bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A totally enclosed traction motor using a permanent magnet synchronous motor
Authors: Matsuoka Koichi , Kondo Minoru , Shimizu Yasuhiro
Published: March 2005

Ventilated‐type traction motors are widely used for railway vehicles. However, they require overhauls to clean inside them. In addition, they are a major noise source in railway vehicles. To solve these problems, we propose a totally enclosed‐type traction motor using a permanent magnet synchronous motor that has the same weight power ratio as that of a conventional ventilated‐type traction motor. In this paper, we report the test results of the proposed motor. The test results demonstrate that the temperature rise values are within its limit and the noise level is decreased by 10 dB compared to conventional motors. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 151(3): 71–80, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20079
An operating method using prediction of photovoltaic power for a photovoltaic–diesel hybrid power generation system
Authors: Yamamoto Shigehiro , Sumi Kazuyoshi , Nishikawa Eiichi , Hashimoto Takeshi
Published: March 2005

This paper describes a novel operating method using prediction of photovoltaic (PV) power for a photovoltaic–diesel hybrid power generation system. The system is composed of a PV array, a storage battery, a bidirectional inverter, and a diesel engine generator (DG). The proposed method enables the system to save fuel consumption by using PV energy effectively, reducing charge and discharge energy of the storage battery, and avoiding low‐load operation of the DG. The PV power is simply predicted from a theoretical equation of solar radiation and the observed PV energy for a constant time before the prediction. The fuel consumption of the proposed method is compared with that of other methods by a simulation based on measurement data of the PV power at an actual PV generation system for 1 year. The simulation results indicate that the amount of fuel consumption of the proposed method is smaller than that of any other methods, and is close to that of the ideal operation of the DG. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 151(3): 8–18, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20116
Magnolol stimulates lipolysis in lipid‐laden RAW 264.7 macrophages
Authors: Chen Jin‐Shan , Chen Yuh‐Lien , Greenberg Andrew S. , Chen Yi‐Jen , Wang Seu‐Mei
Published: March 2005

This study investigated the effect of magnolol, a compound isolated from Magnolia officinalis, on lipolysis in lipid‐laden RAW 264.7 macrophages. Treatment of macrophages with magnolol led to dissolution of lipid droplets. This phenomenon was accompanied by a dose‐dependent release of glycerol and cholesterol and a concomitant reduction in intracellular levels of glycerol and cholesterol. Furthermore, adipose differentiation‐related protein (ADRP), a lipid droplet‐associated protein, was down‐regulated by magnolol in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner by Western blot analysis. Immunofluorescence studies also showed that ADRP became detached from the surface of lipid droplets after magnolol treatment. The lipolytic effect of magnolol was not mediated through the cAMP‐protein kinase A (PKA) system, an authentic lipolytic pathway for macrophages, since magnolol did not induce an increase of intracellular cAMP levels, and pretreatment with either of PKA inhibitors, PKI and KT5720, did not abrogate the lipolytic response to magnolol. We conclude that magnolol induce‐lipolysis of lipid‐laden macrophages by down‐regulation of ADRP expression and detachment of ADRP from the lipid droplet surface by a cAMP‐independent mechanism. Lipolysis of lipid‐laden macrophages may occur when the amount of ADRP on the surface of lipid droplets is not enough to stabilize the lipid droplets. J. Cell. Biochem. 94: 1028–1037, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mast cell exocytosis can be triggered by ammonium chloride with just a cytosolic alkalinization and no calcium increase
Authors: Pernas‐Sueiras O. , Alfonso A. , Vieytes M.R. , Botana L.M.
Published: March 2005

A human mast cell line (HMC‐1) has been used to study the effect of cytosolic alkaline pH in exocytosis. Compound 48/80, concanavalin A, and thapsigargin do not induce histamine release in HMC‐1 cells. Although thapsigargin does not activate histamine release, it does show a large increase in cytosolic Ca2+, and no change in cytosolic pH. However, when HMC‐1 cells were activated with ionomycin, a significant histamine release takes place, and this effect is higher in the presence of thapsigargin. Both drugs show an additive effect on cytosolic Ca2+ levels. Ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) does activate cytosolic alkalinization and histamine release, with no increase in cytosolic Ca2+. NH4Cl does block the release of internal Ca2+ by thapsigargin, not by ionomycin, and decreases Ca2+ influx stimulated by these drugs. Under conditions in which the alkalinization induced by NH4Cl is blocked by acidification with sodium propionate, histamine release is inhibited. The release of histamine is also observed when NH4Cl is added after propionate addition, regardless of the final pH value attained. Our results show that a shift in pH alkaline values, even with final pH below 7.2 is enough to activate histamine release. A shift to less acidic values is a sufficient signal to activate the cells. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of adenosine triphosphate in renal ischemic injury: Involvement of NF‐κB
Authors: Lee Yun Jung , Han Ho Jae
Published: March 2005

