bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
5 Socrates' Speech: Concern for Others?
Authors: Sheffield Frisbee C. C.
Published: September 2007

This chapter addresses a controversial issue that arises from Socrates' speech. If the human good — the highest virtue — is contemplative activity, then is there room in this account for other persons and, if so, in what form? This question has become a central one for the Symposium. Gregory Vlastos argued that the ascent to the form of beauty instrumentalizes other persons as unworthy of love for their own sake, and nowhere indicates that the philosopher's creative activity will enrich the lives of others. This chapter argues that Socrates' account is still firmly anchored in an account of interpersonal relationships and their role in a flourishing human life.
3 Electoral Systems—Simple and Complex
Authors: Taagepera Rein
Published: September 2007

To allocate seats to candidates or parties, even a simple electoral system must specify at least the following: the total number of seats in the assembly (assembly size); the number of seats allocated in each electoral district (district magnitude); how these seats are allocated (seat allocation formula); and how a voter can express her/his preferences (ballot structure). The simplest seat allocation formulas are d'Hondt and Sainte-Laguë divisors, and Hare quota plus largest remainders. For single-seat districts, these proportional representation formulas are reduced to First-Past-The-Post, where the candidate with the most votes wins. Complex electoral systems may offer advantages, but the ability to predict the number of parties and the average proportionality of seats to votes is lost.
17 What Can We Expect from Electoral Laws?
Authors: Taagepera Rein
Published: September 2007

We now expect to be able to fine-tune simple electoral laws to effect party systems and government stability positively, but we still need to be cautious. We should not expect to be able to tailor complex electoral laws to desired goals. In institutional design, we need to consider marginal adjustments rather than flipping to completely different electoral laws. We should consider keeping the same electoral laws for at least three elections before changing them. Political science has been an intellectual field separate from politics, but the two may now start to connect, thanks to advances in the study of electoral systems and party systems.
1 On Explaining Sound Change
Authors: Smith Jeremy J.
Published: September 2007

This chapter begins with the central question to be addressed in the book, viz. why do sound-changes happen when and where they do? It thus locates the subject of sound-change in relation to broader issues of historiography. The remainder of the chapter is concerned with exploring what is meant by the notion ‘sound-change’, and then proceeds to look at key works in the field. Certain pragmatic notions are discussed, as are some important insights for understanding sound-change which have arisen in recent work in phonetics.
Identification and Host Relations of Turnip ringspot virus, A Novel Comovirus from Ohio
Authors: Rajakaruna P. , Khandekar S. , Meulia T. , Leisner S. M.
Published: September 2007

Viruslike chlorotic ring spot symptoms and line patterns of unknown origin were observed on a greenhouse-grown turnip plant. The suspected virus was mechanically transmissible to plants in the Brassicaceae. Electron microscopic analysis revealed icosahedral particles approximately 28 nm in diameter. Reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses suggested that the pathogen is a comovirus, an observation that was confirmed by analysis of portions of the genomic sequence. This virus was provisionally named Turnip ringspot virus (TuRSV). Based on the RNA 1 sequence, TuRSV is most similar to Radish mosaic virus, another pathogen that infects members of the Brassicaceae. Arabidopsis thaliana is susceptible to TuRSV, and 12 out of the 23 ecotypes studied showed symptoms when inoculated with the virus. TuRSV induced a variety of responses on ecotypes from death to no infection. Some ecotypes showed one or two rounds of symptom display followed by recovery when inoculated with TuRSV. About half of the ecotypes (11/23) analyzed showed no symptoms when inoculated with TuRSV. Col-0 plants showed no symptoms, and infectious virus was not recovered from systemic leaves, although it could be detected by RT-PCR. Col-0 plants harboring mutations impairing the ethylene, jasmonic acid, or salicylic acid signaling pathways did not show symptoms when inoculated with TuRSV.
Vapor Activity and Systemic Movement of Mefenoxam Control Grapevine Downy Mildew
Authors: Kennelly Megan M. , Gadoury David M. , Wilcox Wayne F. , Seem Robert C.
Published: September 2007

Metalaxyl is translocated from roots to leaves to control a number of oomycete pathogens, but systemic movement from vegetative organs into fruit and vapor activity against Plasmopara viticola, the causal agent of grapevine downy mildew, has not been examined experimentally. We inoculated fruit clusters of grapevines with P. viticola at prebloom, bloom, or 1 week postbloom. We then selectively applied mefenoxam (288 mg/liter), the active enantiomer of metalaxyl, to the leaves or stem tissue 12 to 48 h after inoculation. Little to no downy mildew developed on fruit when mefenoxam was applied to leaf tissue, stem tissue, or both. In contrast, downy mildew symptoms were severe on inoculated clusters on untreated shoots. When potential vapor activity was blocked, we observed fungicidal activity on seedling foliage in response to apparent systemic movement from treated stems and soil, but not from leaves. However, when vapor activity was permitted, mefenoxam residues on treated leaves controlled disease on other, untreated leaves. In subsequent vineyard experiments, vapor and systemic activity provided equivalent and near-complete suppression of downy mildew on clusters 48 h post inoculation. Furthermore, inoculated grape seedlings that were placed near mefenoxam-treated seedlings in open and closed systems developed nil to trace levels of downy mildew compared with controls, further indicating that the material has strong vapor activity.
Identification of Fusarium solani f. sp. cucurbitae Race 1 and Race 2 with PCR and Production of Disease-Free Pumpkin Seeds
Authors: Mehl H. L. , Epstein L.
Published: September 2007

