bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced photoluminescence excitation in surface plasmon coupling with an InGaN∕GaN quantum well
Authors: Lu Yen-Cheng , Chen Cheng-Yen , Shen Kun-Ching , Yeh Dong-Ming , Tang Tsung-Yi , Yang C. C.
Published: October 2007

The authors report the observation of the enhancement of photoluminescence excitation through the couplings of an InGaN∕GaN quantum well (QW) with localized surface plasmons (LSPs) and surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs), which are generated on a Ag nanostructure deposited on the SiN-coated QW epitaxial sample. At the wavelengths corresponding to the LSP modes, the excitation light is first absorbed by the LSPs. The LSP energy is then transferred into the QW such that the effective QW absorption is enhanced. Meanwhile, the application of the LSP local field to the QW may increase its absorption coefficient. Then, the coupling of the relaxed carriers with the SPPs enhances light emission that becomes stronger as temperature increases because of the increased carrier momentum.
InGaAs quantum wire infrared photodetector
Authors: Tsai C. L. , Cheng K. Y. , Chou S. T. , Lin S. Y.
Published: October 2007

We report a 20-layer InxGa1−xAs∕In0.52Al0.24Ga0.24As quantum wire infrared photodetector grown on (001)-axis InP substrate by molecular beam epitaxy. High density InGaAs quantum wires were formed, utilizing the strained-induced lateral-layer ordering process by growing a strain-balanced (GaAs)1.80∕(InAs)2.35 short-period superlattice. This device shows a unique polarized photoresponse which favors the normal-incident infrared radiation polarizing perpendicular to the wire orientation. The photoresponse at 6.3μm exhibited a peak detectivity of 3.13×109cmHz1∕2∕W at 10K.
Absolute Distance Perception to Locations off the Ground Plane
Authors: Thompson William B , Dilda Valentina , Creem-Regehr Sarah H
Published: October 2007

Using vision, humans can accurately judge distances to locations on the ground surface up to distances of at least 20 m. Most theories of depth perception assume that this ability is associated with the fact that we live in a terrestrial world in which locations of interest often appear on the ground and for which feedback about distance is often available from nonvisual sources such as walking. Much less is known about the ability of humans to judge absolute distances to locations other than on or supported by the ground plane beyond a few meters, at which point binocular stereo provides at best limited information about distance scaling. We show that one commonly used action measure for probing absolute distance perception exhibits accurate performance, even for targets located on the ceiling of a large room. We follow this with evidence that distance to ceiling locations is recovered with a mechanism that depends, at least in part, on the angle from the line of sight to the target location and a gravity-based frame of reference.
The Visual Light Field
Authors: Koenderink Jan J , Pont Sylvia C , van Doorn Andrea J , Kappers Astrid M L , Todd James T
Published: October 2007

Human observers are sensitive to the ‘(physical) light field’ in the sense that they have expectations of how a given object would appear if it were introduced in the scene in front of them at some arbitrary location. Thus the ‘visual light field’ is defined even in the ‘empty space’ between objects. In that sense the light field is akin to visual space considered as a ‘container’. The visual light field at any given point can be measured in psychophysical experiments through the introduction of a suitable ‘gauge object’ at that position and letting the observer adjust the appearance of that gauge object (eg through suitable computer rendering) so as to produce a ‘visual fit’ into the scene. The parameters of the rendering will then be considered as the measurement result. We introduced white spheres as gauge objects at various locations in stereoscopically presented photographic scenes. We measured the direction (‘direction of the light’), diffuseness (‘quality of the light’ as used by photographers and interior decorators), and intensity of the light field. We used three very different scenes, with very different physical light fields. The images were geometrically and photometrically calibrated, so we were in a position to correlate the observations with the physical ‘ground truth’. We report that human observers are quite sensitive to various parameters of the physical light field and generally arrive at close to veridical settings, although a number of comparatively minor systematic deviations from veridicality can be noted. We conclude that the visual light field is an entity whose existence is at least as well defined as that of visual space, despite the fact that the visual light field hardly appears as prominently in vision science as it does in the visual arts.
Sensitivity to Feature Displacement in Familiar and Unfamiliar Faces: Beyond the Internal/External Feature Distinction
Authors: Brooks Kevin R , Kemp Richard I
Published: October 2007

Previous studies of face recognition and of face matching have shown a general improvement for the processing of internal features as a face becomes more familiar to the participant. In this study, we used a psychophysical two-alternative forced-choice paradigm to investigate thresholds for the detection of a displacement of the eyes, nose, mouth, or ears for familiar and unfamiliar faces. No clear division between internal and external features was observed. Rather, for familiar (compared to unfamiliar) faces participants were more sensitive to displacements of internal features such as the eyes or the nose; yet, for our third internal feature—the mouth—no such difference was observed. Despite large displacements, many subjects were unable to perform above chance when stimuli involved shifts in the position of the ears. These results are consistent with the proposal that familiarity effects may be mediated by the construction of a robust representation of a face, although the involvement of attention in the encoding of face stimuli cannot be ruled out. Furthermore, these effects are mediated by information from a spatial configuration of features, rather than by purely feature-based information.
Visual Search for Type of Motion is Based on Simple Motion Primitives
Authors: Horowitz Todd S , Wolfe Jeremy M , DiMase Jennifer S , Klieger Sarah B
Published: October 2007

