bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Observer design with guaranteed RMS gain for discrete‐time LPV systems with Markovian jumps
Authors: Calafiore Giuseppe C. , Dabbene Fabrizio
Published: July 2008

In this paper we consider the problem of designing state observers with guaranteed power‐to‐power (RMS) gain for a class of stochastic discrete‐time linear systems that possess both measurable parameter variations and Markovian jumps in their dynamics. It is shown in the paper that an upper bound on the RMS gain of the observer can be characterized in terms of feasibility of a family of parameter‐dependent linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Any feasible solution to these LMIs can then be used to explicitly construct a parameter‐varying jump observer that guarantees the desired performance level. This design framework is then specialized to a problem of state estimation for a linear parameter‐varying plant whose state measurements are available through a lossy Bernoulli channel. Two numerical examples illustrate the results. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Teachers' collaborative inquiry and professional growth: Should we be optimistic?
Authors: Nelson Tamara Holmlund
Published: July 2008

As professional learning communities (PLCs) are proliferating as a form of teacher professional development, it is important to understand what “PLC work” is and how it impacts teacher learning. This article reports on secondary science and mathematics teachers' participation in PLCs and engagement in collaborative inquiry. The PLC provided a structure for coming together; their inquiry questions focused their attention on gaps between a shared vision for student learning and student achievement. Qualitative data from three in‐depth cases are analyzed in three categories: (1) collective activities, (2) questions raised, and (3) knowledge generated. The cases show different trajectories of teachers' PLC work and reveal the difficulties teachers had in asking critical questions about their practices. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed 93: 548–580, 2009
The role of cardiac rehabilitation in influencing psychological outcomes
Authors: Worcester Marian U.C. , Le Grande Michael R.
Published: July 2008

Anxiety and depression are common after acute cardiac events. They can have a major adverse impact upon outcomes, although past studies report conflicting results regarding the relationships between anxiety, depression and outcomes such as mortality. Depression has been shown to be associated with non‐adherence of patients. Cardiac rehabilitation programmes conducted during early convalescence provide a valuable opportunity to identify and support patients who experience anxiety and depression, and encourage adherence to advice. Clinical data support the positive effects upon patients' psychological outcomes of cardiac rehabilitation programmes offering group exercise, education and behavioural interventions. However, more rigorous research is required to confirm such benefits. Systematic screening of patients should be undertaken on entry to cardiac rehabilitation to identify high‐risk patients and to assist them. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perspectives on spiritual development as part of youth development
Authors: Quinn Jane
Published: July 2008

Speaking to the issue of spiritual development from her extensive experience as a youth work practitioner, the author notes several ideas she finds particularly compelling, among them that spiritual development interacts with, yet is distinct from, moral and religious development; that spiritual development is a core construct of identity formation, one of the central tasks of adolescence; and that the spiritual dimensions of youth development relate not only to work with young people but also to motivations for engaging in this work. Engaging young people in the fundamental questions of life and being human is a task that belongs in both secular and religious settings.
Land use and drought interactively affect interspecific competition and species diversity at the local scale in a semiarid steppe ecosystem
Authors: Gao Y. Z. , Giese M. , Han X. G. , Wang D. L. , Zhou Z. Y. , Brueck H. , Lin S. , Taube F.
Published: July 2008

Few studies have considered interactive effects of grazing and drought on species composition and the relative contribution of species to total biomass, although it is important to understand the short‐term dynamics and community succession in grazed ecosystems. We monitored species diversity and relative biomass contribution at one site protected from grazing since 1979 (UG79), and at winter grazing (WG) and heavily grazed (HG) sites. Continuous heavy grazing resulted in lower plant height and more but small individuals (tillers or stolons). Drought significantly reduced total plant density on all sites. Grazing affected species diversity more than drought. Species richness at site UG79 was significantly higher than at sites WG and HG, while drought only tended to reduce species diversity. Drought stress and grazing disturbance interactively controlled species competition and functional groups. Both perennial grasses and forbs had greater contribution to total biomass at site UG79, and perennial grasses contributed more than 97% of total biomass at site WG. The contribution to total biomass of annual forbs and semi‐shrubs significantly increased at site HG after two dry years. The significant decrease in Potentilla acaulis and a substantial increase in annual species at this site indicate that the perennial vegetation of this ecosystem is in great danger of extinction under conditions of prolonged drought.
Regularized Partial and/or Constrained Redundancy Analysis
Authors: Takane Yoshio , Jung Sunho
Published: July 2008

Methods of incorporating a ridge type of regularization into partial redundancy analysis (PRA), constrained redundancy analysis (CRA), and partial and constrained redundancy analysis (PCRA) were discussed. The usefulness of ridge estimation in reducing mean square error (MSE) has been recognized in multiple regression analysis for some time, especially when predictor variables are nearly collinear, and the ordinary least squares estimator is poorly determined. The ridge estimation method was extended to PRA, CRA, and PCRA, where the reduced rank ridge estimates of regression coefficients were obtained by minimizing the ridge least squares criterion. It was shown that in all cases they could be obtained in closed form for a fixed value of ridge parameter. An optimal value of the ridge parameter is found by G-fold cross validation. Illustrative examples were given to demonstrate the usefulness of the method in practical data analysis situations.
Effects of Microwave Drying on Lipid Oxidation of Stuffed Pasta
Authors: De Pilli Teresa , Giuliani Roma , Derossi Antonio , Severini Carla
Published: July 2008

