bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Configurational temperature control for atomic and molecular systems
Authors: Travis Karl P. , Braga Carlos
Published: January 2008

A new configurational temperature thermostat suitable for molecules with holonomic constraints is derived. This thermostat has a simple set of motion equations, can generate the canonical ensemble in both position and momentum space, acts homogeneously through the spatial coordinates, and does not intrinsically violate the constraints. Our new configurational thermostat is closely related to the kinetic temperature Nosé-Hoover thermostat with feedback coupled to the position variables via a term proportional to the net molecular force. We validate the thermostat by comparing equilibrium static and dynamic quantities for a fluid of n-decane molecules under configurational and kinetic temperature control. Practical aspects concerning the implementation of the new thermostat in a MOLECULAR DYNAMICS code and the potential applications are discussed.
The effect of intramolecular relaxations on the damping of longitudinal and transverse phonons in polysiloxanes studied by Brillouin spectroscopy
Authors: Kriegs H. , Meier G. , Gapinski J. , Patkowski A.
Published: January 2008

The effect of intramolecular relaxations on the damping of longitudinal and transverse phonons was studied in poly(methylphenylsiloxane) (PMPS) and poly(ethylmethylsiloxane) (PEMS) polymers by means of Brillouin spectroscopy. It is shown that studies of the polarized and depolarized Brillouin spectra as functions of temperature and pressure allow for the separation of the contributions of the internal and structural relaxations to the damping of longitudinal and transverse phonons, respectively. In polymers with intramolecular relaxations these processes contribute not only to the damping of longitudinal phonons, according to theoretical predictions, but also transverse phonons, in contradiction to the theory.
Direct measurement of periodic electric forces in liquids
Authors: Rodriguez B. J. , Jesse S. , Seal K. , Baddorf A. P. , Kalinin S. V.
Published: January 2008

The electric forces acting on an atomic force microscope tip in solution have been measured using a microelectrochemical cell formed by two periodically biased electrodes. The forces were measured as a function of lift height and bias amplitude and frequency, providing insight into electrostatic interactions in liquids. Real-space mapping of the vertical and lateral components of electrostatic forces acting on the tip from the deflection and torsion of the cantilever is demonstrated. This method enables direct probing of electrostatic and convective forces involved in electrophoretic and dielectroforetic self-assembly and electrical tweezer operation in liquid environments.
Dualization of the principal sigma model
Authors: Yılmaz Nejat T.
Published: January 2008

The first-order formulation of the principal sigma model with a Lie group target space is performed. By using the dualization of the algebra and the field content of the theory the field equations which are solely written in terms of the field strengths are realized through an extended symmetry algebra parametrization. The structure of this symmetry algebra is derived so that it generates the realization of the field equations in a Bianchi identity of the current derived from the extended parametrization.
Temperature dependence of polarized photoluminescence from nonpolar m-plane InGaN multiple quantum wells for blue laser diodes
Authors: Kubota Masashi , Okamoto Kuniyoshi , Tanaka Taketoshi , Ohta Hiroaki
Published: January 2008

Polarized photoluminescence (PL) spectra from nonpolar m-plane InGaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) in blue laser diode wafers fabricated on m-plane GaN substrates were measured as a function of temperature. The polarization ratio (ρ) and the energy difference between the highest and the second highest valence bands estimated from the energy difference between PL peaks (ΔE) increased with increasing InN molar fraction x (or the estimated anisotropic compressive strain along the m-axis εyy) in the MQWs. The values of ρ at 300K and ΔE were 0.71 and 76meV for the case of 430nm PL peak (x=0.104, εyy=+0.75%) and 0.92 and 123meV for the case of 485nm PL peak (x=0.175, εyy=+1.26%). These results suggest that the preferred stripe direction is the c axis for nonpolar m-plane laser diodes in the region from violet to near green.
Relativistic electron beam acceleration by nonlinear scattering of electromagnetic waves in a magnetized plasma
Authors: Sugaya R.
Published: January 2008

Acceleration and heating of a relativistic electron beam due to nonlinear electron Landau and cyclotron damping of electromagnetic waves in a magnetized plasma are investigated theoretically and numerically on the basis of the relativistic kinetic wave and transport equations derived from the relativistic Vlasov–Maxwell equations. Two electromagnetic waves interact nonlinearly with the relativistic electron beam, satisfying the resonance condition of ωk−ωk′−(k⊥−k⊥′)vd−(k∥−k∥′)vb≃mωce, where vb and vd are the parallel and perpendicular velocities of the relativistic electron beam, respectively, and ωce is the relativistic electron cyclotron frequency for the electron beam. The beat waves whose frequency is near the frequency of the extraordinary wave are excited by two electromagnetic waves. The beat waves resonate with the relativistic electron beam and accelerate efficiently. Nonlinear electron Landau and cyclotron damping of the electromagnetic waves has been studied by the numerical analysis of the relativistic nonlinear wave-particle coupling coefficients, assuming the relativistic electron beam with the relativistic drifted Maxwellian momentum distribution without the cross-field drift (vd=0), and it was verified that the highly relativistic electron beam with the energy of βmec2≲5TeV can be accelerated efficiently by the Compton scattering and the beat-wave excited extraordinary waves, where β=(1−vb2∕c2)−1∕2. For comparison, the equations of motion for the beam electrons trapped in the beat wave in the frame of reference moving with vb are analyzed. The detailed acceleration mechanism was clarified and the qualitative agreement with the numerical results was obtained.
Plasma display panel design for simultaneous high efficacy and high luminance
Authors: Oversluizen G. , de Zwart S. T. , Dekker T.
Published: January 2008