Renal ischemic/reperfusion injury in vivo results in a significant increase of acute renal failure (ARF) and death. Nevertheless, there are many limitations in using in vivo models of renal ischemic injury to elucidate the detailed mechanisms of renal injury. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), an extracellular signal, has been shown to be an important factor in regulation of epithelial cell function. Thus, the present study was performed to establish in vitro ischemic model using primary cultured rabbit renal proximal tubule cells (PTCs) and to examine the effect of ATP in this model. We established an in vitro model of ischemic injury, causing severe depletion of intracellular ATP by using the combination of a mitochondrial respiration inhibitor (antimycin A), non‐metabolizable glucose analog (2‐deoxyglucose), and calcium ionophore (A23187) in PTCs. Indeed, this ischemic injury significantly increased LDH release, a marker of structural damage, and ATP blocked ischemic injury‐induced LDH release. 2‐Methylthio‐ATP and ATP‐γ‐S (P2Y purinoceptor agonists) also blocked ischemic injury‐induced LDH release, whereas AMP‐CPP (P2X purinoceptor agonist) did not block it. In experiments to examine the relationship between ischemic injury and NF‐κB activation, ischemic injury increased NF‐κB translocation, DNA binding activity, and CAT activity. On the other hand, ATP, ATP‐γ‐S, or 2‐methylthio‐ATP protected ischemic injury‐induced NF‐κB activation. These results suggest that the protective effect of ATP on ischemic injury is, in part, related to inhibition of NF‐κB activation via P2Y receptor in PTCs. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of corn cob mix in organic finishing pig nutrition
Authors: Millet Sam , Raes Katleen , De Smet Stefaan , Janssens Geert PJ
Published: March 2005

Two consecutive experiments were performed to evaluate corn cob mix (CCM) inclusion in an organic diet. The experiments were performed in an organic barn on nine pens of four pigs (two barrows and two sows) of commercial breeds from 45 kg to slaughter. In the first experiment, an organic concentrate was mixed with organic CCM‐silage to obtain three concentrate:CCM ratios of 1:0, 4:1 and 3:2 (w:w). In the second experiment, three concentrates were produced to obtain diets with equal nutrient levels on a dry matter basis after 0, 200 and 400 g kg−1 CCM inclusion respectively. In all groups of both experiments, meat and carcass traits were comparable with common practice and differences between treatment groups were not seen. Feed conversion ratio on an as‐fed basis was worse with higher CCM levels in the diet, most likely due to the dilution effect by the lower dry matter content of CCM. In the first experiment, pigs on a higher concentrate:CCM ratio showed a higher feed intake, indicating a compensation for the lower energy density of these diets. In the second experiment, the 400 g kg−1 CCM group showed a lower daily dry matter intake (p = 0.048) leading to slower growth (p = 0.015). This indicated a bulk effect of the CCM in this case. In conclusion, lean carcasses with good meat quality can be obtained even in situations where up to 400 g kg−1 organic CCM‐silage is included in a balanced organic pig fattening diet. Moreover, a bulk effect of CCM‐silage can be used in some cases to limit the typically high dry matter intake in outdoor pig fattening, thereby preventing excessive fat accretion. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
N‐ and C‐terminal isoforms of arg quantified by real‐time PCR are specifically expressed in human normal and neoplastic cells, in neoplastic cell lines, and in HL‐60 cell differentiation
Authors: Perego Roberto A. , Corizzato Matteo , Bianchi Cristina , Eroini Barbara , Bosari Silvano
Published: March 2005

The human ABL2 (or ARG) gene codes for a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase is involved in translocation with the ETV6 gene in human leukemia and has an altered expression in several human carcinomas. Two isoforms of Arg with different N‐termini (1A and 1B) have been described. The C‐terminal domain of Arg contains two F‐actin‐binding sequences that perform a number of actions related to cell morphology and motility by interacting with actin filaments. We have identified different‐sized specific cDNAs in hematopoietic, epithelial, nervous, and fibroblastic cells by means of the reverse transcription (RT)‐polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of human Arg mRNA. Some of these cDNAs showed an adjunctive alternative splice event involving the 63 bp sequence of exon II, thus leading to four cDNA types with different N‐termini: 1A long and short, and 1B long and short. Other cDNAs lacked a 309 bp sequence in the last exon involving one of the C‐terminal F‐actin binding domains, thus giving rise to two cDNA types: C‐termini long and short. Quantified by real‐time PCR—quantitative RT‐PCR—these Arg transcript isoforms have specific expression patterns not only in different normal and tumor cell types, but also during cell differentiation and growth arrest. These isoforms maintained the open reading frames, and eight putative proteins were predicted. The different C‐termini isoforms seem to retain the same quantitative reciprocal ratio of their respective transcripts. The Arg protein isoforms with different C‐terminal actin‐binding domains and different N‐termini might have specific cellular localizations/concentrations, and differently regulated catalytic activity with different implications in normal and neoplastic cells. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterisation of a 760 nm vertical‐cavity surface‐emitting laser structure by reflectance and photomodulated reflectance
Authors: Cripps S. A. , Hosea T. J. C.
Published: March 2005

Photomodulated reflectance (PR) studies are conducted on the wafer of a vertical‐cavity surface‐emitting laser (VCSEL) designed for oxygen sensing up to high temperatures. By varying the angle of incidence, the VCSEL cavity mode (CM) is tuned through the positions of two static PR features, revealing the ground‐state electron to heavy‐hole and light‐hole quantum well (QW) transition energies. The PR is also measured over a large temperature range, revealing that the CM becomes tuned to the heavy‐hole QW transition at a temperature of 115 ± 1 °C, where the energies coincide at ∼1.631 eV (760 nm). It is observed that when tuned, the width of the CM feature in the reflectance spectrum is maximised. Reflectance simulations confirm that this broadening occurs when the CM is tuned with an excitonic transition, where the cavity absorption is maximised. Therefore, monitoring this broadening as the energies of the CM and QW are varied relative to each other could provide an additional, non‐destructive technique for determining the VCSEL ground‐state QW transition energy and the conditions under which it is tuned to the CM. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Post‐annealing effects on trapping behaviors in AlGaN/GaN HEMTs
Authors: Kim H. , Lee J. , Lu W.
Published: March 2005