The aim of this work was to evaluate and compare the effects of conventional (hot air) and microwave drying on the lipid oxidation of stuffed pasta. Experiments were carried out on the pasta type ravioli dried by conventional and microwave treatments. Peroxide values and induction times were evaluated for the oil extracted from the stuffing. Peroxide values of the lipid extracts for the samples dried by conventional drying and microwave drying were similar (P‐level = 0.51) and less than threshold acceptable value (25 mequiv O2/kg oil). The use of microwave processing could be a remarkable energy saving measure as well as a way of lowering production costs without compromising product quality.
The Starbuck stops here: it’s a Smad world
Authors: Leask Andrew
Published: July 2008

A recent study by Gressner and colleagues suggested caffeine may block CCN2 expression in hepatic cells. This commentary briefly summarizes these observations.
Age (K–Ar phengite)–temperature–structure relations: a case study from the Ishigaki high-pressure schist belt, southern Ryukyu Arc, Japan
Authors: NUONG N. D. , ITAYA T. , NISHIMURA Y.
Published: July 2008

The Ishigaki high-pressure schist belt in the southern Ryukyu Arc is correlated with the Suo high-pressure schist belt in southwest Japan. The former metamorphic sequence is composed mainly of basic and pelitic schists and is subdivided into three zones, the lower-grade zone A, the medium-grade zone B and the high-grade zone C, based on the mineral assemblages of the basic schists. The K–Ar phengite age gives 188–205 Ma for zone A, 196–206 Ma for zone B and 208–220 Ma for zone C, while the apparent d002 spacing of carbonaceous materials is 3.590–3.437 Å, 3.415–3.390 Å and 3.387–3.364 Å, respectively. The age–d002 relationships suggest that the ages become older with increasing metamorphic temperature. This positive age–temperature relationship in the Ishigaki area contrasts with a negative relationship in the Nishiki area in the Suo belt. The two areas also display a contrasting thermal structure with the former area having an inverted metamorphic gradient and the latter displaying a normal thermal structure. These contrasting age–temperature–structure relationships in the metamorphic belt could be due to different tectonic styles relating to the exhumation of the metamorphic sequences. We suggest that the ages obtained are related directly to the ductile deformation history of the matrix phengite below the closure temperature (500°C) during exhumation of the host rocks. The duration from the beginning of exhumation to the apparent resetting of the phengite K–Ar system was different between the two metamorphic sequences, and significantly longer in the Ishigaki than the Nishiki.
EXCERPT FROM “STUDYING MY MOVEMENT: SOCIAL SCIENCE WITHOUT CYNICISM”
Authors: Tucker Judith E.
Published: July 2008

We continue celebrating the fortieth volume of the International Journal of Middle East Studies with an excerpt from an article of yore recommended by a former IJMES editor.
Pensée 2: Doing Subaltern Studies in Ottoman History
Authors: Quataert Donald
Published: July 2008

As explained by one of its founders, subaltern studies seeks to counteract histories written by elites, about elites, and for elites that ignore the majority of society. Through this examination, the urban poor, workers, and peasants of India, the original focus of attention, are agents in the formation of their subaltern consciousness: the “agency of change is located in the insurgent or the ‘subaltern.’”
COMPETING NARRATIVES: HISTORIES OF THE WOMEN'S MOVEMENT IN IRAQ, 1910–58
Authors: Efrati Noga
Published: July 2008

The lines dividing history, ideology, and politics are thinly drawn. Researchers of Iraq have observed that over the years institutions and ideological movements, both inside the country and in the West, have “hijacked” the country's history. The Iraqi state's grand narratives have excluded competing histories from the days of Satiʿ al-Husri, the “father of Iraqi education,” who introduced Arab history into the curriculum in order to foster Arab nationalism, up to the massive project of rewriting Iraqi history under the Baʿth regime. Western interests, too, from the time of the British-backed monarchy until the present day, have influenced the writing of Iraqi history—utilizing it in a way that would justify their foreign policies.
Genetics of quality and agronomic traits in hard endosperm maize
Authors: ALONSO FERRO R. C. , MALVAR R. A. , REVILLA P. , ORDÁS A. , CASTRO P. , MORENO-GONZÁLEZ J.
Published: July 2008

Hard endosperm maize (Zea mays L.) is useful for industry and for human consumption. The objective of the present work was to study the inheritance of quality traits in hard endosperm maize. Three flint and three dent inbreds, F1 of their diallel crosses, F2s and backcrosses to each parent were evaluated for grain yield and quality traits (flotation test, flour-milling test, grain damage (GD) index and grain density). Genotypes and genotype×environment interactions were significant for most traits. A genetic model including additive, dominance and epistatic effects explained most of the genetic variation for the traits. Additive effect mean squares were larger than those due to dominance effects, except for grain yield and GD. Partition of the dominance variance into average, general, and specific dominance components revealed that the average dominance related to heterosis was the most important. Additive×additive epistatic variation was smaller than additive and dominance variation for quality traits. Some inbreds displayed sufficient potential to be used in hard endosperm maize breeding programmes. The average dominance effect was favourable for most of the quality and agronomic traits. Breeding programmes for improving quality in hard endosperm maize would be most efficient if both additive and dominant effects are capitalized on.
Indonesian
Authors: Soderberg Craig D. , Olson Kenneth S.
Published: July 2008

