bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Induction of traumatic temporomandibular joint ankylosis in growing rats: a preliminary experimental study
Authors: Li Zhi , Zhang Wei , Li Zu‐Bing
Published: January 2009

Abstract –  There are many reports on the management of pediatric temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis. However, few authors have investigated the etiology of this disease in children. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of damage to both the condylar cartilage and disk in the induction of traumatic TMJ ankylosis during the growth period. The study was performed in growing rats by a common condyle fracture model. Intentional damage was performed to both the disk and condylar cartilage in the experimental group (n = 12), while the disk and condylar cartilage in the control group was left untouched (n = 12). Sham‐operated growing rats were deemed the blank group (n = 10). Two rats from the experimental group and two from the control group were killed 24 h after the operation, and the result following surgical intervention was observed. Each rat’s body weight in the three groups was monitored and recorded at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks after surgery. Twelve weeks after the operation, all animals were killed. The prognosis was compared by mandible deviation measure, body weight evaluation, and histological observation. Animals from the experimental group presented a slow body weight increase and obvious mandible deviation while all involved TMJs showed fibrous ankylosis in various degrees. The damage to both the condylar cartilage and disk in the condylar fracture might play a vital role in traumatic TMJ ankylosis development during the growth period. The results of this study suggest that more attention should be paid to condylar fractures in children that are accompanied with severe cartilage and disk damage, which is a matter of significance for pediatric TMJ ankylosis prevention.
Phase Stabilization of a LaNiO3 Perovskite and the Electric Resistivity of its A/B‐Site Substituted, Ni‐Deficient La(Ni0.6Fe0.3)O3 Modifiers
Authors: Kuo D. H. , Chou C. Y. , Kuo Y. K.
Published: January 2009

Modified LaNiO3 single phases of the A/B‐site substituted La(Ni0.6Fe0.3)O3 perovskites with A=Ag+, Pb2+, and Nd3+ and B=Mn3+ and Ga3+ sustaining at high process temperatures without decomposition were synthesized and their crystallinity, microstructure, and electrical resistivity were investigated. Electrical resistivity was used as an indicator to explore the response of single‐phase La(Ni0.6Fe0.3)O3 to the different A/B‐site substitutions. The rationalized explanation for the variations of resistivity with substitutions was based on the band structure‐related tolerance factor or by its two independent lattice distances: dLa−O and dNi−O.
Evaluating Consumer Preferences for Organic Food Production Standards
Authors: Cranfield John , Deaton B. James , Shellikeri Shreenivas
Published: January 2009

In 21st century agriculture, standards are increasingly used to define new food products, such as organic food and fair trade. In some cases these standards are privately determined but in other cases they have been established by governments. Indeed, the Government of Canada recently announced its organic food regulations. A key dimension of the policy process involves choosing which standards are to be used to govern the production of organic food. Unfortunately, decision makers faced with these choices know very little about how the public values the various standards that could be used to define organic. This study evaluates Canadian consumers' preferences for different organic standards. Standards pertaining to pesticide‐residue testing, product origin specifications, the standard setting agency, and standard monitoring agency are evaluated using a conjoint method. Key results suggest that consumers place a high value on a pesticide standard that involves regular testing of the end product and that they prefer an organic food standard to include a rule that limits where the good is produced.

En agriculture en ce 21e siècle, des normes sont de plus en plus utilisées pour définir de nouveaux produits alimentaires tels que les aliments biologiques et les aliments issus du commerce équitable. Dans certains cas, ces normes sont établies par des organismes privés, et dans d'autres cas, elles sont établies par les gouvernements. Dernièrement, le gouvernement du Canada a annoncé son Règlement sur les produits biologiques. Un élément clé du processus d'élaboration des politiques consiste à choisir les normes qui s'appliqueront à la production d'aliments biologiques. Malheureusement, les décideurs à qui reviennent ces choix en savent très peu sur les valeurs que le public accorde aux diverses normes qui pourraient être utilisées pour définir le terme «biologique». La présente étude évalue les préférences des consommateurs canadiens concernant les diverses normes sur les produits biologiques. Les normes sur l'analyse des résidus de pesticides, les spécifications sur l'origine du produit, les organismes de normalisation et les organismes de surveillance sont évaluées à l'aide d'une méthode conjointe. Les résultats fondamentaux montrent que les consommateurs accordent une grande importance à une norme sur les pesticides qui exige des analyses régulières du produit final et qu'ils préfèrent une norme sur les aliments biologiques qui inclut un règlement sur l'origine du produit.
A COMPARISON OF TWO PROSECUTION POLICIES IN CASES OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE: MANDATORY CASE FILING VERSUS FOLLOWING THE VICTIM'S LEAD*
Authors: DAVIS ROBERT C. , O'SULLIVAN CHRIS S. , FAROLE DONALD J. , REMPEL MICHAEL
Published: January 2009

Research Summary

This study capitalized on differences in domestic violence prosecution policies between two boroughs of New York City. In Brooklyn, arrest cases generally are filed, but in the Bronx, cases typically are not filed when the victim does not want to proceed. We sampled 272 intimate partner cases declined by the Bronx prosecutor and 211 similar cases filed by the Brooklyn prosecutor. The Brooklyn policy is more costly, and most cases ultimately were dismissed. After 6 months, rearrest rates did not differ significantly between the two boroughs, although victims offered qualified support for the universal filing policy.

