bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Speed versus manoeuvrability: association between vertebral number and habitat structure in lacertid lizards
Authors: Van Damme Raoul , Vanhooydonck Bieke
Published: October 2002

We tested the hypothesis that the number of presacral vertebrae in lacertid lizards has evolved to meet requirements set by the structural habitat. The idea was that lizards from cluttered habitats (densely vegetated areas, stony walls and hills, rocks) would be aided by a flexible backbone with many vertebrae, ensuring manoeuvrability, whereas lizards from open habitats would require stiffer vertebrate columns, with relatively few vertebrae, favouring speed and acceleration capacity. In contrast to earlier findings in fishes and snakes, evolution of vertebral number and body size was uncorrelated in lacertid lizards. Body size also did not differ between structural habitat types (open areas, densely vegetated areas, vertical elements). Traditional analysis of variance suggests strong differences in vertebral counts between species from open areas and cluttered areas, the latter having higher numbers of presacral vertebrae. When adequate phylogenetic analyses are used, differences remain significant although the level of significance is considerably lower. Tests of the mechanistic relationships between vertebral number, bending ability, and manoeuvrability, and assessment of the relative importance of manoeuvrability and speed in habitats with varying degrees of impediment are needed to reveal the evolutionary path that has led to the differences in vertebral number.
Species separation among seven Euplotes spp. (Protozoa: Ciliophora: Hypotrichida) using PCR/RFLP analysis of nuclear ribosomal DNA
Authors: Shang Huimin , Chen Zigui , Song Weibo
Published: October 2002

Seven Euplotes spp. were investigated using amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (RFLP, riboprinting). This involved the use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify a segment of the ciliate genome, followed by restriction digestion to yield restriction fragment length polymorphisms among the seven euplotids. Distinctly different restriction digestion haplotypes and similarity indices among the seven species (0.15–0.78) were obtained, which were used to separate the seven species and construct a distance tree among them. Seven species were separated into three clusters: i.e. E. rariseta, E. eurystomus–E. woodruffi–E. octocarinatus–E. charon and E. minuta–E. vannus. The present investigation demonstrates that RFLP riboprinting is a useful technique for species separation. Some limitations of this method for inferring the relationships above species level are discussed.
Cross‐sectional geometric properties of the crocodylian humerus: an exception to Wolff's Law?
Authors: Meers Mason B.
Published: October 2002

The cross‐sectional geometric properties of the crocodylian humerus were examined in order to assess the effects of differential locomotor behaviour and habitat use on osteological properties. Several biomechanical properties of the humerus were calculated, including resistance to compression and tension, bending and torsion resistance. The biomechanical properties of the crocodylian humerus reflect little variation attributable to locomotor behaviour or natural habitat use (terrestrialvsaquatic habitat). However, the biomechanical properties of captive individuals differed from those of wild conspecifics. The results of this research suggest that crocodylian humeri maintain sufficient resistance to all loading conditions throughout life with little remodelling, though both resorption and remodelling of bone are known to occur. Consequently, crocodylian humeri do not respond to stresses incurred during life as predicted by Wolff's Law.
Minting Identity: Coinage, Ideology and the Economics of Colonization in Akhaina Magna Graecia
Authors: Papadopoulos John K.
Published: October 2002

This article focuses on the early coinage of the Akhaian cities of South Italy —
Sybaris, Kroton, Metapontion, Kaulonia, Poseidonia — against the backdrop of colonization.
Minting an early and distinctive series of coins, these centres were issuing coinage well before
their ‘mother-cities’, a phenomenon that has never been fully appreciated. With its
origins in a colonial context, the Akhaian coinage of Magna Graecia not only differs from that of
the early coin-minting states of the Greek mainland, it offers a case study that challenges
long-held assumptions and potentially contributes to a better understanding of the origins of
coinage. It does so by suggesting that coinage is much more than a symbol of authority and represents
considerably more than just an abstract notion of sovereignty or hegemony. The images or emblems
that the Akhaians of South Italy chose for their coins are those current in the contemporary
cultural landscape of the historic Akhaians, but at the same time actively recall the world of
the heroic Akhaians of the Bronze Age by referring to prehistoric measures of value. More than
his, the vicissitudes of colonial and indigenous history in parts of South Italy in the Archaic
period were not merely reflected in coinage, the coins themselves were central to the processes of
transformation. By boldly minting — constructing — their identity on coinage, the
Akhaians of South Italy chose money in order to create relations of dominance and to produce social
orders that had not existed before.
Involving the industry: Gehry's use of ‘Request for Proposals’ packages
Authors: Tombesi Paolo
Published: October 2002

A simple and now standardised method of project description linking
architectural ideas to technical requirements enables sub-contractors
to develop their proposals around their own proprietary technologies.

Frank O. Gehry and Associates' (FOG/A) sculptural
approach to building form is widely known. Their
geometrically complex designs and frequently
unorthodox use of materials, as in the Guggenheim
Museum in Bilbao [1], the Disney Concert Hall in Los
Angeles, the Experience Music Center in Seattle, and
the Neue Zollhof office complex in Düsseldorf seem
to have redefined the idea of what is possible in
architecture.
MINIMALITY OF STRONG STABLE AND UNSTABLE FOLIATIONS FOR PARTIALLY HYPERBOLIC DIFFEOMORPHISMS
Authors: Bonatti Christian , Díaz Lorenzo J. , Ures Raúl
Published: October 2002

We give a topological criterion for the minimality of the strong unstable (or stable) foliation of robustly transitive
partially hyperbolic diffeomorphisms.

