bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inscriptions from Pednelissus
Authors: Behrwald Ralf
Published: January 2007

The site of Pednelissus in Pisidia, southern Turkey, was first visited by an Italian expedition in 1914. Fieldwork was resumed by a joint project of L. Vandeput (University of Cologne) and H. Bandt (University of Bamberg) in 2001. This article presents the results of the first epigraphical campaign in 2002, which led to the revision of 21 texts as well as the discovery of five new inscriptions. The majority of these texts are building and honorary inscriptions, and, with one possibly Hellenistic exception, they date from Roman imperial times (first to early third centuries).
Female long‐tailed macaques with scrotum‐like structure
Authors: Malaivijitnond Suchinda , Hamada Yuzuru , Suryobroto Bambang , Takenaka Osamu
Published: January 2007

Female long‐tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) living in multimale and multifemale societies show a swelling and reddening of the sexual skin around the anogenital region when they approach ovulation. These swellings are limited to the base of the tail in many local populations. We recently observed another type of sexual swelling in long‐tailed macaques inhabiting localities north of the Isthmus of Kra, Thailand. This swelling was located in the inguinal region in pubertal females. These swellings develop bilaterally into a globular structure, which so strongly resembles the male scrotum that it is difficult to reliably identify an individual's sex at a distance using only the standard phenotypic features of differential presence of clitoris or scrotum. The sex of the monkeys possessing the scrotum‐like swelling was examined at the chromosomal and gonadal levels by determining the presence of two sex‐related genes (the SRY and the AMEL), and sex‐steroid hormone levels, respectively. For chromosomal sex, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based assays suggested the absence of the Y‐linked SRY and AMEL loci but the presence of the X‐linked AMEL locus in the scrotum‐like monkeys, consistent with them being XX and not XY. Plasma testosterone levels of the monkeys possessing the inguinal sex skin swelling did not differ from those of ordinary females and was significantly lower than that of subadult and adult males. However, plasma estradiol levels were higher than those of both ordinary adult males and ordinary adult females. Together, the data strongly support the suggestion that these are XX females. Indeed, most of the tissue components of the scrotum‐like swelling were in fact adipose cells. Upon our latest survey in Thailand, the scrotum‐like swellings were observed only in long‐tailed macaques inhabiting the Indochinese region, above the Isthmus of Kra. To understand whether the scrotum‐like swelling is related to geographical distribution, further study is necessary. Am. J. Primatol. 69:721–735, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rapid inactivation and apoptosis of osteoclasts in the maternal skeleton during the bone remodeling reversal at the end of lactation
Authors: Miller Scott C. , Bowman Beth M.
Published: January 2007

There is a rapid reversal in maternal skeletal metabolism and bone remodeling from accelerated bone resorption during lactation to skeletal rebuilding after lactation. The purpose was to determine the changes that occur in maternal osteoclasts during the transition from lactation to postlactation. Skeletal samples were taken from female rats on days 10 and 19 of lactation and 1 and 7 days after lactation. The pups were weaned on day 20. There was a rapid change in the osteoclast population after weaning, resulting in less resorption surface. Osteoclasts detached from bone surfaces, lost their ruffled borders, and became fragmented with immunocytochemical evidence of apoptosis within 24 hr after lactation. Concomitant with the rapid regression in the osteoclast population was an over fivefold increase in maternal calcitonin (CT) levels at 24 hr after weaning. Serum calcium and estrogen (E2) increased, but prolactin (PRL) and PTH decreased after weaning. The hormone changes, particularly that of CT, are consistent with the rapid regression of the osteoclast population at the end of lactation. These changes are similar to a reversal phase of a bone remodeling cycle where bone formation commences when resorption ceases on bone surfaces and suggests that the fate of osteoclasts during bone remodeling is programmed cell death. These results also suggest that bone remodeling is well synchronized prior to, during, and after lactation to accommodate the mineral requirements of the offspring as well as the mother. Anat Rec, 290:65–73, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification and characterization of a population of motile neurons in long‐term cortical culture
Authors: Haas Matilda A. , Chuckowree Jyoti A. , Chung Roger S. , Vickers James C. , Dickson Tracey C.
Published: January 2007

The specific phenotypes and progression to maturity of primary cortical neurons in long‐term culture correlate well with neurons in vivo. Utilizing a model of neuronal injury in long‐term cultures at 21 days in vitro (DIV), we have identified a distinct population of neurons that translocate into the injury site. 5‐Bromo‐2′‐deoxyUridine (BrdU) incorporation studies demonstrated that neurons with the capacity to translocate were 21 days old. However, this motile ability is not consistent with the traditional view of the maturation and structural stability of neurons in long‐term culture. Therefore, we examined the neurons' cytoskeletal profile using immunocytochemistry, to establish relative stage of maturation and phenotype. Expression of marker proteins including β‐III‐tubulin, α‐internexin, NF‐L and NF‐M, tau and L1 indicated the neurons were differentiated, and in some cases polarized. The neurons did not immunolabel with NF‐H or MAP2, which might suggest they had not reached the level of maturity of other neurons in culture. They did not express the microtubule‐associated migration marker doublecortin (DCX). Cytoskeletal disrupting agents were used to further investigate the role of the microtubule cytoskeleton in translocation, and microtubule destabilization significantly enhanced aspects of their motility. Finally, molecular guidance cues affected their motility in a similar manner to that reported for both axon guidance and early neuron migration. Therefore, this study has identified and characterized a population of motile neurons in vitro that have the capacity to migrate into a site of injury. These studies provide new information on the structurally dynamic features of subsets of neurons. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Several new electrofocusing techniques
Authors: Ivory Cornelius F.
Published: January 2007

