bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Indications for cell stress in response to adenoviral and baculoviral gene transfer observed by proteome profiling of human cancer cells
Authors: Gerner Christopher , Haudek‐Prinz Verena J. , Lackner Andreas , Losert Annemarie , Peter‐Vörösmarty Barbara , Lorenz Olga , Grusch Michael
Published: November 2010

This article was originally published in Electrophoresis 2010, 31, 1822–1832, DOI 10.1002/elps.200900753
Post‐translation modification of proteins in tears
Authors: You Jingjing , Fitzgerald Anna , Cozzi Paul J. , Zhao Zhenjun , Graham Peter , Russell Pamela J. , Walsh Bradley J. , Willcox Mark , Zhong Ling , Wasinger Valerie , Li Yong
Published: November 2010

This article was originally published in Electrophoresis 2010, 31, 1853–1861, DOI 10.1002/elps.200900755
IEF pattern classification‐derived criteria for the identification of epoetin‐δ in urine
Authors: Lamon Séverine , Boccard Julien , Sottas Pierre‐Edouard , Glatz Nicolas , Wuerzner Grégoire , Robinson Neil , Saugy Martial
Published: November 2010

This article was originally published in Electrophoresis 2010, 31, 1918–1924, DOI 10.1002/elps.200900645
Optimized sample preparation of endoscopic collected pancreatic fluid for SDS‐PAGE analysis
Authors: Paulo Joao A. , Lee Linda S. , Wu Bechien , Repas Kathryn , Banks Peter A. , Conwell Darwin L. , Steen Hanno
Published: November 2010

This article was originally published in Electrophoresis 2010, 31, 2377–2387, DOI 10.1002/elps.200900762
Whole blood assay for trypsin activity using polyanionic focusing gel electrophoresis
Authors: Lefkowitz Roy B. , Schmid‐Schönbein Geert W. , Heller Michael J.
Published: November 2010

This article was originally published in Electrophoresis 2010, 31, 2442–2451, DOI 10.1002/elps.201000011
Burning Characteristics and Sensitivity Characteristics of Some Guanidinium 1,5′‐bis‐1H‐Tetrazolate/Metal Oxide Mixtures as Candidate Gas Generating Agent
Authors: Date Shingo , Sugiyama Takumi , Itadzu Norikazu , Nishi Shizuka
Published: November 2010

Burning characteristics and sensitivity characteristics of some stoichiometric ratio guanidinium 1,5′‐bis‐1H‐tetrazolate (G15B)/metal oxide mixtures were examined. The linear burning rates of the G15B/CuO mixture were higher compared to other G15B/metal oxide mixtures and 5‐amino‐1H‐tetrazole(5‐ATZ)/Sr(NO3)2 mixture, although the average rate of pressure rise during the closed vessel test was lower compared to 5‐ATZ/Sr(NO3)2 mixture. The temperature rise for both G15B/CuO and G15B/MnO2 mixtures was considerably lower than that of 5‐ATZ/Sr(NO3)2 mixture. G15B/Fe2O3 mixture was the most insensitive among G15B/metal oxide mixtures during the drop hammer test, while G15B/CuO mixture was the second most insensitive. All G15B/metal oxide mixtures were insensitive against friction and electric spark discharge (ESD). Four seconds ignition temperature for G15B/CuO mixture was over 100 K lower than that of 5‐ATZ/Sr(NO3)2 mixture, but the apparent activation energy for ignition was higher. Among the G15B/metal oxide mixtures studied, G15B/CuO mixture showed the fastest burning rate, while it showed a relatively low temperature rise and low sensitivity. G15B/ZnO did not burn at all.
Predicting protein flexibility through the prediction of local structures
Authors: Bornot Aurélie , Etchebest Catherine , de Brevern Alexandre G.
Published: November 2010

Protein structures are valuable tools for understanding protein function. However, protein dynamics is also considered a key element in protein function. Therefore, in addition to structural analysis, fully understanding protein function at the molecular level now requires accounting for flexibility. However, experimental techniques that produce both types of information simultaneously are still limited. Prediction approaches are useful alternative tools for obtaining otherwise unavailable data. It has been shown that protein structure can be described by a limited set of recurring local structures. In this context, we previously established a library composed of 120 overlapping long structural prototypes (LSPs) representing fragments of 11 residues in length and covering all known local protein structures. On the basis of the close sequence‐structure relationship observed in LSPs, we developed a novel prediction method that proposes structural candidates in terms of LSPs along a given sequence. The prediction accuracy rate was high given the number of structural classes. In this study, we use this methodology to predict protein flexibility. We first examine flexibility according to two different descriptors, the B‐factor and root mean square fluctuations from molecular dynamics simulations. We then show the relevance of using both descriptors together. We define three flexibility classes and propose a method based on the LSP prediction method for predicting flexibility along the sequence. The prediction rate reaches 49.6%. This method competes rather efficiently with the most recent, cutting‐edge methods based on true flexibility data learning with sophisticated algorithms. Accordingly, flexibility information should be taken into account in structural prediction assessments. Proteins 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Salt bridges: Geometrically specific, designable interactions
Authors: Donald Jason E. , Kulp Daniel W. , DeGrado William F.
Published: November 2010

