bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reduction of Enteric Microorganisms at the Upper Occoquan Sewage Authority Water Reclamation Plant
Authors: Rose Joan B. , Huffman Debra E. , Riley Kelley , Farrah Samuel R. , Lukasik Jerzy O. , Hamann Carl L.
Published: September 2006

The Upper Occoquan Sewage Authority (UOSA) Water Reclamation Plant, Centreville, Virginia, is a state‐of‐the‐art wastewater treatment plant that was created to treat area wastewater and provide protection for the Occoquan Reservoir. This study investigated UOSA's unit processes as barriers to pathogenic as well as alternative and traditional indicator microorganisms. Samples were collected once a month for 1 year from eight sites within UOSA's advanced wastewater reclamation plant. The eight sites were monitored for indicator bacteria total and fecal coliforms, enterococci, Clostridium, coliphage (the virus that infects Escherichia coli), human enteroviruses, and enteric protozoa. Overall, the plant was able to achieve a 5‐ to 7‐log10 reduction of bacteria, 5‐log10 reduction of enteroviruses, 4‐log10 reduction for Clostridium, and 4.6‐log10 reduction of protozoa. Total coliforms, enterococci, Clostridium, coliphage, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia were all detected in four or fewer samples of the final effluent. No enteroviruses or fecal coliforms were detected in the final effluent. The microbiological quality of reclaimed water and the reservoir water were compared. In every case, the treated wastewater was of a better quality than the ambient water in the reservoir, thus indicating that the reclaimed water will not adversely affect the water quality for downstream users.
Effect of Chlorine Demand on the Ammonia Breakpoint Curve: Model Development, Validation with Nitrite, and Application to Municipal Wastewater
Authors: Chen Wei‐Ling , Jensen James N.
Published: September 2006

Chlorine added during wastewater disinfection may be consumed through reactions with chlorine‐demanding chemical species. In this study, a mechanistically based kinetic model for chlorine demand in the presence of ammonia was developed and validated with laboratory studies on ammonia–nitrite systems, and then applied to breakpoint curves obtained with wastewater samples. The model is a modification of kinetic models for chlorine–ammonia systems to include hypochlorous acid‐demand and monochloramine‐demand reactions. The model accurately describes both laboratory‐generated breakpoint curves with added nitrite and literature data. In a plant thought to be undergoing partial nitrification, breakpoint curves were consistent with high chlorine demand (i.e., small initial slopes and large doses to achieve the total chlorine maximum and breakpoint). A simplified kinetic model was also developed. Chlorine demand calculated from the simplified model was similar to chlorine demand from plant data. The simplified model was used to generate operating guidelines to calculate chlorine doses needed to overcome demand from nitrite or other sources.
The Right-Wing Attack on Critical and Public Education in the United States: From Neoliberalism to Neoconservativism
Authors: Saltman Kenneth J.
Published: September 2006

This article discusses how neoliberal and neoconservative ideologies, policies, and political projects inform the changing nature of educational privatization efforts by the right wing. It contends that these projects, which are global in nature, threaten the development of forms of education conducive to the expansion of democratic social relations. The author argues that the struggle for critical public education could not be more necessary and worthwhile at the present moment.
Pale Face, Red Mask: Racial Ambiguity and the Imitation of “American Indian” Facial Expressions
Authors: Bonnett Alastair
Published: September 2006

Drawing on examples of white imitation, this article discusses the racialization of facial expression. Taking the white imitator Grey Owl as my principal example, I argue that the employment of facial expressions as racial symbols is beset by a tenacious ambiguity. The genesis of the stern yet fierce “Indian look” is discussed in the context of the employment and deployment of the “noble savage” within European primitivism and racism. The article concludes with an account of Grey Owl’s capacity to look “more Indian than an Indian” and his redemption as a hero of environmentalism.
Is Cultural Studies a Discipline?: And Does It Make Any Political Difference?
Authors: During Simon
Published: September 2006

This essay is a contribution to the debate around cultural studies’ relation to disciplinarity. It makes the case that that debate has failed fully to take into account global shifts in university management which have meant that the health and reproduction of disciplines is no longer regarded as a key mission for academic administrators outside the circle of elite research universities, most centered in the US. It also provides a summary longue duree genealogy for cultural studies and argues that the project we now name cultural studies developed on terrain upon which the politics of disciplinarity was irrelevant.
A Risk Society of Moral Panic: The US in the Twenty-First Century
Authors: Miller Toby
Published: September 2006

This essay examines risk society and moral panic as tools for analyzing the irrationality of the contemporary US, and applies them to the construction of young people as a social problem. Although today’s risk society and moral panic are closely tied to the current economic crisis, I argue that youth has long been a key site for understanding US anxieties.
Tense Borders: Culture, Identity, and Anxiety in New Zealand's Interweaving Discourses of Immigration and Genetic Modification
Authors: Kurian Priya , Munshi Debashish
Published: September 2006

Immigration and genetic modification (GM) are two contentious sociocultural issues that have attracted considerable academic, political, and public attention in New Zealand. Although seemingly disparate, the discourses around the two issues share common anxieties about the protection and breaching of a range of boundaries, particularly national, cultural, political, and genetic ones. This article argues that the issues of immigration and GM epitomize the struggles over the politics of recognition and redistribution. On the one hand, these issues are steeped in the contested culture-driven politics of identity. On the other hand, they grapple with the economic realities of a globalized world and the ways in which economic wedges are driven between people on cultural lines. Studied together, the discourses of immigration and GM reveal how boundaries are created, maintained, and policed in an era of globalization and technoscience.
Hegel on History, 9/11, and the War on Terror, or Reason in History
Authors: Rockmore Tom
Published: September 2006

