bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Focal MIBI uptake is a better indicator of active myeloma than diffuse uptake
Authors: Nandurkar D. , Kalff V. , Turlakow A. , Spencer A. , Bailey M. J. , Kelly M. J.
Published: December 2005

Abstract:  Purpose: Technetium‐99m 2‐methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) imaging has been proposed as a front‐line investigation to detect bone disease both before and after the treatment of myeloma. In this study, we have compared the pattern of MIBI uptake (focal and diffuse) between patients with proven myeloma and a cohort of patients without myeloma, in order to identify the uptake pattern that best correlates with disease activity. Methods: Nineteen scans were taken in 16 consecutive patients (nine males and seven females: aged 39–71 yr) with active myeloma. A further 20 scans (10 subjects having MIBI myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and 10 subjects having MIBI parathyroid adenoma localisation studies), comprised the control (non‐myeloma) cohort. Scans were evaluated in a double‐blinded fashion by two observers for any diffuse skeletal MIBI uptake (homogeneous uptake in spine, sternum and/or long bones), and/or abnormal focal uptake (patchy, focal or tubular uptake in the skeleton or soft tissues). Results: The pattern of MIBI uptake was significantly different in the myeloma‐positive subjects and the control cohort. Focal uptake was highly discriminatory, being seen in 15 of 19 (79%) scans of the myeloma‐positive group as opposed to one of 20 (5%) scans of the control group (P < 0.0001). In contrast, diffuse uptake was seen in 17 of 19 (89%) scans in patients with myeloma, and in 11 of 20 (55%) of the control cohort (P = 0.02). Using multiple logistic regression analysis, any focal uptake was significantly predictive for active myeloma (P = 0.0007) but diffuse uptake was not (P = 0.15). Diffuse uptake alone, without focal uptake, was found in four of 19 scans with myeloma and in 10 of 20 without active myeloma, but was not significantly associated with absence of active myeloma (P = 0.06). Using the criteria of Pace et al. for positivity (diffuse activity >50% myocardial activity), we demonstrated improved specificity from 45% to 100%, but significantly impaired sensitivity for presence of myeloma (79% vs. 37%, P = 0.02). Conclusion: Our study thus illustrates that the presence of any focal uptake of MIBI is useful in indicating active myeloma whereas diffuse uptake is not.
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY‐ANATOMY OF THE NORMAL FELINE NASOLACRIMAL DRAINAGE SYSTEM
Authors: NÖLLER CLAUDIA , HENNINGER WOLFGANG , GRÖNEMEYER DIETRICH H. W. , HIRSCHBERG RUTH M. , BUDRAS KLAUS D.
Published: December 2005

Computed tomography (CT) of the nasolacrimal drainage system with and without contrast medium (barium sulfate) was used to create an anatomic basis for clinical evaluation in domestic cats. To evaluate and compare the anatomical findings, three casts were carried out and were followed by CT examinations. These CT series were also used for a three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the nasolacrimal drainage system within surrounding structures. In noncontrast CT images, osseous structures limiting the nasolacrimal drainage system are easily recognizable. In most cats, this allows the identification of the nasolacrimal drainage system even without contrast enhancement. A distal part of the lacrimal sac adjoins directly to the respiratory mucosa of the nasal cavity without an osseous protection. Thus, this may represent a predilection site for infiltration of adjacent pathologic processes from the nasal cavity onto the lacrimal sac. The nasolacrimal duct begins on level with the maxillary third premolar tooth. The apex of the root of the canine tooth is situated very close to the nasolacrimal duct. This close topographic relation may lead to problems with the nasolacrimal drainage system. In domestic cats the nasolacrimal drainage system consists of a descending and a horizontal part, which form an angle of approximately 90° for unhindered drainage of the lacrimal fluid.
ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE OF AN AORTICO‐PULMONARY SEPTAL DEFECT IN A 4‐DAY‐OLD THOROUGHBRED FOAL
Authors: VALDES‐MARTINEZ ALEJANDRO , EADES SUSAN C. , STRICKLAND KEITH N. , DON ROBERTS E.
Published: December 2005

We describe the echocardiographic findings in a 4‐day‐old thoroughbred foal with an aortico‐pulmonary septal defect. The foal had labored breathing, cyanotic mucous membranes and a continuous grade 5/6 heart murmur with point of maximal intensity over the base of the heart on the right side. Echocardiographically, there was a large communication between the aorta and the pulmonary artery just dorsal to the base of the heart. The cardiac anomaly seen during the echocardiographic exam was confirmed at necropsy where a large communication between the two great vessels was observed. These findings correlate with previous studies in humans, dogs, and cats. The possible failure in the embryologic development that led to this unusual cardiac anomaly is discussed.
INTRAOPERATIVE SPINAL ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN TWO DOGS WITH SPINAL DISEASE
Authors: TANAKA HIROSHI , NAKAYAMA MASANARI , TAKASE KATSUAKI
Published: December 2005

Ultrasonography was performed during spinal surgery on two dogs that were suspected of having intramedullary lesions by myelography and magnetic resonance imaging. Ultrasonographically, the pathologic conditions of the spinal canal or cord were adequately imaged during surgery in both dogs. On the basis of ultrasonographic findings, a biopsy was obtained in Patient 1 and removal of the lesion was accomplished in Patient 2. Histopathologic diagnosis was myelomalacia in Patient 1 and spinal nephroblastoma in Patient 2. Intraoperative ultrasonography was demonstrated to be suitable for detecting intradural conditions, and, thus, is valuable for increasing the accuracy of biopsies or completeness of resections of intramedullary lesions.
Differential Effects of Avian Nectar‐Robbing on Fruit Set of Two Venezuelan Andean Cloud Forest Plants1
Authors: Kjonaas Chris , Rengifo Carlos
Published: December 2005

