bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Examination of the Factor Structure of the Social Skills Rating System Parent Elementary Form
Authors: Whiteside Stephen P. , McCarthy Denis M. , Miller Joshua D.
Published: August 2007

Although previous studies have questioned the factor structure of the Social Skills Rating System (SSRS), it continues to be one of the most prominent measures used to assess child social skills. Previous examinations of the SSRS have been conducted on samples that differ demographically from the standardization sample. The present study presents a factor analysis of the SSRS parent elementary form, social skills domain, in a sample of 298 non-referred children. Similar to previous research, the factor structure proposed by the authors of the SSRS was not replicated. An alternative 2-factor model based on previous research also did not adequately fit the data. Other psychometric properties, such as the range of interitem correlations, were evaluated and did not meet suggested guidelines for test construction. Despite its psychometric difficulties, the SSRS was related to history of treatment for peer difficulties.
Development and Validation of a Brief Mental Health Screening Instrument for Newly Incarcerated Adults
Authors: Ford Julian D. , Trestman Robert L. , Wiesbrock Valerie , Wanli Zhang
Published: August 2007

The authors report the development and initial psychometric evaluation of gender-specific brief screening instruments to identify undetected psychiatric impairment on incarceration. Women and men completed the Correctional Mental Health Screen (CMHS), a 56-item screen derived from validated measures. Representative subsamples completed structured diagnostic interviews within 5 days. An 8-item screen for women and a 12-item screen for men identified inmates with current Axis I psychiatric disorders with 83% to 100% accuracy on the basis of cut points chosen to maximize negative predictive power. The CMHS showed evidence of incremental predictive utility compared with two previously validated correctional mental health screening measures with White and Black men and White women. Incremental validity was not supported with Black women, for whom the CMHS performed well in identifying true cases but not in ruling out noncases. Analyses of internal consistency, interrater, and retest reliability and convergent, discriminant, and criterion validity supported the psychometric status of the CMHS.
A Comment on Employee Surveys
Authors: Poncheri Reanna M. , Lindberg Jennifer T. , Thompson Lori Foster , Surface Eric A.
Published: August 2007

Recent technologies have reduced some of the major barriers to capturing, coding, and analyzing qualitative data from survey respondents. This has prompted a renewed interest in including open-ended questions on employee surveys and a corresponding need to better understand the potential biases of personnel who choose to provide comments. The present study used data from a climate survey ( N = 661) to empirically examine qualitative comments and their relationship with quantitative survey ratings. Results revealed that relatively dissatisfied employees were more likely to provide comments than their more satisfied counterparts. Moreover, open-ended responses were disproportionately negative in tone and tended to echo commenters' closed-ended satisfaction ratings. For most survey dimensions studied, the length of comments increased as they became more negative in tone. Finally, the data revealed very few demographic differences between respondents who provided comments and those who did not.
Finite Element for the Static and Stability Analysis of Sandwich Plates
Authors: Linke Markus , Wohlers Wolfgang , Reimerdes Hans-Günther
Published: August 2007

A displacement-based finite element for static and stability analyses of sandwich plates is formulated using a three-layer sandwich model. The face sheets are idealized as classical plate elements assuming the Kirchhoff—Love hypothesis. The core displacement field is derived using the solution of the underlying differential equations of the core in the through-thickness direction z and the assumed deflections of the face sheets as boundary conditions. The differential equations are determined based on a three-dimensional material law neglecting the in-plane core stiffnesses. This approach leads to in-plane core deformations uc and vc, which are cubic functions of z, and to an out-of-plane deflection wc, which is a quadratic function of z. Based on the interpolation functions, the linear and geometric stiffness matrix for static and stability problems are derived, whereas the geometric stiffness matrix is set up by considering geometric nonlinearities in the v. Kármán sense in the face sheets.
Stability Behavior of Cylindrical and Conical Sandwich Shells with Flexible Core
Authors: Congying Zhong  , Reimerdes Hans-G.
Published: August 2007

A higher-order theory for the analysis of cylindrical and conical sandwich shells with flexible core is presented. The formulation is based on a three-layer sandwich model. The governing equations and the boundary conditions of each individual layer are derived according to the principle of minimum total potential energy. With the consideration of the continuity of the displacements and the internal stress fields at the interfaces, the governing partial differential equations for the sandwich shell are achieved. They are reduced into ordinary differential equations using Fourier decomposition and then solved through a numerical integration procedure. The theory is verified by comparison of achieved results to those published in the literature and to finite element computations.
Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Hollow and Foam-filled A-stringer/A-former under Axial Compression Load and Bending Moment
Authors: Krämer René , Roth M. Alexander
Published: August 2007

The topic of this investigation deals with experimental and numerical analysis of different configurations of hollow and of polymethacrylimide (PMI) foam-filled A-stringers/A-formers under axial compression load and bending moment. In this connection the finite element analysis (FEA) program ANSYS® is used for the numerical approach. The result of this analysis is that PMI foam-filled A-profiles show significant higher buckling loads in comparison to hollow ones. These improvements depend on the loading conditions, e.g., bending moment and axial compression, as well as the geometry of the A-profile.
Review symposium: Symbolic Resources in Dialogue, Dialogical Symbolic Resources
Authors: Zittoun Tania
Published: August 2007

