bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional restoration of acoustic units and adult‐generated neurons after hypothalamic lesion
Authors: Cheng Mei‐Fang , Peng Jing‐Pian , Chen Gang , Gardner Jeffrey P. , Bonder Edward M.
Published: April 2004

The hypothalamus of the adult ring dove contains acoustic units that respond to species‐specific coo vocalization. Loss of nest coo leads to unsuccessful breeding. However, the recovery of nest coo in some doves suggests that these units are capable of self‐renewal. We have previously shown that lesioning the hypothalamus generates the addition of new neurons at the lesioned area. In this study, we sought to determine whether lesion‐induced new neurons are involved in the recovery of coo‐responsive units. We systematically recorded electrical activity in the ventromedial nucleus (VMN) of the hypothalamus, before and after lesion, for varying periods up to 3 months. Recordings were made when the birds were at rest (spontaneous discharge) and when the birds were exposed to acoustic stimulations (evoked discharge). Concurrently, the lesioned area was monitored for changes in cell types by using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) to label newly divided cells and NeuN to identify mature neurons. For 1 month after lesion, there was no sign of electrical activity, and only BrdU‐labeled cells were present. When the first electrical activity occurred, it displayed abnormal spontaneous bursting patterns. The mature discharge patterns (both spontaneous and evoked) occurred after detection of BrdU+/NeuN+ double‐labeled cells 2–3 months postlesion and were similar to those found in intact and sham‐lesioned birds. Double‐labeled cells bore morphologic characteristics of a neuron and were confirmed with z‐stack analysis using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Moreover, double‐labeled cells were not stained for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), suggesting that they were neurons. The number of coo‐responsive units was significantly correlated with that of BrdU+/NeuN+ cells. Furthermore, the marker for recording sites revealed that coo‐responsive units were colocalized with BrdU+/NeuN+ cells. Taken together, the evidence strongly suggests that lesion‐induced addition of new neurons promotes the functional recovery of the adult hypothalamus. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 60: 197–213, 2004
Myosin Va and kinesin II motor proteins are concentrated in ribosomal domains (periaxoplasmic ribosomal plaques) of myelinated axons
Authors: Sotelo‐Silveira José R. , Calliari Aldo , Cárdenas Magdalena , Koenig Edward , Sotelo José R.
Published: April 2004

Periaxoplasmic ribosomal plaques (PARPs) are discrete ribosome‐containing domains distributed intermittently along the periphery of axoplasm in myelinated fibers. Thus, they are structural formations in which translational machinery is spatially organized to serve as centers of protein synthesis for local metabolic requirements and perhaps repair as well. Because of evidence that RNA is transported to putative PARP domains, involving both microtubule‐ and actin‐based mechanisms, it was of interest to investigate whether cytoskeletal motor proteins exhibit a nonrandom localization within PARP domains. Axoplasm, from large Mauthner fibers and rat or rabbit spinal ventral nerve root fibers, removed from the myelin sheath in the form of an “axoplasmic whole‐mount” was used for this analysis. PARP domains were identified either by specific immunofluorescence of rRNA, ribosomal P antigen, or by nonspecific RNA fluorescence using RNA binding dyes YOYO‐1 or POPO‐1. A polyclonal antibody (pAb) against the motor domain of myosin Va showed prominent nonrandom immunofluorescence labeling in PARP domains. Similarly, monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against kinesin KIF3A and a pan‐specific antikinesin (mAb IBII) also showed a preponderant immunofluorescence in PARP domains. On the other hand, H2, a mAb antikinesin KIF5A, exhibited only random immunofluorescence labeling in axoplasm, as was also the case with pAb antidynein heavy chain immunofluorescence. Several possible explanations for these findings are considered, primary among which is targeted trafficking of translational machinery that results in local accumulation of motor proteins. Additional possibilities are trafficking functions intrinsic to the domain, and/or functions that govern dynamic organizational properties of PARPs. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 60: 187–196, 2004
Age‐associated synapse elimination in mouse parasympathetic ganglia
Authors: Coggan Jay S. , Grutzendler Jaime , Bishop Derron L. , Cook Melissa R. , Gan Wenbiao , Heym Jason , Lichtman Jeff W.
Published: April 2004

Little is known about the effects of aging on synapses in the mammalian nervous system. We examined the innervation of individual mouse submandibular ganglion (SMG) neurons for evidence of age‐related changes in synapse efficacy and number. For approximately 85% of adult life expectancy (30 months) the efficacy of synaptic transmission, as determined by excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) amplitudes, remains constant. Similarly, the number of synapses contacting individual SMG neurons is also unchanged. After 30 months of age, however, some neurons (23%) dramatically lose synaptic input exhibiting both smaller EPSP amplitude and fewer synaptic boutons. Attenuation of both the amplitude and frequency of miniature EPSPs was also observed in neurons from aged animals. Electron micrographs revealed that, although there were many vesicle‐laden preganglionic axonal processes in the vicinity of the postsynaptic membrane, the number of synaptic contacts was significantly lower in old animals. These results demonstrate primary, age‐associated synapse elimination with functional consequences that cannot be explained by pre‐ or postsynaptic cell death. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 60: 214–226, 2004
Constitutive modelling and numerical simulation of multivariant phase transformation in superelastic shape‐memory alloys
Authors: Jung Youngjean , Papadopoulos Panayiotis , Ritchie R. O.
Published: April 2004

