bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimal Dynamic Production and Inventory Transshipment Policies for a Two-Location Make-to-Stock System
Authors: Zhao Hui , Ryan Jennifer K. , Deshpande Vinayak
Published: April 2008

Inventory sharing through transshipment has attracted a great deal of attention from researchers and practitioners due to its potential for increasing service levels while simultaneously decreasing stock levels. In this paper, we analyze the optimal production and transshipment policy for a two-location make-to-stock queueing system with exponential production and interarrival times. A key feature of our model is that we allow transshipments to be triggered by both demand arrivals and production completions. Thus, transshipment is used to achieve production flexibility through inventory reallocation, as well as to fill emergency demands. We also consider capacity issues in transshipment by modeling each location as a single-server, make-to-stock queueing system. In this setting, we prove that the optimal production policy for each location belongs to the “hedging point” family of policies, while the optimal demand filling policy belongs to the “state-dependent rationing” family of policies. We analyze the structural properties of the optimal policy and provide conditions under which the optimal policy can be simplified. Given the complex nature of the optimal policy, we develop three easy-to-implement heuristics that work very well for a large range of cost parameters.
Multivariate Bayesian Control Chart
Authors: Makis Viliam
Published: April 2008

A multivariate Bayesian control chart for monitoring process mean under the assumption that the vector of process observations follows a multivariate normal distribution is considered. Traditional control charts such as Hotelling's T2, EWMA, and CUSUM charts have been applied to control industrial processes characterized by several measurable variables. It is well known that these traditional, non-Bayesian process control techniques are not optimal, but very few results regarding the structure of the Bayesian control policy have been reported in the literature, all dealing with the univariate, finite-horizon case. In this paper, we formulate the multivariate Bayesian process control problem in the optimal stopping framework. The objective is to find a stopping rule under partial observations, minimizing the long-run expected average cost per unit time for a given sample size and sampling interval. Under standard operating and cost assumptions, it is proved that a control limit policy is optimal, and an algorithm is presented to find the optimal control limit and the minimum average cost.
Gab es eine neoliberale Wende? Wirtschaft und Wirtschaftspolitik in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland ab Mitte der 1970er Jahre
Authors: Werding Martin
Published: April 2008

Vorspann

Der Begriff „Neoliberalismus“ ist in aller Munde. Dass es eine neoliberale Wende gegeben hat, ist mittlerweile zu einer politischen Glaubensweisheit geworden, ohne dass sich aber sagen ließe, wann sie eingetreten ist und worin sie genau besteht. Martin Werding, Ökonom am ifo-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, bestreitet nun, dass es diese Wende überhaupt gegeben hat. Welche Argumente vermag er dafür aufzubieten?
Die DDR in den Augen des BND (1985–1990). Ein Interview mit Dr. Hans-Georg Wieck
Authors: Wentker Hermann
Published: April 2008

Vorspann

Alle Welt wurde vom Bankrott der DDR und der Wiedervereinigung überrascht. Auch der BND? Was wusste der Geheimdienst von den Erosions- und Zerfallserscheinungen in der DDR? Wie arbeitete er und zu welchen Ergebnissen gelangte er? Und wie versuchte er, seine Erkenntnisse in den politischen Meinungsbildungs- und Entscheidungsprozess einzuspeisen? Hermann Wentker, langjähriger Mitarbeiter des Instituts für Zeitgeschichte, und Karl Feldmeyer, Journalist der Frankfurter Allgemeinen Zeitung, stellen diese Fragen im Gespräch mit Hans-Georg Wieck, der von 1985 bis 1990 den Bundesnachrichtendienst leitete.
The Effect of Tricaine on Use of the Fluorescein Test for Detecting Skin and Corneal Ulcers in Fish
Authors: Davis Michael W. , Stephenson Jeana , Noga Edward J.
Published: April 2008

Fluorescein has been used for rapid and sensitive detection of fish skin and corneal ulceration. Effective use of the fluorescein test requires knowledge of conditions that might cause misleading interpretations or otherwise interfere with test reliability. Examination of fish health and the clinical workup often require tricaine as one of the most commonly used anesthetics. However, tricaine may interfere with correct interpretation of the fluorescein test and might also cause significant fish injury. The effects of tricaine exposure sequence on the fidelity of the fluorescein test was studied in Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis, walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma, and northern rock soles Lepidopsetta polyxystra by examining the fluorescence of experimentally induced epidermal wounding. Tricaine can quench fluorescence that is emitted by fluorescein retained in skin ulcers, causing a false-negative reaction. Thus, for the fluorescein test to work properly, it is important to avoid the exposure of fluorescein-treated and rinsed ulcers to tricaine. The effects of exposure to buffered versus unbuffered tricaine on epidermal and corneal integrity were studied in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus and channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus subjected to the fluorescein test and histological examination. Fluorescein could detect not only ulcers but also areas with only a partial loss of epithelium (i.e., erosion). The use of unbuffered tricaine to anesthetize these fish caused serious epidermal and corneal damage. If fish are euthanized with unbuffered tricaine for clinical workup, this severe epidermal or corneal damage could be misinterpreted as an antemortem lesion, leading to misdiagnosis. Even in water with alkalinity exceeding 50 mg/L as CaCO3, it would seem prudent to always buffer tricaine with sodium bicarbonate to prevent a pH change that might lead to iatrogenic effects from unbuffered tricaine. Thus, current general recommendations suggesting that tricaine does not need to be buffered in waters with alkalinity greater than 50 mg/L might need to be modified.
Accumulation and translocation of sparingly soluble manure phosphorus in different types of soils after long-term excessive inputs
Authors: UUSITALO R. , YLIVAINIO K. , TURTOLA E.
Published: April 2008

