bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrated processes and the discrete cosine transform
Authors: Davies Robert B.
Published: May 2004

A time-series consisting of white noise plus Brownian motion sampled at equal intervals of time is exactly orthogonalized by a discrete cosine transform (DCT-II). This paper explores the properties of a version of spectral analysis based on the discrete cosine transform and its use in distinguishing between a stationary time-series and an integrated (unit root) time-series.
An asymptotic formula for the Bayes risk in discriminating between two Markov chains
Authors: Nagaev A. V.
Published: May 2004

The problem of discriminating between two Markov chains is considered. It is assumed that the common state space of the chains is finite and all the finite dimensional distributions are mutually absolutely continuous. The Bayes risk is expressed through large deviation probabilities for sums of random variables defined on an auxiliary Markov chain. The proofs are based on a large deviation theorem recently established by Z. Szewczak.
Fitting hidden semi-Markov models to breakpoint rainfall data
Authors: Sansom John , Thomson Peter
Published: May 2004

The paper proposes a hidden semi-Markov model for breakpoint rainfall data that consist of both the times at which rain-rate changes and the steady rates between such changes. The model builds on and extends the seminal work of Ferguson (1980) on variable duration models for speech. For the rainfall data the observations are modelled as mixtures of log-normal distributions within unobserved states where the states evolve in time according to a semi-Markov process. For the latter, parametric forms need to be specified for the state transition probabilities and dwell-time distributions.

Recursions for constructing the likelihood are developed and the EM algorithm used to fit the parameters of the model. The choice of dwell-time distribution is discussed with a mixture of distributions over disjoint domains providing a flexible alternative. The methods are also extended to deal with censored data. An application of the model to a large-scale bivariate dataset of breakpoint rainfall measurements at Wellington, New Zealand, is discussed.
Estimation of the upper cutoff parameter for the tapered Pareto distribution
Authors: Kagan Y. Y. , Schoenberg F.
Published: May 2004

The tapered (or generalized) Pareto distribution, also called the modified Gutenberg-Richter law, has been used to model the sizes of earthquakes. Unfortunately, maximum likelihood estimates of the cutoff parameter are substantially biased. Alternative estimates for the cutoff parameter are presented, and their properties discussed.
On the statistics of the linked stress release model
Authors: Bebbington Mark , Harte David S.
Published: May 2004

The paper reviews the formulation of the linked stress release model for large scale seismicity together with aspects of its application. Using data from Taiwan for illustrative purposes, models can be selected and verified using tools that include Akaike's information criterion (AIC), numerical analysis, residual point processes and Monte Carlo simulation.
Automatic methods for generating seismic intensity maps
Authors: Brillinger David R. , Chiann Chang , Irizarry Rafael A. , Morettin Pedro A.
Published: May 2004

For many years the modified Mercalli (MM) scale has been used to describe earthquake damage and effects observed at scattered locations. In the next stage of an analysis involving MM data, isoseismal lines based on the observations have been added to maps by hand, i.e. subjectively. However a few objective methods have been proposed (by e.g. De Rubeiset al., Brillinger, Waldet al.and Pettenatiet al.).The work presented here develops objective methods further. In particular the ordinal character of the MM scale is specifically taken into account. Numerical smoothing is basic to the approach and methods involving splines, local polynomial regression and wavelets are illustrated. The approach also allows the inclusion of explanatory variables, for example site effects. The procedure is implemented for data from the 17 October 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.
Exploratory analysis of earthquake clusters by likelihood-based trigger models
Authors: Ogata Yosihiko
Published: May 2004

The paper considers the superposition of modified Omori functions as a conditional intensity function for a point process model used in the exploratory analysis of earthquake clusters. For the examples discussed, the maximum likelihood estimates converge well starting from appropriate initial values even though the number of parameters estimated can be large (though never larger than the number of observations). Three datasets are subjected to different analyses, showing the use of the model to discover and study individual clustering features.
On the structure of proper Black-Scholes formulae
Authors: Whittle Peter
Published: May 2004

The thinking behind the original Black-Scholes formula is criticised on the grounds that it holds out the quite unrealistic prospect of risk-free operation, that it can sacrifice asset maximisation to exact meeting of the contract, and that it restricts investment to those stocks on which an option is being sold. An alternative approach is given, based on a model of risk-averse asset maximisation, which, while meeting these criticisms, gives the option price in the familiar form of a discounted and weighted conditional expectation of the seller's liability at maturity. This evaluation is extended to a completely general stochastic model of stock price evolution; consideration is also given to the possibility of seller's ruin.
A study of the role of the transmission mechanism in macroparasite aggregation
Authors: Herbert Julian , Isham Valerie
Published: May 2004

The dynamics of host-macroparasite infections pose considerable challenges for stochastic modelling because of the need to take into account a large number of relevant factors and many nonlinear interactions between them. This paper focuses attention on the infection transmission process and the effects of specific modelling assumptions about the mechanisms involved. Some dramatically simplified linear models are considered; they are based on multidimensional linear birth and death processes, and are designed to illuminate qualitative effects of interest. Both single and compound infections are allowed. It is shown that such simple models can generate and increase dispersion of parasite counts, even among homogeneous hosts.
Estimating interannual variability arising from weather events
Authors: Zheng Xiaogu , Renwick James
Published: May 2004

