bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Personality development from 12 to 18 years of age: changes in mean levels and structure of traits
Authors: Allik Jüri , Laidra Kaia , Realo Anu , Pullmann Helle
Published: October 2004

The Estonian NEO‐FFI was administered to 2650 Estonian adolescents (1420 girls and 1230 boys) aged from 12 to 18 years and attending 6th, 8th, 10th, or 12th grade at secondary schools all over Estonia. Although the mean levels of personality traits of Estonian adolescents were quite similar to the respective scores of Estonian adults, there was a developmental gap in Agreeableness and Conscientiousness. Three of the five personality dispositions demonstrated a modest cross‐sectional change in the mean level of the trait scores: the level of Openness increased and the levels of Agreeableness and Conscientiousness decreased between 12 and 18 years of age. Although the five‐factor structure of personality was already recognizable in the sample of 12‐year‐old children, it demonstrated only an approximate congruence with the adult structure, suggesting that not all children of that age have developed abilities required for observing one's own personality dispositions and for giving reliable self‐reports on the basis of these observations. The self‐reported personality trait structure matures and becomes sufficiently differentiated around age 14–15 and grows to be practically indistinguishable from adult personality by the age of 16. Personality of adolescents becomes more differentiated with age: along with the growth of mental capacities the correlations among the personality traits and intelligence become smaller. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessment of multiple implicit self‐concept dimensions using the Extrinsic Affective Simon Task (EAST)
Authors: Teige Sarah , Schnabel Konrad , Banse Rainer , Asendorpf Jens B.
Published: October 2004

This study explored the psychometric properties of the Extrinsic Affective Simon Task (EAST; De Houwer, 2003a) as adapted for the measurement of the implicit self‐concept of personality. The EAST was adapted to allow the simultaneous assessment of the three traits shyness, anxiousness, and angriness. In order to test the EAST's psychometric properties, 100 participants completed a trait EAST, Implicit Association Tests (IATs), and direct self‐ratings. The EAST showed low internal consistencies and correlated neither with the IATs nor with the direct measures. The main problem of the EAST, namely its low reliability, is discussed, and general conclusions regarding the indirect assessment of the personality self‐concept by EASTs are derived. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microporous polyurethane/acrylate gel polymer electrolyte obtained by emulsion polymerization
Authors: Ren Tianbin , Ren Jie , Tang Xiaozhen
Published: October 2004

A novel polyurethane/acrylate (PUA) porous gel electrolyte was prepared by a new method, emulsion polymerization. Compared with the traditional phase inversion method, the new method can eliminate the pollution from solvent and decrease the cost of production. The swelling properties and morphology of the porous polymer membranes were characterized. The porous membranes, made by emulsion polymerization, could absorb large quantities of electrolyte solution to form porous gel electrolytes. The gel electrolytes have good solvent retention ability and high ionic conductivity. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Identification and characterization of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase from Halobacterium salinarum
Authors: Park Soo‐Jin , Joo Won‐A , Choi Jiyeon , Lee So‐Hee , Kim Chan‐Wha
Published: October 2004

Extremely halophilic Archaea, Halobacterium salinarum live in hypersaline habitats and maintain an osmotic balance of their cytoplasm by accumulating high concentrations of salt (mainly KCl). Therefore, their enzymes adapted to high NaCl concentrations offer a multitude of acutal or potential applications such as biocatalysts in the presence of high salt concentrations. In this study, the protein expression profile of H. salinarum cultured under different NaCl concentrations (3.5 M, 4.3 M, and 6.0 M) was investigated using two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2‐DE). As a result of 2‐DE, the protein spots concentrated in acidic range at pH 3–10 were separated effectively using pH 3.5–4.5 ultrazoom IPG DryStrips. The proteins which proved to be upregulated or downregulated in 2‐DE gel were digested with trypsin and identified with matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time of flight (MALDI‐TOF) and electrospray ionization quadrupole (ESI‐Q) TOF‐mass spectrometry. Most proteins were identified as known annotated proteins based on sequence homology and few as unknown hypothetical proteins. Among proteins identified, an enzyme named inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) was selected based on the possibility of its industrial application. IMPDH gene (1.6 kb fragment) expected to exist in H. salinarum was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and expressed in Escherichia coli strain, BL21 (DE3) using a pGEX‐KG vector. Recombinant IMPDH purified from H. salinarum has a higher activity in the presence of salt than in the absence of salt.
Protein biomarkers in the plasma of workers occupationally exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Authors: Kap‐Soon Noh , Do‐Youn Lee , Hak Cha Jung , Joo Won‐A , Lee Eunil , Chan‐Wha Kim
Published: October 2004