Fusarium solani f. sp. cucurbitae causes a fruit rot of cucurbits and is classified into two races that are actually distinct species: F. solani f. sp. cucurbitae race 1 (Fsc1) and race 2 (Fsc2). Because Fsc1 and Fsc2 are not easily distinguished morphologically, we developed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for rapid identification. Taxon-specific primers were designed from translation elongation factor 1-α sequences. Because clean seed is critical for disease control, we conducted experiments to determine if we could predict whether seed would be infected based on a visual rating of the fruit at harvest. In two trials in commercial pumpkin fields, eight fruit in each of four categories were selected: asymptomatic fruit, mildly infected fruit, severely infected fruit but without lesions extending into the seed cavity, and severely infected fruit with at least one lesion extending into the seed cavity. Isolates from both lesions and seed were identified as Fsc1 based on the PCR assay. No infected seed were recovered from fruit in which the surface was lesion-free or in which a lesion extended less than midway through the fruit flesh. Consequently, a rapid, visual inspection and exclusion of symptomatic fruit should be sufficient to obtain uninfected seed, even in infested fields.
Applications of Chlorine Dioxide Gas for Control of Bacterial Soft Rot in Tomatoes
Authors: Mahovic Michael J. , Tenney Joel D. , Bartz Jerry A.
Published: September 2007

Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas was generated from a mixture of sodium chlorite and ferric chloride plus water (impregnated into zeolite) in a Tyvek sachet over a 2- or 24-h period. The gas was distributed by a fan over wound-inoculated tomato fruit (Lycopersicon esculentum) enclosed in a sealed aluminum pressure cooker. Within 24 h of inoculation with 6 log10 CFU of Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora per wound and storage at 22 to 24°C, bacterial soft rot was observed on >80% of the nontreated wounds (10 wounds/fruit and 4 or 6 fruit/treatment). By contrast, wounds that had been exposed to an atmosphere containing up to 99 mg ClO2 during a 2- or 24-h period remained firm and dry with no evidence of bacterial activity or soft rot. After 72 h of incubation, wounds exposed to 88 mg ClO2 produced over 24 h or 99 mg ClO2 produced over 2 h were free of decay, whereas bacterial soft rot was observed in ca. 12% and less than 5% of wounds treated with 0.75 mg or 7.5 mg, respectively, for either 2 or 24 h. Wounds that had not been inoculated remained free of bacterial soft rot throughout the entire storage period. Wounds exposed to the highest doses of ClO2, 88 mg/24 h or 99 mg/2 h, became bleached and sunken. Additionally, the stem scars on these fruit became cracked, sunken, and bleached. The intact cuticle was not visibly affected, and there was no observed change in overall fruit color. ClO2 gas may be effective for controlling postharvest decays of fruit that have been inoculated prior to or during harvest.
Incidence of Myclobutanil- and Kresoxim-Methyl-Insensitive Isolates of Venturia inaequalis in Quebec Orchards
Authors: Jobin T. , Carisse O.
Published: September 2007

Sensitivity of baseline and exposed populations of Venturia inaequalis to myclobutanil and to kresoxim-methyl were evaluated in vitro. For myclobutanil, the population was constructed with 238 monoconidial isolates of V. inaequalis collected from 48 orchards. For kresoxim-methyl, the population was constructed with 251 monoconidial isolates collected from 49 orchards. Baseline populations were constructed with 34 and 29 monoconidial isolates collected from apple trees that had never been treated for myclobutanil and kresoxim-methyl, respectively. Sensitivity to fungicides was evaluated based on 50% effective dose (ED50) values. The V. inaequalis population that was not exposed to myclobutanil had a baseline sensitivity (mean ED50) of 0.064 μg/ml and showed a lognormal distribution. The V. inaequalis population constructed with isolates from commercial orchards had a mean ED50 of 2.600 μg/ml, which was significantly higher than the baseline sensitivity. The distribution of ED50 values did not follow a lognormal distribution. In response to declining levels of scab control with myclobutanil and other sterol demethylation inhibitor fungicides (DMIs), three orchards were more deeply investigated. The mean ED50 values were 1.618 (n = 23), 3.079 (n = 29), and 1.500 μg/ml (n = 20) in orchards one, two, and three, respectively. Resistant isolates, according to criteria set by other studies, accounted for 39, 76, and 85% of the isolates tested. The V. inaequalis population that had never been exposed to kresoxim-methyl had a baseline sensitivity (mean ED50) of 0.092 μg/ml and showed a lognormal distribution. The V. inaequalis population constructed with isolates from commercial orchards had a mean ED50 of 6.093 μg/ml, which was significantly higher than the baseline sensitivity. The distribution of ED50 values followed a lognormal distribution. However, when a subsample of isolates was retested for their sensitivity to kresoxim-methyl with the addition of salicylhydroxamic acid (an inhibitor of alternative oxidase) at 100 μg/ml to the growth medium, more than 98% inhibition was observed for all isolates. The results from in vitro tests showed a high level of resistance to myclobutanil and a low level of resistance to kresoxim-methyl, suggesting that the use of myclobutanil and DMIs should be discontinued or significantly reduced before practical resistance is reached.
First Report of Soft Rot Caused by Pectobacterium carotovorum on Pinellia ternata in China
Authors: Ying F. X. , Hu X. F. , Chen J. S.
Published: September 2007

