bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SEARCHING FOR EFFECTS OF TENSOR FORCES IN NUCLEI
Authors: TANIHATA ISAO
Published: July 2010

Effects of tensor interactions in nucleus are discussed from the experimental view points. Two recent studies, one is the mixing of s- and p- waves in 11 Li halo and the other is the high momentum component in the nucleon wave function from a transfer reaction. Preliminary results of 16 O ( p , d )15 O reaction show an abnormal relative enhancement of the transition to the positive parity state of 15 O , which is not a hole state, consistent with contents of high momentum nucleon expected from the tensor interactions. The importance of the inclusion of tensor force, that can not be described in the mean field model, is discussed.
ISOBARIC ANALOGUE STATES STUDIED IN MIRRORED FRAGMENTATION AND KNOCKOUT REACTIONS
Authors: BENTLEY M. A. , PATERSON I. , BROWN J. R. , TAYLOR M. J. , DIGET C. Aa. , ADRICH P. , BAZIN D. , COOK J. M. , GADE A. , GLASMACHER T. , McDANIEL S. , RATKIEWICZ A. , SIWEK K. , WEISSHAAR D. , PRITYCHENCKO B. , LENZI S. M.
Published: July 2010

A Gamma-ray spectroscopic study of excited states of isobaric multiplets has been performed in recent years, with a view to gaining a quantitative understanding of energy differences between excited states in terms of a range of Coulomb and other isospin breaking phenomena. Recently, the experimental programme has been augmented by a study of isobaric analogue states of mirror nuclei populated in mirrored fragmentation reactions. In this presentation, recent results on the [Formula: see text] analogue states in the [Formula: see text] mirror pair 53 Ni /53 Mn will be summarised. In this work, further strong evidence is found for the need to include an anomalous isospin-breaking two-body matrix element for angular-momentum couplings of J = 2, in addition the expected Coulomb contribution, in order to account for the experimental data.
A UNIFIED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICLE-HOLE AND CLUSTER EXCITATIONS IN A FEW-BODY APPROACH
Authors: HORIUCHI W. , SUZUKI Y.
Published: July 2010

We attempt at describing the particle-hole and cluster excitations for A ~ 16 nuclei in a single scheme of a 12 C core plus few-nucleon model. A nucleon-12 C potential is derived based on a collective model taking into account the core excitation and its parameters are determined to reproduce the low-lying spectrum of 13 C . The model is tested in three- and four-body systems, 14 C , 14 N and 15 C . Preliminary results of the five-body systems for 16 C and 16 O are reported.
COLLECTIVE MODES WITHIN SKYRME-SECOND RPA
Authors: GRASSO M. , GAMBACURTA D. , CATARA F.
Published: July 2010

Second RPA calculations with a Skyrme force are performed to describe both high- and low-lying excited states in 16 O . The coupling between 1 particle-1 hole and 2 particle-2 hole as well as that between 2 particle-2 hole configurations are fully taken into account and the residual interaction is never neglected. For the rearrangement terms in the matrix elements beyond standard RPA two approximations are employed: they are either neglected or evaluated with the RPA procedure. A several-MeV shift of the strength distribution to lower energies is systematically found with respect to RPA distributions. A better description of the excitation energies of the low-lying 0+ and 2+ states is obtained with second RPA with respect to RPA.
ALPHA CLUSTERING AND CONDENSATION IN 16O
Authors: FUNAKI Y. , YAMADA T. , HORIUCHI H. , RÖPKE G. , SCHUCK P. , TOHSAKI A.
Published: July 2010

The α-particle condensed state in 16 O is investigated by the use of 4α OCM (Orthogonality Condition Model). Low-lying spectrum in experiment is well reproduced up to around the 4α break-up threshold. The excited state obtained around the 4α threshold as the [Formula: see text] state is shown to have a dilute density structure and give strong enhancement of the occupation of the S-state c.o.m. orbital of the α-particles. This is strong evidence that the state is regarded as the 4α condensed state.
CLUSTER STRUCTURES IN 3/2- AND 1/2+ STATES OF 11B
Authors: YAMADA T. , FUNAKI Y.
Published: July 2010

Cluster structures of 3/2- and 1/2+ states in 11 B are investigated with a semi-microscopic α + α + t cluster model based on the Gaussian expansion method. The [Formula: see text] state, characterized by the monopole transition strength as large as the Hoyle state ([Formula: see text] at Ex = 7.65 MeV in 12 C ), was found to have a loosely bound α+α+t cluster structure, although its features is not similar to those of the Hoyle state with the dilute 3α-condensate-like character (0Sα)3, in which the α particle is occupied in a single 0S-orbit with about 70% probability. We indicate that the 12.56-MeV state (Jπ = 1/2+) around the α + α +t threshold observed in the 7 Li (7 Li ,11 B *)t reaction etc. is a strong candidate for the Hoyle-analogue state with the main configuration of (0Sα)2(0St) from the analyses of the single-cluster motions in 11 B .
ISOMER SPECTROSCOPY AT RI BEAM LINE IN RCNP
Authors: ODAHARA A. , TAKASHIMA A. , SUGA M. , TAJIRI K. , KURATA K. , TAKATSU J. , ITO Y. , KENMOKU Y. , YAMAGUCHI K. , KAZATO M. , KURA K. , SHIMODA T. , SUZUKI T. , WATANABE H. , NISHIMURA S. , GONO Y. , IDEGUCHI E. , GO S. , WAKABAYASHI Y. , MORIKAWA T. , PETRACHE C. , BEAUMEL D.
Published: July 2010

Experiments based on the isomer-spectroscopy method were performed using the secondary beam line at RCNP, Osaka University. Recently, a new γ-ray spectroscopy method was established using fusion reaction induced by low-energy RI beam. This method enables us to study high-spin states of nuclei in wider mass region where it is difficult to populate them by using the combination of stable beams and stable targets. This method works well although low production of nuclei, because (1) the combination of beams and targets can be selected with large-reaction cross section and (2) high-S/N measurement can be performed by the event-by-event detection to select the events correlated with RI beam, which reduces background γ rays, competing with γ rays emitted from fusion products.

