bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microbial Adhesion in Flow Displacement Systems
Authors: Busscher Henk J. , van der Mei Henny C.
Published: January 2006

Flow displacement systems are superior to many other (static) systems for studying microbial adhesion to surfaces because mass transport and prevailing shear conditions can be adequately controlled and notoriously ill-defined slight rinsing steps to remove so-called “loosely adhering organisms” can be avoided. In this review, we present the basic background required to calculate mass transport and shear rates in flow displacement systems, focusing on the parallel plate flow chamber as an example. Critical features in the design of flow displacement systems are discussed, as well as different strategies for data analysis. Finally, selected examples of working with flow displacement systems are given for diverse biomedical applications.
Biological Basis for Syphilis
Authors: LaFond Rebecca E. , Lukehart Sheila A.
Published: January 2006

Syphilis is a chronic sexually transmitted disease caused byTreponema pallidumsubsp.pallidum. Clinical manifestations separate the disease into stages; late stages of disease are now uncommon compared to the preantibiotic era.T. pallidumhas an unusually small genome and lacks genes that encode many metabolic functions and classical virulence factors. The organism is extremely sensitive to environmental conditions and has not been continuously cultivated in vitro. Nonetheless,T. pallidumis highly infectious and survives for decades in the untreated host. Early syphilis lesions result from the host's immune response to the treponemes. Bacterial clearance and resolution of early lesions results from a delayed hypersensitivity response, although some organisms escape to cause persistent infection. One factor contributing toT. pallidum's chronicity is the paucity of integral outer membrane proteins, rendering intact organisms virtually invisible to the immune system. Antigenic variation of TprK, a putative surface-exposed protein, is likely to contribute to immune evasion.T. pallidumremains exquisitely sensitive to penicillin, but macrolide resistance has recently been identified in a number of geographic regions. The development of a syphilis vaccine, thus far elusive, would have a significant positive impact on global health.
Melaleuca alternifolia(Tea Tree) Oil: a Review of Antimicrobial and Other Medicinal Properties
Authors: Carson C. F. , Hammer K. A. , Riley T. V.
Published: January 2006

Complementary and alternative medicines such as tea tree (melaleuca) oil have become increasingly popular in recent decades. This essential oil has been used for almost 100 years in Australia but is now available worldwide both as neat oil and as an active component in an array of products. The primary uses of tea tree oil have historically capitalized on the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory actions of the oil. This review summarizes recent developments in our understanding of the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of the oil and its components, as well as clinical efficacy. Specific mechanisms of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory action are reviewed, and the toxicity of the oil is briefly discussed.
Penicillium marneffeiInfection and Recent Advances in the Epidemiology and Molecular Biology Aspects
Authors: Vanittanakom Nongnuch , Cooper Chester R. , Fisher Matthew C. , Sirisanthana Thira
Published: January 2006

Penicillium marneffei infection is an important emerging public health problem, especially among patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus in the areas of endemicity in southeast Asia, India, and China. Within these regions, P. marneffei infection is regarded as an AIDS-defining illness, and the severity of the disease depends on the immunological status of the infected individual. Early diagnosis by serologic and molecular assay-based methods have been developed and are proving to be important in diagnosing infection. The occurrence of natural reservoirs and the molecular epidemiology of P. marneffei have been studied; however, the natural history and mode of transmission of the organism remain unclear. Soil exposure, especially during the rainy season, has been suggested to be a critical risk factor. Using a highly discriminatory molecular technique, multilocus microsatellite typing, to characterize this fungus, several isolates from bamboo rats and humans were shown to share identical multilocus genotypes. These data suggest either that transmission of P. marneffei may occur from rodents to humans or that rodents and humans are coinfected from common environmental sources. These putative natural cycles of P. marneffei infection need further investigation. Studies on the fungal genetics of P. marneffei have been focused on the characterization of genetic determinants that may play important roles in asexual development, mycelial-to-yeast phase transition, and the expression of antigenic determinants. Molecular studies have identified several genes involved in germination, hyphal development, conidiogenesis, and yeast cell polarity. A number of functionally important genes, such as the malate synthase- and catalase-peroxidase protein-encoding genes, have been identified as being upregulated in the yeast phase. Future investigations pertaining to the roles of these genes in host-fungus interactions may provide the key knowledge to understanding the pathogenicity of P. marneffei.
DETACHED-EDDY SIMULATION FOR SYNTHETIC JETS WITH MOVING BOUNDARIES
Authors: XIA HAO , QIN NING
Published: January 2006

