bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TheCaenorhabditis elegansAurora B Kinase AIR-2 Phosphorylates and Is Required for the Localization of a BimC Kinesin to Meiotic and Mitotic Spindles
Authors: Bishop John D. , Han Zhenbo , Schumacher Jill M.
Published: November 2004

BimC kinesins are required for mitotic spindle assembly in a variety of organisms. These proteins are localized to centrosomes, spindle microtubules, and the spindle midzone. We have previously shown that the Caenorhabditis elegans Aurora B kinase AIR-2 is required for the localization of the ZEN-4 kinesin protein to midzone microtubules. To determine whether the association of BimC kinesins with spindle microtubules is also dependent on AIR-2, we examined the expression pattern of BMK-1, a C. elegans BimC kinesin, in wild-type and AIR-2–deficient embryos. BMK-1 is highly expressed in the hermaphrodite gonad and is localized to meiotic spindle microtubules in the newly fertilized embryo. In mitotic embryos, BMK-1 is associated with spindle microtubules from prophase through anaphase and is concentrated at the spindle midzone during anaphase and telophase. In the absence of AIR-2, BMK-1 localization to meiotic and mitotic spindles is greatly reduced. This is not a consequence of loss of ZEN-4 localization because BMK-1 is appropriately localized in ZEN-4–deficient embryos. Furthermore, AIR-2 and BMK-1 directly interact with one another and the C-terminal tail domain of BMK-1 is specifically phosphorylated by AIR-2 in vitro. Together with our previous data, these results suggest that at least one function of the Aurora B kinases is to recruit spindle-associated motor proteins to their sites of action.
Xrs2p Regulates Mre11p Translocation to the Nucleus and Plays a Role in Telomere Elongation and Meiotic Recombination
Authors: Tsukamoto Yasumasa , Mitsuoka Chikako , Terasawa Masahiro , Ogawa Hideyuki , Ogawa Tomoko
Published: November 2004

The Mre11-Rad50-Xrs2 (MRX) protein complex plays pivotal roles in meiotic recombination, repair of damaged DNA, telomere elongation, and cell cycle checkpoint control. Xrs2p is known to be essential for all the functions of the complex, but its role in the complex has not been clearly elucidated. A 32-amino acid region near the C terminus of Xrs2p was identified as an Mre11p-binding site. No more function of Xrs2p than translocation of Mre11p from the cytoplasm to the nucleus is necessary for response to DNA damage. However, domains in Xrs2p located both 49 amino acids upstream and 104 amino acids downstream of the Mre11p binding site are required for meiotic recombination and telomere elongation, respectively, in addition to the 32-amino acid region. These findings demonstrate that Xrs2p acts as a specificity factor that allows the MRX complex to function in meiotic recombination and in telomere elongation.
Coral reefs of the Mascarenes, Western Indian Ocean
Authors: Turner John , Klaus Rebecca
Published: November 2004

The reefs of the Mascarenes differ in structure and stage of development. Mauritius is the oldest island, bound by a discontinuous fringing reef and small barrier reef, with large lagoon patch reefs. Rodrigues has nearly continuous fringing reefs bounding an extensive lagoon with deep channels and few patch reefs. Réunion, the youngest island, has short stretches of narrow fringing reefs along southwestern coasts. The islets of St Brandon are bound to the east by an extensive arc of fringing reef. Reef mapping of the Mascarenes using satellite imagery provides an estimate of 705 km2of shallow reef habitats. These areas have been modified over geological time by changes in sea level, ocean–atmosphere disturbances and biological and chemical forcing. Further modification has resulted from historical changes in land–use patterns. Recent economic development has placed many of these reefs at risk from anthropogenic impact. The reefs of the Mascarenes have escaped mass mortality from bleaching to date, which increases their conservation significance within the wider Indian Ocean. The reefs are poorly protected. A case study shows how a geographic information system incorporating reef–habitat maps can help formulate and demonstrate Marine Protected Area boundaries.
Narrow‐band ultraviolet‐B stimulates proliferation and migration of cultured melanocytes
Authors: Wu Ching‐Shuang , Yu Chia‐Li , Wu Chieh‐Shan , Lan Cheng‐Che E. , Yu Hsin‐Su
Published: November 2004

Abstract:  Narrow‐band ultraviolet‐B (UVB) radiation is an effective treatment for vitiligo vulgaris. However, the mechanisms of narrow‐band UVB in inducing repigmentation of vitiligo lesions are not thoroughly clarified. The purpose of our study was to investigate the effects of narrow‐band UVB irradiation on melanocyte proliferation and migration in vitro. Our results showed that the cell counts as well as [3H]thymidine uptake of melanocytes were significantly enhanced by narrow‐band UVB‐irradiated keratinocyte supernatants. In these supernatants, a significant increase in basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and in endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) release was observed. bFGF is a natural mitogen for melanocytes, whereas ET‐1 can stimulate DNA synthesis in melanocytes. This stimulatory effect of melanocyte proliferation by supernatants derived from narrow‐band UVB‐irradiated keratinocytes was significantly reduced by a selective endothelin‐B (ET‐B) receptor antagonist (BQ788), suggesting an essential role of ET‐1 on melanocyte proliferation. Our results of time‐lapse microphotography revealed a stimulatory effect of narrow‐band UVB irradiation on melanocyte migration. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) plays a pivotal role in cell migration. Phosphorylated FAK (p125FAK) expression on melanocyte was enhanced by narrow‐band UVB irradiation. In this study, narrow‐band UVB irradiation stimulated a significant increase in matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2) activity in melanocyte supernatants. Narrow‐band UVB‐irradiation‐induced migration of melanocytes was significantly annihilated by the addition of p125FAK inhibitor (herbimycin‐A) or MMP‐2 inhibitor (GM6001). These results suggest that p125FAK and MMP‐2 activity play important roles in narrow‐band UVB‐induced migration of melanocytes. Our results provide a theoretical basis for the effectiveness of narrow‐band UVB irradiation in treating vitiligo.
The macrophage‐activating lipopeptide‐2 accelerates wound healing in diabetic mice
Authors: Deiters U. , Barsig J. , Tawil B. , Mühlradt P. F.
Published: November 2004

