bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of methylene blue photoinactivation and methylene blue removal on the quality of fresh‐frozen plasma
Authors: Garwood Margaret , Cardigan Rebecca A. , Drummond Olive , Hornsey Valerie , Turner Craig P. , Young David , Williamson Lorna M. , Prowse Chris V.
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND: T he effects of using fresh or frozen‐thawed plasma, WBC reduction of plasma before freezing, and the use of two different methylene blue (MB) removal filters on the quality of MB‐treated plasma were compared.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  In a paired study (n = 11/arm) plasma was frozen within 8 hours of collection, thawed, MB photoinactivated, and then filtered using one of two MB removal filters. Fresh plasma (n = 16) and plasma WBC reduced before freezing (n = 19) were MB inactivated.

RESULTS:  Freeze‐thawing resulted in loss of activity of FXII and VWF of 0.06 and 0.04 units per mL, respectively, but no significant loss of activity of factors II through XI or fibrinogen. Further loss of activity occurred after MB treatment: FII (0.07 IU/mL), FV (0.11 U/mL), FVII (0.08 IU/mL), FVIII (0.28 IU/mL), F IX (0.12 IU/mL), FX (0.16 IU/mL), FXI (0.28 U/mL), FXII (0.15 U/mL), VWF antigen (0.05 IU/mL), VWF activity (0.06 U/mL), and fibrinogen (0.79 g/L). Losses due to this step were significantly (5‐10%) lower in fresh plasma compared to frozen‐thawed plasma. Neither MB removal filter resulted in significant loss of activity of any factor studied.

CONCLUSION:  MB removal, by either of the available filters, has little impact on the coagulation factor content of plasma, but freezing of plasma before MB treatment results in a small additional loss.
Linear stability of a Berman flow in a channel partially filled with a porous medium
Authors: Deng Chuntao , Martinez D. Mark
Published: December 2004

The temporal stability of similarity solutions for an incompressible fluid moving in a channel partially filled with a porous medium is analyzed. A constant wall suction acting on the bottom surface of the porous medium drives the fluid; the upper wall of the channel is impermeable. This work extends the work of King and Cox [“Asymptotic analysis of the steady-state and time-dependent Berman problem,” J. Eng. Math. 39, 87 (2001)] to a wider class of similarity solutions where coupled flow, both above and through a porous medium, is considered. In this work, a similarity transform is proposed which satisfies both the Navier–Stokes equation in the clear fluid portion of the domain and the Brinkman extended Darcy law relationship in the porous medium. The boundary conditions between the clear fluid and porous regions are those outlined by Ochoa-Tapia and Whitaker [“Momentum transfer at the boundary between a porous medium and a homogeneous fluid I: theoretical development,” Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer 38, 2635 (1995)]. The solutions of the steady flow are approximated analytically, in the limit of small wall suction, and numerically. Multiple steady-state solutions were found. The temporal stability of the solutions indicates turning-point bifurcations and instability only occurred with reverse flows.
Mannan binding lectin as an adjunct to risk assessment for myocardial infarction in individuals with enhanced risk
Authors: Saevarsdottir Saedis , Oskarsson Oskar Orn , Aspelund Thor , Eiriksdottir Gudny , Vikingsdottir Thora , Gudnason Vilmundur , Valdimarsson Helgi
Published: December 2004

Inflammation can predispose to myocardial infarction (MI), and mannan binding lectin (MBL) promotes phagocytic clearance of inflammatory agents, but the predictive value of MBL levels for MI is not known. MBL was analyzed in subgroups of the population-based Reykjavik study, a cohort of 19,381 participants recruited from 1967. MBL levels were very stable over time (self correlation: 0.86). In a cross-sectional group from the original cohort (n = 987), high MBL (>1,000 μg/L) was associated with a greatly lowered odds ratio for MI (0.64, P < 0.001). To verify this finding, a nested case control sample (n = 1,309) was randomly selected from the cohort. High MBL at recruitment was also associated with decreased MI risk in this follow-up group, but to a lesser extent and not significant for the whole group, smokers, or hypertensive individuals. However, high MBL was as in the cross-sectional group, associated with greatly decreased MI risk in diabetic (P = 0.02) or hypercholesterolemic individuals (P = 0.004). This also applied to raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate (P = 0.007). Diabetic patients with high MBL did not have a higher MI risk than nondiabetic individuals. Our findings indicate that high MBL may predict decreased likelihood of MI, particularly in diabetics, and are consistent with the possibility that MBL may promote clearance of atherogenic agents.
Acute ENaC Stimulation by cAMP in a Kidney Cell Line is Mediated by Exocytic Insertion from a Recycling Channel Pool
Authors: Butterworth Michael B. , Edinger Robert S. , Johnson John P. , Frizzell Raymond A.
Published: December 2004

