bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical and chemical changes during growth, maturation, and ripening of saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia) fruit
Authors: Rogiers Suzy Y. , Knowles N. Richard
Published: May 2010

Both ongoing and future studies of saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt.) fruit would benefit from a maturity index that could be referred to as as an indicator of fruit development. Accordingly, two cultivars of saskatoon fruit (Northline and Smoky) were sorted subjectively into nine maturity and ripeness stages based on differences in size and color. The physicochemical attributes of each stage were then characterized in detail. Color ranged from mostly green (stages 1–4) to white–pink (5) to pink (6) to red (7–8) to purple (9). The fastest gains in fresh and dry weights occurred over the later stages of development (from stages 5 to 9), while increases in fruit diameter between stages 1 and 9 were linear. Fruit firmness declined substantially between the first and the fifth maturity stages and then only slightly as ripening progressed to maturity class 9. Fruit nitrogen concentration decreased throughout development as did pH, chlorophyll, and phenolics. Fruit soluble solids, the ratio of soluble solids to titratable acidity, and anthocyanins increased from the fourth to the ninth stage of development. Glucose and fructose concentrations were about equal, increased about eightfold from class 4 to 9, and along with sorbitol were the major carbohydrates in fruit. Starch was nondetectable in fruit at all stages. Succinate was the predominant organic acid in immature fruit; however, levels declined with advancing maturity, and malate was the most concentrated organic acid in mature fruit. Changes in the relative concentrations of quinate, galacturonate, citrate, pyruvate, cis-aconitate, fumarate, and oxalate were also characterized with advancing maturity. In total, the concentration of organic acids dropped at least twofold as fruits developed from class 1 to 3, then declined relatively slowly through the remaining developmental stages. Cultivar variability in physicochemical attributes was relatively small and insignificant with regard to sorting and classifying fruits according to maturity. It is proposed that this nine-point maturity index be adopted for future studies on saskatoon fruit growth and development. Key words: Amelanchier alnifolia, fruit, maturity class, ripening, organic acids, sugars.
Parasite–host interactions in Castilleja and Orthocarpus
Authors: Matthies Diethart
Published: May 2010

Growth, reproduction, and biomass allocation were studied in three perennial root hemiparasites, Castilleja integra Gray, Castilleja miniata Dougl., Castilleja chromosa A. Nels., and the annual hemiparasite Orthocarpus purpurascens Benth. grown either without or with a host plant. In addition, the effects of the hemiparasites on the host plants were investigated. All four hemiparasites could grow without a host, indicating that they are facultative parasites; O. purpurascens and C. chromosa produced flowers without a host. However, shoot mass of parasites with a host was 3–41 times that of parasites without a host. For C. miniata, C. chromosa, and O. purpurascens the growth of parasites grown with the legume Medicago sativa L. was compared with that of parasites grown with the grass Lolium perenne L. The legume was consistently a more beneficial host than the grass. In C. miniata and C. chromosa, patterns of biomass allocation were also influenced by the host type. The proportion of biomass allocated to roots was lower in parasites grown with the legume than in plants without a host, whereas it was higher in parasites grown with the grass. The parasites had strong negative effects on host growth, but the extent of host damage depended on the particular parasite–host combination. Castilleja chromosa and O. purpurascens affected the growth of the legume more strongly than that of the grass, whereas C. miniata affected the grass more strongly than the legume. Grasses parasitized by C. miniata allocated more biomass to roots than unparasitized grasses. In the other parasite–host associations the pattern of biomass allocation of the host was not influenced by parasitization. Because the biomass produced by the four hemiparasites was lower than the reduction in host biomass caused by parasitism, the parasites reduced total productivity. Therefore, the studied hemiparasites may potentially affect the structure and diversity of their communities. Key words: biomass allocation, host damage, parasite benefit, parasitic plant.
Allelopathic effect of cyanobacterial inoculum on soil characteristics and cereal growth
Authors: Inderjit  , Dakshini K. M. M.
Published: May 2010

Allelopathic effects of cyanobacterial inoculum on soil characteristics and cereal growth were investigated. Research established the alteration of chemical characteristics of the soils inoculated with different concentrations of cyanobacterial inoculum. Inoculated soils, compared with uninoculated soils, sometimes had significantly different values for chemical characteristics such as pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, organic N, total phenolics, and exchangeable cations such as Cu, Zn, Na, K, Mg, and Ca as the level of inoculum increased. Despite a significant increase in organic nitrogen in the inoculated soils, root growth of rice and wheat was suppressed. The total phenolic content of inoculated soils increased in proportion to the concentration of inoculum added and the suppression of root growth. It is, therefore, suggested that prior to formulating and recommending cyanobacterial inocula as biofertilizers, their allelopathic aspects should be studied to determine a soil to algae ratio having minimum (least altered) chemical characteristics and nonsignificant allelopathic influences on each other. Key words: allelopathy, cyanobacterial inoculum, organic N, phenolics, rice.
Characterization of anionic soybean (Glycine max) seed coat peroxidase
Authors: Schmitz Nancy , Huystee Robert van , Gijzen Mark
Published: May 2010

