmb of ∼11 TW is required to reproduce the plume‐related observations.
Interannual variability of the Subpolar Mode Water properties over the Reykjanes Ridge during 1990–2006
Authors: Thierry V. , de Boisséson E. , Mercier H.
Published: April 2008

Combining hydrographic data from the OVIDE (Observatoire de la Variabilité Interannuelle à Decennale/Observatory of the Interannual to Decadal Variability) section (Greenland‐Portugal) with Argo and historical CTD data over the period 1990–2006, we estimate the variability of the core properties of a variety of Subpolar Mode Water (SPMW) observed on the eastern flank of the Reykjanes Ridge. This SPMW acquires its core properties in the winter mixed layer along the eastern side of the Reykjanes Ridge. We find that the February sea surface temperature along the ridge is a proxy for its core temperature. The sources of this mode water are water masses advected by the mean cyclonic circulation in the Iceland Basin. A density compensated tendency for cooling and freshening of the SPMW core properties is observed in the early 1990s. It stops in 1996 and is followed by an increase in temperature and salinity (+1.41°C and +0.11 psu) and a decrease in density (−0.12 kg m−3) until at least 2003. During the entire period, the data do not show any significant modification in the depth of the mode water core while they suggest that the thickness of the layer shrank. The variability of the local air‐sea freshwater and heat fluxes cannot explain the observed salinity and temperature variations. They are most likely related to the modifications of the properties of the SPMW sources due to the recently evidenced changes, driven by the North Atlantic Oscillation, in the relative contributions of subtropical waters and subpolar waters in the Iceland Basin.
Mesoscale Dongsha Cyclonic Eddy in the northern South China Sea by drifter and satellite observations
Authors: Chow Chun‐Hoe , Hu Jian‐Hwa , Centurioni Luca R. , Niiler Pearn P.
Published: April 2008

Near the center of the northern South China Sea (NSCS), the Dongsha atoll is situated on the continental slope that runs from Taiwan to Hainan. A mesoscale cyclonic eddy, south or southwest of Dongsha, seems to appear annually and has been identified as the Dongsha Cyclonic Eddy (DCE). Historical drifter (1988–2005) and satellite altimeter (2000–2005) data were adopted to study the variations to, and characteristics of, the DCE. Some typical features were derived such as mean tangential speed of ∼20 cm/s, moving speed of ∼8 km/d (i.e., 9 cm/s), eddy size of ∼22 × 103 km2, center sea surface lowering (height difference, DIF) of ∼6 cm, and angular velocity of ∼9°/d. Mean tangential speeds of 12–16 cm/s in late spring and summer are slower than those of 16–31 cm/s in winter and early spring. Moving speeds are of the order of the Rossby wave at NSCS latitudes. Variations in the time series of eddy size and DIF are generally similar and show a positive linear relation between them. The DCE starts near Dongsha and moves southwestward along the continental slope at a depth of 1000–2000 m. The eddy peaks with maximum eddy size and DIF when reaching 114°E, and then diminishes south of Hainan because of trapping of the underwater bay formed by the continental slope. The DCE typically exists 1–2 times per year and lasts 1–3 months. Roughly 90% of observed DCEs formed in winter or spring. A unique DCE was identified in the summer of 2000 and lasted for over 4 months. Its birth was associated with typhoon Kai‐Tak. The positive linear relationship between eddy size and DIF in this case was unique before reaching 114°E and then returned to the typical relationship of other DCEs. The DIF of this unique DCE attained the highest of 24 cm right at the climax longitude. According to AVHHR and SeaWIFs images, such a DCE is associated with a core of which sea surface temperature is ∼2°C lower and chlorophyll‐a concentration is ∼0.1 mg/m3 higher than those of surrounding seas. Migration of the DCE may be linked to tuna fish farms in the NSCS.
On the appropriate “equivalent aperture” for the description of solute transport in single fractures: Laboratory‐scale experiments
Authors: Zheng Q. , Dickson S. E. , Guo Y.
Published: April 2008

Three distinct definitions of “equivalent aperture” have been used in the literature to describe variable‐aperture fractures; however, significant inconsistencies exist in the literature as to which “equivalent aperture” is appropriate for simulating solute transport. In this work, a systematic series of hydraulic and tracer tests was conducted on three laboratory‐scale fracture replicas, and the cubic law, mass balance, and frictional loss apertures were calculated. The analytical solution of the one‐dimensional advection‐dispersion equation was fit to the experimental breakthrough curves. Additionally, one of the experimental aperture fields was measured directly using a light transmission technique. The results clearly demonstrate that the mass balance aperture is the only appropriate “equivalent aperture” for describing solute transport in a single variable aperture fracture and that the mass balance aperture is an excellent approximation of the arithmetic mean aperture. Previously, these conclusions have been reached based only on theoretical and numerical analyses.
Molecular analysis of the gut microbiota of identical twins with Crohn's disease
Authors: Dicksved Johan , Halfvarson Jonas , Rosenquist Magnus , Järnerot Gunnar , Tysk Curt , Apajalahti Juha , Engstrand Lars , Jansson Janet K
Published: April 2008