Policy Implications

Prosecutors face conflicting pressures when victims do not support prosecution. Victim empowerment and resource conservation favor declining such cases, but sending a message of zero tolerance favors filing. Our results support an intermediate policy of filing most cases but dropping them sooner to give victims a voice while avoiding heavy investments in cases headed for dismissal.
Multiple Roles of Gi/oProtein‐coupled Receptors in Control of Action Potential Secretion Coupling in Pituitary Lactotrophs
Authors: Stojilkovic Stanko S. , Murano Takayo , Gonzalez‐Iglesias Arturo E. , Andric Silvana A. , Popovic Marko A. , Van Goor Fredrick , Tomić Melanija
Published: January 2009

Gi/oprotein‐coupled receptors, signaling through G protein‐dependent and protein‐independent pathways, have prominent effects on secretion by modulating calcium signaling and regulating the size of the releasable secretory pool, the rates of exocytosis and endocytosis, andde novosynthesis. Pituitary cells fire action potentials spontaneously, and the associated calcium influx is sufficient to maintain prolactin (PRL) release but not gonadotropin release at high and steady levels for many hours. Such secretion, termedintrinsic, spontaneous, orbasal, reflects fusion of secretory vesicles triggered by the cell type‐specific pattern of action potentials. In lactotrophs, activation of endothelin ETAand dopamine D2receptors causes inhibition of spontaneous electrical activity and basal adenylyl cyclase activity accompanied with inhibition of basal PRL release. Agonist‐induced inhibition of cAMP production and firing of action potentials is abolished in cells with blocked pertussis toxin (PTX)‐sensitive Gi/osignaling pathway. However, agonist‐induced inhibition of PRL release is only partially relieved in such treated cells, indicating that both receptors also inhibit exocytosis downstream of cAMP/calcium signaling. The PTX‐insensitive step in agonist‐induced inhibition of PRL release is not affected by inhibition of phosphoinositide 3‐kinase and glycogen synthase kinase‐3 but is partially rescued by downregulation of the Gzα expression. Thus, ETAand D2receptors inhibit basal PRL release not only by blocking electrical activity but also by desensitizing calcium‐secretion coupling.
SNAP‐25 in Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Authors: Corradini Irene , Verderio Claudia , Sala Mariaelvina , Wilson Michael C. , Matteoli Michela
Published: January 2009

SNAP‐25 (synaptosomal‐associated protein of 25 kDa) is a plasma membrane protein that, together with syntaxin and the synaptic vesicle protein VAMP/synaptobrevin, forms the SNARE (soluble N‐ethylmaleimide‐sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) docking complex for regulated exocytosis. SNAP‐25 also modulates different voltage‐gated calcium channels, representing therefore a multifunctional protein that plays essential roles in neurotransmitter release at different steps. Recent genetic studies of human populations and of some mouse models implicate alterations in SNAP‐25 gene structure, expression, and/or function in contributing directly to these distinct neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders.
Calcium‐regulated Exocytosis in Neuroendocrine Cells: Intersectin‐1L Stimulates Actin Polymerization and Exocytosis by Activating Cdc42
Authors: Momboisse Fanny , Ory Stéphane , Calco Valerie , Malacombe Magali , Bader Marie‐France , Gasman Stéphane
Published: January 2009

Actin cytoskeleton remodeling is a critical step of regulated exocytosis in many secretory cell types, including neuroendocrine cells. While the classical model considers the cortical actin network as a physical barrier preventing the uncontrolled recruitment of secretory granules to the plasma membrane docking sites, recent evidence supports the idea that actin polymerization also plays a more active role in the late stages of exocytosis. However, the molecular machinery underlying this positive function of actin in the course of exocytosis remains largely unknown. Here, we propose that the neuronal guanine nucleotide exchange factor, intersectin‐1L, activates the GTPase Cdc42, which in turn provides de novo actin filaments that are important for calcium‐regulated exocytosis in PC12 cells.
A Neurotoxic Secretory Phospholipase A2 Induces Apoptosis in Motoneuron‐like Cells
Authors: Pražnikar Zala Jenko , Petan Toni , Pungerčar Jože
Published: January 2009

Ammodytoxin A (AtxA) is a presynaptically neurotoxic secretory phospholipase A2 from snake venom. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of its cytotoxicity expressed against mouse motoneuronal NSC34 cells. AtxA displayed a potent dose‐ and time‐dependent cytotoxicity that was associated with apoptosis and not necrosis, as revealed by a reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase‐3, and by the absence of propidium iodide staining. The cytotoxic‐ and apoptosis‐inducing effects of AtxA were specific for the motoneuronal cells; human embryonic kidney (HEK293) and mouse myoblast (C2C12) cells were shown to be resistant to the toxin.
Phosphatidylinositol‐4,5‐bisphosphate‐dependent Facilitation of the ATP‐dependent Secretory Activity in Mouse Pituitary Cells
Authors: Sedej Simon , Gurung Iman Singh , Binz Thomas , Rupnik Marjan
Published: January 2009

