bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two types of urgency
Authors: Blaivas Jerry G. , Panagopoulos Georgia , Weiss Jeffrey P. , Somaroo Chandra
Published: April 2009

Aims

To determine whether urinary urgency, as defined by the International Continence Society, is an intensification of the normal sensation that occurs when micturition must be delayed once the urge to void is felt (Type 1 urgency) or a discrete, pathologic symptom different from the normal urge (Type 2 urgency).

Methods

Forty‐eight consecutive patients who complained of urinary urgency completed two different questionnaires designed to answer the question posed above. The patients were divided into two groups of 24. For the test–retest, group 1 completed questionnaire 1 twice within 3–10 days and group 2 did the same with questionnaire 2. On the second administration of the questionnaire, each subject crossed over and answered the other questionnaire. For the test–retest, since the data set is dichotomous (yes/no), the degree of agreement between the two sets of data was assessed by calculating the kappa coefficient.

Results

There were 37 women and 11 men ranging in age from 54 to 87 years. There was no difference in age and sex between the two groups (P = 0.19). There was excellent agreement in the test–retest responses for both questionnaires (kappa = 1.0, P < 0.001). For questionnaire 1, the urge sensation was an intensification of the normal sensation in 33 (68.8%) and it was a different sensation in 15 (31.3%). Similarly, for questionnaire 2, it was an intensification of the normal urge in 34 (70.8%) and different in 14 (29.2%). The differences in patient responses between the two groups were not significant. In the crossover section, only 1 of 48 subjects changed their response, resulting in a very high degree of agreement (kappa = .95, p < .001). Combining the two groups, urgency was perceived as an intensification of the normal urge to void in 33/48 patients (69%), a different sensation in 14/48 (29%) and 1/48 (2%) was not sure.

Conclusions

Urgency is comprised of at least two different sensations. One is an intensification of the normal urge to void and the other is a different sensation. The implications of this distinction are important insofar as they may have different etiologies and respond differently to treatment. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:188–190, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Attachment of a sling rescue suture to Midurethral tape for management of potential postoperative voiding dysfunction
Authors: Shobeiri S. Abbas , Nihira Mikio A.
Published: April 2009

Aims

To investigate the utility of a polypropylene sling rescue suture (SRS) attached to mid‐portion of the mid‐urethral sling tape procedure for in office sling loosening/release using a defined algorithm.

Methods

A surgical database search was performed for slings performed by the authors. During the course of the procedure a polypropylene suture was passed through the mid‐portion of the sling tape and allowed to exit through the vaginal mucosa closure such that the tail of the suture loop rested in the vagina. Patients were managed by a predetermined algorithm to make decisions about (1) in office polypropylene suture removal, (2) manipulation of polypropylene suture in attempt to loosen the sling, and (3) localization and incision of the sling tape in the office using polypropylene suture.

Results

One hundred eighty‐four cases were identified, 70/184 of which were outpatient slings, and 114/184 of which had reconstructive surgery and a sling procedure. In the outpatient sling group 2/70 (3%) had resolution of voiding dysfunction with sling manipulation using polypropylene suture, 2/70 (3%) required sling excision in office. In the group with concomitant pelvic reconstruction, 4/114 had elevated postvoid residuals and ultimately required sling excision. 6/184 (3%) in the entire group required sling excision in the office. 178/184 (97%) had normal voiding.

Conclusions

The polypropylene suture facilitated easy release of obstructive slings. It was successful in normalizing the voiding function in patients with disrupted voiding pattern, but not in those with high post‐void residuals who had failed a trial of intermittent catherization. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:990–994, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On the invertibility of the operator A–XB
Authors: Deng Chun Yuan
Published: April 2009

For a given pair of (A, B) and an arbitrary operator X, expressions for the inverse, the Moore–Penrose inverse and the generalized Drazin inverse of the operator A–XB are derived under some conditions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of structure–properties relationship in nitrile‐butadiene rubber/phenolic resin/organoclay ternary nanocomposites using simple model system
Authors: Shojaei A. , Faghihi M.
Published: April 2009

The present study deals with the structure–property relationship of organoclay (OC) filled nanocomposites based on rubber blend comprising of nitrile‐butadiene rubber (NBR) and phenolic resin (PH). To obtain a better insight into the characteristics of the NBR/PH/OC hybrid system, a simple model system consisting of NBR/OC nanocomposites is also taken into consideration. A series of NBR/OC and NBR/PH/OC nanocomposites containing a wide range of OC concentrations (2.5–30 phr) are prepared by using traditional open two‐roll mill. Structural analysis performed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM) exhibits mixed exfoliated and intercalated morphology at low OC content, below 7.5 phr, and a well‐ordered intercalated morphology at higher OC loading. It is shown that the dispersion of OC is also influenced by mixing time and order of mixing of components. Analysis of the cure characteristics, mechanical, and thermal properties of both the NBR/OC and NBR/PH/OC nanocomposites reveals that the OC is dispersed mainly in the NBR continuous phase, even though some is likely localized in the rubber–resin interface. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Morphological alterations to neurons of the amygdala and impaired fear conditioning in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Knafo Shira , Venero Cesar , Merino‐Serrais Paula , Fernaud‐Espinosa Isabel , Gonzalez‐Soriano Juncal , Ferrer Isidro , Santpere Gabriel , DeFelipe Javier
Published: April 2009

Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) suffer from impaired memory and emotional disturbances, the pathogenesis of which is not entirely clear. In APP/PS1 transgenic mice, a model of AD in which amyloid β (Aβ) accumulates in the brain, we have examined neurons in the lateral nucleus of the amygdala (LA), a brain region crucial to establish cued fear conditioning. We found that although there was no neuronal loss in this region and Aβ plaques only occupy less than 1% of its volume, these mice froze for shorter times after auditory fear conditioning when compared to their non‐transgenic littermates. We performed a three‐dimensional analysis of projection neurons and of thousands of dendritic spines in the LA. We found changes in dendritic tree morphology and a substantial decrease in the frequency of large spines in plaque‐free neurons of APP/PS1 mice. We suggest that these morphological changes in the neurons of the LA may contribute to the impaired auditory fear conditioning seen in this AD model. Copyright © 2009 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prospects for an integrated trait and cultural psychology
Authors: Church A. Timothy
Published: April 2009

Church (2000) discussed a possible integration of trait and cultural psychology perspectives, two dominant theoretical approaches in the study of culture and personality. In this article, I summarise the results of cross‐cultural studies we have conducted to test elements of this integrated perspective, discuss prospects for an integrated approach, and note future research needs. The studies address the measurement of implicit theories regarding the traitedness versus contextuality of behaviour; culture, method, and the content of self‐concepts; culture and explanations of everyday behaviours; accuracy and self‐enhancement in trait assessments; cross‐role consistency and its relation to adjustment; and cross‐situational consistency and trait prediction of daily behaviour. Our results, and those of other researchers, indicate that an integration of trait and cultural psychology perspectives has potential. However, some findings suggest that cultural psychology hypotheses may be more consistently supported in comparisons of Americans with selected Asian cultures than in comparisons of individualistic and collectivistic cultures more generally. Thus, an integrated perspective may need to be recast using theoretical perspectives that go beyond individualism–collectivism. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Personality profiles of cultures: Patterns of ethos
Authors: McCrae Robert R.
Published: April 2009

Culture and the human mind are deeply interdependent, because they co‐evolved. Personality traits were a preexisting feature of the primate mind and must have left an imprint on forms of culture. Trait taxonomies can structure ethnographies, by specifying institutions that reflect the operation of traits. Facets of ethos can be assessed by expert ratings or objective indicators. Ratings of ethos in Japan and the US were reliable and yielded plausible descriptions of culture. However, measures of ethos based on the analysis of stories were not meaningfully correlated with aggregate personality traits or national character stereotypes. Profiles of ethos may provide another axis that can be used with aggregate personality trait levels to predict behaviour and understand the operation of culture. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Culture‐specific appraisal biases contribute to emotion dispositions
Authors: Scherer Klaus R. , Brosch Tobias
Published: April 2009

We suggest that cultural factors may encourage the development of affective personality traits or emotional dispositions by producing or rewarding specific appraisal biases. To buttress this argument, we describe a putative mechanism and review the pertinent evidence: (a) an emotion disposition (trait affect) is a risk factor for experiencing certain emotions more readily and/or more frequently, (b) appraisal bias tends to cause certain emotions to be more readily experienced and may thus lead to the emergence of emotion dispositions and even emotional disturbances and (c) cultural goal, belief and value systems may encourage certain types of appraisal bias and may thus provide an explanation for vestiges of culture‐specific modal personality. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanisms of the national character stereotype: How people in six neighbouring countries of Russia describe themselves and the typical Russian
Authors: Realo Anu , Allik Jüri , Lönnqvist Jan‐Erik , Verkasalo Markku , Kwiatkowska Anna , Kööts Liisi , Kütt Maie , Barkauskiene Rasa , Laurinavicius Alfredas , Karpinski Konstantin , Kolyshko Alexandr , Sebre Sandra , Renge Viesturs
Published: April 2009

Altogether, 1448 individuals from six neighbouring countries of Russia in the Baltic Sea region (Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Belarus) described a ‘typical’ member of their own nation and a ‘typical’ Russian, as well as rated their own personality, using the National Character Survey (NCS). Results suggest that national character stereotypes are widely shared, temporally stable and moderately related to assessed personality traits, if all assessments are made using the same measurement instrument. In all studied countries, agreement between national auto‐stereotypes and assessed personality was positive and in half of the samples statistically significant. Although members of the six nations studied had a relatively similar view of the Russian national character, this view was not related with self‐rated personality traits of Russians but moderately with the Russian auto‐stereotype. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
GenMolTM Supramolecular Descriptors Predicting Reliable Sensitivity of Energetic Compounds
Authors: Bénazet Stéphane , Jacob Guy , Pèpe Gérard
Published: April 2009