Pinellia ternata (Thumb.) Breit. (Araceae) is a traditional herb used as an antivomit, anticough, analgesic, and sedative in China for more than 1,000 years. From the summer through fall of 2003 to 2005, a high incidence (approximately 10 to 25%) of disease outbreaks characterized by water-soaked lesions and soft rot with a stinky odor were observed in the cultivated P. ternata in Shanxi Province. Water-soaked lesions were first observed on the stem base and then the plant collapsed, although the upper portion remained asymptomatic. Subsequently, the lesions expanded rapidly over the entire plant. The macerated tuber was usually reduced to a whitish, mushy, and foul-smelling pulp surrounded by undecayed periderm. A Pectobacterium species was consistently recovered from the diseased tubers on nutrient agar media. Koch's postulates were completed by stab inoculating 6-week-old peach- and willow-leaved P. ternata cultivars with the bacterial suspensions (1 × 108 CFU/ml) (1). Ten control plants for each cultivar were inoculated with sterile water. After inoculation, plants were maintained in a growth chamber at 25°C with relative humidity ranging from 80 to 90%. After 2 to 3 days, typical soft rot symptoms were observed on the inoculated plants. A Pectobacterium species was reisolated from the symptomatic tubers while control plants remained healthy. This experiment was repeated in May, July, and September. The pathogenic isolates were identified as typical Pectobacterium carotovorum on the basis of morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics (2). The Microlog system (version 3.5; Biolog, Hayward, CA) and Sherlock Microbial Identification System (version 4.5; MIDI Newark, DE) also identified them as Pectobacterium carotovorum on the basis of similarity indices more than 66.9 and 78.2%, respectively. Their identity was then confirmed by sequencing the gene encoding the 16S rRNA (GenBank Accession No DQ785511). To our knowledge, this is the first report of Pectobacterium carotovorum as the cause of soft rot of P. ternata.

References: (1) H. R. Azad et al. Plant Dis.84:973, 2000. (2) L. Hauben et al. Syst. Appl. Microbiol. 21:384, 1998.
The First Report of Tomato torrado virus in Poland
Authors: Pospieszny H. , Borodynko N. , Obrępalska-Stęplowska A. , Hasiów B.
Published: September 2007

In 2003 and 2004, unusual disease symptoms, including severe stunting, malformation, and necrosis of the leaves on tomato cv. Grace, were observed in the Wielkopolska Region of Poland. The disease appeared to be associated with the presence of the greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorium. An electron microscopic examination of a negatively stained leaf-dip preparation from an infected plant showed the presence of spherical virus particles approximately 25 to 28 nm in diameter. The virus (designated Wal'03) was shown to be vectored efficiently (100%) by T. vaporariorium and poorly (50 to 70%) by mechanical transmission to tomato. Mechanical inoculation or whitefly transmission caused systemic infection on Nicotiana tabacum (cvs. Xanthi nc, Samsun, and White Burley), N. benthamiana, N. clevelandii, N. debneyi, N. affinis, N. glutinosa, Lycopersicon esculentum, Petunia hybrida, Capsicum annuum, Nicandra physaloides, Physalis floridana, and Solanum tuberosum. The virus did not infect Phaseolus vulgaris, Pisum sativum, Cucumis sativus, Chenopodium quinoa, or Beta vulgaris. Partially purified virus preparations from N. bethamiana or N. tabacum cv. Xanthi centrifuged in a sucrose density gradient sedimented as two separated zones. Viral RNA was extracted from the purified viral preparations with phenol-chloroform, and analysis by denaturing agarose gel electrophoresis revealed RNA 1 (approximately 7,800 bp) and RNA 2 (approximately 5,400 bp). The biological properties and the genomic RNA composition showed significant similarities to that of Tomato necrotic dwarf virus (ToNDV) described from California (1) and the newly identified Tomato torrado virus (ToTV) in Spain (2). Immuno-specific electron microscopy (ISEM) showed Wal'03 virus particles reacted with ToNDV antiserum (provided by W. Wintermantel, Salinas, CA). The genomic sequence of ToTV (GenBank Accession Nos. DQ388879 and DQ388880) was used to design specific primers for analysis by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR: TR1F (5′ CAATGTGCCAAAGATGAGCG 3′), TR1R (5′ ACTCCCGTGTCTATGTTTTC 3′), TR2F (5′ GAAGGACGAAGAGCGACTG 3′), and TR2R (5′ AAGGTAGGTATGCGTTTGC 3′), which amplified products of 573 and 892 bp for RNA 1 and RNA 2, respectively. These RT-PCR fragments from Wal'03 were sequenced (GenBank Accession Nos. EF635007 and EF635008) and comparisons with ToTV showed 99 and 98% nucleotide identity for RNA1 and RNA2, respectively. Immunocapture-RT-PCR with leaf tissue from N. benthamiana infected by Wal'03, antiserum against ToNDV, and ToTV-specific primers TR2F and TR2R produced a fragment of the expected size. Sequence of this product showed 100% identity with previously obtained RT-PCR fragments. The similarity of the symptoms on tomato plants, the morphology of virus particles, genome composition and nucleotide sequence identities suggest that Wal'03 and ToTV are the same.