Uses of symbolic resources can be seen as dialogical processes: they take place in a cultural world constituted by semiotic exchanges; they can lead people to interact; and as artefacts, they contain echoes of many other voices. The article proposes to consider traditional Talmudic study as a paradigmatic dialogical situation, in which scholars learn to use traditional texts as resources to address problematic issues. The article then examines secular literature or philosophy classes, in which students learn to reason about texts as well. An analogical reading enables reflection on the institutional, interpersonal and psychological conditions that would enable students to turn literature or philosophy into symbolic resources to address issues they face in their everyday life. A methodology for studying such issues is finally sketched.
A phenomenology of whiteness
Authors: Ahmed Sara
Published: August 2007

The paper suggests that we can usefully approach whiteness through the lens of phenomenology. Whiteness could be described as an ongoing and unfinished history, which orientates bodies in specific directions, affecting how they `take up' space, and what they `can do'. The paper considers how whiteness functions as a habit, even a bad habit, which becomes a background to social action. The paper draws on experiences of inhabiting a white world as a non-white body, and explores how whiteness becomes worldly through the noticeability of the arrival of some bodies more than others. A phenomenology of whiteness helps us to notice institutional habits; it brings what is behind to the surface in a certain way.
Brokering cross-racial feminism
Authors: Brewster Anne
Published: August 2007

In this article I take a poem by Lisa Bellear as a starting point for theorizing the possibility of a renovated feminism. I argue that the rhetorical questioning of the poem performs a mode of intersubjectivity in which the addressee/reader reflects upon their whiteness. The poem drives directly into the dense affect that saturates the troubled zone of cross-racial relations in contemporary Australia. If this zone is characterized by white anger and anxiety, it is also a zone of intense `feeling' for the indigenous poet. Jean-Luc Nancy defines literature as the act of the `opening [of] community to itself', that is, of communicating our being-in-common. The cross-racial encounter that Bellear brokers between an indigenous and a white woman through the performance of address in this poem is not entirely comfortable or governable. I discuss how my students find this poem so confronting, and the fact that this discomfort underlines the necessity for a pedagogy that accommodates what Spivak refers to as `moments of bafflement'.
The effect of multi-sensory ministry on the affect and engagement of women with dementia
Authors: Walters Diana
Published: August 2007

Individuals with dementia find it difficult to cognitively follow oral presentations of intangible concepts that are part of most traditional worship experiences. Although anecdotal reports of non-cognitive methods of ministry are found in the literature, alternative forms of worship for people who have dementia have seldom been systematically studied. This research compared the effects of two multi-sensory methods of ministry with a traditional ministry method on the affect and engagement of women with dementia. Twenty-four participants were each presented three forms of worship. Trained observers recorded the number of seconds of observable pleasure (affect) and alertness (engagement) during 10-minute presentations. There was a difference at the .05 confidence level between the traditional ministry visit and the two multi-sensory methods of ministry on measures of pleasure and alertness. No effect for either presentation order or observer was found. Multi-sensory tools had a positive influence on the observable experience of participants in this study.
Anti-BR3 antibodies: a new class of B-cell immunotherapy combining cellular depletion and survival blockade
Authors: Lin Wei Yu , Gong Qian , Seshasayee Dhaya , Lin Zhonghua , Ou Qinglin , Ye Shiming , Suto Eric , Shu Jean , Pun Lee Wyne , Lee Ching-Wei V. , Fuh Germaine , Leabman Maya , Iyer Suhasini , Howell Kathy , Gelzleichter Thomas , Beyer Joseph , Danilenko Dimitry , Yeh Sherry , DeForge Laura E. , Ebens Allen , Thompson Jeffrey S. , Ambrose Christine , Balazs Mercedesz , Starovasnik Melissa A. , Martin Flavius
Published: August 2007

Removal of pathogenic B lymphocytes by depletion of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or deprivation of B-cell survival factors has demonstrated clinical benefit in both oncologic and immunologic diseases. Partial clinical responses and emerging data demonstrating incomplete B-cell depletion after immunotherapy fuels the need for improved therapeutic modalities. Lessons from the first generation of therapeutics directed against B-cell-specific antigens (CD20, CD22) are being applied to develop novel antibodies with additional functional attributes. We describe the generation of a novel class of B-cell-directed therapy (anti-BR3 mAbs) that combines the depleting capacity of a therapeutic mAb and blockade of B-cell-activating factor (BAFF)–BR3 B-cell survival. In mice, treatment with antagonistic anti-BR3 antibodies results in quantitatively greater reduction in some B-cell subsets and qualitatively different effects on bone marrow plasma cells compared with BR3-Fc BAFF blockade or with anti-CD20 treatment. Comparative analysis of BR3-Fc and anti-BR3 mAb reveals a lower B-cell dependence for BAFF-mediated survival in nonhuman primates than in mice. This novel class of B-cell-targeted therapies shows species characteristics in mice and primates that will guide translation to treatment of human disease.
Identification of conserved domains in the promoter regions of nitric oxide synthase 2: implications for the species-specific transcription and evolutionary differences
Authors: Rico Daniel , Vaquerizas Juan M , Dopazo Hernán , Boscá Lisardo
Published: August 2007