Soybean (Glycine max) seed coats may contain large amounts of peroxidase enzyme. The release of peroxidase from whole seeds upon imbibition and the catalytic and antigenic properties of this enzyme were studied. Comparisons between high (Ep) and low (epep) peroxidase activity seeds demonstrated a lengthy (336 h) release of anionic peroxidase by Ep (Harovinton) cultivars following incubation in an aqueous environment. In its purified state, soybean seed coat peroxidase exhibited good catalytic activity towards phenolic substrates including eugenol, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid. Both leaf and stem cationic peroxidases behaved similarly to seed coat peroxidase in their substrate specificity. Furthermore, using guaiacol as a substrate at various pH levels and temperatures, soybean seed coat peroxidase had a greater enzyme stability and a wider range of action than other peroxidase enzymes. Polyclonal antibodies raised against cationic peanut peroxidase cross-reacted with soybean peroxidase in the presence and the absence of its glycosidic chains. This suggests homology in epitopes between the soybean and peanut polypeptide and (or) glycan chains. Key words: cross-reactivity, enzyme activity, peroxidase, polymerization, substrate.
Intersectional cottonwood hybrids are particularly susceptible to the poplar bud gall mite
Authors: Kalischuk Andrea R. , Gom Lori A. , Rood Stewart B. , Floate Kevin D.
Published: May 2010

The occurrence of hybrid breakdown, the poor performance of certain hybrids, was investigated in cottonwoods (Populus) with respect to susceptibility to the poplar bud gall mite, Aceria parapopuli. The abundance of mite galls was investigated for all 352 cottonwoods on an island at Lethbridge, Alberta, where a natural trispecific hybrid swarm involves the narrowleaf cottonwood (Populus angustifolia) and the balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera) of section Tacamahaca and the prairie cottonwood (Populus deltides) of section Aigeiros. There, 78% of the intersectional hybrids (i.e., P. deltoides × P. angustifolia or P. balsamifera), 56% of the intrasectional (P. angustifolia × P. balsamifera) hybrids, and 36% of the single-species trees displayed some galls. Nine percent were heavily infested, and these were almost all intersectional hybrids. At four other riparian sites in British Columbia and Alberta with only single species or the two Tacamahaca cottonwoods, very few galls were observed and no trees were severely infested. Conversely, artificially planted intersectional hybrids near all sites displayed severe infestations, confirming the occurrence of mites throughout the region and the susceptibility of intersectional hybrids. The susceptibility to pests probably hinders growth and reproduction and thus disfavors the intersectional hybrids. Since hybrid poplars are widely planted for horticultural or silvicultural applications, this study suggests that future selections should consider the vulnerability of hybrids and especially intersectional hybrids to insect pests. Key words: Populus, insect pests, cottonwoods, galls, hybrids, riparian vegetation.
New species of Calathea (Marantaceae) endemic to Costa Rica
Authors: Kennedy Helen
Published: May 2010

Calathea hylaeanthoides Kennedy, Calathea retroflexa Kennedy, and Calathea incompta Kennedy are described as new. All three species are endemic to Costa Rica. Calathea hylaeanthoides and C. incompta are from the Osa Peninsula, while C. retroflexa is from midelevation on the Pacific slope of the Cordillera de Talamanca. Calathea hylaeanthoides belongs to Calathea section Breviscapus, C. retroflexa belongs to Calathea section Calathea, and C. incompta belongs to the "Ornata group" of Calathea. Key words: Marantaceae, Calathea, Costa Rica, endemism.
Seasonal variations in UV-B absorbing capacity and allelopathic potential of Dittrichia viscosa leaf rinsates
Authors: Stephanou M. , Manetas Y.
Published: May 2010

The seasonal variations in the amount and the allelopathic potential of the water-soluble, leaf epicuticular exudates in the Mediterranean ruderal Dittrichia viscosa were investigated. Both parameters peaked during the dry, hot, and sunny summer, confirming the prediction that the seasonal fluctuations should be commensurate with the ascribed antitranspirant and phytotoxic functions. In particular, the drainage of the material to the soil with the heavy autumn rains provides excellent timing for exerting its strong allelopathic interference on seed germination, affording D. viscosa a considerable competitive advantage. Key words: allelopathy, Dittrichia viscosa, leaf rinsates, seasonal variations.
DE FACTO AND DE JURE REGIONAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION IN EAST ASIA: HOW DO THEY INTERACT
Authors: NICOLAS FRANÇOISE
Published: May 2010

A salient feature of the East Asian region is the persistent discrepancy between the progress in de facto and de jure economic integration. East Asia has long been said to be the champion of loose regional economic integration, with deepening intra-regional trade and investment linkages in the absence of any formal cooperative scheme. However, an oft-heard claim is that East Asia has been shifting recently towards an institution-based form of regional economic cooperation, primarily as a result of the 1997–98 financial crisis. Next to post-crisis financial cooperative schemes under the ASEAN+3, the surge of Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) involving East Asian countries is thought by some to further substantiate this claim. The objective of the paper is twofold; first, to assess the validity of the aforementioned claim; and second, to examine the links between de facto and de jure economic integration in East Asia compared to other regions of the world. In the process, the sequencing between trade and monetary cooperation is also addressed. The paper starts by providing a candid assessment of the current state of play of economic cooperation in East Asia (de jure integration), both from the trade and the financial/monetary perspective, and highlights the limitations of the formal regional integration movement in East Asia to date. As a next step, it explores the changing nature of intra-regional trade and investment linkages, contrasts it to the situation in other parts of the world such as Europe and examines to what extent this new form of interdependence may be instrumental in making formal regional economic schemes more attractive. A major conclusion is that de facto trade integration may not automatically lead to deeper regional trade cooperation de jure and that its impact is likely to be stronger on monetary cooperation projects.
THE WORLD BANK SPENCE COMMISSION REPORT AND THE TRINITY GROWTH THEORY
Authors: LIM CHONG YAH
Published: May 2010