Acute hormonal regulation of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in tight epithelia increases transcellular Na+ transport via trafficking of intracellular channels to the apical surface. The fate of the channels removed from the apical surface following agonist washout is less clear. By repetitively stimulating polarized mouse cortical collecting duct (mCCD, MPKCCD14) epithelia, we evaluated the hypothesis that ENaC recycles through an intracellular pool to be available for reinsertion into the apical membrane. Short circuit current (ISC), membrane capacitance (CT), and conductance (GT) were recorded from mCCD epithelia mounted in modified Ussing chambers. Surface biotinylation of ENaC demonstrated an increase in channel number in the apical membrane following cAMP stimulation. This increase was accompanied by a 83 ± 6% (n = 31) increase in ISC and a 15.3 ± 1.5% (n = 15) increase in CT. Selective membrane permeabilization demonstrated that the CT increase was due to an increase in apical membrane capacitance. ISC and CT declined to basal levels on stimulus washout. Repetitive cAMP stimulation and washout (∼1 h each cycle) resulted in response fatigue; ΔISC decreased ∼10% per stimulation–recovery cycle. When channel production was blocked by cycloheximide, ΔISC decreased ∼15% per stimulation cycle, indicating that newly synthesized ENaC contributed a relatively small fraction of the channels mobilized to the apical membrane. Selective block of surface ENaC by benzamil demonstrated that channels inserted from a subapical pool made up >90% of the stimulated ISC, and that on restimulation a large proportion of channels retrieved from the apical surface were reinserted into the apical membrane. Channel recycling was disrupted by brefeldin A, which inhibited ENaC exocytosis, by chloroquine, which inhibited ENaC endocytosis and recycling, and by latrunculin A, which blocked ENaC exocytosis. A compartment model featuring channel populations in the apical membrane and intracellular recycling pool provided an adequate kinetic description of the ISC responses to repetitive stimulation. The model supports the concept of ENaC recycling in response to repetitive cAMP stimulation.
The role of locomotion in the acquisition and transfer of spatial knowledge in children
Authors: Lehnung Maria , Leplow Bernd , Ekroll Vebjörn , Herzog Arne , Mehdorn Maximilian , Ferstl Roman
Published: December 2004

The role of locomotion in the acquisition and transfer of spatial knowledge was investigated in 144 five‐, seven‐ and eleven‐year‐old children. Two experiments were conducted in the Kiel locomotor maze. In the first experiment, one group of children explored the spatial layout by walking through the maze, while another learned the maze by surveying the layout. In the second experiment, children were exposed to one of two orientation tests in the maze, one of which could be solved using “landmark orientation”, the other only using a “relational place orientation”. Children sitting by the side of the experimental chamber surveying the maze needed fewer trials to learn the spatial layout than children exploring the environment in the locomotion condition, but in the orientation test demanding the “relational place orientation” children who had explored the maze in the locomotion condition outperformed the children in the non‐locomotion condition. Results are discussed in the context of cognitive mapping models.
Gender bias in the evaluation of New Age music
Authors: Colley Ann , North Adrian , Hargreaves David J.
Published: December 2004

Eminent composers in Western European art music continue to be predominantly male and eminence in contemporary pop music is similarly male dominated. One contributing factor may be the continuing under‐valuation of women's music. Possible anti‐female bias in a contemporary genre was investigated using the Goldberg paradigm to elicit judgments of New Age compositions. Since stronger stereotyping effects occur when information provided about individuals is sparse, fictitious male and female composers were presented either by name only or by name with a brief biography. Evidence for anti‐female bias was found in the name‐only condition and was stronger when liking for the music was controlled. Other findings were the tendency for females to give higher ratings, and the association of gender differences in liking of the music with ratings of quality in the name‐only condition. These results are relevant to the design of formal assessment procedures for musical composition.
Activational and organizational effects of estradiol on male behavioral neuroendocrine function
Authors: Baum Michael J.
Published: December 2004

Evidence is reviewed that establishes an essential role for estradiol, synthesized locally via aromatization of testosterone in the adult as well as the developing male nervous system of rats, ferrets, and mice, in both the organization and adult activation of neural circuits that control appetitive as well as consummatory components of masculine sexual behavior. Evidence is also reviewed suggesting that perinatal estradiol biosynthesis and action in the female's nervous system may contribute to the development of female‐typical sexual behavior.
Quasi Most Powerful Invariant Goodness‐of‐fit Tests
Authors: Ducharme Gilles R. , Frichot Benoît
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACT.  In this paper, we develop an approximation for the most powerful invariant test of one location‐scale family against another one. The approach is based on the Laplace method for integrals and yields a very accurate approximation of the density of a maximal invariant. Moreover, it can be applied to a much wider set of pairs of densities than previously possible. Many examples are worked out. The resulting test is easy to compute and its power is shown to be very close to that of the best test. By using versions of the Laplace method, the approach is extended to goodness‐of‐fit tests for residuals in regression and to some multivariate distributions. A small simulation study confirms the theoretical results. An example concludes the paper.
Overturning involuntary commitments at a psychiatric hospital in New York State: implications for the societal reaction model
Authors: Mestrovic Stjepan G.
Published: December 2004

Abstract The revised commitment laws in the United States in general and in New York State in particular are reviewed to show that dangerousness is not the paramount criterion for commitment and that expanded discretion granted to admitting officials is the essence of the new laws. A qualitative portrait of psychiatric admission in the context of the new laws is offered followed by a discussion of implications for the societal reaction model.
Higher‐Order Solitons in the N‐Wave System
Authors: Shchesnovich Valery S. , Yang Jianke
Published: December 2004

