bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three-Dimensional Morphology of the Palate in Subjects with Unilateral Complete Cleft Lip and Palate at the Stage of Permanent Dentition
Authors: Šmahel Zbynek , Trefný Pavel , Formánek Pavel , Müllerová Živa , Peterka Miroslav
Published: January 2007

Objective

Three-dimensional analysis of palate size and shape in patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) at the stage of permanent dentition.

Subjects

Thirty randomly selected dental casts of boys approximately 15 years old with complete UCLP and 28 dental casts of normal boys of the same age.

Interventions

All patients underwent lip repair according to Tennison with primary periosteoplasty (mean age 8.5 months) and palate repair by pushback and pharyngeal flap surgery (mean age 4.9 years).

Main Outcome Measures

Data on the palate height in 210 defined locations.

Results

The palate in patients with UCLP was narrower throughout its whole extent, more anteriorly than posteriorly. From the canines posteriorly, it was also lower, and the difference as compared with controls increased in a posterior direction up to the level of second premolars (up to 30%) and then slightly diminished (to 21% between the first molars). The reduction of area of transverse sections reached 45% between premolars and 39% between first molars. The palate in the anterior portion was highest on the cleft side and in a posterior direction the maximum height of the palate shifted toward the midline and even beyond that line toward the noncleft side. Palatal height did not depend on dentoalveolar arch width.

Conclusion

The smaller width and height of the palate confirm the substantially reduced space for the tongue in patients with UCLP. The reduction is only slightly larger than in previously examined patients with isolated cleft palate. Palatal vault is asymmetrical, highest anteriorly on the cleft side and posteriorly on the noncleft side.
Multilineage Differentiation and Characterization of the Human Fetal Osteoblastic 1.19 Cell Line: A Possible In Vitro Model of Human Mesenchymal Progenitors
Authors: Yen Men-luh , Chien Chih-Cheng , Chiu Ing-ming , Huang Hsing-I , Chen Yao-Chang , Hu Hsin-I , Yen B. Linju
Published: January 2007

The in vitro study of human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMMSCs) has largely depended on the use of primary cultures. Although these are excellent model systems, their scarcity, heterogeneity, and limited lifespan restrict their usefulness. This has led researchers to look for other sources of MSCs, and recently, such a population of progenitor/stem cells has been found in mesodermal tissues, including bone. We therefore hypothesized that a well-studied and commercially available clonal human osteoprogenitor cell line, the fetal osteoblastic 1.19 cell line (hFOB), may have multilineage differentiation potential. We found that undifferentiated hFOB cells possess similar cell surface markers as BMMSCs and also express the embryonic stem cell-related pluripotency gene, Oct-4, as well as the neural progenitor marker nestin. hFOB cells can also undergo multilineage differentiation into the mesodermal lineages of chondrogenic and adipocytic cell types in addition to its predetermined pathway, the mature osteoblast. Moreover, as with BMMSCs, under neural-inducing conditions, hFOB cells acquire a neural-like phenotype. This human cell line has been a widely used model of normal osteoblast differentiation. Our data suggest that hFOB cells may provide for researchers an easily available, homogeneous, and consistent in vitro model for study of human mesenchymal progenitor cells.
Integrable three-dimensional coupled nonlinear dynamical systems related to centrally extended operator Lie algebras and their Lax type three-linearization
Authors: Golenia J. , Hentosh O. , Prykarpatsky A.
Published: January 2007

The Hamiltonian representation for a hierarchy of Lax type equations on a dual space to the Lie algebra of integro-differential operators with matrix coefficients, extended by evolutions for eigenfunctions and adjoint eigenfunctions of the corresponding spectral problems, is obtained via some special Bäcklund transformation. The connection of this hierarchy with integrable by Lax two-dimensional Davey-Stewartson type systems is studied.
A family of regular vertex operator algebras with two generators
Authors: Adamović Dražen
Published: January 2007

For every m ∈ ℂ ∖ {0, −2} and every nonnegative integer k we define the vertex operator (super)algebra D
m,k having two generators and rank
$$\frac{{3m}}{{m + 2}}$$
. If m is a positive integer then D
m,k can be realized as a subalgebra of a lattice vertex algebra. In this case, we prove that D
m,k is a regular vertex operator (super) algebra and find the number of inequivalent irreducible modules.
Effect of a minor vitamin A deficiency on the course of infection with Ascaridia galli (Schrank, 1788) and the resistance of chickens
Authors: Idi A. , Permin A. , Jensen S. , Murrell K.
Published: January 2007

The effect of vitamin A deficiency was studied in chickens infected with 500 Ascaridia galli eggs and controls. Diet 1 (deficient, 500 IU vitamin A or 172 μg retinol acetate per kg diet), Diet 2 (deficient, 1000 IU vitamin A or 344 μg retinol acetate per kg diet) and Diet 3 (sufficient, 1500 IU vitamin A or 516 μg retinol acetate per kg diet) were assigned to 46 chickens each. Clinical signs, weight gains, livers’ weights, vitamin A levels, worm burdens and parasite eggs’ excretions were recorded.