This work concerns the micromechanical constitutive modelling, algorithmic implementation and numerical simulation of polycrystalline superelastic alloys under multiaxial loading. The model is formulated in finite deformations and incorporates the effect of texture. The numerical implementation is based on the constrained minimization of the Helmholtz free energy with dissipation. Simulations are conducted for thin tubes of Nitinol under tension–torsion, as well as for a simplified model of a biomedical stent. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A return map algorithm for general isotropic elasto/visco‐plastic materials in principal space
Authors: Rosati Luciano , Valoroso Nunziante
Published: April 2004

We describe a methodology for solving the constitutive problem and evaluating the consistent tangent operator for isotropic elasto/visco‐plastic models whose yield function incorporates the third stress invariant . The developments presented are based upon original results, proved in the paper, concerning the derivatives of eigenvalues and eigenprojectors of symmetric second‐order tensors with respect to the tensor itself and upon an original algebra of fourth‐order tensors obtained as second derivatives of isotropic scalar functions of a symmetric tensor argument . The analysis, initially referred to the small‐strain case, is then extended to a formulation for the large deformation regime; for both cases we provide a derivation of the consistent tangent tensor which shows the analogy between the two formulations and the close relationship with the tangent tensors of the Lagrangian description of large‐strain elastoplasticity. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The study of organisational autonomy: a conceptual review
Authors: Verhoest Koen , Peters B. Guy , Bouckaert Geert , Verschuere Bram
Published: April 2004

We argue that contemporary research on the influence of organisational autonomy on performance in public organisations uses a diverse and a too restrictive conceptualisation of autonomy. After discussing that research, the article develops six dimensions of the concept of autonomy in public organisations. Second, weaknesses of contemporary research are shown by confronting their conceptualisations with the developed taxonomy. Third, data from a survey of Flemish public organisations illuminate the need to acknowledge the six different dimensions of autonomy when studying the effect of autonomy on performance. The empirical material points at the dangers of using formal–legal status of a public organisation as an indicator of its autonomy, given substantial heterogeneity of organisations with the same formal–legal status on each dimension of autonomy. Moreover, tensions between different levels of autonomy appear in practice, indicating the need for a combined and integrated study of the effects of the different dimensions of autonomy on performance. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteomic analysis of cerebrospinal fluid from multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Dumont Debora , Noben Jean‐Paul , Raus Jef , Stinissen Piet , Robben Johan
Published: April 2004

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Disease mechanisms in multiple sclerosis at the molecular level remain poorly understood and no reliable proteinaceous disease markers are available yet. The goal of the present study is the construction of a protein database of two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2‐DE) separated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteins from multiple sclerosis patients. By means of liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry 65 different proteins were identified from 300 spots. Eighteen of these proteins have not been reported previously on 2‐DE gels of CSF. Here we report on the identification of these proteins and discuss their potential relation to multiple sclerosis.
Neck propagation in polyethylene
Authors: Crist Buckley , Metaxas Costas
Published: April 2004

Intrinsic true stress–true strain response was evaluated at room temperature for three linear polyethylene samples deformed in conventional tensile tests. It was observed that high crystallinity is associated with a low rate of strain hardening that results in a sharp neck and a large drop in nominal stress. The maximum and minimum deformation loads are accounted for by Considère's analysis of neck initiation and stabilization, respectively. Following stabilization, neck propagation occurs at a load or nominal stress that is lower than the yield stress. The jump analysis of Ericksen and Hutchinson/Neale predicts steady state neck propagation stresses that are in very good (ca. 10%) agreement with experiment. Although the jump analysis is done in terms of uniaxial stress, the actual value of the propagation stress is established by the triaxial stress state in the neck shoulders. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 2081–2091, 2004
Studies on n‐Butyl Nitroxyethylnitramine (n‐BuNENA): Synthesis, Characterization and Propellant Evaluations
Authors: Rao Kala P. C. , Sikder Aarun K. , Kulkarni Mahadev A. , Bhalerao Melind M. , Gandhe Balkrishna R.
Published: April 2004

The laboratory synthesis of the energetic plasticizer n‐buNENA was scaled up to one kg batch size and the compound was fully characterized by spectral data and elemental analysis. N‐buNENA was formulated with CMDB and EDB propellant compositions. The results showed an improvement in mechanical properties and burning rate over a wide range of pressure along with acceptable limits of hazard and thermal stability as compared to DEP based propellant systems.
Thermal Explosion of Powder Mixtures: Numerical Approach
Authors: Zanotti Claudio , Tacca Alessandra , Monagheddu Marzio , Bertolino Noemi , Giuliani Piero
Published: April 2004

A numerical approach to investigate the heating and the ignition of powder mixtures by radiant energy is presented. The ignition study is based on the possibility of separating the initiation transient from the propagation process, by operating in thermal explosion mode.
Time‐Resolved Spectral Emission of Deflagrating Nano‐Al and Nano‐MoO3Metastable Interstitial Composites
Authors: Moore David S. , Son Steven F. , Asay Blaine W.
Published: April 2004