Trapping effects in AlGaN/GaN high‐electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) are investigated using dynamic current–voltage (I–V) measurements with different quiescent biases and pulse widths to examine post‐annealing effects after Schottky gate formation. The results show that trapping/detrapping phenomena by traps with emission/capture time constants of shorter than 10 µs are dominant in non‐annealed devices. The devices annealed at 400 °C for 10 minutes in a furnace exhibit significantly smaller current dispersion and have a smaller number of traps. However, after post‐annealing, a small number of traps with a time constant of longer than 10 µs are created or activated. Further annealing at 400 °C leads to increase in current dispersion, indicating that more traps with an emission time constant >10 ms are created. These traps induced by post‐annealing are responsible for the trapping effects when pulse width ≥10 µs. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Intensity dependent time‐resolved photoluminescence studies of GaN/AlGaN multiple quantum wells of varying well width on laterally overgrown a‐plane and planar c‐plane GaN
Authors: Garrett G. A. , Shen H. , Wraback M. , Imer B. , Haskell B. , Speck J. S. , Keller S. , Nakamura S. , DenBaars S. P.
Published: March 2005

GaN/AlGaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) of varying well width grown on planar c‐plane GaN and a‐plane GaN templates fabricated by lateral epitaxial overgrowth (LEO) have been studied by subpicosecond photoluminescence (PL) downconversion and time‐correlated single photon counting as a function of pump intensity. Although slower room temperature decays at higher carrier density are observed in both a‐plane LEO and c‐plane MQWs with 3 nm well width, this behavior is attributed to suppression of electric field‐enhanced recombination through the barriers and interfaces at higher carrier density in the c‐plane MQW, while in the a‐plane LEO MQW the sublinear dependence of the PL signal at t = 0 on pump intensity implies that the radiative lifetime in this high quality sample increases due to a reduction in excitonic oscillator strength associated with phase space filling. The combination of more intense time‐integrated PL spectra and shorter PL lifetimes with decreasing well width in the a‐plane LEO MQWs for low pump intensity suggests that the radiative lifetime becomes shorter due to the accompanying increase in exciton binding energy and oscillator strength at smaller well width. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Understanding complex surface‐enhanced Raman scattering, using quantum chemical calculations
Authors: Arenas Juan F. , Soto Juan , Pelaez Daniel , Fernandez David J. , Otero Juan C.
Published: March 2005

Several key issues concerning surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) are discussed, especially the surface orientation of the adsorbate, the enhancement mechanism relevant in a particular experiment, and the dependence of SERS frequencies and intensities on the electrode potential. It is shown that ab initio calculations of energies, geometries, and vibrational frequencies are essential in order to understand the complex behavior displayed by SERS spectra, particularly calculations dealing with radical anions of adsorbates. The main conclusion is the confirmation of the presence of resonant charge transfer processes in SERS of aromatic molecules. Such resonant mechanism involves the transient formation of the radical anion of adsorbates such as pyrazine, pyridine, and derivatives. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005
Expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase traffic inducer in the placentas of women with pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Xiang W. , Chen H. , Xu X. , Zhang M. , Jiang R.
Published: March 2005

Objective

To investigate the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase traffic inducer (NOSTRIN) in the placenta of women with pre‐eclampsia (PE) and discuss its role in the pathogenesis of PE.

Methods

Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of NOSTRIN and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). The activity of eNOS in placental tissue was assayed by spectrophotometry. Serum and placental NO2/NO3, the stable metabolic end product of NO, was measured using nitrate reductase.

Results

Western blot analysis showed that the protein level of NOSTRIN was significantly higher in women with PE than in the control group (P<0.01). However, no significant difference between groups was observed in the expression of placental eNOS (P>0.05). The activity of eNOS was significantly decreased in women with PE (13.727±3.58 U/mg) compared with the control group (21.69±3.84 U/mg) (P<0.01). The placental levels of NO2/NO3 were significantly lower in women with PE (27.53±8.51 μmol/mg) than in the control group (44.38±9.59 μmol/mg) (P<0.01). The levels of serum NO2/NO3 were significantly lower in women with PE (48.56±8.49 μmol/L) than in the control group (65.37±9.61 μmol/L) (P<0.01). A significant negative correlation existed between the expression of NOSTRIN protein and the activity of eNOS in the placental tissues of women with PE (r=−0.57, P<0.01).