A Detached-Eddy Simulation (DES) with moving boundaries has been developed and applied to synthetic jet flows. Complex unsteady flow patterns of the flows were revealed from the simulation. Comparisons between the simulation and experiments showed reasonably good agreements, which indicates that, as a hybrid RANS/LES method, DES is capable of handling unsteady separations with turbulent boundary layers and time-dependent moving boundary conditions.
NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF WAVE POWER DEVICES USING A TWO-FLUID FREE SURFACE SOLVER
Authors: QIAN LING , MINGHAM CLIVE , CAUSON DEREK , INGRAM DAVID , FOLLEY MATT , WHITTAKER TREVOR
Published: January 2006

A generic two-fluid (water/air) numerical model has been developed and applied for the simulation of the complex fluid flow around a wave driven rotating vane near a shoreline in the context of a novel wave energy device OWSC (Oscillating wave surge converter). The underlying scheme is based on the solution of the incompressible Euler equations for a variable density fluid system for automatically capturing the interface between water and air and the Cartesian cut cell method for tracking moving solid boundaries on a background stationary Cartesian grid. The results from the present study indicate that the method is an effective tool for modeling a wide range of free surface flow problems.
ON THE RESPONSE OF SHOCK-INDUCED SEPARATION BUBBLE TO SMALL AMPLITUDE DISTURBANCES
Authors: KRISHNAN L. , YAO Y. , SANDHAM N. D. , ROBERTS G. T.
Published: January 2006

Numerical simulations of an oblique shock interacting with a compressible laminar boundary layer are reported. The Mach number ranges from 2 to 6.85, while the Reynolds number based on the distance to the impingement location is fixed at 3 × 105. All the simulations are carried out with a constant wall temperature, equal to the adiabatic recovery temperature. At higher shock strength the evolved separation bubbles are taller and are biased towards the upstream side of the impingement location with an asymmetrical structure. Existing similarity scalings for the bubble length need to be modified for the high Mach number range. Introduction of small amplitude disturbances upstream of the separation bubble resulted in the growth of organised streamwise structures downstream of the bubble.
LATTICE BOLTZMANN SIMULATIONS OF MIXING ENHANCEMENT BY THE ELECTRO-OSMOTIC FLOW IN MICROCHANNELS
Authors: WANG JINKU , WANG MORAN , LI ZHIXIN
Published: January 2006

The Lattice Boltzmann methods are used to study the mixing enhancements by the electro-osmotic flow in microchannel. Three sets of lattice evolution methods are performed for the fluid flow, for the electrical potential distribution, and for the concentration propagation. The simulation results show that the electro-osmotic flow induces y-directional velocity which enhances the mixing in microchannels. The mixing enhancement is related with the surface zeta potential arrangement and the external electric field strength.
THE MECHANISM OF JET VECTORING USING SYNTHETIC JET ACTUATORS
Authors: LUO ZHEN-BING , XIA ZHI-XUN
Published: January 2006

The control mechanism of jet vectoring using synthetic jet actuators is investigated. The final deflection angle of the primary jet is a result of the primary jet controlled by synthetic jets at three different regions. The lower static pressure near the primary jet exit induced by the synthetic jet, the entrainment and absorption of the primary jet fluid by the synthetic jet during the blowing and the suction stroke, the coupling and interaction between the vortices of synthetic jet and the shear layer of the primary jet are the main control mechanisms for the synthetic jet actuator vectoring a primary jet. The main factors influencing jet vectoring are analyzed and summarized, and a preparatory model for jet vectoring using synthetic jet actuator is presented.
A HYDRODYNAMIC STUDY ON FLOW MOTION WITH VEGETATION
Authors: SU XIAOHUI , LIN PENGZHI
Published: January 2006

A set of governing equations for flows in the vegetated domain has been derived with the assumption that the vegetation is of straight and rigid cylinder. The effect of vegetation on flow motion is represented by the additional inertial and drag forces exerted by the vegetation on the ambient flow. The derived governing equations are incorporated into an existing 3D turbulent free surface flow model. The new model is validated by available experimental data for open channel flows passing through the vegetation with different vegetation size and density. The numerical results agree very well to the experiment data.
FORCE ON A DROPLET IN ANOTHER LIQUID WITH ARBITRARY ARRANGEMENT OF THE GRAVITY AND THERMAL GRADIENT
Authors: SUN REN
Published: January 2006

