bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Generalized Model for Predicting Postcompletion Errors
Authors: Ratwani Raj M. , Gregory Trafton J.
Published: December 2009

A postcompletion error is a type of procedural error that occurs after the main goal of a task has been accomplished. There is a strong theoretical foundation accounting for postcompletion errors (Altmann & Trafton, 2002; Byrne & Bovair, 1997). This theoretical foundation has been leveraged to develop a logistic regression model of postcompletion errors based on reaction time and eye movement measures (Ratwani, McCurry, & Trafton, 2008). This study further develops and extends this predictive model by (a) validating the model and the general set of predictors on a new task to test the robustness of the model, and (b) determining which specific theoretical components are most important to postcompletion error prediction.
Statistics of the zeros of zeta functions in families of hyperelliptic curves over a finite field
Authors: Faifman Dmitry , Rudnick Zeév
Published: December 2009

We study the fluctuations in the distribution of zeros of zeta functions of a family of hyperelliptic curves defined over a fixed finite field, in the limit of large genus. According to the Riemann hypothesis for curves, the zeros all lie on a circle. Their angles are uniformly distributed, so for a curve of genus g a fixed interval ℐ will contain asymptotically 2g∣ℐ∣ angles as the genus grows. We show that for the variance of number of angles in ℐ is asymptotically (2/π2)log (2g∣ℐ∣) and prove a central limit theorem: the normalized fluctuations are Gaussian. These results continue to hold for shrinking intervals as long as the expected number of angles 2g∣ℐ∣ tends to infinity.
On some modular representations of the Borel subgroup of GL2(Qp)
Authors: Berger Laurent
Published: December 2009

Colmez has given a recipe to associate a smooth modular representation Ω(W) of the Borel subgroup of GL2(Qp) to a $\overline {\mathbf {F}}_p$-representation W of $\mathrm {Gal}(\overline {\mathbf {Q}}_p / \mathbf {Q}_p)$ by using Fontaine’s theory of (φ,Γ)-modules. We compute Ω(W) explicitly and we prove that if W is irreducible and dim (W)=2, then Ω(W) is the restriction to the Borel subgroup of GL2(Qp) of the supersingular representation associated to W by Breuil’s correspondence.
A C0-estimate for the parabolic Monge–Ampère equation on complete non-compact Kähler manifolds
Authors: Chau Albert , Tam Luen-Fai
Published: December 2009

In this article we study the Kähler–Ricci flow, the corresponding parabolic Monge–Ampère equation and complete non-compact Kähler–Ricci flat manifolds. Our main result states that if (M,g) is sufficiently close to being Kähler–Ricci flat in a suitable sense, then the Kähler–Ricci flow has a long time smooth solution g(t) converging smoothly uniformly on compact sets to a complete Kähler–Ricci flat metric on M. The main step is to obtain a uniform C0-estimate for the corresponding parabolic Monge–Ampère equation. Our results on this can be viewed as parabolic versions of the main results of Tian and Yau [Complete Kähler manifolds with zero Ricci curvature. II, Invent. Math. 106 (1990), 27–60] on the elliptic Monge–Ampère equation.
Formation of Iapetus’ Extreme Albedo Dichotomy by Exogenically Triggered Thermal Ice Migration
Authors: Spencer John R. , Denk Tilmann
Published: December 2009

Iapetus Revealed

The striking appearance of Saturn's moon Iapetus—half black and half white—has puzzled astronomers for over three centuries. Now
Spencer and Denk
(p.
432
, published online 10 December) present an explanation for this asymmetry: A thermally controlled runaway migration of water ice triggered by exogenic deposition of dark material on the moon's leading darker side, which faces the direction of motion of the moon in its orbit around Saturn. This mechanism is unique to Iapetus because it rotates slowly enough to allow large temperature variations to arise, it is small enough to allow long-range migration of water, and there is a source of dust to trigger the process. In a related paper,

Denk
et al.

(p.
435
, published online 10 December) present data derived from the Cassini Imaging Science Subsystem that reveal that both dark and bright materials on the leading side of Iapetus are redder than their trailing-side counterparts. This asymmetry results from the deposition of dust and debris from other moons in the saturnian system—the very same process that initiates the thermal segregation proposed above.
Tuberculous Granuloma Induction via Interaction of a Bacterial Secreted Protein with Host Epithelium
Authors: Volkman Hannah E. , Pozos Tamara C. , Zheng John , Davis J. Muse , Rawls John F. , Ramakrishnan Lalita
Published: December 2009

Garnering Information on Granulomas

In tuberculosis, the tuberculous granuloma has been viewed traditionally as a host-protective structure that serves to “wall off” mycobacteria. However, recent work in the zebrafish embryo showed that mycobacteria convert the nascent granuloma into a vehicle for bacterial expansion and dissemination. Thus, intercepting granuloma formation could provide a strategy for treating tuberculosis, an urgent public health goal in light of the epidemic of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis. Now

Volkman
et al.

(p.
466
, published online 10 December; see the Perspective by

Agarwal and Bishai

) present the molecular pathway by which mycobacteria induce granulomas in zebrafish. Inhibition of this pathway attenuates infection by reducing granuloma formation, suggesting a therapeutic target for tuberculosis treatment.
Adaptive Evolution of Pelvic Reduction in Sticklebacks by Recurrent Deletion of a
Pitx1
Enhancer
Authors: Chan Yingguang Frank , Marks Melissa E. , Jones Felicity C. , Villarreal Guadalupe , Shapiro Michael D. , Brady Shannon D. , Southwick Audrey M. , Absher Devin M. , Grimwood Jane , Schmutz Jeremy , Myers Richard M. , Petrov Dmitri , Jónsson Bjarni , Schluter Dolph , Bell Michael A. , Kingsley David M.
Published: December 2009

Adaptive Girdle Loss in Sticklebacks

How do molecular changes give rise to phenotypic adaptation exemplified by the repeated reduction in the pelvic girdle observed in separate populations of sticklebacks? Now

Chan
et al.