As a consequence we prove that, for $3$-manifolds, there is an open and dense subset of robustly transitive
diffeomorphisms (far from homoclinic tangencies) such that either the strong stable or the strong unstable foliation is
robustly minimal.

We also give a topological condition (existence of a central periodic compact leaf) guaranteeing (for an open and dense
subset) the simultaneous minimality of the two strong foliations.

AMS 2000 Mathematics subject classification: Primary 37D25; 37C70; 37C20; 37C29
ON DETERMINATION OF A GAUGE FIELD ON ℝd FROM ITS NON-ABELIAN RADON TRANSFORM ALONG ORIENTED STRAIGHT LINES
Authors: Novikov R. G.
Published: October 2002

We consider the inverse connection problem consisting of determining a gauge field on $\mathbb{R}^d$ from its non-abelian Radon
transform along oriented straight lines. The determination is considered modulo gauge transformations. Our results
include: global uniqueness theorems for $d\geq3$, new local uniqueness theorems for $d=2$, constructive proofs
(i.e. proofs containing reconstruction procedures), counterexamples to the global uniqueness for $d=2$, a reduction to
the attenuated X-ray transform.

AMS 2000 Mathematics subject classification: Primary 53C65; 81U40
TWO-DIMENSIONAL MINIMAL GRAPHS OVER UNBOUNDED DOMAINS
Authors: Spruck Joel
Published: October 2002

In this paper we will study solution pairs $(u,D)$ of the minimal surface equation defined over an unbounded domain $D$
in $R^2$, with $u=0$ on $\partial D$. It is well known that there are severe limitations on the geometry of $D$; for
example $D$ cannot be contained in any proper wedge (angle less than $\pi$). Under the assumption of sublinear growth
in a suitably strong sense, we show that if $u$ has order of growth $\alpha$ in the sense of complex variables, then
the ‘asymptototic angle’ of $D$ must be at least $\pi/\alpha$. In particular, there are at most two such solution pairs
defined over disjoint domains. If $\alpha<1$ then $u$ cannot change sign and there is no other disjoint solution pair.
This result is sharp as can be seen by a suitable piece of Enneper’s surface which has order
$\alpha=\tfrac{2}{3}$ and asymptotic angle $\tfrac{3}{2}\pi$.

AMS 2000 Mathematics subject classification: Primary 35J60; 53A10
School stress in India: Effects on time and daily emotions
Authors: Verma Suman , Sharma Deepali , Larson Reed W.
Published: October 2002

Like adolescents in East Asia, Indian middle-class adolescents face a highly competitive examination system. This study examines the influence of school demands on the daily time use and subjective states of Indian young people. One hundred urban, middle-class, 8th-grade students carried alarm watches for 1 week and provided 4764 reports on their activities and subjective states at random times, following the procedures of the Experience Sampling Method. These adolescents were found to spend one third of their waking time in school-related activities, with girls spending more time than boys. Schoolwork generated negative subjective states as reflected in low affect state, below-average activation levels, lower feeling of choice, and higher social anxiety. These negative states were most frequent during homework. The trade-off faced by Indian adolescents were evident in the findings that those who spent more time doing homework experienced lower average emotional states and more internalising problems, while those who spent more time in leisure experienced more favourable states but also reported higher academic anxiety and lower scholastic achievement.
Social relations and academic achievement in inner-city early elementary classrooms
Authors: Estell David B. , Farmer Thomas W. , Cairns Robert B. , Cairns Beverley D.
Published: October 2002

There is a great deal of research documenting the relationship of peers to academic achievement in late childhood and adolescence, but little work documenting the extent to which this holds for younger children. The current research examined the classroom social structure and academic achievement of inner-city African-American early elementary schoolchildren. Ninety-two (53 boys, 39 girls) first-graders from two inner-city schools were followed for 2 years. Teacher ratings of popularity and academic ability were positively related, and distinct peer groups marked by similar levels of achievement of constituent members were identified. Longitudinal analyses found support for selective affiliation based on academic achievement.
Dear Santa: The effects of television advertising on young children
Authors: Pine Karen J. , Nash Avril
Published: October 2002

Every day children are exposed to the selling messages of advertisers via the television. There is some debate in the literature over the age at which young children can distinguish television advertisements from programmes, when they can remember and want what they see and when they are able to understand that the advertiser’s motive is to sell a product. Resolution of the debate has been hampered by methodological difficulties and paradigms which fail to fully capture and explain children’s responses to advertisements. This study uses a novel and ecologically valid method of exploring how toy advertising affects children by studying their requests to Father Christmas, monitoring toy commercials and collecting television viewing data. Eighty-three children aged from 4.8 to 6.5 years, who had written letters to Father Christmas, were interviewed regarding the extent and nature of their television viewing. Letters and similar data were also analysed for 16 nursery school children, aged 3.8 to 4.8 years, using questionnaire responses from their parents. Overall, children who watched more commercial television were found to request a greater number of items from Father Christmas. These children also requested more branded items than children who watched less. However, the children’s requests did not correlate significantly with the most frequently advertised toy products on television in the build-up to Christmas. Almost 90% of the toys advertised did not feature once in the children’s letters, suggesting that recall for specific brand names is poor in the under-7s. A positive correlation was found between watching television alone and number of requests. One interpretation of this may be that lone viewing renders children more susceptible to advertising. A comparison group of children from Sweden, where advertising to children is not permitted, asked for significantly fewer items. It is argued that English children who watch more TV, and especially those who watch alone, may be socialised to become consumers from a very early age.
Jumping to awareness of conflict between self-representations and its relation to psychological wellbeing
Authors: Oosterwegel Annerieke , Oppenheimer Louis
Published: October 2002

