bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PROMISES MADE, PROMISES BROKEN: A MODEL OF IMF PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
Authors: JOYCE JOSEPH P.
Published: October 2006

This paper presents a model of the implementation of IMF programs, which is empirically tested with data from the period 1975–1999. The IMF and the borrowing country are shown to have asymmetric evaluations of a program's discounted benefits, due to differences in the measurement of the benefits, the relevant time frame and appropriate discount rate. The model also distinguishes between a government that seeks to maximize national welfare and an autocracy that seeks only to benefit the ruling group. The results of the empirical analysis demonstrate that program implementation is affected by a country's trade openness, the ideological cohesion of the government, the duration of the political regime, and the degree of political openness.
LOBBYING CONTESTS WITH ENDOGENOUS POLICY PROPOSALS
Authors: MÜNSTER JOHANNES
Published: October 2006

Lobbyists choose what to lobby for. If they can precommit to certain policy proposals, their choice will have an influence on the behavior of opposing lobbyists. Hence lobbyists have an incentive to moderate their policy proposals in order to reduce the intensity of the lobbying contest. This logic has been explored in a number of recent papers. I reconsider the topic with a perfectly discriminating contest. With endogenous policy proposals, there is a subgame‐perfect equilibrium where the proposals of the lobbyists coincide and maximize joint welfare; moreover, this equilibrium is the only one that survives repeated elimination of dominated strategies. Hence there is no rent dissipation at all. A politician trying to maximize lobbying expenditures would prefer an imperfectly discriminating contest.
Stereological evaluation of treatment response in patients with non‐resectable hepatic alveolar echinococcosis using computed tomography via the Cavalieri method
Authors: Aydinli Bulent , Kantarci Mecit , Polat Kamil Yalcin , Unal Bünyami , Atamanalp Sabri Selcuk , Durur Irmak , Unal Deniz , Akgun Metin
Published: October 2006

Abstract: Introduction: The purposes of this study were to describe and adapt the relevant methods of computed tomography (CT) and stereology to estimate parasitic volume in the liver, to compare the efficiency of benzimidazole treatment in hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (AE), and to determine whether the response rates measured by the stereological method are correlated with those measured by simple volumetric measurements (SVM).

Methods: Nine eligible patients with non‐resectable AE were included in the study. By using their abdominal CT at the baseline and after a year of treatment, treatment responses of the cases were evaluated both by the stereological method via a software and by SVM, retrospectively. The volume estimation was performed in our study using a different approach that consisted of three separate stages combined with the Cavalieri method of modern design stereology.

Results: The response rates were −17±55% and −12±37% by the Cavalieri method and SVM, respectively; however, they were not statistically significant (P=0.59 and 0.21 for the Cavalieri method and SVM, respectively). Although some cases had comparable results, others had different response rates, and the two methods showed no significant correlation (r=−0.31, P=0.41).

Conclusions: Because this modified method provides accurate results by reducing margin of errors, even in case of bizarre shape of AE, a correct, unbiased, and reliable management of the cases with AE via this method may be possible. Owing to lack of a correlation with SVM, it is suggested that a measurement via SVM may be wrong and its use in the evaluation of the treatment response in such cases will not be sufficient and completely true.
Human secretory phospholipase A2, group IB in normal eyes and in eye diseases
Authors: Kolko Miriam , Prause Jan U. , Bazan Nicolas G. , Heegaard Steffen
Published: October 2006

Purpose:  Secretory phospholipases A2 (sPLA2) are enzymes involved in lipid turnover. We recently identified sPLA2 group IB (GIB) in the rat retina as well as in cerebral neurons and found upregulation to occur in response to light damage and seizures, respectively. The purpose of the present study was to identify human GIB (hGIB) in the normal human eye and investigate the pattern of expression in patients with eye diseases involving hGIB‐rich cells.

Methods:  Human GIB mRNA was identified in the human retina by means of in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction. Antibodies against hGIB were obtained and immunohistochemical staining was performed on paraffin‐embedded sections of normal and pathological eyes. Donor eyes from patients with descemetization of the cornea, Fuchs' corneal endothelial dystrophy, age‐related macular degeneration, malignant choroidal melanoma, retinitis pigmentosa and glaucoma were evaluated.

Results:  Expression of hGIB was found in various cells of the eye. The most abundant expression was found in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, the inner photoreceptor segments, ganglion cells and the corneal endothelium. We explored diseases involving hGIB‐rich cells and found downregulation of hGIB in proliferating RPE cells as well as in diseased corneal endothelial cells.

Conclusions:  Human GIB is highly expressed in cells with neurodermal origin. The pattern of expression of hGIB in diseases involving hGIB‐rich cells demonstrated a downregulation of hGIB in migrating RPE cells and in diseased corneal endothelium.
Ligneous alveolar gingivitis in the absence of plasminogen deficiency
Authors: Naudi K. Busuttil , Hunter K. D. , MacDonald D. G. , Felix D. H.
Published: October 2006

A case of localized, longstanding, asymptomatic ligneous gingivitis affecting the crest of the edentulous lower left posterior alveolar ridge (ligneous alveolar gingivitis) of a middle‐aged Caucasian woman is presented. This patient did not have any associated ophthalmic lesions (ligneous conjunctivitis) and did not have a plasminogen deficiency.
RANKL and cathepsin K in diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis of the mandible
Authors: Montonen M. , Li T‐F. , Lukinmaa P‐L. , Sakai E. , Hukkanen M. , Sukura A. , Konttinen Y.T.
Published: October 2006

Background:  Diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis (DSO) of the mandible is characterized by mixed bone resorption and formation.