We quantified nectar‐robbing in two ornithophilus plant species by marking and monitoring robbed flowers and unrobbed flowers of each plant until fruit production. Significantly more marked unrobbed Cavendishia pubescens flowers successfully matured fruits than their robbed counterparts, while fruit set did not differ significantly between robbed and unrobbed flowers of Fuchsia venusta. In C. pubescens, birds of species known to be legitimate visitors sometimes behaved as secondary nectar robbers; conspecific birds handled flowers of F. venusta consistently. This behavioral change may contribute to the observed negative effect of nectar‐robbing on reproduction of C. pubescens.
Comparability of Scores From Performance Assessments
Authors: Green Bert F.
Published: December 2005

Why is comparability of forms important for performance assessments? Can traditional methods of form equating be used? What problems are likely to arise in equating? Can standards generalize across forms?
Can the Desert Bloom? Lessons Learned from the Israeli Case
Authors: Nativ Ronit
Published: December 2005

Despite the central management of Israel's water resources and the highly planned strategy for a sustainable water supply, Israel has twice faced an acute water crisis during the past decade. Although the visible problem is related to a lack of additional quantities of water, the deterioration of water quality appears to be endangering the future use of available water quantities as well. A long‐term policy of ground water mining (translated to salt water encroachments), and irrigation with relatively saline water and recycled waste water, among other damage, account for this deterioration. Enhanced flushing of the salt and contaminant load from the aquifers (using various techniques) is proposed as a solution to the problem.
Modeling Multiscale Heterogeneity and Aquifer Interconnectivity
Authors: Proce Christopher J. , Ritzi Robert W. , Dominic David F. , Dai Zhenxue
Published: December 2005

A number of methods involving indicator geostatistics were combined in a methodology for characterizing and modeling multiscale heterogeneity. The methodology circumvents sources of bias common in data from borehole logs. We applied this methodology to the complex heterogeneity within a regional system of buried valley aquifers, which occurs in the western glaciated plains of North America and includes the Spiritwood Aquifer. The region is conceptualized as having a hierarchical organization with three facies assemblage types (large‐scale heterogeneity) and two facies types within each assemblage (small‐scale heterogeneity). We statistically characterized the sedimentary architecture at both scales, formulated indicator correlation models from those characterizations, and used the models to simulate the architecture in a multiscale realization. We focused on the interconnectivity of units creating higher‐permeability pathways. Higher‐permeability pathways span the realization even though the proportion of higher‐permeability facies is less than the percolation threshold. Thus, geologic structures as represented in the indicator correlation models create interconnectivity above that which would occur if the higher‐permeability facies were randomly placed. This amount of interconnection among higher‐permeability facies within the multiscale realization is consistent with that suggested in prior hydraulic and geochemical studies of the regional system.
Use of Rhodamine Water Tracer in the Marshland Upwelling System
Authors: Richardson Stephen D. , Willson Clint S. , Rusch Kelly A.
Published: December 2005

Rhodamine water tracer (RWT) was used to characterize the migration of waste water within the saline subsurface of a marshland upwelling system (MUS), which is an alternative on‐site waste water treatment system for coastal areas. Field tracer studies were performed to investigate the fresh waste water plume movement within the saline ground water. Pore velocities were calculated using first detection times and ranged from 0.68 to 10.7 × 10−4 cm/sec for the loamy sandy soil matrix present at the site. Use of RWT in the field also allowed determination of main and preferential flowpaths. One‐ and two‐dimensional laboratory experiments were performed using silica sand to investigate the interactions of the organically rich waste water with RWT within the zone surrounding the point of injection (one‐dimensional) and the impact of background salinity on plume movement (two‐dimensional). The results from these studies were used to help explain the field data. One‐dimensional breakthrough curves revealed retardation factors for the RWT in the waste water mixture of 1.73 to 1.90. These results were similar to other researchers, indicating little interaction between the waste water and RWT. Variations in pore water salinity (5, 15, 25, and 35 ppt) were found to have a significant effect on pore water velocities of the fresh water plume (two‐dimensional), indicating the need to incorporate background salinities into the design process for MUS.
Sequential Analysis of Hydrochemical Data for Watershed Characterization
Authors: Thyne Geoffrey , Güler Cüneyt , Poeter Eileen
Published: December 2005

A methodology for characterizing the hydrogeology of watersheds using hydrochemical data that combine statistical, geochemical, and spatial techniques is presented. Surface water and ground water base flow and spring runoff samples (180 total) from a single watershed are first classified using hierarchical cluster analysis. The statistical clusters are analyzed for spatial coherence confirming that the clusters have a geological basis corresponding to topographic flowpaths and showing that the fractured rock aquifer behaves as an equivalent porous medium on the watershed scale. Then principal component analysis (PCA) is used to determine the sources of variation between parameters. PCA analysis shows that the variations within the dataset are related to variations in calcium, magnesium, SO4, and HCO3, which are derived from natural weathering reactions, and pH, NO3, and chlorine, which indicate anthropogenic impact. PHREEQC modeling is used to quantitatively describe the natural hydrochemical evolution for the watershed and aid in discrimination of samples that have an anthropogenic component. Finally, the seasonal changes in the water chemistry of individual sites were analyzed to better characterize the spatial variability of vertical hydraulic conductivity. The integrated result provides a method to characterize the hydrogeology of the watershed that fully utilizes traditional data.
A Practical Model for Mobile, Residual, and Entrapped NAPL in Water‐Wet Porous Media
Authors: White M.D. , Oostrom M. , Lenhard R.J.
Published: December 2005