The advantages and limitations of frequency domain and time domain methods for estimating the interannual variability arising from day-to-day weather events are summarized. A modification of the time domain method is developed and its application in examining a precondition for the frequency domain method is demonstrated. A combined estimation procedure is proposed: it takes advantage of the strengths of both methods. The estimation procedures are tested with sets of synthetic data and are applied to long time series of three meteorological parameters. The impacts of the different methods on tests of potential long-range predictability for seasonal means are also discussed.
Differential stability of β-catenin along the animal-vegetal axis of the sea urchin embryo mediated by dishevelled
Authors: Weitzel Heather E. , Illies Michele R. , Byrum Christine A. , Xu Ronghui , Wikramanayake Athula H. , Ettensohn Charles A.
Published: May 2004

β-Catenin has a central role in the early axial patterning of metazoan embryos. In the sea urchin, β-catenin accumulates in the nuclei of vegetal blastomeres and controls endomesoderm specification. Here, we use in-vivo measurements of the half-life of fluorescently tagged β-catenin in specific blastomeres to demonstrate a gradient in β-catenin stability along the animal-vegetal axis during early cleavage. This gradient is dependent on GSK3β-mediated phosphorylation of β-catenin. Calculations show that the difference in β-catenin half-life at the animal and vegetal poles of the early embryo is sufficient to produce a difference of more than 100-fold in levels of the protein in less than 2 hours. We show that dishevelled (Dsh), a key signaling protein, is required for the stabilization of β-catenin in vegetal cells and provide evidence that Dsh undergoes a local activation in the vegetal region of the embryo. Finally, we report that GFP-tagged Dsh is targeted specifically to the vegetal cortex of the fertilized egg. During cleavage, Dsh-GFP is partitioned predominantly into vegetal blastomeres. An extensive mutational analysis of Dsh identifies several regions of the protein that are required for vegetal cortical targeting, including a phospholipid-binding motif near the N-terminus.
Distinct roles of Rac1/Cdc42 and Rho/Rock for axon outgrowth and nucleokinesis of precerebellar neurons toward netrin 1
Authors: Causeret Frédéric , Hidalgo-Sanchez Matias , Fort Philippe , Backer Stéphanie , Popoff Michel-Robert , Gauthier-Rouvière Cécile , Bloch-Gallego Evelyne
Published: May 2004

During embryonic development, tangentially migrating precerebellar neurons emit a leading process and then translocate their nuclei inside it(nucleokinesis). Netrin 1 (also known as netrin-1) acts as a chemoattractant factor for neurophilic migration of precerebellar neurons (PCN) both in vivo and in vitro. In the present work, we analyzed Rho GTPases that could direct axon outgrowth and/or nuclear migration. We show that the expression pattern of Rho GTPases in developing PCN is consistent with their involvement in the migration of PCN from the rhombic lips. We report that pharmacological inhibition of Rho enhances axon outgrowth of PCN and prevents nuclei migration toward a netrin 1 source, whereas inhibition of Rac and Cdc42 sub-families impair neurite outgrowth of PCN without affecting migration. We show, through pharmacological inhibition, that Rho signaling directs neurophilic migration through Rock activation. Altogether, our results indicate that Rho/Rock acts on signaling pathways favoring nuclear translocation during tangential migration of PCN. Thus, axon extension and nuclear migration of PCN in response to netrin 1 are not strictly dependent processes because: (1)distinct small GTPases are involved; (2) axon extension can occur when migration is blocked; and (3) migration can occur when axon outgrowth is impaired.
Identification of new members of Fertilisation Independent Seed Polycomb Group pathway involved in the control of seed development inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Guitton Anne-Elisabeth , Page Damian R. , Chambrier Pierre , Lionnet Claire , Faure Jean-Emmanuel , Grossniklaus Ueli , Berger Frédéric
Published: May 2004

In higher plants, double fertilisation initiates seed development. One sperm cell fuses with the egg cell and gives rise to the embryo, the second sperm cell fuses with the central cell and gives rise to the endosperm. The endosperm develops as a syncytium with the gradual organisation of domains along an anteroposterior axis defined by the position of the embryo at the anterior pole and by the attachment to the placenta at the posterior pole. We report that ontogenesis of the posterior pole in Arabidopsis thalianainvolves oriented migration of nuclei in the syncytium. We show that this migration is impaired in mutants of the three founding members of the FERTILIZATION INDEPENDENT SEED (FIS) class, MEDEA(MEA), FIS2 and FERTILIZATION INDEPENDENT ENDOSPERM(FIE). A screen based on a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter line allowed us to identify two new loci in the FIS pathway, medicis and borgia. We have cloned the MEDICIS gene and show that it encodes the Arabidopsis homologue of the yeast WD40 domain protein MULTICOPY SUPRESSOR OF IRA (MSI1). The mutations at the new fis loci cause the same cellular defects in endosperm development as other fis mutations, including parthenogenetic development, absence of cellularisation, ectopic development of posterior structures and overexpression of the GFP marker.
Involvement of the VEGF receptor 3 in tubular morphogenesis demonstrated with a human anti-human VEGFR-3 monoclonal antibody that antagonizes receptor activation by VEGF-C
Authors: Persaud Kris , Tille Jean-Christophe , Liu Meilin , Zhu Zhenping , Jimenez Xenia , Pereira Daniel S. , Miao Hua-Quan , Brennan Laura A. , Witte Larry , Pepper Michael S. , Pytowski Bronislaw
Published: May 2004

