bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Posterior orbitofrontal sulcogyral pattern associated with orbitofrontal cortex volume reduction and anxiety trait in panic disorder
Authors: Roppongi Tomohide , Nakamura Motoaki , Asami Takeshi , Hayano Fumi , Otsuka Tatsui , Uehara Kumi , Fujiwara Akiko , Saeki Takashi , Hayasaka Shunsuke , Yoshida Takeshi , Shimizu Reina , Inoue Tomio , Hirayasu Yoshio
Published: May 2010

Aims:  The posterior region of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), which forms its sulcogyral pattern during neurodevelopment, receives multisensory inputs. The purpose of the present study was to assess the relationship between posterior OFC sulcogyral pattern and OFC volume difference in patients with panic disorder.

Methods:  The anatomical pattern of the posterior orbital sulcus (POS) was classified into three subtypes (absent POS, single POS, double POS) using 3‐D high‐spatial resolution magnetic resonance images obtained from 28 patients with panic disorder and 28 age‐ and gender‐matched healthy controls. Optimized voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) was performed to assess OFC volume differences between the two groups by subtype. Categorical regression analysis was applied to examine the association of POS subtypes with State–Trait Anxiety Inventory and Revised Neuroticism‐Extraversion‐Openness Personality Inventory scores.

Results:  No significant difference was found in POS subtype distribution between control subjects and patients with panic disorder. VBM, however, indicated volume reduction in the right posterior–medial OFC region in panic disorder patients with absent POS and single POS. Single POS was positively associated with Trait‐Anxiety (β = 0.446, F = 6.409, P = 0.020), and absent POS was negatively associated with Trait‐Anxiety (β = −0.394, F = 5.341, P = 0.032) and Neuroticism trait (β = −0.492, F = 6.989, P = 0.017).

Conclusions:  POS subtypes may be relevant to volume reduction in OFC and the anxiety trait in patients with panic disorder. These findings suggest that volume reduction in OFC in panic disorder may be associated with neurodevelopment.
Duration of untreated illness and antidepressant fluvoxamine response in major depressive disorder
Authors: Okuda Akiko , Suzuki Tatsuyo , Kishi Taro , Yamanouchi Yoshio , Umeda Kazunori , Haitoh Hiroshi , Hashimoto Shuji , Ozaki Norio , Iwata Nakao
Published: May 2010

Aims:  The aim of this study was to analyze the relation between treatment response and the duration of untreated illness (DUI) in 133 outpatients with the first major depressive disorder (MDD) episode.

Methods:  A logistic regression was performed with DUI, sex, age at onset, and score for 17 items on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale at the time of start of fluvoxamine treatment as the explanatory variables, and the response and the remission as the outcome variables.

Results:  Regression analysis showed significant association between the response and DUI (P < 0.0001), and between the remission and DUI (P < 0.0001), respectively. The remission rate gradually decreased with longer DUI.

Conclusion:  Early treatment of first depressive episodes is important because a shorter DUI implied better remission outcomes.
Long‐term efficacy of Encarsia dispersa Polaszek (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) for the biological control of Aleurodicus dispersus Russell (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in tropical monsoon Australia
Authors: Lambkin Trevor A , Zalucki Myron P
Published: May 2010

Introductions of Encarsia dispersa Polaszek (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) for the biological control of spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus dispersus Russell (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), were made directly onto Thursday Island, Torres Strait Queensland, in May 1994. Its efficacy was monitored intermittently for 7 years on 10 Acalypha wilkesiana Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) and two Terminalia catappa L. (Combretaceae) plants. Marked declines in whitefly densities were recorded on all hosts approximately 10 months after parasitoid releases. Declines in whitefly densities over the first 2 years were mostly matched with increases in per cent parasitism; these declines generally coinciding with wet seasons, with small resurgences occurring over the first dry season following the first decline. Whitefly densities and per cent leaves infested on T. catappa, and on A. wilkesiana with flat leaves were low by the latter half of the study. In contrast, A. wilkesiana with convoluted leaves seemed to inhibit the parasitoid by providing physical refuges for whitefly nymphs, resulting in higher whitefly numbers with low parasitism, particularly in dry conditions. Ten to 12 years after these initial declines, whitefly densities have remained low. Adults and larvae of Cryptolaemus affinis Crotch (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and larvae of Acletoxenus quadristriatus Duda (Diptera: Drosophilidae) were observed preying on whitefly nymphs during the study. Overall, sampling data suggested that A. dispersus was under biological control. It may be prudent to maintain A. wilkesiana with convoluted leaves (acting as host refuges) on the Torres Strait islands to retain parasitoid persistence, thereby maintaining controlled and stable populations of A. dispersus. In addition, because of the pest's wide host range and the ability for hosts with closed leaf structures, such as A. wilkesiana with convoluted leaves, to harbour higher pest numbers, movements of these plants within or out of tropical areas could pose a significant quarantine risk.
Acute and long‐term effects of selective insecticides onMicromus tasmaniaeWalker (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae),Coccinella transversalisF. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) andNabis kinbergiiReuter (Hemiptera: Miridae)
Authors: Cole Peter G , Cutler Anna R , Kobelt Amanda J , Horne Paul A
Published: May 2010

