bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Statistical Meaning of Kurtosis and Its New Application to Identification of Persons Based on Seismic Signals
Authors: Liang Zhiqiang , Wei Jianming , Zhao Junyu , Liu Haitao , Li Baoqing , Shen Jie , Zheng Chunlei
Published: August 2008

This paper presents a new algorithm making use of kurtosis, which is a statistical parameter, to distinguish the seismic signal generated by a person's footsteps from other signals. It is adaptive to any environment and needs no machine study or training. As persons or other targets moving on the ground generate continuous signals in the form of seismic waves, we can separate different targets based on the seismic waves they generate. The parameter of kurtosis is sensitive to impulsive signals, so it’s much more sensitive to the signal generated by person footsteps than other signals generated by vehicles, winds, noise, etc. The parameter of kurtosis is usually employed in the financial analysis, but rarely used in other fields. In this paper, we make use of kurtosis to distinguish person from other targets based on its different sensitivity to different signals. Simulation and application results show that this algorithm is very effective in distinguishing person from other targets.
Biotests and Biosensors for Ecotoxicology of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles: A Minireview
Authors: Kahru Anne , Dubourguier Henri-Charles , Blinova Irina , Ivask Angela , Kasemets Kaja
Published: August 2008

Nanotechnologies have become a significant priority worldwide. Several manufactured nanoparticles - particles with one dimension less than 100 nm - are increasingly used in consumer products. At nanosize range, the properties of materials differ substantially from bulk materials of the same composition, mostly due to the increased specific surface area and reactivity, which may lead to increased bioavailability and toxicity. Thus, for the assessment of sustainability of nanotechnologies, hazards of manufactured nanoparticles have to be studied. Despite all the above mentioned, the data on the potential environmental effects of nanoparticles are rare. This mini-review is summarizing the emerging information on different aspects of ecotoxicological hazard of metal oxide nanoparticles, focusing on TiO2, ZnO and CuO. Various biotests that have been successfully used for evaluation of ecotoxic properties of pollutants to invertebrates, algae and bacteria and now increasingly applied for evaluation of hazard of nanoparticles at different levels of the aquatic food-web are discussed. Knowing the benefits and potential drawbacks of these systems, a suite of tests for evaluation of environmental hazard of nanoparticles is proposed. Special attention is paid to the influence of particle solubility and to recombinant metal-sensing bacteria as powerful tools for quantification of metal bioavailability. Using recombinant metal-specific bacterial biosensors and multitrophic ecotoxicity assays in tandem will create new scientific knowledge on the respective role of ionic species and of particles in toxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles.
A risk‐neutral default for chemical risk management
Authors: Hansson Sven Ove , Rudén Christina
Published: August 2008

In many risk management decisions concerning industrial chemicals, including decisions on classification and labeling, lack of toxicity data is interpreted as (or has the same implications as) absence of toxicity. In other words, if the toxicity of a chemical is unknown, it is treated as having no or low toxicity. This practice is difficult to defend from a decision‐theoretical point of view. We apply standard decision theory to toxicity data and investigate an alternative approach in which substances with unknown properties are treated as if they had the average toxicity among tested substances in the group to which they belong. An index of acute toxicity is proposed and then used to define a risk‐neutral hazard default that can be applied to industrial chemicals for which no specific information on acute toxicity is available. It is proposed that such a risk‐neutral approach is preferable to the current practice of treating substances with unknown acute toxicity in the same manner as substances that can reasonably be assumed to have no such harmful properties. The risk‐neutral approach could be generalized to other toxicological endpoints. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:964–967, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Delay‐dependant robust stability and stabilization conditions for a class of Lur'e singular time‐delay systems
Authors: Lu Renquan , Dai Xiaozhen , Su Hongye , Chu Jian , Xue Anke
Published: August 2008

The problem of the delay‐dependant robust stability and stabilization is dealt with for a class of Lur'e singular system with state time‐delays in this paper. The new concept of generalized robust quadratic stability and generalized robust quadratic stabilization is presented. Furthermore, the sufficient condition of the robust stability and stabilization is also proposed based on linear matrix inequalities. The synthesis problem addressed is to design a memoryless state feedback control law such that the resulting closed‐loop system is regular, impulse free and asymptotically stable for all admissible uncertainties. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Intramolecular π‐Stacking in Isostructural Conformational Probes Depends Strongly on Charge Separation, a Proton NMR Study
Authors: Poudel Pramod Prasad , Chen Jing , Cammers Arthur
Published: August 2008

Our solution state conformational methods used previously to study a dicationic molecular template for intramolecular aromatic association were applied to a neutral hydrocarbon analogue to probe the effect of charge on conformation. Conformational analysis of the hydrocarbon revealed modest solvent dependence in largely unfolded molecules. Conformations found in the solid state were unfolded also corroborating the findings of the solution‐state study. This study also adds solid‐state evidence for three competing solution‐state conformers previously predicted by calculations. In the absence of charge, the molecular template does not favor intramolecular association of aromatic substituents. These results agree with the chemical literature and previous reports of neutral hydrocarbon intramolecular association in the solution state.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
PKC‐mediated secretion of death factors in LNCaP prostate cancer cells is regulated by androgens
Authors: Xiao Liqing , Gonzalez‐Guerrico Anatilde , Kazanietz Marcelo G.
Published: August 2008