Structure/activity relationship methodology has been applied to the problem of the prediction of the energetic molecule's sensitivity. This parameter knowledge is of great importance to increase the safety of operations in the field of synthesis and manipulation of such compounds. It has been shown that descriptors of the solid state interactions and surface topology issued from GenMol software calculations greatly enhanced the correlation between measured and predicted sensitivity. As the structural parameters used to establish the descriptors are experimental ones, their physical significance is particularly preserved which allows to give a good prediction for impact or friction sensitivity by the so defined descriptors.
4f hybridization and band dispersion in gadolinium thin films and compounds
Authors: Komesu Takashi , Jeong H.K. , Wooton David , Losovyj Ya. B. , Crain J.N. , Bissen M. , Himpse F.J. , Petrosky J. , Tang Jinke , Wang Wendong , Yakovkin I.N. , Dowben P.A.
Published: April 2009

There is interplay between intra‐atomic orbital hybridization and extra‐atomic hybridization in various gadolinium systems, which affects magnetic coupling and electron itinerancy (localization). The results do not always follow expectation. The experimental band structure of thin Gd(0001) films, grown on the Mo(112) surface, along the $ \bar \Gamma $ – $ \bar M $ does not agree with expectations even qualitatively. In particular, the dispersion of the gadolinium band, with strong 5d weight near 2 eV binding energy provides considerable evidence to support the case for 4f‐5d hybridization, with increasing 5d localization. On the other hand, there is also evidence of extra‐atomic Gd 4f hybridization leading band dispersion in the occupied 4f levels in Gd2O3 (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The method of the likelihood and the Fisher information in the construction of physical models
Authors: Piotrowski E.W. , Sładkowski J. , Syska J. , Zaja̧c S.
Published: April 2009

The subjects of the paper are the likelihood method (LM) and the expected Fisher information (FI) considered from the point od view of the construction of the physical models which originate in the statistical description of phenomena. The master equation case and structural information principle are derived. Then, the phenomenological description of the information transfer is presented. The extreme physical information (EPI) method is reviewed. As if marginal, the statistical interpretation of the amplitude of the system is given. The formalism developed in this paper would be also applied in quantum information processing and quantum game theory (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Bivariate constant stress degradation model: LED lighting system reliability estimation with two‐stage modelling
Authors: Sari J. K. , Newby M. J. , Brombacher A. C. , Tang L. C.
Published: April 2009

Light‐emitting diode (LED) lamp has received great attention as a potential replacement for the more commercially available lighting technology, such as incandescence and fluorescence lamps. LED which is the main component of LED lamp has a very long lifetime. This means that no or very few failures are expected during LED lamp testing. Therefore, degradation testing and modelling are needed. Because the complexity of modern lighting system is increasing, it is possible that more than one degradation failures dominate the system reliability. If degradation paths of the system's performance characteristics (PCs) tend to be comonotone there is a likely dependence between the PCs because of the system's common usage history. In this paper, a bivariate constant stress degradation data model is proposed. The model accommodates assumptions of dependency between PCs and allows the use of different marginal degradation distribution functions. Consequently, a better system reliability estimation can be expected from this model than from a model with independent PCs assumption. The proposed model is applied to an actual LED lamps experiment data. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal Sparse Descriptor Selection for QSAR Using Bayesian Methods
Authors: Burden F. R. , Winkler D. A.
Published: April 2009

Choosing a set of molecular descriptors (features) that is most relevant to a given biological response variable is a very important problem in QSAR that has not be solved in an optimal robust way. It is an interesting and important class of mathematical problems, where the number of variables greatly outweighs the number of observations (grossly underdetermined systems). We have used two Bayesian approaches to carry out this task using a suite of QSAR data sets. We employed a specialized sparse Bayesian feature reduction method based on an EM algorithm with a Laplacian prior to select a small set of the most relevant descriptors for modeling the response variables from a much larger pool of possibilities. Having chosen the optimum descriptors in a supervised manner, we used a Bayesian regularized neural network to carry out nonlinear regression and derive robust parsimonious QSAR models for five drug data sets. Models were validated using independent test sets, and results compared with other contemporary descriptor selection methods. Issues around validating small QSAR data sets were also discussed in detail. The sparse feature selection algorithm proved to be an excellent, robust method for selecting descriptors for QSAR models, as it is supervised (descriptors chosen in a context‐dependent manner), parsimonious (models not overly complex), and inherently interpretable. Coupled to a robust parsimonious nonlinear modeling method such as the Bayesian regularized neural net, the combination provides a means of optimally modeling the data, and allowing interpretation of the model in terms of the most relevant descriptors.
Rapid analysis of long‐chain glycolipids in heterocystous cyanobacteria using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Bauersachs Thorsten , Hopmans Ellen C. , Compaoré Justine , Stal Lucas J. , Schouten Stefan , Damsté Jaap S. Sinninghe
Published: April 2009

Under nitrogen‐depleted conditions, N2‐fixing cyanobacteria of the order Nostocales and Stigonematales differentiate vegetative cells into heterocysts. The cell envelope of these specialized cells contains unique glycolipids, consisting of a sugar moiety glycosidically bound to long‐chain diols, triols and hydroxyketones. Only few reports have been published on these glycolipids in cultured cyanobacteria and none has reported them in natural environments. Here we show that heterocyst glycolipids can be rapidly and sensitively analyzed using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI‐MS2). Positive ion mass spectra of the glycolipids consisted of protonated molecules and diagnostic product ions, indicating losses of sugar groups as well as hydroxyl and carbonyl functionalities from an alkyl chain. Using this method, heterocyst glycolipids were for the first time identified in a natural ecosystem, i.e., a microbial mat from the North Sea barrier island Schiermonnikoog, The Netherlands. This technique will facilitate the quick screening of cyanobacterial cultures and natural environments for the presence of heterocyst glycolipids, which may aid in assessing the role of heterocystous cyanobacteria in the global nitrogen cycle. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Correlated bivariate continuous and binary outcomes: Issues and applications
Authors: Teixeira‐Pinto Armando , Normand Sharon‐Lise T.
Published: April 2009

