bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reduction of High Background Staining by Heating Unfixed Mouse Skeletal Muscle Tissue Sections Allows for Detection of Thermostable Antigens With Murine Monoclonal Antibodies
Authors: Mundegar Rustam R. , Franke Elke , Schäfer Ralf , Zweyer Margit , Wernig Anton
Published: July 2008

Antigen detection with indirect immunohistochemical methods is hampered by high background staining if the primary antibody is from the same species as the examined tissue. This high background can be eliminated in unfixed cryostat sections of mouse skeletal muscle by boiling sections in PBS, and several proteins including even the low abundant dystrophin protein can then be easily detected with murine monoclonal antibodies. However, not all antigens withstand the boiling procedure. Immunoreactivity of some of these antigens can be restored by subsequent washing in Triton X-100, whereas immunoreactivity of other proteins is not restored by this detergent treatment. When such thermolabile proteins are labeled with polyclonal primary antibodies followed by dichlorotriazinylaminofluorescein-conjugated secondary antibodies and boiled, the fluorescence signal persists, and sections can then be processed with a monoclonal antibody for double immunostaining of a protein unaffected by boiling. This stability of certain fluorochromes on heating can also be exploited for double immunofluorescence labeling of two different thermostable proteins with murine monoclonal antibodies as well as for combination with Y-chromosome fluorescence in situ hybridization. Our method should extend the range of monoclonal antibodies applicable to tissues derived from the same species as the monoclonal antibodies.
Woodcutting behavior in beavers (Castoridae, Rodentia): estimating ecological performance in a modern and a fossil taxon
Authors: Rybczynski Natalia
Published: July 2008

An early Pliocene fossil locality in the Canadian High Arctic preserves the remains of the extinct beaverDipoidessp. (Castoridae, Rodentia) in association with an assemblage of fossil beaver-cut wood. The wood assemblage presents a first opportunity to investigate woodcutting behavior and ecological performance in an extinct castorid genus. This study compares woodcutting inDipoidessp. with that of the modern beaver,Castor canadensis, using evidence from small-diameter cut sticks (i.e., sticks transected by parallel series of cut marks) in combination with behavioral observations ofCastorwoodcutting. During woodcutting bothCastorandDipoidesused their incisors unilaterally; the upper incisor was pressed against the stick while the corresponding lower incisor cut. Cut marks were relatively larger forCastorthanDipoides(scaled to incisor size). Compared withDipoides, Castormore frequently used a cutting strategy that minimized the number of cuts needed to transect a stick (e.g., clipping as opposed to chip removal). Taken together, the behavioral evidence suggests that ecological cutting performance was lower forDipoidesthanCastor.
Color‐separating backlight for improved LCD efficiency
Authors: Jak Martin J. J. , Caputo Robert , Hornix Eefje J. , de Sio Luciano , de Boer Dick K. G. , Cornelissen Hugo J.
Published: July 2008

Abstract— A large part of the light generated in a backlight is usually absorbed in the color filters of the liquid‐crystal display. A new backlight system that uses a grating to split the white light into different colors and a lens array to focus this light onto the pixels is presented. The absorbing filters can be eliminated and efficiency is improved. The system is characterized, as well as its different components.
Physical interpretation of the characteristics of LCDs embedded with MgO and SiO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Kobayashi S. , Saeki Y. , Kodaira S. , Takatoh K. , Kineri T. , Hoshi H. , Toshima N. , Sano S.
Published: July 2008

Abstract— The electro‐optical characteristics of TN‐LCD and ECB‐LCD cells, both of which were embedded with of MgO and SiO2 nanoparticles at a low concentration of about or below 1 wt.%, were investigated. The threshold voltage and operating voltage of these LCD cells were found to decrease by 5–16%, depending on the materials and the concentration of nanoparticles. Measurements of the physical properties of nanoparticle‐embedded NLCs, such as the order parameter, clearing point, birefringence, dielectric anisotropy, elastic constants, and rotational viscosity on the nanoparticle‐doped NLC sample cells, were performed. Through these measurements, it is shown that the decrease in the threshold voltage and the operating voltage may be attributed to the decrease in the order parameter by 10–30% due to the existence of these nanoparticles.
STATE–SPACE MODELS LINK ELK MOVEMENT PATTERNS TO LANDSCAPE CHARACTERISTICS IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
Authors: Forester James D. , Ives Anthony R. , Turner Monica G. , Anderson Dean P. , Fortin Daniel , Beyer Hawthorne L. , Smith Douglas W. , Boyce Mark S.
Published: July 2008