The aim of this article is threefold. To begin with, I sketch in outline form some main aspects of Hegel’s theory of history. Second, I will consider in some detail its relation to theology, which is an important theme for his position in general, including his view of history. Finally, and since I believe that this theory is practically relevant, useful for our understanding of the historical world, I will apply Hegel’s theory of history to a practical contemporary problem, namely, 9/11. I argue that Hegel’s theory of history is best understood as a secular, idealist view based, not on theology, but rather on philosophical anthropology and idealist epistemology. Hegel’s approach to history as the result of human actions that are never irrational but in principle always rational helps us to understand the historical process. This theory is specifically useful in understanding the series of events leading up to and away from 9/11, including the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as the War on Terror.
Superwarfarin poisoning: A report of two cases and review of the literature
Authors: Spahr Joseph E. , Maul J. Scott , Rodgers George M.
Published: October 2006

Superwarfarins are anticoagulant rodenticides similar to warfarin, but which have various substituted phenyl groups replacing the terminal methyl group, resulting in a fat‐soluble, long‐acting anticoagulant that is nearly 100 times more potent than the parent compound. Since their development, many accidental and intentional cases of consumption have been reported. We describe two cases of consumption, one related to unknown etiology, and the other related to utilization of the superwarfarin to potentiate a drug of abuse. The clinical manifestations including bleeding symptoms and abnormal coagulation assays are discussed. The differential diagnosis is quite broad, and includes all causes of vitamin K deficiency, factor deficiency or inhibitor, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and liver disease. Differentiating superwarfarin ingestion from the other causes can be quite difficult, but extremely important, as management requires prolonged administration of vitamin K. Other treatment options are discussed as well including, fresh frozen plasma (FFP), and recombinant factor VIIa. Finally, the significance of “lacing” drugs of abuse with superwarfarin to potentiate their effect is discussed, as well as the complications that could develop from such a habit. Am. J. Hematol., 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Treatment and outcomes of post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease: A single institution study
Authors: Buadi Francis K. , Heyman Meyer R. , Gocke Christopher D. , Rapoport Aaron P. , Hakimian Roger , Bartlett Stephen T. , Sarkodee‐Adoo Clarence
Published: October 2006

Post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) complicate up to 10% of solid organ transplants. This retrospective study was conducted to review the PTLD experience among 2,300 recipients of solid organ or allogeneic bone marrow transplants from a single institution. Twenty‐seven cases of PTLD were identified, leading to an overall incidence of 1.2%. Polymorphic B cell hyperplasia/lymphoma was the most common type. The median time to development of PTLD was 8.4 months. Ten patients had localized (stage I or II) disease, and 12 patients presented with B symptoms. Nine patients each were treated with systemic chemotherapy or surgical resection as part of the initial therapy. After a median follow‐up duration of 2.6 years, the median survival has not been reached. There were no late relapses of PTLD, and 17 patients remain alive. Age, sex, organ source, LDH, stage, presence of extranodal disease, or presentation with B symptoms did not influence overall survival when examined by Cox proportional hazard model. Thirteen patients retained their graft function throughout PTLD treatment. This study confirms the ability to treat a significant proportion of PTLD patients with chemotherapy or surgical resection (depending on presentation), without sacrificing graft function in those receiving chemotherapy. Am. J. Hematol., 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Carbon nanotubes in wood soot
Authors: Murr L. E. , Guerrero P. A.
Published: October 2006

Multiwall carbon nanotubes were observed in a small fraction of soot collected by thermophoretic precipitation from Texas piñon pine wood burning in air. Transmission electron microscopy showed the carbon nanotubes to be aggregated with other fullerene‐like nanoforms and graphite fragments. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society
A clinicoanatomical study of the novel nerve fibers linked to stress urinary incontinence: The first morphological description of a nerve descending properly along the anterior vaginal wall
Authors: Yoshida Susumu , Koyama Masayasu , Kimura Tadashi , Murakami Gen , Niikura Hitoshi , Takenaka Atsushi , Murata Yuji
Published: October 2006

