bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Solute–solvent interaction effects on second‐order rate constants of reaction between 1‐chloro‐2,4‐dinitrobenzene and aniline in alcohol–water mixtures
Authors: Harati M. , Gholami M. R.
Published: December 2004

The second‐order rate coefficients for aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction between 1‐chloro‐2,4‐dinitrobenzene and aniline have been measured in aqueous solutions of ethanol and methanol at 25°C. The plots of rate constants versus mole fraction of water show a maximum in all‐aqueous solutions. The effect of four empirical solvent parameters including hydrogen bond donor acidity (α) dipolarity/polarizability (π*) normalized polarity (ENT) and solvophobicity (Sp) has been investigated. This investigation has been carried out by means of simple and multiple regression models. A dual‐parameter equation of log k2 versus Sp and α was obtained in all‐aqueous solutions (n = 41, r = 0.962, s = 0.053, p = 0.0000). This equation shows that solvophobicity and hydrogen bond donor acidity are important factors in the occurrence of the reaction and they have opposite effects on reaction rate. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 37: 90–97, 2005
The 13C and D kinetic isotope effects in the reaction of CH4 with Cl
Authors: Feilberg Karen L. , Griffith David W. T. , Johnson Matthew S. , Nielsen Claus J.
Published: December 2004

The kinetic isotope effects in the reaction of methane (CH4) with Cl atoms are studied in a relative rate experiment at 298 ± 2 K and 1013 ± 10 mbar. The reaction rates of 13CH4, 12CH3D, 12CH2D2, 12CHD3, and 12CD4 with Cl radicals are measured relative to 12CH4 in a smog chamber using long path FTIR detection. The experimental data are analyzed with a nonlinear least squares spectral fitting method using measured high‐resolution spectra as well as cross sections from the HITRAN database. The relative reaction rates of 12CH4, 13CH4, 12CH3D, 12CH2D2, 12CHD3, and 12CD4 with Cl are determined as k/k = 1.06 ± 0.01, k/k = 1.47 ± 0.03, k/k = 2.45 ± 0.05, k/k = 4.7 ± 0.1, k/k = 14.7 ± 0.3. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 37: 110–118, 2005
Low profile dual‐band antenna based on a stacked configuration of EBG and plain patches
Authors: Pioch S. , Laheurte J‐M.
Published: December 2004

This paper investigates the dual‐frequency operation of a stacked microstrip antenna based on a small parasitic patch inserted slightly above an EBG patch. It is shown that the periodic texture of the EBG patch exhibits different behaviours for each frequency. It is also demonstrated that the high‐impedance concept is no longer valid when a parasitic patch is located too close to the EBG material. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 44: 207–209, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20589
Measurement of plane‐wave spectra of ground penetrating radar antennas
Authors: Lenler‐Eriksen H. R. , Meincke P.
Published: December 2004

The plane‐wave transmitting spectrum (PWTS) of a ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) loop antenna close to the air–soil interface is measured by means of a probe buried in soil. Probe correction is implemented based upon knowledge about the complex permittivity of the soil and the current distribution of the probe. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 44: 215–216, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20591
Design of a compact low‐pass filter with wide rejection bandwidth
Authors: Shum Kam Man , Chiu Chi Yuk , Xue Quan , Chan Chi Hou , Man Kim Fung
Published: December 2004

This paper presents a simple printed microstrip low‐pass filter with advantages of compact size, low insertion loss, and wide rejection bandwidth. The filter design has been optimized using a genetic algorithm (GA), and a good agreement between the simulation and measurement results has confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed low‐pass filter configuration. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 44: 236–238, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20597
High‐efficiency class‐F power amplifier with broadband performance
Authors: Butterworth P. , Gao S. , Ooi S. F. , Sambell A.
Published: December 2004

The design methodology and measured performance of a broadband UHF class‐F power amplifier is presented and compared to that of a typical narrowband class‐F design. The realized broadband circuit achieves 65% of power‐added efficiency with 21 ± 0.5‐dBm output power from 575 to 915 MHz, corresponding to a relative bandwidth of 45%. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 44: 243–247, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20599
A radon transform interpretation of the physical optics integral
Authors: Bölükbaş Deniz , Ergin A. Arif
Published: December 2004

Physical optics (PO) is a well‐known asymptotic technique for evaluating the fields scattered from an object. Evaluation of a surface integral forms the crux of this technique. In this paper, the PO integral is formulated for plane‐wave incidence and far‐field observation. Then, this integral is converted to the time domain and interpreted as a Radon transform. When the integration domain is a triangle, this interpretation yields a closed‐form expression that can be employed in both the frequency and time domains. The efficacy of using the derived closed‐form expression in the frequency domain is demonstrated through numerical examples. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 44: 284–288, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20612
Finding the Kth shortest path in a time‐schedule network
Authors: Chen Yen‐Liang , Tang Kwei
Published: December 2004