The self-system of children between the ages of 8 and 18 years was assessed to examine whether (a) their awareness of conflicts between self-descriptors within one self-concept was age-related, (b) such conflicts were related to psychological wellbeing, and (c) an effect of age on awareness interacted with the relation between conflict and wellbeing. It was expected that adolescents would be more aware of conflicts than children and, due to their better integrative skills, would experience more psychological discomfort from such conflicts. The results indicate a sudden jump in awareness of potential conflicts within self-concepts between age 12 and 14, and that conflicts relate to wellbeing at any age. The latter relationship, however, is different for children and adolescents, and appears positive for conflicts within the real self-concept but negative for conflicts within self-guides.
Adolescent-parent disagreements and life satisfaction in families from Vietnamese- and European-American backgrounds
Authors: Phinney Jean S. , Ong Anthony D.
Published: October 2002

The authors investigated the relationship between adolescent-parent differences in the endorsement of family obligations and adolescent life satisfaction, in families from two differing cultural backgrounds. Surveys were completed by 238 adolescents and their parents, including 135 European-American families and 103 Vietnamese-American families. We examined the relationship between discrepancies and life satisfaction and the moderating effect of cultural background on this relationship. Results showed that adolescent-parent discrepancies were a strong negative predictor of life satisfaction, across two groups that differ both culturally and demographically. The effect was not moderated by cultural background.
Antagonistic Variant Virus Prevents Wild-type Virus-induced Lethal Immunopathology
Authors: Hunziker Lukas , Recher Mike , Ciurea Adrian , Martinic Marianne M.A. , Odermatt Bernhard , Hengartner Hans , Zinkernagel Rolf M.
Published: October 2002

Altered peptide ligands (APLs) and their antagonistic or partial agonistic character–influencing T cell activation have mainly been studied in vitro Some studies have shown APLs as a viral escape mechanism from cytotoxic CD8+ T cell responses in vivo. However, whether infection or superinfection with a virus displaying an antagonistic T cell epitope can alter virus–host relationships via inhibiting T cell–mediated immunopathology is unclear. Here, we evaluated a recently described CD4+ T cell escape lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) variant that in vitro displayed antagonistic characteristics for the major histocompatibility complex class II–restricted mutated epitope. Mice transgenic for the immunodominant LCMV-specific T helper epitope that usually succumb to wild-type LCMV-induced immunopathology, survived if they were simultaneously coinfected with antagonistic variant but not with control virus. The results illustrate that a coinfecting APL-expressing virus can shift an immunopathological virus–host relationships in favor of host survival. This may play a role in poorly cytopathic long-lasting virus carrier states in humans.
Analysis of an Ethylnitrosourea-generated Mouse Mutation Defines a Cell Intrinsic Role of Nuclear Factor κB2 in Regulating Circulating B Cell Numbers
Authors: Miosge Lisa A. , Blasioli Julie , Blery Mathieu , Goodnow Christopher C.
Published: October 2002

The number of circulating follicular B lymphocytes is normally kept within a precise range despite their dispersion through the body and daily overproduction of precursors in the bone marrow. By establishing a genome wide recessive mutation screen in C57BL/6 mice to identify critical components of immune system regulation, we identified a mutant strain with selective deficiency in recirculating B cells but not immature or peritoneal B1 cells. Analysis of mixed bone marrow chimeras established that the mutation affects a cell autonomous process within B cells that is required for their accumulation after emigrating to peripheral lymphoid organs. The defect is caused by a point mutation in the gene encoding transcription factor nuclear factor (NF)-κB2, terminating the encoded protein within the DNA-binding domain. These findings establish the feasibility of analyzing immune regulation by genome wide mutant screens and demonstrates an intrinsic requirement for NF-κB2 in regulating circulating follicular B cell numbers.
How Not to Measure the Efficiency of Public Services (and How One Might)
Authors: Stone M.
Published: October 2002

The single-input case of the ‘technical efficiency’ theory of M. J. Farrell is reformulated geometrically and algebraically. Its linear programming developments as ‘data envelopment analysis’ are critically reviewed, as are the related techniques of ‘stochastic frontier analysis’. The sense and realism of using data envelopment analysis or stochastic frontier analysis techniques, rather than some value-based method, for the assessment of police force efficiency are questioned with reference to the Spottiswoode report and related studies.
ALGÈBRES DE HECKE ET SÉRIES PRINCIPALES GÉNÉRALISÉES DE Sp4(F)
Authors: BLASCO LAURE , BLONDEL CORINNE
Published: October 2002

The aim of this work is to expand Bushnell and Kutzko's theory of $G$-covers [Proc. London Math. Soc. 77 (1998) 582–634] up to a full description of the generalized principal series of the $p$-adic group ${\rm Sp}_4(F)$, with $p$ odd.