Conclusion

The level of NOSTRIN expression in the placental tissues of women with PE is increased and is negatively correlated with the activity of eNOS—which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PE.
Polar vortex evolution during the 2002 Antarctic major warming as observed by the Odin satellite
Authors: Ricaud P. , Lefèvre F. , Berthet G. , Murtagh D. , Llewellyn E. J. , Mégie G. , Kyrölä E. , Leppelmeier G. W. , Auvinen H. , Boonne C. , Brohede S. , Degenstein D. A. , de La Noë J. , Dupuy E. , El Amraoui L. , Eriksson P. , Evans W. F. J. , Frisk U. , Gattinger R. L. , Girod F. , Haley C. S. , Hassinen S. , Hauchecorne A. , Jimenez C. , Kyrö E. , Lautié N. , Le Flochmoën E. , Lloyd N. D. , McConnell J. C. , McDade I. C. , Nordh L. , Olberg M. , Pazmino A. , Petelina S. V. , Sandqvist A. , Seppälä A. , Sioris C. E. , Solheim B. H. , Stegman J. , Strong K. , Taalas P. , Urban J. , von Savigny C. , von Scheele F. , Witt G.
Published: March 2005

In September 2002 the Antarctic polar vortex split in two under the influence of a sudden warming. During this event, the Odin satellite was able to measure both ozone (O3) and chlorine monoxide (ClO), a key constituent responsible for the so‐called “ozone hole”, together with nitrous oxide (N2O), a dynamical tracer, and nitric acid (HNO3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), tracers of denitrification. The submillimeter radiometer (SMR) microwave instrument and the Optical Spectrograph and Infrared Imager System (OSIRIS) UV‐visible light spectrometer (VIS) and IR instrument on board Odin have sounded the polar vortex during three different periods: before (19–20 September), during (24–25 September), and after (1–2 and 4–5 October) the vortex split. Odin observations coupled with the Reactive Processes Ruling the Ozone Budget in the Stratosphere (REPROBUS) chemical transport model at and above 500 K isentropic surfaces (heights above 18 km) reveal that on 19–20 September the Antarctic vortex was dynamically stable and chemically nominal: denitrified, with a nearly complete chlorine activation, and a 70% O3 loss at 500 K. On 25–26 September the unusual morphology of the vortex is monitored by the N2O observations. The measured ClO decay is consistent with other observations performed in 2002 and in the past. The vortex split episode is followed by a nearly complete deactivation of the ClO radicals on 1–2 October, leading to the end of the chemical O3 loss, while HNO3 and NO2 fields start increasing. This acceleration of the chlorine deactivation results from the warming of the Antarctic vortex in 2002, putting an early end to the polar stratospheric cloud season. The model simulation suggests that the vortex elongation toward regions of strong solar irradiance also favored the rapid reformation of ClONO2. The observed dynamical and chemical evolution of the 2002 polar vortex is qualitatively well reproduced by REPROBUS. Quantitative differences are mainly attributable to the too weak amounts of HNO3 in the model, which do not produce enough NO2 in presence of sunlight to deactivate chlorine as fast as observed by Odin.
Comparison Between QRS Duration at Standard ECG and Signal‐Averaging ECG for Arrhythmic Risk Stratification After Surgical Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: RUSSO GIULIA , FOLINO ANTONIO FRANCO , MAZZOTTI ELISA , REBELLATO LUCA , DALIENTO LUCIANO
Published: March 2005

Introduction: Surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot is complicated by the occurrence of ventricular tachycardia (VT). Among different indexes proposed to assess prognosis of these patients, the study of QRS and repolarization provided useful information. Controversial results come from the analysis of signal‐averaging ECG (SAECG). The aim of our study was to identify patients operated for tetralogy of Fallot at higher risk of sudden death by means of SAECG.

Methods and Results: Sixty‐six consecutive patients, mean age 26 ± 10 years, were studied 17.7 ± 5.8 years after total correction for tetralogy of Fallot using standard ECG, 24‐hour Holter recordings, SAECG, and echocardiography. The following variables were measured: standard QRS duration, filtered QRS duration (fQRS), high‐frequency and low‐amplitude signal duration (HFLA), root mean square of the mean voltage in the terminal portion of filtered QRS (RMS), left and right end‐diastolic volumes, and ejection fractions.

During a mean follow‐up period of 7.3 ± 3.1 years, 12 patients had episodes of sustained VT and two of them suddenly died. All patients had complete right bundle branch block. Patients with VT were characterized by a significantly longer fQRS duration at all filter settings. On the contrary, there was no difference in standard QRS duration in patients with or without VT. At a multivariate analysis, left ventricular ejection fraction and fQRS were independent predictors for VT.

Conclusions: A longer fQRS duration is associated with an increased risk in developing malignant ventricular arrhythmias in asymptomatic patients after total correction of tetralogy of Fallot.
Diagnostics of macroscopic quantum states of Bose–Einstein condensate in double-well potential by nonstationary Josephson effect
Authors: Vol E. D.
Published: March 2005

We propose a method of diagnostics of a degenerate ground state of Bose condensate in a double-well potential. The method is based on the study of the one-particle coherent tunneling under switching of the time-dependent weak Josephson coupling between the wells. We obtain a simple expression that allows one to determine the phase of the condensate and the total number of the particles in the condensate from the relative number of particles in the two wells Δn=n1−n2 measured before the Josephson coupling is switched on and after it is switched off. The specifics of the application of the method in the cases of the external and the internal Josephson effect are discussed.
Phase separation and thermal instability of superfluid He3-He4 mixtures heated from below
Authors: Zadorozhko A. A. , Kalko T. V. , Rudavskiı̆ É. Ya. , Chagovets V. K. , Sheshin G. A.
Published: March 2005