As the first step, high-spin states of 142 Pr were studied using fusion reaction induced by low-energy 17 N RI beam. Large cross section was obtained by the 130 Te (17 N ,5 n ) reaction with 4.9 MeV/u 17 N beam. Event selection, which was carried out by the event-by-event detection with low-beam intensity of 2×104 pps, enables high-S/N measurement.
SHELL STRUCTURE IN NEUTRON-RICH Ca AND Ni NUCLEI
Authors: NAKADA H.
Published: July 2010

The shell structure of the neutron-rich Ca and Ni nuclei is investigated by the spherical Hartree-Fock calculations with the semi-realistic NN interactions. The tensor force plays a significant role in the Z dependence of the shell structure, as is exemplified by N = 32 and N = 40. Loose binding may lead to a submagic number N = 58 in 86 Ni , assisted by the weak pair coupling.
Tz = ±1 → 0 ISOSPIN SYMMETRY GAMOW-TELLER TRANSITIONS IN pf-SHELL NUCLEI
Authors: FUJITA Y. , ADACHI T. , FUJITA H. , SHIMBARA Y. , RCNP High Resolution ³He, t collabo  , RUBIO B. , GELLETLY W. , MOLINA F. , Valencia, Surrey, Osaka, GSI, Istan
Published: July 2010

Studying the Gamow-Teller (GT) transitions of stable as well as unstable pf-shell nuclei is one of the key issues in nuclear and astro-nuclear physics. Under the assumption that isospin T is a good quantum number, symmetry is expected for mirror nuclei and the GT transitions starting from the mirror nuclei. We study the GT transitions starting from Tz = ±1 mirror nuclei, respectively, by means of hadronic (3 He , t) charge-exchange reactions and complementary β decays.
RELATIVISTIC HARTREE-FOCK MODEL WITH SHORT RANGE CORRELATION IN NUCLEAR MATTER
Authors: HU J. , TOKI H. , WEN W. , SHEN H.
Published: July 2010

We introduce the form factor and short range correlation in the relativistic Hartree-Fock approximation (RHFU) to study the properties of nuclear matter. We treat the short range correlation with the unitary correlation operator method (UCOM). In this framework, we can perfectly reproduce the equation of state of pure neutron matter obtained by the relativistic Brueckner-Hartree-Fock theory with the Bonn potential. We apply the RHFU model to symmetric nuclear matter. The contribution of ρ meson is cut down largely by the form factor of the size in the realistic nucleon-nucleon interaction. The short range correlation has a significant effect on the Fock energies of pion and ρ meson exchange interaction.
LOW-ENERGY DIPOLE EXCITATIONS IN NEON ISOTOPES AND N = 6 ISOTONES
Authors: MARTINI M. , PÉRU S.
Published: July 2010

Low-energy dipole excitations in Neon isotopes and N = 16 isotones are calculated with a fully consistent axially-symmetric-deformed Quasi-particle Random Phase Approximation (QRPA) approach based on Hartree-Fock-Bogolyubov (HFB) states. The same Gogny D1S effective force has been used both in HFB and QRPA calculations. The behavior of proton and neutron transition densities is presented in order to determine the isoscalar or isovector nature of the excitations.
β-DECAY HALF-LIVES AROUND 78Ni AND 132Sn IN A SELF-CONSISTENT APPROACH
Authors: MINATO FUTOSHI , BAI CHUNLIN
Published: July 2010

β-decay half-lives around 78 Ni and 132 Sn are studied with proton-neutron Quasiparticle Random Phase Approximation on the basis of Skyrme-Hartree-Fock (SHF) method. We take into account tensor force correlation in calculating the ground and excited states and find it improves the half-life of 132 Sn . However, the Q value is still underestimated. We also discuss that half-lives do not strongly depend on type of particle-particle interaction in isospin T = 0 channel.
EXOTIC NUCLEAR STRUCTURES OF LIGHT UNSTABLE NUCLEI VIA REACTION CROSS SECTION MEASUREMENT
Authors: NISHIMURA D. , FUKUDA M. , TAKECHI M. , MIHARA M. , KOMURASAKI J. , MATSUMIYA R. , MATSUTA K. , HACHIMUMA I. , KUBOKI T. , MIURA M. , NAKAJIMA S. , NAMIHIRA K. , SAITO K. , SUZUKI T. , YAMAGUCHI T. , YOSHITAKE M. , NAGASHIMA M. , OHKUMA Y. , OHTSUBO T. , SHINBARA Y. , WATANABE R. , IZUMIKAWA T. , LANTZ M. , TANAKA K. , SUDA T. , MORIGUCHI T. , OZAWA A. , ISHIKAWA D. , YASUDA Y. , MOMOTA S. , FUKUDA S. , KANAZAWA M. , KITAGAWA A. , SATO S.
Published: July 2010