Increasingly multiple outcomes are collected in order to characterize treatment effectiveness or to evaluate the impact of large policy initiatives. Often the multiple outcomes are non‐commensurate, e.g. measured on different scales. The common approach to inference is to model each outcome separately ignoring the potential correlation among the responses. We describe and contrast several full likelihood and quasi‐likelihood multivariate methods for non‐commensurate outcomes. We present a new multivariate model to analyze binary and continuous correlated outcomes using a latent variable. We study the efficiency gains of the multivariate methods relative to the univariate approach. For complete data, all approaches yield consistent parameter estimates. When the mean structure of all outcomes depends on the same set of covariates, efficiency gains by adopting a multivariate approach are negligible. In contrast, when the mean outcomes depend on different covariate sets, large efficiency gains are realized. Three real examples illustrate the different approaches. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Beurteilung von Korrosionsschutzsystemen für Offshore‐Windenergietürme – Teil 1: Problemstellung und Versuchsdurchführung
Authors: Momber Andreas , Plagemann Peter , Stenzel Volkmar , Schneider Michael
Published: April 2009

m Rahmen von Auslagerungs‐ und Laborprüfungen wurde die Korrosionsschutzwirkung verschiedener, für den Schutz von Offshore‐Windenergietürmen geeigneter Systeme untersucht. Zu den untersuchten Systemen gehörten Duplexsysteme mit Zn/Al‐Metallisierung, mehrschichtige organische Systeme, ein einschichtiges organisches System, eine Zn/Mg‐Metallisierung sowie unbeschichtete Bereiche mit kathodischem Korrosionsschutz. Alle Systeme wurden an speziell gefertigten Auslagerungsprobekörpern sowie an Laborprobekörpern geprüft. Die im Labormaßstab durchgeführten Prüfungen umfassten Tauchversuche, Alterungsversuche, Versuche zur kathodischen Verträglichkeit und Messungen mittels elektrochemischer Impedanzspektroskopie. Im Teil 1 des Beitrages werden Konzeption und Durchführung der Prüfungen sowie die verwendeten Probekörper und Korrosionsschutzsysteme detailliert beschrieben. Über die Ergebnisse der Prüfungen wird im Teil 2 berichtet.
Using instructional logs to identify quality in educational settings
Authors: Rowan Brian , Jacob Robin , Correnti Richard
Published: April 2009

When attempting to identify educational settings that are most effective in improving student achievement, classroom process (that is, the way in which a teacher interacts with his or her students) is a key feature of interest. Unfortunately, high‐quality assessment of the student‐teacher interaction occurs all too infrequently, despite the critical role that understanding and measuring such processes can play in school improvement.

This article discusses the strengths and weaknesses of two common approaches to studying these processes—direct classroom observation and annual surveys of teachers—and then describes the ways in which instructional logs can be used to overcome some of the limitations of these two approaches when gathering data on curriculum content and coverage. Classroom observations are expensive, require extensive training of raters to ensure consistency in the observations, and because of their expense generally cannot be conducted frequently enough to enable the researcher to generalize observational findings to the entire school year or illuminate the patterns of instructional change that occur across the school year. Annual surveys are less expensive but often suffer from self‐report bias and the bias that occurs when teachers are asked to retrospectively report on their activities over the course of a single year. Instructional logs offer a valid, reliable, and relatively cost‐effective alternative for collecting detailed information about classroom practice and can overcome some of the limitations of both observations and annual surveys.
Assessing after‐school settings
Authors: Grossman Jean Baldwin , Goldmith Julie , Sheldon Jessica , Arbreton Amy J. A.
Published: April 2009

According to previous research, three point‐of‐service features—strong youth engagement, well‐conceived and well‐delivered content, and a conducive learning environment—lead to positive impacts in after‐school settings, the ultimate gauge of quality. To assess quality at a program's point of service, researchers and program administrators should measure indicators of these three quality features. We argue that youth engagement should be the first of these indicators to be measured because it reflects both the content of program activities and the conditions of the learning environment. Next, content should be assessed to ensure that staff deliver a well‐designed sequence of active tasks that are linked explicitly to the development of desired skills or competencies. Finally, assessing the learning environment can help explain whether youths' absorption of the content is inhibited by poor interactions, limited youth decision making, or unsafe conditions. In presenting and evaluating multiple measurement approaches, the authors argue that the most reliable measures are those collected from the agent (either youth or staff members) to whom the indicator is most directly tied. Engagement, for example, is an experience of the youth, content is delivered by staff members, and the learning environment, which is maintained by staff members and experienced by the youth, is tied to both agents. Findings from quality assessments should be used to feed an ongoing process of training, support, and content change aimed at quality improvement.
Spectroscopic and Vanadium K‐Edge EXAFS Studies on VO2Cl and the Crystal Structure of [{Cl2VO(O2PCl2)(POCl3)}2]
Authors: Hector Andrew L. , Jura Marek , Levason William , Reid Gillian , Webster Michael
Published: April 2009