The influence of phase separation on the thermal stability of superfluid He3-He4 mixtures heated from below by a heat flux with a power density Q̇ up to 20 μW/cm2 is investigated in the temperature region 100–500 mK. It is found that instability is observed only in the presence of phase separation (in the high-temperature region) even at manifestly high heat flux densities. With increasing power of the heat flux at low temperatures the system undergoes phase separation and then, on further increase of Q̇, suffers thermal instability, which is manifested in a sharp increase in the effective thermal conductivity. These effects are apparently due to the destabilizing influence of the interface between the separated phases owing to capillary effects. The values of the Rayleigh and Marangoni numbers, which characterize the influence of the buoyancy and capillary forces, respectively, in relation to each other are analyzed, and it is noted that the concentrated phase is more sensitive to the action of capillary forces.
A convenient way of determining the ferromagnetic transition temperature of metallic (Ga,Mn)As
Authors: Jiang C. P. , Zhao J. H. , Deng J. J. , Yang F. H. , Niu Z. C. , Wu X. G. , Zheng H. Z.
Published: March 2005

We have studied magnetic and transport properties of insulating and metallic (Ga,Mn)As layers before and after annealing. A dramatic increase of the ferromagnetic transition temperature TC by postgrowth annealing has been realized in both insulating and metallic (Ga,Mn)As. The as-grown insulating (Ga,Mn)As can be turned into metallic by the low-temperature annealing. For all the metallic (Ga,Mn)As, a characteristic feature in the temperature dependence of sheet resistance appears around TC. This phenomenon may provide a simple and more convenient method to determine the TC of metallic (Ga,Mn)As compared with superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) measurement. Moreover, the TC of the metallic (Ga,Mn)As obtained by this way is in good agreement with that measured by a SQUID magnetometer.
Scanning probe investigation of surface charge and surface potential of GaN-based heterostructures
Authors: Rodriguez B. J. , Yang W.-C. , Nemanich R. J. , Gruverman A.
Published: March 2005

Scanning Kelvin probe microscopy (SKPM) and electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) have been employed to measure the surface potentials and the surface charge densities of the Ga- and the N-face of a GaN lateral polarity heterostructure (LPH). The surface was subjected to an HCl surface treatment to address the role of adsorbed charge on polarization screening. It has been found that while the Ga-face surface appears to be unaffected by the surface treatment, the N-face surface exhibited an increase in adsorbed screening charge density (1.6±0.5×1010cm−2), and a reduction of 0.3±0.1V in the surface potential difference between the N- and Ga-face surfaces.
Study of the ferroelectricity in Bi2Ti2O7 by infrared spectroscopic ellipsometry
Authors: Hou Yun , Huang Zhiming , Xue Jianqiang , Wu Yunian , Shen Xuemin , Chu Junhao
Published: March 2005

Using infrared spectroscopic ellipsometry, the dielectric functions of (111) oriented Bi2Ti2O7 thin films with pyrochlore structure prepared on Pt∕Ti∕SiO2∕Si substrate were determined in the temperature range of 20–70 °C. It is demonstrated that there is a phase transition that appears near 40 °C in terms of static effective charge as a function of temperature calculated from the infrared spectroscopic ellipsometric data of Bi2Ti2O7 thin films. It suggests that the static effective charge is related to the structural distortion, which can facilitate the polarization of Bi2Ti2O7. Accordingly, ferroelectricity in Bi2Ti2O7 is proved by analyzing the infrared dielectric function.
Definition of target antigens for naturally occurring CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells
Authors: Nishikawa Hiroyoshi , Kato Takuma , Tawara Isao , Saito Kanako , Ikeda Hiroaki , Kuribayashi Kagemasa , Allen Paul M. , Schreiber Robert D. , Sakaguchi Shimon , Old Lloyd J. , Shiku Hiroshi
Published: March 2005

The antigenic targets recognized by naturally occurring CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells (T reg cells) have been elusive. We have serologically defined a series of broadly expressed self-antigens derived from chemically induced mouse sarcomas by serological identification of antigens by recombinant expression cloning (SEREX). CD4+ CD25+ T cells from mice immunized with SEREX-defined self-antigens had strong suppressive activity on peptide-specific proliferation of CD4+ CD25− T cells and CD8+ T cells. The suppressive effect was observed without in vitro T cell stimulation. Foxp3 expression in these CD4+ CD25+ T cells from immunized mice was 5–10 times greater than CD4+ CD25+ T cells derived from naive mice. The suppressive effect required cellular contact and was blocked by anti-glucocorticoid–induced tumor necrosis factor receptor family–related gene antibody. In vitro suppressive activity essentially disappeared 8 wk after the last immunization. However, it was regained by in vitro restimulation with cognate self-antigen protein but not with control protein. We propose that SEREX-defined self-antigens such as those used in this study represent self-antigens that elicit naturally occurring CD4+ CD25+ T reg cells.
Controlling inflammation
Authors: Flower Roderick J. , Perretti Mauro
Published: March 2005