The steady-state force on the droplet released in another liquid subjected to the gravitational field and imposed thermal gradient in the case of vanishingly small Re and Ma is derived using the general solution given by Lamb. A solution to a transitional thermocapillary-type droplet migration is thereby obtained for the case of constant physical properties, which corresponds to the well known YGB result as t → ∞. These can be employed to investigate the interactions between droplets in a host solution under the gravitational and thermal influences, and further to explore deposition and migration of a droplet cluster in the corresponding fields.
INFLUENCE OF SONOCHEMISTRY ON SINGLE-BUBBLE SONOLUMINESCENCE
Authors: YUAN LI , HE PING
Published: January 2006

Spherical oscillation of an acoustically levitated gas bubble in water was simulated numerically to elucidate the phenomenon of single-bubble sonoluminescence (SBSL). A refined hydro-chemical model was used, which took into account the processes of water vapor evaporation and condensation, mass diffusion, and chemical reactions. The numerical results show significant water vapor dissociations but rather low degrees of ionizations. A widely accepted weakly ionized gas model is then used to compute the light emission. Contrary to earlier predictions without chemical reactions, the present calculated light spectra are generally too small and the pulses are too short to fit to recent experimental results within stable SBSL range. To solve this contradiction, the electrostatic interactions of the ionized gases are included, which is shown to lower the ionization potentials of gas species in the bubble significantly.
EFFECT OF CHANGING THROAT DIAMETER RATIO ON A STEAM SUPERSONIC PRESSURE EXCHANGE EJECTOR
Authors: ALHUSSAN KHALED , GARRIS CHARLES
Published: January 2006

This paper will explain the structure of the flow induction in a non-steady supersonic fluid in which steam is the working fluid. The ratio of the throat diameter is varied and the analyses related to the induction processes are studied. This ejector is used for compression applications. The work to be presented herein is a Computational Fluid Dynamics investigation of the complex fluid mechanisms that occur inside a non-steady, three-dimensional, steam supersonic pressure exchange ejector, specifically with regard to the pressure exchange mechanisms and the induction processes between a primary fluid and a secondary fluid and how this is related to the shape of the aerodynamic shroud-diffuser surface. The results will show the correct throat diameter ratio that is capable of producing the desire affect of the flow induction in a three-dimensional supersonic, non-steady, viscous flow. The calculated throat diameter ration is about 2.90.
A FIXED-MESH METHOD FOR GENERAL MOVING OBJECTS IN FLUID FLOW
Authors: WEI GENGSHENG
Published: January 2006

In this work, a fixed-mesh method for general moving objects in fluid flow was developed and implemented into the commercial CFD software FLOW-3D . A general moving object is a rigid body with any type of six-degrees-of-freedom, fixed-point and fixed-axis motion which can be either user-prescribed or dynamically coupled with fluid flow. The method allows multiple general moving objects, and each of them can possess any different type of motion. Area and volume fractions to represent the objects in the fixed-grid are calculated at every time step to describe time-variation of object locations and orientations. Continuity and momentum equations for fluid are modified to account for the effects of object motion on fluid flow. A good agreement is achieved between computational and experimental results in an application to a valve problem.
DISCRETIZATION ERROR ANALYSIS FOR TIKHONOV REGULARIZATION
Authors: DE VITO ERNESTO , ROSASCO LORENZO , CAPONNETTO ANDREA
Published: January 2006

We study the discretization of inverse problems defined by a Carleman operator. In particular, we develop a discretization strategy for this class of inverse problems and we give a convergence analysis. Learning from examples, as well as the discretization of integral equations, can be analyzed in our setting.
Clinical Expression of Plakophilin-2 Mutations in Familial Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Syrris Petros , Ward Deirdre , Asimaki Angeliki , Sen-Chowdhry Srijita , Ebrahim Hatim Y. , Evans Alison , Hitomi Nobuhiko , Norman Mark , Pantazis Antonios , Shaw Anthony L. , Elliott Perry M. , McKenna William J.
Published: January 2006

Background—

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an inherited cardiac disorder characterized by loss of cardiomyocytes and their replacement by adipose and fibrous tissue. It is considered a disease of cell adhesion because mutations in desmosomal genes, desmoplakin and plakoglobin, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of ARVC. In a recent report, mutations in plakophilin-2, a gene highly expressed in cardiac desmosomes, have been shown to cause ARVC.