Phosphatidylinositol‐4, 5‐bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] has been implicated in the priming of large dense‐core vesicles in many secretory cells; however, its role in the Ca2+‐dependent secretory activity in pituitary cells remains elusive. We assessed the effect of elevated intracellular PI(4,5)P2 on the kinetics of Ca2+‐dependent exocytosis, using a whole‐cell patch‐clamp technique in wild‐type mouse melanotrophs from fresh pituitary tissue slices. We found that 1 μmol/L PI(4,5)P2 significantly increased Ca2+‐dependent exocytosis of vesicles that need to go through ATP‐dependent reactions; however, the exocytosis of release‐ready vesicles (ATP‐independent release) and voltage‐activated Ca2+ currents remained unaffected. We suggest that PI(4,5)P2 increases the size of the readily releasable vesicle pool by regulating the effectiveness of vesicular mobilization and fusion in an ATP‐dependent manner.
Fluorescent Cargo Proteins in Peptidergic Endocrine Cells
Authors: Michael Darren J. , Tapechum Sompol , Rohan Joyce G. , Johnson Joseph M. , Chow Robert H.
Published: January 2009

Fluorescent fusion proteins are an important tool for the study of vesicle trafficking and exocytosis, especially when combined with newer types of microscopy. We previously reported that the design of a vesicle‐targeted fluorescent fusion construct strongly influences the kinetics of fluorescence change at exocytosis. In the present study we demonstrate that the cell in which a construct is expressed also affects the kinetics of fluorescence change at exocytosis. We fused enhanced green fluorescent protein to the carboxy terminus of the vesicular cargo protein rodent islet amyloid polypeptide. The two proteins were separated by a “linker” sequence of 18 amino acids. We then compared kinetics of fluorescence change at exocytosis for this fluorescent cargo protein expressed in three different types of peptidergic endocrine cell: pancreatic alpha cell, pancreatic beta cell, and adrenal chromaffin cell. In resting cells of all three types, fluorescent spots of similar size and membrane‐proximal density appeared near the plasma membrane as expected if the probe is stored in large dense‐core secretory vesicles. Upon stimulation, the fluorescent spots displayed sudden changes in fluorescence intensity that were consistent with exocytosis. In beta and alpha cells the fluorescent spots consistently brightened and persisted, whereas in chromaffin cells the fluorescent spots always dispersed rapidly. Thus, for fluorescent cargo proteins in peptidergic endocrine cells, cell type influences the kinetics of fluorescence change at exocytosis. Together with our previous findings, this observation strongly highlights the fact that the behavior of vesicle‐targeted fluorescent cargo may be unrelated to that of native cargo, and it emphasizes the need for caution in interpreting fluorescence kinetics in terms of an exocytosis mechanism.
SNAP‐25 and Gene‐targeted Mouse Mutants
Authors: Bark Christina
Published: January 2009

The evolutionary conserved soluble N‐ethylmaleimide‐sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) fusion machinery is the operational unit in the release of neurotransmitters and hormones from excitable cells. The SNARE core complex consists of three proteins named SNAP‐25 (synaptosomal‐associated protein of 25 kD), syntaxin 1, and VAMP (vesicle‐associated membrane protein)/synaptobrevin. Syntaxin 1 is, together with SNAP‐25, localized to the plasma membrane, whereas VAMP/synaptobrevin is a component of secretory vesicles. In concert with the SNAREs, accessory factors govern the docking and priming of secretory vesicles prior to trans‐SNARE complex formation and ultimately Ca2+‐triggered fusion pore opening at the plasma membrane. The synaptic SNAP‐25 protein exists as two closely related protein variants, named SNAP‐25a and SNAP‐25b. SNAP‐25a and SNAP‐25b are both encoded from a single copy gene and generated by obligate alternative splicing between two similar exon 5 sequences. Exon 5 spans a region of SNAP‐25 that is subject to posttranslational palmitoylation and implicated in membrane anchoring of this cytosolic protein. The alternative splicing is strictly developmentally and neuroanatomically regulated, but the biological relevance of the distinct expression of these two similar protein variants is still a question of debate. However, recent findings in gene‐targeted mouse mutants have started to unravel the importance that physiological levels of total SNAP‐25 protein are present and, importantly, that this is accompanied by a balanced expression of SNAP‐25a and SNAP‐25b.
Out of India: Immigrant Hindus and South Asian Hinduism in the USA
Authors: Bauman Chad , Saunders Jennifer B.
Published: January 2009