Time‐resolved emission experiments on deflagrating metastable interstitial composites of nano‐aluminum and nano‐molybdenum trioxide were performed. Early in the experiment (before disassembly of the sample) the temperature obtained by fitting to a Planckian gray body appears accurate to better than ±100 K (at 3200 K). Spectral features due to Al and AlO species were observed on top of an apparent thermal background. The intensity of the AlO emission was observed to change with the ratio Al/MoO3, with larger AlO intensities associated with faster wave propagation speeds. Absolute irradiance output from the compressed powder samples was found to exceed that from a tungsten filament at the same apparent temperature.
Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and disease free survival after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Williams Heinric , Powell Isaac J. , Land Susan J. , Sakr Wael A. , Hughes Mark R. , Patel Nimesh P. , Heilbrun Lance K. , Everson Richard B.
Published: April 2004

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D has been linked with prostate cancer risk in epidemiologic studies and has antiproliferative, prodifferentiation, and antimetastatic properties in experimental systems. Its hormonal activity is mediated by the vitamin D receptor. We investigated whether germ‐line genetic variation in the vitamin D receptor impacts progression of prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy.

METHODS

We analyzed BsmI and TaqI polymorphisms using archived specimens from a large series of radical prostatectomy patients at a single institution. Our series included 428 white men (WM) and 310 African–American men (AAM) who were carefully and uniformly staged and followed for 5–10 years.

RESULTS

The distribution of polymorphisms varied between WM and AAM. There was little association between genotype and extent of disease at diagnosis, Gleason score, preoperative PSA, or recurrence overall. Among WM with locally advanced disease, however, the BsmI B allele protected against recurrence in models examining gene dose (P = 0.04) and dominant effects (P = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall vitamin D receptor polymorphisms did not predict pathologic features of prostate cancer but may impact on risk of recurrence among men in certain risk groups. Analysis of polymorphisms may provide clues about the mechanisms through which vitamin D exerts its inhibitory effects on prostate cancer in vivo in men. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
HPC2/ELAC2 polymorphism associated with Japanese sporadic prostate cancer
Authors: Yokomizo Akira , Koga Hirofumi , Kinukawa Naoko , Tsukamoto Taiji , Hirao Yoshihiko , Akaza Hideyuki , Mori Mitsuru , Naito Seiji
Published: April 2004

BACKGROUND

HPC2/ELAC2 gene was identified by linkage analysis from familial prostate cancer (Pca) patients in USA. To determine the association of HPC2/ELAC2 gene with Japanese sporadic Pca, we performed a case‐control study focused on two missense polymorphisms.

METHODS

We genotyped the two polymorphic sites of Ser217Leu and Ala541Thr in sporadic Japanese Pca patients (n = 285) and matched controls (n = 233). Controls were unrelated Japanese outpatients who had no history of any cancer and normal PSA level (less than 4.0 ng/ml). Statistical analyses were performed by Mann–Whitney's U‐test, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

We observed a significantly higher frequency of the Thr allele at 541 polymorphic site in Pca patients (8.4%) compared to the control group (2.1%) (P = 0.0030, Odds Ratio (OR) = 4.02, 95% CI = 1.50–10.8). However, this SNP does not correlate with clinical stage, PSA level, Gleason score of biopsies or age at diagnosis. No association was identified at Ser217Leu polymorphic site.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that Thr allele at 541 in HPC2/ELAC2 has strong significance in the predisposition of sporadic Pca in Japan. This polymorphism can be useful to predict the personal Pca risk, which lead the effective screening of Pca. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Conditions and possible mechanism of condensation of e–h pairs in bulk GaAs at room temperature
Authors: Vasil'ev Peter P.
Published: April 2004

This issue's Editor's Choice [1] discusses a mechanism of formation of a coherent BCS‐like state in GaAs. The topic of Bose condensation of excitons has been one of the most fascinating fields of condensed matter physics during recent years.

As shown in the cover picture, bound electron–hole pairs in a highly degenerate semiconductor are squeezed between the band gap and the occupied subband where they are not destroyed and dephased by collisions. The occupied subband shrinks while the number of free electrons decreases when they gradually condense into the bosonic ensemble. The process of formation of the bosonic subsystem stops self‐consistently when the relaxation and destruction of bosons into components becomes possible again.