Explaining and predicting animal movement in heterogeneous landscapes remains challenging. This is in part because movement paths often include a series of short, localized displacements separated by longer‐distance forays. This multiphasic movement behavior reflects the complex response of an animal to present environmental conditions and to its internal behavioral state. This state is an autocorrelated process influenced by preceding behaviors and habitats visited. Movement patterns depending on the behavioral state of an animal represent the broad‐scale response of that animal to the environment. Quantifying how animals respond both to local conditions and to their internal state reveals how animals respond to spatial heterogeneity at different spatial scales. We used a state–space statistical approach to model the internal behavioral state and the proximate movement response of elk (Cervus elaphus) to available forage biomass, landscape composition, topography, and wolf (Canis lupus) density during summer in Yellowstone National Park, USA. We analyzed movement paths of 16 female elk fitted with global positioning system (GPS) radio collars that recorded locations at 5‐h intervals. Habitat variables were quantified within 175 m radii (one‐half of the median 5‐h displacement) centered on the beginning location of each interval. Stepwise model selection identified models that best explained the movement distances of each animal. The behavioral state changed very slowly for most animals (median autocorrelation r = 0.93), and all animals responded strongly to time of day (with more movement in the crepuscular hours). However, the spatial variables included in the best‐fitting models varied substantially among individual elk. These results suggest that strong patterns of habitat selection observed in other studies may result from frequent visits to preferred areas rather than a reduction of movement in those areas.
Replacement Cost Economics of Offshore Drilling Rigs
Authors: Cole J. C.
Published: July 2008

The worldwide oversupply of offshore drilling rigs has decreased rapidly in the past six years. This paper examines the potential for additions to the world fleet and analyzes the required financial return to justify new rig construction.
The Reporting of Grief by One Newspaper of Record for the U.S.: The New York Times
Authors: Hilliker Laurel
Published: July 2008

One source people can rely on for clues on how to grieve a loss is through accounts of such experiences reported in the mass media. This research examines how grief has been reported at one newspaper of record for the U.S.: The New York Times. Using theories of social construction and the sick role, this exploratory study attempts to observe whether grieving is portrayed by media as a social problem, particularly as a health or medical issue which can be treated and cured, and also discusses those who are not identified in the mourner role in newspaper reports.
A Brief Research Note: Helplessness, Hopelessness, and Haplessness as Predictors of Suicidal Ideation: A Cross-Cultural Study
Authors: GençÖz Faruk , Vatan Sevginar , Walker Rheeda , Lester David
Published: July 2008

Scales to measure helplessness and hopelessness were found to have good reliability and were significantly correlated with suicidal ideation in both Turkish and American respondents.
Comparative analysis of the vascular floras of the Moraca and Cijevna canyons (Montenegro)
Authors: Bulic Z. , Lakusic D. , Stevanovic V.
Published: July 2008

The vascular floras of the canyons of the Moraca and Cijevna Rivers in Southern Montenegro are analyzed. A great number of Mediterranean plants were observed in these canyons, clearly indicating that they belong to the Adriatic sub-Mediterranean floristic subregion. This is additionaly confirmed by the prevailing occurrence of Mediterranean hemicryptophytes, geophytes, and therophytes. The floristic differences observed between these two canyons are mostly caused by their different geographical positions, resulting in stronger Mediterranean influence in the Cijevna Canyon, but stronger continental impact in the Moraca Canyon. Thus, the Cijevna Canyon has more Mediterranean and evergreen plant species.
Research on long-term colonization of goosander (Mergus merganser Linneaus, 1758) with reference to habitat availability
Authors: Marinkovic S.P. , Skoric S.B. , Popovic Zorica , Nikcevic M.V.
Published: July 2008

This article presents data on long-term colonization of goosander in Western Serbia and Eastern Republic of Srpska (on five oligotrophic reservoirs formed by the Drina River) based on continuous counting since the first observation of nesting in 1987. The total number of breeding pairs and their distribution in neighboring habitats continuously increased from year to year, suggesting that expansion of the population is still below the limit of the habitat. The decrease in population which occurred in certain years was due to environmental or anthropogenic influence.
Life cycle of transformer oil
Authors: Djurdjevic Ksenija , Vojinovic-Miloradov Mirjana , Sokolovic Slobodan
Published: July 2008