This paper compares Michael Spence's Growth Theory with Professor Lim Chong Yah's Trinity Growth Theory. The similarities and the differences in the two approaches are brought out in explaining the superlative growth rates of economies in the world. The writer maintains that the Trinity Growth Theory also explains why growth levels (income levels) differ, and why growth rates of mature as well as very poor economies display slow growth rates, and not superlative growth rates. The two theories are multi-causal and multidimensional, not uni-causal.
OUTPUT AND PRICE LINKAGES IN ASIA'S POST-CRISIS MACROECONOMIC INTERDEPENDENCE
Authors: TAKAGI SHINJI , KOZURU ISSEI
Published: May 2010

The paper explores the nature of macroeconomic interdependence in post-crisis Asia. Empirical evidence suggests that, relative to the pre-crisis period, output and price correlations in Asia have increased and the output and price impacts of shocks originating within the region have risen. This greater interdependence, however, did not come at the expense of a weaker economic tie with the rest of the world (as clearly demonstrated in the recent global economic crisis). Asian policymakers must better manage the region's growing macroeconomic linkages through greater cooperation — both to mitigate the impact of negative policy spillovers and to foster an environment in which regional and global links can continue to deepen.
EXPERIMENTS ON SUPERHEAVY ELEMENTS
Authors: HOFMANN SIGURD
Published: May 2010

An overview of present experimental investigation of superheavy elements is given. Using cold fusion reactions which are based on lead and bismuth targets, relatively neutron deficient isotopes of the elements from 107 to 113 were synthesized at GSI in Darmstadt, Germany, and/or at RIKEN in Wako, Japan. In hot fusion reactions of 48 Ca projectiles with actinide targets more neutron rich isotopes of the elements from 112 to 116 and even 118 were produced at FLNR in Dubna, Russia. Recently, part of these data which represent the first identification of nuclei located on the predicted island of SHEs were confirmed in two independent experiments. The data are compared with theoretical descriptions.
EFFECT OF NON-AXIAL DEFORMATIONS OF HIGHER MULTIPOLARITY ON THE FISSION-BARRIER HEIGHT OF HEAVIEST NUCLEI
Authors: SOBICZEWSKI A. , JACHIMOWICZ P. , KOWAL M.
Published: May 2010

The static fission-barrier height [Formula: see text] of heaviest nuclei is studied in a multidimensional deformation space. The main attention is given to the effect of the hexadecapole non-axial shapes on [Formula: see text]. The analysis is performed within a macroscopic-microscopic approach. A 10-dimensional deformation space is used. A large number of about 300 even-even heavy and superheavy nuclei with proton number 98 ≤ Z ≤ 126 and neutron number 134 ≤ N ≤ 192 are considered. It is found that the inclusion of the non-axial hexadecapole shapes lowers the barrier by up to about 1.5 MeV.
HOW CAN ONE SYNTHESIZE THE ELEMENT Z = 120?
Authors: SIWEK-WILCZYŃSKA K. , CAP T. , WILCZYŃSKI J.
Published: May 2010

Predictions based on the "Fusion by Diffusion" model in a version adapted for calculating xn channels, with the ground-state masses, shell effects and barrier heights as given by Muntian, Patyk and Sobiczewski are presented. Sensitivity of the model to uncertainties in determination of the theoretical fission barriers is discussed. Predictions concerning formation of the element Z = 120 include comparison of fusion of the most asymmetric systems, 50 Ti + 249 Cf and 54 Cr + 248 Cm , with less asymmetric combinations 58 Fe + 244 Pu and 64 Ni + 238 U .
COMPETING MINIMA AND NON-AXIAL SADDLES IN SUPERHEAVY NUCLEI
Authors: JACHIMOWICZ P. , KOWAL M. , SKALSKI J.
Published: May 2010

Energy landscapes of superheavy even-even nuclei with 116 ≤ Z ≤ 126 and 176 ≤ N ≤ 184 are studied within the macroscopic-microscopic method over a 12 dimensional manifold of shapes, including both axial- and mass-asymmetry. In addition to the spherical, prolate and oblate minima we find also oblate-octupole minima, with Y33 symmetry along the oblateness axis, that compete to become ground states. All fission saddle points are triaxial and by 0.5-2.5 MeV lower than the axial ones. The Woods-Saxon model predicts the abrupt lowering of barriers near Z = 126, in a stark contrast to the mostly used self-consistent effective interactions.
SHAPE EVOLUTION AT HIGH SPINS AND TEMPERATURES: NUCLEAR JACOBI AND POINCARE TRANSITIONS
Authors: MAJ A. , MAZUREK K. , DUDEK J. , KMIECIK M. , ROUVEL D.
Published: May 2010

We consider a realistic description of hot, fast rotating nuclei with the help of the macroscopic nuclear model, LSD, of Refs.1,2 We examine in particular a competition between Jacobi-type instabilities that preserve the left-right symmetry of nuclear systems and the Poincaré-type ones that break this symmetry. It is shown that in exotic nuclei these two mechanisms should be considered together in order to reach the lowest-energy nuclear configurations. Results from our related experiments are discussed together with the examples of preliminary theoretical predictions.
RELATIVISTIC NUCLEAR ENERGY DENSITY FUNCTIONALS
Authors: VRETENAR D. , NIKŠIĆ T. , RING P.
Published: May 2010