Methods:  Immunohistopathology of DSO in the clinically acute and subacute phases was compared with healthy bone.

Results:  Receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) was found in DSO lesions. When it was used in vitro to stimulate monocytes, cathepsin K expression was observed in mononuclear prefusion precursors and in multinuclear giant cells. Similarly, exacerbations of DSO were characterized by RANKL and induction of cathepsin K in mononuclear precursor cells, which subsequently seem to differentiate into osteoclasts or foreign body giant cells. The proportion of bone to soft tissue increased with the duration of disease.

Conclusions:  RANKL‐driven osteoclastogenesis and acidic cysteine endoproteinase cathepsin K seem to play important roles in DSO as osteoclast‐mediated bone resorption may represent the primary disease process later followed by new bone formation.
Microwave Dielectric Properties of Sr(B′1/2Nb1/2)O3 [B′=La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Y, Er, Yb, and In] Ceramics
Authors: Khalam L. Abdul , Sebastian M. T.
Published: October 2006

Sr(B′1/2Nb1/2)O3 [B′=La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Y, Er, Yb, and In] ceramics were prepared by the conventional solid‐state ceramic route. The crystal structure and microstructure of the ceramics were characterized by X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopic methods, and the dielectric properties were measured in the microwave range. Addition of a small amount of CeO2 as a sintering aid improved the densification and dielectric properties of the ceramics. The effects of cation substitution and glass addition on the microwave dielectric properties of the ceramics were also investigated. Glass addition resulted in the lowering of the processing temperature of the materials without much affecting the dielectric properties, whereas cation substitution resulted in the variation of the temperature coefficient of resonant frequencies. A correlation of dielectric properties with the tolerance factor and ionic radii of B′‐site elements of the ceramics has been observed.
Synthesis of Nanophased Metal Oxides in Supercritical Water: Catalysts for Biomass Conversion
Authors: Levy Caroline , Watanabe Masaru , Aizawa Yuichi , Inomata Hiroshi , Sue Kiwamu
Published: October 2006

Nanoparticles of zinc oxide‐based materials (ZnO, ZnAl2O4) with various morphologies were synthesized in supercritical water (SCW) with a flow‐type apparatus and in sub‐ and supercritical water with a batch reactor. In the flow‐type apparatus, smaller particles were obtained. Depending on the precursors, the morphology of crystallites is rod, hexagonal, or rectangular shaped. ZnAl2O4 was synthesized with a high specific surface area (SBET) reaching 210 m2/g and nanocrystallite sizes ≤10 nm. The KOH concentration played a major role in the formation of ZnO and ZnAl2O4 phases. Then, the synthesized materials were used as catalysts for the biomass conversion by the oxidation process to produce hydrogen.
Sol–Gel Synthesis of PZT–Glass Nanocomposites Using a Simple System and Characterization
Authors: Kumar V. , Achuthan Asha T. , Sivanandan K. , Divya P. V. , Rema K. P.
Published: October 2006

A simple inorganic system has been developed for the sol–gel synthesis of piezoelectric PZT–glass nanocomposites. Nanocrystalline PZT are nucleated from the amorphous xerogel through controlled heat treatment at 600°C. The formation of the crystalline phase, particle size, morphology, kinetics, and mechanism of crystallization of PZT in the glass matrix have been studied using X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and differential thermal analysis. The piezoelectric characteristics of the PZT–glass compositions have been determined, and are correlated with the microstructure and the crystalline phase of PZT.
Negotiating Assimilation: Chicago Catholic High Schools' Pursuit of Accreditation in the Early Twentieth Century
Authors: Ryan Ann Marie
Published: October 2006

At the Catholic Educational Association's (CEA) annual meeting in 1911, Reverend John E Green, president of St. Rita College Prep, an academy for boys on the southwest side of Chicago administered by the Augustinian Fathers, argued against Catholic schools' seeking accreditation from non-Catholic institutions. He called the practice “a heterodoxical spectacle” and “a stultification of our claim of the necessity of Catholic education.” Reverend Green opposed accreditation by both state agencies and professional associations, but just five years later requested assistance from the speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, David E. Shanahan, to pursue state recognition for St. Rita. Speaker Shanahan called on the Illinois Superintendent of Public Instruction and asked him to respond to Reverend Green's request to dispatch the Illinois High School Supervisor to St Rita. What motivated a staunch opponent of recognition and accreditation like Green to go to such lengths to procure it? While accreditation by non-Catholic institutions did not negate the need for Catholic education, as Reverend Green feared, how did it contribute to the assimilation of Catholic schools and hence Chicago Catholics in the early twentieth century?
VARIANCE RATIO TESTS OF THE RANDOM WALK HYPOTHESIS FOR SOUTH AFRICAN STOCK FUTURES
Authors: Smith Graham , Rogers Gillian
Published: October 2006

The hypothesis that stock futures follow a random walk is tested for four stock index futures and a sample of 36 single stock futures traded on the JSE Securities Exchange, South Africa, using joint variance ratio tests based on (i) ranks and signs and (ii) wild bootstrapping. Overall, there is a high degree of weak‐form efficiency: all four stock index futures and twenty‐five of the sample of 36 single stock futures follow a random walk.
Objective and subjective analysis of effects of listening angle on crosstalk cancellation in spatial sound reproduction
Authors: Bai Mingsian R. , Lee Chih-Chung
Published: October 2006