Infected chickens had lower weight gains than the controls fed alike. Chickens given Diet 1 stored lesser vitamin A in liver than those fed Diet 3. Although worm counts in the 3 groups did not differ significantly, chickens fed Diet 1 excreted more A. galli eggs than those fed the 2 other diets. Female worms harboured by chickens fed Diet 1 had higher fecundity at week 5 pi than those of chickens fed Diet 2. Results indicated that Vitamin A is important for poultry in the moderation of the infection with A. galli.
Elegance in the Age of Digital Technique
Authors: Rahim Ali , Jamelle Hina
Published: January 2007

Ali Rahim and Hina Jamelle of Contemporary Architecture Practice introduce this issue of AD by exploring how elegance represents a maturity in digital design practice. In order to undertake this new level of formal sophistication, mastery of technique and innate creative ability have to be combined with a multilayered design complexity. It is only then that the architect is able to fully tackle the multiple constraints and external demands of a project in gestation. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Frozen Void: The Elegant Affect of the Evolved Object
Authors: Sotamaa Kivi
Published: January 2007

The notion of elegance tends to focus on the finished object ‐ the complete and seamless work ‐ rather than the expression of process per se. Here, Kivi Sotamaa shows how he set out with his Frozen Void ‘to achieve an elegant affect in the evolved object’. In so doing, he reveals how this type of intensification is, in fact, fundamental to the emergence of the new elegance, where intensity renders a greater potential for features within the surface to emerge to different parameters. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Arguing for Elegance
Authors: Schumacher Patrik
Published: January 2007

Patrik Schumacher of Zaha Hadid Architects describes how elegance in architecture thrives on and articulates complexity. For elegance to be fully expressed in any work, it must be mastered and refined throughout the building and construction process. This entails the refinement of spatial and structural organisation and the integration of all building systems that are systemic, inflecting and adapt to each other, providing an overall intelligence of assembly. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface Continuity: An Elegant Integration
Authors: Rahim Ali , Jamelle Hina
Published: January 2007

Elegance in architecture owes much to a finely honed calibration of scale. Ali Rahim and Hina Jamelle describe how Greg Lynn FORM's designs for the DADA SpA competition in Florence and the BMW Leipzig Factory express a sophisticated understanding of the relationship of individual parts to the whole. In both projects, a carefully modulated family of interrelated parts anticipate future users' desire for spatial flexibility. The scale also allows for changes and transformations in surfaces' form. Smooth transitions are assured by material suppleness and enhanced by atmospheric artificial lighting. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Elegance, Attenuation, and Geometry: Herta and Paul Amir Building, Tel Aviv Museum of Art
Authors: Scott Cohen Preston
Published: January 2007

Preston Scott Cohen explores the elegant through the eye of projective geometry. He finds ‘fruitful lessons’ in the architecture of the Baroque, which offers a historical model of anamorphosis (the extreme perspectival condition in which an image appears distorted) and tectonic distortion. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Economies of Elegance Migrating Coastlines: Residential Tower, Dubai
Authors: Rahim Ali , Jamelle Hina
Published: January 2007

Ali Rahim and Hina Jamelle of Contemporary Architecture Practice describe how they have been able to design distinct features into their residential tower in Dubai that imbue its complex architecture with a rich aesthetic sensibility. Their skilful use of the digital algorithm has enabled them not only to develop interrelated models that allow for the collaboration of different industries, but also to deliver elegance to a construction budget. It is a design strategy that has further assisted in the development and implementation of innovative marketing techniques for the sale of individual apartments. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performing Elegance
Authors: Rashid Hani
Published: January 2007

At the level of global culture, the impact of elegant buildings is magnified where there is a seamless integration of complex parts and fabrication expressed through a mastery of techniques and transformative set of features. Hani Rashid of Asymptote explains how, in working at an international scale, the practice is now seeking to propagate innovative design through a ‘developed understanding of the multiple levels of local responses that affect both local and global conditions’. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
(K)not a Loop
Authors: Yoon Meejin
Published: January 2007

For Meejin Yoon of MY Studio the creation of a Möbius‐strip dress was an opportunity to explore ‘surface as a seamless transformative condition between interior and exterior’. It is a piece that through its differentiation and continuity of surface provides a wholly architectural interpretation of the elegant. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New River Village
Authors: Stewart Bruce
Published: January 2007

Social affordable housing is so often the poor relation of any private development, allocated the poorest plot with the least attractive aspect. Bruce Stewart describes how at Hornsey in north London, Stock Woolstencroft has transcended these problems with considerate spatial organisation and security management. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Terence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research
Authors: Stanwick Sean
Published: January 2007