The soliton dressing matrices for the higher‐order zeros of the Riemann–Hilbert problem for the N‐wave system are considered. For the elementary higher‐order zero, that is, whose algebraic multiplicity is arbitrary but the geometric multiplicity is 1, the general soliton dressing matrix is derived. The theory is applied to the study of higher‐order soliton solutions in the three‐wave interaction model. The simplest higher‐order soliton solution is presented. In the generic case, this solution describes the breakup of a higher‐order pumping wave into two higher‐order elementary waves, and the reverse process. In non‐generic cases, this solution could describe (i) the merger of a pumping sech wave and an elementary sech wave into two elementary waves (one sech and the other one higher order); (ii) the breakup of a higher‐order pumping wave into two elementary sech waves and one pumping sech wave; and the reverse processes. This solution could also reproduce fundamental soliton solutions as a special case.
On the Inverse Problem for Scattering of Electromagnetic Radiation by a Periodic Structure
Authors: Castellano Pérez L. O. , Zubelli Jorge P.
Published: December 2004

We consider a smooth perturbation δε(x, y, z) of a constant background permittivity ε=ε0 that varies periodically with x, does not depend on y, and is supported on a finite‐length interval in z. We investigate the theoretical and numerical determination of such perturbation from (several) fixed frequency y‐invariant electromagnetic waves.

By varying the direction and frequency of the probing radiation a scattering matrix is defined. By using an invariant‐imbedding technique we derive an operator Riccati equation for such scattering matrix. We obtain a theoretical uniqueness result for the problem of determining the perturbation from the scattering matrix.

We also investigate a numerical method for performing such reconstruction using multi‐frequency information of the truncated scattering matrix. This relies on ideas of regularization and recursive linearization. Numerical experiments are presented validating such approach.
Ocularcentrism, Phonocentrism and the Counter Enlightenment Problematic: Clarifying Contested Terrain in our Schools of Education
Authors: Carspecken Phil Francis
Published: December 2004

Our schools of education today host two important counter-Enlightenment discourses, criticalism and postmodernism. Graduate students inevitably encounter both discourses when taking their required classes in research methods, along with modernist modes of thinking embedded within mainstream research methodologies. These three modes of thought and practice—the modernist mainstream, criticalism and postmodernism—are also found within such educational fields as curriculum studies, multiculturalism, literacy and social foundations. Differences between criticalism and postmodernism are difficult to articulate, and confusion abounds. Both criticalism and postmodernism have distinguishing features based on their challenge to ocularcentric and phonocentric theories of truth that can be found underlying the assumptions of mainstream social research methodologies. Ocular- and phonocentrism also operate within the popular cultures of modernity. This paper clarifies differences between postmodernism and criticalism through a very partial exploration of ocular- and phonocentric theories of truth and meaning. The alternatives opened by these counter-Enlightenment discourses are reviewed and compared. The problematical relations between knowledge and representation, knowledge and power, and sameness and difference are simultaneously explored, as is the concept of self. The essay argues that certain popular postmodern themes are importantly insightful but best relocated within a criticalist framework. Criticalism provides a more promising direction for counter-Enlightenment thought and practice, but criticalism is an unfinished project in need of further work.
Racial Disparities and Discrimination in Education: What Do We know, how Do We Know It, and What Do We Need to Know?
Authors: Farkas George
Published: December 2004

This paper reviews what we have learned about racial discrepancies in education, with particular attention to those that might be attributable to discrimination. Empirical studies have found that, on average, African American, Latino, and American Indian children arrive at kindergarten or first grade with lower levels of oral language, prereading, and premathematics skills, as well as lesser general knowledge, than that possessed by White and Asian American children. African American, Latino, and American Indian children are also reported to display behaviors less well suited to the school's learning environment. It has been estimated that at least half, and probably more, of the Black-White gap in twelfth-grade academic achievement would be eliminated if we could eliminate the Black-White performance gap at school entry. The remainder of the performance gap occurs during grades one through twelve. It is here that researchers have looked for discrimination by teachers and school administrators. In particular, they have looked for curricular track placements that, adjusting for prior performance, are disadvantageous for ethnic minority students. They have also looked for the possibility that teachers hold lower expectations for, and are less encouraging to, minority students. The evidence on these matters is mixed. It is suggested that, with the cooperation of school administrators and teachers, district-specific studies of these issues might be undertaken, using both local administrative data and participant-observational methods.
Measuring Discrimination in Education: Are Methodologies from Labor and Markets Useful?
Authors: Holzer Harry J. , Ludwig Jens
Published: December 2004

This paper reviews the methodologies most frequently used by social scientists when measuring discrimination in housing and labor markets and assesses their potential usefulness for analyzing discrimination in education. We begin by briefly reviewing what economists typically mean by racial discrimination in housing and labor markets and note that the standard definition is somewhat more complicated in the case of education. We then review four methodologies—standard statistical methods (e.g., multiple regression), methods using more complete data (e.g., productivity vs. wages or applications for jobs/housing vs. acceptances), experimental/audit methods, and natural experiments based on actual policy changes. The strengths and weaknesses of the four methods when used on housing and labor markets are assessed. We then consider the extent to which each of the methods can be applied to education and the potential usefulness and limitations of trying to do so. We conclude that each of the four methods has some potential uses in analyzing discrimination in education.
Revisiting Classroom Authority: Theory and Ideology Meet Practice
Authors: Pace Judith L.
Published: December 2004