A comprehensive study was conducted to explore the effects of listening angle on crosstalk cancellation in spatial sound reproduction using two-channel stereo systems. The intention is to establish a sustainable configuration of crosstalk cancellation system (CCS) that best reconciles the separation performance and the robustness against lateral head movement, not only in theory but also in practice. Although crosstalk can in principle be suppressed using multichannel inverse filters, the CCS does not lend itself very well to practical application owing to the fact that the sweet spot is being so small. Among the parameters of loudspeaker deployment, span angle is a crucial factor that has a profound impact on the separation performance and sweet spot robustness achievable by the CCS. This paper seeks to pinpoint, from a more comprehensive perspective, the optimal listening angle that best reconciles the robustness and performance of the CCS. Two kinds of definitions of sweet spot are employed for assessment of robustness. In addition to the point source model, head related transfer functions (HRTF) are employed as the plant models in the simulation to emulate more practical localization scenarios such as the high-frequency head shadowing effect. Three span angles including 10, 60, and 120deg are then compared via objective and subjective experiments. The Friedman test is applied to analyze the data of subjective experiments. The results indicate that not only the CCS performance but also the panning effect and head shadowing will dictate the overall performance and robustness. The 120-deg arrangement performs comparably well as the standard 60-deg arrangement, but is much better than the 10-deg arrangement.
Transmission loss in manatee habitats
Authors: Miksis-Olds Jennifer L. , Miller James H.
Published: October 2006

The Florida manatee is regularly exposed to high volumes of vessel traffic and other human-related noise because of its coastal distribution. Quantifying specific aspects of the manatee’s acoustic environment will allow for a better understanding of how these animals respond to both natural and human-induced changes in their environment. Transmission loss measurements were made in 24 sampling sites that were chosen based on the frequency of manatee presence. The Monterey-Miami Parabolic Equation model was used to relate environmental parameters to transmission loss in two extremely shallow water environments: seagrass beds and dredged habitats. Model accuracy was verified by field tests at all modeled sites. Results indicated that high-use grassbeds have higher levels of transmission loss for frequencies above 2kHz compared to low-use sites of equal food species composition and density. This also happens to be the range of most efficient sound propagation inside the grassbed habitat and includes the dominant frequencies of manatee vocalizations. The acoustic environment may play a more important role in manatee grassbed selection than seagrass coverage or species composition, as linear regression analysis showed no significant correlation between usage and either total grass coverage, individual species coverage, or aerial pattern.
Coupling of earphones to human ears and to standard coupler
Authors: Ćirić Dejan G. , Hammershøi Dorte
Published: October 2006

A standardized acoustical coupler should enable the calibration of audiometric earphones which ensures that the hearing thresholds determined in the audiometric measurement are independent of the earphone type. This requires that the coupler approximates the average human ear closely. Nevertheless, the differences among earphones as well as between human ears and the coupler affect the results of the audiometric measurements inducing uncertainty. As the mentioned differences are related to the coupling of different earphones to human ears and to a standardized coupler, the effects of this coupling are investigated by measuring the transfer functions from input voltage of the earphone terminals to the pressure at the ear canal entrance in two situations: open and blocked canals. Since the “ear canal entrance” is not well-defined for the coupler, transfer function measurements in the coupler were carried out in a similar way but at different depths. In order to describe and compare the earphone couplings, the pressure divisions at the entrance of the ear canal are calculated from the measured transfer functions. The results indicate that significant difference appears among sound pressures generated in different individuals’ ears. Also, the earphone couplings to human ears and to the coupler differ considerably.
On analysis of exponentially decaying pulse signals using stochastic volatility model. Part II: Student-t distribution
Authors: Chan C. M. , Tang S. K.
Published: October 2006

The authors have recently demonstrated how the stochastic volatility model incorporating the exponential power distribution can be used to retrieve the instant of initiation of an exponentially decaying pulse and its decay constants in the presence of background noises. In the present study, the Student-t distribution, which can be expressed in a two-stage scale mixtures representation, is adopted in the stochastic volatility model. It is found that the corresponding performance is comparable to that for the case of the exponential power distribution when the signal-to-noise ratio is larger than or equal to 3dB. The performance deteriorates quickly when the signal-to-noise ratio drops below 0dB.
Modal parameter estimation for fluid-loaded structures from reduced order models
Authors: Li Xianhui , Li Sheng
Published: October 2006

A model reduction method is developed to estimate modal parameters of fluid-loaded structures. The method uses a matrix-free formulation of rational Krylov projection to construct reduced order models of the fluid-loaded structures from forced responses at selected interpolation frequencies. Due to small sizes of the reduced order models, eigenpairs of the associated eigenvalue problems are available at a very low computational cost. Resonance frequencies, modal damping ratios, and mode shapes of the original systems are recovered from the forced responses and the eigenpairs of the reduced order models. Nonphysical modes introduced by the model reduction process are filtered out by a modal damping ratio test and double checked by the condition number of the dynamic stiffness matrix. Efficiency and accuracy of the present method are demonstrated on a benchmark model of a water-loaded plate clamped in a baffle.
Comment on “Broadband matched-field processing: Coherent and incoherent approaches” [Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 113, 2587–2598 (2003)]
Authors: Nadarajah Saralees , Kotz Samuel
Published: October 2006