The plasma display panel efficacy is known to decrease at high luminance, due to both phosphor and plasma saturation. Especially the default green phosphor Willemite is sensitive to saturation. It is shown that an alternative green phosphor, Y1−xGdxBO3:Tb3+, is less sensitive to saturation than Willemite. Also plasma saturation is decreased in a “high efficiency discharge mode,” for design and driving conditions that govern a fast and spatially distributed discharge development. High Xe-content panels, with somewhat higher drive voltages, are especially suited for operation in this discharge mode. Further, in the high efficiency discharge mode a high luminance is obtained, enabling high resolution designs with a relatively small emissive area. For proper designs, operating in the high efficiency discharge mode and using less saturating phosphors, the combination of a high efficacy and a high luminance is achieved. For VGA resolution 5 lm/W and 5000 cd/m2 and for XGA resolution 4 lm/W concurrent with a luminance of 3400 cd/m2 has been realized in low cost stripe-type barrier rib structures, that were sand-blasted in soda-lime glass. Finally, it is shown that the increasing wall charge loss for increasing discharge confinement at higher resolution causes mainly higher operation voltages, while the influence on discharge efficiency is relatively small.
Fluctuations, under time reversal, of the natural time and the entropy distinguish similar looking electric signals of different dynamics
Authors: Varotsos P. A. , Sarlis N. V. , Skordas E. S. , Lazaridou M. S.
Published: January 2008

We show that the scale dependence of the fluctuations of the natural time itself under time reversal provides a useful tool for the discrimination of seismic electric signals (critical dynamics) from noises emitted from man-made sources, as well as for the determination of the scaling exponent. We present recent data of electric signals detected at the Earth’s surface, which confirm that the value of the entropy in natural time as well as its value under time reversal are smaller than that of the entropy of a “uniform” distribution.
Plasma-loaded free-electron laser with thermal electron beam and background plasma
Authors: Babaei S. , Maraghechi B.
Published: January 2008

Thermal properties of a plasma-loaded free-electron laser are studied with the aid of a dispersion relation obtained from the kinetic theory. The electron beam and the background plasma are assumed to have, respectively, small and finite momentum spread in the axial direction, using water-bag distribution functions. Thermal effects of the beam electrons are found to be stronger than those of the plasma. The maximum growth rate rises and falls as the momentum spread of the plasma is increased over a wide interval. In the Compton regime, with the high-energy and low-density electron beam, the plasma and its momentum spread have almost no effects on the growth rate.
Few-layer graphene on SiC, pyrolitic graphite, and graphene: A Raman scattering study
Authors: Faugeras C. , Nerrière A. , Potemski M. , Mahmood A. , Dujardin E. , Berger C. , de Heer W. A.
Published: January 2008

The results of micro-Raman scattering measurements performed on three different “graphitic” materials: microstructured disks of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite, graphene multilayers thermally decomposed from carbon-terminated surface of 4H-SiC and an exfoliated graphene monolayer are presented. Despite its multilayer character, most parts of the surface of the graphitized SiC substrates shows a single component, Lorentzian shape, double resonance Raman feature in striking similarity to the case of a single graphene monolayer. Our observation suggests a very weak electronic coupling between graphitic layers on the SiC surface, which therefore can be considered to be graphene multilayers with a simple (Dirac-like) band structure.
Characterization and analysis of terahertz metamaterials based on rectangular split-ring resonators
Authors: Azad Abul K. , Taylor Antoinette J. , Smirnova Evgenya , O’Hara John F.
Published: January 2008

We present the experimental characterization of planar terahertz metamaterials based on rectangular electric split-ring resonator designs. Comparisons to square-ring designs reveal that rectangular shapes greatly affect the overall metamaterial response by altering the spectral separation and coupling between multiple ring resonances. A simple model is used to help us understand this coupling behavior and the extent of its effects. Advantages and disadvantages of these unconventional ring designs are discussed in terms of possible applications.
Triangular lattice plasmonic photonic band gaps in subwavelength metal-insulator-metal waveguide structures
Authors: Hosseini Amir , Nejati Hamid , Massoud Yehia
Published: January 2008

We present a slablike photonic crystal with two-dimensional lattice structure, which exhibits subwavelength light confinement in the transverse direction perpendicular to the lattice plane based on the metal-insulator-metal (MIM) configuration. Using a modified implementation of the plane wave expansion method, we calculate the band structure created by a periodic modulation in the dielectric region of a MIM waveguide. The resulting band structure is verified by finite-difference time-domain simulations. We show that the MIM photonic crystal can provide a wider band gap compared to that of the two-dimensional photonic crystals.
The impact of p-doping on the static and dynamic properties of 1.5μm quantum dash lasers on InP
Authors: Hein S. , von Hinten V. , Höfling S. , Forchel A.
Published: January 2008

p -type modulation doping in the range of 0–100 acceptors per quantum dash (QDash) has been carried out to investigate the impact on QDash lasers on (100) InP. The differential gain was found to increase more than 50% for doping concentrations of 50 acceptors per QDash for constant cavity length lasers. However, this benefit is overcompensated by enhanced gain compression and enlarged thermal heating due to high internal losses in highly p-doped devices. The maximum modulation bandwidth of 8GHz in continuous wave operation at room temperature is, therefore, obtained for a moderate p-doping level of 10 holes per QDash.
Thermophysical characteristics of water-in-FC72 nanoemulsion fluids
Authors: Han Z. H. , Yang B.
Published: January 2008