The author Peter P. Vasil'ev is a Leading Research Fellow at the Quantum Radiophysics Department of the PN Lebedev Physical Institute. His main fields of research are the generation of ultrashort pulses, their interaction with semiconductors, and condensation phenomena in semiconductors.
Molecular Expressions: Exploring the World of Optics and Microscopy http:microscopy.fsu.edu
Authors: Eliceiri Kevin W.
Published: April 2004

Summry— Our knowledge of the structure, dynamics and physiology of a cell has increased significantly in the last ten years through the emergence of new optical imaging modalities such as optical sectioning microscopy, computer‐ enhanced video microscopy and laser‐scanning microscopy. These techniques together with the use of genetically engineered fluorophores have helped scientists visualize the 3‐dimensional dynamic processes of living cells. However as powerful as these imaging tools are, they can often be difficult to understand and fully utilize. Below I will discuss my favorite website: The Molecular Expressions Web Site that endeavors to present the power of microscopy to its visitors. The Molecular Expressions group does a remarkable job of not only clearly presenting the principles behind these techniques in a manner approachable by lay and scientific audiences alike but also provides representative data from each as well.
Attitudes concerning involuntary treatment of mania: results of a survey within self-help organizations
Authors: Borgeat François. , Zullino Daniele
Published: April 2004

Purpose

The objective of the study was to determine the level of involuntary treatment that mood disorder patients and their families wish in the event of a manic or hypomanic episode.

Method

A survey was conducted within two self-help organizations during two conventions gathering over 500 patients, along with families and caregivers. A clinical vignette depicting an uncollaborative hypomanic patient beginning to endanger his professional and financial situation and to put undue stress upon his family was presented and followed by an eight-item questionnaire. The level of coercive treatment seen as appropriate was measured by visual analogue scales.

Results

The 503 respondents disagreed partially with the statement that the patient should decide by himself about his hospitalization and partially favored some involuntary treatment over treatment refusal. There was no difference between patients, relatives and caregivers related to acceptance of coercive hospitalization and treatment. Respondents assigned a major role to treating teams and family members in decisions for coercive treatment.

Conclusion

Most respondents (including a majority of patients) support a moderate degree of coercive treatment in the event of a hypomanic or manic state. Surveys of opinions from concerned people could influence, practice, legislation and possibly advance directives that could be written by patients or patients organizations.
Pathways to psychiatric care and reform of the public health care system in Poland
Authors: Pawłowski T. , Kiejna A.
Published: April 2004

Objective

Since 01.01.1999 a reform of the health care system in Poland has been realised based on the general health insurance act. We attempt to use the pathway method, especially measuring of time intervals along pathways, as a way of making accessibility to mental health services operational.

Method

In a period of 2 months all patients aged 15 and over who had not sought care from any public or private psychiatric service during the previous 365 days, were interviewed by psychiatrists, using the Polish version of the WHO Encounter Form.

Results

A total of 228 patients were seen. The study reveals that the median interval between first seeing a primary care giver and arrival at a mental health service was 12 weeks, which is much longer than all other European centres in previous studies.

Conclusion

Making use of the pathway method and, in particular, median interval analysis between the onset of the mental health problem and seeing mental health professionals (MHPs) has shown practically limited access of patients, with a new episode of care to psychiatric services in both epidemiological catchment areas. This method seems to be a simple and inexpensive way of monitoring the accessibility to MHP in the period of health care reform.
Psychiatric morbidity, disability and service use amongst primary care attenders in France
Authors: Norton J. , de Roquefeuil G. , Benjamins A. , Boulenger J.-P. , Mann A.
Published: April 2004

Attenders (n = 124, response rate 84%) of five GPs in Montpellier completed questionnaires on health (reason for visit, cause of problem, GHQ-12), disability (WHODAS II) and service use (CSRI). For each patient, the GP filled in a brief form including a rating of severity of physical and psychological illness. Overall 30.6% of patients were classified as GHQ cases indicating probable non-psychotic psychiatric morbidity and 58.9% were rated as having a physical illness by the GP. Patients with psychiatric morbidity showed as high levels of disability as those with a physical illness, with however a greater number of domains of life affected. They also had a greatly increased number of disability days and used services to a greater extent than those without psychiatric morbidity, these links being stronger than with physical illness. Use of the WHODAS II and the CSRI has not been previously reported in France. This study shows that they could be useful instruments for depicting disability and service use in general practice. The findings from this initial study indicate the need for greater research in primary care focusing on accurate detection and treatment of patients so that disability and excess service use associated with psychiatric morbidity might be reduced.
Paracoccus pantotrophus NapC can reductively activate cytochrome cd1 nitrite reductase
Authors: Zajicek Richard S. , Allen James W.A. , Cartron Michaël L. , Richardson David J. , Ferguson Stuart J.
Published: April 2004

The oxidized “as isolated” form of Paracoccus pantotrophus cytochrome cd
1 nitrite reductase has a bis‐histidinyl coordinated c heme and a histidine/tyrosine coordinated d
1 heme. This form of the enzyme has previously been shown to be kinetically incompetent. Upon reduction, the coordination of both hemes changes and the enzyme is kinetically activated. Here, we show that P. pantotrophus NapC, a tetraheme c‐type cytochrome belonging to a large family of such proteins, is capable of reducing, and hence activating, “as isolated” cytochrome cd
1. NapC is the first protein from P. pantotrophus identified as being capable of this activation step and, given the periplasmic co‐location and co‐expression of the two proteins, is a strong candidate to be a physiological activation partner.
Stimulation of Fe–S cluster insertion into apoFNR by Escherichia coli glutaredoxins 1, 2 and 3 in vitro
Authors: Achebach Stephanie , Hon Tran Quang , Vlamis-Gardikas Alexios , Müllner Martin , Holmgren Arne , Unden Gottfried
Published: April 2004

