bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microstructures and Microwave Dielectric Properties of the CaSmAlO4‐Based Ceramics
Authors: Fan Xie Cheng , Mao Min Min , Chen Xiang Ming
Published: July 2008

The effects of secondary phases on microwave dielectric properties were investigated for CaSmAlO4‐based ceramics with bulk compositions of (2+2x)CaO·(1−x)Sm2O3·Al2O3(x=−0.10, −0.05, 0, 0.05, 0.10) and (2+2x)CaO·Sm2O3·Al2O3(x=0.02, 0.04). In dense ceramics with bulk compositions of (2+2x)CaO·(1−x)Sm2O3·Al2O3, Ca3Al2O6(x>0) and SmAlO3(x≤0) secondary phases were observed. Moreover, Sm2O3was detected forx<0, while CaO was only detected atx=0.2. The secondary phases of Ca3Al2O6and SmAlO3increased the dielectric loss (tan δ) and the temperature coefficient of the resonant frequency (τf). In dense ceramics with bulk compositions of (2+2x)CaO·Sm2O3·Al2O3(x=0.02, 0.04), the additional CaO eliminated the SmAlO3secondary phase and led to the formation of a CaSmAl3O7secondary phase. Microwave dielectric properties were greatly improved for ceramics with bulk compositions of (2+2x)CaO·Sm2O3·Al2O3(x=0.02, 0.04): ɛr=19.2;Q×f=120 000–120 400 GHz; τf=−10 to −9 ppm/°C.
Edge‐Defined, Film‐Fed Growth (EFG) Technique for the Preparation of α‐Al2O3:C Crystal with Highly Sensitive Thermoluminescence Response
Authors: Yang Xinbo , Li Hongjun , Xu Jun , Cheng Yan , Su Liangbi , Tang Qiang
Published: July 2008

In this work, α‐Al2O3:C, a highly sensitive thermoluminescence dosimetry crystal, was grown by the EFG method in which a graphite heating unit and shield acted as the carbon source during the growth process. The optical, luminescent properties and dosimetric characteristics of the crystal were investigated. The as‐grown crystal shows a single glow peak at 536 K, which is associated with Cr3+ ions. After annealing in H2 at 1673 K for 80 h, the crystal shows a single glow peak at 460 K and a blue emission band at 415 nm. The thermoluminescent response of the annealed crystal shows linear–sublinear‐saturation characteristics in the dose range from 5 × 10−6 to 100 Gy.
Extraction of Alternative Fuels from Fire Debris Samples*
Authors: Kuk Raymond J. , Spagnola Michael V.
Published: July 2008

Abstract:  Alternative fuels, specifically biodiesel, biodiesel blends, and E85 fuel, have been gaining a market share over the past few years. With the emergence of these fuels, fire debris analysts should be able to recognize their characteristics since these fuels may be encountered in casework. In this study, pure biodiesel (B100) and a 20% blend of pure biodiesel with petroleum diesel (B20) are examined as liquids and are extracted from debris samples using both passive headspace concentration and solvent extraction. Typical fire debris instrumental conditions are used to analyze these samples. Components of B100 and B20 may be observed in debris samples extracted using the passive headspace concentration method, but the chromatographic patterns are different from the pure liquid samples. When solvent extraction is used as a secondary extraction method on debris samples, the resulting patterns are consistent with the pure liquids of B100 and B20. E85 fuel, a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, can be extracted using a typical fire debris extraction technique but requires slight modifications to typical fire debris instrumental conditions. E85 is shown at various stages of evaporation to demonstrate the resiliency of the ethanol. Additionally, samples of E85 were placed on carpet, burned and extinguished to demonstrate the effects of the suppression medium on the retention of ethanol.
Use of an Optimized 1,2‐Indanedione Process for the Development of Latent Prints*
Authors: Bicknell Danna E. , Ramotowski Robert S.
Published: July 2008

Abstract:  1,2‐Indanedione belongs to a class of compounds which have demonstrated great potential in the processing of latent prints, particularly in the area of fluorescence. However, variability in results achieved worldwide has precluded it from being used extensively. In order to isolate the cause of this variability, various components of the formulation were analyzed, including purity level of the indanedione, type of carrier solvent, and the use of ZnCl2 both as a secondary application and incorporated into the reagent. Using a resultant optimized formulation (Ind‐Zn), performance comparisons were then made in the areas of visible color development, fluorescence, and degree of substrate staining with those of 1,8‐diazafluoren‐9‐one (DFO) for both fresh and aged prints. Moisture content of the paper substrates on which the prints had been deposited was measured and a correlation found with percentage ambient relative humidity (% RH). Determination of visible color and fluorescence as it corresponded to percentage moisture content allowed for defining critical threshold levels necessary for achieving optimal results. Correlating these values with % RH then allowed for the development of standard operating procedures for obtaining best possible print development. Through this work, it was determined that a 7.4% v/v formulation of Ind‐Zn having petroleum ether as a carrier solvent yielded the most optimal results when processing methods optimized for % RH in the laboratory were utilized. Both initial color development and fluorescence were superior to that of DFO; prints developed with Ind‐Zn were a minimum of 6.5 units dE* darker and more red than with DFO for all substrates tested. Processing with Ind‐Zn on the majority of the substrates examined yielded fluorescence intensity values approximately four times greater than with DFO.
Immune modulation by melanoma‐derived factors
Authors: Ilkovitch Dan , Lopez Diana M.
Published: July 2008