Flow of nonvolatile nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) and aqueous phases that account for mobile, entrapped, and residual NAPL in variably saturated water‐wet porous media is modeled and compared against results from detailed laboratory experiments. Residual saturation formation in the vadose zone is a process that is often ignored in multifluid flow simulators, which might cause an overestimation of the volume of NAPL that reaches the ground water. Mobile NAPL is defined as being continuous in the pore space and flows under a pressure gradient or gravitational body force. Entrapped NAPL is defined as being occluded by the aqueous phase, occurring as immobile ganglia surrounded by aqueous phase in the pore space and formed when NAPL is replaced by the aqueous phase. Residual NAPL is defined as immobile, nonwater entrapped NAPL that does not drain from the pore spaces and is conceptualized as being either continuous or discontinuous. Free NAPL comprises mobile and residual NAPL. The numerical model is formulated on mass conservation equations for oil and water, transported via NAPL and aqueous phases through variably saturated porous media. To account for phase transitions, a primary variable switching scheme is implemented for the oil‐mass conservation equation over three phase conditions: (1) aqueous or aqueous‐gas with dissolved oil, (2) aqueous or aqueous‐gas with entrapped NAPL, and (3) aqueous or aqueous gas with free NAPL. Two laboratory‐scale column experiments are modeled to verify the numerical model. Comparisons between the numerical simulations and experiments demonstrate the necessity to include the residual NAPL formation process in multifluid flow simulators.
Analytical and Numerical Models to Explain Steady Rates of Spring Flow
Authors: Swanson Susan K. , Bahr Jean M.
Published: December 2005

Flow from some springs in former glacial lakebeds of the Upper Midwest is extremely steady throughout the year and does not increase significantly after precipitation events or seasonal recharge. Analytical and simplified numerical models of spring systems were used to determine whether preferential ground water flow through high‐permeability features in shallow sandstone aquifers could produce typical values of spring discharge and the unusually steady rates of spring flow. The analytical model is based on a one‐dimensional solution for periodic ground water flow. Solutions to this model suggest that it is unlikely that a periodic forcing due to seasonal variations in areal recharge would propagate to springs in a setting where high‐permeability features exist. The analytical model shows that the effective length of the aquifer, or the length of flowpaths to a spring, and the total transmissivity of the aquifer have the greatest potential to impact the nature of spring flow in this setting. The numerical models show that high‐permeability features can influence the magnitude of spring flow and the results demonstrate that the lengths of ground water flowpaths increase when high‐permeability features are explicitly modeled, thus decreasing the likelihood for temporal variations in spring flow.
A Simple Approach Using Bouwer and Rice's Method for Slug Test Data Analysis
Authors: Yang Shaw‐Yang , Yeh Hund‐Der
Published: December 2005

Slug test data obtained from tests performed in an unconfined aquifer are commonly analyzed by graphical or numerical approaches to determine the aquifer parameters. This paper derives three fourth‐degree polynomials to represent the relationship between Bouwer and Rice's coefficients and the ratio of the screen length to the radius of the gravel envelope. A numerical approach using the nonlinear least squares and Newton's method is used to determine hydraulic conductivity from the best fit of the slug test data. The method of nonlinear least squares minimizes the sum of the squares of the differences between the predicted and observed water levels inside the well. With the polynomials, the hydraulic conductivity can be obtained by simply solving the nonlinear least squares equation by Newton's method. A computer code, SLUGBR, was developed from the derived polynomials using the proposed numerical approach. The results of analyzing two slug test datasets show that SLUGBR can determine hydraulic conductivity with very good accuracy.
Luminal hypotonicity increases duodenal mucosal permeability by a mechanism involving 5‐hydroxytryptamine
Authors: Nylander O. , Pihl L.
Published: December 2005

Aim: To investigate whether 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) participates in the mediation of the hypotonicity‐induced increase in duodenal mucosal permeability.

Methods: Proximal duodenum in anaesthetized rats was perfusedin situwith a hypotonic NaCl solution and effects on duodenal motility, net fluid flux, mucosal permeability [blood‐to‐lumen clearance of51Cr‐ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)] and the release of 5‐HT into the luminal solution studied in the presence of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin.

Results: Perfusion of the duodenum with 50 mmNaCl increased mucosal permeability eightfold, increased the luminal output of 5‐HT twofold and induced net fluid absorption. This rise in permeability was enhanced 25% by 5‐HT (3 × 10−3 m), reduced by the 5‐HT3‐receptor antagonists granisetron (10−4–3 × 10−4 m) or ondansetron (10−5–10−4 m) or by the 5‐HT4receptor antagonist SB 203186 (10−4 m). The 5‐HT3/4receptor antagonist tropisetron, at 10−4 m, did not affect while 3 × 10−4and 3 × 10−3 maugmented the hypotonicity‐induced increase in mucosal permeability. Lidocaine (1.1 × 10−3 m) similarly potentiated while tetrodotoxin (TTX) (5 × 10−5 m) inhibited the hypotonicity‐induced increase in mucosal permeability. Compared with animals treated with indomethacin alone ondansetron and granisetron augmented (by 30–40%) while tropisetron and lidocaine reduced (by 60–70%) the hypotonicity‐induced net fluid absorption. Tetrodotoxin and all 5‐HT receptor antagonists, except tropisetron, depressed duodenal motility.