The consumption of electric power is constantly increasing due to industrialization and population growth. This results in much more severe operating conditions of transformers, the most important electrical devices that make integral parts of power transmission and distribution systems. The designed operating life of the majority of worldwide transformers has already expired, which puts the increase of transformer reliability and operating life extension in the spotlight. Transformer oil plays a very important role in transformer operation, since it provides insulation and cooling, helps extinguishing sparks and dissolves gases formed during oil degradation. In addition to this, it also dissolves moisture and gases from cellulose insulation and atmosphere it is exposed to. Further and by no means less important functions of transformer are of diagnostic purpose. It has been determined that examination and inspection of insulation oil provide 70% of information on transformer condition, which can be divided in three main groups: dielectric condition, aged transformer condition and oil degradation condition. By inspecting and examining the application oil it is possible to determine the condition of insulation, oil and solid insulation (paper), as well as irregularities in transformer operation. All of the above-mentioned reasons and facts create ground for the subject of this research covering two stages of transformer oil life cycle: (1) proactive maintenance and monitoring of transformer oils in the course of utilization with reference to influence of transformer oil condition on paper insulation condition, as well as the condition of the transformer itself; (2) regeneration of transformer oils for the purpose of extension of utilization period and paper insulation revitalization potential by means of oil purification. The study highlights advantages of oil-paper insulation revitalization over oil replacement. Besides economic, there are advantages concerning environmental protection, starting from unrecoverable resources (petroleum) saving through power and energy saving to waste reduction. Adequate management of transformer oil life cycle, meaning timely and technologically updated regeneration process, prevents waste production. Regeneration by means of synthetic adsorbents in laboratory conditions as well as on site has ensured and provided satisfactory results with reference to oil quality improvement. It has also confirmed and substantiated the necessity of regeneration implementation before the paper insulation is damaged.
Software tools for automatic generation of finite element mesh and application of biomechanical calculation in medicine
Authors: Milasinovic Danko , Ivanovic Milos , Filipovic Nenad , Kojic Milos
Published: July 2008

Cardiovascular diseases are common and a special difficulty in their curing is diagnostics. Modern medical instruments can provide data that is much more adequate for computer modeling. Computer simulations of blood flow through the cardiovascular organs give powerful advantages to scientists today. The motivation for this work is raw data that our Center recently received from the University Clinical center in Heidelberg from a multislice CT scanner. In this work raw data from CT scanner was used for creating a 3D model of the aorta. In this process we used Gmsh, TetGen (Hang Si) as well as our own software tools, and the result was the 8-node (brick) mesh on which the calculation was run. The results obtained were very satisfactory so...
Nanomaterial N-CP/DLPLG as potent1onal tissue graft in osteoreparation in combination with bone marrow cells on subcutaneous implantation model
Authors: Janicijevic Jelena , Najman Stevo , Ignjatovic Nenad , Savic Vojin , Kocic Jelena , Vasiljevic Perica , Vukelic Marija , Uskokovic Dragan
Published: July 2008

The need for bone graft materials in osteoreparation is tremendous. Many researches have shown that calcium-phosphate bioceramics have good biocompatibility and osteoconductivity. We used nanocomposite biomaterial calcium phosphate coated with poly (dl-lactide-co-glycolide) or N-CP/DLPLG. The goal of this investigation was to examine weather N-CP/DLPLG has ability to sustain growth of bone marrow cells after subcutaneous implantation in Balb/c mice. For that purpose N-CP/DLPLG implants with and without bone marrow cells (control) were made. Implants were extracted after eight days and eight weeks. In implants loaded with bone marrow cells after eight days and eight weeks we observed fields rich in cells, angiogenesis and collagen genesis. These results showed that N-CP/DLPLG has property of tissue scaffold which sustain bone marrow cells growth and collagen production. This represents a good way for further examination of N-CP/DLPLG as potentional tissue scaffold in osteoreparation.
Characterization and biological evaluation of some novel pyrazolo[3',4':4,5]thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-8-ones synthesized via the Gewald reaction
Authors: Dodiya Dipti , Trivedi Amit , Jarsania Samir , Vaghasia Shailesh , Shah Viresh
Published: July 2008

The synthesis of substituted pyrazolo[3',4':4,5]thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-8-ones (IIIa-j) from 5-amino-3-methyl-1H-thieno[3,2-c]pyrazole-6-carbonitrile (II) is described. The key compound II was synthesized from (5-methyl- -2,4-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-ylidene)malononitrile I via the Gewald reaction. The synthesis of the title compounds IIIa-j was accomplished by condensation of II with different aromatic aldehydes. The newly synthesized heterocyles were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and mass spectroscopic investigation. All the newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against a variety of bacterial strains. .
Orientations towards the goals of pupils and their importance for achieving success in learning
Authors: Mirkov Snezana
Published: July 2008

The starting point of this paper are two orientations towards goals that were identified in a large number of studies: orientations towards learning and orientations towards achievement. Social goals of pupils were especially discussed. There is the analysis of the relations of these orientations with success in learning, as well as with other variables related to personality and environment. Special treatment was given to the findings of empirical research indicating the possibility of existence of multiple orientations towards goals. That means that they can be in different mutual relations and in such a way exert different influence on the achievement of success in learning. Complementary effect of different goals enables flexible behavior of pupils in different situations, and coordination of different goals can be especially important for achieving success. Regarding the conceptualization of individual orientations, it was demonstrated how it is possible to treat separately both the different strivings within orientation towards achievement and orientation towards studying, and the different social goals of pupils. The characteristics of learning situation, as well as the way in which the pupil experiences the task of learning, are significant for the effect orientations can have on goals and on achievement of success in learning. Some recommendations for encouraging the pupil in teaching process are listed, as well as the implications for further research in this field.
Efficiency of working memory: Theoretical concept and practical application
Authors: Lalovic Dejan
Published: July 2008