Abstract:  Melanomas, while the less common of skin cancers, are highly aggressive and once they metastasize usually indicate a poor prognosis. Melanomas are in many cases immunogenic and thus have been a prime target for immunotherapy, which has resulted in objective responses in some patients. To understand why antitumor immunity fails, and for the purpose of discovering new targets to improve therapy, there has been great interest to analyse the antitumor immune responses which exist in these patients, and uncover mechanisms which block tumor‐specific immune responses. It is now evident that immunosuppressive cell networks and factors play a major role in the failure of the antitumor immune responses and therapies to eradicate the tumor. In this review, the factors produced by melanomas which can modulate and enhance these suppressive mechanisms are discussed. The roles of immature dendritic cells, neutrophils, T‐regulatory cells, myeloid‐derived suppressor cells and M2 macrophages or tumor‐associated macrophages are described. Furthermore, taking into consideration of the cross‐talk which exists among these different cell types and the cycle of immunosuppression which is evident in melanoma cancer patients and animal models, will be important for future therapeutic approaches.
The role of the environment in partial migration: food availability affects the adoption of a migratory tactic in brown trout Salmo trutta
Authors: Wysujack K. , Greenberg L. A. , Bergman E. , Olsson I. C.
Published: July 2008

Abstract –  Alternative reproductive tactics are commonly reported for salmonids (Pisces) and typically involve large migratory and small resident individuals. Variation in migratory tendency should reflect the different benefits and costs that the two different phenotypes face with regard to fitness. Therefore, the effect of food availability on the adoption of a migratory tactic in brown trout was investigated. Fifty trout were placed in each of 12 tanks and fed at three different levels. Growth‐related variables were measured regularly, and at the end of the experiment, the proportion of migrants and residents was recorded. Low food availability led to increased numbers of migratory fish. The expected sex‐bias was also present, with a lower percentage of resident females than resident males. As all fish originated from the same gene pool, the changing proportions of the migratory tactics can be classified as phenotypic plasticity. The study provides evidence that the different phenotypes reflect alternative tactics within a conditional strategy. Some differences in growth‐related variables were present between the sexes, and a very pronounced difference in condition factor was found between resident and migratory males, but not in females. Thus, the results provide evidence that different selective forces may be acting on the sexes.
A modified method of mouthguard fabrication for orthodontic patients
Authors: Maeda Yoshinobu , Matsuda Shisuke , Tsugawa Tsuyoshi , Maeda Sachiko
Published: July 2008

Abstract –  Orthodontic appliances are one of the major risk factors for traumatic injuries during sports events. As it is difficult to take precise impressions with orthodontic appliances, fabricated custom‐made mouthguards (MGs) often have poor retention or are too tight causing the disturbance of orthodontic treatments. The purpose of this article is to describe a method for custom‐made MG fabrication using sheet and tube materials, with which better MG retention and rigidity as well as pressure control to the orthodontic appliances can be easily achieved.
Pattern of traumatic dental injuries in children attending the University Dental Hospital, Sri Lanka
Authors: Ekanayake Lilani , Perera Mahendra
Published: July 2008

Abstract – Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of traumatic dental injuries in children seeking care at the Division of Paediatric Dentistry, the Dental Hospital, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Material and methods: The sample consisted of patients attending the Division Paediatric Dentistry, University Dental Hospital for traumatic dental injuries between February 2003 and May 2006. The data were collected by means of an interviewer administered questionnaire to parent/guardian and a clinical examination. Results: A total of 197 children aged between 2 and 17 years had sought treatment for 304 traumatized teeth. Half of the patients had sought treatment more than 1 month after the trauma occurred. The most frequent cause for dental trauma was a fall (89%) whilst compromised aesthetics was the most common reason for seeking care (48%). Maxillary central incisors were the most affected teeth. Of the permanent teeth, 49% had sustained uncomplicated fractures involving only the enamel and dentine. Pulp therapy ranging from pulpotomy to root canal treatment was the treatment of choice for most of the traumatized permanent teeth (46%). In the deciduous teeth, a fracture involving enamel, dentine and the pulp was the most common (35%). Conclusions: As there was a considerable delay in seeking care for these injuries, it is recommended that educational programs be conducted for parents to create awareness about the importance of immediate management of traumatized teeth.
Parenting as a Dynamic Process: A Test of the Resource Dilution Hypothesis
Authors: Strohschein Lisa , Gauthier Anne H. , Campbell Rachel , Kleparchuk Clayton
Published: July 2008