Salt bridges occur frequently in proteins, providing conformational specificity and contributing to molecular recognition and catalysis. We present a comprehensive analysis of these interactions in protein structures by surveying a large database of protein structures. Salt bridges between Asp or Glu and His, Arg, or Lys display extremely well‐defined geometric preferences. Several previously observed preferences are confirmed, and others that were previously unrecognized are discovered. Salt bridges are explored for their preferences for different separations in sequence and in space, geometric preferences within proteins and at protein–protein interfaces, co‐operativity in networked salt bridges, inclusion within metal‐binding sites, preference for acidic electrons, apparent conformational side chain entropy reduction on formation, and degree of burial. Salt bridges occur far more frequently between residues at close than distant sequence separations, but, at close distances, there remain strong preferences for salt bridges at specific separations. Specific types of complex salt bridges, involving three or more members, are also discovered. As we observe a strong relationship between the propensity to form a salt bridge and the placement of salt‐bridging residues in protein sequences, we discuss the role that salt bridges might play in kinetically influencing protein folding and thermodynamically stabilizing the native conformation. We also develop a quantitative method to select appropriate crystal structure resolution and B‐factor cutoffs. Detailed knowledge of these geometric and sequence dependences should aid de novo design and prediction algorithms. Proteins 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exploring the role of structure and dynamics in the function of chymotrypsin inhibitor 2
Authors: Whitley Matthew J. , Lee Andrew L.
Published: November 2010

Increasing awareness of the possible role of internal dynamics in protein function has led to the development of new methods for experimentally characterizing protein dynamics across multiple time scales, especially using NMR spectroscopy. A few analyses of the conformational dynamics of proteins ranging from nonallosteric single domains to multidomain allosteric enzymes are now available; however, demonstrating a connection between dynamics and function remains difficult on account of the comparative lack of studies examining both changes in dynamics and changes in function in response to the same perturbations. In previous work, we characterized changes in structure and dynamics on the ps–ns time scale resulting from hydrophobic core mutations in chymotrypsin inhibitor 2 and found that there are moderate, persistent global changes in dynamics in the absence of gross structural changes (Whitley et al., Biochemistry 2008;47:8566–8576). Here, we assay those and additional mutants for inhibitory ability toward the serine proteases elastase and chymotrypsin to determine the effects of mutation on function. Results indicate that core mutation has only a subtle effect on CI2 function. Using chemical shifts, we also studied the effect of complex formation on CI2 structure and found that perturbations are greatest at the complex interface but also propagate toward CI2's hydrophobic core. The structure–dynamics–function data set completed here suggests that dynamics plays a limited role in the function of this small model system, although we do observe a correlation between nanosecond‐scale reactive loop motions and inhibitory ability for mutations at one key position in the hydrophobic core. Proteins 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In silico modeling of pH‐optimum of protein–protein binding
Authors: Mitra Rooplekha C. , Zhang Zhe , Alexov Emil
Published: November 2010

Protein–protein association is a pH‐dependent process and thus the binding affinity depends on the local pH. In vivo the association occurs in a particular cellular compartment, where the individual monomers are supposed to meet and form a complex. Since the monomers and the complex exist in the same micro environment, it is plausible that they coevolved toward its properties, in particular, toward the characteristic subcellular pH. Here we show that the pH at which the monomers are most stable (pH‐optimum) or the pH at which stability is almost pH‐independent (pH‐flat) of monomers are correlated with the pH‐optimum of maximal affinity (pH‐optimum of binding) or pH interval at which affinity is almost pH‐independent (pH‐flat of binding) of the complexes made of the corresponding monomers. The analysis of interfacial properties of protein complexes demonstrates that pH‐dependent properties can be roughly estimated using the interface charge alone. In addition, we introduce a parameter beta, proportional to the square root of the absolute product of the net charges of monomers, and show that protein complexes characterized with small or very large beta tend to have neutral pH‐optimum. Further more, protein complexes made of monomers carrying the same polarity net charge at neutral pH have either very low or very high pH‐optimum of binding. These findings are used to propose empirical rule for predicting pH‐optimum of binding provided that the amino acid compositions of the corresponding monomers are available. Proteins 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Harmonic radar: efficacy at detecting and recovering insects on agricultural host plants
Authors: Boiteau Gilles , Vincent Charles , Meloche François , Leskey Tracy C , Colpitts Bruce G
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND: In pest management research, harmonic radar systems have been largely used to study insect movement across open or vegetation‐poor areas because the microwave signal is attenuated by the high water content of vegetation. This study evaluated whether the efficacy of this technology is sufficient to track insects in vegetative landscapes.

