bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A NON-STANDARD FREE BOUNDARY PROBLEM ARISING FROM STRATIGRAPHY
Authors: ANTONTSEV S. N. , GAGNEUX G. , LUCE R. , VALLET G.
Published: June 2006

In this paper, we are interested in the mathematical analysis of a geological stratigraphic model, taking into account a limited weathering condition. Firstly, we present the physical model and the mathematical formulation, which lead to an original locally hyperbolic conservation law. Then, after some heuristic simplifications, the definition of a solution and some mathematical tools in order to resolve the problem are given. Within the framework of sedimentation processes, we illustrate in the 1-D case the changing type of the equation: hyperbolic with finite speed propagation and parabolic with diffusive comportment or stationary. At the end, we present some open problems related to free boundary phenomena.
SELF-CALIBRATION: NEW METHOD AND COMPARISONS
Authors: WU YOUFU , SHEN JUN , DAI MO
Published: June 2006

For 3D Euclidean reconstruction, the challenging problem is that only the hypothesis of intrinsic parameters can be used to retrieve the camera parameters without additional information. In this paper, we propose a method to find out the intrinsic parameters of a camera using the rank constraint of the relation matrix of absolute conic Ω. The degenerative problems and the problem of variable internal parameters are also studied. The experimental results presented show the good performance compared with the results of other methods for the self-calibration of a camera.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ANTHROPOMORPHIC FLUTIST ROBOT AT WASEDA UNIVERSITY
Authors: SOLIS JORGE , CHIDA KEISUKE , SUEFUJI KEI , TAKANISHI ATSUO
Published: June 2006

The development of the flutist robot at Waseda University since 1990 has enabled a better understanding of the motor control functions required for playing the flute. Moreover, it has introduced novel ways of interaction between human beings and humanoid robots such as: performing a musical score together in real time and transferring skills to flutist beginners. In this paper, the development of the Waseda Flutist Robot No. 4 Refined (WF-4R) is presented. The mechanical design of the components of the robot and the control architecture are detailed. In order to efficiently control and coordinate the motion of each of the simulated organs of the robot, an algorithm was proposed to extract the features required to perform a score based on human performance. This algorithm was divided into two phases: sound calibration and music score performance. Finally, an experimental setup was done to verify the effectiveness of each of the phases by analyzing the time and frequency domain responses from recordings of the robot performances. The WF-4R is able to perform from musical scores quite similar to human.
OPTIMIZATION OF BIARTICULAR GASTROCNEMIUS MUSCLE IN HUMANOID JUMPING ROBOT SIMULATION
Authors: BABIČ JAN , LENARČIČ JADRAN
Published: June 2006

We propose a new human inspired structure of the lower extremity mechanism by which a humanoid robot will be able to efficiently perform fast movements such as running and jumping. We build a dynamic model of the humanoid robot which includes an elastic model of the biarticular muscle gastrocnemius and determine the role of the biarticular muscles and the elastic tendons in performing the vertical jump. We demonstrate that biarticular links contribute a great deal to the performance of the vertical jump. We also show that timing of the biarticular link activation and stiffness of the biarticular link influence the height of the jump considerably.
CONVERGENCE RATE FOR THE COMPRESSIBLE NAVIER–STOKES EQUATIONS WITH EXTERNAL FORCE
Authors: UKAI SEIJI , YANG TONG , ZHAO HUIJIANG
Published: June 2006

For the compressible Navier–Stokes equations with a stationary potential force, the stability of the stationary solutions was studied by Matsumura and Nishida. The convergence rate to the stationary solutions in time was later studied by Deckelnick which was improved by Shibata and Tanaka for more general external forces. This paper deals with the case for the stationary potential force under some smallness condition, to establish an almost optimal convergence rate in L2(ℝN)-norm for N ≥ 3.
Characterization of transport mechanisms and determinants critical for Na+-dependent Pi symport of the PiT family paralogs human PiT1 and PiT2
Authors: Bøttger Pernille , Hede Susanne E. , Grunnet Morten , Høyer Boy , Klærke Dan A. , Pedersen Lene
Published: June 2006

