bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Indoor air quality in prisons before and after implementation of a smoking ban law
Authors: Proescholdbell S K , Foley K L , Johnson J , Malek S H
Published: February 2008

Objective:

To ascertain whether a new indoor smoking ban law in North Carolina correctional facilities was successfully implemented and whether the indoor air quality has improved as a result.

Method:

Before the law came into effect, we tested the air quality of 22 dormitory and common areas within six North Carolina prisons using standard protocols for testing particulate matter. We measured particulate matter 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) using state of the art TSI SidePak monitors. After the law went into effect, the same locations within each prison were tested again. Written inmate surveys were also conducted at two prisons, one with partial smoking ban (indoors only) and one with a total smoking ban (indoors and outdoors).

Results:

The findings indicate that, on average, levels of respirable suspended particulates (RSPs), an accepted marker for secondhand smoke (SHS) levels, decreased 77% in these prisons after the law took effect compared to levels obtained before ban implementation. Several areas were tobacco-free before the implementation of this ban. In those areas no significant decreases in RSPs were noted.

Conclusion:

Laws banning tobacco use in correctional facilities can significantly reduce indoor SHS exposure among inmates, visitors and staff and potentially lead to reduced use. To date, 24 US states have enacted 100% smoke-free correctional facility polices for all indoor areas even though inmates and staff have much higher tobacco use prevalence rates than the general population. With an estimated nine million people incarcerated worldwide, prison smoking bans could have a substantial impact in terms of health outcomes and long-term costs if they can effectively reduce exposure to secondhand smoke.
The cytotaxonomy of Solidago nemoralis (Compositae: Astereae)
Authors: Brammall Ronald A. , Semple John C.
Published: February 2008

Chromosome number determinations were made from 218 populations of Solidago nemoralis collected throughout the range of the species in Canada and the United States. All individuals of ssp. decemflora were tetraploid (2n = 36; 28 populations); these came from the prairies and adjacent eastern deciduous forest states and provinces. The majority of the collections of ssp. nemoralis were diploid (2n = 18; 161 populations) and came from throughout the eastern deciduous forest region of eastern North America. Tetraploids (2n = 36; 29 populations) of ssp. nemoralis were less frequent and occurred scattered across the eastern and northern portions of the range of the subspecies. The cytotype distribution pattern of the two subspecies of Solidago nemoralis is representative of what appears to be a frequent evolutionary strategy in the goldenrods.
A multivariate morphometric study of Solidago nemoralis (Compositae: Astereae) and comparison with S. californica and S. sparsiflora
Authors: Semple John C. , Chmielewski Jerry G. , Brammall Ronald A.
Published: February 2008

Multivariate analysis of 11 quantitative morphological characteristics of 177 individuals of the Solidago nemoralis complex supports recognition of two subspecies. In a cluster analysis, two groups were immediately obvious (corresponding approximately to ssp. decemflora and ssp. nemoralis); within the ssp. nemoralis cluster, diploids and tetraploids tended to cluster separately. Discriminant analyses were performed on two and three a priori groups. The prairie and open savannah race ssp. decemflora could be distinguished from the eastern ssp. nemoralis son the basis of corolla lobe length, ray floret pappus length, numbers of disc florets, involucre height, and the lengths of the disc corolla, disc corolla limb, and disc floret pappus. Capitulescence form was found to be plastic and of limited taxonomic value. Plants with elongated ascending lower capitulescence branches (elm tree shaped) occurred throughout much of the range of ssp. nemoralis; these have been treated previously as var. or ssp. haleana, but are placed in synonymy. A late glacial and postglacial history of S. nemoralis is hypothesized. In a second set of analyses, small samples of S. nemoralis, S. californica, and S. sparsiflora were compared. Based on the floral characters used, the two subspecies of S. nemoralis differed to a greater degree than S. californica and S. sparsiflora differed from each other. The latter two differed from each other on vegetative traits more so than did the two subspecies of S. nemoralis. The need for a larger study of S. californica, S. sparsiflora, S. velutina, and related taxa was indicated.
The structure and histochemistry of sclerotia of Typhula incarnata
Authors: Willetts H. J. , Bullock Suzanne , Begg Elizabeth , Matsumoto N.
Published: February 2008

The results of a study of the ultrastracture and histochemistry of sclerotia of the psychrophilic snow mold Typhula incarnata indicated some unique features. These included the following: a continuous, pigmented layer external to the rind of the sclerotium; medullary hyphal walls that contained large amounts of β-1,3 glucans; conspicuous fibrils distributed through medullary hyphal walls; the absence of an extensive extracellular matrix characteristic of sclerotia of many mesophilic fangi; large, usually single, phenol-rich bodies in rind cells; and medullary hyphae that either contained several phenol bodies or protein bodies and polyphosphate granules, some of which were contained within protein bodies. These features are compared with those of sclerotia of mesophilic fungi, and their possible significance is discussed. Key words: sclerotia, sclerotial morphology, sclerotial histochemistry, snow mold, Typhula.
The flagellar apparatus in the Phytophthora infestans zoospore
Authors: Barr D. J. S. , Désaulniers N. L.
Published: February 2008