We consider the problem of finding the Kth shortest path for a time‐schedule network, where each node in the network has a list of prespecified departure times, and departure from the node can take place only at one of these departure times. We develop a polynomial time algorithm independent of K for finding the Kth shortest path. The proposed algorithm constructs a map structure at each node in the network, using which we can directly find the Kth shortest path without having to enumerate the first K − 1 paths. Since the same map structure is used for different K values, it is not necessary to reconstruct the table for additional paths. Consequently, the algorithm is suitable for directly finding multiple shortest paths in the same network. Furthermore, the algorithm is modified slightly for enumerating the first K shortest paths and is shown to have the lowest possible time complexity under a condition that holds for most practical networks. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2005.
A case of vinblastine overdose managed with plasma exchange
Authors: Spiller Monica , Marson Piero , Perilongo Giorgio , Farina Maria , Carli Modesto , Bisogno Gianni
Published: December 2004

Severe, life‐threatening toxicity may be caused by errors in chemotherapy administration. To contribute with some useful information on drug‐induced toxic effects and salvage therapy, we report a case of vinblastine (VBL) overdose (25 mg/m2) in a 12‐year‐old child affected by an end‐stage metastatic primitive neuroectodermal tumor. Early signs of toxicity were acute, severe musculoskeletal pain and fever. This was followed by intestinal hypotonia, severe esophagitis, and peripheral neuropathy. Two consecutive plasma exchange procedures were performed at 4 and 18 hr after the administration of the overdose of VBL. The overall toxicity this child experienced was much less severe than expected; this finding, in combination with the known pharmacokinectis data of VBL in children, made us hypothesize that plasma exchange might have had a role in lowering the side effects of drug over dosage. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Vulcanization characteristics and mechanical properties of natural rubber–scrap rubber compositions filled with leather particles
Authors: Ravichandran K , Natchimuthu N
Published: December 2004

Scrap rubber recycling combined with waste leather particles in natural rubber compounds has been studied. The effect of leather and scrap rubber loading on vulcanization characteristics of natural rubber compounds has been evaluated. The presence of leather was found to reduce the scorch time and increase the maximum and minimum torque. While reversion was not observed in the absence of leather at 150 °C, it was more prominent when leather was incorporated. Mechanical properties such as tensile strength, elongation at break, tear strength, modulus and hardness were found to increase on increasing the scrap rubber loading in the absence of leather. Compounds containing leather exhibited higher tensile strength, modulus, hardness and tear strength values but the modulus and hardness values were found to decrease as the scrap rubber loading increased. All the vulcanizates exhibited only limited swelling in different media as the swelling of one phase of the composite was found to be restricted by the other phase. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
On structural optimization of composite shell structures using a discrete constitutive parametrization
Authors: Lund Erik , Stegmann Jan
Published: December 2004

In this article a novel method for structural optimization of laminated composite shell structures such as wind turbine blades is presented. The outer shape of a wind turbine blade is typically determined by aerodynamic considerations and therefore not subject to change. Furthermore, the thicknesses of the shell structures are also considered fixed. The design objective is chosen to be a global quantity such as maximum stiffness or lowest eigenfrequency with a constraint on the total mass, such that the cost of material can be considered. The design optimization method is based on ideas from multiphase topology optimization where the material stiffness (or density) is computed as a weighted sum of candidate materials, and the method is easy to implement in existing finite element codes. The potential of the method to solve the combinatorial problem of proper choice of material, stacking sequence and fibre orientation simultaneously for maximum stiffness or lowest eigenfrequency design is illustrated on both small test examples and a real‐life main spar from a wind turbine blade. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chance and necessity do not explain the origin of life
Authors: Trevors J.T. , Abel D.L.
Published: December 2004

Where and how did the complex genetic instruction set programmed into DNA come into existence? The genetic set may have arisen elsewhere and was transported to the Earth. If not, it arose on the Earth, and became the genetic code in a previous lifeless, physical—chemical world. Even if RNA or DNA were inserted into a lifeless world, they would not contain any genetic instructions unless each nucleotide selection in the sequence was programmed for function. Even then, a predetermined communication system would have had to be in place for any message to be understood at the destination. Transcription and translation would not necessarily have been needed in an RNA world. Ribozymes could have accomplished some of the simpler functions of current protein enzymes. Templating of single RNA strands followed by retemplating back to a sense strand could have occurred. But this process does not explain the derivation of “sense” in any strand. “Sense” means algorithmic function achieved through sequences of certain decision‐node switch‐settings. These particular primary structures determine secondary and tertiary structures. Each sequence determines minimum‐free‐energy folding propensities, binding site specificity, and function. Minimal metabolism would be needed for cells to be capable of growth and division. All known metabolism is cybernetic—that is, it is programmatically and algorithmically organized and controlled.
Tra2βl regulates P19 neuronal differentiation and the splicing of FGF‐2R and GluR‐B minigenes
Authors: Chen Xianhua , Huang Jia , Li Jing , Han Yu , Wu Kun , Xu Ping
Published: December 2004