Background

The majority of the genes involved in the inflammatory response are highly conserved in mammals. These genes are not significantly expressed under normal conditions and are mainly regulated at the transcription and prost-transcriptional level. Transcription from the promoters of these genes is very dependent on NF-κB activation, which integrates the response to diverse extracellular stresses. However, in spite of the high conservation of the pattern of promoter regulation in κB-regulated genes, there is inter-species diversity in some genes. One example is nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS-2), which exhibits a species-specific pattern of expression in response to infection or pro-inflammatory challenge.

Results

We have conducted a comparative genomic analysis of NOS-2 with different bioinformatic approaches. This analysis shows that in the NOS-2 gene promoter the position and the evolutionary divergence of some conserved regions are different in rodents and non-rodent mammals, and in particular in primates. Two not previously described distal regions in rodents that are similar to the unique upstream region responsible of the NF-κB activation of NOS-2 in humans are fragmented and translocated to different locations in the rodent promoters. The rodent sequences moreover lack the functional κB sites and IFN-γ response sites present in the homologous human, rhesus monkey and chimpanzee regions. The absence of κB binding in these regions was confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays.

Conclusion

The data presented reveal divergence between rodents and other mammals in the location and functionality of conserved regions of the NOS-2 promoter containing NF-κB and IFN-γ response elements.
Transcriptional interference: an unexpected layer of complexity in gene regulation
Authors: Mazo Alexander , Hodgson Jacob W. , Petruk Svetlana , Sedkov Yurii , Brock Hugh W.
Published: August 2007

Much of the genome is transcribed into long untranslated RNAs, mostly of unknown function. Growing evidence suggests that transcription of sense and antisense untranslated RNAs in eukaryotes can repress a neighboring gene by a phenomenon termed transcriptional interference. Transcriptional interference by the untranslated RNA may prevent recruitment of the initiation complex or prevent transcriptional elongation. Recent work in yeast, mammals, and Drosophila highlights the diverse roles that untranslated RNAs play in development. Previously, untranslated RNAs of the bithorax complex of Drosophila were proposed to be required for its activation. Recent studies show that these untranslated RNAs in fact silence Ultrabithorax in early embryos, probably by transcriptional interference.
Fish biorobotics: kinematics and hydrodynamics of self-propulsion
Authors: Lauder George V. , Anderson Erik J. , Tangorra James , Madden Peter G. A.
Published: August 2007

As a result of years of research on the comparative biomechanics and physiology of moving through water, biologists and engineers have made considerable progress in understanding how animals moving underwater use their muscles to power movement, in describing body and appendage motion during propulsion, and in conducting experimental and computational analyses of fluid movement and attendant forces. But it is clear that substantial future progress in understanding aquatic propulsion will require new lines of attack. Recent years have seen the advent of one such new avenue that promises to greatly broaden the scope of intellectual opportunity available to researchers: the use of biorobotic models. In this paper we discuss, using aquatic propulsion in fishes as our focal example, how using robotic models can lead to new insights in the study of aquatic propulsion. We use two examples: (1) pectoral fin function, and (2) hydrodynamic interactions between dorsal and caudal fins. Pectoral fin function is characterized by considerable deformation of individual fin rays, as well as spanwise (along the length) and chordwise (across the fin) deformation and area change. The pectoral fin can generate thrust on both the outstroke and instroke. A robotic model of the pectoral fin replicates this result, and demonstrates the effect of altering stroke kinematics on the pattern of force production. The soft dorsal fin of fishes sheds a distinct vortex wake that dramatically alters incoming flow to the tail: the dorsal fin and caudal fin act as dual flapping foils in series. This design can be replicated with a dual-foil flapping robotic device that demonstrates this phenomenon and allows examination of regions of the flapping performance space not available to fishes. We show how the robotic flapping foil device can also be used to better understand the significance of flexible propulsive surfaces for locomotor performance. Finally we emphasize the utility of self-propelled robotic devices as a means of understanding how locomotor forces are generated, and review different conceptual designs for robotic models of aquatic propulsion.
Differential expression of gill Na+,K+-ATPaseα- and β-subunits, Na+,K+,2Cl-cotransporter and CFTR anion channel in juvenile anadromous and landlocked Atlantic salmonSalmo salar
Authors: Nilsen Tom O. , Ebbesson Lars O. E. , Madsen Steffen S. , McCormick Stephen D. , Andersson Eva , Björnsson Björn Th. , Prunet Patrick , Stefansson Sigurd O.
Published: August 2007