The Phytophthora infestans zoospore contains five out of six rootlets that are found in other secondary-type oomycetous zoospores. They include (i) an anterior ribbed rootlet (AR4) that runs along the right side of the anterior groove and consists of four main microtubules, an electron-opaque cord, and secondary (rib) microtubules; (ii) an anterior rootlet (A2) that runs on the left side of the anterior groove and consists of two microtubules; (iii) a posterior rootlet (P6) that runs on the left side of the posterior groove and consists of six microtubules; (iv) an array of cytoplasmic microtubules; and (v) an array of nucleus-associated microtubules. There is no multistranded, band-shaped rootlet (MS). There is a concertina-like structure in the core of the transition zone distal to the basal plate. Differences in rootlet morphology may provide a useful means of classifying species of Phytophthora. Key words: flagellar apparatus, zoospore, Phytophthora infestans, Oomycetes.
Ontogenèse des canaux sécréteurs d'origine primaire dans la jeune plante de Pinus pinaster
Authors: Charon J. , Vindt-Balguerie E. , Launay J.
Published: February 2008

An ontogenic study of the primary resin ducts was carried out from the embryo to the 2-month-old seedlings stage in Pinus pinaster Ait. and revealed two separate systems, the hypocotyl-radicular ducts and the epicotylar ducts. In the first system, each one of the resin ducts, which are numerically equal to the protoxylem strands of the radicle, is formed by vertical juxtaposition of two canals initiated partly in the hypocotyl and in the radicle. This system is closed at the level of the cotyledonary node. The second system consists of the anastomosis of the resin ducts initiated in the base of euphylls. This system is closed at the level of the base of the epicotyl and is not correlated with the first one. The primary resin ducts are formed on a schizolysigenous pattern. In the epicotylar bud, the schizogenous and lysigenous processes are described and they occur over a long distance. This schizolysigenous process of primary resin ducts is compared in young and adult plants. Key words: resin duct, ontogenesis, schizogeny, lysigeny, seedling, Pinus pinaster.
Metal tolerances and cotolerances in the moss Funaria hygrometrica
Authors: Shaw A. Jonathan
Published: February 2008

Tolerance of copper, zinc, nickel, and cadmium was measured in eight populations of the moss Funaria hygrometrica collected from metal-contaminated mine tailings, contaminated soils near metal smelters, urban areas, and an uncontaminated rural site. Protonemal growth in populations collected from the four most copper-contaminated soils was inhibited by only 10–30% on media with 10 μg g−1 copper, whereas populations from other sites were inhibited by over 80%. Population differences in tolerance of zinc, cadmium, and nickel were not clearly related to environmental contamination by these metals. Variation among populations in growth on the metal treatments (except copper) was related to generalized differences in growth rates rather than to metal tolerance per se. Populations differed by up to 400% in the propensity to form stems on control nutrient medium, and stem formation was negatively correlated with protonemal growth, suggesting trade-offs between these two stages of gametophyte development. The two populations that were most sensitive to all the metals formed stems most prolifically under uncontaminated conditions. In comparison with flowering plants, generalized vigor and cross-tolerance between metals may play a more important part in the ability of F. hygrometrica to colonize contaminated soils, and metal-specific tolerant ecotypes may be less important. Key words: metal tolerance, bryophyte evolution, pollution responses, Funaria hygrometrica.
Short-term acid damage to photosynthesis in corn and sugar maple leaves assessed by photoacoustic spectroscopy
Authors: N'soukpoé-Kossi C. N. , Bélanger R. , Keilani S. , Proteau H. , Boivin P. , Leblanc R. M.
Published: February 2008

Photoacoustic spectroscopy was used to monitor acid damage to photosynthesis by measuring photosynthetic O2 evolution in leaves from com and sugar maple plantlets. For 2 months the seedlings were treated with simulated acid rain either by spraying the leaves or by watering the soil at different pH levels. The results indicated a decline of photosynthetic oxygen evolution as the pH of the foliar application of simulated acid rain decreased. The reduced photosynthetic activity was sometimes followed by depigmentation (below pH 3.5). For plantlets treated by watering the soil with an acid mixture, the results showed an increase in the growth rate at higher acidity levels without effect on the photosynthetic activity. All corn seedlings from seeds that germinated in media of different pH levels showed the same photosynthetic activity regardless of the pH, as measured by photoacoustic spectroscopy, but the growth rate was higher at lower pH values than at higher pH values. These results clearly indicate the importance of acid damage to photosynthesis at the foliar level, and the ability of photoacoustic spectroscopy to assess forest decline in its early stages. Key words: photoacoustic spectroscopy, photosynthesis, corn, maple, acid rain, oxygen evolution.
Induction of somatic embryogenesis in carrot by heavy metal ions
Authors: Kiyosue Tomohiro , Takano Koujiro , Kamada Hiroshi , Harada Hiroshi
Published: February 2008