We start with a Levi component $M$ of a maximal parabolic subgroup $P$ of $G = {\rm Sp}_4(F)$ and an explicit type $(J_M, \tau_M)$ for the inertial class $S$ in $M$ of a supercuspidal representation of $M$. We compute the Hecke algebra of a $G$-cover $(J, \tau)$ of $(J_M, \tau_M)$ constructed in our previous work [Ann. Inst. Fourier 49 (1999) 1805–1851]: it is a convolution algebra on a Coxeter group (namely, the affine Weyl group of either $U(1,1)(F)$, in the case of the Siegel parabolic, or ${\rm SL}_2(F)$), described explicitly by generators and relations.

From this and Bushnell and Kutzko's work we derive the structure of the parabolically induced representations ${\rm ind}_P^G \pi$, for $\pi$ in $S$, and we find their discrete series subrepresentations if any, thus recovering, through the theory of $G$-covers, results previously obtained by Shahidi using different methods.

The paper is written in French.

2000 Mathematical Subject Classification: 22E50, 11F70.
EULER CHARACTERISTICS AS INVARIANTS OF IWASAWA MODULES
Authors: HOWSON SUSAN
Published: October 2002

If $G$ is a pro-$p$, $p$-adic, Lie group containing no element of order $p$ and if $\Lambda (G)$ denotes the Iwasawa algebra of $G$ then we propose a number of invariants associated to finitely generated $\Lambda (G)$-modules, all given by various forms of Euler characteristic. The first turns out to be none other than the rank, and this gives a particularly convenient way of calculating the rank of Iwasawa modules. Others seem to play similar roles to the classical Iwasawa $\lambda $- and $\mu $-invariants. We explore some properties and give applications to the Iwasawa theory of elliptic curves.

2000 Mathematical Subject Classification: primary 16E10; seconday 11R23.
TEICHMÜLLER DISTANCE FOR ANALYTICALLY FINITE SURFACES IS C2
Authors: REES MARY
Published: October 2002

It is shown that Teichmüller distance for analytically finite surfaces is C2. This extends Earle's classical result of 1977 that the distance is C1. Earle showed that the first derivative is given by a quadratic differential. In order to obtain the C2 result, first, a formula is derived for the second derivative for a generic choice of quadratic differential, and with respect to certain local coordinates on Teichmüller space. Then this formula is interpreted so that it can be seen that the limit exists at non-generic points.

2000 Mathematical Subject Classification: 30F60, 32G15.
PHENOMENOLOGY FROM LATTICE QCD
Authors: SACHRAJDA C. T.
Published: October 2002

I review two subject in which lattice simulations are making, or can make in the future, a significant contribution to particle physics phenomenology. The first subject is the evaluation of quantities which enter into the determination of the vertex A of the unitarity triangle from experimental measurements of decay rates and mixing amplitudes. These quantities include the form-factors for semileptonic B-decays, the leptonic decay constants of the B and Bs mesons and the B-parameters for [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] mixing and the corresponding parameter for [Formula: see text] mixing, BK. In the second part of this talk I will review the status and prospects for the evaluation of K → π π amplitudes and for the subsequent study of the Δ I = 1/2 rule and the evalution of ε′/ε.
POLARIZED STRUCTURE FUNCTIONS AND SPIN PHYSICS
Authors: STÖSSLEIN UTA
Published: October 2002

Recent progress in the field of spin physics of high energy particle interactions is reviewed with particular emphasis on the spin structure functions as measured in polarized deep inelastic lepton-nucleon scattering (DIS). New measurements are presented to obtain more direct information on the composition of the nucleon angular momentum, with results from semi-inclusive DIS accessing flavour-separated parton distribution functions (PDF) and with first data from hard exclusive reactions which may be interpreted in terms of recently developed generalizations of parton distribution functions (GPD). Finally, experimental prospects are outlined which will lead to a further development of the virtues of QCD phenomenology of the spin structure of the nucleon.
REVIEW OF FINAL LEP RESULTS OR A TRIBUTE TO LEP
Authors: DREES J.
Published: October 2002

After a comment on the performance of LEP some highlights of the LEP1 and LEP2 physics programmes are reviewed. The talk concentrates on the precision measurements at the Z resonance, two fermion production above the Z, W+ W- production, ZZ production, indirect limits on the Higgs mass, LEP contributions to the exploration of the CKM matrix, and on the LEP measurements of αs.
SOLAR g-MODE OSCILLATIONS: EXPERIMENTAL DETECTION EFFORTS AND THEORETICAL ESTIMATES
Authors: CHRISTENSEN-DALSGAARD JØRGEN
Published: October 2002