Reaction cross sections for 11 Be and 8 B on proton targets at 40A - 120A MeV have been measured by the transmission method. With these data, we can discuss the proton- and neutron- density distributions at the nuclear surface independently in principle using the Glauber theory. Our experimental results support that the constituent of halo in 11 Be is neutron dominantly and that of 8 B is proton dominantly.
PHENOMENOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE OBLATE-PROLATE SYMMETRY BREAKING IN TRIAXIAL DEFORMATION DYNAMICS
Authors: SATO KOICHI , HINOHARA NOBUO , NAKATSUKASA TAKASHI , MATSUO MASAYUKI
Published: July 2010

From a viewpoint of oblate-prolate symmetry and its breaking, we propose a simple model based on the quadrupole collective Hamiltonian to study dynamics of triaxial deformation in shape coexistence phenomena. The numerical results suggest that the oblate-prolate symmetry breaking in the rotational moments of inertia can play an important role for the oblate-prolate shape coexistence as well as that in the collective potential.
MICROSCOPIC ANALYSIS OF SHAPE MIXING IN LOW-LYING STATES OF PROTON-RICH Kr ISOTOPES
Authors: SATO KOICHI , HINOHARA NOBUO , NAKATSUKASA TAKASHI , MATSUO MASAYUKI
Published: July 2010

We develop a method of determining microscopically the collective potential and inertial masses in the five-dimensional quadrupole collective Hamiltonian on the basis of the adiabatic self-consistent collective coordinate method. We apply this method to shape coexistence/mixing phenomena in low-lying states of the proton-rich Kr isotopes.
ENTRANCE CHANNEL INDEPENDENCE IN THE DECAY OF 215Fr* NUCLEUS
Authors: SHARMA MANOJ K. , SAWHNEY GUDVEEN , KANWAR SHEFALI , GUPTA RAJ K.
Published: July 2010

The fusion-fission excitation functions for the decay of compound nucleus 215 Fr *, formed in 11 B +204 Pb and 18 O +197 Au reaction channels, are studied on the Dynamical Cluster-decay Model (DCM), showing entrance channel independence, in agreement with experiments, not invoking any quasi-fission (qf) process in either of the two channels.
PAIR VIBRATION 0+ STATE IN NEUTRON-RICH Sn ISOTOPE: CONTINUUM QRPA ANALYSIS OF NEUTRON PAIR TRANSFER STRENGTH
Authors: SHIMOYAMA HIROTAKA , MATSUO MASAYUKI
Published: July 2010

We discuss the pair transfer mode populating pair vibration [Formula: see text] state in neutron-rich Sn isotopes by means of the continuum quasi particle random phase approximation (continuum QRPA). It is seen that the strength of the two-neutron addition transfer from the ground state to the [Formula: see text] state is significantly enhanced beyond the N=82 shell gap.
QUADRUPOLE DEFORMATION β AND γ CONSTRAINT IN A FRAMEWORK OF ANTISYMMETRIZED MOLECULAR DYNAMICS
Authors: SUHARA TADAHIRO , KANADA-EN'YO YOSHIKO
Published: July 2010

We propose a new method of the β-γ constraint for quadrupole deformation in antisymmetrized molecular dynamics (AMD) to describe various cluster and shell-model structures in the ground and excited states of light nuclei. To check its applicability, we apply this method to N = 6 isotones, 10 Be , 12 C , 9 Li , and 11 B , and find various shell-model and cluster structures as functions of the deformation parameters, β and γ. We also investigate 14 C with the β-γ constraint AMD. For positive-parity states, above the ground band, three excited bands with the developed 3α-cluster core structures are suggested. Characteristic structures such as a triaxial structure and a linear-chain structure having 10 Be +α correlation appear in the excited bands.
FIRST γ-RAY SPECTROSCOPY AND ISOSPIN SYMMETRY STUDY OF THE N = Z - 2 NUCLEUS 44V
Authors: TAYLOR M. J. , BENTLEY M. A. , BROWN J. , WADSWORTH R. , KENT P.E. , LISTER C. J. , SEWERYNIAK D. , CARPENTER M. P. , JANSSENS R. V. F. , ZHU S. , LAURITSEN T. , ANDERSON L-L. , JOHANSSON E. , GARRETT P. E.
Published: July 2010

Excited states in the Tz = -1 nucleus 44 V have been observed for the first time. The states have been identified through recoil-γ-γ coincidences and comparison with analogue states in the mirror nucleus 44 Sc . Mirror energy differences have been extracted and compared to state-of-the-art fp shell-model calculations which include charge symmetry breaking forces.
THE CENTRAL CHARGE OF THE WARPED AdS3 BLACK HOLE
Authors: GUPTA KUMAR S. , HARIKUMAR E. , SEN SIDDHARHTA , SIVAKUMAR M.
Published: July 2010

The AdS/CFT conjecture offers the possibility of a quantum description for a black hole in terms of a CFT. This has led to the study of general AdS3 type black holes with a view to constructing an explicit toy quantum black hole model. Such a CFT description would be characterized by its central charge and the dimensions of its primary fields. Recently, the expression for the central charges (CL, CR) of the CFT dual to the warped AdS3 have been determined using asymptotic symmetry arguments. The central charges depend, as expected, on the warping factor. We show that topological arguments, used by Witten to constrain central charges for the BTZ black hole, can be generalized to deal with the warped AdS3 case. Topology constrains the warped factor to be rational numbers while quasi-normal modes are conjectured to give the dimensions of primary fields. We find that in the limit when warping is large or when it takes special rational values, the system tends to Witten's conjectured unique CFTs with central charges that are multiples of 24.
CHAOTIFICATION OF SPATIOTEMPORAL SYSTEMS
Authors: LI PING , LI ZHONG , HALANG WOLFGANG A.
Published: July 2010