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) form a chemical family containing several hundred compounds, including benzo[a]pyrene and pyrene. They are usually produced by the incomplete burning of coal, oil, gas, garbage, or other organic substances like tobacco or charbroiled meat. Exposure to PAH causes tumors, primarily in the lung, the bladder, and the skin. To investigate the differentially expressed proteins resultant from PAH exposure, the protein expression in human plasma was analyzed using two‐dimensional electrophoresis (2‐DE). The plasma exposed to PAH was obtained from 48 waste gas pollution measurers working at an automobile emission inspection center. The 1‐hydroxypryene (1‐OHP) level, which is the urinary PAH metabolite used for evaluation of PAH exposure, was 0.28 µmol/mol creatinine in PAH exposure groups, and 0.078 µmol/mol creatinine in unexposed groups (control, n = 33). A protein upregulated by PAH (putative capacitative calcium entry channel) and five overexpressed proteins (two fibrinogen γ‐A chain precursors, a hemopexin precursor, an albumin precursor, and T‐cell receptor β chain C region) were identified with matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time of flight‐mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS) and confirmed with tandem MS (MS/MS) and Western blotting. The putative capacitative calcium entry channel was partially validated with a laboratory made antibody of a representative peptide fragment in PAH‐exposed human plasma samples.
Kinetics and mechanisms of the reactions of benzoyl derivatives of nucleophiles: dependence of the solvation requirement of the reaction on the structures of the nucleophile and the acyl group
Authors: Seoud Omar A. El , Ferreira Monica , Rodrigues Wagner A. , Ruasse Marie‐Françoise
Published: October 2004

The reactions of two series of benzoyl derivatives of nucleophiles were investigated and the results were compared with those for N‐benzoylimidazole. The general structure is ArCO‐Nu, where Ar = X‐C6H4‐ and/or X2‐C6H3‐; X = 4‐Me, H, 4‐Cl, 4‐CN, 4‐NO2 and X2 = 3,5‐dinitro; Nu = iodosobenzoate, ArCO‐Iba, and phosphate dianion, ArCO‐Phos. Catalytic rate constants, kinetic solvent isotope effects, kinetic substituent effects (Hammett equation) and the dependence of ΔH≠ and ΔS≠ on σX were determined. For ArCO‐Iba, the hydrolysis occurs via two pathways, uncatalyzed (kO) and specific base‐catalyzed (kOH) water attack on the iodine atom of the iodosobenzoate ring. This conclusion is based on theoretical calculations of the partial charges on ArCO‐Iba, and the small ρ values calculated at 25°C, −0.22 and 0.92 for kO and kOH, respectively. The data for the reaction of ArCO‐Phos are consistent with a dissociative transition state, leading to elimination of the metaphosphate monoanion (PO). The dependence of the mechanistic pathway on the nucleophile is discussed. Two results are relevant to the reactions of ArCO‐Iba: (i) moderate to large substituent effects on the activation entropies suggest that solvation of the leaving benzoate anion and desolvation of the entering nucleophile contribute to the OH−‐mediated reaction; (ii) the negative and positive signs of ΔS≠ indicate large differences in solvation of the transition states of the kO and kOH pathways. For the spontaneous decomposition of ArCO‐Phos, sizeable substituent effects on both ΔH≠ and ΔS≠ were observed. This shows the contribution of solvation of the leaving benzoate and substituent‐induced shift of the structure of the transition state. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bis(2,4‐dinitrophenyl) phosphate hydrolysis mediated by lanthanide ions
Authors: Longhinotti Elisane , Domingos Josiel B. , da Silva Pedro L. F. , Szpoganicz Bruno , Nome Faruk
Published: October 2004

The kinetics of the hydrolysis of bis(2,4‐dinitrophenyl) phosphate (BDNPP) were studied in basic solutions in the presence of La3+, Sm3+, Tb3+ and Er3+. Bis‐Tris propane (BTP) buffer was used to stabilize the Ln3+ hydroxide complexes in solution. Two equivalents of the 2,4‐dinitrophenolate ion (DNP) were liberated for each equivalent of BDNPP and the reaction showed first‐order kinetics. Potentiometric titrations showed the formation of dinuclear complexes such as [Ln2(BTP)2(OH)n](6−n), with values of n varying as a function of pH, for all studied metals. Hence the catalytic effect depends on the formation of dinuclear lanthanide ion complexes with several hydroxo ligands. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A mechanistic viewpoint of the reaction between 1‐fluoro‐2,6‐dinitrobenzene and alicyclic amines in the ethyl acetate–chloroform system
Authors: Mancini P. M. , Fortunato G. G , Vottero L. R.
Published: October 2004

A study was made of the influence of temperature on the reactions between 1‐fluoro‐2,6‐dinitrobenzene and each of the secondary amines pyrrolidine, piperidine and homopiperidine (hexahydro‐1H‐azepine), carried out in ethyl acetate–chloroform binary solvent mixtures. It involved the analysis of both global activation parameters and the corresponding Arrhenius plots from the kA values at three amine concentrations. These values were obtained by carrying out the reactions at 5, 15, 25, 40 and 50°C over the whole range of chloroform mole fraction. The analysis of Arrhenius lines allowed us to prove the existence of isokinetic relationships, which were used as a diagnostic tool in order to infer a changeover in the nature of the rate‐determining transition state as a function of solvent composition. The experimental evidence together with theoretical quantum mechanical calculations suggest that the reactions with the secondary amines explored carried out in pure ethyl acetate and ethyl acetate–chloroform solvent mixture at X = 0.1 and in some cases also at X = 0.3 proceed via the formation of a six‐membered orientated dipolar aggregate in which the specific base–general acid (SB–GA) mechanism may take place. The reactions carried out in the remaining solvent mixtures evolve towards the classical SB–GA mechanism. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DFT calculations on the allenyl Cope rearrangement of syn‐7‐allenylnorbornene: comparison with results obtained from CASSCF calculations
Authors: Duncan James A. , Spong Marie C.
Published: October 2004