The recent paper by Soares and Jesus [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 113, 2587–2598 (2003)] discussed the probability density functions (pdfs) of the envelope and phase of signals for modeling in broadband match-field processing. In this Comment, we provide an explicit expression for the pdf of phase involving the standard normal distribution function. Several elementary approximations are also suggested and references given.
St. Lawrence blue whale vocalizations revisited: Characterization of calls detected from 1998 to 2001
Authors: Berchok Catherine L. , Bradley David L. , Gabrielson Thomas B.
Published: October 2006

From 1998 to 2001, 115h of acoustic recordings were made in the presence of the well-studied St. Lawrence population of blue whales, using a calibrated omnidirectional hydrophone [flat (±3dB) response from 5to800Hz] suspended at 50m depth from a surface isolation buoy. The primary field site for this study was the estuary region of the St. Lawrence River (Québec, Canada), with most recordings made between mid-August and late October. During the recordings, detailed field notes were taken on all cetaceans within sight. Characterization of the more than 1000 blue whale calls detected during this study revealed that the St. Lawrence repertoire is much more extensive than previously reported. Three infrasonic (<20Hz) and three audible range (30–200Hz) call types were detected, with much time/frequency variation seen within each type. Further variation is seen in the form of call segmentation, which appears (through examination of Lloyd’s Mirror interference effects) to be controlled at least partially by the whales. Although St. Lawrence blue whale call characteristics are similar to those of the North Atlantic, comparisons of phrase composition and spacing among studies suggest the possibility of population dialects within the North Atlantic.
Effect of adaptive psychophysical procedure on loudness matches
Authors: Silva Ikaro , Florentine Mary
Published: October 2006

Large variability in equal-loudness matches has been observed across studies. The purpose of the present study was to gain insight into the extent to which this variability results from differences in psychophysical procedures and∕or differences among listeners. Four adaptive two-interval, two-alternatives-forced-choice procedures were used to obtain equal-loudness matches between 5- and 200-ms 1-kHz tones as a function of level for each of six normal listeners. The procedures differed primarily in the sequence in which the stimuli were presented. The variations tested were the ordering of stimuli by amplitude across blocks of trials (both increasing and decreasing amplitudes), randomizing the order across those blocks, and randomizing the order within blocks. The random-within-block procedure, which sought to randomize any intertrial information, yielded a significantly greater amount of temporal integration than the other three procedures. The results show significant differences in temporal integration measurements at moderate levels for the same listeners across different procedures. Therefore, although there are individual differences among listeners in the amount of temporal integration measured across paradigms, the choice of paradigm also affects the amount of temporal integration measured at moderate levels.
In search of basal distortion product generators
Authors: Withnell Robert H. , Lodde Jill
Published: October 2006

The 2f1-f2 distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) is thought to arise primarily from the complex interaction of components that come from two different cochlear locations. Such distortion has its origin in the nonlinear interaction on the basilar membrane of the excitation patterns resulting from the two stimulus tones, f1 and f2. Here we examine the spatial extent of initial generation of the 2f1-f2 OAE by acoustically traumatizing the base of the cochlea and so eliminating the contribution of the basal region of the cochlea to the generation of 2f1-f2. Explicitly, amplitude-modulated, or continuously varying in level, stimulus tones with f2∕f1=1.2 and f2=8000–8940Hz were used to generate the 2f1-f2 DPOAE in guinea pig before and after acoustically traumatizing the basal region of the cochlea (the origin of any basal-to-f2 distortion product generators). It was found, based on correlation analysis, that there does not appear to be a basal-to-f2 distortion product generation mechanism contributing significantly to the guinea pig 2f1-f2 OAE up to L1=80dB sound pressure level (SPL).
Perception of acoustic scale and size in musical instrument sounds
Authors: Dinther Ralph van , Patterson Roy D.
Published: October 2006

There is size information in natural sounds. For example, as humans grow in height, their vocal tracts increase in length, producing a predictable decrease in the formant frequencies of speech sounds. Recent studies have shown that listeners can make fine discriminations about which of two speakers has the longer vocal tract, supporting the view that the auditory system discriminates changes on the acoustic-scale dimension. Listeners can also recognize vowels scaled well beyond the range of vocal tracts normally experienced, indicating that perception is robust to changes in acoustic scale. This paper reports two perceptual experiments designed to extend research on acoustic scale and size perception to the domain of musical sounds: The first study shows that listeners can discriminate the scale of musical instrument sounds reliably, although not quite as well as for voices. The second experiment shows that listeners can recognize the family of an instrument sound which has been modified in pitch and scale beyond the range of normal experience. We conclude that processing of acoustic scale in music perception is very similar to processing of acoustic scale in speech perception.
Threonine-Rich Repeats Increase Fibronectin Binding in the
Candidaalbicans
Adhesin Als5p
Authors: Rauceo Jason M. , De Armond Richard , Otoo Henry , Kahn Peter C. , Klotz Stephen A. , Gaur Nand K. , Lipke Peter N.
Published: October 2006