The segregation and analysis of low‐abundance proteins from complex biological fluids requires serial application of separation techniques that can simultaneously fractionate and concentrate solutes. In general, these techniques belong either to the family of displacement methods, e.g., ITP, or to the gradient methods, e.g., gradient‐elution HPLC. IEF is a member of the subset of the gradient methods referred to as equilibrium gradient methods (EGM) and has the important property that, starting from an arbitrarily distributed initial state, evolves over time to a self‐sharpening, stationary steady state. Until the introduction of counteracting chromatographic electrophoresis by O'Farrell in 1985, IEF was the only known electrokinetic technique with this property. Today, the sub‐family of electrokinetic EGMs has at least half a dozen members and is slowly growing. This review describes some of the essential properties of the displacement methods, the EGMs and the non‐EGMs, showing how they can be applied in microelectromechanical systems platforms, how their performance can be predicted and how new members with orthogonal properties may be added to the EGM family.
Determination of runoff and sediment yield from a small watershed in sub‐humid subtropics using the HSPF model
Authors: Mishra Ashok , Kar S. , Singh V. P.
Published: January 2007

The Hydrologic Simulation Programme‐Fortran (HSPF), a hydrologic and water quality computer model, was employed for simulating runoff and sediment yield during the monsoon months (June–October) from a small watershed situated in a sub‐humid subtropical region of India. The model was calibrated using measured runoff and sediment yield data for the monsoon months of 1996 and was validated for the monsoon months of 2000 and 2001. During the calibration period, daily‐calibrated runoff had a Nash‐Sutcliffe efficiency (ENS) value of 0·68 and during the validation period it ranged from 0·44 to 0·67. For daily sediment yield ENS was 0·71 for the calibration period and it ranged from 0·68 to 0·90 for the validation period. Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the impact of important watershed characteristics. The model parameters obtained in this study could serve as reference values for model application in similar climatic regions, with practical implications in watershed planning and management and designing best management practices. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid and reliable biomechanical screening of injectable bone cements for autonomous augmentation of osteoporotic vertebral bodies: Appropriate values of elastic constants for finite element models
Authors: Lewis Gladius , Xu Jie
Published: January 2007

We performed finite element analysis studies on 3 three‐dimensional representations of a single vertebral body: a regular cube, made of low‐density polyurethane foam (foam cube analog); a regular cube considered composed of cancellous bone only (bone cube analog)); and the body of the L2 vertebra (full anatomical body model). Each finite element model was subjected to a compressive load of 2300 N, uniformly distributed over its superior surface. The cancellous and cortical bones were assigned anisotropic elastic properties, while the foam and the endplate material were considered to have isotropic properties. In each representation, the elastic properties of the material(s) were adjusted (from the initial values that were used) to give a stiffness of the representation that was equal to that of the mean result for fresh cadaveric osteoporotic single vertebral bodies, as obtained from ex vivo experimental studies reported in the literature (1226 ± 996 N mm−1). Thus, any one of these representations, when used with the final adjusted value(s) of the elastic constants and modified to include a cylindrical hole filled with a specific volume of bolus of an injected bone cement, may be utilized in the rapid and reliable experimental ex vivo and/or numerical screening of these cements for use in autonomous vertebral body augmentation. This approach has many advantages over those that are currently being used, which are either characterization of the cement in isolation from the vertebral body or use of cadaveric vertebral bodies. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2007
Loss of RB compromises specific heterochromatin modifications and modulates HP1α dynamics
Authors: Siddiqui Hasan , Fox Sejal R. , Gunawardena Ranjaka W. , Knudsen Erik S.
Published: January 2007