When phosphorus (P) is applied to soils in excess of plant P demand, P accumulation takes place. By means of P fractionation, we studied the fate of P in 35 soils that had received long-term surplus P rates as fox and mink manure P (F&MM-P), considered as a sparingly soluble P source. We compared these data with those from the same soils under a more typical P management, i.e., fields amended with soluble P sources superphosphate and dairy manure (SP+DM). Fractionation of manures according to the Hedley procedure suggested limited solubility of F&MM-P, two-thirds of the F&MM-P being soluble in acid (HCl) only. In mineral soils, surplus F&MM-P accumulated for the most part as HCl-P (poorly available), whereas in organic soils accumulation occurred largely as NaOH-soluble (moderately available) and labile P. Translocation of F&MM-P was evidenced by P fractionation and by agronomic P test: subsurface soil of F&MM-amended fields contained more P than the same soils in fields amended with SP+DM. In the 35 soils that had received surplus F&MM-P, agronomic P status was classified as excessive in 90% of the samples taken from the plough layer, in 75% of those from 2040 cm depth, and in 50% of those from 4060 cm depth. In the reference soils amended with SP+DM, excessive P status was recorded for 23% of the plough layer samples and 4% of the subsurface samples. These results show that manure P which appears as sparingly soluble in P fractionation may in a longer term increase the content of labile soil P and translocate in the soil profile when applied in high rates.;
Reduced fertiliser use and changes in cereal grain weight, test weight and protein content in Finland in 1990-2005
Authors: SALO T. , ESKELINEN J. , JAUHIAINEN L.
Published: April 2008

Since 1995 the Finnish Agri-Environmental Program has set limits for nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertiliser application rates in agriculture. The decrease in N and P fertiliser recommendations, and especially the decrase in N and P amounts applied in practice, has raised the question of whether N and P application rates are too low to produce high quality yields. The test weight, 1000 grain weight and protein concentrations measured in 19902005 by the Cereal Inspection Unit of the Finnish Food Safety Authority were analysed against soil type, location and NP fertiliser data. The purpose of this study was to document and statistically analyse changes in fertiliser use, important quality factors and the connection between fertiliser use and grain quality of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), oats (Avena sativa L.), winter rye (Secale cereale L.) as well as spring and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Applications of N and P fertiliser, test weight and 1000 grain weight have decreased in Finland since 1990-1994. Protein content began to decrease in 19951999, but then increased in 20002005. The statistical analysis showed that reduced N application rates are associated with lower test weight, 1000 grain weight and grain protein concentration. In addition, low P application rates were associated with reduced 1000 grain weight and protein concentration in some instances, although protein concentration also increased in winter wheat grain. The magnitude of grain quality reduction was not solely explicable through N and P application rates. During the observation period many other factors changed in Finnish cereal production and, for example, the decrease in cereal prices, increase of reduced tillage and low investments in drainage and liming could have been associated with decreased grain quality.;
The Effect of the Integration of Computing Technology in a Science Curriculum on Female Students' Self-Efficacy Attitudes
Authors: Cady Donna , Terrell Steven R.
Published: April 2008

Females are underrepresented in technology-related careers and educational programs; many researchers suggest this can be traced back to negative feelings of computer self-efficacy developed as early as the age of 10. This study investigated the effect of embedding technology into a 5th grade science classroom and measuring its effect on self-efficacy beliefs of young females. During a 1-semester trial, students in an experimental group used tools such as Kidspiration©, Keynote©, and Promethean© ActivBoard for specific assignments; students in a control group were not exposed to technology integrated specifically into the science curriculum. Our results indicated that the careful selection and use of computing technology led to higher levels of perceived importance and self-efficacy toward technology by female students.
Teacher Technology Use and Student Evaluations: The Moderating Role of Content Area
Authors: Frye Nancy E. , Dornisch Michele M.
Published: April 2008

Recently, concerted efforts have been made to encourage teachers to utilize technology within the classroom. Just as other modes of presentation style have implications for students' perceptions of their classroom experiences, so, too, might teachers' use of technology. The current study investigated this possibility, as well as whether the strength of this association between teachers' use of technology and students' perceptions is moderated by context. Using data from 101 high school students from the United States, it was found that teachers within the disciplines of math and science who use more technology are perceived as more competent. In other disciplines, there is not a significant association between technology use and teacher evaluations. Implications with respect to the anticipated future increases in technology use and possible consequences for student motivation and learning are discussed.
Xml and ePortfolios
Authors: Fitch Dale , Gibbs Tashira , Peet Melissa , Reed Beth Glover , Tolman Richard
Published: April 2008

