bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Value of Multiplexed Bead-Based Immunoassays for Detection of Autoantibodies to Nuclear Antigens
Authors: Avaniss-Aghajani Erik , Berzon Sophia , Sarkissian Arlen
Published: March 2007

The advent of multiplexed bead assays in recent years has introduced a new dimension of testing for complex diseases such as lupus, which can involve multiple autoantibodies. The ability to rapidly identify multiple autoantibodies, with high sensitivity and specificity in an automated fashion, is highly attractive. The aim of this study was to assess the performance and clinical value of multiplexed bead-based (AtheNA Multi-Lyte ANA-II test system) immunoassays both by comparing the results with those achieved by indirect fluorescent-antibody assay (IFA) or conventional enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) and by independent identification of autoantibodies in well-characterized samples. To achieve this goal, 984 samples were tested for seven analytes (SS/A, SS/B, Sm, RNP, Scl-70, double-stranded DNA [dsDNA], and centromere B) in both traditional and bead-based assays. The average concordance for the different analytes was 91%, ranging from 81% (dsDNA) to 97% (centromere B). The average relative specificity and sensitivity for the analytes were also high, 92% and 81%, respectively. An examination of 93 “normal controls” demonstrated a 7% false-positive rate, which was comparable to IFA. Percentages of different autoantibodies found in patients with a variety of disease conditions (34 with calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia; 41 with mixed connective tissue disease; 24 with scleroderma; and 35 with Sjogren's syndrome) were well within the range expected from each group. A scrutiny of results from AtheNA and EIA and Farr results for 185 systemic lupus erythematosus samples revealed comparable results by both methods, with the exception of SS/A and dsDNA, where AtheNA had a higher percentage of SS/A-positive results compared to EIA (51% versus 29%) and a lower percentage of dsDNA-positive results (18% versus 28% at a cutoff of 5 IU/ml).
Assessing genetic diversity of protected coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) populations in California
Authors: Bucklin Katherine A , Banks Michael A , Hedgecock Dennis
Published: March 2007

California coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) are under legal protection owing to significant declines in abundance over the last decades. Previously, California coho salmon were characterized as having low genetic diversity and weak population subdivision, attributable potentially to homogenization by out-of-basin hatchery releases. Here, diversity at seven highly polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers is assessed within and among 32 collections of coho salmon from 16 California watersheds. In 71% of local populations, genotypic composition deviates significantly from that expected under the assumption of random mating. We develop and apply methods to adjust for two potential causes of deviation from random mating expectations: (i) Wahlund effects, owing to heterogeneous collections of individuals, and (ii) the "Allendorf–Phelp's effect", owing to closely related juveniles in samples. Such population-level "adjustments" reduce within-region and increase among-region variance; after adjustment, we find strong concordance of genetic and geographic distances. We conclude that stock transfers have had minimal impact on population structure and that California coho salmon populations likely comprise small numbers of endemic breeders, potentially experiencing high levels of genetic drift and inbreeding.
Shaking and moving: low rates of sediment transport trigger mass drift of stream invertebrates
Authors: Gibbins Chris , Vericat Damià , Batalla Ramon J , Gomez Carlos M
Published: March 2007

During floods, river invertebrates may be swept downstream in large numbers. This so-called "catastrophic drift" leads to a major redistribution of animals, as well as reduced fitness and increased mortality among drifters. We present the first field evidence of the role of sediment movement in triggering catastrophic drift. Experiments indicate that the loss of invertebrates from the bed becomes exponential when shear stress reaches the threshold that entrains bedload. However, we found that low rates of bedload are sufficient to rapidly denude patches of riverbed of their invertebrates and so trigger mass drift. Such low bedload rates occur during small floods. As small floods occur frequently, our results suggest that episodes of catastrophic drift are frequent. This conclusion is counterintuitive, as the persistence of invertebrate communities on riverbeds suggests that such events cannot be truly catastrophic. Moreover, the drift losses that we observed occurred in the absence of significant geomorphic disturbance; this is inconsistent with the notion of catastrophic drift being a response to hydrological disturbance events. We argue that a new definition of catastrophic drift is needed, a definition based not on drift magnitude or the triggering role of sediment movement, but on the population consequences of downstream displacement.
Logging-induced variations in dissolved organic carbon affect yellow perch (Perca flavescens) recruitment in Canadian Shield lakes
Authors: Bertolo Andrea , Magnan Pierre
Published: March 2007

There is increasing interest in the effects of allochthonous carbon on lake food webs. By temporarily increasing levels of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in lakes, logging can help us understand how carbon from the watershed could affect lake biota. The goals of this study were to determine whether (i) logging has a significant effect on the abundance of young-of-the-year (YOY) yellow perch (Perca flavescens) in Canadian Shield lakes and (ii) any changes in yellow perch recruitment could be related to increases in nutrients (N and P) and (or) DOC following logging. To do this, we examined 22 Canadian Shield lakes: the watersheds of 13 were not impacted, while 9 underwent logging (1%–78% of the watershed area). We found that the relative abundance of YOY yellow perch increased after logging in proportion to the ratio between the area of the logged watershed and the lake volume. We show that this effect is likely explained by an increase in DOC following logging. This might be related to (i) an increase in secondary productivity due to a positive effect of terrestrial carbon on the microbial loop and (or) (ii) an increased hatching success and (or) larval survival due to a greater protection from UV radiation by DOC.
Developing breeding objectives for radiata pine structural wood production. I. Bioeconomic model and economic weights
Authors: Ivković Milo , Wu Harry X , McRae Tony A , Powell Mike B
Published: March 2007

