bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Note on the evolution of a Miocene composite volcano in an extensional setting, Zârand Basin (Apuseni Mts., Romania)
Authors: Seghedi Ioan , Szakács Alexandru , Roşu Emilian , Pécskay Zoltán , Gméling Katalin
Published: October 2010

Bontâu is a major eroded composite volcano filling the Miocene Zârand extensional basin, near the junction between the Codru-Moma and Highiş-Drocea Mountains, at the tectonic boundary between the South and North Apuseni Mountains. It is a quasi-symmetric structure (16–18 km in diameter) centered on an eroded vent area (9×4 km), buttressed to the south against Mesozoic ophiolites and sedimentary deposits of the South Apuseni Mountains. The volcano was built up in two sub-aerial phases (14–12.5 Ma and 11–10 Ma) from successive eruptions of andesite lava and pyroclastic rocks with a time-increasing volatile budget. The initial phase was dominated by emplacement of pyroxene andesite and resulted in scattered individual volcanic lava domes associated marginally with lava flows and/or pyroclastic block-and-ash flows. The second phase is characterized by amphibole-pyroxene andesite as a succession of pyroclastic eruptions (varying from strombolian to subplinian type) and extrusion of volcanic domes that resulted in the formation of a central vent area. Numerous debris flow deposits accumulated at the periphery of primary pyroclastic deposits. Several intrusive andesitic-dioritic bodies and associated hydrothermal and mineralization processes are known in the volcano vent complex area. Distal epiclastic deposits initially as gravity mass flows and then as alluvial volcaniclastic and terrestrial detritic and coal filled the basin around the volcano in its western and eastern part.

Chemical analyses show that lavas are calc-alkaline andesites with SiO2 ranging from 56–61%. The petrographical differences between the two stages are an increase in amphibole content at the expense of two pyroxenes (augite and hypersthene) in the second stage of eruption; CaO and MgO contents decrease with increasing SiO2. In spite of a ∼4 Ma evolution, the compositions of calc-alkaline lavas suggest similar fractionation processes. The extensional setting favored two pulses of short-lived magma chamber processes.
Andesites as Magmatic Liquids or Liquid-crystal Mixtures; Insights from Egmont and Ruapehu Volcanoes, New Zealand Research Article
Authors: Stewart Robert
Published: October 2010

Late Quaternary andesitic magmas in New Zealand contain complexly zoned antecrysts and glomerocrysts that are not in equilibrium with either the host whole rock compositions or siliceous groundmass glass and glass inclusions. Glass inclusions represent partial melts of mafic to gabbroic cumulates in the lower crust that mix with restite crystals, or cumulates from earlier magma batches. Assimilation of partial melts of mid-crustal rocks, represented by glass in crustal xenoliths, contributes a crustal component to the andesites. Magmas at Egmont are stored at about the brittle/ductile transition at about 10 km depth and variability in the composition of erupted material is a function of the composition of the recharging magma, and which parts of the storage system are tapped during the eruption. At Taranaki recharge occurs on a c. 1400 year cycle while interactions within the storage give rise to shorter period events. A similar process on a less well constrained timescale operates at Ruapehu. Andesites are therefore complex mixtures of fractionated mantle basalts, siliceous partial melts of both the lower crust and underplated cumulates, restite and cumulate crystals. Further modification occurs by interaction with partial melts of lower to middle crustal basement as geotherms increase with time.
Neogene-Quaternary Volcanic forms in the Carpathian-Pannonian Region: a review
Authors: Lexa Jaroslav , Seghedi Ioan , Németh Karoly , Szakács Alexandru , Koneĉny Vlastimil , Pécskay Zoltan , Fülöp Alexandrina , Kovacs Marinel
Published: October 2010

Neogene to Quaternary volcanic/magmatic activity in the Carpathian-Pannonian Region (CPR) occurred between 21 and 0.1 Ma with a distinct migration in time from west to east. It shows a diverse compositional variation in response to a complex interplay of subduction with rollback, back-arc extension, collision, slab break-off, delamination, strike-slip tectonics and microplate rotations, as well as in response to further evolution of magmas in the crustal environment by processes of differentiation, crustal contamination, anatexis and magma mixing. Since most of the primary volcanic forms have been affected by erosion, especially in areas of post-volcanic uplift, based on the level of erosion we distinguish: (1) areas eroded to the basement level, where paleovolcanic reconstruction is not possible; (2) deeply eroded volcanic forms with secondary morphology and possible paleovolcanic reconstruction; (3) eroded volcanic forms with remnants of original morphology preserved; and (4) the least eroded volcanic forms with original morphology quite well preserved. The large variety of volcanic forms present in the area can be grouped in a) monogenetic volcanoes and b) polygenetic volcanoes and their subsurface/intrusive counterparts that belong to various rock series found in the CPR such as calc-alkaline magmatic rock-types (felsic, intermediate and mafic varieties) and alkalic types including K-alkalic, shoshonitic, ultrapotassic and Na-alkalic. The following volcanic/subvolcanic forms have been identified: (i) domes, shield volcanoes, effusive cones, pyroclastic cones, stratovolcanoes and calderas with associated intrusive bodies for intermediate and basic calclkaline volcanism; (ii) domes, calderas and ignimbrite/ash-flow fields for felsic calc-alkaline volcanism and (iii) dome flows, shield volcanoes, maars, tuffcone/tuff-rings, scoria-cones with or without related lava flow/field and their erosional or subsurface forms (necks/ plugs, dykes, shallow intrusions, diatreme, lava lake) for various types of K- and Na-alkalic and ultra-potassic magmatism. Finally, we provide a summary of the eruptive history and distribution of volcanic forms in the CPR using several sub-region schemes.
Loss of 40Ar(rad) from leucite-bearing basanite at low temperature: implications on K/Ar dating.
Authors: Balogh Kadosa , Németh Károly , Itaya Tetsumaru , Molnár Ferenc , Stewart Robert , Thanh Ngo , Hyodo Hironobu , Daróczi Lajos
Published: October 2010

