bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial structure of a slot-antenna excited microwave N2–Ar plasma source
Authors: Henriques J. , Tatarova E. , Dias F. M. , Ferreira C. M.
Published: May 2008

The spatial structure of a large-scale, slot-antenna excited (2.45GHz) surface wave plasma source operating in N2–Ar mixtures is investigated. A self-consistent theoretical model is developed in the local approximation to investigate the entire spatial structure of the system, including the discharge zone sustained by the field of the TM140 surface mode and the remote plasma zone. Maxwell’s equations and the rate balance equations for the most important excited species—vibrationally and electronically excited states, ions, and N(S4) atoms—and the electron Boltzmann are consistently solved. The pumping of the higher νth levels of N2(XΣg+1,ν) molecules is shown to be very effective and to strongly influence the remote plasma kinetics. Collisions of N2(XΣg+1,ν) molecules with N(S4) atoms are responsible for the increase in the number densities of electrons and electronically excited states N2(AΣu+3,BΠg3,CΠu3,a′Σu−1) in the “far” remote plasma zone.
Lead-free ceramics for pyroelectric applications
Authors: Lau S. T. , Cheng C. H. , Choy S. H. , Lin D. M. , Kwok K. W. , Chan H. L. W.
Published: May 2008

The use of lead-free materials has recently become a very important issue in environmental protection of the earth. Two groups of lead-free ceramics, (K0.5,Na0.5)NbO3 based (KNN) and Bi1−y(NaxK1−x)yTiO3 based (BNKT), were studied for their thermal, dielectric, and pyroelectric properties as candidates for pyroelectric sensor applications. The BNKT-based ceramic, [Bi0.5(Na0.94K0.05Li0.016)0.5]0.95Ba0.05TiO3 (BNKLBT), shows excellent pyroelectric properties when compared with KNN-based ceramic and lead zirconate titanate. Its properties were measured as follows: pyroelectric coefficient p=360μC∕m2K, pyroelectric figure of merit of current, voltage, and detectivity Fi=221pm∕V, Fv=0.030m2∕C, and Fd=14.8μPa−1∕2. With these outstanding pyroelectric properties, the BNKLBT ceramic can be a promising material for pyroelectric sensor applications. The BNKLBT ceramic with different thicknesses (i.e., 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7mm) have been used as the sensing element for fabricating infrared detectors. The current responsivity of the sensors was evaluated as functions of frequency.
Equivalence of two approaches for quantum-classical hybrid systems
Authors: Zhan Fei , Lin Yuan , Wu Biao
Published: May 2008

We discuss two approaches that are frequently used to describe quantum-classical hybrid system. One is the well-known mean-field theory and the other adopts a set of hybrid brackets which is a mixture of quantum commutators and classical Poisson brackets. We prove that these two approaches are equivalent.
On the role of nanocavities in suppressing boron transient enhanced diffusion and deactivation in F+ coimplanted silicon
Authors: Giles Luis Felipe , Stapelmann Chris , Cerva Hans , Jahnel Franz , Demeurisse Caroline , Vrancken Christa , Hoffmann Thomas
Published: May 2008

An effective and process optimized method to suppress transient enhanced diffusion is proposed. The method presented consists of designing a vacancy-type defect region which effectively blocks the flux of interstitials from the end of range region towards the surface of the substrate. This band of vacancy-type defects is produced by high dose F+ coimplants. We provide a detailed microstructure study of the vacancy-type defect evolution and demonstrate that under optimum conditions, the vacancy-type defects effectively suppress transient enhanced diffusion, boron deactivation, and end of range defects. We also show the process conditions to obtain an effective interstitial barrier without introducing other detrimental diffusion effects.
Frequency upconversion in a Pr3+ doped chalcogenide glass containing silver nanoparticles
Authors: Rai Vineet Kumar , de Araújo Cid B. , Ledemi Y. , Bureau B. , Poulain M. , Zhang X. H. , Messaddeq Y.
Published: May 2008

We report on orange-to-blue frequency upconversion (UC) in Pr3+ doped chalcogenide glass (Ga10Ge25S65) doped with Ag2S and heat treated under different conditions to nucleate silver nanoparticles (NPs). The experiments were performed using 7ns pulses from a dye laser that operates at ∼590nm, in resonance with the H43→D21 transition of Pr3+ ions. The enhancement observed in the UC emission at ∼494nm, ascribed as P03→H43 transition of the Pr3+ ion, is attributed to the large local field acting on the emitting ions due to the presence of the metallic NPs.
From beamforming to diffraction tomography
Authors: Simonetti F. , Huang L.
Published: May 2008

Recent progress in sensor array technology has boosted the use of beamforming (BF) in a number of applications. The same progress has generated interest in other imaging modalities such as diffraction tomography (DT). This paper demonstrates the existence of a linear mapping between BF and DT, which is represented by a linear filter in the spatial frequency domain. The filter is used to study and compare the information content of images obtained with the two imaging modalities. In particular, it is demonstrated that a BF image is a distorted version of the corresponding DT image. Moreover, the analytical expression of the filter is derived leading to an algorithm for DT which, in contrast to currently available algorithms, does not require the use of data interpolation techniques.
Generation of controlled radiation sources in the atmosphere using a dual femtosecond /nanosecond laser pulse
Authors: Henis Z. , Milikh G. , Papadopoulos K. , Zigler A.
Published: May 2008