References: (1) R. C. Larsen et al. Phytopathology 74:795, 1984. (2) M. Verbeek et al. Arch. Virol. 152:881, 2007.
Maternal low‐protein diet affects bone mass and mineral metabolism in suckling rats
Authors: Fetoui H. , Mahjoubi‐Samet A. , Guermazi F. , Zeghal N.
Published: September 2007

This study was performed to analyse the effects of low‐protein diet (7%) on bone mass and mineral metabolism in rat pups whose mothers were submitted to protein‐restricted diet during late pregnancy and early post‐natal periods. For this purpose, 12 pregnant Wistar rats were divided into two groups of six animals each: a control group with free access to standard diet (20% protein) and protein‐restricted group (PR) fed with low‐protein diet (7% protein) from the 14th day of pregnancy until day 14 after delivery. Body weight, femur bone mass, plasma thyroid hormones (FT4 and FT3), biochemical bone marker levels [alkaline phosphatase (ALP), tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (ACP)] and bone DNA content were recorded. In undernourished pups, a decrease in body weight (−47%, p < 0.001) in skeletal growth (−11%, p < 0.001) and in bone DNA content (−48%, p < 0.001) were observed. Plasma protein and albumin levels and thyroid status were also decreased in undernourished rat pups compared with those of control group. The circulating amino acid levels were decreased in pups. While in their mothers, some of them were increased and the others were decreased. A positive correlation was observed between bone mass and plasma thyroid hormone levels and ALP activity and plasma protein levels, and a negative correlation with ACP activity. Plasma ALP levels were decreased by 19%, whereas plasma tartrate‐resistant ACP levels were increased by 33% indicating a hyperactivity of bone remodelling. These results showed that protein‐restricted diet given to mothers during late pregnancy and early post‐natal periods induced changes in body weight, skeletal growth and bone metabolism in their offspring.
Exceptional Sovereignty? Guantánamo Bay and the Re‐Colonial Present
Authors: Reid‐Henry Simon
Published: September 2007

Abstract: The US government has presented Guantánamo Bay to the world through the lens of “exceptional sovereignty”. This argument holds that international law does not apply at Guantanamo because while America has “complete authority” over the base “ultimate sovereignty” rests with Cuba. Many accounts rightly critical of the abuses of power taking place at Guantanamo similarly understand it as something wholly abnormal—a literal “non‐place”. But in falling back on this argument both the American positionandmany of its critics have tended to “black box” what is taking place within the camp. In this paper I suggest that we ditch any sort of critique that says Guantanamo is somehow outside of the law and instead replace this line of argument with a critical history of the deployment of a particular sort of Executive power there. From this perspective, Guantanamo is better understood as a rather more normal part of the current imperial moment and connected up in various ways to American imaginations and materialisations of power. As a way of exploring some of these connections in greater detail, I examine the construction of Guantanamo as a particular sort of social space by drawing upon the accounts of those who have been there: former guards, detainees and their defence lawyers.
Beyond Punitive Regulation? New Zealand Local Governments' Responses to Homelessness
Authors: Laurenson Penelope , Collins Damian
Published: September 2007

Abstract:  This article investigates the ways in which New Zealand local authorities respond to homelessness. It finds that while some punitive bylaws targeting homeless people exist, they are not widespread, and in three case study cities are accompanied by efforts to support social service providers. This indicates that New Zealand local authorities are prepared to look at alternatives to address homelessness, as opposed solely to following trends towards the increasing persecution of homeless people. However, cities' attitudes are subject to political whim, and on occasion they articulate an exclusive vision of public space linked to concerns for public safety and city image. Such thinking has led, for example, to homeless people being served with trespass notices by local authorities asserting “ownership” of public space. Nevertheless, the actions of New Zealand cities depart significantly from the dominant approaches seen elsewhere. This may be explained in part by the relative invisibility of homelessness in New Zealand, and by a popular distinction between “good” and “bad” homeless individuals. The net result is a generally positive approach to reducing homelessness by providing appropriate housing and support to those on the streets, complicating any direct application of the critical geographical literature on this issue to the New Zealand context.
Morphological and molecular examination of relationships and epitype establishment of Phacus pleuronectes, Phacus orbicularis, and Phacus hamelii1
Authors: Kosmala Sylwia , Bereza Magdalena , Milanowski Rafał , Kwiatowski Jan , Zakryś Bożena
Published: September 2007