What kinds of authority relations exist in today's high schools? Throughout the last century, educational thinkers from different ideological camps have strongly advocated particular kinds of authority to promote educational aims. However, in the last few decades, sociologists of education have not adequately studied classroom authority (Hum, 1985). Drawing on an interpretive study of classroom authority relations in a U.S. metropolitan high school, this article describes and analyzes the character of these relations, and their connection to social theory and educational ideologies. It reveals that conservative, bureaucratic, progressive, and radical positions all contribute to commonsense understandings, or taken for granted notions, that produce confused and shifting enactments of authority in classrooms. While they facilitate teachers’ and students’ modus vivendi, these ambiguous, hybridized versions (Kliebard, 1986; Page, 1999) of authority may not adequately serve educational purposes.
Hiawatha Designs an Experiment
Authors: Goodall Gerald
Published: December 2004

This is a reprint, with permission, of a well‐known statistical poem.
A Lottery Misfortune
Authors: Helman Danny
Published: December 2004

This article looks at a national lottery in which the fifth prize is more probable than the sixth.
Effective Protection, Policy Appraisal and Trade Policy Reform
Authors: Greenaway David , Milner Chris
Published: December 2004

When the effective protection concept was first developed it was widely regarded as a key measure of the structure of protection and became widely deployed. It was however, subject to a theoretical critique on the grounds that it was essentially a partial equilibrium measure, which could not be easily embedded in a general equilibrium framework. Notwithstanding this critique, the concept has continued to be widely used, especially in the context of policy reform and policy appraisal in developing countries. This paper re‐appraises the concept, reviews the extent of its application and discusses the factors behind its longevity as an investigative tool. The paper concludes that the measure still has a role to play in evaluating the structure of protection.
Competitive versus Comparative Advantage
Authors: Neary J. Peter
Published: December 2004

I explore the interactions between comparative, competitive and absolute advantage in a two‐country model of oligopoly in general equilibrium. Comparative advantage always determines the direction of trade, but both competitive and absolute advantage affect resource allocation, trade patterns and trade volumes. Competitive advantage in the sense of more home firms drives foreign firms out of marginal sectors but also makes some marginal home sectors uncompetitive. Absolute advantage in the sense of a uniform fall in home costs tends to raise home output in all sectors but also leads both countries to specialise less in accordance with comparative advantage.
All Politics is Not Local: National Forces in State Abortion Initiatives*
Authors: Roh Jongho , Haider‐Markel Donald P.
Published: December 2004

Objective. Although research suggests that national forces can play a role in local and state elections, most of this work has only recently begun to examine the potential role of national forces in state or local ballot initiative or referenda elections.

Methods. Our research addresses this gap in the literature by exploring the influence of national forces, such as the timing of elections, Supreme Court rulings, the activities of interest groups, and public opinion, on state direct legislation elections. We incorporate national forces into the morality politics framework and derive specific hypotheses. We then test these hypotheses by conducting a multivariate analysis of county‐level voting patterns across 16 abortion‐related direct legislation elections.

Results. Our results confirm most of the hypotheses derived from the morality politics framework, including those concerning the role of national forces.

Conclusions. Voting patterns on abortion tend to be influenced by the presence of presidential elections, Supreme Court rulings, interest‐group activity, public opinion, partisanship, college education, and conservative religious forces. We discuss the implications of our findings for research on elections, abortion policy, and morality politics.
Geochemical and isotopic studies of aeolian sediments in China
Authors: Honda Masatoshi , Yabuki Sadayo , Shimizu Hiroshi
Published: December 2004

The Sr and Nd isotopic, rare earth element (REE) and major element compositions, together with mineral and grain‐size proportions, are reported for aeolian loess deposits and desert sands from several Chinese localities. The study was carried out in order to examine regional variations in the isotopic and geochemical features of these aeolian sediments, and to constrain the provenance of Chinese loess. Samples include loesses from the Tarim and Junggar basins and desert sands from the Taklimakan desert in north‐west China, loess from the Ordos area and desert sands from the Tengger and Mu‐us deserts in north‐central China, as well as loess and desert sands from the Naiman area, north‐east China. REE distributions show minimal variation among the Chinese loess deposits, whereas those for the desert sands show regional variations. New isotopic data document a latitudinal variation in Sr and Nd isotopic features for the loesses and desert sands. The Naiman and Junggar loesses have distinctly lower 87Sr/86Sr ratios and higher εNd(0) values than the loesses from the Tarim Basin, the Ordos area and the Loess Plateau. Among the desert sands, the Naiman samples have higher εNd(0) values than the Taklimakan, Tengger and Mu‐us samples. Isotopic data suggest that loesses of the Loess Plateau were supplied from the Tarim Basin loesses and Taklimakan Desert sand, and that the Naiman loesses were supplied from the Junggar Basin loesses. The latitudinal variation in the loesses and desert sands may be partly explained by isotopic variations reported previously for moraines from the Tianshan and west Kunlun Mountains, which are possible sources for the loesses and desert sands. These inferences on the provenance of the loesses and desert sands are consistent with the dust transport pattern over East Asia.
Clinical grade cell manipulation
Authors: Giordano R. , Lazzari L. , Rebulla P.
Published: December 2004