In 2006, the spotlight has very much been on the Modern Movement, with the major exhibition at the V&A in London ‐ ‘Modernism: Designing a New World 1914‐1936’. Here, Edward Denison describes how Giuseppe Pettazzi's Fiat Tagliero service station in Asmara in Eritrea, East Africa, epitomised Italy's futuristic ambitions for a new colony. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A real reason for patients with pseudobulbar affect to smile
Authors: Rosen Howard J. , Cummings Jeffrey
Published: January 2007

Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is a dramatic disorder of emotional expression and regulation characterized by uncontrollable episodes of laughing and crying that often cause embarrassment, curtailment of social activities, and reduction in quality of life. The disorder occurs in patients with brain injury caused by many types of neurological disease, including stroke, tumors, and neurodegenerative gray and white matter disorders. Although the pathophysiology is unknown, PBA may relate to release of brainstem emotional control centers from regulation by the frontal lobes. Diagnosis of PBA can be difficult and relies on careful characterization of episodes and differentiation from depression. Although there are no US Food and Drug Administration–approved treatments for PBA, several agents have been shown to be effective, including tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and a new agent containing dextromethorphan and quinidine. The growing number of treatment options, some of great benefit to patients, highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis of this disorder. Ann Neurol 2007
1,3‐Dipolare Cycloaddition von Aziden und Alkinen: eine universelle Ligationsmethode in den Polymer‐ und Materialwissenschaften
Authors: Lutz Jean‐François
Published: January 2007

Im Jahr 2001 stellten K. Barry Sharpless und Mitarbeiter in der Angewandten Chemie das Konzept der Klick‐Chemie vor, die eine Handvoll annähernd perfekt ablaufender chemischer Reaktionen umfasst. Unter diesen sorgfältig ausgewählten Reaktionen stellten sich 1,3‐dipolare Cycloadditionen nach Huisgen als die effizientesten und wandlungsfähigsten Reaktionen heraus und avancierten damit zum Paradebeispiel für die Klick‐Chemie. Aus diesem Grund erlangte dieser ursprünglich vernachlässigte Reaktionstyp plötzlich große Bedeutung in der organischen Synthese; speziell in den Materialwissenschaften wurden Cycloadditionen populär. Innerhalb der letzten zwei Jahre stieg die Zahl der Publikationen, die sich mit dem Thema Klick‐Chemie befassen, exponentiell an. Klick‐Chemie: Ein Wundermittel oder ein kurzlebiger Trend?
Shape‐ and Functionality‐Controlled Organization of TiO2–Porphyrin–C60 Assemblies for Improved Performance of Photochemical Solar Cells
Authors: Hasobe Taku , Fukuzumi Shunichi , Hattori Shigeki , Kamat Prashant V.
Published: January 2007

Shape‐ and functionality‐controlled organization of porphyrin derivatives–C60 supramolecular assemblies using TiO2 nanotubes and nanoparticles has been achieved for the development of photochemical solar cells. The differences in the efficiency of light‐energy conversion of these solar cells are explained on the basis of the geometrical orientation of the porphyrins with respect to the TiO2 surface and the supramolecular complex formed with C60. The maximum photon‐conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 60 % obtained with TiO2 nanotube architecture is higher than the value obtained with nanoparticle architecture. The results presented in this study show the importance of substrate morphology in promoting electron transport within the mesoscopic semiconductor film.
Effect of the electrical currents generated by the intestinal smooth muscle layers on pancreatic enzyme activity: An in vitro study
Authors: Dąbek Marta , Podgurniak Paweł , Piedra Jose L. Valverde , Szymańczyk Sylwia , Filip Rafał , Wojtasz‐Pająk Anna , Werpachowska Eliza , Podgurniak Malgorzata , Pierzynowski Stefan G.
Published: January 2007

Gut enzymes in the small intestine are exposed to extremely low electrical currents (ELEC) generated by the smooth muscle. In the present study, the in vitro tests were undertaken to evaluate the effect of these electric currents on the activity of the proteolytic pancreatic digestive enzymes. A simulator generating the typical electrical activity of pig gut was used for these studies. The electric current emitted by the simulator was transmitted to the samples, containing enzyme and its substrate, using platinum plate electrodes. All samples were incubated at 37 °C for 1 h. The changes in optical density, corresponding to enzyme activity, in samples stimulated for 1 h with ELEC was compared with that not exposed to ELEC. The obtained results show that the electrical current with the characteristics of the myoelectrical migrating complex (MMC) has an influence on pancreatic enzyme activity. Increased endopeptidase and reduced exopeptidase activity was noticed in samples treated with ELEC. This observation can be of important as analyzed factors which can alter enzymatic activity of the gut, can thus also affect feed/food digestibility. Bioelectromagnetics 28:275–280, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impact of three‐dimensional characteristics of the left main coronary artery bifurcation on outcome of crush stenting
Authors: Murasato Yoshinobu
Published: January 2007