For students in many professional programs, their written work remains the chief means for them to convey their understanding and application of material presented in the classroom. Within their papers are applications of learning objectives or competencies. However, when students are asked to aggregate their acquisition of competencies, or if the school would like to know which competencies students are acquiring, then we are immediately confronted with the fact that the data within these papers is locked up in proprietary data formats, e.g., .doc. This article describes our proof-of-concept research wherein we asked students to “tag” their work with specific competencies via XML and retrieved that data using a database management system.
Association of Extensive Brain Calcifications, Myelofibrosis, and Retinopathy in a 12-Year-Old Child
Authors: Negrón Diana , Colón-Castillo Lillian , Morales-Melecio Ilia , Correa-Rivas María
Published: April 2008

We report a case of a 12-year-old boy with history of myelofibrosis and retinopathy who developed sudden neurological deficits associated with coagulopathy, multiorgan failure, and death. A fluorescent in situ hybridization study revealed monosomy of chromosome 7 in 21% of the bone marrow cells in support of his diagnosis of myelofibrosis. Postmortem neuropathology examination revealed multiple coarse and microcalcifications and cerebral hemorrhages, explaining the patient's neurological deterioration. The findings of myelofibrosis, retinopathy, and cerebral calcifications indicate that this could be a case of a rare condition known as Revesz syndrome.
Precholesterol Sterols Accumulate in Lipid Rafts of Patients with Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome and X-Linked Dominant Chondrodysplasia Punctata
Authors: Rakheja Dinesh , Boriack Richard L.
Published: April 2008

Systemic fetal dysmorphogenesis in disorders of postsqualene cholesterol biosynthesis is thought to be caused by disruption of Hedgehog signaling. Because precholesterol sterols such as 7-dehydrocholesterol and lathosterol can replace cholesterol in the activation of Hedgehog proteins, it is currently believed that cholesterol deficiency-related Hedgehog signaling block occurs further downstream, probably at the level of Smoothened. Experimentally, such a block in Hedgehog signaling occurs at sterol levels of <40 μg/mg protein. Recently, we studied autopsy material from 2 infants with fatal cholesterol biosynthetic disorders (Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome and X-linked dominant chondrodysplasia punctata) in which the hepatic cholesterol levels were far greater. In this study, we demonstrate abnormal accumulation of sterol precursors of cholesterol in membrane lipid rafts (detergent resistance membranes) prepared from liver tissues of these 2 infants: 8-dehydrocholesterol and 7-dehydrocholesterol in lipid rafts of the infant with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome and cholest-8(9)-ene-3β-ol in lipid rafts of the infant with X-linked dominant chondrodysplasia punctata. We suggest that such alterations in the lipid raft sterol environment may affect the biology of cells and the development of fetuses with cholesterol biosynthetic disorders.
Pathologist Interobserver Variability of Histologic Features in Childhood Brain Tumors: Results from the CCG-945 Study
Authors: Gilles Floyd H. , Tavaré C. Jane , Laurence E. Becker , Burger Peter C. , Yates Allan J. , Pollack Ian F. , Finlay Jonathan L.
Published: April 2008

In the Children's Cancer Group–945 trial, study design allowed estimation of overall interpathologist observational agreement for 6 histologic features frequently used in brain tumor diagnoses. We evaluated agreement between pairs of 5 experienced neuropathologists, who had knowledge of the general diagnoses prior to slide readings. We performed this study in an attempt to further improve pathologist interinstitutional agreement. The features mitosis, necrosis, and giant cells had “fair” overall kappa estimates of reproducibility of around 0.5, while endothelial proliferation had only a “poor” overall kappa of 0.35. The Rogot reproducibility index averaged 0.5 for pleomorphism and hyperchromia. The upper bounds for the 10 pair summary agreement estimates were at best 0.65 (“good”) for all 6 features. These relatively low-reproducibility estimates for the very small number of histologic features being assessed in tumors institutionally diagnosed as high-grade gliomas indicate that neuropathologists either used different operational definitions or interpreted them differently. We found that we could rank the histologic features from best to worst agreement among study pathologists as necrosis, giant cells, mitosis, endothelial proliferation, hyperchromic nuclei, and pleomorphic cells. We suggest that neuropathologists involved in multi-institutional studies of putative therapies not discard these traditional histologic features, but rather develop standardized operational definitions and measure their variability before beginning the studies. Only after such histologic feature variability studies are conducted will we have the data to identify specific histologic features of value to clinicians and researchers. Agreement and strict adherence to improved nonsubjective diagnostic criteria would improve histologic feature reliability and, consequently, their usefulness in studies.
Intrauterine Infection with Klebsiella Pneumoniae: Report of a Case and Literature Review
Authors: Torabi Rozbeh , Charnova Svetlana , Abellar Rosanna G. , Pinar Halit , De Paepe Monique E.
Published: April 2008

