bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Familial Risk Factors in Autism
Authors: Brimacombe Michael , Xue Ming  , Parikh Amisha
Published: July 2007

Familial history risk factors in relation to autism were examined in a cohort of 164 autistic children referred to The Autism Center at New Jersey Medical School—University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, over a 2-year period (2001-2003). Information related to familial history was obtained from each family and reviewed by a clinician. It is shown that these families carry a higher overall burden of psychiatric and developmental illnesses compared to reported national levels. These families also carry a relatively high incidence of medical disorders, independently of developmental and psychiatric disorders. This work supports the underlying presence of genetic factors in the etiology of autism.
Levetiracetam in Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus in Childhood: A Case Report
Authors: Trabacca Antonio , Profice Paolo , Costanza Maria Carmela , Gesualdi Marilena , De Rinaldis Marta
Published: July 2007

The authors report the case of a child with cerebral palsy and refractory epilepsy who developed nonconvulsive status epilepticus without acute medical cause treated successfully with levetiracetam. In accordance with other studies whose authors hypothesized that aggressive treatment may worsen the prognosis in elderly patients with nonconvulsive status epilepticus, the present authors successfully used a more conservative approach to the treatment of nonconvulsive status epilepticus in their patient. This case suggests that levetiracetam is a useful option for the treatment of nonconvulsive status epilepticus in childhood, in accordance with some authors who have described the anticonvulsant effects of levetiracetam in experimental status epilepticus and in status epilepticus in adults and in children with continuous spike waves during slow sleep.
Sydenham's Chorea: A Clinical Follow-Up of 65 Patients
Authors: Demiroren Kaan , Yavuz Haluk , Cam Lokman , Oran Bulent , Karaaslan Sevim , Demiroren Saadet
Published: July 2007

Sydenham's chorea, the neurological manifestation of rheumatic fever, is the most common acquired chorea of childhood. In this retrospective study, the authors aim to present the clinical and laboratory findings of 65 Sydenham's chorea patients, followed up in a clinic over less than 7 years. The mean age at the onset of the symptoms was 11.7 ± 2.6 years (range, 6-17 years). Of the patients, 63% were female and 37% were male (male/female: 1.7/1). Chorea was generalized in 78.5% of the patients, right hemichorea in 12.3%, and left hemichorea 9.2%. There was a history of rheumatic fever in 30.8% of the patients. Echocardiographic study showed cardiac valve involvement in 70.5% of 61 patients. Brain magnetic resonance imaging, which was performed on only 18 patients, was evaluated as normal in all. Electroencephalography was also performed on only 18 patients and showed abnormal waves in 50% of them. Pimozide was mostly the first choice of drug therapy. Nevertheless, drug therapy was not needed in 18.5% of the patients. The recovery period of the first attack of the chorea was 1 to 6 months in 51.7% of the patients. The recurrence rate was 37.9%. In conclusion, Sydenham's chorea is still an important health problem in Turkey with respect to its morbidity.
The Pediatric Neurotransmitter Disorders
Authors: Pearl Phillip L. , Taylor Jacob L. , Trzcinski Stacey , Sokohl Alex
Published: July 2007

The pediatric neurotransmitter disorders represent an enlarging group of neurological syndromes characterized by abnormalities of neurotransmitter synthesis and breakdown. The disorders of dopamine and serotonin synthesis are aromatic amino acid decarboxylase deficiency, tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency, and disorders of tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis. Amino acid decarboxylase, tyrosine hydroxylase, sepiapterin reductase, and guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase (Segawa disease) deficiencies do not feature elevated serum phenylalanine and require cerebrospinal fluid analysis for diagnosis. Segawa disease is characterized by dramatic and lifelong responsiveness to levodopa. Glycine encephalopathy is typically manifested by refractory neonatal seizures secondary to a defect of the glycine degradative pathway. γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) metabolism is associated with several disorders, including glutamic acid decarboxylase deficiency with nonsyndromic cleft lip/ palate, GABA-transaminase deficiency, and succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency. The latter is characterized by elevated γ-hydroxybutyric acid and includes a wide range of neuropsychiatric symptoms as well as epilepsy. Pyridoxine-dependent seizures have now been associated with deficiency of alpha-aminoadipic semialdehyde dehydrogenase, as well as a new variant requiring therapy with pyridoxal-5-phosphate, the biologically active form of pyridoxine.
Headache as a Sole Manifestation in Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus
Authors: Ghofrani Mohammad , Mahvelati Farhad , Tonekaboni Hassan
Published: July 2007

Nonconvulsive status epilepticus may present with several manifestations, and many of them may not be obvious. The most important for the diagnosis of nonconvulsive status epilepticus is the electroencephalogram pattern. This is a case report of a 9-year-old boy with severe and continuous headache. He received chemotherapy for histiocytosis that was diagnosed when he was 3 years, 6 months years old. He had no evidence of central nervous system histiocytosis involvement or drug toxicity. He was diagnosed with nonconvulsive status epilepticus. The headache and electroencephalogram anomaly disappeared completely when anticonvulsant therapy began. Headache and seizure disorder may coexist, but this may be the first report of nonconvulsive status epilepticus with headache as a sole manifestation.
Studies on Polyamidoamine Dendrimers as Efficient Gene Delivery Vector
Authors: Hui Zhong  , He Zhi-Guo , Zheng Li  , Li Gui-Yuan , Shen Shou-Rong , Li Xiao-Ling
Published: July 2007