In the early days of helioseismology, around 1975, independent detections of an oscillation with a period of 160 min in solar spectral line-shift data caused very substantial interest: it was suggested that this resulted from a solar g mode, whose frequency would then provide a tight constraint on the structure of the solar core. Also, it was noted that such modes, which involve a substantial fraction of the solar mass, might lead to a detectable gravitational-wave signal. Later observations have, however, failed to confirm the solar nature of the originally detected oscillation. Extensive data on the low-frequency part of the solar oscillation spectrum have been obtained from several experiments over the last decade, including instruments on the SOHO spacecraft. These have provided stringent limits on amplitudes of solar g modes and a few tentative detections, although so far not independently confirmed. Theoretical estimates of g-mode amplitudes, while highly uncertain, suggest that direct detection of the modes on the solar surface may be difficult. However, detection with the ASTROD mission may be possible, although identification of the solar signal will require careful analysis.
Mini-ASTROD: Mission Concept
Authors: NI WEI-TOU , ZHU JIN , WU XIANG-PING , CHU GUEY-BO , YANG BIN , GAO JIAN , GUAN MIN , TANG CHIEN-JEN , CHOU YI , CHANG CHUNG-HAO , HUANG TIANYI , QU QIN-YUE , YI ZHAO-HUA , LI GUANGYU , TAO JINHE , WU AN-MING , LUO JUN , YEH HSIEN-CHI , ZHOU ZE-BING , XIONG YAOHENG , BI SHAO-LAN , XU CHONGMING , WU XUE-JUN , TANG MENG-XI , BAO YUN , LI FANGYU , HUANG CHENG , YANG FU-MIN , YE SHU-HUA , ZHANG SHU-LIAN , ZHANG YUAN-ZHONG , NIE YUXIN , CHEN GUANG , CHRISTENSEN-DALSGAARD JØRGEN , DITTUS HANSJÖRG , FUJII YASUNORI , LÄMMERZAHL CLAUS , MANGIN JEAN FRANÇOIS , PETERS ACHIM , RÜDIGER ALBRECHT , SAMAIN ÉTIENNE , SCHILLER STEPHAN
Published: October 2002

Advances in laser physics and its applications triggered the proposition and development of Laser Astrodynamics. Mini-ASTROD is a down-scaled version of ASTROD (Astro-dynamical Space Test of Relativity using Optical Devices). This mission concept has one spacecraft carrying a payload of a telescope, six lasers, and a clock together with ground stations (ODSN: Optical Deep Space Network) to test the optical scheme and yet give important scientific results. These scientific results include a better measurement of the relativistic parameters (γ to 1 ppm, β to a few ppm and others with improvement), a better sensitivity (several times better) in using the optical Doppler tracking method for detecting gravitational waves, a potential of measuring the solar angular momentum via the Lense-Thirring effect and measurement of many solar system parameters more precisely. These enable us to build a more precise ephemeris and astrodynamics. The weight of this spacecraft is estimated to be about 300–350 kg with a payload of about 100–120 kg. The spacecraft goes into an inner solar orbit with several options. One option is with period 304 days as for the inner spacecraft of the standard two-spacecraft ASTROD mission concept and it takes about 900 days to reach the other side of the Sum relative to the Earth. Another option is to launch with initial period about 290 days and to pass by Venus twice to receive gravity-assistance for achieving shorter periods. For a launch on November 15, 2008, after two encounters with Venus, the orbital period can be shortened to 165 days. After about 400 days from launch, the spacecraft will arrive at the other side of the Sun and the relativistic parameter γ can be determined to 1 ppm. We discuss the payload configuration and outlook for technological developments to reach the mission goals, and summarize the conclusions and recommendations of the first and second organizational meeting for the Mini-ASTROD study.
SPECIAL PURPOSE PULSAR TELESCOPE FOR THE DETECTION OF COSMIC GRAVITATIONAL WAVES
Authors: Wang Shou-Guan , Zhu Zong-Hong , Zou Zhen-Long , Zhang Yuan-Zhong
Published: October 2002

Pulsars can be used to search for stochastic backgrounds of gravitational waves of cosmological origin within the very low frequency band (VLF), 10-7 to 10-9 Hz. We propose to construct a special 50 m radio telescope. Regular timing measurements of about 10 strong millisecond pulsars will perhaps allow the detection of gravitational waves within VLF or at least will give a more stringent upper limit.
PICO-WATT AND FEMTO-WATT WEAK-LIGHT PHASE LOCKING
Authors: LIAO AN-CHI , NI WEI-TOU , SHY JOW-TSONG
Published: October 2002

Advances in laser physics and its applications have triggered the proposition and development of Laser Astrodynamics. In carrying out research projects on Laser Space Programs, it is necessary to process the laser signal sent back from remote spacecraft. After traveling an extremely long distance, the power of this signal is greatly reduced. Weak-light phase-locking is the key technique used for signal amplification in these space projects. After the returning laser beam is collected by telescope, it is used to phase-lock a local laser oscillator. The local laser then carries the phase information of the remote spacecraft laser. we used diode-pumped non-planar ring cavity Nd:YAG lasers to serve as the remote weak-light laser and the local strong-light laser. We then built an optical phase-locked loop to phase-lock them. The weak-light laser signal was simulated using ND (neutral density)-filters to decrease the light intensity. In the phase detection, we used balanced detection to eliminate laser intensity noise and improve the S/N ratio. Combining this with an appropriate loop filter, we were able to control the laser frequency and improve the phase-locking ability. We phase-locked a 2 nW weak-light beam and a 2 mW strong-light beam with a 57 mrads(rms)phase error. The locking duration was very long. Locking of a 200 pW and a 2007thinsp;μW light beam, with phase error of 200 mrad (rms) and duration of over 2 hours was achieved. The phase error for locking a 200 μW to a 20pW light beam was 160 mrad (rms). The locking duration was also longer than 2 hours. the last locking performed was carried out with a 2 pW and a 200 μW light beam. The phase error and the locking duration were 290 mrad(rms) and 1.5 min respectively.
REAL-TIME MOTION CONTROL WITH SUBNANOMETER HETERODYNE INTERFEROMETRY
Authors: YEH HSIEN-CHI , NI WEI-TOU , PAN SHEAU-SHI
Published: October 2002