The oxygen sensor fumarate nitrate reductase regulator (FNR) of Escherichia coli contains in the active (anaerobic) state a [4Fe–4S]2+ cluster which is lost after exposure to O2. In aerobically prepared apoFNR, or in FNR obtained by treatment of [4Fe–4S] · FNR with O2 in vitro, intramolecular cysteine disulfides are found, including the cysteine residues which serve as ligands for the Fe–S cluster. It is shown here that the reconstitution of [4Fe–4S] · FNR from this form of aerobic apoFNR was preceded by a long lag phase when glutathione was used as the reducing agent. Addition of E. coli glutaredoxins (Grx) 1, 2 or 3 decreased the lag phase greatly and stimulated the reconstitution rate slightly (about twofold). Reconstitution of anaerobically prepared apoFNR, which has a lower cysteine disulfide content, showed only a short lag phase, which further decreased in the presence of Grx. It is concluded that in the lag phase the cysteine disulfides of apoFNR become reduced for the incorporation of the [4Fe–4S] cluster and that this reaction is stimulated by Grx. Thioredoxin (Trx) 1 showed no stimulation of FNR reconstitution in vitro. It is suggested that the function of Grx might be of significance for the insertion of FeS cluster in proteins containing disulfides.
Relationships between operational practices and performance among early adopters of green supply chain management practices in Chinese manufacturing enterprises
Authors: Zhu Qinghua , Sarkis Joseph
Published: April 2004

Globalization results in both pressure and drivers for Chinese enterprises to improve their environmental performance. As a developing country, China has to balance economic and environmental performance. Green supply chain management (GSCM) is emerging to be an important approach for Chinese enterprises to improve performance, possibly on both these dimensions. Using empirical results from 186 respondents on GSCM practice in Chinese manufacturing enterprises, we examine the relationships between GSCM practice and environmental and economic performance. Using moderated hierarchical regression analysis, we evaluate the general relationships between specific GSCM practices and performance. We then investigate how two primary types of management operations philosophies, quality management and just‐in‐time (or lean) manufacturing principles, influence the relationship between GSCM practices and performance. Significant findings were determined for a number of relationships. Managerial implications are also identified.
COGNITIVE ABILITY AND OCCUPATIONAL STATUS IN A BRITISH COHORT
Authors: THIENPONT K. , VERLEYE G.
Published: April 2004

The relation between individual trait differences, social mobility and social structure is central to social biology. Because genetic variance underlies phenotypic variance in some of these traits, for example IQ, several mechanisms determine the population variance. Polygenic inheritance is the basic mechanism. Social mobility and assortative partner choice distribute the trait variance within generations. This feedback circle is constrained by sociological conditions at several levels of analysis. Fundamental to this theory of social assortment is the relation between social–biological traits and social class on the one hand, and these traits and social mobility on the other hand. The focus here is on the relation between social class, social mobility and cognitive ability. The National Child Development Study is drawn upon, including the last follow-up (1999–2000). By approaching this relationship through various methods, both social–biological and sociological aspects of this research question can be assessed.
FERTILITY TRANSITION IN BANGLADESH: UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF THE PROXIMATE DETERMINANTS
Authors: MAZHARUL ISLAM M. , ATAHARUL ISLAM M. , CHAKROBORTY NITAI
Published: April 2004

Bangladesh has been passing through a crucial phase of fertility transition. The level of fertility declined dramatically during the early 1990s without any remarkable improvement in socioeconomic and health status, and then remained constant at a high level of 3·3, despite the increased use of contraception. Such fertility transition can be traced to variations in one or more of the proximate or direct determinants of fertility. This paper critically analyses the fertility levels in Bangladesh with a view to exploring the possible explanations of fertility decline in the 1990s and then its stabilization. The main focus of the study is to examine the role of the major proximate determinants of fertility in bringing about the change in fertility level in Bangladesh. The data for the study come from a series of nationally representative surveys over the period of 1975 to 1999–2000. The analysis indicates that fertility has temporarily ceased to decline in recent years due to the ‘tempo’ effect of high past fertility, but in general a declining trend in fertility is underway. The analysis suggests that the fall in fertility is consistent with the underlying trends in most important proximate determinants of fertility. In recent years contraception has emerged as the highest fertility reducing factor in Bangladesh and its effect is greatest in middle and older age groups. Although until the early 1990s postpartum lactational infecundability was the most important and strongest fertility reducing factor in Bangladesh, in recent years its fertility inhibiting effect has gradually decreasing owing to the declining trend in the lactational infecundability period. The analysis reveals that although the fertility reducing effect of the marriage pattern is increasing, its effect is offset by the declining trend in the lactational infecundability period. A review of these two variables suggests that their effect cannot be raised much for prevailing socioeconomic and cultural reasons, and any future reduction in fertility in Bangladesh may be largely dependent on increased use of effective birth control methods.
Motivation and fabrication methods for inertial confinement fusion
and inertial fusion energy targets
Authors: BORISENKO N.G. , AKUNETS A.A. , BUSHUEV V.S. , DOROGOTOVTSEV V.M. , MERKULIEV Yu.A.
Published: April 2004