The use of solid particles has long been a common way of increasing fluid thermal conductivity. Here, nanoemulsion fluids—dispersions of liquid nanodroplets—are proposed. As an example, water-in-FC72 nanoemulsion fluids are developed, and their thermophysical properties and impact on natural convective heat transfer are investigated experimentally. The increase in conductivity and viscosity of the fluids is found to be nonlinear with water loading, indicating an important role of the hydrodynamic interaction and aggregation of nanodroplets. A very remarkable increase in effective specific heat—about 126% for 12vol% water loading—occurs in the fluids due to melting-freezing transition of water nanodroplets.
4.8% efficient poly(3-hexylthiophene)-fullerene derivative (1:0.8) bulk heterojunction photovoltaic devices with plasma treated AgOx/indium tin oxide anode modification
Authors: Yoon Woo-Jun , Berger Paul R.
Published: January 2008

We report here an improved efficiency, up to 4.8% with a high fill factor of ∼63% under AM 1.5G spectral illumination and 100mW∕cm2 intensity, for poly(3-hexylthiophene) and [6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester bulk heterojunction photovoltaic (PV) devices with a 1:0.8 weight ratio using surface modifications to the indium tin oxide (ITO) anodes through plasma oxidized silver. Here, an enhanced short-circuit current density was achieved without significant loss in the open-circuit voltage (>0.6V) nor the fill factor (>63%), leading to an efficiency jump from 4.4% in the control devices to 4.8% with the surface modified ITO anode. The enhanced short-circuit density is attributed to an interface energy step between the ITO and the polymer hole transporting layer. It has been theorized that the introduction of an interface energy step could alter the charge collection efficiency, resulting in an improved overall efficiency in PV devices. In our study, the current density–voltage characteristics under darkness clearly show an increased current density, especially under forward bias, for the anode treated cell, suggesting the presence of an interface energy step between the ITO and the hole transporting layer with surface modified ITO anodes.
A multicolor quantum dot intersublevel detector with photoresponse in the terahertz range
Authors: Huang G. , Yang J. , Bhattacharya P. , Ariyawansa G. , Perera A. G. U.
Published: January 2008

An In0.4Ga0.6As∕GaAs multi quantum-dot layer intersublevel detector with multicolor detection is demonstrated. The n-type doping in the dots is carefully adjusted during molecular beam epitaxy of the device heterostructure to control the dark current and the occupation of the dot states as a function of temperature. The device demonstrates several photoresponse peaks in the 3–13 and 20–55μm (15–5.4THz) ranges. At 150K, the response in the terahertz range has a peak responsivity of 0.05A∕W and specific detectivity D* of 2×107 Jones for an applied bias of −2V.
Properties of YMnO3 self-assembled nanocrystalline prisms on GaN
Authors: Keenan Cameron , Chandril Sandeep , Myers Thomas H. , Lederman David , Ramos-Moore E. , Cabrera A. L.
Published: January 2008

Growth of YMnO3 on GaN (0001) using molecular beam epitaxy at temperatures greater than 850°C resulted in the spontaneous formation of crystalline prisms, ranging from 20to60nm in height and 50to500nm in lateral size, surrounded by a 6nm thick continuous YMnO3 film. The local dielectric properties were measured using scanning surface probe microscopy. The prisms were ferroelectric at room temperature and their ferroelectric properties were enhanced for taller prisms. This is consistent with these structures being less constrained than the continuous layer, which is clamped by the surrounding unpolarized film.
Magnetic field induced transition from weak to strong ferromagnetic coupling in NiFe∕Au∕Co∕Au multilayers
Authors: Stobiecki F. , Urbaniak M. , Szymański B. , Dubowik J. , Kuświk P. , Schmidt M. , Weis T. , Engel D. , Lengemann D. , Ehresmann A. , Sveklo I. , Maziewski A.
Published: January 2008

We report on a specific magnetostatic coupling in sputter deposited (Ni80Fe20∕Au∕Co∕Au)10 multilayers of alternating in-plane and out-of-plane magnetic anisotropies. We demonstrate on the basis of complementary studies (magnetoresistance, conventional magnetometry, and element specific soft x-ray resonant magnetic scattering hysteresis measurements) that the magnetization reversal of the Ni–Fe layers is strongly influenced by a magnetostatic coupling originating from the out-of-plane stripe domain stray fields of the Co layers.
Inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy study of metal-oxide-semiconductor diodes based on high-κ gate dielectrics
Authors: You S. L. , Huang C. C. , Wang C. J. , Ho H. C. , Kwo J. , Lee W. C. , Lee K. Y. , Wu Y. D. , Lee Y. J. , Hong M.
Published: January 2008

Inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy (IETS) was applied to characterize the microstructure, interface, and trap-related states in silicon metal-oxide-semiconductor devices consisting of high-κ gate dielectrics HfO2, Y2O3, and stacked HfO2∕Y2O3 bilayer by molecular beam epitaxy and atomic layer deposition under various heat treatments. Reproducible vibrational modes of monoclinic HfO2 and cubic Y2O3 were identified from IETS spectra, along with phonon modes related to interfacial structures for a given metal-oxide-semiconductor fabrication process. A simple modeling was employed to analyze the trap related features in IETS spectra of stacked HfO2∕Y2O3 bilayers, and showed that most traps are located near the HfO2∕Y2O3 interface due to dissimilar charge distributions of two ionic oxides of different cation valences, and the presence of interfacial strains of dissimilar structures.
Development and Hybridity Made Concrete in the Colonies
Authors: Harris Richard
Published: January 2008

The concept of hybridity has been discussed chiefly in relation to cultural issues and interpreted as a challenge to dominant power. It is equally relevant to the interpretation of economic and social change (for example, in the field of international development), while its political significance is properly a subject of investigation. Hybridity was common under colonialism: in domestic and work settings (mines, plantations), in the organisation of urban areas, and in the organisation of colonial administration. It became more common in the British territories once Britain began to promote colonial development in the late 19th century. The evolution of colonial housing and urban housing policy after 1929 indicates that colonisers tolerated and then endorsed hybridity. Usually, it was accepted as a step towards modernity; occasionally, it was viewed as a local adaptation that embodied local practices that had intrinsic merit. In any event, the concept of hybridity has broad application to our understanding of colonialism and development.
Landscapes of Disaster: Water, Modernity, and Urban Fragmentation in Mumbai
Authors: Gandy Matthew
Published: January 2008

The city of Mumbai is undergoing a complex social, economic, and political transition into an increasingly fragmentary and polarized metropolitan space. The tortuous flow of water through contemporary Mumbai presents one of the most striking indicators of persistent social inequalities within the postcolonial metropolis. We find that the city's dysfunctional water infrastructure has its roots within the colonial era but these incipient weaknesses have been exacerbated in recent years by rapid urban growth, authoritarian forms of political mobilization, and the dominance of middle-class interests within a denuded public realm. It is argued that the water and sanitation crisis facing Mumbai needs to be understood in relation to the particularities of capitalist urbanization and state formation in an Indian context.
ON THE ORIGIN OF GLOW PEAKS IN EUGLENA CELLS, SPINACH CHLOROPLASTS AND SUBCHLOROPLAST FRAGMENTS ENRICHED IN SYSTEM I OR II
Authors: Sane P. V. , Desai T. S. , Tatake V. G. , Govindjee
Published: January 2008

Abstract— The origin of glow peaks (thermoluminescence) was investigated in isolated spinach chloroplasts and Euglena cells by pretreatment with various concentrations of 3‐(3,4 dichlorophenyl)‐1,1‐dimethylurea (DCMU)†, different light intensities, and after mild heating at various temperatures. Experiments are also reported on subchloroplast fractions enriched in pigment systems I (PSI) or II (PSII) (prepared under conditions to reduce destruction of membranes by excessive detergent contact).

These results provide the following, most likely, suggestion for the origin of glow peaks: (1) Z peak originates in metastable states; it is insensitive to DCMU, temperature (320–328 K), and appears only when other peaks are saturated (10 Wm‐2). (2) Peak I involves the use of a reducing entity A (plastoquinone) beyond Q (the primary electron acceptor of pigment system II, PSII), or, of a high “S” state (charge accumulator) of oxygen evolving system; its intensity is dramatically reduced by low concentrations (1 μM) of DCMU, and, there is more of it in PSII than in PSI particles. (3) Peak II is due to reaction of Q‐ with the “S” states of the oxygen evolving system; its intensity increases upon the addition of low concentrations of DCMU, at the expense of peak I; it is most sensitive to mild heating, and there is more of it in PSII than in PSI particles. (4) Peak III was not studied here as it was not resolved in most of our preparations. (5) Peak IV is from both pigment system I and II; it is sensitive to heating (>50°C), is somewhat sensitive to DCMU, and is present in both PSI and PSII particles. (6) Peak V is from PSI; it is least sensitive to mild heating, and it is enriched in PSI particles.

The present studies have extended our knowledge regarding the origin of glow peaks in spinach chloroplasts and Euglena cells; in particular, the involvement of the charge accumulating “S” states of oxygen evolution (for peaks I and II) and of system I (for peak V) are emphasized in this paper.
ENERGY STORAGE STATES OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC MEMBRANES: ACTIVATION ENERGIES AND LIFETIMES OF ELECTRONS IN THE TRAP STATES BY THERMOLUMINESCENCE METHOD
Authors: Tatake V. G. , Desai T. S. , Govindjee  , Sane P. V.
Published: January 2008

Abstract Several methods discussed by R. Chen (1969) were used for the calculation of the activation energies (E), frequency factors (s) and mean lifetimes of electrons in trap states at glow peak temperatures (Tm) and at room temperature (Tr) from thermoluminescence glow peaks in spinach chloroplasts and Euglena cells. Results are presented for E calculated independently, i.e. without any assumptions regarding the frequency factors which were determined subsequently using the activation energy values thus calculated. The most reliable values for E, s, r(Tm) and (Tr) for the well‐resolved glow peaks Z(118 K), I(236 K), II(261 K), III(283 K), IV(298 K) and V(321 K) are as follows:

The present comprehensive study has been compared with the earlier ones and the significance of the observed high frequency factors is discussed. It is concluded that only peaks I and II, related to photosystem II, follow the Randall–Wilkins (RW) theory, whereas peaks IV and V, related to photosystem I, do not.
MULTIFREQUENCY CROSS‐CORRELATION PHASE FLUOROMETRY OF CHLOROPHYLL a FLUORESCENCE IN THYLAKOID AND PSII‐ENRICHED MEMBRANES
Authors: Covindjee  , Van de Ven M. , Cao J. , Roye C. , Gratton E.
Published: January 2008

Abstract— We prescnt here a comparative study on the decay of chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence yield in thylakoid membranes and photosystem 11 (PS11)‐enriched samples, measured with multifrequency cross‐correlation phase fluorometry. These measurements confirm the general conclusions of Van Mieghem ef al. (Binchim. Biophys. Acta1100, 198–206, 1992), obtained with a flash method, on the effects of reduction of the primary quinone acceptor (QA) on ChI a fluorescence yield of PSI. Different states of the reaction centers of PSII were produced by: (1) pretreatment with sodium dithionite and mcthyl viologen followed by laser illumination: the doubly reduced QA (Q4HZ) centers: (2) with laser illumination or pretreatment with diuron: QA‐ centers; and (3) the addition of micromolar concentration of dichlorobenzoquinonc (DCBQ): oxidized QA centers. The data were analyzed with Lorentzian distribution as well as with multiexponential fluorescence decay functions. The analysis with Lorcntzian distribution function showed that upon formation of QA. the major lifetime distribution peak shifted to longer lifetimes: from 0.25 ns to 1.66 ns (pea thylakoid membrancs) and from 0.24 ns to 1.31 ns (core PSII). However, when QAHZ was formed, the lifetime distribution peaks shifted back to shorter lifetimes (0.57–0.77 ns) both in thylakoids and PSIl membranes. Multiexponential analysis showed three lifetime components: fast (40–400 ps), middle (300–1500 ps) and slow (5–25 ns). When QA was formed in PS11 centers, the amplitude of the fast Component decreased, but both thc amplitude and the lifetime of the middle component increased severalfold. However, when QA was doubly reduccd, the amplitude of the fast component increased and the amplitude of the middle component decreased: in addition, the lifetime of the slow component increased. All of the above results are consistent with the conclusions that PS11 charge separation is decreased when QA is formed and increased when doubly reduced QA is formed.
RAREBAND τ DECAYS AND SEARCHES FOR NEW PHYSICS
Authors: BARLOW R. J.
Published: January 2008

New results on rare decays of B mesons and τ leptons are summarised. Measurement are generally in excellent agreement with the Standard Model predictions, the only exceptions being the polarisation of vector particles in B decays and the non-appearance of CP violation in B±→ K±π0.
PROGRESS IN LATTICE QCD
Authors: SCHIERHOLZ G.
Published: January 2008

Progress in Lattice QCD is slow, but steady. In this talk I shall review recent advances, both technical and numerical, and assess the present state of numerical simulations.
HEAVY ION THEORY: QCD AND MATTER IN EXTREMIS
Authors: WANG XIN-NIAN
Published: January 2008

Nuclear matter is predicted to undergo a phase transition and become a plasma of quarks and gluons (QGP) at high temperature and density. Recent experimental results from high-energy heavy-ion collisions at the Relativistic Heavy-ion Collider (RHIC) indicate the production of a strongly interacting quark-gluon matter with fluid-like properties. I will discuss some expected features of QCD at high temperature and density, theoretical interpretations of experimental observations and challenges in unraveling some of the basic properties of dense matter in the strongly interacting regime.
HEAVY HADRON SPECTROSCOPY
Authors: VAIRO ANTONIO
Published: January 2008

I review recent theoretical advances in heavy hadron spectroscopy.
HOT TOPICS FROM THE TEVATRON
Authors: GLENZINSKI D.
Published: January 2008

The Tevatron Run-II began in March 2001. To date, both the CDF and DØ experiments have collected 1 fb-1 of data each. The results obtained from this data set were summarized at this conference in 39 parallel session presentations covering a wide range of topics. I summarize the most important of those results here and comment on some of the prospects for the future.
NEW RESULTS FROM ACCELERATOR NEUTRINO EXPERIMENTS
Authors: RAMEIKA R. A.
Published: January 2008

This paper presents an overview of recent results from accelerator based neutrino experiments. We also review the status of experiments which are being planned for the near future. While most emphasis and interest of late is on neutrino oscillation experiments, we discuss non-oscillation experiments which will produce important results on cross sections.
Synthesis of system state models
Authors: Sarma M. , Mall R.
Published: January 2008

Many modern systems are state-based. For such systems, a system state model is important not only for understanding the behavior of the system, but also for test case design, test coverage analysis, maintenance, etc. However, developers rarely construct the system state model for practical systems because it is usually too complex and cumbersome to construct. On the other hand, developers normally construct the state models of individual classes. We propose a novel method to automatically synthesize the state model of a system by analyzing the different sequences of scenarios and determining whether these lead to any state changes of the individual objects.
Report on ACM Workshop on Health Information and Knowledge Management (HIKM 2006)
Authors: Xiong Li , Xia Yuni
Published: January 2008