The precision requirement of ASTROD laser astrodynamical missions and research in the new definition of the kilogram drove us to engage in the development, research and application of sub-nanometer and picometer laser metrology and real-time motion control. We realized mid-point cyclic modulation in real time to suppress the periodic nonlinear errors of heterodyne interferometery, and employed a closed-loop feedback control to compensate PZT nonlinearity and other deviations. Using flexure stags and PZTs, we built up a three-axis (X, Y, θz) nanopositioning system with real-time subnanometer heterodyne interferometry. The experimental results of 12-μm linear motion show that the X-axis positioning error can reach 0.6 nm rms, the Y-axis positioning error can reach 0.06 nm rms, and the θz-axis positioning error is about 4 × 10-9 rad rms. We also used two-stage and three-stage schemes to extend the travel range. A preliminary run using the two-stage scheme can attain a 5 mm travel range with a nonlinearity of 10 nm rms.
TESTING THE FOUNDATIONS OF RELATIVITY USING CRYOGENIC OPTICAL RESONATORS
Authors: MÜLLER H. , BRAXMAIER C. , HERRMANN S. , PRADL O. , LÄMMERZAHL C. , MLYNEK J. , SCHILLER S. , PETERS A.
Published: October 2002

We present a new generation of experiments using cryogenic optical resonators(COREs) to test the foundations of relativity. The experiments test the isotropy of the speed of light (Michelson-Morley experiment), the independece of the speed of light from the velocity of the laboratory (Kennedy-Thorndike experiments), and the gravitational redshift for clocks based on an electronic transition. Compared with the best previous results, our tests have already yielded improvements up to a factor of three. Future versions promise significant improvements.
Nerve Growth Factor Promotes Angiogenesis and Arteriogenesis in Ischemic Hindlimbs
Authors: Emanueli Costanza , Salis Maria B. , Pinna Alessandra , Graiani Gallia , Manni Luigi , Madeddu Paolo
Published: October 2002

Background—

The neurotrophin nerve growth factor (NGF) regulates neuron survival and differentiation. Implication in neovascularization is supported by statement of NGF and its high-affinity receptor at vascular level and by NGF property of stimulating vascular endothelial cell proliferation. The present study investigated the involvement of endogenous NGF in spontaneous reparative response to ischemia. Mechanisms and therapeutic potential of NGF-induced neovascularization were examined.

Methods and Results—

Unilateral limb ischemia was produced in CD1 mice by femoral artery resection. By ELISA and immunohistochemistry, we documented that statement of NGF and its high-affinity receptor is upregulated in ischemic muscles. The functional relevance of this phenomenon was assessed by means of NGF-neutralizing antibody. Chronic NGF blockade abrogated the spontaneous capillarization response to ischemia and augmented myocyte apoptosis. Then we tested whether NGF administration may exert curative effects. Repeated NGF injection into ischemic adductors increased capillary and arteriole density, reduced endothelial cell and myofiber apoptosis, and accelerated perfusion recovery, without altering systemic hemodynamics. In normoperfused muscles, NFG-induced capillarization was blocked by vascular endothelial growth factor–neutralizing antibodies, dominant-negative Akt, or NO synthase inhibition.

Conclusions—

These results indicate that NGF plays a functional role in reparative neovascularization. Furthermore, supplementation of the growth factor promotes angiogenesis through a vascular endothelial growth factor-Akt-NO–mediated mechanism. In the setting of ischemia, potentiation of NGF pathway stimulates angiogenesis and arteriogenesis, thereby accelerating hemodynamic recovery. NGF might be envisaged as a utilitarian target for the treatment of ischemic vascular disease.
Efficacy and Safety of Statin Therapy in Children With Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Authors: de Jongh Saskia , Ose Leiv , Szamosi Tamás , Gagné Claude , Lambert M. , Scott Russell , Perron P. , Dobbelaere Dries , Saborio M. , Tuohy Mary B. , Stepanavage Michael , Sapre Aditi , Gumbiner Barry , Mercuri Michele , van Trotsenburg A.S. Paul , Bakker Henk D. , Kastelein John J.P.
Published: October 2002

Background—

A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to evaluate LDL cholesterol–lowering efficacy, overall safety, and tolerability and the influence on growth and pubertal development of simvastatin in a large cohort of boys and girls with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (heFH).

Methods and Results—

A total of 173 heFH children (98 boys and 75 girls) were included in this study. After a 4-week diet/placebo run-in period, children with heFH were randomized to either simvastatin or placebo in a ratio of 3:2. Simvastatin was started at 10 mg/d and titrated at 8-week intervals to 20 and then 40 mg/d. During a 24-week extension period, the patients continued to receive simvastatin (40 mg) or placebo according to their assignment. After 48 weeks of simvastatin therapy, there were significant reductions of LDL cholesterol (−41%), total cholesterol (−31%), apolipoprotein B (−34%), VLDL cholesterol (−21%), and triglyceride (−9%) levels. HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I levels were increased by 3.3% and 10.4%, respectively (not significant). No safety issues became evident. Except for small decreases in dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate compared with placebo, there were no significant changes from baseline in adrenal, gonadal, and pituitary hormones in either treatment group.