Conclusions: Luminal hypotonicity increases duodenal mucosal permeability by a neural mechanism involving 5‐HT acting on 5‐HT3and 5‐HT4receptors. 5‐HT also appears to participate in the regulation of the hypotonicity‐induced fluid flux.
Carotenoid coloration in great black‐backed gull Larus marinus reflects individual quality
Authors: Kristiansen Kai O. , Bustnes Jan O. , Folstad Ivar , Helberg Morten
Published: December 2005

Carotenoids are a large group of biochemicals, with similar properties, synthesised by bacteria, fungi, algae and plants. Vertebrates obtain these biologically active pigments through the diet, and they are a disproportionately common component of animal colour signals and play important roles in immune functions and as antioxidants. Carotenoids are believed to be a limited resource and because of the trade‐off between allocation of carotenoids to signals and to other functions, carotenoid based signals are often thought to be handicap signals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the signalling potential of carotenoid‐based tissue coloration in the great black‐backed gull Larus marinus. The intensity of carotenoid‐based coloration in bill, gape and eye‐ring coloration was investigated in relation to body condition, reproductive parameters, levels of immune activity, and sexual dimorphism. In males there was a positive relationship between colour intensity and body condition, but in females no such relationship was found. However, females with high colour intensity had larger eggs and clutches. Additionally, females with high red scores tended to have high density of circulating lymphocytes. There was no sexual dimorphism in coloration and there was a negative relationship between colour intensity and sampling time, which indicates that this coloration is most intensely expressed early in the breeding season. The results in this study suggest that carotenoid‐based coloration in great black‐backed gull are partly condition dependent and reveal information about individual quality in both males an females. Hence, it might have evolved as an important signal for assessing the quality of potential mates.
Risk of feather damage explains fault bar occurrence in a migrant hawk, the Swainson's hawk Buteo swainsoni
Authors: Sarasola José H. , Jovani Roger
Published: December 2005

Fault bars are common stress‐induced feather abnormalities that could produce feather damage thus reducing flight performance. For that reason, it has been hypothesized that birds may have evolved adaptive strategies that reduce the costs of fault bars (the ‘fault bar allocation hypothesis’). An untested prediction of this hypothesis is that fault bars in important feathers for flight (wing and tail) should be less abundant where they produce more feather damage. We tested such a prediction using moulted wing and tail feathers of the long‐distance migrant Swainson's hawk Buteo swainsoni in its Argentinean wintering quarters. We recorded the occurrence of fault bars of different strengths (light, medium and strong) and the damage (lost of a portion of the vane) produced by them. The occurrence of fault bars was very variable, with strong ones being rare throughout and light and medium fault bars being more frequent in the tail than in the wing. Risk of feather damage was similarly high and low across feather groups for strong and light fault bars, respectively, and higher in the wing than in the tail for medium strength. The occurrence of fault bars of different strengths on different feather groups was negatively correlated with their propensity to produce feather damage. At low damage risk (<5%), the occurrence of fault bars was highly variable depending on the feather group, but above 5% of feather damage the occurrence of fault bars was highly reduced throughout. Our results supports the ‘fault bar allocation hypothesis’ of natural selection reducing fault bar occurrence where fault bars are more risky, but further suggest that selection pressure could be relaxed in other instances, leaving the way free for other mechanisms to shape fault bar occurrence.
Resonance in Flasks and Pipes
Authors: Gluck Paul , Ben-Sultan Sarit , Dinur Tamar
Published: December 2005

Look at the two bottles in Fig. 1. Suppose you picked up each one in turn and tapped its bottom while listening to the sound generated by holding the opening close to your ear. Without peeking at the answer at the end, which one do you expect to emit sound at a higher pitch? These bottles are Helmholtz resonators, and they were part of an experimental 11th-grade project of S.B. and T.D at our high school on which we wish to report.
The Role of Models in Physics Instruction
Authors: Etkina Eugenia , Warren Aaron , Gentile Michael
Published: December 2005

The word modeling is becoming more and more common in physics, chemistry, and general science instruction. In physics, students learn models of the solar system, light, and atom. In biology courses they encounter models of joints, the circulatory system, and metabolic processes. The benefits of engaging students in model building are described in the literature.1–5 “Modeling instruction” is an example of a whole curriculum based on the idea of modeling.6 However, in a traditional physics class students do not have a clear understanding of what the word model means, and thus do not appreciate the role of this notion in physics.7–9 Physics teachers also have difficulties defining this word.10,11 The purposes of this paper are (a) to reexamine the word model as it is used in science, and (b) to suggest several types of tasks that engage students in the construction of models in a regular-format introductory physics course.
fgf20
Is Essential for Initiating Zebrafish Fin Regeneration
Authors: Whitehead Geoffrey G. , Makino Shinji , Lien Ching-Ling , Keating Mark T.
Published: December 2005