The general phosphate need in mammalian cells is accommodated by members of the Pi transport (PiT) family ( SLC20), which use either Na+ or H+ to mediate inorganic phosphate (Pi) symport. The mammalian PiT paralogs PiT1 and PiT2 are Na+-dependent Pi (NaPi) transporters and are exploited by a group of retroviruses for cell entry. Human PiT1 and PiT2 were characterized by expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes with 32Pi as a traceable Pi source. For PiT1, the Michaelis-Menten constant for Pi was determined as 322.5 ± 124.5 μM. PiT2 was analyzed for the first time and showed positive cooperativity in Pi uptake with a half-maximal activity constant for Pi of 163.5 ± 39.8 μM. PiT1- and PiT2-mediated Na+-dependent Pi uptake functions were not significantly affected by acidic and alkaline pH and displayed similar Na+ dependency patterns. However, only PiT2 was capable of Na+-independent Pi transport at acidic pH. Study of the impact of divalent cations Ca2+ and Mg2+ revealed that Ca2+ was important, but not critical, for NaPi transport function of PiT proteins. To gain insight into the NaPi cotransport function, we analyzed PiT2 and a PiT2 Pi transport knockout mutant using 22Na+ as a traceable Na+ source. Na+ was transported by PiT2 even without Pi in the uptake medium and also when Pi transport function was knocked out. This is the first time decoupling of Pi from Na+ transport has been demonstrated for a PiT family member. Moreover, the results imply that putative transmembrane amino acids E55 and E575 are responsible for linking Pi import to Na+ transport in PiT2.
Human esophageal microvascular endothelial cells respond to acidic pH stress by PI3K/AKT and p38 MAPK-regulated induction of Hsp70 and Hsp27
Authors: Rafiee Parvaneh , Theriot Monica E. , Nelson Victoria M. , Heidemann Jan , Kanaa Yasmin , Horowitz Scott A. , Rogaczewski Aaron , Johnson Christopher P. , Ali Irshad , Shaker Reza , Binion David G.
Published: June 2006

The heat shock response maintains cellular homeostasis following sublethal injury. Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are induced by thermal, oxyradical, and inflammatory stress, and they chaperone denatured intracellular proteins. Hsps also chaperone signal transduction proteins, modulating signaling cascades during repeated stress. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects 7% of the US population, and it is linked to prolonged esophageal acid exposure. GERD is characterized by enhanced and selective leukocyte recruitment from esophageal microvasculature, implying activation of microvascular endothelium. We investigated whether phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and MAPK regulate Hsp induction in primary cultures of human esophageal microvascular endothelial cells (HEMEC) in response to acid exposure (pH 4.5). Inhibitors of signaling pathways were used to define the contribution of PI3K/Akt and MAPKs in the heat shock response and following acid exposure. Acid significantly enhanced phosphorylation of Akt and MAPKs in HEMEC as well as inducing Hsp27 and Hsp70. The PI3K inhibitor LY-294002, and Akt small interfering RNA inhibited Akt activation and Hsp70 expression in HEMEC. The p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB-203580) and p38 MAPK siRNA blocked Hsp27 and Hsp70 mRNA induction, suggesting a role for MAPKs in the HEMEC heat shock response. Thus acidic pH exposure protects HEMEC through induction of Hsps and activation of MAPK and PI3 kinase pathway. Acidic exposure increased HEMEC expression of VCAM-1 protein, but not ICAM-1, which may contribute to selective leukocyte (i.e., eosinophil) recruitment in esophagitis. Activation of esophageal endothelial cells exposed to acidic refluxate may contribute to GERD in the setting of a disturbed mucosal squamous epithelial barrier (i.e., erosive esophagitis, peptic ulceration).
NAADP as a second messenger: neither CD38 nor base-exchange reaction are necessary for in vivo generation of NAADP in myometrial cells
Authors: Soares Sandra , Thompson Michael , White Thomas , Isbell Amir , Yamasaki Michiko , Prakash Yodeta , Lund Frances E. , Galione Antony , Chini Eduardo N.
Published: June 2006

Nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) has recently been shown to act as a second messenger controlling intracellular Ca2+ responses in mammalian cells. Many questions remain regarding this signaling pathway, including the role of the ryanodine receptor (RyR) in NAADP-induced Ca2+ transients. Furthermore, the exact metabolic pathway responsible for the synthesis of NAADP in vivo has not been determined. Here, we demonstrate that the NAADP mediated Ca2+ release system is present in human myometrial cells. We also demonstrate that human myometrial cells use the NAADP second messenger system to generate intracellular Ca2+ transients in response to histamine. It has been proposed in the past that the NAADP system in mammalian cells is dependent on the presence of functional RyRs. Here, we observed that the histamine-induced Ca2+ transients are dependent on both the NAADP and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate signaling pathways but are independent of RyRs. The enzyme CD38 has been shown to catalyze the synthesis of NAADP in vitro by the base-exchange reaction. Furthermore, it has been proposed that this enzyme is responsible for the intracellular generation of NAADP in vivo. Using CD38 knockout mice, we observed that both the basal and histamine stimulated levels of NAADP are independent of CD38 and the base-exchange reaction. Our group is the first to demonstrate that NAADP is a second messenger for histamine-elicited Ca2+ transients in human myometrial cells. Furthermore, the NAADP mediated mechanism in mammalian cells can be independent of RyRs and CD38. Our data provides novel insights into the understanding of the mechanism of action and metabolism of this new second messenger system.
Global Electrosensory Oscillations Enhance Directional Responses of Midbrain Neurons inEigenmannia
Authors: Ramcharitar J. U. , Tan E. W. , Fortune E. S.
Published: June 2006