We report a case of intrauterine Klebsiella pneumoniae infection that resulted in premature rupture of membranes and fetal demise at 20 weeks' gestation in a pregnancy achieved by in vitro fertilization. Postmortem findings included massive panlobar pneumonia, the presence of abundant gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria within the pulmonary air spaces and the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract, and fetal lung and blood cultures positive for Klebsiella pneumoniae. The placenta showed severe acute chorioamnionitis associated with a brisk fetal inflammatory response (umbilical cord and chorionic plate vasculitis). Marked pancreatic fibrosis was noted, indicative of a preceding necrotizing pancreatitis. In spite of this fulminant histopathologic evidence of intrauterine infection, the infection was clinically silent. This represents, to our knowledge, the 1st reported case of fatal intrauterine Klebsiella pneumoniae infection fully supported by conclusive fetal and placental histopathological evidence.
Interexaminer Agreement of Histopathologic Features in Pediatric Brain Tumors: A Biostatistical Perspective
Authors: Cicchetti Domenic V.
Published: April 2008

Pages 108–117 of the current issue of Pediatric and Developmental Pathology contain a landmark interobserver investigation of some of the vagaries and vicissitudes involved in the nosological assessment of 6 histological features of childhood brain tumors. Doctor Gilles and his clinical research colleagues are to be commended for their conceptualization, reliability research design, execution, and interpretation of their findings. The piece is also uncommonly sophisticated concerning matters biostatistical. As such, it stands as a model for future nosological studies in childhood brain pathology, and can be applied more generally as well. The purpose of this Context article is to present some additional conceptual and methodologic issues that are relevant to the future design of histopathological studies in particular and of biobehavioral and biomedical diagnostic studies in general. In order to accomplish this goal, I shall discuss interexaminer reliability issues from the following viewpoints: type of reliability assessment, scales of measurement, reliability statistics, diagnostic accuracy, and the need to always differentiate levels of statistical significance from those that are both statistically and clinically meaningful, as Gilles and colleagues have also successfully accomplished.
Simulation on the response of new phosphate glass RPC for γ-rays and e+/e− particles using GEANT3
Authors: Jamil Muhammad , Rhee June , Jeon Young
Published: April 2008

The influence of phosphate glass electrode in the configuration of resistive plate chamber has been studied using GEANT3.21 Monte Carlo code. Bakelite electrodes were replaced by phosphate glass electrodes, as these glass materials have low bulk resistivity, are portable and easy to handle. These types of RPCs in their compact form of all materials are suitable for high rate background environment. We find that these new types of RPCs give little higher response to γ-rays and e+/e− particles, both for single-and double gap RPCs. The results of simulation are discussed.
Luminescence Ages of Feldspar Contaminated Quartz from Fluvial Terrace Sediments
Authors: Kiyak Nafiye , Erturaç M.
Published: April 2008

This study focuses on obtaining luminescence ages in feldspar contaminated quartz from well-developed fluvial terraces of the Yesilirmak (Iris) river located inside the eastern North Anatolian Fault Shear Zone (NAFZ). We applied a technique based on conventional single-aliquot regenerative-dose (SAR) protocol, modified with an IR pre-treatment to reduce the OSL contribution from feldspar for accurately measuring the dose in quartz. All investigated samples showed an ability to measure a beta dose given in the laboratory, a so called dose recovery test. The dependence of the equivalent dose on thermal treatment was also examined. Dose rate calculations were based on spectral analysis of gamma measurements by a field spectrometer on site. The efforts to establish a chronology using the IR modified SAR technique produced reliable dose results in stratigraphic order. Results were reproducible and grouped broadly between 35-109 ka for Bektemur, 32-36 ka for Kizilca, 19-47 ka for Aksalur and 35-44 ka for Sahinkaya. Obtained results show that the studied area was controlled by tectonic activities within the last 50 ka and the sample Aksalur 2 was the loess deposit formed by aeolian activity.
Self-Control, Child Effects, and Informal Social Control: A Direct Test of the Primacy of Sociogenic Factors
Authors: Hardwick K. Herbert , Brannigan Augustine
Published: April 2008

It is often assumed that self-control and informal social control are compatible with their direct influence on adolescent misconduct. It is also frequently assumed that informal social control theory can account for ontogenetic influences, like self-control, and sociogenic influences in a manner consistent with both perspectives. And finally it is assumed that processes of informal social control have been shown to have the strongest effect on adolescent delinquency while at the same time mediating ontogenetic influences like self-control. These misconceptions can be traced to the original presentation of informal social control theory. This paper represents the first step of a direct re-examination of the role of informal social control in the genesis of adolescent delinquency as presented in Sampson and Laub's (1995) Crime in the Making: Pathways and Turning Points through Life. The results show that the importance (i.e., primacy and mediating power) of informal social control in explaining the emergence of adolescent delinquency was overstated in Crime in the Making.
Aboriginal Gangs and Their (Dis)placement: Contextualizing Recruitment, Membership, and Status
Authors: Grekul Jana , LaBoucane-Benson Patti
Published: April 2008