Economic breeding objectives were developed for production of radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) structural timber in Australia. Production systems of eight companies, including plantation growers, sawmills, and integrated-system companies, were examined. A bioeconomic model linking the breeding-objective traits mean annual increment (MAI), stem sweep, average branch size, and modulus of elasticity (MoE) with production-system components was constructed using data obtained from industry and published sources. For a plantation grower the most important trait for improvement was MAI (31% improvement of net present value after a 10% trait improvement). For a sawmill the most important trait was MoE (29% improvement of profit after a 10% trait improvement). For an integrated-system company the two most important traits were MoE and MAI (24% and 21% improvement of net present value after a 10% trait improvement, respectively). There was a high correlation between breeding objectives of plantation growers within a region (rG > 0.99), but a negative correlation between breeding objectives of plantation growers and sawmills (rGS = –0.32) and only an intermediate correlation (rGI < 0.65) between those of growers and integrated-system companies.
Changes in understory composition following catastrophic windthrow and salvage logging in a subalpine forest ecosystem
Authors: Rumbaitis del Rio Cristina M
Published: March 2007

Catastrophic windthrow and postdisturbance salvage logging each have the potential to profoundly influence understory vegetation communities. This study compared understory vegetation cover, composition, and diversity in Routt National Forest, a subalpine forest in northwestern Colorado that sustained a 10 000 ha blowdown in 1997 and was partially salvage logged in 1999. Understory and edaphic variables were measured in five heavily wind-disturbed Picea–Abies stands, five stands salvage logged 20 months after the blowdown, and five intact stands. Understory species cover and diversity were greater in blown down areas than in salvage-logged or control areas. Community composition of each treatment area was distinct and related to a gradient in organic soil depth, which reflected the severity of understory disturbance. Composition and diversity in blowdown areas relative to control areas stabilized in the 5 years following the blowdown, but vegetation cover continued to increase. Blowdown areas contained early and late successional species. Salvage-logged areas exhibited a shift towards graminoid dominance. This structural change could delay future conifer seedling establishment. The interaction among disturbance severity, understory vegetation composition, and regeneration dynamics should be considered in future decisions to salvage log similar areas because the long-term effects of salvage logging are unknown.
RADIATIVE CORRECTIONS TO THE PRESSURE AND THE ONE-LOOP POLARIZATION TENSOR OF MASSLESS MODES IN SU(2) YANG–MILLS THERMODYNAMICS
Authors: SCHWARZ MARKUS , HOFMANN RALF , GIACOSA FRANCESCO
Published: March 2007

We compute the one-loop polarization tensor Π for the on-shell, massless mode in a thermalized SU(2) Yang–Mills theory being in its deconfining phase. Postulating that [Formula: see text], we discuss Π's effect on the low-momentum part of the black-body spectrum at temperatures ~2,…,4 T CMB where T CMB ~ 2.73 K . A table-top experiment is proposed to test the above postulate. As an application, we point out a possible connection with the stability of dilute, cold, and old innergalactic atomic hydrogen clouds. We also compute the two-loop correction to the pressure arising from the instantaneous massless mode in unitary-Coulomb gauge, which formerly was neglected, and present improved estimates for subdominant corrections.
ANALYSIS OF TIME SERIES WITH WAVELETS
Authors: CIANCIO ARMANDO
Published: March 2007

A financial time series analysis method based on the theory of wavelets is proposed. It is based on the transformation of data of the series in the corresponding wavelet coefficients and in the analysis of the latter, which represent the local characteristics of the series better. In particular, an algorithm for short term previsions is defined.
Frequency Adaptation Modulates Spatial Integration of Sensory Responses in the Rat Whisker System
Authors: Higley Michael J. , Contreras Diego
Published: March 2007

The generation of perceptual experiences requires the integration of complex spatiotemporal patterns of sensory input. The rodent whisker system is a useful model for understanding the cellular mechanisms of sensory integration, which often include the operation of local circuits distributed throughout the brain. An example is cross-whisker suppression, where the neuronal response to whisker deflection is strongly reduced by preceding deflection of a neighboring whisker. Suppressive interactions between whisker-evoked responses have largely been studied using pairs of single whisker deflections. However, rats typically sweep their whiskers across surfaces at frequencies ranging from 5 to 25 Hz. Repetitive afferent activation induces frequency-dependent adaptation of neuronal responses and alters the synaptic dynamics of circuits that play a role in suppression, suggesting that adaptation could modulate the spatial integration of whisker evoked responses. We tested this hypothesis by comparing the cross-whisker suppression of principal whisker (PW)–evoked cortical and thalamic responses when preceded by either a single deflection of an adjacent whisker (AW) or a train of AW deflections at frequencies covering the normal whisking range. We found that periodic deflection of the preceding AW significantly reduced the magnitude of cross-whisker suppression. Surprisingly, although higher frequencies resulted in greater adaptation of the AW-evoked response, the effect on suppression was independent of frequency. We suggest that these results follow from known local circuit operations at multiple levels within the afferent path. Our findings support the view that repetitive whisking subserves a transformation of the integrative and functional properties of the whisker system.
Facile Synthesis of 6-Trichloromethylpterin and 2-Chloro-3-trichloromethylquinoxaline along with a Library of Trichloromethyl Heterocycles Using N-Chlorosuccinimide and Triphenyl Phosphine
Authors: Goswami Shyamaprosad , Maity Annada C , Fun Hoong-Kun
Published: March 2007