In this report we utilize a novel antagonist antibody to the human VEGFR-3 to elucidate the role of this receptor in in vitro tubular morphogenesis of bovine and human endothelial cells (EC cells) induced by VEGF-C. The antibody hF4-3C5 was obtained by panning a human phage display library on soluble human VEGFR-3. The binding affinity constant of hF4-3C5 significantly exceeds that of the interaction of VEGFR-3 with VEGF-C. hF4-3C5 strongly inhibits the binding of soluble VEGFR-3 to immobilized VEGF-C and abolishes the VEGF-C-mediated mitogenic response of cells that expresses a chimeric human VEGFR-3-cFMS receptor. In fluorescence experiments, hF4-3C5 reactivity is observed with human lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Binding of hF4-3C5 shows that about half of bovine aortic endothelial (BAE) cells express VEGFR-3 and cells in this subpopulation are primarily responsible for the chemotactic response to the mature form of VEGF-C (VEGF-CΔNΔC). This response was strongly inhibited by the addition of hF4-3C5. In vitro tube formation by BAE cells induced by VEGF-CΔNΔC was reduced by greater than 60% by hF4-3C5 whereas the response to VEGF165 was unaffected. Addition of hF4-3C5 together with an antagonist antibody to VEGFR-2 completely abolished the response to VEGF-CΔNΔC. Similar results were obtained with HUVECs. Together, these findings point to a role for VEGFR-3 in vascular tubular morphogenesis and highlight the utility of hF4-3C5 as a tool for the investigation of the biology of VEGFR-3.
From the Editors…
Authors: Clemen Robert T. , Kleinmuntz Don N.
Published: May 2004

In this issue, Ron Howard proposes revising the language of decision analysis, and several decision analysts provide critical commentaries. Other contributions include three research articles on probabilistic sensitivity analysis, probability elicitation, and corporate risk preferences, respectively.
Accuracy of Abstracts for Original Research Articles in Pharmacy Journals
Authors: Ward Leah G , Kendrach Michael G , Price Sherry O
Published: May 2004

BACKGROUND:

Accuracy of abstracts representing original research articles is imperative since these are readily available and biomedical literature readers may not have access to the full-text article. Furthermore, previous reports document discrepancies in published original research abstracts compared with the full-text article.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the accuracy of abstracts for original research articles published in nationally represented, widely circulated pharmacy-specific journals ( American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, The Consultant Pharmacist, Hospital Pharmacy, Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, Pharmacotherapy: The Journal of Human Pharmacology and Drug Therapy) from June 2001 through May 2002.

METHODS:

Outcome measures included an omission, defined as data in the abstract not located in the article. In addition, abstracts were considered deficient if these included an omission, inaccurate factual (ie, qualitative and quantitative) information presented in the abstract that differed from information contained within the text, an inconsistency in following the “Instructions for Authors” for the respective journal, or a discrepancy between the placement of text in the manuscript and a structured abstract.

RESULTS:

A total of 243 abstracts for original research articles were published in selected journal issues. Evaluation of these abstracts identified 60 (24.7%) abstracts containing omissions; 81 (33.3%) abstracts contained either an omission or inaccuracy. A total of 147 (60.5%) abstracts were classified as deficient.

CONCLUSIONS:

Results of this analysis demonstrate that improvements are needed within abstracts for original research articles published in pharmacy-specific journals. Authors and peer reviewers should analyze the abstract contents closely to ensure that the abstract accurately represents the full-text article.
The distress experienced by voice hearers is associated with the perceived relationship between the voice hearer and the voice
Authors: Vaughan Sam , Fowler David
Published: May 2004

Objectives: To explore the relationship between distress and the perceptions that voice hearers have of their relationship with the voice they hear. We predicted that a dominant style of relating by the voice and a submissive and distancing style of relating by the voice hearer would be linked with distress.

Method: Thirty people who were hearing voices took part in the study. Information was gathered about the characteristics of the voice‐hearing experience, the level of distress experienced in relation to the voice, the relationship between the voice hearer and the voice, and level of depression.

Results: The tendency for the voice to relate in a dominating, insulting manner and the tendency of individuals to react with suspicion and lack of communication with the voice were uniquely associated with distress.

Conclusions: Appraisals of the relationship between the voice and voice hearer made by voice hearers are associated with differing emotional responses to voices. Clinical assessments of people who have distressing voices may be enhanced by a detailed consideration of the sort of relationship that exists between the client and their voice.
Influence of Soaking on Stress-Strain Characteristics of Fly Ash
Authors: Zhou C , Yin J-H , Ming J-P
Published: May 2004

A series of confined uniaxial compression (oedometer) tests and triaxial compression tests were conducted to study the influence of soaking on the stress-strain characteristics of coal fly ash widely used in Mainland China. The focus was on the collapsibility of fly ash with porous structure under different conditions, such as different relative density, initial water content, stress state, stress level, consolidation stress ratio, and soaking history. Main results of the test program are presented in this paper. It is determined that soaking collapsibility of fly ash depends on the relative density, initial water content, stress state, stress level, consolidation stress ratio, and soaking history, which the fly ash has experienced. The larger the relative density, the initial water content, and the consolidation stress ratio σ′3/σ′1 are, the smaller the soaking collapsibility is. The soaking collapsibility increases with stress level, which has a strong influence on the stress-strain characteristics of the fly ash.
Effect of Compaction Conditions on the Seismic Compression of Compacted Fill Soils
Authors: Whang DH , Stewart JP , Bray JD
Published: May 2004