When performing anterior colporrhaphy for cystocele, most pelvic surgeons have not considered the neuroanatomy that contributes to urethral function. The aim of the study was to anatomically identify nerve fibers located in the anterior vagina associated with the pathogenesis of incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. Anterior vaginal specimens were obtained from 17 female cadavers and 33 cases of clinical cystocele by anterior vaginal resection. The specimens were step‐sectioned and stained with hematoxylin‐eosin, S100 antibody, and tyrosine hydroxylase antibody. As a result, descending nerves 50–200 μm in thickness were identified between the urethra and vagina. They were located more than 10 mm medially from a cluster of nerves found almost along the lateral edge of the vagina and stained with S100 and tyrosine hydroxylase antibody, originated from the cranial part of the pelvic plexus, and appeared to terminate at the urethral smooth muscles. The authors classified the density of S100 positive nerve fibers in the anterior vaginal wall obtained from clinically operated cases of cystocele into three grades (Grade 1, nothing or a few thin nerves less than 20 μm in diameter; Grade 2, thick nerves more than 50 μm in diameter and thin nerves; Grade 3, more than 3 thick nerves in one field at an objective magnification of 40××). Mean urethral mobility (Q‐tip) values (28.1° ±± 19.6°) observed in the Grade 3 cases was significantly lower than those (50.0° ±± 27.4° and 59.4° ±± 19.9°) in Grade 2 and Grade 1, respectively. In addition, the presence of preoperative or postoperative stress urinary incontinence in the cases of Grade 1 was significantly higher than those of the cases with S100 positive stained nerves. In conclusion, the novel nerve fibers immunohistochemically identified in the anterior vaginal wall are different from those of the common nervous system or the pelvic floor and are associated with the pathogenesis of urethral hypermobility. Clin. Anat. 20:300–306, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Anatomic variations of the musculotendinous junction of the soleus muscle and its clinical implications
Authors: Pichler Wolfgang , Tesch Norbert Peter , Grechenig Wolfgang , Leithgoeb Otmar , Windisch Gunther
Published: October 2006

The soleus muscle, like the gastrocnemius, is a powerful plantarflexor muscle in the lower limb. The soleus muscle joins the aponeurosis of the gastrocnemius muscle to form the calcaneal (Achilles) tendon. While the basic anatomy of the soleus muscle has been previously described, no study has addressed the anatomical variations of its distal attachment. We found considerable anatomic variation in the distance between this musculotendinous junction and the most proximal point of the proximal edge. This distal measuring point was defined as the most proximal point of the proximal edge of the posterior surface of the calcaneal tuberosity. Eighty human cadaver specimens were preserved according to Thiel's method; we examined one limb from each cadaver, studying 80 lower extremities in total. Following careful dissection of the lower limb, we measured the distance between the distal point of attachment of the soleus muscle fibers (the musculotendinous junction) and the designated measuring point. Our findings were divided into three groups: Group 1 (10 cases, 12.5%), where the distance between the musculotendinous junction and the designated point on the calcaneal tuberosity was between 0 and 1 inches; Group 2 (56 cases, 70%), where the distance was between 1 and 3 inches; and Group 3 (14 cases, 17.5%), where the distance was greater than 3 inches. Detailed knowledge of the anatomic variations of the soleus muscle at its insertion point onto the calcaneal tendon has clinical implications in calcaneal tendon repair following rupture and in the planning of reconstructive surgery using soleus muscle flaps. Clin. Anat. 20:444–447, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Role of mitomycin in upper digestive tract stricture
Authors: Gillespie M. Boyd , Day Terry A. , Sharma Anand K. , Brodsky Martin B. , Martin‐Harris Bonnie
Published: October 2006

Background.

Mitomycin C is an anti‐fibroblast chemotherapeutic agent that has demonstrated promise in the treatment of head and neck cancer‐related cervical stenosis. The present study investigates whether the application of mitomycin C at the time of dilation is both safe and effective in the treatment of head and neck cancer‐related upper digestive tract stricture.

Methods.

Twelve patients with progressive dysphagia and videofluroscopic evidence of upper digestive tract stricture after head and neck cancer treatment were dilated by Maloney or Savory dilators followed by the application of mitomycin C (0.2 mg/0.4 mL saline) to the stenotic segment for 5 minutes. Outcome measures included complication rate, improvement in baseline dietary consistency, and improvement in swallowing‐related quality of life as measured by the M. D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory.

Results.

All patients experienced improvement in their baseline dietary consistency (p = .002) and M. D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory composite score (p = .001) after a mean follow‐up time of 19 months. No complications from mitomycin use were observed.

Conclusion.

Mitomycin application appears to be a safe and potentially effective treatment for head and neck cancer‐related upper digestive tract stricture. Given the small sample size and limited follow‐up time, a randomized, controlled trial is needed to determine whether mitomycin application offers additional benefit over standard dilation therapy. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2006
Strategies for the prevention of microbial biofilm formation on silicone rubber voice prostheses
Authors: Rodrigues Lígia , Banat Ibrahim M. , Teixeira José , Oliveira Rosário
Published: October 2006

Total laryngectomy, a surgical treatment for extensive cancer of larynx, which alters swallowing and respiration in patients, is followed up with a surgical voice restoration procedure comprising tracheoesophageal puncture techniques with insertion of a “voice prosthesis” to improve successful voice rehabilitation. However, microbial colonization is a major drawback of these devices. Antimicrobials are usually used to prevent the colonization of silicone rubber voice prostheses by microorganisms. However, long‐term medication induces the development of resistant strains with all associated risks and the development of alternative prophylactic and therapeutic agents, including probiotics and biosurfactants, have been suggested. The inhibition of microbial growth on surfaces can also be achieved by several other techniques involving the modification of physicochemical properties of the biomaterial surface or the covalently binding of antimicrobial agents to the biomaterial surface. An overview of the different approaches investigated to date and future perspectives to reduce the frequent replacements of voice prostheses in laryngectomized patients through microbial biofilm retardation is presented and discussed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
Blood cell separation using amphiphilic copolymers containing N,N‐dimethylacrylamide
Authors: Natori Shizue Hayashi , Kurita Keisuke
Published: October 2006