A new method for the induction of somatic embryos has been demonstrated. Somatic embryos were formed without a visible interventing callus stage when apical tips from 1-week-old seedlings of carrot (Daucus carota cv. US-Harumakigosun) were cultured for 1–3 weeks on Murashige and Skoog's medium without growth regulators but containing heavy metal chlorides, such as CoCl2, NiCl2, ZnCl2, and CdCl2, and then transferred to Murashige and Skoog's medium. These results suggest that the stresses caused by these chemicals trigger the induction of somatic embryogenesis in carrot. Key words: Daucus carota, somatic embryo, stress, tissue culture.
Soil–steel structure design by the Ontario Code: Part 1. General and geotechnical considerations
Authors: Mirza Cameran , Bakht Baidar
Published: February 2008

The paper presents an overview of the Ontario Highway Bridge Design Code provisions dealing with the design of soil–steel structures, which are composed of shells of corrugated steel plate, embedded in an envelope of engineered soil. In particular, the paper deals with the engineering aspect of the soil component of the structure. The soil–structure interaction is discussed in the context of arching of dead loads and the influence of soil properties on the ability of the metallic shell to sustain loads. Hydraulic, geotechnical, and other aspects of soil–steel structure design, such as durability and construction, are also briefly discussed.
Surface water hydrologic criteria for uranium mine tailings impoundments in Ontario
Authors: Bishop Craig T. , Bishop Robert
Published: February 2008

In response to the increase in world demand for uranium, mines in the Elliot Lake area of Northern Ontario are being reopened. As part of the rehabilitation program, James F. MacLaren Ltd. was commissioned to undertake studies related to the safe disposal of the radioactive tailings which result from the mining–milling process.Tailings disposal is usually achieved by discharging the tailings slurry and waste rock to an isolated impoundment area. Process water from the slurry and natural runoff from the tailings basin and its drainage area collect at the lowest end of the tailings area. This water must be treated to meet water quality standards set by regulatory agencies. However, no firm criteria (at least for Ontario) for the frequency with which spillage of untreated water might be permitted were discovered. Equally, no criteria regarding the design of an emergency spillway for this type of impoundment were found. In view of this, criteria were developed during these studies using engineering judgement.The evolution of these criteria is discussed in this paper. The hydrologic methods used in the analysis of both long term water level variations and the response to severe storm events are outlined. An example of the application of the criteria for the Elliot Lake area is presented. A method of reducing the cost of meeting these criteria is also discussed. Finally, the need for further independent research on the problem is pointed out.
Development of a hybrid expert system: a case study
Authors: Sakr K. M. , Hosain M. U.
Published: February 2008

This paper considers the possible enhancement of the capabilities of an expert system tool. Most of the commercial tools currently available are not particularly suitable for developing expert systems that involve routine design calculations. To overcome this drawback for engineering applications, numerical computations may be carried out by conventional computer programs which can be linked to an expert system tool through its external program interface. This type of expert systems is called a "hybrid" or "coupled" expert system. Practicing engineers will, sooner or later, face the need to use hybrid expert systems. This paper presents a case study which shows how the capabilities of a commercial expert system tool can be enhanced by integrating it with a conventional computer program. The hybrid expert system developed by the authors for illustration purpose can be used for the analysis of plane steel trusses and the evaluation of member design forces. It utilizes an in-house program called “Manager” to integrate two commercial software packages: an expert system tool called KES and a structural analysis package named PFRAME. The capabilities of the hybrid system appear to exceed those of the individual software packages. Key words: knowledge based expert systems, expert system building tools, hybrid expert systems, structural analysis, structural design.
Development of a framework for the selection of a reservoir operating policy
Authors: Yang Yujuin , Burn Donald H. , Lence Barbara J.
Published: February 2008

A methodology is developed for the selection of a preferred operating policy for a multipurpose reservoir. The methodology consists of policy identification through optimization, policy evaluation through simulation, and policy selection with a multiobjective optimization approach. The approach developed is demonstrated through an application to the Shellmouth Reservoir, a multipurpose reservoir located on the Assiniboine River in Manitoba. The operating policy identified for the Shellmouth Reservoir resulted in a satisfactory performance for the historical period of record. Key words: operating rules, reservoirs, optimization, simulation.
Environmental audits of alternate structural systems for warehouse buildings
Authors: Cole Raymond J. , Rousseau David , Taylor Stephen
Published: February 2008

This paper presents example environmental audits for four alternate structural systems used in typical warehouse buildings: concrete masonry, tilt-up wall, steel system, and wood. An environmental audit as defined in this work is an evaluation of the "debit side" impacts, in terms of energy consumption and environmental emissions, incurred in the extraction and processing of materials for building products to the point where they are ready to install in a building.Though comprehensive auditing methods will eventually become available, the work reported in this paper incorporates energy and air pollution audits as the most currently accessible and quantifiable indicators based on available data.The analysis shows that massive structural systems are inherently more energy intensive than lightweight ones by virtue of the mass of material in the walls which dominates the relatively lightweight horizontal structures common to all. Moreover, their CO2 and other air pollution indices are also significantly higher. The long span members are the dominant single energy and pollution component in the environmental audit of a structural system, accounting for between 74% and 79% of the total energy required for production of materials, and contributing from 59% to 79% of the aggregate air pollution from manufacturing industries. Of the lightweight examples, the steel frame building was the least energy intensive by a small margin, while the wood frame contributed least to CO2 emission by a substantial margin. Key words: audit, energy, environment, pollution, structure, warehouse.
A genetic analysis of aminopeptidase and peroxidase isoenzymes in Douglas-fir parent trees and seedling progeny
Authors: Copes Donald L.
Published: February 2008