The Bakony-Balaton Highland Volcanic Field (BBHVF) is located in the central part of Transdanubia, Pannonian Basin, with over 50 alkali basaltic volcanoes. The basanite plug of Hegyestu erupted in the first phase of volcanic activity. K/Ar and Ar/Ar ages were published for the BBHVF. K/Ar and Ar/Ar ages of the leucite-bearing basanite of Hegyestás were conflicting. This is caused by the special Ar retention feature of leucite in this basanite.

K/Ar ages measured in the usual way were 25–45% younger, but after HCl treatment of the rock, or after reducing the baking temperature of the argon extraction line from 250°C to 150°C, they became similar to the

Ar/Ar ages. All Ar/Ar determinations were performed after HF treatment. HCl treatment dissolved olivine, nepheline, leucite, magnetite and from 1-1 sample analcime or calcite. K dissolution studies from different locations of Hegyestü have shown that K content is mostly ≈2%, but it may decrease to ≈0.3%. HCl treatment dissolved 28.0–63.5% of the K content. The calculated K concentration for the dissolved part of samples with ~2%K was 4.02-6.42%: showing that leucite is responsible for the low temperature loss of 40Ar(rad). Ar may release at low temperature from very finegrained mineral, or when the Ar release mechanism changes. A 40Ar(rad) degassing spectrum has been recorded in the 55–295°C range of baking temperature and the data were plotted in the Arrhenius diagram. The diagram shows that a change of the structure in the 145–295°C range caused the loss of 40Ar(rad). On fractions of HCl treated rock 7.56±0.17 Ma isochron K/Ar age has been determined. This is regarded as minimum age of eruption and it is similar to the Ar/Ar isochron age (7.78±0.07 Ma).
Monetary Policy and Polish Labour Market in the years 1999–2008
Authors: Grabia Tomasz
Published: October 2010

This article sets out to analyse how the monetary policy pursued by the National Bank of Poland (NBP) determined the labour market situation in the country in the decade 1999-2008. The article consists of introduction as well as five sections. Section one discusses NBP's strategy of monetary policy in the defined period against monetary strategies implemented in other countries. Section two uses the growth rates of money supply and of real GDP to verify whether the primary purpose of monetary policy, i.e. the inflationary target, was achieved. Section three generally characterises the country's labour market using the levels and dynamics of employment and of unemployment. Section four discusses major instruments of NBP's monetary policy, mainly analysing changes in the central bank's interest rates and their effect on the economic situation and on the labour market. The article concludes with a summation providing synthetic conclusions.
Improvement of the Microwave Imaging System by Deconvolution of the Antenna Pulse Response
Authors: Bury Marek , Yashchyshyn Yevhen , Modelski Jozef
Published: October 2010

Improvement of the Microwave Imaging System by Deconvolution of the Antenna Pulse Response

In the paper a microwave imaging system and its algorithm of image reconstruction from the raw measurement data were briefly introduced. Authors observed that pulse responses of the antennas used in the system have similar duration to the measurement pulse and therefore also contribute to the limits of system resolution. Paper presents a simple method that improves the system performance by additional deconvolution of the antenna pulse responses. Method was verified experimentally.
Bi-criteria Gateway Placement Problem in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Czajko Maria , Wojciechowski Jacek
Published: October 2010

Bi-criteria Gateway Placement Problem in Wireless Sensor Networks

Over the last few years, wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have started to play more and more important role in civil and military applications. A typical sensor network consists of resource-constrained sensing nodes, which monitor environment and send the data to more powerful gateway nodes. The goal of gateway nodes is to aggregate, process and send the data to other gateways or directly to sink nodes. The proper placement of nodes is needed to provide good network operation. Sensing nodes are often placed in a random manner unlike gateways. Gateways, due to their role and cost, are installed rather in a controlled way. In this paper, a bi-criteria gateway placement problem is introduced. The problem is shown to be NP-hard. We formulate it as a linear programming problem, then we develop the Multi-criteria Simulated Allocation (MSAL) heuristic algorithm, for the purpose of cost-effective gateway deployment and power-effective wireless connection management. Finally, we evaluate the efficiency of the algorithm by comparison with the exact method.
Readout System and Data Processing for OCT Pachymetry
Authors: Dziewiecki Michał , Domański Grzegorz , Frey Wojciech , Konarzewski Bogumił , Kurjata Robert , Marzec Janusz , Smolnik Andrzej , Zaremba Krzysztof , Ziembicki Marcin
Published: October 2010