Activation of PKCδ in androgen‐dependent LNCaP prostate cancer cells leads to apoptosis via the activation of p38 MAPK and JNK cascades. We have recently shown that treatment of LNCaP cells with phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) leads to a PKCδ‐mediated autocrine release of death factors, including the cytokines TNFα and TRAIL, and that conditioned medium (CM) collected from PMA‐treated LNCaP cells promotes the activation of the extrinsic apoptotic cascade. Interfering with this autocrine loop either at the level of factor release or death receptor activation/signaling markedly impaired the PMA apoptotic response. In the present study we show that this PKCδ‐dependent autocrine mechanism is greatly influenced by androgens. Indeed, upon androgen depletion, which down‐regulates PKCδ expression, TNFα and TRAIL mRNA induction and release by PMA are significantly diminished, resulting in a reduced apoptogenic activity of the CM and an impaired ability of the CM to activate p38 MAPK and JNK. These effects can be rescued by addition of the synthetic androgen R1881. Furthermore, RNAi depletion of the androgen‐receptor (AR) from LNCaP cells equally impaired PMA responses, suggesting that PKC‐mediated induction of death factor secretion and apoptosis in LNCaP prostate cancer cells are highly sensitive to hormonal control. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Coulomb effects in single‐walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Malić Ermin , Hirtschulz Matthias , Milde Frank , Richter Marten , Maultzsch Janina , Reich Stephanie , Knorr Andreas
Published: August 2008

We present microscopic calculations of the excitonic absorption coefficient for single‐wall carbon nanotubes. Our approach combines the density matrix formalism including the Coulomb and electron‐light interaction with the tight‐binding approximation. It allows the investigation of excitons in carbon nanotubes of arbitrary chiral index over a wide range of energy. We take all intra‐ and intersubband contributions into account and study the behavior of the Coulomb matrix elements for all relevant processes. The Coulomb interaction is found to decrease strongly with increasing momentum transfer perpendicular to the nanotube axis. Furthermore, we show that the band gap renormalization arising from the electronelectron interaction leads to a partial lifting of degeneracy in the spectra of zig‐zag tubes. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Preparation and selected properties of a composite of the C60‐Pd conducting polymer and single‐wall carbon nanotubes
Authors: Pieta Piotr , Grodzka Emilia , Winkler Krzysztof , Venukadasula Ganesh M. , D'Souza Francis , Kutner Wlodzimierz
Published: August 2008

A thin film of a new composite consisting of the redox conductive fullerene‐palladium polymer (C60‐Pd) and single‐wall carbon nanotubes, non‐covalently functionalized with 1‐pyrenebutiric acid (pyr‐SWCNTs), was electrochemically prepared in the acetonitrile: toluene (1: 4, v: v) solution containing C60, pyr‐SWCNTs, and palladium acetate, Pd(ac)2, under multi‐scan cyclic voltammetry (cv) conditions. A tetra(n‐butyl)ammonium salt, vis. 0.1 M (TBA)ClO4 or (TBA)PF6, was used as the supporting electrolyte. Electrochemical and visco‐elastic properties of the composite film were investigated by simultaneous cv and piezoelectric microgravimetry (pm) measurements. The Raman spectra indicated that pyr‐SWCNTs were incorporated in the film during preparation of the composite by electropolymerization. Mass of the deposited composite film was determined by pm using an electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM). The EQCM also allowed us for simultaneous recording, in different potential ranges, the current, resonant frequency changes, and dynamic resistance changes vs. potential, of a quartz crystal resonator with its electrode coated by the composite film. The performed EQCM experiments revealed that both films were electrochemically active at potentials more negative than ca. –0.5 V. However, the presence of pyr‐SWCNTs in the film increased the electrode capacitance, as manifested by the increase of both the cv cathodic and anodic current. Moreover, the presence of pyr‐SWCNTs in the C60‐Pd polymer improved its visco‐elastic properties for the potentials more negative than –0.9 V vs. Ag/AgCl by making the C60‐Pd/pyr‐SWCNTs film more rigid than the pristine C60‐Pd film. From the highest slopes of the rising portions of the cathodic currents in the range ca. –0.4 to –0.6 V the redox conductivity values were determined. This conductivity for the C60‐Pd/pyr‐SWCNTs composite film was higher than that for the genuine C60‐Pd film. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The Spin Gap Transition around 180 K Observed in a New Molecular Magnet based on the [Ni(mnt)2]– Monoanion and Substituted Benzylpyridinium
Authors: Zuo Hongrong , Huang Qian , Hou Yong , Ni Chunlin , Hu Xuelei
Published: August 2008

A new molecular magnet, [NO2BrBzPyCH3][Ni(mnt)2] (1) ([NO2BrBzPyCH3]+ = 1‐(2′‐bromo‐4′‐nitrobenzyl)‐2‐methylpyridinium, and mnt2– = maleonitriledithiolate), has been prepared and characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction and magnetic measurements. The Ni(III) ions of 1 form a quasi‐one‐dimensional alternating zig‐zag magnetic chain within a Ni(mnt)2– column by intermolecular Ni···S, Ni···Ni or π···π interactions, and the [NO2BrBzPyCH3]+ cations stack into a column via weak Br···O interaction, p···π stacking interactions and C‐H···O hydrogen bonds between the cations. Magnetic susceptibility measurements in the temperature range 1.8‐300 K show that 1 exhibits a spin‐gap transition around 180 K, and an antiferromagnetic interaction in the high‐temperature phase (HT) and spin gap behavior in the low‐temperature phase (LT). The transition for 1 is a second‐order phase transition as determined by DSC analyses.
Electrochemical and Chemical Syntheses of Trifluoromethylating Reagents and Trifluoromethyl Substituted Compounds
Authors: Grobe Joseph , Hegge Joachim
Published: August 2008

