bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An MHP framework to provide intelligent personalized recommendations about digital TV contents
Authors: Blanco‐Fernández Yolanda , Pazos‐Arias José J. , Gil‐Solla Alberto , Ramos‐Cabrer Manuel , López‐Nores Martín , García‐Duque Jorge , Fernández‐Vilas Ana , Díaz‐Redondo Rebeca P. , Bermejo‐Muñoz Jesús
Published: October 2007

Digital Television will bring a significant increase in the amount of channels and programs available to end users, with many more difficulties to find contents appealing to them among a myriad of irrelevant information. Thus, automatic content recommenders should receive special attention in the following years to improve their assistance to users. The current content recommenders have important deficiencies that hamper their wide acceptance. In this paper, we present a new approach for automatic content recommendation that significantly reduces those deficiencies. This approach, based on Semantic Web technologies, has been implemented in the AdVAnced Telematic search of Audiovisual contents by semantic Reasoning tool, a hybrid content recommender that makes extensive use of well‐known standards, such as Multimedia Home Platform, TV‐Anytime and OWL. Also, we have carried out an experimental evaluation, the results of which show that our proposal performs better than other existing approaches. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploring dynamics of emergence
Authors: Huaxia Zhang
Published: October 2007

The British emergentists have their pros and cons in the discussion of emergence. They succeeded in expressing the basic characteristics of emergence, but failed to explain how and why a property became emergence. So, the main subject of studying emergence is to explore the dynamics at present. This article redescribes the concept of emergence and proposes the concept of dynamics of emergence to explain how emergence comes into being. The dynamics of emergence can be divided into two parts: micro‐dynamics and macro‐dynamics. The former deals with the emergence coming from the interaction of pre‐existing components of a system through their local interaction, bifurcation and iterative effect going to global pattern, while the latter discusses what the macro conditions and environments of emergence are, how systems adapt to the environment and how the environment selects systems at the edge of chaos. This article also points out that the dynamics of emergence has important implication in the research of organizations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Erweiterung des Stadions Innsbruck “Tivoli Neu” für die Fußballeuropameisterschaft 2008
Authors: Wimmer Albert , Pfister Cornel , Praher Thomas , Bartlechner Josef
Published: October 2007

In Innsbruck werden im Zuge der Fußballeuropameisterschaft EURO 2008 drei Vorrundenspiele absolviert. Der europäische Fußballbund UEFA fordert zur Austragung ein Stadion mit mindestens 30000 Sitzplätzen. Das 2000 fertiggestellte Stadion “Tivoli Neu” in Innsbruck wird als Austragungsort der EM 2008 um ca. 15000 Plätze temporär erweitert.
Vereinfachte Methoden zur Berechnung der dynamischen Antwort von Eisenbahnbrücken bei Zugüberfahrt
Authors: Fink Josef , Mähr Tobias
Published: October 2007

In diesem Beitrag werden zwei verschiedene Methoden zur Berechnung der dynamischen Antwort von einfeldrigen Balkenbrücken mit innerer Dämpfung unter einer Folge von Einzelkräften vorgestellt. Bei der ersten Methode, der “Impulsmethode”, wird der aus der Belastung entstehende effektive Impuls mit einfachen analytischen Funktionen angenähert. Die Brücke wird entsprechend der Modalanalyse auf modale Einfreiheitsgradsysteme reduziert. Für dieses vereinfachte System aus Belastung und Brücke können geschlossene Formeln zur Beschreibung der Schwingungsantwort angegeben werden, was am Beispiel des Lastmodells HSLM‐A1 nach Eurocode 1 (EC1) gezeigt wird. Bei der zweiten Methode wird das in der Baudynamik vielfach bewährte Antwortspektrenverfahren auf die vorliegende Problemstellung angewendet. Es wird die Berechnung von Antwortspektren für Balkenbrücken unter den Lastmodellen HSLM‐A erläutert. Ein Beispiel zeigt, wie diese Methode angewendet wird.
Praktische Anwendungen der effektiven Kerbspannungen und der Bruchmechanik im Stahlbau
Authors: Lener Gerhard , Weichert Jörn
Published: October 2007

Für den rechnerischen Nachweis der Ermüdung im Stahlbau kommt hauptsächlich das Nennspannungskonzept zur Anwendung. Trotz der Möglichkeit einer häufig wirtschaftlicheren Dimensionierung, kommt das alternativ zulässige Strukturspannungskonzept auf Grund fehlender praktischer Erfahrungen noch sehr selten zur Anwendung. Ermüdungsnachweise nach dem Konzept der effektiven Kerbspannungen und/oder dem Rissfortschrittkonzept werden in der Bauingenieurpraxis noch mit Skepsis betrachtet, und sind daher nur in Einzelfällen anzutreffen.

Mit diesem Beitrag werden Anwendungen vorgestellt, die eine sinnvolle Ergänzung der Ermüdungsnachweise mittels Kerbspannungskonzept und Rissfortschrittskonzept in Bereichen des klassischen Stahlbaues aufzeigen.
Zum Gültigkeitsbereich der Bemessungsformeln für Druckschachtpanzerungen unter Außendruck
Authors: Taras Andreas , Greiner Richard
Published: October 2007