Heterochromatin domains are important for gene silencing, centromere organization, and genomic stability. These genomic domains are marked with specific histone modifications, heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) binding and DNA methylation. The retinoblastoma tumor suppressor, RB mediates transcriptional repression and functionally interacts with a number of factors that are involved in heterochromatin biology including HP1, Suv39h1, DNMT1, and components of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex. To analyze the specific influence of RB loss on chromatin modification, mouse adult fibroblasts (MAFs) derived from RbloxP/loxP mice were utilized to acutely knockout RB. In this setting, target genes of RB are deregulated. Additionally, changes in histone modifications were observed. Specifically, histone H4 lysine 20 trimethylation was absent from heterochromatin domains following loss of RB and there were changes in the relative levels of histone modifications between RB‐proficient and deficient cells. While RB loss significantly altered the modifications associated with heterochromatin domains, these domains were readily identified and efficiently mediated the recruitment of HP1α. Kinetic analyses of HP1α within the heterochromatin domains present in RB‐deficient cells indicated that loss of RB retarded HP1α dynamics, indicating that HP1α is paradoxically more tightly associated with heterochromatin in the absence of RB function. Combined, these analyses demonstrate that loss of RB has global effects on chromatin modifications and dynamics. J. Cell. Physiol. 211: 131–137, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
IRES complexity before IFN‐alpha treatment and evolution of the viral load at the early stage of treatment in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from chronic hepatitis C patients
Authors: Thélu M.A. , Leroy V. , Ramzan M. , Dufeu‐Duchesne T. , Marche P. , Zarski J.P.
Published: January 2007

At the early stage of treatment, IFN alpha‐2a induces inhibition of HCV replication. The viral load reflects mainly the degradation rate of the viruses. However, differences in the behavior of the viral population depend on changes, which occurred in the HCV‐IRES genome. In this study, cloning and sequencing strategies permitted the generation of a large number of IRES sequences from the PBMCs of 18 patients (5 women, 13 men) with chronic hepatitis C. The HCV IRES appeared to be highly conserved structurally. However, some variability was found between the different isolates obtained: 467 substitutions with a median of 7 variants/patients. No relationship was observed between pre‐treatment IRES complexity and the viral load at the beginning. However, on review of the evolution of viral load in the PBMCs during the first 3 days of IFN alpha‐2a treatment, patients could be classified into two groups: Group 1, in which the viral population continued to replicate and Group 2, in which the viral load decreased significantly (P = 0.01727). Positioning of the mutations on the predicted IRES secondary structure showed that the distribution of the mutations and their apparition frequency were different between the two groups. At the early stage of treatment, IFN alpha‐2a was efficient in reducing the viral replication in a significant number of patients; mechanisms of response might affect the virus directly. However, pre‐treatment genomic variations observed in the 5′NCR of HCV were not a parameter of a later response to antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients. (244) J. Med. Virol. 79:242–253, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantification of adenovirus species B and C viremia by real‐time PCR in adults and children undergoing stem cell transplantation
Authors: Takayama Rumiko , Hatakeyama Naoki , Suzuki Nobuhiro , Yamamoto Masaki , Hayashi Toshiaki , Ikeda Yukiho , Ikeda Hiroshi , Nagano Hideki , Ishida Tadao , Tsutsumi Hiroyuki
Published: January 2007

Adenovirus infection during stem cell transplantation is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Adenovirus species B and C have been the main causes for these infections; however, epidemiological details about the species are still unclear. To clarify the contributions of species B and C adenovirus, the DNA was tested serially by quantitative real‐time PCR in peripheral blood, stool and urine of 32 patients (16 adults and 16 children) undergoing stem cell transplantation. Adenovirus species B viremia was detected in 10 of 16 adult and 6 of 16 pediatric transplant recipients. Adenovirus species C viremia was also detected simultaneously in five adult and three pediatric recipients. The stool and urine of patients with adenovirus viremia were also positive for the same adenovirus species as in blood. In contrast, in none of 50 healthy adult controls was adenovirus species B or C viremia detected. Among patients who developed adenovirus viremia, one adult recipient developed disseminated disease and died from multiple organ failure. The remaining patients experienced fever of several degrees and/or diarrhea during the period of adenovirus viremia; however, they all recovered without antiviral therapy. The results indicated that stem cell transplantation was frequently associated with adenovirus species B or C viremia, although it did not always cause serious infectious complications. J. Med. Virol. 79:278–284, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Infection of human primary hepatocytes with dengue virus serotype 2
Authors: Suksanpaisan Lukkana , Cabrera‐Hernandez Arturo , Smith Duncan R.
Published: January 2007

While the impact of the dengue viruses on liver function is prominent as shown by hepatomegaly, liver enzyme abnormality, occasional fulminant hepatic failure and histological changes including hepatocellular necrosis, significant debate exists as to the possible involvement of the predominant cell type in the liver, hepatocytes, in the disease process. To address this issue purified human primary hepatocytes were exposed to dengue virus serotype 2 and the production of de novo viral progeny was established by standard plaque assay, RT‐PCR and immunocytochemistry. To investigate the response of the primary hepatocytes to infection, the expression of a panel of 9 cytokine genes (IFN‐β, TRAIL, MCP‐1, IL‐6, IL‐1β, IL‐8, MIP‐1α, MIP‐1β, and RANTES) was semi‐quantitatively investigated by RT‐PCR and up‐regulation of TRAIL, MIP‐1α, IFN‐β, MIP‐1β, IL‐8, and RANTES was observed in response to infection. The induction of IL‐8 in response to infection was accompanied by the secretion of IL‐8 as verified by ELISA assay. The ability of hepatocytes to be infected with dengue virus serotype 2 in vitro support evidence implicating human hepatocytes as a target cell in cases of dengue virus infection, and provide the first experimental evidence to support the large number of clinical studies that implicate the liver as a critical target organ in severe cases of dengue infection. J. Med. Virol. 79:300–307, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis and physicochemical properties of graft copolymer of corn starch and acrylamide
Authors: Chen Yanxiao , Liu Shaoying , Wang Gongying
Published: January 2007