Abstract:  Wound healing in healthy individuals proceeds at an optimal rate. However, in patients, with – e.g.– locally impaired blood flow or diabetes, chronic wounds develop and often become infected. Chronic wounds mean a low quality of life for the afflicted patients, not to mention enormous costs. Rather than using recombinant growth factors to accelerate wound healing, we employed the toll‐like receptor agonist macrophage‐activating lipopeptide‐2 (MALP‐2) to improve the healing of full‐thickness excision skin wounds in an animal model with obese, diabetic mice. A gene array experiment suggested that MALP‐2 stimulates the release of various mediators involved in wound healing. Further data to be presented in this study will show (i) that MALP‐2 is capable of stimulating the appearance of the monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 at the wound site, (ii) that this leads to increased leucocyte and, in particular, macrophage infiltration and (iii) that MALP‐2‐treated wounds closed 2 weeks earlier than vehicle‐treated controls. MALP‐2, thus, appears to stimulate the early inflammatory process needed to set in motion the ensuing consecutive natural steps of wound healing resulting in wound closure.
Clinical improvement in chronic plaque‐type psoriasis lesions after narrow‐band UVB therapy is accompanied by a decrease in the expression of IFN‐γ inducers – IL‐12, IL‐18 and IL‐23
Authors: Piskin G. , Tursen U. , Sylva‐Steenland R. M. R. , Bos J. D. , Teunissen M. B. M.
Published: November 2004

Abstract:  Type‐1 cytokine‐producing T cells are important in the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris, for which efficient therapy is provided by means of narrow‐band ultraviolet‐B (NB‐UVB). The expression of the type‐1 cytokine interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) is regulated by interleukin‐12 (IL‐12), IL‐15, IL‐18 and IL‐23; however, not much is known about the effect of this therapy on the levels of these cytokines in lesional psoriatic skin in situ. In this study, we investigated the effects of NB‐UVB therapy on the expression of IFN‐γ‐inducing cytokines. Ten patients with chronic plaque‐type psoriasis selected to be treated with NB‐UVB therapy were recruited for these experiments and the expression of cytokines IL‐12, IL‐15, IL‐18, IL‐23 and IFN‐γ in lesional psoriatic skin before, during and after therapy was determined with the help of immunohistochemistry. Double staining was performed in order to determine the cell types expressing these cytokines. The decrease in the psoriasis area and severity index was accompanied by a significant decrease in the expression of IFN‐γ, and concomitantly, significant reduction of IFN‐γinducers – IL‐12, IL‐18 and IL‐23. Thus, we concluded that the decrease of IFN‐γ expression in psoriasis lesions after NB‐UVB therapy could be a result of diminished expression of IL‐12, IL‐18 and IL‐23 in lesional skin. Therapies targeting these three cytokines should, therefore, be considered in the treatment of psoriasis.
Microbial keratitis in ITU staff: an occupational hazard?
Authors: Ezra D. G. , Goyal S. , Moosavi R. , Millar M. , Laganowski H. C. , Moore A. T.
Published: November 2004

Microbial keratitis is a potentially blinding corneal infection; the infection may progress rapidly if untreated and result in corneal perforation. The breakdown of the innate ocular defences is known to predispose to corneal infection. We present three cases of microbial keratitis in intensive therapy unit (ITU) staff each of whom had compromised corneal immunity. Anaesthetists and nurses regularly perform high‐risk procedures, such as tracheal suctioning, which have been known to cause ocular infections by aerosol inoculation. We suggest that although the absolute risk of infection is low, susceptible individuals may be at increased risk of corneal infection from exposure to potentially pathogenic organisms in such environments. We stress the need for ITU staff, particularly those who wear contact lenses, to wear eye protection when performing procedures likely to cause infected aerosols.
Comparison of Propofol‐Lipuro with propofol mixed with lidocaine 10 mg on propofol injection pain
Authors: Kam E. , Abdul‐Latif M. S. , McCluskey A.
Published: November 2004

A common drawback of propofol is pain on injection and lidocaine is commonly mixed with propofol to reduce its incidence and severity. We conducted a randomised, prospective, double‐blind study to compare injection pain following the administration of two different formulations of propofol in 200 unpremedicated ASA I–III adult patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia. Patients were allocated randomly into two groups to receive either Propofol‐®Lipuro without added lidocaine or Diprivan® mixed with lidocaine 10 mg. Five ml of the study solution was injected at a constant rate over 15 s and patients graded any associated pain or discomfort using a four‐point verbal rating scale. The incidence of propofol injection pain was virtually identical in both study groups with 37/98 (38%) patients experiencing pain or discomfort following Propofol‐®Lipuro compared with 35/98 (36%) after Diprivan® (p = 0.88). We observed no significant difference in pain scores between the groups (p = 0.67). Moderate or severe injection pain was experienced by 12/98 (12%) patients given Propofol‐®Lipuro compared with 8/98 (8%) given Diprivan® (p = 0.48).
SEM evaluation of canal wall dentine following use of Mtwo and ProTaper NiTi rotary instruments
Authors: Foschi F. , Nucci C. , Montebugnoli L. , Marchionni S. , Breschi L. , Malagnino V. A. , Prati C.
Published: November 2004

Aim  To compare using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) root canal walls following instrumentation in vitro with two different rotary NiTi instruments. The hypothesis was that no difference should be observable between the experimental groups in terms of debris on canal walls and surface morphology.