Non-viral methods of gene delivery are attractive alternatives compared to virus-based gene delivery. Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers are a new class of highly branched spherical polymers and have a unique surface of positively charged primary amine groups. They can form complex with DNA by electrostatic interaction, and deliver gene into cells. The ability of G5 PAMAM dendrimers binding and transferring DNA to cells has been investigated, and the effect of this complex to cell viability has been evaluated. G5 PAMAM dendrimers can bind DNA and transfer it to cultured cells efficiently, and have low cytotoxicity. The complex of PAMAM dendrimer—DNA can remain intact in a broad pH range, and also can prevent DNA from being degraded by restriction enzyme. Using the EGFP-C2 gene as marker genes, PAMAM dendrimers can deliver it to many organs after intravenous injection and have high expression in liver, kidney, lung, and spleen. Polyamidoamine— DNA complex can bind selectively plasma proteins, which may be correlated with its transportation in vivo. Polyamidoamine dendrimers' high-efficiency, low-cytotoxicity gene vector, appear to have potential for fundamental research and genetic therapy in vitro and in vivo.
An Overview of Applications of the Mesomechanical Approach to Shape Memory Phenomena — Completed by a New Application to Two-way Shape Memory
Authors: Kafka V.
Published: July 2007

An overview of the wide possibilities of applications of the author's mesomechanical concept to shape memory (SM) phenomena is presented, and a new application worked out for modeling the two-way SM is framed in this concept. Explanation of the common background of the different methods of training the two-way SM is presented. It is demonstrated, how and why, specific kinds of deformation lead to improvement or impairment of the two-way SM.
Characteristics of Energy Storage Devices in Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Systems
Authors: Guan M.J. , Liao W.H.
Published: July 2007

Using piezoelectric elements to harvest energy from ambient vibration has been of great interest recently. As the power harvested from the piezoelectric element is relatively low, energy storage devices are needed to accumulate the energy for intermittent use. In this study, the energy storage devices considered include rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors. The traditional electrolytic capacitors are not considered due to their low energy density. The charge/discharge efficiencies of the energy storage devices are of major concern. The equivalent circuit model of the energy storage devices is investigated. It is found that the leakage resistances of the energy storage devices are the dominant factor that influences the charge/discharge efficiency in the piezoelectric energy harvesting systems. A quick test method is proposed to experimentally study the charge/discharge efficiencies of the energy storage devices. The experimental results verify our findings. Adaptability, lifetime, and charging protection circuit of the energy storage devices are also discussed. It can be concluded that supercapacitors are suitable and more desirable than the rechargeable batteries to store the energy in the piezoelectric energy harvesting systems.
A novel role for a YXXΦ motif in directing the caveolin-dependent sorting of membrane-spanning proteins
Authors: Dorsey Frank C. , Muthusamy Thangavel , Whitt Michael A. , Cox John V.
Published: July 2007

Previous studies showed that the sequence between amino acids 38 and 63 of the chicken AE1-4 anion exchanger is sufficient to direct basolateral sorting and recycling to the Golgi when fused to a cytoplasmic tailless FcRII B2 receptor. Further characterization of the recycling pathway has indicated that the chimera Fc38-63 colocalizes with caveolin 1 in the basolateral membrane of MDCK cells, and in early endosomes following its internalization from the cell surface. Studies using small interfering RNA (siRNA) and dominant-negative mutants revealed that Fc38-63 endocytosis is primarily caveolin-dependent and clathrin-independent. The endocytosis of the chimera is also dependent upon cholesterol and dynamin. Co-precipitation studies indicated that caveolin 1 associates with Fc38-63. Mutation of the tyrosine or leucine residues in the cytoplasmic sequence Y47VEL of Fc38-63 disrupts this interaction and inhibits the endocytosis of the chimera. Additional analyses revealed that AE1-4 also associates with caveolin 1. Mutation of the leucine in the Y47VEL sequence of AE1-4 disrupts this interaction, and blocks the recycling of this transporter from the basolateral membrane to the Golgi. The Y47VEL tetrapeptide matches the sequence of a YXXΦ motif, and our results indicate a novel role for this motif in directing caveolin-dependent sorting.
Design and control integration of media advance systems for thermal inkjet printers
Authors: Chen C-Y , Chiu T-C G
Published: July 2007

In this paper, an integrated approach has been proposed to the design and control of the media advance system in thermal inkjet printers. Using H∞ analysis and synthesis approach, the effects of design tolerance and system disturbance on the achievable performance is characterized. The media advance system of thermal inkjet printers is used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The benefit of using an integrated design and control approach has also been discussed. It has been verified that this integrated control will offer the better performance at the lower cost for the inkjet printers used.
Practical gear crack prognosis via gear condition index fusion, gear dynamic simulator, and fast crack growth model
Authors: Choi Sukhwan , Li C James
Published: July 2007