Indonesian is an Austronesian language, closely related to Malay. Malay served as a lingua franca throughout the Malay Archipelago for centuries, and a variant of Malay was adopted as the official language of Indonesia when independence was declared in 1945. The variety described here is sometimes referred to as Standard Indonesian. Its autoglossonym is ‘Bahasa Indonesia’.
Documentation of potential courtship-behaviour in Periphylla periphylla (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa)
Authors: Tiemann Henry , Sötje Ilka , Johnston Blair D. , Flood Per R. , Båmstedt Ulf
Published: July 2008

The distribution pattern and nocturnal surface behaviour of the deep-sea medusa Periphylla periphylla in a Norwegian fjord was studied. Medusa abundance, size distribution and condition were determined, using surface collections, net tows and ROV-based video profiles. Only larger, mature medusae reached the surface and aggregated into small groups of both sexes, whereas juvenile medusae remained in deeper waters. Observations on the behaviour and cytology of aggregated medusae suggested a mating strategy. We hypothesize that this behaviour is the by-product of a holopelagic life history, developed in a more oceanic deep environment with low species abundance, as surface aggregation increases the chance of encounter and mating.
Constant timing of medusa release in bivalve-inhabiting hydrozoans of the genus Eugymnanthea (Hydrozoa: Leptomedusae: Eirenidae)
Authors: Kubota Shin
Published: July 2008

At the end of the breeding season in autumn, under natural conditions, mature medusae of Eugymnanthea japonica are released from its host Mytilus galloprovincialis at night-time. In laboratory experiments, mature medusae of the congeneric species E. inquilina are also released at night-time in autumn. At that time of the year, sunset is earlier and the water temperature is lower than in summer, when, under natural conditions, medusa release of E. japonica takes place at sunset instead. The release thus takes place at the same hours of the day in summer as well as in autumn. The circadial timing of medusa release of E. japonica is likely constant throughout the whole period in the breeding season and not correlated with the decrease of light intensity at sunset.
A comparison of coral reef and coral community fish assemblages in Pacific Panama and environmental factors governing their structure
Authors: Benfield Sarah , Baxter Laura , Guzman Hector M. , Mair James M.
Published: July 2008

We compared the reef fish assemblages of two habitats, coral reefs and coral communities (rocky substratum with coral colonies), in the Las Perlas Archipelago in Pacific Panama and attempted to determine associations with habitat variables. We used a modified Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) survey to record fish species and quadrat transects to determine benthic composition. Multivariate non-parametric multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) ordinations were performed in PRIMER and univariate correlations were used to determine relationships. The reef fish of coral communities were significantly more diverse and species rich than those of coral reefs. The two habitats had significantly different species and size composition, but trophic and family groups overlapped between habitats. Topography, exposure, and the percentage cover of branching and massive corals correlated significantly with differences in fish parameters. The reef fish assemblages of this region appear to be determined more by the larger scale structural features that characterize the two habitats than by features that vary over small scales within the habitats.
Deep-sea wood-boring bivalves ofXylophaga(Myoida: Pholadidae) on the Continental Shelf: a new species described
Authors: Voight Janet R.
Published: July 2008

Deep-sea organisms are generally considered to be restricted to the great ocean depths, unable to enter shallower habitats except perhaps at the isothermic polar latitudes, due to physiological constraints, or more intense biotic interactions. Wood-boring bivalves ofXylophaga, however, are here shown to be exceptional. A clade, formally recognized by Turner in 2002, united by the derived characters of a complex mesoplax and a truncated excurrent siphon, papillose incurrent siphon with a longitudinal dorsal trough bordered by lappets, and often carrying white or glass-like granules, occurs at significantly shallower and warmer depths than do other species of the genus. Here, description of the new speciesX. multichelafrom 106 m depth off the Pacific coast of Guatemala illustrates the characters that unite the clade. Because wood-boring bivalves face intense competition and high levels of predation at depths of 2200 to 3250 m, they may not perceive biotic interactions at shallower depths to be dramatically more intense. In addition, members of this group are hypothesized to tolerate reduced oxygen availability, a requisite if animals are to occur in warm waters.
Heterogeneous deformation in the Cascadia convergent margin and its relation to thermal gradient (Washington, NW USA)
Authors: Booth‐Rea Guillermo , Klaeschen Dirk , Grevemeyer Ingo , Reston Tim
Published: July 2008