The electroreduction of the halofluoromethanes CF3Br, CF2Br2 and CF2BrCl has been studied in high‐pressure stainless steel autoclaves at different cathodes [Pt, steel (V2A, V4A), glassy carbon (GC)] and in various solvent‐supporting electrolyte systems (SSE), e.g. DMF/[Bu4N]Br, NMP/[Bu4N]BF4 etc. The reduction potentials for CF3Br increase from Pt (–1.6 V) < V2A (–1.8 V) < GC (–2.1 V) and are lower for CF2Br2 and CF2BrCl suggesting a reductive cleavage of C‐X bonds as the first step. CF2Br2 and CF2BrCl show a two‐step reduction in accord with the C–X bond energies (C–F > C–Cl > C–Br) and the “Perfluoro‐effect”. The electrolysis of CF3Br in different SSE‐systems with sacrificial zinc or cadmium anodes has been reinvestigated with our experimental set‐up to elucidate the influence of the experimental conditions on the type and ratio of the products. The observed products CF3MBr·42L and (CF3)2M·42L (M = Zn, Cd; L = DMF or AN) are the same as in the previous investigations, but are obtained in different ratios, as a rule caused by a parallel chemical corrosion of the respective anodes. By using aluminium as sacrificial anode no CF3Al compounds are formed. The CF3 species generated by electroreduction of CF3Br react with the solvents via hydrogen abstraction and formation of CF3H. The current yield with respect to the dissolution of the Al anode reaches 120 % indicating a considerable chemical corrosion in addition to the anodic oxidation. This result enabled a one‐pot trifluoromethylation reaction of NMP as organic carbonyl substrate and solvent with CF3Br and aluminium powder (ratio 3 : 2) at higher temperatures (> 70 °C). The complete reaction of CF3Br to give CF3H and 1‐methyl‐2‐trifluoromethyl‐4,5‐dihydropyrrol allowed the isolation of the latter by vacuum condensation and distillation in 45 % yield, rel. to the CF3Br used. Gallium and indium were also applied as sacrificial anodes in combination with CF3Br as substrate. In both cases, anodic current yields of about 280 % indicated an extreme chemical corrosion together with cathodic metal depositions corresponding to the cathodic current yield. These deposits – in contrast to those of Zn and Cd – do not react with CF3Br in Grignard‐type conversions to CF3Ga and CF3In compounds. So, the observed products (CF3)nMBr3–n·L (M = Ga, In; n 1‐3; L = DMF, NMP) are obviously formed by chemical corrosion of the electro‐activated anodes. Finally, electrochemical and chemical trifluoromethylations were successfully carried out, using R3SiCl (R = Me, Vi, Ph), Me3M′Cl (M′ = Ge, Sn) and aluminium anodes or Al‐powder. The products were characterized either after isolation or in the product solutions by NMR‐spectroscopic investigations.
Synthesis and Crystal Structure of >Bis(tetrapropylammonium) Hexabromotellurate(IV)‐bis{dibromoselenate(II)}, [NnPr4]2[TeBr6(SeBr2)2], the Salt of a Mixed‐valence Bromotellurate(IV)‐Selenate(II) Anion
Authors: Janickis Vitalijus , Necas Marek
Published: August 2008

Dark brown crystals of [NnPr4]2[TeBr6(SeBr2)2] (1) were obtained when selenium and bromine (1:1) were allowed to react in acetonitrile solution in the presence of tellurium(IV) bromide and tetrapropylammonium bromide. The salt 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n with the cell dimensions a = 14.7870(3) Å, b = 9.5523(3) Å, c = 16.7325(3) Å, β = 110.56(10)° (at 123(2) K). In the solid state the [TeBr6(SeBr2)2]2– anion contains a nearly regular [TeBr6] octahedron in which the four equatorial bromo ligands have developed bonds to SeII atoms of the SeBr2 molecules. The contacts between the bridging bromo and the SeII atoms of the SeBr2 molecules are 3.0000(4) and 3.0561(4) Å, and can be interpreted as bonds of the donor‐acceptor type with the bridging bromo ligands as donors and the SeBr2 molecules as acceptors. The TeIV–Br distances are in the range 2.6816(3)–2.7131(3) Å and the SeII–Br bond lengths in the coordinated SeBr2 molecules are 2.3548(4) and 2.3725(4) Å.
Synthesis, Characterization, X‐ray Structures, and Solution Studies of Nickel(II) Complexes of an Aza‐Crown Macrocycle with a Hydroxyl Pendant‐Armed
Authors: Hosseini‐Yazdi Seyed Abolfazl , Khandar Ali Akbar , Azizi Hashem , Aref Amir Reza
Published: August 2008

The 18‐membered mixed‐donor macrocycle 6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,20,21‐decahydro‐5H, 19H‐dibenzo[b,m][1,15,5,8,11]dioxatriazacyclooctadecin‐20‐ol (L), which contains N3O3 donor set, was synthesized. Also two nickel(II) complexes of L have been synthesized and characterized by X‐ray crystallography, FT‐IR, UV‐Vis absorption spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The structure of complexes shows an unexpected anion dependence. Reaction of Ni(ClO4)2·6H2O with L afforded [NiL](ClO4)2·CH2Cl2 complex in which L uses all donor atoms and acts as a hexadentate ligand so forming a mononuclear nickel(II) complex in distorted octahedral geometry. Contrasting with this, when NiCl2·6H20 is used, the product complex [{NiLCl}2(μ‐Cl)2] is dimeric and consists of two NiLCl units bridged by two chloride ions. The coordination geometry of each nickel atom is a distorted octahedral. In this complex L is exo‐coordinated via only three nitrogen atoms to a nickel ion, which is bound to two cis bridging chloride and one non‐bridging chloride too. Also complexing properties of L towards Ni(ClO4)2·6H2O and NiCl2·6H20 have been determined by UV‐Vis titration in methanol. The computer treatment of the data confirmed the 1:1 metal to ligand stoichiometry for two complexes in solution and gave reliable values for corresponding stability constants (logK = 3.00 ± 0.02 with Ni(ClO4)2·6H2O and logK = 3.29 ± 0.06 with NiCl2·6H20).
Molecular and Crystal Structures of Mononuclear trans‐[Fe(CN)2(tOcNC)4] and trans‐[Mn(CN)(CO)(tOcNC)4] as well as of Cyanide Bridged Coordination Polymers Derived from trans‐[M(CN)2(tOcNC)4] (M = Fe, Ru)
Authors: Halbauer Kathi , Görls Helmar , Fidler Tamara , Imhof Wolfgang
Published: August 2008