The conformationally restricted allenyl Cope rearrangement of syn‐7‐allenylnorbornene (10) to racemic‐triene 11 was studied computationally using density functional theory (DFT) methods and the results were compared with those already calculated for this rearrangement at the (8,8)CASPT2/6–31G*//(8,8)CASSCF/6–31G* level of theory. The CASSCF level calculations had shown that the rearrangement involves two separate transition structures 12 and 13 that both lead to common diradical intermediate 14. These findings are consistent with the 90% stereoselectivity observed in the thermal Cope rearrangements of dimethyl allenylnorbornene derivatives racemic 7a and 7b. In this study, we found that CASSCF optimized structures 10–12 and 15 could be successfully re‐optimized at the UB3LYP/6–31G* level to structures of similar geometries and relative enthalpies. However, the CASSCF transition structure corresponding to 13 did not optimize to a UB3LYP version of 13, but rather to the UB3LYP‐optimized structure corresponding to transition structure 12. Despite taking several approaches, an optimized UB3LYP/6–31G* version of 13 was not found on the UB3LYP potential energy surface. Hence the UB3LYP results are not only at variance with the CASSCF results but also with the above mentioned experimental results. The 10→11 rearrangement was also studied using UBLYP and UBPW91 functionals in addition to UB3LYP and each of the three functionals predicted a different mechanism, none of them consistent with the experimental or CASSCF results. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Absolute determinations of the addition rate constants for the reactions of O(3P) atoms with halogenated propenes and butenes. A structure–activity relationship for the estimation of rate constants
Authors: Cometto Pablo M. , Teruel Mariano A. , Taccone Raúl A. , Lane Silvia I.
Published: October 2004

The kinetics of the reactions of O(3P) atoms with CF3CHCH2, CF3CClCCl2, CF3CFCClCF3 and CF3CClCClCF3 were studied at 298 K using a discharge flow tube system. This is the first absolute kinetic study of these reactions. The overall rate constants based on the measured afterglow reactions were (3.4±0.4) × 10−14, (3.3±0.6) × 10−14, (1.3±0.3) × 10−14 and (1.9±0.4) × 10−14 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, respectively. The experiments were carried out under pseudo‐first‐order conditions with [O(3P)]0 ≪ [alkene]0. The effect of substituent atoms or groups on the reactivity was analyzed. A simple method, using a structure–activity relationship based on the structure of the alkene, was applied for the first time to the reactions of O(3P) with haloalkenes. It is shown that this approach is useful in obtaining an initial estimate of unknown rate constants for reactions of O(3P) with alkenes. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Developments in the mechanism of photodegradation of triazine‐based pesticides
Authors: Canle L. M. , Fernández M. I. , Santaballa J. A.
Published: October 2004

Developments in the mechanisms of the direct, photosensitized and photocatalyzed photodegradation and of photochemically generated hydroxyl radical‐based degradation of triazine‐based pesticides are reviewed. Recent results are accounted for: steady‐state irradiation photoproducts suggest the participation of both singlet and triplet excited states in the direct photodegradation of triazines, their concurrency being confirmed by luminescence studies. Both low‐lying excited states have been theoretically characterized. Laser flash photolysis and pulse radiolysis studies evidence the participation of short‐lived radical cations and radical anions, in addition to HO. adducts, in the mechanism of photodegradation. E° values were estimated for both the triazine (ca. ∼1.1 V vs NHE) and triazinyl radical cation (2.3 ± 0.1 V vs NHE) and also the pKa for the HO. adduct of triazines (ca. ∼11). Sub‐diffusion control rate constants were measured for the one‐electron oxidation of triazines by SO
and (UO)*, one‐electron reduction by e and HO. addition. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular geometry as a source of chemical information. Part 2—An attempt to estimate the H‐bond strength: the case ofp‐nitrophenol complexes with bases
Authors: Krygowski Tadeusz Marek , Zachara Joanna Ewa , Szatylowicz Halina
Published: October 2004

B3LYP/6–311+G** optimizations were carried out forp‐nitrophenol interacting with the flouride with the only constraints for O…F distance in the range 4.0–2.601 Å (for 19 computational data points) with an assumption of planarity of the system and linearity of OH…F. The monotonic dependences of interaction energies on C—O bond lengths led us to propose the C—O bond length as an approximate parameter to measure the H‐bond strength. Experimental geometries showed that the C—O bond length is very sensitive, and also that it is the most variable structural parameter in these complexes. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A complete parameterization of clf‐based input‐to‐state stabilizing control laws
Authors: Curtis J. W. , Beard Randal W.
Published: October 2004

Sontag's formula proves constructively that the existence of a control Lyapunov function implies asymptotic stabilizability. A similar result can be obtained for systems subject to unknown disturbances via input‐to‐state stabilizing control Lyapunov functions (ISS‐clfs) and the input‐to‐state analogue of Sontag's formula. The present paper provides a generalization of the ISS version of Sontag's formula by completely parameterizing all continuous ISS control laws that can be generated by a known ISS‐clf. When a simple inner‐product constraint is satisfied, this parameterization also conveniently describes a large family of ISS controls that solve the inverse‐optimal gain assignment problem, and it is proved that these controls possess Kalman‐type gain margins. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Model predictive control for constrained systems with uncertain state‐delays
Authors: Hu Xiao‐Bing , Chen Wen‐Hua
Published: October 2004