RESULTS: Field efficacy data were collected using portable harmonic microwave radar and electronic dipole tags mounted on adults of three economically important pests: Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), Diabrotica virginifera virginifera (LeComte) and Conotrachelus nenuphar Herbst. Detection and recovery of tagged Colorado potato beetles, plum curculios and western corn rootworms was high within and among potato plants, moderate within apple trees and high within, but not between, corn plants respectively. The efficacy of the radar depends on the ability of the operator to move around the host, scanning for a signal ‘sightline’ with the tagged insect among plant structures.

CONCLUSION: The detection rate of tagged insects by harmonic radar systems is high enough to track the walking path of pests through low row crops such as potato, tall row crops such as corn or tall but well‐separated trees of orchard‐type crops by adapting the scanning procedure to the vegetative architecture. Copyright © 2010 Crown in the right of Canada. Published by JohnWiley & Sons, Ltd
Stokes and anti‐Stokes blue light emissions of thermal‐evaporated silica sub‐micron wires
Authors: Tao Chuanyi , Li Xueming , Feng Wenlin , Yang Jianchun , Li Wulin , Li Yongfu , Yang Wenjing
Published: November 2010

Based on the thermal evaporation of silicon monoxide at high temperature, an improved method has been developed for large‐scale synthesis of ultralong amorphous silica sub‐micron wires using polished p‐Si wafers as substrates. The synthesis was done with and without thermite. The morphology and structure of the silica wires was investigated through field‐emission scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffractometer. Almost uniform sub‐micron wires with average diameters of 300 nm and length up to hundreds of micrometers were obtained in presence of thermite while sub‐micron wires with many curved segments were obtained in absence of the thermite. Both forms of silica wires emitted blue lights at 478 nm (∼2.6 eV) under excitation at 351 nm (∼3.5 eV), while intense anti‐Stokes blue emissions at 464 nm (∼2.7 eV) were observed under the 694 nm (∼1.8 eV) excitation due to the upconversion effect. This effect is associated with defect centers arising from high oxygen deficiency. The emissions from oxygen deficiency centers might be caused by multistep energy transfer from nonbridging oxygen hole centers to oxygen deficiency centers.
A DEM‐based parallel computing hydrodynamic and transport model
Authors: Zhang Yan Jun , Jha Manoj , Gu Roy , Wensheng Luo , Alin Lei
Published: November 2010

The sudden and accidental water pollution response system (SAWPRS) for Yangtze River in central China required to develop a hydrodynamic and transport model, which is readily available and capable of simulating a large river system within GIS environment. This study facilitates such effort by developing a parallel computing method based on digital elevation model (DEM) using overlapping domain decomposition approach (ODDA) and message passing interface (MPI) protocol. The hydrodynamic and transport model was redesigned using finite volume method for hydrodynamic and transport model dispersion, the SIMPLEC method for solving the flow field, and the pressure weighted interpolating method for the flow field modification. This modelling approach was verified in two experiments using different sets of computer clusters. The model output was evaluated against the measured data collected for the year 1998 for Wanzhou, an upstream river segment of Yangtze River. The relative error was found to be less than 10%. The performance of parallel computation was found excellent as evident from the cost efficiency values greater than 0.81 in both experiments and increased computation speed while increasing the number of computer clusters. Overall, the parallel computing modelling system developed here was found to meet all requirements of SAWPRS. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improved IPsec performance utilizing transport‐layer‐aware compression architecture
Authors: Li Jung‐Shian , Hsieh Che‐Jen , Chang Chih‐Ying , Chilamkurti Naveen
Published: November 2010

With the rapid growth of applications in Internet communication, the security for transmitting information on public network has become a fundamental issue. The Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) standard is developed by Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) to provide the security services at the IP layer. IPSec solutions invariably result in a large‐packet size and a long processing time. Accordingly, this paper proposes new compression architecture, designated as Efficient Secure Pipe (ES_PIPE), to improve both the security and the performance of IPv6 networks. In contrast to traditional IPsec compression schemes, ES_PIPE provides a transport‐layer‐aware compression capability for different types of packets (e.g., TCP or UDP/RTP packets). The experimental results show that the proposed scheme reduces 20–30% transmission time compared to IPsec. Furthermore, ES_PIPE scheme yields about 20% improvement in the efficiency of the encryption and decryption processes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
RFID system for public train transportation
Authors: Chen Chin‐Ling , Chong Mei‐Li
Published: November 2010

Nowadays, the problem of a shortage of energy is becoming more and more serious. This has resulted in the global governments' appeal to people to take public transportation systems as much as possible. But, the public transportation system has a lot of problems that cause people's interest in taking the public transportation system to get lower and lower. For example, many passengers use many kinds of management loopholes to avoid buying tickets. This action forces the companies involved in providing the public transportation system to strengthen manpower for inspecting tickets. Hence, the companies will shift cost to the customers forcing ticket prices higher and higher as well as passengers becoming more frustrated with the increase in inspecting tickets. In this paper, we take the Taiwan Railways Administration (it owns different ticket types and different train types in the same public transportation system) as our implement environment and we use Radio‐Frequency Identification (RFID) methods conforming to EPCglobal Class 1 Generation 2 (C1G2) standards to solve this train‐jumping problem and reduce the manpower cost of the public transportation system companies. And most importantly, our scheme also enhances higher security. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Content based image hashing using companding and gray code
Authors: Yang Lei , Chen Qian , Tian Jun , Wu Dapeng
Published: November 2010