The generation of powerful radiation sources at predetermined remote locations in the atmosphere using dual femtosecond/nanosecond laser pulses is proposed. The plasma channel generated in the wake of the collapsed beam formed during intense ultrashort pulse propagation in the atmosphere serves as seed target plasma to absorb energy delivered by a long pulse laser, inducing further ionization and significantly enhancing the energy density locally deposited in the plasma. Energy equipartition on time scales shorter than 1μs results in large energy density in the heated air and is followed by several orders of magnitude enhancement of the radiation emitted by the plasma channel. The effect is demonstrated using a one-dimensional computational study. A proof-of-principle experiment is suggested.
On the fragility and thermomechanical properties of Mg–Cu–Gd–(B) bulk metallic glasses
Authors: Chang Y. C. , Huang J. C. , Cheng Y. T. , Lee C. J. , Du X. H. , Nieh T. G.
Published: May 2008

In this study, the viscous flow behavior and thermomechanical properties of Mg65Cu25−xBxGd10 (x=0 and 3at.%) bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) in the supercooled liquid region have been investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry and thermomechanical analyzer. It has been found that the fragility of the supercooled liquid is reduced by the boron addition, thus, degrading the deformability. This conclusion is supported by the many other extracted parameters. Thus, even with much higher hardness, the B-additive Mg based BMG will be more difficult to be formed, which appears to be a negative factor in applying in the microforming or nanoimprinting industry.
Magnetoelectric resonant characteristics in Pb(Zr,Ti)O3/Terfenol-D laminate composites
Authors: Zhou Jian-Ping , Qiu Zhong-Cheng , Liu Peng , Sun Wan-Chang , Zhang Huai-Wu
Published: May 2008

Magnetoelectric (ME) characteristics in a simple Pb(Zr,Ti)O3/Terfenol-D laminate composite are investigated. Both magnetomechanical and electromechanical resonances (EMRs) can enhance ME coupling and the latter plays a more important role. The phase spectra show a significant phase shift of 0.75π–π around each EMR frequency and a clear phase bouncing around each magnetomechanical resonance frequency. The distributions of the electric-field-induced magnetization (EIM) express different manners in longitudinal and transverse directions, which are attributed to the magnetized directions and the resonant modes. When the driving electric field frequency is near one of the integer EMR frequencies, multiple resonance EIMs are observed.
Spin-orbital coupling effect on Josephson current through a superconductor heterojunction
Authors: Yang Z. H. , Yang Y. H. , Wang J. , Chan K. S.
Published: May 2008

We study the spin-orbital coupling effect on the Josephson current through a superconductor (SC) heterojunction, consisting of two s-wave superconductors and a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) layer between them. The Rashba-type (RSOC) and/or Dresselhaus-type (DSOC) of spin-orbital coupling are considered in the 2DEG region. By using a tight-binding model and Green’s function method, we calculate the dc supercurrent flowing through the junction and find that the critical current Ic exhibits a damped oscillation with both the strength of SOC and the layer length of 2DEG; especially, the strength ratio between RSOC and DSOC can also induce switching between the 0 state and the π state of the SC/2DEG/SC junction as well. This 0-π transition results from the fact that SOC in a two-dimension system can lead to a pseudomagnetic effect on the flowing electrons like the effect of a ferromagnet, since the time-reversal symmetry of the system has already been broken by two SC leads with different macroscopic phases.
Inherent flexibility and protein function: The open/closed conformational transition in the N-terminal domain of calmodulin
Authors: Tripathi Swarnendu , Portman John J.
Published: May 2008

The key to understand a protein’s function often lies in its conformational dynamics. We develop a coarse-grained variational model to investigate the interplay between structural transitions, conformational flexibility, and function of the N-terminal calmodulin domain (nCaM). In this model, two energy basins corresponding to the “closed” apo conformation and “open” holo conformation of nCaM are coupled by a uniform interpolation parameter. The resulting detailed transition route from our model is largely consistent with the recently proposed EFβ-scaffold mechanism in EF-hand family proteins. We find that the N-terminal parts of the calcium binding loops shows higher flexibility than the C-terminal parts which form this EFβ-scaffold structure. The structural transition of binding loops I and II are compared in detail. Our model predicts that binding loop II, with higher flexibility and earlier structural change than binding loop I, dominates the open/closed conformational transition in nCaM.
Interatomic contributions to high-energy electron-molecule scattering
Authors: McCaffrey P. D. , Dewhurst J. K. , Rankin D. W. H. , Mawhorter R. J. , Sharma S.
Published: May 2008

Within the independent atom scattering model, we derive an approximate formula for the rotationally and vibrationally averaged three-atom terms in the series expansion of the electron scattering cross section. This formula uses the atomic scattering factors as well as the atomic scattered wavefunctions as input, and rotational averaging is performed numerically. We compare our results to previous theoretical multiple scattering approaches for the molecules F3, F4, and SF6 and to experimental data for TeF6. Our results are consistent with those of previous calculations and inclusion of the three-atom term produces a dramatically better least squares fit of the TeF6 data. The algorithm presented here is sufficiently fast and simple to be incorporated easily into existing electron diffraction codes.
Design, fabrication, and characterization of diffraction gratings for neutron phase contrast imaging
Authors: Grünzweig C. , Pfeiffer F. , Bunk O. , Donath T. , Kühne G. , Frei G. , Dierolf M. , David C.
Published: May 2008