The article provides a survey of research on immigrant Hindus and South Asian Hinduism in the USA, focusing in particular on certain trends in the development of American Hinduism (e.g., Americanization, protestantization, ecumenization, congregationalization, homogenization, and ritual adaptation) and prominent themes in more recent scholarship on the topic (e.g., race, transnational connections, and Hindu nationalism).
A Study of the Relationships among Consumer Acceptance, Oxidation Chemical Indicators, and Sensory Attributes in High‐Oleic and Normal Peanuts
Authors: Nepote V. , Olmedo R.H. , Mestrallet M.G. , Grosso N.R.
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACT:  The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between overall acceptance, chemical indicators, and sensory attributes in roasted peanuts harvested from high‐oleic peanut genotypes produced in Argentina. Oleic/linoleic ratio (O/L), peroxide value, p‐anisidine value, conjugated dienes, consumer acceptance, and descriptive analysis were performed on roasted peanuts prepared using 16 genotypes of normal and high‐oleic peanuts. Principal component and cluster analysis were performed on the chemical and sensory data from peanut genotypes. Acceptance was positively associated with O/L, crunchiness, sweetness, roasted peanutty flavor, and hardness. Acceptability was negatively associated with cardboard, oxidized, and sour flavors. The high‐oleic genotypes, 4896‐11‐C, and 9399‐10 showed high consumer acceptance with 7 or “like moderately” in a hedonic scale of 9 points. Some high‐oleic peanut lines, such as 9399‐10, could be used to replace normal peanuts without affecting consumer acceptance of peanut products processed from them and more stability due to the high‐oleic condition.
Infrared Monitoring of Interlayer Water in Stacks of Purple Membranes†
Authors: Dioumaev Andrei K. , Lanyi Janos K
Published: January 2009

The thermodynamic behavior of films of hydrated purple membranes from Halobacterium salinarum and the water confined in it was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in the 180–280 K range. Unlike bulk water, water in the thin layers sandwiched between the biological membranes does not freeze at 273 K but will be supercooled to ∼256 K. The melting point is unaffected, leading to hysteresis between 250 and 273 K. In its heating branch, a gradually increasing light‐scattering by ice is observed with rate‐limiting kinetics of tens of minutes. Infrared (IR) spectra decomposition provided extinction coefficients for the confined water vibrational bands and their changes upon freezing. Because of the hysteresis, at any given temperature in the 255–270 K range, the interbilayer water could be either liquid or frozen, depending on thermal history. We find that this difference affects the dynamics of the bacteriorhodopsin photocycle in the hysteresis range: the decay of the M and N states and the redistribution between them are different depending on whether or not the water was initially precooled to below the freezing point. However, freezing of interbilayer water does block the M to N transition. Unlike the water, the purple membrane lipids do not undergo any IR‐detectable phase transition in the 180–280 K range.
Endoscopic ultrasonographic evaluation of hemodynamics related to variceal relapse in esophageal variceal patients
Authors: Sato Takahiro , Yamazaki Katsu , Toyota Jouji , Karino Yoshiyasu , Ohmura Takumi , Akaike Jun
Published: January 2009

Aim:  To evaluate retrospectively the hemodynamics of esophageal varices before and after endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) using endoscopic color Doppler ultrasonography (ECDUS).

Methods:  The study included 306 patients whose esophageal varices had been treated with EIS. The underlying pathologies of portal hypertension in these 306 patients included liver cirrhosis (193), cirrhosis associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (102), primary biliary cirrhosis (6), idiopathic portal hypertension (4) and extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (1). ECDUS was used for the examination of all 306 cases before EIS and 3–5 months after EIS. ECDUS was performed to evaluate flow in the left gastric vein, paraesophageal veins, perforating veins and cardiac intramural veins.

Results:  The patients were divided into three groups according to time of esophageal variceal recurrence: early recurrence within one year (Group A, n = 16), no recurrence over three years (Group B, n = 12), and recurrence between one and three years (Group C, n = 278). Before EIS, the frequency of detection of perforating veins and the inflowing type of perforating veins using ECDUS was significantly higher for Group A than Groups B or C. After EIS, the frequency of detection of cardiac intramural veins, perforating veins and the inflowing type of perforating veins using ECDUS was significantly higher in Group A than Groups B or C.

Conclusion:  Endoscopic ultrasonographic evaluation of the hemodynamics in esophageal varices before and after EIS enables prediction of early variceal recurrence.
FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography for the detection of extrahepatic metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Kawaoka Tomokazu , Aikata Hiroshi , Takaki Shintaro , Uka Kiminori , Azakami Takahiro , Saneto Hiromi , Jeong Soo Cheol , Kawakami Yoshiiku , Takahashi Shoichi , Toyota Naoyuki , Ito Katsuhide , Hirokawa Yutaka , Chayama Kazuaki
Published: January 2009

Aims:  To compare the efficacy of positron emission tomography (PET) computed tomography (CT), multi‐detector helical computed tomography (MDCT) and bone scintigraphy for the detection of extrahepatic metastases in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods:  Thirty‐four patients diagnosed with metastatic HCC were enrolled in this study. The lesions included lung (n = 18), bone (n = 12) and lymph node (n = 16) metastases. For receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, lesions were diagnosed as metastatic HCC by two experienced abdominal radiologists. Another three physicians independently reviewed both positive and negative images. Each physician read three sets of images of MDCT, PET–CT and bone scintigraphy for bone metastasis.