We combine structural balancing with thermal and strength‐envelope analysis of the Cascadia accretionary wedge to determine the influence thermal gradient has on the structure of the prism. BSR‐derived heat flow in the Cascadia accretionary margin decreases from 90–110 mW/m2 at the deformation front to 45–70 mW/m2 in the upper slope. Extension of the thermal gradient to the top of the oceanic crust shows that the base of the prism reaches temperatures between 150–200°C and 250–300°C at the deformation front and the base of the upper slope, respectively. This high thermal gradient favors the development of a vertical strain gradient, which is accommodated by heterogeneous deformation of the accretionary prism. This process produces two overlying thrust wedges, a basal duplex and an overlying landward‐ or seaward‐vergent imbricate stack. The thermal structure also influences the deformation distribution and structural style along the shortening direction. Initiation of plastic deformation at the base of the prism below the Cascadia upper slope affects the wedge geometry, changing its taper angle and favoring the development of a midcrustal duplex structure that propagates seaward as a dynamic backstop. Uplift related with this underplating process is accompanied with deep incision of submarine canyons, sliding and normal faulting in the upper slope. Heterogeneous deformation accommodated by the development of transfer faults separating landward‐vergent from seaward‐vergent domains is also observed along the margin. Landward‐vergent areas accommodate 30–40% shortening at the front of the wedge, while in the narrower and thicker seaward‐vergent segments shortening occurs mostly by underplating below the upper slope.
Mutations linked to interstitial lung disease can abrogate anti-amyloid function of prosurfactant protein C
Authors: Nerelius Charlotte , Martin Emily , Peng Siwei , Gustafsson Magnus , Nordling Kerstin , Weaver Timothy , Johansson Jan
Published: July 2008

The newly synthesized proSP-C (surfactant protein C precursor) is an integral ER (endoplasmic reticulum) membrane protein with a single metastable polyvaline α-helical transmembrane domain that comprises two-thirds of the mature peptide. More than 20 mutations in the ER-lumenal CTC (C-terminal domain of proSP-C), are associated with ILD (interstitial lung disease), and some of the mutations cause intracellular accumulation of cytotoxic protein aggregates and a corresponding decrease in mature SP-C. In the present study, we showed that: (i) human embryonic kidney cells expressing the ILD-associated mutants proSP-CL188Q and proSP-CΔExon4 accumulate Congo Red-positive amyloid-like inclusions, whereas cells transfected with the mutant proSP-CI73T do not; (ii) transfection of CTC into cells expressing proSP-CL188Q results in a stable CTC–proSP-CL188Q complex, increased proSP-CL188Q half-life and reduced formation of Congo Red-positive deposits; (iii) replacement of the metastable polyvaline transmembrane segment with a stable polyleucine transmembrane segment likewise prevents formation of amyloid-like proSP-CL188Q aggregates; and (iv) binding of recombinant CTC to non-helical SP-C blocks SP-C amyloid fibril formation. These results suggest that CTC can prevent the polyvaline segment of proSP-C from promoting formation of amyloid-like deposits during biosynthesis, by binding to non-helical conformations. Mutations in the Brichos domain of proSP-C may lead to ILD via loss of CTC chaperone function.
What we have learned from ribosome structures
Authors: Ramakrishnan V.
Published: July 2008

The determination of the high-resolution structures of ribosomal subunits in the year 2000 and of the entire ribosome a few years later are revolutionizing our understanding of the role of the ribosome in translation. In the present article, I summarize the main contributions from our laboratory to this worldwide effort. These include the determination of the structure of the 30S ribosomal subunit and its complexes with antibiotics, the role of the 30S subunit in decoding, and the high-resolution structure of the entire 70S ribosome complexed with mRNA and tRNA.
Clues to the mechanism of action of eIF2B, the guanine-nucleotide-exchange factor for translation initiation
Authors: Mohammad-Qureshi Sarah S. , Jennings Martin D. , Pavitt Graham D.
Published: July 2008

A variety of cellular processes rely on G-proteins, which cycle through active GTP-bound and inactive GDP-bound forms. The switch between these states is commonly regulated by GEFs (guanine-nucleotide-exchange factors) and GAPs (GTPase-activating proteins). Although G-proteins have structural similarity, GEFs are very diverse proteins. A complex example of this system is seen in eukaryotic translation initiation between eIF (eukaryotic initiation factor) 2, a G-protein, its five-subunit GEF, eIF2B, and its GAP, eIF5. eIF2 delivers Met-tRNAi (initiator methionyl-tRNA) to the 40S ribosomal subunit before mRNA binding. Upon AUG recognition, eIF2 hydrolyses GTP, aided by eIF5. eIF2B then re-activates eIF2 by removing GDP, thereby promoting association of GTP. In the present article, we review data from studies of representative G-protein–GEF pairs and compare these with observations from our research on eIF2 and eIF2B to propose a model for how interactions between eIF2B and eIF2 promote guanine nucleotide exchange.
Visualizing genetic loci and molecular machines in living bacteria
Authors: Wang Xindan , Reyes-Lamothe Rodrigo , Sherratt David J.
Published: July 2008

An ongoing mission for biologists is to probe the molecular nature of cellular processes within live cells. Although much of what we have discovered during the molecular biology revolution of the last 50 years has been achieved by exploiting bacteria as ‘bags of DNA and proteins’, relatively little has been learnt about how they organize their life processes within cells. The mistaken perception of bacteria cells as unstructured systems arose partly because of the difficulty of performing studies by light microscopy due to their small size (many of them having cell lengths a few times bigger than the wavelength of visible light). With the opportunities provided by a range of new fluorophores and by new microscopic techniques, a revolution in bacterial cell biology is revealing unimagined organization in the bacterial cell. We review the development and exploitation of new visualization methods and reagents and show how they are contributing to the understanding of bacterial structure, chromosome organization, DNA metabolism and their relationship to the cell cycle.
Addressing African American English in Early Literacy Assessment and Instruction
Authors: Terry Nicole Patton
Published: July 2008