Efficiency of working memory is the concept which connects psychology of memory with different fields of cognitive, differential and applied psychology. In this paper, the history of interest for the assessment of the capacity of short-term memory is presented in brief, as well as the different methods used nowadays to assess the individual differences in the efficiency of working memory. What follows is the consideration of studies that indicate the existence of significant links between the efficiency of working memory and general intelligence, the ability of reasoning, personality variables, as well as some socio-psychological phenomena. Special emphasis is placed on the links between the efficiency of working memory and certain aspects of pedagogical practice: acquiring the skill of reading, learning arithmetic and shedding light on the cause of general failure in learning at school. What is also provided are the suggestions that, in the light of knowledge about the development and limitations of working memory at school age, can be useful for teaching practice.
Teachers and parents as a source of stereotype formation
Authors: Djeric Ivana , Studen Rajka
Published: July 2008

Teachers and parents play an important role in developing and maintaining stereotype beliefs in children and youth, and therefore this paper discusses their role and importance for the development and manifestations of stereotypes in children. Authors' intention is to introduce the readers to the developmental prerequisites of stereotype formation in children and youth, to point out to the ways in which adults exert influence on children's understanding of stereotypes and to discover how stereotypes mediate in the interaction between teachers and parents. Studies imply that the development of stereotype beliefs in children is conditioned by developmental changes on the cognitive level and that the first indications of stereotypes occur in the third, that is, fourth year of life. The first sources of stereotype formation are parents, who, as a model for socialization, promote the social and cultural norms and express certain behavioral patterns which are then "imprinted" in the repertoire of child's behavior. Teachers present an important source of stereotypes, whether we are talking about their roles in carrying over the pattern of the dominant culture or we are dealing with the stereotypical perception of the pupils of different categories (such as, for example, ethnic background, gender). This paper also points out to the categories of pupils that are more sensitive to stereotypes in educational context.
Social work at school: View into the past, view into the future
Authors: Postrak Milko
Published: July 2008

The practice of social work at school existed in the Republic of Slovenia in the past (the period of the SFRY). This paper presents the findings arising from that period, the reasons for abandoning that practice (the problems of management and the achieved educational level of the social workers at that time), as well as the theoretical assumptions forming the basis for reconsidering the possibility of its reintroduction both to primary and secondary schools. This paper presents the different theoretical models and paradigms they rely on (traditional or conservative, reformist, radical, system-ecological and social-constructivist), with special reference to the social-constructivist model of social work, which is also author's own orientation. The suggested models and theoretical assumptions that social work rests on are associated with the domains of work common to social work and school, and those are: on micro-level, the realm of socialization (socialization process) and educational work related to pupils (common both to school work and social work), on the level of school - work on establishing the psycho-social climate, especially within peer groups, youth subcultures, the relation towards authority, the presence of violence and offender's behavior at school. Also, significant common ground in the paper stems from the concept of decentralization, on the one hand, and the fact that school is an institution that develops numerous functions through meaningful connections with the context of the local community and the society.
Phenomenon of insufficient birth and educational system
Authors: Rasevic Mirjana
Published: July 2008

The most important problem of demographic development of Serbia is the fact that individual strivings, aspirations and responses accompanying the process of giving birth to children are not rational from the aspect of the needs of the society. Reproductive norms are low. The society did not even try, via its institutions, to exert influence on the formation of attitude about the desired number of children, or to largely alleviate a number of obstacles to their realization. Facing the consequences of reproductive behavior is a reality and definitely follows in the upcoming time as well. Is there a space for action undertaken by educational system as a part of political response with the aim of rehabilitation of giving birth? It seems that this space exists and that at least two measures impose themselves in that sense. Reduction of individual age at the end of school and population education. Postponing giving birth for later and later age is a very important cause of a very low fertility level in Serbia today. The reform of educational system might influence an earlier entering of parenthood by reducing the individual age at the end of schooling. Population education is imposed as a new direction of population policy, bearing in mind that an individual does not have enough specific knowledge. More or less, the relation between individual behavior and macro-processes is not perceived, the consequences of unsatisfactory population tendencies, slow pace of demographic changes and their postponed effect are not recognized, one does not think about the preservation of national identity, culture and duration.
An Introduction to the Writings of J. G. Mullen, An African Clerk, in theGold Coast Leader, 1916–19
Authors: Newell Stephanie
Published: July 2008

J. G. Mullen was a Gold Coast clerk who published his memoirs, in instalments, in theGold Coast Leaderfrom 1916 to 1919. In this unusual narrative, he describes his adventures in Cameroon before and during the First World War. His account combines real-life geographical and social details with flamboyant tropes probably derived from imperial popular literature. Mullen's biography and even identity have so far been otherwise untraceable. His text offers glimpses, always enigmatic, of the experience and outlook of a member of the new clerkly class of colonial West Africa. This contribution presents an edited extract from Mullen's text together with a contextualizing and interpretative essay. The full Mullen text is available in the online version of this issue ofAfrica.
Gun Culture in Kumasi
Authors: McCaskie T. C.
Published: July 2008