Results:  The mean sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of lung metastasis were 85.2 and 88.9% for MDCT, and 59.2 and 92.6% for PET–CT, respectively. For lymph node metastasis, these values were 62.5 and 79.2% for MDCT, and 66.7 and 91.7% for PET–CT, respectively; and for bone metastasis 41.6 and 94.5% for MDCT, 83.3 and 86.1% for PET–CT, and 52.7 and 83.3% for bone scintigraphy, respectively. The mean Az values were 0.95 and 0.77 for MDCT and PET–CT in lung metastasis, respectively, 0.75 and 0.80 for MDCT and PET–CT for lymph node metastasis, respectively, and 0.59, 0.88 and 0.62 for MDCT, PET–CT and bone scintigraphy for bone metastasis, respectively.

Conclusion:  PET–CT has high sensitivity and is more suitable for the detection of bone metastases from primary HCC, relative to MDCT and bone scintigraphy.
The WikiID: An Alternative Approach to the Body of Knowledge
Authors: Mendoza Hannah Rose
Published: January 2009

A discussion of the locus of design knowledge is currently underway as well as a search for clear boundaries defined by a formal Body of Knowledge (BoK). Most attempts to define a BoK involve the creation of “jurisdictional boundaries of knowledge” that “allow those who possess this knowledge to claim authority over its application” ( Guerin & Thompson, 2004 , p. 1). This claim is attractive but such control may no longer be an option in the Internet Age, when even the call for the discussion of the BoK definition process is on the Web. Marshall–Baker (2005) argued that “the moment knowledge is bordered it is no longer knowledge” (p. xiv). Whereas data and information are easily captured and generalized, knowledge is specific to users and their evolving understandings, implying purposeful application over time. This paper explores knowledge as process transcending boundaries and seeks to answer not “where” the locus lies but rather “what” that locus could be.

Using a feminist framework, I argue that in conjunction with the work done thus far we should move toward the creation of an inclusive model for the BoK. In such a model, the value of the profession is felt as a result of inclusion in and interaction with the knowledge creation process. I propose that the BoK should not be a printed document, but a Web–based organizational system that supports change and innovation. Wikipedia provides this type of inclusive, mutable system, and the same framework could be applied to the creation of a systemic BoK. I call this creation the WikiID.
Perceptions of Light–Space Compositions: Is Light like Language?
Authors: Beever Meaghan H. , Blossom Nancy H.
Published: January 2009

Referred to as “the prime animator of space,” light is a subject of broad application within the environmental design disciplines ( Ching, 1987 , p. 126). A scan of the literature demonstrates the diverse contexts in which light is studied. Recently, scholars posit that light is most often applied to an interior design solution as a functional additive rather than considered first as an essential design element along with form, color, texture, and others. This raises the question of how designers’, educators’, and students’ approaches to designing with light might be redefined to regard light as a significant contributor to spatial compositions.

The purpose of this study was to test a new framework for understanding light as a design element. It did so by measuring whether light can be perceived through analogy to language. Suggesting that language and design are analogous in that they are both governed by rules of syntax—the orderly and systematic arrangement of parts—this study used language as a model for investigating the role of light in spatial compositions.

Findings are presented from an exploratory study in which upper–level interior design students were asked to respond to a series of photographs of compositions of light. An instrument was designed to measure participants’ perception of light in four primary linguistic roles: noun, verb, adjective, and adverb. Preliminary findings suggest that the linguistic model may be an effective analogy for exploring light's role as a compositional element in interior space.
Phonation behavior of cooperatively foraging spinner dolphins
Authors: Benoit-Bird Kelly J. , Au Whitlow W. L.
Published: January 2009

Groups of spinner dolphins have been shown to cooperatively herd small prey. It was hypothesized that the strong group coordination is maintained by acoustic communication, specifically by frequency-modulated whistles. Observations of groups of spinner dolphins foraging at night within a sound-scattering layer were made with a multibeam echosounder while the rates of dolphin sounds were measured using four hydrophones at 6m depth intervals. Whistles were only detected when dolphins were not foraging and when animals were surfacing. Differences in click rates were found between depths and between different foraging stages but were relatively low when observations indicated that dolphins were actively feeding despite the consistency of these clicks with echolocation signals. Highest click rates occurred within the scattering layer, during transitions between foraging states. This suggests that clicks may be used directly or indirectly to cue group movement during foraging, potentially by detecting other individuals’ positions in the group or serving a direct communicative role which would be contrary to the existing assumption that echolocation and communication are compartmentalized. Communicating via clicks would be beneficial as the signal’s characteristics minimize the chance of eavesdropping by competing dolphins and large fish. Our results are unable to support the established paradigm for dolphin acoustic communication and suggest an alternate coordination mechanism in foraging spinner dolphins.
Sound transmission loss of rectangular and slit-shaped apertures: Experimental results and correlation with a modal model
Authors: Trompette Nicolas , Barbry Jean-Louis , Sgard Franck , Nelisse Hugues
Published: January 2009