Eigenmannia, a genus of weakly electric fish, exhibits a specialized behavior known as the jamming avoidance response (JAR). The JAR results in a categorical difference between Eigenmannia that are in groups of conspecifics and those that are alone. Fish in groups exhibit the JAR behavior and thereby experience ongoing, global synchronous 20- to 50-Hz electrosensory oscillations, whereas solitary fish do not. Although previous work has shown that these ongoing signals do not significantly degrade electrosensory behavior, these oscillations nevertheless elicit short-term synaptic depression in midbrain circuits. Because short-term synaptic depression can have profound effects on the transmission of information through synapses, we examined the differences in intracellularly recorded responses of midbrain neurons in awake, behaving fish to moving electrosensory images under electrosensory conditions that mimic solitary fish and fish in groups. In solitary conditions, moving objects elicited Gaussian or sinusoidal postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) that commonly exhibited preferential responses to a direction of motion. Surprisingly, when the same stimulus was presented in the presence of the global oscillations, directional selectivity was increased in all neurons tested. The magnitudes of the differences in PSP amplitude for preferred and nonpreferred directions were correlated with a measure of short-term synaptic depression in both conditions. The electrosensory consequences of the JAR appear to result in an enhancement of the representation of direction of motion in midbrain neurons. The data also support a role for short-term synaptic depression in the generation and modulation of directional responses.
Development of Functional Synaptic Connections in the Auditory System Visualized With Optical Recording: Afferent-Evoked Activity Is Present From Early Stages
Authors: Momose-Sato Yoko , Glover Joel C. , Sato Katsushige
Published: June 2006

A comprehensive survey of auditory network formation was performed in the brain stem of the chicken embryo using voltage-sensitive dye recording. Intact medulla/brain stem preparations with the auditory branch of the eighth nerve attached were dissected from 5.5- to 8-day chicken embryos, and responses evoked by nerve stimulation were recorded optically. In the medulla of 7- and 8-day embryos, we identified four response areas, corresponding to ipsilateral Nucleus magnocellularis (NM) and Nucleus angularis (NA), which receive the auditory afferents, and ipsi- and contralateral Nucleus laminaris (NL), which receive projections from NM. The optical responses consisted of a fast spikelike signal followed by a long-lasting slow signal, which reflected the sodium-dependent action potential and glutamatergic excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP), respectively. In NM, NA, and NL, the EPSP-related slow optical signals were detected from some 6-day and all 7- and 8-day preparations, indicating that functional synaptic connectivity in these nuclei arises by the 7-day stage. In the pons of 7- and 8-day embryos, we identified two additional response areas, which evidently correspond to ipsi- and contralateral Nucleus lemnisci lateralis (NLL), the higher-order nuclei of the auditory pathway. Furthermore, we detected optical responses from the contralateral cerebellum, which possibly correspond to transient projections observed only during embryogenesis. The present study demonstrates that functional auditory circuits are established in the chicken embryo at stages earlier than previously reported. We discuss the possible role of afferent-evoked activity with reference to auditory neural network formation.
Plasticity of Both Excitatory and Inhibitory Synapses Is Associated With Seizures Induced by Removal of Chronic Blockade of Activity in Cultured Hippocampus
Authors: Bausch Suzanne B. , He Shuijin , Petrova Yelena , Wang Xiao-Min , McNamara James O.
Published: June 2006

One factor common to many neurological insults that can lead to acquired epilepsy is a loss of afferent neuronal input. Neuronal activity is one cellular mechanism implicated in transducing deafferentation into epileptogenesis. Therefore the effects of chronic activity blockade on seizure susceptibility and its underlying mechanisms were examined in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures treated chronically with the sodium channel blocker, tetrodotoxin (TTX), or the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, d-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (d-APV). Granule cell field potential recordings in physiological buffer revealed spontaneous electrographic seizures in 83% of TTX-, 9% of d-APV-, but 0% of vehicle-treated cultures. TTX-induced seizures were not associated with membrane property alterations that would elicit granule cell hyperexcitability. Seizures were blocked by glutamate receptor antagonists, suggesting that plasticity in excitatory synaptic circuits contributed to seizures. The morphology of granule cells and their mossy fiber axons remained largely unchanged, and the number of synapses onto granule cells measured immunohistochemically was not increased in TTX- or d-APV-treated cultures. However, voltage-clamp recordings revealed that miniature excitatory postsynaptic current frequency and kinetics were increased and miniature inhibitory postsynaptic current kinetics were decreased in d-APV- and TTX-treated cultures compared with vehicle. Changes were more profound and qualitatively different in TTX- compared with d-APV-treated cultures, consistent with the dramatic effects of TTX treatment on seizure expression. We propose that chronic blockade of action potentials by TTX induces homeostatic responses including plasticity of both excitatory and inhibitory synapses. Removal of TTX unmasks the impact of these synaptic plasticities on local circuit excitability, resulting in spontaneous seizures.
Acid-Sensing Ionic Channels in the Rat Vestibular Endorgans and Ganglia
Authors: Mercado Francisco , López Iván A. , Acuna Dora , Vega Rosario , Soto Enrique
Published: June 2006

