bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The preparation and properties of dextrin‐graft‐acrylic acid/montmorillonite superabsorbent nanocomposite
Authors: Ding Xin , Li Li , Liu Ping‐sheng , Zhang Jun , Zhou Ning‐lin , Lu Shan , Wei Shao‐hua , Shen Jian
Published: November 2008

A novel superabsorbent nanocomposite was synthesized through intercalation polymerization of partially neutralized acrylic acid, gelatinized dextrin, and an organic‐montmorillonite powder using N,N‐methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinker, Span‐60 as a dispersant, and ammonium persulfate together with sodiumsulfite as a type of mixed redox initiator. Effects of the amount of them on water absorbency of the superabsorbent were investigated. The structure and the morphology of the nanocomposite were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy analysis. The blood compatibility of the composite was primarily measured. The results show that the acrylic acid monomer was successfully intercalated into the organic‐montmorillonite layers and bonded with them. The superabsorbent nanocomposite synthesized under optimal conditions with an organic‐montmorillonite powder content of 5 wt% exhibit an absorption of 725.3 g/g in distilled water and favorable blood compatibility. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Characteristics and processes of physiotherapy clinical decision making: a study of acute care cardiorespiratory physiotherapy
Authors: Smith Megan , Higgs Joy , Ellis Elizabeth
Published: November 2008

Background and Purpose. Physiotherapists have been increasingly interested in investigating physiotherapy clinical reasoning and decision‐making processes. Cardiorespiratory physiotherapy has received little attention within this increasing body of research. This study aimed to investigate characteristics and processes of cardiorespiratory physiotherapy decision making and to contribute to the broader understanding of physiotherapy reasoning and decision making. Methods. Fourteen cardiorespiratory physiotherapists took part in the study. Qualitative research methods were used, guided by a philosophical hermeneutic approach. Participants were observed undertaking their usual daily patient care activities and were later interviewed about their decision making. In‐depth, iterative hermeneutic strategies were used to interpret the texts created by these processes to identify the nature and processes of decision making. Results. Clinical decision making in cardiorespiratory physiotherapy is focused on making decisions about the nature of patients' problems, physiotherapeutic intervention and interaction, and evaluation of effectiveness of actions. Cardiorespiratory physiotherapy decisions varied in their difficulty according to the attributes of the decisions. The variable nature of decisions influenced the reasoning processes used. Clinical decision making involved complex reasoning processes that were cyclic, evolving and flexible in nature, with interdependence and interrelation between the different foci of clinical decision making. Clinical decision making was also found to be a social and collaborative process. Conclusions. This study contributes to the body of literature on physiotherapy reasoning and decision making by revealing details about the characteristics and processes of cardiorespiratory physiotherapy decision making. This research can be used to shape the education of beginning practitioners and provide practicing physiotherapists with a basis for critical appraisal of their decision making. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A unified hydrophobicity scale for multispan membrane proteins
Authors: Koehler Julia , Woetzel Nils , Staritzbichler René , Sanders Charles R. , Meiler Jens
Published: November 2008

The concept of hydrophobicity is critical to our understanding of the principles of membrane protein (MP) folding, structure, and function. In the last decades, several groups have derived hydrophobicity scales using both experimental and statistical methods that are optimized to mimic certain natural phenomena as closely as possible. The present work adds to this toolset the first knowledge‐based scale that unifies the characteristics of both α‐helical and β‐barrel multispan MPs. This unified hydrophobicity scale (UHS) distinguishes between amino acid preference for solution, transition, and trans‐membrane states. The scale represents average hydrophobicity values of amino acids in folded proteins, irrespective of their secondary structure type. We furthermore present the first knowledge‐based hydrophobicity scale for mammalian α‐helical MPs (mammalian hydrophobicity scale—MHS). Both scales are particularly useful for computational protein structure elucidation, for example as input for machine learning techniques, such as secondary structure or trans‐membrane span prediction, or as reference energies for protein structure prediction or protein design. The knowledge‐based UHS shows a striking similarity to a recent experimental hydrophobicity scale introduced by Hessa and coworkers (Hessa T et al., Nature 2007;450:U1026–U1032). Convergence of two very different approaches onto similar hydrophobicity values consolidates the major differences between experimental and knowledge‐based scales observed in earlier studies. Moreover, the UHS scale represents an accurate absolute free energy measure for folded, multispan MPs—a feature that is absent from many existing scales. The utility of the UHS was demonstrated by analyzing a series of diverse MPs. It is further shown that the UHS outperforms nine established hydrophobicity scales in predicting trans‐membrane spans along the protein sequence. The accuracy of the present hydrophobicity scale profits from the doubling of the number of integral MPs in the PDB over the past four years. The UHS paves the way for an increased accuracy in the prediction of trans‐membrane spans. Proteins 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Energetics of calmodulin domain interactions with the calmodulin binding domain of CaMKII
Authors: Evans T. Idil Apak , Shea Madeline A.
Published: November 2008