The inflammatory response protects the body against infection and injury but can itself become deregulated with deleterious consequences to the host. It is now clear that several endogenous biochemical pathways activated during defense reactions can counterregulate inflammation. New experimental evidence adds resolvin E1 to this group of endogenous inhibitors and provides further rationale for the beneficial effects of dietary supplementation with fish oils. It also highlights an unexpected twist in the pharmacology of aspirin.
LIBERALISM AND GROUP IDENTITIES
Authors: Macedo Stephen
Published: March 2005

The essays in Part III of the book, on liberal constraints and traditionalist education, argue for a more regulatory conception of liberal education and emphasize the need for some controls over cultural and religious educational authority. In the last chapter, on liberalism and group rights, according to Stephen Macedo, while the commitment of liberalism to individual freedom and equality is far more easily reconciled with group-based remedies for group-based inequalities than the critics of liberalism allow, the liberal commitment to freedom of association imposes limits on group recognition by insisting on intragroup openness and diversity. The chapter has two main parts. Section 15.1, Liberalism, Education, and Group Identities, rebuts the charge that a liberal public philosophy embraces a narrow individualism that is incompatible with tackling group-based forms of inequality, and surveys some of the myriad liberal reforms of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s that promoted more equal respect for differing group identities, especially in schools. Section 15.2, Special Exemptions and the Rights of Traditional Communities, focuses on the difficulties raised by “traditionalistic” groups that seek special accommodations in part because they reject liberal values of equal freedom for all, and makes the point that a liberal regime should not seek to be equally hospitable or accommodating to groups that accept and those that reject educational policies designed to promote the equal freedom of all persons; various examples are presented and discussed.
Critical Factors Affecting the Wettability of α‐Alumina by Molten Aluminum
Authors: Shen Ping , Fujii Hidetoshi , Matsumoto Taihei , Nogi Kiyoshi
Published: March 2005

The wetting behaviors of α‐Al2O3 single crystals with three different faces—R(01[Onemacr]2), A(01[Twomacr]0), and C(0001)—and polycrystals (PC) by molten aluminum were studied over a wide temperature range using both a conventional and an improved sessile‐drop method. The critical factors affecting the wettability, such as temperature, atmosphere, substrate surface roughness, and crystallographic orientation, and the influence from the experimental technique, were thoroughly investigated. The results show that the aluminum surface oxidation and the thickness of the oxide film have a pronounced effect on the wettability, especially at low temperatures. To eliminate this effect, the experimental temperature must be over a critical value. Vacuum favors lowering this value compared with atmosphere, and the improved sessile‐drop method, particularly using an impingement‐dropping mode (I‐mode), helps to weaken this effect by mechanical disruption and removal of the oxide film. However, the dropping distance and the dropping force must be controlled to prevent a receding contact angle. The effects of the substrate surface roughness and temperature are not significant in the case of a clean and a fine‐prepared aluminum surface. On the other hand, the effect of the aluminum crystallographic orientation is noticeable and the wettability is in the order of R > A > PC > C. The intrinsic contact angles of the Al/α‐Al2O3 system in the temperature range 1000°–1500°C were estimated to be 76°–85° for the R and A faces, 88°–100° for the C face, and 77°–90° for the polycrystal, depending on the temperature.
Seeded Growth from Twinned and Untwinned Abnormal Grains of Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–35 mol% PbTiO3 in a Matrix Containing PbO Additions
Authors: Rockosi Derrick J. , Gorzkowski Edward P. , King Patrick T. , Scotch Adam M. , Chan Helen M. , Harmer Martin P.
Published: March 2005

The growth of abnormal grains of PMN–35PT containing Σ3 twin boundaries was compared with that of untwinned abnormal grains of PMN–35PT. It was thought that the twinned abnormal grains might have a growth advantage because of the presence of reentrant edges. The aforementioned types of grains were embedded in a PMN–35PT polycrystalline matrix with 3 vol% excess PbO, and grown by annealing in an oxygen atmosphere at 1150°C for varying times. It was found that abnormal grains containing Σ3 boundaries showed a comparable degree of growth to that of the untwinned grains. Furthermore, for the twinned seed crystals, the extent of growth was independent of whether there was any initial entrapped porosity within the abnormal grain.
Novel Method To Optimize the Structure of Reticulated Porous Ceramics
Authors: Pu Xipeng , Liu Xuejian , Qiu Fagui , Huang Liping
Published: March 2005

A novel method has been developed for the fabrication of silicon nitride reticulated porous ceramics (RPCs) with regulated structure, using polyurethane sponge as the template. This technique includes two centrifuging steps. In the first stage, the polyurethane sponges are coated with thin slurry through high‐speed centrifuging. After the slurry on sponges dried, a high‐strength green body without filled cells is obtained. In the second stage, because of improved adhesion between the body and the slurry after the first coating, the body with uniformly thick strut is produced by recoating the as‐prepared green body with thixotropic slurry and centrifuging again. The loading content of slurry and the pore diameter of the RPCs body greatly depend on the slurry viscosity in the process of recoating. The strut diameter and pore diameter of the RPCs are effectively optimized by modulating the slurry viscosity.
A role for ab T cells in the resistant phase of the Brown Norway rat model of vasculitis
Authors: Vinen C S , Turner D R , Oliveira D B G
Published: March 2005