Popular target designs are reviewed. Possible methods of fusion
target fabrication are discussed and the equipment and samples are
demonstrated. The properties of the uniform and structured (cluster)
materials are considered, showing the advantage of cluster material for
energy conversion into soft X rays. The target materials with high
content of hydrogen isotopes (BeD2, LiBeD3, or
ND3BD3) prove to be more effective for high-power
drivers in comparison with beryllium or polyimide.
Laser–plasma simulations of astrophysical phenomena and novel
applications to semiconductor annealing
Authors: GRUN J. , LAMING M. , MANKA C. , DONNELLY D.W. , COVINGTON B.C. , FISCHER R.P. , VELIKOVICH A. , KHOKHLOV A.
Published: April 2004

At the frontier of plasma physics and technology are applications of
laser-generated plasmas to laboratory simulations of astrophysical
phenomena and to industrial processing. This article presents work at
the Naval Research Laboratory in both of these areas. We show how laser
plasmas are used to measure a blast wave corrugation overstability
important in astrophysics. Detailed atomic physics calculations of
radiative cooling within the blast front are used to develop a
criterion of the existence of the overstability and are used to explain
the experimental results. The criterion depends on quantities such as
element abundances, densities, temperatures, and blast wave
velocities—quantities which can be measured
spectroscopically—and therefore used to infer whether
astrophysical blast wave nonuniformities are the result of this
instability. In other experiments, high-velocity jets are formed in the
laboratory using miniature hollow cones. Jets produced by these cones
are used to study the physics of jets occurring in supernovae and in
star-forming accretion disks. In industrial semiconductor processing,
annealing, that is, removing crystal damage and electrically activating
the semiconductor, is a critical step. Industrial annealing techniques
most often utilize heat generated by an oven, flash lamps, or a
low-power laser. During such heating dopants within the semiconductor
lattice diffuse and spread. This degrades the performance of circuits
in which the individual circuit elements are very close to each other.
We are developing an annealing technique in which shock or sound waves
generated by a laser plasma are used to anneal the semiconductor. We
have demonstrated that the method works over small areas and that it
does not lead to significant dopant diffusion.
Bright source of Kα and continuum X rays by heating Kr clusters
using a femtosecond laser
Authors: ISSAC R. , WIRTHIG J. , BRUNETTI E. , VIEUX G. , ERSFELD B. , JAMISON S.P. , JONES D. , BINGHAM R. , CLARK D. , JAROSZYNSKI D.A.
Published: April 2004

X rays emitted from Kr clusters illuminated by a femtosecond laser
have been observed over a wide spectral region from 3 keV to 15 keV.
The measured spectra are characterized by a broad bremsstrahlung
continuum and Kα, β lines at 12.66 keV and 14.1 keV. To the
best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first observation of
Kα, β emission from laser-heated Kr clusters. The
bremsstrahlung continuum arising from collisions in the plasma implies
a population of hot electrons consistent with a temperature of several
kiloelectron volts. The absolute X-ray yield in the 3–15 keV
region is found to be of the order of 107 photons per laser
pulse. The plasma temperature, estimated from the continuum part of the
spectrum as a function of laser intensity and X-ray yield as a function
of laser pulse duration, are studied.
Nondrifting relativistic electromagnetic solitons in plasmas
Authors: LONTANO M. , BORGHESI M. , BULANOV S.V. , ESIRKEPOV T.Z. , FARINA D. , NAUMOVA N. , NISHIHARA K. , PASSONI M. , PEGORARO F. , RUHL H. , SAKHAROV A.S. , WILLI O.
Published: April 2004

Low-frequency, relativistic, subcycle solitary waves are found in
two-dimensional and three-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) numerical
simulations, as a result of the interaction of ultrashort,
high-intensity laser pulses with plasmas. Moreover, nondrifting,
subcycle relativistic electromagnetic solitons have been obtained as
solutions of the hydrodynamic equations for an electron–ion warm
plasma, by assuming the quasi-neutrality character of the plasma
response. In addition, the formation of long-living macroscopic
soliton-like structures has been experimentally observed by means of
the proton imaging diagnostics. Several common features result
from these investigations, as, for example, the quasi-neutral plasma
response to the soliton radiation, in the long-term evolution of the
system, which leads to the almost complete expulsion of the plasma from
the region where the electromagnetic radiation is concentrated, even at
subrelativistic field intensity. The results of the theoretical
investigations are reviewed with special attention to these
similarities.
Integrated experiments for heavy ion fusion
Authors: BARNARD J.J. , AHLE L.E. , BIENIOSEK F.M. , CELATA C.M. , DAVIDSON R.C. , HENESTROZA E. , FRIEDMAN A. , KWAN J.W. , LOGAN B.G. , LEE E.P. , LUND S.M. , MEIER W.R. , SABBI G.-L. , SEIDL P.A. , SHARP W.M. , SHUMAN D.B. , WALDRON W.L. , QIN H. , YU S.S.
Published: April 2004

