bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Micro-Stamp Systems for Batch-Filling, Parallel-Spotting, and Continuously Printing of Multiple Biosample Fluids
Authors: Ho Cheng-En , Chieng Ching-Chang , Chen Ming-Hung , Tseng Fan-Gang
Published: July 2008

Microarrays simultaneously screen tens to thousands of biosamples to observe biochemical activities in protein—protein, protein—nucleic acid and small molecule interactions. In this high throughput analysis, rapid and reliable printing technologies are highly desired with less deterioration on biosamples during process. This study introduces several micro-contact printing systems to print out multiple proteins simultaneously, uniformly and continuously with batch-filling capability for rapid microarray formation, with very gentle process for biosample preservation. This printing system consists of two chips, including a micro-filling chip and a micro-stamp chip, for rapid/accurate registration and batch operation. The micro-filling chip can simultaneously transfer numerous protein solutions into the micro-stamp chip in seconds by capillary force without cross-contamination, while preserving the functionality of proteins. Different proteins can be dispensed into the corresponding channels and driven into the tips of the micro stamps. The micro stamp can be then brought to contact with the substrate to produce bio-fluid spot arrays. These devices have a potential to be expanded to a high throughput system for simultaneously printing hundreds of bio-fluid spots for hundreds times in minutes, and to form dense bio-microarrays for disease diagnosis or drug screening.
Fabrication of Synaptotagmin II-Functionalized Neuromimetic Copolymeric Nanomembranes
Authors: Liu Karen C. , Lam Robert , Samuel Siby , Gupta Suraj , Leuthner John , Pierstorff Erik , Ho Dean
Published: July 2008

Nanoscale copolymer membranes that mimic the innate structure and properties of biological lipid membranes possessing hydrophilic and hydrophobic elements to support protein folding were used for a fundamental examination of protein—polymer integration. This study has integrated the neural synaptotagmin II (Syt II) protein, a documented target of the hemagglutinin-33 (Hn-33) protein associated with botulinum neurotoxin type A during the infection process, into polymethyloxazoline—polydimethylsiloxane—polymethyloxazoline nanomembranes. By integrating Syt II into block copolymer membranes, we have developed a neural mimetic membrane toward Hn-33 targeting the applications in nanomaterial-mediated detection. This technology can serve as a robust stand-alone platform for toxin diagnostic studies, or as a coating for integration with micro-/nanofabricated devices and electrodes for protein—protein interaction-based detection. To assess enhanced membrane complexity and toxin specificity, studies assessing the co-insertion of trisialoganglioside-GT1b (GT1b) and Syt II into the nanomembranes were used as a subsequent platform for botulinum neurotoxin type B detection. Protein—membrane integration was confirmed with atomic force microscopy imaging, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and Langmuir isotherm analysis.
Avian influenza A H5N1 infections in cats
Authors: Marschall Julia , Hartmann Katrin
Published: July 2008

Although cats had been considered resistant to disease from influenza virus infection, domestic cats and large felids are now known to be naturally und experimentally susceptible to infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 (HPAIV H5N1). The virus causes systemic infection, lung and liver being the mainly affected organs. Infected cats show fever, depression, dyspnoea, and neurological signs, but subclinical infections have also occurred. Mostly, cats have been infected by direct contact with affected birds, especially by eating raw poultry; transmission from cat to cat may also occur. Little is known about the role of cats in the epidemiology of the virus. So far, no reassortment between avian and mammalian influenza viruses has occurred in cats, but experts fear that cats might give the virus an opportunity to adapt to mammals. This publication gives a review on avian influenza in cats with a focus on practical aspects for veterinarians.
Associations between neonatal birth dimensions and maternal essential and trans fatty acid contents during pregnancy and at delivery
Authors: Dirix Chantal E. H. , Kester Arnold D. , Hornstra Gerard
Published: July 2008

Since birth dimensions have prognostic potential for later development and health, possible associations between neonatal birth dimensions and selected maternal plasma fatty acid contents were investigated, using data from 782 mother–infant pairs of the Maastricht Essential Fatty Acid Birth cohort. Unadjusted and multivariable-adjusted regression analyses were applied to study the associations between birth weight, birth length or head circumference and the relative contents of DHA, arachidonic acid (AA), dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) and 18 : 1trans (18 : 1t) in maternal plasma phospholipids sampled during early, middle and late pregnancies, and at delivery. Where appropriate, corrections were made for relevant covariables. Significant ‘positive’ associations were observed between maternal DHA contents (especially early in pregnancy) and birth weight (B = 52·10 g, 95 % CI 20·40, 83·80) and head circumference (B = 0·223 cm, 95 % CI 0·074, 0·372). AA contents at late pregnancy were ‘negatively’ associated with birth weight (B = − 44·25 g, 95 % CI − 68·33, − 20·16) and birth length (B = − 0·200 cm, 95 % CI − 0·335, − 0·065). Significant ‘negative’ associations were also observed for AA contents at delivery and birth weight (B = − 27·08 g, 95 % CI − 47·11, − 7·056) and birth length (B = − 0·207 cm, 95 % CI − 0·330, − 0·084). Maternal DGLA contents at delivery were also significantly ‘negatively’ associated with neonatal birth weight (B = − 85·76 g, 95 % CI − 130·9, − 40·61) and birth length (B = − 0·413 cm, 95 % CI − 0·680, − 0·146). No significant associations were observed for maternal 18 : 1t contents. We conclude that during early pregnancy, maternal DHA content may programme fetal growth in a positive way. Maternal AA and DGLA in late pregnancy might be involved in fetal growth limitation.
Peripartal feeding strategy with different n-6:n-3 ratios in sows: effects on sows' performance, inflammatory and periparturient metabolic parameters
Authors: Papadopoulos Georgios A. , Maes Dominiek G. D. , Van Weyenberg Stephanie , van Kempen Theo A. T. G. , Buyse Johan , Janssens Geert P. J.
Published: July 2008