Administration of mercuric chloride (HgCl2) to Brown Norway rats causes Th2 dominated autoimmunity including a caecal vasculitis. Disease peaks 14 days after starting HgCl2 after which animals immunoregulate spontaneously. In a third phase, if animals are rechallenged with HgCl2 6 weeks later they appear resistant, developing only attenuated disease. Previous studies suggested a role for CD8+ cells as partial mediators of resistance but no groups had studied the role of αβ T cells, γδ T cells or natural killer (NK) cells in resistance. We used adoptive transfer and in vitro cell depletion to show that αβ T cells are also partially responsible for resistance. Donor animals were treated with HgCl2 or saline and killed 21 days later. Cells from donor spleens were transferred into recipient animals which were challenged with HgCl2 and killed 14 days later. Test recipients received spleen cells from HgCl2-treated donors after in vitro depletion of one subset of cells. Recipients receiving spleen cells from saline-treated donors remained susceptible to HgCl2-induced vasculitis; those receiving spleen cells from HgCl2-treated donors were resistant. Animals receiving αβ T-cell-depleted spleen cells from HgCl2-treated donors showed partial reversal of resistance. Our results suggest a role for αβ T cells in the resistant phase of the Brown Norway rat model of vasculitis.
Immunological development of preterm infants in early infancy
Authors: Zhang B , Ohtsuka Y , Fujii T , Baba H , Okada K , Shoji H , Nagata S , Shimizu T , Yamashiro Y
Published: March 2005

To evaluate the immunological development of preterm infants, especially in early infancy, we examined the serum cytokine levels and the expression of Th2 and Th1 chemokine receptors, CCR4 and CCR5, on days 0, 14 and 28 in 16 low birth weight infants (1720·38 ± 502·80 g) born at less than 37 (33·63 ± 3·29) weeks of gestation. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), serum interleukin (IL)-4 levels exhibited an increase on day 14, but decreased to the initial level on day 28 (P < 0·05). The significant elevation of serum transforming growth factor (TGF)-β levels was confirmed on day 14 (P < 0·05) but decreased to the initial level on day 28 (P < 0·05). The expression of CCR4 and CCR5 were examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and flow cytometric analysis. The RT-PCR confirmed the expression of CCR5-mRNA soon after birth, while there was no expression of CCR4-mRNA. Thereafter, the expression of CCR4-mRNA increased significantly and reached the level of CCR5-mRNA expression on day 28 (P < 0·05). Flow cytometric analysis, however, revealed that the expression levels of both CCR4 and CCR5 were low at birth. Thus, CCR4+ CD4+ cells were significantly increased from days 0–28 (P < 0·05), while CCR5+ CD4+ cells were not. Increased IL-4 and TGF-β synthesis as well as increased CCR4+ CD4+ cells suggest that, under extra-maternal circumstances, there is a shift in bias toward Th2 responses even in preterm infants soon after delivery, while they may be capable of developing Th1 mediated responses soon after birth.
The role of tumour necrosis factor in the kinetics of lipopolysaccharide-mediated neutrophil priming in whole blood
Authors: Van Leeuwen H J , Van Der Tol M , Van Strijp J A G , Verhoef J , Van Kessel K P M
Published: March 2005

Neutrophils can be primed by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for an enhanced oxidative burst, which is a key element in the pathogenesis of Gram-negative sepsis. Some serum proteins (e.g. lipopolysaccharide-binding protein) avidly bind LPS and markedly enhance receptor binding and cellular activation while other serum factors (lipoproteins, bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein) neutralize LPS and prevent neutrophil activation. In this paper we examined the kinetics of this priming reaction in whole blood. To study the balance between neutrophil activation and LPS neutralization a sensitive chemiluminescence assay was used in a whole blood system. LPS was able to prime neutrophils for enhanced oxidative burst in whole blood with an optimum incubation time of 25 min. However, LPS was neutralized very rapidly with a t1/2 of 10 min. After 20 min a second priming factor was already generated, which was shown to be monocyte-derived tumour necrosis factor (TNF).
Quantifying the effects of individual and environmental variability in fish recruitment
Authors: PITCHFORD JONATHAN W. , JAMES ALEX , BRINDLEY JOHN
Published: March 2005

The effect of environmental variability on fish recruitment is analysed using simple linear growth models. It is shown that variance in an individual's environment significantly increases the probability of recruitment. It is also argued that environmental variance should lead to differences in growth rates observed in recruited fish, and in the mean observed growth rate of the overall population. These conclusions are discussed with reference to recent observations from field studies.
Incorporating an environmental stock–recruitment relationship in the assessment of Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus)
Authors: SINCLAIR A. F. , CRAWFORD W. R.
Published: March 2005

The robustness of a previously described environmentally mediated stock–recruitment relationship for Pacific cod in Hecate Strait, BC, Canada was tested with 10 yr of additional data. The original analysis tested several alternative hypotheses and concluded that water transport through Hecate Strait, as indicated by sea level height, coupled with cod spawning biomass formed the best model. The present analysis indicates the relationship held through the 1990s. The implications of variation in sea level on stock production were investigated with a delay‐difference stock production model that included an environmentally mediated stock–recruitment relationship. The model predicted that the maximum fishery yield would vary between 1750 and 3670 t yr−1 over the observed range of sea level height, and the estimated unsustainable fishing mortality during periods of low productivity would be only 0.5 times that in periods of high productivity.
Population dynamics and avian brood parasitism: persistence and invasions in a three‐species system
Authors: NEY‐NIFLE MURIEL , BERNSTEIN CARLOS , REBOREDA JUAN C. , KACELNIK ALEX
Published: March 2005

Avian brood parasites include species that are host specialists and others that are generalists. The impact of each kind of parasite on the persistence of the host population is studied by means of a population dynamics model.