To develop leukocyte removal filters effective for whole blood, amphiphilic copolymers based on N,N‐dimethylacrylamide were synthesized and evaluated as coating materials for poly(ethylene terephthalate) filters. The copolymers with methyl methacrylate or 2‐hydroxypropyl methacrylate as a comonomer showed higher platelet permeation ratios (more than 90%) than that of the copolymer with n‐butyl methacrylate, though the logarithmic reductions of leukocytes by these copolymers were less than four. An increase in the platelet permeation for whole blood tended to increase the leukocyte permeation. The permeation of both platelets and leukocytes increased with the amount of copolymer coated on the filters because of the change in the physical properties such as the average pore size, total surface area, and total pore volume of coated filters. These results confirm that both the chemical and physical properties of the filters play important roles to control the permeation behavior. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
Role of potassium channels in Aβ1–40‐activated apoptotic pathway in cultured cortical neurons
Authors: Yu Hai‐bo , Li Zheng‐bin , Zhang Hai‐xia , Wang Xiao‐liang
Published: October 2006

Potassium channel dysfunction has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the present study, by using potassium channel blocker tetraethylammonium (TEA), we investigated the relationship between the enhancement of potassium currents and the alteration of apoptotic cascade in the neuronal apoptotic model induced by beta‐amyloid peptide 1‐40(Aβ1–40). Cortical neurons exposed to Aβ1–40 5 μM developed a specific increase in the delayed rectifier potassium current (IK), but not the transient outward potassium currents (IA), before the appearance of neuronal apoptosis. Aβ1–40 induced various apoptotic features such as chromatin condensation, a decrease in the amount of Bcl‐2 protein, an increase in the amount of Bax protein, cytochrome c release from mitochondria, and caspase‐3 activation. Potassium channel blocker 5 mM TEA attenuated Aβ1–40‐induced neuronal death and prevented the alterations of all above mentioned apoptotic indicators. The study indicates that IK enhancement might play an important role in certain form of programmed cell death induced by beta‐amyloid peptide (Aβ). Increased potassium channel activity might trigger the activation of apoptosis cascade in Aβ1–40‐treated rat cortical neurons. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Degeneration of neuronal cell bodies following axonal injury in WldS mice
Authors: Wang Ai Ling , Yuan Ming , Neufeld Arthur H.
Published: October 2006

The phenotype of WldS (“slow Wallerian degeneration”) mice demonstrates prolonged survival of injured axons. However, whether the WldS mutation delays degeneration of the neuronal cell body following axonal injury is unclear. We used a retrograde model of axonal transport failure in WldS mice to test whether the mutant WldS protein has any beneficial effect on the neuronal cell body. Retrograde axonal transport was physically blocked by optic nerve crush and confirmed by the absence of Fluoro‐Gold labeling in wild‐type and in WldS mice. After this axonal injury, there was marked protection of axonal degeneration in the WldS phenotype, as confirmed by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. However, the WldS protein, localized in the nucleus of retinal ganglion cells, did not prevent or delay degeneration of the retinal ganglion cell body, confirmed by TUNEL staining and Fluoro‐Gold labeling. These results imply that, after axonal injury, Wallerian degeneration of axons and degeneration of the neuronal cell body have different mechanisms, which are autonomous and independent of each other. Although the WldS phenotype can be used to demonstrate stable enucleate axons, the mutation is unlikely to protect neurons in neurodegenerative diseases in which there is failure of retrograde transport. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of growth‐inhibiting activities of Cordyceps militaris and Paecilomyces japonica cultured on Bombyx mori pupae towards human gastrointestinal bacteria
Authors: Yeon Sung‐Hum , Kim Jun‐Ran , Ahn Young‐Joon
Published: October 2006

The growth‐inhibiting activities of materials derived from the fruiting body of Cordyceps militaris cultured on Bombyx mori pupae (CM‐1) and pupae separated from the culture (CM‐2), and the fruiting body of Paecilomyces japonica cultured on B. mori pupae (PJ‐1) and pupae separated from the culture (PJ‐2), fresh B. mori larvae (BML), fresh B. mori female pupae (BMP), and Morus alba leaves (MAL) towards eight lactic acid‐producing bacteria and 11 harmful intestinal bacteria were examined using an impregnated paper disc bioassay. At 10 mg per disc, methanolic extracts from CM‐1 and CM‐2 strongly inhibited growth of Clostridium difficile ATCC 9689, C. paraputrificum ATCC 25780, and C. perfringens ATCC 13124 without adverse effects on the growth of eight lactic acid‐producing bacteria and the other eight harmful bacteria. The methanolic extracts from PJ‐1, PJ‐2, BML, BMP, and MAL did not affect growth of all test bacteria. The growth‐inhibiting principle of CM‐1 and CM‐2 towards test clostridia was characterized as cordycepin by spectroscopic analysis. The contents of cordycepin in dried CM‐1 and CM‐2 were 0.69% and 0.54%, respectively. These results suggest that cordycepin may be produced from the fruiting body of C. militaris cultured on B. mori pupae and then translocated to its host insect and accumulated. Structure‐growth inhibition relationships of cordycepin and its eight derivatives against C. perfringens ATCC 13124 indicate that a deoxy form at either 3′ or 2′ position appears critical for the inhibitory activity. Natural cordycepin and its two analogues, 2′‐deoxyadenosine and tubercidin, merit further study as a potential antibacterial agent against various diseases caused by harmful intestinal bacteria such as clostridia. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Supercompactness and measurable limits of strong cardinals II: Applications to level by level equivalence
Authors: Apter Arthur W.
Published: October 2006