The genetic control of isoenzymes found in bark and vegetative buds was determined for one peroxidase and one aminopeptidase locus. The segregation of alleles within full-sib progeny of a 6 × 6 tree diallel fitted expected Mendelian ratios. Eight peroxidase isoenzymes existed, but only those with relative mobilities of 0.44 and 0.49 showed allelism. Several of the other six peroxidase bands gave a false impression of segregation.
Relationship of wood structure to compartmentalization of discoloured wood in hybrid poplar
Authors: Eckstein Dieter , Liese Walter , Shigo Alex L.
Published: February 2008

Xylem in hybrid poplar trees (Populusdeltoides Marsh × P. trichocarpa Hook) that had small columns of discolored wood associated with wounds (strong compartmentalization) was different from xylem in trees that had large columns (weak compartmentalization). Vessel systemshad the most obvious differences. Strong-compartmentalizing trees had fewer and smaller vessels with fewer connections to other vessels than the weak-compartmentalizing trees. These anatomical differences may aid in selecting, at an early age, strong-compartmentalizing trees resistant to defects.
A laboratory study of weather effects on the drying rate of jack pine litter
Authors: Wagner C. E. Van
Published: February 2008

This paper describes the variation in the drying rate of jack pine (Pinusbanksiana Lamb.) litter with external conditions. Temperature, relative humidity (RH), and wind were varied separately. Drying runs were carried out in a cabinet with controlled temperature and humidity and also in the open laboratory. Most runs followed the exponential pattern, and the drying rates were measured in terms of the slope of the semilog graph of free moisture content versus time. The logarithm of this slope was found to be inversely proportional to the reciprocal of absolute temperature. The drying rate varied with 100 – RH at high RH but increased only slightly below 60% RH owing to the limiting effect of the wax and resin content on the rate of internal diffusion. Drying in wind proceeded in two stages, the first faster than the second. Wind was important at low speeds, and the drying rate increased but little above 2 km/h. These principles were used in the design of the drying equations of the Fine Fuel Moisture Code of the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index.
Effect of continuous photoperiod on growth and development of lodgepole pine seedlings and grafts
Authors: Wheeler Nicholas
Published: February 2008

Wind-pollinated seed and ramets from lodgepole pine (Pinuscontorta Dougl.) plus tree selections in British Columbia were established and maintained under 24-h photoperiods for 6 months. Subsequently, these trees were outplanted in the nursery and periodically assessed for height, diameter, and dry weight. Seedlings and grafts developed considerably faster than normal nursery-grown controls during the treatment period, and they maintained an accelerated growth rate during the two growing seasons following outplanting. Root growth was particularly enhanced, as evidenced by the sharply reduced shoot:root ratio of treated seedlings relative to controls. Large differences in growth response existed among wind-pollinated families but family × environment (greenhouse vs. nursery) interaction confounded interpretation. Family performances for treated and control seedlings of the same families were not well correlated (r = 0.24) after two growing seasons. The rapid growth and development of seedlings and grafts under continuous photoperiod can undoubtedly benefit tree improvement programs by ultimately reducing the establishment time of seedling and clonal seed orchards, particularly for slowly growing species such as lodgepole pine.
Estimating the solid-wood content of stacked logs with minimum total cost
Authors: Smith Victor G.
Published: February 2008

The solid-wood content of stacked logs is needed as an estimate supplementary to stacked volume on many logging operations where weigh scaling is inconvenient. This estimate is usually found by cube scaling a sample of piles. This note illustrates how the solid-wood content of stacked wood can be estimated using traditional volumetric calculations in such a way as to minimize the sum of scaling costs.
Characterization of seeds from 10 IUFRO Sitka spruce provenances using trace element profiles as determined by X-ray energy-dispersive spectrometry
Authors: El-Kassaby Yousry A. , McLean John A.
Published: February 2008

Trace-element profiles for seeds collected from 10 International Union of Forest Research Organization provenances of Sitka spruce (Piceasitchensis [Bong.] Carr.) from the Pacific Northwest were determined by X-ray energy-dispersive spectrometry. Stepwise discriminant analyses were used to examine potential significant differences among groups and separate samples were used as unknowns to test each discriminant function. Three analyses were made, the first to discriminate among the 10 provenances, the second to discriminate among the five Canadian provenances only, and the third to discriminate the Canadian provenances grouped by soil types at provenance origin. Significant differences (P < 0.01) among groups were observed in all cases. High degrees of success were achieved in identifying "unknowns" and classifying them to their source groups (80–100%). Several variables were common among the three analyses, suggesting that the elemental profile of each provenance is a reflection of both environmental condition (soil chemistry) and the genetic makeup (mineral uptake). The use of this technique in forest seed certification is discussed.
Effects of ethylene and fungicide dips during cold storage on root regeneration and survival of western conifers and their mycorrhizal fungi
Authors: Alvarez Isabel F. , Linderman Robert G.
Published: February 2008