This article is about gun culture in Kumasi today. Gun use in Asante, and elsewhere in Ghana, has increased significantly in the last decade. In practice and in the public imagination this is associated with the rise of youth gangs and the criminalization of urban space. Much has been written about youths and violence elsewhere in Africa, but this article focuses on the neglected topic of guns themselves – their manufacture, sale, distribution, use and meanings. In Kumasi, which in Suame Magazine has the biggest indigenous metalwork and engineering complex in all of West Africa, skilled artisans now make copies of imported automatic assault rifles, like the Soviet AK-47, as well as shotguns and pistols. This development is explored in a number of ways, and most especially in terms of the relationship between guns and their local history, Kumasi youth, crime and shifting patterns of desire and consumption. It is the purpose of this article to add to the growing literature on ‘violent youth’ in Africa, but to do so from the viewpoint of the weapons that enable this violence.
Towards Another ‘–Image’: Deleuze, Narrative Time and Popular Indian Cinema
Authors: Martin-Jones David
Published: July 2008

Popular Indian cinema provides a test case for examining the limitations of Gilles Deleuze's categories of movement-image and time-image. Due to the context-specific aesthetic and cultural traditions that inform popular Indian cinema, although it appears at times to be both movement- and time-image, it actually creates a different type of image. Analysis of Toofani Tarzan (1936) and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) demonstrates how, alternating between a movement of world typical of the time-image, and a sensory-motor movement of character typical of the movement-image, popular Indian cinema explores the potential fluxing of identities that emerge during moments of historical complexity.
Indefinite Play and ‘The Name of Man’
Authors: Benjamin Andrew
Published: July 2008

This paper is an attempt to take up the prompt in Derrida's work concerning the necessity for a deconstruction of anthropocentrism. Working through an example from Hegel's Philosophy of Right concerning animality, the paper takes up Derrida's project and connects it to the larger concern of what happens to the philosophical once it is no longer premised on the animal's exclusion but has to acknowledge the inclusion of an already present thus recalcitrant animality.
Real‐Time PCR
Authors: Fraga Dean , Meulia Tea , Fenster Steven
Published: July 2008

Real‐time PCR is a recent modification to the polymerase chain reaction that allows precise quantification of specific nucleic acids in a complex mixture by fluorescent detection of labeled PCR products. Detection can be accomplished using specific, as well as nonspecific fluorescent probes. Real‐time PCR is often used in the quantification of gene expression levels. Prior to using real‐time PCR to quantify a target message, care must be taken to optimize the RNA isolation, primer design, and PCR reaction conditions so that accurate and reliable measurements can be made. This short overview of real‐time PCR discusses basic principles behind real‐time PCR, some optimization and experimental design considerations, and how to quantify the data generated using both relative and absolute quantification approaches. Useful Web sites and texts that expand upon topics discussed are also listed.
A subspace algorithm for simultaneous identification and input reconstruction
Authors: Palanthandalam‐Madapusi Harish J. , Bernstein Dennis S.
Published: July 2008

This paper considers the concept of input and state observability, that is, conditions under which both the unknown input and initial state of a known model can be determined from output measurements. We provide necessary and sufficient conditions for input and state observability in discrete‐time systems. Next, we develop a subspace identification algorithm that identifies the state‐space matrices and reconstructs the unknown input using output measurements and known inputs. Finally, we present several illustrative examples, including a nonlinear system in which the unknown input is due to the endogenous nonlinearity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptive techniques for the MRAC, adaptive parameter identification, and on‐line fault monitoring and accommodation for a class of positive real infinite dimensional systems
Authors: Demetriou Michael A. , Ito Kazufumi , Smith Ralph C.
Published: July 2008

A theoretical framework of the model reference adaptive control design, adaptive parameter identification and automated fault detection is developed for a class of positive real infinite dimensional systems. Uncertain terms are treated as additive perturbations of the plant operator and the framework provides a unified treatment for model reference control, parameter estimation and fault detection and accommodation. For each design problem the well‐posedness and stability of the proposed adaptive scheme are investigated. Extensions to the variable structure observer, to specific forms of the structured perturbation terms and to slowly time‐varying systems are also considered within the proposed framework. Such results are summarized as they capitalize on the proposed well‐posedness and stability results for the general cases. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The optimal fuzzy robust regulator for TS discrete‐time systems: An LMI approach
Authors: Meda‐Campaña J. A. , Castillo‐Toledo B.
Published: July 2008

In this work, the problem of designing an optimal regulator for discrete‐time nonlinear systems when the plant can be modelled by a Takagi–Sugeno (TS) fuzzy system is addressed. The approach analyzed in this paper, under certain conditions, guarantees the tracking of references and allows the performance of the controller to be improved by means of the inclusion of some cost functions. The main result is given in terms of linear matrix inequality techniques, meaning that the design of the controller can be obtained in a practical way. Finally, numerical simulations are carried out in order to illustrate the validity of the fuzzy regulator. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Background magnetic fields during last three cycles of solar activity
Authors: Andryeyeva O.A. , Stepanian N.N.
Published: July 2008