A class of relativistic nuclear energy density functionals is explored, in which only nucleon degrees of freedom are explicitly used in the construction of effective interaction terms. Short-distance correlations, as well as intermediate and long-range dynamics, are encoded in the nucleon-density dependence of the strength functionals of an effective interaction Lagrangian. The resulting phenomenological effective interaction, adjusted to experimental binding energies of a large set of axially deformed nuclei, together with a new separable pairing interaction adjusted to reproduce the pairing gap in nuclear matter calculated with the Gogny force, is applied in triaxial relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov calculations of sequences of heavy nuclei: Th , U , Pu , Cm , Cf , Fm , and No .
SKYRME-RANDOM-PHASE-APPROXIMATION DESCRIPTION OF SPIN-FLIP AND ORBITALM1GIANT RESONANCES
Authors: NESTERENKO V. O. , KVASIL J. , VESELY P. , KLEINIG W. , REINHARD P.-G.
Published: May 2010

The self-consistent separable random-phase approximation (SRPA) with Skyrme forces is extended to the case of magnetic excitations and applied to the description of spin-flip and orbital M1 giant resonances in the isotopic chain142-152Nd . The Skyrme forces SkT6, SkM*, SLy6 and SkI3 are used. The calculations show an onset of the scissors mode with increasing deformation. A specific three-peak structure of the spin-flip response is found and explained by particular neutron and proton spin-flip transitions. Although the employed forces provide an acceptable qualitative description, the Skyrme functional still needs further improvement to reproduce quantitatively the experiment for spin modes.
MY JOURNEY TO THE SUPERHEAVY ISLAND WITH SZYMANSKI, NILSSON, NIX, AND SWIATECKI FROM LYSEKIL TO THE PRESENT
Authors: MÖLLER PETER
Published: May 2010

We discuss the great theoretical insights on nuclear stability that emerged in the late 1960ies, especially the realization that observable nuclei might include a superheavy island 20+ protons beyond uranium with 92 protons. However, we now realize that the early models were not sufficiently quantitative to yield definite conclusions. Further groundwork for such models was laid in the 1970ies. Around 1980 more quantitative, global and universal models appeared and together with experimental advances the mapping of the superheavy island, or as it turns out now, continent started in earnest. We review these early developments and conclude with some examples of our current insights. In particular, 1) some theoretical models do have predictive capabilities for nuclear properties such as ground-state masses, shapes, and half-lives 10 or more neutrons and protons away from previously known regions and 2) the superheavy island may be a continent connected to the actinides by a narrow land bridge; the continent itself may extend from about proton number Z = 110 to Z = 120 or slightly beyond.
ON POINCARÉ INSTABILITY OF ROTATING STARS AND NUCLEI
Authors: BARTEL JOHANN , IVANYUK FEDIR , POMORSKI KRZYSZTOF
Published: May 2010

The influence of the reflection asymmetry degrees of freedom on the stability of rotating charged or gravitating liquid objects is investigated. The Modified Funny Hills shape parametrization as well as the optimal shapes developed by the Strutinsky group have been used. It is shown that the Poincaré instability can, indeed, appear in rotating gravitating objects, but is quite unlikely in rotating nuclei.
ODD NUCLEI, TIME-REVERSAL SYMMETRY BREAKING, AND MAGNETIC POLARIZATION OF THE EVEN-EVEN CORE
Authors: QUENTIN PHILIPPE , BONNEAU LUDOVIC , MINKOV NIKOLAI , SAMSŒN DAVID
Published: May 2010

The addition of an extra nucleon to an even-even core generates, in most cases, a polarization of this core which is essentially due to a spin paramagnetic type of coupling. It is shown here that these results (which have been obtained so far only with the SIII Skyrme force) seems to be robust against the change of the Skyrme force parameters for the charge state corresponding to the added nucleon and somewhat less for the other charge state. The consequences drawn from calculations with the SIII force about the effect of the core polarization on the effective spin gyromagnetic factors, hold also for the two other Skyrme force parametrizations (SkM* and SLy4) considered here. A very good reproduction of the average phenomenological quenching of these factors from their free values, is also obtained. Finally, the rare cases where these rules do not hold are discussed.
SPATIAL SYMMETRIES OF THE LOCAL DENSITIES
Authors: ROHOZIŃSKI STANISŁAW G. , DOBACZEWSKI JACEK , NAZAREWICZ WITOLD
Published: May 2010

Spatial symmetries of the densities appearing in the nuclear Density Functional Theory are discussed. General forms of the local densities are derived by using methods of construction of isotropic tensor fields. The spherical and axial cases are considered.
NUCLEAR MEAN-FIELD HAMILTONIANS AND FACTORS LIMITING THEIR PREDICTIVE POWER
Authors: DUDEK J. , RYBAK K. , SZPAK B. , PORQUET M.-G. , MOLIQUE H. , FORNAL B.
Published: May 2010

In this article we discuss the problem of a reliable determination of parameters of the nuclear mean-field Hamiltonians in view of obtaining high quality comparisons with the experimental single particle spectra: a. In the case of extrapolations to extreme (exotic) isospin nuclei as well as b. In terms of predictions of the energy levels that have not been so far measured also in 'non-exotic' nuclei. We formulate our discussion in terms of the Inverse Problem, a quickly growing sub-field of Applied Mathematics, and introduce a number of mathematical properties which are illustrated in Ref.1 We focus on those mechanisms that may significantly limit the predictive power of the resulting Hamiltonians.
ON A SELECTION RULE FOR ELECTRIC TRANSITIONS IN AXIALLY-SYMMETRIC NUCLEI
Authors: DOBROWOLSKI A. , GÓŹDŹ A. , DUDEK J.
Published: May 2010

