bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards medical diagnostic chips with monolithically integrated optics in glass substrates
Authors: Krawczyk S. K. , Mazurczyk R. , Bouchard A. , Vieillard J. , Hannes B.
Published: March 2007

Our objective is to develop miniaturised Lab‐on‐a‐Chip (LOC) analysers, for medical diagnostics and for monitoring of the health status of ill persons. The complete system will make use of disposable chip sensors of the size of a credit card and a control unit of the size of a book. The principle of sensors will be based on the determination of the concentration of “protein markers”, which are related to various illnesses. In order to achieve this objective, it is necessary to integrate some optical components in the Chip. In this contribution we describe a successful development of electrophoretic separation LOC with monolithically integrated optics. These optical components are used for the excitation and for the detection of the fluorescence signal from separated bio‐molecules. The developed module can be considered as one of the main building‐block of the completed diagnostic Chip. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Recent improvements of SiC micro‐resonators
Authors: Godignon P. , Placidi M.
Published: March 2007

Due to the increasing demand for sensors operating in harsh environment and significant advancements in high quality SiC layers free of stress,‐this material has received a great interest for the fabrication of micro‐ and nano‐electromechanical systems (MEMS and NEMS). Recent developments have allowed the fabrication of many mechanical SiC devices, especially resonator devices, with a simple cantilever or bridge, which are very attractive as transducers for chemical or biological sensors. Cantilevers, bridges and other resonant structures were successfully fabricated. The first results have clearly shown the advantage of SiC compared to Si for many sensors applications. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optical and electrical characterization of SiO2 films obtained by atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Juárez H. , Díaz T. , Pacio M. , García S. G. , Rosendo E. , Rubin M. , Romero G. , García A. , Morales C.
Published: March 2007

SiO2 films by atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) process, using tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and ozone (O3) as reactant were obtained. The films were deposited on silicon substrates at various temperatures 125, 150, 175, 200, 225 and 250 °C Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to characterize the SiO2 films. Absorbance spectrums show the vibration modes corresponding to SiO2 films. Additional absorption bands due to residual groups were also observed, but they were found to be dependent on the deposition temperature. The observed current flowing through the oxide could be related to these residual groups, mainly to hydroxyl groups. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Current collapse and reliability of III‐N heterostructure field effect transistors
Authors: Koudymov A. , Shur M. S. , Simin G. , Gaska R.
Published: March 2007

Measurements of GaN HFET lifetime as a function of temperature show that different degradation mechanisms are involved at low temperatures (close to room temperature) and high temperatures (above 150 °C). The degradation at low temperatures is linked to the trap generation and can be explained using the current collapse model. At higher tempe‐ ratures, other degradation mechanisms become important or even dominant. The current collapse related degradation can be diminished by using improved device design, which will greatly increase the overall lifetime (up to long lifetimes obtained by extrapolating high temperature data to room temperature). (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Exact state estimation for linear systems with unknown inputs based on hierarchical super‐twisting algorithm
Authors: Bejarano F.J. , Fridman L. , Poznyak A.
Published: March 2007

A robust hierarchical observer is designed for linear time invariant systems with unknown bounded inputs under conditions of strong observability, providing exact state estimation. The main condition for designing the state estimator is the, so‐called, strong observability condition. The supertwisting (second‐order sliding mode) algorithm is used in each step of the hierarchy; the continuity of the supertwisting output injection allows to reconstruct a vector formed by some full column rank matrix premultiplied by the state vector, and that vector is obtainedin a finite time and without any sort of filtration. For the case when the unknown inputs are considered as constant uncertain parameters, the continuous version of the least‐square method is developed. Two numerical examples illustrate the efficiency of the suggested technique. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Examining the dynamics of grain size distributions of gravel/sand deposits in the Sandy River, Oregon with a numerical model
Authors: Cui Yantao
Published: March 2007

This paper describes the application of The Unified Gravel‐Sand (TUGS) model for the simulation of the Sandy River, Oregon. TUGS model employs Wilcock and Crowe's (2003) bedload transport equation for simulation of gravel and sand transport, and is capable of simulating the dynamics of bed material grain size distributions, including the fractions of sand in the deposits. The model has been examined with three large‐scale flume experiments and a flushing flow flume experiment with good agreements in bed profiles, gravel characteristic grain sizes and fractions of sand in the deposits. These examinations, along with descriptions of model development, are presented in a manuscript submitted concomitantly elsewhere (Cui, 2007), and this paper expands model examinations to a natural river. Eight runs are conducted with the Sandy River, Oregon as the prototype river, focusing on the responses of bed material grain size distributions under different hydrologic and sediment supply conditions. Simulation with the recorded discharge and the best understanding of sediment supply in the Sandy River produced good agreement in river longitudinal profile. This simulation also produced decreased median grain size and increased sand fraction in the downstream direction that match well with the general observations in the field. Examinations with varied sand supply indicate that bed material sand fractions are positively correlated with sand supply. Examinations with varied water discharge indicate that increased discharge under the same sediment supply conditions results in decreased bed material sand fraction. Examination of a hypothetical backwater effect from the Columbia River indicates that backwater effect results in increases in bed material sand fractions. Simulation of the sedimentation process upstream of a 14‐m tall dam during dam operation produced similar current bed profile and a stratified sediment deposit very similar to those observed in the field. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Views about science — technology — society interactions held by college students in general education physics and sts courses
Authors: Bradford Cristine Schoneweg , Rubba Peter A. , Harkness William L.
Published: March 2007