Calmodulin (CaM) is an essential eukaryotic calcium receptor that regulates many kinases, including CaMKII. Calcium‐depleted CaM does not bind to CaMKII under physiological conditions. However, binding of (Ca2+)4‐CaM to a basic amphipathic helix in CaMKII releases auto‐inhibition of the kinase. The crystal structure of CaM bound to CaMKIIp, a peptide representing the CaM‐binding domain (CaMBD) of CaMKII, shows an antiparallel interface: the C‐domain of CaM primarily contacts the N‐terminal half of the CaMBD. The two domains of calcium‐saturated CaM are believed to play distinct roles in releasing auto‐inhibition. To investigate the underlying mechanism of activation, calcium‐dependent titrations of isolated domains of CaM binding to CaMKIIp were monitored using fluorescence anisotropy. The binding affinity of CaMKIIp for the domains of CaM increased upon saturation with calcium, with the C‐domain having a 35‐fold greater affinity than the N‐domain. Because the interdomain linker of CaM regulates calcium‐binding affinity and contribute to conformational change, the role of each CaM domain was explored further by investigating effects of CaMKIIp on site‐knockout mutants affecting the calcium‐binding sites of a single domain. Investigation of the thermodynamic linkage between saturation of individual calcium‐binding sites and CaM‐domain binding to CaMKIIp showed that calcium binding to Sites III and IV was sufficient to recapitulate the behavior of (Ca2+)4‐CaM. The magnitude of favorable interdomain cooperativity varied depending on which of the four calcium‐binding sites were mutated, emphasizing differential regulatory roles for the domains of CaM, despite the high degree of homology among the four EF‐hands of CaM. Proteins 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Theoretical calculations of nonlinear electronic transport behavior in III‐nitrides: GaN and AlN
Authors: Rodrigues Clóves G. , Vasconcellos Áurea R. , Luzzi Roberto
Published: November 2008

The dependence of the mobility in n‐doped III‐nitrides on the electric field strength and the concentration of electrons and impurities is derived. Such dependence is determined by the nonequilibrium thermodynamic state of the system, which is led to far‐from equilibrium conditions by the action of intermediate to strong electric fields. It is shown that the mobility decreases with the increase of the electric field strength and the concentration of carriers, in a way evidencing the influence of the nonlinear transport involved. Dependence of the mobility with the concentration following two types of regimes characterized by exponential laws are evidenced. They can also be approximately described by fractional power laws. The influence of the thermal bath temperature is also analyzed. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Multiscale simulation of polycrystal mechanics of textured β‐Ti alloys using ab initio and crystal‐based finite element methods
Authors: Ma D. , Friák M. , Neugebauer J. , Raabe D. , Roters F.
Published: November 2008

Crystal‐based finite element methods (FEM) are versatile continuum approaches for predicting mechanical properties and deformation‐induced crystallographic textures. They can be applied to both, elastic–plastic and elastic problems. The methodology is based on (i) a detailed understanding of the underlying crystal deformation mechanisms and (ii) a number of constitutive material parameters that are often difficult to measure. First principle calculations, that take into account the discrete nature of matter at the atomic scale, are an alternative way to study mechanical properties of single crystals without using empirical parameters. In this study we demonstrate how to combine these two well‐established modeling tools, viz., ab initio modeling and crystal mechanical FEM, for an improved approach to design of polycrystalline materials. The combination is based on (i) the determination of basic thermodynamic and elastic parameter trends in metallurgical alloy design using density‐functional (DFT) calculations (P. Hohenberg and W. Kohn, Phys. Rev. 136, B864 (1964), W. Kohn and L. J. Sham, Phys. Rev. 140, A1133 (1965) [1, 2], respectively) and (ii) the up‐scale transfer of these results into crystal‐based finite element simulations which take into account the anisotropic nature of the elastic–plastic deformation of metals. The method is applied to three body‐centered cubic (bcc, β) Ti–Nb alloys for bio‐medical applications. The study addresses two technological processes, namely, the prediction of texture evolution during cold rolling (elastic‐plastic problem) and elastic bending of textured polycrystals (elastic problem). (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of electron beam treatments on degradation kinetics of polylactic acid (PLA) plastic waste under backyard composting conditions
Authors: Vargas L. Fernando , Welt Bruce A. , Pullammanappallil Pratap , Teixeira Arthur A. , Balaban Murat O. , Beatty Charles L.
Published: November 2008

The effects of electron beam irradiation on backyard composting behaviour of polylactic acid (PLA) polymer were evaluated. Samples (10 mm2 × 0.75 mm) from thermoformed PLA drinking cups were exposed to 10 MeV electron beam irradiation at doses of 0, 72, 144 and 216 kGy. Irradiated PLA samples were placed in heat‐sealed, plastic screen and added to organic feedstock in a rotating composter within a computer‐controlled environmental chamber for 10 weeks at 35°C. Changes in weight, structural integrity and molecular weight were assessed over time. Results show that irradiation enhanced PLA breakdown. PLA weight decreased by increasing amounts as irradiation dose increased. Sample brittleness increased with irradiation dose and composting time. Finally, PLA molecular weight decreased as irradiation dose and compost time increased. Molecular weight D values for irradiated PLA were found to be about 430 kGy. After 1 week in a typical backyard composter, molecular weight D values increased to about 560 kGy and then fell to about 380 kGy after 2 weeks of composting. Samples irradiated at 216 kGy showed a reduction in weight of 9.4% after 10 weeks of composting, and a reduction of weight‐average molecular weight of 93.7% after 6 weeks. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of light‐barrier property of packaging film on the photo‐oxidation and shelf life of cookies based on accelerated tests
Authors: Lu Li‐Xin , Xu Fang
Published: November 2008