Background: Crush stenting with drug‐eluting stents is used to treat left main coronary artery (LMCA) bifurcations. However, the rate of restenosis at the left circumflex (LCX) artery ostium is high. The impact of the three‐dimensional (3D) structure of LMCA bifurcation on the outcome of crush stenting with respect to restenosis has not been described. Objectives: This study examined the stent expansion, deformity, overlapping, and apposition after crush stenting of LMCA bifurcations. Methods: Bare metal stents were crushed at LMCA bifurcations in a 3D model that reproduced actual angles, such that the stent deployed from the LMCA to the left anterior descending (LAD) artery crushed the stent deployed from the LMCA to the LCX, followed by kissing balloon inflation. The stents were inspected under fluoroscopy and endoscopy. The effect of the bifurcation angle on stent expansion was also examined. Results: In the 3D model, one stent overlapped the other in the distal LMCA, in contrast to the nearly parallel position of the stents observed in a separate two‐dimensional model. When the LAD stent overlapped the LCX stent, the latter was crushed on the myocardial side of the vessel, and an unstented segment was observed on the nonmyocardial side, at the LCX ostium. When the overlap was reversed, the LCX stent was crushed on the nonmyocardial side and an unstented segment was observed on the myocardial side. A narrow LMCA–LCX angle was associated with less expansion of the LCX stent at the ostium than more distally, and with a higher likelihood of incomplete stent apposition. Conclusions: Overlap of the LAD stent over, as opposed to under, the LCX stent was associated with close apposition of the stent to the vessel on the myocardial side, at the ostium of the LCX artery, where atherosclerotic plaques are likely to be present. The spatial plaque burden and bifurcation angle should be closely examined before crush stenting, and segments should not be left unstented over large plaques. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A practical guide for solid‐state NMR distance measurements in proteins
Authors: Kovacs Frank A. , Fowler Daniel J. , Gallagher Gregory J. , Thompson Lynmarie K.
Published: January 2007

Rotational resonance (R2) and rotational echo double resonance (REDOR) are powerful solid‐state NMR techniques that can be applied in a site‐directed fashion for precise distance measurements in proteins. These tools are well suited for systems in which a few precise distance measurements are needed to understand a mechanism or map a binding site, particularly if this information is unavailable from x‐ray crystallography or solution NMR, as is often the case for membrane proteins. Strategies and challenges in the design and implementation of such experiments are described and illustrated with experiments probing mechanisms of transmembrane signaling in bacterial chemotaxis receptors. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 30A: 21–39, 2007.
Computing and fitting SSNMR powder patterns with the arithmetic‐geometric mean and edge detection
Authors: Denny J.K. , Daniel M.B. , Kovacs F. A.
Published: January 2007

This article presents a highly efficient technique for approximating the ideal SSNMR powder pattern using the arithmetic‐geometric mean and demonstrates finding an initial fitting of the ideal powder pattern to an experimental spectrum via Marr‐Hildreth edge detection. In particular, the edge detection approach is used to identify possible values for the principal values of the chemical shielding tensor. These possibilities are then evaluated using a heuristic approach for choosing the best estimates of the principal values based on a measure of edge strength and the sign of the third derivative of the broadened experimental spectrum. We present a detailed mathematical development of the ideal SSNMR powder spectrum and of the arithmetic geometric mean and summarize the fundamental ideas of line broadening and edge detection. The algorithms in this article are demonstrated in a program supplied in the appendix and are applied to experimental data from [13C1]‐leucine. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 30A: 1–20, 2007.
An analytical study on optimizing the lookup performance of distributed hash table systems under churn
Authors: Wu Di , Tian Ye , Ng Kam Wing
Published: January 2007

The phenomenon of system churn degrades the lookup performance of distributed hash table (DHT) systems greatly. To handle the churn, a number of approaches have been proposed to date. However, there is a lack of theoretical analysis to direct how to make design choices under different churn rates and how to configure their parameters optimally. In this paper, we analytically study three important aspects on optimizing DHT lookup performance under churn, i.e. lookup strategy, lookup parallelism and lookup key replication. Our objective is to build a theoretical basis for designers to make better design choices in the future. We first compare the performance of two representative lookup strategies—recursive routing and iterative routing—and explore the existence of better alternatives. Then we study the effectiveness of lookup parallelism in systems with different churn rates and show how to select the optimal degree of parallelism. Owing to the importance of key replication on lookup performance, we also analyze the reliability of the replicated key under two different replication policies, and show how to perform proper configuration. Besides the analytical study, our results are also validated by simulation, and Kad is taken as a case to show the meaningfulness of our analysis. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fundamental frequency extraction method based on the p‐th power of amplitude spectrum with band limitation
Authors: Shimamura Tetsuya , Takagi Hiroshi
Published: January 2007

