bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a method for the measurement of subwoofers in usual rooms
Authors: Melon Manuel , Langrenne Christophe , Herzog Philippe , Garcia Alexandre
Published: January 2010

This paper evaluates the potential of the field separation method (FSM) for performing subwoofer measurements in a small test room with poor absorbing properties, as is commonly available. The FSM requires the knowledge of both acoustic pressure and velocity fields on a closed surface surrounding the tested source. Pressures and velocities, measured using a p-p probe on a half-sphere mesh, are collected under various conditions: in a room with variable reverberation time (6.4–0.6 s) and with four measurement half-sphere radii. The measured data are expanded on spherical harmonics, separating outward and inward propagation. The pressure field reflected by walls of the surrounding room is then subtracted from the measured field to estimate the pressure field that would have been radiated under free-field conditions. Theoretical frequency response of the subwoofer is computed using an analytical formulation derived from an extended Thiele and Small model of the membrane motion, coupled to a boundary element model for computing the radiated pressure while taking into account the actual subwoofer geometry. Measurement and simulation results show a good agreement. The effects of the measurement distance, the measurement point number, and the room reverberation time on the separation process are then discussed.
Experimental validation of a time domain simulation of high frequency ultrasonic propagation in a suspension of rigid particles
Authors: Galaz Belfor , Haïat Guillaume , Berti Romain , Taulier Nicolas , Amman Jean-Jacques , Urbach Wladimir
Published: January 2010

Ultrasonic propagation in suspensions of particles is a difficult problem due to the random spatial distribution of the particles. Two-dimensional finite-difference time domain simulations of ultrasonic propagation in suspensions of polystyrene 5.3 μm diameter microdisks are performed at about 50 MHz. The numerical results are compared with the Faran model, considering an isolated microdisk, leading to a maximum difference of 15% between the scattering cross-section values obtained analytically and numerically. Experiments are performed with suspensions in through transmission and backscattering modes. The attenuation coefficient at 50 MHz (α), the ultrasonic velocity (V), and the relative backscattered intensity (IB) are measured for concentrations from 2 to 25 mg/ml, obtained by modifying the number of particles. Each experimental ultrasonic parameter is compared to numerical results obtained by averaging the results derived from 15 spatial distributions of microdisks. α increases with the concentration from 1 to 17 dB/cm. IB increases with concentration from 2 to 16 dB. The variation of V versus concentration is compared with the numerical results, as well as with an effective medium model. A good agreement is found between experimental and numerical results (the larger discrepancy is found for α with a difference lower than 2.1 dB/cm).
Reconstruction of radiating sound fields using minimum energy method
Authors: Bader Rolf
Published: January 2010

A method for reconstructing a pressure field at the surface of a radiating body or source is presented using recording data of a microphone array. The radiation is assumed to consist of many spherical radiators, as microphone positions are present in the array. These monopoles are weighted using a parameter α, which broadens or narrows the overall radiation directivity as an effective and highly intuitive parameter of the radiation characteristics. A radiation matrix is built out of these weighted monopole radiators, and for different assumed values of α, a linear equation solver reconstructs the pressure field at the body’s surface. It appears that from these many arbitrary reconstructions, the correct one minimizes the reconstruction energy. The method is tested, localizing the radiation points of a Balinese suling flute, reconstructing complex radiation from a duff frame drum, and determining the radiation directivity for the first seven modes of an Usbek tambourine. Stability in terms of measurement noise is demonstrated for the plain method, and additional highly effective algorithm is added for a noise level up to 0 dB. The stability of α in terms of minimal reconstruction energy is shown over the whole range of possible values for α. Additionally, the treatment of unwanted room reflections is discussed, still leading to satisfactory results in many cases.
Spatial selective attention in a complex auditory environment such as polyphonic music
Authors: Saupe Katja , Koelsch Stefan , Rübsamen Rudolf
Published: January 2010

To investigate the influence of spatial information in auditory scene analysis, polyphonic music (three parts in different timbres) was composed and presented in free field. Each part contained large falling interval jumps in the melody and the task of subjects was to detect these events in one part (“target part”) while ignoring the other parts. All parts were either presented from the same location (0°; overlap condition) or from different locations (−28°, 0°, and 28° or −56°, 0°, and 56° in the azimuthal plane), with the target part being presented either at 0° or at one of the right-sided locations. Results showed that spatial separation of 28° was sufficient for a significant improvement in target detection (i.e., in the detection of large interval jumps) compared to the overlap condition, irrespective of the position (frontal or right) of the target part. A larger spatial separation of the parts resulted in further improvements only if the target part was lateralized. These data support the notion of improvement in the suppression of interfering signals with spatial sound source separation. Additionally, the data show that the position of the relevant sound source influences auditory performance.
Modeling an Anti-Amyloid Combination Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Chow Vivian W. , Savonenko Alena V. , Melnikova Tatiana , Kim Hyunsu , Price Donald L. , Li Tong , Wong Philip C.
Published: January 2010