The impacts of six selective insecticides on three predatory insect species, Tasman's lacewing (Micromus tasmaniae), the transverse ladybird (Coccinella transversalis) and the damsel bug (Nabis kinbergii), were tested by acute and long‐term bioassay. Acute bioassays measured mortality 72 h after exposure to wet sprays and dry residues, and long‐term bioassays measured mortality and sublethal effects over a generation. The acute bioassays were not consistently reliable indicators of the harmfulness of insecticides that did not induce high short‐term mortality. Pymetrozine caused very low mortality (≤20%) to the larvae ofC. transversalisin acute tests, but the long‐term test showed that 97.6% of individuals were killed before maturity. Similarly, pirimicarb adversely affected reproduction ofC. transversaliseven though there was only a minor effect on short‐term mortality. Imidacloprid caused low mortality (≤20%) ofM. tasmaniaein acute tests, but reproductive capacity was reduced by about two‐thirds in long‐term tests. Therefore, in some cases, acute bioassays were poor indicators of overall effects of insecticides on populations. Our results support previous studies by other authors that long‐term mortality and sublethal effects of selective insecticides on predatory species need to be determined to facilitate their effective use alongside biological control in integrated pest management programs.
A genetic perspective on insect climate specialists
Authors: Hoffmann Ary A
Published: May 2010

Many insects are climate specialists – restricted to a narrow range of latitudes, humidity conditions and/or altitudes. Yet there are also numerous climate generalists, whose distribution might span from the tropics to temperate areas. Comparisons of related insect species normally indicate that the resistance of species to climatic extremes and reproductive output under different climatic conditions match expectations based on their distributions. Yet these patterns do not ultimately explain why climate specialists and generalists have evolved over time. Three evolutionary hypotheses that are invoked to explain climate specialisation are (1) constraints arising from antagonistic pleiotropy (costs); (2) DNA decay due to mutational processes; and (3) the difficulty of adapting due to the requirement of multidimensional changes or because of gene flow. Here I outline these hypotheses, and consider predictions and supporting evidence from several sources including polymorphism studies, quantitative genetic studies, species comparisons and genomic comparisons. All three explanations are likely to contribute to climate specialisation and the DNA decay/multidimensional adaptation hypotheses deserve more consideration.
Potential to reduce the spatial density of attract and kill traps required for effective control of Carpophilus spp. (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) in stone fruit in Australia
Authors: Hossain Mofakhar S , Hossain Mamun A B M , Williams David G , Chandra Subhash
Published: May 2010

Attract and kill (A&K) is an effective control technique for Carpophilus spp. attacking stone fruit but high cost has limited its adoption by growers. Field experiments during two successive growing seasons evaluated the potential to reduce the spatial density of A&K traps from three traps per ha (3 A&K) to two traps per ha (2 A&K), against medium to low beetle populations. Fruit damage in 2 A&K and 3 A&K treated blocks was significantly lower than in pesticide‐treated control blocks. However there were no significant differences in blocks treated with either 2 A&K or 3 A&K traps in either season. The results suggest that the number of traps per ha can be reduced without reducing the efficacy of the A&K treatment where Carpophilus population levels are medium to low.
Differential antimicrobial activity in response to the entomopathogenic fungus Cordyceps in six Australian bee species
Authors: Stow Adam , Turnbull Christine , Gillings Michael , Smith Shannon , Holley Marita , Silberbauer Letitia , Wilson Peter D , Briscoe David , Beattie Andrew
Published: May 2010

Microbial pathogens were important in the evolution of insect societies and remain a major cause of colony death. The differential effects are reported of antimicrobial compounds extracted from six species of Australian native bees on the spores and hyphae of the entomopathogenic fungus Cordyceps bassiana. The bee species were: Amegilla bombiformis, A. asserta, Exoneura robusta, E. nigrescens, Exoneurella tridentata and Trigona carbonaria. The fungus was isolated from E. robusta and it was this species that showed the greatest activity against both Cordyceps spore germination and hyphal growth. One explanation is that anti‐Cordyceps activity may have been under greatest selection in this bee species, but its congener, E. nigrescens, showed only slightly weaker activity against the pathogen. In contrast, A. bombiformis, A. asserta, E. tridentata and T. carbonaria showed considerable variation in anti‐Cordyceps activity. Nevertheless, there was a trend of greater activity against Cordyceps spore germination than hyphal growth. On the basis of this result, a mechanism whereby fungal pathogens may have been important drivers of social evolution is suggested.
BIGGER IS BETTER: MARKET SIZE, DEMAND ELASTICITY, AND INNOVATION*
Authors: Desmet Klaus , Parente Stephen L.
Published: May 2010

This article proposes a novel mechanism whereby larger markets increase competition and facilitate process innovation. Larger markets, in the sense of more people or more open trade, support a larger variety of goods, resulting in a more crowded product space. This raises the price elasticity of demand and lowers markups. Firms, therefore, become larger to break even. This facilitates process innovation, as larger firms can amortize R&D costs over more goods. We demonstrate this mechanism in a standard model of process and product innovation. In doing so, we question some important results in the new trade and endogenous growth literatures.
Disentangling the Effects of Applicant Defensive Impression Management Tactics in Job Interviews
Authors: Tsai Wei‐Chi , Huang Tun‐Chun , Wu Chih‐Yun , Lo I‐Hsuan
Published: May 2010