Commensal and pathogenic states of
Candida albicans
depend on cell
surface-expressed adhesins, including those of the Als family. Mature Als proteins consist of a 300-residue N-terminal region predicted to have an immunoglobulin (Ig)-like fold, a 104-residue conserved Thr-rich
region (T), a central domain of a variable number of tandem repeats
(TR) of a 36-residue Thr-rich sequence, and a heavily glycosylated
C-terminal Ser/Thr-rich stalk region, also of variable length
(N. K. Gaur and S. A. Klotz, Infect. Immun. 65:
5289-5294, 1997). Domain deletions in
ALS5
were
expressed in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
to excrete soluble
protein and for surface display. Far UV circular dichroism indicated
that soluble Ig-T showed a single negative peak at 212 nm, consistent
with previous data indicating that this region has high β-sheet
content with very little α-helix. A truncation of Als5p with
six tandem repeats (Ig-T-TR
6
) gave spectra with additional
negative ellipticity at 200 nm and, at 227 to 240 nm, spectra
characteristic of a structure with a similar fraction ofβ
-sheet but with additional structural elements as
well. Soluble Als5p Ig-T and Ig-T-TR
6
fragments
bound to fibronectin in vitro, but the inclusion of the TR region
substantially increased affinity. Cellular adhesion assays with
S.
cerevisiae
showed that the Ig-T domain mediated adherence to
fibronectin and that TR repeats greatly increased cell-to-cell
aggregation. Thus, the TR region of Als5p modulated the structure of
the Ig-T region, augmented cell adhesion activity through increased
binding to mammalian ligands, and simultaneously promoted fungal
cell-cell
interactions.
Cooperation between Reverse Transcriptase and Integrase during Reverse Transcription and Formation of the Preintegrative Complex of Ty1
Authors: Wilhelm Marcelle , Wilhelm F.-X.
Published: October 2006

Reverse transcriptase (RT) and integrase (IN) play a central role in the replication and transposition of retroelements. Increasing evidence suggests that the interaction between these two enzymes is functional and plays an important role in replication. In the yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
retrotransposon Ty1, the interaction of IN with RT is critical for the formation of an active conformation of RT. We show here that the RT associated with VLPs is active only if it is in close interaction with IN. To probe the IN-RT
cis-trans
relationship, we have used a complementation assay based on coexpressing two transposons. We show that IN acts in
cis
to activate RT and that a functional integrase provided in
trans
is not able to complement replication and transposition defects of IN deletion or IN active-site mutant elements. Our data support a model in which IN not only interacts closely with RT during reverse transcription but also remains associated with RT during the formation of the preintegrative complex.
The SH3/PH Domain Protein AgBoi1/2 Collaborates with the Rho-Type GTPaseAgRho3 To Prevent Nonpolar Growth at Hyphal Tips of
Ashbyagossypii
Authors: Knechtle Philipp , Wendland Jürgen , Philippsen Peter
Published: October 2006

Unlike most other cells, hyphae of filamentous fungi permanently elongate and
lack nonpolar growth phases. We identified AgBoi1/2p in the filamentous
ascomycete
Ashbya gossypii
as a component required to prevent
nonpolar growth at hyphal tips. Strains lacking AgBoi1/2p frequently
show spherical enlargement at hyphal tips with concomitant
depolarization of actin patches and loss of tip-located actin cables.
These enlarged tips can repolarize and resume hyphal tip extension in
the previous polarity axis. AgBoi1/2p permanently localizes to hyphal
tips and transiently to sites of septation. Only the tip localization
is important for sustained elongation of hyphae. In a yeast two-hybrid
experiment, we identified the Rho-type GTPase AgRho3p as an interactor
of AgBoi1/2p. AgRho3p is also required to prevent nonpolar growth at
hyphal tips, and strains deleted for both Ag
BOI1/2
and Ag
RHO3
phenocopied the respective
single-deletion strains, demonstrating that AgBoi1/2p and AgRho3p
function in a common pathway. Monitoring the polarisome of growing
hyphae using AgSpa2p fused to the green fluorescent protein as a
marker, we found that polarisome disassembly precedes the onset of
nonpolar growth in strains lacking AgBoi1/2p or AgRho3p. AgRho3p locked
in its GTP-bound form interacts with the Rho-binding domain of the
polarisome-associated formin AgBni1p, implying that AgRho3p has the
capacity to directly activate formin-driven actin cable nucleation. We
conclude that AgBoi1/2p and AgRho3p support polarisome-mediated actin
cable formation at hyphal tips, thereby ensuring permanent polar tip
growth.
THE GIANT FLARE FROM SGR 1806–20 AND ITS RADIO AFTERGLOW
Authors: TAYLOR G. B. , GRANOT J.
Published: October 2006

The multi-wavelength observations of the 2004 December 27 Giant Flare (GF) from SGR 1806–20 and its long-lived radio afterglow are briefly reviewed. The GF appears to have been produced by a dramatic reconfiguration of the magnetic field near the surface of the neutron star, possibly accompanied by fractures in the crust. The explosive release of over 1046 erg (isotropic equivalent) powered a one-sided mildly relativistic outflow. The outflow produced a new expanding radio nebula that is still visible over a year after the GF. Also considered are the constraints on the total energy in the GF, the energy and mass in the outflow, and on the external density, as well as possible implications for short γ-ray bursts and potential signatures in high energy neutrinos, photons, or cosmic rays. Some possible future observations of this and other GFs are briefly discussed.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DETECTING PITCH VIA BONE-CONDUCTED ULTRASOUND AND EIGENFREQUENCIES OF HUMAN HEAD
Authors: FUJISAKA YOH-ICHI , NAKAGAWA SEIJI , TONOIKE MITSUO
Published: October 2006

This paper describes the relationship between the eigenfrequencies of CT scanned realistic human head model and the subjective detecting pitch, which is given by providing the bone-conducted ultrasound. Our goal is to develop the optimal bone-conducted ultrasonic hearing aid for profoundly hearing-impaired persons. An ascent of a speech intelligibility is the requirement of hearing aid. To improve it, the perception mechanism of the bone-conducted ultrasound must be clarified, but the conclusive agreement of it has not been reached yet, although many hypotheses were reported.