Survival and growth of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco), ponderosa pine (Pinusponderosa Dougl. ex. Laws.), and white fir (Abiesconcolor (Gord. and Glend.) Lindl.) seedlings and survival of mycorrhizal fungi on their roots were assessed after cold storage with or without 5 ppm ethylene in combination with four root treatments: (i) washed, (ii) dipped in Truban solution, (iii) dipped in Benlate solution, and (iv) no treatment. Ethylene treatment resulted in increased survival, apical bud burst, and new root formation in the greenhouse if roots had not been washed or dipped in fungicide. None of the gas storage or root treatments greatly affected seedling field survival. Root washing decreased vigor of the seedlings, especially white fir. None of the root treatments or gas storage conditions affected root fungal populations; bacterial and actinomycete populations appeared to be affected and the response varied according to host species. Pisolithustinctorius (Pers.) Coker and Couch, which formed mycorrhizae with 10–20% of the short roots of the seedlings, did not survive cold storage. Thelephora spp. and an ectendomycorrhizal fungus both survived cold storage and rapidly colonized roots newly formed on seedlings planted after cold storage.
The influence of forest stand characteristics on snow interception in the coastal forests of British Columbia
Authors: McNay R. Scott , Peterson Leslie D. , Nyberg J. Brian
Published: February 2008

The capability of forest stands to intercept snow is an important factor in determining management prescriptions for such hydrologically related phenomenon as avalanches, floods, and water supply as well as suitability for ungulate winter habitat. This study tested the hypothesis that snow interception can be predicted as a function of various stand characteristics and storm sizes. The dependent variable was fresh snow depth under the forest canopy; the independent variables were crown completeness, crown length, crown width, basal area per hectare, tree height, tree density, and storm size. Ten stands were selected for study from two locations on Vancouver Island. Snow depth was monitored over 24 storms ranging from 1.4 to 38.0 cm. The best simple linear regression models that incorporated forest variables were those for individual storms, with fresh snow expressed as a function of mean crown completeness. The best assessments of a particular stand's capability to intercept snow were made using an equation with both storm size and mean crown completeness as independent variables.
Determination of frost hardiness of Eucalyptus using the electrical conductivity of diffusate in conjunction with a freezing chamber
Authors: Hallam P. M. , Tibbits W. N.
Published: February 2008

An electrical conductivity method for determining frost hardiness of tissue discs punched from Eucalyptus leaves is described. Samples were exposed to convective heat loss in an air-filled chamber. Rates of cooling and desired frost temperatures were electronically controlled and maintained. Supercooling of tissue was effectively eliminated by addition of small amounts of AgI and water. Conductivity of diffusate was measured as a means of quantifying tissue damage following frost. Relative conductivity was determined with reference to subsequent measurements following heating the discs to 70 °C which resulted in maximum conductivity. Exposure of leaf discs to temperatures below the lethal temperature for these species (<−10 °C) resulted in similar maximum conductivity readings. The technique is evaluated to assess its potential to distinguish small differences in frost hardiness caused by genotype and environment. For both E. delegatensis and E. nitens there was no significant difference in frost hardiness expressed in terms of mean lethal temperature when comparing leaf discs with frosting whole seedlings.
Root growth potential and shoot activity of northern and southern provenances of 1–0 eastern white pine seedlings grown in a Virginia nursery
Authors: Johnsen Kurt H. , Feret Peter P. , Seiler John R.
Published: February 2008

Root growth potential and shoot activity were examined from October until April using northern and southern half-sib families of 1–0 eastern white pine (Pinusstrobus L.) seedlings (grown in a Virginia nursery). There were significant differences in root growth potential between northern and southern provenances and this was apparently due to the larger size of seedlings of southern origin. Heritability estimates indicate that root growth potential is under minimal genetic control in 1–0 eastern white pine seedlings. Southern provenances maintained higher shoot activity at the end of the root growth potential test during the autumn months. By April, northern provenances had surpassed southern provenances in shoot activity. Large differences in shoot activity did not result in large root growth potential differences which may indicate that bud dormancy status does not highly influence root growth potential in 1–0 eastern white pine seedlings.
ON THE COMPUTATION OF THE RELATIVE ENTROPY OF PROBABILISTIC AUTOMATA
Authors: CORTES CORINNA , MOHRI MEHRYAR , RASTOGI ASHISH , RILEY MICHAEL
Published: February 2008

We present an exhaustive analysis of the problem of computing the relative entropy of two probabilistic automata. We show that the problem of computing the relative entropy of unambiguous probabilistic automata can be formulated as a shortest-distance problem over an appropriate semiring, give efficient exact and approximate algorithms for its computation in that case, and report the results of experiments demonstrating the practicality of our algorithms for very large weighted automata. We also prove that the computation of the relative entropy of arbitrary probabilistic automata is PSPACE-complete.

The relative entropy is used in a variety of machine learning algorithms and applications to measure the discrepancy of two distributions. We examine the use of the symmetrized relative entropy in machine learning algorithms and show that, contrarily to what is suggested by a number of publications in that domain, the symmetrized relative entropy is neither positive definite symmetric nor negative definite symmetric, which limits its use and application in kernel methods. In particular, the convergence of training for learning algorithms is not guaranteed when the symmetrized relative entropy is used directly as a kernel, or as the operand of an exponential as in the case of Gaussian Kernels.