In the past decade, a new form of therapy based on biological rather than pharmacological intervention has been developed. The term ‘cell therapy’, as applied to this new therapeutic tool, means the administration of living, non‐germline somatic cells to humans for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Cell therapy products (CTPs) are generated by ex vivo processes, which comprise cell harvesting from patients or healthy donors, in vitro manipulation and administration of the manipulated cells to patients. The aim of ex vivo processes is to obtain cell subsets with defined functional properties that are capable of replacing or repairing damaged tissues or organs. Some examples of cell therapy are transplantation of expanded haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), adoptive immunotherapy and dendritic cell vaccination to augment or restore the immune response for the treatment of malignant or infectious diseases. The types of cells most frequently used for cell therapy include haematopoietic pluripotent progenitor and stem cells from the bone marrow and peripheral blood, T‐cell clones and dendritic cells. Although CTPs should be produced according to good manufacturing practice, they differ from traditional pharmaceutical products with regard to quality control and safety aspects. These differences prompted the development of a number of documents issued by regulatory bodies, which specifically address CTPs. This review discusses several issues related to the design, construction and validation of a hospital‐based facility for the production of CTPs, the implementation of cell‐manipulation processes and quality control of the final products.
Moral Development: The Association between Maltreatment and Young Children's Prosocial Behaviors and Moral Transgressions
Authors: Koenig Amy L. , Cicchetti Dante , Rogosch Fred A.
Published: December 2004

In this investigation, the moral development of physically abused (N = 28), neglected (N = 26), and nonmaltreated (N = 28) five‐year‐old children from low socioeconomic backgrounds was examined through observational measures of prosocial behaviors, moral transgressions, and emotions associated with moral development. Findings showed that physically abused children engaged in more stealing behaviors, whereas neglected children engaged in significantly more cheating behavior and less rule‐compatible behavior compared to nonmaltreated children. In addition, maltreatment status differences interacted with gender on several of the moral paradigms. Physically abused girls displayed significantly less guilt and fewer donation behaviors than neglected girls. The clinical implications for maltreated children's moral development are discussed, and targeted interventions are suggested.
An Overview of Regular Dialysis Treatment in Japan (as of 31 December 2002)†
Authors:   Patient Registration Committee, Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy, Tokyo, Japan
Published: December 2004

Abstract:  The Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy (JSDT) has annually conducted a nationwide statistical survey of all dialysis facilities in Japan. The Society conducted this survey of 3625 dialysis facilities at the end of 2002, and responses were received from 3612 facilities (99.61%). Based on the survey investigation results tabulated at the end of 2002, the population of dialysis patients in Japan was 229 538. The gross mortality rate was 9.2% for the year extending from the end of 2001 to the end of 2002. The mean age of patients beginning dialysis was 64.7 years. The mean age of the overall dialysis population in the study year was 62.2 years. In the patients who began dialysis in 2002, the number of patients with diabetic nephropathy as the primary disease increased to 39.1% of patients. 6.5% of 40–64‐year‐old dialysis patients had taken out long‐term‐care insurance, but 31% of 65‐year‐old or older dialysis patients had taken out this insurance. 65.7% of the three‐times‐weekly facility hemodialysis patients underwent daytime dialysis, while 11.9% of patients underwent  evening  dialysis.
Appearance and incidence of sacroiliac joint disease in ventrodorsal radiographs of the canine pelvis
Authors: Knaus Iris , Breit Sabine , Künzel Wolfgang , Mayrhofer Elisabeth
Published: December 2004

Ventrodorsal (VD) radiographs of cadaveric pelves of large and giant breeds (n=40) and of the corresponding bone specimens were made. Gross changes seen in the specimens were marked with metal wire or radiopaque paint to relate radiographic changes to the postmortem appearance of degenerative sacroiliac (SI) joint lesions. Two positioning techniques were used, resulting in two radiographs for each specimen. The techniques used were: (1) pulling the pelvic limbs caudally, with gentle traction producing a view of the sacrum in almost parallel alignment between the sacrum and the X‐ray film (we have termed this a “central SI view”) and (2) pulling the pelvic limbs caudally with greater traction than above, resulting in maximal inclination of the sacrum with respect to the X‐ray film (we have termed this an “angled SI view”). Lesions of the supportive soft connective tissue could be imaged on the central and angled SI views, whereas angled SI views allowed better identification of lesions of the synovial SI joint. The insights gained in the above study were then used in a retrospective examination of 145 routine ventrodorsal radiographs of the pelvis (i.e., 290 sacroiliac joints) to determine the incidence of degenerative changes of the SI joint in large dogs. The lesions most commonly observed were calcification of the supportive soft connective tissue (n=184/290), whereas lesions of the synovial SI joint were less frequent (n=86/290). The degree of central or angled projection obtained in standard ventrodorsal radiographs was noted to be significantly (P<0.05) associated with age, body conformation, anesthetic status, and the presence of spondylosis deformans at the lumbosacral junction. In contrast, SI joint disease and the gender of the animal did not affect the SI view achieved in VD radiographs.
Magnetic resonance imaging findings of an intracranial medulloblastoma in a Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Authors: Fraser McConnell J. , Platt Simon , Smith Ken C.
Published: December 2004