The present study demonstrates that the expression of Tra2β1 (Transformer 2‐β1) proteins, an SR (serine/arginine rich) protein, is developmentally up‐regulated in a neural‐specific pattern. The up‐regulation is also observed in RA (retinoic acid) induced neural differentiation of P19 cells. Tra2βl proteins are located in the nuclei of P19 cells, which are consistent with its functional site as an SR protein. The over‐expression of Tra2βl proteins promotes RA induced neuronal differentiation of P19 cells. In P19 cells, the splicing of FGF‐2R (fibroblast growth factor receptor 2) minigene produces the BEK form, while the alternative splicing of GluR‐B (glutamate receptor subunit B) minigene generates two products, the Flop and the Truncated isoforms. Tra2βl inhibits the BEK splicing, but it promotes the Flop splicing. The results therefore suggest that Tra2βl is involved in the regulation of alternative splicing processes during neural development, peculiarly the splicing of FGF‐2R and GluR‐B genes. Both FGF‐2R and GluR‐B genes are known to play important roles in neural differentiation.
FGF‐2 and S100β immunoreactivities increase in reactive astrocytes, but not in microglia, in ascending dopamine pathways following a striatal 6‐OHDA‐induced partial lesion of the nigrostriatal system
Authors: Chadi G. , Gomide V.C.
Published: December 2004

Partial lesions were induced in rat midbrain dopamine ascending pathways by intrastriatal injection of 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA), and after two weeks changes were observed in the immunoreactivities of S100β, a calcium‐binding protein, and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF‐2), which is neurotrophic. Semiquantitative microdensitometric image analysis revealed increased intensities of FGF‐2 and S100β immunostaining in putative glial profiles of the ipsilateral neostriatum, pars compacta (SNc) and reticulata (SNr) of the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area (VTA). Double immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase procedures, using antibodies against glial fibrillary acidic protein and OX‐42, showed that these increased immunoreactivities were restricted to reactive astrocytes; they were not observed in reactive microglia. These results indicate that reactive astrocytes may exert paracrine trophic actions through S100β and FGF‐2 in the midbrain dopamine ascending pathways after striatal 6‐OHDA treatment. Interactions between S100β and FGF‐2 may be relevant to neuronal maintenance and repair following dopamine injury.
No release of interstitial glutamate in experimental human model of muscle pain
Authors: Ashina Messoud , Jorgensen Marianne , Stallknecht Bente , Mork Hanne , Bendtsen Lars , Pedersen Jan Fog , Olesen Jes , Jensen Rigmor
Published: December 2004

Glutamate may be released from muscle nociceptors and thereby contribute to mechanisms underlying acute and chronic muscle pain. In vivo concentration of glutamate during muscle pain has not previously been studied in either animals or humans. In the present study, we aimed to study the in vivo concentration of glutamate before, during and after acute pain of trapezius muscle in humans using the microdialysis technique. In addition, we examined the nutritive skeletal muscle blood flow and the interstitial concentrations of lactate, glucose, glycerol, pyruvate and urea. Experimental pain and tenderness were induced by intramuscular infusion of a chemical mixture consisting of bradykinin, prostaglandin E2, histamine and serotonin. One EMG‐needle and one microdialysis catheter were inserted into non‐dominant and dominant trapezius muscles on a standard anatomical point in 19 healthy subjects. Dialysates were collected at rest, during infusion and 60 and 120 min after stop of infusion. Local tenderness was recorded at baseline and at the end of experiment. Local pain was recorded during infusion. The infusion of chemical mixture was more painful than infusion of placebo (p < 0.05) and resulted in significantly higher local tenderness score than placebo (p = 0.007). There was no difference in change in interstitial concentrations of glutamate, lactate, glucose, glycerol, pyruvate and urea from baseline to infusion and post‐infusion periods between chemical mixture and placebo (p > 0.05). Muscle blood flow increased significantly over time in response to infusion of chemical mixture and placebo (p = 0.001). However, we found no difference in changes in muscle blood flow between chemical mixture and placebo (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the present study demonstrates no signs of increased release of glutamate from myofascial nociceptors during and after acute experimentally induced muscle pain and tenderness.
Prefrontal cognitive deficits in patients with schizophrenia treated with atypical or conventional antipsychotics
Authors: Müller U. , Werheid K. , Hammerstein E. , Jungmann S. , Becker T.
Published: December 2004

Forty-three patients with schizophrenia were investigated with a short neurocognitive screening battery focussing on working memory and executive functions. As compared to healthy controls, patients showed impairments in the modified card sorting test, in verbal fluency and all span tasks with exception of digit span forward. Patients who were treated with atypicals showed better performance in the digit ordering test (manipulation task) when compared to a group of patients who received conventional antipsychotics; this difference was not due to disease severity, age or education. Manipulation tasks might be useful for neurocognitive follow-up and intervention studies.
Pharmacological intervention in the initial prodromal phase of psychosis
Authors: Ruhrmann Stephan , Schultze-Lutter Frauke , Maier Wolfgang , Klosterkötter Joachim
Published: December 2004