Increasing evidence suggests that a combination of host genetics and the composition of the gut microbiota are important for development of Crohn's disease (CD). Our aim was to study identical twins with CD to determine microbial factors independent of host genetics. Fecal samples were studied from 10 monozygotic twin pairs with CD (discordant n=6 and concordant n=4) and 8 healthy twin pairs. DNA was extracted, 16S rRNA genes were PCR amplified and T-RFLP fingerprints generated using general bacterial and Bacteroides group-specific primers. The microbial communities were also profiled based on their percentage G+C contents. Bacteroides 16S rRNA genes were cloned and sequenced from a subset of the samples. The bacterial diversity in each sample and similarity indices between samples were estimated based on the T-RFLP data using a combination of statistical approaches. Healthy individuals had a significantly higher bacterial diversity compared to individuals with CD. The fecal microbial communities were more similar between healthy twins than between twins with CD, especially when these were discordant for the disease. The microbial community profiles of individuals with ileal CD were significantly different from healthy individuals and those with colonic CD. Also, CD individuals had a lower relative abundance of B. uniformis and higher relative abundances of B. ovatus and B. vulgatus. Our results suggest that genetics and/or environmental exposure during childhood, in part, determine the gut microbial composition. However, CD is associated with dramatic changes in the gut microbiota and this was particularly evident for individuals with ileal CD.
Queuine promotes antioxidant defence system by activating cellular antioxidant enzyme activities in cancer
Authors: Pathak Chandramani , Jaiswal Yogesh K. , Vinayak Manjula
Published: April 2008

Constant generation of ROS (reactive oxygen species) during normal cellular metabolism of an organism is generally balanced by a similar rate of consumption by antioxidants. Imbalance between ROS production and antioxidant defence results in an increased level of ROS, causing oxidative stress, which leads to promotion of malignancy. Queuine is a hyper-modified base analogue of guanine, found at the first anticodon position of the Q-family of tRNAs. These tRNAs are completely modified with respect to queuosine in terminally differentiated somatic cells; however, hypo-modification of Q-tRNAs is closely associated with cell proliferation. Q-tRNA modification is essential for normal development, differentiation and cellular function. Queuine is a nutrient factor for eukaryotes. It is found to promote the cellular antioxidant defence system and inhibit tumorigenesis. The activities of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase are found to be low in the DLAT (Dalton's lymphoma ascites transplanted) mouse liver compared with normal mouse liver. However, exogenous administration of queuine to the DLAT cancerous mouse improves the activities of antioxidant enzymes. These results suggest that queuine promotes the antioxidant defence system by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities and in turn inhibits oxidative stress and tumorigenesis.
Numerical studies of demagnetizing effects in triangular ring arrays
Authors: Bordignon Giuliano , Fischbacher Thomas , Franchin Matteo , Zimmermann Jürgen P. , de Groot Peter A. J. , Fangohr Hans
Published: April 2008

We study the effect of the magnetostatic field in a two-dimensional periodic square array of Permalloy triangular rings by means of micromagnetic simulations. The rings have a lateral size of 50nm, an edge width of 8nm, and the thickness is 10nm. Applying an external field to one of the elements and assuming the rest of the array to be in the remanent state, we show how the remanent magnetization and coercive field are affected by the magnetostatic field of the array, both as a function of the distance between the elements and as a function of the number of elements used to model the periodic array. We provide an estimate of the minimum distance for an independent behavior of the elements, and we show that a model with the first and second nearest neighbors of an element can accurately approximate the effect of a much larger array.
Proton transfer in a polar solvent from ring polymer reaction rate theory
Authors: Collepardo-Guevara Rosana , Craig Ian R. , Manolopoulos David E.
Published: April 2008

We have used the ring polymer molecular dynamics method to study the Azzouz–Borgis model for proton transfer between phenol (AH) and trimethylamine (B) in liquid methyl chloride. When the A–H distance is used as the reaction coordinate, the ring polymer trajectories are found to exhibit multiple recrossings of the transition state dividing surface and to give a rate coefficient that is smaller than the quantum transition state theory value by an order of magnitude. This is to be expected on kinematic grounds for a heavy-light-heavy reaction when the light atom transfer coordinate is used as the reaction coordinate, and it clearly precludes the use of transition state theory with this reaction coordinate. As has been shown previously for this problem, a solvent polarization coordinate defined in terms of the expectation value of the proton transfer distance in the ground adiabatic quantum state provides a better reaction coordinate with less recrossing. These results are discussed in light of the wide body of earlier theoretical work on the Azzouz–Borgis model and the considerable range of previously reported values for its proton and deuteron transfer rate coefficients.
Correlated entanglement distillation and the structure of the set of undistillable states
Authors: Brandão F. G. S. L. , Eisert J.
Published: April 2008