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of two lactation sow feeds, differing in n-6:n-3 ratio, given to sows before parturition on body condition and feed intake, periparturient metabolism (leptin, insulin, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4)), inflammatory parameters (TNFα, IL-6, serum amyloid A (SAA)) and on piglet performance (birth weight, survivability). The feed contained either a low (supplemented with fish oil; f groups) or high (supplemented with sunflower-seed oil; s groups) n-6:n-3 ratio and was administered from 8 d (f8, s8) or 3 d (f3, s3) before parturition until weaning. The level of inclusion of the oil sources was 2 %. Seventy-two sows were randomly allocated 8 d before expected farrowing into four groups: f3, f8, s3, s8. Type of feed had a significant influence on the sows' feed intake during the first 2 d of lactation (s < f), leptin on days 4, 3 and 2 before parturition (f < s), insulin on day 1 after parturition (f < s), T4 on the day before parturition (s < f) and rectal temperature on the day after parturition (f < s). Onset of administration of the feed (3 v. 8 d) had significant effects on leptin on day 2 before parturition (8 < 3), insulin on day 4 before parturition (3 < 8), T3 on day 4 before parturition and on the day after parturition (3 < 8), SAA on day 3 after parturition (8 < 3) and piglet weight during the first days postpartum (3 < 8). In conclusion, under the present conditions, a lactation feed low in n-6:n-3 ratio administered from 8 d before farrowing ensures improved feed intake during the first days postpartum and was associated with a better metabolic change and inflammatory profile in sows in the periparturient period.
Echium oil is better than rapeseed oil in enriching poultry meat withn-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid and docosapentaenoic acid
Authors: Kitessa Soressa M. , Young Paul
Published: July 2008

α-Linolenic acid (ALA; 18 : 3n-3) and stearidonic acid (SDA; 18 : 4n-3) are on the biosynthetic pathway of EPA (20 : 5n-3) and DHA (22 : 6n-3). Then-3 fatty acid in rapeseed oil is ALA while Echium oil contains both ALA and SDA. To determine the comparative efficacy of ALA- and SDA-rich oils in enriching broiler meat withn-3 PUFA, we offered diets supplemented with rapeseed oil (rapeseed group) or Echium oil (Echium group) for 35 d to two groups of chicks (age 21 d). There were no differences in carcass weight (2·20 (sem0·06)v.2·23 (sem0·05) kg), boned, skinless thigh muscle (494 (sem20·5)v.507 (sem16·7) g), boned, skinless breast muscle (553 (sem13·4)v.546 (sem11·6) g) or organ weights (heart, liver and gizzard) between the two groups. The total intramuscular fat (IMF) percentage of thigh (8·0 (sem0·64)v.8·1 (sem0·62) %) and breast muscles (2·3 (sem0·24)v.2·0 (sem0·19) %) were also similar between the groups. In contrast, the concentrations of most of the individualn-3 fatty acids (ALA, SDA, EPA and docosapentaenoic acid) were all higher in the Echium than the rapeseed group (P < 0·05). However, differences in DHA concentrations were significant in breast but not thigh muscle IMF. The totaln-3 yields/100 g serve thigh muscle were 265 and 676 mg for the rapeseed and Echium groups, respectively (P < 0·0001). The corresponding values for equivalent breast muscles were 70 and 137 mg, respectively (P < 0·01). We conclude that Echium oil is a better lipid supplement than rapeseed oil in changing the concentration and yield ofn-3 fatty acids, except DHA, in broiler meat.
Underwater breathing: the mechanics of plastron respiration
Authors: FLYNN M. R. , BUSH JOHN W. M.
Published: July 2008

The rough, hairy surfaces of many insects and spiders serve to render them water-repellent; consequently, when submerged, many are able to survive by virtue of a thin air layer trapped along their exteriors. The diffusion of dissolved oxygen from the ambient water may allow this layer to function as a respiratory bubble or ‘plastron’, and so enable certain species to remain underwater indefinitely. Maintenance of the plastron requires that the curvature pressure balance the pressure difference between the plastron and ambient. Moreover, viable plastrons must be of sufficient area to accommodate the interfacial exchange of O2and CO2necessary to meet metabolic demands. By coupling the bubble mechanics, surface and gas-phase chemistry, we enumerate criteria for plastron viability and thereby deduce the range of environmental conditions and dive depths over which plastron breathers can survive. The influence of an external flow on plastron breathing is also examined. Dynamic pressure may become significant for respiration in fast-flowing, shallow and well-aerated streams. Moreover, flow effects are generally significant because they sharpen chemical gradients and so enhance mass transfer across the plastron interface. Modelling this process provides a rationale for the ventilation movements documented in the biology literature, whereby arthropods enhance plastron respiration by flapping their limbs or antennae. Biomimetic implications of our results are discussed.
Modulated rotating convection: radially travelling concentric rolls
Authors: RUBIO A. , LOPEZ J. M. , MARQUES F.
Published: July 2008