The extraction of the fundamental frequency of speech is an important issue in many speech processing fields. In this paper, we propose a fundamental frequency extraction method based on the power of the amplitude spectrum in the bandwidth where the fundamental frequency is present. This method varies the power of the amplitude spectrum depending on the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) of the input speech signal in each analysis frame. Therefore, in a white noise environment, this method is applicable to a wide range of speech signals from a high signal‐to‐noise ratio to a low signal‐to‐noise ratio. By conducting preliminary tests using true vowels, we derive the equation representing the relationship between the power of the amplitude spectrum and the signal‐to‐noise ratio. This is also applied to real continuous speech, and the superiority of the proposed method is clearly demonstrated in comparative tests with conventional methods. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 90(5): 19–30, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.20069
A realization method of cyclic filter banks
Authors: Itami Fumio , Watanabe Eiji , Nishihara Akinori
Published: January 2007

In recent years theories on filter banks (cyclic filter banks) in cyclic LTI systems have been proposed. Not only are cyclic filter banks that use cyclic convolution suitable for processes such as picture signals (finite signals), the design of cyclic filter banks is also limited to specific discrete frequency points. Consequently, there are advantages such as greater freedom of design compared to filter banks (noncyclic filter banks) in noncyclic LTI systems which use conventional linear convolution. Definite design methods have been given which realize a two‐partition construction as a cyclic filter bank with linear phase characteristics and orthogonality at the same time not possible in conventional noncyclic filter banks up to the present. Other than this, there have been no discussions on multipartition construction utilizing, for example, a modulated structure, methods that utilize various other advantages which can obtain a cyclic LTI system, or discussions on problems which can be solved by these. Based on this, we propose one method to achieve a cyclic filter bank in this paper. We propose a configuration that uses DFT modulation. To start with, we lead with polyphase expressions of cyclic filter banks that use DFT modulation and then present complete reconstruction conditions. We subsequently mention that the complete reconstruction conditions are given as a linear equation whose synthesized coefficients are unknown parameters by means of using a resolution given beforehand. Next, we examine the essential properties of a cyclic LTI system and then describe the advantages of this configuration method obtained by means of using these properties. Finally, we provide a design example of the proposed cyclic filter bank and show that a cyclic filter bank can be configured with DFT modulation. In addition, we mention the combined effects when dividing and synthesizing image signals based on applying this method to image compression applications. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 90(5): 9– 18, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.20070
Study of degradation by heat and heat‐resistance property in electret condenser microphone
Authors: Yasuno Yoshinobu , Riko Yasuhiro
Published: January 2007

This paper describes improvement of the heat resistance of a fixed electrode electret microphone for mobile equipment. First, hypotheses are presented on the cause of the thermal degradation and the corresponding charge behavior in the fixed electrode electret microphone and a model of the internal electric field is formed. The validity of the model is investigated by the thermal stimulated current (TSC) method. Next, the lifetime of the microphone is estimated by reference to the isothermal charge decay test (ICD method) in addition to the hypotheses. As a model, the charges are assumed to be shifted in the direction of greater depth with reduction of the surface potential. This phenomenon is accelerated by heat. The magnitude of the degradation depends on the process used for fabrication of the electret forming film. However, there is sufficient lifetime margin at room temperature. By applying this margin, the environmental characteristic may be improved if the charges are shifted to the interior or injected deeply to avoid the causes of degradation. As an example, for a general‐purpose FEP film with a thickness of 12.5 µm, it is estimated that a lifetime of 1000 hours at 100 °C can be guaranteed by deep injection at depths up to about 8 µm from the electret surface. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 90(5): 1– 8, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.20283
Representation method for cracks on drying 3D solid by physical model
Authors: Aoki Kimiya , Dong Ngo Hai , Kaneko Toyohisa
Published: January 2007

Constructing a method for representing natural objects and natural phenomena is one of the important topics of research in the field of computer graphics. In the current research, the authors propose a method of realistically representing cracks that occur in 3D objects in computer graphics. Cracking is a familiar natural phenomenon that is seen on mud walls, the surface of rice fields, ceramics, and the bark of trees. The objective of the current research is to reproduce the cracking that occurs when an object that consists of mud or clay shrinks when it dries out. To represent cracking in computer graphics, rules based on observation or approaches based on simple physical models have been considered. However, the current research uses a method based on a physical model since changes in the material properties, environment, or external forces can easily be represented. Specifically, by introducing a spring network model to represent the shrinking, elasticity, and pliability of the clay and a moisture content model to represent the moisture movement within the object due to drying and integrating these two models, the authors simulate a mechanism for generating cracks due to drying. They also investigate a method of measuring the physical parameters that are used based on the moisture content. Finally, they performed experiments for 3D objects having various shapes to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 90(5): 50– 59, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.20317
Proposal of the LMedS Hough transform
Authors: Kato Kunihito , Koshimizu Hiroyasu
Published: January 2007