We consider many-body E-l transition matrix-elements between two nuclear states of different axially-symmetric deformations characterised by two different (mutually non-orthogonal) sets of single-particle wave-functions. Yet, when varying the deformations of the initial, final, or both these states one notices abrupt changes in the form of vanishing and possibly reappearance of the transition matrix elements calculated between the corresponding Slater determinants. The mechanism is explained in terms of the conservation of the |m| quantum number (absolute value of the projection of individual-nucleonic angular-momenta); consequences for the more general calculations of this type also without axial symmetry are discussed.
ROTATIONAL BANDS IN HEAVY AND SUPERHEAVY NUCLEI WITHIN THE LUBLIN STRASBOURG DROP + YUKAWA FOLDED MODEL
Authors: DOBROWOLSKI A. , NERLO-POMORSKA B. , POMORSKI K. , BARTEL J.
Published: May 2010

The potential energies of heavy and superheavy even even nuclei were found within the macroscopic–microscopic method with LSD model, Yukawa–folded mean field, Strutinsky shell correction and BCS pairing theory in order to calculate the rotational state with cranking moments of inertia. The calculations were performed for a couple of nuclei: 250 No - 264 Hs on a deformation grid c = 0.8 up to 1.6 with step length 0.05 and h = -0.4 to 0.4 with step length 0.1. The equilibrium deformations were found and the masses compared to the experimental ones. Rotational energies of No isotopes for L/ħ = 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 agree well with the data when a pairing strengths [Formula: see text] and a pairing window of [Formula: see text] levels is used. A prediction of the E2+ rotational states for all the investigated nuclei is given.
MICROSCOPIC STUDY OF COLLECTIVE STATES OF EVEN-EVEN MOLYBDENUM ISOTOPES
Authors: PRÓCHNIAK L.
Published: May 2010

Low energy quadrupole excitations of the 84-110 Mo nuclei are studied in the frame of the general Bohr collective model. The potential energy and inertial functions are calculated using the ATDHFB method starting from the Skyrme effective interaction. Obtained energies of the 21, 41, 22 and 02 levels and B(E2) values for the 21 → 0 g . s transitions are in good agreement with experimental data.
IMPACT-PARAMETER DEPENDENCE OF TERNARY AND QUATERNARY RESEPARATION OF HEAVY COLLIDING SYSTEMS
Authors:   for CHIMERA Collaboration, SKWIRA-CHALOT I. , SIWEK-WILCZYŃSKA K. , WILCZYŃSKI J.
Published: May 2010

Recently, we reported on the observation of a new reaction mechanism of fast collinear breakup of the 197 Au + 197 Au system into three and four fragments of comparable size. Here we present results of an additional analysis that shows that these ternary and quaternary breakup reactions occur at extremely deep-inelastic collisions corresponding to small values of the impact parameter, while more peripheral collisions lead to well known binary deep-inelastic reactions.
ROLE OF THE NON-AXIAL OCTUPOLE DEFORMATION IN THE POTENTIAL ENERGY OF HEAVY NUCLEI
Authors: JACHIMOWICZ P. , KOWAL M. , ROZMEJ P. , SKALSKI J. , SOBICZEWSKI A.
Published: May 2010

Role of the non-axial octupole deformation a32(Y32 + Y3-2) on the potential energy of heavy nuclei is studied in a large deformation space. The study is performed within a macroscopic-microscopic approach. A large region of nuclei with proton number 88 ≤ Z ≤ 112 and neutron number 128 ≤ N ≤ 156 is considered. It is found that while the a32 deformation alone lowers the energy of the nuclei by up to about 3 MeV (for nuclei around 238 Fm ), it has practically no effect on the global energy minima of considered nuclei, when the analysis is done in a large space.
INSTRUMENTATION DESIGN FOR CROSS-CORRELATION MEASUREMENTS BETWEEN GATE AND DRAIN LOW FREQUENCY NOISE IN MOSFETS
Authors: GIUSI G. , CRUPI F. , CIOFI C. , PACE C. , MAGNONE P.
Published: May 2010

A two-channel measurement system suited for the on-wafer characterization of the gate and drain low frequency noise in MOSFETs is presented. Guidelines for designing the preamplifier and the bias stage at the drain and gate terminals are discussed. Results show that, the natural choice of employing transimpedance amplifiers as first preamplifier stage is useful only at the gate side, while it is preferable the use of voltage preamplifiers at the drain side to avoid voltage saturation. A simple prototype which implements the proposed design approach is reported. The system capability is tested through the measurement of the gate noise, the drain noise and the cross-correlation between the two channels in nMOSFETs with ultrathin oxide thickness.
HIGH ELECTRIC FIELD INDUCED STRAIN IN SOLID-STATE ROUTE PROCESSED BARIUM TITANATE CERAMICS
Authors: PICHT GUNNAR , KUNGL HANS , BÄURER MICHAEL , HOFFMANN MICHAEL J.
Published: May 2010

Barium titanate ( BaTiO 3) was prepared by a solid state route from highly pure raw materials. Homogenization by attrition milling resulted in fine grained powders, which could be calcined to single phase BaTiO 3 at 875°C and sintered to high density ceramics at 1200–1250°C. Due to the relatively low sintering temperatures, grain size remains in the range below 2 μm. The material shows very good performance under 2 kV/mm electric high field cycling with 0.12% strain at ambient conditions. Field dependence of strain at 20°C shows moderate strain under subcoercive field conditions, high strain in the intermediate field range up to 2 kV/mm and saturation resulting in to low additional strain at higher fields. The temperature characteristics of the strain reveal a marked decrease by approximately one third when increasing the temperature to 60°C. At higher temperatures field induced strain stabilizes when approaching the Curie temperature. From the nonlinearity characteristics at ambient conditions and the temperature behavior, it is concluded that contributions from reversible domain switching to strain are a major source of the high strain performance.
AGING-INDUCED NOVEL MULTI-SCALE EFFECT IN FERROELECTRICS AND ITS UNDERLYING MECHANISM
Authors: ZHANG LIXUE , REN XIAOBIANG
Published: May 2010