Seismic compression is defined as the accrual of contractive volumetric strains in unsaturated compacted soil during earthquake shaking. Existing seismic compression analysis procedures are based on laboratory test results for clean uniform sands, and their applicability to compacted soils with fines is unclear. We evaluate seismic compression from cyclic simple shear laboratory testing of four compacted soils having fines contents that are sufficiently large that fines control the soil behavior, but possessing varying levels of fines plasticity. Each soil material is compacted to a range of formation dry densities and degrees-of-saturation. The test results show that seismic compression susceptibility decreases with increasing density and decreasing shear strain amplitude. Saturation is also found to be important for soils with moderately plastic fines (plasticity index, PI ≈ 15), but relatively unimportant for soils with low plasticity fines (PI ≈ 2) across the range of saturations tested (≥54%). The saturation effect appears to be linked to the presence or lack of presence of a clod structure in the soil, the clod structure being most pronounced in plastic soils compacted dry of the line-of-optimums or at low densities. Comparisons of test results for soils with and without low- to moderately-plastic fines suggest that fines can decrease the seismic compression potential relative to clean sands.
Critical Review of Through-Wall Attenuation of Mechanical Properties in RPV Steels
Authors: English CA , Server WL , Rosinski ST
Published: May 2004

This paper reviews the current state of knowledge on attenuation of damage parameters in reactor pressure vessels (RPVs). There are two methods for evaluating attenuation of properties through a reactor pressure vessel wall. The first is by direct measurement of the change in mechanical properties from decommissioned RPV sections or from simulated RPV wall experiments. It is shown that, although this approach is appealing, issues associated with knowledge of the start-of-life properties throughout the vessel wall sample and material property data scatter have made past measurements non-definitive in establishing attenuation changes. There is a need for further data on the direct measurement of attenuation, and an experiment is described, that is planned in 2002 under IAEA sponsorship. An alternative method for evaluating embrittlement is the use of a neutron damage exposure parameter and attenuation model coupled with an embrittlement correlation developed from surveillance capsule testing. The significant change in neutron flux spectrum when neutrons are attenuated through the RPV wall defines the need for a suitable neutron exposure damage parameter. The best available neutron exposure damage parameter is dpa. It is shown that plant-specific calculation of dpa through the RPV wall is the best method to be used for the neutron exposure. However, it can lead to slightly less attenuated values for damage at ¼-T and ¾-T for the vessel, as compared to using the simple exponential model quoted in Regulatory Guide 1.99, Rev. 2. Finally it is concluded that when using a surveillance correlation model to predict the attenuation of mechanical properties through the RPV wall, the use of a mechanistically guided model appears to be more appropriate than the embrittlement correlation provided in Regulatory Guide 1.99, Revision 2.
Mechanical and Structural Property Changes of Monolithic SiC and Advanced SiC/SiC Composites due to Low Temperature He+-Ion Irradiation and Post-Irradiation High Temperature Annealing
Authors: Nogami S , Miwa S , Hasegawa A , Abe K
Published: May 2004

The hardness and elastic modulus of monolithic β-SiC and advanced SiC/SiC composites irradiated to He-concentrations of from 1000 to 20 000 at.ppm at a temperature below 100°C were investigated. Changes in the hardness and elastic modulus were correlated with He release behavior and with irradiation-induced microstructural changes and swelling. The hardness and elastic modulus of the irradiated specimens decreased with He concentration. Amorphized regions were observed in the He-irradiated monolithic β-SiC. The mechanical property changes likely were due to irradiation-induced amorphization. By the annealing at 1200°C, nearly full recovery was achieved. He release peaks from the pyrolitic graphite, monolithic SiC, and the SiC/SiC composites at 250, 700, 1000, and 1150°C, were identified. The correlation between the mechanical property and microstructural changes and the He release behavior are discussed.
Dependence of Re-embrittlement Rate After Annealing on the Copper, Nickel and Phosphorus Contents in Model Alloys
Authors: Valo M , Ehrnstén U , Kohopää J , Debarberis L , Kryukov A , Rintamaa R
Published: May 2004

Irradiation embrittlement rate as well as the re-embrittlement rate after annealing of pressure vessel steels can in general be described by the copper, phosphorus and nickel contents of the materials. In the current study embrittlement and re-embrittlement rate of 32 different model alloys were measured using sub-size CH-V specimens of dimensions 3 × 4 × 27 mm. The impurity and alloy elements of the model alloys were varied within the limits Cu: 0−1.0 wt-%, P = 0−0.040 wt-% and Ni: 0−2.0 wt-% relatively evenly. The specimens were originally irradiated in the high flux reactor in Petten into a neutron fluence of 0.3×1019n/cm2, E >1 MeV and re-irradiated after the annealing treatment in the Loviisa power reactor into a fluence of 1.0 × 1019n/cm2, E > 1 MeV. In the paper the irradiation and re-irradiation embrittlement rate has been modeled based on the Cu, P and Ni contents of the alloys. Re-irradiation rate was found to be clearly lower than the original irradiation rate except for small corner in the element space, i.e., no nickel, low copper and high phosphorus alloys. Phosphorus coefficient in the re-irradiation shift function is relatively two times higher than in the original irradiation shift function. Many of the alloys in the IAI-condition show intergranular type fracture (IGF). However, the effect of the change of the fracture mode from cleavage to IGF on transition temperature shift remains open. The dependence of irradiation embrittlement, annealing and re-embrittlement behavior on the copper, phosphorus and nickel contents is still not solved, one reason being the relatively limited variation of the key elements in the materials. Model alloys offer a good variation matrix of the elements even, if the measured data cannot be directly applied to real steels.
“Homicide by Heart Attack” Revisited
Authors: Turner SA , Barnard JJ , Spotswood SD , Prahlow JA
Published: May 2004