Pattern extraction based on the Hough transform has the excellent property that it is robust to noise and also to the occlusions in the image pattern. On the other hand, the Hough transform has an important problem as regards accuracy due to its discrete representation, which has long been discussed. This paper proposes the LMedS Hough transform, a new algorithm which uses a robust statistic as the criterion for the likelihood of the straight line. The method is not constrained by the majority principle of the conventional Hough transform, and it provides a possibility of pattern detection which differs from the Hough transform considered up to the present. It is noted that the LMedS Hough transform retains the characteristics of the conventional Hough transform, such as its global property. This paper describes the basic principles and details of the proposed algorithm and analyzes its performance from the theoretical and experimental viewpoints. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 90(5): 31– 39, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.20320
Investigation of spatial profile control of electron density in the rectangular‐type surface wave plasma apparatus with multiple dielectric windows
Authors: Toba Takayuki , Itagaki Toshifumi , Katsurai Makoto
Published: January 2007

A surface wave plasma (SWP) processing apparatus has been permitted to generate high‐density and uniform plasmas via a 2.45‐GHz microwave without external magnetic fields. To enlarge the processing area of the SWP apparatus, a special configuration was investigated for a rectangular‐type surface wave plasma apparatus that is equipped with multiple dielectric windows. The experimental investigation of the discharge characteristics of this apparatus with four windows (each 10 cm by 10 cm) has been carried out. To improve electron density uniformity, two methods have been surveyed. One is to insert quartz plates in grooves between metallic window frames of the chamber to make the boundary surface between plasma flat, and the other is to place parallel conductor plates on the window surface. The combination of these methods permits the reduction of nonuniformity of the spatial distribution of the electron density to less than ±6%. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 158(4): 1– 10, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20443
An experimental study of lightning overvoltages in wind turbine generation systems using a reduced‐size model
Authors: Yamamoto Kazuo , Noda Taku , Yokoyama Shigeru , Ametani Akihiro
Published: January 2007

Wind turbine generation systems are built at locations where few tall structures are found nearby so as to obtain good wind conditions, and thus, they are often struck by lightning. To promote wind power generation, lightning‐protection methodologies for such wind turbine generation systems have to be established. This paper presents the result of an experimental study of lightning overvoltages in wind turbine generation systems using a reduced‐size wind turbine model. Overvoltages observed at wavefronts of lightning surges are focused on in this study. In the experiments, lightning strokes to one of the blades and to the nacelle were considered, and voltages and currents at various positions of the wind turbine model were measured. The following points have been deduced from the results: (i) The voltage rise due to the tower footing resistance can cause a significant voltage difference between the tower foot and an incoming conductor led from a distant point. Also, a voltage difference between the bottom of down conductors installed inside the tower and an incoming conductor can be of significance. (ii) The lightning current flowing through the tower body induces voltages in main and control circuits which form loops, and the induced voltages can cause overvoltages and malfunctions. (iii) Traveling‐wave phenomena in a wind turbine generation system for a lightning strike to the tip of a blade and to the nacelle have been clarified from the measured waveforms. This information can be used for developing an EMTP simulation model of wind turbine generation systems. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 158(4): 22– 30, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20466
Performance analysis of megahertz‐band transformer taking account of displacement current
Authors: Mitsutake Yoshio , Hirata Katsuhiro , Niwa Kota , Ishihara Yoshiyuki
Published: January 2007

In designing power electronics devices, it is very important to have accurate waveforms of input/output voltage and current in order to estimate the efficiency and the power factor. Therefore, it is useful to study the effective dynamic analysis method through a numerical approach. In these computations, the displacement current is ignored because the frequency range is lower than the megahertz range, and the necessity of taking into account the displacement current is thought to be uncertain when the transformer is operated at a frequency exceeding 1 MHz. This paper describes the effect of the displacement current on dynamic performances of a megahertz‐band transformer. It is found that the influence of displacement current on output power is about 2% based on the results of computation, and becomes stronger as the frequency increases. The validity of the computation is verified through a comparison with the measured results. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 158(4): 60–67, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20490
Spectroelectroanalytical Properties of Antitumor Agent C‐1311
Authors: Nowicka Anna M. , Zabost Ewelina , Donten Mikolaj , Mazerska Zofia , Stojek Zbigniew
Published: January 2007

Normal pulse‐, square wave‐, differential pulse‐ and cyclic voltammetries were used in electroanalytical characterization of C‐1311, an antitumor drug that undergoes the phase‐II of clinical trials. The results obtained give a possibility of electrochemical investigation of the interactions between the drug and double stranded DNA (dsDNA). Spectroelectrochemical investigations (in situ UV‐vis) revealed that unusual oscillations of the C‐1311 absorbance appear after cyclic polarization of the transparent electrodes in moderate pH. The oscillations disappear in the presence of dsDNA (C‐1311 binds to dsDNA).
Detection of Human Interleukine‐2 Gene Using a Label‐Free Electrochemical DNA Hybridization Biosensor on the Basis of a Non‐Inosine Substituted Probe
Authors: Pournaghi‐Azar Mohammad Hossein , Hejazi Mohammad Saeid , Alipour Esmaeel
Published: January 2007