Epimorphic regeneration requires the presence or creation of pluripotent cells capable of reproducing lost organs. Zebrafish fin regeneration is mediated by the creation of blastema cells. Here, we characterize the
devoid of blastema
(
dob
) mutant that fails fin regeneration during initial steps, forms abnormal regeneration epithelium, and does not form blastema. This mutation has no impact on embryonic survival.
Dob
results from an
fgf20a
null mutation, Y148S.
Fgf20a
is expressed during initiation of fin regeneration at the epithelial-mesenchymal boundary and later overlaps with the blastema marker
msxb
. Thus,
fgf20a
has a regeneration-specific requirement, initiating fin regeneration, and controlling blastema formation.
Category-Specific Cortical Activity Precedes Retrieval During Memory Search
Authors: Polyn Sean M. , Natu Vaidehi S. , Cohen Jonathan D. , Norman Kenneth A.
Published: December 2005

Here we describe a functional magnetic resonance imaging study of humans engaged in memory search during a free recall task. Patterns of cortical activity associated with the study of three categories of pictures (faces, locations, and objects) were identified by a pattern-classification algorithm. The algorithm was used to track the reappearance of these activity patterns during the recall period. The reappearance of a given category's activity pattern correlates with verbal recalls made from that category and precedes the recall event by several seconds. This result is consistent with the hypothesis that category-specific activity is cueing the memory system to retrieve studied items.
Separation and Conversion Dynamics of Four Nuclear Spin Isomers of Ethylene
Authors: Sun Zhen-Dong , Takagi Kojiro , Matsushima Fusakazu
Published: December 2005

Molecules with three or more nuclei of nonzero spin exist as discrete spin isomers whose interconversion in the gas phase is generally considered improbable. We have studied the interconversion process in ethylene by creating a sample depleted in the
B

2
u

nuclear spin isomer. The separation was achieved through spatial drift of this isomer induced by resonant absorption of narrow-band infrared light. Evolution of the depleted sample revealed conversion between
B

2
u

and
B

3
u

isomers at a rate linearly proportional to pressure, with a rate constant of 5.5 (±0.8) × 10
–4
s
–1
torr
–1
. However, almost no change was observed in the
A

g

isomer populations. The results suggest a spin conversion mechanism in C
2
H
4
via quantum relaxation within the same inversion symmetry.
Mr Marty’s muddle: a superficial and selective case for euthanasia in Europe
Authors: Keown J
Published: December 2005

In April 2004 the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe debated a report from its Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee (the Marty Report), which questioned the Council of Europe’s opposition to legalising euthanasia. This article exposes the Report’s flaws, not least its superficiality and selectivity.
Should children’s autonomy be respected by telling them of their imminent death?
Authors: Vince T , Petros A
Published: December 2005

Respect for an individual’s autonomy determines that doctors should inform patients if their illness is terminal. This becomes complicated when the terminal diagnosis is recent and death is imminent. The authors examine the admission to paediatric intensive care of an adolescent with terminal respiratory failure. While fully ventilated, the patient was kept sedated and comfortable but when breathing spontaneously he was capable of non-verbal communication and understanding. Once resedated and reintubated, intense debate ensued over whether to wake the patient to tell him he was going to die. The authors discuss the ethical arguments that surrounded their decision.
STOCHASTIC SZNAJD MODEL IN OPEN COMMUNITY
Authors: EMMERT-STREIB FRANK
Published: December 2005

We extend the Sznajd Model for opinion formation by introducing persuasion probabilities for opinions. Moreover, we couple the system to an environment which mimics the application of the opinion. This results in a feedback, representing single-state opinion transitions in opposite to the two-state opinion transitions for persuading other people. We call this model opinion formation in an open community (OFOC). It can be seen as a stochastic extension of the Sznajd model for an open community, because it allows for a special choice of parameters to recover the original Sznajd model. We demonstrate the effect of feedback in the OFOC model by applying it to a scenario in which, e.g., opinion B is worse then opinion A but easier explained to other people. Casually formulated we analyzed the question, how much better one has to be, in order to persuade other people, provided the opinion is worse. Our results reveal a linear relation between the transition probability for opinion B and the influence of the environment on B.
OPINION EVOLUTION ON THE SZNAJD MODEL WITH FAMILY INFLUENCE AND AGE THRESHOLD
Authors: SUN QI , LUO LIDONG , LI BEI , MAO ZEWEI , HE MINGFENG
Published: December 2005

In this paper, the Sznajd model is used to study the opinion evolution but with parents influence and social influence division, as well as age barriers between different social members when interacting. To get the age information, we introduce Penna model to describe the human society. The result indicates that age does not affect the final consensus of the Sznajd model, but it has effect on the opinion distribution area when the initial state is 50% for either of the two opinions. With the presence of parents influence, the fluctuations of opinions in different age groups are different. When the site is not fully filled initially, with increasing age threshold, the fluctuation of opinions becomes larger.
PROPERTIES AND SIGNATURES OF FAMILY-NONUNIVERSAL W′ BOSONS
Authors: BAGNEID ALI A.
Published: December 2005

Constraints are obtained on the mass of additional, family-nonuniversal W′ bosons, suggested by the Sp (6)L⊗ U (1)Y model, from high-energy [Formula: see text] collider data. A lower bound is obtained on W′ mass, MW′ ≳ 626 GeV . We studied the Drell–Yan production and corresponding decay signatures of the W′ bosons at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and discussed how to distinguish the model by examining the couplings of W′ to fermions through its leptonic decay modes.
FINITE TEMPERATURE PROPERTIES OF OPTICAL LATTICES
Authors: HAN FUXIANG , ZHANG YONGMEI
Published: December 2005