Recent experiments in rotating convection have shown that the spatio-temporal bulk convective state with Küppers–Lortz dynamics can be suppressed by small-amplitude modulations of the rotation rate. The resultant axisymmetric pulsed target patterns were observed to develop into axisymmetric travelling target patterns as the modulation amplitude and Rayleigh number were increased. Using the Navier–Stokes–Boussinesq equations with physical boundary conditions, we are able to numerically reproduce the experimental results and gain physical insight into the responsible mechanism, relating the onset of the travelling target patterns to a symmetry-restoring saddle-node on an invariant circle bifurcation. Movies are available with the online version of the paper.
Ovicidal activity of Paecilomyces lilacinus on Moniezia sp. eggs
Authors: Braga F.R. , Araújo J.V. , Araujo J.M. , Carvalho R.O. , Silva A.R. , Campos A.K. , Tavela A.O.
Published: July 2008

The ovicidal activity of Paecilomyces lilacinus was evaluated on Moniezia sp. eggs. Eggs of Moniezia sp. were incubated on plates with 2% agar-water inoculated with grown fungal isolates and a control treatment without fungus. After 5, 10 and 15 days post-inoculation, the eggs were removed and classified according to the following parameters: effect type 1, lytic effect without morphological damage to eggshells; effect type 2, lytic effect with morphological change in embryos and eggshells; and effect type 3, lytic effect with morphological change in embryos and eggshells, with hyphal penetration and internal colonization of eggs. Paecilomyces lilacinus showed percentages for ovicidal activity (P < 0.01), mainly type 3 effect, of 19, 20 and 23% on eggs of Moniezia sp., after 5, 10 and 15 days post-inoculation, respectively. Therefore P. lilacinus can be considered as a potential biological control agent for this cestode.
Non-local theory of a transverse magnetic mode pumped free electron laser
Authors: SHARMA B. S. , JAIMAN N. K.
Published: July 2008

A non-local theory is used to study the effects of the corrugation parameter ε of a plasma-filled slow wave structure, the cyclotron frequency of a pumped magnetic field Ω and the relativistic gamma factor γ0 on the instability growth Γ of a free electron laser in the presence of an external finite axial magnetic field. The dispersion relation is derived and the growth rate is formulated in the Raman regime. The growth rate is approximately proportional to ε. There is a considerable decrease in the instability growth when the cyclotron frequency is close to ω0. The growth rate approximately scales inversely as the 19/2 power of the relativistic gamma factor.
Invariant probability measures and dynamics of exponential linear type maps
Authors: GAMARNIK DAVID , NOWICKI TOMASZ , ŚWIRSZCZ GRZEGORZ
Published: July 2008

We consider the problem of the asymptotic size of the random maximum-weight matching of a sparse random graph, which we translate into dynamics of the operator in the space of distribution functions. A tight condition for the uniqueness of the globally attracting fixed point is provided, which extends the result of Karp and Sipser [Maximum matchings in sparse random graphs. 22nd Ann. Symp. on Foundations of Computer Science (Nashville, TN, 28–30 October, 1981). IEEE, New York, 1981, pp. 364–375] from deterministic weight distributions (Dirac measures μ) to general ones. Given a probability measure μ which corresponds to the weight distribution of a link of a random graph, we form a positive linear operator Φμ (convolution) on distribution functions and then analyze a family of its exponents, with parameter λ, which corresponds to the connectivity of a sparse random graph. The operator 𝕋 relates the distribution F on the subtrees to the distribution 𝕋F on the node of the tree by 𝕋F=exp (−λΦμF). We prove that for every probability measure μ and every λ<e, there exists a unique globally attracting fixed point of the operator; the probability measure corresponding to this fixed point can then be used to compute the expected maximum-weight matching on a sparse random graph. This result is called the e-cutoff phenomenon. For deterministic distributions and λ>e, there is no fixed point attractor. We further establish that the uniqueness of the invariant measure of the underlying operator is not a monotone property of the average connectivity; this parallels similar non-monotonicity results in the statistical physics context.
Fast laser scan matching approach based on adaptive curvature estimation for mobile robots
Authors: Núñez P. , Vázquez-Martín R. , Bandera A. , Sandoval F.
Published: July 2008