Easily processing, storing, and propagating of digital images demand efficient and automatic techniques to identify and verify image contents. Image hashing is such a promising technique to represent and authenticate images without changing the content of images. The new robust image feature we use is the Morlet wavelet coefficients at feature points with thek‐largest local total variations in images. The Morlet wavelet coefficients are pseudo randomly permutated such that image hashes have a small collision rate and are difficult to analyze by attackers. The Morlet wavelet coefficients are further quantized using companding technique and binarily coded using Gray code to form the final hash.Experimental resultsshow the effectiveness and robustness of our method. The proposed image hash could have applications in image authentication and video signature. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mixture cure model with random effects for the analysis of a multi‐center tonsil cancer study
Authors: Peng Yingwei , Taylor Jeremy M. G.
Published: November 2010

Cure models for clustered survival data have the potential for broad applicability. In this paper, we consider the mixture cure model with random effects and propose several estimation methods based on Gaussian quadrature, rejection sampling, and importance sampling to obtain the maximum likelihood estimates of the model for clustered survival data with a cure fraction. The methods are flexible to accommodate various correlation structures. A simulation study demonstrates that the maximum likelihood estimates of parameters in the model tend to have smaller biases and variances than the estimates obtained from the existing methods. We apply the model to a study of tonsil cancer patients clustered by treatment centers to investigate the effect of covariates on the cure rate and on the failure time distribution of the uncured patients. The maximum likelihood estimates of the parameters demonstrate strong correlation among the failure times of the uncured patients and weak correlation among cure statuses in the same center. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving small‐sample inference in group randomized trials with binary outcomes
Authors: Westgate Philip M. , Braun Thomas M.
Published: November 2010

Group Randomized Trials (GRTs) randomize groups of people to treatment or control arms instead of individually randomizing subjects. When each subject has a binary outcome, over‐dispersed binomial data may result, quantified as an intra‐cluster correlation (ICC). Typically, GRTs have a small number,bin, of independent clusters, each of which can be quite large. Treating the ICC as a nuisance parameter, inference for a treatment effect can be done using quasi‐likelihood with a logistic link. A Wald statistic, which, under standard regularity conditions, has an asymptotic standard normal distribution, can be used to test for a marginal treatment effect. However, we have found in our setting that the Wald statistic may have a variance less than 1, resulting in a test size smaller than its nominal value. This problem is most apparent when marginal probabilities are close to 0 or 1, particularly whennis small and the ICC is not negligible. When the ICC is known, we develop a method for adjusting the estimated standard error appropriately such that the Wald statistic will approximately have a standard normal distribution. We also propose ways to handle non‐nominal test sizes when the ICC is estimated. We demonstrate the utility of our methods through simulation results covering a variety of realistic settings for GRTs. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bias reduction in conditional logistic regression
Authors: Sun Jenny X. , Sinha Samiran , Wang Suojin , Maiti Tapabrata
Published: November 2010

We employ a general bias preventive approach developed by Firth (Biometrika1993;80:27–38) to reduce the bias of an estimator of the log‐odds ratio parameter in a matched case–control study by solving a modified score equation. We also propose a method to calculate the standard error of the resultant estimator. A closed‐form expression for the estimator of the log‐odds ratio parameter is derived in the case of a dichotomous exposure variable. Finite sample properties of the estimator are investigated via a simulation study. Finally, we apply the method to analyze a matched case–control data from a low birthweight study. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using latent variable modeling and multiple imputation to calibrate rater bias in diagnosis assessment
Authors: Siddique Juned , Crespi Catherine M. , Gibbons Robert D. , Green Bonnie L.
Published: November 2010

We present an approach that uses latent variable modeling and multiple imputation to correct rater bias when one group of raters tends to be more lenient in assigning a diagnosis than another. Our method assumes that there exists an unobserved moderate category of patient who is assigned a positive diagnosis by one type of rater and a negative diagnosis by the other type. We present a Bayesian random effects censored ordinal probit model that allows us to calibrate the diagnoses across rater types by identifying and multiply imputing ‘case’ or ‘non‐case’ status for patients in the moderate category. A Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm is presented to estimate the posterior distribution of the model parameters and generate multiple imputations. Our method enables the calibrated diagnosis variable to be used in subsequent analyses while also preserving uncertainty in true diagnosis. We apply our model to diagnoses of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from a depression study where nurse practitioners were twice as likely as clinical psychologists to diagnose PTSD despite the fact that participants were randomly assigned to either a nurse or a psychologist. Our model appears to balance PTSD rates across raters, provides a good fit to the data, and preserves between‐rater variability. After calibrating the diagnoses of PTSD across rater types, we perform an analysis looking at the effects of comorbid PTSD on changes in depression scores over time. Results are compared with an analysis that uses the original diagnoses and show that calibrating the PTSD diagnoses can yield different inferences. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multinationals' response to major disasters: how does subsidiary investment vary in response to the type of disaster and the quality of country governance?
Authors: Oh Chang Hoon , Oetzel Jennifer
Published: November 2010