Readout System and Data Processing for OCT Pachymetry

A complete system for measurement control, signal acquisition and data processing for an OCT pachymeter is described. Moreover, dedicated data processing algorithm used for noise reduction is presented. A simple OCT scanner was built and some measurements were performed to examine the capabilities of the system.
Characteristics and Applications of Silicon Carbide Power Devices in Power Electronics
Authors: Kondrath Nisha , Kazimierczuk Marian
Published: October 2010

Characteristics and Applications of Silicon Carbide Power Devices in Power Electronics

Silicon carbide materials, with its high mechanical strength, high thermal conductivity, ability to operate at high temperatures, and extreme chemical inertness to most of the electrolytes, are very attractive for high-power applications. In this paper, properties, advantages, and limitations of SiC and conventional Si materials are compared. Various applications, where SiC power devices are attractive, are discussed.
Foil Winding Resistance and Power Loss in Individual Layers of Inductors
Authors: Kazimierczuk Marian , Wojda Rafal
Published: October 2010

Foil Winding Resistance and Power Loss in Individual Layers of Inductors

This paper presents an estimation of high-frequency winding resistance and power loss in individual inductor layers made of foil, taking into account the skin and proximity effects. Approximated equations for power loss in each layer are given and the optimal values of foil thickness for each layer are derived. It is shown that the winding resistance of individual layers significantly increases with the operating frequency and the layer number, counting from the center of an inductor. The winding resistance of each foil layer exhibits a minimum value at an optimal layer thickness. The total winding resistance increases with the total number of layers.
An Ultra-Wideband System for Vehicle Positioning
Authors: Kolakowski Jerzy , Cichocki Jacek , Makal Piotr , Michnowski Ryszard
Published: October 2010

An Ultra-Wideband System for Vehicle Positioning

Systems supporting traffic safety require precise information on a vehicle position. The paper contains a proposal for a vehicle localization system based on ultra-wideband (UWB) technology. The system allows for vehicle positioning with submeter accuracy. The paper presents a system concept and an algorithm used for position calculation. The algorithm consists in selection of a system configuration in order to decrease the positioning uncertainty. The system concept was verified with a developed system demonstrator. The paper contains a description of the devices comprising the system. Exemplary results of outdoor demonstrator tests are included and discussed. The tests confirmed efficiency and attractiveness of the proposed solution.
Methods of Time-Frequency Analysis in Authentication of Digital Audio Recordings
Authors: Korycki Rafał
Published: October 2010

Methods of Time-Frequency Analysis in Authentication of Digital Audio Recordings

This paper describes the problem of tampering detection and discusses the main methods used for authenticity analysis of digital audio recordings. For the first topic, two frequency measurement algorithms based on electric network frequency criterion are applied. Time-frequency analysis is used and improved with reassignment method for purpose of visual inspection of modified recordings. The algorithms are shortly described and exemplary plots are presented with interpretation. The last described method, recently proposed, is based on checking frame offsets in compressed audio files.
Digital-Filter-Based Compensation of Case Effect in Sound-Level Meters
Authors: Miękina Andrzej , Podgórski Andrzej
Published: October 2010

Digital-Filter-Based Compensation of Case Effect in Sound-Level Meters

The methodology for the design of a digital filter, which should compensate the effect of reflections and diffraction from the sound-level meter's casing (the so-called case effect), is presented. The coefficients of the family of the finite impulse response (FIR) filters, which were selected to fulfill the requirements of the compensation, were obtained in the MATLAB environment using the Remez algorithm. The frequency response of the selected designed filter are given. The chosen FIR filter was implemented in an on-chip Enhanced Filter Coprocessor of a fixed point 24-bit digital signal processor of a sound-level meter.
A Survey on Facial Features Detection
Authors: Naruniec Jacek
Published: October 2010

A Survey on Facial Features Detection

In this article chosen approaches to the facial features detection have been gathered and described. In the conclusion author discusses advantages and disadvantages of the presented algorithms.
Semantic Sparse Representation of Disease Patterns
Authors: Przelaskowski Artur
Published: October 2010

Semantic Sparse Representation of Disease Patterns

Sparse data representation is discussed in a context of useful fundamentals led to semantic content description and extraction of information. Disease patterns as semantic information extracted from medical images were underlined because of discussed application of computer-aided diagnosis. Compressive sensing rules were adjusted to the requirements of diagnostic pattern recognition. Proposed methodology of sparse disease patterns considers accuracy of sparse representation to estimate target content for detailed analysis. Semantics of sparse representation were modeled by morphological content analysis. Subtle or hidden components were extracted and displayed to increase information completeness. Usefulness of sparsity was verified for computer-aided diagnosis of stroke based on brain CT scans. Implemented method was based on selective and sparse representation of subtle hypodensity to improve diagnosis. Visual expression of disease signatures was fixed to radiologist requirements, domain knowledge and experimental analysis issues. Diagnosis assistance suitability was proven by experimental subjective rating and automatic recognition.
Application of Density Based Clustering to Microarray Data Analysis
Authors: Raczynski Lech , Wozniak Krzysztof , Rubel Tymon , Zaremba Krzysztof
Published: October 2010