Für den Nachweis der Beulsicherheit von Druckschachtpanzerungen unter Außendruck – infolge Gebirgswasserdruck oder Injektionsdruck – stehen eine Reihe von Bemessungsformeln zur Verfügung, die teils auf theoretischem Wege, teils durch Versuchsauswertung entwickelt worden sind. In dieser Arbeit wird die Anwendbarkeit der häufig verwendeten, semi‐empirischen Formel von Montel [1] für einbetonierte Rohre unter Außendruck über den versuchstechnisch vorgegebenen Gültigkeitsbereich hinaus überprüft. Zur Überprüfung wird ein aus der Literatur (Amstutz [2], [3] und Jacobsen [4]) bekannter analytischer Berechnungsansatz formelmäßig als elastisches Durchschlagproblem entwickelt und zahlenmäßig ausgewertet. Die Ergebnisse dieses Bemessungskonzeptes werden mit den vorhandenen Versuchsergebnissen und der Formel von Montel verglichen. Vergleichsrechnungen unter Anwendung der Finite‐Elemente‐Methode wurden ebenfalls ergänzend durchgeführt. Ursprüngliches Ziel der Untersuchung war es, die Erweiterbarkeit des Gültigkeitsbereiches der semi‐empirischen Formel nach Montel in Richtung höherer Stahlfestigkeiten zu überprüfen. Tatsächlich erwies sich der analytische Ansatz als besser geeignet vorhandene Versuchsergebnisse an Rohren großer Schlankheit und aus höherfestem Stahl zu beschreiben.
Beanspruchung von Schubringen für Druckrohrleitungen
Authors: Ofner Robert , Greiner Richard
Published: October 2007

Die Bemessung von Schubringen für die axiale Verankerung von Druckrohrleitungen ist in Normen nicht geregelt und wird derzeit mit unterschiedlichen Annahmen für die Kontaktpressung zwischen dem Schubring und dem Beton durchgeführt. Daraus resultieren unterschiedliche Bemessungsergebnisse. In der vorliegenden Veröffentlichung wird der Verlauf der Kontaktpressung anhand von FEM‐Berechnungen untersucht. Auf Basis dieser FEM‐Berechnungen wird ein Vorschlag für die Auslegung von Schubringen präsentiert.
Haftung von PUR‐Deckbeschichtungen auf bewitterten EP‐Beschichtungen – Haftungsfragen für Unternehmer und Hersteller
Authors: Motzke Gerd , Konermann Reinhard
Published: October 2007

Durch ein umfangreiches Forschungsvorhaben im Bereich des Korrosionsschutzes wurde nachgewiesen, dass bewitterte EP‐Beschichtungen nach kurzer Zeit hydrophile Abbauprodukte bilden, die sich negativ auf die Haftung zur PUR‐Deckbeschichtung auswirken. Es werden die rechtlichen Auswirkungen erläutert – sowohl für die Objekte, die in der Vergangenheit erstellt wurden, als auch für die in der Zukunft anstehenden Objekte.
Wasserstofffreie amorphe Kohlenstoffschichten ‐ abgeschieden durch plasmaaktivierte Hochratebedampfung
Authors: Heinß Jens‐Peter
Published: October 2007

Mit der Technologie der plasmaaktivierten Elektronenstrahlverdampfung wurden wasserstofffreie amorphe Kohlenstoffschichten mit Raten von bis zu 100 μm/h abgeschieden. Die Ergebnisse der mechanischen und tribologischen Untersuchungen zeigen das Potential dieser aufgedampften Schichten für den Einsatz im Verschleißschutz. Schichthärten von bis zu 16 GPa wurden nachgewiesen. Der gegenwärtige Stand der Schichtcharakterisierung wird beschrieben und der Ausblick auf Möglichkeiten der weiteren Optimierung gegeben.
Detergency measurement using artificially‐soiled cloths
Authors: Diehl F. L. , Crowe J. B.
Published: October 2007

Summary and Conclusions

Four types of artificially‐soiled cloths are compared in their ability to evaluate cleaning of representative detergent products. Three of these cloths are commercially available while the fourth is from a private laboratory. These are compared in their ability to rate detergents in the same order as naturally‐soiled clothes rate detergents. Sensitivity and reproducibility of the various soiled cloths in measurement of soil removal and whiteness retention are studied.

Results show that artificially‐soiled cloths must be used advisedly. There is no substitute for actual performance tests of detergent products under practical conditions. At best, artificially‐soiled cloths are useful for “screening” purposes where positive test results are confirmed by practical tests.
Metabolic syndrome in outpatients receiving antipsychotic therapy in routine clinical practice: A cross-sectional assessment of a primary health care database
Authors: Sicras-Mainar Antoni , Blanca-Tamayo Milagrosa , Rejas-Gutiérrez Javier , Navarro-Artieda Ruth
Published: October 2007

Objective

To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in outpatients treated with antipsychotics included in a primary-health-care database.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out assessing an administrative outpatients claim-database from 5 primary-health-centers. Subjects on antipsychotics for more than 3 months were included. The control group was formed by the outpatients included in the database without exposition to any antipsychotic drugs. MS was defined according to the modified NCEP-ATP III criteria, and required confirmation of at least 3 of the 5 following components: body mass index >28.8 kg/m2, triglycerides >150 mg/ml, HDL-cholesterol <40 mg/ml (men)/<50 mg/ml (women), blood pressure >130/85 mmHg, and fasting serum glucose >110 mg/dl.