A general synthesis of 6-trichloromethylpterin, 2-chloro-3-trichloromethylquinoxaline and 2-amino-7-trichloromethyl-1,8-naphthyridine along with a series of trichloromethyl heterocycles (1–11) has been reported in one-pot mild neutral condition in good yield. This method is compared with the usual method using phosphorus pentachloride in phosphorus oxychloride.
Zinc and Titanium Spinel Oxynitride (ZnxTiOyNz) as a d0–d10 Complex Photocatalyst with Visible Light Activity
Authors: Hisatomi Takashi , Hasegawa Kazuya , Teramura Kentaro , Takata Tsuyoshi , Hara Michikazu , Domen Kazunari
Published: March 2007

The spinel-type oxynitride of zinc and titanium (ZnxTiOyNz) reduces H+ to H2 and oxidizes H2O to O2 in the presence of a sacrificial electron donor and acceptor under visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm). ZnxTiOyNz is a d0–d10 complex oxynitride photocatalyst that has the potential to be active for water splitting under visible light.
Comparative Treatment Effectiveness of Conventional Trench and Seepage Pit Systems
Authors: Field J. P. , Farrell‐Poe K. L. , Walworth J. L.
Published: March 2007

On‐site wastewater treatment systems can be a potential source of groundwater contamination in regions throughout the United States and other parts of the world. Here, we evaluate four conventional trench systems and four seepage pit systems to determine the relative effectiveness of these systems for the treatment of septic tank effluent in medium‐ to coarse‐textured arid and semiarid soils. Soil borings were advanced up to twice the depth of the trenches (4 m) and seepage pits (15 m) at two horizontal distances (30 cm and 1.5 m) from the sidewalls of the systems. Soil samples were analyzed for various biological and chemical parameters, including Escherichia coli, total coliform, pH, total organic carbon, total dissolved solids, total nitrogen, ammonium‐nitrogen, and nitrate‐nitrogen. Most soil parameters investigated approached background levels more rapidly near the trenches than the seepage pits, as sampling distance increased both vertically and horizontally from the sidewalls of the systems.
Determination of enantiomeric excess for 2,3‐dihydroxy‐3‐phenylpropionate compounds by capillary electrophoresis using hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin as chiral selector
Authors: Zhao Yan , Yang Xing‐Bin , Wang Qiao‐Feng , Nan Peng‐Juan , Jin Ying , Zhang Sheng‐Yong
Published: March 2007

A new capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) method was developed to separate three chiral 2,3‐dihydroxy‐3‐phenylpropionate enantiomers using neutral hydroxypropyl‐β‐CD (HP‐β‐CD) as chiral selector and borate as background electrolyte. The results showed that HP‐β‐CD exhibited good enantioselectivity and high resolution was achieved under the optimum condition of pH 10.3, 200 mM borate buffer containing 6% methanol and 50 mM HP‐β‐CD at 15 kV and 20°C within 16 min. The precision of the method was <0.9% for migration time and 4.5% for corrected peak area. In addition, the developed method was successfully applied to the determination of enantiomeric excess (ee) of synthetic 2,3‐dihydroxy‐3‐phenylpropionate samples. With this method, low as 0.2% impurity of the undesirable enantiomer in the presence of high amount of target enantiomer was determined. The results demonstrated that the proposed CZE method is a simple and useful technique and is applicable to ee assay of 2,3‐dihydroxy‐3‐phenylpropionate enantiomers. Chirality, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Investigation on 1,4‐dichlorophthalazine‐derivatized cinchona alkaloids‐catalyzed asymmetric “interrupted” Feist–Bénary reaction
Authors: Jin Ying , Liu Xue Ying , Jing Lin Lin , He Wei , Sun Xiao Li , Zhang Sheng Yong
Published: March 2007

Different 1,4‐dichlorophthalazine‐cinchona alkaloid derivatives have been used to catalyze the asymmetric “interrupted” Feist–Bénary reaction of ethyl bromopyruvate/substituted bromoketoesters and β‐dicarbonyl compounds. The corresponding hydroxydihydrofurans have been obtained in excellent yields and with up to 91%ee. Chirality, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Epinephrine‐induced enhancement of memory retrieval for inhibitory avoidance conditioning in preweanling Sprague–Dawley rats
Authors: Flint Robert W. , Bunsey Michael D. , Riccio David C.
Published: March 2007