Medullobastoma is an uncommon caudal fossa tumor. The imaging features of medullobastoma in the dog are poorly described. In this report, the magnetic resonance (MR) appearance of a cerebellar medullobastoma in a dog is described. The MR features were similar to medulloblastomas in adult humans, with the tumor arising laterally and extending to the surface of the cerebellar hemisphere. Correct localization of medulloblastoma may be difficult and it should be considered as a differential for both extra‐ and intra‐axial caudal fossa masses.
Imaging diagnosis: biliopleural fistula in a dog
Authors: Davis Kechia M. , Spaulding Kathy A.
Published: December 2004

A 3‐year‐old intact male Brittany Spaniel was admitted for thoracic gunshot wounds. Despite continued supportive care, the dog's condition deteriorated. Thoracic/abdominal ultrasound revealed a biliopleural fistula. Following fistula repair, the dog made a complete recovery. This case represented a diagnostic challenge because of the uncommon clinical presentation of a severe bile pleuritis in the absence of significant bile peritonitis. Biliopleural fistula is a rare condition but should be considered as a differential diagnosis in trauma patients with pleural effusion, especially those with penetrating thoracic injuries. Ultrasonography can be used to diagnose this disorder preoperatively.
BENCHMARKING RANGE-DEPENDENT PROPAGATION MODELING IN MATCHED-FIELD INVERSION
Authors: DOSSO STAN E.
Published: December 2004

This paper considers how the accuracy of range-dependent propagation modeling affects the results of matched-field inversion (MFI) for seabed geoacoustic parameters. In MFI, the forward problem of computing the acoustic fields associated with candidate geoacoustic models is solved a large number of times. Given significant mismatch due to measurement and theory errors, together with the computationally intensive nature of MFI, the appropriate tradeoff between modeling accuracy and computational speed is not obvious. This tradeoff is considered here in terms of the degradation in information content for the geoacoustic parameters that results from inaccurate propagation modeling. The information content is quantified using the marginal posterior probability distributions of the geoacoustic parameters, as computed from a fast Gibbs sampling approach to Bayesian inversion. A synthetic example of this analysis is presented in which the parabolic equation is used to model acoustic fields for a shallow-water, upslope environment, with different levels of modeling accuracy/speed controlled by the range and depth step sizes of the computational grid.
REFRACTION AND DIFFUSION OF ACOUSTIC WAVES IN A RANDOM FLUID MEDIUM
Authors: KIM JEONG-HOON
Published: December 2004

Based upon the asymptotic and stochastic formulation of the acoustic wave equations, this article considers a stochastic wave propagation problem in a random multilayer which is totally refracting. Both the WKB analysis and the diffusion limit theory of stochastic differential equations are used to analyze the interplay of refraction (macrostructure) and diffusion (microstructure) of the propagating waves. The probabilistic distribution of solutions to the resultant Kolmogorov–Fokker–Planck equation is given as a computable form from the pseudodifferential operator theory and Wiener's path integral theory.
A NEW CONJUGATED MAPPED INFINITE ELEMENT
Authors: LI L.-X. , KUNIMATSU S. , SUN J.-S. , SAKAMOTO H.
Published: December 2004

Taking the Astley element for example, the conventional mapped infinite element is theoretically dissected in this paper. The study brings to light the reason why the results from the mapped infinite elements vary with the location of the mid-side points used in the geometry mapping. To remedy this deficiency, a new conjugated mapped infinite element is proposed whose shape functions exactly satisfy the multi-pole expansion in the infinite direction. Within the framework of this infinite element, shape functions for any type of wave are composed of the one in the conventional finite element for the same order multiplied by a factor that contains the information of the geometry mapping and the decay behavior of wave. In addition to the slight modification to the phase factor and the weighting factor, the present element permits a free geometry mapping, and therefore greatly expands the applicability of the mapped infinite element methods. To display the performance of the proposed element, typical examples are finally given.
THEORETICAL STUDY ON THE SECOND HYPERPOLARIZABILITY (γ) OF A HOMOGENEOUS MOLECULE IN THE BOND DISSOCIATION PROCESS: ENHANCEMENT OF γ IN THE INTERMEDIATE CORRELATION REGIME
Authors: NAKANO MASAYOSHI , YAMADA SATORU , KISHI RYOHEI , TAKAHATA MASAHIRO , NITTA TOMOSHIGE , YAMAGUCHI KIZASHI
Published: December 2004

The variation in the longitudinal second hyperpolarizability (γ) in the bond-dissociation process of a homogeneous molecule ( H 2) is investigated by the finite-field (FF) approach using several ab initio molecular orbital (MO) and density functional (DF) methods. The most accurate methods (UCCSD or RCCSD) employed in this study show that the magnitude of γ value is remarkably enhanced in the intermediate dissociation region, which corresponds to the intermediate correlation regime. Such behavior suggests that the magnitudes of γ values for open-shell neutral compounds in the intermediate correlation regime are remarkably enhanced as compared to the usual closed-shell neutral systems.
AB INITIO STUDY ON NONLINEAR OPTICAL PROPERTIES FOR SMALL DENDRITIC MOLECULES
Authors: YAMADA SATORU , NAKANO MASAYOSHI , TAKAHATA MASAHIRO , KISHI RYOHEI , NITTA TOMOSHIGE , YAMAGUCHI KIZASHI
Published: December 2004