Finally, we show that our algorithm for the computation of the entropy of an unambiguous probabilistic automaton can be generalized to the computation of the norm of an unambiguous probabilistic automaton by using a monoid morphism. In particular, this yields efficient algorithms for the computation of the Lp-norm of a probabilistic automaton.
IMPACT OF GEOMETRY ON THE HYDROGEN STORAGE PROPERTIES OF TITANIUM CARBIDE: A DFT STUDY ON THE MODEL TiC4H4
Authors: MALCIOĞLU OSMAN BARIŞ , ERKOÇ ŞAKİR
Published: February 2008

Transition metals such as titanium are known to attract (molecular) H 2 in some complexes through Kubas interaction. This interaction involves coordination of sigma bonds of the H2 with the transition metal, and it is comparatively strong, allowing promising hydrogen storage applications. In this work, the impact of structural geometry on this coordination is investigated using a model titan–carbide structure ( TiC 4 H 4) by performing density functional theory calculations.
CALCULATION OF THE RELATIVE DENSITY AND THE CROSSING TIME THROUGH THE FITNESS BARRIER IN AN ASYMMETRIC SHARPLY-PEAKED LANDSCAPE
Authors: LEE KWANG SUNG , GILL WONPYONG
Published: February 2008

We have calculated the relative density and crossing time through the fitness barrier by switching on an asymmetric sharply-peaked landscape, from the initial state which is the quasispecies in a sharply-peaked landscape. It is found that the increment of the relative density with the reversal sequence is a linearly increasing function of time unless a new stationary state in an asymmetric sharply-peaked landscape is reached. It is also found that the relative density with the reversal sequence at the new stationary state [Formula: see text] is in inverse proportion to the asymmetric parameter when the asymmetric parameter is greater than the saturation asymmetric parameter. We have derived the approximate formulae for the relaxation time, the saturation asymmetric parameter, and the relative density with the reversal sequence [Formula: see text], which nicely fit computer simulation results. It is found that the crossing time diverges at the critical fitness parameter in the asymmetric sharply-peaked landscape, in contrast with the symmetric sharply-peaked landscape where the crossing time scales as a power law in the fitness parameter. It is also found that the critical fitness parameter decreases as the asymmetric parameter and sequence length increase.
ENTRANCE-CHANNEL EFFECTS IN SUPPRESSION OF FUSION OF HEAVY NUCLEI
Authors: SIWEK-WILCZYŃSKA K. , BOROWIEC A. , SKWIRA-CHALOT I. , WILCZYŃSKI J.
Published: February 2008

A set of 28 reactions of heavy and superheavy systems for which measured evaporation cross sections are available in the literature was analyzed with the aim to extract information on the fusion hindrance factor. Systematics of the deduced "experimental" hindrance factors (or in other words – fusion probabilities Pfus), based on the dependence of Pfus on the Coulomb interaction parameter [Formula: see text] and the excess of energy above the interaction barrier, E - B0, is presented.
INFLUENCE OF ENTRANCE-CHANNEL SHELL EFFECTS ON FUSION HINDRANCE
Authors: BŁOCKI J. , WILCZYŃSKI J.
Published: February 2008

A study is presented to what extent a striking difference in the evaporation-residue cross sections for two reactions, 86 Kr + 130 Xe and 86 Kr + 136 Xe , originates from different shell effects in 130 Xe and 136 Xe nuclei. A classical dynamical model with one-body dissipation was used to calculate the injection point to the "diffusion" stage of the Fusion-by-Diffusion model of Światecki, Siwek-Wilczyńska and Wilczyński. Only a factor of 6 in the ratio of the fusion hindrance factors in these two reactions can be associated with the entrance-channel shell effects.
NUCLEI AS SUPERPOSITION OF TOPOLOGICAL SOLITONS
Authors: ACUS A. , NORVAIŠAS E. , RISKA D. O
Published: February 2008

The rational map approximation provides an opportunity to describe light nuclei as classical solitons with baryon number B > 1 in the framework of the Skyrme model. The rational map ansatz yields a possibility of factorization of S3 baryon charge into S1 and S2 parts, the phenomenology of the model being strongly affected by the chosen factorization. Moreover, in the fundamental representation superposition of two different soliton factorizations can be used as solution ansatz. The canonical quantization procedure applied to collective degrees of freedom of the classical soliton leads to anomalous breaking of the chiral symmetry and exponential falloff of the energy density of the soliton at large distance, without explicit symmetry breaking terms included. The evolution of the shape of electric form factor as a function of two different factorization soliton mix ratio is investigated. Numerical results are presented.
ARRIVAL TIME FOR MASSIVE PARTICLES
Authors: GÓŹDŹ A. , STEFAŃSKA K.
Published: February 2008