Simultaneous reduction of two of the enzymes that create the plaque-forming peptide β-amyloid in Alzheimer’s disease ameliorates symptoms in aged mice better than elimination of either enzyme alone.
Saving Lives by Screening Out
Authors: Khidr Lily
Published: January 2010

The protein responsible for inducing the acute respiratory distress that can happen after blood transfusions is identified in human blood cells.
Behaviour of elevated concrete silos filled with saturated solids
Authors: Abdel-Fattah Mohamed T , Moore Ian D , Abdel-Fattah Tarek T
Published: January 2010

A finite-element solution is introduced for simulating the filling process of elevated concrete silos filled with saturated solids. An axisymmetric finite-element model is used to represent both the solids and the structure. The bulk solids are modeled using an elastoplastic model, whereas the structure is modeled using a linear elastic model. The interaction between the two materials is modeled using interface elements to permit relative movement. The filling process is idealized via a multistage numerical technique capable of representing both undrained and drained conditions. The effect of the filling process may be time-dependent. The excess pore-water pressure caused by the filling process may significantly influence the magnitudes of internal forces. Moreover, the design critical sections of the same silo element may correspond to different bulk solid conditions (undrained or drained). Practically, the ring beam stiffness may only influence hoop compressions in the silo elements at the wall–hopper junction. The results presented may be used to design tests to evaluate existing silos.Key words: elevated concrete silos, silo filling, finite-element analysis, elastoplastic model, consolidation, hopper, ring beam stiffness.
Boundary shear stress analysis in smooth rectangular channels
Authors: Seckin Galip , Seckin Neslihan , Yurtal Recep
Published: January 2010

This study reports on experiments concerning the boundary shear stress and boundary shear force distributions in a smooth rectangular flume. Nonlinear regression-based equations are derived from experimental analysis to give the percentage of the total shear force carried by the walls and mean wall and bed shear stresses around the wetted perimeter as functions of the ratio of channel width to channel depth.Key words: boundary shear, shear force, open channel flow.
A laboratory evaluation of errors associated with the determination of landfill gas emissions
Authors: Senevirathna D G.M , Achari G , Hettiaratchi J P.A
Published: January 2010

A laboratory investigation, supplemented with a theoretical analysis, was conducted to determine the errors associated with the closed flux chamber technique commonly used to determine the surficial gas emissions from landfills. The results indicate that the errors largely depend on the chamber dimensions, including chamber height, surface gas flux rate, and time interval over which the data are collected. Selection of a proper chamber height for a particular flux rate and the use of a short time period for measurement reduce the errors significantly.Key words: landfills, closed flux chambers, surface emission, laboratory investigation, errors.
Monotonic and cyclic nail connection tests
Authors: Dolan J. D. , Madsen B.
Published: January 2010

The results of monotonic and cyclic nail connection lateral tests are presented. The tests are part of an extensive experimental and analytical study to investigate the behaviour of timber shear walls subjected to earthquakes. The results from the nail connection tests were used in a larger study of timber shear walls. The nonlinear load–deflection curves were used for modelling the nail connection between the sheathing and the framing of the shear walls. The dependency of the nail connection on the grain orientation of the timber materials is investigated along with the evidence that the material properties of the nails are the primary parameters for the load–displacement characteristics of the connection made with hot-dipped, galvanized common nails. Both the monotonic and cyclic lateral behaviours of the connections are established. The premise that the hysteresis for the nail connection is contained within an envelope defined by the monotonic load–displacement curve is confirmed. These connection characteristics translate into similar behaviour in nailed timber shear walls. Therefore, an improved undertanding of the principal connection used in the construction of shear walls will also improve the understanding of the behaviour of shear walls. Key words: connections, nails, plywood, waferboard, monotonic, cyclic, shear wall.
The value of regional information to flood frequency analysis using the method of L-moments
Authors: Pilon Paul J. , Adamowski K.
Published: January 2010

The value of regional flood frequency analysis is investigated using the method of L-moments. This study shows that the variability of L-skewness in the province of Nova Scotia is due in large part to sampling error. This implies that a relation between the L-skewness and the basin's characteristics cannot be determined. This study demonstrates that flood data in Nova Scotia can best be described by the generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution. The results also indicate that the regional GEV model is more accurate than the single site analysis. Key words: L-moments, skewness, regional flood analysis, generalized extreme value distribution, simulation.
Wind loading on intermediate height buildings
Authors: Sanni R. A. , Surry D. , Davenport A. G.
Published: January 2010