This study examined whether and to what extent a general education STS and physics courses helped college students build more informed, realistic views about the interactions among science, technology, and society. Two samples took part in the study, one consisting of 138 college students enrolled in a general education STS course, STS 200‐Critical Issues in Science, Technology and Society, and the other comprising 122 college students enrolled in a general education physics course, PHYS 001‐The Science of Physics, at a large eastern land grant university. Pretest and posttest data were collected using 16 multiple‐choice items selected from the 114 items in the Views on Science‐Technology‐Society (VOSTS) item pool. The findings for each of the 16 VOSTS items were treated descriptively. Additionally, a special scoring procedure was devised for the VOSTS items to allow the use of inferential statistics. The STS students moved toward more “realistic” views of STS interactions on a number of VOSTS items and toward more “naive” views on other VOSTS items. The findings supported the value of general education STS courses. However, they also suggested that courses like STS 200 have room for improvement. The PHYS 001 course had almost no impact on students' views of STS interactions. It should not be expected that college general education science courses, such as PHYS 001, will help students develop more adequate, realistic understandings of the STS interactions. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Using the earth system for integrating the science curriculum
Authors: Mayer Victor J.
Published: March 2007

Content and process instruction from the earth sciences has gone unrepresented in the world's science curricula, especially at the secondary level. As a result there is a serious deficiency in public understanding of the planet on which we all live. This lack includes national and international leaders in politics, business, and science. The earth system science effort now engaging the research talent of the earth sciences provides a firm foundation from the sciences for inclusion of earth systems content into the evolving integrated science curricula of this country and others. Implementing integrated science curricula, especially at the secondary level where potential leaders often have their only exposure to science, can help to address these problems. The earth system provides a conceptual theme as opposed to a disciplinary theme for organizing such integrated curricula, absent from prior efforts. The end of the cold war era is resulting in a reexamination of science and the influence it has had on our planet and society. In the future, science and the curricula that teach about science must seriously address the environmental and social problems left in the wake of over 100 years of preparation for military and economic war. The earth systems education effort provides one such approach to the modernization of science curricula. Earth science educators should assume leadership in helping to establish such curricula in this country and around the world. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons. Inc.
Epistemological considerations in teaching introductory physics
Authors: Hammer David
Published: March 2007

Epistemological beliefs are beliefs about knowledge and learning. In a physics class, for example, some students might believe learning consists of memorizing facts and formulas provided by the teacher, whereas others might believe it entails applying and modifying their conceptualizations of phenomena. This article explores, in the context of a debate about velocity from the author's high school physics class, how a perspective of students as having epistemological beliefs might influence a teacher's perceptions of students and intentions for instruction. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The loss of women from science, mathematics, and engineering undergraduate majors: An explanatory account
Authors: Seymour Elaine
Published: March 2007

The reasons for the loss of high ability women from science, mathematics, and engineering undergraduate majors are not well understood. However, investigators have, consistently, found an early loss of confidence in their ability to “do science” among such women. In seeking to explain why the vulnerability of women to leaving science majors greatly exceeds that of men, the author draws upon the findings of a 3‐year, ethnographic study of factors contributing to high undergraduate attrition rates among men and women of different ethnicities on seven campuses of different type. The explanatory focus is upon the consequences of a misfit between the learned expectations of women entering college mathematics and science classes, and those of faculty and male peers, about the purpose and nature of the undergraduate experience in these majors. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Design and evaluation of minimum‐rate predictors for lossless image coding
Authors: Matsuda Ichiro , Mori Hirofumi , Maeda Joji , Itoh Susumu
Published: March 2007

In this paper, the authors propose a new method for designing predictors suitable for lossless image coding. In recent years, lossless coding systems based on optimal design of predictors for each image have been studied. In these systems, the linear prediction coefficients are determined so as to minimize the mean squared prediction errors. In lossless image coding, however, where the ultimate goal is to reduce the coding rate, minimizing the mean squared prediction errors does not necessarily yield the best results. Therefore, in order to reduce the coding rate directly, the authors attempted to formulate the amount of information on the prediction errors and design the predictors so as to minimize that value. Moreover, the image is divided into blocks, and these blocks are classified into multiple classes; multiple predictors for adaptive prediction are optimized at the same time by repeatedly executing the design of the predictor for each class and updating the class for each block, based on the cost representing the amount of information. In the results from a coding simulation, this system demonstrated superior coding efficiency compared to the conventional method for minimizing the mean squared prediction errors, and was confirmed to achieve a coding rate of 0.37 bit/pel lower than JPEG‐LS which is an international standard for lossless image coding. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(5): 90– 98, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10318
Language model adaptation for fixed phrases by amplifying partial n‐gram sequences
Authors: Akiba Tomoyosi , Itou Katunobu , Fujii Atsushi
Published: March 2007