The quantum time-of-flight (in this case equivalent to the arrival time) of massive particles, like neutrons, through the Mach–Zehnder type interferometer is considered. The analysis is based on the projection evolution hypothesis allowing to treat the time and the spatial coordinates on the same footing.
THE HIGHER TAMM–DANCOFF APPROXIMATION: THEORETICAL CONTEXT AND PHENOMENOLOGICAL ASPECTS
Authors: QUENTIN PHILIPPE , NAIDJA HOUDA , BONNEAU LUDOVIC , BARTEL JOHANN , LONG HA THUY
Published: February 2008

We present the key aspects of the theoretical foundations of the Higher Tamm–Dancoff Approximation which can be interpreted as a truncated shell-model approach based on a Hartree–Fock solution, ensuring the conservation of the particle number. Then we discuss some phenomenological aspects of the residual interactions used, namely the delta interaction to describe the neutron–neutron and proton–proton pairing correlations and the quadrupole–quadrupole interaction to describe vibrational correlations.
ROLE OF THE ZERO-POINT CORRECTIONS IN FISSION DYNAMICS
Authors: POMORSKI KRZYSZTOF
Published: February 2008

The way of evaluating spontaneous fission half-lives of nuclei in a multidimensional deformation space is discussed. The cranking as well as the generator coordinate method were used to obtain the collective inertia tensor and the 'zero-point' corrections to the fission barriers. The fission probability was evaluated within the WKB approximation along the least-action trajectory to fission. The influence on the fission life-times of the dynamics in the pairing degrees of freedom as well as the effect of the higher even-multipolarity shape parameters and the role of the reflection asymmetry is examined.
SADDLE-POINT SHELL EFFECTS OF HEAVIEST NUCLEI
Authors: KOWAL M. , SHVEDOV L. , SOBICZEWSKI A.
Published: February 2008

The shell correction to the potential energy of heaviest nuclei is studied in a multidimensional deformation space. The correction is calculated at the saddle point of the nuclei and compared with that obtained at the equilibrium (ground state) point. Although generally much smaller than at the equilibrium point, the correction at the saddle point is still found to be large and significant. The analysis is performed within a macroscopic-microscopic approach.
FERMION-BOSON LOOPS WITH BILINEAR R-PARITY VIOLATION LEADING TO MAJORANA NEUTRINO MASS AND MAGNETIC MOMENTS
Authors: GÓŹDŹ MAREK , KAMIŃSKI WIESŁAW A.
Published: February 2008

We present analytic expressions corresponding to a set of one loop Feynman diagrams, built within R-parity violating (RpV) minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM). Diagrams involve both bilinear and trilinear RpV couplings and represent Majorana neutrino masses and magnetic moments.
HAMILTONIAN FIELDS AND ENERGY IN CONTACT MANIFOLDS
Authors: PITIŞ GHEORGHE
Published: February 2008

To the contact distribution of a contact manifold we associate Hamiltonian type vector fields, called contact Hamiltonian fields. Their properties are investigated and the existence of such vector fields nowhere tangent to a given submanifold is proved. Time-depending contact Hamiltonian vector fields allow us to define the contact energy whose properties are studied. A class of submanifolds in relation to the study of contact Hamiltonian fields is also analyzed.
Cost-effective mini drive-point piezometers and multilevel samplers for monitoring the hyporheic zone
Authors: Rivett M.O. , Ellis P.A. , Greswell R.B. , Ward R.S. , Roche R.S. , Cleverly M.G. , Walker C. , Conran D. , Fitzgerald P.J. , Willcox T. , Dowle J.
Published: February 2008

The development of cost-effective approaches to monitor groundwater–surface-water exchange processes and contaminant fate within the hyporheic zone fundamentally underpins implementation of legislation such as the European Community Water Framework Directive, which requires integrated management of groundwater and surface water. Cost-effective mini drive-point piezometers (MDPs) and multilevel samplers (MLSs) are presented that use cheap construction materials, involve simple fabrication and installation procedures, and have a proven durability with low vulnerability to flood events and vandalism. They have been used across a range of hydro(geo)logical settings in the UK and proven to be effective in discerning flow exchange, geochemical trends, and contaminant transport and attenuation over monitored depths of 0.25 to 2 m at a resolution as low as 0.05 m. Example depth profiles, cross-river transects and river-reach longitudinal profiles from the River Tame catchment (West Midlands, UK) illustrate the value of MDP–MLS approaches in establishing surface-water–groundwater mixing zone depths, contaminant natural attenuation as a result of biotic activity within the hyporheic zone, and estimates of contaminant flux exchanges between groundwater and surface water. The MDP–MLS approaches allow discernment of contaminated groundwater plume discharges that may go undetected, or at best poorly resolved, if reliance was solely placed on conventional riverside monitoring wells and/or surface-water sampling. The MDP–MLS approaches described also have potential to be used in the investigation of shallow sediment aquifers, lake shorelines and wetland features.
Groundwater contamination with petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents and high pH: implications for multiple sources
Authors: Lee J.-Y. , Moon S.-H. , Yi M.-J. , Yun S.-T.
Published: February 2008