Graft copolymerization of corn starch with acrylamide using ceric ammonium sulphate/citric acid initiation system has been studied under nitrogen atmosphere in aqueous medium. The grafting parameters are favored by increasing monomer concentration and reaction time but are affected by higher concentration of initiator and high temperature. The optimum conditions established for grafting were as follows: the concentration of initiator, 0.003 mol/L; the concentration of citric acid, 0.03 mol/L; monomer/starch, 1:1 feed ratio (w/w); reaction time, 3.0 h; and temperature, 35°C. The extent of grafting was examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. Both swelling power and solubility increased with the increase in temperature. Graft copolymerization increased swelling power and reduced solubility. Rapid visco‐analyzer pasting profile was studied. Graft copolymerization of corn starch results in high pasting temperature, high peak viscosity, and setback as compared with native starch. Breakdown was retarded at low percentage grafting (6.60%) but increased at high percentage grafting (60.27%). POLYM. COMPOS. 28:47–56, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Hybrid poly(ethylene terephthalate)/silica nanocomposites prepared by in‐situ polymerization
Authors: Lu Hong , Wang Hailun , Zheng Anna , Xiao Huining
Published: January 2007

The nanocomposites, based on hybrid poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/silica nanoparticles, were prepared via in‐situ condensation polymerization of terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol in the presence of silica nanoparticles pretreated with a silane coupling agent. Such a polymerization process ensured that the silica nanoparticles were well dispersed in PET matrix with the size ranging from 40 to 60 nm, which was confirmed by transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation. Attributed to the unique bonding between SiO2 nanoparticle and PET, the crystallization behavior of PET was improved significantly, at a low temperature in particular. To further explore the effects of silica nanoparticles on crystallization, extensive differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) measurements were performed in an attempt to reveal the impact of the morphology of the dispersed silica nanoparticle (i.e., sphere or gel‐like) on the peak temperature during melting as well as the amount of heat involved in crystallization. The influences of the structure of polyether glycol (PEG) used for PET preparation as well as the addition of glass fibres (GF) were also investigated using DSC. It was concluded that the synergy among silica nanoparticles, modified PEG, and GFs lowers both Tg and Tm of PET, thus facilitating the injection processes in application. POLYM. COMPOS. 28:42–46, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Long‐term psychosocial adjustment of older vs younger survivors of breast and endometrial cancer
Authors: Kornblith Alice B. , Powell Mark , Regan Meredith M. , Bennett Samantha , Krasner Carolyn , Moy Beverly , Younger Jerry , Goodman Annekathyrn , Berkowitz Ross , Winer Eric
Published: January 2007

Background: The study's objective was to test whether there were signfiicant differences in adjustment between younger and older breast and endometrial cancer survivors.

Methods: Two hundred and fifty‐two breast and endometrial cancer survivors participated in this study, ranging in age from either 18 to 55 years old or 65 years old or older. Survivors were interviewed by telephone at study entry and 12 months, using a battery of measures to assess their adjustment, physical functioning, and treatment‐related physical problems.

Results: With an average of 3.7 years since treatment completion, almost all survivors reported good adjustment to having had cancer. While most differences in psychosocial adjustment between groups were small, younger survivors reported significantly worse adaptation than older survivors, as measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS, p<0.0001), Appearance‐Orientation Scale (AOS, body image; p=0.02), Fear of Recurrence (p<0.0001), Distress about Long‐term Treatment‐Related Cancer Problems (p=0.01), and Number of Sexual Problems Attributed to Cancer (p<0.0001).

Conclusion: Survivors reported few cancer‐related problems with only a small subset reporting problems in adjustment. Although differences were small, younger cancer survivors reported significantly worse adaptation than older survivors. Much of the adaptation to having had cancer may have already occurred in long‐term survivors. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diagnostic value of serum antibodies in early Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in cystic fibrosis patients
Authors: Ratjen Felix , Walter Hanna , Haug Maria , Meisner Christoph , Grasemann Hartmut , Döring Gerd
Published: January 2007