We propose a method for creating an N‐gram language model for use in a speech‐operated question‐answering system. We note that input questions to such a system frequently consist of an initial section, relating to the query topic, and a formulaic sentence final expression that is used in questions (a fixed phrase). While we are able to model the initial sections adequately using the target query newspaper corpus, we are not able to model the fixed phrases adequately with this data source. In this paper we frame the problem as one of adapting a language model created using a generic corpus to fixed phrases and propose a language model adaptation method that makes use only of a list of fixed phrases created by hand, rather than attempting the more difficult task of collecting an adaptation corpus. In the proposed method we determine which sections in the generic corpus correspond to N‐gram sequences on the list of fixed phrases, and perform language model adaptation by amplifying the probabilities of those N‐grams; this is equivalent to performing maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimation treating these partial N‐gram sequences from the generic corpus itself as posterior information. We perform recognition experiments with spoken questions consisting of input to a question‐answering system and confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(4): 63–73, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20142
Adaptation to change of lighting conditions for interactive object recognition
Authors: Makihara Yasushi , Takizawa Masao , Shirai Yoshiaki , Shimada Nobutaka
Published: March 2007

This paper discusses the learning of color transformations for object recognition in various lighting conditions, a function which is needed in systems for object recognition by interaction with the user. The system first constructs a model of the target object under the reference lighting conditions. Since the lighting conditions in actual object recognition differ from those of object model construction, the system must transform the color of the object model according to the lighting conditions at the time of recognition. The color of a reference object observed in the recognition stage is used to estimate the color transformation. The system learns the relation between the color transformation and the color of the reference object by using the color of the object model and also the pair of colors of the target object and the reference object observed under various lighting conditions. In a new environment, such a set of colors is not stored, and the color transformation is applied by assuming a reasonable relation. Object recognition may fail when such a color transformation is applied. In such a case, the correct object is selected by interaction with the user. The relation is updated by using the obtained correctly matched pair. By improving the estimation accuracy of the color transformation at each instance of object recognition, the burden on the user in the interaction is reduced. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through an experiment on a scene inside a refrigerator. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(4): 52– 62, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20228
Extraction of minimal decision algorithm using rough sets and genetic algorithm
Authors: Hirokane Michiyuki , Konishi Hideyuki , Miyamoto Ayaho , Nishimura Fumihiro
Published: March 2007

With the performance improvement of computers in recent years, the amount of stored available data is rapidly increasing. But it is also required that the computer fully utilize the stored resources and perform higher‐level intelligent jobs. In civil engineering, it is crucial to reuse knowledge which has been accumulated through the experience of engineers, etc. For this purpose, it is necessary to establish a method for knowledge acquisition and a method for explicit representation of the acquired knowledge. This paper applies the genetic algorithm to the process of deriving a decision algorithm from instances by using rough sets, and proposes a method of deriving a simple and useful decision algorithm with a relatively small amount of computation. A decision algorithm is actually derived from the data on accident instances at actual construction sites, and the recognition rate and other performance measures are investigated by the k‐fold cross validation method. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(4): 39–51, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20405
Integration of facial position estimation and person identification for face authentication
Authors: Hirayama Takatsugu , Iwai Yoshio , Yachida Masahiko
Published: March 2007

In the automatic authentication of face images, the estimation of the facial position is the most important process. When the facial position is estimated on the basis of the facial shape model, the accuracy is not guaranteed unless the optimal model is used. In the solution of this problem, there is a trade‐off relation between the estimation accuracy and the processing time. To deal with this point, this paper proposes a method which integrates the processes for estimation of the facial position, the facial size, and the individual model. The position and the size are estimated by iterative processing based on the coarse–fine procedure and scale conversion. For the estimation of the individual model, a model database based on the hierarchy by clustering is used. In the proposed estimation process, the cluster containing the optimal model is successively selected in accordance with the hierarchical structure, with the progress of the estimation of the position and the size. The finally selected individual model can be considered as the result of person identification. We constructed a face authentication system based on the proposed method and verified its effectiveness by an evaluation experiment. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(5): 43–58, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20489
A lossless coding scheme using adaptive predictors and arithmetic code optimized for each image
Authors: Matsuda Ichiro , Umezu Yuji , Ozaki Nau , Maeda Joji , Itoh Susumu
Published: March 2007