Verification of morphological diagnostic features and the establishment of three epitypes for three species of Phacus Dujardin—Phacus pleuronectes (O. F. Müll.) Dujardin, Phacus orbicularis Hübner, and Phacus hamelii Allorge et Lefèvre—was performed based on literature studies and analysis of morphological (cell shape, cell size, and periplast ornamentation) as well as molecular (18S rDNA) characters. Periplast ornamentation was recognized as a main diagnostic character, distinguishing P. orbicularis from P. pleuronectes and P. hamelii. Phacus orbicularis has struts running perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strips, while P. pleuronectes and P. hamelii do not. On the SSU rDNA tree, obtained by the Bayesian method, P. orbicularis, P. pleuronectes, and P. hamelii belong to three distinct clades. Some of the phylogenetic relationships are not resolved, but there are at least three Phacus species (P. hamatus, P. platyaulax, P. longicauda; for taxonomic authors, see Introduction) that are more closely related to P. orbicularis than is P. pleuronectes. Phacus hamelii is more closely related to P. ranula and the assemblage of several species of Phacus, which have small cells, than to P. orbicularis or P. pleuronectes.
The CO2‐concentrating mechanism in the bloom‐forming cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa (Cyanophyceae) and effects of UVB radiation on its operation1
Authors: Song Yanfang , Qiu Baosheng
Published: September 2007

The bloom‐forming cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa (Kütz.) Kütz. 854 was cultured with 1.05 W · m−2 ultraviolet‐B radiation (UVBR) for 3 h every day, and the CO2‐concentrating mechanism (CCM) within this species as well as effects of UVBR on its operation were investigated. Microcystis aeruginosa 854 possessed at least three inorganic carbon transport systems and could utilize external HCO3− and CO2 for its photosynthesis. The maximum photosynthetic rate was approximately the same, but the apparent affinity for dissolved inorganic carbon was significantly decreased from 74.7 μmol · L−1 in the control to 34.7 μmol · L−1 in UVBR‐treated cells. At 150 μmol · L−1 KHCO3 and pH 8.0, Na+‐dependent HCO3− transport contributed 43.4%–40.2% to the photosynthesis in the control and 34.5%–31.9% in UVBR‐treated cells. However, the contribution of Na+‐independent HCO3− transport increased from 8.7% in the control to 18.3% in UVBR‐treated cells. The contribution of CO2‐uptake systems showed little difference: 47.9%–51.0% in the control and 49.8%–47.2% in UVBR‐treated cells. Thus, the rate of total inorganic carbon uptake was only marginally affected, although UVBR had a differential effect on various inorganic carbon transporters. However, the number of carboxysomes in UVBR‐treated cells was significantly decreased compared to that in the control.
Recovery and Detection of Urea Nitrate in Traces*
Authors: Almog Joseph , Burda Gila , Shloosh Yael , Abramovich‐Bar Sara , Wolf Ehud , Tamiri Tsippy
Published: September 2007

Abstract:  Urea nitrate (uronium nitrate, UN) is a powerful improvised explosive, frequently used by terrorists in the Israeli arena. It was also used in the first World Trade Center bombing in New York in February 1993. It is difficult to identify UN in postexplosion debris, because in the presence of water it readily decomposes to its original components, urea and nitric acid. A method for the recovery and detection of urea nitrate in traces is described. The residues are extracted with hot acetone, and the extract chromatographed on chromosorb G‐HP. The eluent is analyzed by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI). By applying this technique, we were able to identify urea nitrate in actual exhibits. It was found that UN can be also formed during the analytical procedure, by certain combinations of urea, nitrate ions, and a source of protons and, hence, the presence of the characteristic adduct ion does not necessarily indicate an “authentic” urea nitrate. Several solutions are suggested to overcome this ambiguity.
Macroscopic Characteristics of Screwdriver Trauma
Authors: Croft Alexandra M. , Ferllini Roxana
Published: September 2007

Abstract:  The main objective of the study was to determine the type of macroscopic trauma created by a flat‐tipped and a cross‐tipped screwdriver. The second objective was to determine if the trauma inflicted by the two screwdrivers could be macroscopically differentiated. Three tests were conducted, each by a male volunteer. Each test consisted of 12 samples of fleshed pig ribs; six were stabbed with a flat‐tipped screwdriver and the remaining six with a cross‐tipped screwdriver (Phillips®). Each sample received 15 stab wounds during the process. The stabbings were conducted at perpendicular and oblique angles, with fabric variables being utilized. Results illustrate two main categories of macroscopic skeletal trauma, fractures, and puncture wounds. By studying the macroscopic appearance in tandem with differing trauma frequencies, these two screwdriver types can be differentiated.
Routine Forensic Use of the Mitochondrial 12S Ribosomal RNA Gene for Species Identification
Authors: Melton Terry , Holland Charity
Published: September 2007

Abstract:  Since July 2004, Mitotyping Technologies has been amplifying and sequencing a ∼150 base pair fragment of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) that codes for 12S ribosomal RNA, to identify the species origin of nonhuman casework samples. The ∼100 base pair sequence product is searched at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/BLAST and the species match is reported. The use of this assay has halved the number of samples for which no mtDNA results are obtained and is especially useful on hairs and degraded samples. The availability of species determination may aid forensic investigators in opening or closing off lines of inquiry where a highly probative but challenging sample has been collected.
THE CRIMINOGENIC EFFECTS OF IMPRISONMENT: EVIDENCE FROM STATE PANEL DATA, 1974–2002
Authors: VIERAITIS LYNNE M. , KOVANDZIC TOMISLAV V. , MARVELL THOMAS B.
Published: September 2007

Research Summary:

The heavy reliance on the use of incarceration in an attempt to address the crime problem has resulted in a dramatic growth in the number of state prisoners over the past 30 years. In recent years, however, a growing concern has developed about the impact that large numbers of offenders released from prison will have on crime rates. Using a state panel data set for 46 states from 1974 to 2002, this study demonstrates that although prison population growth seems to be associated with statistically significant decreases in crime rates, increases in the number of prisoners released from prison seem to be significantly associated with increases in crime. Because we control for changes in prison population levels, we attribute the apparent positive influences on crime that seem to follow prison releases to the criminogenic effects of prison.