Application of Density Based Clustering to Microarray Data Analysis

In just a few years, gene expression microarrays have rapidly become a standard experimental tool in the biological and medical research. Microarray experiments are being increasingly carried out to address the wide range of problems, including the cluster analysis. The estimation of the number of clusters in datasets is one of the main problems of clustering microarrays. As a supplement to the existing methods we suggest the use of a density based clustering technique DBSCAN that automatically defines the number of clusters. The DBSCAN and other existing methods were compared using the microarray data from two datasets used for diagnosis of leukemia and lung cancer.
Identification of a Nonlinear Association between Components of the Electrohysterographical Signal
Authors: Radomski Dariusz , Małkiewicz Agnieszka
Published: October 2010

Identification of a Nonlinear Association between Components of the Electrohysterographical Signal

Electrohysterography is a method for measuring of bioelectrical potentials generated by a contracting uterus. It is used for monitoring of uterine activities mainly during a pregnancy and for prediction of an upcoming pretermlabour. However, there is still unknown the best method of EHG analysis which gives clinically useful information about a uterine activity. To achieve this goal we propose to use information about nonlinear associations between EHG signals registered from an uterine fundus and an uterine cervix. The h2index was applied to identify these relationships. The obtained results reveal that there exists a nonlinear correlation between biopotentials generated from two parts of a pregnant uterus. Moreover, this correlation seems to be higher as a labour is upcoming. It suggests a possibility of using the h2index for prediction of an upcoming labour based on EHG signals.
Architecture Design of The Hardware H.264/AVC Video Decoder
Authors: Roszkowski Mikołaj , Abramowski Andrzej , Wieczorek Michał , Pastuszak Grzegorz
Published: October 2010

Architecture Design of The Hardware H.264/AVC Video Decoder

The need for real-time video compression systems requires a particular design methodology to achieve high troughput devices. The paper describes the architecture of the H.264/AVC decoder able to support SDTV and HDTV resolutions. The design applies many optimization techniques to reduce the resource consumption and maximize the throughput. The archietcture is verified with the software reference model JM16 and synhesized for FPGA technology. The maximal working frequency is 100 MHz for Stratix II devices.
Time Correlated Single Photon Counting System for Optical Measurements
Authors: Trybuła Artur , Domański Grzegorz , Konarzewski Bogumił , Marzec Janusz , Zaremba Krzysztof , Kurjata Robert , Dziewiecki Michał , Smolnik Andrzej , Ziembicki Marcin
Published: October 2010

Time Correlated Single Photon Counting System for Optical Measurements

The high sensitivity time correlated single photon counting system (with photomultiplier tube) for biomedical measurements was designed and tested. Photon time of flight through a parafine wax phantom was modeled by Monte Carlo simulation and next measured by the device. Mean time delay introduced by a phantom is in a good agreement with simulation results. The results presented in this paper demonstrate the feasibility of measuring the optical response with the device.
Computer-Aided Multi-Layer Design of Switch-Mode Power Circuits
Authors: Wojciechowski Jacek , Modzelewski Juliusz , Ogrodzki Jan , Opalski Leszek , Zamłyński Krzysztof
Published: October 2010

Computer-Aided Multi-Layer Design of Switch-Mode Power Circuits

Switch-mode circuits are used as power processors, e.g. DC/DC converters, synchronous rectifiers, high-frequency resonant power amplifiers. Their efficient computer-aided design is a technical problem only partly resolved so far. This paper presents a multi-layer CAD methodology for switch-mode power circuits. It discusses several levels of modeling of switching devices. First rough design verification is feasible using ideal switch models. It gives a satisfactory first-cut design. Then full models and general-purpose tools provide more exact verification of the design. At this exact step the design procedure makes use of interactive improvement followed by automatic optimization of some quality based objective functions. The proposed methodology is shown to be especially useful for high power class-D voltage-switching resonant amplifiers, where the so far used experimental optimization is extremely cost consuming.
Reconfigurable Antennas: the State of the Art
Authors: Yashchyshyn Yevhen
Published: October 2010

Reconfigurable Antennas: the State of the Art

The paper provides an overview of the state of the art in the area of reconfigurable antennas. This emerging area has been rapidly developing in the recent years. This article brings a comprehensive summary of the high quality applied and fundamental research contributions in the above-mentioned field. A broad spectrum of topics is covered, reflecting the areas in which Institute of Radioelectronics's expertise is recognized worldwide.
Down‐regulated progesterone receptor A and B coinciding with successful treatment of endometrial hyperplasia by the levonorgestrel impregnated intrauterine system
Authors: Ørbo Anne , Arnes Marit , Pettersen Inger , Larsen Kurt , Hanssen Karin , Moe Bjorn
Published: October 2010