Gears are common mechanical components used in power transmissions and frequently responsible for transmission failures. The aim of this study is to establish a gear crack prognostic methodology to predict the residual life of a cracked spur gear by integrating a fracture mechanics-based failure model, a gear dynamic simulator, and an existing gear crack diagnostic algorithm that employs an artificial neural network to estimate crack size from measured gear vibration by fusing a number of selected gear condition indices. The estimated crack size and predicted gear residual life were validated with experimental data. Experimental results showed that the method had an averaged error of 12.94 per cent in its prediction of residual life.
Kinetics of Vitamin E Regeneration by Water-Soluble Antioxidants in Micellar Dispersions
Authors: Mukai Kazuo , Isozaki Tomoe , Nagaoka Shin-ichi
Published: July 2007

The kinetics of reactions between water-soluble antioxidants (glutathione, uric acid, and cysteine) and vitamin E radicals in aqueous Triton X-100 micellar dispersions were studied by using a spectrophotometer, and the second-order rate constants for these reactions were compared to those for the corresponding reactions between vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and vitamin E radicals. These reactions are regarded as a model for regeneration of vitamin E by the water-soluble antioxidants in human blood, and the relative contributions of each antioxidant to the total regeneration in blood are discussed.
A Novel One-step Solution Approach to Synthesize Tubular ZnO Nanostructures
Authors: Han Yong Sheng , Lin Li Wei , Fuji Masayoshi , Takahashi Minoru
Published: July 2007

Tubular ZnO nanostructures were synthesized by a new and one-step method which involved the introduction of ammonia bubbles into a zinc chloride aqueous solution, and the formation mechanism was briefly discussed in this paper.
Bis(imino)pyridine Iron and Cobalt Complexes Immobilized into Interlayer Space of Fluorotetrasilicic Mica: Highly Active Heterogeneous Catalysts for Polymerization of Ethylene
Authors: Kurokawa Hideki , Matsuda Michiko , Fujii Kenji , Ishihama Yoshiyuki , Sakuragi Tsutomu , Ohshima Masa-aki , Miura Hiroshi
Published: July 2007

Heterogeneous catalysts assembled by the intercalation of a bis(imino)pyridine ligand into late metal ion-exchanged clay mineral interlayers with the simultaneous coordination of the ligand to the interlayer cations were found to be highly active for ethylene polymerization.
Vibrational Circular Dichroism Spectroscopic Study on Circularly Polarized Light-induced Chiral Domains in the B4 Phase of a Bent Mesogen
Authors: Choi Suk-Won , Kawauchi Susumu , Tanaka Shingo , Watanabe Junji , Takezoe Hideo
Published: July 2007

In this work, we report vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra in chiral domains induced by circularly polarized light (CPL) irradiation to the achiral bent-core liquid-crystalline B4 phase.
Observation on the development of osteochondrosis in young rats
Authors: Kato M. , Onodera T.
Published: July 2007

A histopathological study on the development of spontaneous osteochondrosis in the humeral head and medial femoral condyle of rats (6-20 weeks old) was carried out. Findings were classified into three types: normal, transitional and osteochondrotic. In the normal type, the articular cartilage at the caudal region of the humeral head and medial femoral condyle was significantly thinned between 6 and 10 weeks of age (generally the caudal region was thicker than elsewhere at all ages). In the transitional type, the thinning of the cartilage was delayed. In the third type, osteochondrotic lesions were detected in the humeral head from 6 weeks of age and in the medial femoral condyle from 10 weeks of age. The thickness of the cartilage had slightly decreased or had not changed at 20 weeks of age. In the early stages, viable chondrocytes and small destructive foci of cartilage were observed in the basal layer of the thick deep zone. These cells were present in pairs or clusters surrounded by matrix in the large lacunae. Cells and destructive foci were also seen in the surface layer of the deep zone as the rats aged. In the advanced stage, a necrotic area or cleft was formed in the basal layer of the articular cartilage and fibrosis was observed in the subchondral bone.
Colonization resistance against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in gnotobiotic mice
Authors: Itoh K. , Urano T. , Mitsuoka T.
Published: July 2007

Gnotobiotic (GB) mice were colonized with various groups of intestinal bacteria to determine which members of the indigenous flora would exert colonization resistance against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. P. aeruginosa was cultured from the faeces at levels of 103-104 cells/g in GB mice inoculated with either the combination of bacteroides and clostridia obtained from conventional (CV) mice or the combination of bacteroides, lactobacilli and clostridia obtained from limited flora mice. The combination of lactobacilli and clostridia from CV mice also did not eliminate P. aeruginosa from GB mice. However, P. aeruginosa was not detected in the faeces of GB mice by 14 days after inoculation with the combination of bacteroides, lactobacilli and clostridia obtained from CV mice. Thus, a complex indigenous flora consisting of bacteroides, lactobacilli and certain clostridia obtained from CV mice but not clostridia obtained from limited flora mice is required to exert complete colonization resistance against P. aeruginosa in GB mice.
Otitis media in guineapigs: pathology and bacteriology
Authors: Boot R. , Walvoort H. C.
Published: July 2007