This paper describes a complete laser-based approach for tracking the pose of a robot in a dynamic environment. The main novelty of this approach is that the matching between consecutively acquired scans is achieved using their associated curvature-based representations. The proposed scan matching algorithm consists of three stages. Firstly, the whole raw laser data is segmented into groups of consecutive range readings using a distance-based criterion and the curvature function for each group is computed. Then, this set of curvature functions is matched to the set of curvature functions associated to the previously acquired laser scan. Finally, characteristic points of pairwise curvature functions are matched and used to correctly obtain the best local alignment between consecutive scans. A closed form solution is employed for computing the optimal transformation and minimizing the robot pose shift error without iterations. Thus, the system is outstanding in terms of accuracy and computation time. The implemented algorithm is evaluated and compared to three state of the art scan matching approaches.
Activation of amphibian oocytes by sperm extracts
Authors: Bonilla F. , Ajmat M. T. , Sánchez Toranzo G. , Zelarayán L. , Oterino J. , Bühler M. I.
Published: July 2008

In the fertilization of most animals, egg activation is accompanied by an increase in cytoplasmatic Ca2+; however, the mechanism through which the fertilizing sperm induce this phenomenon is still controversial. An increase in intracellular free Ca2+is required to trigger egg activation events, a process that includes cortical granule exocytosis, resumption and completion of meiosis and DNA replication, and culminates in the first mitotic cleavage. In this work, we investigated the effect of microinjection and incubation of different fractions of homologous sperm extract on the activation ofBufo arenarumoocytes maturedin vitro. Two heat treatment-sensitive fractions obtained by chromatography were able to induce oocyte activation. The sperm fraction, which contained a 24 kDa protein, induced 90% activation when it was microinjected into the oocytes. Whilst the sperm fraction, which contained a 36 kDa protein, was able to induce about 70% activation only when it was applied on the oocyte surface.
Body size preference and body weight perception among two migrant groups of non-Western origin
Authors: Nicolaou Mary , Doak Colleen , Dam Rob van , Hosper Karen , Seidell Jaap , Stronks Karien
Published: July 2008

Objectives

To evaluate body size preference, body weight perception and their relationship with actual weight in two migrant groups of non-Western origin, Turks and Moroccans; additionally, to study the association between body size preference and acculturation.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Subjects and methods

Males and females (18–30 years) were randomly selected from the population registry (n 451); participants, or at least one of their parents, were born in Turkey or Morocco. Body size preference was assessed using seven silhouette drawings and body weight perception was assessed by asking participants’ opinion of own weight. Acculturation variables were generation status and two scale measures, cultural orientation and social contacts.

Results

Participants showed preference for a thin body size. The discrepancy between ideal and current size was significant in women but not men (P < 0·001). Perceived current body size was correlated with BMI (Spearman’s correlation coefficient 0·60, P < 0·001 (men) and 0·73, P < 0·001 (women)). Among overweight participants (BMI = 25·0–29·9 kg/m2), 63–82 % of men and 35 % of women perceived themselves as ‘average’. Paying attention to own body weight was associated with a discrepancy between ideal and current size among women and with perceiving oneself as ‘overweight’ among men. Body size preference was not significantly associated with the three acculturation variables.

Conclusion

We did not observe a preference for large body sizes in these two non-Western migrant groups. Similar to Western populations, most women wished to be thinner than they were. This was not the case among men, the majority of whom were also unaware of being overweight.
Microscopy & Microanalysis '99: From the Local Arrangements
Committee Chair
Authors: Meshul Charles
Published: July 2008

The Local Arrangment Committee (LAC) welcomes attendees to Portland
and has put together several social events for the Microscopy &
Microanalysis '99 meeting that we hope registrants and their families
will enjoy. A list of those events and other happenings in the greater
Portland area can be obtained on our web page at: http://
www.ohsu.edu/core. Briefly, for those of you arriving on Saturday and
who would like the opportunity to have a taste of the region's
award-winning lagers, porters, and stouts that evening, there will be a
brew bus tour of several of the local pubs. On Sunday morning, for the
golf enthusiast, we are sponsoring the annual golf tournament at the
spectacular Skamania Lodge in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. The
course is located right off the Columbia River, in Washington, not far
from Portland.
MSA Placement Office: Positions Open
Authors: Watson John H.L.
Published: July 2008

This list contains brief descriptions of each of the positions known
to be open in Microscopy Society of America (MSA) Placement Office files.
Potential employers are urged to use the Placement Office as widely as
possible to advertise their needs to MSA members. Likewise, MSA members
who are seeking employment in microscopy are urged to register with the
Office to receive data on open positions periodically.
Calendar of Meetings and Courses
Authors: Reine Barbara , Zaluzec Nestor
Published: July 2008

Following is a list of microscopy-related meetings and courses. The
editors would greatly appreciate input to this list via the electronic
submission form found in the MSA World-Wide Web page at http://
www.msa.microscopy.com/. We will gladly add hypertext links to the
notice on the Web and insert a listing of the meeting in the next issue of
the Journal. Send comments and questions to Barbara Reine,
reine@u.washington.edu or Nestor Zaluzec, zaluzec@aaem.amc.anl.gov.
Microwave Protocols for Paraffin Microtechnique and In Situ
Localization in Plants
Authors: Schichnes Denise , Nemson Jeff , Sohlberg Lorraine , Ruzin Steven E.
Published: July 2008