This paper describes our studies of evolution of the solar magnetic field with different sign and field strength in the range from –100 G to 100 G. The structure and evolution of large‐scale magnetic fields on the Sun during the last 3 cycles of solar activity is investigated using magnetograph data from the Kitt Peak Solar Observatory. This analysis reveals two groups of the large‐scale magnetic fields evolving differently during the cycles. The first group is represented by relatively weak background fields, and is best observed in the range of 3–10 Gauss. The second group is represented by stronger fields of 75–100 Gauss. The spatial and temporal properties of these groups are described and compared with the total magnetic flux. It is shown that the anomalous behaviour of the total flux during the last cycle can be found only in the second group. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Gravity and effective temperature distribution on the surface of contact binary systems
Authors: Tsantilas S. , Rovithis‐Livaniou H.
Published: July 2008

The aim of this work is to study the gravity and the effective temperature distribution on the outer equipotential surface of a contact binary. In particular, the lines of constant g, (the iso‐g curves), are computed and plotted on the outer surface Cs of contact configurations. Since the gravity distribution would also specify the effective temperature distribution on the binary's common photosphere through the gravity darkening effect, these lines correspond to isothermals too. Applications have been made to two contact binaries; namely, to AW UMa and OO Aql, two systems with very different mass ratios. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Low‐temperature primordial gas in merging halos
Authors: Vasiliev E. O. , Shchekinov Yu. A.
Published: July 2008

The thermal regime of the baryons behind shock waves arising in the process of virialization of dark matter halos is governed at certain conditions by radiation of HD lines. A small fraction of the shocked gas can cool down to the temperature of the cosmic microwave background (CMB). We estimate an upper limit for this fraction: at z = 10 it increases sharply from about qT ∼ 10–3 for dark halos of M = 5 × 107 M⊙ to ∼ 0.1 for halos with M = 108 M⊙. Further increase of the halo mass does not lead however to a significant growth of qT – the asymptotic value for M ≫ 108 M⊙ is 0.3. We estimate the star formation rate associated with such shock waves, and show that they can provide a small but not negligible fraction of the star formation. We argue that extremely metal‐poor low‐mass stars in the Milky Way may have been formed from primordial gas behind such shocks. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Analysis of NADPH supply during xylitol production by engineered Escherichia coli
Authors: Chin Jonathan W. , Khankal Reza , Monroe Caroline A. , Maranas Costas D. , Cirino Patrick C.
Published: July 2008

Escherichia coli strain PC09 (ΔxylB, cAMP‐independent CRP (crp*) mutant) expressing an NADPH‐dependent xylose reductase from Candida boidinii (CbXR) was previously reported to produce xylitol from xylose while metabolizing glucose [Cirino et al. (2006) Biotechnol Bioeng 95(6): 1167–1176]. This study aims to understand the role of NADPH supply in xylitol yield and the contribution of key central carbon metabolism enzymes toward xylitol production. Studies in which the expression of CbXR or a xylose transporter was increased suggest that enzyme activity and xylose transport are not limiting xylitol production in PC09. A constraints‐based stoichiometric metabolic network model was used to understand the roles of central carbon metabolism reactions and xylose transport energetics on the theoretical maximum molar xylitol yield (xylitol produced per glucose consumed), and xylitol yields (YRPG) were measured from resting cell biotransformations with various PC09 derivative strains. For the case of xylose‐proton symport, omitting the Zwf (glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase) or PntAB (membrane‐bound transhydrogenase) reactions or TCA cycle activity from the model reduces the theoretical maximum yield from 9.2 to 8.8, 3.6, and 8.0 mol xylitol (mol glucose)−1, respectively. Experimentally, deleting pgi (encoding phosphoglucose isomerase) from strain PC09 improves the yield from 3.4 to 4.0 mol xylitol (mol glucose)−1, while deleting either or both E. coli transhydrogenases (sthA and pntA) has no significant effect on the measured yield. Deleting either zwf or sucC (TCA cycle) significantly reduces the yield from 3.4 to 2.0 and 2.3 mol xylitol (mol glucose)−1, respectively. Expression of a xylose reductase with relaxed cofactor specificity increases the yield to 4.0. The large discrepancy between theoretical maximum and experimentally determined yield values suggests that biocatalysis is compromised by pathways competing for reducing equivalents and dissipating energy. The metabolic role of transhydrogenases during E. coli biocatalysis has remained largely unspecified. Our results demonstrate the importance of direct NADPH supply by NADP+‐utilizing enzymes in central metabolism for driving heterologous NADPH‐dependent reactions, and suggest that the pool of reduced cofactors available for biotransformation is not readily interchangeable via transhydrogenase. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 209–220. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Critical conflict resolution theory and practice
Authors: Hansen Toran
Published: July 2008