The octahedral complexes trans‐[Fe(CN)2(tOcNC)4] and trans‐[Mn(CN)(CO)(tOcNC)4] are produced by the reaction of 2‐isocyano‐2,4,4‐trimethyl‐pentane (tert. octyl‐isocyanide) with the corresponding transition metal carbonyls Fe2(CO)9 and Mn2(CO)10. In contrast to isostructural compounds with less bulky tert.‐butylisocyanide ligands the cyanide groups in trans‐[Fe(CN)2(tOcNC)4] and trans‐[Mn(CN)(CO)(tOcNC)4] do not act as hydrogen bond acceptors towards solvent molecules in the crystal structures. In addition, the corresponding cis‐isomers are configurationally unstable. The reaction of trans‐[Fe(CN)2(tOcNC)4] and trans‐[Ru(CN)2(tOcNC)4] with MnCl2, NiCl2 and Co(NO3)2 ends up in the formation of cyanide bridged coordination polymers. X‐ray structure determinations of the cobalt compounds reveal different molecular structures. Whereas the former produces highly distorted infinite polymeric chains with the nitrate anions still coordinated to the cobalt centers, the latter forms polymers with the cobalt atoms being coordinated by four ethanol molecules to which the anions are bound via hydrogen bond interactions. The coordination geometries around ruthenium and cobalt in this coordination polymer are therefore nearly perfectly octahedral and tetrahedral, respectively. Measurements of the magnetic susceptibility of the coordination polymers at different temperatures are indicative of weak antiferromagnetic coupling of the paramagnetic centers along the polymeric chains.
Minifragment Screw Fixation of Oblique Metacarpal Fractures: A Biomechanical Analysis of Screw Types and Techniques
Authors: Liporace Frank A. , Kinchelow Tosca , Gupta Salil , Kubiak Erik N. , McDonnell Matthew
Published: August 2008

The lag screw technique has historically been a successful and accepted way to treat oblique metacarpal fractures. However, it does take additional time and involve multiple steps that can increase the risk of fracture propagation or comminution in the small hand bones of the hand. An alternate fixation technique uses bicortical interfragmentary screws. Other studies support the clinical effectiveness and ease of this technique. The purpose of this study is to biomechanically assess the strength of the bicortical interfragmentary screw versus that of the traditional lag screw. Using 48 cadaver metacarpals, oblique osteotomies were created and stabilized using one of four methods: 1.5 mm bicortical interfragmentary (IF) screw, 1.5 mm lag technique screw, 2.0 mm bicortical IF screw, or 2.0 mm lag technique screw. Biomechanical testing was performed to measure post cyclic displacement and load to failure. Data was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). There was no significant difference among the fixation techniques with regard to both displacement and ultimate failure strength. There was a slight trend for a higher load to failure with the 2.0 mm IF screw and 2.0 mm lag screw compared to the 1.5 mm IF and 1.5 mm lag screws, but this was not significant. Our results support previously established clinical data that bicortical interfragmentary screw fixation is an effective treatment option for oblique metacarpal fractures. This technique has clinical importance because it is an option to appropriately stabilize the often small and difficult to control fracture fragments encountered in metacarpal fractures.
Schistosoma haematobiumin Lake Malaŵi: susceptibility and molecular diversity of the snail hostsBulinus globosusandB. nyassanus
Authors: Stauffer J.R. , Madsen H. , Webster B. , Black K. , Rollinson D. , Konings A.
Published: August 2008

Intermediate hosts ofSchistosoma haematobium, the causative agent of urinary schistosomiasis, in Lake Malaŵi include:Bulinus globosus, a member of theB. africanusgroup andB. nyassanus, a diploid member of theB. truncatus/tropicusspecies complex. We compared genetic variability between isolates ofS. haematobiumfrom the southern part of the lake (Cape Maclear), where bothB. globosusandB. nyassanusplay a role as intermediate hosts, and isolates from the northern part, where onlyB. globosusis host. Data show that theS. haematobiumisolates from these two areas of Lake Malaŵi cannot be distinguished using nuclear or mitochondrial sequences and are capable of cross-infections.
Die Frankfurter Imitationstests für 18 und 24 Monate alte Kinder
Authors: Goertz Claudia , Kolling Thorsten , Frahsek Stefanie , Knopf Monika
Published: August 2008

Zusammenfassung. Das Verfahren der Verzögerten Imitation gilt als eine Methode, durch die deklaratives Gedächtnis bei vorsprachlichen Kindern erfasst werden kann. Dabei werden den Kindern neuartige, objektbezogene Handlungen gezeigt, die sie lediglich beobachten dürfen. Nach einem Behaltensintervall werden die Objekte sukzessive präsentiert, das Spiel der Kinder wird analysiert und mit dem Spontanspiel einer Kontrollgruppe verglichen, die zuvor kein Modell gesehen hat. Während wenig umstritten ist, dass dieses Verfahren deklaratives Gedächtnis erfasst, fehlt es an altersangepassten Testinstrumenten. Vorgestellt werden neu entwickelte Testverfahren für 18 und 24 Monate alte Kinder (Frankfurter Imitationstests FIT 18 bzw. FIT 24) und mit Tests für jüngere und ältere Kinder in Beziehung gesetzt (FIT 12 und FIT 36). Für diese Instrumente lässt sich nachweisen, dass das Spielverhalten nicht spontan erfolgt, sondern die Handlungen beobachtet und behalten wurden. Ferner erweisen sich die Tests als objektiv auswertbar, hinsichtlich ihrer Schwierigkeit als altersangemessen sowie als geeignet, den alterskorrelierten Zuwachs der Gedächtnisleistung wie die interindividuellen Unterschiede innerhalb der Altersstufen abzubilden. Ein Vergleich mit den Ergebnissen im ET6-6 zeigt, dass vor allem Dimensionen, die auch Imitationsverhalten abbilden, mit dem Summenwert der FIT-Tests korrelieren.
Integration of Arabic and Western music by means of introducing Arabic music in German primary music curricula
Authors: Haddad Rami
Published: August 2008