We have developed a neutron phase contrast imaging method based on a grating interferometer setup. The principal constituents are two absorption gratings made of gadolinium and a phase modulating grating made of silicon. The design parameters of the setup, such as periodicity, structure heights of the gratings, and the distances between the gratings, are calculated. The fabrication of each grating is described in detail. The produced diffraction gratings were finally characterized within the setup, by locally evaluating the produced contrast (visibility) in each detector pixel, resulting in a visibility map over the whole grating size. An averaged value of 23% is achieved.
Enhanced directed emission from metamaterial based radiation source
Authors: Saenz Elena , Guven Kaan , Ozbay Ekmel , Ederra Iñigo , Gonzalo Ramon
Published: May 2008

The enhanced directed emission from a metasurface which is illuminated at its resonance frequency by a dipole source is experimentally demonstrated. The metasurface consists of two cutwire layers and a continuous wire layer in between, which exhibits strong magnetic dipole resonance under excitation normal to the plane. The scanned near-field patterns show the confinement of the field in the presence of metasurface, which, in turn, provides an enhanced and directional radiation in the far field. The far-field patterns are obtained by direct measurement and by a far-field transformation of the scanned near field, which are found to be in good agreement.
Threshold voltage shift and formation of charge traps induced by light irradiation during the fabrication of organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Noguchi Yutaka , Sato Naoki , Tanaka Yuya , Nakayama Yasuo , Ishii Hisao
Published: May 2008

We examined the effects of ambient light on the device properties of an organic light-emitting diode, indium tin oxide/4,4′-bis[N-(1-naphthyl)-N-phenylamino]-biphenyl (α-NPD)/tris-(8-hydroxyquinolate) aluminum (Alq3)∕Al, during fabrication using displacement current measurement. Light irradiation induces a shift in the threshold voltage for hole injection and results in the formation of charge traps in the Alq3 layer. The voltage shift implies a reduction in charge density at the α-NPD∕Alq3 interface. The origin of the interfacial charge can be attributed to dipole moment ordering in the Alq3 layer.
Effects of nitrogen atom doping on optical properties and dielectric constant of HfO2 gate oxides
Authors: Wang X. J. , Zhang L. D. , Zhang J. P. , Liu M. , He G.
Published: May 2008

The effect of nitrogen atom doping on the optical properties and dielectric constant of HfO2 films has been systematically investigated. Spectroscopic ellipsometry was employed to investigate the optical properties of nitrogen incorporated HfO2 films. The values of average oscillator strength and average oscillator position extracted from spectroscopic ellipsometry demonstrated that nitrogen incorporation could influence the dipole oscillator strength and oscillator position of HfO2. A physical model of dipole structures was proposed to verify the enhancement of dielectric constant of HfO2 films by nitrogen incorporation.
Collinear second harmonic generations in a nonlinear photonic quasicrystal
Authors: Sheng Yan , Koynov Kaloian , Dou Junhong , Ma Boqin , Li Jingjuan , Zhang Daozhong
Published: May 2008

Li Nb O 3 nonlinear photonic quasicrystal with octagonal symmetry was fabricated. The collinear quasiphase matched second harmonic generations at 22 wavelengths were observed. It is shown that not only the standard type quasiphase matching but also the recently proposed projection-based quasiphase matching plays an important role in these harmonic generations.
Transition Challenges for Alternative Fuel Vehicle and Transportation Systems
Authors: Struben Jeroen , Sterman John D
Published: May 2008

Automakers are now developing alternatives to internal combustion engines (ICE), including hydrogen fuel cells and ICE-electric hybrids. Adoption dynamics for alternative vehicles are complex, owing to the size and importance of the auto industry and vehicle installed base. Diffusion of alternative vehicles is both enabled and constrained by powerful positive feedbacks arising from scale and scope economies, research and development, learning by doing, driver experience, word of mouth, and complementary resources such as fueling infrastructure. We describe a dynamic model of the diffusion of and competition among alternative fuel vehicles, including coevolution of the fleet technology, behavior, and complementary resources. Here we focus on the generation of consumer awareness of alternatives through feedback from consumers' experience, word of mouth, and marketing, with a reduced-form treatment of network effects and other positive feedbacks (which we treat in other papers). We demonstrate the existence of a critical threshold for sustained adoption of alternative technologies, and show how the threshold depends on economic and behavioral parameters. We show that word of mouth from those not driving an alternative vehicle is important in stimulating diffusion. Expanding the model boundary to include learning, technological spillovers, and spatial coevolution of fueling infrastructure adds additional feedbacks that condition the diffusion of alternative vehicles. Results show scenarios for successful diffusion of alternative vehicles, but also suggest that marketing programs and subsidies for alternatives must remain in place for long periods for diffusion to become self-sustaining.
Regional Plans, Local Fates? How Spatially Restrictive Regional Policies Influence County Policy and Regulations
Authors: Waldner Leora
Published: May 2008