This study explores (1) the effects that three kinds of applicant defensive impression management (IM) tactics (apologies, justifications, and excuses) have on interviewer evaluation and (2) the moderating effects that two types of interviewer negative concerns (competence‐related and integrity‐related concerns) have on the aforementioned relationship. Two hundred and one managers from Taiwan participated in this study by watching a simulated interview. Compared with the control group, applicants using defensive IM tactics received higher interviewer ratings when negative concerns surfaced. Moreover, the type of interviewer negative concern moderated the effects of defensive IM tactics. All three tactics had similar effects on interviewer evaluation when the concern was competence related. Apology was, however, the most effective tactic when the concern was integrity related.
Social Support in the Workplace and Training Transfer: A longitudinal analysis
Authors: Chiaburu Dan S. , Van Dam Karen , Hutchins Holly M.
Published: May 2010

Training transfer is crucial for workplace effectiveness, yet some of its social support antecedents are not well investigated. We examine the extent to which two forms of social support (from the organization and the supervisor) predict training transfer and propose several related processes explaining these influences. First, social support enhances training self‐efficacy, increases trainees' mastery (learning) goal orientation, and their motivation to transfer. In turn, we propose that these individual factors are positively related to training‐related cognitions. We test and confirm our model in a longitudinal study based on a sample of 111 employees. The results contribute to a better understanding of organization‐ and supervisor‐based social support as predictors of transfer, and clarify several important related mechanisms.
Fairness Perceptions of Selection Instruments Used in Turkey
Authors: Bilgiç Reyhan , Acarlar Gizem
Published: May 2010

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the goal orientation of individuals and their reactions to three different selection instruments used in Turkey. A sample of 154 engineering students from a university rated the favorability and fairness perceptions of these instruments, namely, interview, personality and science achievement tests. The goal orientations of the participants were determined according to median values of the respected scales. A 2×3 mixed design ANOVA pointed out that among the rated selection techniques in the order of interview, science achievement tests, and personality tests were perceived to be favorable and fair. Although there was no main effect of goal orientation, the interaction between goal orientation and different selection instruments was significant regarding the question of invasion of privacy. Specifically, it was found that learning goal‐oriented subjects value science tests more than the performance proof‐oriented subjects in terms of the question of ‘this selection instrument invades privacy.’ Learning goal‐oriented subjects think more than the performance proof‐oriented subjects that the personality tests are an invasion of privacy. The results were discussed and the direction for future research specified.
Characteristics of Successful Direct Support Professionals: An examination of personality and cognitive ability requirements
Authors: Robson Sean M. , Abraham Joseph D. , Weiner John
Published: May 2010

Service jobs in the health care industry continue to face difficulties in recruiting, selecting, and retaining quality employees. We conducted two studies to examine potential cognitive and personality predictors of job performance, satisfaction, and turnover among direct support professionals (i.e., individuals providing long‐term residential care and support to persons with disabilities). Data from a concurrent validation study was used to create a unit‐weighted combination of agreeableness, conscientiousness, optimism, and numerical ability. This composite predictor was significantly correlated with job performance and job satisfaction. The composite was further supported in a follow‐up predictive validation study of turnover.
Improving Prediction of Work Performance Through Frame‐of‐Reference Consistency: Empirical evidence using openness to experience
Authors: Pace Victoria L. , Brannick Michael T.
Published: May 2010

A work‐specific measure of openness to experience was compared with the general NEO PI‐R Openness scale for predicting supervisory ratings of creative performance at work. Results at the scale and facet levels indicated that the use of a consistent and criterion‐matched frame of reference improved validity of this personality construct for the prediction of work‐related creative problem solving. Scores from the Work‐specific Openness scale significantly predicted creative work performance, whereas scores from the general measure did not. Results also showed incremental validity of the Work‐specific scale over the NEO PI‐R scale. Evidence is mounting that specifying a work context for personality measures can increase validity for predicting job performance beyond that typically observed when using general scales.
Eye movements during fixation as velocity noise in minimum motion detection
Authors: MURAKAMI IKUYA
Published: May 2010

The functional roles and perceptual consequences of fixational eye movements are argued. The retinal image motions due to these eye movements are viewed as normally unnoticed velocity noise that limits performance of minimum motion detection without reference. When the motion detection threshold and the variability of eye velocity during fixation were measured for a group of normal adult observers, an interobserver correlation was established between psychophysical and oculomotor data. In particular, when both eyes were open, the threshold of unreferenced motion was positively correlated with the fixation instability of the eye, making larger drifts. Preliminary data also suggested the possibility that the fixation instability of this eye still dominates the detection threshold if this eye was occluded during the task. Possible schemes of living with such velocity noise as originating from fixation instability are discussed.
Influence of experience of treadmill exercise on visual perception while on a treadmill
Authors: YABE YOSHIKO , TAGA GENTARO
Published: May 2010

A firm linkage exists between a motor command and its expected feedback. When we are exposed to a conflict between expected and actual feedback in a new context, we form a new linkage between action and perception, which may be further strengthened by prolonged experience. In this paper, we attempt to identify whether the linkage between treadmill locomotion and visual processing in relation to optic flow is strengthened in experienced users of treadmills. Yabe and Taga (2008) showed that ambiguous apparent motions are perceived to be moving downward more frequently when the stimuli are shown in front of the observers' feet on a treadmill when walking compared with when standing. Here, their experimental data was reanalyzed in relation to the experience of using the treadmill. The result revealed that habitual treadmill exercise reduced the difference in perceived direction of visual motion between the walking and standing conditions. It should be noted that the treadmill users showed perceptual “downward” bias for both the standing and walking conditions. The results suggest that treadmill users tend to activate the habitual linkage between treadmill locomotion and perception of optic ground flow even when they are just standing on a treadmill.
Prediction of sensorimotor feedback from the efference copy of motor commands: A review of behavioral and functional neuroimaging studies
Authors: IMAMIZU HIROSHI
Published: May 2010