Abstract. The purpose of this study was to obtain the opinion of German music students engaged in two musical fields, music education and musicology, concerning the introduction of Arabic music in German schools and eventually into German society. As music is widely considered a language that can be understood and perceived all around the world, even if each style of music has its own identity and reflects the culture of its nation, it can still be considered as a means of integrating the West and the East, as well as the North and the South. The results of this study show that Arabic music can be accepted and understood by German music students from both fields of study. These students see the advantages and benefits of introducing Arabic music to German schools.
Auswirkungen der kognitiven Verhaltenstherapie, der interpersonellen Psychotherapie sowie der bewältigungsorientierten Paartherapie zur Behandlung von Depressionen auf das beobachtete dyadische Copingverhalten
Authors: Gabriel Barbara , Bodenmann Guy , Widmer Kathrin , Charvoz Linda , Schramm Elisabeth , Hautzinger Martin
Published: August 2008

Zusammenfassung. Theoretischer Hintergrund: Bestehende Befunde sprechen für einen bedeutungsvollen Zusammenhang zwischen der partnerschaftlichen Bewältigung von Stress und dem Verlauf von depressiven Erkrankungen. Methode: Es wurden erstmals Therapieeffekte (Prä-Post) der kognitiven Verhaltenstherapie KVT (n = 17 Paare), der interpersonellen Therapie IPT (n = 13 Paare) und der bewältigungsorientierten Paartherapie BOI (n = 17 Paare) auf das beobachtete offene dyadische Copingverhalten zur Bewältigung von paarexternem Stress (SEDC: Bodenmann, 1997 ) bei Paaren mit einem depressiven Partner untersucht. Die Überprüfung erfolgte am Verhalten beider Partner mittels Varianzanalysen. Ergebnisse: Die untersuchten Therapieansätze führten zu einer vergleichbaren Verbesserung der Depression sowie des dyadischen Copings der Patienten. Bei den Partnern hingegen unterschieden sich die Veränderungen bei den positiven dyadischen Unterstützungshandlungen entsprechend des jeweiligen Therapieansatzes. Schlussfolgerung: Die vorliegenden Ergebnisse verwiesen auf die Effektivität der bewältigungsorientierten Ansatzes sowie dem möglichen Nutzen des Einbezug des Partners zur Behandlung von Depressionen gerade auch im Hinblick auf mögliche Langzeitverläufe. Weiter sollte der Verhaltensbeobachtung als Instrument der Therapieindikation und -evaluation vermehrt Beachtung geschenkt werden.
Translocation Relative to Range
Authors: Höfler Michael
Published: August 2008

A standardized index for effect intensity, the translocation relative to range (TRR), is discussed. TRR is defined as the difference between the expectations of an outcome under two conditions (the absolute increment) divided by the maximum possible amount for that difference. TRR measures the shift caused by a factor relative to the maximum possible magnitude of that shift. For binary outcomes, TRR simply equals the risk difference, also known as the inverse number needed to treat. TRR ranges from –1 to 1 but is – unlike a correlation coefficient – a measure for effect intensity, because it does not rely on variance parameters in a certain population as do effect size measures (e.g., correlations, Cohens d). However, the use of TRR is restricted on outcomes with fixed and meaningful endpoints given, for instance, for meaningful psychological questionnaires or Likert scales. The use of TRR vs. Cohens d is illustrated with three examples from Psychological Science 2006 (issues 5 through 8). It is argued that, whenever TRR applies, it should complement Cohens d to avoid the problems related to the latter. In any case, the absolute increment should complement d.
HF radio wave acceleration of ionospheric electrons: Analysis of HF‐induced optical enhancements
Authors: Gustavsson B. , Eliasson B.
Published: August 2008

The shape of the HF‐pump modified electron energy distribution has long been a central question in the field of ionospheric high‐frequency radio wave modification experiments. Here we present estimates of the enhanced differential electron flux, from 1.9 to 100 eV based on optical multiwavelength (6300, 5577, 8446, and 4278 Å) data and 930 MHz incoherent scatter radar measurements of ion temperature, electron temperature and concentration. According to our estimate, the electron energy distribution is depleted in the energy range of 2 to approximately 4 eV, probably caused by electron excitation of vibrational states in N2. At the higher energies the electron energy distribution has a nonthermal tail. Further we show that the altitude variations of the four optical emissions should differ both in altitude coverage and center altitude.
Evaluating a terrestrial ecosystem model with satellite information of greenness
Authors: Twine Tracy E. , Kucharik Christopher J.
Published: August 2008

Dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs) simulate ecosystem responses to multiple environmental factors. Traditionally, these models were evaluated with sparse ground measurements, but satellite observations now allow evaluation at model grid cell scales with near‐global coverage. Agro‐IBIS is the first DGVM to explicitly simulate the major crop types of the United States. We evaluate these simulated agroecosystems using satellite information of greenness for the first time at the regional scale. We compare Agro‐IBIS‐simulated leaf area index (LAI) and fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (FPAR) of crops, forests, and grasses with AVHRR (1982–2000) and MODIS (2000–2002) LAI and FPAR data sets across the central and eastern United States. Compared with MODIS data, Agro‐IBIS overestimates growing season LAI over broadleaf crops and simulates reasonable but lower growing season LAI over deciduous forest, with an early onset bias in the southern region. Agro‐IBIS underestimates needleleaf forest LAI and substantially overestimates the magnitude of grassland growing season LAI, with an early onset bias of one month. Similar bias patterns in FPAR occur in all biomes. While we do not trust the LAI/FPAR magnitudes from AVHRR data, we do suggest that AVHRR data may be used to evaluate the timing of onset and offset of the growing season of broadleaf crops and grasses. Evaluation of broadleaf crop peak LAI from Agro‐IBIS and MODIS with ground measurements shows significant discrepancies. Continuing improvements in DGVMs (especially grass algorithms in Agro‐IBIS) and validation of satellite data sets (especially over crops in MODIS) are needed to understand regional‐scale terrestrial ecosystem processes.
Validation of a 3D bistatic microwave scattering measurement setup
Authors: Eyraud Christelle , Geffrin Jean‐Michel , Sabouroux Pierre , Chaumet Patrick C. , Tortel Hervé , Giovannini Hugues , Litman Amélie
Published: August 2008

We present a 3D spherical bistatic experimental setup developed in the anechoic chamber of Institut Fresnel in Marseille, France, for scattering measurements of targets in the microwave domain, both in copolarization and cross‐polarization. We first describe the geometry of the setup, the measurement protocol, and the calibration process. The results obtained for different metallic and dielectric targets are then compared to numerical simulations, computed either using the coupled dipole method or Mie theory. These comparisons are used to validate the algorithms and the setup, as well as to provide information on the accuracy of the measurements.
Plant host habitat and root exudates shape soil bacterial community structure
Authors: Haichar Feth el Zahar , Marol Christine , Berge Odile , Rangel-Castro J Ignacio , Prosser James I , Balesdent Jérôme , Heulin Thierry , Achouak Wafa
Published: August 2008

The rhizosphere is active and dynamic in which newly generated carbon, derived from root exudates, and ancient carbon, in soil organic matter (SOM), are available for microbial growth. Stable isotope probing (SIP) was used to determine bacterial communities assimilating each carbon source in the rhizosphere of four plant species. Wheat, maize, rape and barrel clover (Medicago truncatula) were grown separately in the same soil under 13CO2 (99% of atom 13C) and DNA extracted from rhizosphere soil was fractionated by isopycnic centrifugation. Bacteria-assimilating root exudates were characterized by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of 13C-DNA and root DNA, whereas those assimilating SOM were identified from 12C-DNA. Plant species root exudates significantly shaped rhizosphere bacterial community structure. Bacteria related to Sphingobacteriales and Myxococcus assimilated root exudates in colonizing roots of all four plants, whwereas bacteria related to Sphingomonadales utilized both carbon sources, and were identified in light, heavy and root compartment DNA. Sphingomonadales were specific to monocotyledons, whereas bacteria related to Enterobacter and Rhizobiales colonized all compartments of all four plants, used both fresh and ancient carbon and were considered as generalists. There was also evidence for an indirect important impact of root exudates, through stimulation of SOM assimilation by a diverse bacterial community.
Expression of thymosin α1 concatemer in transgenic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruits
Authors: Chen Yuhui , Wang Aoxue , Zhao Lingxia , Shen Guoan , Cui Lijie , Tang Kexuan
Published: August 2008

Tα1 (thymosin α1), an immune booster, plays an important role in the maturation, differentiation and function of T‐cells. It can also activate the production of cytokines in dendritic cells. Tα1 is one of two thymosin proteins that have potential future clinical applications. In order to express Tα1 protein in plants, we designed and synthesized the Tα1 gene according to the plant codon usage bias and created a novel 4×Tα1 concatemer (four copies of the Tα1 gene arranged end‐to‐end in tandem, designated 4×Tα1). Subsequently, a plant binary expression vector, PG‐pRD12‐4×Tα1, was constructed and introduced into tomato via Agrobacterium tumefaciens‐mediated transformation. Through selection, 54 regenerated tomato plants resistant to kanamycin were obtained, and four transgenic tomato plants were further confirmed by PCR and Southern blotting. RT–PCR (reverse transcription–PCR) analysis showed that the 4×Tα1 gene was transcribed specifically in tomato [Solanum lycopersicum (formerly Lycopersicon esculentum)] fruits. ELISA analysis showed that the content of the 4×Tα1 protein reached a maximum of 6.098 μg/g fresh weight in mature tomato fruit. Western‐blot analysis further confirmed the expression of 4×Tα1 protein in transgenic tomato fruits. The MTT [3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium bromide] assay showed the 4×Tα1 protein derived from transgenic tomatoes exhibited bioactivity that can stimulate the proliferation of mice splenic lymphocytes in vitro, and the specific activity of Tα1 protein from the artificial system was higher than that from the synthetic Escherichia coli system. This study is the first to report successful expression of bioactive Tα1 in plants, and also it will provide the basis for further development of the plant system to produce Tα1.
Basal adipose tissue and hepatic lipid kinetics are not affected by a single exercise bout of moderate duration and intensity in sedentary women
Authors: Magkos Faidon , Patterson Bruce W. , Mohammed B. Selma , Mittendorfer Bettina
Published: August 2008