We construct models for the level by level equivalence between strong compactness and supercompactness in which for κ the least supercompact cardinal and δ ≤ κ any cardinal which is either a strong cardinal or a measurable limit of strong cardinals, 2δ > δ + and δ is < 2δ supercompact. In these models, the structure of the class of supercompact cardinals can be arbitrary, and the size of the power set of κ can essentially be made as large as desired. This extends and generalizes [5, Theorem 2] and [4, Theorem 4]. We also sketch how our techniques can be used to establish a weak indestructibility result. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Simple characterization of functionally complete one‐element sets of propositional connectives
Authors: Maksimović Petar , Janičić Predrag
Published: October 2006

A set of propositional connectives is said to befunctionally completeif all propositional formulae can be expressed using only connectives from that set. In this paper we give sufficient and necessary conditions for a one‐element set of propositional connectives to be functionally complete. These conditions provide a simple and elegant characterization of functionally complete one‐element sets of propositional connectives (of arbitrary arity). (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Recent Advances in Carbohydrate Microarrays
Authors: de Paz Jose L. , Seeberger Peter H.
Published: October 2006

Carbohydrate microarrays have become a powerful tool to elucidate the biological role of these important biomolecules. This minireview focuses on the most recent advances involving carbohydrate microarrays, including the use of sugar arrays to study carbohydrate–cell interactions and to detect pathogens. Other important developments are novel immobilization strategies to covalently attach unmodified carbohydrates and the application of this robotic technology to the printing of medium‐size (more than 200 compounds) glycan libraries using reproducible amide bond formation and standard DNA array protocols. Recent advances in synthetic carbohydrate chemistry, such as the development of the automated solid‐phase oligosaccharide synthesizer, will increase the complexity and utility of carbohydrate microarrays. Carbohydrate arrays are beginning to have a major impact in the field of glycomics, aiding the discovery of new roles for carbohydrates in cell biology.
Middle cerebral artery pulsatility index: reliability at different sampling sites
Authors: Figueras F. , Fernandez S. , Eixarch E. , Gomez O. , Martinez J. M. , Puerto B. , Gratacos E.
Published: October 2006

Objectives

To analyze the interobserver reliability of measurement of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) pulsatility index (PI) at two different sampling sites.

Methods

This study included 100 consecutive singleton pregnancies between 24 and 40 weeks with normal fetal growth. The PI was calculated by two independent operators at proximal and distal sampling sites of the near‐field MCA. Reliability analyses were performed between observers at each sampling site by means of the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for agreement. Differences between observers were explored and agreement limits calculated by means of the Bland–Altman test.

Results

Satisfactory flow velocity waveforms were obtained successfully in each fetus at both sampling sites. Peak systolic, end‐diastolic and time‐averaged maximum velocities were significantly higher at the proximal compared with the distal sampling site. Conversely, PI was significantly higher at the distal compared with the proximal site. ICCs for PI were 0.3 and 0.33 at the proximal and the distal sampling sites, respectively. The 95% interval of the PI differences between observers were + 0.91 and − 1.14 at the proximal and + 1.03 and − 1.08 at the distal sampling sites. In about 30% of the cases the PI difference between observers was greater than 0.5 at both sampling sites.

Conclusions

Moderate interobserver reliability in the measurement of end‐diastolic and time‐averaged maximum MCA flow velocities results in limited agreement of the PI calculation at both proximal and distal sampling sites. These results may preclude its clinical applicability. Copyright © 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hierarchical decomposition of dichoptic multifocal visual evoked
potentials
Authors: MADDESS TED , JAMES ANDREW C. , RUSECKAITE RASA , BOWMAN ELIZABETH A.
Published: October 2006

Visual evoked responses to dichoptically presented multifocal stimuli
were recorded for 92 eyes. Two stimulus variants were explored: temporally
sparse and rapidly contrast reversing. We used hierarchal decomposition
(HD) to represent the multifocal responses in terms of a small number of
potentially unique component waveforms that are interrelated in a
multivariate linear autoregressive (MLAR) relationship. The HD method
exploits temporal correlations over a range of delays in the responses to
estimate parallel, feedforward and feedback relationships between the HD
components. Three HD components having temporal interrelationships
constrained (at P < 0.05) to a moving ∼20 ms window could
describe the multifocal responses well (median r2-values up to
90%). HD components were similar for both stimulus types and the component
waveforms were temporally correlated, especially the first and third
components. The data set was large enough to estimate separate HD
components for each multifocal stimulus region. The component waveforms
differed somewhat by region but the MLAR relationships were similar. At
short delays parallel processing dominated. At longer delays the
proportion of response drives that were attributed to feedback and
feedforward relationships grew. Overall HD analysis seems to provide an
informed summary of multifocal responses and insights into their
sources.
Temporal dynamics of 2D and 3D shape representation in macaque visual area V4
Authors: HEGDÉ JAY , VAN ESSEN DAVID C.
Published: October 2006