Councils of governments create regional comprehensive plans to shape the future development of their regions. However, actual implementation often depends on local governments that control land use. How, if at all, did two Atlanta Regional Development Plans (RDPs) influence local government policies? Interviews and comparisons of regional and local policies reveal that the RDP planning process clearly and causally influenced voluntary local comprehensive plans, but not subsequent local land-use regulations. However, the RDPs served other functions, such as data provision. Thus, it is useful to incorporate a communicative evaluation approach to examine the broader functions of the planning process, rather than strictly examining the conformance outcomes of the plan policies.
Correspondences and Divergences between Teachers and Students in the Evaluation of Design Creativity in the Design Studio
Authors: Casakin Hernan , Kreitler Shulamith
Published: May 2008

The assessment of design creativity is a fundamental issue in the educational curriculum in schools of architecture. Assessment in the form of criticism is carried out in the design studio, where students acquire skills and knowledge, forge judgments about their design outcomes, and get feedback from their instructors. This study focuses on the assessment of creativity in design problem solving. The major objective of this research was to test to what extent architects and design students share the same conceptions of creativity, and how similar they are. Contrasting differences were found between the two groups. While architects focused on innovation aspects, students paid more attention to operational aspects, such as dealing with design requirements. It is maintained that handling these differences by means of intervention programs in the design studio may promote the acquisition of design processes and procedures by the students, and also that, it will contribute to bridging the gap between the way teachers and students perceive and evaluate design creativity.
On Inscriptions and Ex-Inscriptions: The Production of Immediacy in a Home Telecare Service
Authors: López Daniel , Domènech Miquel
Published: May 2008

In this paper we explore from a topological perspective how immediate care is enacted in a home telecare service and critically discuss how immediacy is defined. One approach is to conceive immediate care delivering as dependant on how disciplined the home telecare service inscriptions are and therefore on how uneventful and smooth the assistance is. However, this paper aims to put forward a more complex explanation by pointing out that immediate care delivering is produced not only by expelling indeterminacy but also by taking advantage of it. In order to do this we will use Bachelard's concept of ex-inscription to shed light on the practices and techniques that transform events into opportunities (rather than obstacles) for delivering immediate care to home telecare service users.
The Colour of Os: Naturally Biased Associations between Shape and Colour
Authors: Spector Ferrinne , Maurer Daphne
Published: May 2008

Many letters of the alphabet are consistently mapped to specific colours by English-speaking adults, both in the general population and in individuals with grapheme – colour synaesthesia who perceive letters in colour. Such associations may be naturally biased by intrinsic sensory cortical organisation, or may be based in literacy (eg ‘A’ is for ‘apple’, apples are red; therefore A is red). To distinguish these two hypotheses, we tested pre-literate children in three experiments and compared their results to those of literate children (aged 7–9 years) and adults. The results indicate that some colour–letter mappings (O white, X black) are naturally biased by the shape of the letter, whereas others (A red, G green) may be based in literacy. They suggest that sensory cortical organisation initially binds colour to some shapes, and that learning to read can induce additional associations, likely through the influence of higher-order networks as letters take on meaning.
Inhibition of myeloperoxidase-mediated protein nitration by tempol: Kinetics, mechanism, and implications
Authors: Vaz Sandra M. , Augusto Ohara
Published: May 2008

Despite the therapeutic potential of tempol (4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetra-methyl-1-piperidinyloxy) and related nitroxides as antioxidants, their effects on peroxidase-mediated protein tyrosine nitration remain unexplored. This posttranslational protein modification is a biomarker of nitric oxide-derived oxidants, and, relevantly, it parallels tissue injury in animal models of inflammation and is attenuated by tempol treatment. Here, we examine tempol effects on ribonuclease (RNase) nitration mediated by myeloperoxidase (MPO), a mammalian enzyme that plays a central role in various inflammatory processes. Some experiments were also performed with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). We show that tempol efficiently inhibits peroxidase-mediated RNase nitration. For instance, 10 μM tempol was able to inhibit by 90% the yield of 290 μM 3-nitrotyrosine produced from 370 μM RNase. The effect of tempol was not completely catalytic because part of it was consumed by recombination with RNase-tyrosyl radicals. The second-order rate constant of the reaction of tempol with MPO compound I and II were determined by stopped-flow kinetics as 3.3 × 10
6
and 2.6 × 10
4
M
−1
s
−1
, respectively (pH 7.4, 25°C); the corresponding HRP constants were orders of magnitude smaller. Time-dependent hydrogen peroxide and nitrite consumption and oxygen production in the incubations were quantified experimentally and modeled by kinetic simulations. The results indicate that tempol inhibits peroxidase-mediated RNase nitration mainly because of its reaction with nitrogen dioxide to produce the oxammonium cation, which, in turn, recycles back to tempol by reacting with hydrogen peroxide and superoxide radical to produce oxygen and regenerate nitrite. The implications for nitroxide antioxidant mechanisms are discussed.
Two-dimensional infrared spectra of isotopically diluted amyloid fibrils from Aβ40
Authors: Kim Yung Sam , Liu Liu , Axelsen Paul H. , Hochstrasser Robin M.
Published: May 2008

The 2D IR spectra of the amide-I vibrations of amyloid fibrils from Aβ40 were obtained. The matured fibrils formed from strands having isotopic substitution by
13
C