Hypertriacylglycerolaemia is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In men, we have shown that the effects of evening exercise on basal VLDL (very-low-density lipoprotein) metabolism are dose-dependent: a single prolonged bout of aerobic exercise [2 h at 60% of V̇O2 peak (peak oxygen consumption)] reduces fasting plasma TAG [triacylglycerol (triglyceride)] concentrations, via enhanced clearance of VLDL-TAG from the circulation, whereas the same exercise performed for 1 h has no effect on VLDL-TAG metabolism and concentration. We hypothesized that women are more sensitive to the TAG-lowering effect of exercise because they reportedly use more intramuscular TAG as an energy source during exercise, and depletion of muscle TAG stores has been linked to reciprocal changes in skeletal muscle LPL (lipoprotein lipase) activity. To test our hypothesis, we measured basal VLDL-TAG and VLDL-apoB-100 (apolipoprotein B-100), and plasma NEFA [non-esterified fatty acid (‘free fatty acid’)] kinetics, by using stable isotope-labelled tracer techniques, on the morning after a single session of evening exercise of moderate duration and intensity (1 h at 60% of V̇O2 peak) in eight sedentary pre-menopausal women (age, 28±3 years; body mass index, 27±2 kg/m2; body fat, 34±3%; values are means±S.E.M.). Compared with an equivalent period of evening rest, exercise had no effect on post-absorptive NEFA concentrations and the rate of appearance in plasma, VLDL-TAG and VLDL-apoB-100 concentrations, hepatic VLDL-TAG and VLDL-apoB-100 secretion and plasma clearance rates (all P>0.05). We conclude that, in women, as in men, a single session of exercise of moderate intensity and duration is not sufficient to bring about the alterations in VLDL metabolism that have been linked to post-exercise hypotriacylglycerolaemia.
Aerodynamic drag reduction by heat addition into the shock layer for a large angle blunt cone in hypersonic flow
Authors: Kulkarni Vinayak , Hegde G. M. , Jagadeesh G. , Arunan E. , Reddy K. P. J.
Published: August 2008

Reduction in aerodynamic drag for a large angle blunt cone flying at hypersonic Mach number by heat addition into the shock layer is demonstrated in HST2 hypersonic shock tunnel. The heat addition is achieved by the exothermic reaction of chromium atoms ablated from the stagnation region of the chromium coated blunt cone with the atomic oxygen behind the shock wave. The measurements show about 47% reduction in the drag coefficient for a 60° apex angle blunt cone in a Mach 8 flow of 3.4MJ∕kg specific enthalpy. The reduction in drag is measured using the accelerometer based force balance system and the heat addition into the shock layer is identified by the surface mounted thin film heat flux gauges and the corresponding movement of the shock wave is visualized by schlieren pictures.
Precise studies on resonant energies of the first intershell (KLL) dielectronic recombination processes for He- up to O-like xenon
Authors: Chen W. D. , Xiao J. , Shen Y. , Fu Y. Q. , Meng F. C. , Chen C. Y. , Zhang B. H. , Tang Y. J. , Hutton R. , Zou Y.
Published: August 2008

Precise studies of the resonant energies of KLL dielectronic recombination (DR) processes of He-, Li-, Be-, B-, C-, N-, and O-like xenon ions were performed at the Shanghai Electron Beam Ion Trap [X. Zhu et al., Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. B 235, 509 (2005)], employing home developed high precision, high stability high voltage dividers. Influences from retardation by the capacitor of experimental setup, contact potential, space charge of the electron beam, and of ion neutralization, as well as fringing field effects were taken into account. The obtained resonant energies were, at an average uncertainty level of 0.03%, compared with calculation results by relativistic configuration interaction (RCI) theory, relativistic many-body perturbation theory (RMBPT), and by multiconfiguration Dirac–Fock (MCDF) theory. All the three predicted DR resonant energies by MCDF agree with our experiments. Among the 15 predictions by RMBPT, 13 are in good agreement with our experimental results. But only five out of 15 predictions by RCI calculation agree with our experimental results.
Growth mechanisms and crystallographic structure of InP nanowires on lattice-mismatched substrates
Authors: Moewe Michael , Chuang Linus C. , Dubrovskii Vladimir G. , Chang-Hasnain Connie
Published: August 2008

We present a growth model that predicts the growth phase and mechanism of InP nanowires (NWs) and the experimental verifications of the model. The NWs were grown on lattice-mismatched GaAs substrates using metal-organic chemical vapor deposition via Au nanodrop-assisted vapor-liquid-solid growth. Nanodrops with larger diameters are shown to grow longer NWs because growth is governed mainly by direct precursor impingement on the nanodrop surface. The theoretical and experimental results also show that growth phase is dependent on NW diameter. We show that InP NWs with a diameter less than a certain value exhibit coherent growth of a single crystalline wurtzite (WZ) phase, whereas larger diameter InP NWs often contain sequences of WZ and zincblende phases and stacking faults. These findings allow one to achieve coherent NW growth and WZ phases free from twinning if the NW diameter is below certain material-dependent critical diameters.
Anisotropy driven ultrafast nanocluster burrowing
Authors: Süle P.
Published: August 2008

We explore the occurrence of low-energy and low-temperature transient cluster burrowing leading to intact cluster inclusions. In particular, the anomalously fast (ballistic) Pt nanocluster implantation into Al and Ti substrates has been found by molecular dynamics simulations using a tight-binding many-body potential with a 1–10eV∕atom low impact energy. A similar behavior has also been found for many other cluster/substrate couples such as Cu∕Al, Ni∕Ti, and Co∕Ti. At this few eV/atom low impact energy regime, instead of the expected stopping at the surface we find the propagation of the cluster through a thin Al slab as thick as ∼50Å with a nearly constant speed (∝1eV∕atom). Hence the cluster moves far beyond the range of the impact energy, which suggests that the mechanism of cluster burrowing cannot be explained simply by collisional cascade effects. In the couples with reversed succession (e.g., Ti∕Pt, Al∕Pt) no burrowing has been found; the clusters remain on the surface (the asymmetry of burrowing). We argue that cluster penetration occurs at a few eV/atom impact energy when the cluster/substrate interaction is size mismatched and mass anisotropic atomically.
Development of crystalline magnetic thin films for microlevitation
Authors: Elbuken Caglar , Yavuz Mustafa , Khamesee Mir Behrad
Published: August 2008