This study examines changes in gill Na+,K+-ATPase(NKA) α- and β-subunit isoforms,Na+,K+,2Cl- cotransporter (NKCC) and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR I and II) in anadromous and landlocked strains of Atlantic salmon during parr-smolt transformation, and after seawater (SW) transfer in May/June. Gill NKA activity increased from February through April, May and June among both strains in freshwater (FW),with peak enzyme activity in the landlocked salmon being 50% below that of the anadromous fish in May and June. Gill NKA-α1b, -α3,-β1 and NKCC mRNA levels in anadromous salmon increased transiently, reaching peak levels in smolts in April/May, whereas no similar smolt-related upregulation of these transcripts occurred in juvenile landlocked salmon. Gill NKA-α1a mRNA decreased significantly in anadromous salmon from February through June, whereas α1a levels in landlocked salmon, after an initial decrease in April, remained significantly higher than those of the anadromous smolts in May and June. Following SW transfer, gill NKA-α1b and NKCC mRNA increased in both strains, whereas NKA-α1a decreased. Both strains exhibited a transient increase in gill NKA α-protein abundance, with peak levels in May. Gill α-protein abundance was lower in SW than corresponding FW values in June. Gill NKCC protein abundance increased transiently in anadromous fish, with peak levels in May, whereas a slight increase was observed in landlocked salmon in May,increasing to peak levels in June. Gill CFTR I mRNA levels increased significantly from February to April in both strains, followed by a slight,though not significant increase in May and June. CFTR I mRNA levels were significantly lower in landlocked than anadromous salmon in April/June. Gill CFTR II mRNA levels did not change significantly in either strain. Our findings demonstrates that differential expression of gill NKA-α1a,-α1b and -α3 isoforms may be important for potential functional differences in NKA, both during preparatory development and during salinity adjustments in salmon. Furthermore, landlocked salmon have lost some of the unique preparatory upregulation of gill NKA, NKCC and, to some extent, CFTR anion channel associated with the development of hypo-osmoregulatory ability in anadromous salmon.
Multiple modulators act on the cardiac ganglion of the crab,Cancer borealis
Authors: Cruz-Bermúdez Nelson D. , Marder Eve
Published: August 2007

Neuromodulators can change the output of neural circuits. The crustacean cardiac ganglion (CG) drives the contractions of the heart. The CG is a direct target for neurohormones that are released from the pericardial organs and other neuroendocrine sites. In this study, we have characterized for the first time the physiological actions of the peptides red pigment concentrating hormone (RPCH), Cancer borealis tachykinin-related peptide Ia (CabTRP Ia) and allatostatin III type A (AST-3) on the isolated CG of the crab, Cancer borealis. RPCH and CabTRP Ia excited the CG while AST-3 strongly inhibited its motor output. We also studied the actions of other peptides and small molecule transmitters known to be present in C. borealis. Dopamine, serotonin, proctolin, crustacean cardioactive peptide(CCAP), a number of extended FLRFamide peptides, and cholinergic agonists increased the activity of the CG, GABA inhibited the CG, while other substances had little or no significant effect on the CG motor pattern. These results demonstrate, in one species, that the CG is multiply modulated. We suggest that multiple modulators may be important to regulate and coordinate the activity of the heart and other organs in response to external stimuli or the endogenous physiological state.
Multifocal lenses in coral reef fishes
Authors: Karpestam Björn , Gustafsson Jonas , Shashar Nadav , Katzir Gadi , Kröger Ronald H. H.
Published: August 2007

The optical properties of crystalline lenses were studied in eleven species of coral reef fish from the Red Sea in Eilat, Israel. Three species each of diurnal planktivores, nocturnal planktivores and diurnal herbivores constituted three groups of animals with little within-group variability. In addition we studied two predators, which differed with respect to body size,prey preference, hunting method and diel activity period. All species studied have multifocal lenses. There were statistically significant differences in the optical properties of the lenses between the first three groups and between the predatory species. The properties of the lenses correlate well with known complements of visual pigments and feeding habits. Lenticular zones focusing ultraviolet light were found in two diurnal planktivores. The optical properties of the lens seem to be specifically adapted to the visual needs of each species.
Male discrimination of receptive and unreceptive female calls by temporal features
Authors: Elliott Taffeta M. , Kelley Darcy B.
Published: August 2007

In murky, crowded ponds in South Africa, female clawed frogs, Xenopus laevis (Daudin), vocalize to signal reproductive state. Female calls consist of acoustically similar clicks delivered in trains with characteristic rates. The rapping call of a sexually receptive female has a more rapid click rate [81 ms mean interclick interval (ICI)] than the ticking call of an unreceptive female (219 ms ICI). Rapping stimulates male advertisement calling, whereas ticking suppresses an already calling male. We examined how males label and discriminate female click rates. A labeling boundary experiment revealed that males perceive click rates between the means of rapping and ticking as lying on a continuum. They respond to 98 and 160 ms ICI as though to rapping and ticking, respectively. However, calling evoked by a click rate equally common to both calls (120 ms ICI) did not differ from the response to either rapping or ticking. A second experiment evaluated whether males discriminate click rates both labeled as ticking (180 and 219 ms ICI). Ticking suppresses advertising males, and suppressed males habituate (resume calling) to prolonged ticking. Both ticking stimuli suppressed males with equal effectiveness, and males habituated in equivalent amounts of time. When the stimulus was switched during habituation, no dishabituation occurred. We conclude that male labeling of click trains as rapping or ticking reflects an ambiguity resulting from the overlap in ICIs naturally occurring in the calls. Males do not respond differentially to click rates within the ticking category. Males thus combine discriminating and non-discriminating strategies in responding to the salient feature of female calls.
Nature beats nurture: a case study of the physiological fitness of free-living and laboratory-reared maleAnopheles gambiae s.l.
Authors: Huho B. J. , Ng'habi K. R. , Killeen G. F. , Nkwengulila G. , Knols B. G. J. , Ferguson H. M.
Published: August 2007