Humans can rapidly and smoothly control their own bodies and external objects, such as tools. Because sensorimotor feedback on movements is inevitably delayed by many factors, including a delay for transmission of motor commands from the brain to muscles and time for processing of sensory information, many studies have suggested the existence of mechanisms in the brain that can predict the precise motor commands necessary for realizing the intended motions and the sensorimotor feedback from the motor commands before movement. This article focuses on mechanisms for the prediction of feedback and summarizes how the predicted feedback can contribute to rapid, efficient and flexible control of movements and processing of sensory information. Possible neural correlates for the prediction mechanisms and their contribution to higher‐order cognitive functions are discussed.
Oral Glucose Solution as Pain Relief in Newborns: Results of a Clinical Trial
Authors: Dilen Ben , Elseviers Monique
Published: May 2010

Abstract:  Background:  It was long believed that newborns could not experience pain. As it is now documented that newborns have all the necessary systems to perceive pain, pain management can no longer be ignored. The objective of this study is to investigate which concentration of glucose is most effective in reducing pain for venipuncture in the newborn.

Methods:  This double‐blind clinical trial of 304 newborns was conducted on a maternity and neonatal ward (neonatal medium intensive care unit). During at least 1 month, one of the four selected solutions (10, 20, 30% glucose, and placebo) was administered orally, 2 minutes before the venipuncture was performed. The pain from the skin puncture was scored using a validated pain scale (the “Leuven Pain Scale”).

Results:  This study showed a significantly lower average pain score in the 30 percent glucose group (3.99) when compared with the placebo group (8.43). The average pain scores in the 20 percent glucose group (5.26) and the 10 percent glucose group (5.92) were also significantly lower than those in the placebo group.

Conclusion:  Oral administration of 2 mL of 30 percent glucose 2 minutes before the venipuncture provides the most effective pain reduction in newborns. (BIRTH 37:2 June 2010)
Institutional Processes and Individual Responses: Women’s Experiences of Care in Relation to Cesarean Birth
Authors: Redshaw Maggie , Hockley Christine
Published: May 2010

Abstract:  Background:  Cesarean section is an increasingly common mode of birth, and although clinical care has improved and the risks reduced, less attention has been paid to the effect of the procedure and the care received. The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding by investigating individual women’s recent experiences and reflections on their care.

Methods:  Views of women who had recently undergone cesarean birth were obtained in a study in which a random sample of women was selected by means of birth registrations in England and invited to complete a questionnaire 3 months after the birth. Text responses to open‐ended questions about care during labor and birth, the postnatal period in hospital, and anything else women wished to say about their maternity care were analyzed using qualitative methods.

Results:  A response rate of 63 percent was achieved; 23 percent of women (n = 682) had a cesarean section birth, 53 percent of which were because of unforeseen problems in labor. A total of 66 percent of women who had a cesarean section responded to one or more open questions. Anticipated themes that were confirmed related to expectations, uncertainty, emotional reactions, pain and discomfort, explanations, support, and adjustment. Emerging themes included “being heard,”“how it might have been different,”“wasted effort,”“just another mother,”“wounds and hurt feelings,” and “needing to talk.”

Conclusions:  Women responded as individuals and despite different clinical circumstances, the role of the staff and the institutions in which care was provided were key factors in the way most women constructed their cesarean section experience. The themes described present a powerful argument and reminder about why health professionals working in maternity care need to continue to listen to women. (BIRTH 37:2 June 2010)
Loading Analysis on the Thread Teeth in Cylindrical Pipe Thread Connection
Authors: Chen Shou-Jun , An Qi , Zhang Yi , Gao Lian-Xin , Li Qiang
Published: May 2010

This paper presents a new analytical method that can calculate the load distribution on the thread teeth in cylindrical pipe threaded connection. The new method was developed by analyzing each male and female thread tooth from the connection on the basis of elastic mechanics. By using this method, the load distribution on each thread tooth can be calculated with the tightening torque and thread numbers. By applying the new method on the sample of API 88.9 mm round threaded connection, the obtained results show that the load on thread tooth mainly concentrates on the last four or five threads engaged. By using the finite element analysis method to the same sample validates the new method. The new method proposed in this paper is practical and convenient because it can be applied to calculate the load and deformation on each thread tooth just with tightening torque and thread numbers, which is easier to implement in practice.
The Relationship Between the Maximum Efficiency and the Flow of Centrifugal Pumps in Parallel Operation
Authors: Wen Yi , Zhang Xiaochu , Wang Pu
Published: May 2010