Acid-sensing ionic channels (ASICs) are members of the epithelial Na+channel/degenerin (ENaC/DEG) superfamily. ASICs are widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous system. They have been implicated in synaptic transmission, pain perception, and the mechanoreception in peripheral tissues. Our objective was to characterize proton-gated currents mediated by ASICs and to determine their immunolocation in the rat vestibular periphery. Voltage clamp of cultured afferent neurons from P7 to P10 rats showed a proton-gated current with rapid activation and complete desensitization, which was carried almost exclusively by sodium ions. The current response to protons (H+) has a pH0.5of 6.2. This current was reversibly decreased by amiloride, gadolinium, lead, acetylsalicylic acid, and enhanced by FMRFamide and zinc, and negatively modulated by raising the extracellular calcium concentration. Functional expression of the current was correlated with smaller-capacitance neurons. Acidification of the extracellular pH generated action potentials in vestibular neurons, suggesting a functional role of ASICs in their excitability. Immunoreactivity to ASIC1a and ASIC2a subunits was found in small vestibular ganglion neurons and afferent fibers that run throughout the macula utricle and crista stroma. ASIC2b, ASIC3, and ASIC4 were expressed to a lesser degree in vestibular ganglion neurons. The ASIC1b subunit was not detected in the vestibular endorgans. No acid-pH–sensitive currents or ASIC immunoreactivity was found in hair cells. Our results indicate that proton-gated current is carried through ASICs and that ionic current activated by H+contributes to shape the vestibular afferent neurons' response to its synaptic input.
Extra Force From Asynchronous Stimulation of Cat Soleus Muscle Results From Minimizing the Stretch of the Common Elastic Elements
Authors: Sandercock Thomas G.
Published: June 2006

Rack and Westbury showed that low-frequency asynchronous stimulation of a muscle produces greater force compared with synchronous stimulation. This study tested the hypothesis that the difference results from the dynamic stretch of the common elastic elements. In eight anesthetized cats, the soleus was attached to a servomechanism to control muscle length and record force. The ventral roots were divided into four bundles so each innervated approximately 1/4 of the soleus. The elasticity shared by each part of the muscle was estimated and the servomechanism programmed to compensate for its stretch. At each test frequency (5, 7.5, and 10 Hz), the muscle was stimulated by asynchronous stimulation, synchronous stimulation, summation of force with each part stimulated individually, and summation with each part stimulated individually and the servomechanism mimicking tendon stretch during asynchronous stimulation. Muscle length was isometric except for the last protocol. The observed differences were small. The greatest difference occurred during stimulation at 5 Hz with muscle length on the ascending limb of the length-tension curve. Here, the average forces, normalized by asynchronous force, were asynchronous, 100%; synchronous, 73%; summation, 110%; and summation with stretch compensation, 98%. The results support the hypothesis and suggest that the common elasticity can be used to predict force gains from asynchronous stimulation.
Insurer Stock Price Responses to Hurricane Floyd: An Event Study Analysis Using Storm Characteristics
Authors: Ewing Bradley T. , Hein Scott E. , Kruse Jamie Brown
Published: June 2006

This research uses an event study methodology to examine the effect of Hurricane Floyd and the associated scientific and media releases on the market value of insurance firms. The research is unique in that information describing the development of the storm over time and space is incorporated to determine how the financial market reacted to changing news about a storm's characteristics. Key empirical results can be summarized as follows. Overall, there was a negative effect on insurer stock price changes around the synoptic life cycle of the storm; however, this effect was neither constant nor was it always negative on each day of the cycle. Significant market reaction to the news concerning the path and strength of the storm prior to the storm landfall was found. The results herein suggest that markets find reliable time-sensitive reports provided by the National Weather Service, the National Hurricane Center, and other media outlets to be valuable information.
The Use of a Modified Ebert–McBride Technique to Evaluate Mesoscale Model QPF as a Function of Convective System Morphology during IHOP 2002
Authors: Grams Jeremy S. , Gallus Willam A. , Koch Steven E. , Wharton Linda S. , Loughe Andrew , Ebert Elizabeth E.
Published: June 2006

The Ebert–McBride technique (EMT) is an entity-oriented method useful for quantitative precipitation verification. The EMT was modified to optimize its ability to identify contiguous rain areas (CRAs) during the 2002 International H2O Project (IHOP). This technique was then used to identify systematic sources of error as a function of observed convective system morphology in three 12-km model simulations run over the IHOP domain: Eta, the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–NCAR Mesoscale Model (MM5), and the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF). The EMT was fine-tuned to optimize the pattern matching of forecasts to observations for the scales of precipitation systems observed during IHOP. To investigate several error measures provided by the EMT, a detailed morphological analysis of observed systems was performed using radar data for all CRAs identified in the IHOP domain. The modified EMT suggests that the Eta Model produced average rain rates, peak rainfall amounts, and total rain volumes that were lower than observed for almost all types of convective systems, likely because of its production of overly smoothed and low-variability quantitative precipitation forecasts. The MM5 and WRF typically produced average rain rates and peak rainfall amounts that were larger than observed in most linear convective systems. However, the rain volume for these models was too low for almost all types of convective systems, implying a sizeable underestimate in areal coverage. All three models forecast rainfall too far northwest for linear systems. The results for the WRF and MM5 are consistent with previous observations of mesoscale models run with explicit microphysics and no convective parameterization scheme, suggesting systematic problems with the prediction of mesoscale convective system cold pool dynamics.
The Role of Sublimational Cooling in a Late-Season Midwestern Snow Event
Authors: Market Patrick S. , Przybylinski Ronald W. , Rochette Scott M.
Published: June 2006