The influences of intensity of ultraviolet (UV) light, light‐barrier property of packaging film on the fat photo‐oxidation and accelerated shelf life of cookies were studied. Unpacked cookies were stored at a temperature of 408C and a relative humidity (RH) of 50% for 10 to 65 days, with an intensity of the UV light of 0.3, 1.9 and 9.5 mW/cm2. Meanwhile, the same batch of cookies was packed with oriented nylon/polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate/oriented nylon/polyethylene and bi‐oriented polypropylene/vacuuming aluminized casting polypropylene and stored at the same temperature and RH and UV‐light intensity of 1.9 mW/cm2 for more than 40 days. The peroxide values (POV) of cookies were measured under the storage conditions. The results showed that the intensity of the UV light and light‐barrier property of film had notable influence on the photo‐oxidation rate and accelerated shelf life of cookies. According to the threshold of POV, unpacked cookies were rancid less than 32 and 11 days when exposed in light of 1.9 and 9.5 mW/cm2 in the accelerated test, respectively. In contrast, the shelf life of unpacked cookies in darkness, or cookies packed in high light‐barrier package was more than 75 days. Logarithm of POV and store‐time relationship under different UV‐light illumination was successfully fitted by linear regression under the same temperature, RH and the accelerated shelf‐life‐based oxide index was estimated. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Process capability indices for Weibull distributions and upper specification limits
Authors: Albing Malin
Published: November 2008

We consider a previously proposed class of capability indices that are useful when the quality characteristic of interest has a skewed, zero‐bound distribution with a long tail towards large values and there is an upper specification with a pre‐specified target value, T=0. We investigate this class of process capability indices when the underlying distribution is a Weibull distribution and focus on the situation when the Weibull distribution is highly skewed. We propose an estimator of the index in the studied class, based on the maximum likelihood estimators of the parameters in the Weibull distribution, and derive an asymptotic distribution for this estimator. Furthermore, we suggest a decision rule based on the estimated index and its asymptotic distribution and present a power comparison between the proposed estimator and a previously studied estimator. A simulation study is also performed to investigate the true significance level when the sample size is small or moderate. An example from a Swedish industry is presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bayesian np control charts with adaptive sample size for finite production runs
Authors: Kooli Imen , Limam Mohamed
Published: November 2008

The design of a control chart requires the specification of three decision variables, namely the sample size, n, the sampling interval, h, and the action limit under which the process must be stopped for potential repair. In this paper, the Bayesian attribute control chart, namely the np chart for short run production, using a variable sample size is discussed. In a simulated experiment, optimal solutions of the static np chart, the basic Bayesian np chart, and the Bayesian scheme with adaptive sample size are presented. Results of the empirical study show that varying the sample size leads to more cost savings compared with the other two approaches. In order to detect how the input parameters affect decision variables, a regression analysis is conducted. It is obtained that the benefits of using the basic Bayesian np chart and the Bayesian chart with adaptive sample size instead of the static scheme are affected by the length of the production run. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ProteinQuant Suite: a bundle of automated software tools for label‐free quantitative proteomics
Authors: Mann Benjamin , Madera Milan , Sheng Quanhu , Tang Haixu , Mechref Yehia , Novotny Milos V.
Published: November 2008

In simplifying the evaluation and quantification of high‐throughput label‐free quantitative proteomic data, we introduce ProteinQuant Suite. It comprises three standalone complementary computer utilities, namely ProtParser, ProteinQuant, and Turbo RAW2MGF. ProtParser is a filtering utility designed to evaluate database search results. Filtering is performed according to different criteria that are defined by the end‐user. ProteinQuant then utilizes this parsed list of peptides and proteins in conjunction with mzXML or mzData files generated from the raw files for quantification. This quantification is based on the automatic detection and integration of chromatographic peaks representative of the liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) elution profiles of identified peptides. Turbo RAW2MGF was developed to extend the applicability of ProteinQuant Suite to data collected from different types of mass spectrometers. It directly processes raw data files generated by Xcalibur, a ThermoElectron data acquisition software, and generates a MASCOT generic file (MGF). This file format is needed since the protein identification results generated by the database search employing this file format include information required for the precise identification and quantification of chromatographic peaks. The performance of ProteinQuant Suite was initially validated using LC/MS/MS generated for a mixture of standard proteins as well as standard proteins spiked in a complex biological matrix such as blood serum. Automated quantification of the collected data resulted in calibration curves with R2 values higher than 0.95 with linearity spanning over more than 2 orders of magnitude with peak quantification reproducibility better than 15% (RSD). ProteinQuant Suite was also applied to confirm the binding preference of standard glycoproteins to Con A lectin using a sample consisting of both standard glycoproteins and proteins. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inf–sup control of discontinuous piecewise affine systems
Authors: Spjøtvold J. , Kerrigan E. C. , Mayne D. Q. , Johansen T. A.
Published: November 2008