The human interleukine‐2 gene (hIL‐2) is detected with a label‐free DNA hybridization biosensor using a non‐inosine substituted probe. The sensor relies on the immobilization of a 20‐mer antisense single strand oligonucleotide (chIL‐2) related to the human interleukine‐2 gene on the pencil graphite electrode (PGE) as a probe. The guanine oxidation signal was monitored using anodic differential pulse voltammetry (ADPV). The electrochemical pretreatment of the polished PGE at 1.80 V for 5 min is suggested. Then, 5 min immobilization at 0.50 V was found as the optimum condition for immobilization of the probe. The electrochemical detection of hybridization between chIL‐2 and hIL‐2 as a target was accomplished. The selectivity of the biosensor was studied using noncomplementary oligonucleotides. Diagnostic performance of the biosensor is described and the detection limit is found 36 pg/μL.
Symptoms of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder in first‐time expectant women: Relations with parenting cognitions and behaviors
Authors: Ninowski Jerilyn E. , Mash Eric J. , Benzies Karen M.
Published: January 2007

The relationship between maternal symptoms of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and parenting cognitions and behaviors was studied in 86 first‐time expectant women. Women high on ADHD symptoms were less likely to be married, less likely to have obtained at least some university education, and less likely to report that they wanted to get pregnant at the time they became pregnant. As predicted, ADHD symptoms were positively correlated with symptoms of anxiety and depression, and predicted less positive prenatal expectations regarding the infant and the future maternal role and lower maternal self‐efficacy. Contrary to predictions, ADHD did not predict any incremental variance in maternal stressful life events or social support. Symptoms of ADHD were negatively correlated with attendance at recommended prenatal checkups, but were unrelated to other behaviors during pregnancy. Findings suggest that even prior to any contact with their infant, women with ADHD symptoms have maladaptive cognitions regarding their expectations of motherhood and parenting abilities. As a result, they may benefit from early interventions that focus on attenuating the potential negative effects that these maladaptive cognitions might have on the mother‐infant relationship and later developmental outcomes for their children.
Effects of sample shape on the strain localization of water‐saturated clay
Authors: Kodaka Takeshi , Higo Yosuke , Kimoto Sayuri , Oka Fusao
Published: January 2007

Strain localization is an important geotechnical problem related to large deformations and the onset of failure, such as slope failure. It is necessary, therefore, to clarify the mechanisms of the strain localization of geomaterials in order to predict large deformations of the ground. For the last two decades, many researchers have studied the strain localization of geomaterials through both experimental and numerical works. Most of the works, however, particularly the numerical studies, have been treated as two‐dimensional plane strain problems for the sake of simplicity, even though the actual phenomena are generally three dimensional.

In order to understand the deformation, the failure, and the strain localization of clay under three‐dimensional conditions, triaxial tests on clay and their numerical simulation are performed in the present study. In particular, focus is mainly placed on the effects of sample shape on the localization behaviour of normally consolidated and overconsolidated clays. A series of undrained triaxial compression tests, using rectangular clay specimens with different shapes and strain rates, is conducted. Localized shear strain distributions are successfully observed with an image analysis of digital photographs. It is seen that the shape of a specimen affects the various bifurcation phenomena of clay, e.g. the formation and the progress of various three‐dimensional shear bands, failure with buckling, etc. The numerical simulation using the finite element method, with an elasto‐viscoplastic model and considering structural changes, can reproduce the generation and the growing process of shear bands well. A comparison between the results of the experiment and the simulation offers new findings regarding the strain localization of clay under three‐dimensional conditions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On some subclasses of P‐matrices
Authors: Li Hou‐Biao , Huang Ting‐Zhu , Li Hong
Published: January 2007

A matrix with positive row sums and all its off‐diagonal elements bounded above by their corresponding row averages is called a B‐matrix by J. M. Peña in References (SIAM J. Matrix Anal. Appl. 2001; 22:1027–1037) and (Numer. Math. 2003; 95:337–345). In this paper, it is generalized to more extended matrices—MB‐matrices, which is proved to be a subclass of the class of P‐matrices. Subsequently, we establish relationships between defined and some already known subclasses of P‐matrices (see, References SIAM J. Matrix Anal. Appl. 2000; 21:67–78; Linear Algebra Appl. 2004; 393:353–364; Linear Algebra Appl. 1995; 225:117–123). As an application, some subclasses of P‐matrices are used to localize the real eigenvalues of a real matrix. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Importance of the liver in systemic complications associated with acute pancreatitis: the role of Kupffer cells
Authors: Folch‐Puy E
Published: January 2007