Objective. To investigate whether regression of endometrial hyperplasia observed after 3 months of treatment with levonorgestrel impregnated intrauterine system device (LNG‐IUS) was sustained after 6 months and whether these effects were still occurring synchronously with extinguished expression of progesterone receptors and increased apoptosis. Design. Retrospective population‐based observational study. Setting. Six local hospitals and one university hospital in northern Norway. Population. Patients (n = 41) with low and medium risk endometrial hyperplasia. Methods. Histopathological treatment response comparing LNG‐IUS (n = 25) and standard per oral medroxyprogesterone (n = 16). Expression of progesterone receptor A (PR‐A), progesterone receptor B (PR‐B), ER‐alpha, ER‐beta, Bcl‐2, BAX, Caspase‐3 and metallothionein (MT) were investigated by immunohistochemistry; results were evaluated by a semi‐quantitative H‐score. Main outcome measures. Response to progestin treatment. Results. All the LNG‐IUS treated patients had therapy response after 6 months. PR‐A and PR‐B in glands were almost extinguished for IUD users compared to the oral group. Estrogen receptors were also reduced. Co‐existent changes in apoptosis were differently modulated in glands and stroma in the two treatment groups. Bcl‐2 was different in glands and stroma in responders and non‐responders to oral therapy. Conclusion. The study confirms that LNG‐IUS can be safely used for 6 months as treatment for endometrial hyperplasia. The clinical effect is accompanied by almost extinguished PR‐receptors in glands coinciding with modulation of apoptosis. The results strongly indicate that progestins activate non‐classical initiated signaling pathways.
The Social Context of Police Discretion with Young Offenders: An Ecological Analysis
Authors: Schulenberg Jennifer
Published: October 2010

This paper explores the relative contributions of four ecological theories of crime - urbanization theory, social disorganization theory, opportunity theory, and the overload hypothesis - to understanding crime rates and the use of discretion by Canadian police in their decision making about youth. Data on crime rates and police charging practices in 447 communities in Canada in 1991 were regressed on indicators of the characteristics of the police force and the community, within a path analytic framework. Support was found only for social disorganization theory as an explanation of crime rates; and for both urbanization theory and social disorganization theories as explanations of the police use of discretion with youth. No support was found for opportunity theory or the overload hypothesis.
Technologies of Crime: The Cyber-Attacks on Electronic Gambling Machines
Authors: McMullan John , Perrier David
Published: October 2010

This paper examines the criminal technologies and criminal organization associated with gambling-related computer crimes that occurred in the video lottery terminal industry in the province of Nova Scotia. We emphasize the techniques of VLT crime, such as cracking protection codes, boot tracing, ghost programming and down-lining, as rationally geared to neutralizing social control. We analyze how the cyber-attacks were socially organized and we conclude by discussing the implications that our case study has for the field of computer crime.
La remise en liberté sous conditions par les policiers dans des événements de violence conjugale
Authors: Gauthier Sonia
Published: October 2010

Cet article porte sur l' utilisation, par les policiers, d'un pouvoir que leur a conféré le Code criminel canadien en 1994: celui de remettre les suspects en liberté sous conditions en attendant leur première comparution (art. 499 [2] et 503 [2.1]). Nous avons mené une recherche portant sur l' usage de cette pratique dans le cas de ceux suspectés dans un événement de violence conjugale. Des entrevues semi-dirigées ont été conduites auprès de 18 policiers (enquêteurs et lieutenants-détectives) du Service de police de la Ville de Montréal, entre les mois de mars et octobre 2000. Les enquêteurs rapportent que ce nouveau pouvoir leur a permis de libérer une proportion importante de prévenus. Toutefois, l' ampleur de cette pratique varie entre les enquêteurs, qui disent utiliser cette mesure pour 35 % à 90 % des prévenus. Cette décision est prise si l' enquêteur détermine que le prévenu ne risque pas de récidiver. Les facteurs les plus déterminants dans la décision que les enquêteurs doivent prendre sur le statut des prévenus sont la présence ou non d'antécédents de violence (judiciarisés ou non) ou de bris d'ordonnance ainsi que la gravité de l'accusation. La condition de remise en liberté qu'ils considèrent la plus importante et qu'ils imposent presque systématiquement est celle sur la non-communication avec la victime.
The Incarceration of Aboriginal Offenders: Trends from 1978 to 2001
Authors: Roberts Julian , Melchers Ronald
Published: October 2010

The high rates of Aboriginal admissions to custody have been noted by Commissions of Inquiry, all levels of government, and Corrections texts in Canada for some time. In the most recent year for which data are available (2000–2001), Aboriginal offenders accounted for 19% of provincial admissions and 17% of federal admissions to custody. This article examines provincial custodial sentenced admissions for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal offenders since 1978, when national statistics including the ethnicity of the offender were first published. Particular emphasis is paid in this analysis to recent trends during a period in which Parliament and the Supreme Court have tried to address the problem, the former by statutory recognition of the unique nature of Aboriginal offenders, the latter by judgments interpreting Criminal Code sentencing provisions introduced in 1996. The findings suggest that little progress has been made in reducing the number of Aboriginal sentenced admissions over the past few decades. Although the volume of Aboriginal admissions to custody has declined since 1993–1994, non-Aboriginal admissions have declined at an even faster rate, suggesting that specific policy changes are not responsible for the Aboriginal decline.
Do Youthful Offenders Reject Adult Punishment Norms?
Authors: Sprott Jane
Published: October 2010