Methodology  Twenty‐four single‐rooted human teeth were selected. Two types of NiTi instruments were used, Mtwo (Sweden & Martina, Padova, Italy) and ProTaper (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland). Irrigation for both groups was performed after each instrument change with 5% NaOCl, 3% H2O2 and 17% EDTA solutions. Three different areas (coronal, middle and apical thirds) of the root canal were evaluated using SEM. The canal wall of each sample was assessed and compared using a predefined scale of four parameters, namely, smear layer, pulpal debris, inorganic dentine debris, surface profile. Data were analysed statistically using the Kruskal–Wallis test (anova).

Results A statistically significant difference (P < 0.01) was found between the apical third and the middle and coronal thirds for both groups. No difference was observable between instrumentation groups. In the apical third canal walls were often contaminated by inorganic debris and by smear layer. In the apical third, the surface profile was affected by uninstrumented regions, comprising dentine depressions and grooves in which predentine was still visible.

Conclusion  Both instruments produced a clean and debris‐free dentine surfaces in the coronal and middle thirds, but were unable to produce a dentine surfaces free from smear layer and debris in the apical third. The presence of deep grooves and depression on dentine walls in the apical third may well explain the presence of less‐instrumented areas.
Searching the literature on teaching strategies and approaches for pupils with special educational needs: knowledge production and synthesis
Authors: Davis Pauline , Florian Lani
Published: November 2004

This paper considers the problems that were encountered in searching and using the literature (about practice) to answer questions about future directions for policy in teaching learners with special educational needs (SEN). It draws upon a recently completed scoping study on the effectiveness of different approaches and strategies used to teach pupils with a range of special educational needs (Davis & Florian, 2004) which foregrounded issues of search strategy, knowledge organisation and synthesis. The paper argues that a literature review is historically, culturally and socially produced knowledge and is an important but limited piece of evidence. Guidance for undertaking a review of literature on teaching practice is offered.
Identification and characterization of a Ca2+‐sensitive interaction of the vanilloid receptor TRPV1 with tubulin
Authors: Goswami C. , Dreger M. , Jahnel R. , Bogen O. , Gillen C. , Hucho F.
Published: November 2004

The vanilloid receptor TRPV1 plays a well‐established functional role in the detection of a range of chemical and thermal noxious stimuli, such as those associated with tissue inflammation and the resulting pain. TRPV1 activation results in membrane depolarization, but may also trigger intracellular Ca2+‐signalling events. In a proteomic screen for proteins associated with the C‐terminal sequence of TRPV1, we identified β‐tubulin as a specific TRPV1‐interacting protein. We demonstrate that the TRPV1 C‐terminal tail is capable of binding tubulin dimers, as well as of binding polymerized microtubules. The interaction is Ca2+‐sensitive, and affects microtubule properties, such as microtubule sensitivity towards low temperatures and nocodazole. Our data thus provide compelling evidence for the interaction of TRPV1 with the cytoskeleton. The Ca2+‐sensitivity of this interaction suggests that the microtubule cytoskeleton at the cell membrane may be a downstream effector of TRPV1 activation.
Tyrosine hydroxylase phosphorylation: regulation and consequences
Authors: Dunkley Peter R. , Bobrovskaya Larisa , Graham Mark E. , Von Nagy‐Felsobuki Ellak I. , Dickson Phillip W.
Published: November 2004

The rate‐limiting enzyme in catecholamine synthesis is tyrosine hydroxylase. It is phosphorylated at serine (Ser) residues Ser8, Ser19, Ser31 and Ser40 in vitro, in situ and in vivo. A range of protein kinases and protein phosphatases are able to phosphorylate or dephosphorylate these sites in vitro. Some of these enzymes are able to regulate tyrosine hydroxylase phosphorylation in situ and in vivo but the identity of the kinases and phosphatases is incomplete, especially for physiologically relevant stimuli. The stoichiometry of tyrosine hydroxylase phosphorylation in situ and in vivo is low. The phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase at Ser40 increases the enzyme's activity in vitro, in situ and in vivo. Phosphorylation at Ser31 also increases the activity but to a much lesser extent than for Ser40 phosphorylation. The phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase at Ser19 or Ser8 has no direct effect on tyrosine hydroxylase activity. Hierarchical phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase occurs both in vitro and in situ, whereby the phosphorylation at Ser19 increases the rate of Ser40 phosphorylation leading to an increase in enzyme activity. Hierarchical phosphorylation depends on the state of the substrate providing a novel form of control of tyrosine hydroxylase activation.
Primary Cardiovascular Events and Serum Lipid Levels in Elderly Japanese with Hypercholesterolemia Undergoing 6‐Year Simvastatin Treatment: A Subanalysis of the Japan Lipid Intervention Trial
Authors: Horiuchi Hisanori , Kita Toru , Mabuchi Hiroshi , Matsuzaki Masunori , Matsuzawa Yuji , Nakaya Noriaki , Oikawa Shinichi , Saito Yasushi , Sasaki Jun , Shimamoto Kazuaki , Itakura Hiroshige ,   the J‐LIT Study Group
Published: November 2004

Objectives: To determine the relationship between serum lipid levels and the incidence of coronary events in older Japanese hypercholesterolemic patients without prior coronary heart disease (CHD).