In this paper, we tested the resource dilution hypothesis, which posits that, because parenting resources are finite, the addition of a new sibling depletes parenting resources for other children in the household. We estimated growth curve models on the self‐reported parenting practices of mothers using four waves of data collected biennially between 1994 and 2000 on a nationally representative sample of 2,082 Canadian children aged 2 to 5 at initial interview and in continuously intact, two‐biological‐parent households. Results showed that when new children were added to the household, mothers exhibited declines in positive interaction, but increased their levels of consistent parenting. Taken together, these findings suggested that parenting resources were reallocated, rather than diluted, when family size increased.
Religion, Pledging, and the Premarital Sexual Behavior of Married Young Adults
Authors: Uecker Jeremy E.
Published: July 2008

Social scientists know little about the effect of religion and abstinence pledging on premarital sex beyond adolescence. Evidence from a sample of married young adults in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (N = 2,079) reveals that premarital sex is widespread even among religious Americans and abstinence pledgers. Nevertheless, these individuals are much more likely than their counterparts to avoid premarital sex entirely. When they do have premarital sex, pledgers are more likely to restrict the behavior to their future spouse. Though contextual, exposure, and social control effects explain some of the influence of religion and abstinence pledging, religion and abstinence pledging appear to exert robust, direct effects on premarital sexual behavior.
Together Forever? Romantic Relationship Characteristics and Prenatal Health Behaviors
Authors: Kimbro Rachel Tolbert
Published: July 2008

Using Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Data (N= 4,871), this paper examines why relationship status matters for prenatal health behaviors. The paper argues that a mother’s potential investments in her child’s health are conditioned by socioeconomic and interpersonal resources, including the quality of her relationship with the child’s father. Mothers in strained relationships may experience more stress, which is associated with poor prenatal health behaviors. Results show that married mothers exhibit the healthiest prenatal behaviors and that relationship characteristics and dynamics measures, including physical abuse and relationship conflict, predict poor prenatal health behaviors above and beyond confounding factors. In addition, these relationship characteristics explain some of the advantage in prenatal health behaviors married mothers have over unmarried mothers.
Earnings and Expenditures on Household Services in Married and Cohabiting Unions
Authors: Treas Judith , De Ruijter Esther
Published: July 2008

Despite the rise in women’s paid employment, little is known about how women and their partners allocate money to outsource domestic tasks, especially in unmarried unions. Tobit analyses of 6,170 married and cohabiting couples in the 1998 Consumer Expenditure Survey test hypotheses that recognize gender inequality between partners, gender typing of household tasks, and differences between cohabitation and marriage. Women’s earned income is more important than men’s for spending on female tasks. Men’s earnings are not more important for male tasks, but the earnings of married men are more strongly linked to expenditures on female tasks than are the earnings of cohabiting men. The research indicates that working women leverage their earnings to reduce their domestic burden through outsourcing.
Gender, Productivity, and the Marital Wage Premium
Authors: Lincoln Anne E.
Published: July 2008

Explanations for married men’s wage premium often emphasize greater market productivity due to a gendered division of household labor, though this “specialization thesis” has been insufficiently interrogated. Using data from Wave 2 of the National Survey of Families and Households (N = 972), this paper examines the relationship between wages and time spent in paid labor and housework for married women and men with high levels of labor force attachment and their spouses. Scrutiny of couples’ time use finds strong evidence for the gendered division of labor, but little support for the anticipated wage effects of the specialization thesis itself. Less strict sample restrictions point to the need for continued research directed at couples’ joint employment and household labor decisions.
Huntington’s disease: roles of huntingtin‐interacting protein 1 (HIP‐1) and its molecular partner HIPPI in the regulation of apoptosis and transcription
Authors: Bhattacharyya Nitai P. , Banerjee Manisha , Majumder Pritha
Published: July 2008

Huntingtin protein (Htt), whose mutation causes Huntington’s disease (HD), interacts with large numbers of proteins that participate in diverse cellular pathways. This observation indicates that wild‐type Htt is involved in various cellular processes and that the mutated Htt alters these processes in HD. The roles of these interacting proteins in HD pathogenesis remain largely unknown. In the present review, we present evidence that Htt‐interacting protein 1 (HIP‐1), an endocytic protein, together with its interacting partner HIPPI, regulates apoptosis and gene expression, both processes being implicated in HD. Further studies are necessary to establish whether the HIPPI–HIP‐1 complex or other interacting partners of HIPPI regulate apoptosis and gene expression that are relevant to HD.
Characterization of tumour necrosis factor‐alpha genetic variants and mRNA expression in patients with severe sepsis
Authors: O'Dwyer M. J. , Mankan A. K. , Ryan A. W. , Lawless M. W. , Stordeur P. , Kelleher D. , McManus R. , Ryan T.
Published: July 2008

Tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNFα) has been implicated in the pathogenicity of severe sepsis by both genetic association studies and animal models. Conflicting functional data have emerged in relation to genetic variants and TNFα protein production. Therefore, we assessed the functionality of TNFα genetic variants in terms of mRNA production and their potential influence on outcome in the setting of severe sepsis. Sixty‐two Irish Caucasian patients presenting with severe sepsis were recruited and TNFα mRNA and protein levels were quantified. Patient DNA was analysed for the presence of common promoter polymorphisms and haplotypes were inferred. An A allele at position –863 was associated with more TNFα mRNA on day 1 compared to C homozygotes (P = 0.037). There was a trend for G homozygotes at position –308 to produce more TNFα mRNA on day 1 than those carrying an A allele (P = 0.059). The presence of an A allele at –863 was associated with greater levels of TNFα mRNA in comparison with patients carrying the A allele at –308 on day 1 (P = 0.02). Patients homozygous for the A allele at position –308 had a higher mortality than those carrying the G allele (P = 0.01). Our data are consistent with recent reports suggesting that a deficient proinflammatory response may be harmful in human sepsis. This deficient inflammatory response may be mediated in part by polymorphisms in the TNFα promoter.
Genetic diversity among Chinese landraces and cultivars of broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum) revealed by the polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Hu Y.G. , Zhu J. , Liu F. , Zhang Z. , Chai Y. , Weining S.
Published: July 2008

Broomcorn millet is widely grown in Asia and Europe. This cereal is a very efficient user of soil water and is particularly adapted to sandy, dry soils and dry weather conditions. As one of the oldest crops in ancient China, it has played an important role in the formation and development of Chinese civilisation and culture. It is still one of the major grain crops in northern China where harsh climate conditions prevail. The genetic diversity and relationships among 32 accessions of broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum) from the major areas for broomcorn millet growing in China, in addition to six Indian landraces, were evaluated by PCR analysis with six introns splice junction or long random primers. A total of 56 DNA fragments across all materials were scored; among them, 42 (75%) were polymorphic as indicated by their absence in at least 1 of the 38 accessions tested, indicating a high variation at the DNA level among those accessions. Pair‐wise genetic dissimilarity (Dice’s coefficient) ranged from 0.0286 to 0.4737. The clustering largely corroborated with the geographical location of the origins of those accessions. The data indicated that the glutinous/non‐glutinous trait is also associated with the clustering. Majorities of the landraces from Yulin of Shaanxi were clustered into five groups, and majorities of the cultivars or breeding lines from Inner Mongolia were clustered into three groups. The results of this study suggest that the landraces from Yulin of Shaanxi were extensively utilised in the breeding programme of Shanxi, whereas this feature was not observed in the breeding programme of Inner Mongolia.
Porcelain Casting Slips Formulated with Waste Glass
Authors: Bragança Saulo R. , Bergmann Carlos P.
Published: July 2008

In this work, it was investigated as to what happens when waste glass is introduced into the composition of a ceramic body in an industrial slip‐casting process. For pressed products, such as tiles and bricks, the use of waste glass is sufficiently simple, but when used for slip‐casting products, such as china and porcelains, the presence of glass destabilizes the slip. A better stabilization of the casting slip was achieved with an organic deflocculant instead of sodium silicate. Therefore, the factors that determine the success or the failure of a deflocculant were analyzed, such as pH, ξ potential, viscosity, and thixotropy.
Naturalized Orchid Bee Pollinates Resin‐reward Flowers in Florida: Novel and Known Mutualisms
Authors: Pemberton Robert W. , Liu Hong
Published: July 2008

Females of an orchid bee, Euglossa viridissima, recently naturalized in southern Florida, routinely collect resin to construct their brood cells from the flowers of two Clusia (Clusiaceae) and two Dalechampia (Euphorbiaceae) species. We demonstrated that the bee pollinates three of these species including: (1) the newly naturalized D. scandens, which it pollinates in Mexico; (2) the ornamental D. aristolochiifolia native to Peru; and (3) the ornamental C. lanceolata native to Brazil, but not the apomictic Clusia rosea native to Florida. Field observations indicated that the bee promotes outcrossing in a naturalized D. scandens population. Comparisons of fruit set between unmanipulated control flowers and flowers supplemented with additional pollen indicated that the presence of bee eliminates pollen limitation for cultivated C. lanceolata. The orchid bee's pollination of ornamental resin‐reward plants may promote their naturalization.
The Effect of Typhoons on the Diversity and Distribution Pattern of Aquatic Plants on Hainan Island, South China
Authors: Wang Qiang , Yu Dan , Li Zhongqiang , Wang Ligong
Published: July 2008

Typhoons are an important meteorological feature of the tropical southwest Pacific. However, little is known about their effects on aquatic plants. Here, we describe the potential influence of typhoons on the diversity and distribution of aquatic plants on Hainan Island, South China. Using a combination of field survey and published data, 266 species or sub‐species belonging to 115 genera in 57 families were found across typhoon impacted regions of the island. Multiple regression analysis indicated that species richness of aquatic plants was correlated with typhoon incidence rather than the area of aquatic habitat within each region. Heavy rainfall, flooding, and strong winds are likely to create suitable habitats and increase the diversity of aquatic habitats in regions frequently affected by typhoons, which may explain the higher species richness found in those regions. Beta diversity and cluster analyses showed that distinct aquatic floras occurred in regions that were impacted by different typhoon pathways. By comparing the aquatic floras of the Philippines and the typhoon‐affected regions of Hainan, we suggest that typhoons have the potential to transport aquatic plants long distances, although there are a number of other potential explanations for the patterns observed in the aquatic flora of Hainan Island.
Modelling Direct Radiation and Canopy Gap Regimes in Tropical Forests
Authors: Marthews Toby R. , Burslem David F. R. P. , Phillips Ruth T. , Mullins Christopher E.
Published: July 2008