The current gust factor approach in the detailed method of the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) for the estimation of wind loads on buildings was developed from research work that was largely directed towards very tall and flexible buildings for which resonant responses are very significant; however, the dynamic responses of the majority of intermediate height buildings are dominated by quasi-steady gust loading with little resonant response. This study has been carried out to assess the applicability of the detailed approach of the NBCC to that class of fairly common intermediate height buildings, of which apartment buildings are good examples. For the purposes of this study, these buildings have been defined as buildings whose heights are between 20 and 120 m and whose ratio of height to minimum width is not more than 4. The responses estimated from the detailed approach of the NBCC have been compared with those from wind tunnel tests with a view to verifying and simplifying its application to such intermediate height buildings.Since intermediate height buildings are often arranged in groups, an experimental study of the interference effects between adjacent buildings was also undertaken to assess the effect of an upwind building on the wind-induced overall moments on a downwind building of a similar height. The influence of this interference effect on the member stresses or forces was investigated using the concept of joint action factors.General agreement between the test and the code-estimated responses was obtained in the comparisons. The small resonant responses observed provided a basis for deriving a simplified method for estimating the gust factor in the detailed method without the requirement of knowing the structure's dynamic properties.Significant interference effects were found, particularly for the across-wind and torsional moments on buildings in an open exposure; however, the amplification of the overall wind-induced moments does not necessarily translate into a similar amplification of member forces or stresses. For the buildings studied, the results have shown that for the majority of practical situations, interference effects are not likely to result in amplification of member stresses or forces. A set of additional factors of safety have been proposed, based on the limited experimental data set, to cover load amplification by interference effects for those members that are very sensitive to overall wind-induced torsional moments. Key words: codes, wind loads, wind engineering, intermediate height buildings, interference effects.
Anchor bolt forces for moment-resisting column bases
Authors: Redwood Richard
Published: January 2010

A widely used method of designing column baseplates and anchor bolts for axial loads and bending moment is examined. It is shown that if the welded connection between column and baseplate is of low capacity, a yield criterion other than that usually assumed may apply, leading to changes in design loads. These changes could lead to increased bolt loads and reduced loads on the baseplate. Key words: columns, baseplates, anchor bolts, steel, bending moment.
Calculation of the fire resistance of steel hollow structural section columns filled with plain concrete
Authors: Lie T. T. , Stringer D. C.
Published: January 2010

Experimental studies were conducted to determine the fire resistance of circular and square hollow structural section columns filled with plain concrete. Mathematical models were developed and used to investigate the influence of important parameters that determine the fire resistance of these columns. The experimental and parametric studies provide information for the development of formulas for the calculation of the fire resistance of circular and square concentrically loaded columns filled with plain carbonate or siliceous aggregate concrete. Such formulas are suitable for incorporation into building codes. Key words: calculation, fire resistance, columns, concrete-filled, steel, hollow structural sections.
An analytical assessment of elastic and inelastic response spectra
Authors: Sucuoğlu Haluk , Diclelil Murat , Nurtuğ Alphan
Published: January 2010

A unified assessment of elastic and inelastic response spectra is presented. The effects of various system and excitation parameters on spectral response are investigated. Different spectral forms such as strength spectra, ductility reduction spectra, and damping reduction spectra are employed as graphical tools in the analytical evaluation. The applicability of the expressions for elastic and inelastic response spectra that are employed in seismic design codes is tested by using an ensemble of 21 earthquake accelerograms, all recorded on firm ground along the west coast of North America. New expressions are derived in order to evaluate the coupled effects of damping and ductility ratios on inelastic response spectra. Key words: elastic and inelastic response spectra, damping reduction factor, ductility reduction factor, seismic energy dissipation, strength ratio, mean plus one standard deviation.
Une contribution pratique à l'estimation du transport des sédiments dans un écoulement fluvial
Authors: Sadok A. , Marche C.
Published: January 2010

Several computational methods of sediment discharge in open channel flows are reported in the existing literature. However, sediment transport is a complex procedure that implies several parameters which in some cases are difficult to estimate. Even if direct confrontations of methods used are published, it is difficult to draw significant conclusions that would help determine a model or the models likely to produce the best results for a specific case. To facilitate that choice, the authors have attempted to establish a classification of the various methods commonly used by determining their relative performance, and to improve the performance by proposing a new model which distinguishes the type of sediment transport and the nature of the bed. Key words: sediment discharge, sediment transport, open channel flow, model, performance.[Journal translation]
NATURE-LIKE PHOTOSYNTHESIS OF WATER AND CARBON DIOXIDE WITH FEMTOSECOND LASER INDUCED SELF-ASSEMBLED METAL NANOSTRUCTURES
Authors: WANG CONG , SHEN MENGYAN , HUO HAIBIN , REN HAIZHOU , YAN FADONG , JOHNSON MICHAEL
Published: January 2010

Large-scale replication of the natural process of photosynthesis is a crucial subject of storing solar energy and saving our environment. Here, we report femtosecond laser induced self-assembled metal nanostructure arrays, which are easily mass producible on earth-abundant metals, can directly synthesize liquid and solid hydrocarbon compounds from carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight at a production rate of more than 1 × 105 μ L/(gh) that is significantly (103–106 times) higher than those in previous studies.1,2 The efficiency for storing solar energy of the photosynthesis is about 10% in the present simple experimental setup which can be further improved. Moreover, different from previous artificial photosynthesis works, this phenomenon presents a new mechanism that, through a surface-enhanced photodissociation process, nature-like photosynthesis can be performed artificially.
QUANTUM SEARCH ALGORITHMS
Authors: KOREPIN VLADIMIR E. , XU YING
Published: January 2010