Health information technology is receiving a tremendous amount of attention as a strategic area that will benefit the society in the 21st century. The continued advances in healthcare such as digitization of medical records, creation of central record systems, development of healthcare data warehouses increasingly pose new challenges to information and knowledge management. The high stakes and unique characteristics of healthcare data such as the long-term value of the data, varied data quality, the complexity of the data, the privacy constraints, as well as the availability requirements in emergent situations require a special treatment of traditional information management techniques.
Urinary Human L-FABP Is a Potential Biomarker to Predict COX-Inhibitor-Induced Renal Injury
Authors: Tanaka Tamami , Noiri Eisei , Yamamoto Tokunori , Sugaya Takeshi , Negishi Kousuke , Maeda Rui , Nakamura Kazuo , Portilla Didier , Goto Momokazu , Fujita Toshiro
Published: January 2008

Background/Aim: A strong demand exists for the development of sensitive biomarkers in the nephrology field. We propose urinary human L-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) as an earlier biomarker to detect the outcome of chronic renal injury induced by cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors using human L-FABP transgenic mice. Methods: After consuming a low-sodium diet for 2 weeks, transgenic mice were administered meloxicam or celecoxib with the low-sodium diet. Mice were sacrificed 2 days and 4 weeks after starting COX inhibitors, and urine was collected 24 and 48 h and 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after starting COX inhibitors. Celecoxib-treated mice were divided into responders or nonresponders according to urinary L-FABP levels, and histology, urinary L-FABP and peritubular capillary blood flow were evaluated. Results: Meloxicam-treated mice showed a higher blood pressure than control mice. Urinary L-FABP was significantly increased in COX inhibitor-treated mice. Peritubular capillary blood flow in all meloxicam-treated mice and in some celecoxib-treated mice was significantly decreased. Although blood urea nitrogen was not increased, interstitial fibrosis and macrophage infiltration were revealed, especially in meloxicam-treated mice. Responders showed an increase of fibrotic areas and correlations between urinary L-FABP and peritubular capillary blood flow. Conclusion: Urinary L-FABP is capable of revealing chronic renal injury induced by COX inhibitors.
K Homology Domains of the Mouse Polycystic Kidney Disease-Related Protein, Bicaudal-C (Bicc1), Mediate RNA Binding in vitro
Authors: Bouvrette Denise J. , Price Sarah J. , Bryda Elizabeth C.
Published: January 2008

Background/Aims: The mouse Bicc1(mBicc1) gene is the orthologue of the DrosophilaBicaudal-C(Bic-C) gene. While the role of Bicc1 in the mouse is unknown, mutations in the mouse Bicc1 gene are associated with polycystic kidney disease (PKD). The mBicc1 protein contains three K homology (KH) domains. Evidence from other KH domain-containing proteins as well as studies involving both Drosophila and Xenopus Bic-C, suggest that this motif is important in interactions with RNA. Methods: RNA-binding assays were used to test whether mouse Bicc1 binds homoribopolymers in vitro. A series of constructs coding for different regions of the mBicc1 protein were used to determine which regions of the mBicc1 protein were important for in vitro RNA binding. Results: Mouse Bicc1 binds homoribopolymers in vitro and the third KH domain is necessary and sufficient for in vitro RNA binding. The mutation responsible for PKD in the jcpk mouse model results in a protein that is incapable of binding RNA in vitro. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that mouse Bicc1, a protein associated with PKD, has the ability to bind RNA in vitro. Disruption of this binding capability may be responsible for cyst formation in animals carrying mutations in the mBicc1 gene.
Chlorpromazine Combined with Cidofovir for Treatment of a Patient Suffering from Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy
Authors: Pöhlmann Christoph , Hochauf Kristina , Röllig Christoph , Schetelig Johannes , Wunderlich Olaf , Bandt Dirk , Ehninger Gerhard , Jacobs Enno , Rohayem Jacques
Published: January 2008

We report on a stem cell-transplanted patient with B cell chronic lymphatic leukemia who presented with a subacute onset of focal neurological deficits, gait abnormalities, emotional lability and dementia. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy was diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and detection of JC virus genome in the cerebrospinal fluid. Cidofovir and the 5HT2A receptor antagonist chlorpromazine were subsequently administered. A follow-up MRI of the brain 2 weeks after initiation of the antiviral therapy displayed progress of the demyelination, and the patient died 3 months after onset of the neurological symptoms. This report highlights the need for the development of novel and potent strategies for treatment of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.
Association of BACE1 Gene Polymorphism with Alzheimer’s Disease in Asian Populations: Meta-Analysis Including Korean Samples
Authors: Jo Sangmee A. , Ahn Kyungsook , Kim Eunkyung , Kim Hwa-Su , Jo Inho , Kim Doh Kwan , Han Changsoo , Park Moon Ho
Published: January 2008

Background: β-Site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme (BACE) is a candidate risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) from its key role in β-amyloid generation. Previous genetic association studies of BACE1 gene have yielded conflicting results. This study is an attempt to clarify whether the common SNP in exon 5 of BACE1 (rs638405, Val262) is associated with a risk for late-onset AD. Methods: We genotyped a synonymous C/G polymorphism of BACE1 located in exon 5 and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) in 248 AD patients and 224 healthy persons. A meta-analysis with pooled data from four Chinese studies and our results was performed. Results: The allele and genotype frequencies of BACE1 polymorphism were not significantly different between cases and controls (p > 0.05) in the Korean population. A meta-analysis of previously published Asian populations including Koreans showed evidence of a weak association (p = 0.0555 for genotypes, p = 0.0352 for alleles). However, a significant association between the CC genotype and AD was observed in the ApoE-Ε4-positive groups (p = 0.0044, OR = 1.995; 95% CI = 1.319–3.018). Conclusion: These data suggest that BACE1 polymorphism in exon 5 influences risk for late-onset AD in those carrying the ApoE Ε4 allele.
Role of Aberrant Glycosylation of IgA1 Molecules in the Pathogenesis of IgA Nephropathy
Authors: Mestecky J. , Tomana M. , Moldoveanu Z. , Julian B.A. , Suzuki H. , Matousovic K. , Renfrow M.B. , Novak L. , Wyatt R.J. , Novak J.
Published: January 2008