The sudden death of a person caused by an arrhythmia that is induced by physical and/or emotional stress provoked by the criminal activity of another person is sometimes referred to as “homicide by heart attack.” Published criteria for such an event relate to situations where no physical contact occurs between the perpetrator and the victim. Situations involving physical contact, but with absence of lethal injuries, are frequently treated in a similar fashion by forensic pathologists. Herein, we propose a set of modified criteria, which include cases where physical contact has occurred. Five examples of so-called “homicide by heart attack” are presented, including a 40-year-old man who was struck in the head with a wooden statue, a 74-year-old man who was punched in the jaw by a robber, a 66-year-old woman who was startled awake by a home-intruder, a 67-year-old woman who struggled with a would-be purse-snatcher in a parking lot, and a 52-year-old man who was in a physical altercation with a younger man. In each instance, autopsy revealed the presence of severe, underlying heart disease, as well as absence of lethal injuries. In each case, investigative information was such that the emotional and/or physical stress associated with the criminal activity of another individual was deemed contributory to the death. The presumed mechanism of death in each case was a cardiac dysrhythmia related to underlying heart disease, but initiated by the emotional and/or physical stress.
Virtopsy—Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident with Head Injury
Authors: Aghayev E , Thali M , Jackowski C , Sonnenschein M , Yen K , Vock P , Dirnhofer R
Published: May 2004

A man wearing no protective helmet was struck by a motor vehicle while riding a bicycle. He was loaded on his left side, and the impact point of his head was his occiput on the car roof girder. He was immediately transported to the general hospital, where he passed away. Postmortem examination using multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) revealed an extensively comminuted fracture of the posterior part and the base of the skull. Observed were deep direct and contrecoup brain bruises, with the independent fractures of the roof of the both orbits. Massive subdural and subarachnoidal hemorrhage with cerebral edema and shifting of the mid-line towards left side were also detected. MSCT and autopsy results were compared and the body injuries were correlated to vehicle damages. In conclusion, postmortem imaging is a good forensic visualization tool with great potential for documentation and examination of body injuries and pathology.
Sudden Death Associated with Food and Exercise
Authors: Flannagan LM , Wolf BC
Published: May 2004

Exercised-induced anaphylaxis occurs in conjunction with significant physical exertion. Anaphylaxis occurring when an individual exercises within a few hours of ingesting a particular food is an unusual variant. Cardiovascular symptoms can be the sole manifestation of exerciseinduced food allergies, in which case death may mimic sudden cardiac death during physical exertion due to other pathologic causes. We report the sudden and unexpected death of an individual following the ingestion of hazelnuts and almonds, to which the individual was not previously known to be allergic. The decedent collapsed during vigorous dancing. The death was not associated with cutaneous or laryngeal manifestations of anaphylaxis. Awareness of the variable manifestations of food-precipitated anaphylaxis is necessary to correctly establish the diagnosis. An elevated serum tryptase level may be indicative of an allergic reaction, and allergen-specific IgE levels may be used to confirm the particular antigen.
Psychiatric and Neurological Characteristics of Murder Defendants Referred for Pretrial Evaluation
Authors: Frierson RF , Finkenbine RD
Published: May 2004

After literature review, this paper presents the largest study to date (n = 270) of psychiatric and neurological characteristics of accused murderers in the United States. This retrospective record review of pretrial detainees undergoing competency to stand trial and criminal responsibility evaluations examined demographic characteristics, psychiatric diagnosis, substance use patterns, Intelligence Quotient (IQ), and results of electroencephalogram (EEG), neuroimaging (MRI or CT) and neurological examination. Substance use and mood/adjustment disorders were common. Neuroimaging was abnormal in 18% of subjects and was associated with lower Performance IQ. EEG and neurological exam findings were not associated with measured cognitive impairment. While 16% of subjects had a FS IQ < 70, only 6% were diagnosed with mental retardation. Subjects with a psychotic disorder (p = 0.001) or an anxiety disorder (p = 0.005) were more likely to use a knife than other subjects in the study. Violence risk assessment in these patients must not only involve inquiry about firearm availability.
Review of: The Scientific Study of Mummies
Authors: Ubelaker DH
Published: May 2004

Occasionally, forensic scientists are requested to examine mummified remains. Even relatively recent remains can become mummified under certain conditions. Preserved soft tissue of great antiquity from archeological contexts also can become the subject of forensic analysis. Such cases can prove challenging for the forensic scientist because many different factors can lead to unusual soft tissue preservation and human curiosity and travel can disperse such materials continents away from their original sources. Analysis of such cases requires not only specialized techniques and knowledge associated with preserved soft tissue but also awareness of the geographical and temporal range of cultural practices that can result in such preservation. This new book provides an overview of the relevant issues and a unique summary of the information needed to properly interpret mummified remains.
A Comparative Finite-Element Study of Hot Rolling and Plane Strain Compression Testing of Aluminum AA1050
Authors: Chen SP , van der Zwaag S
Published: May 2004