Design: Post hoc subanalysis of the results in the Japan Lipid Intervention Trial.

Setting: A large‐scale cohort observational study conducted throughout Japan.

Participants: Men aged 35 to 70 and postmenopausal women younger than 70 with serum total cholesterol (TC) level of 220 mg/dL or greater treated for 6 years with low‐dose simvastatin (52,421 total patients). After exclusion of 5,127 patients because of prior CHD and 4,934 patients because of incomplete data, 42,360 patients were divided into an older (9,860 patients, aged 65–70, mean age 67.1) and younger (32,500 patients, younger than 65, mean age 54.9) group and analyzed.

Measurements: Fasting serum lipid levels were measured every 6 months. Major coronary events, including fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction, and sudden cardiac death as the primary endpoint and other cardiovascular diseases, including onset of angina pectoris, cerebrovascular events, and any causes of death, as the secondary endpoints were monitored.

Results: Simvastatin treatment in older patients was as safe and effective as in younger patients. Incident rates of major coronary events were 1.30 per 1,000 patient‐years in the older group and 0.80 per 1,000 patient‐years in the younger group. The incidence of a major coronary event was correlated to serum TC and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) levels in both groups. The absolute risk of major coronary events in the older group was higher than in the younger group at any level of LDL‐C, whereas the relative risk increased by 1.7% with an elevation of each 1 mg/dL LDL‐C level in both groups. In the older group, the risk of major coronary events also increased as triglyceride level increased, whereas the risk decreased as high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol level increased above 60 md/dL.

Conclusion: The LDL‐C level‐dependent increase of relative risk of CHD was similar in elderly and younger patients, whereas the absolute risk at any LDL‐C level in elderly patients was higher than in younger patients.
Epidemiology and Short‐Term Outcomes of Injured Medicare Patients
Authors: Clark David E. , DeLorenzo Michael A. , Lucas F. L. , Wennberg David E.
Published: November 2004

Objectives: To describe characteristics and short‐term outcomes of Medicare patients hospitalized after injuries in 1999.

Design: Analysis of national population‐based case series.

Setting: Hospitalized Medicare patients.

Participants: All fee‐for‐service Medicare patients aged 65 and older admitted for the first time in 1999 with principal injury diagnoses (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes 800–904, 910–929, 940–957, 959).

Measurements: Incidence rates, stratified by anatomic location (hip, other extremity, spine, head, chest, other), sex, and age group (65–74, 75–84, ≥85). For each category, Charlson comorbidity scores, Abbreviated Injury Scores, hospital length of stay, discharge disposition, hospital mortality, 30‐day mortality, and readmissions within 30 days of discharge.

Results: A total of 439,605 persons were admitted at least once (crude rate 1,654/100,000). Rates of hospitalization increased with age and were generally higher in women (except head injuries). Comorbidities were more common in men. Hip fractures constituted 46.6% of cases and other extremity injuries another 30.7%. Hospital mortality (3.7% overall) increased with age, was greater in men, and was highest in patients with head injuries. The proportion discharged to skilled nursing facilities (43.8% overall, range 10.0–61.9% by age/sex/anatomic category) also increased with age, was higher in women, and was highest in patients with hip fractures. Slightly more than one‐tenth (12.3%) of patients were readmitted within 30 days. Thirty‐day mortality was 2.0 times hospital mortality (range 1.2–3.4 by category).

Conclusion: Most injuries resulting in hospitalization for the Medicare population involve the extremities, but other injuries have higher mortality. Many injured patients are not discharged home but receive additional institutional care. Thirty‐day survival is much lower than observed hospital survival. Further studies of injuries using Medicare data are warranted.
LOW‐FIELD MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE CANINE MIDDLE AND INNER EAR
Authors: Kneissl Sibylle , Probst Alexander , Konar Martin
Published: November 2004

A series of low‐field magnetic resonance images of the normal canine middle and inner ear are presented to serve as a reference. A completely balanced steady‐state gradient echo pulse sequence with a slice thickness of 0.9 mm can be used to acquire images of the relevant structures within and neighboring the inner ear. These were the cochlear duct, semicircular ducts, vestibule, facial and vestibulocochlear nerves, as well as the temporal sinus. Within the middle ear, no applied sequence was able to allow identification of the auditory ossicles or the tympanic membrane.
The Effect of Load Phase Angle on Wind Turbine Blade Fatigue Damage
Authors: White Darris L. , Musial Walt D.
Published: November 2004