Groundwater was contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons (toluene and xylenes) and chlorinated solvents (PCE, TCE) at a Korean national groundwater monitoring station (NGMS). The shallow groundwater was also very alkaline (pH 11–12) with a very high electrical conductivity (EC) of over 3000 μS cm
−1
. Extensive diagnostic investigation of potential contamination sources and groundwater and stream water quality for the whole surrounding area revealed that the groundwater contamination was spatially restricted to a small area of the monitoring station. Detailed investigation of the small area uncovered the existence of many waste asphalt emulsion containers and various road construction waste materials within a 15 m distance from the monitoring station. All relevant diagnostic and detailed investigation results, including contamination history (coincidence of road construction period with contamination period), vertical EC distribution and surrounding groundwater and stream water quality, indicated that the shallow groundwater contamination of the NGMS was caused by illegal dumping of the road construction waste on the surface at the site. A pulse input of liquid waste containing solvents and petroleum hydrocarbons is suspected as the most plausible cause for the contamination. Sustained high pH of groundwater indicates the possible existence of raw cement product in the subsurface, which requires further investigation.
Transient water balances to support the conceptual understanding of flows in limestone aquifers
Authors: Streetly M.
Published: February 2008

This paper presents a case study to illustrate the use of daily transient water balance calculations to inform the conceptual understanding of the hydrogeology of a limestone catchment. The hydrogeology of karstic systems is often considered to be too complex to be amenable to any useful degree of quantification. However, this example shows that, where there are good time series of inflow (e.g. rainfall) and outflow (e.g. spring flows), transient water balance calculations (which simplify the groundwater system to a series of 1D ‘stores’) can make a useful contribution to the conceptual understanding of these groundwater systems and may allow an assessment of future impacts to be made. These calculations can also help in the design of appropriate mitigation measures.
Abandoned quarries in the Athens urban area: safety assessment and rational land-planning design
Authors: Loupasakis C. , Karfakis J.
Published: February 2008

Numerous quarries, active and abandoned, have been excavated all over Greece. Based on the practices of the past, most of these quarries were excavated close to the construction activity, thus near expanding cities or major transportation axes. The gradual incorporation of the abandoned quarries into the cities generated the need for change of their usage to be environmentally compatible. The land-planning development of the sites without taking into consideration the geotechnical characteristics of the slopes led to the incorrect selection of the new use or to the misplacement of infrastructure. The main purpose of this paper is to present the geotechnical problems that occurred at constructed facilities and to analyse the influence of correct land-planning design on the reduction of rock fall hazard and the cost of slope support measures.

The problems arising from the unsuitable land-planning design of facilities in abandoned quarries are presented by means of case studies from the Athens urban environment. Most of the data are from the case study of the stability problems of the slopes surrounding the infrastructure of the Attiko Alsos Park, constructed in the abandoned quarries of the Turkovounia hill. To highlight that the problems at Attiko Alsos Park are not atypical, two other old quarry sites are briefly reviewed.
Hypothalamic pathways linking energy balance and reproduction
Authors: Hill Jennifer W. , Elmquist Joel K. , Elias Carol F.
Published: February 2008

During periods of metabolic stress, animals must channel energy toward survival and away from processes such as reproduction. The reproductive axis, therefore, has the capacity to respond to changing levels of metabolic cues. The cellular and molecular mechanisms that link energy balance and reproduction, as well as the brain sites mediating this function, are still not well understood. This review focuses on the best characterized of the adiposity signals: leptin and insulin. We examine their reproductive role acting on the classic metabolic pathways of the arcuate nucleus, NPY/AgRP and POMC/CART neurons, and the newly identified kisspeptin network. In addition, other hypothalamic nuclei that may play a role in linking metabolic state and reproductive function are discussed. The nature of the interplay between these elements of the metabolic and reproductive systems presents a fascinating puzzle, whose pieces are just beginning to fall into place.
Proprioceptive and Cutaneous Representations in the Rat Ventral Posterolateral Thalamus
Authors: Francis Joseph T. , Xu Shaohua , Chapin John K.
Published: February 2008

Determining how and where proprioceptive information is represented in the rat ventral posterolateral (VPL) is important in allowing us to further investigate how this sense is utilized during motor control and learning. Here we demonstrate using electrophysiological techniques that the rostral portion of the rat VPL nucleus (rVPL, −2 to −2.5 mm bregma) carries a large amount of proprioceptive information. Caudal to this region is a zone where the cutaneous receptive fields are focal (mVPL for middle VPL, −2.5 to −3.2 mm bregma) with a fine topographic map of the fore- and hindlimbs. The forepaw is represented with digit 1 medial and each subsequent digit increasingly lateral, all of which are dorsal to the pads. The caudal VPL (cVPL, −3.2 to −4.0 mm bregma) has broad receptive fields and is the target of lamina 1 and lamina 2, as well as the dorsal column nuclei, and may represent the flow of nociceptive information through the VPL. Thus we propose that the VPL may be thought of as three subnuclei—the rostral, middle, and caudal VPL—each carrying preferentially a different modality of information. This pattern of information flow through the rat VPL is similar, although apparently rotated, to that of many primates, indicating that these regions in the rat (rVPL, mVPL, and cVPL) have become further differentiated in primates where they are seen as separate nuclei (VPS, VPL, and VPI/VMpo).