We studied the temporal dynamics of shape representation in area V4 of the alert macaque monkey. Analyses were based on two large stimulus sets, one equivalent to the 2D shape stimuli used in a previous study of V2, and the other a set of stereoscopic 3D shape stimuli. As in V2, we found that information conveyed by individual V4 neurons about the stimuli tended to be maximal during the initial transient response and generally lower, albeit statistically significant, afterwards. The population response was substantially correlated from one stimulus to the next during the transients, and decorrelated as responses decayed. V4 responses showed significantly longer latencies than in V2, especially for the 3D stimulus set. Recordings from area V1 in a single animal revealed temporal dynamic patterns in response to the 2D shape stimuli that were largely similar to those in V2 and V4. Together with earlier results, these findings provide evidence for a distributed process of coarse-to-fine representation of shape stimuli in the visual cortex.
Applying artificial neural network to derive long‐term foF2 trends in the Asia/Pacific sector from ionosonde observations
Authors: Yue Xinan , Wan Weixing , Liu Libo , Ning Baiqi , Zhao Biqiang
Published: October 2006

An artificial neural network (ANN) method is first used for deriving long‐term trends of the F2‐layer critical frequency (foF2) at 19 ionospheric stations in the Asia/Pacific sector. It is found that the ANN method can eliminate the geomagnetic activity effect on foF2 more effectively than usual regression methods. Of the selected 19 stations, there are significant long‐term trends corresponding to a confidence level ≥90% at 14 stations and 12 of these stations present negative trends. An average trend of −0.05% per year in the selected area can be obtained if the 12 stations with significant negative long‐term trends be considered. No pronounced diurnal and latitudinal effects in trends and no uniform pattern of seasonal variation in most stations are detected. The long‐term trends for low latitude and equatorial stations differ from other stations suggest that some special dynamical processes may take effects in the equatorial anomaly region. Many factors which can influence ionosphere, such as the greenhouse effect, solar and geomagnetic activity, and neutral background gas, might contribute to the trend.
Trade‐offs between cost minimization and equity in water quality management for agricultural watersheds
Authors: Khadam Ibrahim M. , Kaluarachchi Jagath J.
Published: October 2006

Allocation of pollution control responsibilities is an important problem in environmental economics. Previous research has developed the least‐cost formulation that addresses both cost efficiency and hydrologic uncertainty. However, the least‐cost formulation does not explicitly consider the distribution of pollution control responsibilities that has a serious implication on equity. A theoretical framework for evaluating the trade‐offs between cost efficiency and equity is developed in this work. In this paper the efficiency equity curve that defines the cost of achieving equity is developed. It also evaluates the impacts of hydrologic variability and parameter uncertainty on the trade‐off between cost efficiency and equity, and the impacts of the choice of equity criteria on phosphorus management decisions. A demonstration example is also presented that analyzed phosphorus management in the Fishtrap Creek catchment and the lower Nooksack River basin located in northwestern Washington State.
Unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the tropical North Atlantic during 2005
Authors: Foltz Gregory R. , McPhaden Michael J.
Published: October 2006

The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active and destructive on record. One of the factors that likely contributed to this record‐breaking season was the presence of exceptionally warm sea surface temperatures (SST) in the tropical North Atlantic. Two long term moored buoys were well positioned to record the anomalous atmospheric and oceanic conditions associated with this warm event. Here we present results from a mixed layer heat budget analysis based on measurements from these buoys. We find that the primary cause of the anomalous warming was a weakening of the northeasterly trade winds and an associated decrease in latent heat loss from the ocean. Important secondary factors include changes in shortwave radiation and horizontal oceanic heat advection.
Structural properties of TmFeO3 in the spontaneous reorientation region
Authors: Tsymbal L. T. , Kamenev V. I. , Khara D. A. , Bazaliy Ya. B. , Wigen P. E.
Published: October 2006

X-ray studies of TmFeO3 single crystals in the spontaneous spin-reorientation region demonstrate the absence of lattice distortions and no lowering of the symmetry of the crystal from rhombic to monoclinic and thus confirm the purely magnetic nature of the Γ2–Γ24–Γ4 spin reorientation in orthoferrites.
Adjustment of superconductivity and ferromagnetism in few-layered ferromagnet-superconductor nanostructures
Authors: Izyumov Y. A. , Khusainov M. G. , Proshin Y. N.
Published: October 2006

The phase diagrams of few-layered nanosystems consisting of dirty superconducting (S) and ferromagnetic (F) metals are investigated within the framework of the modern theory of the proximity effect taking into account the boundary conditions. The F/S tetralayer and pentalayer are shown to have considerably richer physics than the F/S bi- and trilayer (due to the interplay between the 0 and π phase superconductivity and the 0 and π phase magnetism and nonequivalence of layers) and even the F/S superlattices. It is proven that these systems can have different critical temperatures and fields for different S layers. This predicted decoupled superconductivity is found to manifest itself in its most striking way for F/S tetralayer. It is shown that F∕S∕F′∕S′ tetralayer is the most promising candidate for use in superconducting spin nanoelectronics.
Stimulated emission depletion of triplet excitons in a phosphorescent organic laser
Authors: Reufer M. , Lupton J. M. , Scherf U.
Published: October 2006