This paper examines the importance of load phase angle variations on fatigue damage and evaluates the potential effects of varying the load phase angle during dual-axis constant amplitude fatigue testing. The scope of this paper is limited to results from simulated wind and dynamic loads. The operating loads on a generic three bladed up-wind 1.5 MW wind turbine blade were analyzed over a range of operating conditions, and an aggregate probability distribution for the actual phase angles between the peak in-plane (lead-lag) and peak out-of-plane (flap) loads was determined. Using a finite element model (FEM) of the 1.5 MW blade and Miner’s Rule [Miner, A., 1945, “Cumulative Damage in Fatigue,” Trans. ASME, 67], the accumulated theoretical fatigue damage (based on axial strains) resulting from a fatigue test with variable phase angles using the aggregate distribution was compared to the damage resulting from a fatigue test with a constant phase angle. The FEM nodal damage distribution at specific blade cross sections were compared for the constant and variable phase angle cases. Single-node stress concentrations were distributed arbitrarily around one cross section to simulate material defects in a blade undergoing testing. Results show that the variable phase angle case results in higher damage on the critical nodes. In addition, the probability of discovering a material defect during a test was substantially increased when variable phase loading was used. The effect of phase angle sequence on the damage accumulation was also considered. For this analysis, the finite element results were processed using a nonlinear damage accumulation model. Results show that the sequence of the phase angle can have a large effect on the fatigue damage, and multiple, shorter length sequences produce higher damage than a single, long term sequence.
Pierolapithecus catalaunicus
, a New Middle Miocene Great Ape from Spain
Authors: Moyà-Solà Salvador , Köhler Meike , Alba David M. , Casanovas-Vilar Isaac , Galindo Jordi
Published: November 2004

We describe a partial skeleton with facial cranium of
Pierolapithecus catalaunicus
gen. et sp. nov., a new Middle Miocene (12.5 to 13 million years ago) ape from Barranc de Can Vila 1 (Barcelona, Spain). It is the first known individual of this age that combines well-preserved cranial, dental, and postcranial material. The thorax, lumbar region, and wrist provide evidence of modern ape–like orthograde body design, and the facial morphology includes the basic derived great ape features. The new skeleton reveals that early great apes retained primitive monkeylike characters associated with a derived body structure that permits upright postures of the trunk.
Pierolapithecus
, hence, does not fit the theoretical model that predicts that all characters shared by extant great apes were present in their last common ancestor, but instead points to a large amount of homoplasy in ape evolution. The overall pattern suggests that
Pierolapithecus
is probably close to the last common ancestor of great apes and humans.
Hertz-Level Measurement of the Optical Clock Frequency in a Single
88
Sr
+
Ion
Authors: Margolis H. S. , Barwood G. P. , Huang G. , Klein H. A. , Lea S. N. , Szymaniec K. , Gill P.
Published: November 2004

The frequency of the 5s
2
S
1/2
–4d
2
D
5/2
electric quadrupole clock transition in a single, trapped, laser-cooled
88
Sr
+
ion has been measured by using an optical frequency comb referenced to a cesium fountain primary frequency standard. The frequency of the transition is measured as 444,779,044,095,484.6 (1.5) hertz, with a fractional uncertainty within a factor of 3 of that of the cesium standard. Improvements required to obtain a cesium-limited frequency measurement are described and are expected to lead to a
88
Sr
+
optical clock with stability and reproducibility exceeding that of the primary cesium standard.
Time trends in the incidence of myocardial infarction among professional drivers in Stockholm 1977–96
Authors: Bigert C , Klerdal K , Hammar N , Hallqvist J , Gustavsson P
Published: November 2004

Aims:To investigate time trends in the incidence of first myocardial infarction (MI) among bus, taxi, and lorry drivers in Stockholm.

Methods:In this population based case-control study, all first events of acute MI among men aged 40–69 in Stockholm County 1977–96 were identified using registers of hospital discharges and deaths. Controls were selected randomly from the general population. National censuses were used for information on occupational titles. A total of 20 364 cases and 136 342 controls were included in the study. Among these, 1183 cases and 6072 controls had worked as drivers.

Results:During 1977–84 the MI incidence was higher in all three driver groups than among other manual workers. There was a decline in MI incidence among drivers as well as in the general population during the study period. The decline was greater among drivers than among other manual workers. During 1985–96 the relative risk remained increased compared to other manual workers among taxi and lorry drivers, but not among bus drivers.

Conclusions:Despite a reduced MI incidence for professional drivers in recent years, preventive measures to reduce the risk of MI in these occupational groups, and in particular among taxi and lorry drivers, continue to be of importance.
Revised chronostratigraphy of the Kenai Group from 40Ar/39Ar dating of low-potassium bearing minerals, Cook Inlet Basin, Alaska
Authors: Dallegge Todd A , Layer Paul W
Published: November 2004

Thirty-seven tephra beds, primarily from coal partings in the Sterling and Beluga formations, were successfully dated by the 40Ar/39Ar method providing a new and revised understanding of the chronostratigraphy of late Tertiary strata within Cook Inlet Basin. Meticulous sample preparation, multiple analyses, and statistical evaluation of the data were required for these low-K, plagioclase- and hornblende-bearing tephras. Dating of subsurface core material provides the first subsurface-to-outcrop tie in Cook Inlet between well 212-24 in the Beluga River Unit and deposits in the Clam Gulch, Diamond Creek, and Fox Creek areas. The new 40Ar/39Ar chronostratigraphic framework place the age of upper part of the Kenai Group strata between 4.6 and 9.4 Ma and support the 8-Ma interpretation of the boundary between the Homerian and Clamgulchian paleobotanical stages. The 49-Ma age from core data in Pioneer Unit suggests the Tyonek Formation is older than previously thought or that these units belong to an older formation. The chronostratigraphic framework demonstrates significant offset on faults along the Kenai Peninsula, the presence of faults in slumps and vegetated areas, disconformities in the stratigraphic succession, and that parts of the Sterling and Beluga formations are time-equivalent strata representing lateral facies variations. Based on crosscutting relations and structural folding, the established chronohorizons indicate that much of the structural deformation in Cook Inlet is no older than early Pliocene in age. The repeated section, due to faulting and the coeval nature of the formations, could significantly affect previous resource assessments of coal and hydrocarbon distributions.
ON DISJOINT CYCLES
Authors: BODLAENDER HANS L.
Published: November 2004