This paper presents a model predictive control (MPC) algorithm for a class of constrained linear systems with uncertain state‐delays. Based on a novel artificial Lyapunov function, a new stabilizing condition dependent of the upper bound of uncertain state‐delays is presented in an LMI (linear matrix inequality) form. The proposed MPC algorithm is developed by following the fashion of stability‐enforced scheme. The new algorithm is then extended to linear time varying (LTV) systems with multiple uncertain state‐delays. Numerical examples illustrate the effectiveness of the new algorithm. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hormone receptor expression in interdigital glands of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus)
Authors: Lamps Laura W. , Smoller Bruce R. , Goodwin Thomas E. , Rasmussen L.E.L.
Published: October 2004

Recently, our group performed the first histologic, histochemical, and immunohistochemical analysis of eccrine‐type interdigital glands in the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) (Lamps et al. [2001] Res Vet Sci 71:197–200). Since morphologically similar human eccrine glands express reproductive hormone receptors (including androgen, estrogen, and progesterone receptors), the purpose of the current study was to determine whether interdigital eccrine glands in the Asian elephant contain these same hormone receptors. Necropsy samples of interdigital areas from two adult Asian elephants (one male and one female) were obtained. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for estrogen, progesterone, and androgen receptor proteins. Immunoreactivity to all three receptor proteins was seen in a nuclear distribution in eccrine glands from both samples. This staining pattern is similar to that seen in human eccrine glands and tumors of eccrine derivation, although the significance of the receptor protein expression is unknown. The immunoreactivity of elephant interdigital glandular epithelium with monoclonal antibodies raised to human receptor proteins also suggests a high degree of phylogenetic conservation of these proteins between Asian elephants and humans. Despite detailed morphologic characterization, the function of these glands remains unclear. Further studies are needed to elucidate the function of these glands, the possible relationship between hormone receptor expression and circulating hormone levels, and the potential role of these glands in chemical communication in Asian elephants. Zoo Biol 23:463–469, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pregnancy detection and fetal monitoring via ultrasound in a giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
Authors: Sutherland‐Smith Meg , Morris Patrick J. , Silverman Sam
Published: October 2004

Transabdominal ultrasound was used to monitor the reproductive tract of a female giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) for three consecutive breeding seasons starting in 2001. Parturition did not occur in 2001 or 2002. In 2003, uterine enlargement was noted 109 days after natural mating occurred. A twin pregnancy was detected via transabdominal ultrasound 134 days following natural mating. Four subsequent ultrasound examinations, performed at 137, 138, 140, and 142 days postmating, documented fetal development. The female gave birth to one infant 150 days postmating. Zoo Biol 23:449–461, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of spatial crowding on aggressive behavior in a bonobo colony
Authors: Sannen Adinda , Elsacker Linda Van , Eens Marcel
Published: October 2004

According to a previously proposed coping model (De Waal [1989] Zoo Biol. 1(suppl):141–148), gregarious primates will react to crowding by adjusting their behavior in order to limit the amount of aggression displayed. Depending on the duration of the crowding, this can be achieved by the use of different strategies. Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) react to a medium‐term duration of spatial crowding by an active tension‐reduction mechanism whereby allogrooming markedly increases while aggression rises only slightly. Under comparable circumstances, a similar increase in grooming is found in bonobos (Pan paniscus). However, to test the coping model for bonobos, data on aggressive behavior during crowding are indispensable. This study provides such information by comparing the aggressive repertoire of a well‐established bonobo colony during a crowded period in winter with those that occurred during an uncrowded control period in summer. Given that during winter the aggression rate differed between food and nonfood contexts, we accounted for a potential effect of food context on aggression. During the crowded period, a significantly higher total frequency of aggression was found than during the control period. However, this increase was small in relation to the reduction in space when compared to similar experiments in other species. Together with observations of increased grooming under crowded conditions, our data confirm the hypothesis that bonobos cope with the increase in tension created by crowding (medium‐term duration) by applying a tension‐reduction strategy. Our data further show that although not all aggressive behaviors appear to be influenced by a high‐density condition, bonobos do not specifically limit their aggressive behaviors to mild, nonprovocative aggressions in a crowded environment. Zoo Biol 23:383–395, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Examination of the interrelationships of behavior, dominance status, and ovarian activity in captive Asian and African elephants
Authors: Freeman Elizabeth W. , Weiss Emily , Brown Janine L.
Published: October 2004

Ovarian inactivity has been identified in captive African (Loxodonta africana) and Asian (Elephas maximus) elephants and is thought to be mediated in part by social influences. Thus, a survey was conducted to determine how behavior and dominance status relate to each other and to ovarian cyclicity. For both Asian and African elephants, dominance status was positively correlated with relative size, age, temperament, disciplinary nature, and willingness to share novel objects. Relative size and temperament were also related to disciplinary nature toward herdmates. Behavior toward keepers was a good indicator of the willingness of elephants to follow commands, whereas sharing novel objects was positively correlated with object curiosity. Finally, dominance status, temperament, and disciplinary nature were all correlated with willingness to share. Comparisons of ovarian cyclicity status with behavior rankings were conducted only for African elephants because of the low number of noncycling Asian elephants surveyed. Overall, social status appeared to be the best predictor of ovarian activity in African elephants. Noncycling African elephant females ranked higher in the dominance hierarchy and gave more discipline to herdmates than cycling cohorts. It remains to be determined whether these are cause or effect relationships, but clearly it is important to understand how physical and social attributes impact physiological processes, such as reproduction. Captive management now needs to focus on optimizing social and environmental conditions to maximize reproductive potential in elephants. Zoo Biol 23:431–448, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alpha-Synuclein Expression in the Developing Human Brain
Authors: Raghavan Ravi , de Kruijff Loes , Sterrenburg Monique D. , Rogers Beverly B. , Hladik Christa L. , White Charles L.
Published: October 2004