Conclusions—

Simvastatin significantly reduced LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglyceride, VLDL cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B levels and was well tolerated in children with heFH. There was no evidence of any adverse effect of simvastatin on growth and pubertal development. Therefore, simvastatin at doses up to 40 mg is a well-tolerated and effective therapy for heFH children.
Comparative Survival of Dialysis Patients in the United States After Coronary Angioplasty, Coronary Artery Stenting, and Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery and Impact of Diabetes
Authors: Herzog Charles A. , Ma Jennie Z. , Collins Allan J.
Published: October 2002

Background—

The optimal method of coronary revascularization in dialysis patients is controversial. The purpose of this study was to compare the long-term survival of dialysis patients in the United States after PTCA, coronary stenting, or CABG.

Methods and Results—

Dialysis patients hospitalized from 1995 to 1998 for first coronary revascularization procedures after renal replacement therapy initiation were identified from the US Renal Data System database. All-cause and cardiac survival was estimated by the life-table method and compared by the log-rank test. The impact of independent predictors on survival was examined in a Cox regression model. The in-hospital mortality was 8.6% for 6668 CABG patients, 6.4% for 4836 PTCA patients, and 4.1% for 4280 stent patients. The 2-year all-cause survival (mean±SEM) was 56.4±1.4% for CABG patients, 48.2±1.5% for PTCA patients, and 48.4±2.0% for stent patients (
P
<0.0001). After comorbidity adjustment, the relative risk (RR) for CABG (versus PTCA) patients was 0.80 (95% CI 0.76 to 0.84,
P
<0.0001) for all-cause death and 0.72 (95% CI 0.67 to 0.77,
P
<0.0001) for cardiac death. For stent (versus PTCA) patients, the RR was 0.94 (95% CI 0.88 to 0.99,
P
=0.03) for all-cause death and 0.92 (95% CI 0.85 to 0.99,
P
=0.04) for cardiac death. In diabetic (versus PTCA) patients, the RR for CABG surgery was 0.81 (95% CI 0.75 to 0.88,
P
<0.0001) for all-cause death and 0.71 (95% CI 0.64 to 0.78,
P
<0.0001) for cardiac death, and the RR for the stent procedure was 0.99 (95% CI 0.91 to 1.08,
P
=NS) for all-cause death and 0.99 (95% CI 0.89 to 1.11,
P
=NS) for cardiac death.

Conclusions—

In this retrospective study, dialysis patients in the United States had better long-term survival after CABG surgery than after percutaneous coronary intervention. Stent outcomes were relatively worse in diabetic patients. Our data support the need for large clinical registries and prospective trials of surgical and percutaneous coronary revascularization procedures in dialysis patients.
Preprocedural Statin Medication Reduces the Extent of Periprocedural Non–Q-Wave Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Herrmann Joerg , Lerman Amir , Baumgart Dietrich , Volbracht Lothar , Schulz Rainer , von Birgelen Clemens , Haude Michael , Heusch Gerd , Erbel Raimund
Published: October 2002

Background—

Stenting-related myocardial injury has been recognized as a frequent and prognostically important event, the extent of which depends on microcirculatory impairment in association with platelet aggregation, inflammation, and increased oxidative stress. Recent studies underscored the non–lipid-lowering effects of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) with antithrombotic, antiinflammatory, and antioxidative aspects. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that preprocedural statin therapy is associated with a reduction in the extent of stenting-related myocardial injury.

Methods and Results—

We stratified 296 consecutive patients who were undergoing stenting of a de novo stenosis according to the preprocedural status of statin therapy (229 statin-treated and 67 control patients). Incidence of periprocedural myocardial injury was assessed by analysis of creatine kinase (CK; upper limit of normal [ULN] 70 IU/L for women, 80 IU/L for men) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT; bedside test; threshold 0.1 ng/mL) before and 6, 12, and 24 hours after the intervention. Relative to control patients, the incidence of CK elevation >3× ULN was more than 90% lower in statin-treated patients (0.4% versus 6.0%,
P
=0.01). Statin therapy was the only factor independently associated with a lower risk of CK elevation >3× ULN (OR: 0.08, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.75;
P
=0.03). The overall incidences of CK and cardiac troponin T elevation were slightly lower in statin-treated than in control patients (14.4% versus 20.9%,
P
=0.3, and 17.9% versus 22.4%,
P
=0.5, respectively).

Conclusions—

Preprocedural statin therapy is associated with a reduction in the incidence of larger-sized, stenting-related myocardial infarctions. Prospective, randomized trials are warranted to further assess this cardioprotective effect of statins in coronary intervention.
Involvement of Endogenous Endothelin-1 in Exercise-Induced Redistribution of Tissue Blood Flow
Authors: Maeda Seiji , Miyauchi Takashi , Iemitsu Motoyuki , Tanabe Takumi , Irukayama-Tomobe Yoko , Goto Katsutoshi , Yamaguchi Iwao , Matsuda Mitsuo
Published: October 2002

Background—

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor peptide. Exercise results in a significant redistribution of tissue blood flow, which greatly increases blood flow in active muscles but decreases it in the splanchnic circulation. We reported that exercise causes an increase of ET-1 production in the internal organ and then hypothesized that ET-1 participates in the exercise-induced redistribution of tissue blood flow. We investigated the effects of acute endothelin-A (ETA)-receptor blockade on regional tissue blood flow during exercise in rats.

Methods and Results—

Regional blood flow in the kidney, spleen, stomach, intestine, and muscles was measured using the microsphere technique before and during treadmill running of 30 minutes duration at 30 m/min after pretreatment with either an ETA-receptor antagonist (TA-0201; 0.5 mg/kg) or vehicle in rats. Blood flow in the kidney, spleen, stomach, and intestine was decreased by exercise, but the magnitude of the decrease after pretreatment with TA-0201 was significantly smaller than that after pretreatment with vehicle. Furthermore, the increase in blood flow to active muscles induced by exercise was significantly smaller in rats pretreated with TA-0201 than those pretreated with vehicle.