(p.
302
, published online 10 December) have identified the specific DNA changes that control this major skeletal adaptation. The key locus controlling pelvic phenotypes mapped to a noncoding regulatory region upstream of the
Pituitary homeobox transcription factor 1
gene, which drives a tissue-specific pelvic enhancer. Multiple populations showed independent deletions in this region and enhancer function was inactivated. Reintroduction of the enhancer restored pelvic development in a pelvic-reduced stickleback.
Genetic Variation in Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) Throughout Its Range
Authors: Mork Jarle , Ryman Nils , Ståhl Gunnar , Utter Fred , Sundnes Gunnar
Published: December 2009

The amount of genetic differentiation between stocks of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) was estimated from electrophoretically detectable protein loci expressed in skeletal muscle and liver. Variant alleles at 13 of these loci were detected among nine samples covering most of the species range: North America, Greenland, Iceland, Barents Sea, Norwegian coastal waters, the North Sea, and the Baltic Sea. A very low amount of genetic differentiation was observed among stocks. Only two loci (LDH-3 and PGI-1) showed large statistically significant heterogeneity of allele frequencies between samples. Standard genetic distances (Nei) between these samples based on 10 variable loci ranged from 0.00015 to 0.01072 with Baltic cod as the genetically most divergent sample. There was a highly significant correlation between genetic and geographic distance for the samples from the Atlantic suggesting that a substantial gene flow has occurred between these stocks with geographic distance being an inhibiting factor. The relatively larger genetic distance between the Baltic cod and other stocks may reflect isolation resulting from geographic and perhaps ecological barriers. However, the absolute amount of genetic differentiation in the Atlantic cod appears to be very low throughout its range.
Effects of Abundance and Water Temperature on Recruitment and Growth of Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) near South Bay, Lake Huron, 1954–82
Authors: Henderson Bryan A. , Brown Jr. Edward H.
Published: December 2009

Analysis of catches in pound nets provided indices of population size (ages 2–6) and of recruitment (ages 4–6) for alewives (Alosa pseudoharengus) spawning in South Bay (1954–82). Four hypotheses concerning the effects of stock size and water temperature on growth and recruitment were tested statistically. The number of recruits per spawner was not a function of parental stock size, but was dependent on surface-water temperatures in June and July. Although the size of both males and females at age 3 yr was positively related to surface-water temperatures in the three preceding summers, growth rates were only a function of water temperatures during the second year of growth (age 1). However, growth rates during the first, second, and third years of growth were all related to year-class strength. Thus, population abundance, through recruitment, was determined by an abiotic factor (water temperature), but growth was mostly affected by intraspecific competition for, presumably, food.
Relative Fishing Power for Canadian Trawlers Landing Pacific Cod (Gadus macrocephalus) and Important Shelf Cohabitants from Major Offshore Areas of Western Canada, 1960–81
Authors: Westrheim S. J. , Foucher R. P.
Published: December 2009

Trawling effort was standardized by horsepower class for Canadian trawlers landing Pacific Cod (Gadus macrocephalus) and its two principal shelf cohabitants during April–September 1960–81 from the three major offshore regions: southwest Vancouver Island, Queen Charlotte Sound, and Hecate Strait. A linear relationship was demonstrated between landings-per-hour-trawled (LPUE) and vessel horsepower class, with respect to appropriate shelf species groups in each region. Efforts to calculate relative fishing power (RFP) with respect to individual species were frustrated, for one species, by differential depth distribution of effort and abundance. With respect to Pacific cod in northern Hecate Strait, nominal LPUE was shown to underestimate abundance during the 1960s and overestimate abundance in the late 1970s.
Comparison of Summer and Winter Oxygen Consumption Rates in a Temperate Dimictic Lake
Authors: Linsey G. A. , Lasenby D. C.
Published: December 2009

In a temperate dimictic lake in southern Ontario, the winter rate of oxygen loss determined from oxygen profiles differed considerably from the summer hypolimnetic rate, although the sediment oxygen demand (SOD) and water column oxygen demand (WOD) did not change significantly (SOD: winter = 0.018 mg O2∙L−1∙d−1, summer = 0.020 mg O2∙L−1∙d−1; WOD: winter = 0.032 mg O2∙L−1∙d−1, summer = 0.027 mg O2∙L−1∙d−1). In summer, the sum of SOD and WOD (0.047 mg O2∙L−1∙d−1) closely approximated the hypolimnetic deficit (0.040 mg O2∙L−1∙d−1), but in winter, SOD plus WOD (0.050 mg O2∙L−1∙d−1) greatly overestimated the observed consumption rate (0.003 mg O2∙L−1∙d−1). Measurement of primary production and an estimate of rainwater influx revealed that both could be significant sources of oxygen input during winter. Although both WOD and SOD were found to vary significantly between 10 sampling sites, a central station yielded seasonal mean values that closely approximated those obtained from combining the data from all stations.
Effects of Biotic and Abiotic Factors on Growth and Relative Survival of Young American Shad, Alosa sapidissima, in the Connecticut River
Authors: Crecco Victor A. , Savoy Thomas F.
Published: December 2009