Alpha (α)-synuclein is a presynaptic protein, abnormal expression of which has been associated with neurodegenerative and neoplastic diseases. It is abundant in the developing vertebrate central nervous system (CNS), but less is known about its developmental expression in the human CNS. Immunohistochemical expression of α-synuclein was studied in 39 fetal, perinatal, pediatric, and adolescent brains. Perikaryal expression of α-synuclein is observed as early as 11-wk gestation in the cortical plate. Several discrete neuronal groups in the hippocampus, basal ganglia, and brain stem express perikaryal α-synuclein by 20-wk gestation, persisting through the first few years of life. In the cerebellum, α-synuclein is present by 21-wk gestation and persists into adult life as a coarse granular neuropil reaction product in the internal granular layer, and as a diffuse neuropil “blush” in the molecular layer. The germinal matrix, glia, endothelial cells, external granular layer, Pukinje cells, and dentate neurons are consistently negative for α-synuclein. We conclude that α-synuclein is expressed very early in human gestation, and that its distribution and temporal sequence of expression varies in discrete neuronal groups. Perikaryal α-synuclein starts disappearing from the neuronal cytosol in early childhood, and only the neuropil retains immunoreactivity into adulthood. The reappearance of α-synuclein in the adult neuronal cytosol in certain disease processes may represent reemergence of cues from an earlier developmental stage as part of a stress response.
Maternal Smoking, Intrauterine Growth Restriction, and Placental Apoptosis
Authors: Isaksen Christina Vogt , Austgulen Rigmor , Chedwick Lisa , Romundstad Pål , Vatten Lars , Craven Catherine
Published: October 2004

Pregnant women who smoke are at greater risk of delivering a growth-restricted infant than nonsmoking mothers. We wanted to see if apoptosis could be involved in the mechanisms behind smoke-induced growth restriction, and our aim was to compare apoptosis in the placenta of smoking mothers giving birth to growth-restricted infants and nonsmoking mothers with infants of appropriate weight. The project was conducted at the Magee—Womens Hospital and Magee—Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, PA. Histological sections from 20 placentas were selected from smoking mothers who had given birth to small-for-gestational-age infants (birth weight ≤ 2 SD). The controls were gestational-age matched nonsmoking mothers with infants having appropriate-for-gestational-age weight. The TUNEL method was used to demonstrate DNA fragmentation in nuclei, and a monoclonal antibody M30, specific for a neo-epitope on cytokeratin 18, was used to identify apoptotic epithelial cells. The positive nuclei (TUNEL) and positive cells (M30-positive cytoplasm) were counted blindly both in villous tissue and in decidual/basal plate tissue. M30-positive cells in villous tissues were significantly increased in placentas from smoking mothers compared to nonsmoking mothers. When evaluated by the TUNEL method, the difference between the two groups of women was not significant. Our study shows that apoptosis was increased in the placentas of smoking mothers with growth-restricted infants. The difference between the two groups was mainly in the syncytiotrophoblast layer and in connection with perivillous fibrin deposition. Cigarette smoke with reduction in blood flow has previously been shown to increase apoptosis, and it is possible that this could be one of the mechanisms playing a role in the growth restriction.
Do visual transects provide true population density estimates for deepwater fish?
Authors: Trenkel V.M. , Lorance P. , Mahévas S.
Published: October 2004

This study assesses the impact species ecology, fish reactions, and natural behaviour have on visual strip transect counts of deepwater fish carried out with an ROV (remotely operated vehicle). Two terraces and one canyon were visited on the continental slope of the Bay of Biscay. Species such as rabbit fish (Chimaeridae) and North Atlantic codling (Lepidion eques) appear to have avoided the ROV. The vertical distance off the bottom provided evidence that some individuals, in particular slickheads (Alepocephalidae) might have been missed by being above the ROV. GLM modelling showed the importance of depth, current speed, and relative surveying direction on transect counts. Natural and reaction behaviour of deep-sea fish will lead to variable and biased population density estimates.
Three-dimensional structure and avoidance behaviour of anchovy and common sardine schools in central southern Chile
Authors: Gerlotto F. , Castillo J. , Saavedra A. , Barbieri M.A. , Espejo M. , Cotel P.
Published: October 2004

We studied the avoidance behaviour and three-dimensional (3-D) structure of anchovy (Engraulis ringens) and common sardine (Strangomera bentincki) schools mixed in high concentrations in a coastal area of central southern Chile. Observations were carried out during an acoustic survey in January 2002 by means of a vertical echosounder and a multi-beam sonar. The sonar harvested around 900 series of 3-D school images, and 3000 2-D school images were collected with the echosounder. The results showed that all fish aggregations presented the same internal structure, but different global morphologies, from single small schools (with length three times the height) on the edges of the distribution to large dense layers (length more than seven times the height) in its centre. Observation of avoidance in the vertical and horizontal planes indicated that limited vertical diving occurred close to the ship (fish dive from the surface to the 5–10-m depth layer below the vessel), while no horizontal avoidance was observed.
Amyloid‐induced neurofibrillary tangle formation in Alzheimer's disease: insight from transgenic mouse and tissue‐culture models
Authors: Götz Jürgen , Schild Andreas , Hoerndli Fred , Pennanen Luis
Published: October 2004