A highly efficient lossless encoding method for static images is proposed. In this method, multiple linear predictors are created for each image and adaptive prediction that responds to the local structure of images such as edges and textures is achieved by switching between these predictors at the block level. Furthermore, the probability density functions of the prediction errors are categorized by context modeling and modeled by generalized Gaussian functions, and adaptive arithmetic encoding of the prediction errors is performed by using probability tables that are generated for each pixel from this model. Parameters that are needed in the coding such as the prediction coefficients, the predictor selection data for each block, and the shapes of the generalized Gaussian functions are optimized by repeatedly minimizing a cost function that includes the code length of the parameters themselves in addition to the code length of the prediction errors that are calculated from the probability model above, and the parameters are then encoded separately as side data for each image. A procedure is introduced to improve prediction accuracies by using quadtree segmentation to segment the image into variable‐sized blocks between which the predictor can change. Coding experiments are conducted and the proposed method is found to produce coding rates of 6 to 44% lower than the international standard JPEG‐LS method, with the proposed method achieving superior coding performance that surpasses existing coding methods for all of the images used in the experiments. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(4): 1–11, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20630
Inter‐rater reliability of pressure ulcer staging: ordinal probit Bayesian hierarchical model that allows for uncertain rater response
Authors: Gajewski Byron J. , Hart Sara , Bergquist‐Beringer Sandra , Dunton Nancy
Published: March 2007

This article describes a method for estimating the inter‐rater reliability of pressure ulcer (PU) staging (stages I–IV) from raters in National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) participating hospitals. The method models ordinal spanning data utilizing an ordinal probit Bayesian hierarchical model (BHM) across several hospitals in which raters monitor patient's PUs. An ulcer that cannot be accurately assessed because the base of the wound cannot be seen is defined as unstageable. Our novel approach allows for an unstageable PU rating to be included in the analysis. We compare the ordinal probit BHM to an approximate random‐effects (standard approach in the literature) model that assumes that the raw ordinal data are continuous. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Thermal Treatment on the Stability and Structure of Maize Starch Cast Films
Authors: Vasques Caroline T. , Domenech Susana C. , Severgnini Vanderlei L.S. , Belmonte Luiz A. O. , Soldi Marly S. , Barreto Pedro L. M. , Soldi Valdir
Published: March 2007

The use of maize starch as an alternative material for producing cast films is highly dependent on the treatment conditions in order to obtain a biopolymer with outstanding properties. Thermal treatment conditions were controlled in maize starch cast films as a preliminary step in the modification of polymer properties. The stability of the films was studied by thermogravimetry (TGA), swelling experiments and Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. FTIR analysis indicated a degradation mechanism based on elimination of water followed by depolymerization. The activation energy values obtained from TGA results of thermally treated films suggest the occurrence of marked changes in the polymer stability which is consistent with the swelling experiments and indicates the thermal treatment as a suitable method to enhance the lifetime of starch‐based biopolymers.
Freeze‐thaw Stability of Gels Prepared from Starches of Non‐conventional Sources
Authors: Takeiti Cristina , Fakhouri Farayde , Ormenese Rita , Steel Caroline , Collares Fernanda
Published: March 2007

Starch is an ingredient used in the formulation of several processed and frozen products, thus, evaluating the stability of gels of different types of starches when submitted to freezing and thawing is of great interest in order to guarantee the quality of the product at the end of the production and distribution chain. Stability of starch gels from non‐conventional sources, i.e. Peruvian carrot (arracacha), sweet potato, white bean and chickpea exposed to five cycles of freezing and thawing was studied by evaluating texture and syneresis. The results were compared to those obtained using commercial starches (native corn, waxy corn and modified waxy corn). The waxy corn and Peruvian carrot starch gels were stable until the third freeze‐thaw cycle studied. The sweet potato starch gel was stable until the second cycle, but presented low syneresis until the fourth freeze‐thaw cycle (2.9%). During the experiment, the Peruvian carrot starch gel lost 5% water at maximum, and the waxy corn and modified waxy corn, 8% and 12%, respectively. The native corn, chickpea and white bean starch gels presented high water losses already in the first cycle. As to texture, the sweet potato and Peruvian carrot starch gels presented greater hardness values than the waxy corn and modified waxy corn starch gels during the entire storage period studied. Until the fourth freeze‐thaw cycle, the modified waxy corn and Peruvian carrot starch gels showed no statistically significant alteration (p≤0.05) in gel hardness. After the first freeze‐thaw cycle, the hardness of the sweet potato starch gel was constant. The same occurred with the gels obtained from chickpea and white bean.
New Non‐destructive Method using Gluten to Isolate Starch from Plant Materials other than Wheat
Authors: Al‐Hakkak Jafar , Al‐Hakkak Fadia
Published: March 2007