We have developed a microwave protocol for a paraffin-embedding
microtechnique of the shoot apical meristem of Zea mays and have
successfully applied this protocol to other plant tissues. This protocol
decreases the time required for all aspects of microtechnique tissue
processing, including fixation (24 hr to 15 min), dehydration (73 hr to 10
min), and infiltration (96 hr to 3 hr). Additionally, the time required to
adhere paraffin ribbons to gelatin-coated slides and for the
Johanson's safranin O, fast green FCF staining protocol has been
significantly decreased. Using this technique, the quality of tissue
preservation and subsequent in situ localization of knotted mRNA
was increased by using microwaves.
Real-time Observation of Aluminum Chemical Vapor Deposition in an
Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope
Authors: Linam David L. , Drucker Jeff
Published: July 2008

A technique has been developed to provide real-time imaging, with
several nanometer resolution, of organometallic chemical vapor deposition
(CVD) by scanning electron microscopy under conditions approaching those
used in the microelectronics industry. The technique involves
modifications to an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) to
facilitate organometallic precursor gas handling and sample heating. To
demonstrate the usefulness of this technique for studying the
microstructural evolution of CVD-grown metal films, results of
Al/SiO2 CVD experiments are presented.
Music, Theosophical spirituality, and empire: the British modernist composers Cyril Scott and John Foulds
Authors: van der Linden Bob
Published: July 2008

This article deals with the life and work of the early twentieth-century British modernist composers Cyril Scott and John Foulds, in the context of British national music and ‘imperial culture’ at large. Through a discussion of their Theosophical spirituality, Indian musical exoticism, and modernist aesthetics (for all of which they became outsiders to the British music establishment), it tentatively investigates their ideas as part of an ‘alternative’ ideological cluster, which equally influenced British ‘imperial culture’. Furthermore, it discusses the role of Theosophists (such as Annie Besant, Margaret Cousins, and Rukmini Devi) in Indian nationalism and the making of modern South Indian music. This situates the cases of Scott and Foulds within Theosophy as a global movement, and illustrates how cosmopolitan radicalism, Western self-questioning, modernist aesthetics, and anti-establishment thinking linked up with the emergence of non-Western anti-imperial nationalism through an intricate network of personal relationships in metropolis and colony.
Morphological shifts in Southeast Asian prostitution: the long twentieth century
Authors: Tagliacozzo Eric
Published: July 2008

This article examines the history of prostitution as a regional phenomenon in Southeast Asia over the course of the twentieth century. I argue that this institution changed shape several times during that period, and that a number of rubrics might be employed to best study this evolution. The first part of the article looks at some of the traditional parameters of prostitution as it was practised both in island and mainland Southeast Asia, while the second part of the essay traces some new developments in the burgeoning colonial age. The third part of the piece then looks at war-time prostitution as a separate phenomenon from these earlier developments, while the fourth examines the rise of sex tourism in the region, partially as an offshoot of these same armed conflicts in the middle decades of the century. Finally, the last section of the article looks at how borders, cities, and economic inequalities have acted upon each other in today’s world to change the shape of regional prostitution in Southeast Asia yet again.
Gender Differences in the Mental Rotations Test (MRT) Are Not Due to Task Complexity
Authors: Titze Corinna , Heil Martin , Jansen Petra
Published: July 2008

Gender differences are one of the main topics in mental rotation research. This paper focuses on the influence of the performance factor task complexity by using two versions of the Mental Rotations Test (MRT). Some 300 participants completed the test without time constraints, either in the regular version or with a complexity reducing template creating successive two-alternative forced-choice tasks. Results showed that the complexity manipulation did not affect the gender differences at all. These results were supported by a sufficient power to detect medium effects. Although performance factors seem to play a role in solving mental rotation problems, we conclude that the variation of task complexity as realized in the present study did not.
Emotion-Related Traits Moderate the Impact of Emotional State on Creative Performances
Authors: Zenasni Franck , Lubart Todd I.
Published: July 2008

The present study shows that the impact of emotional states on creativity depends on individual emotional characteristics as well as the type of task used. The results found during the last 30 years diverge concerning relationships between emotion and creative cognition. For this reason, we conducted a study to explore whether the impact of emotional states on creative potential is moderated by individuals emotional traits. Using a multivariate approach, we measured (1) emotional valence and arousal level of participants after an emotional induction, (2) emotional traits (e.g., alexithymia, emotional expressivity, affective intensity, emotional idiosyncrasy), and (3) quantity, originality, and valence of generated ideas in two distinct divergent thinking tasks. Participants were 107 undergraduate university students. Regression analyses confirm our hypothesis showing that the impact of emotional states on creative performance is not uniform, but depends on participants emotional state and emotion-related traits. For example, we observed that the more individuals had difficulty with emotional information and the higher their level of arousal, the less they generated pleasant ideas. Several processes such as arousal regulation may explain the observed results.
Tropical cyclone trends in the Australian region
Authors: Hassim Muhammad E. E. , Walsh Kevin J. E.
Published: July 2008