Spatial and temporal variation in the below‐canopy light environment of tropical forests is not well known and its measurement is technically challenging. Distributions of gap and understory areas in forests are likewise little known because of the resource requirements of forest structural censuses and a lack of consensus over how gaps should be defined. A basic model of forest structure, based on tree allometries from the 50 ha Forest Dynamics Plot on Barro Colorado Island (BCI), Panama, and a solar positioning algorithm were used to predict spatial and temporal variation in the distribution of direct light at the forest floor. Predicted duration of direct sunlight was then compared with the distribution of gap and understory areas, delimited according to four standard gap definitions, giving predictions for the correspondence between direct light regimes and forest structure. At least 36 percent of the areas of gaps of all sizes was predicted to receive < 1 h of direct sunlight per day, and the understory to receive direct sunlight for ≥ 1 h per day in up to 15 percent of its area, even when not in proximity to gaps. The predicted distribution of light changed over the course of the year with the greatest spread of light throughout the forest floor coinciding with the months when maximum daily solar elevation peaked. These predictions suggest a partial decoupling of light regimes from canopy structure, with implications for gap definitions, patch models of forest development and current understanding of tree seedling recruitment patterns.
SAD2 in Arabidopsis Functions in Trichome Initiation through Mediating GL3 Function and Regulating GL1, TTG1 and GL2 Expression
Authors: Gao Ying , Gong Ximing , Cao Wanhong , Zhao Jinfeng , Fu Liqin , Wang Xuechen , Schumaker Karen S. , Guo Yan
Published: July 2008

Most genes identified that control Arabidopsis trichome initiation and formation are transcription factors or regulatory components in transcriptional networks and include GLABROUS1 (GL1), GLABRA2 (GL2), GLABRA3 (GL3) and TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA1 (TTG1). Herein, we report that an importin β‐like protein, SENSITIVE TO ABA AND DROUGHT2 (SAD2), is required for trichome initiation. Mutations in SAD2 disrupted trichome initiation resulting in reduced trichome number, but had no effect on trichome development or root hair number and development. Expression levels of GL1, MYB23, GL2 and TTG1 were reduced in shoots of sad2 mutants while expression levels of GL3 and ENHANCER OF GLABRA3 (EGL3) were enhanced. Overexpression of GL3 increased trichome numbers in wild type but not in sad2 mutants, indicating that the function of the GL3 protein is altered in the sad2 mutants. In contrast, overexpression of GFP‐GL1 decreased trichome number in both wild type and sad2. Double mutant analysis of gl1 sad2 and gl3 sad2 indicated that SAD2 functions genetically, at least in part, in the same pathway with these two genes. Co‐immunoprecipitation indicated that the sad2 mutation does not disrupt formation of the TTG1‐GL3‐GL1 complex. Analysis of GFP fusions of GL1, GL2, GL3 and TTG1 suggested that these proteins are most likely not direct cargo of SAD2. Our data suggest that SAD2 is involved in trichome initiation by regulating these nuclear genes.
Signaling Components Involved in Plant Responses to Phosphate Starvation
Authors: Yuan Hui , Liu Dong
Published: July 2008

Phosphorus is one of the macronutrients essential for plant growth and development. Many soils around the world are deficient in phosphate (Pi) which is the form of phosphorus that plants can absorb and utilize. To cope with the stress of Pi starvation, plants have evolved many elaborate strategies to enhance the acquisition and utilization of Pi from the environment. These strategies include morphological, biochemical and physiological responses which ultimately enable plants to better survive under low Pi conditions. Though these adaptive responses have been well described because of their ecological and agricultural importance, our studies on the molecular mechanisms underlying these responses are still in their infancy. In the last decade, significant progresses have been made towards the identification of the molecular components which are involved in the control of plant responses to Pi starvation. In this article, we first provide an overview of some major responses of plants to Pi starvation, then summarize what we have known so far about the signaling components involved in these responses, as well as the roles of sugar and phytohormones.
Floristics and Plant Biogeography in China
Authors: Li De‐Zhu
Published: July 2008