This article reviews recent progress in quantum database search algorithms. The subject is presented in a self-contained and pedagogical way. The problem of searching a large database (a Hilbert space) for a target item is performed by the famous Grover algorithm which locates the target item with high probability and a quadratic speed-up compared with the corresponding classical algorithm. If the database is partitioned into blocks and one is searching for the block containing the target item instead of the target item itself, then the problem is referred to as partial search. Partial search trades accuracy for speed and the most efficient version is the Grover–Radhakrishnan–Korepin (GRK) algorithm. The target block can be further partitioned into sub-blocks so that GRK's can be performed in a sequence called a hierarchy. We study the Grover search and GRK partial search in detail and prove that a GRK hierarchy is less efficient than a direct GRK partial search. Both the Grover search and the GRK partial search can be generalized to the case with several target items (or target blocks for a GRK). The GRK partial search algorithm can also be represented in terms of group theory.
ON A MOMENT-BASED DATA ANALYSIS METHOD FOR CANONICAL-DISSIPATIVE OSCILLATORY SYSTEMS
Authors: FRANK T. D.
Published: January 2010

Canonical-dissipative oscillatory systems subjected to fluctuations are considered. It is shown how to estimate key parameters of such systems using the first and second moments of energy fluctuations and the short-time mean square displacement of velocity fluctuations. The key parameters describe the strength of the deterministic attractive forces that drive the oscillator dynamics towards a limit cycle and the strength of the random perturbations that drive the oscillator dynamics away from the limit cycle. A test statistics is proposed to assess the validity of the canonical-dissipative modeling approach.
DYNAMICS OF PAIRWISE ENTANGLEMENT IN THE THREE-QUBIT HEISENBERG XX SPIN CHAIN
Authors: WU E. , ZHANG XIAO-AN
Published: January 2010

For a three-qubit Heisenberg XX spin chain with the uniform magnetic field and magnetic impurity, dynamic evolution of pairwise entanglement are studied. We show that the phenomenon of entanglement sudden death (ESD) occurs in the evolution of entanglement for some initial states. We also find that magnetic impurity cannot only eliminate the phenomenon of ESD but also induce the ESD effects, which is different from the case of uniform magnetic field where the ESD can be depressed but cannot be eliminated by introducing the uniform magnetic field.
Fluorescence properties of halogenated mono-hydroxyl corroles: the heavy-atom effects
Authors: Shi Lei , Liu Hai-Yang , Shen Han , Hu Jun , Zhang Guo-Liang , Wang Hui , Ji Liang-Nian , Chang Chi-Kwong , Jiang Huan-Feng
Published: January 2010

A series of mono-hydroxyl corrole bearing a fluorine (1), chlorine (2), bromine (3) and iodine (4) atom on its 10-phenyl group have been synthesized. Fluorescence spectroscopy shows that the halogen atom at meso-phenyl group of corroles exhibit significant heavy-atom effect on their photophysical properties. Fluorescence quantum yields and the lifetime of these corroles decrease with the increasing of the atomic weight of halogen atoms. The quenching of the fluorescence could be interpreted in terms of a heavy atom-induced increase in intersystem crossing from S1 to T1. The intersystem crossing rate constant of these corroles were also determined by transient fluorescence spectra.
Effect of solvent binding on UV-vis spectra and redox potentials of octaethylporphyrins containing first-row transition metal ions
Authors: Zhu Weihua , Zhao Xiaofeng , Ou Zhongping , Zhou Fan , Wang Xiaohong , Kadish Karl M.
Published: January 2010

The UV-visible spectra and oxidation/reduction potentials for six octaethylporphyrins with first-row transition metal ions were measured in four non-aqueous solvents and then analyzed as a function of the Gutmann solvent parameters, donor number (DN) or acceptor number (AN). The utilized solvents were dichloromethane ( CH2Cl2 ), N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and pyridine (py). The investigated porphyrins were (OEP)M, where OEP = the dianion of octaethylporphyrin and M = CoII, NiII, CuII, ZnII, FeIIICl or MnIIICl . UV-visible spectra upon solvent (S) binding to give (OEP)M(S) or [ (OEP)M(S)2]+Cl- were monitored during a titration of the porphyrin in CH2Cl2 and formation constants ( logβ n, n = 1 or 2) for the ligand addition reactions were determined using standard equations. Five-coordinate (OEP)CoII(S) and (OEP)ZnII(S) are generated in CH2Cl2 solutions containing DMF, DMSO or py while six-coordinate [ (OEP)Mn(S)2]+Cl and [ (OEP)Fe(S)2]+Cl- are formed under the same solution conditions. The magnitudes of the solvent binding constants are discussed in terms of both the solvent donor/acceptor properties and the electronegativity (EN) or stability index (SI) of the porphyrin central metal ion. A comparison between solvent binding constants measured in this study for (OEP)M and literature data for (TPP)M with the same central metal ions is presented.
Third-order nonlinear optical properties of self-assembled thin films containing tetracarboxylic copper phthalocyanine
Authors: He Chunying , Shi Guang , Duan Wubiao , Wu Yiqun , Chen Zhimin , Song Weina , Zou Ruixue , Song Yinglin
Published: January 2010