This study investigates whether or not people see young offenders as a distinct group of youths who reject society's punishment norms. Specifically, views from members of the public and from young offenders on appropriate punishments in three hypothetical cases are explored. Results reveal that not only do members of the public see young offenders as a distinct group of youths who prefer more lenient punishments than do other adolescents, but young offenders themselves also believe that other young offenders would prefer lenient punishments. Young offenders, however, actually suggest harsher punishments than members of the public suggest. Moreover, young offenders are aware of public support for punitive sanctions and of the desire to keep offenders out of the community through incarceration. These findings support earlier findings by Benaquisto and Freed (1996) that offenders do not reject society's punishment norms. Young offenders' misperception that the public is punitive, however, may present a challenge for reintegration.
Three-Component Reaction between Triphenylphosphine, Dialkyl Acetylenedicarboxylates and 3-(3,5-Dimethyl Pyrazol-1-yl)-3-oxo Propionitrile
Authors: Anary-Abbasinejad Mohammad , Hassanabadi Alireza , Esmikhani Nafiseh
Published: October 2010

Protonation of the reactive 1:1 intermediate produced in the reaction between dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates and triphenylphosphine by 3-(3,5-dimethyl pyrazol-1-yl)-3-oxopropionitrile leads to vinylphosphonium salts which undergo Michael addition with the conjugate base of the CH-acid to produce highly functionalised, salt-free phosphorus ylides in excellent yields.
Syntheses and Structures of [Tb(C6NO2H5)3(H2O)2]2n(3nHgCl4)·(4nH2O) and [La(C6NO2H5)2(C6NO2H4)(H2O)2]n(nZnCl4)·(2nH2O)
Authors: Chen Wentong , Hu Long , Lai Chunqing , Zhou Wenjun
Published: October 2010

Two new transition metal-lanthanide heterometallic complexes with isonicotinic acid and nicotinic acid as ligands, [Tb(C6NO2H5)3(H2O)2]2 n(3 nHgCl4)·(4 nH2O) and [La(C6NO2H5)2(C6NO2H4)(H2O)2] n( nZnCl4)·(2 nH2O), have been synthesised via hydrothermal reactions and structurally characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Both complexes feature an infinite 1-D polycationic chain-like structure.
Lysophosphatidic Acid Level and the Incidence of Silent Brain Infarction in Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Li Zhen-Guang , Yu Zhan-Cai , Yu Yong-Peng , Ju Wei-Ping , Wang Dao-Zhen , Zhan Xia , Wu Xi-Juan , Zhou Li
Published: October 2010

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), which is proposed to play an important role in normal physiological situations such as wound healing, vascular tone, vascular integrity and reproduction, may be involved in the etiology of some diseases such as atherosclerosis, cancer, obesity or myocardial infarction. Abnormal findings, including silent brain infarction (SBI), are frequently observed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). However, whether there is a relationship between LPA level and the prevalence of SBI has not been extensively studied. In the present study, the association between them was investigated. 235 patients with NVAF, 116 cases of SBI without NVAF and 120 cases of healthy volunteers (control group), who did not receive any antithrombotic therapy, were enrolled in this study. Plasma LPA levels in the NVAF with SBI group were significantly higher than that in the control group (p < 0.01), NVAF without SBI group (p < 0.01) and SBI without NVAF group (p < 0.01). The LPA levels are lower in the control group than in the NVAF without SBI and SBI without NVAF groups (p < 0.01), however, the latter two groups did not significantly differ from each other for LPA levels (p > 0.05) There were significant differences in the positive rate of platelet activation between each of the groups (p < 0.01). The positive rate of platelet activation was significantly higher in the NVAF with SBI group. We suggest that LPA might be a novel marker for estimation of the status of platelet activation and the risk factor for SBI onset in NVAF patients. We expected that plasma LPA levels could predict the occurrence of SBI in NVAF patients.
Cyclin D1 Expression and the Inhibitory Effect of Celecoxib on Ovarian Tumor Growth in Vivo
Authors: Li Wei , Jiang Hong-Ru , Xu Xiao-Li , Wang Jie , Zhang Jun , Liu Mei-Lin , Zhai Ling-Yun
Published: October 2010

The report aims to investigate the relationship between the expression of cyclin D1 and Cyclooxgenase-2 (COX-2), thus to explore the molecular mechanisms of the antitumor efficacy of Celecoxib, a COX-2 inhibitor. Human ovarian SKOV-3 carcinoma cell xenograft-bearing mice were treated with Celecoxib by infusing gaster (i.g.) twice/day for 21 days. The mRNA levels of COX-2 and cyclin D1 were determined by RT-PCR. The expression of cyclin D1 at the protein level was detected by immunohistochemistry, while COX-2 protein expression was determined by Western blot. A high-dose of Celecoxib (100 mg/kg) significantly inhibited tumor growth (P < 0.05), and the expression of cyclin D1 was reduced by 61%. Celecoxib decreased the proliferation cell index by 40% (P < 0.001) and increased apoptotic index by 52% (P < 0.05) in high-dose Celecoxib treated group. Our results suggest that the antitumor efficacy of Celecoxib against ovarian cancer in mice may in part be mediated through suppression of cyclin D1, which may contribute to its ability to suppress proliferation.
Poxvirus Exploitation of the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System
Authors: Barry Michele , Van Buuren Nicholas , Burles Kristin , Mottet Kelly , Wang Qian , Teale Alastair
Published: October 2010