Although its exact nature is still unknown, acute pancreatitis progresses with a local production of inflammatory mediators, eventually leading to systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Knowing that almost all pancreatic mediators released from the pancreas to the bloodstream may pass through the liver before their dilution in the systemic circulation, it would be reasonable to assume a determinant role for this organ in the development of the inflammatory response associated with acute pancreatitis. Thus, recent studies have shown the involvement of the liver in the complex network of events triggering the multiorgan dysfunction associated with the disease. Once pancreatic mediators reach the liver, they strongly activate Kupffer cells, the resident macrophages, greatly amplifying the release of cytokines into the bloodstream and thus contributing to the systemic manifestations of acute pancreatitis. Altogether, these results show that the pancreas is not the only source of mediators that trigger the deleterious effects of acute pancreatitis, but that the liver may orchestrate the final outcome of the disease. The purpose of this review is to discuss progress in understanding the function of the liver in the early stages of the development of systemic organ dysfunction secondary to acute pancreatitis. Copyright © 2007 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A mouse model of basal‐like breast carcinoma with metaplastic elements
Authors: McCarthy A , Savage K , Gabriel A , Naceur C , Reis‐Filho JS , Ashworth A
Published: January 2007

Breast cancers arising in carriers of germline BRCA1 mutations frequently have a basal‐like phenotype. Basal‐like cancers are characterized by high histological grade, central necrotic areas, foci with metaplastic differentiation, lack of hormone receptor and HER2 (ErbB2) expression, and consistent positivity for basal markers, including CK5/6, CK14, and EGFR. We have used germline manipulation to generate a conditional mouse model of Brca1 deficiency. Transgenic expression of Cre recombinase in the mammary gland of these mice results in deletion of exons encoding the C‐terminus of Brca1 and leads to tumour formation when combined with heterozygosity for a p53 mutation. Histologically, these mammary gland tumours were characterized by high histological grade, central necrotic areas, and presence of homologous metaplastic elements. These metaplastic elements consisted of neoplastic spindle cells or squamous cell differentiation in the form of keratin pearls or individual cell keratinization. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed expression of basal‐like markers in all cases. The tumour phenotype generated in our mouse model was compared with published data on human basal‐like breast carcinomas and also with metaplastic breast cancers with a basal‐like phenotype; the comparison showed that we have generated a mouse model of basal‐like breast cancer, which should prove useful in testing new and targeted treatments for this type of breast cancer. Copyright © 2007 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Swelling characteristics of thermo‐ sensitive poly[(2‐diethylaminoethyl methacrylate)‐co‐(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide)] porous hydrogels
Authors: Caykara Tuncer , Küçüktepe Sıla , Turan Eylem
Published: January 2007

Temperature‐sensitive poly[(2‐diethylaminoethyl methacrylate)‐co‐(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide)] [P(DEAEMA‐co‐DMAAm)] hydrogels with five different DMAAm contents were synthesized with and without the addition of sodium carbonate as porosity generator. The synthesized hydrogels were characterized with dry gel density measurements, scanning electron microscopy observation and the determination of swelling ratio. The influence of the pore‐forming agent and content of DMAAm on swelling ratio and network parameters such as polymer–solvent interaction parameter (χ), average molecular mass between crosslinks (M̄c) and mesh size (ζ) of the cryogels are reported and discussed. The swelling and deswelling rates of the porous hydrogels are much faster than for the same type of hydrogels prepared via conventional methods. At a temperature below the volume phase transition temperature, the macroporous hydrogels also absorbed larger amounts water compared to that of conventional hydrogels and showed obviously higher equilibrated swelling ratios in aqueous medium. In particular, the unique macroporous structure provided numerous water channels for water diffusion in or out of the matrix and, therefore, an improved response rate to the external temperature changes during the deswelling and swelling processes. These properties are attributed to the macroporous and regularly arranged network of the porous hydrogels. Scanning electron micrographs reveal that the macroporous network structure of the hydrogels can be adjusted by applying porosity generation methods during the polymerization reaction. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
The effect of low insolation conditions and inverter oversizing on the long‐term performance of a grid‐connected photovoltaic system
Authors: Mondol Jayanta Deb , Yohanis Yigzaw G. , Norton Brian
Published: January 2007

The performance of a roof mounted grid‐connected photovoltaic (PV) system in Northern Ireland was monitored over 3 years on annual, seasonal and monthly bases. The overall system performance was adversely affected by low insolation conditions; 19% of total incident insolation was absorbed at irradiance level below 200 W/m2and 67% below 600 W/m2, only 6·2% above 900 W/m2. In summer and winter, the PV and system efficiencies were 9·0 and 8·5%, and 7·8 and 7·5%, respectively and inverter efficiencies were 86·8 and 85·8%, respectively. The inverter for this particular system was oversized; 77% of the total DC energy produced when inverter's operating load was 50% of its rated capacity. The annual average monthly system performance ratio (PR) was 0·61 with seasonal variation 0·59 to 0·63. The average monthly PV, system and inverter efficiencies over the whole monitored period were 8·8, 7·6 and 86·8%, respectively. The main losses of the system were inverter DC/AC conversion loss, inverter threshold loss and low insolation loss. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.