The maximum operating efficiency of a centrifugal pump is different when it is parallel operated with different pumps. To study the reduction in the maximum operating efficiency of pumps in parallel operation compared with their rated efficiency, 28 pairs of pumps with the same rated head and different rated flows were tested orthogonally in parallel operation. A determination of the pumps operating flow and head was done to calculate the maximum operating efficiency in different combinations. The results showed that the maximum operating efficiency of a pump in parallel operation was higher than 85% of rated efficiency when the flow ratio of two pumps was within 1.6. When the flow ratio was increased to 2.0, the maximum operating efficiency of the pump will sharply decline to 70% of rated efficiency or less. Therefore, the operating efficiency a pump can keep is 70% or more under the condition that the flow ratio between the pumps is less than 2.
An Exact Solution for Classic Coupled Thermoelasticity in Spherical Coordinates
Authors: Jabbari M. , Dehbani H. , Eslami M. R.
Published: May 2010

In this paper, the classic coupled thermoelasticity model of hollow and solid spheres under radial-symmetric loading condition (r,t) is considered. A full analytical method is used and an exact unique solution of the classic coupled equations is presented. The thermal and mechanical boundary conditions, the body force, and the heat source are considered in the most general forms, where no limiting assumption is used. This generality allows to simulate a variety of applicable problems.
Behavior of X60 Line Pipe Subjected to Axial and Lateral Deformations
Authors: Nazemi Navid , Das Sreekanta
Published: May 2010

Buried pipelines may be subjected to various complicated combinations of forces and deformations. This may result in localized curvature, strains, and associated deformations in the pipe wall. As a result, wrinkle may form. The wrinkled pipeline may then develop a rupture in the pipe wall and lose its structural integrity if it is subjected to further sustained loads or deformations. Recently, laboratory tests on NPS6 steel pipes were undertaken at the University of Windsor to study the wrinkling and post-wrinkling behaviors of this NPS6 pipe when subjected to lateral load in addition to internal pressure and axial load. Four full-scale laboratory tests were conducted, and it was found that the application of lateral load on wrinkled pipe produces a wrinkle shape similar to that occurred in a field NPS10 line pipe. Complex test setup was designed and built for successful loading and completion of these tests. This paper makes a detailed discussion on the test setup, test method, loading and boundary conditions, instruments used, and test results obtained from this study.
Elicitor-induced defence responses of a suspension-cultured woody plant (Larix decidua) and possible mechanisms of signal transduction
Authors: Bach Martina , Seitz Hanns Ulrich
Published: May 2010

Treatment of suspension-cultured larch cells (Larix decidua Mill.) with an elicitor derived from the cell wall of Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht. triggers very rapid defence responses like an oxidative burst and an increased calcium influx from the medium into the cell, all occurring within minutes after elicitation. These rapid responses are followed by a much slower set of changes like increased activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and peroxidases and enhanced lignin biosynthesis. This paper describes both rapid and slow reactions of a cell culture derived from a woody plant to an elicitor from a facultative pathogen. Experiments concerning the transduction of the elicitor signal showed that the presence of calcium in the medium is indispensable for all elicitor responses of larch cells. It can be demonstrated that H2O2is not a part of the signal chain. The importance of inositol phosphates and protein phosphorylation were studied using inhibitors. Neomycin, an inhibitor of the phosphoinositol pathway, blocked only the slower responses whereas staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinases, blocked both rapid and all the slower reactions. These results support the hypothesis that phosphorylation plays an important role even in very early stages of the signal transduction. Key words: elicitor, Fusarium oxysporum, H2O2, Larix decidua, lignin.
A new species of Ophiostoma from North America, similar to Ophiostoma penicillatum
Authors: Jacobs K. , Wingfield M. J. , Bergdahl D. R.
Published: May 2010

Ophiostomatoid fungi that resemble Ophiostoma penicillatum were isolated from insect-infested spruce (Picea sp.) in Japan as well as Larix decidua Mill. (European larch) in North America. Isolates were characterized based on morphology and could be separated into two distinct groups. Those from spruce in Japan represent O. penicillatum, and are characterized by allantoid, slightly curved conidia. The North American isolates from Larix decidua are of a previously undescribed species, characterized by long, narrow conidia. The latter fungus is described as Ophiostoma americanum with an anamorph, Leptographium americanum. Key words: Ophiostoma penicillatum, Ips typographus, Ophiostoma americanum, Dendroctonus simplex, Larix decidua.
Species diversity and distribution of biomass above and below ground among ectomycorrhizal fungi in an old-growth Norway spruce forest in south Sweden
Authors: Dahlberg Anders , Jonsson Lena , Nylund Jan-Erik
Published: May 2010