Within a mean-field treatment of the Bose–Hubbard model for an optical lattice, we have derived a self-consistent equation for the order parameter of possible phases in the optical lattice at finite temperatures. From the solutions to the self-consistent equation, we have inferred the temperature dependence of the order parameter and transition temperatures of Mott-insulator and superfluid phases into the normal phase. The condensation fraction in the superfluid phase has been deduced from the one-body density matrix and its temperature dependence has been given. In terms of the normalized correlation function of quasiparticles, strong coherence in the superfluid phase and its loss in Mott-insulator phases are demonstrated.
FULL CHARACTERIZATION AT 904 nm OF LARGE AREA Sip–n JUNCTION PHOTODETECTORS PRODUCED BY LID TECHNIQUE
Authors: ISMAIL RAID A. , ABDULRAZAQ OMAR A. , HADI ASEEL A. , HAMADI ODAY ATA
Published: December 2005

In this paper, we report the experimental data of photoresponse, namely, voltage responsivity and speed of response at λ=904 nm of silicon photodiode formed by pulsed laser-induced diffusion technique. Experimental results demonstrated that the photodiode parameters strongly depend on the laser energy and substrate temperature. Maximum responsivity is obtained for p–n junctions photodetectors prepared by laser fluence of 9.17 J/cm2 for Al -doped Si and 10.03 J/cm2 for Sb -doped Si at substrate temperature (Ts) of 598 K. The pulse response waveform of photodetectors illustrated that the rise time is not dominated by RC. Non-linearity deviation coefficient is improved by factors 1.6 for and 2.7 for for Al -doped Si and Sb -doped Si photodetectors, respectively, when Ts is raised from 300 K to 598 K.
INDECOMPOSABLE CONTINUA AND MISIUREWICZ POINTS IN EXPONENTIAL DYNAMICS
Authors: DEVANEY ROBERT L. , JARQUE XAVIER , ROCHA MÓNICA MORENO
Published: December 2005

In this paper we describe several new types of invariant sets that appear in the Julia sets of the complex exponential functions Eλ(z) = λez where λ ∈ ℂ in the special case when λ is a Misiurewicz parameter, so that the Julia set of these maps is the entire complex plane. These invariant sets consist of points that share the same itinerary under iteration of Eλ. Previously, the only known types of such invariant sets were either simple hairs that extend from a definite endpoint to ∞ in the right half plane or else indecomposable continua for which a single hair accumulates everywhere upon itself. One new type of invariant set that we construct in this paper is an indecomposable continuum in which a pair of hairs accumulate upon each other, rather than a single hair having this property. The second type consists of an indecomposable continuum together with a completely separate hair that accumulates on this continuum.
THE PAULOV VERSUS ANTI-PAULOV CONTEST WITH MEMORY
Authors: ALONSO-SANZ RAMÓN
Published: December 2005

The effect of keeping memory of previous choices when the players adopt the Paulov and Anti-Paulov strategies in the continuous-valued iterated Prisoner's Dilemma is assessed.
GENERATING HYPERCHAOS VIA STATE FEEDBACK CONTROL
Authors: LI YUXIA , TANG WALLACE K. S. , CHEN GUANRONG
Published: December 2005

In this letter, a simple nonlinear state feedback controller is designed for generating hyperchaos from a three-dimensional autonomous chaotic system. The hyperchaotic system is not only demonstrated by computer simulations but also verified with bifurcation analysis, and is implemented experimentally via an electronic circuit.
LIMIT CYCLE BIFURCATION IN 3D CONTINUOUS PIECEWISE LINEAR SYSTEMS WITH TWO ZONES: APPLICATION TO CHUA'S CIRCUIT
Authors: CARMONA V. , FREIRE E. , PONCE E. , ROS J. , TORRES F.
Published: December 2005

The generic case of three-dimensional continuous piecewise linear systems with two zones is analyzed. From a bounded linear center configuration we prove that the periodic orbit which is tangent to the separation plane becomes a limit cycle under generic conditions. Expressions for the amplitude, period and characteristic multipliers of the bifurcating limit cycle are given. The obtained results are applied to the study of the onset of asymmetric periodic oscillations in Chua's oscillator.
Three-dimensional compartmentalization of myosin heavy chain and myosin light chain isoforms in dog thyroarytenoid muscle
Authors: Bergrin Mark , Bicer Sabahattin , Lucas Christine A. , Reiser Peter J.
Published: December 2005