18
O at Gly-38, Gly-33, Gly-29, or Ala-21 show vibrational exciton spectra having reduced dimensionality. Indeed, linear chain excitons of amide units are seen, for which the interamide vibrational coupling is measured in fibrils grown from 50% and 5% mixtures of labeled and unlabeled strands. The data prove that the 1D excitons are formed from parallel in-register sheets. The coupling constants show that for each of the indicated residues the amide carbonyls in the chains are separated by 0.5 ± 0.05 nm. The isotope replacement of Gly-25 does not reveal linear excitons, consistent with the region of the strand having a different structure distribution. The vibrational frequencies of the amide-I modes, freed from effects of amide vibrational excitation exchange by 5% dilution experiments, point to there being a component of an electric field along the fibril axis that increases through the sequence Gly-38, Gly-33, Gly-29. The field is dominated by side chains of neighboring residues.
Case series analysis for censored, perturbed, or curtailed post-event exposures
Authors: Farrington C. Paddy , Whitaker Heather J. , Hocine Mounia N.
Published: May 2008

A new method is developed for analyzing case series data in situations where occurrence of the event censors, curtails, or otherwise affects post-event exposures. Unbiased estimating equations derived from the self-controlled case series model are adapted to allow for exposures whose occurrence or observation is influenced by the event. The method applies to transient point exposures and rare nonrecurrent events. Asymptotic efficiency is studied in some special cases. A computational scheme based on a pseudo-likelihood is proposed to make the computations feasible in complex models. Simulations, a validation study, and 2 applications are described.
Natural variation reveals key amino acids in a downy mildew effector that alters recognition specificity by an Arabidopsis resistance gene
Authors: ALLEN REBECCA L. , MEITZ JULIA C. , BAUMBER RACHEL E. , HALL SHARON A. , LEE SARAH C. , ROSE LAURA E. , BEYNON JIM L.
Published: May 2008

RPP13, a member of the cytoplasmic class of disease resistance genes, encodes one of the most variable Arabidopsis proteins so far identified. This variability is matched in ATR13, the protein from the oomycete downy mildew pathogen Hyaloperonospora parasitica recognized by RPP13, suggesting that these proteins are involved in tight reciprocal coevolution. ATR13 exhibits five domains: an N‐terminal signal peptide, an RXLR motif, a heptad leucine/isoleucine repeat, an 11‐amino‐acid repeated sequence and a C‐terminal domain. We show that the conserved RXLR‐containing domain is dispensable for ATR13‐mediated recognition, consistent with its role in transport into the plant cytoplasm. Sequencing ATR13 from 16 isolates of H. parasitica revealed high levels of amino acid diversity across the entire protein. The leucines/isoleucines of the heptad leucine repeat were conserved, and mutation of particular leucine or isoleucine residues altered recognition by RPP13. Natural variation has not exploited this route to detection avoidance, suggesting a key role of this domain in pathogenicity. The extensive variation in the 11‐amino‐acid repeat units did not affect RPP13 recognition. Domain swap analysis showed that recognition specificity lay in the C‐terminal domain of ATR13. Variation analyses combined with functional assays allowed the identification of four amino acid positions that may play a role in recognition specificity. Site‐directed mutagenesis confirmed that a threonine residue is absolutely required for RPP13 recognition and that recognition can be modulated by the presence of either an arginine or glutamic acid at other sites. Mutations in these three amino acids had no effect on the interaction of ATR13 with a resistance gene unlinked to RPP13, consistent with their critical role in determining RPP13‐Nd recognition specificity.
Distinguishing bacterial pathogens of potato using a genome‐wide microarray approach
Authors: AITTAMAA M. , SOMERVUO P. , PIRHONEN M. , MATTINEN L. , NISSINEN R. , AUVINEN P. , VALKONEN J. P. T.
Published: May 2008

A set of 9676 probes was designed for the most harmful bacterial pathogens of potato and tested in a microarray format. Gene‐specific probes could be designed for all genes of Pectobacterium atrosepticum, c. 50% of the genes of Streptomyces scabies and c. 30% of the genes of Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. sepedonicus utilizing the whole‐genome sequence information available. For Streptomyces turgidiscabies, 226 probes were designed according to the sequences of a pathogenicity island containing important virulence genes. In addition, probes were designed for the virulence‐associated nip (necrosis‐inducing protein) genes of P. atrosepticum, P. carotovorum and Dickeya dadantii and for the intergenic spacer (IGS) sequences of the 16S–23S rRNA gene region. Ralstonia solanacearum was not included in the study, because it is a quarantine organism and is not presently found in Finland, but a few probes were also designed for this species. The probes contained on average 40 target‐specific nucleotides and were synthesized on the array in situ, organized as eight sub‐arrays with an identical set of probes which could be used for hybridization with different samples. All bacteria were readily distinguished using a single channel system for signal detection. Nearly all of the c. 1000 probes designed for C. michiganensis ssp. sepedonicus, c. 50% and 40% of the c. 4000 probes designed for the genes of S. scabies and P. atrosepticum, respectively, and over 100 probes for S. turgidiscabies showed significant signals only with the respective species. P. atrosepticum, P. carotovorum and Dickeya strains were all detected with 110 common probes. By contrast, the strains of these species were found to differ in their signal profiles. Probes targeting the IGS region and nip genes could be used to place strains of Dickeya to two groups, which correlated with differences in virulence. Taken together, the approach of using a custom‐designed, genome‐wide microarray provided a robust means for distinguishing the bacterial pathogens of potato.
The metabolic syndrome increases cardiovascular mortality in Taiwanese elderly
Authors: Wen C. J. , Lee Y. S. , Lin W. Y. , Huang H. L. , Yao C. A. , Sung P. K. , Huang K. C.
Published: May 2008

Background  The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) is high among the elderly. However, evidence that mortality increases with MetS is rare. In this study, we investigated the relationship between MetS, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all cause mortality in the elderly.