Spatiotemporal chaotic systems have been applied to design pseudo-random-bit generators or ciphers for better cryptographic performance, where spatiotemporal chaos is desirable. This paper presents a chaotification method (or anti-chaos control) for creating spatiotemporal systems, which are originally either nonchaotic or chaotic, strongly chaotic. Sufficient conditions on the system parameters for chaotification are obtained. A mathematically rigorous proof shows that the chaotified system satisfying the parameter conditions is chaotic in the sense of Li–Yorke and Devaney, respectively. Moreover, the chaotification method is applicable to other spatiotemporal systems even with different configurations. Simulation results have illustrated the effectiveness of the proposed chaotification method. Additionally, the statistical properties of the spatiotemporal systems and their chaotified counterparts are analyzed and compared, showing that the chaotification method endows the spatiotemporal systems with good statistical properties. Therefore, the chaotification method can be used for applications of spatiotemporal systems in cryptography.
MATCHING DESCRIPTORS OF NOISY OUTLINE SHAPES
Authors: AOUAT SALIHA , LARABI SLIMANE
Published: July 2010

In this paper, we propose a method for matching silhouettes descriptors written following XLWDOS language (Xml Language for Writing Descriptors of Outline Shapes). As we will see, XLWDOS descriptors are sensitive to noise. A Gaussian convolution of 2D silhouettes is applied in order to smooth outline shapes. Depending on the Gaussian scale values, new silhouettes descriptors are obtained and used in the matching process. We also propose a "reduction technique" to process noisy shapes and match corresponding XLWDOS descriptors using only "textual transformations". Experiments, performed on a set of images, show that our matching methods overcome the XLWDOS noise sensitiveness.
PARTIALLY PIPELINED VLSI IMPLEMENTATION OF BLOWFISH ENCRYPTION/DECRYPTION ALGORITHM
Authors: KARTHIGAIKUMAR P. , BASKARAN K.
Published: July 2010

Information security has always been important in all aspects of life as technology controls various operations. Cryptography provides a layer of security in cases where the medium of transmission is susceptible to interception, by translating a message into a form that cannot be read by an unauthorized third party. All non-quantum transmission media known today are capable of being intercepted in one way or another. This paper seeks to implement a novel partial pipelined, robust architecture of Blowfish algorithm in hardware. Blowfish algorithm has no known cryptanalysis. The best proven attack against Blowfish till date is an exhaustive brute-force attack. This makes Blowfish an attractive cryptographic algorithm since it is not susceptible to any reasonable attack. The hardware implementation of Blowfish would be a powerful tool for any mobile device, or any technology requiring strong encryption. The proposed design uses the core_slow library for worst-case scenario analysis and attains an incredible encryption speed of 2670 MBits/sec and decryption speed of 2642 MBits/sec. The area is 5986 LUT's and the power is a mere 77 mW.
EFFICIENT INVARIANT IMAGE REGISTRATION UTILIZING PRE-SHIFTED LOGARITHMIC SPIRAL
Authors: MATUNGKA RITTAVEE , ZHENG YUAN F. , EWING ROBERT L.
Published: July 2010

Image registration is an essential step in many image processing applications that need visual information from multiple images for comparison, integration or analysis. Recently researchers have introduced image registration techniques using the log-polar transform (LPT) for its rotation and scale invariant properties. However, there are two major problems with the LPT based image registration method: inefficient sampling point distribution and high computational cost in the matching procedure. Motivated by the success of LPT based approach, we propose a novel pre-shifted logarithmic spiral (PSLS) approach that distributes the sampling point more efficiently, robust to translation, scale, and rotation. By pre-shifting the sampling point by π/nθ radian, the total number of samples in the angular direction can be reduced by half. This yields great reduction in computational load in the matching process. Translation between the registered images is recovered with the new search scheme using Gabor feature extraction to accelerate the localization procedure. Experiments on real images demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed approach for registering images that are subjected to scale, rotation and translation.
CREATING THE DISPLACEMENT MAPPED LOW-LEVEL MESH AND ITS APPLICATION FOR CG SOFTWARE
Authors: MIYAZAKI RYUJI , HARADA KOICHI
Published: July 2010

In this paper, we propose a new method for creating the displacement map to restore the detailed geometry from the low-level base mesh. The displacement mapping actually changes the surface geometry with the displacement information. Recent CG software can treat the displacement mapping for increasing the accuracy of the surface. We convert the displacement map to the color image that is mapped to the low-level mesh in order to utilize the displacement map by existing CG software. Because displacement information is in image format, we can compress the displacement information by any image compression technique. The load for creating the three-dimensional scene is reduced by using such a low-level mesh which has the displacement information.