It is shown, that for each constant k≥1, the following problems can be solved in [Formula: see text] time: given a graph G, determine whether G has k vertex disjoint cycles, determine whether G has k edge disjoint cycles, determine whether G has a feedback vertex set of size ≤k. Also, every class [Formula: see text], that is closed under minor taking, taking, and that does not contain the graph consisting of k disjoint copies of K3, has an [Formula: see text] membership test algorithm.
Customizing adaptive software to object-oriented software using grammars
Authors: Lieberherr Karl J. , Xiao Cun
Published: November 2004

Although numerous researchers have pointed out that object-oriented software is easier to extend than software that is not written in an object-oriented style, object-oriented software is still rigid to adapt and maintain. This paper builds on an extension of object-oriented programming which is called adaptive programming. Adaptive programming allows the programmer to write more extensible software called adaptive software without committing to a specific input language. After writing an adaptive program, the programmer selects a specific input language and partially evaluates the program into an executable program. This paper formally studies class dictionaries and informally describes how adaptive programs are partially evaluated by freezing class dictionaries.

A class dictionary is mapped into classes of an object-oriented programming language, for example, C++, CLOS etc. A class dictionary defines both a set of objects and a set of sentences (a language). We derive a set of restrictions on class dictionaries which permit a simple printing algorithm and its inverse, a parsing algorithm, to be bijection functions between objects and sentences of the same class.

We review propagation patterns for describing adaptive object-oriented software at a higher level of abstraction than the one used by today’s object-oriented programming languages. A propagation pattern is an adaptive program which defines a family of programs. From the family, we can select a member by choosing a class dictionary.

The theory presented in this paper has been successfully implemented and used in the Demeter Tools/C++. The system consists of a set of tools that facilitate software evolution.
RELIABILITY OF PROTON IMPLANTED VERTICAL CAVITY SURFACE EMITTING LASERS
Authors: WU CHANG-CHERNG , TAI KUOCHOU , HUANG KAI-FENG , CHANG CHUN-YEN
Published: November 2004

Reliable gain-guided vertical cavity surface emitting lasers were fabricated by the proton implantation technique at the 0.85 and 0.98 μm emission wavelengths. The device failure mode was found to be mainly the gradual degradation mode, manifested in the gradual reduction of output power and gradual increase of diode series resistance. Continuous wave operation of the 0.85 μm GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well lasers for 12,000 hours was seen at 25 and 50°C at 15 mA (~ 4 Ith). Extrapolation from accelerated aging test performed at higher temperatures yields a 25°C mean-time-to-failure of 1−2.5×105 hours at 15 mA. For the 0.98 μm InGaAs/GaAs strained quantum well lasers, a much slower degradation rate at high temperatures was seen in the 0.85 μm lasers. Secondary ion mass spectrometry revealed that the implant proton depth is short enough that the active region of these lasers is free from proton bombardment. The near field emission pattern of the aged lasers by cathodo-luminescence and electro-luminescence microscopies did not contain dark spots and line features.
SOLVING TRIDIAGONAL LINEAR SYSTEMS ON MIMD COMPUTERS
Authors: MILOVANOVIĆ E.I. , MIHAJLOVIĆ M.D. , MILOVANOVIĆ I. Ž. , STOJČEV M.K.
Published: November 2004

A partitioning algorithm for solving tridiagonal system of linear equations which is suitable for implementation on multiprocessor systems with small to moderate number of processors is described in this paper. The method is based on decomposing a matrix of order n×n into p partitions of size n×k, where n=pk. The fundamental idea of the proposed algorithm is that the elimination is performed using alternatively superdiagonal and subdiagonal elements, contrary to the Gaussian elimination which uses main diagonal elements. Performance results obtained when the proposed algorithm is implemented on the p-processor orthogonal and linear arrays, both of MIMD type, are presented.
PARTITION FUNCTIONS, INTERTWINERS AND THE COXETER ELEMENT
Authors: DOREY PATRICK
Published: November 2004

The partition functions of Pasquier models on the cylinder, and the associated intertwiners, are considered. It is shown that earlier results due to Saleur and Bauer can be rephrased in a geometrical way, reminiscent of formulae found in certain purely elastic scattering theories. This establishes the positivity of these intertwiners in a general way and elucidates connections between these objects and the finite subgroups of SU(2). It also offers the hope that analogous geometrical structures might lie behind the so-far mysterious results found by DiFrancesco and Zuber in their search for generalisations of these models.
ORTHOSUPERSYMMETRIC QUANTUM MECHANICS
Authors: KHARE AVINASH , MISHRA A.K. , RAJASEKARAN G.
Published: November 2004