We describe the next set of experiments proposed in the U.S. Heavy
Ion Fusion Virtual National Laboratory, the so-called Integrated Beam
Experiment (IBX). The purpose of IBX is to investigate in an integrated
manner the processes and manipulations necessary for a heavy ion fusion
induction accelerator. The IBX experiment will demonstrate injection,
acceleration, compression, bending, and final focus of a heavy ion beam
at significant line charge density. Preliminary conceptual designs are
presented and issues and trade-offs are discussed. Plans are also
described for the step after IBX, the Integrated Research Experiment
(IRE), which will carry out significant target experiments.
Numerical analysis of a multilayered cylindrical target compression
driven by a rotating intense heavy ion beam
Authors: TEMPORAL M. , PIRIZ A.R. , GRANDJOUAN N. , TAHIR N.A. , HOFFMANN D.H.H.
Published: April 2004

Numerical analysis of the compression of a cylindrical cryogenic
hydrogen sample surrounded by a high-density metallic shell driven by a
heavy ion beam has been performed. The beam power profile is assumed to
be parabolic in time and Gaussian in space and is made of uranium ions
with a kinetic energy of 2.7 GeV/u. The beam center is positioned
off axis and rotates around the target axis to provide a uniform
annular energy deposition area. An acceptable symmetry in pressure is
achieved if the number of revolutions is equal to or larger than 10.
The maximum density and pressure of the hydrogen sample is studied as a
function of the spread of the beam power Gaussian distribution and the
rotation radius. This configuration leads to compressions of the order
of 10 and a temperature of a few thousand Kelvin in hydrogen.
High-current laser ion source based on a low-power laser
Authors: OGAWA M. , YOSHIDA M. , NAKAJIMA M. , HASEGAWA J. , FUKATA S. , HORIOKA K. , OGURI Y.
Published: April 2004

An ion source for generation of low-charged heavy ions has been
developed using low-power KrF excimer and frequency-doubled Nd:YAG
lasers. The ion source was examined with two experimental modes of
low-voltage DC extraction at ∼20 kV and high-voltage pulse
extraction at 150 kV. Normalized emittance of extracted beams composed
of Cu+ and Cu2+ ions was measured to be about
0.05 and 0.8 πmm-mrad for the DC extraction and the pulse
extraction, respectively. Electron temperature was observed by means of
a single probe method to be 0.8 to 2.5 eV, depending on the intensity
of the KrF laser.
Velocity performance indices for parallel mechanisms with actuation redundancy
Authors: Krut Sébastien , Company Olivier , Pierrot François
Published: April 2004

This paper analyses the concept of velocity isotropy for Parallel Mechanisms with Actuation Redundancy (PMAR). The limits of classical indices based on the Jacobean matrix condition number are shown. It is proposed to use either the largest ellipsoid included in the operational polytop, or the operational polytop itself, as better representations of a PMAR capabilities. The polytop is studied because it is actually the accurate representation of a machine capability, while the largest ellipsoid remains similar to the classical tool roboticists are dealing with for decades. Velocity performance indices are proposed, and the ways to compute them efficiently are given.
Computer-assisted robotic tiling of mosaics
Authors: Oral Ali , Erzincanlı Fehmi
Published: April 2004

This paper describes the development of a system that is capable of tiling mosaics using a robot according to requirements of the individual customer. The art of mosaic, in one form or another, has been practiced manually for thousands of years. Modern developments in materials and production techniques could be found as evidence that mosaic is very much alive in the new millennium. It is very costly and also difficult to find skilful people to tile mosaic. Therefore a computer-assisted robotic system has been constructed and applied. To activate the system a particular algorithm has been developed and successfully applied on an available SCARA robot.
On interacting with physics-based models of graphical objects
Authors: Payandeh Shahram , Dill John , Cai Zhu Liang
Published: April 2004

Enhancing graphical objects whose behaviors are governed by the laws of physics is an important requirement in modeling virtual physical environments. In such environments, the user can interact with graphical objects and is able to either feel the simulated reaction forces through a physical computer interface such as a force feedback mouse or through such interactions, objects behave in a natural way. One of the key requirements for such interaction is determination of the type of contact between the user
controlled object and the objects representing the environment. This paper presents an approach for reconstructing the contact configuration between two objects. This is accomplished through usage of the time history of the motion of the approaching objects for inverse trajectory mapping of polygonal representation. In the case of deformable objects
and through usage of mass-spring-damper system this paper also presents a special global filter that can map the local deformation of an object to the adjacent vertices of polygonal mesh. In addition to offering a fast computational framework, the proposed method also offers more realistic representation of the deformation. The results of this paper are shown through detailed examples and comparison analysis using different computational platforms.
‘Lion Griefs’: the Wild Animal Act as Theatre
Authors: Stokes John
Published: April 2004