We consider entanglement distillation under the assumption that the input states are allowed to be correlated among each other. We hence replace the usually considered independent and identically distributed hypothesis by the weaker assumption of merely having identical reductions. We find that whether a state is then distillable or not is only a property of these reductions, and not of the correlations that are present in the input state. This is shown by establishing an appealing relation between the set of copy-correlated undistillable states and the standard set of undistillable states: The former turns out to be the convex hull of the latter. As an example of the usefulness of our approach to the study of entanglement distillation, we prove a new activation result, which generalizes earlier findings: It is shown that for every entangled state σ and every k, there exists a copy-correlated k-undistillable state ρ such that σ⊗ρ is single-copy distillable. Finally, the relation of our results to the conjecture about the existence of bound entangled states with a nonpositive partial transpose is discussed.
Lower bounds for the kinetic energy and resistance of wire array Z pinches on the Z pulsed-power accelerator
Authors: Waisman Eduardo M. , Cuneo M. E. , Lemke R. W. , Sinars D. B. , Stygar W. A.
Published: April 2008

Approximate lower bounds for the kinetic energy and magnetic flux dissipation for tungsten wire arrays on the Z pulsed-power accelerator at Sandia National Laboratories [R. B. Spielman et al., Phys. Plasmas 5, 2105 (1998)] are obtained. A procedure, extending previous work determining pinch inductance as a function of time [E. M. Waisman et al., Phys. Plasmas 11, 2009 (2004)], is introduced and applied to electrical and x-ray energy measurements. It employs the pinch energy balance to determine lower bounds for the plasma kinetic energy just before the main pinch reaches the axis and for the magnetic flux dissipation during stagnation. From the lower bound for the dissipated flux, a lower bound for pinch resistance after x-ray peak power is estimated. The results of applying the introduced energy balance procedure to selected tungsten wire array implosions on Z are given. It is believed that this is the first time that a measure of wire array Z-pinch resistance at stagnation is obtained purely from data analysis without recourse to specific assumptions on the plasma motion.
An approach to the bulk textured Fe81Ga19 rods with large magnetostriction
Authors: Zhou J. K. , Li J. G.
Published: April 2008

Bulk textured Fe81Ga19 alloy with large magnetostiction of up to 830ppm is fabricated using the technique of rapid directional solidification by triggering the undercooled Fe81Ga19 melts. The saturation magnetostriction is about two times as large as the maximum of the earlier report on Fe–Ga bulk samples. The large magnetostriction is ascribed to the high concentration of Ga–Ga atom pairs created by rapid solidification and their preferential orientation in the [100] textured rod.
New algorithm in the basin hopping Monte Carlo to find the global minimum structure of unary and binary metallic nanoclusters
Authors: Kim Hyoung Gyu , Choi Si Kyung , Lee Hyuck Mo
Published: April 2008

The basin-hopping Monte Carlo algorithm was modified to more effectively determine a global minimum structure in pure and binary metallic nanoclusters. For a pure metallic Ag55 nanocluster, the newly developed quadratic basin-hopping Monte Carlo algorithm is 3.8 times more efficient than the standard basin-hopping Monte Carlo algorithm. For a bimetallic Ag42Pd13 nanocluster, the new algorithm succeeds in finding the global minimum structure by 18.3% even though the standard basin-hopping Monte Carlo algorithm fails to achieve it.
Hydrogen storage in pure and Li-doped carbon nanopores: Combined effects of concavity and doping
Authors: Cabria I. , López M. J. , Alonso J. A.
Published: April 2008

Density functional calculations are reported for the adsorption of molecular hydrogen on carbon nanopores. Two models for the pores have been considered: (i) The inner walls of (7,7) carbon nanotubes and (ii) the highly curved inner surface of nanotubes capped on one end. The effect of Li doping is investigated in all cases. The hydrogen physisorption energies increase due to the concavity effect inside the clean nanotubes and on the bottom of the capped nanotubes. Li doping also enhances the physisorption energies. The sum of those two effects leads to an increase by a factor of almost 3 with respect to the physisorption in the outer wall of undoped nanotubes and in flat graphene. Application of a quantum-thermodynamical model to clean cylindrical pores of diameter 9.5Å, the diameter of the (7,7) tube, indicates that cylindrical pores of this size can store enough hydrogen to reach the volumetric and gravimetric goals of the Department of Energy at 77K and low pressures, although not at 300K. The results are useful to explain the experiments on porous carbons. Optimizations of the pore size, concavity, and doping appear as promising alternatives for achieving the goals at room temperature.