We examined the hypothesis that temporal oscillations in zooplankton abundance, river flows, and temperatures in the Connecticut River affect the survival and growth rates of larval and juvenile American shad, Alosa sapidissima, among 5-d cohorts. The relative survival rates between newly hatched shad larvae and juveniles were low among early cohorts (May 21 – June 15), but rose rapidly among later cohorts (June 21 – July 6) when river flows were low and temperatures and zooplankton densities were high. Age of larval and juvenile shad was estimated by counting daily rings on sagittal otoliths and age-specific length increments determined by backcalculation techniques. Cohort-specific growth rates of larval shad increased linearly with rising zooplankton densities, and asymptotically with rising river temperatures and declining flows. By contrast, juvenile growth rates among 5-d cohorts showed no significant linear or nonlinear relationships to water temperatures and flows.
Relative Roles of Food Abundance and Cover in Determining the Habitat Distribution of Stream-Dwelling Cutthroat Trout (Salmo clarki)
Authors: Wilzbach Margaret A.
Published: December 2009

Emigration of wild cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki) from laboratory channels over 1-wk trial periods was greater under conditions of low than high food abundance (5 vs. 15% of total trout biomass daily), irrespective of the amount of cover (simulated cover structures added vs. removed). When food abundance was high, emigration of trout was slightly greater under conditions of low than high cover. Cover had no effect on emigration rate when food abundance was low. Trout occurred in association with cover structures when food abundance was high, but not when food abundance was low. These experiments suggest that at summer temperatures, food abundance overrides cover in determining the abundance and microhabitat distribution of adult cutthroat trout within a stream.
Quadratic Discriminant Analysis with Covariance for Stock Delineation and Population Differentiation: A Study of Beaked Redfishes (Sebastes mentella and S. fasciatus)
Authors: Misra R. K.
Published: December 2009

Stock delineation is of vital importance in fisheries management programs. Linear discriminant function (LDF) has been employed extensively in population differentiation studies but is of severely restricted usefulness when populations differ in their dispersion matrices. Quadratic discriminant function (QDF) is the appropriate analysis to employ in these situations. Here, I analyzed morphometric data of beaked redfishes (Sebastes mentella and S. fasciatus) by a recently developed conditional QDF.
Short-term Effect on the Metabolism of Lotic Benthic Communities Following Experimental Acidification
Authors: Allard Martine , Moreau Guy
Published: December 2009

Short-term quantitative change in whole benthic community metabolism was observed at low pH. From the beginning until 38 d after acidification (with one exception), oxygen uptake was significantly lower in the acidified channels (pH 4.0, pH 4.0 + 0.4 mg Al∙L−1) than in the control (pH 6.3–6.9, 0.05–0.13 mg Al∙L−1). By the midpoint of acidification (45 d) until the end (85 d), oxygen uptake of the communities in treated channels did not differ from the control. However, at the end of the experiment in acidified channels, the biomass of macroinvertebrates and algae were higher and the number of macroinvertebrates was lower than in the control. The lower total community metabolism may result in a lower decomposition rate, as organic matter in sediment was higher in acidified channels with or without aluminum (58 and 54%, respectively) than in the control (46%).
The Niagara Labyrinth — The Human Ecology of Producing Organochlorine Chemicals
Authors: Gilbertson Michael
Published: December 2009

Organochlorine chemical production, by United States chemical manufacturers, has resulted in severe contamination of the Niagara River, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River and of Canadian resources by transboundary pollution. In 1978, Canada and the United States signed the second Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement which was designed to overcome toxic chemical as well as eutrophication problems. This paper is a review of the effectiveness of the implementation of the provisions of the 1978 Agreement concerning toxic chemicals. To aid with organization of the material the sociological framework of human ecology has been employed. To focus the discussion on the more important facets, the critical pathway analysis methodology, developed for radiation protection, has been used.
BUBBLE STABILIZED DISCONTINUOUS GALERKIN METHOD FOR STOKES' PROBLEM
Authors: BURMAN ERIK , STAMM BENJAMIN
Published: December 2009

We propose a low order discontinuous Galerkin method for incompressible flows. Stability of the discretization of the Laplace operator is obtained by enriching the space elementwise with a non-conforming quadratic bubble. Several possible pressure spaces that lead to uniformly stable velocity pressure pairs are proposed. We prove optimal convergence estimates and local conservation of both mass and linear momentum independent of numerical parameters.
BOUNDEDNESS OF SOLUTIONS OF A HAPTOTAXIS MODEL
Authors: MARCINIAK-CZOCHRA ANNA , PTASHNYK MARIYA
Published: December 2009

In this paper we prove the existence of global solutions of the haptotaxis model of cancer invasion for arbitrary non-negative initial conditions. Uniform boundedness of the solutions is shown using the method of bounded invariant rectangles applied to the reformulated system of reaction-diffusion equations in divergence form with a diagonal diffusion matrix. Moreover, the analysis of the model shows how the structure of kinetics of the model is related to the growth properties of the solutions and how this growth depends on the ratio of the sensitivity function (describing the size of haptotaxis) and the diffusion coefficient. One of the implications of our analysis is that in the haptotaxis model with a logistic growth term, cell density may exceed the carrying capacity, which is impossible in the classical logistic equation and its reaction-diffusion extension.
COLLABORATION IN NUCLEAR PHYSICS BETWEEN JAPAN AND FRANCE AND AN INTERESTING PROPERTY OF EIGENVALUES IN THE SHELL MODEL
Authors: ARIMA AKITO
Published: December 2009