The authors feel an interest in the detecting pitch of bone-conducted ultrasound with no frequency-dependence and predict that the cochleae are related to the perception mechanism for bone-conducted ultrasound, since it has been verified that the auditory cortex responds to bone-conducted ultrasound by MEG study.

In this paper, waves propagating from the mastoid to both cochleae are numerically analyzed and the characteristics of transfer functions are estimated as a first step to clarifying the perception mechanism for detecting pitch of bone-conducted ultrasonic stimuli.
COMPROMISING IN PARTITION FUNCTION FORM GAMES AND COOPERATION IN PERFECT EXTENSIVE FORM GAMES
Authors: FUKUDA E. , TIJS S. H. , BRÂNZEI R. , MUTO S.
Published: October 2006

In this paper reasonable payoff intervals for players in a game in partition function form (p.f.f. game) are introduced and used to define the notion of compromisable p.f.f. game. For a compromisable p.f.f. game a compromise value is defined for which an axiomatic characterization is provided. Also a generic subclass of games in extensive form of perfect information without chance moves is introduced. For this class of perfect extensive form games there is a natural credible way to define a p.f.f. game if the players consider cooperation. It turns out that the p.f.f. games obtained in this way are compromisable.
Platelet-activating factor in the enteric nervous system of the guinea pig small intestine
Authors: Wang Guo-Du , Wang Xi-Yu , Hu Hong-Zhen , Fang Xiu-Cai , Liu Sumei , Gao Na , Xia Yun
Published: October 2006

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a proinflammatory mediator that may influence neuronal activity in the enteric nervous system (ENS). Electrophysiology, immunofluorescence, Western blot analysis, and RT-PCR were used to study the action of PAF and the expression of PAF receptor (PAFR) in the ENS. PAFR immunoreactivity (IR) was expressed by 6.9% of the neurons in the myenteric plexus and 14.5% of the neurons in the submucosal plexus in all segments of the guinea pig intestinal tract as determined by double staining with anti-human neuronal protein antibody. PAFR IR was found in 6.1% of the neurons with IR for calbindin, 35.8% of the neurons with IR for neuropeptide Y (NPY), 30.6% of the neurons with IR for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), and 1.96% of the neurons with IR for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the submucosal plexus. PAFR IR was also found in 1.5% of the neurons with IR for calbindin, 51.1% of the neurons with IR for NPY, and 32.9% of the neurons with IR for ChAT in the myenteric plexus. In the submucosal plexus, exposure to PAF (200–600 nM) evoked depolarizing responses (8.2 ± 3.8 mV) in 12.4% of the neurons with S-type electrophysiological behavior and uniaxonal morphology and in 12.5% of the neurons with AH-type electrophysiological behavior and Dogiel II morphology, whereas in the myenteric preparations, depolarizing responses were elicited by a similar concentration of PAF in 9.5% of the neurons with S-type electrophysiological behavior and uniaxonal morphology and in 12.0% of the neurons with AH-type electrophysiological behavior and Dogiel II morphology. The results suggest that subgroups of secreto- and musculomotor neurons in the submucosal and myenteric plexuses express PAFR. Coexpression of PAFR IR with ChAT IR in the myenteric plexus and ChAT IR and VIP IR in the submucosal plexus suggests that PAF, after release in the inflamed bowel, might act to elevate the excitability of submucosal secretomotor and myenteric musculomotor neurons. Enhanced excitability of motor neurons might lead to a state of neurogenic secretory diarrhea.
Comparison of Ileal Conduit and Transureteroureterostomy with Ureterocutaneostomy Urinary Diversion
Authors: Kilciler Mete , Bedir Selahattin , Erdemir Fikret , Zeybek Nazif , Erten Koray , Ozgok Yasar
Published: October 2006

Introduction: We compare the postoperative early and late complications of patients who had undergone ileal conduit (IC) urinary diversion and transureteroureterostomy (TUU) with ureterocutaneostomy (UC) urinary diversion during the same interval and by the same surgeons. Materials and Methods: Between 1992 and 2004, we performed TUU with UC urinary diversion in 27 men and 7 women (group I) and ileal conduit urinary diversion in 57 men and 10 women (group II). The mean age of the TUU with UC diversion and the ileal conduit patients was 57 ± 11.2 (range 51–76) and 64 ± 12.6 (range 54–76) years, and the mean follow-up was 37 (range 14–52) and 56 (range 14–72) months, respectively. The 6F or 8F stents were used routinely. Results: Of 34 TUU with UC cases 8 (23.52%) had early postoperative complications and 2 (5.88%) had early reoperation rates, whereas 11 (16.42%) of 67 ileal conduit cases had early postoperative complications and 4 (5.97%) had early reoperation. The mean hospital stay was 7 (range 5–25 day) and 11 (range 7–34 day) days for each group, respectively. Of the TUU and UC cases, 6 (17.64%) had late complications and 3 had (8.82%) late reoperation, whereas 14 conduit cases (20.89%) had late complications and 6 had (8.9%) late reoperation. Early postoperative complications were defined as those that occurred before hospital discharge or within 30 days from the date of surgery and late complications were defined as those occurring greater than 30 days from the date of surgery as previously described. In group I, the mean operative time was 170 min (range 120–325) compared with 260 min (range 170–473) in group II. The mean blood loss in group I was 474 ml (range 250–1,400) and 589 ml (range 300–1,700) in group II (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Our results suggest that patients undergoing a TUU and UC diversion have no additional risk of reoperation and the TUU with UC urinary diversion is a safe procedure with postoperative early and late complications.
Hypoxia-Inducible Factors HIF-1α and HIF-2α Expression in Bladder Cancer and Their Associations with Other Angiogenesis-Related Proteins
Authors: Ioachim E. , Michael M. , Salmas M. , Michael M.M. , Stavropoulos N.E. , Malamou-Mitsi V.
Published: October 2006