Our model examines conditions for coexistence and invasions in a community of three South American cowbirds, the shiny cowbirdMolothrus bonariensis(a generalist parasite), the screaming cowbirdM. rufoaxillaris(a specialist parasite), and the bay‐winged cowbirdAgelaiodes badius(a nonparasite that hosts the other two).

Three biologically realistic characteristics not previously included in brood parasitism models are explored and shown to be crucial for the stability of the system. These characteristics are: (i) female parasites take at least a day to produce an egg and cannot store eggs for delayed laying – this is modelled by means of a type II functional response; (ii) parasites often remove or puncture (destroy) host eggs when visiting a nest; and (iii) hosts desert nests when the total clutch (host plus parasite) exceeds some threshold.

These characteristics have a direct impact on parasite population renewal and reduce dramatically the stable coexistence conditions.

Comparing the stability conditions of the host–specialist system with those of the three‐species system shows the impact of the arrival of a generalist parasite on the persistence of the host–specialist system when the three characteristics are present. The stability boundaries are restricted when the generalist is absent and change little for a realistic density of generalist.

The study of invasion by a specialist into a host–generalist stable community shows that the parameter region for coexistence and invasion coincide.

Comparison of our model against its precursors using field data for the parameters when available, shows that the three‐species cowbird model system is stable for empirically realized parameter values, unlike a previous model by May & Robinson (1985;American Naturalist,126, 475–494) where none of the three characteristics were included.
Comparison of ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of temporomandibular joint disc displacement
Authors: TOGNINI F. , MANFREDINI D. , MELCHIORRE D. , BOSCO M.
Published: March 2005

summary  The aim of this work was to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc position abnormalities compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Participants in this study were 41 consecutive patients with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders. All 82 TMJs were evaluated to detect disc position abnormalities by means of ultrasonography and MRI, performed by blinded operators. The accuracy of ultrasonography was evaluated with respect to MRI. Ultrasonography demonstrated good accuracy in the evaluation of disc position, showing a sensitivity of 65·8% and a specificity of 80·4%, resulting in a positive likelihood ratio of 3·35, a negative likelihood ratio of 0·42, and a diagnostic odds ratio of 7·97. The predictive positive and negatives values were respectively 77·1% and 70·2% and the overall agreement between the two radiological techniques was 73·1%. Ultrasonography proved to be accurate in detecting normal disc position and the presence of abnormalities in disc–condyle relationship but not so useful for the distinction between disc displacement with and without reduction.
Using stable isotopes to trace long‐distance dispersal in birds and other taxa
Authors: Hobson Keith A.
Published: March 2005

The study of long‐distance dispersal (LDD) in animals may be advanced by recent applications of stable isotope analyses designed to track migratory organisms and to link populations throughout their annual cycle. This approach depends on there being enough isotopic difference in tissues among potential source populations such that individuals can be unequivocally assigned to their source. The isotopic mapping of such populations will be feasible only for species occurring in relatively few disjunct populations. However, the identification of isotopic outliers within known populations will be an extremely useful first step in the forensic application of stable isotopes to identify dispersal in general, and LDD in particular. The use of deuterium isotope analysis (δD) of tissues that can be assigned to its source (e.g. feather moult or its hair growth location) has provided a recent breakthrough in our ability to associate individuals with geographical origins at continental scales. The combination of this stable isotope with others and the ultimate combination of a variety of techniques, including the measurement of trace elements and molecular genetics markers, will undoubtedly improve resolution. The isotopic cataloguing of known history (i.e. philopatric) individuals within populations will be an important step in applying isotope techniques to evaluating LDD in any species. For aquatic insects, the isotopic marking of large numbers of individuals is possible through isotopic enrichment of local food webs using labelled compounds.
Pharmacokinetics of 0.5% levobupivacaine following ilioinguinal‐iliohypogastric nerve blockade in children
Authors: Ala‐Kokko T. I. , Räihä E. , Karinen J. , Kiviluoma K. , Alahuhta S.
Published: March 2005

Background:  Bupivacaine (2 mg kg−1) has been recommended for blockade of the ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerves in paediatric patients undergoing inguinal surgery. We determined the plasma concentrations of levobupivacaine following ilioinguinal‐iliohypogastric block.

Methods:  Twenty children scheduled for elective surgery for inguinal surgery received 2 mg kg−1 of 0.5% levobupivacaine. Surgical anaesthesia was maintained with mask inhalation of oxygen, nitrous oxide and sevoflurane. Venous blood samples were drawn at regular intervals up to 2 h and plasma was separated. Total venous plasma concentrations were determined by gas chromatography. Bupivacaine concentrations from a study with a similar protocol were used as historical controls for comparison.

Results:  The groups were similar with respect to age, weight and dosage of local anaesthetic. The initial distribution half‐time (Talpha), the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) achieved, the time to the peak plasma concentration were similar (Tmax), and the mean areas under the concentration time curve (AUC) were similar between the two local anaesthetics.

Conclusions:  Levobupivacaine and bupivacaine are equally absorbed to similar maximum concentrations.