Among noise control techniques, enclosures are widely used. It is known that enclosure acoustic efficiency is strongly influenced by the presence of openings or leaks. Modeling of diffuse field sound transmission loss (TL) of apertures and slits is therefore critical when the enclosure acoustic performance characteristics need to be predicted with confidence either for design or for modifying existing enclosures. Recently, a general model for diffuse field sound TL of rectangular and circular apertures has been developed and validated with respect to existing analytical or numerical models. This paper presents an experimental validation of this new model. The aim was to develop a simple, reliable tool for predicting enclosure insertion loss using statistical energy analysis. Twelve out of the 15 test configurations were found to be reliable and were compared with theoretical models, which in fact correlate closely (without adjustment) with the experimental work.
English /r/-/l/ category assimilation by Japanese adults: Individual differences and the link to identification accuracy
Authors: Hattori Kota , Iverson Paul
Published: January 2009

Native speakers of Japanese often have difficulty identifying English /r/ and /l/, and it has been thought that second-language (L2) learning difficulties like this are caused by how L2 phonemes are assimilated into ones native phonological system. This study took an individual difference approach to examining this relationship by testing the category assimilation of Japanese speakers with a wide range of English /r/-/l/ identification abilities. All Japanese subjects were assessed in terms of (1) their accuracy in identifying English /r/ and /l/, (2) their assimilation of /r/ and /l/ into their Japanese flap category, (3) their production of /r/ and /l/, and (4) their best-exemplar locations for /r/, /l/, and Japanese flap in a five-dimensional set of synthetic stimuli (F1, F2, F3, closure duration, and transition duration). The results demonstrated that Japanese speakers assimilate /l/ into their flap category more strongly than they assimilate /r/. However, there was little evidence that category assimilation was predictive of English /r/-/l/ perception and production. Japanese speakers had three distinct best exemplars for /r/, /l/, and flap, and only their representation of F3 in /r/ and /l/ was predictive of identification ability.
Generalized eigenfunctions of layered elastic media and application to diffuse fields
Authors: Margerin Ludovic
Published: January 2009

The spectral decomposition of the elastic wave operator in a layered isotropic half-space is derived by means of standard functional analysis methods. Particular attention is paid to the coupled P-SV waves. The problem is formulated directly in terms of displacements which leads to a 2×2 Sturm–Liouville system. The resolvent kernel (Green’s function) is expressed in terms of simple plane-wave solutions. Application of Stone’s formula leads naturally to eigenfunction expansions in terms of generalized eigenvectors with oscillatory behavior at infinity. The generalized eigenfunction expansion is employed to define a diffuse field as a white noise process in modal space. By means of a Wigner transform, we calculate vertical to horizontal kinetic energy ratios in layered media, as a function of depth and frequency. Several illustrative examples are considered including energy ratios near a free surface, in the presence of a soft layer. Numerical comparisons between the generalized eigenfunction summation and a classical locked-mode approximation demonstrate the validity of the approach. The impact of the local velocity structure on the energy partitioning of a diffuse field is illustrated.
Frequency difference limens of pure tones and harmonics within complex stimuli in Mongolian gerbils and humans
Authors: Klinge Astrid , Klump Georg M.
Published: January 2009

Frequency difference limens (FDLs) for pure tones between 200 and 6400Hz and for the first, the second, or the eighth harmonic of an 800Hz complex in four Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) were determined using a Go/NoGo-procedure. The 12 harmonics of the complex started either in sine phase or at a random phase. Gerbils showed very high pure tone FDLs ranging from 17.1% Weber fraction (200Hz) to 6.7% (6400Hz). They performed much better in detecting mistuning of a harmonic in the complex in the sine phase condition with FDLs decreasing from 0.07% for the first harmonic to 0.02% for the eighth harmonic. FDLs were about one order of magnitude higher when temporal cues were degraded by randomizing the starting phase of every component in the harmonic complex for every stimulus. These results are strikingly different from those obtained in four human subjects who needed about four times higher frequency shifts than gerbils for detecting a mistuned component in a sine phase complex and showed similar detection of mistuning in the random phase condition. The results are discussed in relation to possible processing mechanisms for pure tone frequency discrimination and for detecting mistuning in harmonic complex stimuli.
Wave characterization of cylindrical and curved panels using a finite element method
Authors: Manconi Elisabetta , Mace Brian R.
Published: January 2009

This paper describes a wave finite element method for the numerical prediction of wave characteristics of cylindrical and curved panels. The method combines conventional finite elements and the theory of wave propagation in periodic structures. The mass and stiffness matrices of a small segment of the structure, which is typically modeled using either a single shell element or, especially for laminated structures, a stack of solid elements meshed through the cross-section, are postprocessed using periodicity conditions. The matrices are typically found using a commercial FE package. The solutions of the resulting eigenproblem provide the frequency evolution of the wavenumber and the wave modes. For cylindrical geometries, the circumferential order of the wave can be specified in order to define the phase change that a wave experiences as it propagates across the element in the circumferential direction. The method is described and illustrated by application to cylinders and curved panels of different constructions. These include isotropic, orthotropic, and laminated sandwich constructions. The application of the method is seen to be straightforward even in the complicated case of laminated sandwich panels. Accurate predictions of the dispersion curves are found at negligible computational cost.
Low-dimensional models of the glottal flow incorporating viscous-inviscid interaction
Authors: Kaburagi Tokihiko , Tanabe Yosuke
Published: January 2009