In 1998, a revolutionary system of angiosperm classification, the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group system was published. Meanwhile, another new system of classification of angiosperms, the eight‐class system was proposed by C. Y. Wu and colleagues based on long term work on the flora of China. The Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae project was initiated in 1959 and completed by 2004. It is the largest Flora so far completed in the world, including 31 228 species of vascular plants, or one‐eighth of the global plant diversity. The English‐language and updated Flora of China (FOC) is an international joint effort initiated in 1988 and accelerated in 1998. Up to now, 15 of the 24 volumes of the FOC have been published. Based on the floristic data, the composition, characteristics, floristic divisions and affinities of the flora of China have been studied by Wu and colleagues since 1965. In the past 10 years, analyses of the available floristic data have been very productive. The East Asiatic Floristic Kingdom was proposed in 1998. All 346 families of angiosperms in China, according to the eight‐class system of classification, were comprehensively discussed by using knowledge of current and historical distribution of seed plants in the world, together with some morphological and molecular data. A scheme of distribution patterns or areal‐types of families and genera of seed plants in China was modified and elucidated, together with a proposed scheme of areal‐types of the world. Molecular phylogenetic and biogeographical studies of angiosperms in China in the past 10 years also witnessed a progressive development. Integration of morphological and molecular data and fossil evidence revealed some significant results. Eastern Asia, which used to be regarded as an important center of survival during the ice age, is likely an important center of diversification of angiosperms.
Singlet Oxygen Quenching Effects of Phosphatidylcholine in Emulsion Containing Sunflower Oil
Authors: Lee Y. , Choe E.
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACT:  Effects of phosphatidylcholine (PC) on the oxidation of oil by singlet oxygen in a W/O microemulsion and an emulsion food model containing tocopherol‐stripped sunflower oil (TSSO) have been studied. The W/O microemulsion consisted of methylene chloride, butanol, and sodium dodecyl sulfate with PC (0, 250, 1000 ppm) and TSSO (0, 3.3, 16.5, 33 mg/mL). Production of singlet oxygen in the microemulsion was done chemically with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of sodium molybdate, and indirectly evaluated by rubrene oxidation at A529. The emulsion food model consisted of TSSO, distilled water, and xanthan gum with addition of 250 ppm PC and 4 ppm chlorophyll b, and was placed at 25 °C under fluorescent lights (1700 lux) for 24 h. The oxidation of TSSO was determined by thin‐layer chromatography and values of conjugated dienoic acid (CDA) and peroxides (POV). PC significantly decreased the oxidation of rubrene and TSSO in the W/O microemulsion, but its content was decreased to approximately one‐half by a 20‐min reaction, indicating its degradation. This clearly shows that PC acted as an antioxidant via chemical quenching of singlet oxygen in the W/O microemulsion. A possible synergism between PC and TSSO was observed in singlet oxygen quenching in the microemulsion. PC also significantly decreased the chlorophyll‐photosensitized oxidation of TSSO in the emulsion food model, possibly by singlet oxygen quenching. This study clearly suggested that PC be used as an antioxidant to improve the lipid oxidative stability of an emulsion food containing chlorophyll under light.
Simplified Categorization of Outdoor Activities for Male and Female U.S. Indoor Workers—A Feasibility Study to Improve Assessment of Ultraviolet Radiation Exposures in Epidemiologic Study Questionnaires
Authors: Kwok Richard K. , Linet Martha S. , Chodick Gabriel , Kleinerman Ruth A. , Freedman Daryl M. , Fears Tom , Johnson Ruby E. , Alexander Bruce H.
Published: July 2008

Skin cancer studies depend on questionnaires to estimate exposure to ultraviolet light and subsequent risk but are limited by recall bias. We investigate the feasibility of developing a short checklist of categories comprising outdoor activities that can improve sun exposure questionnaires for use in epidemiologic studies. We recruited 124 working and retired U.S. radiologic technologists (52% women). Each subject was instructed to complete a daily activity diary, listing main indoor and outdoor activities between 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. during a 7 day period. A total of 4697 entries were associated with 1408 h (21.1%) of the total 6944 h spent outdoors. We were able to classify the activities into seven main activity categories: driving, yard work, home‐maintenance, walking or performing errands, water activities, other recreational or sports activities and leisure activities or relaxing outside. These activities accounted for more than 94% of time spent outdoors both for working and retired men and women. Our data document the feasibility and guidance for developing a short checklist of outdoor activities for use in epidemiologic questionnaires for estimating sunlight exposures of working and retired indoor workers.
Crayfish Procambarus clarkii Retina and Nervous System Exhibit Antioxidant Circadian Rhythms Coupled with Metabolic and Luminous Daily Cycles
Authors: Fanjul‐Moles María Luisa , Prieto‐Sagredo Julio , López Dario Santiago , Bartolo‐Orozco Ramón , Cruz‐Rosas Hugo
Published: July 2008

Based on previous work in which we proposed midgut as a putative peripheral oscillator responsible for circadian reduced glutathione (GSH) crayfish status, herein we investigated the retina and optic lobe‐brain (OL‐B) circadian GSH system and its ability to deal with reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced as a consequence of metabolic rhythms and light variations. We characterized daily and antioxidant circadian variations of the different parameters of the glutathione system, including GSH, oxidized glutathione (GSSG), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), as well as metabolic and lipoperoxidative circadian oscillations in retina and OL‐B, determining internal and external GSH‐system synchrony. The results demonstrate statistically significant bi‐ and unimodal daily and circadian rhythms in all GSH‐cycle parameters, substrates and enzymes in OL‐B and retina, as well as an apparent direct effect of light on these rhythms, especially in the retina. The luminous condition appears to stimulate the GSH system to antagonize ROS and lipid peroxidation (LPO) daily and circadian rhythms occurring in both structures, oscillating with higher LPO under dark conditions. We suggest that the difference in the effect of light on GSH rhythmic mechanisms of both structures for antagonizing ROS could be due to differences in glutathione‐system coupling strength with the circadian clock.
Flavodoxin Relaxes in Microseconds Upon Excitation of the Flavin Chromophore: Detection of a UV–Visible Silent Intermediate by Laser Photocalorimetry
Authors: Martínez‐Junza Víctor , Rizzi Alberto C. , Alagaratnam Sharmini , Bell Toby D. M. , Canters Gerard W. , Braslavsky Silvia E.
Published: July 2008