Developmental research on memory is commonly conducted using preweanling rats, but the extent to which these animals are susceptible to hormone‐induced memory retrieval is unclear. This study examined the effects of epinephrine (.001, .01, or .1 mg/kg) on retrieval of IA conditioning in 17‐day‐old infants. Animals tested 24 hr following training performed significantly worse than infants tested 5 min after training and adults tested 24 hr later, indicating that infantile amnesia had occurred. Epinephrine attenuated this deficit in a dose‐dependent manner, with a significant improvement in performance at doses of .01 mg/kg for latency and at .01 and .1 mg/kg for safe side‐dependent measures. The role of epinephrine as a memory modulator is discussed in terms of its neurobiological and internal contextual effects. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 49: 303–311, 2007.
On the interaction of rayleigh surface waves with structures
Authors: Simpson I. C.
Published: March 2007

A two‐dimensional soil‐structure interaction analysis is carried out for transient Rayleigh surface waves that are incident on a structure. The structure is modelled by a three‐degree of freedom rigid basemat to which is attached a flexible superstructure, modelled by a single mass‐spring system. The structural responses to a given Rayleigh wave train are compared with those that would have been obtained if the free‐field acceleration‐time history had been applied as a normally incident body wave.

The results clearly exhibit the [frequency filtering] effects of the rigid basemat on the incident Rayleigh waves. It is shown that, if seismic excitation of a structure is, in fact, due to Rayleigh surface waves, then an analysis assuming normally incident body waves can considerably over‐estimate structural response, both at basemat level for horizontal and vertical motions and for vertical oscillations of the superstructure. However, in the examples considered here, relatively large rocking effects were induced by the Rayleigh waves, thus giving maximum horizontal accelerations in the superstructure that were of comparable magnitude for Rayleigh and normally incident body waves.
Development of a spatial synoptic classification scheme for western Europe
Authors: Bower Donna , McGregor Glenn R. , Hannah David M. , Sheridan Scott C.
Published: March 2007

This paper presents a new spatial air‐mass climatology for western Europe (WE) based upon the analysis of daily data for 48 climate stations for the period 1974–2000. Referred to as the spatial synoptic classification for western Europe (SSCWE), the new air‐mass climatology not only facilitates the examination of both spatial and temporal climate variations but also provides, for the first time, a physically based synoptic classification for a wide variety of applications at the western European scale. The SSCWE is based on the philosophy of the spatial synoptic classification (SSC), which was first introduced to the synoptic climatological community in the mid‐1990s and later refined as the SSC2 for application across North America. As for the SSC2, establishing the physical characteristics for six generic air masses is the basis of the SSCWE. In this paper, the procedures for identifying air‐mass characteristics are described and an analysis of the spatial and temporal variation of the six generic air‐mass types across western Europe is presented. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
A monotone conservative Eulerian–Lagrangian scheme for reaction‐diffusion‐convection equations modeling chemotaxis
Authors: Smiley Michael W.
Published: March 2007

A numerical method for convection dominated diffusion problems, that exploits the use of characteristics, is derived and analyzed. It is shown to preserve positivity of solutions and be locally mass conserving. Stability, consistency and order one convergence are verified. Because of the way in which it determines characteristic pre‐images of grid cells, the method can be easily implemented for 1‐, 2‐, or 3‐dimensional problems on rectangular grids.© 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2007
Self‐efficacy for health‐related behaviors among deaf adults
Authors: Jones Elaine G. , Renger Ralph , Kang Youngmi
Published: March 2007

The purpose of this quasi‐experimental, pre‐post‐test study was to test the effectiveness of the Deaf Heart Health Intervention (DHHI) in increasing self‐efficacy for health‐related behaviors among culturally deaf adults. The DHHI targets modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. A sample of 84 participants completed time‐1 and time‐2 data collection. The sign language version of the Self‐Rated Abilities Scale for Health Practices (SRAHP) was used to measure self‐efficacy for nutrition, psychological well‐being/stress management, physical activity/exercise, and responsible health practices. Total self‐efficacy scores were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the comparison group at time‐2, controlling for scores at baseline (F [1, 81] = 26.02, p < .001). Results support the development of interventions specifically tailored for culturally deaf adults to increase their self‐efficacy for health behaviors. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 30: 185–192, 2007
Pilot‐scale evaluation using bioaugmentation to enhance PCE dissolution at dover AFB national test site
Authors: Lebrón Carmen A. , McHale Timothy , Young Robroy , Williams Dale , Bogaart Matthew G. , Major David W. , McMaster Michaye L. , Tasker Ian , Akladiss Naji
Published: March 2007

An Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC) forum was recently held that focused on six case studies in which bioremediation of dense nonaqueous‐phase liquids (DNAPLs) was performed; the objective was to demonstrate that there is credible evidence for bioremediation as a viable environmental remediation technology. The first two case studies from the forum have been previously published; this third case study involves a pilot‐scale demonstration that investigated the effects of biological activity on enhancing dissolution of an emplaced tetrachloroethene (PCE) DNAPL source. It used a controlled‐release test cell with PCE as the primary DNAPL in a porous media groundwater system. Both laboratory tests and a field‐scale pilot test demonstrated that bioaugmentation can stimulate complete dechlorination to a nontoxic end product and that the mass flux from a source zone increases when biological dehalorespiration activity is enhanced through nutrient (electron donor) addition and bioaugmentation. All project goals were met. Important achievements include demonstrating the ability to degrade a PCE DNAPL source to ethene and obtaining significant information on the impacts to the microbial populations and corresponding isotope enrichments during biodegradation of a source area. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dynamic crystallization of cocoa butter. II. Morphological, thermal, and chemical characteristics during crystal growth
Authors: Chaiseri Siree , Dimick Paul S.
Published: March 2007

After an induction period, crystallization of cocoa butter under dynamic conditions at 26.5°C occurs in two stages, primary and secondary. The primary stage involves nucleation, crystal growth, aggregation, and sintering. Crystals formed during the primary stage were slightly or non‐birefringent, and had long, irregular‐shaped filaments. The secondary stage was initiated by the formation of spherulites. Total crystallization time may depend upon the crystal growth rate in the primary stage and the time that coca butters take to form the spherulitic crystals in the secondary stage. After the spherulitic crystals formed, the crystal growth rates were rapid. Cocoa butters crystallized into two fractions during the primary and secondary stages. The low‐melting fractions had onset melting temperatures similar to those of polymorphs IV and V of cocoa butter. The high‐melting fractions, which were observed at the latter stages of crystallization, had differential scanning calorimetry endotherms with peak maxima at approximately 34–36°C (Form VI). The concentrations of 1,3‐stearoyl‐2‐oleoylglycerol (SOS) in the crystals during growth were higher than those in the original cocoa butter. As crystallization progressed, crystals increased in their proportions of SOS in the triacylglycerol fraction. Concentrations of the C18 free fatty acids were lower during early crystallization as compared to the original cocoa butter.
Effect of hydrogenation on density and viscosity of sunflowerseed oil
Authors: Topallar Hüseyin , Bayrak Yüksel , Iscan Mehmet
Published: March 2007

The densities and viscosities of unhydrogenated and hydrogenated sunflowerseed oils have been determined at temperatures ranging from 25 to 50°C at 5°C intervals. The densities of these oils vary linearly with temperature. The values of the parameters for the density equation have been calculated. Smooth curves were obtained when the changes in viscosity with temperature were plotted in the form of ln η vs. 1/T. The energy of activation, the free energy of activation, and the entropy of activation have been calculated at 25°C, and they decreased with the degree of unsaturation in the fatty acid chains of the sunflowerseed oil.
Production of eicosapentaenoic acid bySaprolegnia sp. 28YTF‐1
Authors: Shirasaka Norifumi , Shimizu Sakayu
Published: March 2007

Saprolegnia sp. 28YTF‐1, isolated from a freshwater sample, is a potent producer of 5,8,11,14,17‐cis‐eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The fungus used various kinds of carbon sources, such as starch, dextrin, sucrose, glucose, and olive oil for growth, and olive oil was the best carbon source for EPA production. The EPA content reached 17 mg/g dry mycelium (0.25 mg/L) when the fungus was grown in a medium that contained 2.5% olive oil and 0.5% yeast extract, at pH 6.0 and 28°C for 6 d with shaking. Accompanying production of arachidonic acid (AA; 3.2 mg/g dry mycelia, EPA/AA = 5.1) and other ω6 polyunsaturated fatty acids was low. Both EPA content and EPA/AA ratio increased in parallel by lowering growth temperature. Triglyceride was the major mycelial lipid (ca. 84%), but EPA comprised only 2.2% of the total fatty acids of this lipid. About 40% of the EPA produced was found in polar lipids, such as phosphatidylethanolamine (EPA content, 28.2%), phosphatidylcholine (13.6%), and phosphatidylserine (21.2%).
Some applications of ultraviolet spectrophotometry in drying oil research
Authors: Hendrickson M. J. , Cox R. P. , Konen J. C.
Published: March 2007

Conclusions

An alkaline‐solution technique has been developed permitting the study of the drying and aging process of an oil film using the ultraviolet spectrophotometer. This technique has been found to be a valuable tool for investigating some of the chemical changes which occur as a vegetable oil film dries and ages.

The drying or autoxidation of an oil film has been shown to proceed along the general lines of a three‐stage reaction with the short initial stage being characterized by an accumulation of conjugated diene and triene structures which reaches a maximum at the time the film has set up or becomes continuous. The second or curing stage was characterized by a slow decrease in the measurable conjugated diene and triene structures. The third or deterioration stage was not investigated; however, this method should be readily adaptable to studies involving film breakdown as represented by phenomena such as after‐yellowing since the development of absorption peaks characteristic of linolenic ketones, for example, would permit an early prediction of yellowing long before the concentration of the chromophore groups became great enough for visual observation.

During the initial stage of drying there was also evidence for an increase in the alpha‐keto structures capable of enolizing in alkali to give absorption maxima characteristic of triene and tetraene conjugated systems. These enolizable structures also decreased in amount during the film curing period and are not characterizable on the basis of observed absorption maxima and published information.