The behavior of glottal flow can, to a large extent, be characterized by development and separation of the boundary layer. The point of flow separation is known to vary during the phonatory cycle due to change in channel configuration. To take the movable nature of the separation point into account, the boundary-layer equation is solved numerically, and the values of the characteristic quantities are determined as well as the point of separation. Development of the boundary layer in general reduces the effective size of the channel, and, therefore, increases the core flow velocity, which, in turn provides the boundary condition of the boundary-layer equation. The interaction between the viscous (boundary layer) and inviscid (core flow) parts of the glottal flow is, therefore, strongly indicated. To apply this viscous-inviscid interaction, the expression of the core flow is derived for a two-dimensional flow field, and is solved jointly with the boundary-layer equation. Numerical results are shown to examine the effect of the Reynolds number and glottal configuration, with special emphasis on the comparison of flow models developed for one- and two-dimensional flow fields. Numerical results are also quantitatively compared with data obtained from flow measurement experiments.
Toward the acoustical characterization of asphalt pavements: Analysis of the tire/road sound from a porous surface
Authors: Paje S. E. , Bueno M. , Viñuela U. , Terán F.
Published: January 2009

Sound level in close proximity to the contact patch of the tire and road (LCPtr) is analyzed as a function of the vehicle speed in the acoustic frequency range, showing different behavior depending on frequency. At least two regions are observed; one at low frequencies, where the variation in sound with speed (coefficient B) increases with frequency, and the other at higher frequencies, where such sound/speed variation does not increase significantly with frequency. The dependence of B at low frequencies seems to be correlated with the high sound absorption of this porous surface.
Quantifying bat call detection performance of humans and machines
Authors: Skowronski Mark D. , Fenton M. Brock
Published: January 2009

Methods for detecting echolocation calls in field recordings of bats vary in performance and influence the effective range of a recording system. In experiments using synthetic calls from five species, human detection accuracy was 89.7±0.6%, compared to 76.3±0.8% for a model-based detector, 72.2±0.8% for an energy-based detector, and 98.4±0.2% for an optimal linear detector. The energy-based detector was 11 times faster than the model-based detector and 110 times faster than humans. Human accuracy was positively correlated with test duration (R2=0.43, P<0.05), meaning that higher accuracy was achieved at the expense of slower performance. Species was a significant factor determining accuracy for all detectors (P<0.001) because of call bandwidth: Narrowband calls concentrated energy in a narrower frequency band and were easier to detect. For a hypothetical recording system, range at 90% human detection accuracy varied from 10to35m among species, while range dropped by approximately 20% using the automated detectors. The optimal detector outperformed humans by 5dB and the automated methods by 9dB. The results quantify the tradeoff between detector speed and accuracy and are useful for designing field studies of bats.
Voice classification and vocal tract of singers: A study of x-ray images and morphology
Authors: Roers Friederike , Mürbe Dirk , Sundberg Johan
Published: January 2009

This investigation compares vocal tract dimensions and the classification of singer voices by examining an x-ray material assembled between 1959 and 1991 of students admitted to the solo singing education at the University of Music, Dresden, Germany. A total of 132 images were available to analysis. Different classifications’ values of the lengths of the total vocal tract, the pharynx, and mouth cavities as well as of the relative position of the larynx, the height of the palatal arch, and the estimated vocal fold length were analyzed statistically, and some significant differences were found. The length of the pharynx cavity seemed particularly influential on the total vocal tract length, which varied systematically with classification. Also studied were the relationships between voice classification and the body height and weight and the body mass index. The data support the hypothesis that there are consistent morphological vocal tract differences between singers of different voice classifications.
A phase and space coherent direct imaging method
Authors: Hou Songming , Huang Kai , Solna Knut , Zhao Hongkai
Published: January 2009

A direct imaging algorithm for point and extended targets is presented. The algorithm is based on a physical factorization of the response matrix of a transducer array. The factorization is used to transform a passive target problem to an active source problem and to extract principal components (tones) in a phase consistent way. The multitone imaging function can superpose multiple tones (spatial diversity/aperture of the array) and frequencies (bandwidth of the probing signal) based on phase coherence. The method is a direct imaging algorithm that is simple and efficient since no forward solver or iteration is needed. Robustness of the algorithm with respect to noise is demonstrated via numerical examples.
Empirical dependence of acoustic transmission scintillation statistics on bandwidth, frequency, and range in New Jersey continental shelf
Authors: Andrews Mark , Chen Tianrun , Ratilal Purnima
Published: January 2009