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF-1α and HIF-2α) are closely related protein complexes that activate transcription of target genes in response to hypoxia. The immunohistochemical expression of these two proteins was investigated in 144 bladder cancer tissue samples and correlated with standard clinicopathological features, in order to elucidate their prognostic significance. We also evaluated their possible associations with other angiogenesis related markers such as microvessel density (MVD), vascular endothelial growth factor, thymidine phosphorylase, tenascin, fibronectin, p53 and bcl-2 to further clarify their implication in tumor stroma vascularization. Nuclear HIF-1α expression in tumor cells was detected in 57.1% of the cases. A trend of correlation of this expression with poorly differentiated tumors was observed. In addition, HIF-1α expression was positively correlated with stromal cells thymidine phosphorylase expression. Tumors that were progressed in muscle-infiltrating disease showed a higher HIF-1α expression. A higher HIF-1α expression was also observed in tumors with an in situ component. In tumor cells, low HIF-2α expression was observed in 6.3%, moderate in 31.9% and high in 61.8% of the cases. A trend of correlation of this expression with MVD was observed. In addition, HIF-2α expression was positively correlated with thymidine phosphorylase and fibronectin expression. A lower HIF-2α expression was detected in tumors that recurred earlier in univariate methods of analysis. HIF-2α was expressed in tumor stroma associated cells in 53.5% of specimens and was correlated with advance tumor stage, thymidine phosphorylase and tenascin expression. There was no statistically significant difference in the expression of both HIF-1α and HIF-2α between primary and recurrent tumors. In multivariate analysis including T stage, T grade, multifocality and T size, both HIF-1α and HIF-2α expression were not considered dependent in the prediction of recurrence or progression. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that HIF-1α and HIF-2α expression may help to predict recurrence or progression to muscle invasive disease but not as independent prognostic factors. In addition, the expression of HIF-1α and HIF-2α, appear to play a role in bladder cancer, vascularization possibly and in cooperation with other angiogenic factors.
Primary Bladder Dermoid
Authors: Agrawal S. , Khurana N. , Mandhani A. , Agrawal V. , Jain M.
Published: October 2006

Bladder dermoid is a rare presentation. Diagnosis of this case was made cystoscopically and confirmed histopathologically. Complete excision was possible endoscopically. This is the 3rd case report from the Indian and Asian subcontinent.
Combined Electroacoustic Stimulation in Conventional Candidates for Cochlear Implantation
Authors: James Chris J. , Fraysse Bernard , Deguine Olivier , Lenarz Thomas , Mawman Deborah , Ramos Ángel , Ramsden Richard , Sterkers Olivier
Published: October 2006

Objective:To report on combined ipsilateral electrical and acoustic stimulation in a subset of conventional candidates for cochlear implantation where preoperative pure tone thresholds were ≤60 dB HL for 250 and 500 Hz. Methods: Subjects were 10 adults implanted with the Nucleus 24 Contour Advance perimodiolar electrode array. Soft surgical procedures were strictly observed: ≤1.5-mm cochleostomy hole placed anterior and inferior to the round window, a Healon bubble placed over the opening to prevent entry of foreign bodies, and no suction applied. The electrode array was inserted 17 mm to the first marker rib using the recommended ‘advance-off-stylet’ technique. Pure tone hearing threshold levels were recorded pre-, and postoperatively at 1–2 and 6–12 months. Speech recognition was tested for cochlear implant (CI) alone and combined with ipsilateral hearing aid for 7 subjects who retained significant residual hearing in the implanted ear at 1–2 months after operation. Results: There were 3/10 cases where 1–2 months after operation low-frequency responses were considered vibrotactile only (>85–110 dB HL, 250–500 Hz). In the remaining 7 cases, residual hearing was maintained up to at least 6 months after operation with minor changes. Insertion depth angles in these cases ranged from 285 to 420°. For these subjects, the mean preoperative score for words presented at 65 dB SPL was 22%. Mean postoperative scores were 56% for CI alone, and 68% for CI plus ipsilateral hearing aid (p < 0.05, paired t). For sentences presented in multitalker babble noise at 5 dB SNR, mean scores were 61% CI alone, and 75% CI+IpsiHA (p < 0.01, paired t). Conclusions: Hearing was conserved during surgery and over time in 70% of conventional candidates implanted with the Nucleus 24 Contour Advance CI who had significant levels of preoperative low-frequency residual hearing (≤60 dB HL). These conventional candidates for CI also benefited from improved speech recognition in noise when using combined ipsilateral electrical and acoustic stimulation.
Nematodes of Lake Constance, Germany, with special reference to littoral communities of a river mouth area
Authors: Witthöft-Mühlmann André , Traunspurger Walter , Rothhaupt Karl Otto
Published: October 2006