The structure of an ectomycorrhizal community was assessed on a 100-m2 plot in a 100-year-old, oligotrophic Norway spruce, Picea abies (L.) Karst., forest in southern Sweden. During the 6-year study (1986–1992) sporocarps were identified and their biomass determined. Late in the fall of 1993, we identified mycorrhizas and estimated their abundance. Forty-eight epigeous, ectomycorrhizal taxa were identified based on the examination of sporocarps. Hygrophorus olivaceoalbus (Fr.:Fr.) Fr. and six species of Cortinarius, i.e., C. acutus (Pers.:Fr.) Fr., C. brunneus (Pers.:Fr.) Fr., C. evernius (Fr.:Fr.) Fr., C. obtusus (Fr.) Fr., C. paleaceus Fr., and C. strobilaceus Moser, were found every year. For the period as a whole, they accounted for 32% of the annual sporocarp biomass. Twenty-one species were observed during 1 year only. Cenococcum geophilum Fr. and Piloderma croceum Erikss. & Hjortst. accounted for 18 and 19%, respectively, of the mycorrhizal abundance of the mycorrhizal root tips examined. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based molecular methods, we were able to distinguish 25 taxa forming mycorrhiza from soil cores covering a total of 22.5 cm2 of the forest floor. Twelve of these taxa were identified using a sporocarp or mycelial culture based reference data base containing 25 of the sporocarp-producing species. These 12 species accounted for an average of 74% of the sporocarp biomass. In contrast, their share of the estimated mycorrhizal abundance and biomass was about 30%. At least half of the abundance of the belowground ectomycorrhizal community was accounted for by species that did not produce conspicuous epigeous sporocarps. Ascomycetes accounted for about 20% of the mycorrhizal abundance. Calculations showed that on a per hectare basis there was 8.8 kg of fungal biomass in the form of sporocarps (average annual cumulative production), an estimated 250–400 kg as mycorrhiza (standing crop) and 440 kg in the form of sclerotia of Cenococcum geophilum (standing crop). Key words: ectomycorrhizal community structure, ITS–RFLP, Picea abies.
Threatened dry grasslands in the continental boreal forests of Wood Buffalo National Park
Authors: Schwarz A. G. , Wein Ross W.
Published: May 2010

Dry grasslands in Wood Buffalo National Park are unique biological features at 60°N latitude, since they contain plant species normally found in more southern grasslands at 50–55°N latitude. The objectives of this study were to inventory dry grasslands, classify them according to similarity of species cover, and establish relationships with understory species in Populus tremuloides and shrub communities. Dry grasslands were studied at nine sites; most were clustered in the Salt River and Peace Point areas. The largest unit of grassland was about 3.0 ha, and most units were less than 0.5 ha. This contrasts with the hundreds of hectares recorded earlier in the century. Of the 128 vascular plant species identified, 29 are considered as southern, and of these, 15 are regionally rare. Sixty-four plots were classified into nine community types, using two-way indicator species analysis. A group of six communities were dominated by grass and shrub species with a component of southern grassland species. Three communities, strongly dominated by Populus and shrubs, represent community types that invade dry grasslands. Ordination of plots using detrended correspondence analysis showed relationships among the community types and a clear separation of southern grassland species from those found in forest communities. Vascular plant diversity, as represented by mean species richness, ranged from about 15 to 28, and Shannon diversity indices ranged from 1.883 to 2.615. The cover of southern grassland species was negatively correlated (correlation coefficient of −0.524) with cover of tall shrubs and trees, suggesting that the dry grasslands of Wood Buffalo National Park are threatened by tree and shrub invasion, which is due, in part, to a lack of recent fires at these sites. Key words: northern grasslands, biodiversity, endangered species, endangered spaces.
Morphology and paleoecology of Ricciopsis speirsae sp.nov. (Ricciaceae), a fossil liverwort from the Paleocene Joffre Bridge locality, Alberta, Canada
Authors: Hoffman Georgia L. , Stockey Ruth A.
Published: May 2010

More than 60 specimens of a fossil liverwort gametophyte have been recovered from the Paleocene Paskapoo Formation at the Joffre Bridge locality near Red Deer, Alta. They closely resemble thalli of extant Riccia and have been assigned to the genus Ricciopsis Lundblad. Thalli are linear and prostrate, with smooth margins and a distinct dorsal sulcus. Dichotomous branching occurs in a single plane. Ribbonlike segments reach lengths as great as 55.0 mm, with up to seven dichotomies. Width is typically 1.5–2.0 mm, but abrupt constrictions and dilations are sometimes present proximal to dichotomies. The latter feature distinguishes this fossil from known fossil and living Ricciaceae, and thus it is referred to a new species, Ricciopsis speirsae sp.nov. Liverworts are not common in the fossil record. Ricciopsis speirsae is the first ricciaceous fossil to be described from North America and the first of Paleocene age worldwide. The specimens are found in a layer of lacustrine claystone, scattered among remains of a free-floating lemnaceous plant. Both the geologic setting and the associated fossils indicate that the environment of deposition was a shallow oxbow lake. Key words: Ricciaceae, Riccia, Ricciopsis, liverwort, Paleocene, fossil.
ECONOMIC INTERDEPENDENCE IN ASIA: DEVELOPING INDICATORS FOR REGIONAL INTEGRATION AND COOPERATION
Authors: CAPANNELLI GIOVANNI , LEE JONG-WHA , PETRI PETER A.
Published: May 2010

We develop indicators to measure the degree of economic integration and cooperation among East Asian economies and compare these with similar measures for other regions. Our indicators cover regional integration in trade, investment, financial assets, and people-to-people exchange. We also analyze measures of regional cooperation such as the density of free trade agreements and official policy dialogues. We find that in various Asian groupings, and especially in a group of 16 integrating Asian economies, interdependence in trade, direct investment, financial flows, and other forms of economic and social exchange has increased significantly over time, and now approaches that in the European Union. Nonetheless, Asia's official cooperation remains weak and formal regional institutions remain relatively underdeveloped. To provide insight into the causes of this discrepancy, we also develop quantitative measures of political and cultural similarity of nations, and find that Asian countries have relatively low levels of political and cultural proximity compared to regions such as Europe. The diversity of political interests and cultural values may have hindered more intense cooperation among Asian economies in the past. But if regional economic and social interactions continue to grow, requirements for joint decision-making are also likely to expand, leading to stronger frameworks of official cooperation.
ON THE ASYMPTOTIC ANALYSIS OF THE BGK MODEL TOWARD THE INCOMPRESSIBLE LINEAR NAVIER–STOKES EQUATION
Authors: BELLOUQUID A.
Published: May 2010