We investigate the response of multinational corporations (MNCs) to major disasters at the subsidiary level. We examine the type and severity of the disaster and whether and how country governance moderates the relationship between exogenous disaster risk and subsidiary investment. We test our hypotheses with a panel dataset of 71 large European MNCs and their subsidiaries (2001–2006) with 31,285 total observations. Findings suggest that the number of a firm's foreign subsidiaries is likely to decrease in response to terrorist attacks or technological disasters but not natural disasters, regardless of the severity of the event. For terrorist activities, MNC subsidiary‐level disinvestment is less likely when the quality of host country governance is higher. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of high hydrostatic pressure on starches: A review
Authors: Pei‐Ling Liu , Xiao‐Song Hu , Qun Shen
Published: November 2010

Various strategies have been employed to enhance starch property, including thermal processing, chemical modification. The application of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) may be a complementary, synergistic, or an additive starch enhancement technique. While most current applications of HHP are in starch processing, over 25 starches had been investigated by HHP, which can induce gelatinization and modification of some starches. Different starch responds differently to high pressure depending on the pressure range, starch source, pressurization temperature and time, different solvent and starch concentration. We have re‐examined the information on the various factors that influence the HHP‐induced structure, gelatinization, retrogradation, and modification of starches from different plant sources, with an emphasis on the HHP‐induced gelatinization. The compiled evidence of high pressure starch enhancement in this paper indicates that HHP is an effective technology with potential for greater utilization in starch application.
Rheological properties and phase transition of cornstarches with different amylose/amylopectin ratios under shear stress
Authors: Wang Jun , Yu Long , Xie Fengwei , Chen Ling , Li Xiaoxi , Liu Hongsheng
Published: November 2010

The rheological properties and phase transition of cornstarch with low moisture content under shear stress was investigated using a mixer with twin‐roller rotors by the variation of torque as functions of temperature and time. Cornstarches with different AM/AP ratios (wx: 4:96, maize: 29:71, Gelose 50: 62:38, and Gelose 80: 77:23) were used as model materials in the experimental work. The results showed that, as the AM content increased from 0 to 77%, the maximum torque increased from about 54 to 66 N/m and the final torque increased from about 27 to 47 N/m, respectively, and a longer mixing time was required to achieve a stable state (constant torque value). Microscopic and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies showed that the phase transition reflected by changes of birefringence and endotherms could well be associated with the torque curve measured by the mixer. The higher gelatinization temperatures of the starches with higher AM content, and especially the existence of multi‐phase transitions at high temperatures, could explain the rheological behaviors detected by the mixer. The technique can be used to study the starch melting and destructuration under shear stress with low moisture content (<45%), which represents the most of extrusion conditions for starch‐based materials.
Transvaginal three‐dimensional ultrasound: a method of studying anal anatomy and function
Authors: Olsen I. P. , Wilsgaard T. , Kiserud T.
Published: November 2010

Objectives

To explore the possibility of using transvaginal 3D ultrasound as a method of assessing the compartments of the anal canal during rest, to determine the effect of squeeze, and to compare these findings with those obtained using the endoanal technique in the same women.

Methods

Transvaginal 3D ultrasound was used in a cross‐sectional study measuring the anal mucosa and sphincters during rest and squeeze in 20 nulligravida women, comparing the results with those of endoanal measurements. Measurements were also performed of the anal mucosa, anorectal curvature (ARC), and anovaginal angle (AVA) and distance (AVD).

Results

Volume measurements of the anal mucosa were only possible using transvaginal ultrasound. The mean volume of the anal canal using the transvaginal technique was 7.93 (SD 2.26) and 7.34 (1.54) cm3 during rest and squeeze, respectively (P = 0.082). The ARC became more acute (3.46 vs. 4.12°/mm, P = 0.031) during squeeze and AVA increased (31.7° vs. 35.8°, P = 0.010). The volume of the anal mucosa (3.12 cm3) did not change (P = 0.193), but was distorted during squeeze at the level of the puborectalis sling (P < 0.001 for upper cross‐section and diameter). The anal canal was 1 cm longer (P < 0.001), the IAS volume larger (2.97 and 2.08 cm3, P = 0.003), and the EAS volume smaller (1.85 and 3.96 cm3, P < 0.001) using the 3D transvaginal technique compared with the endoanal measurements at rest, with similar differences observed on squeeze.