Tropical cyclone trends in the Australian region are examined using the Bureau of Meteorology best track data. Here the focus is on analyzing differences in trends between the eastern and western subregions of the Australian formation region, under the assumption that any spurious trends in the best track data due to changes in observational practices would be less noticeable in differences between two adjacent portions. Substantial differences in trends are found between the two subregions, with the number, average maximum intensity, and duration at the severe category intensities of tropical cyclones increasing since 1980 in the west but decreasing (in number) or exhibiting no trend (in intensity, severe category duration) in the east. Analyses of trends in atmospheric variables known to be related to tropical cyclone characteristics also indicate substantial differences between the two subregions.
Basin‐scale wind‐forced dynamics of the seasonal southern South China Sea gyre
Authors: Bayler Eric J. , Liu Zhengyu
Published: July 2008

Using observed wind‐forcing, the seasonal development and disappearance of the near‐surface anticyclonic gyre in the southern South China Sea is modeled, along with associated dynamic features. Forced by monsoon winds, the ocean circulation in the South China Sea alternates between a single cyclonic gyre during the winter northeast monsoon and a double gyre, cyclonic/anticyclonic in the northern/southern South China Sea, during the summer southwest monsoon, reversing the western boundary current along Vietnam with each shift of the monsoon regime. During the summer southwest monsoon, the poleward western boundary current converges with the equatorward western boundary current of the northern gyre, turning offshore to create an eastward jet and flanking dipole recirculation near 13°N. The development and timing of the eastward jet and recirculations are consistent with large‐scale basin dynamics. The subsequent transition to the winter northeast monsoon regime destroys the recirculation cells and eastward jet. Employing high‐resolution 1.5‐layer and 2.0‐layer numerical models, we demonstrate the applicability of large‐scale dynamics to the deeper central basin of the South China Sea, specifically showing that the gyre‐scale circulation governs the development of the eastward jet and dipole recirculations. The destruction of the recirculations by the monsoon winds each autumn is also modeled. This effort highlights the dominance of monsoon wind‐forcing in the South China Sea's basin‐scale dynamics.
Moistening processes in the tropical upper troposphere observed from Meteosat measurements
Authors: Sohn Byung‐Ju , Schmetz Johannes , Chung Eui‐Seok
Published: July 2008

In order to investigate processes of moistening the upper troposphere (UT), we examined Lagrangian evolution of deep convection index, cloudiness, UTH tendency, and condensation/evaporation rate of the convective cloud system observed by Meteosat‐8 infrared measurements over tropical Africa and the Atlantic Ocean. Condensation/evaporation rates were inferred from the imbalance between cloud expansion rate and wind divergence which were directly determined from the Meteosat‐8 measurements. It was found that wind divergence corresponds much more with UTH tendency, in comparison to the poor correlation found between evaporation rate of cloud condensates and UTH tendency. Because water vapor concentrations in the UT are nearly an order of magnitude larger than ice water concentrations, the transport of moist air associated with the formation and vertical growth of clouds and the subsequent upper‐tropospheric divergence should be primarily responsible for moistening the UT. On the other hand, the role of evaporation of detrained hydrometeors from the convection center appears to be secondary, as indicated by less coherent relationship between UTH tendency and evaporation rate, and the much smaller mass of ice water relative to water vapor. Results strongly support the notion that the UT is predominantly moistened by water vapor advected to drier surroundings from the diverging cloud top areas, in association with vertical convergent transport of water vapor which is also responsible for the formation and maintenance of cirrus clouds.
Southern California Earthquake Center Geologic Vertical Motion Database
Authors: Niemi Nathan A. , Oskin Michael , Rockwell Thomas K.
Published: July 2008

The Southern California Earthquake Center Geologic Vertical Motion Database (VMDB) integrates disparate sources of geologic uplift and subsidence data at 104‐ to 106‐year time scales into a single resource for investigations of crustal deformation in southern California. Over 1800 vertical deformation rate data points in southern California and northern Baja California populate the database. Four mature data sets are now represented: marine terraces, incised river terraces, thermochronologic ages, and stratigraphic surfaces. An innovative architecture and interface of the VMDB exposes distinct data sets and reference frames, permitting user exploration of this complex data set and allowing user control over the assumptions applied to convert geologic and geochronologic information into absolute uplift rates. Online exploration and download tools are available through all common web browsers, allowing the distribution of vertical motion results as HTML tables, tab‐delimited GIS‐compatible text files, or via a map interface through the Google Maps™ web service. The VMDB represents a mature product for research of fault activity and elastic deformation of southern California.
Light absorbing carbon emissions from commercial shipping
Authors: Lack Daniel , Lerner Brian , Granier Claire , Baynard Tahllee , Lovejoy Edward , Massoli Paola , Ravishankara A. R. , Williams Eric
Published: July 2008

Extensive measurements of the emission of light absorbing carbon aerosol (LAC) from commercial shipping are presented. Vessel emissions were sampled using a photoacoustic spectrometer in the Gulf of Mexico region. The highest emitters (per unit fuel burnt) are tug boats, thus making significant contributions to local air quality in ports. Emission of LAC from cargo and non cargo vessels in this study appears to be independent of engine load. Shipping fuel consumption data (2001) was used to calculate a global LAC contribution of 133(±27) Ggyr−1, or ∼1.7% of global LAC. This small fraction could have disproportionate effects on both air quality near port areas and climate in the Arctic if direct emissions of LAC occur in that region due to opening Arctic sea routes. The global contribution of this LAC burden was investigated using the MOZART model. Increases of 20–50 ng m−3 LAC (relative increases up to 40%) due to shipping occur in the tropical Atlantic, Indonesia, central America and the southern regions of South America and Africa.
Global climatology of near‐inertial current characteristics from Lagrangian observations
Authors: Chaigneau Alexis , Pizarro Oscar , Rojas Winston
Published: July 2008