In the course of post-mortem examination of conventional random-bred and inbred (immunosuppressed) strain 2/N guinea pigs kept in separate quarters, otitis media was diagnosed in 62 of 462 animals (13·4%) and 18 of 66 animals (27·3%) respectively. Clinical signs of otitis media were seen in only two randombred animals but in nearly 50% of affected inbred animals. In random-bred guineapigs, purulent, often bilateral, otitis media was associated mainly with the isolation of Streptococcus zooepidemicus, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Pasteurella and Actinobacillus spp. and micrococci. In strain 2/N guineapigs serous or purulent often bilateral otitis media was associated mainly with the isolation of B. bronchiseptica and Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotypes 10 and 11. The simultaneous occurrence of similar pathogenic bacteria in both ears of bilaterally affected animals and in pneumonic lung tissue (in random-bred animals) suggested ascending and descending infection originating from the upper respiratory tract. It is concluded that otitis media, associated with the isolation of a variety of respiratory bacterial species, must be considered a major disease problem in guineapigs.
Age-bodyweight relationships to lung growth in the F344 rat as indexed by lung weight measurements
Authors: Tillery S. I. , Lehnert B. E.
Published: July 2007

Measurements of the total lung weights and the individual weights of the lung lobes of male F344 rats ranging in age from about 30 days to 140 days or more were made in order to determine how lung growth and the growths of the individual lung lobes relate to bodyweight over the course of maturation of this species. Additionally, in this study we also (1) compared how each lung lobe grows relative to total lung growth, (2) evaluated the ratios of lung dry weight to wet weight and (3) obtained information on the weights of the trachea and extra-hilar main-stem bronchi as the F344 rat matures. The wet weights WLT of the trachea-lung preparations and the pooled lobe weights WPL as functions of rat bodyweight WB could be readily described by the following logarithmic expressions: WLT = 0·596 ln WB - 1·923, r = 0·95; WPL = 0·464 ln WB - 1·566, r = 0·96. Expressed as percentages of the pooled lobe weights, the individual lobes remained at constant values as the animals grew with the exception of the right caudal lobe which decreased between bodyweights of 72 and 96 g; absolute wet weight measurements of the individual lobes indicated that the right cranial, right middle and right intermediate lobes actually decreased in weight between bodyweights of 300 and 385 g. The dry weights of the lobes consistently represented approximately 22% of the wet weights regardless of animal age or bodyweight, and on average the airways represented about 20% of the weights of the intact airway-lung preparations over the course of animal maturation.
Influence of Orthogonal Overload on Human Vertebral Trabecular Bone Mechanical Properties
Authors: Badiei Arash , Bottema Murk J , Fazzalari Nicola L
Published: July 2007

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of overload in orthogonal directions on longitudinal and transverse mechanical integrity in human vertebral trabecular bone. Results suggest that the trabecular structure has properties that act to minimize the decrease of apparent toughness transverse to the primary loading direction.

Introduction: The maintenance of mechanical integrity and function of trabecular structure after overload remains largely unexplored. Whereas a number of studies have focused on addressing the question by testing the principal anatomical loading direction, the mechanical anisotropy has been overlooked. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of overload in orthogonal directions on longitudinal and transverse mechanical integrity in human vertebral trabecular bone.

Materials and Methods: T12/L1 vertebral bodies from five cases and L4/L5 vertebral bodies from seven cases were retrieved at autopsy. A cube of trabecular bone was cut from the centrum of each vertebral body and imaged by μCT. Cubes from each T12/L1 and L4/L5 pairs were assigned to either superoinferior (SI) or anteroposterior (AP) mechanical testing groups. All samples were mechanically tested to 10% apparent strain by uniaxial compression according to their SI or AP allocation. To elucidate the extent to which overload in orthogonal directions affects the mechanical integrity of the trabecular structure, samples were retested (after initial uniaxial compression) in their orthogonal direction. After mechanical testing in each direction, apparent ultimate failure stresses (UFS), apparent elastic moduli (E), and apparent toughness moduli (u) were computed.

Results: Significant differences in mechanical properties were found between SI and AP directions in both first and second overload tests. Mechanical anisotropy far exceeded differences resulting from overloading the structure in the orthogonal direction. No significant differences were found in mean UFS and mean u for the first or second overload tests. A significant decrease of 35% was identified in mean E for cubes overloaded in the SI direction and then overloaded in the AP direction.

Conclusions: Observed differences in the mechanics of trabecular structure after overload suggests that the trabecular structure has properties that act to minimize loss of apparent toughness, perhaps through energy dissipating sacrificial structures transverse to the primary loading direction.
Blending Cobrand Personalities: An Examination of the Complex Self
Authors: Monga Alokparna Basu , Lau-Gesk Loraine
Published: July 2007

This research examines the role of self-complexity in influencing consumer responses to cobrands with trait associations to two distinct brand personality dimensions versus one distinct brand personality dimension. Three experiments reveal that consumers whose complex self becomes activated prefer cobrands that exude both sophistication and excitement to those that exhibit either sophistication or excitement. Caucasians, who have a more complex independent self, tend to evaluate a sophisticated and excited personality cobrand more favorably when primed on independence, whereas Hispanics, who have a more complex interdependent self, tend to evaluate this cobrand personality combination more favorably when primed on interdependence. This research also suggests that this self-complexity-driven process is conscious in nature.
When Internal Reference Prices and Price Expectations Diverge: The Role of Confidence
Authors: Thomas Manoj , Menon Geeta
Published: July 2007