This paper considers the worst‐case optimal control of discontinuous piecewise affine (PWA) systems, which are subjected to constraints and disturbances. We seek to pre‐compute, via dynamic programming, an explicit control law for these systems when a PWA cost function is utilized. One difficulty with this problem class is that, even for initial states for which the value function of the optimal control problem is finite, there might not exist a control law that attains the infimum. Hence, we propose a method that is guaranteed to obtain a sub‐optimal solution, and where the degree of sub‐optimality can be specifieda priori. This is achieved by approximating the underlying sub‐problems with a parametric piecewise linear program. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal tracking control across erasure communication links in the presence of preview
Authors: Gupta Vijay , Martins Nuno C.
Published: November 2008

Consider two identical discrete‐time, finite‐dimensional, linear and time‐invariant systems denoted as the leader and the follower. The leader system is driven by a deterministic control input and by a zero‐mean white Gaussian process noise. In this paper, we address the problem of designing a networked control scheme for the follower system, which guarantees that the state of the follower system tracks the state of the leader system optimally, according to a mean‐squared cost. We adopt a networked control architecture featuring two erasure links and three design blocks: a controller acting on the follower system and two encoders, one at the output of each system. The controller has remote access to noisy measurements of the state of both systems via two erasure links that are used to connect each encoder to the controller. We consider erasure links whose erasure events occur according to a Bernoulli process. If an erasure occurs, then no information is transmitted; otherwise, a finite vector of real numbers is conveyed through the link. The purpose of the encoders is to process noisy measurements of the output of each system prior to transmission over the corresponding erasure link. While the encoder of the follower system has access to current measurements, the encoder of the leader system has access to measurements that are advanced in time by a finite time interval (also denoted as preview). This paper describes a methodology for the design of controller and encoders that are jointly optimal, with respect to optimal tracking of the leader system by the follower system. We also obtain explicit necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a scheme that guarantees that the tracking error has finite second moment. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Testing monotone high‐dimensional distributions
Authors: Rubinfeld Ronitt , Servedio Rocco A.
Published: November 2008

A monotone distribution P over a (partially) ordered domain has P(y) ≥ P(x) if y ≥ x in the order. We study several natural problems of testing properties of monotone distributions over the n‐dimensional Boolean cube, given access to random draws from the distribution being tested. We give a poly(n)‐time algorithm for testing whether a monotone distribution is equivalent to or ϵ‐far (in the L1 norm) from the uniform distribution. A key ingredient of the algorithm is a generalization of a known isoperimetric inequality for the Boolean cube. We also introduce a method for proving lower bounds on testing monotone distributions over the n‐dimensional Boolean cube, based on a new decomposition technique for monotone distributions. We use this method to show that our uniformity testing algorithm is optimal up to polylog(n) factors, and also to give exponential lower bounds on the complexity of several other problems (testing whether a monotone distribution is identical to or ϵ‐far from a fixed known monotone product distribution and approximating the entropy of an unknown monotone distribution). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2009
A sharp threshold for the Hamilton cycle Maker–Breaker game
Authors: Hefetz Dan , Krivelevich Michael , Stojaković Miloš , Szabó Tibor
Published: November 2008

We study the Hamilton cycle Maker–Breaker game, played on the edges of the random graph G(n,p). We prove a conjecture from (Stojaković and Szabó, Random Struct and Algorithms 26 (2005), 204–223.), asserting that the property that Maker is able to win this game, has a sharp threshold at $\log n \over n$. Our theorem can be considered a game‐theoretic strengthening of classical results from the theory of random graphs: not only does G(n,p) almost surely admit a Hamilton cycle for $p = ( 1 + \varepsilon) {{\log n} \over {n}}$, but Maker is able to build one while playing against an adversary. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2009
Helium ion microscopy and its application to nanotechnology and nanometrology
Authors: Postek Michael T. , Vladár Andras E.
Published: November 2008

Helium ion microscopy (HeIM) presents a new approach to nanotechnology and nanometrology, which has several potential advantages over the traditional scanning electron microscope (SEM) currently in use in research laboratories and manufacturing facilities across the world. Owing to the very high source brightness, and the shorter wavelength of the helium (He) ions, it is theoretically possible to focus the ion beam into a smaller probe size relative to that of the electron beam of an SEM. Hence, resolution 2 × – 4 × better than that of comparable SEMs is theoretically possible. In an SEM, an electron beam interacts with the sample and an array of signals are generated, collected and imaged. This interaction zone may be quite large depending upon the accelerating voltage and materials involved. Conversely, the helium ion beam interacts with the sample, but it does not have as large an excitation volume and, thus, the image collected is more surface sensitive and can potentially provide sharp images on a wide range of materials. Compared with an SEM, the secondary electron yield is quite high—allowing for imaging at extremely low beam currents and the relatively low mass of the helium ion, in contrast to other ion sources such as gallium, potentially results in minimal damage to the sample. This article reports on some of the preliminary work being done on the HeIM as a research and measurement tool for nanotechnology and nanometrology being done at NIST. SCANNING 30: 457–462, 2008. Published 2008 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Detection of Single Photoluminescent Diamond Nanoparticles in Cells and Study of the Internalization Pathway
Authors: Faklaris Orestis , Garrot Damien , Joshi Vandana , Druon Frédéric , Boudou Jean‐Paul , Sauvage Thierry , Georges Patrick , Curmi Patrick A. , Treussart François
Published: November 2008