Policy Implications:

Policy makers should continue to serve the public interest by carefully considering policies that are designed to reduce incarceration rates and thus assuage the criminogenic effects of prison. These policies may include changes in sentencing, changes in probation and/or parole practices, or better funding of reentry services prerelease and postrelease.
Lateral Hyporheic Zone Chemistry in an Artificially Constructed Gravel Bar and a Re‐Meandered Stream Channel, Southern Ontario, Canada1
Authors: Kasahara Tamao , Hill Alan R.
Published: September 2007

Abstract:  The effect of stream restoration on hyporheic functions has been neglected, although channel rehabilitation projects have a potential to alter stream‐ground‐water interactions. The present study examined the effect of an artificially constructed gravel bar and re‐meandered stream channel on lateral hyporheic exchange flow and chemistry in two lowland N‐rich streams in southern Ontario, Canada. Nitrate concentrations were relatively high, ranging from 0.5 to 1.3 mg N/l in both streams during spring through fall months. However, nitrate concentrations showed a steep decline as stream water entered the gravel bar and the meander bends. Differences between observed and predicted nitrate concentrations based on conservative ion concentration patterns indicated that 40‐100 and 68‐98% of the nitrate entering the hyporheic zone was removed in the gravel bar and meanders, respectively. Rapid depletion of dissolved oxygen concentrations along lateral hyporheic flow paths and denitrifying potentials assayed by the acetylene block technique in hyporheic sediments suggests that denitrification was an important mechanism of nitrate depletion. Despite the high rate of nitrate removal, the flux of stream water laterally entering the constructed gravel bar and meander bends was very small, and hyporheic nitrate removal was <0.015% of the daily stream load during base‐flow periods in summer and fall. The effects of restoration projects on hyporheic zone dynamics are often limited in lowland streams by low channel gradients and fine floodplain sediments with low interstitial flows that restrict the magnitude of the stream‐hyporheic connection.
Effect of Antimicrobial Compounds on
Balamuthia mandrillaris
Encystment and Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cell Cytopathogenicity
Authors: Siddiqui Ruqaiyyah , Matin Abdul , Warhurst David , Stins Monique , Khan Naveed Ahmed
Published: September 2007

Cycloheximide, ketoconazole, or preexposure of organisms to cytochalasin D prevented
Balamuthia mandrillaris
-associated cytopathogenicity in human brain microvascular endothelial cells, which constitute the blood-brain barrier. In an assay for inhibition of cyst production, these three agents prevented the production of cysts, suggesting that the biosynthesis of proteins and ergosterol and the polymerization of actin are important in cytopathogenicity and encystment.
Australian and New Zealand Untapped Biotechnology Opportunities
Authors: Muralitharan Morley
Published: September 2007

The article discusses about the potential of Australia and New Zealand biotechnology opportunities.
Recent Activities of Regenerative Medicine in South Korea
Authors: Khang Gilson
Published: September 2007

The article summarizes research activities on regenerative medicine in South Korea. It includes a table on the venture companies in the area of regenerative medicine and a table of regenerative medicinal products approved by the Korean Food and Drug Administration.
Primer Pheromones in Social Hymenoptera
Authors: Conte Yves Le , Hefetz Abraham
Published: September 2007

Social insect are profoundly influenced by primer pheromones (PPhs), which are efficient means for maintaining social harmony in the colony. PPhs act by affecting the physiology of the recipients with a subsequent shift in their behavior, and many PPhs have a releaser effect (i.e., changing the probability of performing a certain behavior upon perception). In this review we try to clarify the interplay between such dual pheromonal effects. Only a few PPhs have been identified, and we provide evidence for their existence in multiple species of social Hymenoptera, which is the most extensively studied of the social insects. We focus on the regulation of reproduction, social policing, and task allocation. Considering PPhs in a broad sense, we also discuss fertility signals and the role of cuticular hydrocarbons as putative PPhs. Identification of the underlying chemistry of PPhs offers insights into insect physiology and the evolution of social behavior. PPhs of the honey bee are used to demonstrate the complexity of pheromonal communication in social insects.
Flash Signal Evolution, Mate Choice, and Predation in Fireflies
Authors: Lewis Sara M. , Cratsley Christopher K.
Published: September 2007

Many key advances in our understanding of firefly biology and signaling have been made over the past two decades. Here we review this recent research, which includes new phylogenetic results that shed light on the evolution of courtship signal diversity within the family Lampyridae, new insights into firefly flash control, and the discovery of firefly nuptial gifts. We present a comprehensive overview of sexual selection in lampyrids, including evidence from Photinus fireflies that females choose their mates on the basis of male flash signals, and discuss the importance of examining both precopulatory and postcopulatory sexual selection in this group. Finally, we review recent findings on firefly chemical defenses, and discuss their implications for flash signal evolution in response to generalist predators as well as specialist predatory fireflies. This review provides new insight into how firefly flash signals have been shaped by the dual evolutionary processes of sexual selection (mate choice) and natural selection (predation), and proposes several exciting directions for future research.
Medical Aspects of Spider Bites
Authors: Vetter Richard S. , Isbister Geoffrey K.
Published: September 2007