Methods and Results—

We investigated 100 white patients with ARVC for mutations in plakophilin-2. Nine different mutations were identified by direct sequencing in 11 cases. Five of these mutations are novel (A733fsX740, L586fsX658, V570fsX576, R413X, and P533fsX561) and predicted to cause a premature truncation of the plakophilin-2 protein. Family studies showed incomplete disease expression in mutation carriers and identified a number of individuals who would be misdiagnosed with the existing International Task Force and modified diagnostic criteria for ARVC.

Conclusions—

In this study, we provide new evidence that mutations in the desmosomal plakophilin-2 gene can cause ARVC. A systematic clinical evaluation of mutation carriers within families demonstrated variable phenotypic expression, even among individuals with the same mutation, and highlighted the need for a more accurate set of diagnostic criteria for ARVC.
Common Sodium Channel Promoter Haplotype in Asian Subjects Underlies Variability in Cardiac Conduction
Authors: Bezzina Connie R. , Shimizu Wataru , Yang Ping , Koopmann Tamara T. , Tanck Michael W.T. , Miyamoto Yoshihiro , Kamakura Shiro , Roden Dan M. , Wilde Arthur A.M.
Published: January 2006

Background—

Reduced cardiac sodium current slows conduction and renders the heart susceptible to ventricular fibrillation. Loss of function mutations in
SCN5A
, encoding the cardiac sodium channel, are one cause of the Brugada syndrome, associated with slow conduction and a high incidence of ventricular fibrillation, especially in Asians. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that an
SCN5A
promoter polymorphism common in Asians modulates variability in cardiac conduction.

Methods and Results—

Resequencing 2.8 kb of
SCN5A
promoter identified a haplotype variant consisting of 6 polymorphisms in near-complete linkage disequilibrium that occurred at an allele frequency of 22% in Asian subjects and was absent in whites and blacks. Reporter activity of this variant haplotype, designated HapB, in cardiomyocytes was reduced 62% compared with wild-type haplotype (
P
=0.006). The relationship between
SCN5A
promoter haplotype and PR and QRS durations, indexes of conduction velocity, was then analyzed in a cohort of 71 Japanese Brugada syndrome subjects without
SCN5A
mutations and in 102 Japanese control subjects. In both groups, PR and QRS durations were significantly longer in HapB individuals (
P
≤0.002) with a gene-dose effect. In addition, up to 28% and 48% of variability in PR and QRS durations, respectively, were attributable to this haplotype. The extent of QRS widening during challenge with sodium channel blockers, known to be arrhythmogenic in Brugada syndrome and other settings, was also genotype dependent (
P
=0.002).

Conclusions—

These data demonstrate that genetically determined variable sodium channel transcription occurs in the human heart and is associated with variable conduction velocity, an important contributor to arrhythmia susceptibility.
The Malayali sexual revolution
Authors: Devika J.
Published: January 2006

In early debates in Kerala, artificial contraception was often presented in public discourse as hostile to the shaping of full-fledged modernity in Malayali society. By the 1960s, however, family planning had come to be identified with disciplined, abstemious, bourgeois domesticity. This article explores some dimensions of this transformation. Rather than see this shift as the continuous expansion of ‘enlightened consciousness’, we turn to less-noticed transformations in notions about the functions of sexual activity, the family, etc., to highlight the calcification of modern patriarchy in a socio-cultural milieu in which bourgeois values were inching towards hegemony. The article also shows how the Family Planning Programme itself served to further modern patriarchy in Kerala. This is evidenced in the authority claimed by educated men in designing and overseeing the process of ‘women's liberation’. In thus highlighting the ambiguities of the ‘liberation’ of women via modernity in Kerala, I seek to challenge the historical linearity that is so firmly entrenched in the ‘Kerala Model’ of social change.
International Voluntary Associations, Local Social Movements and State Paths to the Abolition of Regulated Prostitution in Europe, 1875–1950
Authors: Limoncelli Stephanie A.
Published: January 2006

The literature on globalization and social movements emphasizes the ability of international non-governmental organizations to influence states and foster domestic social change. This article examines the dynamics of this process in an early international movement to combat prostitution in the late 1800s. Why did reformers succeed in their goal of abolishing the state regulation of prostitution earlier in some countries compared to others? A qualitative comparativehistorical approach is used to outline local social movement dynamics and consequent paths to abolition in a subset of European countries (i.e. the Netherlands, France and Germany), as influenced by two international voluntary associations. The findings show that contestation between the associations – one more transnational than the other in practice – hampered abolitionist successes. International voluntary associations’ organization, alliances and cultural framings, as they operated in local settings, affected the form of local movements as well as their outcomes. Rather than challenging state interests, international associations sometimes help to reinforce them.
Putting your Best Cyber Identity Forward
Authors: Sahib Padma Rao , Koning Ruud H. , van Witteloostuijn Arjen
Published: January 2006