Of all forms of dementia, Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent. It is histopathologically characterized by β‐amyloid‐containing plaques, tau‐containing neurofibrillary tangles, reduced synaptic density and neuronal loss in selected brain areas. For the rare familial forms of Alzheimer's disease, pathogenic mutations have been identified in both the gene encoding the precursor of the Aβ peptide, APP, itself and in the presenilin genes which encode part of the APP‐protease complex. For the more frequent sporadic forms of Alzheimer's disease, the pathogenic trigger has not been unambiguously identified. Whether Aβ is again the main cause remains to be heavily discussed. In a related disorder termed frontotemporal dementia, which is characterized by tangles in the absence of β‐amyloid deposition, mutations have been identified in tau which also lead to neurodegeneration and dementia.

For Alzheimer's disease the existence of familial forms lead to the proposition of the amyloid cascade hypothesis, which claims that β‐amyloid causes or enhances the tangle pathology. In this review, we describe tau transgenic mouse models in which aspects of the tau‐associated pathology, including tangle formation, has been achieved. Moreover, tau transgenic mouse and tissue‐culture models were used to test the amyloid cascade hypothesis. In addition, we discuss alternative hypotheses to explain the sporadic forms. The animal and tissue‐culture models will provide insight into the underlying biochemical mechanisms of tau aggregation and nerve cell degeneration. These mechanisms may be partially shared between sporadic Alzheimer's disease, the familial forms and frontotemporal dementia. Eventually, Alzheimer's disease may be redefined based on biochemical events rather than phenotype.
Blood‐cell‐specific acetylcholinesterase splice variations under changing stimuli
Authors: Pick Marjorie , Flores‐Flores Cesar , Grisaru Dan , Shochat Susana , Deutsch Varda , Soreq Hermona
Published: October 2004

Developmental and trauma‐induced mechanism(s) that modify inflammation and immune responses in blood cells were recently found to be regulated by acetylcholine. Here, we report corresponding blood cell‐specific changes in acetylcholinesterase splice variants. Plasmon resonance and flow cytometry using acetylcholinesterase variant‐specific antibody probes, revealed a progressive increase in myeloid cell fractions expressing the apoptosis‐related acetylcholinesterase‐S variant from newborns to adult controls and post‐delivery mothers. Hematopoietic cell fractions positive for the myeloproliferative acetylcholinesterase‐R variant, were similarly high in post‐partum blood, both intracellular and on the cell surface. Moreover, intracellular acetylcholinesterase‐S protein amounts as reflected by fluorescence intensity measurements remained unchanged in myeloid cells from post‐partum mothers as compared with matched controls. Unlike brain neurons, which over‐express intracellular acetylcholinesterase‐R under stress, lymphocytes from post‐partum mothers presented increased surface acetylcholinesterase‐S and pronounced decreases in both the expression and contents of surface acetylcholinesterase‐R. Peripheral stimuli‐induced modulations in acetylcholine regulation may hence reflect blood cell lineage‐dependent acetylcholinesterase splice variations.
Effect of the interpregnancy interval after an abortion on maternal and perinatal health in Latin America
Authors: Conde‐Agudelo A. , Belizán J.M. , Breman R. , Brockman S.C. , Rosas‐Bermudez A.
Published: October 2004

Objective

To investigate whether the length of the interval between an abortion and the next pregnancy is associated with increased risks of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in Latin America.

Method

Retrospective cross‐sectional study using information from 258,108 women delivering singleton infants and whose previous pregnancy resulted in abortion recorded in the Perinatal Information System database of the Latin American Centre for Perinatology and Human Development, Montevideo, Uruguay, between 1985 and 2002. Adjusted odds ratios were obtained through logistic regression analysis.

Result

Compared with the post‐abortion interpregnancy intervals of 18 to 23 months, intervals shorter than 6 months were significantly associated with increased risks of maternal anemia, premature rupture of membranes, low birth weight, very low birth weight, preterm delivery, and very preterm delivery.

Conclusion

In Latin America, post‐abortion interpregnancy intervals shorter than 6 months are independently associated with increased risks of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in the next pregnancy.

Definition

Post‐abortion interpregnancy interval (PAII): the time elapsed between the day of the abortion and the first day of the last menstrual period for the index pregnancy.
Sensory Nerves Transfers
Authors: BRUNELLI GIORGIO A.
Published: October 2004

Various types of sensory nerve transfer in the hand are presented. They were all performed after brachial plexus injury to restore sensation, mainly to the adjacent borders of the thumb and index finger or to the ulnar aspect of the little finger.