Films with alternating layers containing anionic tetracarboxylic copper phthalocyanine [ CuPc(COONa)4 ] and cationic polydiallydimethylammonium chloride (PDDA) were fabricated by electrostatic self-assembled layer-by-layer (LBL) technique. The delicate structure of the film was characterized by a series of techniques. The third-order nonlinear optical properties of the film were measured by the Z-scan technique with laser duration of 4 ns and 21 ps at the wavelength of 532 nm. The film exhibited excellent nonlinear absorption and self-focusing effect. The second-order molecular hyperpolarizability γ value of the film was much larger than that of CuPc(COONa)4 aqueous solution under the irradiation of whether ns or ps pulses. A series of damage experiments of the film for the intense laser pulses were conducted to prove the reliability of the experimental results under the conditions.
EFFICIENT DISTRIBUTED ALGORITHMS FOR TOPOLOGY CONTROL PROBLEM WITH SHORTEST PATH CONSTRAINTS
Authors: WILLSON JAMES K. , GAO XIAOFENG , QU ZHONGHUA , ZHU YI , LI YINGSHU , WU WEILI
Published: January 2010

A Connected Dominating Set (CDS) can be used to construct a virtual backbone for wireless and mobile ad-hoc networks to make the system hierarchical and efficient. A virtual backbone can significantly improve network throughput, optimize broadband utilization, extend network lifetime, and reduce interference as well as packet retransmissions. Calculating a minimum backbone for a network is critical to reduce routing computation and energy consumption. This problem is a well-known NP-hard optimization problem, which has various applications in practice. In this paper, we propose a new problem based on customer fairness, which looks for a minimum CDS in a given communication model with shortest path constraints. It guarantees that any two clients can communicate with each other through this CDS with hop counts the same as the best path from the original graph, which means that routing on such a CDS will not bring additional traffic for every client. We name this problem as shortest path connected dominating set (SPCDS) and prove its NP-hardness by reduction from Hitting Set. Then we propose a centralized greedy algorithm and an efficient distributed approximation algorithm with approximation ratio Δ to solve SPCDS, where Δ is the maximum vertex degree in the given topology. We also analyze the time complexity, message complexity, and evaluate the efficiency of our distributed heuristic by several numerical experiments and comparisons with previous literatures.
MAXIMUM WEIGHT CYCLE PACKING IN DIRECTED GRAPHS, WITH APPLICATION TO KIDNEY EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
Authors: BIRÓ PÉTER , MANLOVE DAVID F. , RIZZI ROMEO
Published: January 2010

Centralized matching programs have been established in several countries to organize kidney exchanges between incompatible patient-donor pairs. At the heart of these programs are algorithms to solve kidney exchange problems, which can be modelled as cycle packing problems in a directed graph, involving cycles of length 2, 3, or even longer. Usually, the goal is to maximize the number of transplants, but sometimes the total benefit is maximized by considering the differences between suitable kidneys. These problems correspond to computing cycle packings of maximum size or maximum weight in directed graphs. Here we prove the APX-completeness of the problem of finding a maximum size exchange involving only 2-cycles and 3-cycles. We also present an approximation algorithm and an exact algorithm for the problem of finding a maximum weight exchange involving cycles of bounded length. The exact algorithm has been used to provide optimal solutions to real kidney exchange problems arising from the National Matching Scheme for Paired Donation run by NHS Blood and Transplant, and we describe practical experience based on this collaboration.
LOCAL CONSTRUCTION AND COLORING OF SPANNERS OF LOCATION AWARE UNIT DISK GRAPHS
Authors: WIESE ANDREAS , KRANAKIS EVANGELOS
Published: January 2010

We look at the problem of coloring locally specially constructed spanners of unit disk graphs. First we present a local approximation algorithm for the vertex coloring problem in Unit Disk Graphs (UDGs) which uses at most four times as many colors as an optimal solution requires. Next we look at the colorability of spanners of UDGs. In particular we present a local algorithm for constructing a 4-colorable spanner of a unit disk graph. The output consists of the spanner and the 4-coloring. The computed spanner also has the properties that it is planar, the degree of a vertex in the spanner is at most 5 and the angles between two edges are at least π/3. By enlarging the locality distance (i.e. the size of the neighborhood which a vertex has to explore in order to compute its color) we can ensure the total weight of the spanner to be arbitrarily close to the weight of a minimum spanning tree.