When do internal reference prices differ from articulated price expectations? The authors propose that the internal reference price depends not only on the magnitude of the expected price but also on the confidence associated with this expectation. Four experiments delineate the effects of price expectation and confidence on the internal reference price. In Experiments 1 and 2, the authors manipulate repetition and examine the effects of repetition-induced confidence on price judgments. In Experiments 3 and 4, they manipulate confidence directly to investigate its effects on judgments. The results from all four experiments suggest that consumers with less confidence have higher internal reference prices than more confident consumers, even when they do not differ in their articulated price expectations. The authors discuss the implications of these results for pricing theory.
Empirical Analysis of Budget and Allocation of Trade Promotions in the U.S. Supermarket Industry
Authors: Gómez Miguel I. , Rao Vithala R. , Mclaughlin Edward W.
Published: July 2007

Using a unique data set, the authors examine the role of manufacturer and retailer characteristics in the joint determination of trade promotion budgets for supermarket brands and their allocation across trade promotion types. They find that manufacturer variables, such as brand position in retailer product category and brand price premium, and annual retailer sales determine trade promotion budgets. Furthermore, retail companies with larger shares of private labels in product category sales, larger annual sales, and stronger brand positioning are able to increase the allocation of promotional funds to off-invoices and decrease allocation to performance-based trade promotions, such as scanbacks/ accruals and billbacks. Manufacturers with formal trade promotion policies tend to decrease allocation to off-invoices. The authors discuss marketing policy implications of this study and provide research directions.
Bounded Rationality in Pricing under State-Dependent Demand: Do Firms Look Ahead, and if So, How Far?
Authors: Che Hai , Sudhir K. , Seetharaman P.B.
Published: July 2007

The authors propose an empirical procedure to investigate the pricing behavior of manufacturers and retailers in the presence of state-dependent demand. Rather than assuming that firms are perfectly forward looking and therefore solving accordingly for dynamic equilibriums that would arise in the presence of state dependence, the authors systematically evaluate whether boundedly rational firms indeed look ahead when they set prices and, if so, to what extent. They illustrate the procedure using household-level scanner-panel data on breakfast cereals and replicate the substantive results using data on ketchup. The authors find that (1) omission of state dependence in demand biases inference of firm behavior (i.e., tacit collusion is erroneously inferred when firms are competitive); (2) observed retail prices are consistent with a pricing model in which both manufacturers and retailers are forward looking (i.e., they incorporate the effects of their current prices on their future profits), but firms have short time horizons when setting prices (i.e., they look ahead by only one period, suggesting that firms are boundedly rational in their dynamic pricing behavior); and (3) even a myopic pricing model of firms that accounts for state dependence in demand is a reasonable approximation of the observed prices in the market.
Decomposition of the Sales Impact of Promotion-Induced Stockpiling
Authors: Ailawadi Kusum L. , Gedenk Karen , Lutzky Christian , Neslin Scott A.
Published: July 2007

Promotion-induced consumer stockpiling has a negative impact on manufacturers because it moves forward in time brand sales that would have occurred later at full margin. However, the resultant increase in consumer inventory has two potential benefits: increased category consumption and preemptive brand switches (the additional inventory of the promoted brand preempts the consumer's purchase of a competing brand in the future). Furthermore, there is a potential impact on repeat purchases of the stockpiled brand after the promotion. In this article, the authors present a model and simulation-based method to measure the benefits and costs of stockpiling and assess their relative magnitudes. They find that the benefits are substantial, but consumption appears to be the most important, followed by preemptive switching and then an increase in repeat purchases. These benefits easily offset the negative aspect of consumer stockpiling—namely, purchase acceleration by loyal customers who would have bought the brand at regular price at a later date.
New Product Preannouncements and Shareholder Value: Don't Make Promises you Can't Keep
Authors: Sorescu Alina , Shankar Venkatesh , Kushwaha Tarun
Published: July 2007

New product preannouncements are strategic signals that firms direct at their customers, competitors, channel members, and investors. They have been touted as effective means of deterring competitor entry, informing potential customers, and even tipping the balance of technological standard battles in favor of the preannouncing firms. However, preannouncements also carry the risks of unwanted competitive reaction and the negative consequences of undelivered promises. From a shareholder value standpoint, do the benefits outweigh the risks of preannouncing? To address this question, the authors build on agency and signaling theories to develop hypotheses about the effects of preannouncements on shareholder value, and they empirically test these hypotheses on a sample of software and hardware new product preannouncements. The findings indicate that the financial returns from preannouncements are significantly positive in the long run. The authors show that preannouncements generate positive short-term abnormal returns only for firms that offer specific information about the preannounced product. They also show that firms earn positive long-term abnormal returns after a preannouncement if they continue to update the market on the progress of the new product. Both the short-term and the long-term returns are further magnified if the reliability of the preannouncement (i.e., the credibility of the preannouncing firm) is high. The findings offer executives of preannouncing firms clear guidelines on how to manage communications in the market to extract financial value from new product preannouncements.
Fracture characterisation of yew (Taxus baccata L.) and spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) in the radial-tangential and tangential-radial crack propagation system by a micro wedge splitting test
Authors: Keunecke Daniel , Stanzl-Tschegg Stefanie , Niemz Peter
Published: July 2007