Aging, the gradual changing of materials properties with time, is a well observed but puzzling phenomenon in ferroelectrics. It lowers the reliability of ferroelectric devices, and is thus usually undesirable. However, based on a defect mediated reversible domain switching mechanism, we obtained large recoverable electro-strain in aged BaTiO 3-based ferroelectric crystals, which indicates aging is not always a detrimental effect; it might be beneficial for applications. Moreover, direct evidence for the reversible domain switching process was given by in situ polarizing microscope observation. The underlying microscopic origin was discussed in light of a symmetry-conforming short-range-order (SC-SRO) principle of point defects and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.
SINTERED COMPOSITE FOR LOW TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT OF PIEZOELECTRIC PROPERTY IN KNN BASED LEAD-FREE CERAMICS
Authors: AHN CHEOL-WOO , PARK CHEE-SUNG , PRIYA SHASHANK
Published: May 2010

We propose the design and synthesis of a polycrystalline sintered composite microstructure that leads to improved stability of piezoelectric response as a function of temperature in ( K , Na ) NbO 3 (KNN) based ceramics. The microstructure consists of matrix and island both of which have different composition and surface area. The matrix had much larger surface area and smaller orthorhombic to tetragonal transition temperature (T O-T ) than island. The composition corresponding to 0.99( K 0.48 Na 0.48 Li 0.04)( Nb 0.98 Sb 0.02) O 3-0.01 BaTiO 3 ( KNLNS-BT , T O-T ~ 33° C ) was selected as matrix while ( K 0.5 Na 0.5) NbO 3 ( KNN , T O-T ~ 206° C) was selected as island. The results show the flat electromechanical coupling factor from room temperature until ~ 300°C.
FORMATION OF $({\rm Ti}'_{\rm Ti} - V_{\rm O}^{\bullet \bullet})^{\bullet}$ DEFECT DIPOLES IN BaTiO3 CERAMICS HEAT-TREATED UNDER REDUCED OXYGEN PARTIAL-PRESSURE
Authors: ERDEM EMRE , JAKES PETER , EICHEL RÜDIGER-A. , SINCLAIR DEREK C. , PASHA MAHABOOB , REANEY IAN M.
Published: May 2010

The defect structure of barium titanate ( BaTiO 3) heat-treated under reduced p O 2 has been investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The results confirm the formation of [Formula: see text]-centers. Based on the relative size of the principal values of the electron g-matrix, g⊥ > g‖, the local distortion of the oxygen octahedron about the [Formula: see text]-centers was also analyzed and the formation of [Formula: see text] defect associates unambiguously established.
Systemic inflammation activates the nuclear factor-κB regulatory pathway in adipose tissue
Authors: Ekström Mattias , Halle Martin , Bjessmo Staffan , Liska Jan , Kolak Maria , Fisher Rachel , Eriksson Per , Tornvall Per
Published: May 2010

Adipose tissue (AT) is a store of energy but also an endocrine organ with the capacity to produce and release proinflammatory mediators into the circulation. The mechanism that may trigger human AT inflammation on a cellular level still remains largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether an acute systemic inflammation increases AT inflammatory activity, focused on innate immunity. Open heart surgery results in an extensive acute systemic inflammation. Therefore, we investigated the in vivo gene expression and production of inflammatory mediators in omental and subcutaneous AT stimulated by surgery. Biopsies from omental and subcutaneous AT were collected before and after cardiopulmonary bypass. Blood samples were collected at the same time as the AT biopsies and plasma IL-6 levels were measured with ELISA. RT-PCR was used for quantification of relative AT gene expression. To verify the gene expression results on a protein level, we used immunohistochemistry and microdialysis. After surgery, in both omental and subcutaneous AT, there was a strong upregulation of nuclear factor-κB-regulated genes, e.g., chemokine ligand-2, E-selectin, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and Toll-like receptor-2. Immunohistochemistry showed staining for E-selectin associated with a high number of macrophages in close contact with and in the vascular wall. Increased levels of IL-6 were detected in microdialysate from subcutaneous AT. In conclusion, we present the novel finding that this model of inflammation induced a strong inflammatory response in both omental and subcutaneous AT including adhesion of macrophages to an activated endothelium and release of IL-6 from AT interstitium. It can be hypothesized that AT exerts a modulatory effect on innate immunity in humans.
Ectopic expression of eIF2Bε in rat skeletal muscle rescues the sepsis-induced reduction in guanine nucleotide exchange activity and protein synthesis
Authors: Tuckow Alexander P. , Vary Thomas C. , Kimball Scot R. , Jefferson Leonard S.
Published: May 2010