A new non‐destructive patented method for separating starch of high purity from plant flour or “comminutates” (fine particles) is described. The method can be applied to all plant materials that have a mixture of starch and protein in their flour, including cereals such as barley, oats and rye; legumes such as peas, chickpeas and lentils; and seeds such as amaranths. The basic principle of the method is to add wheat gluten to the desired plant flour in a ratio of 10–20% (w/w) gluten/flour. Water is then added to the mixture. Upon hydration, wheat protein aggregates, and a gluten network is formed when the mixture is kneaded. This gluten network is stabilised by the disulfide bonds and other bonds that form between the protein and other flour material. The dough is left to prove for 1 h to allow protein agglomeration to proceed. The starch is then washed out of the mixed protein network with water and the suspension is separated from the protein mass with bolt cloth. The starch is recovered by centrifugation and air dried, freeze‐dried or oven dried. The method is versatile and effective in producing starch of high purity. Furthermore, the technique has already been used to separate wheat starch on an industrial scale. After experimenting with adding salt, ascorbic acid, and various percentages of gluten, we conclude that when using 18% gluten and 3% salt a good yield of starch of acceptable purity can be isolated by this method, whilst ascorbic acid does not noticeably improve yield.
Classification of Rice Amylose Content by Discriminant Analysis of Physicochemical Properties
Authors: Suwannaporn Prisana , Pitiphunpong Sawidtree , Champangern Sirirat
Published: March 2007

Amylose content is commonly used to predict the texture of cooked rice. However, rice classification using only amylose content can misclassify actual sensory quality. Quality assessment of cooked rice can be determined by a combined evaluation of physical, chemical and sensory properties, but this process is costly and requires use of trained panelists. In this study, an alternate method for predicting rice amylose content was investigated. Paste viscosity and cooked rice texture of nine rice varieties were measured that had either low, medium, or high amylose content. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance, Pearson correlation, and discriminant analysis. Results showed that protein content, which played a major role in cooked rice texture, did not correlate with amylose content. Discriminant analysis results showed that only pasting attributes could discriminate the amylose groups but not texture. Pasting property, peak viscosity, and trough were the best discriminators with an eigenvalue of 32.9. These discriminators correctly predicted 100% of medium‐ and high‐amylose rice, but only correctly predicted 66.7% of low‐amylose rice with 88.9% of cross‐validated grouped cases correctly classified. The use of rice texture and pasting properties in combination with multivariate analysis techniques has potential as an easier and less costly method for the accurate classification of rice based on sensory quality.
Relationship Between the Pasting Behaviour and the Phosphorus Content of Different Potato Starches
Authors: Hemar Yacine , Hardacre Allan , Hedderley Duncan I. , Clark Suzanne , Illingworth David , Harper Jim W. , Boland Mike
Published: March 2007

The viscometric properties of potato starch pastes from a range of potato varieties were investigated. The results were correlated with the phosphorus, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium, and amylose and protein contents of the extracted starches. The viscometric properties of the starches extracted from the different potato varieties varied significantly. In agreement with some earlier work reported in the literature, a strong correlation between the peak viscosity and the phosphorus content was found. Furthermore, weak correlations between peak viscosity and potassium and peak temperature and phosphorus level were observed. In addition, it was demonstrated clearly that at low starch concentrations (1%) the final viscosity also correlates with the phosphorus content, which could explain the discrepancies found in the published literature.
Wet Storage of Cassava Starch: Use of Sodium Metabisulphite and Acetic Acid and the Effect on Starch Properties
Authors: Jyothi Alummoottil N. , Kiran Korapatti Sasi , Wilson Barnabas , Moorthy Subramoney N. , Nambisan Bala
Published: March 2007

Freshly extracted cassava starch was subjected to wet storage without any chemical treatment and also in presence of different concentrations of acetic acid and sodium metabisulphite, ranging from 0.5 to 2.0% based on the volume of starch milk. The viscosity characteristics, physicochemical properties, blue value and reducing value of the stored starch samples were studied at weekly intervals up to eight weeks of storage. Sodium metabisulphite (1%) was effective in prolonging the storage time of starch without any microbial spoilage. No significant change was observed in the swelling volume, reducing value, viscosity and pasting properties of the starch samples up to the sixth week of storage. Storage in acetic acid (1%) resulted in decrease in peak viscosity and increase in solubility and reducing value. However, the starch was free of microbial contamination.
Characterisation of Jícama (Mexican Potato) (Pachyrhizus erosus L. Urban) Starch From Taproots Grown in USA and Mexico
Authors: Stevenson David. G. , Jane Jay‐lin , Inglett George E.
Published: March 2007

Characteristics of starch extracted from roots of jícama (Pachyrhizus erosus L. Urban) cultivated in Texas and two locations in Mexico were studied. Jícama starch granules were spherical or polygonal with diameters ranging from 1‐15 µm. Jícama starch exhibited CA‐type X‐ray diffraction pattern, an apparent amylose content of 28.1% and absolute amylose content of 23.6%. Jícama amylopectin weight‐average molar mass (Mw) was 3.9×108 g/mol and gyration radius (Rz) was 363 nm. Average amylopectin branch chain‐length was short (DP 22.7). Onset gelatinisation temperature was very low (52.0°C) and enthalpy change was 15.1 J/g. Thermal transition of amylose‐lipid dissociation was not observed. Peak (282 RVU), final (221 RVU) and breakdown (137 RVU) viscosity of 8% jícama starch paste were high relative to other starches and pasting temperature was 72.3°C. Starch characteristics were similar among all three growing locations except Mw, Rz and pasting properties. High paste viscosity and low gelatinisation temperature could give jícama starch advantages in some industrial applications.
How to avoid systematic software testing
Authors: Hennell M. A.
Published: March 2007