The method of obtaining a spectral solution of a dry, infusible oil film through the medium of alcoholic KOH was applied to investigations on the relationship existing between the light absorption of the film solution and the durability or weather resistance of the straight oil film. The results obtained verified the principle previously reported that the quantity of light absorbed by an oil film in the region of 320–400 mμ was indicative of the durability of the film upon exposure to accelerated weathering conditions.
Chemical stability of nonwetting, low adhesion self-assembled monolayer films formed by perfluoroalkylsilanization of copper
Authors: Hoque E. , DeRose J. A. , Hoffmann P. , Bhushan B. , Mathieu H. J.
Published: March 2007

A self-assembled monolayer (SAM) has been produced by reaction of 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyldimethylchlorosilane (PFMS) with an oxidized copper (Cu) substrate and investigated by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), friction force microscopy (FFM), a derivative of AFM, and contact angle measurement. FFM showed a significant reduction in the adhesive force and friction coefficient of PFMS modified Cu (PFMS/Cu) compared to unmodified Cu. The perfluoroalkyl SAM on Cu is found to be extremely hydrophobic, yielding sessile drop static contact angles of more than 130° for pure water and a “surface energy” (which is proportional to the Zisman critical surface tension for a Cu surface with 0rms roughness) of 14.5mJ∕m2(nM∕m). Treatment by exposure to harsh conditions showed that PFMS/Cu SAM can withstand boiling nitric acid (pH=1.8), boiling water, and warm sodium hydroxide (pH=12, 60°C) solutions for at least 30min. Furthermore, no SAM degradation was observed when PFMS/Cu was exposed to warm nitric acid solution for up to 70min at 60°C or 50min at 80°C. Extremely hydrophobic (low surface energy) and stable PFMS/Cu SAMs could be useful as corrosion inhibitors in micro/nanoelectronic devices and/or as promoters for antiwetting, low adhesion surfaces or dropwise condensation on heat exchange surfaces.
Non-reflexivity of the derivation space from Banach algebras of analytic functions
Authors: Samei Ebrahim
Published: March 2007

Let

Ω
\Omega

be an open connected subset of the plane, and let

A
A

be a Banach algebra of analytic functions on

Ω
\Omega

. We show that the space of bounded derivations from

A
A

into

A
∗

A^*

is not reflexive. We also obtain similar results when

A
=

C

(
n
)

[
0
,
1
]

A=C^{(n)}[0,1]

for

n
≥
2

n\geq 2

.
Proof of the Barker array conjecture
Authors: Davis James , Jedwab Jonathan , Smith Ken
Published: March 2007

Using only elementary methods, we prove Alquaddoomi and Scholtz’s conjecture of 1989, that no

s
×
t

s \times t

Barker array having

s
,
t
>
1

s, t > 1

exists except when

s
=
t
=
2

s = t = 2

.
On the poles of the resolvent in Calkin algebra
Authors: Bel Hadj Fredj O.
Published: March 2007

In the present note, we study the problem of lifting poles in Calkin algebra on a separable infinite-dimensional complex Hilbert space

H
H

. We show by an example that such lifting is not possible in general, and we prove that if zero is a pole of the resolvent of the image of an operator

T
T

in the Calkin algebra, then there exists a compact operator

K
K

for which zero is a pole of

T
+
K

T+K

if and only if the index of

T
−
λ

T-\lambda

is zero on a punctured neighbourhood of zero. Further, a useful characterization of poles in Calkin algebra in terms of essential ascent and descent is provided.
Universality of Asplund spaces
Authors: Hájek Petr , Lancien Gilles , Montesinos Vicente
Published: March 2007

Given any infinite cardinal

τ
\tau

, there exists no Banach space of density

τ
\tau

, which is Asplund or has the Point of Continuity Property and is universal for all reflexive spaces of density

τ
\tau

.
Large cardinals with few measures
Authors: Apter Arthur , Cummings James , Hamkins Joel
Published: March 2007

We show, assuming the consistency of one measurable cardinal, that it is consistent for there to be exactly

κ
+

\kappa ^+

many normal measures on the least measurable cardinal

κ
\kappa

. This answers a question of Stewart Baldwin. The methods generalize to higher cardinals, showing that the number of

λ
\lambda

strong compactness or

λ
\lambda

supercompactness measures on

P
κ

(
λ
)

P_\kappa (\lambda )

can be exactly

λ
+

\lambda ^+

if

λ
>
κ

\lambda > \kappa

is a regular cardinal. We conclude with a list of open questions. Our proofs use a critical observation due to James Cummings.
Unique continuation for the Schrödinger equation with gradient vector potentials
Authors: Dong Hongjie , Staubach Wolfgang
Published: March 2007

We obtain unique continuation results for Schrödinger equations with time dependent gradient vector potentials. This result with an appropriate modification also yields unique continuation properties for solutions of certain nonlinear Schrödinger equations.
Delaunay configurations and multivariate splines: A generalization of a result of B. N. Delaunay
Authors: Neamtu Marian
Published: March 2007