We prove that a local algorithm cannot compute a bipartite spanner of a unit disk graph and therefore our algorithm needs at most one color more than any local algorithm for the task requires. Moreover, we prove that there is no local algorithm for 3-coloring UDGs or spanners of UDGs, even if the 3-colorability of the graph (or the spanner respectively) is guaranteed in advance.
Role of mutation of the circadian clock gene Per2 in cardiovascular circadian rhythms
Authors: Vukolic Ana , Antic Vladan , Van Vliet Bruce N. , Yang Zhihong , Albrecht Urs , Montani Jean-Pierre
Published: January 2010

Alterations in the circadian blood pressure pattern are frequently observed in hypertension and lead to increased cardiovascular morbidity. However, there are no studies that have investigated a possible implication of the Period2 gene, a key component of the molecular circadian clock, on the circadian rhythms of blood pressure and heart rate. To address this question, we monitored blood pressure, heart rate, and locomotor activity 24 h a day by telemetry in mice carrying a mutation in the Period2 gene and in wild-type control mice. Under a standard 12:12-h light-dark cycle, mutant mice showed a mild cardiovascular phenotype with an elevated 24-h heart rate, a decreased 24-h diastolic blood pressure, and an attenuation of the dark-light difference in blood pressure and heart rate. Locomotor activity was similar in both groups and did not appear to explain the observed hemodynamic differences. When mice were placed under constant darkness during eight consecutive days, wild-type mice maintained 24-h rhythms, whereas there was an apparent progressive loss of 24-h rhythm of blood pressure, heart rate, and locomotor activity in mutant mice. However, a chi square periodogram revealed that circadian rhythms were preserved under complete absence of any light cue, but with shorter periods by ∼40 min, leading to a cumulative phase shift toward earlier times of ∼5 h and 20 min by the end of the 8th day. When heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and activity were recalculated according to the endogenous circadian periods of each individual mouse, the amplitudes of the circadian rhythms (“subjective night”-“subjective day” differences) were maintained for all variables studied. Our data show that mutation of the Period2 gene results in an attenuated dipping of blood pressure and heart rate during both light-dark cycles and constant darkness, and in shorter circadian periods during constant darkness.
Amphetamine Increases Persistent Inward Currents in Human Motoneurons Estimated From Paired Motor-Unit Activity
Authors: Udina Esther , D'Amico Jessica , Bergquist Austin J. , Gorassini Monica A.
Published: January 2010

Recruitment and repetitive firing of spinal motoneurons depend on the activation of persistent inward calcium and sodium currents (PICs) that are in turn facilitated by serotonin and norepinephrine that arise primarily from the brain stem. Considering that in rats motoneuron PICs are greatly facilitated by increasing the presynaptic release of norepinephrine with amphetamine, we sought similar evidence for the modulation of PICs in human motoneurons. Pairs of motor units were recorded during a gradually increasing and then decreasing voluntary contraction. The firing frequency ( F) of the lower-threshold (control) motor unit was used as an estimate of the synaptic input to the higher-threshold (test) motor unit. Generally, PICs are initiated during the recruitment of a motoneuron and subsequently provide a fixed depolarizing current that helps the synaptic input maintain firing until derecruitment. Thus the amplitude of the PIC in the test motor unit was estimated from the difference in synaptic input (Δ F) needed to maintain minimal firing once the PIC was fully activated (measured at the time of test unit derecruitment) compared with the larger synaptic input required to initiate firing prior to full PIC activation (measured at the time of test unit recruitment; Δ F = Frecruit − Fderecruit). Moreover, the activation time of the PIC was estimated as the minimal contraction duration needed to produce a maximal PIC (Δ F). In five subjects, oral administration of amphetamine, but not placebo, increased the Δ F by 62% [from 3.7 ± 0.6 to 6.0 ± 0.8 (SD) imp/s, P = 0.001] and decreased the time needed to activate a maximal Δ F from ∼2 to 0.5 s. Both findings suggest that the endogenous facilitation of PICs from brain stem derived norepinephrine plays an important role in modulating human motoneuron excitability, readying motoneurons for rapid and sustained activity during periods of high arousal such as stress or fear.
Cell Cycle-Dependent Localization of Voltage-Dependent Calcium Channels and the Mitotic Apparatus in a Neuroendocrine Cell Line(AtT-20)
Authors: Loechner Karen J. , Salmon Wendy C. , Fu Jie , Patel Shipra , McLaughlin James T.
Published: January 2010