Early identification and treatment of schizophrenia may alleviate the symptoms, delay the onset and improve the outcome of psychosis. Thus, detection of individuals at risk during the prodromal phase is an important task. Universal approaches to screen the general population or healthy subjects at risk have not proven possible to-date. However, clinical criteria for detecting ultra-high risk individuals have been developed for specialized settings, with their implementation in interventional studies. This article examines the rationale for early detection and intervention of psychosis, along with a review of some of the current studies. These target prevention using psychological and/or pharmacological intervention strategies have demonstrated promising results in high risk individuals. The German Research Network on Schizophrenia (GRNS) is conducting two multicenter early intervention studies; one with early psychological intervention in subjects who manifest early prodromal symptoms; with the second trial applying clinical management and pharmacological early intervention in subjects experiencing late prodromal symptoms (high risk subjects). Despite the promising results, many of the current studies have small sample sizes with study durations of a short period. The full benefits of early detection and intervention should be revealed once larger and longer studies are conducted.
Magnetic resonance relaxometry in monozygotic twins discordant and concordant for schizophrenia
Authors: Spaniel Filip , Herynek Vit , Hajek Tomas , Dezortova Monika , Horacek Jiri , Hajek Milan , Kozeny Jiri , Dockery Colleen , Höschl Cyril
Published: December 2004

T1 and T2 relaxation times were examined in four pairs of monozygotic (MZ) twins discordant and concordant for schizophrenia with low and high genetic loading for the illness and five healthy control MZ twin pairs. Patients with schizophrenia (n = 11) showed significant prolongation in T1 relaxation times in the globus pallidus (GP) bilaterally (P < 0.005, Bonferroni corrected) when compared to 14 healthy MZ twins.
PLA2‐mediated catalytic activation of its inhibitor 25‐acetyl‐petrosaspongiolide M: serendipitous identification of a new PLA2suicide inhibitor
Authors: Monti M.C. , Casapullo A. , Riccio R. , Gomez-Paloma L.
Published: December 2004

25‐Acetyl‐petrosaspongiolide M (PMAc) (1), a mild non‐covalent PLA2inhibitor, unexpectedly recovers, after incubation withbvPLA2, the ability to covalently modify the enzyme target. This study demonstrates the catalytic effect ofbvPLA2in converting 1 in its deacetylated congener petrosaspongiolide M (PM) (2), a strong covalent PLA2inhibitor whose molecular mechanism of inhibition has already been clarified. Moreover, our findings outline the potential role of PMAc as anti‐inflammatory pro‐drug, by virtue of its ability of delivering the active PM agent at the site of inflammation, functioning as a suicide inhibitor.
Unique constitution of photosystem I with a novel subunit in the cyanobacterium Gloeobacter violaceus PCC 7421
Authors: Inoue Hidetoshi , Tsuchiya Tohru , Satoh Soichirou , Miyashita Hideaki , Kaneko Takakazu , Tabata Satoshi , Tanaka Ayumi , Mimuro Mamoru
Published: December 2004

Constitution of the photosystem I complex isolated from the cyanobacterium Gloeobacter violaceus PCC 7421 was investigated by tricine–urea–SDS–PAGE, followed by peptide mass fingerprinting or N‐terminal sequencing. Eight subunits (PsaA, PsaB, PsaC, PsaD, PsaE, PsaF, PsaL and PsaM) were identified as predicted from the genome sequence. A novel subunit (PsaZ) was discovered, but PsaI, PsaJ, PsaK and PsaX were absent. PsaB has a C‐terminal extension with 155 amino acids in addition to the conserved region and this domain is similar to the peptidoglycan‐binding domain. These results suggest that PS I complexes of G. violaceus have unique structural properties.
Ini1/hSNF5 is dispensable for retrovirus‐induced cytoplasmic accumulation of PML and does not interfere with integration
Authors: Boese Annette , Sommer Peter , Gaussin Armelle , Reimann Andreas , Nehrbass Ulf
Published: December 2004

Retroviral infection triggers the cytoplasmic translocation of two Crm1‐dependent shuttle factors, namely the Ini1 (integrase interactor 1, hSNF5) and the promyelocytic leukemia (PML) protein. Blocking nuclear export of shuttle factors by leptomycin B increases the efficiency of retroviral integration, suggesting that some may mediate antiviral activity. While PML was shown to counteract proviral establishment, it remained unclear whether Ini1, a protein implicated in various processes during human immunodeficiency virus replication, has the same potential. Employing RNA interference‐mediated knock‐down of Ini1, we show here that the simultaneous accumulation of both proteins in the cytoplasm likely reflects two non‐interdependent phenomena. Furthermore, Ini1 does not interfere with retroviral integration, as cells lacking Ini1 show no increased infection susceptibility.
Diverse human aldolase C gene promoter regions are required to direct specific LacZ expression in the hippocampus and Purkinje cells of transgenic mice
Authors: Buono Pasqualina , Barbieri Ottavia , Alfieri Andreina , Rosica Annamaria , Astigiano Simonetta , Cantatore Daniela , Mancini Annamaria , Fattoruso Olimpia , Salvatore Francesco
Published: December 2004

Aldolase C is selectively expressed in the hippocampus and Purkinje cells in adult mammalian brain. The gene promoter regions governing cell‐specific aldolase C expression are obscure. We show that aldolase C messenger expression in the hippocampus is restricted to CA3 neurons. The human distal promoter region (−200/−1200 bp) is essential for β‐galactosidase (β‐gal) expression in CA3 neurons and drives high stripe‐like β‐gal expression in Purkinje cells. The 200 bp proximal promoter region is sufficient to drive low brain‐specific and stripe‐like β‐gal expression in Purkinje cells. Thus, the human aldolase C gene sequences studied drive endogenous‐like expression in the brain.
An adaptive, integrated “acoustic-trawl” survey design for Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) with estimation of the acoustic and trawl dead zones
Authors: McQuinn Ian H. , Simard Yvan , Stroud Thomas W.F. , Beaulieu Jean-Louis , Walsh Stephen J.
Published: December 2004