The scintillation statistics of broadband acoustic transmissions are determined as a function of signal bandwidth B, center frequency fc, and range with experimental data in the New Jersey continental shelf. The received signal intensity is shown to follow the Gamma distribution implying that the central limit theorem has led to a fully saturated field from independent multimodal propagation contributions. The Gamma distribution depends on the mean intensity and the number of independent statistical fluctuations or coherent cells μ of the received signal. The latter is calculated for the matched filter, the Parseval sum, and the bandpassed center frequency, all of which are standard ocean acoustic receivers. The number of fluctuations μ of the received signal is found to be an order of magnitude smaller than the time-bandwidth product TB of the transmitted signal, and to increase monotonically with relative bandwidth B∕fc. A computationally efficient numerical approach is developed to predict the mean intensity and the corresponding broadband transmission loss of a fluctuating, range-dependent ocean waveguide by range and depth averaging the output of a time-harmonic stochastic propagation model. This model enables efficient and accurate estimation of transmission loss over wide areas, which has become essential in wide-area sonar imaging applications.
Time-forward speech intelligibility in time-reversed rooms
Authors: Longworth-Reed Laricia , Brandewie Eugene , Zahorik Pavel
Published: January 2009

The effects of time-reversed room acoustics on word recognition abilities were examined using virtual auditory space techniques, which allowed for temporal manipulation of the room acoustics independent of the speech source signals. Two acoustical conditions were tested: one in which room acoustics were simulated in a realistic time-forward fashion and one in which the room acoustics were reversed in time, causing reverberation and acoustic reflections to precede the direct-path energy. Significant decreases in speech intelligibility—from 89% on average to less than 25%—were observed between the time-forward and time-reversed rooms. This result is not predictable using standard methods for estimating speech intelligibility based on the modulation transfer function of the room. It may instead be due to increased degradation of onset information in the speech signals when room acoustics are time-reversed.
Is histological diagnosis of primary liver carcinomas with fibrous stroma reproducible among experts?
Authors: Malouf G , Falissard B , Azoulay D , Callea F , Ferrell L D , Goodman Z D , Hayashi Y , Hsu H-C , Hubscher S G , Kojiro M , Ng I O , Paterson A C , Reynes M , Zafrani E-S , Emile J-F
Published: January 2009

Aims:

In the era of targeted therapeutics, histological typing of hepatobiliary carcinomas has major clinical implications. Little is known about the reproducibility of the pathological diagnosis of primary liver carcinomas. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the worldwide variation in the pathological expert diagnoses of primary liver carcinomas with fibrous stroma in patients who did not have cirrhosis.

Methods:

A single set of slides was selected from 25 tumours, and this set was reviewed independently by 12 pathologists who have worldwide expertise in liver tumours. Reproducibility of the diagnoses was evaluated by Light’s κ, and diagnoses were clustered by multidimensional scaling. Immunohistochemistry was performed after histological review.

Results:

The interobserver reproducibility for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma subtypes and cholangiocarcinomas was poor (κ 0.23–0.52), even when the experts considered that the diagnosis required no additional stains or clinical information. Interestingly, multidimensional scaling revealed three main clusters of tumours: hepatocellular carcinoma with no other specifications (n = 13), fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 3) and cholangiocarcinoma (n = 9). Using immunohistochemistry, these histological clusters correlated with expression of anti-hepatocyte and anti-cytokeratin 19 (p<0.001).

Conclusions:

The results demonstrate the poor reproducibility among experts of the pathological diagnosis of primary liver carcinomas with fibrous stroma in patients who did not have cirrhosis, and highlight that the systematic use of immunohistochemistry may improve the diagnostic accuracy.
Peritoneal stromal endometriosis: a detailed morphological analysis of a large series of cases of a common and under-recognised form of endometriosis
Authors: Boyle D P , McCluggage W G
Published: January 2009

Aims:

It is generally considered that an unequivocal histological diagnosis of endometriosis requires the presence of endometrioid-type glands and endometrioid-type stroma. However, small nodules or plaques of endometrioid-type stroma without glands have been noticed by the authors in repeated peritoneal biopsies performed for suspected endometriosis. These are often, but not always, accompanied by typical endometriosis with glands. This form of endometriosis has been previously referred to as stromal or micronodular stromal endometriosis. However, there has been little reference to this condition in the literature.

Methods:

In this study, there was a review of a large series (n = 274) of peritoneal biopsies with a diagnosis of endometriosis with a view to ascertaining the frequency of stromal endometriosis.

Results:

Stromal endometriosis, characterised histologically by small microscopic nodules or plaques of endometrioid-type stroma, sometimes with a whorled pattern and prominent vascularity and erythrocyte extravasation, was identified in 44.9% of the biopsies. In 6.6% of the biopsies, stromal endometriosis occurred without typical endometriosis. The foci of stromal endometriosis usually had a superficial location just beneath the mesothelial surface or protruding above this. Associated histological features present in some cases included reactive mesothelial proliferation, inflammation, giant cell or granuloma formation, haemosiderin pigment deposition, microcalcification and decidualisation and myxoid change.

Conclusions:

Stromal endometriosis, usually in the form of superficial nodules or plaques, is a relatively common form of endometriosis which typically occurs in association with typical endometriosis but occasionally on its own. Pathologists should be aware of the existence of this form of endometriosis, the morphological features of which may be subtle. The typical location, intimately associated with surface mesothelium, may suggest that stromal endometriosis derives from mesothelial or submesothelial cells via a metaplastic process.