The thyroarytenoid muscle, a vocal fold adductor, has important roles in airway protection (e.g., prevention of aspiration) and phonation. Isoform expression of myosin heavy chain (MHC), a major determinant of muscle-shortening velocity, has been reported to be heterogeneous in this muscle in several mammals, differing markedly between the medial and lateral divisions. The objective was to determine the isoform expression patterns of both MHC and myosin light chain (MLC), with the latter having a modulatory role in determining shortening velocity, to further test whether the expression of both myosin subunits differs in multiple specific sites within the divisions of the dog thyroarytenoid muscle, potentially revealing even greater compartmentalization in this muscle. Our results indicate the existence of large gradients in the relative levels of individual MHC isoforms in the craniocaudal axis along the medial layer (i.e., airflow axis), where levels of MHC-I and MHC-IIA are low at both ends of the axis and high in the middle and MHC-IIB has a reciprocal distribution. The lateral layer is more uniform, with high levels of MHC-IIB throughout. The level of MHC-IID is relatively constant along the axis in both layers. Large differences exist in the distribution of MHC isoforms among single fibers isolated from sites along the craniocaudal axis, especially in the lateral layer. Systematic regional variations are apparent in the MLC isoform composition of single fibers as well, including some MLC isoform combinations that are not observed in dog limb muscles. Variations of MHC and MLC isoform expression in the dog thyroarytenoid muscle are greater than previously recognized and suggest an even broader range of contractile properties within this multifunctional muscle.
Contactless magnetocardiographic mapping in anesthetized Wistar rats: evidence of age-related changes of cardiac electrical activity
Authors: Brisinda Donatella , Caristo Maria Emiliana , Fenici Riccardo
Published: December 2005

Magnetocardiography (MCG) is the recording of the magnetic field (MF) generated by cardiac electrophysiological activity. Because it is a contactless method, MCG is ideal for noninvasive cardiac mapping of small experimental animals. The aim of this study was to assess age-related changes of cardiac intervals and ventricular repolarization (VR) maps in intact rats by means of MCG mapping. Twenty-four adult Wistar rats (12 male and 12 female) were studied, under anesthesia, with the same unshielded 36-channel MCG instrumentation used for clinical recordings. Two sets of measurements were obtained from each animal: 1) at 5 mo of age (297.5 ± 21 g body wt) and 2) at 14 mo of age (516.8 ± 180 g body wt). RR and PR intervals, QRS segment, and QTpeak, QTend, JTpeak, JTend, and Tpeak-end were measured from MCG waveforms. MCG imaging was automatically obtained as MF maps and as inverse localization of cardiac sources with equivalent current dipole and effective magnetic dipole models. After 300 s of continuous recording were averaged, the signal-to-noise ratio was adequate for study of atrial and ventricular MF maps and for three-dimensional localization of the underlying cardiac sources. Clear-cut age-related differences in VR duration were demonstrated by significantly longer QTend, JTend, and Tpeak-end in older Wistar rats. Reproducible multisite noninvasive cardiac mapping of anesthetized rats is simpler with MCG methodology than with ECG recording. In addition, MCG mapping provides new information based on quantitative analysis of MF and equivalent sources. In this study, statistically significant age-dependent variations in VR intervals were found.
Reduced exercise-associated response of the GH-IGF-I axis and catecholamines in obese children and adolescents
Authors: Eliakim Alon , Nemet Dan , Zaldivar Frank , McMurray Robert G. , Culler Floyd L. , Galassetti Pietro , Cooper Dan M.
Published: December 2005

Obesity blunts catecholamine and growth hormone (GH) responses to exercise in adults, but the effect of obesity on these exercise-associated hormonal responses in children is unclear. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to asses the effect of childhood obesity on the counterregulatory hormonal response to acute exercise. Twenty-five obese children (Ob; body mass index > 95%), and 25 age, gender, and maturity-matched normal-weight controls (NW) participated in the study. Exercise consisted of ten 2-min bouts of constant-cycle ergometry above the anaerobic threshold, with 1-min rest intervals between each bout. Pre-, post-, and 120-min postexercise blood samples were collected for circulating components of the GH-IGF-I axis and catecholamines. There were no differences in peak exercise heart rate, serum lactate, and peak O2 uptake normalized to lean body mass between the groups. Obesity attenuated the GH response to exercise (8.9 ± 1.1 vs. 3.4 ± 0.7 ng/ml in NW and Ob participants, respectively; P < 0.02). No significant differences in the response to exercise were found for other components of the GH-IGF-I axis. Obesity attenuated the catecholamine response to exercise (epinephrine: 52.5 ± 12.7 vs. 18.7 ± 3.7 pg/ml, P < 0.02; norepinephrine: 479.5 ± 109.9 vs. 218.0 ± 26.0 pg/ml, P < 0.04; dopamine: 17.2 ± 2.9 vs. 3.5 ± 1.9 pg/ml, P < 0.006 in NW and Ob, respectively). Insulin levels were significantly higher in the obese children and dropped significantly after exercise in both groups. Despite the elevated insulin levels and the blunted counterregulatory response, none of the participants developed hypoglycemia. Childhood obesity was associated with attenuated GH and catecholamine response to acute exercise. These abnormalities were compensated for, so that exercise was not associated with hypoglycemia, despite increased insulin levels in obese children.
Neuronal Firing Before and After Burst Discharges in the Monkey Basal Ganglia Is Predictably Patterned in the Normal State and Altered in Parkinsonism
Authors: Wichmann Thomas , Soares Jesus
Published: December 2005