The objectives of this study were to design an operationally efficient groundfish survey integrating both acoustic and trawl methodologies, to measure the changing vertical availability of cod to each method over 24 h and to compare cod-biomass estimates from the two methods within two experimental sub-regions. The two-phased sampling design involved (i) conducting an initial systematic acoustic survey to locate an area of high cod concentrations, (ii) using the acoustic-backscatter information to stratify the sub-regions into density strata for the allocation of trawl hauls, and (iii) conducting a second systematic acoustic survey at the same time as a random-stratified trawl survey. This protocol permitted the optimization of trawl sampling according to population density and the realization of simultaneous trawl and acoustic estimates for direct comparison. These cod showed extensive diel vertical migrations, which affected their availability to the trawl gear at night and the acoustic beam by day. An acoustic dead-zone correction was applied to the acoustic estimates, averaging 4–15% of the biomass for the night-time transects and 11–36% for the daytime transects. The detailed temporal acoustic monitoring of the vertical migrations permitted the quantification of the change in cod availability to the trawl gear. From 6% to 47% of cod were above the effective trawl height at night, while 0–10% of cod were in the “trawl dead zone” by day. Estimated cod densities were very similar between the two methods on a haul-by-haul basis after correcting each method for their respective inherent sampling biases. The total biomass estimates were also comparable between the two methods for one sub-region, although significantly higher from the trawl data for the other. The discrepancies were most likely a result of differences in the sampling density of the two methods.
Fishing strategy development under changing conditions: examples from the French offshore fleet fishing in the North Atlantic
Authors: Holley Jean-François , Marchal Paul
Published: December 2004

A typology is presented for the French offshore fleet fishing in the North Atlantic. The investigation was carried out separately for all years between 1985 and 2002. Two methods were combined: PCA and cluster analysis. In 1985, most vessels targeted saithe off western Scotland (vessels from Lorient) and in the northern North Sea (vessels from Boulogne and Fécamp). Then, probably because of the decline in biomass of saithe, some vessels started to target deepwater species from the early 1990s. In 2002, some vessels fished exclusively for saithe (>80%), while others targeted mainly deepwater species. In all, 12 fisheries are identified for the period 1985–2002. Results are given of a preliminary investigation trying to identify the external factors (stock biomass, catch limits, price) that may influence the shifts in fishing strategies.
Definition of signal-to-noise ratio and its critical role in split-beam measurements
Authors: Kieser Robert , Reynisson Pall , Mulligan Timothy J.
Published: December 2004

The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) plays a critical role in any measurement but is particularly important in fisheries acoustics where both signal and noise can change by orders of magnitude and may have large variations. “Textbook situations” exist where the SNR is clearly defined, but fisheries-acoustic measurements are generally not in this category as signal and noise come from a wide range of sources that change with location, depth, and ocean conditions. This paper defines the SNR and outlines its measurement using split-beam data. Its effect on target-strength (TS) measurements is explored. Recommendations are given for the routine use of the SNR in fisheries-acoustic measurements. This work also suggests a new equation for TS estimation that is important at low SNR.
Maturation of Newfoundland American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides): long-term trends in maturation reaction norms despite low fishing mortality?
Authors: Barot S. , Heino M. , Morgan M.J. , Dieckmann U.
Published: December 2004

To interpret long-term trends in age and size at maturation, new statistical methods have recently been devised for estimating probabilistic maturation reaction norms based on data collected for the management of fisheries. Here we apply these methods to three Newfoundland stocks of American plaice (NAFO Divisions 2J3K, 3LNO, 3Ps) and report a clear long-term shift in the maturation reaction norms of these stocks towards maturation at younger age and smaller size. Theory predicts that such trends could result from fishing acting as a selective force, inducing evolutionary changes in the life histories of exploited populations. Matching long-term trends in maturation reactions norms have already been documented for several stocks that have experienced high fishing pressures (Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank cod, Northeast Arctic cod, North Sea plaice). Our results add a new dimension to these earlier findings: since fishing pressures for two stocks of Newfoundland plaice (2J3K and 3Ps) have been relatively low, our results imply that fishing is likely to result in the evolution of life histories even when fishing mortality is low, or that natural mortality has played an important role in determining selective pressures in these populations. Both options suggest that conditions for rapid life-history evolution in exploited stocks are less restrictive than previously appreciated.
Modeling tradeoffs in three‐dimensional concurrent engineering: a goal programming approach
Authors: Fine Charles H. , Golany Boaz , Naseraldin Hussein
Published: December 2004