Results

We identified 742 patients [51.5% women, aged 55.1 (20.7) years] treated with first- or second-generation antipsychotics during 27.6 (20.3) months. Controls were 85.286 outpatients [50.5% women, aged 45.5 (17.7) years]. MS prevalence was significantly higher in subjects on antipsychotics: 27.0% (95% CI, 23.8–30.1%) vs. 14.4% (14.1–14.6%); age- and sex-adjusted OR = 1.38 (1.16–1.65, P < 0.001). All MS components, except high blood pressure, were significantly more prevalent in the antipsychotic group, particularly body mass index >28.8 kg/m2: 33.0% (29.6–36.4%) vs. 17.8% (17.6–18.1%), adjusted OR = 1.63 (1.39–1.92, P < 0.001), and low HDL-cholesterol levels: 48.4% (44.8–52.0%) vs. 29.3% (29.0–29.6%); adjusted OR = 1.65 (1.42–1.93, P < 0.001). Compared with the reference population, subjects with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (BD), but not dementia, showed a higher prevalence of MS.

Conclusions

Compared with the general outpatient population, the prevalence of MS was significantly higher in patients with schizophrenia or BD treated with antipsychotics.
The association of early blood oxygenation with child development in preterm infants with acute respiratory disorders
Authors: Smith Karen E. , Keeney Susan , Zhang Lifang , Perez‐Polo J. Regino , Rassin David K.
Published: October 2007

The potential negative impact of early blood oxygenation on development of specific cognitive and motor outcomes in children born at very low birth weight (VLBW; 1000–1500 g) has not been examined even though these infants are exposed to varying durations and amounts of oxygen as part of their neonatal care. While this is the largest group of preterm infants, they receive much less research attention than extremely low birth weight infants (ELBW < 1000 g).

Although neonatologists are questioning the routine use of oxygen therapy for all neonates, research has focused primarily on the more medically fragile ELBW infants. To date there are no systematic studies available to guide decision making for oxygen supplementation for a large segment of the preterm infant population. The aim of the present study was to determine if there is an association between blood oxygenation in the first 4 h of life and specific cognitive and motor skills in preterm infants with acute respiratory disorders but no severe intracranial insult using a selected cohort from a longitudinal study children recruited in 1991 and 1992 designed to examine the role of biological immaturity as defined by gestational age and parenting in development. From this cohort, 55 children had acute respiratory disorders without severe intracranial insult. Of these, 35 children had at least one partial pressure of oxygen obtained from arterial blood (PaO2) during the first 4 h of life as part of their clinical care. Higher early PaO2 values were associated with lower impulse control and attention skills in the elementary school age period. Models that were examined for relations between PaO2 values that also included birth weight and parenting quality across the first year of life revealed that higher PaO2 remained associated with impulse control but not attention skills. Birth weight was not associated with any outcomes. These results suggest that hyperoxia may be a risk factor for developmental problems that are not expressed until school age.
Vitamin D status of apparently healthy schoolgirls from two different socioeconomic strata in Delhi: relation to nutrition and lifestyle
Authors: Puri Seema , Marwaha Raman K. , Agarwal Neha , Tandon Nikhil , Agarwal Rashmi , Grewal Khushi , Reddy D. H. K. , Singh Satveer
Published: October 2007

Forty to fifty per cent of skeletal mass, accumulated during childhood and adolescence, is influenced by sunlight exposure, physical activity, lifestyle, endocrine status, nutrition and gender. In view of scarce data on association of nutrition and lifestyle with hypovitaminosis D in Indian children and adolescents, an in-depth study on 3127 apparently healthy Delhi schoolgirls (6–18 years) from the lower (LSES, n 1477) and upper socioeconomic strata (USES, n 1650) was carried out. These girls were subjected to anthropometry and clinical examination for hypovitaminosis D. Girls randomly selected from the two strata (LSES, n 193; USES, n 211) underwent detailed lifestyle, dietary, biochemical and hormonal assessment. Clinical vitamin D deficiency was noted in 11·5 % girls (12·4 % LSES, 10·7 % USES). USES girls had significantly higher BMI than LSES counterparts. Prevalence of biochemical hypovitaminosis D (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D < 50 nmol/l) was seen in 90·8 % of girls (89·6 % LSES, 91·9 % USES, NS). Mean intake of energy, protein, fat, Ca, vitamin D and milk/milk products was significantly higher in USES than LSES girls. Conversely, carbohydrate, fibre, phytate and cereal intakes were higher in LSES than USES girls. Physical activity and time spent outdoors was significantly higher in LSES girls (92·8 v. 64 %, P = 0·000). Significant correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and estimated sun exposure (r 0·185, P = 0·001) and percentage body surface area exposed (r 0·146, P = 0·004) suggests that these lifestyle-related factors may contribute significantly to the vitamin D status of the apparently healthy schoolgirls. Hence, in the absence of vitamin D fortification of foods, diet alone appears to have an insignificant role.
Measuring ideas of persecution and social reference: the Greenet al. Paranoid Thought Scales (GPTS)
Authors: Green C. E. L. , Freeman D. , Kuipers E. , Bebbington P. , Fowler D. , Dunn G. , Garety P. A.
Published: October 2007

Background

Paranoia is increasingly being studied in clinical and non-clinical populations. However there is no multi-dimensional measure of persecutory ideas developed for use across the general population-psychopathology continuum. This paper reports the development of such a questionnaire: the ‘Greenet al. Paranoid Thought Scales’. The aim was to devise a tool to assess ideas of persecution and social reference in a simple self-report format, guided by a current definition of persecutory ideation, and incorporating assessment of conviction, preoccupation and distress.

Method

A total of 353 individuals without a history of mental illness, and 50 individuals with current persecutory delusions completed a pool of paranoid items and additional measures to assess validity. Items were devised from a recent definition of persecutory delusions, current assessments of paranoia, the authors' clinical experience, and incorporated dimensions of conviction, preoccupation and distress. Test–retest reliability in the non-clinical group was assessed at 2 weeks follow-up, and clinical change in the deluded group at 6 months follow-up.