Studies of the properties of immune complexes (IC) in the circulation, urine, and mesangium of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients have provided data relevant to the pathogenesis of this disease. IC contain predominantly polymeric IgA1 molecules which are deficient in galactose (Gal) residues on O-linked glycan chains in the hinge region (HR) of their heavy (H) chains. As a result of this aberrancy, a novel antigenic determinant(s) involving N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) and perhaps sialic acid (SA) of O-linked glycans is generated and recognized by naturally occurring GalNAc-specific antibodies. Thus, IC in IgAN consist of Gal-deficient IgA1 molecules as an antigen, and GalNAc-specific IgG and/or IgA1 as an antibody. IgG antibodies to Gal-deficient IgA1 are probably induced by cross-reactive microbial antigens; they are present at variable levels not only in humans with or without IgAN but also in many phylogenetically diverse vertebrate species. Incubation of human mesangial cells with IC from sera of IgAN patients indicated that stimulation of cellular proliferative activity was restricted to the large (>800 kDa) complexes. These findings suggest that experimental approaches that prevent the formation of large Gal-deficient IgA1-IgG IC may be applied ultimately in an immunologically mediated therapy.
Prevalence of Microalbuminuria and Its Association with Pulse Pressure in a Multi-Ethnic Population in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Authors: Agyemang Charles , van Valkengoed Irene , van den Born Bert-Jan , Stronks Karien
Published: January 2008

Background: Microalbuminuria is related to renal disease, and is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Wide pulse pressure (PP) has recently been linked to microalbuminuria. Studies on ethnic differences in microalbuminuria have shown inconsistent results. It is unclear whether the relationship of PP with microalbuminuria differs between ethnic groups. Objective: To study ethnic differences in PP, prevalence of microalbuminuria, and the relationship of PP with microalbuminuria in three ethnic groups in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Methods: Microalbuminuria was measured using the albumin-creatinine ratio in a random sample of 1,394 adults (491 White Dutch, 576 African-Surinamese and 327 Hindustani-Surinamese) aged 35–60 years. Results: Hindustani-Surinamese 22 (6.7%) and African-Surinamese 24 (4.2%) had a higher prevalence of microalbuminuria than White Dutch 14 (2.9%). The difference persisted in the Hindustani-Surinamese after PP and other potential confounding factors had been adjusted for. The odds ratios (95% CIs) were 2.34 (1.05–5.23) for Hindustani-Surinamese and 1.69 (0.74–3.81) for African-Surinamese. In ethnic-specific models, PP was independently related to microalbuminuria only in White Dutch and African-Surinamese. Conclusion: The higher prevalence of microalbuminuria in Hindustani-Surinamese and African-Surinamese may contribute to the higher prevalence of cardiovascular and renal diseases reported among these populations in the Netherlands. The excess rate in Hindustani-Surinamese suggests an important area for further research. PP was independently related to microalbuminuria only in Dutch and African-Surinamese. The findings may be important to the causal pathways leading to cardiovascular and renal diseases especially in the African-Surinamese group.
A Closer Look at the Pig in Proverbs xi 22
Authors: Heim Knut
Published: January 2008

The present study denies that Prov. xi 22 equates a certain kind of woman with a pig, although a survey of recent scholarship on the book of Proverbs suggests just that. Material about women in the whole book of Proverbs shows that Prov. xi 22 needs to be interpreted in the context of instruction in gender relations. Such education about healthy and legitimate relationships with mothers, wives and other women is aimed at the target audience of Proverbs, young males who are being prepared for leadership roles in ancient Israelite society. Such teaching is in that society's best interest, as it promotes the family as a key social institution and hopefully contributes to the integrity and happiness of its future leaders and society as a whole. Specifically, the proverb warns men not to make fools of themselves by marrying socially inept women simply because of their good looks.
Tropical Cyclones and Transient Upper-Ocean Warming
Authors: Pasquero Claudia , Emanuel Kerry
Published: January 2008

Strong winds affect mixing and heat distribution in the upper ocean. In turn, upper-ocean heat content affects the evolution of tropical cyclones. Here the authors explore the global effects of the interplay between tropical cyclones and upper-ocean heat content. The modeling study suggests that, for given atmospheric thermodynamic conditions, regimes characterized by intense (with deep mixing and large upper-ocean heat content) and by weak (with shallow mixing and small heat content) tropical cyclone activity can be sustained. A global general circulation ocean model is used to study the transient evolution of a heat anomaly that develops following the strong mixing induced by the passage of a tropical cyclone. The results suggest that at least one-third of the anomaly remains in the tropical region for more than one year. A simple atmosphere–ocean model is then used to study the sensitivity of maximum wind speed in a cyclone to the oceanic vertical temperature profile. The feedback between cyclone activity and upper-ocean heat content amplifies the sensitivity of modeled cyclone power dissipation to atmospheric thermodynamic conditions.
European Climate Extremes and the North Atlantic Oscillation
Authors: Scaife Adam A. , Folland Chris K. , Alexander Lisa V. , Moberg Anders , Knight Jeff R.
Published: January 2008