Diamond nanoparticles are promising photoluminescent probes for tracking intracellular processes, due to embedded, perfectly photostable color centers. In this work, the spontaneous internalization of such nanoparticles (diameter 25 nm) in HeLa cancer cells is investigated by confocal microscopy and time‐resolved techniques. Nanoparticles are observed inside the cell cytoplasm at the single‐particle and single‐color‐center level, assessed by time‐correlation intensity measurements. Improvement of the nanoparticle signal‐to‐noise ratio inside the cell is achieved using a pulsed‐excitation laser and time‐resolved detection taking advantage of the long radiative lifetime of the color‐center excited state as compared to cell autofluorescence. The internalization pathways are also investigated, with endosomal marking and colocalization analyses. The low colocalization ratio observed proves that nanodiamonds are not trapped in endosomes, a promising result in prospect of drug delivery by these nanoparticles. Low cytotoxicity of these nanoparticles in this cell line is also shown.
Spectral efficiency comparison between OFDM/OQAM‐ and OFDM‐based CR networks
Authors: Zhang Haijian , Le Ruyet Didier , Terre Michel
Published: November 2008

The future wireless communication is expected to be able to improve the efficiency of spectrum usage. To solve the challenge of spectrum shortage, an innovative opportunistic spectrum access strategy, called cognitive radio (CR) has been proposed. In the concept of CR, secondary users or CR users, are allowed to transmit and receive date by detecting the portions of spectra where/when primary users are inactive provided that secondary transmissions cause no harmful interference to the licensed systems. Conventional orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) has also been suggested as a physical layer candidate for CR system. In this paper, another potential candidate for CR, OFDM/offset quadrature amplitude modulation (OQAM) is introduced and compared with cyclic prefix based‐OFDM (CP‐OFDM) and raised cosine windowed‐OFDM (RC‐OFDM) in CR context, in which including spectral efficiency comparison (SEC) for uncoded transmission and coded transmission. SEC is investigated by balancing the tradeoff between the interference level caused by CR user to licensed user (LU) and the throughput of CR user. Simulated results of SEC for different multicarrier systems are interpreted by theoretically analyzing the out‐of‐band radiation of their prototype pulses shaping. Both theoretic analysis and experimental results can show that OFDM/OQAM is a more natural candidate than CP‐OFDM and RC‐OFDM for CR networks application. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fingerprinting and source apportionment of fine particle pollution in Manila by IBA and PMF techniques: A 7‐year study
Authors: Cohen David D. , Stelcer E. , Santos Flora L. , Prior Michael , Thompson Craig , Pabroa Preciosa C. B.
Published: November 2008

X‐ray and ion beam analysis (IBA) techniques have been used to characterize fine particle pollution in Manila over a 7‐year period. These data have then been used in the latest statistical methods of positive matrix factorization (PMF) to quantitatively identify source fingerprints and their contributions to the total fine particulate mass. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mutual benefits of research collaborations between zoos and academic institutions
Authors: Fernandez Eduardo J. , Timberlake William
Published: November 2008

Zoos focus on welfare, conservation, education, and research related to animals they keep. Academic institutions emphasize description, experimentation, modeling, and teaching of general and specific animal biology and behavior through work in both laboratory and field. The considerable overlap in concerns and methods has increased interest in collaborative projects, but there is ample room for closer and more extensive interactions. The purpose of this article is to increase awareness of potential research collaborations in three areas: (1) control and analysis of behavior, (2) conservation and propagation of species, and (3) education of students and the general public. In each area, we outline (a) research in zoos, (b) research in academics, and (c) potential collaborative efforts. Zoo Biol 27:470–487, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Costeff optic atrophy syndrome: New clinical case and novel molecular findings
Authors: Ho G. , Walter J. H. , Christodoulou J.
Published: November 2008