Results

Two 16-item scales were extracted, assessing ideas of social reference and persecution. Good internal consistency and validity was established for both scales and their dimensions. The scales were sensitive to clinical change. A hierarchical relationship between social reference and persecution was found. The data provide further evidence for a continuum of paranoid ideas between deluded and healthy individuals.

Conclusions

A reliable and valid tool for assessing paranoid thoughts is presented. It will provide an effective way for researchers to ensure consistency in research and for clinicians to assess change with treatment.
Optimal disease eradication
Authors: BARRETT SCOTT , HOEL MICHAEL
Published: October 2007

Using a dynamic model of the control of an infectious disease, we derive the conditions under which eradication will be optimal. When eradication is feasible, the optimal program requires either a low vaccination rate or eradication. A high vaccination rate is never optimal. Under special conditions, the results are especially stark: the optimal policy is either not to vaccinate at all or to eradicate. Our analysis yields a cost–benefit rule for eradication, which we apply to the current initiative to eradicate polio.
Study Nurses in Deutschland – eine Untersuchung ihrer Tätigkeiten bei der Durchführung klinischer Studien
Authors: Fisk Bettina , Beier Jutta
Published: October 2007

Das Berufsfeld klinischer Forschung stellt bisher ein Randgebiet im Bereich der Pflege- und Gesundheitswissenschaften dar. Mit dieser Untersuchung liegen erstmals Ergebnisse zu strukturellen und tätigkeitsbezogenen Daten vor, die interdisziplinär und studienübergreifend bei Study Nurses in Deutschland erhoben wurden. Sie sind für die Durchführung zulassungsrelevanter Prüfungen von Arzneimitteln- und Medizinprodukten sowie für Wissenschaftsstudien verantwortlich. Der Terminus «Study Nurse» wird nicht nur für Angehörige der Pflegeberufe verwendet, er ist einer der am häufigsten genutzten Begriffe. Ein Workload Katalog mit Tätigkeitskategorien wurde erstellt und ausgewertet. 79 Teilnehmer haben an der Dokumentation ihrer Tätigkeiten über 20 Tage teilgenommen. 85 Teilnehmer haben einen Basisfragebogen beantwortet. Study Nurses arbeiten hauptsächlich in Universitätskliniken und sind überwiegend Angehörige der Pflegeberufe. Das Spektrum der Tätigkeiten ist breit gefächert, die Dokumentation studienspezifischer Daten nimmt den größten zeitlichen Anteil ein. Study Nurses arbeiten überwiegend allein und selbständig. Vielfältige Kontakte gibt es dennoch in den einzelnen Tätigkeitskategorien, hauptsächlich zu Patienten und zum Prüfarzt. Zukünftige Forschung sollte berücksichtigen, welche Motivation für die Tätigkeit als Study Nurse besteht und ob Angehörige der Pflegeberufe durch Ausbildung und Erfahrung besser als andere Gesundheitsfachberufe für die Rolle der Study Nurse geeignet sind.
Focused and diffuse extension in controls of ocean ridge segmentation in analogue models
Authors: Tentler Tatiana
Published: October 2007

This work aims to provide insights into the initiation and evolution of segments along ocean ridges as they propagate and mature. It is based on the results of analogue modeling performed in a centrifuge with applied acceleration of gravity force. The effect of the varied degree of extension allowed during propagation of analogue ridge results in segments being focused along the ridge axes or widely distributed within the entire axial zone. Three distinct types of segment interaction are documented, controlled by the relative distribution and orientation of interacting segments and leading to the development of linear ridges, overlapping spreading centers, and oblique transform zones. The importance of the initial distribution of segments in the ridge evolution inferred in the models suggests its significance for formation of natural ridges whose mature configurations must be largely inherited from that of spreading centers formed in the early stages of focused or diffuse extension.
Baffin Bay ice drift and export: 2002–2007
Authors: Kwok Ron
Published: October 2007

Multiyear estimates of sea ice drift in Baffin Bay and Davis Strait are derived for the first time from the 89 GHz channel of the AMSR‐E instrument. Uncertainties in the drift estimates, assessed with Envisat ice motion, are ∼2–3 km/day. A persistent atmospheric trough, between the coast of Greenland and Baffin Island, drives the prevailing southward drift pattern with average daily displacements in excess of 18–20 km during winter. Over the 5‐year record, the ice export ranges between 360 and 675 × 103 km2, with an average of 530 × 103 km2. Sea ice area inflow from the Nares Strait, Lancaster Sound and Jones Sound potentially contribute up to a third of the net area outflow while ice production at the North Water Polynya contributes the balance. Rough estimates of annual volume export give ∼500–800 km3. Comparatively, these are ∼70% and ∼30% of the annual area and volume exports at the Fram Strait.
Water flow and slip on NAPL‐wetted surfaces of a parallel‐walled fracture
Authors: Lee Hang‐Bok , Yeo In Wook , Lee Kang‐Kun
Published: October 2007

The effects of various wetting conditions and aperture sizes on water flow and slip in a parallel‐walled fracture were investigated. Water flow experiments showed that a larger slip occurred as the surface became more hydrophobic. For a creosote‐wetted surface of the fracture with an aperture of 508 μm, the increase in the water flow rate due to the slip was as much as 10.0% compared to that in a water‐wetted surface. Similarly to a water‐wetted surface, no slip took place at a gasoline‐wetted surface, which was weakly hydrophobic. The slip lengths, a notional distance from the wall to a point inside the wall where fluid velocity extrapolates to zero, for light oil‐ and creosote‐wetted surfaces were constant over a range of flow velocities in the laminar flow regime. The study indicates that no slip boundary condition‐based equations are not adequate for quantifying water flow through NAPL‐wetted fractures.
Factors controlling spatio‐temporal variation in carbon dioxide efflux from surface litter, roots, and soil organic matter at four rain forest sites in the eastern Amazon
Authors: Metcalfe D. B. , Meir P. , Aragão L. E. O. C. , Malhi Y. , da Costa A. C. L. , Braga A. , Gonçalves P. H. L. , de Athaydes J. , de Almeida S. S. , Williams M.
Published: October 2007