Determining how best to address young children's African American English use in formal literacy assessment and instruction is a challenge. Evidence is not yet available to discern which theory best accounts for the relation between AAE use and literacy skills or to delineate which dialect-informed educational practices are most effective for children in preschool and the primary grades. Nonetheless, consistent observations of an educationally significant relation between AAE use and various early literacy skills suggest that dialect variation should be considered in assessment and instruction practices involving children who are learning to read and write. The speech-language pathologist can play a critical role in instituting such practices in schools.
Speech Science Education - Roll Over Beethoven
Authors: Finan Donald S.
Published: July 2008

Speech science education has changed dramatically over the past 20 years. New technologies in the laboratory, clinic, and classroom have influenced what and how we teach. The Internet has proven to be an effective resource, yet information gleaned must be viewed with a critical eye. Speech science educators are typically professors with extensive research training, but little or no training in how to teach. It is common, therefore, for professors to teach in the manner in which they were taught. The traditional lecture format class has been superseded by teaching methods that encourage active learning and collaboration between students. As speech science education adapts to include new technologies and by embracing new instructional models, students will be better prepared to bridge science and clinical practice.
Analysis of the Use of Digoxin Immune Fab for the Treatment of Non-Life-Threatening Digoxin Toxicity
Authors: DiDomenico Robert J. , Walton Surrey M. , Sanoski Cynthia A. , Bauman Jerry L.
Published: July 2008

Background: Studies indicate that digoxin toxicity often results in lengthy hospitalizations and considerable costs, both of which may be decreased through the routine use of digoxin immune Fab (FAB).

Methods: A computer-based decision analysis model was developed to compare the treat ment of non-life-threatening digoxin toxicity with either FAB or standard therapy from the hospital perspective. A cost-minimization analysis was then performed to compare overall total costs (primary endpoint) for each treatment branch. A secondary endpoint of length of hospital stay (LOS) was also compared between the 2 groups. Clinical variables (serum digoxin concentration [SDC], creatinine clearance [Clcr], and body weight), event probabili ties, and other model-specific variables were varied in univariate and multivariate sensitivity analyses.

Results: FAB was associated with an incremental cost of $54 compared with standard therapy ($2,784 vs. $2,730, respectively) but reduced LOS by 1.5 days (1.5 days vs. 3.0 days, respectively). Sensitivity analyses show that FAB is less costly at SDC > 3.5 ng/mL and Clcr < 22 mL/min. FAB reduced LOS at SDC > 2.3 ng/mL. Monte Carlo simulation revealed that FAB was less costly in 37% of the cases and reduced LOS 72% of the time compared with standard therapy.

Conclusions: The abbreviated LOS associated with the use of FAB in patients with non-life- threatening digoxin toxicity may translate into lower treatment costs in many clinical sce narios, making it a cost-saving alternative to standard therapy in patients with high SDC and renal dysfunction.
Combination Therapy with Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibition and AT1 Receptor Inhibitor on Ventricular Remodeling After Myocardial Infarction in Rats
Authors: Zornoff Leonardo A.M. , Paiva Sérgio A.R. , Matsubara Beatriz B. , Matsubara Luiz S. , Spadaro Joel
Published: July 2008

Background: There are limited data regarding the effects of angiotensin II receptor blockade after myocardial infarction (MI). In addition, whether combined angiotensin converting en zyme (ACE) inhibitor and angiotensin II type I (AT,) receptor antagonist may be superior to either drug alone on ventricular remodeling remains unclear. The goal of this study was to determine if the cardiac effects of the combined administration of an ACE inhibitor and AT, receptor antagonist are greater than those produced by either of these agents administered individually after MI.

Methods and Results: After MI, rats were divided into 4 groups: 1) untreated animals, 2) lisinopril treatment (20 mg/kg/day), 3) losartan treatment (20 mg/kg/day), and 4) lisinopril plus losartan treatment. After 3 months, the cardiac parameters studied were: mortality, fibrosis (hydroxyproline), hypertrophy (ventricular weight/body weight ratio [VW/BW]), left ventricular enlargement (volume at end-diastolic pressure equaled zero/body weight ratio [V0/BW]), and ventricular function (isovolumetric developed pressure, dp/dt, -dp/dt). A lowest mortality rate in the animals treated with the combination of both ACE inhibitor and AT1 receptor antagonist was observed. Although lisinopril and losartan significantly de creased VW/BW ratio, when administered concomitantly, VW/BW ratio was lower than when either agent was administered individually. There were no differences in right ventricle hydroxyproline concentration. Only combination therapy decreased V0/BW ratio. The treat ment with lisinopril plus losartan resulted in increases in the development of pressure versus untreated group; without alteration in dp/dt and -dp/dt.