Triplet formation is investigated in an optically pumped polymer laser by detecting the phosphorescence emission after excitation. A clear correlation is observed between the onset of lasing and a saturation of phosphorescence intensity due to stimulated emission depletion of the singlet state and the resulting reduction in intersystem crossing. The results are consistent with intersystem crossing constituting the dominant triplet formation pathway in conjugated polymers. Excitation at different wavelengths has no effect on the triplet saturation behavior, which allows the authors to exclude singlet fission or breaking as the origin of triplet formation. The method constitutes an implementation of a highly nondegenerate excitonic switch.
Compound figure of merit for photonic applications of metal nanocomposites
Authors: Garcia Hernando , Krishna Hare , Kalyanaraman Ramki
Published: October 2006

Selecting nanocomposites for photonic switching applications requires optimizing their thermal, nonlinear, and two-photon absorption characteristics. The authors simplify this step by defining a compound figure of merit (FOMC) for nanocomposites of noble metals in dielectric based on criteria that limit these structures in photonic applications, i.e., thermal heating and two-photon absorption. The device independent results predict extremely large values of FOMC for a specific combination of the metal and insulator dielectric constants given by ϵh=(ϵ1−ϵ2)∕2, where ϵh is the dielectric constant of the host and ϵ1 and ϵ2 are the real and imaginary parts for the metal.
Stimulated resonance Raman scattering from polyphenylenevinylene thin film waveguides
Authors: Yanagi Hisao , Murai Takatoshi , Fujimoto Shuhei
Published: October 2006

Stimulated resonance Raman scattering (SRRS) from a polymer waveguide has been studied using spin-coated thin films of poly(5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-2-methoxy-cyanoterephthalydiene). The single SRRS peak with a Raman shift of ∼1580cm−1 was observed above the excitation threshold of ∼100μJ∕cm2, overlapping with the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) band. When the excitation wavelength was varied, the SRRS intensity was maximized at the ASE peak position. It suggests that the light confinement in the polymer waveguide resulting in the stimulated amplification of Raman scattering plays a significant role in the observed SRRS phenomenon. In addition, the thickness dependence of the SRRS gain coefficients suggests some contribution of cooperative interaction to SRRS.
Room temperature electron spin coherence in telecom-wavelength quaternary quantum wells
Authors: Lau W. H. , Sih V. , Stern N. P. , Myers R. C. , Buell D. A. , Gossard A. C. , Awschalom D. D.
Published: October 2006

Time-resolved Kerr rotation spectroscopy is used to monitor the room temperature electron spin dynamics of optical telecommunication wavelength AlInGaAs multiple quantum wells lattice matched to InP. The authors found that electron spin coherence times and effective g factors vary as a function of aluminum concentration. The measured electron spin coherence times of these multiple quantum wells, with wavelengths ranging from 1.26to1.53μm, reach approximately 100ps at room temperature, and the measured electron effective g factors are in the range from −2.3to−1.1.
Carbohydrate doping to enhance electromagnetic properties of MgB2 superconductors
Authors: Kim J. H. , Zhou S. , Hossain M. S. A. , Pan A. V. , Dou S. X.
Published: October 2006

The effect of carbohydrate doping on lattice parameters, microstructure, Tc, Jc, Hirr, and Hc2 of MgB2 has been studied. In this work the authors used malic acid as an example of carbohydrates as an additive to MgB2. The advantages of carbohydrate doping include homogeneous mixing of precursor powders, avoidance of expansive nanoadditives, production of highly reactive C, and significant enhancement in Jc, Hirr, and Hc2 of MgB2, compared to undoped samples. The Jc for MgB2+30wt% C4H6O5 sample was increased by a factor of 21 at 5K and 8T without degradation of self-field Jc.
Determinants of Perceived Surface Transparency in Two-Dimensional Achromatic Textured Patterns
Authors: Petrini Karin , Da Pos Osvaldo
Published: October 2006

Achromatic transparency in 2-D surfaces composed of three adjacent areas, one created from the others, occurs when in the created area it is possible to see the two colours of the adjacent areas. Displays with two white and black intersecting bars were produced to verify the possibility of perceiving transparency in the intersection area when this was subdivided into a different number of white and black diamonds. By increasing the spatial frequency of the elements in the intersection area we investigated the impression of transparency, and found that (i) the impression of transparency increases up to a spatial frequency of 10 cycles deg−1 and then levels off, (ii) there is a transition from a perception of transparency in which white and black are well discriminable to a perception in which a perceptually uniform grey is seen, (iii) the perception of transparency occurring when colours are discriminated seems consistent with Helson's area-luminance hypothesis [1964, in Adaptation Level Theory (New York: Harper & Row) pp 282 – 292], according to which the increase of spatial frequency determines the transition from the phenomenon of contrast to that of assimilation.
Synthesis of analogues of GABA. IX. 5-(Aminomethyl)-3-hydroxyfuran-2(5H)-one
Authors: Allan RD , Johnston GAR , Kazlauskas R , Tran H
Published: October 2006

5-(Aminomethyl)-3-hydroxyfuran-2(5H)-one (4) has been synthesized as a
GABA analogue in five steps from hex-3-enedioic acid, the enolic
α-keto group being introduced under mild conditions by means of a singlet
oxygen cleavage of an enamino lactone. The compound
showed negligible activity as a GABA agonist with respect to inhibition of [3H]GABA
binding, uptake and trans amination in rat brain membranes
Heterocyclic amplifiers of phleomycin. V. Thiadiazolylpyridines and related compounds; preliminary antitumour results
Authors: Aliano AN , Allen TE , Brown DJ , Cowden WB , Grigg GW , Kavulak D , Lan S
Published: October 2006