This paper deals with the analysis of the asymptotic limit for BGK model to the linearized Navier–Stokes equations when the Knudsen number ε tends to zero. The uniform (in ε) existence of global strong solutions and uniqueness theorems are proved for regular initial fluctuations. As ε tends to zero, the solution of BGK model converges strongly to the solution of the linearized Navier–Stokes systems. The validity of the BGK model is critically analyzed.
THE FISSION BARRIERS OF HEAVY AND EXOTIC NUCLEI
Authors: IVANYUK FEDIR , POMORSKI KRZYSZTOF
Published: May 2010

We have calculated the liquid drop fission barriers of medium and heavy nuclei within the Lublin-Strasbourg-Drop model. Exploiting in addition the topographical theorem by Myers and Światecki we propose a simple but quite accurate approximation of the fission barrier heights. When comparing the r.m.s. deviation of approximated versus experimental values of fission barrier heights for known nuclei with Z > 70 a value 1.1 MeV is obtained which is comparable with the experimental uncertainties. The Strutinsky optimal shape method is generalized to the left-right asymmetric shapes of nuclei in order to investigate the influence of this degree of freedom on the barrier heights.
MICROSCOPIC APPROACH TO NUCLEAR FISSION
Authors: DIETRICH K. , NIEZ J.-J. , BERGER J.-F.
Published: May 2010

A microscopic theory for the decay of a compound nucleus is presented which is formulated in the spirit of transport theories. Its basic physical assumption is the existence of two time scales, a rapid one concerning the creation of intrinsic excitations and a slow one controlling the change of the nuclear shape. This fact is used in the derivation of an equation of motion for the reduced density by applying the so-called Markov approximation. A canonical distribution of the system with regard to the intrinsic excitations at a given shape is assumed as an approximation and a temperature T(q, t) depending on the nuclear shapes and time t is defined so as to render the canonical distribution as realistic as possible.
APPLICATION OF THE GENERALIZED WICK THEOREM IN THE DESCRIPTION OF THE NUCLEAR STRUCTURE IN THE BOSON SPACE
Authors: KWAŚNIEWICZ EDWARD
Published: May 2010

The generalized Wick theorem for coupled operators is applied for a description of a system of N interacting bosons. The matrix elements of the N-bosons Hamiltonian containing one- and two-body terms are expressed in terms of overlaps between N-boson states spanning a boson space. A possibility of transfering of the presented formalism for the description of 2N-fermion systems is also considered.
MODELING THE ELECTROMAGNETIC TRANSITIONS IN TETRAHEDRAL-SYMMETRIC NUCLEI
Authors: GÓŹDŹ A. , DOBROWOLSKI A. , DUDEK J. , MAZUREK K.
Published: May 2010

Collective excitations involving a hypothetical nuclear tetrahedral symmetry, the latter described with the help of the T d point group are discussed. A model combining the zero- and one-phonon excitations with the solutions of the "generalised collective rotor" of Ref.1 is constructed. The solutions belonging to the irreducible representations of the T d-group are constructed and used to calculate transition probabilities from hypothetical tetrahedral bands to the ground-state bands. An example of 156 Dy is discussed.
NUCLEAR ROTATIONAL-BAND INTERACTION-MECHANISM REVISITED
Authors: MOLIQUE HERVÉ , DUDEK JERZY , CURIEN DOMINIQUE , GÓŹDŹ ANDRZEJ , DOBROWOLSKI ARTUR
Published: May 2010

The technique of band-interaction calculations has been widely used for many years in the context of nuclear structure studies and a number of approximations have generally been made in this context. In this article we examine the impact of certain of these simplifications, basing our study on the interaction of some model bands. We show that large uncertainties can result when the interacting-band model is used under the assumptions that quite often are not even explicitly mentioned - neither verified.
NUCLEAR MEAN-FIELD HAMILTONIANS AND FACTORS LIMITING THEIR SPECTROSCOPIC PREDICTIVE POWER: ILLUSTRATIONS
Authors: SZPAK B. , DUDEK J. , PORQUET M.-G. , RYBAK K. , MOLIQUE H. , FORNAL B.
Published: May 2010

Determination of the mean-field Hamiltonian parameters can be seen as gathering information about all the single-particle states out of a very partial information on only a few experimentally known levels. This is exactly what the inverse problem in applied mathematics is about. We illustrate some of the related concepts in view of a preparation of the fully statistically significant parameter adjustment procedures. For this purpose we construct the exactly soluble inverse problems associated with the realistic and phenomenologically powerful nuclear Woods-Saxon Hamiltonian and we analyse a few both physical and mathematical aspects of such procedures. Presented illustrations suggest that to be able to discuss the predictive power of the mean-field Hamiltonians the parameter adjustment procedures must be based on a relatively complex statistical analysis partially addressed in Ref.1
NEW DETECTOR SYSTEM FOR SUPER HEAVY ELEMENTS DETECTION
Authors: WIELOCH A. , SOSIN Z. , BAŃKA P. , GONCIARZ A. , PÉTER J. , DROUART A. , DAYRAS R. , ŁOJEK K. , STODEL CH. , ADAMCZYK M. , AVEZ B. , LASKO P. , ZOSIAK Ł. , KOZIK T. , ALAMANOS N. , GILLIBERT A. , GRÉVY S. , HANAPPE F. , HANNACHI F. , HUE R. , KHOUAJA A. , LOPEZ-MARTENS A. , MANDUCI L. , DE OLIVEIRA SANTOS F. , POLITI G. , SAINT-LAURENT M. G. , STUTTGÉ L. , VANDAMME CH. , WIELECZKO J. P. , PIASECKI E. , TRZCIŃSKA A. , GAWLIKOWICZ W. , KISIELEWSKI M. , KOWALCZYK M. , KORDYASZ A. , BŁOCKI J.
Published: May 2010