Eukaryotic initiation factor 2B (eIF2B) is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) whose activity is both tightly regulated and rate-controlling with regard to global rates of protein synthesis. Skeletal muscle eIF2B activity and expression of its catalytic ε-subunit (eIF2Bε) have been implicated as potential contributors to the altered rates of protein synthesis in a number of physiological conditions and experimental models. The objective of this study was to directly examine the effects of exogenously expressed eIF2Bε in vivo on GEF activity and protein synthetic rates in rat skeletal muscle. A plasmid encoding FLAG-eIF2Bε was transfected into the tibialis anterior (TA) of one leg, while the contralateral TA received a control plasmid. Ectopic expression of eIF2Bε resulted in increased GEF activity in TA homogenates of healthy rats, demonstrating that the expressed protein was catalytically active. In an effort to restore a deficit in eIF2B activity, we utilized an established model of chronic sepsis in which skeletal muscle eIF2B activity is known to be impaired. Ectopic expression of eIF2Bε in the TA rescued the sepsis-induced deficit in GEF activity and muscle protein synthesis. The results demonstrate that modulation of eIF2Bε expression may be sufficient to correct deficits in skeletal muscle protein synthesis associated with sepsis and other muscle-wasting conditions.
Adipose differentiation-related protein regulates lipids and insulin in pancreatic islets
Authors: Faleck D. M. , Ali K. , Roat R. , Graham M. J. , Crooke R. M. , Battisti R. , Garcia E. , Ahima R. S. , Imai Y.
Published: May 2010

The excess accumulation of lipids in islets is thought to contribute to the development of diabetes in obesity by impairing β-cell function. However, lipids also serve a nutrient function in islets, and fatty acids acutely increase insulin secretion. A better understanding of lipid metabolism in islets will shed light on complex effects of lipids on β-cells. Adipose differentiation-related protein (ADFP) is localized on the surface of lipid droplets in a wide range of cells and plays an important role in intracellular lipid metabolism. We found that ADFP was highly expressed in murine β-cells. Moreover, islet ADFP was increased in mice on a high-fat diet (3.5-fold of control) and after fasting (2.5-fold of control), revealing dynamic changes in ADFP in response to metabolic cues. ADFP expression was also increased by addition of fatty acids in human islets. The downregulation of ADFP in MIN6 cells by antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) suppressed the accumulation of triglycerides upon fatty acid loading (56% of control) along with a reduction in the mRNA levels of lipogenic genes such as diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase-2 and fatty acid synthase. Fatty acid uptake, oxidation, and lipolysis were also reduced by downregulation of ADFP. Moreover, the reduction of ADFP impaired the ability of palmitate to increase insulin secretion. These findings demonstrate that ADFP is important in regulation of lipid metabolism and insulin secretion in β-cells.
The neural and vascular effects of killed Su-Streptococcus pyogenes (OK-432) in preterm fetal sheep
Authors: Bennet L. , Cowie R. V. , Stone P. R. , Barrett R. , Naylor A. S. , Blood A. B. , Gunn A. J.
Published: May 2010

Fetal exposure to inflammatory mediators is associated with a greater risk of brain injury and may cause endothelial dysfunction; however, nearly all the evidence is derived from gram-negative bacteria. Intrapleural injections of OK-432, a killed Su-strain of Streptococcus pyogenes, has been used to treat fetal chylothorax. In this study, we evaluated the neural and cardiovascular effects of OK-432 in preterm fetal sheep (104 ± 1 days, term 147 days). OK-432 (0.1 mg, n = 6) or saline vehicle ( n = 7) was infused in the fetal pleura, and fetuses were monitored for 7 days. Blood samples were taken routinely for plasma nitrite measurement. Fetal brains were taken for histological assessment at the end of the experiment. Between 3 and 7 h postinjection, OK-432 administration was associated with transient suppression of fetal body and breathing movements and electtroencephalogram activity ( P < 0.05), increased carotid and femoral vascular resistance ( P < 0.05), but no change in blood pressure. Brain activity and behavior then returned to normal except in one fetus that developed seizures. OK-432 fetuses showed progressive, sustained vasodilatation ( P < 0.05), with lower blood pressure after 4 days ( P < 0.05), but normal heart rate. There were no changes in plasma nitrite levels. Histological studies showed bilateral infarction in the dorsal limb of the hippocampus of the fetus that developed seizures, but no injury in other fetuses. We conclude that a single low-dose injection of OK-432 can be associated with risk of focal cerebral injury in the preterm fetus and chronic central and peripheral vasodilatation that does not appear to be mediated by nitric oxide.
Light-Evoked Responses of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium: Changes Accompanying Photoreceptor Loss in the Mouse
Authors: Samuels Ivy S. , Sturgill Gwen M. , Grossman Gregory H. , Rayborn Mary E. , Hollyfield Joe G. , Peachey Neal S.
Published: May 2010

Mutations in genes expressed in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) underlie a number of human inherited retinal disorders that manifest with photoreceptor degeneration. Because light-evoked responses of the RPE are generated secondary to rod photoreceptor activity, RPE response reductions observed in human patients or animal models may simply reflect decreased photoreceptor input. The purpose of this study was to define how the electrophysiological characteristics of the RPE change when the complement of rod photoreceptors is decreased. To measure RPE function, we used an electroretinogram (dc-ERG)-based technique. We studied a slowly progressive mouse model of photoreceptor degeneration ( Prph Rd2/+), which was crossed onto a Nyxnob background to eliminate the b-wave and most other postreceptoral ERG components. On this background, Prph Rd2/+ mice display characteristic reductions in a-wave amplitude, which parallel those in slow PIII amplitude and the loss of rod photoreceptors. At 2 and 4 mo of age, the amplitude of each dc-ERG component (c-wave, fast oscillation, light peak, and off response) was larger in Prph Rd2/+ mice than predicted by rod photoreceptor activity (RmP3) or anatomical analysis. At 4 mo of age, the RPE in Prph Rd2/+ mice showed several structural abnormalities including vacuoles and swollen, hypertrophic cells. These data demonstrate that insights into RPE function can be gained despite a loss of photoreceptors and structural changes in RPE cells and, moreover, that RPE function can be evaluated in a broader range of mouse models of human retinal disease.
Men supplemented with 17β-estradiol have increased β-oxidation capacity in skeletal muscle
Authors: Maher Amy C. , Akhtar Mahmood , Tarnopolsky Mark A.
Published: May 2010