Specific serum antibodies could be helpful in defining the status of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection as well as the response to early intervention treatment in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). We used 1,791 serum samples from 375 European CF patients with known respiratory microbiology status to define titers of P. aeruginosa antibodies directed against alkaline protease (AP), elastase (ELA), and exotoxin A (ExoA). Pseudomonas antibody titers were also measured in a separate cohort of 56 patients undergoing antibiotic treatment for eradication of P. aeruginosa. At a specificity of 97.5%, the sensitivity was highest for antibodies against AP (85.4%), followed by ELA (76.2%) and ExoA (72.0%). AP, ELA, or ExoA antibody titers were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in patients chronically infected with P. aeruginosa compared to patients with negative cultures. The sensitivity of the combined three ELISAs was higher than that for any single ELISA alone. Based on the newly defined cut‐off levels, positive serum antibody titers against at least one of the three antigens were present in 43% of patients with new onset of P. aeruginosa infection. Longitudinal assessment of antibody titers assessed before and after inhaled antibiotic therapy in patients with first P. aeruginosa isolation showed a significant decrease in antibody titers against AP and ExoA in patients clearing P. aeruginosa infection, whereas titers increased in patients in whom antibiotic therapy failed to eradicate the organism. Antibody testing against AP, ELA, and ExoA offers high sensitivity and specificity for the presence of P. aeruginosa in respiratory cultures of CF patients. Although serum antibody titers are on average low at the time of first P. aeruginosa isolation from respiratory specimens, they may be useful to monitor response to therapy. However, because variability between patients is considerable, treatment decisions should not be based on P. aeruginosa antibody levels alone. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2007; 42:249–255. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cytokine induction by respiratory syncytial virus and adenovirus in bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: Yoon Jong‐Seo , Kim Hyun‐Hee , Lee Yoon , Lee Joon‐Sung
Published: January 2007

In order to broaden our knowledge of the primary immune responses to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and adenovirus infections, we compared the concentrations of interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8, and regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) produced in vitro during RSV and adenovirus infections of bronchial epithelial cells. We infected BEAS‐2B cells—a human bronchial epithelial cell line—with RSV, adenovirus serotype 3, or serotype 7 and measured the concentrations of IL‐6, IL‐8, and RANTES in the cell culture supernatants. When the multiplicity of infection (MOI) was 1, RSV induced the production of markedly higher concentrations of IL‐6, IL‐8, and RANTES than the adenovirus. When the MOI of the adenovirus was increased to 100, the production of IL‐6 and IL‐8 increased. However, the amounts produced were still lower than those produced by RSV with the MOI of 1. There was no statistically significant increase in the production of RANTES in spite of the MOI of the adenovirus was increased to 100. Adenovirus serotype 7 induced the production of considerably more IL‐6 and IL‐8 than serotype 3 in the MOI of 100. However, neither adenovirus serotype triggered an increase in the production of RANTES in spite of the MOI of 100. This demonstrates that RSV could have a superior capacity to stimulate the production of IL‐6, IL‐8, and RANTES in the bronchial epithelial cells. This study may help to explain the differences in the clinical outcomes of RSV and adenovirus infections. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2007; 42:277–282. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impact of a new biopesticide produced by Paenibacillus sp. strain B2 on the genetic structure and density of soil bacterial communities
Authors: Selim Sameh , Martin‐Laurent Fabrice , Rouard Nadine , Gianinazzi Silvio , van Tuinen Diederik
Published: January 2007

The effect of paenimyxin, a new biopesticide produced by Paenibacillus sp. strain B2, on the density of soil bacterial communities was assessed by colony counting and by 16S rDNA and nirK quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Paenimyxin had a negative effect on the bacterial colony‐forming unit (CFU) number, which was significantly reduced 2 and 4 days after treatment. The effect of paenimyxin on cultivatable bacteria was negligible 7 days after treatment. Approximately 107 16S rDNA sequences per gram of soil (dry weight) were detected by quantitative PCR in all samples. Paenimyxin did not affect the quantification of 16S rDNA or of the denitrifying bacterial community. In addition, RISA fingerprinting showed that the genetic structure of the bacterial communities was significantly modified 2 days after paenimyxin application at 50 µM and 4 days after treatment at lower concentrations (0.5 and 5 µM). The impact of paenimyxin treatment on the genetic structure of soil bacterial communities was transient, as no effect could be observed after 7, 14 and 28 days when compared with the untreated control. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Discovering natural kinds of robot sensory experiences in unstructured environments
Authors: Grollman Daniel H. , Jenkins Odest Chadwicke , Wood Frank
Published: January 2007

We address the symbol grounding problem for robot perception through a data‐driven approach to deriving categories from robot sensor data. Unlike model‐based approaches, where human intuitive correspondences are sought between sensor readings and features of an environment (corners, doors, etc.), our method learns intrinsic categories (or natural kinds) from the raw data itself. We approximate a manifold underlying sensor data using Isomap nonlinear dimension reduction and apply Bayesian clustering (Gaussian mixture models) with model identification techniques to discover categories (or kinds). We demonstrate our method through the learning of sensory kinds from trials in various indoor and outdoor environments with different sensor modalities. Learned kinds are then used to classify new sensor data (out‐of‐sample readings). We present results indicating greater consistency in classifying sensor data employing mixture models in nonlinear low‐dimensional embeddings. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The DARPA LAGR program: Goals, challenges, methodology, and phase I results
Authors: Jackel L. D. , Krotkov Eric , Perschbacher Michael , Pippine Jim , Sullivan Chad
Published: January 2007