Conclusions: The combination of the AT1 receptor blockade and ACE inhibitor is more effective than individual treatment on ventricular remodeling and survival after MI in rats.
Electric deflection studies on lead clusters
Authors: Schäfer Sascha , Heiles Sven , Becker Jörg A. , Schäfer Rolf
Published: July 2008

The dielectric response to an inhomogeneous electric field has been investigated for PbN clusters (N=7–38) within a molecular beam experiment. The experiments give clear evidence that lead clusters with 12, 14, and 18 atoms possess permanent dipole moments. For these cluster sizes, the permanent electric dipole moments strongly determine the response to the electric field, leading to a significantly increased apparent polarizability. An adiabatic polarization mechanism allows a semiquantitative explanation of the observed susceptibility anomalies. The beam profiles of most of the lead clusters with N≠12, 14, and 18 also display a small broadening induced by the electric field, indicating permanent dipole moments of about (0.01–0.02)D/atom. Nearly constant dipole moments per atom for larger lead clusters (N>20) manifest in a linear increase in the polarizability per atom. Also, for lead clusters such as Pb25, which do exhibit almost no measurable beam broadening, the polarizabilties are increased compared to the bulk value. This could be partially explained by the electronic structure of the lead clusters but might be also a consequence of quenched permanent dipole moments because for highly flexible clusters only an increased beam deflection, but no broadening, will be observed.
Ordered bulk heterojunction solar cells with vertically aligned TiO2 nanorods embedded in a conjugated polymer
Authors: Kuo C. Y. , Tang W. C. , Gau C. , Guo T. F. , Jeng D. Z.
Published: July 2008

Vertically aligned TiO2 nanorods were prepared by its sol-gel which is spun coat onto aluminum anodic oxide template pregrown on an indium tin oxide glass substrate. The poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), a conjugate polymer infiltrated into the nanorod arrays, and the combined system were used as the active layer. The nanorods/P3HT solar cell with cell size of 0.06cm2 demonstrated a power conversion efficiency of 0.512% while the bilayer TiO2 film/P3HT cell was 0.12%. The current work provides fabrication method for a stable well aligned nanorods/polymer hybrid solar cell production.
Release of hydrogen molecules from the photodissociation of amorphous solid water and polycrystalline ice at 157 and 193nm
Authors: Yabushita Akihiro , Hama Tetsuya , Iida Daisuke , Kawanaka Noboru , Kawasaki Masahiro , Watanabe Naoki , Ashfold Michael N. R. , Loock Hans-Peter
Published: July 2008

The production of H2 in highly excited vibrational and rotational states (v=0–5, J=0–17) from the 157nm photodissociation of amorphous solid water ice films at 100K was observed directly using resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization. Weaker signals from H2(v=2,3and4) were obtained from 157nm photolysis of polycrystalline ice, but H2(v=0and1) populations in this case were below the detection limit. The H2 products show two distinct formation mechanisms. Endothermic abstraction of a hydrogen atom from H2O by a photolytically produced H atom yields vibrationally cold H2 products, whereas exothermic recombination of two H-atom photoproducts yields H2 molecules with a highly excited vibrational distribution and non-Boltzmann rotational population distributions as has been predicted previously by both quantum-mechanical and molecular dynamics calculations.
Analysis of carrier transport in quaterrylene thin film transistors formed by ultraslow vacuum deposition
Authors: Hayakawa Ryoma , Petit Matthieu , Chikyow Toyohiro , Wakayama Yutaka
Published: July 2008

Quaterrylene field-effect transistors (FETs) with top-contact Au electrodes were formed on a SiO2 (200nm)∕p-Si (001) substrate by an ultraslow vacuum deposition technique, and their carrier transport was investigated. The quaterrylene FETs showed typical p-channel transistor behavior. The dependence of carrier mobility on grain size, film thickness, and temperature was examined to gain insight into the transport mechanism. Carrier mobility increased with grain size, showing that carrier transport was limited by grain boundaries. Temperature dependence in the range from 300to60K was divided into two distinct behaviors. Above 210K, carrier mobility showed thermally activated behavior, with energies of 100–150meV required to overcome the potential barriers at grain boundaries. In contrast, the conduction mechanism became tunnel-transfer-like below 210K. In the low temperature range, tunnel transfer through potential barriers at grain boundaries predominated over the thermally activated type. The change in carrier mobility was correlated with film thickness. Carrier mobility rose sharply with increasing thickness in the two-dimensional (2D) growth region, followed by saturation at 3 or 4 ML, where the growth process changed from 2D to three-dimensional mode. This result reveals that the first few layers of 2D growth work as an effective transistor channel. Enhancement in 2D growth in the vertical direction is crucial to improving carrier transport.
Self-limited growth of laser-induced vapor bubbles around single microabsorbers
Authors: Neumann Jörg , Brinkmann Ralf
Published: July 2008