In a previous paper, we investigated static second hyperpolarizabilities (γ) of 1,4-phenylendiamine (PDA) and 4,4′-diaminodiphenylamine (DADPA), which is considered to be the simplest model for extended dendrimers including linking nitrogen (N) atoms, using the ab initio molecular orbital (MO) methods.1 The γ value was shown to be drastically changed by linking via a N atom and/or the introduction of positive charges. In this study, we investigate the applicability of the density functional (DF) methods to the calculation of γ. It is found that although the DF methods can reproduce γ value and their nonlinear enhancement for neutral state at the CCSD(T) level, they are insufficient to reproduce reliable γ values of their charged states.
SECOND HARMONIC GENERATION UPON THERMAL POLING AND LIGHT-INDUCED CHIRALITY IN THE AMORPHOUS p(DR1M) AZOBENZENE POLYMER FILMS
Authors: RODRIGUEZ V. , ADAMIETZ F. , SANGUINET L. , BUFFETEAU TH. , SOURISSEAU C.
Published: December 2004

We report experimental evidence for an efficient nonlinear optical polar ordering induced by wire poling under high field conditions in thin films of the amorphous p(DR1M) side-chain azobenzene homopolymer. Unusual enhancements of the absorption coefficient and d33 susceptibility along the poling direction are observed. Preliminary circular dichroism experiments have revealed the formation of a weak optically active supramolecular structure which becomes strongly active after irradiating the poled material with a circularly polarized light. Similar to a liquid-crystal polymer mesophase, it is thus possible to control the chirality in this efficiently poled amorphous achiral azobenzene polymer, in which circularly polarized irradiations with opposite handedness produce enantiomeric structures.
ELECTRICAL, MAGNETIC, AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF π-CONJUGATED POLYMER NANOTUBES AND NANOWIRES
Authors: KIM B. H. , PARK D. H. , GU Y. K. , JOO J. , KIM K. G. , JIN J. I.
Published: December 2004

Nanotubes and nanowires of π-conjugated polypyrrole (PPy) and poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) were synthesized using Al 2 O 3 nanoporous template through electrochemical polymerization method. From the SEM and TEM photographs, the formation of conducting polymer nanotube (CPNT) and nanowire (CPNW) was confirmed. From FT-IR and UV/Vis absorbance spectra, we observed the effect of doping and de-doping through HF or NaOH dissolving of Al 2 O 3 template. DC conductivity and I–V characteristics as a function of temperature and gate bias were measured for the CPNTs and CPNWs prepared with various synthetic conditions. Magnetic properties were measured through EPR experiments. Based on the results, we compare the intrinsic properties between bulk and nanoscale π-conjugated polymers.
LUMINESCENCE ENHANCEMENT OF EU(III)-CHELATED COMPLEXES BASED ON NAPHTHALENE DERIVATIVE THROUGH COORDINATION ENVIRONMENT
Authors: BAEK NAM SEOB , ROH SOO-GYUN , KIM YONG HEE , NAH MIN-KOOK , KIM HWAN KYU
Published: December 2004

We have designed and synthesized novel luminescent lanthanide complexes based on a naphthalene derivative. The coordination number of complexed ligands with Eu 3+ ions is an important parameter to enhance the photoluminescence (PL) intensity. The photoluminescence spectra of Eu ( III )-cored complexes exhibit a sharp red emission band at 612 nm, corresponding to the 5 D 0→7 F 2 transition of the trivalent Eu ion. The saturated europium complexes (C-2 and C-3) have much stronger PL intensity than the unsaturated 6-coordinated europium complex (C-1), due to the instability of the C-1 complex. In this paper, the synthesis and photophysical properties of novel europium(III)-chelated complexes based on a naphthalene derivative will be discussed.
BLUE LIGHT-EMITTING POLYMER/DIELECTRIC NANOLAYER NANOCOMPOSITES: IMPEDIMENT OF EXCIMER FORMATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF PHOTOSTABILITY
Authors: PARK JONG HYEOK , LIM YONG TAIK , PARK O OK , KIM JAI KYEONG , KIM YOUNG CHUL
Published: December 2004

Blue light-emitting polymer/dielectric nanolayer nanocomposites were fabricated by solution intercalation method and the photoluminescence data showed that these nanolayers act as separation layers to isolate polymer chains. Furthermore the dielectric nanolayers whose aspect ratio is about 500, also acted as efficient barriers to oxygen resulting in low keto-type emission and photo-oxidation.
PARTIAL POTENTIAL ENERGY SURFACE AND ITS APPLICATIONS IN REACTIVE RESONANCES
Authors: SUN XIAOMIN , WANG HUAYANG , CAI ZHENGTING , FENG DACHENG , BIAN WENSHENG
Published: December 2004