Changes in intracellular calcium are necessary for the successful progression of mitosis in many cells. Both elevation and reduction in intracellular calcium can disrupt mitosis by mechanisms that remain ill defined. In this study we explore the role of transmembrane voltage-gated calcium channels (CaV channels) as regulators of mitosis in the mouse corticotroph cell line (AtT-20). We report that the nifedipine-sensitive isoform CaV1.2 is localized to the “poleward side” of kinetechores during metaphase and at the midbody during cytokinesis. A second nifedipine-sensitive isoform, CaV1.3, is present at the mid-spindle zone in telophase, but is also seen at the midbody. Nifedipine reduces the rate of cell proliferation, and, utilizing time-lapse microscopy, we show that this is due to a block at the prometaphase stage of the cell cycle. Using Fluo-4 we detect calcium fluxes at sites corresponding to the mid-spindle zone and the midbody region. Another calcium dye, Fura PE3/AM, causes an inhibition of mitosis prior to anaphase that we attribute to a chelation of intracellular calcium. Our results demonstrate a novel, isoform-specific localization of CaV1 channels during cell division and suggest a possible role for these channels in the calcium-dependent events underlying mitotic progression in pituitary corticotrophs.
The Tsirelson Space 𝒯(p) Has a Unique Unconditional Basis up to Permutation for 0 < p < 1
Authors: Albiac F. , Leránoz C.
Published: January 2010

We show that the p‐convexified Tsirelson space 𝒯(p) for 0 < p < 1 and all its complemented subspaces with unconditional basis have unique unconditional basis up to permutation. The techniques
involved in the proof are different from the methods that have been used in all the other uniqueness results in the nonlocally convex setting.
Simultaneous EEG-fMRI in Patients with Unverricht-Lundborg Disease: Event-Related Desynchronization/Synchronization and Hemodynamic Response Analysis
Authors: Visani Elisa , Minati Ludovico , Canafoglia Laura , Gilioli Isabella , Salvatoni Lucia , Varotto Giulia , Fazio Patrik , Aquino Domenico , Bruzzone Maria Grazia , Franceschetti Silvana , Panzica Ferruccio
Published: January 2010

We performed simultaneous acquisition of EEG-fMRI in seven patients with Unverricht-Lundborg disease (ULD) and in six healthy controls using self-paced finger extension as a motor task. The event-related desynchronization/synchronization (ERD/ERS) analysis showed a greater and more diffuse alpha desynchronization in central regions and a strongly reduced post-movement beta-ERS in patients compared with controls, suggesting a significant dysfunction of the mechanisms regulating active movement and movement end. The event-related hemodynamic response obtained from fMRI showed delayed BOLD peak latency in the contralateral primary motor area suggesting a less efficient activity of the neuronal populations driving fine movements, which are specifically impaired in ULD.
Interactions of Gastrointestinal Peptides: Ghrelin and Its Anorexigenic Antagonists
Authors: Wisser Anna-Sophia , Habbel Piet , Wiedenmann Bertram , Klapp Burghard F. , Mönnikes Hubert , Kobelt Peter
Published: January 2010

Food intake behaviour and energy homeostasis are strongly regulated by a complex system of humoral factors and nerval structures constituting the brain-gut-axis. To date the only known peripherally produced and centrally acting peptide that stimulates food intake is ghrelin, which is mainly synthesized in the stomach. Recent data indicate that the orexigenic effect of ghrelin might be influenced by other gastrointestinal peptides such as cholecystokinin (CCK), bombesin, desacyl ghrelin, peptide YY (PYY), as well as glucagon-like peptide (GLP). Therefore, we will review on the interactions of ghrelin with several gastrointestinal factors known to be involved in appetite regulation in order to elucidate the interdependency of peripheral orexigenic and anorexigenic peptides in the control of appetite.
Making a Place To Take a Stand: Jonathan Z. Smith and the Politics and Poetics of Comparison'
Authors: Urban Hugh B.
Published: January 2010

The work of Jonathan Z. Smith represents perhaps the most intelligent and persuasive approach to the problem of comparison in the history of religions; yet it is also one that remains surprisingly undeveloped, leaving many troubling unanswered problems. The first problem is that one of Smith's finest insights is also one of the most theoretically confused-namely, his insight that comparison works essentially like a metaphor. Comparison, for Smith, does not tell us "how things are"; rather, it playfully juxtaposes two different things, manipulating their similarity and difference in order to open up fresh insights into both. Yet rather strangely, Smith's notion of metaphor relies on a problematic model. The second, more troubling, problem is Smith's central idea that the historian "has no place to stand"-that is to say, scholars have no fixed, normative position in relation to their data. Yet any reader of Smith's work quickly realizes that Smith does in fact have a real normative and interested "place to stand." Instead of a "placeless comparison," this paper argues for an interested and placed comparison one that renders the scholar's own political interests as explicit as possible from the outset, while at same time submitting them to scrutiny, critique and the Possibility of change.
Wesen und Erscheinung In the history of the study of religion: A post-structuralist perspective1
Authors: Murphy Tim
Published: January 2010