Materials and methods  A total 10 547 participants, aged 65 years and older, of baseline cohort were recruited from four nationwide Health Screening Centres in Taiwan from 1998 to 1999. The metabolic syndrome was defined according to the America Heart Association/National Heart Lung Blood Institute definition. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to estimate the relative risks (RRs) of CVD and all cause mortality for those with MetS for up to 8 years of follow‐up.

Results  The baseline prevalence of MetS was 50·1% (45·6% in men and 54·4% in women, respectively). A total of 1312 participants died; of these, 300 participants died from CVD. Adjusted for age, gender, smoking, total cholesterol and estimated glomerular filtration rate, the RRs for CVD and all cause mortality among participants with MetS were 1·48 (95% confidence interval = 1·16–1·90) and 1·16 (1.03–1.30), respectively, for participants compared to those without MetS. The mean RRs for CVD, however, ranged from 1·21 to 5·31 among different combinations of MetS components.

Conclusion  The elderly with MetS, compared to those without MetS, had a higher CVD and all cause mortality in Taiwan. Furthermore, different combinations of MetS components posed different risks to the mortality, which deserves further research in the future.
Podzolization as a deferralitization process: dynamics and chemistry of ground and surface waters in an Acrisol – Podzol sequence of the upper Amazon Basin
Authors: Do Nascimento N. R. , Fritsch E. , Bueno G. T. , Bardy M. , Grimaldi C. , Melfi A. J.
Published: May 2008

Hydrochemical processes involved in the development of hydromorphic Podzols are a major concern for the upper Amazon Basin because of the extent of the areas affected by such processes and the large amounts of organic carbon and associated metals exported to the rivers. The dynamics and chemical composition of ground and surface waters were studied along an Acrisol‐Podzol sequence lying in an open depression of a plateau. Water levels were monitored along the sequence over a period of 2 years by means of piezometers. Water was sampled in zero‐tension lysimeters for groundwater and for surface water in the drainage network of the depression. The pH and concentrations of organic carbon and major elements (Si, Fe and Al) were determined. The contrasted changes reported for concentrations of Si, organic carbon and metals (Fe, Al) mainly reflect the dynamics of the groundwater and the weathering conditions that prevail in the soils. Iron is released by the reductive dissolution of Fe oxides, mostly in the Bg horizons of the upslope Acrisols. It moves laterally under the control of hydraulic gradients and migrates through the iron‐depleted Podzols where it is exported to the river network. Aluminium is released from the dissolution of Al‐bearing minerals (gibbsite and kaolinite) at the margin of the podzolic area but is immobilized as organo‐Al complexes in spodic horizons. In downslope positions, the quick recharge of the groundwater and large release of organic compounds lead to acidification and a loss of metals (mainly Al), previously stored in the Podzols.
Development of an apparatus for measuring one‐dimensional steady‐state heat flux of soil under reduced air pressure
Authors: Momose T. , Sakaguchi I. , Kasubuchi T.
Published: May 2008

One of the best ways to evaluate the coupled heat and mass transfer in soil is to measure the heat flux and water distribution simultaneously. For this purpose, we developed an apparatus for measuring the one‐dimensional steady‐state heat flux and water distribution in unsaturated soil under reduced air pressure. The system was tested using four samples with known thermal conductivity (0.6–8.0 W m−1 K−1). We confirmed that the system could measure the one‐dimensional steady‐state heat flux under a fixed temperature difference between ends of the samples over a wide range of thermal conductivity values. Time domain reflectometry was used to measure the water distribution with a repeatability of less than ± 1.0%. We used the apparatus to measure the soil heat flux and distribution of water content and temperature under steady‐state conditions with reduced air pressure. The initial volumetric water content, θini, of the soil samples was set at 0.20 and 0.40 m3m−3. For a θini of 0.20, the heat flux was not significantly affected by air pressure, and the water content on the hot side decreased whilst that on the cold side increased, i.e. a pronounced water content gradient was formed. For a θini of 0.40, the heat flux increased sharply with reduced air pressure, and the water content did not change, i.e. a homogeneous water distribution was observed. The increase in the heat flux with air pressure reduction is caused by the vapour transfer in soil pores. We found that a large vapour transfer took place in the soil with the homogeneous water distribution, and that the vapour transfer was less in the soil with the pronounced water content gradient. These experimental facts were entirely different from the traditional knowledge of vapour transfer in soil under temperature gradients. A lack of data on heat flux must have resulted in the previously incorrect conclusions. The new apparatus will serve to clarify the intricate phenomena of thermally induced vapour transfer in unsaturated soil in further experiments.
Symbiosis between Nicotiana attenuata and Glomus intraradices: ethylene plays a role, jasmonic acid does not
Authors: RIEDEL TINA , GROTEN KARIN , BALDWIN IAN T.
Published: May 2008