This article analyses the profiles of a sample of Russian women seeking partners from western countries collected from the website of an Internet marriage agency. The popular viewpoint is that such women, in possible collusion with the agency, use the anonymity of the Internet to create an image of a perfect partner for a western male. Taking the information at face value, the article compares single women seeking partners to women featured in a ‘Success Stories’ section. The study finds that although most of the self-reported information is not significantly different across the two groups, women from major cities (which are the locations of ‘romance tours’) are twice as likely to be successful. Surprisingly, standard factors valued in marriage markets do not matter. The findings are interpreted as evidence of the importance of face-to-face meetings and as partial support for the authenticity of the data included in the profiles.
A History of Bayana Part II
Authors: Shokoohy Mehrdad , Shokoohy Natalie H.
Published: January 2006

The second part of the history of Bayana discusses the changing role of the town and its region following Tīmūr's invasion, when the fragmentation of the power of the Delhi sultanate allowed the Auhadīs—the local rulers of Bayana—to assert their independence. Under the Lodīs, the Jalwānīs rose briefly to prominence. Chosen by Sikandar Lodī as his capital, Bayana gradually declined after his decision to move to Agra. Bayana's lack of water, an earthquake in 1505, and the migration of the population to the new capital all contributed to its decline. Under Islām Shāh, the appearance of a Mahdī made it the scene of religious and social upheaval. Even in decline, its characteristic architectural style became a hallmark of that of the early Mughals, and it is in this resonance that we see how the culture of Bayana shifted geographically, but did not die out.
An Empirical Investigation of Share Buybacks in Hong Kong
Authors: Firth Michael , Yeung Canna S.F.
Published: January 2006

This study examines various aspects of open market share buybacks using data from Hong Kong. One advantage of using data from Hong Kong is that details of actual share repurchases are disclosed. Our results suggest that firms initiating share repurchases have surplus cash and are undervalued. Furthermore, the number of shares repurchased in a quarter is a function of the cash flow of the firm, undervaluation and the number of shares repurchased in the prior period. We find that market-adjusted stock returns surrounding the first share repurchase are a function of undervaluation, as proxied by prior abnormal stock returns, and the number of shares acquired. The general tenor of the results is consistent with the hypotheses that managers engage in share buybacks to return ‘surplus’ cash to shareholders and to signal and correct undervaluation.
Statistical Inadequacy of GARCH Models for Asian Stock Markets
Authors: Lim Kian-Ping , Hinich Melvin J. , Liew Venus Khim-Sen
Published: January 2006

This study employs the Hinich portmanteau bicorrelation test (Hinich 1996; Hinich and Patterson 1995) as a diagnostic tool to determine the adequacy of Generalised Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (GARCH) models for eight Asian stock markets. The bicorrelation test results demonstrate that this type of model cannot provide an adequate characterisation for the underlying process of all the selected Asian stock markets. Further investigation using the windowed test procedure reveals that the violation of the covariance stationarity assumption as required by the GARCH process is due to the presence of transient epochs of dependencies in the data. The inadequacy of GARCH models has strong implications for the pricing of stock index options, portfolios selection, development of optimal hedging techniques and risk management.
Are Price Limits Always Bad?
Authors: Nath Purnendu
Published: January 2006

This article re–examines the extent, if any, of the negative impacts of price limits. I provide fresh evidence supporting, only partially, the criticisms against the efficacy of such price limits. A negative impact of price limits when valid for one group of stocks or direction of price move, may not hold for another group of stocks or direction of price move. The article also presents a realistic estimate of the potential trading profits that may be made by using price limit hits as a trade signal.
Item Parceling Strategies in SEM: Investigating the Subtle Effects of Unmodeled Secondary Constructs
Authors: Hall Rosalie J. , Snell Andrea F. , Foust Michelle Singer
Published: January 2006