We obtain the displacement information by finding the point on the input mesh corresponding to the point on the base mesh. The corresponding point is calculated by using the barycentric coordinate of the parameterized mesh. Because the mesh parameterization creates one-to-one mapping between the input mesh and the base mesh, we can avoid the problems that are caused by the traditional ray-triangle intersection method. For demonstration, we restore the detailed surface from our result by using the Blender 2.44.
DISCOVERING IMPORTANT SEQUENTIAL PATTERNS WITH LENGTH-DECREASING WEIGHTED SUPPORT CONSTRAINTS
Authors: YUN UNIL , RYU KEUN HO
Published: July 2010

Sequential pattern mining with constraints has been developed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness in mining process. Specifically, there are two interesting constraints for sequential pattern mining. First, some sequences are more important and others are less important. Weight constraints consider the importance of sequences and items within sequences. Second, patterns including only a few items are interesting if they have high support. Meanwhile, long patterns can be interesting although their supports are relatively small. Weight constraints and length-decreasing support constraints are two paradigms aimed at finding important sequential patterns and reducing uninteresting patterns. Although weight and length-decreasing support constraints are vital elements, it is hard to consider both constraints by using previous approaches. In this paper, we integrate weight and length-decreasing support constraints by pushing two constraints into the prefix projection growth method. For pruning techniques, we define the Weighted Smallest Valid Extension property and apply the property to our pruning methods for reducing search space. In performance test, we show that our algorithm mines important sequential patterns with length-decreasing support constraints.
Nonlinear Volterra Integral Equation of the Second Kind and Biorthogonal Systems
Authors: Berenguer M. I. , Gámez D. , Garralda-Guillem A. I. , Serrano Pérez M. C.
Published: July 2010

We obtain an approximation of the solution of the nonlinear Volterra integral equation
of the second kind, by means of a new method for its numerical resolution. The main tools used to establish
it are the properties of a biorthogonal system in a Banach space and the Banach fixed point theorem.
On Strong Monomorphisms and Strong Epimorphisms
Authors: Al Shumrani M. A.
Published: July 2010

J. Dydak and F. R. Ruiz del Portal defined strong monomorphism and strong epimorphism in procategories. They obtained a useful characterization of them and some results. In this paper, we aim to study these notions further and obtain some properties of them.
Increasing Prevalence of Unique Mutation Patterns in H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus HA and NA Glycoproteins from Human Infections in Egypt
Authors: Abdelwhab El-Sayed M. , Hafez Hafez M. , Aly Mona M. , Grund Christian , Harder Timm C.
Published: July 2010

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus (HPAIV) continues to be a candidate of a further influenza virus pandemic. Egypt is the country worst affected by human cases of HPAIV H5N1 infection in 2009. Increased infection of preschool children and decreased mortality rates suggested subtle changes in the epidemiology of the infection. Among other factors, the evolution of several conspicuous viral genetic markers in the HA and NA genes of HPAIV H5N1 viruses of human cases from Egypt and their putative influence on biological virus characteristics described here may contribute to this situation.
Learning Arm/Hand Coordination with an Altered Visual Input
Authors: Iftime Nielsen Simona Denisia , Došen Strahinja , Popović Mirjana B. , Popović Dejan B.
Published: July 2010

The focus of this study was to test a novel tool for the analysis of motor coordination with an altered visual input. The altered visual input was created using special glasses that presented the view as recorded by a video camera placed at various positions around the subject. The camera was positioned at a frontal (F), lateral (L), or top (T) position with respect to the subject. We studied the differences between the arm-end (wrist) trajectories while grasping an object between altered vision (F, L, and T conditions) and normal vision (N) in ten subjects. The outcome measures from the analysis were the trajectory errors, the movement parameters, and the time of execution. We found substantial trajectory errors and an increased execution time at the baseline of the study. We also found that trajectory errors decreased in all conditions after three days of practice with the altered vision in the F condition only for 20 minutes per day, suggesting that recalibration of the visual systems occurred relatively quickly. These results indicate that this recalibration occurs via movement training in an altered condition. The results also suggest that recalibration is more difficult to achieve for altered vision in the F and L conditions compared to the T condition. This study has direct implications on the design of new rehabilitation systems.
Microstructural Characters of Lyctinae and Dinoderinae (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)
Authors: Liu Lan-Yu
Published: July 2010

Thirty-three species belonging to the bostrichid subfamilies Lyctinae and Dinoderinae were examined by low vacuum ESEM without sputtering. Eight types of microsculpture, five types of hair insertion, and 14 types of hair were found on the elytral disc and declivity. The different types of microstructure are described and illustrated with ESEM photos of each type. Surface microstructures provide additional taxonomically useful characters which can help to distinguish easily confused species. The study also showed that specimens can be examined under ESEM without any damage.
A Review of the Pathophysiology and Novel Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Lasker George F. , Maley Jason H. , Kadowitz Philip J.
Published: July 2010

Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects up to 50% of men between the ages of 40 and 70. Treatment with PDE-5 inhibitors is effective in the majority of men with ED. However, PDE-5 inhibitors are not effective when levels of nitric oxide (NO), the principle mediator of erection, are low. The pharmacologic actions of three new potential treatments for ED are discussed in this paper: (1) sGC stimulators/activators, (2) Rho-kinase inhibitors, and (3) sodium nitrite.
IgD Multiple Myeloma Paraproteinemia as a Cause of Myositis
Authors: Colombo I. , Fruguglietti M. E. , Napoli L. , Sciacco M. , Tagliaferri E. , Della Volpe A. , Crugnola V. , Bresolin N. , Moggio M. , Prelle A.
Published: July 2010