Analysis is provided of a surprise late-season snow event over eastern Missouri and western Illinois. While snow totals failed to exceed 15 cm (6 in.) at any single location, the system was noteworthy because of the poor performance of public, private, and media forecasts in anticipating the event. Using observed data and a successful simulation with a mesoscale numerical model, the event is scrutinized to determine the forcing mechanisms for the precipitation over a small area. A region of enhanced frontogenesis is diagnosed over the region both in the observed data as well as the model output. That the precipitation fell as snow is shown to be the result of a dry layer of air between the surface and the cloud base that saturated and cooled due largely to snow sublimation–evaporation in just a few hours to permit the fall of snow uninhibited from the cloud base to the ground.
Value of Human-Generated Perturbations in Short-Range Ensemble Forecasts of Severe Weather
Authors: Homar Victor , Stensrud David J. , Levit Jason J. , Bright David R.
Published: June 2006

During the spring of 2003, the Storm Prediction Center, in partnership with the National Severe Storms Laboratory, conducted an experiment to explore the value of having operational severe weather forecasters involved in the generation of a short-range ensemble forecasting system. The idea was to create a customized ensemble to provide guidance on the severe weather threat over the following 48 h. The forecaster was asked to highlight structures of interest in the control run and, using an adjoint model, a set of perturbations was obtained and used to generate a 32-member fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (MM5) ensemble. The performance of this experimental ensemble is objectively evaluated and compared with other available forecasts (both deterministic and ensemble) using real-time severe weather reports and precipitation in the central and eastern parts of the continental United States. The experimental ensemble outperforms the operational forecasts considered in the study for episodes with moderate-to-high probability of severe weather occurrence and those with moderate probability of heavy precipitation. On the other hand, the experimental ensemble forecasts of low-probability severe weather and low precipitation amounts have less skill than the operational models, arguably due to the lack of global dispersion in a system designed to target the spread over specific areas of concern for severe weather. Results from an additional test ensemble constructed by combining automatic and manually perturbed members show the best results for numerical forecasts of severe weather for all probability values. While the value of human contribution in the numerical forecast is demonstrated, further research is needed to determine how to better use the skill and experience of the forecaster in the construction of short-range ensembles.
Forecasting Tornadic Thunderstorm Potential in Alberta Using Environmental Sounding Data. Part II: Helicity, Precipitable Water, and Storm Convergence
Authors: Dupilka Max L. , Reuter Gerhard W.
Published: June 2006

Sounding parameters are examined to determine whether they can help distinguish between Alberta, Canada, severe thunderstorms that spawn significant tornadoes (F2–F4), weak tornadoes (F0–F1), or nontornadic severe storms producing large hail. Parameters investigated included storm-relative helicity (SRH), precipitable water (PW), and storm convergence. The motivation for analyzing these parameters is that, in theory, they might affect the rate of change of vertical vorticity generation through vortex stretching, vortex tilting, and baroclinic effects. Precipitable water showed statistically significant differences between significant tornadic storms and those severe storms that produced weak tornadoes or no tornadoes. All significant tornadic cases in the dataset used had PW values exceeding 22 mm, with a median value of 24 mm. Values of PW between 19 and 23 mm were generally associated with weak tornadic storms. Computed values of storm convergence, height of the lifted condensation level, and normalized most unstable CAPE did not discriminate between any of the three storm categories. The SRH showed discrimination of significant tornadoes from both weak tornadic and nontornadic severe storm groups. The Alberta data suggest that significant tornadoes tended to occur with SRH > 150 m2 s−2 computed for the 0–3-km layer whereas weak tornadoes were typically formed for values between 30 and 150 m2 s−2. Threshold values of SRH were lower than those suggested in studies based on storm observations throughout much of the United States.
Buyer Beware: Some Words of Caution on the Use of Severe Wind Reports in Postevent Assessment and Research
Authors: Trapp Robert J. , Wheatley Dustan M. , Atkins Nolan T. , Przybylinski Ronald W. , Wolf Ray
Published: June 2006

Postevent damage surveys conducted during the Bow Echo and Mesoscale Convective Vortex Experiment demonstrate that the severe thunderstorm wind reports in Storm Data served as a poor characterization of the actual scope and magnitude of the surveyed damage. Contrasting examples are presented in which a few reports grossly underrepresented a significant event (in terms of property damage and actual areal coverage of damage), while a large number of reports overrepresented a relatively less significant event. Explanations and further discussion of this problem are provided, as are some of the implications, which may include a skewed understanding of how and when systems of thunderstorms cause damage. A number of recommendations pertaining to severe wind reporting are offered.
A Method for Eliciting, Preserving, and Sharing the Knowledge of Forecasters
Authors: Hoffman Robert R. , Coffey John W. , Ford Kenneth M. , Novak Joseph D.
Published: June 2006