Can we search for items based on their type of motion? We consider here visual search based on three types of motion: (i) ballistic motion, in which objects move in a straight line until they encounter a display boundary; (ii) random-walk motion, in which objects change direction randomly; (iii) composite motion, in which objects move with random fluctuations around a generally ballistic trajectory. The asymmetric pattern of search efficiency can be explained by assuming that visual attention is guided by processes sensitive to the presence of linear motion and change in motion. The results do not reveal a more sophisticated ability to segregate items based on the nature of their motion.
Fructan 1-exohydrolase is associated with flower opening in Campanula rapunculoides
Authors: Le Roy Katrien , Vergauwen Rudy , Cammaer Veerle , Yoshida Midori , Kawakami Akira , Van Laere André , Van den Ende Wim
Published: October 2007

Fructans, typically reserve carbohydrates, may also fulfil other more specific roles in plants. It has been convincingly demonstrated that fructan hydrolysis contributes to osmoregulation during flower opening in the monocot species Hemerocallis. We report that a massive breakdown of inulin-type fructans in the petals of Campanula rapunculoides L. (Campanulaceae), associated with flower opening, is accompanied by a strong increase in fructan 1-exohydrolase (1-FEH; EC 3.2.1.153) activity and a decrease in sucrose : sucrose 1-fructosyl transferase (1-SST; EC 2.4.1.99) activity. The data strongly suggest that the drastic change in the 1-FEH/1-SST activity ratio causes the degradation of inulin, contributing to the osmotic driving force involved in flower opening. All characterised plant FEHs are believed to be derived from tissues that store fructans as a reserve carbohydrate either temporarily (grasses and cereals) or over a longer term (dicot roots and tubers). Here, we focussed on a physiologically distinct tissue and used a reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction based strategy to clone the 1-FEH cDNA from the Campanula petals. The translated cDNA sequence groups along with other dicot FEHs and heterologous expression revealed that the cDNA encodes a 1-FEH without invertase activity. 1-FEH expression analysis in petals correlates well with 1-FEH activity and inulin degradation patterns in vivo, suggesting that this enzyme fulfils an important role during flower opening.
Early events in the signalling pathway for the activation of MAPKs in rice roots exposed to nickel
Authors: Chen Po-Yu , Huang Tsai-Lien , Huang Hao-Jen
Published: October 2007

It is well known that small quantities of nickel (Ni) are essential for plant species, and higher concentrations of Ni retard plant growth. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the regulation of plant growth by Ni are not well understood. The aim of this study is to investigate the early signalling pathways activated by Ni on rice (Oryza sativa L.) root. We showed that Ni elicited a remarkable increase in myelin basic protein (MBP) kinase activities. By immunoblot and immunoprecipitation analyses, it is suggested that Ni-activated 40- and 42-kDa MBP kinases are mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Pretreatment of rice roots with the antioxidant, glutathione (GSH), the phospholipase D (PLD) inhibitor, n-butanol, and the calmodulin and CDPK antagonist and W7 inhibited Ni-induced MAPK activation. These results suggest that various signalling components are involved in transduction of the Ni signal in rice roots.
The Property Development Industry and Sustainable Urban Brownfield Regeneration in England: An Analysis of Case Studies in Thames Gateway and Greater Manchester
Authors: Dixon Timothy
Published: October 2007

The property development industry is a key actor in UK brownfield regeneration projects. UK policy has attempted to interlink `sustainable development' and `sustainable brownfield' policy agendas, which have found an additional focus through the UK government's `Sustainable Communities Plan', part of a growing international emphasis on sustainable development. This paper examines the emergence of these agendas and related policies, and the role of the property development industry in the regeneration of six differing brownfield sites, based in Thames Gateway and Greater Manchester. Using a conceptual framework, the paper investigates aspects of the sustainability of these projects and highlights key lessons from them for both the UK and overseas. The research is based on structured interviews with a variety of stakeholders, including developers, planners, consultants and community representatives to highlight emerging best practice and related policy implications.
A Statistical Explanation for Extreme Bids in the House Market
Authors: Levin Eric J. , Pryce Gwilym B. J.
Published: October 2007

This paper proposes a simple statistical explanation for the phenomenon of extreme bids. During a boom, the housing market regime switches from a single bidder to a multiple bidder environment. The sale price in a multiple bidder auction is the maximum bid and the distribution of maximum bids contains a much higher proportion of extreme bids compared with the distribution of single bidder valuations. While this theory does not preclude behavioural explanations of extreme bids, it does demonstrate that a world free from strategic and idiosyncratic behaviour would not be a world free from extreme bids during boom periods. Therefore, when gauging the impact of strategic or idiosyncratic behaviour (either hypothetically or empirically) one has to measure the effect against a baseline regime where extreme bids are inevitable, not against a world that is free from extreme bids.
`Let the Streets Take Care of Themselves': Making Sociological and Common Sense of `Skid Row'
Authors: Huey Laura , Kemple Thomas
Published: October 2007