In this article I first discuss collaborations between France and Japan on nuclear physics in the past, at present and in future. Next I present some recent results of my own research on eigen-value problems.
THE SPIRAL2 PROJECT
Authors:   On behalf of the SPIRAL2 Project Group and Physics Collaborations, ROUSSEL-CHOMAZ PATRICIA
Published: December 2009

The project of an important new extension of the GANIL facility - SPIRAL 2 which entered in the construction phase in 2005 is shortly presented. The physics case of the facility is based on the use of high intensity stable and radioactive beams. Expected performances and main technical parameters of the facility as well as planned new experimental areas and detectors are described.
HADRONIC INTERACTION AND STRUCTURE OF EXOTIC NUCLEI
Authors: OTSUKA TAKAHARU
Published: December 2009

I will overview recent studies on the evolution of the shell structure in stable and exotic nuclei, and will show its relevance to hadronic interaction, including nuclear forces. This shell evolution is primarily due to the tensor force. The robust mechanism and some examples will be presented. Such examples include the disappearance of existing magic numbers and the appearance of new ones. The shell structure and existing limit of nuclei depend also on the three-body interaction in a specific way. I will sketch how the Δ-hole excitation induced three-body force (Fujita-Miyazawa force) modifies them.
ACTIVE TARGET AS A TOOL FOR NUCLEAR SPECTROSCOPY AND REACTIONS
Authors:   On behalf of the MAYA and ACTAR Collaborations, ROUSSEL-CHOMAZ PATRICIA , SAVAJOLS HERVE
Published: December 2009

By the very nature of secondary beams, their intensity is limited, particularly for beams of the highest interest - farthest away from stability. Active targets, which can be described as time projection chamber (TPC)-like detectors in which the detector gas is the target, have been shown to have the highest sensitivity for quantitative high resolution studies of rare events. The physics cases that can be addressed with these devices are reviewed and some of the first results obtained with first generation active targets are detailed. Finally some general ideas on the next generation of active targets are presented.
HIGH-RESOLUTION SPECTROSCOPY USING RI-BEAMS – SHARAQ PROJECT
Authors: SHIMOURA SUSUMU
Published: December 2009

The SHARAQ project is presented along high-resolution nuclear spectroscopy using RI beams, where the characteristics of intermediate-energy charge exchange reactions of RI beams are discussed. The present status of construction of the SHARAQ spectrometer and the high-resolution beam line is presented.
STUDY OF LOW-LYING STATES IN 32Mg
Authors: TAKEUCHI S. , AOI N. , BABA H. , KUBO T. , MOTOBAYASHI T. , TANAKA K. , YAMADA K. , FUKUI T. , OTA S. , HASHIMOTO Y. , KONDO Y. , NAKABAYASHI T. , NAKAMURA T. , OKUMURA T. , IEKI K. , KANNO S. , KURITA K. , SUGOU R. , TAKESHITA E. , TOGANO Y. , IMAI N. , MINEMURA T. , IWASAKI H. , ONISHI T. K. , SAKURAI H. , SUZUKI D. , SUZUKI H. , SUZUKI M. K. , SHIMOURA S. , TAMAKI M.
Published: December 2009

Proton inelastic scattering on the neutron-rich nucleus 32 Mg has been experimentally studied at E lab = 46.5 MeV / nucleon in inverse kinematics. The energies of excited states in 32 Mg were obtained by measuring de-excitation γ rays. Several new states were identified by γ-γ coincidence analysis. Their spins and parities were restricted and the deformation parameters βp,p′ were extracted from the measured angular distribution of the proton inelastic scattering. The present analysis favors 4+ for the spin and parity of the 2321-keV state.
DI-NEUTRON CORRELATION IN LIGHT NEUTRON-RICH NUCLEI
Authors: HAGINO K. , SAGAWA H. , SCHUCK P.
Published: December 2009

Using a three-body model with density-dependent contact interaction, we discuss the root mean square distance between the two valence neutrons in 11 Li nuclues as a function of the center of mass of the neutrons relative to the core nucleus 9 Li . We show that the mean distance takes a pronounced minimum around the surface of the nucleus, indicating a strong surface di-neutron correlation. We demonstrate that the pairing correlation plays an essential role in this behavior. We also discuss the di-neutron structure in the 8 He nucleus.
DECAY PATTERN OF PYGMY STATES OBSERVED IN NEUTRON-RICH26Ne
Authors: GIBELIN J. , BEAUMEL D. , MOTOBAYASHI T. , BLUMENFELD Y. , AOI N. , BABA H. , ELEKES Z. , FORTIER S. , FRASCARIA N. , FUKUDA N. , GOMI T. , ISHIKAWA K. , KONDO Y. , KUBO T. , LIMA V. , NAKAMURA T. , SAITO A. , SATOU Y. , SCARPACI J.-A. , TAKESHITA E. , TAKEUCHI S. , TERANISHI T. , TOGANO Y. , VINODKUMAR A. M. , YANAGISAWA Y. , YOSHIDA K.
Published: December 2009

Coulomb excitation of the exotic neutron-rich nucleus26Ne on a208Pb target was measured at 58 A.MeV in order to search for low-lying E1 strength above the neutron emission threshold. The radioactive beam was produced by fragmentation of a 95 A.MeV Ar beam delivered by the RIKEN Accelerator Research Facility. The set-up included a NaI ( Tl ) gamma-ray array, a charged fragment hodoscope and a neutron wall. Using the invariant mass method in the25Ne +n channel, we observe by multipole decomposition a sizable amount of E1 strength between 6 and 10 MeV excitation energy. For the first time, the decay pattern of low-lying strength in a neutron-rich nucleus is measured.
RELEVANCE OF EQUILIBRIUM IN MULTIFRAGMENTATION
Authors: FURUTA TAKUYA , ONO AKIRA
Published: December 2009