As in many domains of modern work, a concern in weather forecasting is the loss of expertise, due either to reassignment or retirement. This note reports upon a project that demonstrates a procedure that can be used to capture forecasters' knowledge of weather concepts. The System To Organize Representations in Meteorology-Local Knowledge (STORM-LK) focuses on weather phenomena in the Gulf Coast region. Forecasters and aerographers at Whiting Field, Naval Air Station, in Pensacola, Florida, participated in a knowledge elicitation procedure that yielded diagrammatic models of their knowledge in the form of “concept maps.” The demonstration suggests the following: 1) the feasibility of using the approach to elicit knowledge so that it might be preserved and shared and 2) the use of concept maps to integrate and navigate through the various instructional and data resources that are used in forecasting. It is envisioned that a knowledge model patterned after STORM-LK could be created for other regions, and for many other topics. Throughout the weather forecasting community, the approach presented here could support the processes of knowledge capture and preservation at the organizational level, with the ultimate goal of fostering active learning and the achievement of local expertise.
Popular music education in and for itself, and for ‘other’ music: current research in the classroom
Authors: Green Lucy
Published: June 2006

This article considers some ways in which the school classroom enters into, changes and complicates musical meanings, focusing particularly on the role of popular music and how it relates to classical music. I suggest that in bringing popular music into the curriculum, educators have largely ignored the informal learning practices of popular musicians. Popular music has therefore been present as curriculum content, but its presence has only recently begun to affect our teaching strategies. I examine how the adaptation of some informal popular music learning practices for classroom use can positively affect pupils' musical meanings and experiences. This applies not only to the sphere of popular music, but also to classical music and, by implication, other musics as well. Finally, the notions of musical autonomy, personal autonomy and musical authenticity in relation to musical meaning and informal learning practices within the classroom are discussed.
Garage rock bands: a future model for developing musical expertise?
Authors: Westerlund Heidi
Published: June 2006

A commonly accepted assumption in music education based on the apprenticeship tradition is that teachers deliver their musical expertise using pedagogically relevant methods that will help them to have effective mastery and control over the process of learning. This article decentres the traditional notion of mastery and pedagogy. Rather, it is suggested that, in line with situated learning theories and research on expertise-based learning, garage rock bands and their informal ways of learning can exemplify how to develop knowledge-building communities and musical expertise in formal music education. However, this approach is not intended to question or replace the need for teachers.
Popular music in Malaysia: education from the outside
Authors: Shah Shahanum Mohamad
Published: June 2006

The musical preference of most Malaysian young people, their knowledge of music in general and popular music in particular are shaped through informal music education. Factors that contribute to this include the wide dissemination of popular music, the status of music in the school curriculum, and the perception of most Malaysians towards music. This article presents an overview of the popular music scene in Malaysia and examines the incorporation of popular music in the Malaysian music education curriculum as well as the curriculum of teacher training programmes. As accessibility to popular music is wider than accessibility to music classes in schools, most young people are growing up with a knowledge of only the types of music they are regularly exposed to.
Beyond the cover version: encouraging student performers to produce original interpretations of popular songs
Authors: Blom Diana
Published: June 2006

David Brackett's notion of musical codes, discussed in his book Interpreting popular music (2000), offers tertiary music students an opportunity to think about interpretation and performing, about what is conveyed through performing, and connections with extra-musical factors. This article discusses comments made by a class of tertiary music performance students about three different performers' interpretations of Nature Boy by Eden Ahbez. Using Brackett's musical codes as a listening guide, students noted a high proportion of off-the-score issues (including vibrato, vocal timbre and vocal register), which supports Davies' description of ‘thin’ works with few determinative properties in his book Musical works and performances: A philosophical education (2001). Brackett's musical codes also stimulate recognition and consequently encourage discussion of the different ways a musical performance is constructed. The musicological frame of Brackett's codes can help students see musicology as a relevant and informing part of their practice.
Are There Gendered Pathways to Intimacy in Early Adolescents’ and Emerging Adults’ Friendships?
Authors: Radmacher Kimberley , Azmitia Margarita
Published: June 2006

Two studies addressed age- and gender-related patterns in early adolescents’ and emerging adults’ conceptions of intimacy in friendships. Forty-one early adolescents and 96 emerging adults in Study 1 and 174 emerging adults in Study 2 described a time when they felt especially close to a friend. Narratives were coded for intimate behaviors and affective feelings. In Study 2, emerging adults also completed a survey assessing intimacy in their closest friendship. In Study 1, emerging adults’ narratives contained more self-disclosure and fewer shared activities than the early adolescents’ narratives. No gender differences in conceptions of intimacy were obtained. In Study 2, although emerging adult men and women reported equal amounts of self-disclosure, emerging adult women reported more emotional support and fewer shared activities. Survey results converged with interview data. Self-disclosure predicted emotional closeness for emerging adult women and men; shared activities also predicted emotional closeness for emerging adult men.
Framing the Press and Publicity Process in U.S., British, and German General Election Campaigns
Authors: Esser Frank , D’Angelo Paul
Published: June 2006