This essay develops a conceptualisation of skid row as a cultural and historical space for the containment of moral and material dereliction. First, the social scientific literature is reviewed, revealing the historical shift by which skid row became understood as a site for the containment of moral decay. Then, a Weberian `ideal type' is constructed to account for the use of skid row as an analytical concept. This ideal type is contrasted with two other prevalent patterns of urban displacement and effacement: the slum and ghetto. The conception is further tested through a consideration of two ethnographic studies of skid row districts, focusing on the everyday perceptions and experiences of community stakeholders. It is concluded that the range of cultural strategies of naming engaged in, support the retention of this contested term as a way of rendering the analytical aims of social scientists accountable to the commonsense understandings of community stakeholders.
The Mechanisms of Spatial Mismatch
Authors: Gobillon Laurent , Selod Harris , Zenou Yves
Published: October 2007

The spatial mismatch hypothesis (SMH) argues that low-skilled minorities residing in US inner cities experience poor labour market outcomes because they are disconnected from suburban job opportunities. This assumption gave rise to an abundant empirical literature, which is rather supportive of the SMH. Surprisingly, it is only recently that theoretical models have emerged, which probably explains why the mechanisms of spatial mismatch have long remained unclear and not properly tested. This article presents relevant facts, reviews the theoretical models of spatial mismatch, confronts their predictions with available empirical results and indicates which mechanisms deserve further empirical tests.
Beyond Negative Depictions of Informal Employment: Some Lessons from Moscow
Authors: Williams Colin C. , Round John
Published: October 2007

Informal employment is conventionally viewed as residual, marginal and sweatshop-like work that impairs urban economic development and social cohesion. Reporting data from 313 interviews conducted with Moscow households during 2005/06, this negative reading is found to apply to just one segment of the informal labour market in this post-socialist city— namely, informal waged employment. Examining the multiple types of informal employment conducted on an own-account basis, more positive impacts emerge of this sphere as the key seedbed for enterprise development and principal mechanism for delivering community self-help. The outcome is a call for a finer-grained understanding and more nuanced policy approach towards informal employment that recognises its plurality of forms and their varying consequences for economic development and social cohesion.
The Role of Public, Private, Non-profit and Community Sectors in Shaping Mixed-income Housing Outcomes in the US
Authors: Fraser James C. , Kick Edward L.
Published: October 2007

Since the 1990s, public policy-makers in the US have renewed support for mixed-income housing development as a means towards inner-city neighbourhood revitalisation and poverty amelioration. Yet, research to date finds that, while these mixed-income developments have promoted neighbourhood revitalisation, they have accomplished less for people in these areas who live in poverty. This paper theorises about the conditions that may in principle lead to these alternative outcomes. The approach emphasises the continuity in goal sets and capacities among four sets of urban actors—investors, local government, non-profits and community residents. To examine extant theory and an alternative model, case study evidence is offered from two comparable cities with different mixed-income initiatives and different configurations of goals and capacities among the four stakeholder groups. It is found that place-based outcomes (i.e. neighbourhood revitalisation) from mixed-income efforts hinge on the continuity of goals and effective capacities of investors, government and non-profits, but not community residents. It is also found that, with or without goal consonance and capacity, existing residents are relatively underserved by mixed-income initiatives while other stakeholders realise a variety of benefits.
The Internationalization of Terrorist Campaigns
Authors: Bapat Navin A.
Published: October 2007

Many scholars have examined terrorism as a conflict between a state and a nonstate actor. However, during terrorist campaigns, terrorists often seek sanctuary from target attacks by crossing into foreign host states. This action effectively transforms the conflict from a purely domestic contest into an international issue. This paper explores why terrorist organizations make the choice to internationalize conflicts by adopting a foreign host. Further, this paper examines why host governments accept terrorist organizations. To address these questions, this research develops a simple game theoretic model to explain the decision to internationalize terrorism. The paper concludes with an empirical test of the model's predictions.
Testing the “Dick Cheney” Hypothesis: Do Governments of the Left Attract More Terrorism than Governments of the Right?
Authors: Koch Michael T. , Cranmer Skyler
Published: October 2007

Do governments of the left attract more terrorism than governments of the right? We examine how the political orientation of governments affects the probability of states being the target of terrorist attack. We develop a series of related theoretical linkages between partisan orientation, policy choice, and terrorist behavior to explain why governments of the left should be more likely to see higher numbers of terrorist attacks than governments of the right. We test our expectations using two different datasets; the Database of Political Institutions and the Party Manifesto data against the ITERATE terrorism dataset between the years 1975 and 1997. The results suggest that governments of the left are more likely to be the targets of terrorism than governments of the right and that the causal mechanisms behind this outcome might be context dependent.
X-ray crystal structure and spectral analyses of nonlinear optical L-lysinium trichloroacetate single crystals
Authors: Raghavalu Thenneti , Mathivanan V. , Gokul Raj S. , Ramesh Kumar G. , Mohan R. , Suriya Kumar K. , Kovendhan M. , Varghese Babu
Published: October 2007

Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis was carried out on a new nonlinear optical L-lysinium trichloroacetate single crystal. The crystals were obtained from the combination of aqueous solutions of trichloroacetic acid and L-lysine by slow evaporation. A vibrational spectrum of the crystal was determined using FTIR analysis. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to determine the thermal stability of the compound. UV – vis – NIR spectrum of the compound gives its optical transparency. Powder SHG efficiency of L-lysinium trichloroacetate was also studied using Kurtz-Perry powder SHG measurement.
Syntheses, spectroscopy, characterization, and molecular modeling of biologically active chloramphenicol with main group ions
Authors: Parashuram Mishra A. , Singh Bibhesh K. , Sharma Rakesh K.
Published: October 2007

To understand complexation behavior of the antibiotic chloramphenicol, we studied metal(II) coordination to chloramphenicol by various spectroscopic techniques. The crystal system, lattice parameters, unit cell, particle size, and volume were determined by X-ray diffraction data. The geometries of the complexes were optimized on the basis of molecular modeling. Spectroscopic data indicate deprotonation and coordination of the secondary alcoholic OH group with metal ions, but the amide group does not participate in coordination. The mass spectra explain the successive degradation of the molecular species in solution and justify the ML formulation. The crystal data are as follows: Zn complex I is triclinic, space group P1, a = 6.904155, b = 12.571030, c = 13.779020, α = 84.349950°, β = 97.198170°, γ = 68.494130°, V = 1090.30 Å 3; Cd complex II is triclinic, space group P1, a = 8.27650, b = 12.12506, c = 16.682035, α = 131.3720°, β = 117.57101°, γ = 62.100240°, V = 1349.59Å 3; Sn complex III is orthorhombic, space group Pmmm, a = 21.990940, b = 13.121410, c = 11.885110, α = β = γ = 90°, V = 3429.47 Å3 and Pb complex IV is triclinic, space group P1, a = 5.75102, b = 12.25601, c = 24.83562, α = 63.4777°, β = 79.9567°, γ = 52.3962°, V = 1228.92 Å3. Molecular structures of the complexes were optimized by MM2 calculations and supported tetrahedral arrangements around metal(II) ions.
Excess value studies in the mixture of aniline + 1-propanol + benzene
Authors: Thiyagarajan R. , Palaniappan L.
Published: October 2007

Sound velocity, density, and viscosity values have been measured at 303 K in the ternary system of aniline + 1-propanol + benzene. From these data, acoustical parameters such as adiabatic compressibility, free length, free volume, and internal pressure have been estimated using the standard relations. The results are interpreted in terms of molecular interaction between the components of the mixtures. Observed excess values in all the mixtures indicate that dipolar and weak dispersive type interactions exist in the system.
Theoretical study of Borazanaphthalene and its mono-Fluorinated derivatives: structure and properties
Authors: Ghiasi Reza
Published: October 2007

The structure and properties of borazanaphthalene and mono-fluoroborazanaphthalene derivatives have been investigated using ab initio calculations. The aromaticity of the species has been studied by using nucleus independent chemical shift (NICS) values. Energetic criteria and NICSzz(2) suggest that B-fluorinated derivates are more stable than the N-fluorinated derivates.
Ultrasonic study of adsorption in polysaccharide metabolism
Authors: Velusamy V. , Nithyanandham S. , Palaniappan L.
Published: October 2007

Starch metabolism due to adsorption of enzyme amylase on the starch substrate is outlined briefly. To explore the necessary conditions required for effective adsorption in biological media, ultrasonic techniques have been applied to elucidate the structural variations and component destruction in the considered systems. The ability of the enzyme amylase to break the linkages in two different polysaccharide substrates was determined from the observed ultrasonic data, which highlights the deciding factors of metabolism. It is concluded that the phenomenon of adsorption is decided by the surface area, the number of subunits held by the substrate, and the structure existing in the adsorbent, and above all, a relatively higher quantity of enzyme than the substrate.
Characteristics of Physician Relocation Following Hurricane Katrina
Authors: Madamala Kusuma , Campbell Claudia R. , Hsu Edbert B. , Hsieh Yu-Hsiang , James James
Published: October 2007

Introduction: On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall along the US Gulf Coast, resulting in the evacuation of >1.5 million people, including nearly 6000 physicians. This article examines the relocation patterns of physicians following the storm, determines the impact that the disaster had on their lives and practices, and identifies lessons learned.

Methods: An Internet-based survey was conducted among licensed physicians reporting addresses within Federal Emergency Management Agency–designated disaster zones in Louisiana and Mississippi. Descriptive data analysis was used to describe respondent characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the factors associated with physician nonreturn to original practice. For those remaining relocated out of state, bivariate analysis with χ2 or Fisher exact test was used to determine factors associated with plans to return to original practice.

Results: A total of 312 eligible responses were collected. Among disaster zone respondents, 85.6% lived in Louisiana and 14.4% resided in Mississippi before the hurricane struck. By spring 2006, 75.6% (n = 236) of the respondents had returned to their original homes, whereas 24.4% (n = 76) remained displaced. Factors associated with nonreturn to original employment included family or general medicine practice (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.17–1.04; P = .059) and severe or complete damage to the workplace (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.13–0.42; P < .001).