The relevance of equilibrium in a multifragmentation reaction of very central 40 Ca +40 Ca collisions at 35 MeV/nucleon is investigated by using simulations of Antisymmetrized Molecular Dynamics (AMD). Two types of ensembles are compared. One is the reaction ensemble of the states at each reaction time t in collision events simulated by AMD, and the other is the equilibrium ensemble prepared by solving the AMD equation of motion for a many-nucleon system confined in a container for a long time. The comparison of the ensembles is performed for the fragment charge distribution and the excitation energies. Our calculations show that there exists an equilibrium ensemble which well reproduces the reaction ensemble at each reaction time t for the investigated period 80 ≤ t ≤ 300 fm /c.
WEIGHING HALO NUCLIDES
Authors: LUNNEY DAVID
Published: December 2009

Weak binding energy is one of the fundamental criteria characterizing the unique properties of nuclear halos. As such, it must be known with great accuracy and is best obtained through direct mass measurements. The global mass market is now a competitive one. Of the many investment vehicles, the Penning trap has emerged as providing the best rate of return and reliability. We examine mass-market trends, highlighting the recent cases of interest. We also hazard a prediction for the halo futures market.
NUCLEAR WEAK RESPONSE FROM THE COMBINED STUDY OF β-DECAY AND CHARGE-EXCHANGE REACTION
Authors: FUJITA Y. , RUBIO B. , GELLETLY W. , BLANK B. , ADACHI T. , ALGORA A. , ASCHER P. , CAKIRLI R.B. , DE FRANCE G. , GIOVINAZZO J. , GRÉVY S. , FUJITA H. , KUCUK L. , MARQUÉS M. , MOLINA F. , OKTEM Y. , DE OLIVEIRA SANTOS F. , PERROT L. , RAABE R. , SRIVASTAVA P.C. , SUSOY G. , TAMII A. , THOMAS J.-C.
Published: December 2009

Studying the weak nuclear response, especially the Gamow-Teller (GT) transitions, of stable as well as unstable pf-shell nuclei, is one of the key issues in nuclear and astro-nuclear physics. We study the decay half-lives and the GT transitions starting from Tz = ±1 and ±2 mirror nuclei, respectively, by means of β decays and complementary hadronic (3 He , t) charge-exchange reactions. Under the assumption that isospin is a good quantum number, symmetry is expected for mirror nuclei and the GT transitions starting from the mirror nuclei. The half-lives and branching ratios and the measured strength distributions of GT transitions are compared and also combined for the understanding of the nuclear structure of pf-shell nuclei far-from-stability.
FEW-BODY ASPECTS OF HYPERNUCELAR PHYSICS
Authors: HIYAMA EMIKO
Published: December 2009

Hypernuclear physics has become very exciting owing to new epoch-making experimental data. Recent progress in theoretical and experimental studies of hypernuclei and future developments in this field are discussed.
NEW EXPERIMENTAL PROTOCOL OF TELEPORTING AN ARBITRARY SINGLE-QUBIT STATE BY USING HYPERENTANGLED PHOTON PAIRS
Authors: CAO WEN-ZHEN , WU YAN-HUA , LI CHONG
Published: December 2009

A new experimental protocol of teleportation is proposed by using hyperentangled photon pairs, and by this protocol the probability approaches unity. This set-up is made of hyper-entangled photon source, linear optical elements and conventional photon detectors.
Involvement of adiponectin-SIRT1-AMPK signaling in the protective action of rosiglitazone against alcoholic fatty liver in mice
Authors: Shen Zheng , Liang Xiaomei , Rogers Christopher Q. , Rideout Drew , You Min
Published: December 2009

The development of alcoholic fatty liver is associated with reduced adipocyte-derived adiponectin levels, decreased hepatic adiponectin receptors, and deranged hepatic adiponectin signaling in animals. Peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) plays a key role in the regulation of adiponectin in adipose tissue. The aim of the present study was to test the ability of rosiglitazone, a known PPAR-γ agonist, to reverse the inhibitory effects of ethanol on adiponectin expression and its hepatic signaling, and to attenuate alcoholic liver steatosis in mice. Mice were fed modified Lieber-DeCarli ethanol-containing liquid diets for 4 wk or pair-fed control diets. Four groups of mice were given a dose of either 3 or 10 mg·kg body wt−1·day−1of rosiglitazone with or without ethanol in their diets for the last 2 wk of the feeding study. Coadministration of rosiglitazone and ethanol increased the expression and circulating levels of adiponectin and enhanced the expression of hepatic adiponectin receptors (AdipoRs) in mice. These increases correlated closely with the activation of a hepatic sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)-AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) signaling system. In concordance with stimulated SIRT1-AMPK signaling, rosiglitazone administration enhanced expression of fatty acid oxidation enzymes, normalized lipin 1 expression, and blocked elevated expression of genes encoding lipogenic enzymes which, in turn, led to increased fatty acid oxidation, reduced lipogenesis, and alleviation of steatosis in the livers of ethanol-fed mice. Enhanced hepatic adiponectin-SIRT1-AMPK signaling contributes, at least in part, to the protective action of rosiglitazone against alcoholic fatty liver in mice.
The arterial reservoir pressure increases with aging and is the major determinant of the aortic augmentation index
Authors: Davies Justin E. , Baksi John , Francis Darrel P. , Hadjiloizou Nearchos , Whinnett Zachary I. , Manisty Charlotte H. , Aguado-Sierra Jazmin , Foale Rodney A. , Malik Iqbal S. , Tyberg John V. , Parker Kim H. , Mayet Jamil , Hughes Alun D.
Published: December 2009