The DARPA Learning Applied to Ground Vehicles (LAGR) program is accelerating progress in autonomous, perception‐based, off‐road navigation in unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) by incorporating learned behaviors. In addition, the program is using passive optical systems to accomplish long‐range scene analysis. By combining long‐range perception with learned behavior, LAGR expects to make a qualitative break with the myopic, brittle behavior that characterizes most UGV autonomous navigation in unstructured environments. The very nature of testing navigation in unstructured, off‐road environments makes accurate, objective measurement of progress a challenging task. While no absolute measure of performance has been defined by LAGR, the Government Team managing the program has created a relative measure: the Government Team tests navigation software by comparing its effectiveness to that of fixed, but state‐of‐the‐art, navigation software running on a standardized vehicle on a series of varied test courses. Starting in March 2005, eight performers have been submitting navigation code for Government testing on such a standardized Government vehicle. As this text is being written, several teams have already demonstrated leaps in performance. In this paper we report observations on the state of the art in autonomous, off‐road UGV navigation, we explain how LAGR intends to change current methods, we discuss the challenges we face in implementing technical aspects of the program, we describe early results, and we suggest where major opportunities for breakthroughs exist as LAGR progresses. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electronic structure of SP2 trap states in amorphous carbon
Authors: Fotopoulos N. , Xanthakis J. P.
Published: January 2007

Amorphous carbon, a‐C:H, contains an unusually high number of defect states, typically 1019/cm3. These states play a major role in the process of field electron emission from a‐C:H since they inhibit (by trapping) the transport of electrons from the cathode to the amorphous carbon film/vacuum interface. In this paper we examine the electronic structure of two of these defects, the pentagon–heptagon pair and a broken carbon double bond (by the addition of one hydrogen at one of the two carbon atoms). These defects are expected to be found in a graphitic environment in a‐C:H. To obtain their electronic structure, we construct large enough graphitic clusters, embed the defects at their center and then use typical semiempirical quantum chemical methods such as the PM3 method—which is a parameterized Hartree–Fock method—to calculate the energy levels in the gap and the binding energies. Both defects produce energy levels just above the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of the graphite levels, but the pentagon–heptagon pair has a much higher binding energy, making it more stable. From the difference in binding energy, we conclude that the pentagon–heptagon pair is far more stable. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Local electric field and enhancement factor around nanographitic structures embedded in amorphous carbon
Authors: Kokkorakis G. C. , Xanthakis J. P.
Published: January 2007

Amorphous pure sp2 bonding carbon films are believed to contain elongated or columnar regions of graphitic character. Although these regions must be very rare, as all molecular dynamics simulations show, they have a profound effect on the field emission capability of this flat material because they provide an internal field‐enhancement mechanism. In this paper, we calculate the internal local field around such columnar regions, with the additional restriction that they do not make contact with the cathode; otherwise the problem has a well‐known solution. Our problem is physically and mathematically more complicated, as now the ‘metallic region’ surface is not equipotential with the cathode. We have managed to solve it by requiring that the total charge on the columnar metallic structure is zero. Our findings show that such regions produce an enhancement factor that is a fraction (typically 0.5) of the known ratio h/r (h = height and r = radius). As these structures become longer and approach the cathode, this fraction increases towards unity, but not linearly. A sudden jump occurs when contact with the cathode is established. The most interesting result is the following: Just before contact with the cathode, the local field at the cathode‐facing end of such a structure increases considerably above the value h/r. The physical ramifications of these results are discussed, especially in relation to emission onset. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An improved reconstruction procedure for the correction of local magnification effects in three‐dimensional atom‐probe
Authors: De Geuser F. , Lefebvre W. , Danoix F. , Vurpillot F. , Forbord B. , Blavette D.
Published: January 2007

A new 3DAP reconstruction procedure is proposed that accounts for the evaporation field of a secondary phase. It applies the existing cluster selection software to identify the atoms of the second phase and, subsequently, an iterative algorithm to homogenise the volume laterally. This procedure, easily implementable on existing reconstruction software, has been applied successfully on simulated and real 3DAP analyses. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Towards the three‐dimensional field ion microscope
Authors: Vurpillot F. , Gilbert M. , Deconihout B.
Published: January 2007

Three‐dimensional field ion microscope (FIM) images have been reconstructed using the successive images of an FIM movie. This capability opens a new dimension to the observation with the FIM of various crystallographic features, such as vacancies, dislocations, grain boundaries or precipitates. By piling up the images in a 3D matrix, darkly imaging precipitates in an AlSm alloy are reconstructed in three dimensions. The resolution of the instrument is proved to be better than 0.05 nm in depth and 0.3 nm laterally in favourable cases. This enables a dislocation in Fe to be observed in 3D. Raw reconstructions are, however, slightly distorted. Atomic lines are curved because the basic reconstruction method does not fully take into account the shape of the sample tip. An improved reconstruction method is proposed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Toward a laser assisted wide‐angle tomographic atom‐probe
Authors: Deconihout B. , Vurpillot F. , Gault B. , Da Costa G. , Bouet M. , Bostel A. , Blavette D. , Hideur A. , Martel G. , Brunel M.
Published: January 2007