This essay is concerned with the history of wild animal training between the early nineteenth and the mid-twentieth centuries, specifically with circus acts involving ‘big cats’. The author, John Stokes, is sympathetic to the view that such performances are inhumane, degrading to animal and human alike, but rather than simply rehearsing familiar attitudes, he subjects the ‘big cat’ act to a performance analysis based on established criteria, in the belief that, if performance theory is to have the widespread application that its advocates claim, then it should be able to elucidate many different kinds of theatrical event. His primary materials are the myriad biographies and autobiographies of wild animal trainers that were produced during the heyday of their art, and which he finds to be frequently characterized by an unexpected thoughtfulness and breadth of experience, besides being highly informative about performance aesthetics. John Stokes is Professor of Modern British Literature in the Department of English, King's College London. He is a regular theatre reviewer for the Times Literary Supplement and co-author, together with Michael R. Booth and Susan Bassnett, of Bernhardt, Terry, Duse: the Actress in Her Time (Cambridge, 1988) and Three Tragic Actresses (Cambridge, 1996).
A GENERAL APPROACH TO COMPUTE THE PROBABILITIES OF UNRESOLVED
CLONES IN RANDOM POOLING DESIGNS
Authors: Hwang F. K. , Liu Y. C.
Published: April 2004

In this paper, we develop a general approach to compute the
probabilities of unresolved clones in random pooling designs. This
unified and systematic approach gives better insight for handling the
dependency issue among the columns and among the rows. Consequently, we
identify some faster computation formulas for four random pooling
designs proposed in the literature, and we derive some probability
distribution functions of the number of unresolved clones that were not
available before.
CONVERGENCE RATES IN APPROXIMATING A COMPOUND DISTRIBUTION
Authors: Angus John E.
Published: April 2004

In connection with the classical insurance risk problem, Ross
[2] develops a recursive formula
for approximating a tail probability in a geometrically compounded
distribution. Here, we consider rates of convergence for this
approximation.
SCHEDULING IN A QUEUING SYSTEM WITH ASYNCHRONOUSLY VARYING SERVICE
RATES
Authors: Andrews Matthew , Kumaran Krishnan , Ramanan Kavita , Stolyar Alexander , Vijayakumar Rajiv , Whiting Phil
Published: April 2004

We consider the following queuing system which arises as a model of a
wireless link shared by multiple users. There is a finite number
N of input flows served by a server. The system operates in
discrete time t = 0,1,2,…. Each input flow can be
described as an irreducible countable Markov chain; waiting customers
of each flow are placed in a queue. The sequence of server states
m(t), t = 0,1,2,…, is a Markov chain with
finite number of states M. When the server is in state
m, it can serve
μim customers of flow
i (in one time slot).

The scheduling discipline is a
rule that in each time slot chooses the flow to serve based on the
server state and the state of the queues. Our main result is that a
simple online scheduling discipline, Modified Largest Weighted Delay
First, along with its generalizations, is throughput optimal;
namely, it ensures that the queues are stable as long as the vector of
average arrival rates is within the system maximum stability region.
THE VALUE OF INFORMATION SHARING IN A TWO-STAGE SUPPLY CHAIN WITH
PRODUCTION CAPACITY CONSTRAINTS: THE INFINITE HORIZON CASE
Authors: Simchi-Levi David , Zhao Yao
Published: April 2004

We study the value of information sharing in a two-stage supply chain with
a single manufacturer and a single retailer in an infinite time horizon, where
the manufacturer has finite production capacity and the retailer faces
independent demand. The manufacturer receives demand information even during
periods of time in which the retailer does not order. Allowing for
time-varying cost functions, our objective is to characterize the impact of
information sharing on the manufacturer's cost and service level. We
develop a new approach to characterize the induced Markov chains under cyclic
order-up-to policy and provide a simple proof for the optimality of
cyclic order-up-to policy for the manufacturer under the average cost
criterion. Using extensive computational analysis, we quantify the
impact of information sharing on the manufacturer's performance in
an infinite time horizon under both i.i.d. demand and independent but
nonstationary demand.
Activation of protein kinase C reduces GLAST in the plasma membrane of rat Müller cells in primary culture
Authors: WANG ZHIQING , LI WEI , MITCHELL CHERYL K. , CARTER-DAWSON LOUVENIA
Published: April 2004

In this study, a Müller cell culture preparation from young rats was used to investigate the regulation of GLAST transport activity in native cells. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed GLAST to be the predominant glutamate transporter expressed by the cells through five passages. [3H]-glutamate uptake assays showed the typical Na+-dependent glutamate transport which was blocked by L-(-)-threo-3-hydroxyaspartate (L-THA), a competitive inhibitor. Glutamate transport was decreased significantly in Müller cells exposed to phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), a protein kinase C (PKC) activator. A similar effect on [3H]-D-aspartate (nonmetabolizable glutamate analog) uptake ruled out the possibility that the decrease was a consequence of altered metabolism. However, PMA did not affect Na+-dependent [3H]-glycine transport, indicating the absence of a nonspecific change in the electrochemical gradients. The PMA effect on glutamate uptake was evidenced by partial blocking with a specific PKC inhibitor, bisindolymaleimide II (Bis II). Activation of PKC did not change theKm, but theVmaxwas significantly reduced. Image analysis of Müller cells with biotinylated cell membranes immunolabeled with GLAST shows a reduction of GLAST in the plasma membrane. In conclusion, these data show that rat Müller cells in primary cultures express GLAST and that PKC activation affects GLAST transport activity by decreasing cell surface expression.