The authors estimate the change in extreme winter weather events over Europe that is due to a long-term change in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) such as that observed between the 1960s and 1990s. Using ensembles of simulations from a general circulation model, large changes in the frequency of 10th percentile temperature and 90th percentile precipitation events over Europe are found from changes in the NAO. In some cases, these changes are comparable to the expected change in the frequency of events due to anthropogenic forcing over the twenty-first century. Although the results presented here do not affect anthropogenic interpretation of global and annual mean changes in observed extremes, they do show that great care is needed to assess changes due to modes of climate variability when interpreting extreme events on regional and seasonal scales. How changes in natural modes of variability, such as the NAO, could radically alter current climate model predictions of changes in extreme weather events on multidecadal time scales is also discussed.
The Strength of the Brewer–Dobson Circulation in a Changing Climate: Coupled Chemistry–Climate Model Simulations
Authors: Li Feng , Austin John , Wilson John
Published: January 2008

The strength of the Brewer–Dobson circulation (BDC) in a changing climate is studied using multidecadal simulations covering the 1960–2100 period with a coupled chemistry–climate model, to examine the seasonality of the change of the BDC. The model simulates an intensification of the BDC in both the past (1960–2004) and future (2005–2100) climate, but the seasonal cycle is different. In the past climate simulation, nearly half of the tropical upward mass flux increase occurs in December–February, whereas in the future climate simulation the enhancement of the BDC is uniformly distributed in each of the four seasons. A downward control analysis implies that this different seasonality is caused mainly by the behavior of the Southern Hemisphere planetary wave forcing, which exhibits a very different long-term trend during solstice seasons in the past and future. The Southern Hemisphere summer planetary wave activity is investigated in detail, and its evolution is found to be closely related to ozone depletion and recovery. In the model results for the past, about 60% of the lower-stratospheric mass flux increase is caused by ozone depletion, but because of model ozone trend biases, the atmospheric effect was likely smaller than this. The remaining fraction of the mass flux increase is attributed primarily to greenhouse gas increase. The downward control analysis also reveals that orographic gravity waves contribute significantly to the increase of downward mass flux in the Northern Hemisphere winter lower stratosphere.
ENSO and Wintertime Extreme Precipitation Events over the Contiguous United States
Authors: Schubert Siegfried D. , Chang Yehui , Suarez Max J. , Pegion Philip J.
Published: January 2008

In this study the authors examine the impact of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on precipitation events over the continental United States using 49 winters (1949/50–1997/98) of daily precipitation observations and NCEP–NCAR reanalyses. The results are compared with those from an ensemble of nine atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) simulations forced with observed SST for the same time period. Empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) of the daily precipitation fields together with compositing techniques are used to identify and characterize the weather systems that dominate the winter precipitation variability. The time series of the principal components (PCs) associated with the leading EOFs are analyzed using generalized extreme value (GEV) distributions to quantify the impact of ENSO on the intensity of extreme precipitation events.

The six leading EOFs of the observations are associated with major winter storm systems and account for more than 50% of the daily precipitation variability along the West Coast and over much of the eastern part of the country. Two of the leading EOFs (designated GC for Gulf Coast and EC for East Coast) together represent cyclones that develop in the Gulf of Mexico and occasionally move and/or redevelop along the East Coast producing large amounts of precipitation over much of the southern and eastern United States. Three of the leading EOFs represent storms that hit different sections of the West Coast (designated SW for Southwest coast, WC for the central West Coast, and NW for northwest coast), while another represents storms that affect the Midwest (designated by MW). The winter maxima of several of the leading PCs are significantly impacted by ENSO such that extreme GC, EC, and SW storms that occur on average only once every 20 years (20-yr storms) would occur on average in half that time under sustained El Niño conditions. In contrast, under La Niña conditions, 20-yr GC and EC storms would occur on average about once in 30 years, while there is little impact of La Niña on the intensity of the SW storms. The leading EOFs from the model simulations and their connections to ENSO are for the most part quite realistic. The model, in particular, does very well in simulating the impact of ENSO on the intensity of EC and GC storms. The main model discrepancies are the lack of SW storms and an overall underestimate of the daily precipitation variance.
Generation O: Addressing Childhood Overweight before It's Too Late
Authors: Segal Laura M. , Gadola Emily A.
Published: January 2008

Rates of overweight in children have more than tripled in the United States since 1980, putting the nation's children at risk for unprecedented levels of major diseases like diabetes and heart disease earlier in life. The American childhood overweight epidemic is a startling phenomenon. Because of the serious health consequences, there is an urgent need to make practical decisions to address the problem, based on common sense, the best prevailing research, and the advice of experts. This starts with addressing the contributing factors behind the real culprits—poor nutrition and inadequate physical activity. Over the past decade, experts have emphasized the need to develop overweight prevention and control strategies focused on instilling in children the importance of healthy behaviors that can help reduce their risk for obesity and related health issues throughout their lives. This article reviews policy recommendations and intervention strategies for addressing childhood overweight.