Interviews with ex-gang members, police officers, and correctional service personnel suggest that the risk factors for involvement in gangs are abundant for Aboriginal youth and young adults. Aboriginal ex-gang members report the burden of discrimination and labelling based on race, in addition to the structural inequality and lack of opportunity reported as causal factors to gang involvement by gang researchers. Disadvantaged and disillusioned, encouraged by gang-involved family and friends, Aboriginal youth turn to gangs for a sense of identity and purpose. Interestingly, decades after their formation, groups such as the Indian Posse, Manitoba Warriors, Alberta Warriors, and Native Syndicate may not only be relegated to the outskirts of legitimate society but are also marginalized within the criminal world, in their organization and behind bars. Understanding Aboriginal gangs requires consideration of contextual factors, including the presence and interaction of precursors to gang involvement. These factors contribute to their pronounced presence in prisons and the suggestion that despite decades of existence they are relegated to street gang status.
Adaptation de la PCL-SV à l’évaluation des adolescents suivis en Centre jeunesse : une étude préliminaire
Authors: Toupin Jean , Basque Catherine , Côté Gilles , Deshaies Caroline
Published: April 2008

A number of studies have shown the assessment of psychopathy to provide a useful basis for predicting adult criminal recidivism. However, where research on delinquent adolescents is concerned, the findings have been derived from rather small samples, such that additional investigation is warranted. The objective of the present study is to conduct an initial examination of the reliability and validity of the French-language version of the “Psychopathy Checklist Screening Version” (PCL:SV) and to compare results against several other samples reported in the literature. The sample of this study included 48 young people ages from 15 to 19 who were recruited from three Centres jeunesse du Québec (Quebec youth centres). All of the youths selected had exhibited a conduct disorder or delinquent behaviour during adolescence. Psychopathy assessment performed using PCL:SV shows good internal consistency of scales, along with very satisfactory inter-rater reliability. Correlations between PCL:SV and related indices (antisocial personality disorder; frequency and range of delinquent of delinquent activities; frequency and range of use of psychoactive substances, etc.) occur much as expected. On the whole, the psychometric properties of the scale are similar to those using adult samples or to other versions of PCL (PCL-R revised or PCL-YV). This study also puts forward a number of recommendations concerning the pursuit of work validating the French-language version of this scale.
The drought tolerance limit of Fagus sylvatica forest on limestone in southwestern Germany
Authors: Gärtner Stefanie , Reif Albert , Xystrakis Fotios , Sayer Uwe , Bendagha Nawal , Matzarakis Andreas
Published: April 2008

Question:

What components of drought influence the drought limit of Fagus sylvatica forests? This study contributes to the ongoing discussion regarding the future of Fagus as a major component of central European forests.

Location:

The drought limit of F. sylvatica at its ecotone with forest dominated by Quercus pubescens, Q. petraea and their hybrids in two limestone regions (Klettgau, Schwäbische Alb) in southwestern Germany was compared.

Methods:

Vegetation relevés were classified and a gradient analysis was performed. The vegetation pattern was analysed with several drought relevant variables. Classification trees were used to determine the drought limits of the Fagus forest.

Results:

The Fagus, Quercus and the ecotone forests were floristically characterized. The lower humidity in the submontane Klettgau, compared to the montane Schwäbische Alb, was compensated for by greater soil moisture (ASWSC). Therefore, Fagus forest in the Schwäbische Alb grew on sites with ASWSC values similar to those of ecotone forest in Klettgau.

Conclusions:

The interaction between climatic and edaphic drought related factors demonstrates that drought is a complex edaphic‐climatic factor. Both components contribute to limiting the distribution of Fagus. For the two regions in southwestern Germany, and under the existing climatic conditions, it could be shown that Fagus is able to dominate forests on soils with very low ASWSC (≥ 68 l.m‐2).
Cost analysis of proton exchange membrane fuel cell systems
Authors: Hung Ai‐Jen , Yu Cheng‐Ching , Chen Yih‐Hang , Sung Lung‐Yu
Published: April 2008

Tradeoff between capital cost and the operating cost can be seen in the design of proton exchange membrane fuel cell systems. The polarization curve indicates that operating in the region of lower current densities implies less operating cost (hydrogen fuel) and higher capital cost (larger membrane electrode assembly area). The opposite effects are observed when one operates in the region of higher current densities. Therefore, an appropriate design should take both factors into account and the optimality depends on the corresponding costs of hydrogen and membrane area. An analytical cost model is constructed to describe such an economic balance in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell system. The objective function of the optimization is the total annual cost. Six scenarios are used to illustrate the optimal design based on the total annual cost as cost and materials factors fluctuate. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Novel murine clonal cell lines either express slow or mixed (fast and slow) muscle markers following differentiation in vitro
Authors: Peltzer J. , Colman L. , Cebrian J. , Musa H. , Peckham M. , Keller A.
Published: April 2008