Laser-induced bubble dynamics around micrometer-sized absorbers in water is studied. A single transient microbubble forms around the whole laser-heated particle due to vaporization of the surrounding water. Using 12ns laser pulses, the bubble size increases with radiant exposure, whereas for 240 and 1800ns pulses multiple bubble oscillations with a maximum bubble diameter are observed, which is almost independent from the applied radiant exposure. In this case, thermal decoupling of the expanding bubble from the absorber by the insulating vapor limits the heat transfer from the particle to the bubble. The resulting self-limited bubble growth can increase the precision of cellular laser microsurgery.
High-frequency microstrip cross resonators for circular polarization electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Henderson J. J. , Ramsey C. M. , Quddusi H. M. , del Barco E.
Published: July 2008

In this article we discuss the design and implementation of a novel microstrip resonator which allows absolute control of the microwaves polarization degree for frequencies up to 30 GHz. The sensor is composed of two half-wavelength microstrip line resonators, designed to match the 50 Ω impedance of the lines on a high dielectric constant GaAs substrate. The line resonators cross each other perpendicularly through their centers, forming a cross. Microstrip feed lines are coupled through small gaps to three arms of the cross to connect the resonator to the excitation ports. The control of the relative magnitude and phase between the two microwave stimuli at the input ports of each line allows for tuning the degree and type of polarization of the microwave excitation at the center of the cross resonator. The third (output) port is used to measure the transmitted signal, which is crucial to work at low temperatures, where reflections along lengthy coaxial lines mask the signal reflected by the resonator. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra recorded at low temperature in an S=5/2 molecular magnet system show that 82% fidelity circular polarization of the microwaves is achieved over the central area of the resonator.
High density metal-insulator-metal capacitor based on ZrO2∕Al2O3∕ZrO2 laminate dielectric
Authors: Wu Yung-Hsien , Kao Chien-Kang , Chen Bo-Yu , Lin Yuan-Sheng , Li Ming-Yen , Wu Hsiao-Che
Published: July 2008

The metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor for analog and rf applications has been developed with ZrO2∕Al2O3∕ZrO2 laminate as the dielectric. The high capacitance density of 21.54fF∕μm2 can be achieved due to the tetragonal ZrO2 which makes the higher dielectric constant of 38.7. This MIM capacitor also demonstrates the quadratic voltage coefficient of 2443ppm∕V2 and the good leakage current of 2.11×10−6A∕cm2 at 2V which is ascribed to the inserted Al2O3. Since the Schottky emission is suggested as the major dielectric conduction mechanism, a further reduced quadratic voltage coefficient and leakage characteristic can be realized by using a high work-function electrode. The combination of the promising electrical properties and the desirable process integration renders this structure highly suitable for advanced MIM capacitors.
Reduced heat flow in light water (H2O) due to heavy water (D2O)
Authors: Gorman William R. , Brownridge James D.
Published: July 2008

The flow of heat, from top to bottom, in a column of light water can be decreased by over 1000% with the addition of heavy water. A column of light water cools from 25to0°C in 11h, however, with the addition of heavy water it takes more than 100h. There is a concentration dependence where the cooling time increases as the concentration of added D2O increases, with a near maximum being reached with as little as 2% of D2O added. This phenomenon will not occur if the water is mixed after the heavy water is added.
Noise temperature and linewidth of high-temperature-superconducting heterodyne gigahertz oscillators
Authors: Du J. , Macfarlane J. C. , Hao L.
Published: July 2008

A method for the generation of stable, widely tunable heterodyne oscillations by means of a high-temperature-superconducting resistive superconducting quantum interference device is described. The details of the fabrication techniques, electrical characteristics, operating temperatures and frequency range of 100MHz–2GHz, are reported. The noise temperatures of several devices, made and tested in different laboratories, are estimated and the linewidths of the heterodyne oscillations are compared with theoretical values.
Modeling and simulation of microstructures using power diagrams: Proof of the concept
Authors: Kühn Martin , Steinhauser Martin O.
Published: July 2008

Power diagrams are a generalization of Voronoi diagrams for arbitrary dimensions. We present a modeling and optimization scheme for power diagrams in three spacial dimensions based on the statistics of experimental data obtained from cross-sectional images of polycrystalline materials. Our optimization scheme based on the grains’ area and perimeter distributions can be used to obtain realistic three-dimensional polycrystalline structures which can subsequently be used for numerical simulations. As a proof of the concept we apply our scheme to high-performance ceramics and present the results of initial shock-impact simulations of the obtained polycrystalline structures.
Quantitative detection of DNA labeled with magnetic nanoparticles using arrays of MgO-based magnetic tunnel junction sensors
Authors: Shen Weifeng , Schrag Benaiah D. , Carter Matthew J. , Xiao Gang
Published: July 2008

We have demonstrated the detection of 2.5μM target DNA labeled with 16nm Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) using arrays of magnetic tunnel junction sensors with (001)-oriented MgO barrier layers. A MTJ sensor bridge was designed to detect the presence of magnetic NPs bonded with target DNA. A raw signal of 72μV was obtained using complementary target DNA, as compared with a nonspecific bonding signal of 25μV from noncomplementary control DNA. Our results indicate that the current system’s detection limit for analyte DNA is better than 100nM.
Identification of a population of sleep-active cerebral cortex neurons
Authors: Gerashchenko Dmitry , Wisor Jonathan P. , Burns Deirdre , Reh Rebecca K. , Shiromani Priyattam J. , Sakurai Takeshi , de la Iglesia Horacio O. , Kilduff Thomas S.
Published: July 2008