This paper proposes a goal‐programming modeling approach to address three‐dimensional concurrent engineering (3D‐CE) problems involving product, process and supply chain design. The model enables straightforward representation of the inter‐relations among multiple objectives and analysis of tradeoffs among those that exhibit conflicts. The model is demonstrated through a discussion of integrality versus modularity in product and supply chain designs that is motivated by events that took place in the automotive industry over the last decade. A numerical example is used to illustrate the model and the paper concludes with possible extensions and guidelines for implementation.
Neither here, not there: Bulgaria and Romania in current European politics☆
Authors: Bojkov Victor D.
Published: December 2004

The article analyses the process of EU enlargement with reference to the progress that Bulgaria and Romania have made within it. It is argued that leaving them out of the wave of accession finalised in May 2004 for ten of the candidate states, has placed them in a situation of double exclusion. Firstly, their geographical belonging to the region of Southeast Europe has been rendered non-essential by their advanced position within the EU enlargement process. Secondly, their achievement in economic and political transition has been removed from the progress of the ten states, which joined the EU in May 2004 by delaying the time of their accession. As a result, any efforts in regional cooperation and integration between Bulgaria and Romania on one hand, and other Southeast European states on the other, have been effectively cancelled. Moreover, in current European politics, the two countries have come to serve the unenviable role of exemplifying on the part of the European Union how progress is being awarded and hesitation punished.
Interest rate smoothing and financial stability
Authors: Smith R. Todd , van Egteren Henry
Published: December 2004

Central banks smooth fluctuations in interest rates based on a belief that this policy promotes financial stability. This belief is based on a presumption that the direct effect of less interest rate volatility on a bank's likelihood of insolvency is the predominant effect of this policy. The main point of this paper is that these policies also give rise to indirect effects that lower financial stability. These indirect effects occur because the policy itself alters bank behavior. In effect, if the central bank provides (liquidity) insurance (at zero premia), it may introduce a classic moral hazard problem that encourages risk taking by banks. As a result, to maintain a given degree of financial stability, a bank regulator may, in fact, need to impose a higher prudential capital requirement when an interest rate smoothing policy is in place. The paper concludes that the link between interest rate smoothing policy and financial stability may be more complicated than is generally recognized.
Non‐linear dynamics in international stock market returns
Authors: McMillan David G.
Published: December 2004

Recent empirical finance research has reported non‐linear dynamics within asset returns. However, much of this extant research has focussed upon asset markets within the US and UK. This paper examines whether such dynamics are also present in a series of six international equity index returns. Using empirical models which are consistent that the theoretical behavioural finance noise trader motivation of non‐linearity, whereby market dynamics differ between small and large returns, our results suggest these models improve the in‐sample fit and out‐of‐sample forecast over linear alternatives. Further, the point of regime transition differs between positive and negative returns indicating that noise traders are more likely to engage in trend‐chasing behaviour in up markets and anchoring behaviour in down markets. Finally, the forecast gain in the Asia‐Pacific markets is greater than in the European markets suggestive that limits to arbitrage are greater perhaps as fundamental traders knowledge of market dynamics and noise trader behaviour is still evolving.
Strain‐induced seismic anisotropy of wadsleyite polycrystals and flow patterns in the mantle transition zone
Authors: Tommasi Andréa , Mainprice David , Cordier Patrick , Thoraval Catherine , Couvy Hélène
Published: December 2004

We use forward models based on recent high‐pressure experimental data on mantle minerals to predict the seismic anisotropy produced by plastic strain of orthorhombic wadsleyite, the dominant mineral in the upper transition zone. These models predict a weak seismic anisotropy for a polycrystal of pyrolitic composition (60% wadsleyite, 40% garnet) at transition zone conditions: ∼2% for P and ∼1% for S waves for a shear strain of 1. Both P and S wave anisotropy patterns show an orthorhombic symmetry. P waves propagate faster at low angle to the shear direction and slower at high angle to the shear plane. S wave anisotropy is characterized by faster propagation of waves polarized at low angle to the shear direction. Horizontal shearing results therefore in higher velocities for horizontally propagating P waves (PH) and horizontally polarized S waves (SH), as well as in weak azimuthal variation of SV and SH velocities. On the other hand, vertical flow leads to higher velocities for vertically propagating P waves (PV) and vertically polarized S waves (SV) and to a weak azimuthal variation of SV velocity but to a roughly constant SH velocity. Analysis of global observations of seismic anisotropy in the transition zone in the light of these models supports dominant horizontal flow in the uppermost transition zone, in agreement with predictions of geodynamical models that explicitly introduce phase transitions.
Formal risk‐transfer mechanisms for allocating uncertain water resources: The case of option contracts
Authors: Gómez Ramos Almudena , Garrido Alberto
Published: December 2004