Spiders have been incriminated as causes of human suffering for centuries, but few species worldwide cause medically significant envenomation. Widow spiders (Latrodectus spp.) occur worldwide and cause latrodectism, which is characterized by pain (local and generalized) associated with nonspecific systemic effects, diaphoresis, and less commonly other autonomic and neurological effects. Recluse spiders (Loxosceles spp.) are distributed mostly through the tropical and subtropical Western Hemisphere and can cause severe skin lesions and rarely systemic effects; most bites are unremarkable. Highly dangerous spiders in South America (armed spiders) and Australia (funnel-web spiders) cause rare but severe envenomation requiring medical intervention and sometimes antivenom. Most other spiders involved in verified bites cause minor, transient effects. Many spiders blamed for causing medical mischief have been elevated to medical significance via circumstantial evidence, poor reporting, and repetitive citation in the literature; several species have been shown to be harmless with more stringent scientific evidence involving verified bites in humans.
Conditional Disconnection Probability in Star Graphs
Authors: Najjar Walid , Srimani Pradip K.
Published: September 2007

Recently a new interconnection topology has been proposed which compares very favorably with the well known
n‐cubes (hypercubes) in terms of degree, diameter, fault‐tolerance and applicability in VLSI design. In this paper
we use a new probabilistic measure of network fault tolerance expressed as the probability of disconnection to
study the robustness of star graphs. We derive analytical approximation for the disconnection probability of star
graphs and verify it with Monte Carlo simulation. We then compare the results with hypercubes [4]. We also use
the measures of network resilience and relative network resilience to evaluate the effects of the disconnection
probability on the reliability of star graphs.
Optimal Testing and Design of Adders
Authors: Batek Michael J. , Hayes John P.
Published: September 2007

On‐the‐fly calculations of area and performance are a typical part of the computer‐aided iterative design process
in VLSI, which aims at a satisfactory tradeoff of various conflicting objectives, among which are test‐generation
time and test‐set size. However, determining test sets on‐the‐fly as one circuit is transformed into another is
extremely difficult. Our goal is to add a test dimension to the design optimization process that complements
methods concerned with area and performance optimization. We define a set of logic transformations that result
in easily computed changes to test sets. Test‐set preserving (TSP) transformations preserve a combinational circuit’s
test sets, while test‐set altering (TSA) transformations introduce a minimum number of tests needed to maintain
completeness. We illustrate our approach with a family of adders that share area‐efficient tree structures and
differ in the amount of carry‐lookahead used to accelerate carry computation. Members include the ripple‐carry
adder, which has no lookahead, and the standard carry‐lookahead adder, which exploits lookahead across all
inputs. It is straightforward to derive area and performance measures for this class of adders. Given an n‐bit
adder with lookahead degree k, we determine a sequence of circuit transformations that produce the adder of
degree k2 and test sets of minimum size. Optimal test sets of size k(logkn + 1) + 2 result for arbitrary n and k,
which improve significantly upon previously reported tests.
Empirical Bounds on Fault Coverage LossDue to LFSR Aliasing
Authors: Debany Warren H. , Gorniak Mark J. , Macera Anthony R. , Daskiewich Daniel E. , Kwiat Kevin A. , Dussault Heather B.
Published: September 2007

Built‐in‐self‐test (BIST) response data can be compacted using a linear‐feedback shift register (LFSR). Prior work
has indicated that the probability of aliasing tends to converge to 2-k for a polynomial of degree k and large test
length, and that primitive polynomials perform better than non‐primitive polynomials. Nearly all analytical models
and simulations have been based on the assumption that error occurrences are statistically‐independent. This
paper presents the first statistical results, based on fault simulation, that show that this convergence property
holds for actual digital logic circuits and randomly‐generated test vector sequences. However, it is shown that
the average probability of aliasing is unsuitable as a design metric, and that a 95% upper confidence limit (UCL)
is more useful. This paper introduces a UCL for the loss of fault coverage due to test response compaction. The
theoretical or “ideal” UCL is shown to match closely the empirically‐derived UCL obtained by fault simulation.
The result is that a tight lower bound on fault coverage for LFSR‐based BIST configurations can be obtained
easily. Fault coverage for a BIST configuration can be obtained without the LFSR, eliminating costly fault
simulation of the full structure with the LFSR. These results have been incorporated in the standard procedure
for fault coverage measurement.
Modular Scheme for Designing Special PurposeAssociative Memories and Beyond
Authors: Hurson A. R. , Pakzad S.
Published: September 2007

The use of associative memories—storage devices that allow data retrieval based on contents—has often been
suggested to speed up the performance of many applications. Until recently, using such content‐addressable
memories (CAMs) was unfeasible due to their high hardware cost. However, the advent of VLSI has made the
class of fully‐parallel associative memory cost‐effective for implementation. This paper briefly overviews design
of several fully parallel associative memories proposed in the literature, concentrating on the design of fully‐parallel
θ‐search CAMs.