This article brings together a variety of ideas from critical theorists and practitioners in order to present a coherent critical approach for the field of conflict resolution. The historical roots of critical theory are briefly presented, along with critical practices that conflict resolution practitioners and theorists have developed. This leads to a discussion of critical strategies that are employed by conflict resolution practitioners who have aligned their practice and values with critical ideology. The potential place of critical theory and practice in the field of conflict resolution is stressed, highlighting new forms of practice and new roles for practitioners. As Alinsky wrote, “Conflict is the essential core of a free and open society” (1971, p. 12).
Practice note: Divorce mediation with challenging parents
Authors: Silver Robert B. , Silver Deborah C.
Published: July 2008

Shepherding parents through the divorce process becomes even more thought‐provoking when assisting those with strong personalities. This article identifies those parent types that present a greater than usual challenge for mediators. Practical suggestions are offered for the mediator in how to communicate as well as self‐care.
Performance analysis of adaptive receivers for DS/CDMA communication systems
Authors: Ueng Fang‐Biau , Chen Jun‐Da , Yang Jia‐Yu
Published: July 2008

Both intersymbol interference (ISI) and multiple‐access interference (MAI) are the important issues in code division multiple access (CDMA) multiuser communication systems. The step size of the traditional least‐mean‐square (LMS) adaptive receivers must be substantially adjusted to overcome the effect due to different channel responses or different numbers of active users. The normalized‐LMS (NLMS) algorithm can automatically manipulate the adjustment to avoid the problem just discussed. This paper proposes the symbol‐based interference rejection filter with NLMS algorithm and derives both finite impulse response (FIR)‐ and infinite impulse response (IIR)‐type algorithms. We also derive the optimal step sizes and minimum mean‐square errors (MSEs) for both the FIR and IIR symbol‐based receivers. The complexity of our proposed FIR receiver is lower than that of the conventional chip‐based receivers. In addition, it is shown that the bit error rate performance of our proposed symbol‐based receivers is superior to conventional one in the simulations. Simulations also show the correctness of our theoretical analysis of minimum MSE. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gastrointestinal disorders in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities
Authors: Sullivan Peter B.
Published: July 2008

Children with neurodevelopmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy (CP), spina bifida, or inborn errors of metabolism frequently have associated gastrointestinal problems. These include oral motor dysfunction leading to feeding difficulties, risk of aspiration, prolonged feeding times, and malnutrition with its attendant physical compromise. Gastrostomy tube feeding is increasingly being used in these children to circumvent oral motor dysfunction and prevent malnutrition. Foregut dysmotility causes several problems such as dysphagia from oesophageal dysmotility, gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease, and delayed gastric emptying. Gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease is common in these children but often fails to respond to medical management and may require surgical treatment. Finally, constipation is often a problem that may be overlooked in this population. This article focuses on these associated gastrointestinal manifestations and discusses the current diagnostic and therapeutic options available. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Dev Disabil Res Rev 2008;14:128–136.
Fundamental performance of superconducting fault current limiter with two air core coils
Authors: Shimizu Hirotaka , Yokomizu Yasunobu , Matsumura Toshiro
Published: July 2008

In this paper, we theoretically compared the fundamental characteristics of fault current limiter (FCL) with high‐Tc superconductor (HTS) and two coaxial air‐core coils based on steady‐state analysis. Two types of FCL are possible. One is parallel type and the other is transformer type. The parallel type can be divided into two types according to the combination of the winding direction of coils. That is, there are two cases that the coils are wound so that the magnetic fluxes induced by coils reduce and increase each other. In this paper, we called them parallel type 1 and 2, respectively. There is no significant difference in the HTS volume required to satisfy both the specified limiting impedance ZFCL and initial current Iini in limiting operation among those three FCLs although the HTS in each type of FCL has different length and cross‐sectional area. In the cases of those FCLs, we can improve the current limiting performance by arranging the HTS in the coils and applying the magnetic flux to the HTS in the limiting operation. The magnitudes of the magnetic flux density are almost the same. From the viewpoint of the FCL impedance in normal operation, parallel type 1 has the most desirable structure. On the other hand, transformer type is the best to eliminate the magnetic flux applied to the HTS in the normal operation. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 165(3): 29–36, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20477
Algorithm‐level evaluation of DPA resistance to cryptosystems
Authors: Sasaki Akihiko , Abe Kôki
Published: July 2008