Conclusion

In contrast to the endoanal method, transvaginal 3D ultrasound provides a complete assessment of the anal canal, including the mucosa. This method seems suitable for functional studies such as in the present one, which shows that voluntary squeeze increases the angulation of the anal canal and distorts the bowel cross‐section at the level of the puborectal muscle. Copyright © 2011 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Communication: Rotational g-factor and spin-rotation constant of CH+
Authors: Sauer Stephan P. A.
Published: November 2010

The rotational g-factor and spin-rotation constants of the methylidynium ion CH+ have been calculated for the first time with a large multiconfigurational self-consistent field wave function and at the coupled-cluster singles and doubles level augmented by a perturbative triples correction. The results for an equilibrium internuclear distance as well as for the v=0, J=1 vibration-rotational state are presented.
Materials optimization of the magnonic gap in three-dimensional magnonic crystals with spheres in hexagonal structure
Authors: Krawczyk M. , Klos J. , Sokolovskyy M. L. , Mamica S.
Published: November 2010

We present the results of plane wave method-based calculations adopted to magnonic band structures for exchange spin waves propagating in three-dimensional magnonic crystals (MCs) composed of two ferromagnetic metals. The crystals under consideration consist of a system of ferromagnetic spheres arranged in sites of a hexagonal lattice and embedded in a ferromagnetic material. Having analyzed all the possible combinations of magnonic crystal component materials from: Co, Ni, Fe, and Py (for spheres and matrix), we find material configurations for which either absolute or partial magnonic gaps occur in the spin-wave spectrum of the MC. We also demonstrate that the opening of a magnonic gap necessitates a sufficiently large contrast of magnetic parameters, and find the exchange length contrast to be the best measure of the capacity of the MC to produce a magnonic gap. Wider magnonic gaps are obtained in MCs in which the exchange length in the sphere material is larger than in the matrix. Among the MCs considered in this study, an absolute magnonic gap is obtained in a crystal with Ni spheres embedded in Fe.
Current-perpendicular-to-plane spin valves with a Co2Mn(Ga0.5Sn0.5) Heusler alloy
Authors: Hase N. , Varaprasad B. S. D. Ch. S. , Nakatani T. M. , Sukegawa H. , Kasai S. , Takahashi Y. K. , Furubayashi T. , Hono K.
Published: November 2010

Current-perpendicular-to-plane spin valves (SVs) with a new Heusler alloy of Co2Mn(Ga0.5Sn0.5) (CMGS) as magnetic layers and an Ag spacer have been investigated. Magnetoresistance (MR) values of 8.8% and 17.2% and resistance change-area product (ΔRA) of 4.0 mΩ μm2 and 6.5 mΩ μm2 were measured at 300 K and 12 K, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy observations have revealed that the CMGS magnetic layer was ordered to the B2 structure for the SV annealed at 400 °C. Higher annealing temperature led to the degradation of the multilayer structure, resulting in lower MR and ΔRA values regardless of the L21 structure of the CMGS layer. This suggests that MR properties may be enhanced further if the thermal stability of the multilayer structure is improved.
Influence of exponential-doping structure on photoemission capability of transmission-mode GaAs photocathodes
Authors: Zhang Yijun , Niu Jun , Zhao Jing , Zou Jijun , Chang Benkang , Shi Feng , Cheng Hongchang
Published: November 2010

In order to verify the actual effect of an exponential-doping structure on cathode performance, an exponential-doping structure has been applied to the preparation of the transmission-mode GaAs photocathode via molecular beam epitaxy technique. Compared with the uniform-doping photocathode, the activation and spectral response results show that the exponential-doping photocathode can achieve a higher photoemission capability. In addition, based on the revised uniform-doping and exponential-doping transmission-mode quantum yield equations, the cathode performance parameters such as electron average transport length and electron escape probability of the exponential-doping photocathode are obtained, which are greater than those of the uniform-doping one. The improvement in the cathode performance is attributed to the built-in electric field arising from this special doping structure, which effectively increases the electron transport efficiency and escape probability.
Velocity field of isolated turbulent puffs
Authors: Ghaem-Maghami E. , Johari H.
Published: November 2010

The velocity field of isolated turbulent puffs was measured using the particle image velocimetry technique and was compared with the steady jet flow field. Puffs were generated by injecting air through a 5 mm diameter nozzle into a flow chamber with a weak coflow. Isolated puffs with a Reynolds number of 5000 were examined in the range of 40–75 diameters downstream of the nozzle. The injection time was varied in order to assess the effects of injection volume and equivalent stroke ratio on the puff structure. The results from phase-locked measurements indicate that as the injection volume increased, puffs elongated in the axial direction and became similar to starting jets in the range considered. The largest scaled fluctuating velocities and turbulent shear stress within the puffs were twice the steady jet values. Inspection of the vorticity field revealed the presence of vorticity throughout the puff volume. Entrainment takes place on the portion of the puff closest to the nozzle and the entrainment rate is greater for the puffs with the smaller injection volume. This is consistent with the observations of rapid mixing and combustion of puffs in previous studies.
High conductivity carbon nanotube wires from radial densification and ionic doping
Authors: Alvarenga Jack , Jarosz Paul R. , Schauerman Chris M. , Moses Brian T. , Landi Brian J. , Cress Cory D. , Raffaelle Ryne P.
Published: November 2010