We have investigated whether the phenotype of myogenic clones derived from satellite cells of different muscles from the transgenic immortomouse depended on muscle type origin. Clones derived from neonatal, or 6‐ to 12‐week‐old fast and slow muscles, were analyzed for myosin and enolase isoforms as phenotypic markers. All clones derived from slow‐oxidative muscles differentiated into myotubes with a preferentially slow contractile phenotype, whereas some clones derived from rapid‐glycolytic or neonatal muscles expressed both fast and slow myosin isoforms. Thus, muscle origin appears to bias myosin isoform expression in myotubes. The neonatal clone (WTt) was cultivated in various medium and substrate conditions, allowing us to determine optimized conditions for their differentiation. Matrigel allowed expressions of adult myosin isoforms, and an isozymic switch from embryonic α‐ toward muscle‐specific β‐enolase, never previously observed in vitro. These cells will be a useful model for in vitro studies of muscle fiber maturation and plasticity. Developmental Dynamics 237:1412‐1423, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
CMF1–Rb interaction promotes myogenesis in avian skeletal myoblasts
Authors: Robertson J. Brian , Zhu Tianli , Nasreen Shampa , Kilkenny Dawn , Bader David , Dees Ellen
Published: April 2008

CMF1 protein is expressed in developing striated muscle before the expression of contractile proteins, and depletion of CMF1 in myoblasts results in inability to express muscle‐specific proteins. Previous studies of CMF1 identify a functional Rb‐binding domain, which is conserved in the murine and human homologues. Here, we show that CMF1 binds Rb family members, while a CMF1 protein with deletion of the Rb‐binding domain (Rb‐del CMF1) does not. Myogenic cell lines over‐expressing Rb‐del CMF1 proliferate normally, but exhibit markedly impaired differentiation, including dramatically reduced contractile proteins gene expression and failure to fuse into myotubes. Furthermore, by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, MyoD and Myf5 mRNA levels are comparable to wild‐type, while myogenin and contractile protein mRNA levels are significantly attenuated. These data demonstrate that CMF1 regulates myocyte differentiation by interaction with Rb family members to induce expression of myogenic regulatory factors. Developmental Dynamics 237:1424‐1433, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression and function of the LIM homeobox containing genes Lhx3 and Lhx4 in the mouse placenta
Authors: Tian Geng , Singh Umashankar , Yu Yang , Ellsworth Buffy S. , Hemberger Myriam , Geyer Rudolf , Stewart M. David , Behringer Richard R. , Fundele Reinald
Published: April 2008

The LIM homeobox containing genes of the LIM‐3 group, Lhx3 and Lhx4, are critical for normal development. Both genes are involved in the formation of the pituitary and the motoneuron system and loss of either gene causes perinatal lethality. Previous studies had shown that Lhx3 is overexpressed in hyperplastic placentas of mouse interspecies hybrids. To determine the role of LHX3 in the mouse placenta, we performed expression and function analyses. Our results show that Lhx3 exhibits specific spatial and temporal expression in the mouse placenta. However, deletion of Lhx3 does not produce a placental phenotype. To test whether this is due to functional substitution by Lhx4, we performed a phenotype analysis of Lhx3−/−; Lhx4−/− double‐mutant placentas. A subset of Lhx3−/−; Lhx4−/− placentas exhibited abnormal structure of the labyrinth. However, absence of both LIM‐3 genes did not interfere with placental transport nor consistently with expression of target genes such as Gnrhr. Thus, LHX3 and LHX4 appear to be dispensable for placental development and function. Developmental Dynamics 237:1517‐1525, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spatiotemporal protein distribution of TGF‐βs, their receptors, and extracellular matrix molecules during embryonic tendon development
Authors: Kuo Catherine K. , Petersen Bryan C. , Tuan Rocky S.
Published: April 2008

Tendon is one of the least understood tissues of the musculoskeletal system in terms of development and morphogenesis. Collagen fibrillogenesis has been the most studied aspect of tendon development, focusing largely on the role of matrix molecules such as collagen type III and decorin. While involvement of matrix molecules in collagen fibrillogenesis during chick tendon development is well understood, the role of growth factors has yet to be elucidated. This work examines the expression patterns of transforming growth factor (TGF) ‐β1, ‐β2, and ‐β3, and their receptors with respect to expression patterns of collagen type III, decorin, and fibronectin. We focus on the intermediate stages of tendon development in the chick embryo, a period during which the tendon micro‐ and macro‐architecture are being established. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that TGF‐β1, ‐β2, and ‐β3 have distinct spatiotemporal developmental protein localization patterns in the developing tendon and strongly suggest that these isoforms have independent roles in tendon development. Developmental Dynamics 237:1477‐1489, 2008. Published 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
GSK‐3β and α‐catenin binding regions of β‐catenin exert opposing effects on the terminal ventral optic axonal projection
Authors: Wiley A. , Edalat K. , Chiang P. , Mora M. , Mirro K. , Lee M. , Muhr H. , Elul T.
Published: April 2008