This study explored biotic and abiotic causes for spatio‐temporal variation in soil respiration from surface litter, roots, and soil organic matter over one year at four rain forest sites with different vegetation structures and soil types in the eastern Amazon, Brazil. Estimated mean annual soil respiration varied between 13–17 t C ha−1 yr−1, which was partitioned into 0–2 t C ha−1 yr−1 from litter, 6–9 t C ha−1 yr−1 from roots, and 5–6 t C ha−1 yr−1 from soil organic matter. Litter contribution showed no clear seasonal change, though experimental precipitation exclusion over a one‐hectare area was associated with a ten‐fold reduction in litter respiration relative to unmodified sites. The estimated mean contribution of soil organic matter respiration fell from 49% during the wet season to 32% in the dry season, while root respiration contribution increased from 42% in the wet season to 61% during the dry season. Spatial variation in respiration from soil, litter, roots, and soil organic matter was not explained by volumetric soil moisture or temperature. Instead, spatial heterogeneity in litter and root mass accounted for 44% of observed spatial variation in soil respiration (p < 0.001). In particular, variation in litter respiration per unit mass and root mass accounted for much of the observed variation in respiration from litter and roots, respectively, and hence total soil respiration. This information about patterns of, and underlying controls on, respiration from different soil components should assist attempts to accurately model soil carbon dioxide fluxes over space and time.
Prevention of salt induced hypertension and fibrosis by angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in Dahl S rats
Authors: Liang B , Leenen F H H
Published: October 2007

Background and purpose:

In Dahl S rats, high salt increases activity of the tissue renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system (RAAS) in the CNS, heart and kidneys. Here, we assessed the effects of chronic angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition on salt‐induced hypertension and cardiovascular and renal hypertrophy and fibrosis, relative to the extent of ACE blockade.

Experimental approach:

From 4.5 weeks of age, Dahl S rats received either the lipophilic ACE inhibitor trandolapril (1 or 5 mg kg‐1 day‐1) or the hydrophilic ACE inhibitor lisinopril (10 or 50 mg kg‐1 day‐1) and a high salt diet was started 0.5 week later. Treatments ended at 9 weeks of age.

Key results:

High salt diet markedly increased blood pressure (BP), decreased plasma angiotensin II and increased ACE binding densities in brain, heart, aorta and kidneys. Trandolapril and lisinopril prevented 50% of the increase in BP in light and dark period of the day. After the last doses, trandolapril decreased ACE densities by ∼80% in brain nuclei and heart and lisinopril by ∼60% in the brain and by ∼70% in the heart. The two ACE inhibitors prevented right ventricular hypertrophy and attenuated left ventricular hypertrophy but did not affect renal hypertrophy caused by high salt. Both drugs prevented high salt‐induced fibrosis in heart, kidney and aorta.

Conclusion and implication:

As the ACE inhibitors could completely prevent tissue fibrosis and partially prevent tissue hypertrophy and hypertension, the tissue RAAS may play a critical role in salt‐induced fibrosis, but a lesser role in the hypertrophy.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 152, 903–914; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707472; published online 1 October 2007
C‐type natriuretic peptide and endothelium‐dependent hyperpolarization in the guinea‐pig carotid artery
Authors: Leuranguer V , Vanhoutte P M , Verbeuren T , Félétou M
Published: October 2007

Background and purpose:

C‐type natriuretic peptide (CNP) has been proposed to make a fundamental contribution in arterial endothelium‐dependent hyperpolarization to acetylcholine. The present study was designed to address this hypothesis in the guinea‐pig carotid artery.

Experimental approach:

The membrane potential of vascular smooth muscle cells was recorded in isolated arteries with intracellular microelectrodes.

Key results:

Acetylcholine induced endothelium‐dependent hyperpolarizations in the presence or absence ofNG‐nitro‐L‐arginine, indomethacin and/or thiorphan, inhibitors of NO‐synthases, cyclooxygenases or neutral endopeptidase, respectively. Acetycholine hyperpolarized smooth muscle cells in resting arteries and produced repolarizations in phenylephrine‐stimulated arteries. CNP produced hyperpolarizations with variable amplitude. They were observed only in the presence of inhibitors of NO‐synthases and cyclooxygenases and were endothelium‐independent, maintained in phenylephrine‐depolarized carotid arteries, and not affected by the additional presence of thiorphan. In arteries with endothelium, the hyperpolarizations produced by CNP were always significantly smaller than those induced by acetylcholine. Upon repeated administration, a significant tachyphylaxis of the hyperpolarizing effect of CNP was observed, while consecutive administration of acetycholine produced sustained responses. The hyperpolarizations evoked by acetylcholine were abolished by the combination of apamin plus charybdotoxin, but unaffected by glibenclamide or tertiapin. In contrast, CNP‐induced hyperpolarizations were abolished by glibenclamide and unaffected by the combination of apamin plus charybdotoxin.

Conclusions and implications:

In the isolated carotid artery of the guinea‐pig, CNP activates KATPand is a weak hyperpolarizing agent. In this artery, the contribution of CNP to EDHF‐mediated responses is unlikely.