Phytohormones are thought to mediate plant–arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) interactions. To explore the role of phytohormones in the interaction between Nicotiana attenuata and Glomus intraradices, we analysed levels of jasmonic acid (JA) and its amino acid conjugate JA–isoleucine/JA–leucine (JA–Ile), salicylic acid (SA) and ethylene in either infected or non‐infected N. attenuata wild‐type (WT) plants growing in soils that mimic the nutrient supply rates found in the plant's native environment. Under these conditions, the infection decreases plant growth and reproductive performance. Levels of JA, JA–Ile and SA did not change upon infection, but ethylene release was slightly decreased. Transgenic N. attenuata plants defective in JA signalling (aslox3 and ircoi1) did not differ significantly in growth or reproductive performance compared with infected WT. Furthermore, no difference in infection rates could be observed. Transgenic plants unable to produce (iraco) or perceive (etr1) ethylene showed significantly larger decreases in growth and number of seed capsules produced between infected and non‐infected plants compared with WT plants. We conclude that ethylene, rather than JA, signalling plays a role in the interaction between N. attenuata and AM, from which the plant does not realize a fitness benefit.
Jasmonic acid treatment to part of the root system is consistent with simulated leaf herbivory, diverting recently assimilated carbon towards untreated roots within an hour
Authors: HENKES GUNNAR JAKOB , THORPE MICHAEL R. , MINCHIN PETER E. H. , SCHURR ULRICH , RÖSE URSULA S. R.
Published: May 2008

It is known that shoot application of jasmonic acid (JA) leads to an increased carbon export from leaves to stem and roots, and that root treatment with JA inhibits root growth. Using the radioisotope 11C, we measured JA effects on carbon partitioning in sterile, split‐root, barley plants. JA applied to one root half reduced carbon partitioning to the JA‐treated tissue within minutes, whereas the untreated side showed a corresponding – but slower – increase. This response was not observed when instead of applying JA, the sink strength of one root half was reduced by cooling it: there was no enhanced partitioning to the untreated roots. The slower response in the JA‐untreated roots, and the difference between the effect of JA and temperature, suggest that root JA treatment caused transduction of a signal from the treated roots to the shoot, leading to an increase in carbon allocation from the leaves to the untreated root tissue, as was indeed observed 10 min after the shoot application of JA. This supports the hypothesis that the response of some plant species to both leaf and root herbivores may be the diversion of resources to safer locations.
Calcium pectate chemistry causes growth to be stored inChara corallina: a test of the pectate cycle
Authors: PROSEUS TIMOTHY E. , BOYER JOHN S.
Published: May 2008

Calcium pectate chemistry was reported to control the growth rate of cells ofChara corallina, and required turgor pressure (P) to do so. Accordingly, this chemistry should account for other aspects of growth, particularly the ability of plants to compensate for brief exposure to lowP, that is, to ‘store’ growth. LiveCharacells or isolated walls were attached to a pressure probe, andPwas varied. LowPcaused growth to be inhibited in live cells, but whenPreturned to normal (0.5 MPa), a flush of growth completely compensated for that lost at lowPfor as long as 23–53 min. This growth storage was absent in isolated walls, mature cells and live cells exposed to cold, indicating that the cytoplasm delivered a metabolically derived growth factor needingPfor its action. Because the cytoplasm delivered pectate needingPfor its action, pectate was supplied to isolated walls at lowPas though the cytoplasm had done so. Growth was stored while otherwise none occurred. It was concluded that aP‐dependent cycle of calcium pectate chemistry not only controlled growth rate and new wall deposition, but also accounted for stored growth.
Successful living‐related liver transplantation in a child with familial yellow nail syndrome and fulminant hepatic failure: Report of a case
Authors: Kuloğlu Zarife , Üstündağ Gonca , Kırsaçlıoğlu Ceyda Tuna , Kansu Aydan , Bingol‐Kologlu Meltem , Vargun Rahsan , Hazinedaroğlu Selcuk , Karayalçın Selim , Girgin Nurten
Published: May 2008

Abstract:  An 11‐yr‐old boy with familial YNS and FHF and who underwent LRLT is presented. LRLT was performed from his father with YNS. The findings of hepatic failure resolved immediately after LRLT, but severe respiratory complications and chylous ascites were observed during the follow‐up. At 12 months after successful LT, the patient has good graft function, but findings of YNS including chronic cough, lymphedema and yellow nails are still present. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of YNS who underwent LRLT for FHF.
Recovery of tacrolimus‐associated brachial neuritis after conversion to everolimus in a pediatric renal transplant recipient – Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Al Masri Omar , Fathallah Waseem , Quader Suzanne
Published: May 2008