Laboratory experimentation forms the basis for most of our knowledge of the biology of many organisms, in particular insects. However, the accuracy with which laboratory-derived estimates of insect life history and behaviour can predict their fitness and population dynamics in the wild is rarely validated. Such comparison is especially important in cases where laboratory-derived information is used to formulate and implement strategies for the genetic control of insects in nature. We have conducted a comparative study of the reproductive potential and life history of male Anopheles gambiaeGilies sensu lato mosquitoes from both standardized laboratory conditions and from natural field settings. We measured three indirect indicators of male mosquito fitness: energetic reserves, body size and survival, in a bid to determine whether the demographics and energetic limitations of wild males can be correctly predicted from their laboratory counterparts. Crucially, the body size and lipid reserves of wild males were substantially greater than those reared under standard laboratory conditions. We caution that the energetic limitations of insects as identified in the laboratory may underestimate their resilience in the wild, and discuss the implications of this phenomenon with respect to vector-borne disease control programmes based on genetic control of mosquitoes.
The visual pigments of a deep-sea teleost, the pearl eyeScopelarchus analis
Authors: Pointer Marie A. , Carvalho Livia S. , Cowing Jill A. , Bowmaker James K. , Hunt David M.
Published: August 2007

The eyes of deep-sea fish have evolved to function under vastly reduced light conditions compared to those that inhabit surface waters. This has led to a bathochromatic shift in the spectral location of maximum absorbance(λmax) of their rod (RH1) pigments and the loss of cone photoreceptors. There are exceptions to this, however, as demonstrated by the deep-sea pearl eye Scopelarchus analis. Here we show the presence of two RH1 pigments (termed RH1A and RH1B) and a cone RH2 pigment. This is therefore the first time that the presence of a cone pigment in a deep-sea fish has been confirmed by molecular analysis. The λmaxvalues of the RH1A and RH1B pigments at 486 and 479 nm, respectively, have been determined by in vitro expression of the recombinant opsins and show the typical short-wave shifts of fish that live in deep water compared to surface dwellers. RH1B, however, is expressed only in more adult fish and lacks key residues for phosphorylation, indicating that it may not be involved in image formation. In contrast, the RH2 pigment has additional residues near the C terminus that may be involved in phosphorylation and does not show temporal changes in expression. The distribution of these pigments within the multiple retinae of S. analis is discussed.
Sensory-induced modification of two motor patterns in the crab,Cancer pagurus
Authors: Smarandache Carmen R. , Stein Wolfgang
Published: August 2007

Sensory input is pervasive among motor networks and continuously adapts motor patterns to changing circumstances. To elucidate common principles of sensorimotor integration, it is beneficial to characterize sensory influences on motor network operation and compare these influences between species. To facilitate such comparison, we have studied the influence of the anterior gastric receptor (AGR) – a proprioceptor that has been characterized in detail in two lobster species – on the pyloric (filtering of food) and gastric mill (chewing of food) motor patterns in the crab Cancer pagurus.

AGR has a bipolar cell body in the stomatogastric ganglion; it was activated by tension increase in gastric mill powerstroke muscles. While two spike initiation zones accounted for its spontaneous activity, active membrane properties (sag potentials, spike frequency adaptation) contributed to the AGR response to current injections.

When activated, AGR diminished spike activities in two pyloric motor neurons and prolonged the pyloric cycle period. Furthermore, AGR excited gastric mill protractor neurons, inhibited the retractor neuron and evoked phase-independent resetting of the gastric mill rhythm. Repetitive spike trains entrained the rhythm to both longer and shorter cycle periods. All AGR actions seemed to be mediated via at least two premotor projection neurons in the spatially distant commissural ganglia. The response of the gastric mill neurons was independent of AGR firing frequency.