Water allocation in Mediterranean basins is characterized by increasingly uncertain availability. Mechanisms that facilitate water transfers and efficient risk sharing are critical for dealing with cyclical water shortages. An option contract can be an appropriate instrument for aiding such exchanges based on specific water rights attributes. Access to certain amounts of water under preestablished conditions could provide the basis for the option contract. The main objective of this paper is to test the hypothesis according to which an option contract may be a viable instrument for achieving efficient sharing of hydrological risks. A dynamic, stochastic, and discrete time model is developed to characterize the contract from the viewpoint of the selling party. The application of this methodology can find the compensating premium, which is computed as a risk premium. The premium ensures adequate compensation for the seller as well as for the additional risk imposed by the contract. The hypothesis is empirically tested by simulating the contract as a partial solution to the problems faced by the urban supply system of Seville (Spain). The other party is an irrigation district. Results show that the option contract would be a viable solution for both parties. For Seville's urban water supply system the option contract provides a more cost‐effective alternative water supply than those presently considered by the city's water company. We find that mixed strategies including company's drought plans and option contracts are the most efficient, leading to less severe and less likely water shortages within the city supply system.
Application of a dithered sampling technique to increase the spatial resolution of singlet oxygen images
Authors: Snyder John W. , Gao Zhan , Ogilby Peter R.
Published: December 2004

Singlet molecular oxygen (a1Δg) is an intermediate in many important oxidative reactions in heterogeneous biological and polymeric systems. By using a custom-made microscope to detect the 1270nm phosphorescence of singlet oxygen (a1Δg→X3Σg−), singlet oxygen images of such systems can be created. The microscope uses an InGaAs linear photodiode array to detect this extremely weak near infrared phosphorescence. In this article, the effects of the microscope’s modulation transfer function and the detector’s spatial sampling frequency on the resolution of the images are examined. It is shown that a dithered sampling technique can increase the accessible resolution. In this approach, data are repeatedly acquired from the sample after it has been systematically moved on the microscope stage.
New setup for in situ x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy from ultrahigh vacuum to 1mbar
Authors: Pantförder J. , Pöllmann S. , Zhu J. F. , Borgmann D. , Denecke R. , Steinrück H.-P.
Published: December 2004

In an effort to extend the pressure range for electron-based spectroscopies from ultrahigh vacuum into the so-called pressure gap region, we have built a new apparatus for in situ x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy up to 1mbar. The principle of the experimental setup is based on a modified hemispherical electron energy analyzer, a modified twin anode x-ray source, and several differential-pumping stages between sample region and electron detection. The reaction gas is provided in situ either by background dosing or, as a new feature, by beam dosing, using a directed gas beam from a small tube. The latter allows for higher local pressures. The performance of the new setup is discussed, deriving normalization procedures from the analysis of the attenuation of the substrate photoemission intensity by the increasing gas phase pressure. In addition, the change of the work function due to changes in surface composition can be evaluated in situ by analyzing the binding energy shift of the gas phase core-level peaks. As a first study, measurements for the pressure dependence of CO adsorption on Pd(111) between 5×10−8 and 1mbar are presented.
The Instruments from Parramatta Observatory
Authors: Lomb Nick
Published: December 2004

Sydney Observatory, Australia's oldest existing observatory, was built in 1858 on what is now called Observatory Hill. With such a long continuous history the Observatory has a good collection of astronomical instruments relating to its own history. Moreover, the collection extends further back to Parramatta Observatory, set up in 1821 by Governor Sir Thomas Brisbane. After the closure of that observatory in 1847 its instruments were retained in the colony and given to the fledgling Sydney Observatory on its establishment.Instruments from Paramatta on display at Sydney Observatory include a brass repeating circle by the eminent Munich instrument makers Reichenbach, Utzschneider and Liebherr, a Troughton transit telescope, an equatorial telescope by Banks and a 1791 celestial globe. There is also an astronomical regulator by Hardy. Brisbane acquired some of these instruments for his previous observatory in Scotland while some were obtained specifically for his Australian observatory. This paper discusses the use of these instruments at Parramatta and their subsequent fate at Sydney Observatory.
Muscle-specific RING finger 1 is a bona fide ubiquitin ligase that degrades cardiac troponin I
Authors: Kedar Vishram , McDonough Holly , Arya Ranjana , Li Hui-Hua , Rockman Howard A. , Patterson Cam
Published: December 2004

Muscle-specific RING finger protein 1 (MuRF1) is a sarcomere-associated protein that is restricted to cardiac and skeletal muscle. In skeletal muscle, MuRF1 is up-regulated by conditions that provoke atrophy, but its function in the heart is not known. The presence of a RING finger in MuRF1 raises the possibility that it is a component of the ubiquitin–proteasome system of protein deg-radation. We performed a yeast two-hybrid screen to search for interaction partners of MuRF1 in the heart that might be targets of its putative ubiquitin ligase activity. This screen identified troponin I as a MuRF1 partner protein. MuRF1 and troponin I were found to associate both
in vitro
and
in vivo
in cultured cardiomyocytes. MuRF1 reduced steady-state troponin I levels when coexpressed in COS-7 cells and increased degradation of endogenous troponin I protein in cardiomyocytes. The degradation of troponin I in cardiomyocytes was associated with the accumulation of ubiquitylated intermediates of troponin I and was proteasome-dependent.
In vitro
, MuRF1 functioned as a ubiquitin ligase to catalyze ubiquitylation of troponin I through a RING finger-dependent mechanism. In isolated cardiomyocytes, MuRF1 reduced indices of contractility. In cardiomyocytes, these processes may determine the balance between hypertrophic and antihypertrophic signals and the regulation of myocyte contractile responses in the setting of heart failure.
Menadione metabolism to thiodione in hepatoblastoma by scanning electrochemical microscopy
Authors: Mauzeroll Janine , Bard Allen J. , Owhadian Omeed , Monks Terrence J.
Published: December 2004