3‐Methylglutaconic aciduria (MGA) encompasses a heterogeneous group of disorders, often coinciding with elevated levels of urinary 3‐methylglutaric acid. Type I MGA is a disorder of leucine metabolism, while the biological basis for the MGA is unclear for the other types (MGA types II–V). MGA type III (Costeff optic atrophy syndrome, autosomal recessive optic atrophy‐3 or optic atrophy plus syndrome, OMIM 258501) is distinguished by early bilateral optic atrophy, later‐onset spasticity, extrapyramidal dysfunction, ataxia, and occasional cognitive deficits. It is caused by homozygous mutations in the optic atrophy 3 gene (OPA3). We present a case of a patient with MGA who has infantile‐onset optic atrophy, ataxia, extrapyramidal movements and spasticity, but with normal intellect. Sequencing of the patient's DNA revealed a homozygous nonsense mutation c.415C>T (p.Q139X) in exon 2 of transcript 2 of the OPA3 gene, as well as a common silent polymorphism c.231T>C in the same exon. This is the first nonsense mutation found in OPA3. The molecular findings in OPA3 are also reviewed, including mutations in OPA3 that result in autosomal dominant optic atrophy and cataract (ADOAC). The recessive mode of inheritance of MGA type III as a result of the p.Q139X mutation is supported by the carrier status of the unaffected father.
A Quiet Revolution: The Birth of the Genetic Counselor at Sarah Lawrence College, 1969
Authors: Stern Alexandra Minna
Published: November 2008

In 1969 Melissa Richter founded the first master's degree genetic counseling program in the country at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York. This article examines the myriad factors that contributed to the birth of the genetic counselor and situates this historical watershed in its social, cultural, academic, and medical context. This article highlights Richter's prescience and path‐breaking vision, evaluates the Sarah Lawrence program during the years of her directorship (1969–1972), and explores how this early foundation subsequently shaped the field of genetic counseling. Close attention is paid to the ethical issues that concerned Richter and their ongoing relevance to genetic health professionals today. This article is based on historical research in archives, consultation of primary sources, and oral history interviews with genetic counselors, geneticists, and allied professionals.
Imaging-Guided Treatment of Meniscal Cysts
Authors: Chang Anthony
Published: November 2008

Meniscal and parameniscal pathology is usually diagnosed through magnetic resonance imaging. The availability of high-frequency high-resolution linear transducers for sonographic detection of peripheral meniscal and parameniscal pathology has made not only the diagnosis but also the treatment of symptomatic parameniscal cysts a more accessible option. This case report illustrates the use of sonographically guided meniscal cyst aspiration and injection as an alternative to surgical treatment in the proper clinical scenario.
Evolution of ZnS Nanoparticles via Facile CTAB Aqueous Micellar Solution Route: A Study on Controlling Parameters
Authors: Mehta SK , Kumar Sanjay , Chaudhary Savita , Bhasin KK , Gradzielski Michael
Published: November 2008

Synthesis of semiconductor nanoparticles with new photophysical properties is an area of special interest. Here, we report synthesis of ZnS nanoparticles in aqueous micellar solution of Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The size of ZnS nanodispersions in aqueous micellar solution has been calculated using UV-vis spectroscopy, XRD, SAXS, and TEM measurements. The nanoparticles are found to be polydispersed in the size range 6–15 nm. Surface passivation by surfactant molecules has been studied using FTIR and fluorescence spectroscopy. The nanoparticles have been better stabilized using CTAB concentration above 1 mM. Furthermore, room temperature absorption and fluorescence emission of powdered ZnS nanoparticles after redispersion in water have also been investigated and compared with that in aqueous micellar solution. Time-dependent absorption behavior reveals that the formation of ZnS nanoparticles depends on CTAB concentration and was complete within 25 min.
ON THE DENSITY OF INTEGERS OF THE FORM (p−1)2−n IN ARITHMETIC PROGRESSIONS
Authors: SUN XUE-GONG , FANG JIN-HUI
Published: November 2008

Erdős and Odlyzko proved that odd integers k such that k2n+1 is prime for some positive integer n have a positive lower density. In this paper, we characterize all arithmetic progressions in which natural numbers that can be expressed in the form (p−1)2−n (where p is a prime number) have a positive proportion. We also prove that an arithmetic progression consisting of odd numbers can be obtained from a covering system if and only if those integers in such a progression which can be expressed in the form (p−1)2−n have an asymptotic density of zero.
MULTIPLICITIES IN SYLOW SEQUENCES AND THE SOLVABLE RADICAL
Authors: KAPLAN GIL , LEVY DAN
Published: November 2008

A complete Sylow sequence, 𝒫=P1,…,Pm, of a finite group G is a sequence of m Sylow pi-subgroups of G, one for each pi, where p1,…,pm are all of the distinct prime divisors of |G|. A product of the form P1⋯Pm is called a complete Sylow product of G. We prove that the solvable radical of G equals the intersection of all complete Sylow products of G if, for every composition factor S of G, and for every ordering of the prime divisors of |S|, there exist a complete Sylow sequence 𝒫 of S, and g∈S such that g is uniquely factorizable in 𝒫 . This generalizes our results in Kaplan and Levy [‘The solvable radical of Sylow factorizable groups’, Arch. Math.85(6) (2005), 490–496].
Prevention of non-enzymic glycation of proteins by dietary agents: prospects for alleviating diabetic complications
Authors: Saraswat Megha , Reddy P. Yadagiri , Muthenna P. , Reddy G. Bhanuprakash
Published: November 2008