A comprehensive study on the comparison of hot rolling and plane strain compression testing (PSC) using the finite-element method (FEM) is reported in the present paper. The key physical variables during hot rolling and PSC testing of aluminum AA1050 are quantified and compared. The results show that the process variables, i.e., local stress, strain, strain rate, and temperature, vary from entry to exit and throughout the thickness of the work piece during hot rolling, while the evolution pattern of these parameters during PSC testing under a constant nominal strain rate is quite uniform. Therefore, for a given amount of nominal deformation (reduction), the loading history and the spatial distributions of these process variables are quite different in both cases. It is indicated that a further examination of the deformation history should be made when applying the relationships established from PSC testing to real industrial hot rolling operations.
Mechanistic-Empirical Characterization of Bonding Between Ultra-Thin White-Topping and Asphalt Pavement
Authors: Li S , Li Y , Way G , Noureldin S
Published: May 2004

This paper presents a mechanistic-empirical methodology to evaluate the effect of partial bonding on ultra-thin white-topping (UTW) pavement structure. Based on the analytical work conducted for unbonded and fully-bonded interfaces, this paper displays the intrinsic relation between interface bonding and structural capacity, and provides a practical approach torelate interface bonding condition to UTW pavement structure. Information presented herein will help pavement engineers understand the composite behavior of the interface, and improve the current procedures for designing UTW pavement. Also, this paper provides fundamentals for pavement engineers to estimate UTW interface bonding using Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) testing. It is concluded that the asphalt layer's Poisson ratio has only a minor effect on the stresses in UTW pavement. Bonding affects the stresses under edge and center loading more significantly than under corner loading. The effect of bonding on the curling stress depends on UTW panel size. If the panel size is very large (3 m × 3 m) or very small (0.6 m × 0.6 m), the effect of bonding is negligible. The curling stress decreases significantly as the bonding condition improves if the panel size is 1.8 m × 1.8 m or 1.2 m × 1.2 m. It is also demonstrated by employing the FWD deflection measurements that as the UTW pavement age increases, its interface bonding may deteriorate.
On the Possibility of Avoiding the Use of a Clip Gage When Testing Precracked Charpy-V Specimens in the Ductile-to-Brittle Transition Region
Authors: Lucon E , Scibetta M , van Walle E
Published: May 2004

Fracture toughness testing using bend-type samples, such as precracked Charpy specimens, requires using a clip gage for measuring crack mouth opening displacement (CMOD). This paper demonstrates that it is possible to avoid using a clip gage and use instead machine crosshead displacement (MCD) as an approximation of load-line displacement; this simplifies considerably the test procedure, both in terms of mechanical operations and specimen instrumentation. This is particularly desirable for irradiated materials and when testing subsize specimens. Results obtained in the ductile-to-brittle transition regime from the analysis of 151 toughness tests show that reference temperatures calculated using the Master Curve methodology with CMOD and MCD are fully equivalent within a few degrees. The investigation has been conducted on different materials, test machines, full-size, and subsize specimens.
An Alternate Method to Determine Asphalt Content of Hot Mix Asphalt Using Volumetric Properties
Authors: Shaheed M S , Tarefder R A , Zaman M
Published: May 2004

Accurate determination of asphalt content (AC) in hot mix asphalt (HMA) is essential to evaluate the performance characteristics of HMA pavements. The standard test methods for determining the AC, currently used by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and other DOTs and asphalt industries, are time-consuming, environmentally unsuitable, and not applicable to several absorptive and dolomitic aggregates. This study has developed a systematic method for the determination of AC using volumetric properties of aggregate, asphalt, and HMA mix. The developed method employed the theoretical maximum specific gravity (Gmm) of an HMA mix, the bulk and apparent specific gravity of the aggregate (Gsb and Gsa), and the specific gravity of the asphalt binder (Gb). The CoreLok™ device is used to determine the volumetric properties of the aggregate and HMA mix. This developed method is easy to use, environmentally safe, time efficient, and accurate. Three different aggregates were selected for the study based on varying gradation, absorption, and ignition oven correction (IOC) factor. HMA mixes were prepared with each of these aggregates using 5.0 %, 5.5 %, and 6.0 % AC. For each of the mixes, AC was calculated using the proposed method and compared with the actual AC value. The predicted AC values were compared with AC values from the ignition oven method (AASHTO T 308) and the solvent extraction method (AASHTO T 164). Results showed that the proposed method predicted the AC of HMA mix accurately. The method introduces a correction factor (Cv), which needs to be determined during the design stage and specified on the mix design information. The Cv value is used to calculate AC by the proposed method during quality assurance and quality control at the production and service life of HMA.
Lack of a Fluoxetine Effect on Prednisolone Disposition and Cortisol Suppression
Authors: Carson Stanley W. , Letrent Kristen J. , Kotlyar Michael , Foose George , Tancer Manuel E.
Published: May 2004

Study Objective. To evaluate the potential effect of fluoxetine, a cytochrome P450 isoenzyme inhibitor, on prednisolone disposition and cortisol suppression.

Design. Sequential, two‐phase, crossover, open‐label pharmacokinetic study.

Setting. General clinical research center.