Conclusions—

The present study revealed that ET-1-mediated vasoconstriction participates in the decrease of blood flow in the internal organs of rats during exercise, and therefore, that these actions of endogenous ET-1 partly contribute to the increase of blood flow in active muscles during exercise. The data suggest that endogenous ET-1 participates in the exercise-induced redistribution of tissue blood flow.
Comparison of viscoelastic properties of polydimethylsiloxane/poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) IPNs with their physical blends
Authors: Abbasi F. , Mirzadeh H. , Katbab A. A.
Published: October 2002

Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) were prepared by sequential method. The dynamic mechanical parameters of obtained IPNs and their variations with the structural composition were evaluated. The results for the IPNs were compared with corresponding physically blended systems. The tensile properties and damping factor (tan δ) were assessed by stress–strain measurement and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), respectively. The glass–rubber transition temperature (Tg) was assessed by DMTA and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results showed higher tensile strength and elongation at break for IPNs than those for physical blends. The shifts of Tg for that two components that make up the IPNs were greater than those for corresponding blends. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3480–3485, 2002
Study on ESR spectra of poly(ferrocenyldimethylsilane)/TCNE and spin‐probed poly(ferrocenyldimethylsilane)
Authors: Wang L. , Wang X. J. , Pan J. , Feng L. X.
Published: October 2002

Poly(ferrocenyldimethylsilanes) with different molecular weights, especially with high molecular weight, have been synthesized. It is found by using the ESR technique that the formation of charge transfer complexes (CTC) between poly(ferrocenyldimethylsilanes) with different molecular weights and tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) is possible. Using 2,2,6,6‐Tetramethyl‐piperidone‐1 as a spin probe, the segment motion of resultant polymers was investigated. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3508–3511, 2002
Dynamic rheological behavior of high‐density polyethylene filled with carbon black
Authors: Zhang Jian‐Feng , Yi Xiao‐Su
Published: October 2002

The dynamic rheological behavior of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) composites filled with carbon black (CB) was studied by controlling periodic small shear strains at constant temperatures. The results shed light on the relationship between the behavior of dispersed fillers and polymeric matrix systems. At sufficiently high filler concentration a structural skeleton seems to appear, which significantly raises the modulus at the low frequency region. High structure, finer size acetylene black raises the modulus significantly more than does the low structure and larger size one (e.g., N550). Oxidized CB increases the modulus in the whole frequency region for the enhanced interaction between polymer matrix and CBs. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3527–3531, 2002
Ionomer composites based on sepiolite/hydrogenated poly(styrene butadiene) block copolymer systems
Authors: Acosta Jose Luis , González Luis , Ojeda Maria Carmen , Del Río Carmen
Published: October 2002

Ionomeric composites based on sepiolite and hydrogenated poly(styrene butadiene) block copolymer were obtained and characterized from a microstructural and electrical point of view. Before blending, because of the high silanol group concentration in the sepiolite, the latter could be organophilized with suitable coupling agents. The resulting materials were easily processed into thin films or membranes 0.2–0.4 mm thick, their conductivity in some cases approaching 10−1 S/cm. Their suitability for film formation and good electrical properties indicate potential applications as electrolytes in polymer fuel cells. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3512–3519, 2002
Phase morphology development and melt rheological behavior in nylon 6/polystyrene blends
Authors: Nair Sobha V. , Oommen Zachariah , Thomas Sabu
Published: October 2002

Phase morphology development in immiscible blends of polystyrene (PS)/nylon 6 was investigated. The blends were prepared by melt blending in a twin‐screw extruder. The influence of the blend ratio, rotation speed of the rotors, and time of mixing on the phase morphology of the blends was carefully analyzed. The morphology of the samples was examined under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the SEM micrographs were quantitatively analyzed for domain‐size measurements. From the morphology studies, it is evident that the minor component, whether PS or nylon, forms the dispersed phase, whereas the major component forms the continuous phase. The 50/50 PS/nylon blend exhibits cocontinuous morphology. The continuity of the dispersed phase was estimated quantitatively based on the preferential solvent‐extraction technique, which suggested that both phases are almost continuous at a 50/50 blend composition. The effect of the rotor speed on the blend morphology was investigated. It was observed that the most significant breakdown occurred at an increasing rotor speed from 9 to 20 rpm and, thereafter, the domain size remained almost the same even when the rotor speed was increased. The studies on the influence of the mixing time on the blend morphology indicated that the major breakdown of the dispersed phase occurred at the early stages of mixing. The melt rheological behavior of the blend system was studied using a capillary rheometer. The effect of the blend ratio and the shear stress on the melt viscosity of the system was investigated. Melt viscosity decreased with increase in the shear stress, indicating pseudoplastic behavior. With increase of the weight fraction of PS, the melt viscosity of the system decreased. The negative deviation of the measured viscosity from the additivity rule indicated the immiscibility of the blends. The domain size versus the viscosity ratio showed a minimum value when the viscosities of the two phases were matched, in agreement with Wu's prediction. The morphology of the extrudates was analyzed by SEM. From these observations, it was noted that as the shear rate increased the particle size decreased considerably. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3537–3555, 2002