The paper considers some of the reasons advanced by commercial and industrial institutions in order to avoid using analysis and test tools. These insights serve to explain why so few tools are currently in use in such organisations. There is clearly a challenge for the testing community to meet, and this paper is a faltering step towards formulating the goals.
A comparative study of the effect of certain factors on the teaching behavior of preservice elementary teachers of science
Authors: Irwin R. Scott , Butts David P.
Published: March 2007

Undergraduate teacher education programs have long attempted to improve the prospective teacher's competence in implementing new curriculum programs, materials, teaching strategies, etc. The following study suggests that there are components of a lesson, other than program and materials, which may exert enough influence on the interaction patterns between teachers and pupils to be given closer consideration in the design of a teacher education sequence.
A comparison of earth science classes taught by using original data in a research‐approach technique versus classes taught by conventional approaches not using such data
Authors: Agne Russell M. , Blick David J.
Published: March 2007

A data‐centered experimental unit, “Weather and Climate,” was used in 31 Connecticut earth science classrooms during the 1968‐69 school year. This approach effected a significantly greater (.05 level) improvement in critical thinking than was achieved by a control group of 30 earth science classes not using such an approach. This improvement occurred without a loss of achievement in the earth science course.
Laser treatment of optical Nb2O5‐ and HfO2‐films
Authors: Huber D. , Prein F. , Pulker H.K.
Published: March 2007

Optical thin films have to fulfil high quality requirements, which can be achieved for example by reactive low voltage ion plating (RLVIP). But especially for applications in precision optics, additional treatments are necessary to reduce residual optical absorption and compressive stress arising in the coatings, and to enhance the stability of the coatings – specifically for laser applications. In practice, post deposition heat treatment and backside coatings are mostly used to overcome these problems. In order to provide alternative methods to handle the disadvantages of the RLVIP‐process, the idea was to replace the mentioned steps by a laser treatment. This means that a laser beam is directed onto the sample after deposition or even during the coating process. In this study, the influence of a high power CO2‐laser beam on thin Nb2O5‐ and HfO2‐films was investigated. The effects on the refractive index and the film thickness are presented for different energy densities of a TEA‐CO2‐laser beam (10.59μm). For Nb2O5‐films a thickness increase up to 12.2nm (6.4 %) and a refractive index decrease of 0.074 (3.1 %) were found. In case of HfO2 the values were 2.3nm (1.2 %) in thickness and 0.007 (0.3 %) in refractive index. From the observed changes also distinct impacts on the film stress can be expected. One intention of this research was also to call attention to an alternative technique for enhancement of thin film properties.
IonScan 800 – Ultrapräzise Schichtdickenkorrektur für die Halbleitertechnologie
Authors: Zeuner Michael , Nestler Matthias , Roth Dietmar
Published: March 2007

Für verschiedene Anwendungen in der Halbleitertechnologie werden extreme Anforderungen an die Homogenität von Schichtsystemen gestellt. Bei der Herstellung von BAW‐(Bulk Acoustic Wave)‐Bauelementen müssen Schichtdicken von unterschiedlichen Materialien mit einer Genauigkeit im nm‐Bereich eingestellt werden. Mit den Standardtechniken zur Schichtabscheidung werden diese Homogenitätsforderungen nicht erfüllt, so dass in einem Folgeprozess die Schichtdicke waferspezifisch und lokal korrigiert werden muss. 1,2

Wir stellen ein neuartiges Verfahren und dessen anlagentechnische Realisierung für die lokale Schichtdickenkorrektur vor. Im Prozess wird der Wafer mäanderförmig vor einem fokussierten Ionenstrahl bewegt. Spezifisch für jeden Wafer wird ein moduliertes Geschwindigkeitsprofil berechnet, um über die Verweilzeit des Ionenstrahls an den jeweiligen Positionen das Material bis auf die Zielschichtdicke abzutragen.