This paper reports preliminary results showing that the use of femtosecond laser pulses enables the field evaporation of single atoms, from specimens with a tip‐like shape, without significant specimen heating. It is shown that the field evaporation is assisted by the laser field, which is enhanced by the sub wavelength dimensions of the tip. It is also shown that laser pulsing leads to a high mass resolution, making the use of energy compensating devices in a wide‐angle three‐dimensional atom‐probe ineffectual. In addition, the performances of a position‐sensitive detector that fulfills the wide‐angle 3DAP requirements are presented. The emergence of the third generation of tomographic atom‐probe with (i) wide‐angle analysis capabilities and (ii) a field of application that is extended to poor conductive or insulating materials is then discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microchemical characterization of phases in Inconel 706 and DT 706 alloys after aging
Authors: Kindrachuk V. , Wanderka N. , Banhart J. , Mukherji D. , Del Genovese D. , Rösler J.
Published: January 2007

The microchemical characterization of Inconel 706 and its modification DT 706 was studied after aging at 750 °C for 5000 h and 750 h, respectively. Characterization of the precipitates and the matrix was carried out by three‐dimensional atom probe and by transmission electron microscopy.

The γ′‐ and γ″‐precipitates grow in DT 706 alloy after aging for 750 h. At this stage, the intragranular nucleation of the η‐phase also takes place. Decrease of Ti content in the γ′‐phase of about 4.5 at.% and decrease of Nb in the γ″‐phase of 4 at.% were measured and compared with the unaged Inconel 706. After 5000 h aging time, only the η‐plates remain in Inconel 706 embedded in the matrix. The volume fraction of the matrix increases up to 93% in comparison with the unaged alloy. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
3D atom probe investigation of (Fe/Dy) magnetic multilayers
Authors: Tamion A. , Cadel E. , Bordel C. , Blavette D.
Published: January 2007

(Fe 3nm/Dy 2nm)30 multilayers were deposited at 300 and 600 K by thermal evaporation under ultrahigh vacuum on (111) oriented Si substrates and investigated by SQUID magnetometry. Their hysteresis loops show that the magnetic properties strongly depend on the deposition temperature, since the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) is much higher for the sample deposited at 600 K. To understand this phenomenon, a careful investigation of the structure and chemistry of the multilayers was carried out using a 3D atom probe. Some (Fe/Dy) multilayers were deposited on W tips at room temperature and analysed by tomographic atom probe. A 3D reconstruction and a composition profile were obtained, which made it possible to observe the structure and composition of the multilayer at the atomic scale. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regulation of Foxo‐1 and the angiopoietin‐2/Tie2 system by shear stress
Authors: Chlench Sven , Mecha Disassa Nigussie , Hohberg Margret , Hoffmann Christian , Pohlkamp Theresa , Beyer Gabriele , Bongrazio Mauro , Da Silva-Azevedo Luis , Baum Oliver , Pries Axel Radlach , Zakrzewicz Andreas
Published: January 2007

Transcription factor Foxo‐1 can be inactivated via Akt‐mediated phosphorylation. Since shear stress activates Akt, we determined whether Foxo‐1 and the Foxo‐1‐dependent, angiogenesis‐related Ang‐2/Tie2‐system are influenced by shear stress in endothelial cells. Expression of Foxo‐1 and its target genes p27Kip1 and Ang‐2 was decreased under shear stress (6 dyn/cm2, 24 h), nuclear exclusion of Foxo‐1 by phosphorylation increased. eNOS and Tie2 were upregulated. No effects on Ang‐1 expression were detected. In conclusion, Foxo‐1 and Ang‐2/Tie2 are part of the molecular response to shear stress, which may regulate angiogenesis.
Endoscopic bronchial anatomy in the cat
Authors: Caccamo Roberta , Twedt David C. , Buracco Paolo , McKiernan Brendan C.
Published: January 2007

The aim of this paper is to define the endoscopic bronchial anatomy of the cat and to adapt these findings to the bronchoscopic nomenclature previously described for the dog by Amis and McKiernan (Amis TC, McKiernan BC (1986) Systematic identification of endobronchial anatomy during bronchoscopy in the dog. American Journal of Veterinary Research47(12), 2649–2657). In this study, the normal endoscopic bronchial anatomy was identified based on analysis of 10 air-dried feline lungs, two euthanased and eight healthy anesthetized cats using either a rigid or a flexible endoscope. Endoscopic photographs were taken during the examinations in the anesthetized cats for a photographic atlas. Corrosion casts were made from the 10 air-dried lungs to confirm the anatomy identified by bronchoscopy. With the results of our findings a bronchoscopic map of the feline bronchial tree and a photographic bronchoscopic atlas of the healthy cat were made.
Effects of the stockperson on dairy cow behaviour and milk yield
Authors: Hanna D. , Sneddon I. A. , Beattie V. E. , Breuer K.
Published: January 2007