A new detector system dedicated for very/super heavy elements (VHE/SHE) detection that decay by spontaneous fission is presented. Such a decay mode of nuclei can be found e.g. in the region of Z ≈100 (Fermium). Future experiments realized in the frame of French-Polish collaboration at the cyclotrons in GANIL and in the Heavy Ion Laboratory (HIL), University of Warsaw, is described. The results of test measurements made in the HIL for reactions 20 Ne (8 A . MeV )+120 Sn , 179 Au are presented.
CLOSED-ORBIT THEORY FOR SPATIAL DENSITY OSCILLATIONS
Authors: BRACK MATTHIAS , ROCCIA JÉRÔME
Published: May 2010

We briefly review a recently developed semiclassical theory1 for quantum oscillations in the spatial (particle and kinetic energy) densities of finite fermion systems and present some examples of its results. We then discuss the inclusion of correlations (finite temperatures, pairing correlations) in the semiclassical theory.
WIGNER-KIRKWOOD METHOD FOR MICROSCOPIC-MACROSCOPIC CALCULATION OF BINDING ENERGIES
Authors: BHAGWAT A. , VIÑAS X. , WYSS R. , SCHUCK P.
Published: May 2010

We propose to use the semi-classical Wigner-Kirkwood ħ expansion to calculate shell corrections for spherical and deformed nuclei. The expansion is carried out up to fourth order in ħ. A systematic study of Wigner-Kirkwood averaged energies is presented as a function of the deformation degrees of freedom. The shell corrections, along with the pairing energies obtained by using the Lipkin-Nogami scheme are used in the microscopic-macroscopic approach to calculate binding energies. The macroscopic part is obtained from a liquid drop formula with six adjustable parameters. Considering a set of 367 spherical nuclei, the liquid drop parameters are adjusted to reproduce the experimental binding energies, which yields a rms deviation of 630 keV.
THE MODIFICATION OF THE SCALAR FIELD IN DENSE NUCLEAR MATTER
Authors: ROŻYNEK JACEK
Published: May 2010

We show the possible evolution of the nuclear deep inelastic structure function with nuclear density ρ. The nucleon deep inelastic structure function represents distribution of quarks as a function of Björken variable x, which measures the longitudinal fraction of the momentum carried by them during deep inelastic scattering (DIS) of electrons on nuclear targets. The quark localization is proportional to 1/x and this relation introduces the dependence of the nucleon structure function on the nuclear medium. Starting with small density and negative pressure in nuclear matter (NM), we have relatively large inter-nucleon distances and increasing role of nuclear interaction mediated by virtual mesons. When the density approaches the saturation point, ρ = ρ0, we have no longer separate mesons and nucleons but eventually modified nucleon structure function (SF) in the medium. The ratio of the nuclear to the nucleon SF measured at the saturation point is well known as the "EMC effect". For larger density, ρ > ρ0, when the localization of quarks is smaller than 0.3 fm, the nucleons overlap. We argue that nucleon mass should start to decrease in order to satisfy the momentum sum rule (MSR) of DIS. These modifications of the nucleon structure function are calculated in the frame of the nuclear relativistic mean field (RMF) convolution model. The correction to the Fermi energy from a term proportional to the pressure is very important and its inclusion modifies the equation of state (EoS) for the nuclear matter.
EFFECT OF SUBSTITUTION OF K FOR Na ON THE FERROELECTRIC STABILITY AND PROPERTIES OF (Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3-BaTiO3-(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3
Authors: JO WOOK , RÖDEL JÜRGEN , LEE JONG-SOOK , BAIK YOON-HEE , PARK CHAN
Published: May 2010

The effect of an isovalent chemical variation in A site cations on the stability of ferroelectric order and consequent changes in the electrical properties of ferroelectric 0.93( Bi 1/2 Na 1/2) TiO 3-0.05 BaTiO 3-0.02( K 0.5 Na 0.5) NbO 3 (0.93 BNT -0.05 BT -0.02 KNN ) lead-free piezoceramic at the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) was investigated by substituting K for Na . X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that all the studied compositions undergo an irreversible phase transition from a pseudocubic to a mixture of rhombohedral and tetragonal phases during poling. In spite of the absence of an obvious structural difference, both electric-field-induced strain and polarization hysteresis loops show a clear distinction. It was found that the effect of substitution is so drastic that about 0.5 at% substitution renders the material softer and more than 1.0 at% results in a significant destabilization of the ferroelectric order. However, no notable difference in the temperature dependent permittivity measurements was detected, which suggests that the depoling of these materials has some other origin than a symmetry-breaking phase transition.