This study compares metacoverage—news about the press and publicity processes—in broadcast coverage of the 2000 U.S. presidential election, the 2001 British general election, and the 2002 German general election. The authors observed metacoverage topics separately from press and publicity frames. The authors theorized that the presence of metacoverage topics in campaign news reflects the influence of system-level factors on campaign communication and, furthermore, that the use of press and publicity frames by journalists is influenced by a country’s political communication culture. Press and publicity topics are particularly more frequent in U.S. news than in British news, corroborating systemic differences between the countries. However, press and publicity topics co-occur with, and press and publicity frames contextualize, the same rank order of campaign topics in all three countries, demonstrating convergence among political communication cultures in these three democracies
Policy Agenda Setting and Risk Communication
Authors: Bakir Vian
Published: June 2006

This article uses a qualitative case study approach to examine policy-oriented risk communication in the battle between Greenpeace and Shell over the disposal of the Brent Spar oil structure. Policy-agenda-setting literature is fused with literature from the social amplification of risk framework (SARF) and transnational advocacy networks to generate further insights. This analysis demonstrates that in attempting to influence policy, Greenpeace and Shell are prepared to redefine risk according to their own strategic needs and arenas of operation. It suggests that media exposure impacts policy both by shaping public perception of risk (rather than of policy) and by shaping policy makers’ perception of public opinion. It is suggested that for successful policy-oriented risk communication, social trust in the communicator must be cultivated and maintained with key audiences prior to, and during, risk communication
Knowledge about the Gulf Wars
Authors: Lo Ven-hwei , Chang Chingching
Published: June 2006

This study explores the relationship of factors that influence adolescents’ learning about the two Gulf Wars from the news. A model constructed from data gathered in two sample surveys in Taiwan depicts these relationships. The results largely support the hypotheses that newspaper use, television news use, attention, and elaboration are related to knowledge about the Gulf Wars—and that television news tends to make a significant contribution to adolescents’ knowledge. Finally, path analyses suggest that media diversity seems to be an important factor influencing the relationships between media use, attention, elaboration, and knowledge
Sorting of cells of the same size, shape, and cell cycle stage for a single cell level assay without staining
Authors: Ohnuma Kiyoshi , Yomo Tetsuya , Asashima Makoto , Kaneko Kunihiko
Published: June 2006

Background

Single-cell level studies are being used increasingly to measure cell properties not directly observable in a cell population. High-performance data acquisition systems for such studies have, by necessity, developed in synchrony. However, improvements in sample purification techniques are also required to reveal new phenomena. Here we assessed a cell sorter as a sample-pretreatment tool for a single-cell level assay. A cell sorter is routinely used for selecting one type of cells from a heterogeneous mixture of cells using specific fluorescence labels. In this case, we wanted to select cells of exactly the same size, shape, and cell-cycle stage from a population, without using a specific fluorescence label.

Results

We used four light scatter parameters: the peak height and area of the forward scatter (FSheight and FSarea) and side scatter (SSheight and SSarea). The rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cell line, a neuronal cell line, was used for all experiments. The living cells concentrated in the high FSarea and middle SSheight/SSarea fractions. Single cells without cell clumps were concentrated in the low SS and middle FS fractions, and in the higher FSheight/FSarea and SSheight/SSarea fractions. The cell populations from these viable, single-cell-rich fractions were divided into twelve subfractions based on their FSarea-SSarea profiles, for more detailed analysis. We found that SSarea was proportional to the cell volume and the FSarea correlated with cell roundness and elongation, as well as with the level of DNA in the cell. To test the method and to characterize the basic properties of the isolated single cells, sorted cells were cultured in separate wells. The cells in all subfractions survived, proliferated and differentiated normally, suggesting that there was no serious damage. The smallest, roundest, and smoothest cells had the highest viability. There was no correlation between proliferation and differentiation. NGF increases cell viability but decreases the proliferative ability of the PC12 cells.

Conclusion

We demonstrated a pretreatment method to collect well-characterized, viable, single cells without using fluorescent labels and without significant damage to the cells. This method is quantitative, rapid, single-step, and yields cells of high purity, making it applicable for a variety of single-cell level analyses.
PHOG-BLAST – a new generation tool for fast similarity search of protein families
Authors: Merkeev Igor V , Mironov Andrey A
Published: June 2006

Background

The need to compare protein profiles frequently arises in various protein research areas: comparison of protein families, domain searches, resolution of orthology and paralogy. The existing fast algorithms can only compare a protein sequence with a protein sequence and a profile with a sequence. Algorithms to compare profiles use dynamic programming and complex scoring functions.