After arguing that classical phenomenology of religion is more heir to Hegelian rather than Husserlian phenomenolgy, this article proposes that the Hegelian concept of an essential and unified human nature grounds the basic operations of the field. Such Hegelian motifs as the insistence on essence and structure as the pnmary heuristic tools for understanding historical materials and the appeal to a universal and transcendental subjectivity which unites historically diverse moments are identified in the writings of Tiele, Chanteple, Otto, Hultkrantz, and Eliade, among others. The article concludes with a post-structualist critique of ideological humanism's construction of trans-historical identities and suggests that by delineating more fully the Hegelian heritage of phenomenology of religion, understood as discursive practice intimately involved in the construction of its object, such categories as "Religion" may turn out to be more an integral part of Occidental Humanism than a universal feature of human societies.
Eroticism, violence, and sacrifice: A postmodern theory of religion and ritual
Authors: Olson Carl
Published: January 2010

A fascinating and controversial theory of religion and ritual is offered by Georges Bataille, an influential French postmodern thinker and writer In his collected works he suggests that religion, which he identifies with the sacred, can best be understood by the interconnections and workings of eroticism, violence, and sacrifice. The key to understanding Bataille's theory is to focus on his concept of eroticism, which was one of his life-long obsessions. According to Bataille, a common feature of eroticism, sacrifice, and religion is violence which represents a danger to overflow at anytime. If eroticism opens the way to death, sacrifice effects it. Unable to reject violence, Bataille maintained that human beings practice both internal and external forms of violence in sacrifice. And because the love object of a sexual encounter and the victim of a sacrifice are stripped of their identity in these respective activities, there is an intimate connection between eroticism and sacrifice. Due to the fact that Bataille does not use ample examples from various religions to support his theory, this paper tests his ideas by applying them to the Sun Dance of the Sioux. This dramatic form of sacrifice enables one to recognize the many deficiencies of Bataille's theory.
Archaeology as space technology: Digging for gender and class in holy land
Authors: Sawicki Mananne
Published: January 2010

Contemporary archaeology offers three methodological options: the classlcal, the processual or scientific, and the post-processual. I propose a stance of "chastened realism" that integrates aspects of all three options toward a program for recovering information about non-élite sectors of ancient societies, and particularly for reconstructing their systems of gender, kinship, and labour The discipline of archaeology manipulates space in the effort to understand it. However the space that one seeks to understand - that is, to manage epistemologically - is space that already has undergone material, logical, and ideological management. Archaeology in the mode of "chastened realism" is a reflective technique for understanding multiply managed space. Examples taken from gender archaeology as conducted in the Amerleas suggest how questions of gender and economic organization might be investigated in Israel, with particular attention to the city of Sepphorts in Galilee in the era of the Gospels and the Mishnah (1-2 century C.E.).
British views on religion and religions in the age of William and Mary
Authors: Pailin David A.
Published: January 2010

The article provides a glimpse into the antecedents of the modern study of religion and religions by outlining the extent and variety of the different attitudes to other religions that are to be found in works published in Britain around the last decade of the seventeenth century. After noting the character of the contemporary debate about reason, religious belief and revelation that provides the background to many of the references to other religions and that significantly moulds their content, the article considers, in turn, the style and range of references to other religions, views on so-called "natural religion" and on the universality of religious belief, and the ways in which Judaism and Islam were treated. The article closes with some remarks on what this material suggests about the motive, source materials and method involved in the study of religion.
Developing a Theory of Missions in Serampore
Authors: Coker Joe L.
Published: January 2010

This paper explores the evolution of the mission theory of William Carey and his compatriots over the course of their careers and reevaluates the lasting impact that these changes had upon Protestant missions to India in the nineteenth century. During their first two decades in Serampore, Carey, Ward, and Marshman reevaluated and modified their understanding of what they considered to be the best "means for the conversion of the heathens." This article follows the development from Carey's early emphasis upon evangelism and translation work to the increasing emphasis that the trio placed upon education during the first decades of the nineteenth century. Struck by the realization that European efforts at preaching and translating were insufficient to accomplish the mammoth task of converting all of India to Christ, Carey and company turned to education as the best hope for the long-term success of their mission. An examination of efforts made by William Ward to elicit financial support for these new educational undertakings, however, reveals the difficulty they faced in trying to convince supporters in England and America to rethink their approach to missions. Despite recent revisionist critiques of the significance of the Serampore mission for missions theory, this paper concludes that the development of a broader understanding of"means" in Serampore laid an important foundation for all other missions to India that followed.
Ecumenical Church and Religious Conversion
Authors: Pachuau Lalsangkima
Published: January 2010

In this article, Lalsangkima Pachuau responds to contemporary accusations in India that Christian missionaries are forcing conversions, and thereby turning Indians away from their culture. While the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to "propagate" religion, and therefore to accept the movement from one religion (e.g. Hinduism) to another (e.g. Christianity), what is important to understand that "conversion" is not primarily a call to move from one religion to another--much less to abandon one's culture--but is a movement away from self and the "world" toward God. Conversion understood as "changing religions" is much more the product of seventeenth and eighteenth century evangelicalism than it is a true understanding of the Bible. Mission is always about conversion, and entails the invitation to enter the Christian community; such invitation, however, should always be distinguished from a proselytism that only focuses on a change of religious allegiance.