We construct a new form of supersymmetric quantum mechanics named orthosupersymmetric quantum mechanics. We show that there are p orthosupercharges Qα (α= 1,2, …, p) which satisfy the algebra [Formula: see text] where H is the Hamiltonian. The spectra of this class of systems are shown to be (p+1)-fold degenerate, at least above the ground state. We also discuss a model of conformal orthosupersymmetry of degree p and show that in this case there are p orthosupercharges, and p conformal orthosupercharges which along with H, dilatation generator D and conformal generator K form a closed algebra. A comparative discussion on parasupersymmetric and orthosupersymmetric quantum mechanics is also given.
CALCULATIONAL ALGORITHM FOR THERMAL REACTION PROBABILITIES WITH FERMIONS
Authors: NAOKI ASIDA
Published: November 2004

Calculational algorithm for thermal reaction probabilities including fermions is obtained. For this purpose, we faithfully follow the method of statistical mechanics, that is, taking explicitly the statistical average of the quantity under consideration. Our result is formulated in terms of Feynman rules of real time thermal field theory constructed on a specific time path. It is shown that the effect of the thermal vacuum bubble is of vital importance for analyzing diagrams with generalized self-energy parts.
THE WESS–ZUMINO TERM IN THE FIELD–ANTIFIELD FORMALISM
Authors: BRAGA N. R. F. , MONTANI H.
Published: November 2004

We carry out an analysis of the quantization of anomalous gauge theories inside the Batalin–Vilkovisky scheme. Working on the chiral QCD2, we show that by considering the group elements as dynamical variables one is able to construct a local solution, the Wess–Zumino term, for the master equation. Thus the gauge independence of the generating functional is restored. Also, the BRST charge is built up showing that in the extended space this operator recovers the nilpotency.
LEVEL-ONE SU(N) WZNW MODELS ON HIGHER-GENUS RIEMANN SURFACES
Authors: ALIMOHAMMADI M. , ARFAEI H.
Published: November 2004

Using factorization properties and fusion rules, we find the higher-genus partition function and two-point correlators for the SU (N)1 WZNW model. The result has simple form in terms of higher-genus theta functions on the group manifold. The previously known results of SU (2)1 and SU (3)1 are also obtained as special cases. This method, combined with other considerations such as modular invariance, can be extended to the nonsimply laced groups and higher-level WZNW models.
RATIONAL CONFORMAL FIELD THEORY AND MULTIWORMHOLE PARTITION FUNCTION IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL GRAVITY
Authors: MIZOGUCHI SHUN’YA
Published: November 2004

We study the Turaev-Viro (TV) invariant as the Euclidean Chern-Simons-Witten gravity partition function with positive cosmological constant. After explaining why it can be identified as the partition function of three-dimensional gravity, we show that the initial data of the TV invariant can be constructed from the duality data of a certain class of rational conformal field theories, and that, in particular, the original TV initial data are associated with the Ak+1 modular invariant SU(2) WZW model. As a corollary we then show that the partition function Z(M) is bounded from above by [Formula: see text], where g is the smallest genus of handlebodies with which M can be presented by Hegaard splitting. Z(M) is generically very large near Λ~+0 if M is neither S3 nor a lens space, and many-wormhole configurations dominate near Λ~+0 in the sense that Z(M) generically tends to diverge faster as the “number of wormholes” g becomes larger.
SYMPLECTIC ANALYSIS OF CONSTRAINED SYSTEMS
Authors: MONTANI H.
Published: November 2004

The formal equivalence of the Dirac’s methods and the modified Faddeev-Jackiw approach, obtained by transferring the constraints from the coordinates to the velocities, is shown. The relation between internal and noninternal gauge symmetries, and first class constraints are analyzed in this framework. As a particular case, the reparametrization invariance is also discussed.
CHIRAL INVARIANCE AND SPECIES DOUBLERS IN GENERIC FERMION MODELS ON THE LATTICE
Authors: FUNAKUBO KOICHI , KASHIWA TARO
Published: November 2004

Discussions are made on the structures of chirally invariant lattice actions without any restriction on hermiticity. With the help of the Ward-Takahashi identity, a general condusion can be derived: that there must be species doublers in any chirally invariant model provided that the model is chosen as well-regularized, that is, there is no singularity in the propagator after introducing fermion mass on the lattice. Several examples are discussed to find better models defined in the sense that the number of species doublers is smaller than that of the naive Dirac action.
SOME CONSTRAINTS ON TORSION DETECTION PHYSICS
Authors: ZHANG C.M.
Published: November 2004

Two kinds of sources of torsion, aligned spin and macroscopic rotation, are demonstrated by analyzing the Lagrangian. In the case of Dirac particles as a direct sensor for torsion, the torsion spin effects are strongly influenced by the backgrounds, which are magnetic spin, rotation spin and gravity spin. Increasing the source of the torsion is equivalent to increasing the background itself. The first proposed criterion for torsion detection is that any astrophysics experiments have no hope of showing the evidence for torsion directly. The promised evidence for torsion must be cumulative and indirect on the neutron star. The macroscopic rotating body, an indirect sensor for torsion, has not been able to present the trace of the torsion in the experiments carried out so far.
FERMION SPECTRA AND KM MATRICES IN A LEFT-RIGHT SYMMETRIC MODEL FROM CALABI-YAU STRING COMPACTIFICATION
Authors: HATTORI CHUICHIRO , MATSUDA MASAHISA , MATSUOKA TAKEO , MOCHINAGA DAIZO
Published: November 2004