The cytotoxicity of menadione on hepatocytes was studied by using the substrate generation/tip collection mode of scanning electrochemical microscopy by exposing the cells to menadione and detecting the menadione-
S
-glutathione conjugate (thiodione) that is formed during the cellular detoxication process and is exported from the cell by an ATP-dependent pump. This efflux was electrochemically detected and allowed scanning electrochemical microscopy monitoring and imaging of single cells and groups of highly confluent live cells. Based on a constant flux model, ≈6 × 10
6
molecules of thiodione per cell per second are exported from monolayer cultures of Hep G2 cells.
Galanin Microinjection in the Third Ventricle Increases Voluntary Ethanol Intake
Authors: Lewis Michael J. , Johnson Deanne F. , Waldman Daniel , Leibowitz Sarah F. , Hoebel Bartley G.
Published: December 2004

Background: The neuropeptide galanin increases food intake. Chronic ethanol (EtOH) increases the expression of galanin in the hypothalamus. The research presented here examines the effects of microinjection of galanin in the third ventricle on voluntary alcohol intake.

Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats with a cannula in the third ventricle were given access to increasing concentrations of EtOH for 12 hr/day until all acquired a preference for 7% EtOH over water in a two‐bottle choice. Rats then received a microinjection of galanin (0, 1, and 3 nmol) alone or in combination with the galanin antagonist M40 (1 nmol) and with M40 alone to determine the effects on EtOH and water intake. Tests were conducted during both the light and dark periods of a 12:12‐hr light‐dark cycle with food available ad libitum. As a control for galanin‐induced calorie intake, both EtOH and food were measured in a subset of rats during the dark.

Results: Microinjections of galanin (1.0 and 3.0 nmol) increased EtOH consumption during both periods of the light‐dark cycle. Galanin's effect on ethanol intake during the light was large relative to the very low intake of food and water during this period. Rats increased their intake of EtOH but not food. Receptor specificity for galanin (3 nmol) was shown by the galanin antagonist M40, which blocked the increase in EtOH intake. M40 alone decreased EtOH intake slightly.

Conclusions: These data show that galanin injected in the third ventricle increases EtOH consumption and that the effect can occur during both the light and the dark periods of the diurnal cycle in the presence of food and water. This suggests that galanin may play a role in augmenting voluntary alcohol intake and perhaps the development of alcohol dependence.
Cytotoxic Effects of Exposure to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Protein Tat in the Hippocampus Are Enhanced by Prior Ethanol Treatment
Authors: Self Rachel L. , Mulholland Patrick J. , Harris Barton R. , Nath Avindra , Prendergast Mark A.
Published: December 2004

Background: Long‐term ethanol exposure leads to increases in the expression and/or sensitivity of NMDA‐type glutamate receptors, effects that may contribute to the development of cytotoxicity in the brain. The human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV‐1) transcription factor Tat is one of many viral proteins that may contribute to the development of HIV‐associated dementia (HAD) by indirectly or directly promoting excess function of NMDA receptors. Thus, these studies examined the hypothesis that long‐term ethanol pre‐exposure would sensitize the hippocampus to Tat‐induced cytotoxicity in an NMDA receptor–dependent manner.

Methods: Organotypic slice cultures of rat hippocampus were exposed to a recombinant 86–amino acid form of Tat (Tat1–86) or a Tat deletion mutant devoid of amino acids 31 to 61 (TatΔ31–61; 0.1–100 nm) for 24 hr alone or during withdrawal from 10 days of ethanol exposure (50 mm in culture medium). Additional cultures were exposed to NMDA (5 μm) or the NMDA receptor channel blocker MK‐801 (1 μm) during these treatments. Cellular injury in the CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus regions of slice cultures was assessed by microscopy of propidium iodide fluorescence.

Results: Twenty‐four hours of withdrawal from ethanol exposure did not produce overt cellular injury in any region of slice cultures. However, NMDA‐induced toxicity was markedly increased in ethanol–pre‐exposed cultures, an effect prevented by MK‐801 (1 μm) coexposure. Treatment of cultures with Tat1–86 alone (≥0.1 nm) produced modest toxicity in each region of hippocampal cultures that was also blocked by MK‐801 coexposure. In contrast, exposure to TatΔ31–61 did not alter propidium iodide fluorescence. Exposure of cultures to Tat1–86 (≥0.1 nm) during ethanol withdrawal resulted in a marked potentiation of Tat's toxic effects in each region of slice cultures, particularly the CA1 region. This potentiation of Tat neurotoxicity was significantly attenuated by coexposure of cultures to MK‐801 (1 μm).

Conclusions: These results indicate that long‐term ethanol exposure sensitizes the hippocampus to the cytotoxic effects of Tat in an NMDA receptor–dependent manner. This may suggest that HIV‐1–positive individuals who are alcohol dependent possess a heightened risk for the development of HAD. Furthermore, the NMDA receptor, particularly allosteric modulatory sites such as polyamine‐sensitive sites, may be a therapeutic target to be investigated in the treatment of HAD.