Application of drawing dies to radially densify sheets of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into bulk wires has shown the ability to control electrical conductivity and wire density. Simultaneous use of KAuBr4 doping solution, during wire drawing, has led to an electrical conductivity in the CNT wire of 1.3×106 S/m. Temperature-dependent electrical measurements show that conduction is dominated by fluctuation-assisted tunneling, and introduction of KAuBr4 significantly reduces the tunneling barrier between individual nanotubes. Ultimately, the concomitant doping and densification process leads to closer packed CNTs and a reduced charge transfer barrier, resulting in enhanced bulk electrical conductivity.
Polymorphic transformation induced by nanoimprinted technology in pentacene-film early-stage growth
Authors: Chang Ming-Hua , Chou Wei-Yang , Lee Yung-Chun , Cheng Horng-Long , Chung Hao-Yuan , Chang Chung-Chih , Chiu Cheng-Yu , Ho Tsung-Yeh
Published: November 2010

Polymorphism control of organic semiconductor films greatly affects optoelectronic device performance. The thin-film phase is always the dominant phase in the early growth of pentacene films; however, the performance of the bulk phase is superior to that of the thin-film phase. In the present study, a nanoimprinted polyimide layer is used to induce the growth of the bulk phase in the early stage. The bulk phase appears in the initial few layers and its dominance of the polymorphisms in the pentacene film increases with increasing thickness. The mechanism of the phase transformation is explained.
Hall effect in a strong magnetic field: Direct comparisons of compressible magnetohydrodynamics and the reduced Hall magnetohydrodynamic equations
Authors: Martin L. N. , Dmitruk P. , Gomez D. O.
Published: November 2010

In this work we numerically test a model of Hall magnetohydrodynamics in the presence of a strong mean magnetic field: the reduced Hall magnetohydrodynamic model (RHMHD) derived by [Gomez et al., Phys. Plasmas 15, 102303 (2008)] with the addition of weak compressible effects. The main advantage of this model lies in the reduction of computational cost. Nevertheless, up until now the degree of agreement with the original Hall MHD system and the range of validity in a regime of turbulence were not established. In this work direct numerical simulations of three-dimensional Hall MHD turbulence in the presence of a strong mean magnetic field are compared with simulations of the weak compressible RHMHD model. The results show that the degree of agreement is very high (when the different assumptions of RHMHD, such as spectral anisotropy, are satisfied). Nevertheless, when the initial conditions are isotropic but the mean magnetic field is maintained strong, the results differ at the beginning but asymptotically reach a good agreement at relatively short times. We also found evidence that the compressibility still plays a role in the dynamics of these systems, and the weak compressible RHMHD model is able to capture these effects. In conclusion the weak compressible RHMHD model is a valid approximation of the Hall MHD turbulence in the relevant physical context.
Reliability in room-temperature negative differential resistance characteristics of low-aluminum content AlGaN/GaN double-barrier resonant tunneling diodes
Authors: Bayram C. , Vashaei Z. , Razeghi M.
Published: November 2010

AlGaN/GaN resonant tunneling diodes (RTDs), consisting of 20% (10%) aluminum-content in double-barrier (DB) active layer, were grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition on freestanding polar (c-plane) and nonpolar (m-plane) GaN substrates. RTDs were fabricated into 35-μm-diameter devices for electrical characterization. Lower aluminum content in the DB active layer and minimization of dislocations and polarization fields increased the reliability and reproducibility of room-temperature negative differential resistance (NDR). Polar RTDs showed decaying NDR behavior, whereas nonpolar ones did not significantly. Averaging over 50 measurements, nonpolar RTDs demonstrated a NDR of 67 Ω, a current-peak-to-valley ratio of 1.08, and an average oscillator output power of 0.52 mW.
The role and basis of the drug laws
Authors: Nutt David
Published: November 2010

On 30 October 2009, the home secretary in the UK asked David Nutt to resign from his post as chairman of the government's advisory council on the misuse of drugs. The previous day, the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies at King's College London had published Nutt's paper, ‘Estimating drug harms: a risky business?’. This is an edited version of his Eve Saville memorial lecture, delivered at Kings College in July 2009. The paper points out that ecstasy and LSD are less dangerous than alcohol. He had previously clashed with the home office over his editorial, ‘Equasy – an overlooked addiction with implications for the current debate on drug harms’, published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology in January 2009. This reflects on the reality that ecstasy is overall less harmful than riding. The home secretary was not amused, and the relationship between academic publication and scientific advice to government was cast into the limelight. David Nutt is now chair of the Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs.
The ‘War on Drugs’ has failed. It's time for a war on drugs
Authors: Hoyle Ewan
Published: November 2010

Ewan Hoyle is founder of the pressure group, Liberal Democrats for Drug Policy Reform.
Web 2.0 is cheap: supply exceeds demand
Authors: Rayna Thierry , Striukova Ludmila
Published: November 2010