British Journal of Pharmacology(2008)153, 57–65; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707476; published online 1 October 2007
Phosphodiesterase‐5A and neutral endopeptidase activities in human adipocytes do not control atrial natriuretic peptide‐mediated lipolysis
Authors: Moro C , Klimcakova E , Lafontan M , Berlan M , Galitzky J
Published: October 2007

Background and purpose:

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) stimulates lipolysis in human adipocyte through a cGMP signalling pathway, the regulation of which is poorly known. Since phosphodiesterases (PDE) and neutral endopeptidase (NEP) play a major role in the regulation of the biological effects of natriuretic peptides in the cardiovascular and renal systems, we investigated whether these mechanisms could regulate cGMP signalling and ANP‐mediated lipolysis in human adipocytes.

Experimental approach:

The presence of cGMP‐specific PDE and NEP in differentiated pre‐adipocytes and in mature adipocytes was evaluated by real‐time qPCR and Western blot. The effect of non‐selective and selective inhibition of these enzymes on ANP‐mediated cGMP signalling and lipolysis was determined in isolated mature adipocytes.

Key results:

PDE‐5A was expressed in both pre‐adipocytes and adipocytes. PDE‐5A mRNA and protein levels decreased as pre‐adipocytes differentiated (10 days). PDE‐5A is rapidly activated in response to ANP stimulation and lowers intracellular cGMP levels. Its selective inhibition by sildenafil partly prevented the decline in cGMP levels. However, no changes in baseline‐ and ANP‐mediated lipolysis were observed under PDE‐5 blockade using various inhibitors. In addition, NEP mRNA and protein levels gradually increased during the time‐course of pre‐adipocyte differentiation. Thiorphan, a selective NEP inhibitor, completely abolished NEP activity in human adipocyte membranes but did not modify ANP‐mediated lipolysis.

Conclusions and implications:

Functional PDE‐5A and NEP activities were present in human adipocytes, however these enzymes did not play a major role in the regulation of ANP‐mediated lipolysis.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 152, 1102–1110; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707485; published online 1 October 2007
Assessment of orthostatic fluid shifts with strain gauge plethysmography
Authors: Thijs Roland D. , Bruijnzeels Maaike , Kamper Adriaan M. , van Dijk Arjan D. , van Dijk J. Gert
Published: October 2007

In the present study we evaluated the use of SGP (strain gauge plethysmography) for the assessment of orthostatic fluid shifts during HUT (head-up tilting). Subjects wore a parachute harness fixed to the tilt table to avoid muscle tension in the lower limbs during HUT. Twenty-two healthy subjects (nine women) were tilted for 5 min. Changes in calf volume, as measured by SGP, surface EMG (electromyography), heart rate and blood pressure were measured continuously. Ten subjects underwent a second tilt test during which circulation in one leg was occluded with a pressure cuff at 250 mmHg. During HUT with occlusion, calf volume in the non-occluded leg increased by 1.9±0.3% (mean±S.E.M.) and 0.2±0.2% in the occluded leg (P<0.001). During HUT without occlusion a significant correlation (r=0.9) was found between measurements in the left and right leg with a mean difference of 0.03±0.1%. HUT did not cause significant changes in surface EMG measurements. An unexpected gender effect was observed: calf volume increased significantly more in men than in women. Men were significantly taller, but the haemodynamic response to HUT did not differ between both genders. The gender effect on orthostatic increases in calf volume remained significant after adjustment for heart-to-calf distance. SGP during HUT with a parachute harness is a new promising method to assess orthostatic fluid shifts. The gender differences in orthostatic pooling in the calf may be explained by a higher calf compliance in men together with a greater hydrostatic pressure due to a greater height in men.
Interventional Nephrology and Dialysis: Managing the Complications of Long‐Term Tunneled Dialysis Catheters
Authors: Schon Donald , Whittman David
Published: October 2007

Abstract The Kidney Disease Outcomes and Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) guidelines call for a significant increase in the use of natural vein fistulas. Long‐term tunneled dialysis catheters (LTTDCs) will have an important role in facilitating the maturation of natural vein fistulas. LTTDCs also functions as the access of last resort in patients who refuse or have exhausted other forms of permanent vascular access. This article, which is based on the authors' experience as interventional nephrologists, discusses factors influencing catheter function. In addition, the article reviews common complications associated with dialysis catheter insertion, including immediate, short‐term, and long‐term complications. The topics reviewed include stenoses, thrombus formation, fibrin sheath formation, infections, and vascular ingrowth. Suggestions for management are also discussed.
Data retention characteristics of Bi3.25La0.75Ti3O12 thin films on conductive SrRuO3 electrodes
Authors: Lee Jang-Sik , Kang B. S. , Jia Q. X.
Published: October 2007

Ferroelectric Bi3.25La0.75Ti3O12 (BLT) thin films were deposited on SrRuO3 (SRO) and Pt electrodes by pulsed laser deposition. The data retention characteristics of the BLT films on different electrode materials were characterized. The experimental results are well fitted by a stretched exponential decay model, indicating that BLT films on both Pt and SRO exhibit the similar decay mechanisms. However, the decay behavior is quite different due to the use of different bottom electrodes. The superior data retention performance of BLT film on conductive SRO electrode is believed to be from the reduction of domain polarization backswitching originated from the oxygen vacancies in the depletion region of BLT films.
Power factor enhancement in a magnetic field using polycrystalline bismuth microwire arrays
Authors: Hasegawa Yasuhiro , Nakano Hirofumi , Morita Hiroyuki , Komine Takashi , Okumura Haruhiko , Nakamura Hiroaki
Published: October 2007