A 48-years old man was diagnosed an IgD-k multiple myeloma (MM) at age 38 years for which he successfully underwent chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant. He then developed a graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) whose manifestations included, three years later, a polymyositis, diagnosed at muscle biopsy and successfully treated with steroids. Few months after polymyositis remission, myeloma relapsed and the patient was treated with thalidomide for six years with good remission. Soon after thalidomide suspension, MM relapsed again and the patient came to our observation for a new onset of neuromuscular symptoms. He underwent both muscle and peripheral nerve biopsy to discriminate between myositis (paraproteinemia versus GVHD), amyloidosis, and thalidomide toxicity. The first muscle biopsy showed an inflammatory pattern with necrotic fibres, macrophagical invasion (CD68 positive), rare interstitial cellular infiltrates (CD8 positive and CD4 negative), widespread anti-HLA positivity and negative antiMAC. The second muscle biopsy showed the same inflammatory pattern plus an involvement of blood vessels. Direct immunofluorescence for IgD showed diffuse positivity along the sarcolemmal in both muscle biopsies. Sural nerve biopsy demonstrated both demyelinating and axonal aspects with no inflammatory infiltrates, but positivity for HLA and MAC. Congo Red was negative in both skeletal muscle and peripheral nerve.
Ekpyrotic Nongaussianity: A Review
Authors: Lehners Jean-Luc
Published: July 2010

Ekpyrotic models and their cyclic extensions solve the standard cosmological flatness, horizon,
and homogeneity puzzles by postulating a slowly contracting phase of the universe prior
to the big bang. This ekpyrotic phase also manages to produce a nearly scale‐invariant spectrum
of scalar density fluctuations but, crucially, with significant nongaussian corrections.
In fact, some versions of ekpyrosis are on the borderline of being ruled out by observations,
while, interestingly, the best‐motivated models predict levels of nongaussianity that will be
measurable by near‐future experiments. Here, we review these predictions in detail, and
comment on their implications.
Alterations in Lipids and Adipocyte Hormones in Female-to-Male Transsexuals
Authors: Chandra Prakash , Basra Sukhdeep S. , Chen Tai C. , Tangpricha Vin
Published: July 2010

Testosterone therapy in men and women results in decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL). We sought to determine whether testosterone therapy has this same effect on lipid parameters and adipocyte hormones in female-to-male (FTM) transsexuals. Twelve FTM transsexuals provided a fasting lipid profile including serum total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides prior to and after 1 year of testosterone therapy (testosterone enanthate or cypionate 50–125 mg IM every two weeks). Subjects experienced a significant decrease in mean serum HDL (52±11to40±7 mg/dL)(P<.001). The mean LDL(P=.316), triglyceride(P=.910), and total cholesterol(P=.769)levels remained unchanged. In a subset of subjects, we measured serum leptin levels which were reduced by 25% but did not reach statistical significance(P=.181)while resistin levels remained unchanged. We conclude that testosterone therapy in FTM transsexuals can promote an increased atherogenic lipid profile by lowering HDL and possibly reduce serum leptin levels. However, long-term studies are needed to determine whether decreases in HDL result in adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
History of the Ductus Arteriosus: 1. Anatomy and Spontaneous Closure
Authors: Obladen Michael
Published: July 2010

Ductus arteriosus and foramen ovale were described by Galen without understanding their functions. His beliefs in soul localization and spiritization within the left ventricle established religious pneumatology which became a theological need in the Middle Ages. Pulmonary transit was recognized by Servetus and Colombo after the Reformation around 1550. This prompted Harvey’s full understanding of the fetal circulation. Botallo did not describe the ductus arteriosus, but in 1564 redescribed the foramen ovale, making his way into the nomina anatomica by mistake. Most authors of the 19th and 20th century believed ductal patency to be passive, and postnatal closure to be an active process, explained by mechanical theories. After the discovery of prostaglandins by Bergstrom and Vane, Coceani proved that ductal patency is maintained by the relaxant action of prostaglandins.
Identification of 4-[4-(4-Fluoro-Phenyl)-Thiazol-2-Ylamino]-2,6-Dimethyl-Phenol (KR-33749) as an Inhibitor of 5-Lipoxygenase with Potent Antiinflammatory Activity
Authors: Cho Young Sik , Kim Chi Hyun , Surh Ji Hee , Kang Nam Sook , Yoo Sung-Eun , Cheon Hyae Gyeong
Published: July 2010

Background/Aim: To discover new 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitors applicable to inflammation-related skin disease, we identified and examined antiinflammatory properties of a novel 5-LO inhibitor, KR-33749, in vitro and in vivo. Methods: 5-LO enzyme activity was assayed using insect cell lysates overexpressing rat 5-LO. The leukotriene B4 (LTB4) level was assayed in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-1) cell line. Mouse ear edema was induced by topical application of arachidonic acid. Atopic dermatitis-like skin lesion was induced by topical application of 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB) to NC/Nga mice. Results: KR-33749 inhibited 5-LO activity with an IC50 value of 70.5 ± 6.0 nmol/l in parallel with LTB4 inhibition in RBL-1 cells. The compound exhibited a >1,000-fold selectivity against 12-LO and 15-LO. KR-33749 showed in vivo protective effects against arachidonic acid-induced ear edema and DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis-like symptoms in NC/Nga mice. Conclusion: Our results show that KR-33749, a new 5-LO inhibitor exhibits potent antiinflammatory activities in vitro as well as in vivo.
Dilation of Epicardial Coronary Arteries by the G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor Agonists G-1 and ICI 182,780
Authors: Meyer Matthias R. , Baretella Oliver , Prossnitz Eric R. , Barton Matthias
Published: July 2010