Spectroscopic and vanadium K‐edge EXAFS data on VO2Cl suggest a structure based upon a dimeric OClV(μ‐O)2VClO core linked by longer V···Cl interactions into a polymer. The crystal structure of [{Cl2VO(O2PCl2)(POCl3)}2], obtained from VO2Cland POCl3, shows a centrosymmetric dimer with bridgingPO2Cl2 groups, and terminal POCl3 ligands O‐coordinated to each vanadium atom. Cl14O8P4V2: Space group P$\bar{1}$, Z = 1, lattice dimensions at 120 K: a = 8.039(2), b = 8.1641(15), c = 10.308(3) Å, α = 92.586(15), β = 103.829(10), γ = 106.963(15)°; R1 = 0.065.
Synthesis and Characterization of β‐Diketiminate Zinc Complexes
Authors: Schulz Stephan , Eisenmann Tamara , Bläser Dieter , Boese Roland
Published: April 2009

Reactions of the monomeric β‐diketiminate zinc complex MesNacNacZnMe (MesNacNac = {[2,6‐(2,4,6‐Me3–C6H2)‐N(Me)C)]2CH}) with ROH (R = Me, Et, iPr) yielded the corresponding zinc alkoxides [MesNacNacZnOR]2 (R = Me 1, Et 2, iPr 3). In addition, the reaction of MesNacNacZnCl with various reducing agents such as potassium graphite, potassium, or sodium gave the ZnII complex [MesNacNac]2Zn 4. Compounds 1–4were characterized by elemental analyses, mass and multinuclear (1H, 13C{1H}) NMR spectroscopy, and by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis.
Bis(phosphinimino)methanides as Ligands in Divalent Ytterbium and Strontium Chemistry–Synthesis and Structure
Authors: Wiecko Michal , Marks Sebastian , Panda Tarun K. , Roesky Peter W.
Published: April 2009

Two new bis(phosphinimino)methanide complexes of divalent ytterbium, [{(Me3SiNPPh2)2CH}2Yb], and strontium, [{(Me3SiNPPh2)2CH}2Sr], were synthesized from the corresponding metal diiodides and of K{CH(PPh2NSiMe3)2}. Alternatively, the ytterbium compound could also be obtained starting from [{(Me3SiNPPh2)2CH}YbI(THF)2]. A comparison of the properties with the analogues compounds [{(Me3SiNPPh2)2CH}2M] (M = Ca, Ba, Sm, Eu) is given.
Lithium Intercalation into β‐Rhombohedral Boron: LiB∼10 or Li30B309?
Authors: Vojteer Natascha , Stauffer Julia , Hillebrecht Harald , Hofmann Kathrin , Panda Monalisa , Albert Barbara
Published: April 2009

Single phase samples of lithium‐doped β‐rhombohedral boron were synthesised by different high temperature routes.Both single crystals and crystalline powders were obtained. Characterisation was done by electron energy loss spectroscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. According to the crystal structure determination based on single crystal and powder data, the phase investigated is LiB∼10. Depending on the synthesis route, LiB∼10 was found to form a compound with composition Li30B309. Further lithium intercalation is possible.
Decay of geometry for Fibonacci critical covering maps of the circle
Authors: Colli Eduardo , do Nascimento Marcio L. , Vargas Edson
Published: April 2009

We study the growth of

Df^{n}(f(c))

when

f

is a Fibonacci critical covering map of the circle with negative Schwarzian derivative, degree

d⩾2

and critical point

c

of order

ℓ > 1

. As an application we prove that

f

exhibits exponential decay of geometry if and only if

ℓ⩽2

, and in this case it has an absolutely continuous invariant probability measure, although not satisfying the so-called Collet–Eckmann condition.

Nous étudions la croissance de

Df^{n}(f(c))

lorsque

f

est un revêtement critique de Fibonacci du cercle avec dérivée Schwarzienne négative, degré

d⩾2

et point critique

c

d'ordre

ℓ > 1

. Comme application nous démontrons que

f

exhibe une décroissance exponentielle de géométrie si et seulement si

ℓ⩽2

, et dans ce cas

f

a une mesure de probabilité invariante absolument continue, sans satisfaire la condition de Collet–Eckmann.
The lifespan of spherically symmetric solutions of the compressible Euler equations outside an impermeable sphere
Authors: Godin Paul
Published: April 2009

We consider smooth three-dimensional spherically symmetric Eulerian flows of ideal polytropic gases outside an impermeable sphere, with initial data equal to the sum of a constant flow with zero velocity and a smooth perturbation with compact support. Under a natural assumption on the form of the perturbation, we obtain precise information on the asymptotic behavior of the lifespan as the size of the perturbation tends to 0. When there is no sphere, so that the flow is defined in all space, corresponding results have been obtained in [P. Godin, The lifespan of a class of smooth spherically symmetric solutions of the compressible Euler equations with variable entropy in three space dimensions, Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal. 177 (2005) 479–511].