Conclusions: A sizeable proportion of physicians remain displaced after Hurricane Katrina, along with a lasting decrease in the number of physicians serving in the areas affected by the disaster. Programs designed to address identified physician needs in the aftermath of the storm may give confidence to displaced physicians to return. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2007;1:21–26)
Prevalence of and Sex Disparities in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in an Internally Displaced Sri Lankan Population 6 Months After the 2004 Tsunami
Authors: Ranasinghe Padmini D. , Levy Becca R.
Published: October 2007

Background:When the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami suddenly hit unsuspecting coastal populations in Sri Lanka, it inflicted unprecedented devastation including 35,000 deaths and 500,000 people displaced. Evaluating the psychological impact of this natural disaster provides valuable insights into planning interventions and disaster preparedness.

Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 264 adult males and females ≥16 years old living in temporary shelters housing tsunami survivors at 6 months. Interviewer-administered structured interviews were conducted to measure posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its risk factors.

Results:The participation rate was 97%. Of the subjects, 56% met criteria for symptoms of PTSD, with females at 64% and males at 42%. Females had at least twice the risk of experiencing PTSD (odds ratio [OR] 2.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.37–3.76). This sex difference persisted after adjusting for age, marital status, being a parent, loss of family members, amount of social support, education level, and level of depression (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.21–3.80). Depression was significantly associated with PTSD (OR 7.19, 95% CI 3.83–13.52).

Conclusions:In this directly affected population, a majority met criteria for PTSD, indicating a significant long-term public health burden. The findings also confirm that females are at much higher risk for PTSD than males, suggesting that special mental health efforts should be targeted at women exposed to trauma. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2007;1:34–43)
Excess Mortality in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina: A Preliminary Report
Authors: Stephens Kevin U. , Grew David , Chin Karen , Kadetz Paul , Greenough P Gregg , Burkle Frederick M. , Robinson Sandra L. , Franklin Evangeline R.
Published: October 2007

Background: Reports that death notices in the Times-Picayune, the New Orleans daily newspaper, increased dramatically in 2006 prompted local health officials to determine whether death notice surveillance could serve as a valid alternative means to confirm suspicions of excess mortality requiring immediate preventive actions and intervention.

Methods: Monthly totals of death notices from the Times-Picayune were used to obtain frequency and proportion of deaths from January to June 2006. To validate this methodology the authors compared 2002 to 2003 monthly death frequency and proportions between death notices and top 10 causes of death from state vital statistics.

Results: A significant (47%) increase in proportion of deaths was seen compared with the known baseline population. From January to June 2006, there were on average 1317 deaths notices per month for a mortality rate of 91.37 deaths per 100,000 population, compared with a 2002–2004 average of 924 deaths per month for a mortality rate of 62.17 deaths per 100,000 population. Differences between 2002 and 2003 death notices and top 10 causes of death were insignificant and had high correlation.

Discussion: Death notices from local daily newspaper sources may serve as an alternative source of mortality information. Problems with delayed reporting, timely analysis, and interoperability between state and local health departments may be solved by the implementation of electronic death registration. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2007;1:15–20)
Building Resistance, Resilience, and Recovery in the Wake of School and Workplace Violence
Authors: Nucifora Frederick , Langlieb Alan M. , Siegal Everett , Everly George S. , Kaminsky Michael
Published: October 2007

Incidents of school and workplace violence are rare but devastating events that can result in significant psychological consequences in communities. The majority of people in the United States will experience some type of traumatic event in their lifetime, but most of them will have no disruption or only transient disruption in functioning. They are either resistant to the development of symptoms or resilient, able to bounce back quickly. By enhancing resistance and promoting resilience, even fewer individuals may develop mental disorders. This article takes a closer look at the concepts of resistance, resilience, and recovery and the need for research on interventions that promote them, in the hope of applying the concepts and interventions to schools and the workplace. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2007;1(Suppl 1):S33–S37)
Mass Murder in a University Setting: Analysis of the Medical Examiner's Response
Authors: Fierro Marcella F.
Published: October 2007

Background: Seung-Hui Cho, a student at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), shot and killed 33 students and faculty, including himself, on the morning of April 16, 2007.

Methods: A retrospective review of the medical examiner system response to this multiple fatality event was undertaken to identify which procedures were and were not effective. Case records, spreadsheets, telephone call logs, notes, and after-action interviews of staff were reviewed and analyzed. Recommendations were developed to improve the management of the multiple components of a high-profile multiple fatality event.

Results: One autopsy took place on Monday, April 16, 12 on Tuesday, April 17, and 20 on Wednesday, April 18. Pathologists archived the biopsies of major organs in formalin. Slides were made of entrance wounds that exhibited residues. Blood for alcohols was collected from victims. Blood for alcohols, acid, base, and neutral drugs was collected from Cho for analysis.