Twenty one cases were assessed. Their outcomes according to the Highet–Zachary system were: S2 in nine cases, S2 in four cases, S1 in four cases and S0 in four cases.
Intact fibula improves fracture healing in a rat tibia osteotomy model
Authors: Shefelbine Sandra J. , Augat Peter , Claes Lutz , Beck Alexander
Published: October 2004

Rat tibia fractures are often used in fracture healing studies. Usually the fracture is stabilized with an intramedullary pin, which provides bending stiffness, but little torsional stiffness. The objective of this research was to determine the in vitro torsional rigidity of an osteotomized tibia with and without the fibula, and to determine if this difference influences the healing process in vivo. In vitro eleven rat tibias received an osteotomy, were stabilized with an intramedullary pin, and were tested in internal rotation to determine the torsional rigidity. The fibula was then manually broken and the torsional rigidity measured again. In vivo 18 rats received a tibial osteotomy, eight of which had an additional fractured fibula. After three weeks, the rats were sacrificed and the tibias were analyzed. Bone density in the fracture callus was measured with qCT. Bending rigidity and maximum breaking moment were determined in three‐point bending. In vitro testing demonstrated that the torsional rigidity with an intact fibula was nearly two times higher than when the fibula was fractured. Though the torsional rigidity was still small in comparison with an intact bone, it resulted in a significantly different healing process in vivo. Rats with intact fibulas had significantly higher bone mineral density, bending rigidity, and maximum breaking moment compared to rats with a fractured fibula. These results indicate that torsional stability considerably affects the healing process. In a fracture model, it is critical to characterize the mechanical environment of the fracture. © 2004 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
All‐sky imaging observations of mesospheric fronts in OI 557.7 nm and broadband OH airglow emissions: Analysis of frontal structure, atmospheric background conditions, and potential sourcing mechanisms
Authors: Brown L. B. , Gerrard A. J. , Meriwether J. W. , Makela J. J.
Published: October 2004

All‐sky imaging observations of distinct, large horizontal transient mesospheric structures with a spatial scale of ∼100 km detected in images of broadband OH and OI 557.7 nm airglow emissions were made over Clemson, South Carolina, on the night of 14–15 October 2001. We designate these structures as mesospheric fronts and present a detailed summary of this night series of observations, paying particular attention to the details of the different frontal structures, the wave‐like activity seen throughout the night, and the background atmospheric conditions. These data are compared to other observations of similar mesospheric fronts found in the literature, and we seek to understand them in relation to mesospheric bores, ducted gravity waves, mesospheric wall events, and nonlinear gravity wave interactions. We find that the observed frontal characteristics and the atmospheric background structure exhibit a close resemblance to previous observations of mesospheric bores. Owing to this similarity, and supported by gravity wave ray‐tracing experiments, we propose a sequence of events that generated the mesospheric fronts observed in the airglow emission. Furthermore, we note this similarity in atmospheric structure suggests a potential means of predicting the occurrence of such mesospheric phenomena.
Observation of coherent echoes with narrow spectra near 150 km altitude during daytime away from the dip equator
Authors: Choudhary R. K. , St.‐Maurice J.‐P. , Mahajan K. K.
Published: October 2004

We present the rare observation of backscatter echoes perpendicular to the geomagnetic field from the 150 km altitude vicinity over a region situated away from the dip equator, namely, at Gadanki (13.5°N, 79.2°E, 6.4° dip latitude). A layer of weak echoes, having Signal‐to‐Noise Ratio (SNR) of the order of −12 to −3 dB, was seen drifting downward from 157 km at 0930 LT to about 148 km at 1028 LT on July 12, 1997. The Doppler velocity as well as Doppler Width was in the range 10–20 ms−1. While there was no quasi‐periodicity as such in terms of echo occurrence, the echo properties were in other respects very similar to 150 km echoes seen in equatorial regions. This included the descending phase with time during the morning hours. These constitute the first observations of daytime 150 km echoes away from the dip‐equator and only add to the mystery regarding the origin of these structures.
Hisslers: Quasi‐periodic VLF noise forms observed at low latitude ground station Jammu (L = 1.17)
Authors: Singh Krishna Kumar , Singh Rajesh , Singh R. P. , Shyampati
Published: October 2004

This paper reports the observation of hisslers at a low latitude ground station Jammu (geomag. lat., 22°26′N), which are falling tone noises during the period of hiss activity and appear in minute‐long sequences with average spacing between individual bursts of the order of 0.2 seconds and falling tones do not overlap in time. Generation and propagation mechanisms are briefly discussed.
Parameterizing ocean eddy transports from surface to bottom
Authors: Aiki Hidenori , Jacobson Tivon , Yamagata Toshio
Published: October 2004

We consider new parameterization schemes for the extra transport velocity by eddies in a stratified fluid, with particular emphasis on baroclinic instability. These come in the form of elliptic equations, previously unmentioned, which we derive for the eddy‐induced overturning stream function. They guarantee decrease of the mean field potential energy. Our principal example gives a relationship between the vertical shear of the overturning velocity and the buoyancy torque of the main geostrophic current. The parameterized velocity is nonsingular at the bottom and the sea surface, contrasting with previous constant‐coefficient theories based on depth diffusion. Idealized two‐dimensional numerical experiments successfully reproduce meridional overturning circulation even when the background density gradient is uniform everywhere (the Eady problem) or when the bottom is steeply sloped. We further demonstrate that adding an eddy form drag (wave stress) term in the TRM momentum equations yields overturning of the velocity field.
Organic functionalization of sidewall of carbon nanotubes
Authors: Kang Hong Seok
Published: October 2004