Our results suggest that homologous proprioceptors can elicit similar effects on motor patterns while utilizing different mechanisms. This work thus provides an initial framework for future studies to determine underlying common principles.
The imaging properties and sensitivity of the facial pits of pitvipers as determined by optical and heat-transfer analysis
Authors: Bakken George S. , Krochmal Aaron R.
Published: August 2007

It is commonly assumed that the facial pit of pitvipers forms relatively sharp images and can detect small differences in environmental surface temperatures. We have visualized the temperature contrast images formed on the facial pit membrane using a detailed optical and heat transfer analysis, which includes heat transfer through the air in the pit chambers as well as via thermal infrared radiation. We find the image on the membrane to be poorly focused and of very low temperature contrast. Heat flow through the air in the pit chambers severely limits sensitivity, particularly for small animals with small facial pit chambers. The aperture of the facial pit appears to be larger than is optimal for detecting small targets such as prey at 0.5 m. Angular resolution (i.e. sharpness) and image strength and contrast vary complexly with the size of the pit opening. As a result, the patterns of natural background temperatures obscure prey items and other environmental features, creating false patterns. Consequently, snakes cannot simply target the strongest signal to strike prey. To account for observed behavioral capabilities, the sensory endings on the pit membrane apparently must respond to temperature contrasts of 0.001°C or less. While neural image sharpening likely enhances imaging performance, it appears important for foraging snakes to select ambush sites offering uniform backgrounds and strong thermal contrasts. As the ancestral facial pit was likely less sensitive than the current organ, objects with strong thermal signals, such as habitat features,were needed to drive the evolution of this remarkable sense.
Beneficial acclimation: sex specific thermal acclimation of metabolic capacity in the striped marsh frog (Limnodynastes peronii)
Authors: Rogers Kris D. , Thompson Michael B. , Seebacher Frank
Published: August 2007

Reproductive success in thermally varying environments will depend on maintaining metabolic capacity of tissues that are important in mating behaviours. Here we test the hypothesis that cold acclimation will occur in those tissues that are important for reproduction, and that acclimation will be sex specific, reflecting behavioural differences between the sexes. We used the frog Limnodynastes peronii as a model because anurans engage in energetically demanding reproductive behaviour, and many species, including L. peronii, are reproductively active across seasons. Additionally,reproductive behaviours such as calling and amplexus are sex specific. We acclimated animals to naturally occurring autumn (15°C, N=10) and summer (25°C, N=10) temperatures. Whole-animal resting oxygen consumption decreased with lowered temperature, but there was no difference in oxygen consumption between acclimation treatments or sexes. However, the respiratory control ratio (RCR) of mitochondria from the liver and external oblique calling muscle increased with cold acclimation. The increase in RCR with thermal acclimation was due to upregulation of state 3 respiration, and not to a decrease in state 4 respiration. Males had higher activity of citrate synthase, β-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase and cytochrome coxidase than females in the calling (external oblique) muscle, and males also showed thermal acclimation of these enzymes while females did not. Additionally, males had greater activity of metabolic enzymes in the principal muscle (extensor carpi radialis) used during amplexus. However, there were no differences in metabolic capacity between sexes in the gastrocnemius muscle and in liver, and both sexes showed significant acclimation of lactate dehydrogenase and cytochrome c oxidase in the former and latter,respectively. In L. peronii, thermal acclimation of metabolic capacities is linked to reproductive success, and reversible phenotypic plasticity therefore confers a selective advantage by extending the temporal and spatial extent of the animals' fundamental niche.
Identification of the Dominant Vibration Modes of Single-Layer Reticulated Shells under Wind Action
Authors: Wu Y. , Zhang J.S. , Chen B. , Shen S.Z.
Published: August 2007

In the analysis of wind-induced response of single-layer reticulated shell structures, it is found that there are some higher modes which maybe contribute significantly to the vibration. Unfortunately, these higher modes are often ignored when the traditional mode superposition methods are adopted for wind-induced response analyzing, due to the consideration of calculation efficiency. Although some more efficient methods have been put forward, they seem too complex to engineers. From the viewpoint of practice, it is expected to find these contribution-significant modes directly by some easy-understanding criterions. To solve this problem, a Ritz-POD method is introduced firstly, which synthesizes the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) technique and the Ritz-vector direct superposition method. Based on the Ritz-POD method, some preliminary criterions for identifying the contribution-significant modes are proposed, which take account of the vibration-participating ability of each mode and the relationship between the mode shape and the spatial distribution of the fluctuating wind load.
Strength Correlation of High Performance Concrete Using Different Sized Specimens
Authors: Issa Mohsen A. , Saccomonto Mark J.
Published: August 2007

The length to diameter ratio (L/d) of cylindrical concrete specimens is the main factor that affects the compressive strength of concrete. A total of more than 200 molded and cored high performance concrete cylinders of 100- and 150-mm diameters with various L/d ratios were tested to failure at 28 and 105 days. The results confirmed that the concrete strength varies significantly not only with the L/d ratio, but also with the curing method, core location, and specimen size. The current ASTM Standards C 39 and C 42 correction factors underestimate the strength test results in some cases and overestimate the results in other cases, which dictate the need for revising the ASTM correction factors for the high performance concrete. Based on a nonlinear regression analysis of the test results, strength correction factors for each specimen type were presented in figures and tables along with the correction factors provided by the ASTM standards.
Practice, Education and Research for Sustainable Infrastructure (PERSI)
Authors: Wright Richard N.
Published: August 2007