Conclusions: Standard forensic pathology procedures worked and timely postmortem examinations were completed. The victim identification component of the family assistance center must be established and staffed at the time of the initial response. Public information officers need training in morgue and medicolegal death management and in ways to effectively communicate with different audiences about multiple fatality management procedures. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2007;1(Suppl1):S25–S30)
Environmental motion delays the detection of movement-based signals
Authors: Peters Richard A
Published: October 2007

Animal signals are constrained by the environment in which they are transmitted and the sensory systems of receivers. Detection of movement-based signals is particularly challenging against the background of wind-blown plants. The Australian lizardAmphibolurus muricatushas recently been shown to compensate for greater plant motion by prolonging the introductory tail-flicking component of its movement-based display. Here I demonstrate that such modifications to signal structure are useful because environmental motion lengthens the time lizard receivers take to detect tail flicks. The spatio-temporal properties of animal signals and environmental motion are thus sufficiently similar to make signal detection more difficult. Environmental motion, therefore, must have had an influence on the evolution of movement-based signals and motion detection mechanisms.
Adhesion and sliding response of a biologically inspired fibrillar surface: experimental observations
Authors: Yao H , Rocca G. Della , Guduru P.R , Gao H
Published: October 2007

Inspired by the adhesion mechanisms of several animal species such as geckos, beetles and flies, several efforts in designing and fabricating surface engineering strategies have been made recently to mimic the adhesive and frictional behaviour of biological foot pads. An important feature of such biological adhesion systems is the ability to switch between strong attachment and easy detachment, which is crucial for animal locomotion. Recent investigations have suggested that such a ‘switching’ mechanism can be achieved by the elastic anisotropy of the attachment pad, which renders the magnitude of the detachment force to be direction dependent. This suggestion is supported by the observations that the fibres of the foot pads in geckos and insects are oriented at an angle to the base and that geckos curl their toes backwards (digital hyperextension) while detaching from a surface. One of the promising bio-inspired architectures developed recently is a film-terminated fibrillar PDMS surface; this structure was demonstrated to result in superior detachment force and energy dissipation compared with a bulk PDMS surface. In this investigation, the film-terminated fibrillar architecture is modified by tilting the fibres to make the surface vertically more compliant and elastically anisotropic. The directional detachment and the sliding resistance between the tilted fibrillar surfaces and a spherical glass lens are measured: both show significant directional anisotropy. It is argued that the anisotropy introduced by the tilted fibres and the deformation-induced change in the compliance of the fibre layer are responsible for the observed anisotropy in the detachment force.
Use of the electrochromic behaviour of lanthanide phthalocyanine films for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide detection
Authors: Basova T , Jushina I , Gürek A.G , Ahsen V , Ray A.K
Published: October 2007

Electrochromic properties of spun films of bis[octakis(hexylthio)phthalocyaninato] dysprosium(III) were investigated for determining nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydride (NADH) in water solutions. A spin-coated film deposited on indium tin oxide electrode displays only one redox couple (at
E
1/2
=0.78 V). The films of [(C
6
H
13
S)
8
Pc]
2
Dy were modified chemically or electrochemically for the detection of reduced NADH in water solution. The modified film in the oxidized ([(C
6
H
13
S)
8
Pc]
2
Dy)
+
form is believed to be reduced to its neutral form on interaction with NADH.
Predator-induced morphology enhances escape locomotion in crucian carp
Authors: Domenici Paolo , Turesson Håkan , Brodersen Jakob , Brönmark Christer
Published: October 2007

Fishes show a remarkable diversity of shapes which have been associated with their swimming abilities and anti-predator adaptations. The crucian carp (Carassius carassius) provides an extreme example of phenotypic plasticity in body shape which makes it a unique model organism for evaluating the relationship between body form and function in fishes. In crucian carp, a deep body is induced by the presence of pike (Esox lucius), and this results in lower vulnerability to gape-limited predators, such as pike itself. Here, we demonstrate that deep-bodied crucian carp attain higher speed, acceleration and turning rate during anti-predator responses than shallow-bodied crucian carp. Therefore, a predator-induced morphology in crucian carp enhances their escape locomotor performance. The deep-bodied carp also show higher percentage of muscle mass. Therefore, their superior performance in escape swimming may be due to a combination of higher muscle power and higher thrust.
Redox interaction of Mn–bicarbonate complexes with reaction centres of purple bacteria
Authors: Khorobrykh A.A , Terentyev V.V , Zharmukhamedov S.K , Klimov V.V
Published: October 2007

It is found that dark reduction of photooxidized primary electron donor P870+in reaction centres from purple anoxygenic bacteria (two non-sulphur Fe-oxidizingRhodovulum iodosumandRhodovulum robiginosum,Rhodobacter sphaeroidesR-26 and sulphur alkaliphilicThiorhodospira sibirica) is accelerated upon the addition of Mn2+jointly with bicarbonate (30–75 mM). The effect is not observed if Mn2+and HCO3−have been replaced by Mg2+and HCO2−, respectively. The dependence of the effect on bicarbonate concentration suggests that formation of Mn2+–bicarbonate complexes, Mn(HCO3)+and/or Mn(HCO3)2, is required for re-reduction of P870+with Mn2+. The results are considered as experimental evidence for a hypothesis on possible participation of Mn–bicarbonate complexes in the evolutionary origin of oxygenic photosynthesis in the Archean era.
Revised minimal standards for description of new species of the class Mollicutes (division Tenericutes)
Authors: Brown Daniel R. , Whitcomb Robert F. , Bradbury Janet M.
Published: October 2007