Abstract:  TAC has been shown to be a potent immunosuppressive agent for solid organ transplantation in pediatrics. Neurotoxicity is a potentially serious toxic effect. It is characterized by encephalopathy, headaches, seizures, or neurological deficits. Here, we describe an eight‐and‐a‐half‐yr‐old male renal transplant recipient with right BN. MRI demonstrated hyperintense T2 signals in the cervical cord and right brachial plexus roots indicative of both myelitis and right brachial plexitis. Symptoms persisted for three months despite TAC dose reduction, administration of IVIG and four doses of methylprednisolone pulse therapy. Improvement and eventually full recovery only occurred after TAC was completely discontinued and successfully replaced by everolimus.
Plasma progesterone, oestradiol‐17β and total oestrogen profiles in relation to oestrous behaviour during induced ovulation in Murrah buffalo heifers
Authors: Roy K. S. , Prakash B. S.
Published: May 2008

The objectives of this study were to establish the characteristics of oestrous behaviour in Ovsynch (induction of ovulation through administration of GnRH‐PGF2α‐GnRH in a systemic manner on 0, seventh and ninth day respectively) and Ovsynch plus Norprolac (Quinagolide hydrochloride – an inhibitor of prolactin secretion) treated Murrah buffalo heifers and to determine the relationships between this behaviour and the plasma concentrations of oestradiol‐17β (E2), total oestrogen, and progesterone. Oestrus was detected by visual observations of oestrus signs, per rectal examination of genitalia and bull parading thrice a day during treatment period. Among all the symptoms, it was observed that bull mounting of heifers in oestrus was highest. Examination of genital tracts per rectum revealed that the cervix was relaxed, uterus was turgid and ovaries had palpable follicle in animals with oestrus. The peak concentrations of E2 (10.81 ± 0.62 pg/ml) and total oestrogen (17.11 ± 1.21 pg/ml) occurred at 9.45 ± 0.85 and 9.64 ± 0.93 h after second GnRH administration, respectively, in Ovsynch treated animals. However, the peak levels of E2 (20.02 ± 2.87 pg/ml) and total oestrogen (32.71 ± 3.15 pg/ml) occurred at 10.18 ± 0.50 and 10.36 ± 0.75 h after second GnRH administration, respectively, in Ovsynch plus Norprolac treated animals. Plasma progesterone concentration was basal (0.20 ± 0.001 ng/ml) during the peri‐oestrus period. The plasma progesterone concentration was the lowest on the day of oestrus and increased to register a peak on day 13 ± 2 of the cycle. Oestrous behaviour was positively correlated with the peak concentration of E2 (p < 0.001) and total oestrogen (p < 0.001) during the peri‐oestrus period. Inhibition of prolactin by Norprolac administration significantly increased the concentration of E2 and total oestrogen during oestrus in buffaloes in comparison to those recorded in animals subjected to Ovsynch protocol alone. In conclusion, our results suggest that the peak concentrations of E2 and total oestrogen and mean level of E2 and total oestrogen during the peri‐oestrus period are the important factors contributing the behavioural manifestation of oestrus in buffalo cows.
Genetic Diversity of Rice False Smut Fungus, Ustilaginoidea virens and its Pronounced Differentiation of Populations in North China
Authors: Zhou Y.‐L. , Pan Y.‐J. , Xie X.‐W. , Zhu L.‐H. , Xu J.‐L. , Wang S. , Li Z.‐K.
Published: May 2008

Rice false smut caused by Ustilaginoidea virens is an important constraint affecting rice yield and quality in Asia. In China, rice false smut is especially severe in the japonica rice‐growing areas in the North China. Nothing is known neither about the diversity of the pathogen in this region nor about the characteristic of its local population. In this study, 110 U. virens isolates sampled from Liaoning and Beijing of North China were analysed using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers to primarily understand the genetic diversity of this pathogen and its population characteristics. At the genetic distance of 0.32, all isolates were divided into two groups. Group A consists of two subgroups differentiated at the genetic distance of 0.55, subgroup 1 included all isolates from Liaoning with an average genetic similarity over 0.82 and subgroup 2 included 27 isolates from Beijing with similarity of 0.74. Group B consists of 28 isolates from Beijing having a diversity of 0.054. The isolates from the Liaoning province, where rice false smut has generated different take‐all epidemic for 20 years, showed a genetic diversity of 0.305, which was approximately equally distributed within and among populations. Whereas genetic diversity was 0.458 among isolates from Beijing, an extremely high level of genetic differentiation among 55 isolates was observed in this disease hotspot. Our results suggested that the populations among different locations where sexual stage of the pathogen was rare to be found within ecological region were similar, and the variation of this pathogen has mainly arisen via asexual mechanisms. The migration through human activities in breeding perhaps provides a means of transporting the pathogen from one region to another.
Egos Inflating Over Time: A Cross‐Temporal Meta‐Analysis of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory
Authors: Twenge Jean M. , Konrath Sara , Foster Joshua D. , Keith Campbell W. , Bushman Brad J.
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACT
A cross‐temporal meta‐analysis found that narcissism levels have risen over the generations in 85 samples of American college students who completed the 40‐item forced‐choice Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) between 1979 and 2006 (total n=16,475). Mean narcissism scores were significantly correlated with year of data collection when weighted by sample size (β=.53, p<.001). Since 1982, NPI scores have increased 0.33 standard deviation. Thus, almost two‐thirds of recent college students are above the mean 1979–1985 narcissism score, a 30% increase. The results complement previous studies finding increases in other individualistic traits such as assertiveness, agency, self‐esteem, and extraversion.