For theoretical and empirical reasons, researchers may combine item-level responses into aggregate item parcels to use as indicators in a structural equation modeling context. Yet the effects of specific parceling strategies on parameter estimation and model fit are not known. In Study 1, different parceling combinations meaningfully affected parameter estimates and fit indicators in two organizational data sets. Based on the concept of external consistency, the authors proposed that combining items that shared an unmodeled secondary influence into the same parcel (shared uniqueness strategy) would enhance the accuracy of parameter estimates. This proposal was supported in Study 2, using simulated data generated from a known model. When the unmodeled secondary influence was related to indicators of only one latent construct, the shared uniqueness parceling strategy resulted in more accurate parameter estimates. When indicators of both target latent constructs were contaminated, bias was present but appropriately signaled by worsened fit statistics.
Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis of Correlated Uniquenesses to Estimate Method Variance in Multitrait-Multimethod Matrices
Authors: Scullen Steven E.
Published: January 2006

Conway used a special case and several supporting examples to argue that the average proportion of method variance in a multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) matrix can be estimated by averaging the correlated uniquenesses (cu s). This article builds on Conway in two ways. First, it generalizes the logic, showing that the average cu is a lower bound estimate of the correct value for the average proportion of method variance. The generalization also allows examination of the method’s applicability to a much broader range of MTMM matrices. Second, this article presents a new method based on confirmatory factor analysis of the covariance matrix of cu s for measuring method variance. The new method provides more precise and unbiased estimates of the average proportion of method variance associated with each measurement method, and is the first method that uses the correlated uniquenesses model to estimate the proportion of method variance in individual measures.
Identification of Influential Cases in Structural Equation Models Using the Jackknife Method
Authors: Rensvold Roger B. , Cheung Gordon W.
Published: January 2006

Relatively little attention has been given to detecting influential cases (ICs) when estimating structural equation models (SEMs). Most techniques examine individual cases using covariance-based techniques such as the Mahalanobis distance, which examine the distributional characteristics of the cases but ignore the model. Cases identified using such model-free techniques are usually referred to as out-liers. In SEM, however, the model is of central importance. The characteristics of the model (number of latent variables, etc.) have an effect on which cases are influential. The authors propose applying the well-known jackknife procedure to detect model-based ICs, which may be influential with respect to overall fit, particular model parameters, or both. The procedure is illustrated by two studies—one using simulated data, the other empirical data.
Top-Down or Bottom-Up?
Authors: Kivikuru Ullamaija
Published: January 2006

The focus in this article is on two different modes of ‘giving a voice to the voiceless’ in Southern African new democracies, namely South African community radio and its support apparatus, Democracy Radio, and the Namibian People’s Parliament. South African community radio operates within a sphere of its own, it is supposed to be closely linked to the grassroots, while the Namibian contact programmes fall under the auspices of the Namibian Broadcasting Company. There are differences in administrative form, but both models have come up against very similar problems in the design of the content. It is easy to talk about community and grassroots orientation, but to implement such policies is difficult, especially when the basic task is to promote democracy and citizenship.
Images of the Kosovo War
Authors: Quarta Serena
Published: January 2006

This article presents a qualitative analysis of a sample of Italian children’s drawings and writings about the war in Kosovo. The analysis gives an in-depth reading of the children’s material, highlighting their feelings and the way in which they represent the dynamics and the protagonists of war. It is noted that the way that war is represented by children is filtered by adults’ interpretations, whose own vision is dichotomous. The children’s vision of Kosovo reflects the fears, nightmares and stereotypes of the adults, even if mediated by the particular sensitivity of youth. The moral duty to help their peers in Kosovo and the need to explain war as unavoidable are mixed with the need to keep one’s own space untouched. The article concludes that it is precisely this kaleidoscopic vision of the war that strengthens the adults’ stereotypes, according to which Milosevic is the ‘bad guy’, who must be overthrown, but the people from Kosovo are a threat to the rhythm of everyday life.
Comparison of different XPS methods for fiber surface analysis
Authors: Hultén Anette Heijnesson , Basta Jiri , Larsson Per , Ernstsson Marie
Published: January 2006

Three different XPS methods based on the O/C atomic ratio, C1 carbon content, and Hg amount are compared in this study to quantify the surface coverage of various pulp fiber surfaces by lignin and extractives. The sensitivity of the methods to drying technique and the stability of organically bound mercury when subjected to X-ray irradiation were also investigated. Results reveal that the surfaces of all pulp fibers have a higher content of lignin and extractives than the bulk of the fibers. Similar lignin surface coverage was obtained for thermomechanical pulp fibers using the Hg, O/C, and C1 carbon methods, while the Hg method gave lower values for kraft pulp fibers than the O/C and C1 carbon methods. The O/C and C1 carbon methods are sensitive to the drying technique, i.e., air-dried samples showed a higher amount of lignin on the fiber surface than freeze-dried samples, while no or only minor differences in results were obtained using the Hg method. The Hg method was more reproducible than the other methods. Special care must be exercised during XPS analysis to minimize mercury degradation.
Antifungal diterpenes from the bark of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don
Authors: Kofujita Hisayoshi , Fujino Youji , Ota Michikazu , Takahashi Kouetsu
Published: January 2006