Practice, Education and Research for Sustainable Infrastructure (PERSI) is an initiative of the U.S. infrastructure community. PERSI seeks to advance and incorporate concepts and knowledge of sustainability into the standards and practices used throughout the life cycle of infrastructure systems. PERSI will not itself produce standards and practices, but will help ASTM and its other member organizations address sustainability consistently in their practices and standards. PERSI’s immediate objectives are to assess current practices and standards and develop agendas for: 1. Implementation of best available practices; 2. Development of improved practices to exploit available knowledge; 3. Research to fill important gaps in knowledge; 4. Education of current and future infrastructure professionals and technicians. Proposed techniques for assessment of practices use whole life-cycle approaches to address environmental, economic, and social aspects of sustainability. These approaches have been widely used and standardized for assessments of environmental and economic sustainability of building materials and components. The scope of the assessment is broad in order to identify the most significant opportunities to improve the sustainability of infrastructure. The scopes of the agendas will be focused on these most significant opportunities.
On index 2 subgroups of hyperbolic symmetry groups
Authors: De Las Peñas Ma. Louise Antonette N. , Felix Rene P. , Provido Eden Delight B.
Published: August 2007

Subgroups of crystallographic groups play an important role in many branches of mathematics, physics and crystallography such as representation theory, the theories of phase transitions, manifolds and in the comparative study of crystal structures [14]. In this work, the index 2 subgroups of a huge family of crystallographic groups called triangle groups are derived using black and white tilings. The focus of the work will be in determining the index 2 subgroups of triangle groups in the hyperbolic plane.
First-principles calculation of vibrational frequencies for monoclinic tribismuth borate BiB3O6
Authors: Yang Jun , Dolg Michael
Published: August 2007

Monoclinic BiB3O6 is an excellent nonlinear optical material with many advantages compared to other borate crystals. As one part of understanding the properties of BiB3O6, the harmonic frequencies of BiB3O6 are calculated by applying the numerical-difference technique based on first-principles gradient-corrected hybrid B3PW density functional theory electronic structure calculations within the Gaussian-orbital-based CO-LCAO scheme. The complete 13A and 14B vibrational modes are assigned, graphically visualized and classified according to the Bi—O and B—O motions. Comparisons with previous experimental reports are discussed in detail.
The significance of the Jahn-Teller effect for the phase transitions of K2NbCl6 and Rb2NbCl6
Authors: Henke Henning
Published: August 2007

X-ray powder measurements were used to investigate the phase transitions and crystal structures of K2NbCl6 and Rb2NbCl6. In both cases, the metrical changes of the unit cell are accompanied by a compressive distortion of the NbCl6
2− groups from O
h to D
4h symmetry. This static manifestation of the Jahn-Teller effect is ascribed to electro static interactions with the cations. Thus, Rb2NbCl6 trans forms from Fm-3m (Z = 4) to I4/mmm (Z = 2) due to a cation-supported compression in the c direction, whereas K2NbCl6 expands along c when converting from Fm-3m to P4/mnc (Z = 2). On further cooling a second transition leads to Cccm (Z = 4) where b as the shortest axis is approximately parallel to the direction of the octahedral contraction. The oxidation state of Nb4+ (d
1) is checked via bond-length bond-strength correlations and magnetic measurements.
Structure and thermal decomposition of μ-1,1-azido bridged dinuclear Fe(III) complexes
Authors: Ercan Filiz , Ates B. Meltem , Aksu Levent , Sözeri Hüseyin , Ercan Ismail , Atakol Orhan
Published: August 2007

Fe(III) complexes were prepared by the reaction of two different ONNO type Schiff bases N,N′-bis (salicylidene)-1,3-propanediamine (LH2) and N,N′-bis (salicylidene)-2,2′-dimethyl-1,3-propane diamine (LDMH2) in N−
3 containing medium. The X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the complexes are of dinuclear type connected with μ-1,1-azido bridges. It was observed from the thermogravimetric analyses of the complexes that the azide group decomposed around 200 °C with exothermic reaction. This exothermic decomposition did not affect the rest of the molecule. Following the decomposition of the azide group the remainder of the molecule decomposed with carbonization process. It was seen that the molecule decomposed into Fe2O3 above 650 °C in oxygen containing medium. [FeLDMN3]2 complex was found to have N4O2 distorted octahedral sphere with Fe…Fe distance of 3.414 Å.
Results of Recognition Tests on Japanese Subjects of the Labels Presently Used in Japan and the UN‐GHS Labels
Authors: Hara Kunio , Mori Mihoko , Ishitake Tatsuya , Kitajima Hiroki , Sakai Kazuhiro , Nakaaki Kenji , Jonai Hiroshi
Published: August 2007