Common yew (Taxus baccata L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) are gymnosperm species that differ in their microscopic structure and mechanical characteristics. Compared to spruce, the density of yew wood is high, but the modulus of elasticity is low when loaded parallel to the grain. Information about the transverse load direction is largely lacking. Therefore, the goal of this study was to assess the elastic and fracture mechanical behaviour of both wood species in the radial-tangential plane (crack opening mode I). For this purpose, micro wedge splitting tests were performed. Characteristic elastic and fracture parameters (initial slope, critical load, specific fracture energy) were determined. After the tests, the fracture surfaces were evaluated using microscopic methods. The results reveal clear differences between the species regarding microscopic fracture phenomena and prove that yew wood was significantly stiffer than spruce wood. We suggest that the density and the cell geometry are predominantly responsible for both elasticity and failure behaviour in the transverse direction.
Eustathios von Antiochien wider den seelenlosen Christus der Arianer. Zu neu entdeckten Fragmenten eines Traktats des Eustathios
Authors: Uthemann Karl-Heinz
Published: July 2007

The new edition of the extant works of Eustathios of Antioch includes an Anti-Arian Epitome compilated at the late 4th or early 5th century, but reproducing an Eustathian work. The work contains new information about the Arian christology. The article deals with the synod at Antioch 324/325, Urkunde 18 and the importance of the christology for the Arian thought. The Epitome argues that the Arian opponents denied the human soul in the incarnated Logos. This leads to the question if this argumentation of the Epitome doesn't hit any Arian thought directly, but is only a conclusion of their exegesis. The detailed analysis of the exegetical arguments mentioned in the Epitome, however, leads to the conclusion that the Arian opponents of Eustathios tried to ascribe invariability to the incarnated Logos, excluding any mutability, especially the passions, from the incarnated Logos for maintaining the soteriological impact of the incarnation. Compared with Athanasios, De incarnatione, the Epitome offers a different, nonetheless interesting view upon the early Arian thought.
Bruderliebe und Heil. Pachoms Brief 5 und das Osterkapitel der Pachomianer
Authors: Joest Christoph
Published: July 2007

In this article, the 5th letter attributed to Saint Pachomius is published in German for the first time. It is an invitation to the Pachomians to gather for one of their two annual assemblies to celebrate together the Christian passover. The letter is extant only in Latin, but Jerome claims to have translated the Pachomian writings from a Greek source. However, the peculiar form of some of the Bible quotations give prove that the Greek text in turn must have come from a Coptic original. This is essential external evidence for the genuity of the letter, the most important internal evidence being the inseparable unity of love for one's brethren and salvation. Although written in what could be called an aspectivic manner, the letter is carfully structured. The second half of this article comments on the content of this document and scetches its flow of thoughts.
Heresiology as Universal History in Epiphanius's Panarion
Authors: Schott Jeremy
Published: July 2007

Epiphanius' breites Verständnis von „Häresie“ in seinem Panarion beschäftigt seit langem die Forschung. Während Häresiologen des 2. Jahrhunderts wie Irenäus oder Hippolyt Häresie als eine Perversion, d.h. etwas chronologisch nach der Orthodoxie Entstandenes beschrieben, identifi ziert Epiphanius auch alle vorchristlichen Religionen, griechische Philosophenschulen und jüdische Sekten als einzelne Häresien. Der Aufsatz argumentiert dafür, daß das Konzept von „Häresie“ bei Epiphanius gleichwohl in sich schlüssig ist. Das Panarion verbindet biblische Traditionen mit klassischen Theorien über Ursprung und Entwicklung der menschlichen Zivilisation und Kultur, um eine Universalgeschichte zu entwerfen. Der Ansatz des Panarion, eine komplette häresiologische Übersicht zu schaffen, hängt also von dem Ansatz des Epiphanius ab, aus der Häresiologie eine umfassende Geschichtsphilosophie zu machen. Für Epiphanius sind Häresien das Ergebnis des Verfalls einer Kultur und stehen in scharfem Gegensatz zu einer ahistorischen und nicht kulturgebundenen Orthodoxie, die von den historischen Entwicklungen der Ethnogenese und kulturellen Entwicklung völlig losgelöst ist.
Tempora Christiana. Vom Umgang des antiken Christentums mit Geschichte
Authors: Kany Roland
Published: July 2007

One could opine that Christian intellectuals of the first six centuries were particularly concerned with matters of history. Their religion was deeply rooted in historical events and the Jewish as well as the pagan Greek cultures had great traditions of historiography. However, ancient Christianity had a comparatively limited interest in history. No continuation of the Acts of the Apostles appeared in the 2nd or 3rd century. In the ancient Latin West no original Church History was ever written except the two books added by Rufinus to his translation of Eusebius' work. The article discusses the reasons for this lack of interest in history and for the different approaches of Greek and Latin Christians of late antiquity to the subject.
High Cyclophilin D Content of Synaptic Mitochondria Results in Increased Vulnerability to Permeability Transition
Authors: Naga Kranthi Kumari , Sullivan Patrick G. , Geddes James W.
Published: July 2007