It is known that burst discharges in basal ganglia neurons are more common in parkinsonism than under normal conditions, but changes in the structure of burst or peri-burst epochs have not been reported. In this study, the temporal structure of bursts and the timing of neuronal discharges that precede or follow them were examined in neuronal spike trains recorded in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and the external and internal pallidal segment (GPe, GPi) in two awake Rhesus monkeys before and after they were rendered hemiparkinsonian by unilateral intracarotid infusion of the dopaminergic neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Bursts were detected by the “surprise” method. In the normal state, interspike intervals (ISIs) preceding or following bursts were frequently significantly longer than the average baseline ISI, and their duration was correlated with the burst length (i.e., the number of spikes/burst). Significant correlations were also found in all three structures between the burst length and the duration of interburst intervals. The incidence of burst discharges and the proportion of time spent in bursts increased in GPe, STN, and GPi after MPTP treatment. Burst lengths became more tightly related to preburst ISIs in the STN after MPTP treatment and to postburst ISI duration in all three structures. These results show that bursts in spontaneous GPe, STN, and GPi discharge are often preceded or followed by long ISIs, and that burst length, the length of pre- and postburst ISIs, and the length of interburst intervals are related to one another. Complex changes in these interactions may contribute to abnormal information processing in parkinsonism.
Incremental Value of Strain Rate Analysis as an Adjunct to Wall-Motion Scoring for Assessment of Myocardial Viability by Dobutamine Echocardiography
Authors: Hanekom Lizelle , Jenkins Carly , Jeffries Leanne , Case Colin , Mundy Julie , Hawley Carmel , Marwick Thomas H.
Published: December 2005

Background—

Assessment of myocardial viability based on wall-motion scoring (WMS) during dobutamine echocardiography (DbE) is difficult and subjective. Strain-rate imaging (SRI) is quantitative, but its incremental value over WMS for prediction of functional recovery after revascularization is unclear.

Methods and Results—

DbE and SRI were performed in 55 stable patients (mean age, 64±10 years; mean ejection fraction, 36±8%) with previous myocardial infarction. Viability was predicted by WMS if function augmented during low-dose DbE. SR, end-systolic strain (ESS), postsystolic strain (PSS), and timing parameters were analyzed at rest and with low-dose DbE in abnormal segments. Regional and global functional recovery was defined by side-by-side comparison of echocardiographic images before and 9 months after revascularization. Of 369 segments with abnormal resting function, 146 showed regional recovery. Compared with segments showing functional recovery, those that failed to recover had lower low-dose DbE SR, SR increment (ΔSR), ESS, and ESS increment (ΔESS) (each
P
<0.005). After optimal cutoffs for the strain parameters were defined, the sensitivity of low-dose DbE SR (78%,
P
=0.3), ΔSR (80%,
P
=0.1), ESS (75%,
P
=0.6), and ΔESS (74%,
P
=0.8) was better though not significantly different from WMS (73%). The specificity of WMS (77%) was similar to the SRI parameters. Combination of WMS and SRI parameters augmented the sensitivity for prediction of functional recovery above WMS alone (82% versus 73%,
P
=0.015; area under the curve=0.88 versus 0.73,
P
<0.001), although specificities were comparable (80% versus 77%,
P
=0.2).

Conclusions—

The measurement of low-dose DbE SR and ΔSR is feasible, and their combination with WMS assessment improves the sensitivity of viability assessment with DbE.
Diesel Exhaust Inhalation Causes Vascular Dysfunction and Impaired Endogenous Fibrinolysis
Authors: Mills Nicholas L. , Törnqvist Håkan , Robinson Simon D. , Gonzalez Manuel , Darnley Kareen , MacNee William , Boon Nicholas A. , Donaldson Ken , Blomberg Anders , Sandstrom Thomas , Newby David E.
Published: December 2005

Background—

Although the mechanisms are unknown, it has been suggested that transient exposure to traffic-derived air pollution may be a trigger for acute myocardial infarction. The study aim was to investigate the effects of diesel exhaust inhalation on vascular and endothelial function in humans.

Methods and Results—

In a double-blind, randomized, cross-over study, 30 healthy men were exposed to diluted diesel exhaust (300 μg/m
3
particulate concentration) or air for 1 hour during intermittent exercise. Bilateral forearm blood flow and inflammatory factors were measured before and during unilateral intrabrachial bradykinin (100 to 1000 pmol/min), acetylcholine (5 to 20 μg/min), sodium nitroprusside (2 to 8 μg/min), and verapamil (10 to 100 μg/min) infusions 2 and 6 hours after exposure. There were no differences in resting forearm blood flow or inflammatory markers after exposure to diesel exhaust or air. Although there was a dose-dependent increase in blood flow with each vasodilator (
P
<0.0001 for all), this response was attenuated with bradykinin (
P
<0.05), acetylcholine (
P
<0.05), and sodium nitroprusside (
P
<0.001) infusions 2 hours after exposure to diesel exhaust, which persisted at 6 hours. Bradykinin caused a dose-dependent increase in plasma tissue plasminogen activator (
P
<0.0001) that was suppressed 6 hours after exposure to diesel (
P
<0.001; area under the curve decreased by 34%).

Conclusions—

At levels encountered in an urban environment, inhalation of dilute diesel exhaust impairs 2 important and complementary aspects of vascular function in humans: the regulation of vascular tone and endogenous fibrinolysis. These important findings provide a potential mechanism that links air pollution to the pathogenesis of atherothrombosis and acute myocardial infarction.
Short Note: The Sociology of Professional Groups
Authors: Evetts Julia
Published: December 2005

This article is not a critique of the Sciulli article (2005) but, instead, indicates some current and contemporary research questions about professionalism considered to be important to researchers in the field from North America, Europe and worldwide. The article begins by offering an alternative, more pragmatic, view of the definitional question and argues that most researchers have accepted definitional uncertainty and moved on. Current research questions include a reappraisal and reassessment of professionalism as a normative value – and a move away from market closure as the dominant paradigm. In addition, there are new directions in the analysis that focus on the discourse of professionalism as a mechanism for the control of work and workers.