The augmentation index predicts cardiovascular mortality and is usually explained as a distally reflected wave adding to the forward wave generated by systole. We propose that the capacitative properties of the aorta (the arterial reservoir) also contribute significantly to the augmentation index and have calculated the contribution of the arterial reservoir, independently of wave reflection, and assessed how these contributions change with aging. In 15 subjects (aged 53 ± 10 yr), we measured pressure and Doppler velocity simultaneously in the proximal aorta using intra-arterial wires. We calculated the components of augmentation pressure in two ways: 1) into forward and backward (reflected) components by established separation methods, and 2) using an approach that accounts for an additional reservoir component. When the reservoir was ignored, augmentation pressure (22.7 ± 13.9 mmHg) comprised a small forward wave (peak pressure = 6.5 ± 9.4 mmHg) and a larger backward wave (peak pressure = 16.2 ± 7.6 mmHg). After we took account of the reservoir, the contribution to augmentation pressure of the backward wave was reduced by 64% to 5.8 ± 4.4 mmHg ( P < 0.001), forward pressure was negligible, and reservoir pressure was the largest component (peak pressure = 19.8 ± 9.3 mmHg). With age, reservoir pressure increased progressively (9.9 mmHg/decade, r = 0.69, P < 0.001). In conclusion, the augmentation index is principally determined by aortic reservoir function and other elastic arteries and only to a minor extent by reflected waves. Reservoir function rather than wave reflection changes markedly with aging, which accounts for the age-related changes in the aortic pressure waveform.
Modulation of epithelial sodium channel activity by lipopolysaccharide in alveolar type II cells: involvement of purinergic signaling
Authors: Boncoeur Émilie , Tardif Valérie , Tessier Marie-Claude , Morneau Frédéric , Lavoie Jacynthe , Gendreau-Berthiaume Erik , Grygorczyk Ryszard , Dagenais André , Berthiaume Yves
Published: December 2009

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a gram-negative bacterium that causes chronic infection in cystic fibrosis patients. We reported recently that P. aeruginosa modulates epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) expression in experimental chronic pneumonia models. For this reason, we tested whether LPS from P. aeruginosa alters ENaC expression and activity in alveolar epithelial cells. We found that LPS induces a ∼60% decrease of ENaC apical current without significant changes in intracellular ENaC or surface protein expression. Because a growing body of evidence reports a key role for extracellular nucleotides in regulation of ion channels, we evaluated the possibility that modulation of ENaC activity by LPS involves extracellular ATP signaling. We found that alveolar epithelial cells release ATP upon LPS stimulation and that pretreatment with suramin, a P2Y2 purinergic receptor antagonist, inhibited the effect of LPS on ENaC. Furthermore, ET-18-OCH3, a PLC inhibitor, and Go-6976, a PKC inhibitor, were able to partially prevent ENaC inhibition by LPS, suggesting that the actions of LPS on ENaC current were mediated, in part, by the PKC and PLC pathways. Together, these findings demonstrate an important role of extracellular ATP signaling in the response of epithelial cells to LPS.
Sensitivity of 24-h EMG duration and intensity in the human vastus lateralis muscle to threshold changes
Authors: Klein Cliff S. , Peterson Lillian B. , Ferrell Sean , Thomas Christine K.
Published: December 2009

Few studies have quantified lower limb muscle activity over 24 h using electromyographic signals (EMG). None have described the changes in EMG duration and intensity when data are analyzed with different thresholds. Continuous bilateral EMG recordings were made from vastus lateralis (VL) in 10 subjects (20–48 yr) for 24 h. Before and after this recording, voluntary quadriceps forces and VL EMG at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), percentage voluntary activation (twitch interpolation), and compound action potentials (M-waves) were recorded. Offline, the 24-h EMG integrals (IEMG, 10-ms time constant) were normalized to the MVC IEMG. Total EMG duration and mean IEMG ranged from 1–3 h and 3.2–12.1% MVC, respectively, when the data were analyzed using the baseline (+3 SD) as threshold. When analysis was done with progressively higher thresholds, from baseline up to 4% MVC, the total EMG duration declined curvilinearly. In some cases the decline in duration was 50–60% for a 1% MVC threshold increment. The mean 24-h IEMG increased by 1.5–2% MVC for each 1% MVC threshold increment. Hence, a small change in the analysis threshold may result in large changes in 24-h EMG duration but moderate changes in mean IEMG. Our findings suggest that VL was active for a short amount of time and at low intensities over 24 h.
Local ascorbate administration inhibits the adrenergic vasoconstrictor response to local cooling in the human skin
Authors: Yamazaki Fumio
Published: December 2009