Mitochondria isolated from synaptosomes are more sensitive to Ca2+overload and the resultant opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) than nonsynaptic mitochondria. To identify the mechanisms underlying these differences in Ca2+dynamics, we examined relative levels of mPTP components in synaptic versus nonsynaptic mitochondria. Synaptic mitochondria had higher levels of cyclophilin D when compared with nonsynaptic mitochondria, whereas levels of the voltage-dependent anion channel and the adenine nucleotide translocase were similar in the two mitochondrial fractions. These differences in Ca2+handling between synaptic and nonsynaptic mitochondria were greatly reduced in cyclophilin D null [Ppif−/−(peptidylprolyl isomerase F)] mice. Higher concentrations of cyclosporine A, which interacts with cyclophilin D to delay mPTP opening, were necessary to increase the Ca2+uptake capacity of synaptic versus nonsynaptic mitochondria. To determine whether the differences in Ca2+handling might reflect the relative abundance of neuronal and glial mitochondria in the two mitochondrial fractions, we compared cyclophilin D levels in primary cortical neurons and astrocytes. Primary rat cortical neurons possess higher cyclophilin D levels than do primary astrocytes. In the adult rat brain, cyclophilin D immunoreactivity was abundant in neurons but sparse in astrocytes. Together, these results demonstrate that the Ca2+handling differences observed in synaptic versus nonsynaptic mitochondria are primarily the result of the high levels of cyclophilin D in synaptic mitochondria, reflecting the greater proportion of neuronal mitochondria in this fraction. The high levels of cyclophilin D in neuronal mitochondria result in their greater vulnerability to mPT and in higher levels of cyclosporine A being required to inhibit mPTP opening.
BMPR1a Signaling Determines Numbers of Oligodendrocytes and Calbindin-Expressing Interneurons in the Cortex
Authors: Samanta Jayshree , Burke Gordon M. , McGuire Tammy , Pisarek Anna J. , Mukhopadhyay Abhishek , Mishina Yuji , Kessler John A.
Published: July 2007

Progenitor cells that express the transcription factor olig1 generate several neural cell types including oligodendrocytes and GABAergic interneurons in the dorsal cortex. The fate of these progenitor cells is regulated by a number of signals including bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) secreted in the dorsal forebrain. BMPs signal by binding to heteromeric serine–threonine kinase receptors formed by type I (BMPR1a, BMPR1b, Alk2) and type II (BMPRII) subunits. To determine the specific role of the BMPR1a subunit in lineage commitment by olig1-expressing cells, we used a cre/loxP genetic approach to ablate BMPR1a in these cells while leaving signaling from other subunits intact. There was a reduction in numbers of immature oligodendrocytes in the BMPR1a-null mutant brains at birth. However, by postnatal day 20, the BMPR1a-null mice had a significant increase in the number of mature and immature oligodendrocytes compared with wild-type littermates. There was also an increase in the proportion of calbindin-positive interneurons in the dorsomedial cortex of BMPR1a-null mice at birth without any change in the number of parvalbumin- or calretinin-positive cells. These effects were attributable, at least in part, to a decrease in the length of the cell cycle in subventricular zone progenitor cells. Thus, our findings indicate that BMPR1a mediates the suppressive effects of BMP signaling on oligodendrocyte lineage commitment and on the specification of calbindin-positive interneurons in the dorsomedial cortex.
Combination of Drospirenone and Estradiol: A New Hormone Therapy in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Huber Johannes C
Published: July 2007

The problems that arise in connection with the menopause have been treated for many years with various hormone-replacement therapy formulations. The spironolactone derivative drospirenone is a novel progestin that, in combination with estradiol, provides a new low-dose, continuous, combined hormone therapy with a broad and safe activity profile. Through its antiandrogenic and antimineralocorticoid properties, drospirenone acts specifically against menopausal symptoms, provides protection of the endometrium, does not counteract the effect of estradiol on bone metabolism and has a beneficial effect on body weight and lipid metabolism. Its effect on blood pressure is particularly relevant: drospirenone blocks the aldosterone receptor and thus has a regulating effect on the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system and so promotes enhanced sodium/water excretion.
Physiological Optics
Authors: Jüttner Martin
Published: July 2007

Physiological optics is concerned with the perceptual processes in the eye and its associated neuronal structures in the brain. This article provides an overview of the structure and functionality of the visual system, and of experimental and analytical techniques used to study the principles of visual information processing. First, the anatomy of the eye and the various stages of the optical pathway from the retina to the visual cortex are considered in some detail. The concept of receptive fields is introduced and related to the theoretical framework of spatial‐frequency channels. A range of tools and techniques used in neurophysiological and psychophysical vision research are reviewed and compared. This provides the basis for a detailed discussion of elementary visual sensations, including the perception of brightness, depth, movement, and shape, both with regard to their phenomenology and their neurophysiological foundations. Finally, the role of such elementary sensations for higher‐level visual processes is considered by relating them to current theories of object recognition.
Forced‐response in online surveys: Bias from reactance and an increase in sex‐specific dropout
Authors: Stieger Stefan , Reips Ulf‐Dietrich , Voracek Martin
Published: July 2007