Using density functional theory, we have theoretically studied sidewall functionalization of carbon nanotubes (CNT) with a nucleophilic organic carbene, dipyridyl imidazolidene (DPI). When compared to the dissociated system, formation of the adduct from defect-free (5,5) tube and the DPI is weakly exothermic. However, introduction of (5,7,7,5) defect or nitrogen doping at the CNT stabilizes the adduct in both physical and chemical senses, suggesting a possible way to enrich the chemistry of sidewall functionalization. The work function of the adducts is found to decrease by ∼0.4 eV per DPI/80 atoms. Upon binding of the DPI, electronic structures are modified in such a way that small gaps are introduced, where the size of the gap depends upon the degree of functionalization.
Higher virial coefficients of four and five dimensional hard hyperspheres
Authors: Bishop Marvin , Masters Andrew , Vlasov A. Yu.
Published: October 2004

The seventh and eighth virial coefficients for hard hyperspheres are calculated by Monte Carlo techniques. It is found that B7/B26=0.001 43±0.000 13 and 0.000 44±0.000 12 in four and five dimensions, respectively, and that B8/B27=0.000 414±0.000 20 in four dimensions. These values are used to investigate various proposed equations of state. Comparisons against the molecular dynamics calculations of Luban and Michels [M. Luban and J. P. J. Michels, Phys. Rev. A 41, 6796 (1990)] show that their proposed semiempirical form is excellent at higher densities. Moreover, we confirm Santos [A. Santos, J. Chem. Phys. 112, 10680 (2000)] observation in five dimensions that a suitable linear combination of the Percus–Yevick compressibility and virial equations of state fits the molecular dynamics data nearly as well as any other proposed form.
Flat-field grating spectrometer for high-resolution soft x-ray and extreme ultraviolet measurements on an electron beam ion trap
Authors: Beiersdorfer P. , Magee E. W. , Träbert E. , Chen H. , Lepson J. K. , Gu M.-F. , Schmidt M.
Published: October 2004

A R=44.3 m grazing-incidence grating spectrometer has been implemented on the Livermore electron beam ion traps for high-resolution measurements in the soft x-ray and extreme ultraviolet region spanning from below 10 up to 50 Å. The instrument uses a grating with variable line spacing (about 2400 l/mm for a flat field of view. Spectra are recorded with a back-illuminated charge-coupled device detector. The new instrument greatly improves upon the resolution achieved with existing grating spectrometers and complements crystal spectrometers at the shorter wavelengths both in terms of wavelength coverage and polarization independent reflectivity response.
A high-resolution soft x-ray spectrometer on the MAST tokamak
Authors: Nelson M. J. , Barnsley R. , Keenan F. , Meyer H. , Bunting C. A. , Carolan P. G. , Conway N. J. , Cunningham G. , Lehane I. , Tournianski M. R.
Published: October 2004

A curved crystal spectrometer in Johann configuration has been implemented on MAST to obtain values for electron temperature, ion temperature and toroidal velocity. The spectrometer is used to examine medium Z impurities in the soft x-ray region by utilising a Silicon (111) crystal, bent using a 4 pin bending jig, and a CCD detector (Δt=8 ms). Helium-like Argon emissions from 3.94 to 4.00 Å have been examined using a crystal radius of 859.77 mm. The Bragg angle and crystal radius can be adjusted with relative ease. The spectrometer can be scanned toroidally and poloidally to include a radial view which facilitates absolute velocity measurements by assuming radial velocity =0. Doppler shifts of 2.3×10−5 Å (1.8 kms−1) can be measured. The line of sight is shared with a neutral particle analyzer, which enables in situ ion temperature comparisons. Ray tracing has been used for the development of new imaging spectrometers, using spherical/toroidal crystals, planned to be implemented on MAST.
Convex crystal x-ray spectrometer for laser plasma experiments
Authors: May M. , Heeter R. , Emig J.
Published: October 2004

Measuring time and space-resolved spectra is important for understanding Hohlraum and Halfraum plasmas. Experiments at the OMEGA laser have used the Nova TSPEC which was not optimized for the OMEGA diagnostic space envelope or for the needed spectroscopic coverage and resolution. An improved multipurpose spectrometer snout, the MSPEC, has been constructed and fielded on OMEGA. The MSPEC provides the maximal internal volume for mounting crystals without any beam interferences at either 2× or 3× magnification. The RAP crystal is in a convex mounting geometry bent to a 20 cm radius of curvature. The spectral resolution, E/dE, is about 200 at 2.5 keV. The spectral coverage is 2 to 4.5 keV. The MSPEC can record four separate spectra on the framing camera at time intervals of up to several ns. The spectrometer design and initial field-test performance will be presented and compared to that of the TSPEC.
High-resolution crystal spectrometer for the 10–60 Å extreme ultraviolet region
Authors: Beiersdorfer P. , Brown G. V. , Goddard R. , Wargelin B. J.
Published: October 2004

A vacuum crystal spectrometer with nominal resolving power approaching 1000 is described for measuring emission lines with wavelength in the extreme ultraviolet region up to 60 Å. The instrument utilizes a flat octadecyl hydrogen maleate crystal and a thin-window 1D position-sensitive gas proportional detector. This detector employs a 1-μm-thick 100×8 mm2 aluminized polyimide window and operates at one atmosphere pressure. The spectrometer has been implemented on the Livermore electron beam ion traps. The performance of the instrument is illustrated in measurements of the newly discovered magnetic field-sensitive line in Ar8+.