In recent years, magnetic levitation is finding interesting applications in various fields related to microdevices. Producing inexpensive microfabricated magnetic films is of high importance to all magnetically levitated microdevices. This paper introduces a microlevitation system and presents the fabrication of Co–Ni–Mn–P films using electrodeposition. The fabrication parameters are varied such that magnetization direction of the film is varied by changing the crystal structure. The magnetic properties of the films such as coercivity, remanence, and maximum energy product demonstrate that hexagonal structure promotes out-of-plane magnetization whereas cubic structure reinforces in-plane magnetization. The performance of the Co–Ni–Mn–P films is evaluated by magnetic levitation experiments of silicon samples. Satisfactory results are obtained toward the goal of realization of a magnetically levitated microgripper.
A hybrid green light-emitting diode comprised of n-ZnO/(InGaN/GaN) multi-quantum-wells/p-GaN
Authors: Bayram C. , Teherani F. Hosseini , Rogers D. J. , Razeghi M.
Published: August 2008

Hybrid green light-emitting diodes (LEDs) comprised of n-ZnO/(InGaN/GaN) multi-quantum-wells/p-GaN were grown on semi-insulating AlN/sapphire using pulsed laser deposition for the n-ZnO and metal organic chemical vapor deposition for the other layers. X-ray diffraction revealed that high crystallographic quality was preserved after the n-ZnO growth. LEDs showed a turn-on voltage of 2.5 V and a room temperature electroluminescence (EL) centered at 510 nm. A blueshift and narrowing of the EL peak with increasing current was attributed to bandgap renormalization. The results indicate that hybrid LED structures could hold the prospect for the development of green LEDs with superior performance.
Transcriptomic and genomic evolution under constant cold in Antarctic notothenioid fish
Authors: Chen Zuozhou , Cheng C.-H. Christina , Zhang Junfang , Cao Lixue , Chen Lei , Zhou Longhai , Jin Yudong , Ye Hua , Deng Cheng , Dai Zhonghua , Xu Qianghua , Hu Peng , Sun Shouhong , Shen Yu , Chen Liangbiao
Published: August 2008

The antifreeze glycoprotein-fortified Antarctic notothenioid fishes comprise the predominant fish suborder in the isolated frigid Southern Ocean. Their ecological success undoubtedly entailed evolutionary acquisition of a full suite of cold-stable functions besides antifreeze protection. Prior studies of adaptive changes in these teleost fishes generally examined a single genotype or phenotype. We report here the genome-wide investigations of transcriptional and genomic changes associated with Antarctic notothenioid cold adaptation. We sequenced and characterized 33,560 ESTs from four tissues of the Antarctic notothenioid
Dissostichus mawsoni
and derived 3,114 nonredundant protein gene families and their expression profiles. Through comparative analyses of same-tissue transcriptome profiles of
D. mawsoni
and temperate/tropical teleost fishes, we identified 177 notothenioid protein families that were expressed many fold over the latter, indicating cold-related up-regulation. These up-regulated gene families operate in protein biosynthesis, protein folding and degradation, lipid metabolism, antioxidation, antiapoptosis, innate immunity, choriongenesis, and others, all of recognizable functional importance in mitigating stresses in freezing temperatures during notothenioid life histories. We further examined the genomic and evolutionary bases for this expressional up-regulation by comparative genomic hybridization of DNA from four pairs of Antarctic and basal non-Antarctic notothenioids to 10,700
D. mawsoni
cDNA probes and discovered significant to astounding (3- to >300-fold,
P
< 0.05) Antarctic-specific duplications of 118 protein-coding genes, many of which correspond to the up-regulated gene families. Results of our integrative tripartite study strongly suggest that evolution under constant cold has resulted in dramatic genomic expansions of specific protein gene families, augmenting gene expression and gene functions contributing to physiological fitness of Antarctic notothenioids in freezing polar conditions.
NMR evidence of a sharp change in a measure of local order in deeply supercooled confined water
Authors: Mallamace F. , Corsaro C. , Broccio M. , Branca C. , González-Segredo N. , Spooren J. , Chen S.-H. , Stanley H. E.
Published: August 2008

Using NMR, we measure the proton chemical shift δ, of supercooled nanoconfined water in the temperature range 195 K <
T
< 350 K. Because δ is directly connected to the magnetic shielding tensor, we discuss the data in terms of the local hydrogen bond geometry and order. We argue that the derivative −(∂ ln δ/∂
T
)
P
should behave roughly as the constant pressure specific heat
C
P
(
T
), and we confirm this argument by detailed comparisons with literature values of
C
P
(
T
) in the range 290–370 K. We find that −(∂ ln δ/∂
T
)
P
displays a pronounced maximum upon crossing the locus of maximum correlation length at ≈240 K, consistent with the liquid-liquid critical point hypothesis for water, which predicts that
C
P
(
T
) displays a maximum on crossing the Widom line.
Bacteriology of Blood, Wound, and Sputum Cultures from Non-US Casualties Treated in a Combat Support Hospital in Iraq
Authors: Moran Kimberly A. , Murray Clinton K. , Anderson Edwin L.
Published: August 2008

A review of culture results from non-US casualties in Iraq revealed gram-negative bacteria were the most commonly isolated pathogens. Cultures of respiratory fluid yielded positive results earlier than cultures of wound or blood samples and potentially serve as an earlier marker of future infections. Continued aggressive infection control for non-US casualties is needed.