We study a left-right symmetric type of the effective low-energy theory induced from the four-generation superstring model. The spontaneous breaking of the R-parity occurs through a nonzero vacuum expectation value (VEV) of the fourth generation right-handed sneutrino (νR). It is predicted that the lightest chargino is lighter than 113 GeV. By virtue of the seesaw mechanism we can explain the smallness of neutrino masses for three generations and the largeness of the fourth generation neutrino mass. The mixing in the color-singlet sector yields nontrivial KM matrices which bring about flavor-changing interactions. If we take νR=O(10 TeV ), our results are consistent with the current data except for the solar neutrino problem.
DUALITY OF STRING AMPLITUDES IN A CURVED BACKGROUND
Authors: HENNINGSON MÅNS
Published: November 2004

We initiate a program to study the relationship between the target space, the spectrum and the scattering amplitudes in string theory. We consider scattering amplitudes following from string theory and quantum field theory on a curved target space, which is taken to be the SU(2) group manifold, with special attention given to the duality between contributions from different channels. We give a simple example of the equivalence between amplitudes coming from string theory and quantum field theory, and compute the general form of a four-scalar field-theoretical amplitude. The corresponding string theory calculation is performed for a special case, and we discuss how more general string theory amplitudes could be evaluated.
A KOREAN LARGE VOCABULARY SPEECH RECOGNITION SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE NUMBER QUERY SERVICE
Authors: KOO J.M. , KIM H.S. , UN C.K.
Published: November 2004

In this paper, we introduce a Korean large vocabulary speech recognition system. This system recognizes sentence utterances with a vocabulary size of 1160 words, and is designed for an automatic telephone number query service. The system consists of four subsystems. The first is an acoustic processor recognizing words in an input sentence by a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) based speech recognition algorithm. The second subsystem is a linguistic processor which estimates input sentences from the results of the acoustic processor and determines the following words using syntactic information. The third is a time reduction processor reducing recognition time by limiting the number of candidate words to be computed by the acoustic processor. The time reduction processor uses linguistic information and acoustic information contained in the input sentence. The last subsystem is a speaker adaptation processor which quickly adapts parameters of the speech recognition system to new speakers. This subsystem uses VQ adaptation and HMM parameter adaptation based on spectral mapping.

We also present our recent work on improving the performance of the large vocabulary speech recognition system. These works focused on the enhancement of the acoustic processor and the time reduction processor for speaker-independent speech recognition. A new approach for speaker adaptation is also described.
A CHARACTERIZATION OF RECOGNIZABLE PICTURE LANGUAGES
Authors: INOUE KATSUSHI , TAKANAMI ITSUO
Published: November 2004

This paper first shows that REC, the family of recognizable picture languages in Giammarresi and Restivo,3 is equal to the family of picture languages accepted by two-dimensional on-line tessellation acceptors in Inoue and Nakamura.5 By using this result, we then solve open problems in Giammarresi and Restivo,3 and show that (i) REC is not closed under complementation, and (ii) REC properly contains the family of picture languages accepted by two-dimensional nondeterministic finite automata even over a one letter alphabet.
CONSTANT LEAF-SIZE HIERARCHY OF TWO-DIMENSIONAL ALTERNATING TURING MACHINES
Authors: ITO AKIRA , INOUE KATSUSHI , TAKANAMI ITSUO , INAGAKI YASUYOSHI
Published: November 2004

“Leaf-size” (or “branching”) is the minimum number of leaves of some accepting computation trees of alternating devices. For example, one leaf corresponds to nondeterministic computation. In this paper, we investigate the effect of constant leaves of two-dimensional alternating Turing machines, and show the following facts: (1) For any function L(m, n), k leaf- and L(m, n) space-bounded two-dimensional alternating Turing machines which have only universal states are equivalent to the same space bounded deterministic Turing machines for any integer k≥1, where m (n) is the number of rows (columns) of the rectangular input tapes. (2) For square input tapes, k+1 leaf- and o(log m) space-bounded two-dimensional alternating Turing machines are more powerful than k leaf-bounded ones for each k≥1. (3) The necessary and sufficient space for three-way deterministic Turing machines to simulate k leaf-bounded two-dimensional alternating finite automata is nk+1, where we restrict the space function of three-way deterministic Turing machines to depend only on the number of columns of the given input tapes.
SPECTRAL PROPERTIES OF ADMITTANCE MATRICES OF RESISTIVE TREE NETWORKS
Authors: CEDERBAUM I.
Published: November 2004

In this paper spectral properties of the admittance matrix of a resistive network whose underlying graph forms a general tree are studied. The algebraic presentation of the network is provided by its real node admittance matrix with respect to one of its terminal vertices, considered to be the root of the tree. The spectral properties of this matrix are studied by application of the theory of two-element-kind (R, C) networks. A mechanical analogue of a particular case of a similar problem, corresponding to a linear tree has been studied in the classical work of Gantmacher and Krein.7 Generalization of the study to networks based on trees of arbitrary structure calls for a modification of the mathematical approach. Instead of polynomial Sturm sequences applied in Ref. 7 the paper applies sequences of rational functions obeying the two basic Sturm conditions. In the special case of a linear tree these rational functions turn out to be polynomials, and the results are equivalent to those in Ref. 7. For a general tree the paper takes into consideration any root—leaf path of the tree. It is shown that the conditions on such a path are similar to those taking place on a linear tree. Some difference occurs in the number of sign reversals in the sequence of coordinates of characteristic vectors. In the case of a linear tree this number depends only on the position of the corresponding characteristic frequency in the spectrum of the matrix. In the case of a root-leaf path of a general tree, this number has to be normally decreased. The correction (which might be zero) is equal to the number of poles of the determinant of the reduced admittance matrix corresponding to the path considered, which does not exceed the characteristic frequency.