The conception of partial potential energy surface (PPES) is presented in this paper. PPES can be abstracted from complete potential energy surface (CPES), therefore, it can be constructed with ab initio quantum chemical method. For the systems of H + H 2→ H 2+ H , I + HI → IH + I and I -+ HI → IH + I -, the construction and applications of PPES are proposed as typical examples. It can be seen that the applications of PPES demonstrate remarkable virtues in the analysis of reaction mechanism and the formation of scattering resonance states.
PREFERENTIAL POLYMERIZATION OF 5-(AMINOMETHYL)-2-FURANCARBOXYLIC ACID (AMFC) INTO A CYCLIC TRIPEPTIDE
Authors: SINGH HARJINDER , ARORA KARUNESH , TAPADAR SUBHASISH , CHAKRABORTY TUSHAR K.
Published: December 2004

Theoretical justification for the preferential formation of an 18-membered cyclic oligopeptide 1 based on 5-(aminomethyl)-2-furancarboxylic acid (AMFC, 2), is attempted using ab initio quantum chemical calculations. The free energy values obtained from Hessian calculations show that while the formation of the higher order cyclized oligopeptides [ HN – H 2 C –( furan )– CO ]n with n=3,4, is energetically favorable, the formation of the cyclic dipeptide 3 is thermodynamically unfavorable. Inclusion of the solvent in calculations enhances this preference further. A plausible explanation for this is the proximity of repulsive charges on the furan O atoms in the dimer 3. Details of geometric parameters and Mulliken charges support this possibility. The repulsion is enhanced, as low frequency modes of nuclear motion that bring these O atoms closer are active at room temperature.

[Formula: see text]
Protein kinase C mediates the inhibitory effect of substance P on HCO3− secretion from guinea pig pancreatic ducts
Authors: Hegyi Péter , Rakonczay Zoltán , Tiszlavicz László , Varró András , Tóth András , Rácz Gábor , Varga Gábor , Gray Michael A. , Argent Barry E.
Published: December 2004

The inhibitory control of pancreatic ductal HCO3− secretion may be physiologically important in terms of limiting the hydrostatic pressure developed within the ducts and in terms of switching off pancreatic secretion after a meal. Substance P (SP) inhibits secretin-stimulated HCO3− secretion by modulating a Cl−-dependent HCO3− efflux step at the apical membrane of the duct cell (Hegyi P, Gray MA, and Argent BE. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 285: C268–C276, 2003). In the present study, we have shown that SP is present in periductal nerves within the guinea pig pancreas, that PKC mediates the effect of SP, and that SP inhibits an anion exchanger on the luminal membrane of the duct cell. Secretin (10 nM) stimulated HCO3− secretion by sealed, nonperfused, ducts about threefold, and this effect was totally inhibited by SP (20 nM). Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu; 100 nM), an activator of PKC, reduced basal HCO3− secretion by ∼40% and totally blocked secretin-stimulated secretion. In addition, bisindolylmaleimide I (1 nM to 1 μM), an inhibitor of PKC, relieved the inhibitory effect of SP on secretin-stimulated HCO3− secretion and also reversed the inhibitory effect of PDBu. Western blot analysis revealed that guinea pig pancreatic ducts express the α-, βI-, δ-, ε-, η-, θ-, ζ-, and μ-isoforms of PKC. In microperfused ducts, luminal H2DIDS (0.5 mM) caused intracellular pH to alkalinize and, like SP, inhibited basal and secretin-stimulated HCO3− secretion. SP did not inhibit secretion further when H2DIDS was present in the lumen, suggesting that SP and H2DIDS both inhibit the activity of an anion exchanger on the luminal membrane of the duct cell.
Dexamethasone Increased Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Expression on Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells: An Additive Effect to Tumor Necrosis Factor-α
Authors: Yamamoto Yukiyo , Ishizu Akihiro , Ikeda Hitoshi , Otsuka Noriyuki , Yoshiki Takashi
Published: December 2004

Objective: In patients with autoimmune diseases, blood vessels may be critically involved at the site of inflammation. For these patients, glucocorticoids (GC) are often used as therapeutics. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of GC on vascular endothelial cells which are under inflammatory conditions. Methods: We examined the molecular expressions in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) induced by dexamethasone (Dex) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Live cell number of HUVEC under exposure to Dex and TNF-α was also assayed. Results: The cDNA array analysis showed that a number of genes were upregulated, but only a few were downregulated by Dex and TNF-α, respectively. Among them, thrombomodulin (TM) gene showed the least fold change when HUVEC were stimulated by TNF-α. Since TM inhibits blood coagulation, we took notice of molecules associated with coagulation and fibrinolysis. The quantitative real-time RT-PCR revealed that the expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) gene increased when HUVEC were exposed to Dex and TNF-α, respectively, and the corresponding augmentation of its protein expression was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. The expression of PAI-1 gene additively increased when Dex and TNF-α were added to stimulate HUVEC. Under our experimental conditions, TNF-α induced proliferation of HUVEC. On the other hand, Dex did not change the number of live cells regardless of stimulation by TNF-α. Conclusion: TNF-α can induce proliferation of vascular endothelial cells with downregulation of the anticoagulation molecule, TM, and upregulation of the anti-fibrinolysis molecule, PAI-1. Dex further increased the expression of PAI-1 gene in the cells stimulated by TNF-α, and did not reduce the effect on cell proliferation induced by TNF-α. These findings suggest that the balance of blood coagulation versus fibrinolysis may incline to coagulation when Dex and TNF-α cooperate on vascular endothelial cells.