Existing market realities require that product development be fast and predictable. As a result, design flexibility
and automation are becoming increasingly important design features. Using the various CAM designs reviewed,
the paper collects the features of these designs into a general, modular CAM organization and describes its major
components. The modular CAM organization can be used to design application specific CAMs of varying degrees
of functionality. Design and space complexity of a sample associative memory suitable for relational database
operations is studied. Finally, the application of genetic algorithms as a means to developing automated design
tools for fabrication of modular VLSI design chips is discussed.

Given a library of CAM modules, the desired functionality and a set of speed and area constraints, this
optimization technique produces a suitable CAM design. The proposed technique has been implemented and its
performance measure is briefly addressed.
Trade‐Off Considerations in Designing Efficient VLSIFeasible Interconnection Networks
Authors: Zheng S. Q. , Cong B. , Bettayeb S.
Published: September 2007

It is well known that the hypercube has a rich set of good properties, and consequently it has been recognized an
ideal structure for parallel computation. Nevertheless, according to the current VLSI technology, the implementation
feasibility of the hypercube remains questionable when the size of the hypercube becomes large. Recent research
efforts have been concentrated on finding good alternatives to the hypercube. The star graph was shown having
many desirable properties of the hypercube, and in several aspects, the star graph is better than the hypercube.
However, we observe that the star graph as a network has several disadvantages, compared with the hypercube. In
this paper, we propose a class of new networks, the star‐hypercube hybrid networks (or the SH networks). The SH
network is a simple combination of both the star graph and the hypercube. This class of networks contains the
star graph and the hypercube as subclasses. We show that the SH network is an efficient and versatile network for
parallel computation, since it shares properties of both the hypercube and the star graph, and remedies several
major disadvantages of the hypercube and the star graph. This class of networks provide more flexibility in choosing
the size, degree, number of vertices, degree of fault tolerance, etc. in designing massively parallel computing
structures feasible for VLSI implementations.
Least Common Ancestor Networks
Authors: Scherson Isaac D. , Chien Chi-Kai
Published: September 2007

Least Common Ancestor Networks (LCANs) are introduced and shown to be a class of networks that include fattrees,
baseline networks, SW‐banyans and the router networks of the TRAC 1.1 and 2.0 and the CM‐5. Some
LCAN properties are stated and the circuit‐switched permutation routing capabilities of an important subclass are
analyzed. Simulation results for three permutation classes verify the accuracy of an iterative analysis for a randomized
routing strategy. These results indicate that the routing strategy provides highly predictable router performance
for all permutations. An off‐line routing algorithm is also given, and it is shown how to realize certain classes of
permutations by adapting Nassimi and Sahni′s, and Raghavendra and Boppana′s self‐routing algorithms for Benes
networks.
Flipping Modules to MinimizeMaximum Wire Length
Authors: Chong Kyunrak , Sahni Sartaj
Published: September 2007

We show that obtaining the optimal orientations of modules to minimize the length of the longest wire is
NP‐hard. If each module is permitted only two possible orientations, this can be done in linear time. When all
four orientations are permissible and wires are restricted to connect modules whose separation is bounded by
some constant, the problem also can be solved in linear time.
Stepwise Transformation of Algorithmsinto Array Processor Architecturesby the DECOMP
Authors: Vehlies Uwe
Published: September 2007

A formal approach for the transformation of computation intensive digital signal processing algorithms into
suitable array processor architectures is presented. It covers the complete design flow from algorithmic specifications
in a high‐level programming language to architecture descriptions in a hardware description language. The
transformation itself is divided into manageable design steps and implemented in the CAD‐tool DECOMP which
allows the exploration of different architectures in a short time. With the presented approach data independent
algorithms can be mapped onto array processor architectures. To allow this, a known mapping methodology for
array processor design is extended to handle inhomogeneous dependence graphs with nonregular data dependences.
The implementation of the formal approach in the DECOMP is an important step towards design
automation for massively parallel systems.
Electron Transport Using the QuantumCorrected Hydrodynamic Equations
Authors: Kreskovsky J. P. , Grubin H. L.
Published: September 2007

Transport in one‐ and two‐dimensional semiconductor device structures is considered using a set of quantum
corrected hydrodynamic equations. Simple one‐dimensional simulations demonstrate the need to include quantum
effects in structures with sharp interfaces. Application to a two‐dimensional quantum well HEMT structure is
then considered. A brief discussion of the computational procedure is also presented.
A Greedy Algorithm for Over‐The‐Cell Channel Routing
Authors: Gudmundsson Gudni , Ntafos Simeon
Published: September 2007

Recent advances in VLSI technology have made the area over cells available for routing. In
this paper we present a new over‐the‐cell channel router that uses greedy heuristics to make
the over‐the‐cell connections and to define the nets needed to complete the connections
inside the channel. The router tries to reduce the channel density by moving segments that
cross maximum density columns to the over‐the‐cell areas. The layout model used allows
only planar connections over each cell. The final stage is to use an existing channel router to
route the connections inside the channel. An important characteristic of the new router is that
there is interaction between the decisions made for the over‐the‐cell connections and the
connections needed inside the channel. It performs significantly better than previous over the‐cell routers.