Subjects. Fourteen healthy volunteers.

Intervention. A single intravenous dose of prednisolone 40 mg before and after 14 days of treatment with fluoxetine 20 mg/day for 5 days followed by 60 mg/day for 9 days to achieve steady‐state concentrations.

Measurements and Main Results. Pharmacokinetic parameters of the prednisolone and resulting pharmacodynamic effects on the time course of plasma cortisol suppression before and after fluoxetine administration were evaluated. No significant differences were observed for the mean ± SD area under the prednisolone concentration–time curve (3739 ± 992 vs 3498 ± 797 μg·hr/L, respectively), clearance (8.58 ± 2.62 vs 8.92 ± 2.05 L/hr, respectively), volume of distribution (39.5 ± 12.4 vs 38.2 ± 9.9 L, respectively), elimination half‐life (3.32 ± 0.83 vs 3.05 ± 0.80 hrs, respectively), or duration of plasma cortisol suppression (23.5 ± 3.1 vs 22.0 ± 4.2 hrs, respectively).

Conclusion. Fluoxetine administration did not significantly affect prednisolone disposition or prolong cortisol suppression. This finding suggests that coadministration of these agents is unlikely to result in clinically important pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic drug interactions. Prednisolone may be a useful alternative for patients who require both glucocorticoid and fluoxetine therapy.
Steroid‐Induced Diabetes Mellitus and Related Risk Factors in Patients with Neurologic Diseases
Authors: Iwamoto Takuya , Kagawa Yoshiyuki , Naito Yutaka , Kuzuhara Shigeki , Kojima Michio
Published: May 2004

Study Objective. To determine the frequency of steroid‐induced diabetes mellitus (SDM) and the related risk factors in patients with neurologic diseases who receive high doses of steroids.

Design. Retrospective chart review.

Setting. Neurology ward of a university‐affiliated hospital.

Patients. Twenty‐five patients with neurologic diseases who received prednisolone 30–60 mg/day orally after breakfast for more than 2 weeks.

Measurements and Main Results. Plasma glucose concentrations were determined immediately before and 2 hours after each meal. Steroid‐induced diabetes mellitus was diagnosed if the patient had either a fasting glucose concentration of 126 mg/dl or greater, or a random glucose concentration of 200 mg/dl or greater. The patients were divided into two groups on the basis of whether SDM had developed (13 patients) or not (12 patients). Ages, body mass indexes, cumulative total doses and daily doses of prednisolone, duration of therapy, and serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were compared between the groups. Thirteen of the 25 patients were identified with SDM, and all of them had plasma glucose concentrations of 200 mg/dl or greater 2 hours after lunch. Mean age (59.1 ± 10.2 yrs) and cholesterol concentration after prednisolone treatment (226.8 ± 36.4 mg/dl) in the SDM group were significantly higher than those values in the non‐SDM group (41.3 ± 18.0 yrs and 188.1 ± 27.2 mg/dl, respectively, p<0.01).

Conclusions. A close relationship among postprandial hyperglycemia, advanced age, and hypercholesterolemia is a characteristic of SDM in patients with neurologic diseases. Therefore, monitoring the plasma glucose concentration 2 hours after lunch may be useful to detect SDM in these patients.
Kurze Verankerungslängen mit Rechteckankern
Authors: Hegger Josef , Roeser Wolfgang , Lotze Dieter
Published: May 2004

In der Zulassung Z‐15.6‐204 [1] des Deutschen Instituts für Bautechnik werden Halfen HDB‐E‐Anker mit rechteckigen Köpfen als Endverankerung in Rahmenknoten und Konsolen für die Anwendung gemäß DIN 1045‐1 und DIN 1045 geregelt. Durch die schlupfarme Verankerung der Zuggurtbewehrung ergeben sich Vorteile hinsichtlich der konstruktiven Durchbildung, der Tragfähigkeit und der Bauausführung. In diesem Beitrag werden die Zulassungsregelungen erläutert.
Optimierung des Betoniervorgangs und der Mindestbewehrung einer massiven Bodenplatte
Authors: Brühwiler Eugen , Denarié Emmanuel , Maître Michael , Herwig Andrin
Published: May 2004

Das Verhalten einer massiven, fugenlosen und wasserdichten Bodenplatte in jungem Alter zeigt einen starken Einfluß der vor Ort herrschenden klimatischen Bedingungen während des Betoniervorgangs auf den erforderlichen Gehalt an Bewehrung. Messungen der Verformungen der Bodenplatte zeigten eine nur geringe Verformungsbehinderung der Bodenplatte. Die Mindestbewehrung begünstigt zudem eine bessere Verteilung der durch die inneren Verformungsgradienten erzeugten Eigenspannungen.
Berechnung von Holz‐Beton‐Verbunddecken
Authors: Kuhlmann Ulrike , Schänzlin Jörg , Michelfelder Birgit
Published: May 2004

Die Vorteile von Holz‐Beton‐Verbunddecken und eine Optimierung der Querschnitte erzielt man nur, wenn die Einflüsse bekannt sind, denen sie unterliegen, und in der Berechnung erfaßt werden können. Für den Nachweis des Kurzzeitverhaltens steht u. a. das in DIN 1052 [1] genormte und von [2] entwickelte γ‐Verfahren zur Verfügung. Im Hinblick auf das Langzeitverhalten zeigt sich jedoch, daß die rheologischen Besonderheiten des Holz‐Beton‐Verbundbaus durch die üblichen Ansätze bisher nicht ausreichend genau berücksichtigt wurden. Der Beitrag stellt ein neuartiges Verfahren dar, das dies berücksichtigt.
Untersuchungen an den Spannverankerungen dreier Straßenbrücken in München
Authors: Sodeikat Christian , Schönemann Ulrich , Lautz Michael , Schießl Peter , Gehlen Christoph
Published: May 2004