Satellite‐tracked surface drifter data from 1999–2006 are used to compute global climatology of inertial current characteristics at seasonal scales. The global mean near‐inertial current amplitude at 15m depth is ∼10 cm s−1 corresponding to mixed‐layer inertial energies of ∼300 J m−2. The Southern Ocean and the western North Pacific and Atlantic oceans are the most energetic in the near‐inertial frequency band, whereas weaker inertial activity is observed in the subtropical and eastern boundary regions. In every ocean basin, inertial activity is higher during fall and winter, associated with maximum storms activity and deeper mixed‐layers. This study also shows that the mixed‐layer model developed by R. T. Pollard and R. C. Millard (1970) and forced by the QSCAT/NCEP blended wind product is too energetic in the tropics and not enough at high latitudes. These discrepancies could question the previous estimates of the wind work to inertial motions based on those simulations.
Co‐location of lightning leader x‐ray and electric field change sources
Authors: Howard J. , Uman M. A. , Dwyer J. R. , Hill D. , Biagi C. , Saleh Z. , Jerauld J. , Rassoul H. K.
Published: July 2008

Using an eight‐station time of arrival (TOA) network composed of NaI(Tl) scintillation detectors and wideband electric field derivative (dE/dt) antennas covering approximately 1 km2 on the ground, we have located both the sources of X‐ray emissions and electric field changes produced during the leader phase of both downward negative natural and rocket‐triggered lightning strokes. We show that the sources of X rays and leader step electric field changes are co‐located in space within 50 m and that the located X rays are emitted 0.1 to 1.3 μs after the origin of the leader step electric field changes.
Generation of plasmaspheric undulations
Authors: Buzulukova N. , Fok M.‐C. , Moore T. E. , Ober D. M.
Published: July 2008

We have modeled the plasmaspheric plume region using the Comprehensive Ring Current model (CRCM) and the Dynamical Global Core Plasma model (DGCPM), for an event that exhibited substantial undulations or ripples as observed by the IMAGE EUV imager during 17 April 2002. We drove the simulated electric field using the Weimer cross polar cap potential. We specified the magnetic field to vary in response to solar wind conditions according to the T96 model. As a control, we performed a run with a fixed magnetic field and a run with a low ring current pressure. The results show that particle injections into the inner magnetosphere and ring current–ionosphere–plasmasphere interaction are an essential part of the undulation response. We also conclude that the undulations are stronger in the case of magnetic field variations because associated induction electric field causes more pronounced injections.
Role of the domain encompassing Arg304–Ile328 in rat P2X2 receptor conformation revealed by alterations in complex glycosylation at Asn298
Authors: Young Mark T. , Zhang Yi-Hong , Cao Lishuang , Broomhead Helen , Jiang Lin-Hua
Published: July 2008

The final 25 amino acids of the ectodomain of the P2X receptors, immediately prior to the second TM (transmembrane domain) (pre-TM2: Arg304–Ile328 in rat P2X2), are highly conserved. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings showed that single cysteine substitutions in the N-terminal half of pre-TM2 (Arg304–Ile314) led to loss of function at Arg304, Leu306, Lys308 and Ile312. Cysteine substitutions within this region also resulted in a significant reduction in the apparent molecular mass of receptors, due to loss of complex glycosylation at the nearby acceptor site Asn298, which was not seen for the C-terminal portion of pre-TM2 (Asp315–Ile328). The reduction in complex glycosylation was not due to reduced cell-surface presentation, demonstrating that glycosylation at Asn298 was acting as a sensor of subtle changes in receptor conformation within the pre-TM2 region. When this N-glycan site was repositioned closer to the plasma membrane by mutagenesis (N298S together with G299N, T300N, T301N or T303N), glycosylation was restored at G299N and T300N, but was impaired for T301N and completely absent for T303N. These results suggest that the region in the vicinity of Asp315 is at the plasma membrane interface and that the N-terminal portion of pre-TM2 (Arg304–Ile314) is important for the correct conformation of the receptor at the extracellular face of the membrane.
Activities, ringmaps and geovisualization of large human movement fields
Authors: Zhao Jinfeng , Forer Pip , Harvey Andrew S.
Published: July 2008