Bioassay-guided isolation of compounds from n-hexane extracts of the bark of Cryptomeria japonica resulted in six abietane- and two pimarane-type diterpenoids, including a new compound, 12-methoxy-6α,11-dihydroxyabieta-8,11,13-triene. The structure of the new substance was established by spectral analyses and comparison with related compounds. The antifungal activities of these diterpenes were evaluated against the phytopathogenic fungi Alternaria alternata, Pyricularia oryzae, Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium oxysporum. The diterpenes showed moderate antifungal activity against the fungi examined.
Rapid analysis of transgenic trees using transmittance near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR)
Authors: Yamada Tatsuhiko , Yeh Ting-Feng , Chang Hou-Min , Li Laigeng , Kadla John F. , Chiang Vincent L.
Published: January 2006

Genetic engineering of trees has generated a large amount of interest in the development of highly improved transgenic trees. To efficiently monitor and control the properties of the transgenic products, a rapid, mini-scale analytical method is required. Transmittance near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy was chosen as a fast analysis tool for characterizing the chemical properties of the transgenic products. Pellets were prepared from 75 mg of wood meal and directly scanned using transmittance NIR spectroscopy. Very strong correlations were obtained between the NIR data and conventional wet-chemistry results for the lignin content, S/G ratio, cellulose and xylose content. The results indicate that transmittance NIR is a powerful tool for determining and screening the chemical properties of transgenic trees.
Reinforcing potential of wood pulp-derived microfibres in a PVA matrix
Authors: Chakraborty Ayan , Sain Mohin , Kortschot Mark
Published: January 2006

In this study, the reinforcing potential of cellulose “microfibres” obtained from bleached softwood kraft pulp was demonstrated in a matrix of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Microfibres are defined as fibres of cellulose of 0.1–1 μm in diameter, with a corresponding minimum length of 5–50 μm. Films cast with these microfibres in PVA showed a doubling of tensile strength and a 2.5-fold increase in stiffness with 5% microfibre loading. The theoretical stiffness of a microfibre was calculated as 69 GPa. The study also demonstrated that the strength of the composite was greater at 5% microfibre loading compared to 10% loading. Comparative studies with microcrystalline cellulose showed that the minimum aspect ratio of the reinforcing agent is more criticalthan its crystallinity in providing reinforcement in the composite.
Interrelationship between the severity of heat treatments and sieve fractions after impact ball milling: a mechanical test for quality control of thermally modified wood
Authors: Rapp Andreas Otto , Brischke Christian , Welzbacher Christian Robert
Published: January 2006

Thermal modification processes improve the durability and dimensional stability of wood, but strength properties, especially dynamic ones, are compromised. Results from standard dynamic strength testing, such as impact bending tests, suffer from high variability and therefore require a high number of replicates. To overcome this, a new test method named high-energy multiple impact (HEMI) was developed by investigating heat-treated Picea abies Karst., Abies alba Mill. and untreated Robinia pseudoacacia L. The method is based on crushing small specimens by thousands of impacts from pounding steel balls in a heavy vibratory mill. The level of destruction was determined by sieving and analyzing the size distribution of the fragments. We calculated the resistance to impact milling (RIM) based on the mass of the size fractions. RIM shows a linear correlation with the intensity of the thermal treatment. The HEMI test method has the following advantages: small number of specimens, short time for specimen preparation, small variances, and high reproducibility of results.
Decay resistance, extractive content, and water sorption capacity of Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Lebed.) heartwood timber
Authors: Venäläinen Martti , M. Harju Anni , Terziev Nasko , Laakso Tapio , Saranpää Pekka
Published: January 2006