Six sites within the littoral habitat of Lake Constance in Germany were studied from February 1999 to January 2000 in order to determine the influence of the inflowing River Schussen on local nematode assemblages. The sites were selected to represent a gradient of river influence within the broader river mouth area. The area as a whole was found to be rich in nematode diversity, with 106 nematode species identified. The nematode communities recorded ranged in density from 121 to 165 individuals/10 cm2 and in biomass from 108 to 503 μg wet weight/10 cm2. They were also shown to vary in terms of feeding ecology, with significant differences in the proportions of feeding types occurring among site. Deposit feeders were most abundant, followed by chewers, although the latter dominated in terms of biomass. Epistrate feeders were less common and suction feeders rare. The occurrence of epistrate feeders was linked to the concentration of algal pigment, whereas records of deposit feeders and chewers correlated with bacterial density and organic carbon content. The characters of the different nematode communities in the vicinity of the river mouth were found to reflect the transitional nature of the study area.
Re-establishment of Hemicriconemoides promissus (Nematoda: Criconematoidea) as a valid species, with additional data for H. ortonwilliamsi from Spain and H. wessoni from Florida
Authors: Castillo Pablo , Palomares Rius Juan , Liébanas Gracia , Vovlas Nicola
Published: October 2006

Systematic nematode surveys for criconematids in the coastal sand dunes of southern Spain and on the Atlantic coast of Florida, USA, revealed the presence of three populations of sheathoid nematodes identified as Hemicriconemoides promissus, H. ortonwilliamsi and H. wessoni. All of them belong to the fourth group proposed by Decraemer and Geraert (1992) as they are characterised by wide body annuli ca ≥ 5 μm wide and a stylet ca 50 μm long, although all have a distinctly different female tail shape. Comparative SEM studies on H. cocophillus, H. mangiferae, H. brachyurus and H. promissus were done. SEM studies from paratype material and female specimens of a newly discovered population from Spain, confirmed the absence of lateral vulval flaps for both H. promissus populations, justifying the rejection of the synonymy proposed by Germani and Anderson (1991), and the re-establishment of H. promissus as a species distinct from H. brachyurus. The present records of H. promissus and H. ortonwilliamsi extend their geographical distribution from Italy to an additional Mediterranean country and constitute the first reports of both species in Spain. Additional morphometric data and illustrations of a Pensacola, FL, USA, population of H. wessoni, the type species of the genus, are also presented.
Carbonylative Approaches to α,β-Unsaturated Acyl Radicals and α-Ketenyl Radicals. Their Structure and Applications in Synthesis
Authors: Ryu Ilhyong , Uenoyama Yoshitaka , Matsubara Hiroshi
Published: October 2006

The carbonylation of vinyl radicals gives α,β-unsaturated acyl radicals. This transformation was successfully applied to tandem radical reactions, resulting in assembling three and four components. In these reactions, both halogen abstraction from vinyl halides and hetero atom radical additions to alkynes are used to generate the parent vinyl radicals. Ab initio calculations and density functional methods predict that α,β-unsaturated acyl radicals and the isomeric α-ketenyl radicals are not canonical forms, but are isomeric species that undergo interconversion. Calculations also indicate that α,β-unsaturated acyl radicals are more stable than α-ketenyl radicals, whereas α-ketenyl radicals containing a heteroatom, such as Si, Ge, and Sn, at α-position are more stable than the corresponding α,β-unsaturated acyl radicals. This represents a promising resource for developing new synthetic applications that involve the use of the α-ketenyl radicals. Indeed, following the prediction by calculation, we succeeded in trapping of a tin-attached α-ketenyl radical by imines and amines in an intramolecular fashion. We were also able to achieve the intermolecular trapping of α-ketenyl radicals, providing a new method for alkyne carbonylation by hybrid radical/ionic reactions.
Novel Platinum–Ruthenium Dinuclear Complex Bridged by 2-Aminoethanethiol
Authors: Okamura Rei , Wada Tohru , Tanaka Koji
Published: October 2006

A platinum–ruthenium dinuclear complex, [(PtCl){RuCl(tBu2sq)}(btpyxa)]2+ ([2]2+) (btpyxa = 2,7-di-tert-butyl-9,9-dimethyl-4,5-bis(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyrid-4′-yl)xanthene, tBu2sq = 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-benzosemiquinonate ion), in which btpyxa acts as a bridging ligand, was prepared, and its physical properties were compared to those of an analogous dmso complex, [(PtCl){Ru(tBu2sq)(dmso)}(btpyxa)]2+ ([1]2+) (dmso = dimethyl sulfoxide). Treatment of complex [1]2+ with an aqueous NaOH solution followed by 2-aminoethanethiol afforded [{Pt(SCH2CH2NH2)}{Ru(tBu2sq)(dmso)}(btpyxa)]2+ ([3]2+). On the other hand, the reaction of complex [2]2+ with 2-aminoethanethiol produced [{Pt(SCH2CH2NH2)Ru(tBu2sq)}(btpyxa)]2+ ([4]2+), in which Pt and Ru atoms are bridged by the 2-aminoethanethiolato ligand. Complex [4]2+ was also obtained by heating complex [3]2+ in 2-methoxyethanol.
Chiral Stability of Phosphonium-type Amino Acid Ionic Liquids
Authors: Fukumoto Kenta , Kohno Yuki , Ohno Hiroyuki
Published: October 2006

Tetrabutylphosphonium salts having amino acid-derived chiral anion exhibited melting point below 100 °C and retained their chirality at least 10 h at 100 °C.