Endogenous estrogens protect from coronary artery disease in premenopausal women, but the mechanisms involved are only partly understood. This study investigated whether activation of the novel G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER, formerly known as GPR30) affects coronary artery tone, and whether this is affected by concomitant blockade of estrogen receptors (ER) α and β. Rings of epicardial porcine coronary arteries suspended in organ chambers were precontracted with prostaglandin F2α, and direct effects of G-1 (GPER agonist) and ICI 182,780 (GPER agonist and ERα/ERβ antagonist) were determined. In addition, indirect effects on contractility to endothelin-1 and serotonin (a vasoconstrictor released from aggregating platelets during acute myocardial infarction) were assessed. ICI 182,780 and G-1 caused acute dilation of coronary arteries to a comparable degree (p < 0.05 vs. solvent control). Both GPER agonists attenuated contractions to endothelin-1 (p < 0.05 vs. ethanol), but not to serotonin (n.s.). In summary, these findings provide evidence for direct and indirect coronary artery dilator effects of GPER independent of ERα and ERβ, and are the first demonstration of arterial vasodilation in response to ICI 182,780.
Polymorphisms in the MTHRF, VDR, MMP-9 and IL-β Genes and the Risk of Premature Rupture of Membranes
Authors: Fang Xueqiang , Li Hao , Diao Yutao , Shan Ruiqin , Dong Juan , Li Huiqing , Ma Qing , Hou Yanmei , Kong Beihua , Cui Jia
Published: July 2010

Background: Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) occurs 2.5–3 times more often in premature births than in births that are full term, is accompanied by many complications for both the mother and fetus and can cause serious adverse consequences. Little is known about the genetic susceptibility of PROM. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between several genotypes and PROM in a high-risk hospital-based population. Methods: The cases were 206 pregnant women who had PROM in labor, and the controls were 287 pregnant women who did not have PROM in labor. All subjects were selected between July 2006 and July 2007 from the Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Jinan City. We genotyped the following genes: the MTHFR C677T, MMP-9 C1562T, VDR C352T and IL-1β C3593T genotypes. The associations between the genotypes and risk of PROM were analyzed. Results: The CC genotype at MTHFR C677T, combined with bacterial vaginosis, was associated with a significantly increased risk of PROM (odds ratio, OR: 3.55; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.05–12.02). Compared to those in the stratum of 40 or more weeks of gestation, those in the stratum of 37 or less weeks of gestation had an increased risk of PROM (OR: 5.11, 95% CI: 2.0–13.05 for the TT/TC genotype of MTHFR C677T; OR: 5.31, 95% CI: 1.07–26.44 for the TC/TT genotype of MMP-9 C1562T, and OR: 6.08, 95% CI: 1.39–26.60 for the TT genotype of VDR C352T). Conclusion: The results indicated that an interaction exists between genetic and environmental factors that are related to the occurrence of PROM.
Use of the LightCycler SeptiFast Test for Rapid Etiologic Diagnosis of Nosocomial Infection in Gynecological Sepsis
Authors: Reyna Figueroa J. , Ortiz J. , Morales I.
Published: July 2010

A new molecular biology technique was used in 2 subjects with systemic inflammatory response syndrome and negative blood cultures, in which broad-spectrum antibiotics were administered, without a visible improvement. Case 1: A 33-year-old female patient with a diagnosis of septic shock originating in the abdomen was admitted in a bad general state, presenting with systemic inflammatory response. The patient’s general condition did not improve. As an alternative, we used molecular biology. Candida krusei was reported and the patient responded well to the treatment. Case 2: A woman in the 36th week of pregnancy, with diabetes mellitus and secondary renal insufficiency, presented with fever and hematological alterations. The patient’s progress was slow and accompanied by persistent fever, bandemia and leukopenia, as well as signs of multiple organ dysfunction. The SeptiFast test identified Enterobacter cloacae/aerogenes as the cause of the disorder. However, the patient died 24 h after the antibiotics were changed.
Biomarkers and Peak Oxygen Uptake in Patients with Chronic Lung Disease
Authors: Maeder Micha T. , Brutsche Martin H. , Arenja Nisha , Socrates Thenral , Reiter Miriam , Meissner Julia , Staub Daniel , Morgenthaler Nils G. , Bergmann Andreas , Mueller Christian
Published: July 2010

Background: Peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) is a predictor of outcome in patients with lung disease. In these patients, peak VO2 is typically determined by ventilation and gas exchange. However, it is not well known whether cardiac strain contributes to peak VO2 in patients with chronic lung disease. Objective: To assess the relationship between several novel biomarkers reflecting different aspects of cardiac function and peak VO2 in patients with chronic lung disease. Methods: Plasma concentrations of midregional pro-A-type natriuret- ic peptide (MR-proANP), midregional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM), C-terminal proendothelin-1 (CT-proET-1), and C-terminal provasopressin (copeptin) were measured in 85 patients with a variety of chronic pulmonary diseases [age 57 ± 14 years, forced expiratory volume in the 1st second (FEV1) 76 ± 23% of the predicted value] undergoing maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (peak VO2 18.6 ± 6.6 ml/kg/min). Results: Raised MR-proANP (r = –0.54), MR- proADM (r = –0.54), and CT-proET-1 (r = –0.49; p < 0.001 for all) but not copeptin (r = –0.05; p = 0.68) concentrations were associated with lower peak VO2, and these associations were independent of age, gender, medication, FEV1 and oxygenation. The relationship between MR-proANP, MR-proADM, and CT-proET-1 and peak VO2 was significant whether patients had an obstructive ventilatory disease or not. Conclusions: In patients with chronic lung disease, several biomarkers known to reflect measures of cardiac function were associated with peak VO2 independent of lung function, indicating that cardiac strain may contribute to exercise limitation in these patients due to concomitant cardiac disease or in the context of a pulmonary-cardiac interaction.
Good Dalits and Bad Brahmins
Authors: Brueck Laura
Published: July 2010