Minimal standards for novel species of the classMollicutes(trivial term, mollicutes), last published in 1995, require revision. The International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes Subcommittee on the Taxonomy ofMollicutesproposes herein revised standards that reflect recent advances in molecular systematics and the species concept for prokaryotes. The mandatory requirements are: (i) deposition of the type strain into two recognized culture collections, preferably located in different countries; (ii) deposition of the 16S rRNA gene sequence into a public database, and a phylogenetic analysis of the relationships among the 16S rRNA gene sequences of the novel species and its neighbours; (iii) deposition of antiserum against the type strain into a recognized collection; (iv) demonstration, by using the combination of 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses, serological analyses and supplementary phenotypic data, that the type strain differs significantly from all previously named species; and (v) assignment to an order, a family and a genus in the class, with an appropriate specific epithet. The 16S rRNA gene sequence provides the primary basis for assignment to hierarchical rank, and may also constitute evidence of species novelty, but serological and supplementary phenotypic data must be presented to substantiate this. Serological methods have been documented to be congruent with DNA–DNA hybridization data and with 16S rRNA gene placements. The novel species must be tested serologically to the greatest extent that the investigators deem feasible against all neighbouring species whose 16S rRNA gene sequences show >0.94 similarity. The investigator is responsible for justifying which characters are most meaningful for assignment to the part of the mollicute phylogenetic tree in which a novel species is located, and for providing the means by which novel species can be identified by other investigators. The publication of the description should appear in a journal having wide circulation. If the journal is not theInternational Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, copies of the publication must be submitted to that journal so that the name may be considered for inclusion in a Validation List as required by theInternational Code of Bacteriological Nomenclature(theBacteriological Code). Updated informal descriptions of the classMollicutesand some of its constituent higher taxa are available as supplementary material in IJSEM Online.
Two novel species of marine phototrophic Gammaproteobacteria: Thiorhodococcus bheemlicus sp. nov. and Thiorhodococcus kakinadensis sp. nov.
Authors: Anil Kumar P. , Sasi Jyothsna T. S. , Srinivas T. N. R. , Sasikala Ch. , Ramana Ch. V. , Imhoff J. F.
Published: October 2007

Two coccoid phototrophic purple sulfur bacteria were isolated from marine habitats (marine aquaculture pond near Bheemli, Visakhapatnam and marine tidal waters from a fishing harbour, Kakinada) in a medium that contained 3 % NaCl (w/v). Strains JA132T and JA130T are Gram-negative, motile cocci with a single flagellum. Both have an obligate requirement for NaCl. Intracellular photosynthetic membranes are of the vesicular type. Bacteriochlorophyll a and most probably carotenoids of the spirilloxanthin series were present as photosynthetic pigments. Both strains were able to grow photolithoautotrophically and photolithoheterotrophically. Chemotrophic and fermentative growth could not be demonstrated. There is no vitamin requirement for strain JA132T, while strain JA130T requires niacin, biotin and pantothenate as growth factors. Phylogenetic analysis on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that both strains cluster with species of the genus Thiorhodococcus belonging to the Gammaproteobacteria. The DNA G+C contents of strains JA132T and JA130T were 65.5 and 57.5 mol%, respectively. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, morphological and physiological characteristics, strains JA132T and JA130T are significantly different from each other and from other species of the genus Thiorhodococcus and are recognized as two novel species, for which the names Thiorhodococcus bheemlicus sp. nov. and Thiorhodococcus kakinadensis sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains of T. bheemlicus sp. nov. and T. kakinadensis sp. nov. are JA132T (=MTCC 8120T=ATCC BAA-1362T=JCM 14149T=DSM 18805T) and JA130T (=ATCC BAA-1353T=DSM 18858T=JCM 14150T), respectively.
Brachybacterium zhongshanense sp. nov., a cellulose-decomposing bacterium from sediment along the Qijiang River, Zhongshan City, China
Authors: Zhang Guoxia , Zeng Guoqu , Cai Xiaowei , Deng Suier , Luo Huidong , Sun Guoping
Published: October 2007

A cellulose-decomposing bacterium, strain JBT, was isolated from sediments along the Qijiang River, Zhongshan City, China. Results of morphological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic characterization and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain JBTbelonged to the genusBrachybacterium. Insertion sequence-PCR fingerprinting patterns, DNA base ratio analysis and DNA–DNA hybridization data showed that strain JBTdiffered from recognized species of the genusBrachybacterium. Based on polyphasic analysis, strain JBTrepresents a novel species of the genusBrachybacterium, for which the nameBrachybacterium zhongshanensesp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JBT(=LMG 23926T=CGMCC 1.6508T=DSM 18832T).
Brachybacterium phenoliresistens sp. nov., isolated from oil-contaminated coastal sand
Authors: Chou Jui-Hsing , Lin Kuan-Yin , Lin Mei-Chun , Sheu Shih-Yi , Wei Yu-Hong , Arun A. B. , Young Chiu-Chung , Chen Wen-Ming
Published: October 2007