Measurements of the magneto-Seebeck coefficient and magnetoresistivity of two bismuth microwire arrays having different diameters and a bulk sample were performed for applied magnetic fields between 0 and 2 T and temperatures between 50 and 300 K. The magneto-Seebeck coefficients were always enhanced as a result of controlling the phonon scattering process and the magnetoresistivity also invariably increased. The power factors in an applied magnetic field were estimated, and the power factors of the microwire arrays were found to be enhanced over the whole measurement range. By contrast, the power factor of the bulk sample was not enhanced at temperatures under 200 K. The difference in the responses of the bulk sample and the microwire arrays is strongly related to suppression of the magnetoresistivity; the suppression ratios of the magnetoresistivity of the bulk sample, which has a low aspect ratio, are smaller than those of the microwire arrays. It was experimentally demonstrated that there is an optimum magnetic field that maximizes the power factor and that the enhancement ratio of the power factor is much greater for structures that have a high aspect ratio, such as microwire arrays. This suggests that microwire arrays are suitable for enhancing the power factor by applying a magnetic field.
Dielectric response of spherically anisotropic graded piezoelectric composites
Authors: Wei En-Bo , Gu G. Q. , Poon Y. M. , Shin F. G.
Published: October 2007

A graded piezoelectric composite consisting of a spherically anisotropic graded piezoelectric inclusion imbedded in an infinite nonpiezoelectric matrix, with the physical properties of the graded spherical inclusion having a power-law profile with respect to the radial variable r, is studied theoretically. Under an external uniform electric field, the electric displacement field and the elastic stress tensor field of this spherically anisotropic graded piezoelectric composite are derived exactly by means of displacement separation technique, based on the governing equations in the dilute limit. A piezoelectric response mechanism, in which the effective piezoelectric response vanishes along the z direction (or x,y directions), is revealed in this kind of graded piezoelectric composites. Furthermore, it is found that the effective dielectric constant decreases (or increases) with the volume fraction p of the inclusions if the exponent parameter k of the grading profile is larger (or smaller) than a critical value.
An ultrahigh vacuum fast-scanning and variable temperature scanning tunneling microscope for large scale imaging
Authors: Diaconescu Bogdan , Nenchev Georgi , de la Figuera Juan , Pohl Karsten
Published: October 2007

We describe the design and performance of a fast-scanning, variable temperature scanning tunneling microscope (STM) operating from 80to700K in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV), which routinely achieves large scale atomically resolved imaging of compact metallic surfaces. An efficient in-vacuum vibration isolation and cryogenic system allows for no external vibration isolation of the UHV chamber. The design of the sample holder and STM head permits imaging of the same nanometer-size area of the sample before and after sample preparation outside the STM base. Refractory metal samples are frequently annealed up to 2000K and their cooldown time from room temperature to 80K is 15min. The vertical resolution of the instrument was found to be about 2 pm at room temperature. The coarse motor design allows both translation and rotation of the scanner tube. The total scanning area is about 8×8μm2. The sample temperature can be adjusted by a few tens of degrees while scanning over the same sample area.
Direct mechanical mixing in a nanoelectromechanical diode
Authors: Kim Hyun S. , Qin Hua , Blick Robert H.
Published: October 2007

We observe direct mechanical mixing in nanoelectromechanical transistors fabricated in semiconductor materials operating in the radio frequency band of 10–1000MHz. The device is made of a mechanically flexible pillar with a length of 240nm and a diameter of 50nm placed between two electrodes in an impedance matched coplanar wave guide. We find a nonlinear I-V characteristic, which enables radio frequency mixing of two electromagnetic signals via the nanomechanical transistor. Potential applications for this mixer are ultrasensitive displacement detection or signal processing in communication electronic circuits requiring high-throughput insulation.
Hexagonal Cu2SnS3 with metallic character: Another category of conducting sulfides
Authors: Wu Changzheng , Hu Zhenpeng , Wang Chengle , Sheng Hua , Yang Jinlong , Xie Yi
Published: October 2007

A hexagonal Cu2SnS3 with uniform and well-dispersed nanoparticle morphology has been synthesized, representing an example of hexagonal system in the Cu–Sn–E (S, Se) ternary chalcogenides. Both theoretical calculation and experimental results give the unique metallic character of Cu2SnS3, which is significantly different from the traditional opinion that I-IV-VI ternary chalcogenides were regarded previously as small or middle band-gap semiconductors. Also, M(I)2SnS3 (M=Ag, Au, Rb, and Cs) serial compounds are another potential family of conducting sulfides. The conducting Cu2SnS3 product with the interlayer space and tunnels in the crystal structures could be fascinatingly introduced to the lithium battery application.
Room-temperature lasing at 1.82μm of GaInSb∕AlGaSb quantum wells grown on GaAs substrates using an interfacial misfit array
Authors: Tatebayashi J. , Jallipalli A. , Kutty M. N. , Huang S. H. , Balakrishnan G. , Dawson L. R. , Huffaker D. L.
Published: October 2007

The authors report the device characteristics of GaInSb∕AlGaSb quantum well (QW) lasers monolithically grown on GaAs substrates. The 7.8% lattice mismatch between GaAs substrates and GaSb buffer layers can be completely accommodated by using an interfacial misfit (IMF) array. Room-temperature lasing operation is obtained from a 1.25-mm-long device containing six-layer Ga0.9In0.1Sb∕Al0.35Ga0.65Sb QWs at 1.816μm with a threshold current density of 1.265kA∕cm2. The observed characteristic temperature and temperature coefficient are 110K and 9.7Å∕K, respectively. This IMF technique will enable a wide range of lasing wavelengths from near-infrared to midwavelength-infrared regimes on a GaAs platform.
Application of nanoparticle-induced vertical alignment in hybrid-aligned nematic liquid crystal cell
Authors: Kuo Chia-Wei , Jeng Shie-Chang , Wang Hsing-Lung , Liao Chi-Chang
Published: October 2007