The accumulation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGE) due to non-enzymic glycation of proteins has been implicated in several pathophysiologies associated with ageing and diabetes. The formation of AGE is accelerated in hyperglycaemic conditions, which alter the structure and function of long-lived proteins. Thus inhibition of the formation of AGE is believed to play a role in the prevention of diabetic complications. In the present study we evaluated the antiglycating effect of aqueous extracts of various plant-based foods. The effect of aqueous extracts of these agents in terms of their ability to prevent the accumulation of AGE due to fructose-mediatedin vitroglycation of eye lens soluble proteins was investigated. The degree of protein glycation in the absence and presence of dietary extracts was assessed by different complementary methods, i.e. non-tryptophan AGE fluorescence, AGE-induced cross-linking by SDS-PAGE and glyco-oxidative damage by carbonyl assay. Five out of the seventeen agents tested showed significant inhibitory potential againstin vitroprotein glycation in a dose-dependent manner. Prominent among them were ginger, cumin, cinnamon, black pepper and green tea, which inhibitedin vitroAGE formation to lens proteins 40–90 % at 1·0 mg/ml concentration. Assessing their potential to reduce the amount of glycated protein using boronate affinity chromatography and also their ability to prevent the formation of specific antigenic-AGE structures by immunodetection further substantiated the importance of ginger, cumin and cinnamon in reducing AGE burden. These findings indicate the potential of some dietary components to prevent and/or inhibit protein glycation. Thus these dietary agents may be able to be exploited for controlling AGE-mediated diabetic pathological conditionsin vivo.
THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AUTHORITY AND MONEY LAUNDERING
Authors: Ryder Nicholas
Published: November 2008

Money laundering is one of those problems that is very hard to get a grip on.
A new mantle xenolith locality from Simien shield volcano, NW Ethiopia
Authors: AYALEW DEREJE , ARNDT NICK , BASTIEN FLORENCE , YIRGU GEZAHEGN , KIEFFER BRUNO
Published: November 2008

Thin-section observations and electron probe analyses, and trace element data are reported from a new mantle xenolith hosted in Miocene alkali basalt from the western flank of Simien shield volcano, Ethiopia. The spinel lherzolite enclaves contain variable proportions of olivine, orthopyroxene, green clinopyroxene and brown spinel, and have undergone deformation and partial recrystallization. They represent unmetasomatized, fertile xenoliths which were subjected to a late-stage melt–rock reaction. Trace element contents of clinopyroxene crystals are extremely low and quite different from those of the other xenoliths within the East African Rift System.
The tidally induced bottom boundary layer in a rotating frame: similarity of turbulence
Authors: SAKAMOTO KEI , AKITOMO KAZUNORI
Published: November 2008

To investigate turbulent properties of the tidally induced bottom boundary layer (TBBL) in a rotating frame, we performed three-dimensional numerical experiments under unstratified conditions, varying the temporal Rossby numberRot= |σ*/f*|, where σ* andf* are the tidal frequency and the Coriolis parameter, respectively. The vertical profiles of the time-averaged currents and stresses showed good similarity and coincided well with the turbulent Ekman layer, when they were normalized by the modified ‘outer’ scales, the frictional velocityu*τ,T* = 1/|f* + σ*| and δ* =u*τ/|f* + σ*| for the velocity, time and length scales (σ* is positive when the tidal ellipse rotates anticlockwise). This means that the similarity in turbulent statistics is universally applicable to the TBBL in the world's ocean except near the equator. Although strong inertial waves contaminated the perturbation field whenRot~ 1 and masked the similarity, the apparent diffusivity κ*apestimated by tracer experiments again showed similarity, since the inertial waves did not affect the mixing process in the present experiments. Thus, κ*apcan be represented in terms of the three external parameters: the latitude (f*), the tidal frequency (σ*) and the tidal amplitude (u*τ). The obtained scaling ofu*τδ* =u*τ2/|f*+σ*| for κ*apsuggests that effective mixing may occur whenRot~ 1, i.e. near the critical latitude.
Channel formation by turbidity currents: Navier–Stokes-based linear stability analysis
Authors: HALL B. , MEIBURG E. , KNELLER B.
Published: November 2008

The linear stability of an erodible sediment bed beneath a turbidity current is analysed, in order to identify potential mechanisms responsible for the formation of longitudinal gullies and channels. On the basis of the three-dimensional Navier–Stokes equations, the stability analysis accounts for the coupled interaction of the three-dimensional fluid and particle motion inside the current with the erodible bed below it. For instability to occur, the suspended sediment concentration of the base flow needs to decay away from the sediment bed more slowly than does the shear stress inside the current. Under such conditions, an upward protrusion of the sediment bed will find itself in an environment where erosion decays more quickly than sedimentation, and so it will keep increasing. Conversely, a local valley in the sediment bed will see erosion increase more strongly than sedimentation, which again will amplify the initial perturbation.

The destabilizing effect of the base flow is modulated by the stabilizing perturbation of the suspended sediment concentration and by the shear stress due to a secondary flow structure in the form of counter-rotating streamwise vortices. These streamwise vortices are stabilizing for small Reynolds and Péclet numbers and destabilizing for large values.