A small contraction concomitant with the relaxation of the protein in ca. 3 μs is observed upon ns‐laser excitation at 455 nm of the Cys69Ala (C69A) mutant of flavodoxin II from Azotobacter vinelandii. This constitutes another example of detection of a UV–vis silent transient species through a photocalorimetric technique. The contraction is attributed to reorganization of protein dihedral bonds and of water molecules at relatively long distances from the flavin chromophore, after the protein has received the heat shock from the relaxing photoproduced charge transfer state. This study constitutes a preliminary step towards the understanding of the origin of protein movements taking place upon electron transfer reactions, e.g. between a photoinduced electron donor (or acceptor) and an accepting (or donating) cofactor in a protein.
Characterization of the bone marrow immunofluorescence test in childhood autoimmune neutropenia
Authors: LANE S. W. , HASSELL P. , KENNEDY G. A. , FUNG Y. L. , WILLIAMS B. A.
Published: July 2008

The bone marrow immunofluorescenece test (BMIFT) demonstrates autoantibodies to granulocytes and their precursors on fresh‐frozen bone marrow slides. It may be used to differentiate childhood autoimmune neutropenia (AIN) from other causes of childhood neutropenia, even when circulating neutrophil counts are low. We sought to characterize the diagnostic utility of the BMIFT in childhood AIN. All BMIFT requests for investigation of children with neutropenia between January 1998 and May 2007 were reviewed. Patients were classified as AIN or nonautoimmune causes. Baseline demographic data, results of BMIFT, granulocyte immunofluorescence testing and bone marrow findings were collected from clinical records and the institutional laboratory database. Seventy‐six children had BMIFT performed for investigation of neutropenia. There were 45 patients diagnosed with AIN, 28 with nonimmune neutropenia and three failed tests. The median age of children with AIN was 1.2 years (range 0.3–15.3), compared with 3.6 years (range 0.1–15.7) in the nonautoimmune group. The median neutrophil count in AIN was 0.3 × 109/l (0.9 × 109/l in nonautoimmune). BMIFT was positive in 24 of 45 patients with AIN and 0 of 28 with nonautoimmune neutropenia (sensitivity 53%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value (PPV) 100%, negative predictive value 57%). Ten patients had other autoimmune diatheses at diagnosis. The BMIFT is a simple, highly specific test with excellent PPV and thus is a clinically useful test to confirm AIN in children.
IPO Listings: Where and Why?
Authors: Anderson Anne M. , Dyl Edward A.
Published: July 2008

According to most research, firms benefit from being listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Nevertheless, 224 of 640 firms that went public from 1993 through 2000 and were eligible for a NYSE listing chose to list their stock on Nasdaq. We hypothesize that this choice may be related to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Rule 144. The rule regulates the sale of restricted stock by limiting the amount of unregistered stock that can be sold by an individual. We investigate the determinants of post‐IPO sales of restricted stock, examine IPO firms' listing choices, and find evidence consistent with firms selecting Nasdaq to reduce the effect of the limits on selling restricted stock imposed by the SEC's Rule 144. Venture capitalists play an important role in this listing decision.
Vibration Suppression Using Electromagnetic Resonant Shunt Damper
Authors: Inoue Tsuyoshi , Ishida Yukio , Sumi Masaki
Published: July 2008

An electromagnetic actuator has the property to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy and vice versa. In this study, an electromagnetic resonant shunt damper, consisting of a voice coil motor with an electric resonant shunt circuit, is proposed. The optimal design of the shunt circuit is obtained theoretically for this electromagnetic resonant shunt damper. Furthermore, the effects of parameter errors of the elements of the electromagnetic resonant shunt damper are also investigated. The applicability of the theoretical findings for the proposed damper is justified by the experimental analysis.
The Stiffness Model of Leaf-Type Isosceles-Trapezoidal Flexural Pivots
Authors: Xu Pei , Jingjun Yu , Guanghua Zong , Shusheng Bi
Published: July 2008

A leaf-type isosceles-trapezoidal flexural pivot can be of great practical use for designing compliant mechanisms. The analysis of load-deflection behavior for such a pivot is essential to the study of the mechanisms that are comprised of them. Based on the analysis of a single special loaded leaf segment, a pseudo-rigid-body four-bar model is proposed. The four-bar model is further simplified to a pin-joint model for some simple applications. The accuracy of both models is demonstrated by comparing results to those of nonlinear finite element analysis. At last, the two models are applied to analyze the cartwheel hinge as an example.
Patterns of Double-Diffusive Natural Convection With Opposing Buoyancy Forces: Comparative Study in Asymmetric Trapezoidal and Equivalent Rectangular Enclosures
Authors: Papanicolaou E. , Belessiotis V.
Published: July 2008