The presence of large-amplitude, slow waves in the EEG is a primary characteristic that distinguishes cerebral activity during sleep from that which occurs during wakefulness. Although sleep-active neurons have been identified in other brain areas, neurons that are specifically activated during slow-wave sleep have not previously been described in the cerebral cortex. We have identified a population of cells in the cortex that is activated during sleep in three mammalian species. These cortical neurons are a subset of GABAergic interneurons that express neuronal NOS (nNOS). Because Fos expression in these sleep-active, nNOS-immunoreactive (nNOS-ir) neurons parallels changes in the intensity of slow-wave activity in the EEG, and these neurons are innvervated by neurotransmitter systems previously implicated in sleep/wake control, cortical nNOS-ir neurons may be part of the neurobiological substrate that underlies homeostatic sleep regulation.
Mangroves in the Gulf of California increase fishery yields
Authors: Aburto-Oropeza Octavio , Ezcurra Exequiel , Danemann Gustavo , Valdez Víctor , Murray Jason , Sala Enric
Published: July 2008

Mangroves are disappearing rapidly worldwide despite their well documented biodiversity and the ecosystem services they provide. Failure to link ecological processes and their societal benefits has favored highly destructive aquaculture and tourism developments that threaten mangroves and result in costly “externalities.” Specifically, the potentially irreparable damage to fisheries because of mangrove loss has been belittled and is greatly underestimated. Here, we show that, in the Gulf of California, fisheries landings are positively related to the local abundance of mangroves and, in particular, to the productive area in the mangrove–water fringe that is used as nursery and/or feeding grounds by many commercial species. Mangrove-related fish and crab species account for 32% of the small-scale fisheries landings in the region. The annual economic median value of these fisheries is US $37,500 per hectare of mangrove fringe, falling within the higher end of values previously calculated worldwide for all mangrove services together. The ten-year discounted value of one hectare of fringe is >300 times the official cost set by the Mexican government. The destruction of mangroves has a strong economic impact on local fishing communities and on food production in the region. Our valuation of the services provided by mangroves may prove useful in making appropriate decisions for a more efficient and sustainable use of wetlands.
The concept of translocational regulation
Authors: Hegde Ramanujan S. , Kang Sang-Wook
Published: July 2008

Biological processes are regulated to provide cells with exquisite adaptability to changing environmental conditions and cellular demands. The mechanisms regulating secretory and membrane protein translocation into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are unknown. A conceptual framework for translocational regulation is proposed based on our current mechanistic understanding of ER protein translocation and general principles of regulatory control.
The cohomology of the Heisenberg Lie algebras over fields of finite characteristic
Authors: Cairns Grant , Jambor Sebastian
Published: July 2008

We give explicit formulas for the cohomology of the Heisenberg Lie algebras over fields of finite characteristic. We use this to show that in characteristic two, unlike all other cases, the Betti numbers are unimodal.
Implications of circadian clocks for the rhythmic delivery of cancer therapeutics
Authors: Lévi Francis , Altinok Atilla , Clairambault Jean , Goldbeter Albert
Published: July 2008

The circadian timing system (CTS) controls drug metabolism and cellular proliferation over the 24 hour day through molecular clocks in each cell. These cellular clocks are coordinated by a hypothalamic pacemaker, the suprachiasmatic nuclei, that generates or controls circadian physiology. The CTS plays a role in cancer processes and their treatments through the downregulation of malignant growth and the generation of large and predictable 24 hour changes in toxicity and efficacy of anti-cancer drugs. The tight interactions between circadian clocks, cell division cycle and pharmacology pathways have supported sinusoidal circadian-based delivery of cancer treatments. Such chronotherapeutics have been mostly implemented in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, the second most common cause of death from cancer. Stochastic and deterministic models of the interactions between circadian clock, cell cycle and pharmacology confirmed the poor therapeutic value of both constant-rate and wrongly timed chronomodulated infusions. An automaton model for the cell cycle revealed the critical roles of variability in circadian entrainment and cell cycle phase durations in healthy tissues and tumours for the success of properly timed circadian delivery schedules. The models showed that additional therapeutic strategy further sets the constraints for the identification of the most effective chronomodulated schedules.
Balancing Commonality and Performance within the Concurrent Design of Multiple Products in a Product Family
Authors: Simpson Timothy W. , Seepersad Carolyn Conner , Mistree Farrokh
Published: July 2008

Product family design involves the concurrent design of multiple products based on a common product platform to satisfy a variety of markets. The success of the resulting product family relies heavily on properly balancing the commonality of the product platform with the individual product performance within the product family. To help resolve this tradeoff, we present the Product Variety Tradeoff Evaluation Method for assessing alternative product platform concepts with varying levels of commonality. Two examples are presented to demonstrate the proposed method at both the detailed and the early stages of design. The redesign of a planetary gear transmission for a family of four cordless drills demonstrates the use of the method in the detailed stages of design, while the design of a family of three General Aviation Aircraft demonstrates the use of the method in the preliminary stages of design. The emphasis in this paper is on the effectiveness of the proposed method in evaluating this tradeoff and not on the results of the examples, per se.