Results

We developed a new algorithm called PHOG-BLAST for fast similarity search of profiles. This algorithm uses profile discretization to convert a profile to a finite alphabet and utilizes hashing for fast search. To determine the optimal alphabet, we analyzed columns in reliable multiple alignments and obtained column clusters in the 20-dimensional profile space by applying a special clustering procedure. We show that the clustering procedure works best if its parameters are chosen so that 20 profile clusters are obtained which can be interpreted as ancestral amino acid residues. With these clusters, only less than 2% of columns in multiple alignments are out of clusters. We tested the performance of PHOG-BLAST vs. PSI-BLAST on three well-known databases of multiple alignments: COG, PFAM and BALIBASE. On the COG database both algorithms showed the same performance, on PFAM and BALIBASE PHOG-BLAST was much superior to PSI-BLAST. PHOG-BLAST required 10–20 times less computer memory and computation time than PSI-BLAST.

Conclusion

Since PHOG-BLAST can compare multiple alignments of protein families, it can be used in different areas of comparative proteomics and protein evolution. For example, PHOG-BLAST helped to build the PHOG database of phylogenetic orthologous groups. An essential step in building this database was comparing protein complements of different species and orthologous groups of different taxons on a personal computer in reasonable time. When it is applied to detect weak similarity between protein families, PHOG-BLAST is less precise than rigorous profile-profile comparison method, though it runs much faster and can be used as a hit pre-selecting tool.
Blood donors' motivation and attitude to non-remunerated blood donation in Lithuania
Authors: Buciuniene Ilona , Stonienë Laimutë , Blazeviciene Aurelija , Kazlauskaite Ruta , Skudiene Vida
Published: June 2006

Background

In the Soviet period, the blood donation system operated in Lithuania exclusively on a remunerative basis. After joining the EU, Lithuania committed itself to meeting the EU requirements to provide all consumers within its boundaries with safe blood products made from voluntary unpaid blood donations. However, the introduction of a non-remunerated donation system may considerably affect donors' motivation and retention. Thus the aim of the current research was to determine blood donation motives among the present donors and investigate their attitude towards non-remunerated donation.

Methods

A questionnaire survey of 400 blood donors. Survey data processed using SPSS statistical analysis package. Statistical data reliability checked using Fisher's exact test (p < 0.05).

Results

Paid donors comprised 89.9%, while non-paid ones made 10.1% of the respondents. Research findings show that 93 per cent of the paid donors give blood on a regular basis; while among the non-remunerated donors the same figure amounted merely to 20.6 per cent. The idea of the remuneration necessity is supported by 78.3 per cent of the paid donors, while 64.7 per cent of the non-remunerated respondents believe that remuneration is not necessary. The absolute majority of the paid donors (92%) think they should be offered a monetary compensation for blood donation, while more than half of the non-remunerated donors (55.9) claim they would be content with a mere appreciation of the act. Provided no remuneration were offered, 28.44 per cent of the respondents would carry on doing it, 29.6 per cent would do it only in emergency, 29.6 per cent would donate blood merely for their family or friends, and 12.3 per cent would quit it completely.

Conclusion

Most respondents admitted having donated blood for the following reasons: willingness to help the ill or monetary compensation. Majority would consent to free blood donation only in case of emergency or as a family replacement, which leads to a conclusion that provided monetary remuneration is completely terminated part of the currently active paid donors would withdraw from this activity, which might seriously affect the national supply of blood and its products.
Family planning services quality as a determinant of use of IUD in Egypt
Authors: Hong Rathavuth , Montana Livia , Mishra Vinod
Published: June 2006

Background

Both availability and quality of family planning services are believed to have contributed to increasing contraceptive use and declining fertility rates in developing countries. Yet, there is limited empirical evidence to show the relationship between the quality of family planning services and the population based prevalence of contraceptive methods. This study examined the relationship between quality of family planning services and use of intrauterine devices (IUD) in Egypt.

Methods

The analysis used data from the 2003 Egypt Interim Demographic and Health Survey (EIDHS) that included 8,445 married women aged 15–49, and the 2002 Egypt Service Provision Assessment (ESPA) survey that included 602 facilities offering family planning services. The EIDHS collected latitude and longitude coordinates of all sampled clusters, and the ESPA collected these coordinates for all sampled facilities. Using Geographic Information System (GIS) methods, individual women were linked to a facility located within 10 km of their community. A facility-level index was constructed to reflect the quality of family planning services. Four dimensions of quality of care were examined: counseling, examination room, supply of contraceptive methods, and management. Effects of quality of family planning services on the use of IUD and other contraceptive methods were estimated using multinomial logistic regression. Results are presented as relative risk ratios (RRR) with significance levels (p-values).

Results

IUD use among women who obtained their method from public sources was significantly positively associated with quality of family planning services (RRR = 1.36, p < 0.01), independent of distance to the facility, facility type, age, number of living children, education level, household wealth status, and residence. Quality of services related to counseling and examination room had strong positive effects on use of IUD (RRR = 1.61 for counseling and RRR = 1.46 for examination room). Obtaining IUD from a private source or using other contraceptive methods was not associated with quality of services.

Conclusion

This study is one among the few that used geographic information to link data from a population-based survey with an independently sampled health facility survey. The findings demonstrate that service quality is an important determinant of use of clinical contraceptive methods in Egypt. Improving quality of family planning services may help further increase use of clinical contraceptive methods and reduce fertility.