Due to computer technology, a forced‐response can be easily achieved in online questionnaires and is frequently used to gather complete datasets. An Internet‐based quasi‐experiment was conducted on the student server at the University of Vienna to study the influence of forced‐response on dropout, demographic reports, and the content of the results. Forced‐response was shown to substantially increase dropout. In addition, forced‐response interacted with reported sex in eliminating a naturally occurring sex difference in dropout that was observed for the questionnaire whenever responses did not need to be enforced. Also reported sex turned out to have a mediating effect on time of dropout: Men dropped out earlier than did women. Further analyses revealed a reactance effect, as predicted by reactance theory. It is concluded that data from online questionnaires with forced‐response designs are in danger of being hampered by dropout and reactance.
Nitroxide radicals protect cultured rat embryos and yolk sacs from diabetic‐induced damage
Authors: Ryu Seonghun , Kohen Roni , Samuni Amram , Ornoy Asher
Published: July 2007

BACKGROUND: Diabetic teratogenicity relates, partly, to embryonic oxidative stress and the extent of the embryonic damage can apparently be reduced by antioxidants. We investigated the effects of superoxide dismutase‐mimics nitroxides, 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl piperidine‐N‐oxyl (TPL) as an effective antioxidant, on diabetes‐induced embryopathy. METHODS: Embryos (10.5 day old) and their yolk sacs from Sabra female rats were cultured for 28 h in the absence or in the presence of nitroxides at 0.05–0.4 mM in control, diabetic subteratogenic, or diabetic teratogenic media, and monitored for growth retardation and congenital anomalies. The oxidant/antioxidant status was examined by oxygen radical absorbance capacity and lipid peroxidation assays, whereas the yolk sac function was evaluated by endocytosis assay. RESULTS: Diabetic culture medium inhibited embryonic and yolk sac growth, induced a high rate of NTDs, reduced yolk sac endocytosis and embryonic antioxidant capacity, and increased lipid peroxidation. These effects were more prominent in the embryos with NTD compared to those without NTD. TPL added to diabetic teratogenic medium improved embryonic and yolk sac growth, reduced the rate of NTDs, and improved yolk sac function. The oxidant/antioxidant status of embryos was also improved. TPL at 1 mM did not damage the embryos cultured in control medium. CONCLUSIONS: In diabetic culture medium, oxidative damage is higher in the malformed rat embryos compared to those without anomalies; the nitroxide provides protection againstdiabetes‐induced teratogenicity in a dose‐dependent manner. The yolk sac damage, apparently caused by the same mechanism, might be an additional contributor to the embryonic damage observed in diabetes. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Zeolite‐based cataluminescence sensor for the selective detection of acetaldehyde
Authors: Yang Ping , Lau Choiwan , Liang Jian‐Ying , Lu Jian‐Zhong , Liu Xia
Published: July 2007

The reactions of acetaldehyde with O atoms in the cages of large‐pore zeolites have been discovered to result in light emission. The luminescence characteristics of acetaldehyde vapours passing through the surface of chosen zeolites were studied using a cataluminescence‐based detection system. To demonstrate the feasibility of the method, the detection of acetaldehyde using catalysts was studied systematically and a linear response of 0.06–31.2 µg/mL acetaldehyde vapour was obtained. Methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, methylbenzene, chloroform, dichlormethane and acetonitrile did not interfere with the determination of acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde vapour could also be distinguished from some homologous series such as formaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde, glutaraldehyde and benzaldehyde on this catalyst, possibly due to the stereoselectivity of the zeolite and its specific reaction mechanism. Moreover, acetaldehyde was quantified without detectable interference from formaldehyde in four artificial samples. Thus, this kind of cataluminescence‐based sensor could be potentially extended to the analysis of volatile organic compounds in air, and the simple and portable properties of cataluminescence‐based sensors could also make them beneficial in many areas of analytical science. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of cell‐free protein synthesis platforms for disulfide bonded proteins
Authors: Goerke Aaron R. , Swartz James R.
Published: July 2007

The use of cell‐free protein synthesis (CFPS) for recombinant protein production is emerging as an important technology. For example, the openness of the cell‐free system allows control of the reaction environment to promote folding of disulfide bonded proteins in a rapid and economically feasible format. These advantages make cell‐free protein expression systems particularly well suited for producing patient specific therapeutic vaccines or antidotes in response to threats from natural and man‐made biological agents and for pharmaceutical proteins that are difficult to produce in living cells. In this work we assess the versatility of modern cell‐free methods, optimize expression and folding parameters, and highlight the importance of rationally designed plasmid templates for producing mammalian secreted proteins, fusion proteins, and antibody fragments in our E. coli‐based CFPS system. Two unique CFPS platforms were established by developing standardized extract preparation protocols and generic cell‐free reaction conditions. Generic reaction conditions enabled all proteins to express well with the best therapeutic protein yield at 710 µg/mL, an antibody fragment at 230 µg/mL, and a vaccine fusion protein at 300 µg/mL; with the majority correctly folded. Better yields were obtained when cell‐free reaction conditions were optimized for each protein. Establishing general CFPS platforms enhances the potential for cell‐free protein synthesis to reliably produce complex protein products at low production and capital costs with very rapid process development timelines. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;99: 351–367. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.