Basierend auf einem inerten oder reaktiven Ionenstrahlprozess lässt sich das Verfahren auf beliebige Materialien anwenden, wie z. B. Si3N4, SiO2, Al2O3, AlN, W, Mo, Cu oder NiFe.
Lack of effect of dopaminergic antagonists in a rodent model of peritoneal sepsis
Authors: Machado Roberta Albino , Constantino Larissa , Martins Márcio Rodrigo , De Albuquerque Isabella Martins , Menna‐Barreto Sérgio , Streck Emílio , Quevedo João , Dal‐Pizzol Felipe
Published: March 2007

Central nervous system dopaminergic mechanisms have been implicated in the cytokine response to stress and sepsis. We here describe the effects of haloperidol or clozapine in the treatment of sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture. Male Wistar rats were subjected to the CLP procedure were treated with haloperidol or clozapine and plasma cytokines, myeloperoxidase activity, markers of organ injury and survival was analyzed. The addition of haloperidol or clozapine to basic support did not diminished hepatic, renal, pancreatic or muscular damage observed after sepsis. Neither haloperidol, nor clozapine, modulates pro and antiinflammatory cytokines after sepsis induction. In addition, haloperidol treatment did not diminished myeloperoxidase activity in the kidney, lung or liver, or altered BALF markers of lung damage or inflammatory infiltration. Our data did not support a role of haloperidol or clozapine as an immunomodulator agent in the treatment of sepsis in an animal model of peritonitis.
Werner syndrome helicase (WRN), nuclear DNA helicase II (NDH II) and histone γH2AX are localized to the centrosome
Authors: Zhang Suisheng , Hemmerich Peter , Grosse Frank
Published: March 2007

Werner syndrome helicase (WRN) was found in the centrosome of human cells, both in interphase and in mitosis. Nuclear DNA helicase II (NDH II), also called RNA helicase A (RHA), an interaction partner of WRN, was also present in the centrosome. NDH II localized to the centrosome in interphase but left the centrosome with the ongoing progression of mitosis. The localization of NDH II to the centrosome was hardly affected by cytochalasin D that depolymerizes actin filaments. In contrast, treatment by the microtubules disrupting agent nocodazole strikingly detached NDH II from the centrosome, which was in contrast to WRN that remained there under this condition. Treatment of cells with the DNA damaging agent 4‐nitroquinoline‐1‐oxide (4NQO) released NDH II, but not WRN from the centrosome. Surprisingly, the double‐stranded DNA break repair‐induced histone variant γH2AX was also found in centrosomes of interphase and mitotic cells. Following DNA damage by 4NQO, γH2AX left the centrosome with similar kinetics as NDH II. In vitro pull‐down assays confirmed a direct physical interaction between these two proteins. Since NDH II associated with γH2AX after DNA damage, we suggest that complex formation between NDH II and γH2AX may occur in pre‐assembled complexes at the centrosome, which are subsequently recruited to sites of damaged DNA for inducing the repair process.
Colocalization of aldolase and FBPase in cytoplasm and nucleus of cardiomyocytes
Authors: Mamczur Piotr , Dus Danuta , Dzugaj Andrzej
Published: March 2007

The protein exchange method, immunocytochemistry and the nuclear import of fluorophore‐labeled enzymes were used to investigate the colocalisation of aldolase and FBPase in cardiomyocytes. The results indicate in vivo interaction of these two enzymes. In the cardiomyocyte cytoplasm, these enzymes were found to colocalise at the Z‐line and on intercalated discs. The translocation of both enzymes through the nuclear pores was also investigated. The immunocytochemistry revealed the colocalisation of aldolase and FBPase in the heterochromatin region of cardiomyocyte nuclei. The Pearson's correlation coefficients, which represent the degree of colocalisation were 0.47, 0.52 and 0.66 in the sarcomer, the intercalated disc and the nucleus, respectively. This is the first report on aldolase and FBPase colocalisation in cardiomyocytes. Interaction of aldolase with FBPase, which results in heterologous complex formation, is necessary for glyconeogenesis to proceed. Therefore, this metabolic pathway in the sarcomer, in the intercalated disc as well as in the nucleus might be expected.
Clinical and metabolic features of polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Li Lin , Yang Dongzi , Chen Xiaoli , Chen Yaxiao , Feng Shuying , Wang Liangan
Published: March 2007

Objective: To explore the clinical and metabolic features of Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: The clinical data of 273 Chinese women diagnosed as having PCOS were retrospectively studied. Results: Of these women 34.8% had hirsutism, 45.1% had acne, 94.1% had some menstrual abnormality, and 96.7% had typical appearances of polycystic ovaries on ultrasonographic examination. The prevalence of overweight women was 30.4%, and the prevalence of insulin resistance was 12.8% using the glucose to insulin ratio (GIR) and 21.6% using the homesostasis model assessment (HOMA). Body mass index was significantly correlated with fasting insulin level (r = 0.50), GIR (r = 0.37) and HOMA (r = 0.53). Conclusion: Menstrual abnormality and polycystic ovaries were the main clinical manifestations in this cohort of Chinese women with PCOS. The prevalence of hyperandrogenism, obesity, and insulin resistance was lower in this cohort than in women from other races with the same condition. Ethnic differences needs to be considered when studying the clinical and metabolic features of women with PCOS.
RELOCATION OF NEUROMAS OF THE LATERAL ANTEBRACHIAL CUTANEOUS NERVE OF THE FOREARM INTO THE BRACHIALIS MUSCLE
Authors: ATHERTON D. D. , ELLIOT D.
Published: March 2007