We overexpressed two deletion mutants of the N‐terminal domain of β‐catenin in ventral optic axons in living Xenopus tadpoles. One deletion mutant contained both the α‐catenin and the GSK‐3β binding sites of the N‐terminal domain of β‐catenin (NTERM), and the second deletion mutant contained only the GSK‐3β binding site (β‐cat107). Expression of NTERM in ventral optic axons dispersed and induced anterior and lateral shifts in their targeting locations in the dorsal tectum. In contrast, β‐cat107 compressed and shifted the synaptic targeting locations of ventral optic axons medially and posteriorly. In addition, NTERM‐expressing ventral optic axons formed arbors that were wider than controls whereas β‐cat107 axonal arbors were narrower compared with controls. These data suggest that the interactions of β‐catenin with α‐catenin and GSK‐3β exert opposing effects on the terminal projections of ventral optic axons. Developmental Dynamics 237:1434‐1441, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Note on the Economic Control of Black Popular Music
Authors: Cooper Allan D.
Published: April 2008

We didn't have writers, but we did have music, and the music was the vehicle to carry the remnants of Black history. The true history of Blacks is not in our history books, but in the music. The only blacks I ever heard of in school were Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver. It was like nobody else existed. We had no folk heroes in books, ever. Our history is all locked in the music and is passed down in its different forms through that music.1
Is Hard Work the Key to Success? A Socioeconomic Analysis of Immigrant Enterprise
Authors: Young Philip K. Y. , Sontz Ann H. L.
Published: April 2008

This study examines the personal backgrounds, business objectives, modes of operation, and degrees of success of Korean greengrocers and Hispanic grocery store owners in the New York metropolitan area. In so doing, the study seeks to uncover factors that may condition differential business performance among all groups of imigrant entrepreneurs, including Koreans and Hispanics.

A survey of 40 Korean and 72 Hispanic businesspersons revealed that both groups tended to work equally hard in terms of the number of hours worked in the business per week. However, the Korean greengrocers were found to be more successful in terms of the profitability and cash flow generated by their stores. The primary reason for this difference appeared to be the fact that Korean business practices were guided mainly by the profit motive, while those of Hispanics were influenced by such nonmonetary concerns as independence and personal satisfaction. These findings led the authors to conclude that there are alternative measures of material “success” and that the equally strong efforts of both groups of immigrant entrepreneurs have resulted in two different, but important kinds of success. Certain policy implications of this conclusion could lead to further immigrant participation in small business.
Social Capital of Black Business Owners
Authors: Fratoe Frank A.
Published: April 2008

Analysis of data from the 1982 Characteristics of Business Owners Survey reveals that there are some differences between the social capital (social resources available from group support networks) of black business owners and those of other ethnic groups. Black owners have had less exposure to entrepreneurial role models and training in firms run by close relatives than Asian, Hispanic, or nonminority male owners. They do not rely on their relatives or friends for business loans to the same extent as Asians, and show less such reliance than the other groups as well. Black owners compare favorably with Hispanics and nonminority males in using family funds as a source of nonborrowed capital, but are behind Asians. Black firms are relatively more likely to sell to minority customers and hire minority employees. Finally, black owners are the least likely to be married, which indicates some diminished help from the family, a key institution in group support networks.
Do Black-Owned Businesses Employ Minority Workers? New Evidence
Authors: Bates Timothy
Published: April 2008

Most of the workers employed by black-owned businesses are minorities. This pattern typifies small firms as well as large firms, firms in blue collar industries such as construction as well as in white collar industries such as finance. The hypothesis that reliance upon minority workers may restrict the viability of black firms is tested and rejected; there appears to be no relationship between firm viability and labor force racial composition.
Market Structure and the Pattern of Black-Owned Firms
Authors: Heywood John S.
Published: April 2008

This article discusses the relationship between industrial concentration and the presence of black-owned firms. Strong evidence is found that more monopolistic industries have a smaller black presence. This demonstrates that the monopolistic industries in which black workers are known to face the worst discrimination are also the industries in which blacks face the highest structural entry barriers as entrepreneurs. Indeed, entry barriers may cause the monopolistic conditions which allow discrimination while simultaneously frustrating the entry of black entrepreneurs.
Capital Issues and the Minority-Owned Business
Authors: Ando Faith H.
Published: April 2008

This article presents some of the results from an unusual survey of small business owners who differ in their ethnicity: Asians, blacks, Hispanics, and nonminorities. Contrary to the prevailing view of black and Hispanic business owners and their firms, the blacks and Hispanics in the data base—in general and on average—had the same human and financial capital as their Asian and nonminority counterparts. As a result, the black-owned and Hispanic-owned firms performed as well as the Asian-owned and nonminority-owned firms. Nevertheless, black business owners had lower success rates than nonminority men in obtaining commercial bank loans, although the terms for loans granted were similar for the two groups. In light of the apparent credit discrimination, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans remain an important source of debt-type capital to black-owned firms.
The Myths, Facts, and Theories of Ethnic, Small-Scale Enterprise Financing
Authors: Chen Gavin M. , Cole John A.
Published: April 2008