Results of Recognition Tests on Japanese Subjects of the Labels Presently Used in Japan and the UN‐GHS Labels: Kunio Hara, et al. Department of Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, Kurume University—The UN‐GHS, a globally harmonized system of classifying and labeling chemicals that was recommended by the United Nations in 2003, will be implemented globally in 2008. This system is expected to encourage people to behave in a way that reduces the risk of accidents or diseases caused by chemicals. However, the UN‐GHS differs significantly from the present Japanese system of classifying and labeling chemicals. In particular, since the Japanese system does not require pictographic labels, ordinary Japanese people are not familiar with the new pictographic labels defined in the UN‐GHS. Hence, before introducing the UN‐GHS at the Japanese workplace, it is critical to clarify the actual usage conditions and the problems that this labeling system of hazardous chemicals poses, and to manage the related problems. We conducted recognition tests on Japanese subjects of the labels presently used in Japan and the UN‐GHS labels. The results revealed that the subjects faced some difficulty in recognizing the meanings of some UN‐GHS labels. The percentage of questions that were answered correctly with regard to the labels depicting ‘cylinder,’ ‘corrosion,’ ‘health hazard,’ and ‘aqueous hazard,’ with no accompanying explanatory statements, was less than 60. The results of the answers regarding the labels depicting ‘flame’ and ‘flame over circle’ revealed that many subjects were unable to distinguish one from the other. Further, many subjects were unable to clearly distinguish ‘skull and crossbones' from ‘health hazard.’ These results indicate that it is very important to impart correct education regarding these labels.
High Pallidal T1 Signal is Rarely Observed in Obstructive Jaundice, but is Frequently Observed in Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Bang Sung‐Jo , Choi Seong Hoon , Park Neung Hwa , Shin Jung Woo , Choy Nari , Kim Suk Hwan , Kim Yangho
Published: August 2007

High Pallidal T1 Signal is Rarely Observed in Obstructive Jaundice, but is Frequently Observed in Liver Cirrhosis: Sung‐Jo Bang, et al. Department of Internal Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, South Korea—Although high signal intensities in the globus pallidus are frequently observed in T1‐weighted magnetic resonance images (MRI) of patients with liver cirrhosis, it is unclear whether these increases are due to portal‐systemic shunt or obstruction of biliary excretion. We therefore studied pallidal signals in 18 cancer patients with bile duct obstruction and marked jaundice (>10 mg/dl). Patients who had fever, leukocytosis or liver cirrhosis were excluded to ensure that jaundice was due to bile duct obstruction. All patients showed a dilated intrahepatic duct on computed tomography (CT) scan. A high pallidal signal was observed in one of 18 biliary obstructive patients whereas high signals were highly prevalent in liver cirrhosis. A portal‐systemic shunt rather than an obstruction of biliary excretion may be responsible for the increased blood manganese concentrations and pallidal T1 signals in chronic liver diseases.
Work‐related Respiratory Symptoms and Ventilatory Disorders among Employees of a Cement Industry in Shiraz, Iran
Authors: Neghab Masoud , Choobineh Alireza
Published: August 2007

Work‐related Respiratory Symptoms and Ventilatory Disorders among Employees of a Cement Industry in Shiraz, Iran: Masoud Neghab, et al. Occupational Health Department, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran—Although the main hazard in cement processing is dust and respiratory tract disorders are the most important group of occupational diseases in this industry, evidence for associations between exposure to cement dust and either respiratory symptoms or functional impairment has not been conclusive. This study was, therefore, undertaken to more thoroughly examine the effects of occupational exposure to cement dust on the respiratory system. The study population consisted of a group of 88, randomly selected, male workers with current exposure to cement dust and 80 healthy male office workers without present or past history of exposure to dust that served as the referent group. Subjects were interviewed and were given respiratory symptom questionnaires to answer. They also underwent chest X‐ray and lung function tests. Additionally, personal dust monitoring for airborne inhalable and respirable dust was carried out at nine different worksites. Moreover, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques were performed to determine the silica phases and the SiO2 contents of the dust samples. Levels of exposures to inhalable and respirable cement dust were estimated to be 53.4 ± 42.6 and 26 ± 14.2 mg/m3, respectively (Mean ± SD). Statistical analysis of the data revealed that symptoms like regular cough, phlegm, wheezing and shortness of breath were significantly (p<0.05) more prevalent among exposed workers. Similarly, chest radiographs of exposed workers showed various degrees of abnormalities including emphysematous changes, old calcified granulomas, emphysematous changes associated with inflammatory processes, evidence of chronic inflammatory processes, focusal calcification of the lungs and infiltrative changes. However, no significant changes were noted in the radiographs of the referent group. Furthermore, exposed workers compared to their referent counterparts showed significant reductions in the parameters of lung function. In conclusions, our data provide corroborative evidence further substantiating the contention that exposure to cement dust is associated with respiratory symptoms and functional impairments.
Synthesis and characterization of some new coordination compounds of boron with mixed azines
Authors: Godara Manish , Maheshwari R. , Varshney S. , Varshney A.K.
Published: August 2007

Some new boron complexes have been synthesized by the reaction of triisopropohxyborane with the mixed azines, prepared by the condensation of salicylaldehyde and hydrazine with aldehydes/ketones in a 1:1:1 mole ratio to give a new series of (OPri)2B(NO) type of complexes. Their structures were confirmed on the basis of elemental analyses, ultraviolet, infrared, 1H-NMR and 11B-NMR spectral studies. The ligands and their boron complexes were also screened for their antifungal activity. Several of these complexes were found to be quite active in this respect. .