During endurance exercise women have lower carbohydrate and higher lipid oxidation compared with men. Supplementation of humans and rodents with 17β-estradiol (E2) lowers the respiratory exchange ratio, the glucose rate of appearance and disappearance, and the metabolic clearance rate. The mechanism(s) for the observed estrogen effects in substrate utilization remains to be determined. We hypothesized that estrogen would increase the mRNA and protein content for genes involved in the regulation of β-oxidation. Ten moderately active men were supplemented with placebo or E2for 8 days in a randomized double-blind crossover design. After supplementation muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis and examined for differences in mRNA, microRNA, and protein content of genes involved in lipid oxidation. E2increased the protein abundance of medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) 42% ( P ≤ 0.05). Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) mRNA was significantly higher after E2supplementation by 29% ( P ≤ 0.05), and microRNA miR-29b (predicted to regulate PGC-1α) was significantly lower by 66% ( P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, E2might partially regulate lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle by altering the protein content of MCAD, which may be directly or indirectly regulated by an increase in PGC-1α and reduction in miR-29b.
Evolution of the regulatory control of vertebrate striated muscle: the roles of troponin I and myosin binding protein-C
Authors: Shaffer Justin F. , Gillis Todd E.
Published: May 2010

Troponin I (TnI) and myosin binding protein-C (MyBP-C) are key regulatory proteins of contractile function in vertebrate muscle. TnI modulates the Ca2+activation signal, while MyBP-C regulates cross-bridge cycling kinetics. In vertebrates, each protein is distributed as tissue-specific paralogs in fast skeletal (fs), slow skeletal (ss), and cardiac (c) muscles. The purpose of this study is to characterize how TnI and MyBP-C have changed during the evolution of vertebrate striated muscle and how tissue-specific paralogs have adapted to different physiological conditions. To accomplish this we have completed phylogenetic analyses using the amino acid sequences of all known TnI and MyBP-C isoforms. This includes 99 TnI sequences (fs, ss, and c) from 51 different species and 62 MyBP-C sequences from 26 species, with representatives from each vertebrate group. Results indicate that the role of protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC) in regulating contractile function has changed during the evolution of vertebrate striated muscle. This is reflected in an increased number of phosphorylatable sites in cTnI and cMyBP-C in endothermic vertebrates and the loss of two PKC sites in fsTnI in a common ancestor of mammals, birds, and reptiles. In addition, we find that His132, Val134, and Asn141in human ssTnI, previously identified as enabling contractile function during cellular acidosis, are present in all vertebrate cTnI isoforms except those from monotremes, marsupials, and eutherian mammals. This suggests that the replacement of these residues with alternative residues coincides with the evolution of endothermy in the mammalian lineage.
Pre-mRNA Processing Is Partially Impaired in Satellite Cell Nuclei from Aged Muscles
Authors: Malatesta Manuela , Perdoni Federica , Muller Sylviane , Pellicciari Carlo , Zancanaro Carlo
Published: May 2010

Satellite cells are responsible for the capacity of mature mammalian skeletal muscles to repair and maintain mass. During aging, skeletal muscle mass as well as the muscle strength and endurance progressively decrease, leading to a condition termed sarcopenia. The causes of sarcopenia are manifold and remain to be completely elucidated. One of them could be the remarkable decline in the efficiency of muscle regeneration; this has been associated with decreasing amounts of satellite cells, but also to alterations in their activation, proliferation, and/or differentiation. In this study, we investigated the satellite cell nuclei of biceps and quadriceps muscles from adult and old rats; morphometry and immunocytochemistry at light and electron microscopy have been combined to assess the organization of the nuclear RNP structural constituents involved in different steps of mRNA formation. We demonstrated that in satellite cells the RNA pathways undergo alterations during aging, possibly hampering their responsiveness to muscle damage.
The Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma System Regulates Ultraviolet B-Induced ProstaglandinE2Production in Human Epidermal Keratinocytes
Authors: Konger Raymond L. , Martel Kellie Clay , Jernigan Danielle , Zhang Qiwei , Travers Jeffrey B.
Published: May 2010

Studies using PPARγagonists in mouse skin have suggested that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is irrelevant to cutaneous photobiology. However, in several epithelial cell lines, ultraviolet B (UVB) has been shown to induce the nonenzymatic production of oxidized phospholipids that act as PPARγagonists. UVB is also a potent inducer of prostaglandinE2  (PGE2)production and COX-2 expression in keratinocytes and PPARγis coupled to increasedPGE2production in other cell lines. In this current study, we demonstrate that PPARγagonists, but not PPARαor PPARβ/δagonists, inducePGE2production and COX-2 expression in primary human keratinocytes (PHKs). Importantly, PPARγagonist-induced COX-2 expression andPGE2production were partially inhibited by the PPARγantagonist, GW9662, indicating that both PPARγ-dependent and -independent pathways are likely involved. GW9662 also suppressed UVB andtert-butylhydroperoxide- (TBH-) inducedPGE2production in PHKs and intact human epidermis and partially inhibited UVB-induced COX-2 expression in PHKs. These findings provide evidence that PPARγis relevant to cutaneous photobiology in human epidermis.