For a representative current height of O(10–100m), the linear stability analysis provides the most amplified wavelength in the range of 250–2500m, which is consistent with field observations reported in the literature. In contrast to previous analyses based on depth-averaged equations, the instability mechanism identified here does not require any assumptions about sub- or supercritical flow, nor does it require the presence of a slope or a slope break.
Two-layer hydraulics for a co-located crest and narrows
Authors: ARMI LAURENCE , RIEMENSCHNEIDER ULRIKE
Published: November 2008

The theory of two-layer hydraulics is extended to topography with co-varying width and height. When these variations of the non-dimensional width and total depth have a power law relationship, the solutions can still be presented in the Froude-number plane for both unidirectional and exchange flows. These differ from previous solutions, which were limited to treating width and height variations separately.
Turbulent boundary layer under a solitary wave
Authors: VITTORI GIOVANNA , BLONDEAUX PAOLO
Published: November 2008

The boundary layer generated by the propagation of a solitary wave is investigated by means of direct numerical simulations of continuity and Navier–Stokes equations. The obtained results show that, for small wave amplitudes, the flow regime is laminar. Turbulence appears when the wave amplitude becomes larger than a critical value which depends on the ratio between the boundary-layer thickness and the water depth. Moreover, turbulence is generated only during the decelerating phase, or conversely, turbulence is present only behind the wave crest. Even though the horizontal velocity component far from the bed always moves in the direction of wave propagation, the fluid particle velocity near the bottom reverses direction as the irrotational velocity decelerates. The strength and length of time of flow reversal are affected by turbulence appearance. Also the bed shear stress feels the effects of turbulence presence.
Surprising consequences of ion conservation in electro-osmosis over a surface charge discontinuity
Authors: KHAIR ADITYA S. , SQUIRES TODD M.
Published: November 2008

A variety of microfluidic technologies utilise electrokinetic transport over rigid surfaces possessing rapid variations in charge. Here, as a paradigmatic model system for such situations, we consider electro-osmosis past a flat plate possessing a discontinuous jump in surface charge. Although the problem is relatively simple to pose, our analysis highlights a number of interesting and somewhat surprising features. Notably, the standard assumption that the electric field outside the diffuse screening layer is equal to the uniform applied field leads to a violation of ion conservation, since the applied field drives an ionic surface current along the diffuse layer downstream of the jump, whereas there is zero surface current upstream. Instead, at the surface charge discontinuity, field lines are drawn into the diffuse layer to supply ions from the bulk electrolyte, thereby ensuring ion conservation. A simple charge conservation argument reveals that the length-scale over which this process occurs is of the order of the ratio of surface-to-bulk electrolyte conductivities,LH=σs/σb. For a highly charged surface,LHcan be several orders of magnitude greater than the Debye screening length λD, which is typically nanometres in size. Remarkably, therefore, nano-scale surface conduction may cause micrometre-scale gradients in the bulk electric field. After a distanceO(LH) downstream, the bulk field ‘heals’ and is once again equal to the applied field. Scaling all distances with the ‘healing length’LHyields a universal set of equations for the bulk field and fluid flow, which are solved numerically. Finally, we discuss the role of surface conduction in driving a non-uniform ion distribution, or concentration polarization, in the bulk electrolyte.
An unusual occurrence in cochlear implantation surgery: misplaced electrode
Authors: Ramalingam R , Ramalingam K K , Padmaja H S
Published: November 2008

Objective:

To highlight the possibility of misplacement of electrodes during cochlear implantation surgery, to stress the importance of routine neural response telemetry, and also to emphasise the value of conventional radiography in confirming electrode positioning in the immediate post-operative period.

Case report:

A two-year-old boy presented with bilateral, profound, sensorineural hearing loss and underwent conventional cochlear implantation surgery. During insertion of the implant, there was doubt regarding the direction of passage of the electrode array. Instead of the usual smooth passage of the electrode, some resistance was felt. Neural response telemetry, performed at the end of the procedure, showed absent responses. A confirmatory X-ray in Stenver's view confirmed the extra-cochlear positioning of the electrodes in the superior semicircular canal. The wound was reopened, the electrode array removed and the cochleostomy was positioned a little more antero-inferiorly on the promontory with respect to the round window. Correct insertion of the electrode was then performed without difficulty.

Conclusion:

The misplacement of electrodes during cochlear implantation surgery is rare but can occur. Neural response telemetry and conventional radiography are invaluable in assessing the placement of the electrode intra-operatively. Conventional radiographs are very cost-effective and aid in confirming the position of the electrode array.
Large-amplitude electrostatic solitary structures in dusty plasmas with vortex-like variable charge dust distribution and non-isothermal trapped electrons
Authors: TRIBECHE MOULOUD
Published: November 2008

The recent analysis of large-amplitude solitary potentials in a charge varying dusty plasma with trapped dust particles (Tribeche, M. 2005 Phys. Plasmas12, 072304) is extended to include the electron trapping self-consistently. The non-isothermal trapped electron charging is investigated based on the orbit motion limited approach. It is found that the nonlinear localized potential structure enlarges when the electrons deviate from isothermality. The effect of this deviation is more significant under certain conditions. The dust particles are locally expelled and pushed out of the region of soliton localization as the electrons evolve far away from their thermodynamic equilibrium.