Syntheses are described for
N,N-dimethyl-2-[5'-(pyridin-2''-yl)-1',3',4'-thiadiazol-2'-ylthio]ethylamine; the
homologous propylamine; the N,N-diethyl homologue;
the 5'-phenyl analogue; and some substituted phenyl, pyrazinyl
and pyrimidinyl analogues. Unlike the
pyridin-4''-yl isomer previously described, these compounds proved but
mediocre amplifiers of phleomycin-G in
vitro against Escherichia coli.
Testing in vivo against Ehrlich's tumour in mice was therefore confined to the pyridin-4''-yl
compound and to
N,N-dimethyl-2-(6'-methyl-2'-phenylpyrimidin-4'-ylthio)ethylamine: the first
showed considerable amplifying power towards two phleomycins
and a bleomycin; the second, only marginally less
amplification towards the same
phleomycins.
Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectra in the identification of N-, O or S-methyl derivatives of some tautomeric hydroxy and mercapto nitrogen heterocycles
Authors: Barlin GB , Brown DJ , Fenn MD
Published: October 2006

Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic
resonance spectroscopy, in contrast to 1H n.m.r. spectroscopy, has
been shown to provide a clear distinction in a variety of nitrogen heterocyclic
systems between O-methyl and nuclear
N-methyl groups. Methoxy groups were found to occur in the range δ�53.20-61.87, nuclear
N-methyl groups at 34.29-49.62, and methylthio groups at 12.35-14.55 for the
compounds examined in (D)chloroform. Data for N- and O-methyl derivatives of pyridin-2- and
-4-ol,* the corresponding pyrimidines, and some sulfur analogues have been
compared with those for the unmethylated parent
compounds.
Pyrazine chemistry. III. Synthesis and stereochemistry of 1,4-Dimethyl and 1,4-Diacetyl derivatives of 3,6-Dibenzylpiperazine-2,5-dione
Authors: Marcuccio SM , Elix JA
Published: October 2006

The trans- and (�) cis-isomers of 1,4-dimethyl-and
1,4-diacetyl-3,6-dibenzylpiperazine-2,5-dione were synthesized. The hydriodic acid reduction of
3,6-dibenzylidene-1,4-dimethylpiperazine-2,5-dione gave (�)-cis-3,6-dibenzyl-1,4-dimethylpiperazine-2,5-dione
although this product has previously been assigned the trans-geometry. The
unknown isolated from the permanganate oxidation of (�)-cis- 1,4-diacetyl-3,6-dibenzylpiperazine-2,5- has been identified
as the corresponding trans-isomer.
The Luffarins (A-Z), Novel Terpenes From an Australian Marine Sponge, Luffariella geometrica
Authors: Butler MS , Capon RJ
Published: October 2006

A marine sponge, Luffariella geometrica Kirkpatrick, collected from the southern Australian coastal waters of the Great Australian Bight, has been found to contain 14 new bicyclic sesterterpenes, luffarin-A (14), -B (15), -C (16), -D (17), -E (18), -F (19), -G (20), -H (21), -I (22), -J (23), -K (24), -L (25), -M (26) and -N (27), a new bicyclic bisnorsesterterpene, luffarin-O (30), a new monocyclic sesterterpene, luffarin-P (32), six new acyclic sesterterpenes, luffarin-Q (35), -R (36), -S (37), -T (38), -U (39) and -V (40), two new diterpenes, luffarin-W (41) and -X (44), and two new bisnorditerpenes luffarin-Y (45) and -Z (46). These novel marine metabolites have been assigned structures, including stereochemistry, on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis, chemical correlation, derivatization, and biosynthetic considerations. Studies directed at the absolute stereochemistry of the luffarins have also permitted assignment of absolute stereochemistry to the known marine natural products (E)-neomanoalide (3), (Z)-neomanoalide (4) and dehydroambliol-A (47).
Nitrones and Oxaziridines. XLV. Formation of Pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles by Intramolecular Nitrone Cycloaddition
Authors: Black DS , Craig DC , Debdas RB , Kumar N
Published: October 2006

The N-allylindole-2-carbaldehydes (5)-(8) and related methyl ketones (9)-(12) undergo reaction with N- methylhydroxylamine to give the cycloadducts (14)-(17) and (19)-(22), respectively. These adducts contain isoxazolidine rings fused to pyrrolo [1,2-a] indole systems. Corresponding cycloaddition of the N- propargylindole derivatives (24) and (25) could not be
effected and the nitrone (26) was isolated. The adducts (14)-(17) underwent hydrogenolysis of the isoxazolidine N-O bond to give the amino alcohols (27)-(30), together with traces of the alcohols (31)-(34). X-Ray crystallographic data for the cycloadducts (15) and (16b) are presented.
Structural Studies of Kaurane Diterpenes From Ryparosa acuminata (Flacourtiaceae)
Authors: Shaari K , Gray AI , Hockless DCR , Waterman PG , White AH
Published: October 2006

Two new diterpenes have been isolated from the twigs of Ryparosa acuminata ( Flacourtiaceae ), and identified as 16α,19-dihydroxykauran-20-oic acid δ- lactone and 16α-hydroxykaurane-19,20-dial. Friedelin and eudesmin were also isolated. The structure of the lactone was confirmed by X-ray crystallography.