In the 1920s, B. N. Delaunay proved that the dual graph of the Voronoi diagram of a discrete set of points in a Euclidean space gives rise to a collection of simplices, whose circumspheres contain no points from this set in their interior. Such Delaunay simplices tessellate the convex hull of these points. An equivalent formulation of this property is that the characteristic functions of the Delaunay simplices form a partition of unity. In the paper this result is generalized to the so-called Delaunay configurations. These are defined by considering all simplices for which the interiors of their circumspheres contain a fixed number of points from the given set, in contrast to the Delaunay simplices, whose circumspheres are empty. It is proved that every family of Delaunay configurations generates a partition of unity, formed by the so-called simplex splines. These are compactly supported piecewise polynomial functions which are multivariate analogs of the well-known univariate B-splines. It is also shown that the linear span of the simplex splines contains all algebraic polynomials of degree not exceeding the degree of the splines.
Differential equations and recursion relations for Laguerre functions on symmetric cones
Authors: Ding Hongming
Published: March 2007

We obtain the differential equation and recurrence relations satisfied by the Laguerre functionslmνl_{\mathbf {m}}^{\nu }on an arbitrary symmetric coneΩ\Omega.
Analogue of the degree conjecture over function fields
Authors: Papikian Mihran
Published: March 2007

Under a certain assumption, similar to Manin’s conjecture, we prove an upper bound on the degree of modular parametrizations of elliptic curves by Drinfeld modular curves, which is the function field analogue of the conjectured bound over the rational numbers.
Equilibrium points of logarithmic potentials induced by positive charge distributions. I. Generalized de Bruijn-Springer relations
Authors: Borcea Julius
Published: March 2007

A notion of weighted multivariate majorization is defined as a preorder on sequences of vectors in Euclidean space induced by the Choquet ordering for atomic probability measures. We characterize this preorder both in terms of stochastic matrices and convex functions and use it to describe the distribution of equilibrium points of logarithmic potentials generated by discrete planar charge configurations. In the case ofnnpositive charges we prove that the equilibrium points satisfy(n2)\binom {n}{2}weighted majorization relations and are uniquely determined byn−1n-1such relations. It is further shown that the Hausdorff geometry of the equilibrium points and the charged particles is controlled by the weighted standard deviation of the latter. By using finite-rank perturbations of compact normal Hilbert space operators we establish similar relations for infinite charge distributions. We also discuss a hierarchy of weighted de Bruijn-Springer relations and inertia laws, the existence of zeros of Borel series with positivel1l^1-coefficients, and an operator version of the Clunie-Eremenko-Rossi conjecture.
Identification of a New Hybrid Serum Response Factor and Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2-binding Element in MyoD Enhancer Required for MyoD Expression during Myogenesis
Authors: L'honore Aurore , Rana Vanessa , Arsic Nikola , Franckhauser Celine , Lamb Ned J. , Fernandez Anne
Published: March 2007

MyoD is a critical myogenic factor induced rapidly upon activation of quiescent satellite cells, and required for their differentiation during muscle regeneration. One of the two enhancers of MyoD, the distal regulatory region, is essential for MyoD expression in postnatal muscle. This enhancer contains a functional divergent serum response factor (SRF)-binding CArG element required for MyoD expression during myoblast growth and muscle regeneration in vivo. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and microinjection analyses show this element is a hybrid SRF- and MEF2 Binding (SMB) sequence where myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) complexes can compete out binding of SRF at the onset of differentiation. As cells differentiate into postmitotic myotubes, MyoD expression no longer requires SRF but instead MEF2 binding to this dual-specificity element. As such, the MyoD enhancer SMB element is the site for a molecular relay where MyoD expression is first initiated in activated satellite cells in an SRF-dependent manner and then increased and maintained by MEF2 binding in differentiated myotubes. Therefore, SMB is a DNA element with dual and stage-specific binding activity, which modulates the effects of regulatory proteins critical in controlling the balance between proliferation and differentiation.
Respiratory obstruction following vocal cord injection of Teflon paste
Authors: BATES G. J. E. M. , CURLEY J. W. A. , WARD M. E.
Published: March 2007

Injection of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) past (Teflon) into vocal cords is becoming more common, but immediate morbidity has not previously been described. A case is reported in which acute airway obstruction followed the injection of Teflon paste into a paralysed vocal cord. This was easily managed, without resort to tracheostomy, by topical lignocaine which reduced the overactivity of the normal vocal cord.
Prevention of neostigmine‐induced colonic activity
Authors: CHILD C. S.
Published: March 2007

Colonic intraluminal pressure was recorded in eight patients receiving either atropine 1.2 mg (n = 4) or glycopyrronium 0.6 mg (n = 4) intravenously in a randomised, double‐blind fashion and followed after 5 minutes by neostigmine 2.5 mg. Estimations of total colonic activity were made from the area under the recording of intraluminal pressure. There were no significant differences in mean intraluminal pressures or total colonic activity between the two groups. It is concluded that glycopyrronium offers no advantage over atropine with respect to protection of the bowel against the effects of neostigmine.
Peginterferon alpha‐2b plus ribavirin vs interferon alpha‐2b plus ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C in HIV‐coinfected patients
Authors: Crespo M. , Sauleda S. , Esteban J. I. , Juarez A. , Ribera E. , Andreu A. L. , Falco V. , Quer J. , Ocaña I. , Ruiz I. , Buti M. , Pahissa A. , Esteban R. , Guardia J.
Published: March 2007