Nous considérons des écoulements eulériens tridimensionnels lisses à symétrie sphérique de gaz parfaits polytropiques à l'extérieur d'une sphère imperméable, avec des données initiales somme d'un écoulement constant de vitesse nulle et d'une perturbation lisse à support compact. Sous une hypothèse naturelle sur la forme de la perturbation, nous obtenons une information précise sur le comportement asymptotique de la durée de vie quand la taille de la perturbation tend vers 0. S'il n'y a pas de sphère, de sorte que l'écoulement est défini dans tout l'espace, des résultats correspondants ont été obtenus dans [P. Godin, The lifespan of a class of smooth spherically symmetric solutions of the compressible Euler equations with variable entropy in three space dimensions, Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal. 177 (2005) 479–511].
Effect of cesarean delivery on the endometrium
Authors: Ben‐Nagi Jara , Walker Amy , Jurkovic Davor , Yazbek Joseph , Aplin John D.
Published: April 2009

Objective

To compare endometrial tissue samples from cesarean scar (CS) sites and from the posterior uterine wall to better understand the pathophysiology of implantation into a CS.

Methods

Endometrial samples were taken from both a CS site and the posterior wall in premenopausal women with CSs, and from the posterior wall in premenopausal women who had spontaneous vaginal deliveries (SVDs) only.

Results

In the secretory phase, there were significantly fewer leukocytes at CS sites than in the endometrium of women who had SVDs only (P < 0.05). Significant differences in leukocytic infiltration and cell proliferation between the proliferative and secretory phases were only found in women who had SVDs only (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Leukocyte recruitment to the endometrium during the secretory phase may be affected by the presence of a CS.
SOLUTIONS TO PSEUDODIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS USING SPHERICAL RADIAL BASIS FUNCTIONS
Authors: PHAM T. D. , TRAN T.
Published: April 2009

Spherical radial basis functions are used to define approximate solutions to pseudodifferential equations of negative order on the unit sphere. These equations arise from geodesy. The approximate solutions are found by the collocation method. A salient feature of our approach in this paper is a simple error analysis for the collocation method using the same argument as that for the Galerkin method.
CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β: its role in breast cancer and associations with receptor tyrosine kinases
Authors: Zahnow Cynthia A.
Published: April 2009

The CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBPs) are a family of leucine-zipper transcription factors that regulate gene expression to control cellular proliferation, differentiation, inflammation and metabolism. Encoded by an intronless gene, C/EBPβ is expressed as several distinct protein isoforms (LAP1, LAP2, LIP) whose expression is regulated by the differential use of several in-frame translation start sites. LAP1 and LAP2 are transcriptional activators and are associated with differentiation, whereas LIP is frequently elevated in proliferative tissue and acts as a dominant-negative inhibitor of transcription. However, emerging evidence suggests that LIP can serve as a transcriptional activator in some cellular contexts, and that LAP1 and LAP2 might also have unique actions. The LIP:LAP ratio is crucial for the maintenance of normal growth and development, and increases in this ratio lead to aggressive forms of breast cancer. This review discusses the regulation of C/EBPβ activity by post-translational modification, the individual actions of LAP1, LAP2 and LIP, and the functions and downstream targets that are unique to each isoform. The role of the C/EBPβ isoforms in breast cancer is discussed and emphasis is placed on their interactions with receptor tyrosine kinases.
Diagnostik der koronaren Herzkrankheit – Initiale Abklärung, Ergometrie, Leistungs- und Arbeitsfähigkeit
Authors: Abbuehl Heidi , Zellweger Michael J. , Hoffmann Andreas
Published: April 2009

Die Koronare Herzkrankheit kann sich akut oder chronisch-rezidivierend mit meist belastungsabhängigen pektanginösen Beschwerden oder Atemnot manifestieren. Die Unterscheidung zwischen stabiler und instabiler Verlaufsform ist prognostisch wichtig, instabile Patienten müssen wie ein akutes Koronarsyndrom stationär abgeklärt werden, bei stabiler Symptomatik kann die weitere Diagnostik mehrheitlich ambulant erfolgen. Differentialdiagnostisch kommen eine Vielzahl anderer kardialer und extrakardialer Ursachen für Thoraxbeschwerden in Frage. Wichtigste initiale diagnostische Schritte sind eine kardiovaskuläre Risikostratifizierung sowie der Nachweis einer Ischämie (bzw. Narbe, Nekrose) in Ruhe oder meist unter Belastung, allenfalls ergänzt durch eine bildgebende Methode. Die Beurteilung der Leistungsfähigkeit erfolgt anhand physiologischer Parameter (Watt, VO2max. bzw. MET, Distanz) mittels Ergometrie, Spiroergometrie oder 6-Minuten-Gehtest (z.B. bei Herzinsuffizienz). Für die Beurteilung der Arbeitsfähigkeit sind zusätzliche Faktoren ausschlaggebend.
Die Behandlung des akuten Koronarsyndroms heute und in Zukunft
Authors: Erne Paul , Corti Roberto , Radovanovic Dragana , Schoenenberger Andreas W.
Published: April 2009