Local cooling (LC) of nonglabrous skin causes vasoconstriction via the adrenergic and removal of nitric oxide (NO) systems. Since cooling increases reactive oxygen species in smooth muscle cells and induces increased sensitivity of α-adrenergic receptors, antioxidant supplementation may attenuate the vasoconstrictor response to skin LC via adrenergic and/or NO systems. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effects of acute l-ascorbate (Asc, 10 mM) supplementation in human skin on the vasoconstrictor responses to LC in skin with and without NO synthase (NOS) inhibition or adrenergic receptor blockade. In a three-part study, forearm sites were instrumented with microdialysis fibers, local coolers, and laser-Doppler flow (LDF) probes in healthy volunteers. Sites were cooled from 34 to 24°C at −1°C/min and maintained at 24°C for 20 min ( parts 1 and 2) or 30 min ( part 3). During the last 10 min of LC in parts 1 and 2, whole body cooling was performed to increase sympathetic vasoconstrictor activity. Cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was calculated as the ratio of LDF to blood pressure and expressed relative to the baseline value before cooling. Treatments in each part were as follows: part 1) untreated, Asc; part 2) NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) to inhibit NOS, combined l-NAME + Asc; part 3) yohimbine (YOH) + propranolol (PRO) to antagonize α- and β-adrenergic receptors and combined YOH + PRO + Asc. CVC reduction during LC was smaller ( P < 0.001) at Asc sites (−31 ± 4%) than at untreated sites (−56 ± 5%). LC-induced reduction in CVC was smaller ( P < 0.05) at l-NAME + Asc sites (−23 ± 8%) than at l-NAME sites (−43 ± 7%). LC-induced reduction in CVC did not differ between at PRO + YOH sites (−56 ± 3%) and at PRO + YOH + Asc sites (−50 ± 3%). These findings suggest that antioxidant supplementation inhibits the vasoconstrictor response to direct cooling through an adrenoceptor-dependent mechanism in human skin.
Emerging Tick-Borne Infections
Authors: Mutz Ingomar
Published: December 2009

Tick-borne infections occur worldwide and have been well known for more than 100 years. Some tick-borne diseases are very common while others are extremely rare. Modern molecular genetic techniques (and the wider availability of polymerase chain reaction) have lead to the discovery and classification of new pathogenic agents, especially for the order of Rickettsiales. This review deals with viral, bacterial and protozoal agents that may cause human disease. Most tick bites, and hence the tick-borne diseases, occur during the warmer time of the year. With respect to the natural reservoirs, there is a strong geographic variation among different tick-borne diseases. The history of a tick bite is not always reliable, because a tick bite may go unnoticed. The most common diseases are Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis due to a flavivirus. The viral infections more often have neurologic signs of encephalitis, while the rikettsial infections are characterized by fever (biphasic), systemic symptoms of infection and often a rash with petechiae. Some of the tick-borne diseases are preventable by immunization, such as tick-borne encephalitis. The non-viral infections should be treated early with antibiotics, mostly following clinical suspicion, to achieve a satisfactory outcome. Either due to the virulence of the pathogen, non-utilization of preventive measures or due to delayed diagnosis and treatment, mortality rates may vary, but the tick-borne infections still cost lives.
Incidence of Parkinson’s Disease in Bulgaria
Authors: Hristova Dimka , Zachariev Zahari , Mateva Nonka , Grozdev Ivan
Published: December 2009

The incidence of Parkinson’s disease (PD) was studied over a 3-year period (2002–2004) in the district of Plovdiv, Bulgaria with a mean population of 713,090. Of 663 possible cases, 244 patients diagnosed with PD were included in the study. The diagnosis PD was based on UK PD Society Brain Bank Criteria. The average crude incidence rate of PD was 11.44/ 100,000 person-years. After age adjustment to the general Bulgarian population, incidence was 11.65/100,000: 17.46 for men; 7.24 for women; 12.97 for the urban group and 9.55 for the rural group. Age-specific incidence was 0.67/100,000 in the age range 40–44, reached a maximum of 112.73/100,000 for males and 52.58/100,000 for females in the age range 75–79 years and declined in the elderly. The present study estimates the incidence of PD in Bulgaria, which is similar to that in other European countries. The incidence rate in the Bulgarian population is twofold higher in men compared to women and slightly higher in the urban population compared with the rural population.
Metacognitive Training at Home: Does It Improve Older Adults’ Learning?
Authors: Bailey Heather , Dunlosky John , Hertzog Christopher
Published: December 2009

Background: Previous research has described the success of an intervention aimed at improving older adults’ ability to regulate their learning. This metacognitive approach involves teaching older adults to allocate their study time more efficiently by testing themselves and restudying items that are less well learned. Objective: Although this type of memory intervention has shown promise, training older adults to test themselves in the laboratory can be very time-intensive. Thus, the purpose of the present study is to transport the self-testing training method from the laboratory to home use. Methods: A standard intervention design was used that included a pretraining session, multiple training sessions, and a posttraining session. Participants were randomly assigned to either the training group (n = 29) or the waiting list control group (n = 27). Moreover, we screened participants for whether they used the self-testing strategy during their pretraining test session. Results: Compared to the performance of the control group, the training group displayed significant gains, which demonstrates that older adults can benefit from training themselves to use these skills at home. Moreover, the results of the present study indicate that this metacognitive approach can effectively improve older adults’ learning, even in those who spontaneously self-test prior to training. Conclusions: Training metacognitive skills, such as self-testing and efficient study allocation, can improve the ability to learn new information in healthy older adults. More importantly, older adult clients can be supplied with an at-home training manual, which will ease the burden on practitioners.
Frequency of Unrecognized Fabry Disease Among Young European-American and African-American Men With First Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Wozniak Marcella A. , Kittner Steven J. , Tuhrim Stanley , Cole John W. , Stern Barney , Dobbins Mark , Grace Marie E. , Nazarenko Irina , Dobrovolny Robert , McDade Eric , Desnick Robert J.
Published: December 2009

Background and Purpose—

The cause of initial ischemic stroke in up to 30% of young patients remains unclear. Fabry disease, due to deficient α-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) activity, is a vascular endothelial glycosphingolipid storage disease typically presenting in childhood. With advancing age, patients develop renal, cardiac, and cerebrovascular disease and die prematurely. A European study suggested an increased prevalence of unrecognized Fabry disease in patients with cryptogenic stroke. We hypothesized that α-Gal A deficiency is a rare cause of initial early-onset ischemic stroke in men.