The patterns arising from instabilities of double-diffusive natural convection due to vertical temperature T and solute concentration c gradients in confined enclosures are investigated numerically with the finite-volume method, for mixtures with Lewis numbers Le both Le<1 (e.g., air-water vapor) and Le>1. The problem originated from the need to gain better understanding of the transport phenomena encountered in greenhouse-type solar stills. Therefore, an asymmetric, composite trapezoidal geometry is here the original geometry of interest, for which no studies of stability phenomena are available in the literature. However, this is first related to the simpler and more familiar rectangular geometry having the same aspect ratio A equal to 0.3165, a value lying in a range for which available results are also limited, particularly for air-based mixtures. The case of opposing buoyancy forces is studied in particular (buoyancy ratios N<0), at values N=−1, −0.5 and N=−0.1, for which a wide spectrum of phenomena is present. The thermal Rayleigh number Ra is varied from the onset of convection up to values where transition from steady to unsteady convective flow is encountered. For Le=0.86 in the rectangular enclosure, a series of supercritical, pitchfork steady bifurcations (primary and secondary) is obtained, starting at Ra≈13,250, with flow fields with three, four, and five cells, whereas in the trapezoidal enclosure the supercritical bifurcation is always with two cells. For higher values of Ra (Ra≥165,000), oscillatory phenomena make their appearance for all branches, with their onset differing between branches. The oscillations exhibit initially a simple periodic pattern, which subsequently evolves into a more complex one, with changes in the structure of the respective flow fields. For Le=2 and 5, subcritical branches are also encountered and the onset of convection is in most cases periodic oscillatory (overstability). This behavior manifests itself in the form of standing, traveling and modulated waves (SWs, TWs and MWs, respectively) and with an increase of Ra there is a transition from oscillatory to steady convection, either directly or, most often, through an intermediate range of Ra with aperiodic oscillations. In the trapezoidal enclosure, oscillations at onset of convection appear only for N=−1 in the form of traveling waves (TWs), succeeded by aperiodic and then steady convection, while for N=−0.5 and −0.1, the bifurcations are transcritical, comprising a supercritical branch with two flow cells originating at Ra=0 and a subcritical branch with either two or four cells.
Developments in Blood Perfusion Measurements Using the Forced Convection Approach
Authors: Nicholson Christopher P. B. , Murray Darina B.
Published: July 2008

This paper reports on an investigation into the relationship between blood perfusion in the tissues of the limbs and thermal measurements at the skin surface during cooling under an array of impinging air jets. The technique is known as the forced convection approach. The objective was to address a number of the simplifying assumptions made in previous studies in order to establish the feasibility of measuring perfusion using this technique. The study is concerned with investigating the thermal aspects rather than the physiological reasons for a given perfusion measurement. Advances from previous studies are made in the area of modeling where magnetic resonance imaging scans of the test subject’s leg are used to develop more physiologically realistic models. A new technique is then outlined to simultaneously assess skin and muscle perfusion from one noninvasive test at the skin surface. It is established that the sensitivity of the forced convection approach, when based on surface temperature measurements, is not high enough to allow an accurate determination of perfusion. Future work will use nonbiological mock-ups to investigate the capabilities of the method proposed for measuring skin and muscle perfusion simultaneously. If this testing is successful, a study will be conducted on the application of this approach to other thermal perfusion measurement techniques.
Development of a variable spectral-width, wavelength-tunable light source using a superluminescent diode with optical feedback
Authors: Sheu Fang-Wen , Luo Pei-Ling
Published: July 2008

We have constructed a variable spectral-width, wavelength-tunable light source using a non-fiber-coupled broadband superluminescent diode device with an optical feedback mechanism. As lasing occurs, a strong output light which is linearly polarized and monochromatic is obtained. The spectral width varies with the injection current and the optical feedback ratio. By incorporating a dispersing prism into the feedback branch, a wavelength-tunable, external-cavity-feedback laser source is achieved. The result is a convenient, inexpensive apparatus suitable for experiments in undergraduate optics courses.
Multiple routes to the perceptual learning of speech
Authors: Loebach Jeremy L. , Bent Tessa , Pisoni David B.
Published: July 2008

A listener’s ability to utilize indexical information in the speech signal can enhance their performance on a variety of speech perception tasks. It is unclear, however, whether such information plays a similar role for spectrally reduced speech signals, such as those experienced by individuals with cochlear implants. The present study compared the effects of training on linguistic and indexical tasks when adapting to cochlear implant simulations. Listening to sentences processed with an eight-channel sinewave vocoder, three separate groups of subjects were trained on a transcription task (transcription), a talker identification task (talker ID), or a gender identification task (gender ID). Pre- to posttest comparisons demonstrated that training produced significant improvement for all groups. Moreover, subjects from the talker ID and transcription training groups performed similarly at posttest and generalization, and significantly better than the subjects from the gender ID training group. These results suggest that training on an indexical task that requires high levels of controlled attention can provide equivalent benefits to training on a linguistic task. When listeners selectively focus their attention on the extralinguistic information in the speech signal, they still extract linguistic information, the degree to which they do so, however, appears to be task dependent.