In diesem Artikel werden die entscheidenden Schritte zur Diagnose des akuten Koronarsyndroms besprochen. Die mit der Diagnosestellung einhergehende Risikostratifizierung wird erklärt, und die sich aus der Risikostratifizierung ergebenden therapeutischen Schritte werden dargelegt. Aspekte der Qualitätskontrolle werden anhand des AMIS Plus Registers erläutert. Mögliche zukünftige Entwicklungen werden kurz erörtert.
Conjugate Point Equatorial Experiment (COPEX) campaign in Brazil: Electrodynamics highlights on spread F development conditions and day‐to‐day variability
Authors: Abdu M. A. , Batista I. S. , Reinisch B. W. , de Souza J. R. , Sobral J. H. A. , Pedersen T. R. , Medeiros A. F. , Schuch N. J. , de Paula E. R. , Groves K. M.
Published: April 2009

A Conjugate Point Equatorial Experiment (COPEX) campaign was conducted during the October–December 2002 period in Brazil, with the objective to investigate the equatorial spread F/plasma bubble irregularity (ESF) development conditions in terms of the electrodynamical state of the ionosphere along the magnetic flux tubes in which they occur. A network of instruments, including Digisondes, optical imagers, and GPS receivers, was deployed at magnetic conjugate and dip equatorial locations in a geometry that permitted field line mapping of the conjugate E layers to dip equatorial F layer bottomside. We analyze in this paper the extensive Digisonde data from the COPEX stations, complemented by limited all‐sky imager conjugate point observations. The Sheffield University Plasmasphere‐Ionosphere Model (SUPIM) is used to assess the transequatorial winds (TEW) as inferred from the observed difference of hmF2 at the conjugate sites. New results and evidence on the ESF development conditions and the related ambient electrodynamic processes from this study can be highlighted as follows: (1) large‐scale bottomside wave structures/satellite traces at the equator followed by their simultaneous appearance at conjugate sites are shown to be indicative of the ESF instability initiation; (2) the evening prereversal electric field enhancement (PRE)/vertical drift presents systematic control on the time delay in SF onset at off‐equatorial sites indicative of the vertical bubble growth, under weak transequatorial wind; (3) the PRE presents a large latitude/height gradient in the Brazilian sector; (4) conjugate point symmetry/asymmetry of large‐scale plasma depletions versus smaller‐scale structures is revealed; and (5) while transequatorial winds seem to suppress ESF development in a case study, the medium‐term trend in the ESF seems to be controlled more by the variation in the PRE than in the TEW during the COPEX period. Competing influences of the evening vertical plasma drift in favoring the ESF development and that of the TEW in suppressing its growth are discussed, presenting a perspective on the ESF day‐to‐day and medium‐term variabilities.
Hydrologic detection and finite element modeling of a slow slip event in the Costa Rica prism toe
Authors: LaBonte Alison L. , Brown Kevin M. , Fialko Yuri
Published: April 2009

We investigate transient fluid flux through the seafloor recorded near the Costa Rica trench during the 2000 Costa Rica Seismogenic Zone Experiment using a 2‐D fully coupled poroelastic finite element model. We demonstrate that the observed hydrologic anomalies are consistent with a model of propagating slow slip at the subduction interface between the frontal prism and downgoing plate. There are two sources of volumetric strain that drive fluid flux at the seafloor in response to fault slip at depth: (1) compression and dilation in the vicinity of the tips of a slipping patch and (2) extension and compression due to flexure of the seafloor. The superposition of these two effects results in distinctive spatial and temporal patterns of fluid flow through the seafloor. In a forward modeling approach, time series from shear ruptures with a range of fault length‐to‐depth ratios in a heterogeneous crust are generated and compared with flow rate observations. Assuming a constant propagation rate and an elliptical profile for the distribution of slip along the decollement, the set of model predictions enables us to infer the probable rupture location, extent, propagation velocity, and duration from a single flow rate time series. The best fit model suggests that the slow slip event initiated within the toe at a depth of less than 4 km and propagated bilaterally at an average rate of 0.5 km d−1. This interpretation implies that stress in the shallow subduction zone is relieved episodically. Furthermore, the Costa Rica data suggest that episodic slow slip events may initiate in the prism toe without being triggered by a seismic event further downdip.
Development of an unbiased cloud detection algorithm for a spaceborne multispectral imager
Authors: Ishida Haruma , Nakajima Takashi Y.
Published: April 2009

A new concept for cloud detection from observations by multispectral spaceborne imagers is proposed, and an algorithm comprising many pixel‐by‐pixel threshold tests is developed. Since in nature the thickness of clouds tends to vary continuously and the border between cloud and clear sky is thus vague, it is unrealistic to label pixels as either cloudy or clear sky. Instead, the extraction of ambiguous areas is considered to be useful and informative. We refer to the multiple threshold method employed in the MOD35 algorithm that is used for Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) standard data analysis, but drastically reconstruct the structure of the algorithm to meet our aim of sustaining the neutral position. The concept of a clear confidence level, which represents certainty of the clear or cloud condition, is applied to design a neutral cloud detection algorithm that is not biased to either clear or cloudy. The use of the clear confidence level with neutral position also makes our algorithm structure very simple. Several examples of cloud detection from satellite data are tested using our algorithm and are validated by visual inspection and comparison to previous cloud mask data. The results indicate that our algorithm is capable of reasonable discrimination between cloudy and clear‐sky areas over ocean with and without Sun glint, forest, and desert, and is able to extract areas with ambiguous cloudiness condition.
Calculation of geomagnetically induced currents in mid‐ to low‐latitude power grids based on the plane wave method: A preliminary case study
Authors: Liu Chun‐Ming , Liu Lian‐Guang , Pirjola Risto , Wang Ze‐Zhong
Published: April 2009

Geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) with large amplitudes have been found flowing in the Yang‐Huai power transmission system, Jiangsu, and at the Ling'ao Nuclear Power Plant, Guangdong, China. In order to assess the effects of GIC, it is necessary to know the level of GIC in the power grids. In this paper, the main purpose of which is to introduce GIC observations and studies in such a mid‐ to low‐latitude country as China, the authors calculate GIC in the power grids on the basis of the simple Plane Wave Method and present a discrete algorithm according to which software has been developed to calculate the Earth surface electric field. The data of two strong magnetic storms at the Zhaoqing Geomagnetic Observatory are used to calculate the electric field and GIC at the Ling'ao Nuclear Power Plant. The measured data and the calculated results agree well, and calculations are thus applicable to assessing GIC in power grids. Additionally, the Heihe 220 kV power grid has been modeled to calculate GIC at three substations. The results show that the power grid topology and parameters are important factors for GIC levels in middle‐ and low‐latitude regions and even larger GIC may occur in these areas.
Global biogeophysical interactions between forest and climate
Authors: Brovkin Victor , Raddatz Thomas , Reick Christian H. , Claussen Martin , Gayler Veronika
Published: April 2009

In two sensitivity experiments using the Earth System Model of the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology (MPI‐ESM), the vegetation cover of the ice‐free land surface has been set worldwide to either forest or grassland in order to quantify the quasi‐equilibrium response of the atmosphere and ocean components to extreme land surface boundary conditions. After 400 years of model integration, the global mean annual surface temperature increased by 0.7°K and declined by 0.6°K in the forest and grassland simulations, respectively, as compared to the control simulation. Thereafter, the geographic distribution of vegetation has been allowed to respond interactively to climate. After subsequent 500 years of interactive climate‐vegetation dynamics, both forest and grassland simulations converged to essentially the same climate state as in the control simulation. This convergence suggests an absence of multiple climate‐forest states in the current version of the MPI‐ESM.
Thermodynamic characterization of the redox centres in a representative domain of a novel c-type multihaem cytochrome
Authors: Morgado Leonor , Fernandes Ana P. , Londer Yuri Y. , Pokkuluri P. Raj , Schiffer Marianne , Salgueiro Carlos A.
Published: April 2009

Multihaem cytochromes that could form protein “nanowires” were identified in the Geobacter sulfurreducens genome, and represent a new type of multihaem cytochrome. The sequences of these proteins, two with 12 haems (GSU1996, GSU0592) and one with 27 haems (GSU2210), suggest that they are formed with domains homologous to the trihaem cytochrome c7. Although all three haems have bis-His co-ordination in cytochromes c7, in each domain of the above polymers, the haem equivalent to haem IV has His-Met co-ordination. We previously determined the structure and measured the macroscopic redox potential of one representative domain (domain C) of a dodecahaem cytochrome (GSU1996). In the present study, the microscopic redox properties of the individual haem groups of domain C were determined using NMR and UV–visible spectroscopies. The reduction potentials of the haems for the fully reduced and protonated protein are different from each other (haem I, −106 mV; haem III, −136 mV; and haem IV, −125 mV) and are strongly modulated by redox interactions. This result is rather surprising since the His-Met co-ordinated haem IV does not have the highest potential as was expected. The polypeptide environment of each haem group and the strong haem pairwise redox interactions must play a dominant role in controlling the individual haem potentials. The strong redox interactions between the haems extend the range of their operating potentials at physiological pH (haem I, −71 mV, haem III, −146 mV and haem IV, −110 mV). Such a modulation in haem potentials is likely to have a functional significance in the metabolism of G. sulfurreducens.
Characterizing Users' Visual Analytic Activity for Insight Provenance
Authors: Gotz David , Zhou Michelle X.
Published: April 2009

Insight provenance – a historical record of the process and rationale by which an insight is derived – is an essential requirement in many visual analytics applications. Although work in this area has relied on either manually recorded provenance (for example, user notes) or automatically recorded event-based insight provenance (for example, clicks, drags and key-presses), both approaches have fundamental limitations. Our aim is to develop a new approach that combines the benefits of both approaches while avoiding their deficiencies. Toward this goal, we characterize users' visual analytic activity at multiple levels of granularity. Moreover, we identify a critical level of abstraction, Actions, that can be used to represent visual analytic activity with a set of general but semantically meaningful behavior types. In turn, the action types can be used as the semantic building blocks for insight provenance. We present a catalog of common actions identified through observations of several different visual analytic systems. In addition, we define a taxonomy to categorize actions into three major classes based on their semantic intent. The concept of actions has been integrated into our lab's prototype visual analytic system, HARVEST, as the basis for its insight provenance capabilities.