This article combines the results of three financial studies that examine capital issues affecting minority business development. The results are presented so as to explain or refute conventional wisdom regarding capital availability, cost of capital, credit market discrimination, sources of capital and differences in firm capital composition. Generally, Asian and Hispanic businesses more approximate nonminority businesses in the sources of capital, the cost of capital, total capital investment, and access to capital. Black firms, on the other hand, face credit discrimination from all sources of capital, which limits their access to capital, increases its cost, and affects firm profitability. Consequently, black firms have a smaller capital composition at startup and during operations. The only deviation from this pattern occurs where minority and nonminority financial institutions vie for black business patronage by reducing the cost of borrowing and increasing the availability of funds.
Computer determination of all individual structures of triglyceride molecules of fats and oils
Authors: Koman V. , Kotuc J.
Published: April 2008

Abstract and Summary

A method for calculating all of the individual structures of triglyceride molecules (ISTM) of fats and oils based on a digital computer program using operational language FORTRAN is presented. Qualitative and quantitative results of gas liquid chromatographic analysis of fatty acids after their stereospecific pancreatic lipolysis from C‐1,3 positions of triglyceride molecules were used as main input data. The individual structures are determined with respect to the possible mono‐, di‐, and tricomponent combinational types of triglyceride molecules. The resulting individual structures of triglyceride molecules are presented in concentrational expressions: weight percentages, molar values, molar percentages, and molar fractions. Moreover, some other information (graphical interpretations included) concerning triglyceride molecule structures are also obtained. Two applications of this method for triglyceride molecule individual structure determinations of maize and rapeseed oils are presented.
Photo‐sensitized oxidation of unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters. The identification of different pathways
Authors: Chan Henry W. ‐S.
Published: April 2008

Abstract and Summary

The photo‐sensitized oxidation of methyl linolenate and methyl oleate was studied using erythrosine and riboflavin as sensitizers. The complex mixtures of hydroperoxides obtained were analyzed for the proportion of conjugated products and, after reduction to the corresponding mixtures of hydroxystearates, for the distribution of positional isomers. By comparing the mixtures with that obtained from autoxidation, it was shown that the riboflavin reaction involved the “Type 1” mechanism of photosensitized oxidation which proceded via the formation of diene‐radicals and yielded the same positional isomers of hydroperoxides as autoxidation. Thus, mixtures of the 8, 9, 10, and 11 positional isomers of allylic hydroperoxides were formed from oleate and the 9, 12, 13, and 16 isomers of conjugated diene‐hydroperoxides from linolenate oxidation. The erythrosine reaction, on the other hand, proceded via the “Type 2”. mechanism which involved singlet oxygen as the oxygenating species. The mixtures of isomers resulting from oxidation involving singlet oxygen were different from those obtained by autoxidation. Oleate oxidation gave rise to a mixture of only the 9 and 10 positional isomers while the mixture obtained from oxidation of methyl linolenate contained non‐conjugated hydroperoxide isomers (with the hydroperoxide group at positions 10 and 15) as well as the conjugated—9, 12, 13, and 16—isomers.
Prooxidant effects of inorganic chromium compounds in the autoxidation of methyl linoleate
Authors: Ikeda Nobuo , Fukuzumi Kazuo
Published: April 2008

Abstract and Summary

The prooxidant property of inorganic chromium compounds was determined in methyl linoleate free from natural antioxidants and metals. Prooxidant properties of inorganic chromium compounds appeared in order of sodium chromate > chromium (VI)‐oxide > chromium chloride > potassium chromate > chromium (III)‐oxide > potassium dichomate. In comparison with the control, additions of chromium compounds induced different amounts of autoxidation products derived from methyl linoleate, such as small amounts of hydroperoxides and conjugated dienes and large amounts of hydroxy groups,α,β,γ,δ‐unsaturated carbonyls, isolatedtrans double bonds, polymers, and free radicals. From these analytical data, the catalysis of chromium compounds in the autoxidation of methyl linoleate seemed to be based on their abilities of abstracting a hydrogen from methyl linoleate and decomposing hydroperoxides derived from the autoxidation of methyl linoleate.
A review of block polymer surfactants
Authors: Schmolka Irving R.
Published: April 2008

Abstract and Summary

A brief historical review of four series of commercially available block polymer surface‐active agents—the PLURONICR, TETRONICR, PLURADOTR, and PLURONICR R polyols—is presented. A comparison is made of the physical properties within each series, in the form of trend lines. These parameters encompass solubility, rate of solubility, wetting, foaming, defoaming, emulsification, thickening, cleansing, and toxicity. The physical property relationships which depend upon variation in the hydrophobe molecular weight and variation in the hydrophile hydrophobe balance are shown to be similar in each series of surfactants. Differences among the four series of polymers, where they exist, are seen to vary from little to significant. The many controversial articles on the micellar nature of the block polymers and their critical micelle concentrations are examined. Considerations of the important physical properties which lead to practical applications are discussed. Some of the more important newly developed potential uses of these polymeric surfactants are then described in various application areas, including the cosmetic, medical, paper, pharmaceutical, and textile industries.
Determination of available lysine in pulses by thin layer chromatography
Authors: Datta S. , Datta S. C.
Published: April 2008

Abstract and Summary

Estimation of available lysine in five pulse samples was carried out by a thin layer chromatographic technique. Results revealed that the available lysine values in all the cases were to some extent lower than the total lysine values.