The timeline or track of any individual, mobile, sentient organism, whether animal or human being, represents a fundamental building block in understanding the interactions of such entities with their environment and with each other. New technologies have emerged to capture the (x, y, t) dimension of such timelines in large volumes and at relatively low cost, with various degrees of precision and with different sampling properties. This has proved a catalyst to research on data mining and visualizing such movement fields. However, a good proportion of this research can only infer, implicitly or explicitly, the activity of the individual at any point in time. This paper in contrast focuses on a data set in which activity is known. It uses this to explore ways to visualize large movement fields of individuals, using activity as the prime referential dimension for investigating space—time patterns. Visually central to the paper is the ringmap, a representation of cyclic time and activity, that is itself quasi spatial and is directly linked to a variety of visualizations of other dimensions and representations of spatio-temporal activity. Conceptually central is the ability to explore different levels of generalization in each of the space, time and activity dimensions, and to do this in any combination of the (s, t, a) phenomena. The fundamental tenet for this approach is that activity drives movement, and logically it is the key to comprehending pattern. The paper discusses these issues, illustrates the approach with specific example visualizations and invites critiques of the progress to date.
Multiferroicity in the spin-1∕2 quantum matter of LiCu2O2
Authors: Rusydi A. , Mahns I. , Müller S. , Rübhausen M. , Park S. , Choi Y. J. , Zhang C. L. , Cheong S.-W. , Smadici S. , Abbamonte P. , Zimmermann M. v. , Sawatzky G. A.
Published: July 2008

Multiferroicity in LiCu2O2 single crystals is studied using resonant soft x-ray magnetic scattering, hard x-ray diffraction, heat capacity, magnetic susceptibility, and electrical polarization. Two magnetic transitions are found at 24.6 K (T1) and 23.2K (T2). Our data are consistent with a sinusoidal spin structure at T2<T<T1 and with a helicoidal spin structure at T<T2, giving rise to ferroelectricity. Surprisingly, above T2, the correlation lengths of the spin structures increase as the temperature increases with dramatic changes of ∼42% occurring along the c axis.
Label free biosensor incorporating a replica-molded, vertically emitting distributed feedback laser
Authors: Lu M. , Choi S. S. , Wagner C. J. , Eden J. G. , Cunningham B. T.
Published: July 2008

A label free biosensor based upon a vertically emitting distributed feedback (DFB) laser has been demonstrated. The DFB laser comprises a replica-molded, one-dimensional dielectric grating coated with laser dye-doped polymer as the gain medium. Adsorption of biomolecules onto the laser surface alters the DFB laser emission wavelength, thereby permitting the kinetic adsorption of a protein polymer monolayer or the specific binding of small molecules to be quantified. A bulk sensitivity of 16.6nm per refractive index unit and the detection of a monolayer of the protein polymer poly(Lys, Phe) have been observed with this biosensor. The sensor represents a departure from conventional passive resonant optical sensors from the standpoint that the device actively generates its own narrowband high intensity output without stringent requirements on the coupling alignments, resulting in a simple, robust illumination and detection configuration.
Modulation of surface reactivity via electron confinement in metal quantum well films: O2 adsorption on Pb∕Si(111)
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Zhang Yanfeng , Fu Qiang , Zhang Hui , Yao Yunxi , Ma Teng , Tan Dali , Xue Qikun , Bao Xinhe
Published: July 2008

Pb quantum well films with atomic-scale uniformity in thickness over macroscopic areas were prepared on Si(111)-7×7 surfaces. As a probe molecule, O2 was used to explore the effect of electron confinement in the metal films on the surface reactivity. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results showed clear oscillations of oxygen adsorption and Pb oxidation with the thickness of the Pb films. The higher reactivity to O2 on the films with 23 and 25 ML Pb has been attributed to their highest occupied quantum well states being close to the Fermi level (EF) and the high density of the electron states at EF (DOS-EF), as evidenced by the corresponding ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. A dominant role of DOS-EF was suggested to explain the quantum modulation of surface reactivity in metal quantum well films.
Organic solar cells with solution-processed graphene transparent electrodes
Authors: Wu Junbo , Becerril Héctor A. , Bao Zhenan , Liu Zunfeng , Chen Yongsheng , Peumans Peter
Published: July 2008

We demonstrate that solution-processed graphene thin films can serve as transparent conductive anodes for organic photovoltaic cells. The graphene electrodes were deposited on quartz substrates by spin coating of an aqueous dispersion of functionalized graphene, followed by a reduction process to reduce the sheet resistance. Small molecular weight organic solar cells can be directly deposited on such graphene anodes. The short-circuit current and fill factor of these devices on graphene are lower than those of control device on indium tin oxide due to the higher sheet resistance of the graphene films. We anticipate that further optimization of the reduction conditions will improve the performance of these graphene anodes.
Theoretical study of one-photon and two-photon absorption properties of perylene tetracarboxylic derivatives
Authors: Zhao Yang , Ren Ai-Min , Feng Ji-Kang , Sun Chia-Chung
Published: July 2008

The geometrical structure, electronic structure, one-photon absorption (OPA) and two-photon absorption (TPA) properties of the perylene tetracarboxylic derivatives (PTCDs) were studied theoretically by using density functional theory (DFT) and Zerner’s intermediate neglect of differential overlap (ZINDO) methods. The results revealed that increasing the number of naphthalene nucleus, extending the conjugated length on long axis, increasing the strength of donor group on lateral side, decreasing the ΔEH-L (energy gap between the highest occupied orbital and the lowest unoccupied orbital) and keeping the conjugation effect and inductive effect along the same molecular axis are the efficient ways to enlarge TPA cross section of PTCDs compounds. The results that PTCDs compounds exhibited extremely large TPA cross section of around 800–1100nm (near infrared region) shed light into the significance of the PTCDs compounds for applications in TPA labeling materials in vivo.