Ubiquitination plays a critical role in many cellular processes. A growing number of viruses have evolved strategies to exploit the ubiquitin-proteasome system, including members of the Poxviridae family. Members of the poxvirus family have recently been shown to encode BTB/kelch and ankyrin/F-box proteins that interact with cullin-3 and cullin-1 based ubiquitin ligases, respectively. Multiple members of the poxvirus family also encode ubiquitin ligases with intrinsic activity. This review describes the numerous mechanisms that poxviruses employ to manipulate the ubiquitin-proteasome system.
Comparison of Modified Celsior Solution and M-Kyoto Solution for Pancreas Preservation in Human Islet Isolation
Authors: Noguchi Hirofumi , Naziruddin Bashoo , Onaca Nicholas , Jackson Andrew , Shimoda Masayuki , Ikemoto Tetsuya , Fujita Yasutaka , Kobayashi Naoya , Levy Marlon F. , Matsumoto Shinichi
Published: October 2010

Since the successful demonstration of the Edmonton protocol, islet transplantation has advanced significantly on several fronts, including improved pancreas preservation systems. In this study, we evaluated two different types of organ preservation solutions for human islet isolation. Modified Celsior (Celsior solution with hydroxyethyl starch and nafamostat mesilate; HNC) solution and modified Kyoto (MK) solution were compared for pancreas preservation prior to islet isolation. Islet yield after purification was significantly higher in the MK group than in the HNC group (MK = 6186 ± 985 IE/g; HNC = 3091 ± 344 IE/g). The HNC group had a longer phase I period (digestion time), a higher volume of undigested tissue, and a higher percentage of embedded islets, suggesting that the solution may inhibit collagenase. However, there was no significant difference in ATP content in the pancreata or in the attainability of posttransplant normoglycemia in diabetic nude mice between the two groups, suggesting that the quality of islets was similar among the two groups. In conclusion, MK solution is better for pancreas preservation before islet isolation than HNC solution due to the higher percentage of islets that can be isolated from the donor pancreas. MK solution should be the solution of choice among the commercially available solutions for pancreatic islet isolation leading to transplantation.
Recent Advances in Protein Transduction Technology
Authors: Noguchi Hirofumi , Matsushita Masayuki , Kobayashi Naoya , Levy Marlon F. , Matsumoto Shinichi
Published: October 2010

During the past 15 years, a variety of peptides, known as protein transduction domains (PTDs), or cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), have been characterized for their ability to translocate into live cells. There are now numerous examples of biologically active full-length proteins and peptides that have been successfully delivered to cells and tissues, both in vitro and in vivo. One of the principal mechanisms of protein transduction is via electrostatic interactions with the plasma membrane, subsequent penetration into the cells by macropinocytosis, and release into the cytoplasm and nuclei by retrograde transport. Recent reports have also now shown that some of the limitations of protein transduction technology have been overcome. In particular, the use of ubiquitination-resistant proteins has been demonstrated to be a more effective strategy for transduction because the half-life of these molecules is significantly increased. Moreover, the use of the NH2-terminal domain of the influenza virus hemagglutinin-2 subunit (HA2) or photosensitive PTDs has been shown to specifically enhance macropinosome escape. Hence, these and other recent advances in protein transduction technologies have created a number of possibilities for the development of new peptide-based drugs.
Cell Delivery: From Cell Transplantation to Organ Engineering
Authors: Soto-Gutierrez Alejandro , Yagi Hiroshi , Uygun Basak E. , Navarro-Alvarez Nalu , Uygun Korkut , Kobayashi Naoya , Yang Yong-Guang , Yarmush Martin L.
Published: October 2010

Cell populations derived from adult tissue and stem cells possess a great expectation for the treatment of several diseases. Great efforts have been made to generate cells with therapeutic impact from stem cells. However, it is clear that the development of systems to deliver such cells to induce efficient engraftment, growth, and function is a real necessity. Biologic and artificial scaffolds have received significant attention for their potential therapeutic application when use to form tissues in vitro and facilitate engraftment in vivo. Ultimately more sophisticated methods for decellularization of organs have been successfully used in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. These decellularized tissues and organs appear to provide bioactive molecules and bioinductive properties to induce homing, differentiation, and proliferation of cells. The combination of decellularized organs and stem cells may dramatically improve the survival, engraftment, and fate control of transplanted stem cells and their ultimate clinical utility, opening the doors to a new era of organ engineering.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Mechanisms of Immunomodulation and Homing
Authors: Yagi Hiroshi , Soto-Gutierrez Alejandro , Parekkadan Biju , Kitagawa Yuko , Tompkins Ronald G. , Kobayashi Naoya , Yarmush Martin L.
Published: October 2010

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation has been explored as a new clinical approach to repair injured tissue. A growing corpus of studies have highlighted two important aspects of MSC therapy: 1) MSCs can modulate T-cell-mediated immunological responses, and ( 2 ) systemically administered MSCs home to sites of ischemia or injury. In this review, we describe the known mechanisms of immunomodulation and homing of MSCs. First, we examine the low immunogenicity of MSCs and their antigen presentation capabilities. Next, we discuss the paracrine interactions between MSCs and innate [dendritic cells (DC)] and adaptive immune cells (T lymphocytes) with a focus on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), and toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathways. We transition to outline the steps of activation, rolling/adhesion, and transmigration of MSCs into target tissues during inflammatory or ischemic conditions. These aspects of MSC grafts—immunomodulation and homing—are contextualized to understand a reported side effect of MSC therapy, cancer development.
Biological and Biomechanical Evaluations of Osteochondral Allografts Preserved in Cold Storage Solution Containing Epigallocatechin Gallate
Authors: Bae Jung Yoon , Han Dong-Wook , Wakitani Shigeyuki , Nawata Masashi , Hyon Suong Hyu
Published: October 2010