Untersuchungen zahlreicher Straßenbrücken in jüngster Zeit haben gezeigt, daß die Vorspannbewehrung im Bereich der Spannverankerungen häufig Korrosionsangriffen ausgesetzt ist. Gefährdet sind dabei sowohl die Ankerkonstruktion als auch die Spanndrähte im Verankerungsbereich. Im folgenden werden die baubegleitenden Untersuchungen während der Instandsetzung dreier Straßenbrücken in München dargestellt, bei denen infolge von Chloridangriff von außen und infolge von Tauwasserbildung innerhalb nicht vollständig verpreßter Spannanker erhebliche Korrosionsschäden entstanden sind.
Low‐Lying Excited States and Primary Photoproducts of [Os3(CO)10(s‐cis‐L)] (L=Cyclohexa‐1,3‐diene, Buta‐1,3‐diene)] Clusters Studied by Picosecond Time‐Resolved UV/Vis and IR Spectroscopy and by Density Functional Theory
Authors: Vergeer Frank W. , Matousek Pavel , Towrie Michael , Costa Paulo J. , Calhorda Maria J. , Hartl František
Published: May 2004

Combined picosecond transient absorption and time‐resolved infrared studies were performed, aimed at characterising low‐lying excited states of the cluster [Os3(CO)10(s‐cis‐L)] (L=cyclohexa‐1,3‐diene, 1) and monitoring the formation of its photoproducts. Theoretical (DFT and TD‐DFT) calculations on the closely related cluster with L=buta‐1,3‐diene (2′) have revealed that the low‐lying electronic transitions of these [Os3(CO)10(s‐cis‐1,3‐diene)] clusters have a predominant σ(core)π*(CO) character. From the lowest σπ* excited state, cluster 1 undergoes fast OsOs(1,3‐diene) bond cleavage (τ=3.3 ps) resulting in the formation of a coordinatively unsaturated primary photoproduct (1 a) with a single CO bridge. A new insight into the structure of the transient has been obtained by DFT calculations. The cleaved OsOs(1,3‐diene) bond is bridged by the donor 1,3‐diene ligand, compensating for the electron deficiency at the neighbouring Os centre. Because of the unequal distribution of the electron density in transient 1 a, a second CO bridge is formed in 20 ps in the photoproduct [Os3(CO)8(μ‐CO)2(cyclohexa‐1,3‐diene)] (1 b). The latter compound, absorbing strongly around 630 nm, mainly regenerates the parent cluster with a lifetime of about 100 ns in hexane. Its structure, as suggested by the DFT calculations, again contains the 1,3‐diene ligand coordinated in a bridging fashion. Photoproduct 1 b can therefore be assigned as a high‐energy coordination isomer of the parent cluster with all OsOs bonds bridged.
Synthesis, complete characterization, and enantioselective electrokinetic separation of functionalized ruthenium complex enantiomers
Authors: Holder Elisabeth , Trapp Oliver , Trapp Gabriele , Marin Veronica , Hoogenboom Richard , Schubert Ulrich S.
Published: May 2004

Electrokinetic chromatography was employed to separate the enantiomers of two novel functionalized ruthenium(II) complexes with different polypyridyl coordination spheres. The use of anionic carboxymethyl‐β‐cyclodextrin as chiral mobile phase additive resulted in maximum efficiency and resolution for the enantiomer separation of both transition metal complexes. The syntheses of the [4‐(3‐hydroxypropyl)‐4′‐methyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine]‐bis(2,2′‐bipyridine)rethenium(II)‐bis(tetrafluoroborate) and [4‐(3‐hydroxypropyl)‐4′‐methyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine]‐bis(4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bypyridine)ruthenium(II)‐bis(tetrafluoroborate) complexes and their complete characterization by means of two‐dimensional 1H and 13C{1H} NMR techniques (1H–1H COSY and 1H–13C HMQC) as well as elemental analyses and MALDI‐TOFMS are described in detail. The functionalized complexes can be used as building blocks for further reactions with polymers, biopolymers, surfaces and nanoparticles. Chirality 16:363–368, 2004. © Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Conjugate approximation with smoothing for hybrid photoelastic and FEM analysis
Authors: Ragulskis Minvydas , Ragulskis Liutauras
Published: May 2004

Meaningful visualization of finite element method (FEM) results is important for building the ground for hybrid numerical–experimental techniques. This is not a straightforward procedure for photoelastic analysis as conventional FEM techniques are based on the approximation of nodal displacements, not stresses. Although the displacements are continuous at inter‐element boundaries, the calculated stresses are discontinuous due to the operation of differentiation. Conventional FEM would require unacceptably dense meshing for producing sufficiently smooth photoelastic fringe patterns. Therefore, there exists a need for the development of a technique for smoothing the generated photoelastic fringes representing the stress distribution and calculated from the displacement distribution. The proposed smoothing technique is based on the minimization of the augmented residual. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.