Methods—

The Stroke Prevention in Young Men Study enrolled >550 men (15 to 49 years) with first ischemic stroke in the Baltimore–Washington area in 2004 to 2007. Frozen plasma samples were assayed for α-Gal A activity, and DNA from patients with consistently low plasma α-Gal A activities were sequenced.

Results—

The study sample consisted of 558 men (42% African-American; median age 44 years). Stroke was cryptogenic in 154 men (40% African-American). In 10 patients with low plasma α-Gal A activities, DNA sequencing identified alterations in the α-Gal A gene in 2 patients. The polymorphism, D313Y, which results in low plasma enzyme activity, but near normal levels of cellular activity was seen in one European-American male. The Fabry disease-causing A143T mutation was seen in an African-American male with cryptogenic stroke (0.18% of all strokes: upper 95% CI=0.53%; 0.65% of cryptogenic strokes: upper 95% CI=1.92%).

Conclusions—

In this biracial population, unrecognized Fabry disease is a rare but treatable cause of initial ischemic stroke in young men.
To Scroll or Not to Scroll: Scrolling, Working Memory Capacity, and Comprehending Complex Texts
Authors: Sanchez Christopher A. , Wiley Jennifer
Published: December 2009

Objective: The purpose of these experiments was to examine the effects of user characteristics on learning from scrolling interfaces. Background: Although scrolling Web pages are now common, few studies have explored the effects of scrolling on understanding the content that is being conveyed. Method: This set of studies investigated whether presenting text in two particular formats has an effect on comprehension for readers who differ in working memory capacity. Results: Results from both studies indicated that a scrolling format reduced understanding of complex topics from Web pages, especially for readers who were lower in working memory capacity. Conclusion: These findings show that the way text is presented can interact with learner abilities to affect learning outcomes. Application: These results have implications for both educational technology and human interfaces that present information using displays that can vary in size and construction.
The Challenge of Uncoupled Motion: Duration of Cognitive and Physiological Aftereffects
Authors: Muth Eric R.
Published: December 2009

Objective: This study aimed to document the cognitive aftereffects of exposure to uncoupled motion and the time course of recovery from these aftereffects. Background: Uncoupled motion refers to a situation in which an individual is simultaneously exposed to two asynchronous motions, either real or virtual. These environments are a challenge for designers because technology that is supposed to increase the user’s task performance may actually lead to decreased task performance. Method: In the study, 11 male participants, (median age = 32 years) with prior flight experience (median = 600 hr) were exposed to an uncoupled motion environment consisting of a flight simulator on a vertically oscillating platform. Participants completed a cognitive test battery, a balance test, and a dynamic visual acuity test preexposure, immediately postexposure, and 2, 4, 6, 8, and 24 hr postexposure. Results: The uncoupled motion scenario led to significant cognitive aftereffects that cannot be solely attributed to motion sickness. These aftereffects lasted between 2 and 4 hr postexposure. The scenario generated some physiological aftereffects that lasted between 1 and 2 hr postexposure. However, it is likely that these aftereffects can be attributed to motion sickness. Conclusion: Uncoupled motion can cause unappreciated effects, such as degraded cognitive performance. Application: System designs that create uncoupled motion need to be evaluated for the potential to generate operator impairment, and designs should be modified to minimize this potential wherever possible. When redesign is not possible, system-use guidelines should be developed to minimize impairment. The current results suggest operators avoid performing cognitively demanding tasks for at least 2 hr postexposure.
The Use of Waxes and Wetting Additives to Improve Compatibility Between HDPE and Ground Tyre Rubber
Authors: Cañavate J. , Carrillo F. , Casas P. , Colom X. , Suñol J.J.
Published: December 2009

The concern about the amounts of used tyres that end in landfills and the environmental problems that they produce have led to research on ways to use these residues in common applications. A general starting point in the recovering procedures is the grinding of the tyres in order to obtain a powder known as ground tyre rubber (GTR). This paper proposes an alternative way of recycling the used tyres by means of a new material composed by a polyolefin matrix, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) reinforced with GTR. The crosslinked structure and surface characteristics of the GTR hampers good interaction with the polymeric matrix, leading to weak adhesion between the two phases and consequently a decrease of the mechanical properties. The aim of this work is to improve adhesion, achieving better wetting of GTR particles by HDPE. For this purpose, waxes and wetting additives were added to the mixture. The influence of these additives was determined by mechanical properties, attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and optical microscopy. An acidic wetting additive and a polyethylene wax showed good results regarding mechanical properties, dispersion of the GTR particles and adhesion.
Multi-walled Carbon Nanotube/Polymer Composite: A Nano-enabled Continuous Fiber
Authors: Ranjan Sudhir , Jue Zhi-Feng , Chen Frank L.
Published: December 2009

A homogeneous mixture of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (EVOH) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was prepared. A nano-enabled composite fiber was continuously spun using this homogeneous mixture through a single-hole spinneret into a coagulation bath containing methanol. The physical properties and the intermolecular interactions of the fiber were studied by scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, and infrared spectroscopy. Fourier transform infrared analysis suggests that there is an interfacial interaction between PVA, EVOH, and MWCNT through the functional groups attached to them along the molecular chains of the fibers. Tensile strength was measured. The careful removal of a small amount of PVA produced a 20% increase in tensile strength.