This article examines the literary strategies that shape contemporary Dalit fictional prose in Hindi. Based on the analysis of two short stories by the prolific Dalit writers Omprakash Valmiki and Jaiprakash Kardam, it is argued that the contributions of Dalit literature arise today not only in the context of a social movement, but are increasingly apparent through the development of a new, hybrid melodramatic–realist literary aesthetic. New critical scholarship of Dalit literature in India is therefore needed to appreciate the ongoing expansion of such forms of literature across linguistic and geographical regions in India as a postmodern sphere of subaltern social protest. Such fresh analytical attention to Dalit strategies of artistic expansion and literary growth will undoubtedly enliven the hitherto largely bland sociological conversations about Dalit literature.
Bonded Labour Practice in Nepal
Authors: Giri Birendra Raj
Published: July 2010

This article highlights that in Nepal, the promise of education seems to have become a magnet of child bondedness. After some government intervention in 2000, the haliya and kamaiya bonded labour practices have become a socially stigmatising matter for adults, and a legal hurdle for kisan (landlord) employers, but the practices continue. Both parties to these bonded labour practices seem to have found the idea of education as a safe meeting point. While parents send their children to work with the hope of obtaining education for them, besides other material benefits, employers seek to pay as little as possible and will often not give sufficient time to their young workers to study. Though most children have little or no say during the contract, they, too, are initially attracted by the promise of education. Based on detailed fieldwork, this article explores to what extent the largely unfulfilled educational aspirations for Musahar and Tharu working children can be seen as a restrained form of empowerment or a continuing system of bonded labour in Nepal.
Two Accounts of the Colonised ‘Other’ in South Asia
Authors: Mukherjee Soumen
Published: July 2010

Taking examples from South Asia, this article shows how British colonial knowledge about the non-European ‘other’ hinged substantially on the participation of sections of that other, especially in the context of liminal groups, for whom no ready standardised formula of identification was available. Development of a colonial episteme often involved active intervention from the colonised body, thereby dispelling any strict notion of coloniser-colonised alterity and mere top-down governance. This process of identity construction took place in several arenas and also involved negotiations in courts of law, where rival sections of the amorphous colonised body fought for competing ideals of selfhood. Complementing this legal construction were ethnographic formulations, internally diverse, and often relating to broader politico-intellectual concerns and debates of the Empire, at different planes in different ways. The article explicates their theoretical bases and practical modalities.
Advanced Practice Nursing in Performing Arts Health Care
Authors: Weslin Anna T. , Silva-Smith Amy
Published: July 2010

Performing arts medicine is a growing health care profession specializing in the needs of performing artists. As part of the performing arts venue, the dancer, a combination of athlete and artist, presents with unique health care needs requiring a more collaborative and holistic health care program. Currently there are relatively few advanced practice nurses (APNs) who specialize in performing arts health care. APNs, with focus on collaborative and holistic health care, are ideally suited to join other health care professionals in developing and implementing comprehensive health care programs for the performing artist. This article focuses on the dancer as the client in an APN practice that specializes in performing arts health care.
Self-Transcendence, Spiritual Well-Being, and Spiritual Practices of Women With Breast Cancer
Authors: Thomas Jeani C. , Burton Mattie , Quinn Griffin Mary T. , Fitzpatrick Joyce J.
Published: July 2010

As women recover from the experience of breast cancer and its treatment, it is important for them to find meaning in their lives and to understand their experiences from a holistic perspective. Purpose: This study was designed to provide additional information about how women and their experiences recovering from breast cancer. The specific purpose was to describe the relationship between self-transcendence and spiritual well-being, and to identify the spiritual practices used by older women recovering from breast cancer. The theoretical framework for this study was Reed’s theory of self-transcendence. Sample: A total of 87 community-residing women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer within the past 5 years participated in the study. Results: There was a significant positive relationship between self-transcendence and spiritual well-being. The women used a mean of 9.72 spiritual practices with the most frequent being exercise, visiting a house of worship, and praying alone. Conclusions: The study results provide further support for the theory of self-transcendence. Future research recommendations are to expand the research to include a larger, more diverse group of women of all ages and backgrounds who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Internal Dynamics of Sub-continental Security
Authors: H.M. Sanjeev Kumar
Published: July 2010

Pokhran nuclear testing by India in May 1998 and a similar response by Pakistan immediately engendered an epochal shift in the nature of sub-continental conflicts. India’s conventional military superiority vis-a-vis Pakistan and its credibility as a regional hegemon, apparent in the three open wars fought between them prior to this, got supplanted by the smoke-screen of nuclear deterrence created by these blasts. But, most significant by-product of this strategic-decision-making in the subcontinent has been, that, unlike US and USSR, whose mutual hostilities during the Cold War got mitigated after both had obtained declared nuclear weapons status; the sub-continental security environment continued to dizzy under the threshold of an imminent conflict even after the overt nuclear weaponization of India and Pakistan, ultimately challenging the entire classical theorizing on nuclear deterrence. Due to this, the subject of the nuclearization of sub-continental security architecture began to capture wider spaces in the scholarly discourses and political debates in India. This crucial strategic decision, having been taken by a coalition Government at New Delhi, imparted enormous complexities to the domestic political exchanges over the security dynamics of the subcontinent. Above all, May 1998 not only signified a paradigm shift in India’s defence and foreign policy, but it also marked a watershed in the nature and content of India’s domestic politics, as it contributed significantly in bringing strategic issues and foreign policy agenda of the Government into the political parlance of the common masses.