The aim of this paper is to evaluate, from an economic perspective, the efficiency of Web 2.0. It demonstrates that, because of the non‐monetary nature of Web 2.0, several sources of inefficiencies (search costs, externalities, crowding out and adverse selection) exist. Nonetheless, the economic nature of digital products and the expected low value of most online content make it impossible to adopt a simple market scheme for Web 2.0. In contrast, this paper introduces a concept of demand‐driven Web 2.0 (as opposed to the current Web 2.0, which is supply‐driven) that is expected to provide stronger incentives, through financial reward, for high quality content within a Web 2.0 environment.
The state and awqāf (charitable endowments) in the twenty-first century: from tutelage to partnership
Authors: Abdallah Tarak
Published: November 2010

This article aims to highlight the nature of the relation established over centuries between state and waqf (Islamic endowment). After setting the context of the historical framework that shaped this relation, the article goes on to explore the effects on modern state strategy, originating at the end of the nineteenth century, of administering the awqaf sector, and its consequences for the socioeconomic role of waqf.
Electoral rules, voter mobilization and the Islamist landslide in the Saudi municipal elections of 2005
Authors: Kraetzschmar Hendrik Jan
Published: November 2010

This paper examines the Saudi voting system and its effects on the first nationwide municipal elections held in the Kingdom in 2005. It argues that by encouraging electoral mobilization across districts, the voting system impacted on both the dynamics of the election campaign and its outcome. Drawing on original research conducted in the country, it is demonstrated that, as designed, the rules of the electoral game (1) made possible the formation of electoral alliances, whose presence on the ground gave the entire campaign a distinctly ideological flavour; and (2) facilitated the remarkable victories of Islamist candidates in municipalities across the Kingdom.
Evaluation of Esophageal Motility Using Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance in Healthy Children and Children With Gastroesophageal Reflux
Authors: Di Pace Maria Rita , Caruso Anna Maria , Catalano Pieralba , Casuccio Alessandra , De Grazia Enrico
Published: November 2010

Objective:

Multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII) directly evaluates esophageal bolus transport. There is a good correlation between MII and manometry in healthy adults, but there are no reports concerning children.

The aim of the present study was to determine normal values of esophageal motility using only impedance measurements in healthy children and in a pediatric population with gastroesophageal reflux (GER).

Patients and Methods:

We described in the present study 60 children submitted to pH‐MII for 24 hours for suspected GER. Patients were divided into 2 different groups on the basis of their pH‐MII report. Group 1 patients showed acid GER, whereas group 2 patients had negative pH‐MII analysis for GER despite symptoms. We described impedance reflux and motility parameters on 10 standardized swallows: number of reflux, mean acid clearing time, median bolus clearing time, bolus presence time, total bolus transit time, segmental transit time, and total propagation velocity.

Results:

In group 1, the median mean acid clearing time was 151 seconds, whereas the median mean bolus clearing time was 25 seconds. In group 2 patients, all of the reflux parameters were normal. In group 1 the median bolus presence time at each measuring site, the median total bolus transit time, and the median segmental transit time were significantly greater and total propagation velocity lower than values reported in group 2 (P < 0.001), if compared with those described for adult patients.

Conclusions:

The pH‐MII is an ideal test in children because it studies GER with its characteristics and motility pattern. Our report summarizes for the first time impedance motility parameters in healthy children.
Variation in Prevalence, Diagnostic Criteria, and Initial Management Options for Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases in the United States
Authors: Spergel Jonathan M , Book Wendy M , Mays Elizabeth , Song Lihal , Shah Samir S , Talley Nicholas J , Bonis Peter A
Published: November 2010

Objectives:

Variation in the prevalence of eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases in different geographical regions has not been extensively studied. The aim of the present study was to define the regional and national prevalence of eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases, and differences in practice approaches.

Patients and Methods:

We administered a survey electronically to members of the American College of Gastroenterology, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, and the North American Society Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition. Questions pertained to the number and proportion of patients seen with eosinophilic gastroenteritis or colitis and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), and methods used to diagnose and treat these conditions.

Results:

A total of 1836 physicians responded from 10,874 requests (17% response). Extrapolating responses from our US sample, we estimated an overall prevalence of 52 and 28/100,000 for EoE and eosinophilic gastroenteritis or colitis. The patient burden of EoE is higher in urban (0.58) and suburban (0.44) compared with rural settings (0.36, P < 0.0065), observations consistent with other allergic disorders. There was also increased prevalence in northeast region when calculated by prevalence per 100,000. There was considerable variability in criteria and initial treatment options used to diagnose EoE. Only one‐third of respondents reported using diagnostic criteria proposed in a 2007 consensus document. Seventy‐one and 35% of respondents reported treating some patients with EoE with a food elimination or elemental diet, respectively.

Conclusions:

EoE is diagnosed more often in northeastern states and urban areas. There is considerable variability in diagnostic criteria and initial treatment approach supporting the need for additional clinical trials and consensus development.