The beneficial effects of (-)-epigallocatechin-3- O-gallate (EGCG) on the nonfrozen preservation of mammalian cells and tissues are generally not well understood. A storage solution containing EGCG was employed to test the hypothesis that EGCG is capable of extending the storage duration for the cold preservation of articular cartilages. Human articular cartilages were preserved in a storage solution composed of serum-free RPMI-1640 medium with 1% antibiotic-antimycotic solution and 1 mM EGCG at 4°C for 1, 2, and 4 weeks. The chondrocyte viability (CCK-8 assay), biochemical and immunohistochemical composition [glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and (type II) collagen], and biomechanical property (compressive elastic modulus) were assessed. The chondrocyte viability of the cartilages preserved with EGCG was significantly well maintained for at least 2 weeks with high content of GAG and total collagen. These beneficial effects of EGCG were confirmed by the immunohistochemical observations of well-preserved cartilaginous structures and delayed denaturation of the extracellular matrix in preserved cartilages. There was no significant difference in the compressive elastic modulus (MPa) between the cartilages preserved with and without EGCG. These results suggest that EGCG may play an effective role in preserving osteochondral allografts, which can be exploited in devising strategies for the long-term preservation of other tissues under cold storage conditions.
Polyampholytes as Cryoprotective Agents for Mammalian Cell Cryopreservation
Authors: Matsumura Kazuaki , Bae Jung Yoon , Hyon Suong Hyu
Published: October 2010

Cryoprotective agents (CPAs) such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), glycerol, ethylene glycol, and propylene glycol have been used for the cryopreservation of cells and tissues. DMSO is the most effective CPA but shows high cytotoxicity and can effect differentiation. ∈-Poly-l-lysine (PLL) derivatives show higher cryopreservation efficiency than the conventional CPAs. Culture medium solutions with 7.5 w/w% of PLL whose amino groups of more than 50 mol% were converted to carboxyl groups by succinic anhydride showed higher postthaw survival efficiency of L929 cells than those of current CPAs without the addition of any proteins. In addition, rat mesenchymal stem cells were cryopreserved more effectively than with DMSO and fully retained the potential for proliferation and differentiation. Furthermore, many kinds of cells could be cryopreserved with PLL having the appropriate ratio of COOH groups, regardless of the cell types, including adhesive and floating cells, human- and mouse-derived cells, primary cells, and established cell lines. The properties might be associated with the antifreeze protein properties. These results indicate that these polymeric extracellular CPAs may replace current CPAs and the high viability after thawing and nonnecessity of serum ensure that these CPAs may be used in various preservation fields.
An Improvement in the Attaching Capability of Cryopreserved Human Hepatocytes by a Proteinaceous High Molecule, Sericin, in the Serum-Free Solution
Authors: Miyamoto Yoshitaka , Teramoto Naozumi , Hayashi Shuji , Enosawa Shin
Published: October 2010

The methodology of cryopreservation of human hepatocytes remains unsatisfactory. Even when the viability of thawed cells is tolerable, the cells often lose the attaching capability to a culture dish, resulting in the cells' inability to survive. Previously, we described the effectiveness of maltose on the attachment of hepatocytes. This article demonstrates that a silk-derived high molecular protein, sericin, improves the cell-attaching capability in the serum-free freezing medium. When human hepatocytes [initial viability: 60.9 ± 3.1% (mean ± SD, n = 3)] were frozen with serum-free Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM) containing 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), the viability was 29.4 ± 3.2% and the cell-attaching capability 20.4 ± 4.1%. On the other hand, DMEM containing 10% DMSO and 1% sericin increased the values to 45.0 ± 0.8% and 26.2 ± 3.2%. Moreover, the addition of 0.1 mol/L maltose to the sericin-containing medium improved to 42.2 ± 3.2% and 51.1 ± 1.0%, as we demonstrated in a previous report. The present results indicated that sericin combined with maltose is a novel additive in the serum-free freezing medium for human hepatocytes.
Seventy-Two-Hour Preservation, Resuscitation, and Transplantation of an Isolated Rat Heart with High Partial Pressure Carbon Monoxide Gas (PCO = 400 hPa) and High Partial Pressure Carbon Dioxide (PCO2 = 100 hPa)
Authors: Hatayama Naoyuki , Yoshida Yu , Seki Kunihiro
Published: October 2010

The cardiac cavity of an isolated rat heart was filled with a Krebs-Henseleit (KH) solution, and the heart was hung in a high-pressure chamber. After the high-pressure chamber had been filled with a mixed gas (PCO = 400 hPa, PCO2 = 100 hPa, PO2 = 900 hPa, PHe = 5600 hPa) and preserved for 72 h, we performed a cervical ectopic heart transplantation on a recipient rat and resuscitated the preserved heart. This is the first incidence in the world of a mammalian organ having been successfully preserved and resuscitated after 72 h via a desiccation method.