Painful neuromas following injury to the radial side of the wrist can be treated by relocation away from the zone of injury and implantation into muscle. Relocation to the brachialis muscle is useful for isolated neuromas of the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve and involves a shorter dissection than relocation to the brachioradialis. It is also useful in patients undergoing multiple procedures to avoid disturbing previous relocations to the brachioradialis. This paper describes the successful relocation of painful neuromas of the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve to the brachialis muscle in seven patients.
THE INTERNAL CONSISTENCY AND VALIDITY OF THE PATIENT EVALUATION MEASURE FOR OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT IN DISTAL RADIUS FRACTURES
Authors: FORWARD D. P. , SITHOLE J. S. , DAVIS T. R. C.
Published: March 2007

The internal consistency and validity of the Patient Evaluation Measure (PEM) was investigated in the setting of the distal radius fracture by assessing 200 patients 6 to 42 years after injury using the PEM and DASH questionnaires and objective measures of outcome. The PEM was completed separately for both the injured and uninjured wrist. We found highly significant correlations between the PEM and objective measures and, also, between the PEM and DASH scores. We also calculated a comparative PEM score by subtracting the score of the uninjured wrist from that of the injured side, to eliminate the effect of co-existing disease. This score was more strongly correlated with outcome than the PEM alone. We suggest that the PEM is a valid method of assessing distal radial fracture outcome. It may, also, be used to reduce the effect of symptoms from coexisting bilaterally represented pathologies.
GENOTYPIC VARIATION IN CANOPY PHOTOSYNTHESIS, LEAF GAS EXCHANGE CHARACTERISTICS AND THEIR RESPONSE TO TAPPING IN RUBBER (HEVEA BRASILIENSIS)
Authors: GUNASEKARA H. K. L. K. , DE COSTA W. A. J. M. , NUGAWELA E. A.
Published: March 2007

The main objective of this study was to quantify the genotypic variation of photosynthetic and gas exchange parameters of Hevea and to examine their relationships to dry rubber yield and its components. Canopy photosynthesis (Pc) of the genotype RRISL 211 was 20 % greater than that of RRIC 121. This was primarily due to RRISL 211's greater light-saturated leaf photosynthetic rates and a greater leaf area index in the top canopy stratum. Tapping significantly increased Pc in RRISL 211, but not in RRIC 121. The genotypic variation in photosynthetic capacity was not reflected in the overall dry rubber yield, which did not differ between the two genotypes. However, analysis of yield components showed that while RRISL 211 may have preferentially partitioned a greater proportion of its additional assimilates to increasing the latex volume and extending the root system, RRIC 121 partitioned more assimilates to increasing its dry rubber content through greater biosynthesis of rubber. The higher plugging index and the greater post-tapping girth increment of RRIC 121 were probably responsible for observed increases in its dark respiration following tapping. Although RRISL 211 had a greater transpiration efficiency, this did not provide a yield advantage as the trees were growing in an environment with adequate rainfall throughout the year.
EVALUATION OF EXPERIMENTAL VARIETIES FROM RECURRENT SELECTION FOR STRIGA RESISTANCE IN TWO EXTRA-EARLY MAIZE POPULATIONS IN THE SAVANNAS OF WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA
Authors: BADU-APRAKU B. , FAKOREDE M. A. B. , FONTEM LUM A.
Published: March 2007

A breeding programme for resistance to Striga hermonthica in maize (Zea mays) was initiated in Côte d'Ivoire in 1994. Two extra-early populations, white (TZEE-W Pop STR) and yellow (TZEE-Y Pop STR), were formed from diallel crosses of the best adapted extra-early maturing maize germplasm in the West and Central African subregion. In an effort to improve the populations for Striga resistance, TZEE-W Pop was crossed to inbred 1368 STR (Tzi 3 STR), and TZEE-Y Pop to 9450 STR (Tzi 25 STR). The resulting F1 populations were carried through two backcross (BC) generations. S1 lines were developed from the BC2 and subjected to two cycles of random mating to generate TZEE-W Pop STR C0 and TZEE-Y Pop STR C0. These two populations were subjected to three cycles of S1 recurrent selection under artificial Striga infestation and several experimental varieties were extracted from the different cycles of the selection programme. The original populations (C0), improved populations, and experimental varieties were evaluated in two experiments under Striga-infested and Striga-free conditions. The primary objective was to determine the effectiveness of S1 recurrent selection in developing Striga-resistant extra-early maize varieties. Results of the performance tests showed that the populations were good sources of Striga-resistant varieties with high-yield potential under both Striga-infested and Striga-free conditions. The results have also confirmed the effectiveness of inbreeding, selection and hybridization, as well as the backcross breeding methods, as tools for the development of extra-early populations, synthetic varieties and inbred lines.