The spontaneous vertical alignment of the mixtures consisting of nematic liquid crystals (LCs) and nanoparticles and its application to hybrid-aligned nematic (HAN) modes were investigated. The LC directors were aligned perpendicular to the nontreated indium-tin-oxide surface by adding the nanoparticles. Therefore, we fabricated a nanoparticle-filled HAN LC cell without using the vertical alignment layer. The electro-optical properties of nanoparticle-filled HAN cells are very similar to those of conventional HAN cells containing vertical alignment layers. The method of nanoparticle-induced vertical alignment is suitable for fabricating a flexible display due to the reduction of high temperature process of alignment layers.
Experimental characterization of the frequency modulation behavior of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers
Authors: Chen Jia , Hangauer Andreas , Strzoda Rainer , Amann Markus-Christian
Published: October 2007

The frequency response of the current-to-wavelength tuning rate (FM response) was measured for two different vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) up to frequencies of 1MHz: GaAs-based VCSEL (763nm) and InP-based VCSEL (1853nm). Both of them show the same qualitative FM response behavior, which can be described by a square root law and therefore cannot be modeled by a first order low pass. The square root law behavior is a significant advantage for laser spectroscopy applications with VCSELs because the decrease of the current-to-wavelength tuning coefficient is less severe as in the case of the first order low pass.
Finite-size-induced stability of a permanent magnet levitating over a superconductor in the Meissner state
Authors: Perez-Diaz Jose Luis , Garcia-Prada Juan Carlos
Published: October 2007

The force between a magnetic dipole and a finite superconductor in the Meissner state (H<Hc1) is calculated by using an expression based on London’s and Maxwell’s equations. It demonstrates the existence of attractiveness and stability. The finiteness of a piece of superconductor therefore suffices to explain a stability for the levitation of a magnet over it or even the suspension of one of them under the other one. This does not contradict the existence of flux penetration. However, this makes the flux penetration not necessary to explain both stability and attractiveness, as has been assumed until now.
Reduction of hysteresis loss and large magnetic entropy change in the NaZn13-type LaPrFeSiC interstitial compounds
Authors: Shen J. , Gao B. , Zhang H. W. , Hu F. X. , Li Y. X. , Sun J. R. , Shen B. G.
Published: October 2007

Magnetic properties and magnetic entropy change of the NaZn13-type La0.5Pr0.5Fe11.5Si1.5Cx compounds have been investigated. Both the lattice parameter and the Curie temperature increase linearly with increasing carbon concentration. The maximum hysteresis loss at TC reduces remarkably from 94.8J∕kg for x=0to23.1J∕kg for x=0.3 because of the weakening of the itinerant electron metamagnetic transition. However, the magnetic entropy change remains at the large values of 32.4J∕kgK for x=0 and 27.6J∕kgK for x=0.3 under a field change of 0–5T, which implies that a large magnetocaloric effect and a small hysteresis loss have been simultaneously achieved in the La0.5Pr0.5Fe11.5Si1.5Cx carbides.
Managing Uncertain Arrival Times through Sociomaterial Associations
Authors: Schwanen Tim
Published: October 2007

Interest in how individuals cope with uncertainty when scheduling their activities and trips has increased in recent years. While providing many useful concepts and insights, previous work tends to treat individuals as atomised decision-making units. This paper argues that it is imperative to think of persons coping with uncertainty about the duration of activities and trips as agents in wider sociomaterial networks or assemblages, at least in studies of how working parents collect their children from school or day care. A framework for understanding this way of coping with uncertainty is proposed, which foregrounds the practical, material, and situational aspects of space–time behaviour. Aspects of the framework are demonstrated through a small-scale study among dual-earner families in the Utrecht region of the Netherlands.
Status of New Zealand fresh-water eel stocks and management initiatives
Authors: Jellyman Don J.
Published: October 2007

Jellyman, D. J. 2007. Status of New Zealand fresh-water eel stocks and management initiatives. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 1379–1386. New Zealand has two main species of fresh-water eel, shortfin (Anguilla australis), which is shared with Southeast Australia, and the endemic longfin eel (A. dieffenbachii). Both species are subject to extensive commercial and customary fishing. The shortfin is the smaller and shorter lived, with typical generation times for females ranging from 15 to 30 years; generation times for longfin females are double this. The distribution and the abundance of both species have been compromised by habitat modifications, shortfins, the more lowland species, being affected by wetland loss, and longfins by weirs and dams. Although there are few concerns about the status of shortfins, there is increasing evidence of overexploitation of longfins, including reduced recruitment, reduction in catch rates, reduction in abundance and average size, and a regional reduction in the proportion of females. Eels are managed under the quota management system, although individual and regional quotas are set from catch histories because biological parameters are inadequate. Maori, New Zealand's indigenous people, have been allocated 20% of commercial quota, with additional quota set for customary take. The annual commercial catch of eels has halved over the past decade, and is now ∼700–800 t, shortfins comprising 66% of catches. Recent management developments have included enhancement of upstream waters with juvenile eels, consolidation of processing into fewer but larger units, setting aside of additional reserve areas to increase escapement of silver eels, increased management involvement of Maori, and development of regional management strategies.