The relationship between stockperson behaviour, measured as verbal and physical interactions with the dairy cows (no.=210), during milking and the subsequent milk yield obtained was examined. The numbers of steps and kicks made by the cows during milking was recorded. The behaviour of two stockteams, each consisting of two stockmen, were recorded over 10 weekend sessions. The two teams varied in the types of interactions and when the stockteam that performed more positive interactions worked with the cows (team A), the cows had a significantly higher milk yield (P<0·05) although this difference was small (17·54 v. 17·44 kg). When team A was milking the cows also stepped and kicked on the platform significantly more (P<0·05) compared with team B. The results also indicated that while each stockteam tended to interact with the same cows each session, different stockpersons interacted with different cows. These findings highlight the importance of the rôle of the stockperson in milk output and dairy cow behaviour in a commercial setting.
Fluctuation and criteria of porcine fat firmness
Authors: Nishioka T. , Irie M.
Published: January 2007

Fat quality, in particular, firmness is a main contributor to meat appearance, shelf life, taste, and human health. The current study was conducted to examine the fluctuation and criteria of porcine fat firmness. Several physiochemical methods were performed on 237 porcine perirenal fat samples that were obtained randomly from a commercial market. The relationship between perirenal fat and the middle subcutaneous fat layer was investigated to predict carcass fat quality. Each physiochemical property of the perirenal fat showed considerable variation as a 40-fold difference in firmness was observed between the most extreme samples. Differences between these extremes were 19°C in melting point, 0·0043 for refractive index, and 18 g per 100 g fatty acid methyl esters for saturated fatty acids (SFA) concentration. Strong curvilinear relationships were found between Instron and sensory firmness scores (R=0·90–0·96, no.=24). On the basis of these relationships, classification of the perirenal fats obtained from the commercial market was defined. Fats possessing firmness values of less than 7 N have undesirable fat quality, whereas fat samples with values greater than 16 N were not popular in the market. From these data, we conclude that fats of 7–16 N in firmness value were preferred by consumers. Firmness values of perirenal fat samples correlated significantly with the stearic acid (C18:0) and SFA concentrations of samples of the middle subcutaneous fat layer (r=0·68, 0·57, P<0·01). These results indicate that there are wide fluctuations in the porcine fat quality, and that fats ranging in Instron firmness values between 7 and 16 N are most acceptable to consumers. And, subcutaneous fat may prove to be a valuable indicator of whole body pork fat quality.
Capillary spreading of a droplet in the partially wetting regime using a diffuse-interface model
Authors: KHATAVKAR V. V. , ANDERSON P. D. , MEIJER H. E. H.
Published: January 2007

The spreading of a liquid droplet on a smooth solid surface in the partially wetting regime is studied using a diffuse-interface model based on the Cahn--Hilliard theory. The model is extended to include non-90$^{\circ}$contact angles. The diffuse-interface model considers the ambient fluid displaced by the droplet while spreading as a liquid. The governing equations of the model for the axisymmetric case are solved numerically using a finite-spectral-element method. The viscosity of the ambient fluid is found to affect the time scale of spreading, but the general spreading behaviour remains unchanged. The wettability expressed in terms of the equilibrium contact angle is seen to influence the spreading kinetics from the early stages of spreading. The results show agreement with the experimental data reported in the literature.
Structure of thermal boundary layers in turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection
Authors: DU PUITS R. , RESAGK C. , TILGNER A. , BUSSE F. H. , THESS A.
Published: January 2007

We report high-resolution local-temperature measurements in the upper boundary layer of turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard (RB) convection with variable Rayleigh number Ra and aspect ratio Γ. The primary purpose of the work is to create a comprehensive data set of temperature profiles against which various phenomenological theories and numerical simulations can be tested. We performed two series of measurements for air (Pr = 0.7) in a cylindrical container, which cover a range from Ra≈109 to Ra≈1012 and from Γ≈1 to Γ≈10. In the first series Γ was varied while the temperature difference was kept constant, whereas in the second series the aspect ratio was set to its lowest possible value, Γ=1.13, and Ra was varied by changing the temperature difference. We present the profiles of the mean temperature, root-mean-square (r.m.s.) temperature fluctuation, skewness and kurtosis as functions of the vertical distance z from the cooling plate. Outside the (very short) linear part of the thermal boundary layer the non-dimensional mean temperature Θ is found to scale as Θ(z)∼zα, the exponent α≈0.5 depending only weakly on Ra and Γ. This result supports neither Prandtl's one-third law nor a logarithmic scaling law for the mean temperature. The r.m.s. temperature fluctuation σ is found to decay with increasing distance from the cooling plate according to σ(z)∼zβ, where the value of β is in the range -0.30>β>-0.42 and depends on both Ra and Γ. Priestley's β=−1/3 law is consistent with this finding but cannot explain the variation in the scaling exponent. In addition to profiles we also present and discuss boundary-layer thicknesses, Nusselt numbers and their scaling with Ra and Γ.