Paul Kocher has proposed a cryptanalysis technique called differential power analysis (DPA), in which attackers derive secret information such as private keys from a statistical analysis of the power consumption by the target device. There is now a demand to evaluate the DPA resistivity of a cryptographic device before the device is actually created. In this paper, we focus on simulating DPA with high speed at algorithm level in upstream of the design process. Messerges used a power leakage model to obtain power consumption from Hamming weight for proof of high‐order DPA. However, the correctness of the model has not been verified. In this paper, we verify that difference of power consumption in DPA can be obtained from the power leakage model by investigating the cause of power consumption of CMOS circuits and transition probability of logic gates. The verification is performed by means of a circuit simulator. Next we describe a method of performing algorithm‐level simulation which calculates power consumption using the power leakage model. We illustrate the effectiveness of the method by applying it to DPA resistivity evaluation of DES implementation. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 165(3): 37– 45, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20611
CGU‐frame‐based representations and their connection with Reed—Solomon and DCT/DST coding schemes
Authors: Abdelkefi Fatma
Published: July 2008

We investigate the use of overcomplete frame representations to correct errors occurring over burst‐based transmission channels or channels leading to isolated errors. We show that when the overcomplete signal representation is based on a class of frames, called cyclic geometrically uniform (CGU) finite frames, the family of frames containing finite harmonic frames (both in ${\cal C}^M$ and ${\cal R}^{M}$), this representation becomes equivalent to a Reed‐‐Solomon (RS) coding scheme. Hence, introducing an RS decoding procedure at the receiver, leads to remove the errors introduced by the transmission channel and consequently results in a quasi‐perfect reconstructed signal. The advantage of this approach is to exploit the RS coding scheme without using it explicitly at the transmitter, which would lead to a robust and low complexity transmission. Furthermore, we prove that the discrete cosine transform (DCT) coding is a special case of CGU‐frame‐based representations and this property holds also true for the discrete sine transform (DST) coding scheme. Simulation results are presented to confirm our claims. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adenomyoepitheliomatous lesions of the mammary glands in transgenic mice with targeted PLAG1 overexpression
Authors: Declercq Jeroen , Skaland Ivar , Van Dyck Frederik , Janssen Emiel A.M. , Baak Jan P. , Drijkoningen Maria , Van de Ven Wim J.M.
Published: July 2008

PLAG1 proto‐oncogene overexpression has been causally linked to multiple tumors, highlighting its broad tumorigenic relevance. Here, the oncogenic potential of PLAG1 in mammary gland tumorigenesis was investigated in PLAG1 transgenic mice. To target mammary glands, mice of 2 independent PLAG1 transgenic strains, PTMS1 and PTMS2, in which PLAG1 expression can be modulated by Cre‐mediation, were crossed with MMTV‐Cre transgenic mice, resulting in P1‐MCre and P2‐MCre offspring, respectively. Hundred percentage of P1‐MCre female mice showed mammary gland hyperplasia, caused by adenomyoepithelial adenosis, at 8 weeks. The tumorigenic process could not be studied further in P1‐MCre mice, because concomitant fast‐growing salivary gland tumors required euthanasia. Sixteen percentage of P2‐MCre females developed mammary gland adenomyoepitheliomas within 30–45 weeks, and none displayed concomitant salivary gland tumors. To further study mammary gland tumorigenesis in PTMS1‐derived mice, intercrossing with WAP‐Cre transgenic mice, resulting in P1‐WAPCre mice, was performed to target PLAG1 expression more specifically to mammary glands. Eighty percentage of such mice developed adenomyoepitheliomas within 53–88 weeks. All PLAG1‐induced adenomyoepitheliomas revealed expression upregulation of Igf2/H19, Dlk1/Gtl2, Igfbps and Wnt signaling genes (Wnt6, Cyclin D1). Collectively, these results establish the oncogenic potential of PLAG1 in mammary glands of mice and point towards contributing roles of Igf and Wnt signaling. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The mitotic checkpoint gene, SIL is regulated by E2F1
Authors: Erez Ayelet , Chaussepied Marie , Castiel Asher , Colaizzo‐Anas Tina , Aplan Peter D. , Ginsberg Doron , Izraeli Shai
Published: July 2008

The SIL gene expression is increased in multiple cancers and correlates with the expression of mitotic spindle checkpoint genes and with increased metastatic potential. SIL regulates mitotic entry, organization of the mitotic spindle and cell survival. The E2F transcription factors regulate cell cycle progression by controlling the expression of genes mediating the G1/S transition. More recently, E2F has been shown to regulate mitotic spindle checkpoint genes as well. As SIL expression correlates with mitotic checkpoint genes, we hypothesized that SIL is regulated by E2F. We mined raw data of published experiments and performed new experiments by modification of E2F expression in cell lines, reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation. Ectopic expression or endogenous activation of E2F induced the expression of SIL, while knockdown of E2F by shRNA, downregulated SIL expression. E2F activated SIL promoter by reporter assay and bound to SIL promoter in vivo. Taken together these data demonstrate that SIL is regulated by E2F. As SIL is essential for mitotic entry, E2F may regulate G2/M transition through the induction of SIL. Furthermore, as silencing of SIL cause apoptosis in cancer cells, these finding may have therapeutic relevance in tumors with constitutive activation of E2F. Published 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.