A coccoid- to ovoid-shaped, Gram-positive, non-motile bacterial strain, designated phenol-AT, was isolated from an oil-contaminated coastal sand sample collected from Pingtung County, southern Taiwan, and characterized by use of a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the novel strain formed a monophyletic branch at the periphery of the evolutionary radiation occupied by the genusBrachybacteriumin the familyDermabacteraceae, classActinobacteria. The closest neighbours wereBrachybacteriumrhamnosumLMG 19848T(96.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity),BrachybacteriumnesterenkoviiDSM 9573T(97.0 %) andBrachybacteriummurisC3H-21T(96.3 %). The peptidoglycan type of strain phenol-ATwas variation A4γwithmeso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid. The isolate contained MK-7 as the major component of the quinone system. The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and unidentified phospholipids and glycolipids. The predominant fatty acid was anteiso-C15 : 0(59.5 %); significant amounts of iso-C16 : 0(9.4 %), iso-C14 : 0(9.5 %) and anteiso-C17 : 0(10.8 %) were also present. The isolate was also distinguished from recognized members of the genusBrachybacteriumon the basis of several phenotypic and biochemical characteristics. It is evident from the genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data that isolate phenol-ATrepresents a novel species of the genusBrachybacterium, for which the nameBrachybacteriumphenoliresistenssp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is phenol-AT(=LMG 23707T=BCRC 17589T).
Natranaerobius thermophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a halophilic, alkalithermophilic bacterium from soda lakes of the Wadi An Natrun, Egypt, and proposal of Natranaerobiaceae fam. nov. and Natranaerobiales ord. nov.
Authors: Mesbah Noha M. , Hedrick David B. , Peacock Aaron D. , Rohde Manfred , Wiegel Juergen
Published: October 2007

Novel halophilic, alkalithermophilic, Gram-type-positive bacterial strains were isolated from sediment of alkaline, hypersaline lakes of the Wadi An Natrun, Egypt. Cells of strain JW/NM-WN-LFTwere rod-shaped, non-spore-forming and non-motile. Strain JW/NM-WN-LFTgrew (at pH55 °C 9.5) between 35 and 56 °C, with an optimum at 53 °C. The pH55 °Crange for growth was 8.3–10.6, with an optimum at pH55 °C 9.5 and no growth at pH55 °C 8.2 or below, or at pH55 °C 10.8 or above. At the optimum pH and temperature, the strain grew in the Na+range of 3.1–4.9 M (1.5–3.3 M added NaCl) and optimally between 3.3 and 3.9 M Na+(1.7–2.3 M added NaCl). Strain JW/NM-WN-LFTutilized fructose, cellobiose, ribose, trehalose, trimethylamine, pyruvate, Casamino acids, acetate, xylose and peptone as carbon and energy sources. Fumarate (20 mM), S2O32−(20 mM), NO3−(20 mM) and iron(III) citrate (20 mM) were utilized as electron acceptors. During growth on sucrose, the isolate produced acetate and formate as major fermentation products. Main cellular fatty acids were iso-branched 15 : 0, i17 : 0 dimethylacetal and 16 : 0 dimethylacetal. The G+C content of genomic DNA was 40.4 mol% (HPLC). On the basis of genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, it is proposed that strain JW/NM-WN-LFTrepresents a novel genus and species,Natranaerobius thermophilusgen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is JW/NM-WN-LFT(=DSM 18059T=ATCC BAA-1301T). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the strain forms a novel lineage within the class ‘Clostridia’ and clusters with uncultivated bacteria and unidentified strains retrieved from alkaline, hypersaline environments. The phylogenetic data suggest that the lineage represents a novel family,Natranaerobiaceaefam. nov., and order,Natranaerobialesord. nov.
Sphingobium olei sp. nov., isolated from oil-contaminated soil
Authors: Young C. C. , Ho M.-J. , Arun A. B. , Chen W.-M. , Lai W.-A. , Shen F.-T. , Rekha P. D. , Yassin A. F.
Published: October 2007

The taxonomic status of a yellow-coloured bacterial isolate from an oil-contaminated soil sample was determined using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the novel isolate formed a distinct phyletic line within the genus Sphingobium. The generic assignment was confirmed by chemotaxonomic data, which revealed: a fatty acid profile that is characteristic of the genus Sphingobium consisting of straight-chain saturated and unsaturated as well as 2-OH fatty acids; a ubiquinone with ten isoprene units (Q-10) as the predominant respiratory quinone; a polar lipid pattern consisting of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and sphingoglycolipid, and spermidine as the major polyamine component. Genotypic and phenotypic data show that the new isolate merits classification as a representative of a novel species of the genus Sphingobium, for which the name Sphingobium olei sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is IMMIB HF-1T (=DSM 18999T=CCUG 54329T).