Summary.  Treatment of chronic hepatitis C in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected patients is associated with low response rates and high incidence of side effects. One hundred twenty‐one hepatitis C virus (HCV)–HIV‐coinfected patients were randomized to receive interferon alpha‐2b (3 MU thrice weekly; n = 61) or peginterferon alpha‐2b (1.5 μg/kg/week; n = 60), plus ribavirin (800 mg daily), for 24 (genotype 2 or 3) or 48 weeks (genotype 1 or 4). We assessed early virological response at 4, 8 and 12 weeks to predict sustained virological response (SVR). Safety assessment included frequent blood lactate measurement and relative quantitation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In intention‐to‐treat analysis, the SVR rate was higher in the peginterferon group (55%vs 26%; P = 0.002). The difference for HCV genotypes 1 and 4 was 45%vs 14% (P = 0.009) and 50%vs 27% (P = 0.387), respectively, and for genotype 2 or 3, 71%vs 43% (P = 0.12) Viral response at 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment was highly predictive of SVR. Among genotype 3 patients, 17 of 20 (85%) whose HCV RNA was already undetectable at 4 weeks had an SVR after 24 weeks of treatment. Hyperlactataemia occurred in 22 patients and was clinically significant in six, two of whom died. mtDNA decreased significantly 4–12 weeks after the start of treatment in patients developing clinically significant hyperlactataemia. Peginterferon alpha‐2b plus ribavirin was more effective than interferon alpha‐2b plus ribavirin in HIV‐coinfected patients. Frequent monitoring of virological response may be very helpful to optimize treatment compliance, to tailor treatment duration and to minimize side effects.
What Governments Want from International Economic Institutions and How they Get It
Authors: Bayne Nicholas
Published: March 2007

MANY INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, FOUNDED DURING OR JUST AFTER the Second World War, are passing their fiftieth anniversaries, which have become the occasions for reviewing their past performance and looking into the future. This has already happened for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, launched at Bretton Woods in 1944; and for the United Nations (UN), inaugurated in 1945. The fiftieth anniversary of the Marshall Plan, the origin (at one remove) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), falls in the summer of 1997. The anniversary of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) is not till 1998. But the end of the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations and the creation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) have already prompted some backward looks.
Second Chance for the ANC: The 1999 South African General Election
Authors: Spence J E.
Published: March 2007

On 2 june 1999 south africans went to the polls in the country's second democratic election. At issue in the electoral debate were: the government's mixed record of achievement since the first contest in April 1994; the prospect of significant improvement in economic performance and the promised delivery of social goods to the deprived black majority; the personality and capability of Thabo Mbeki, President Mandela's chosen successor; and the impact of victory for the African National Congress (ANC) on the status and role of the parliamentary opposition in the years to come. The first part of this article, therefore, seeks to provide a commentary on events since 1994 to set the 1999 election in context.

Perhaps the most encouraging feature of South Africa's political development has been the survival and consolidation of the democratic process. Critics of the Mandela era tend to take this for granted; but it is no mean achievement especially in view of the violence which disfigured both the multi-party negotiating process and the run-up to the 1994 election and the threat of more to come to destabilize a new and untried regime.
Olfactory Neophobia and Seizure Susceptibility Phenotypes in an Animal Model of Epilepsy Are Normalized by Impairment of Brain Corticotropin Releasing Factor
Authors: Pascual Jennifer , Heinrichs Stephen C.
Published: March 2007

Summary:  Purpose: The present study explored the causal relationship between stressor exposure/stress neuropeptide activation and avoidant exploratory phenotype/enhanced seizure susceptibility in an animal model of epilepsy.

Methods: The olfactory detection and investigation phenotype of seizure susceptible El (epilepsy) strain and nonsusceptible ddY control mice was first evaluated in untreated mice. In a second series of experiments, the olfactory exploration phenotype, food intake/body weight regulation, circadian locomotor activity, and seizure susceptibility were assessed over a 14‐day period following central administration of the neurotoxin saporin alone or a conjugate of the stress neuropeptide, corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), and saporin (CRF‐SAP) which impairs CRF system function following central administration.

Results: In support of the main experimental hypothesis, administration of CRF‐SAP in El mice reduced handling‐induced seizure susceptibility by 75% for up to 2 weeks following treatment. Similarly, El mice were slow to detect a cache of buried food pellets relative to ddY controls and this exploratory deficit was reversed 3 days following administration of CRF‐SAP. Efficacy of CRF‐SAP treatment was confirmed using CRF immunohistochemistry, which revealed suppression of brain CRF content in El mice treated with CRF‐SAP relative to El controls. Other functional and persistent effects of CRF‐SAP included increased locomotor activity and hyperphagia.

Conclusions: Taken together, these results support strongly the possibility that activated brain stress neuropeptide systems are necessary for the expression of motivational and neurological perturbations in seizure susceptible El mice.