The aim of this study was to find chemical or physical properties of Siberian larch heartwood timber that correlate with the variation in decay resistance. Juvenile heartwood from 24-year-old grafts of 15 clones was exposed to three brown-rot fungi according to the standard in vitro decay test (European standard EN 113). The mass losses caused by the brown rot fungi Coniophora puteana, Poria placenta, and Gloeophyllum trabeum were 20%, 28% and 17% of the dry mass, respectively. The average mass loss over the three fungi had a strong negative correlation with the concentration of taxifolin (r=–0.673, P=0.006), as well as with the concentration of total phenolics determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay (r=–0.677, P=0.006). Thus, the concentration of flavonoids is a promising property for indirect measurement of the decay resistance of Siberian larch timber. The most abundant heartwood extractives, arabinogalactans, had a non-significant relationship with the decay resistance, but their concentration correlated positively with the capacity of the wood to adsorb water (r=0.736, P=0.002). The hygroscopic properties of the wood or the wood density were not associated with the decay resistance.
Novel Applications of the Deep-Hole Drilling Technique for Measuring Through-Thickness Residual Stress Distributions
Authors: Kingston EJ , Stefanescu D , Mahmoudi AH , Truman CE , Smith DJ
Published: January 2006

This paper presents novel applications of the deep-hole drilling technique for residual stress measurement in components. The results outline the versatility of this technique for application in complex situations such as residual stress measurement in very thick components, components with difficult access to the measurement location, very large components, components requiring high spatial resolution, and components requiring detailed near surface residual stress distribution. The deep-hole drilling measurements were compared with results obtained using other measurement techniques. Excellent agreement was found between the results.
Relationship Between Paste Volume and Cementitious Materials Content in Hardened Concrete
Authors: Cong DX
Published: January 2006

A linear regression equation is developed between the paste volumes via the point count method and total cementitious materials contents of 31 concrete samples with known mix proportions. The equation has a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.96 and a standard deviation of 13.6 kg/m3. The equation can be used to calculate the total cementitious materials content based on the paste volume measured via point count and the water-to-cementitious-materials ratio estimated petrographically, and the result is more accurate than the traditional method currently used by many concrete petrographers. The equation is equally effective for portland cement concrete and concrete containing fly ash. In addition, the effect of fly ash, and the traditional method for estimating the cementitious materials content are further discussed.
Reactor Dosimetry Issues During Justification of Extension of Service Life of Nonrestorable Equipment of Russian VVER
Authors: Borodkin G , Khrennikov N , Dmitriev A , Miroshnichenko M , Grivizirsky V
Published: January 2006

Reactor dosimetry issues have been analyzed in every aspect of extension of service life of non-restorable equipment of the Russian Vodo-Vodianoy Energetichesky Reactor (rus.) (VVER)-type reactors. A special attention has been focused on the role of neutron fluence and fluence rate uncertainties in prediction of the lifetime of the equipment. Results of analysis of service life justification of the first generation VVERs have been presented. A comparison of calculational and experimental dosimetry results are discussed in this paper. Usefulness of the Niobium-93 technique of fluence measurements as applied to template and trepan specimen dosimetry is especially emphasized in this paper.
Suppressor Analysis of a Histone Defect Identifies a New Function for the Hda1 Complex in Chromosome Segregation
Authors: Kanta Hasna , Laprade Lisa , Almutairi Abeer , Pinto Inés
Published: January 2006

Histones are essential for the compaction of DNA into chromatin and therefore participate in all chromosomal functions. Specific mutations in HTA1, one of the two Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes encoding histone H2A, have been previously shown to cause chromosome segregation defects, including an increase in ploidy associated with altered pericentromeric chromatin structure, suggesting a role for histone H2A in kinetochore function. To identify proteins that may interact with histone H2A in the control of ploidy and chromosome segregation, we performed a genetic screen for suppressors of the increase-in-ploidy phenotype associated with one of the H2A mutations. We identified five genes, HHT1, MKS1, HDA1, HDA2, and HDA3, four of which encode proteins directly connected to chromatin function: histone H3 and each of the three subunits of the Hda1 histone deacetylase complex. Our results show that Hda3 has functions distinct from Hda2 and Hda1 and that it is required for normal chromosome segregation and cell cycle progression. In addition, HDA3 shows genetic interactions with kinetochore components, emphasizing a role in centromere function, and all three Hda proteins show association with centromeric DNA. These findings suggest that the Hda1 deacetylase complex affects histone function at the centromere and that Hda3 has a distinctive participation in chromosome segregation. Moreover, these suppressors provide the basis for future studies regarding histone function in chromosome segregation.
Regulation of Hyphal Morphogenesis and the DNA Damage Response by the Aspergillus nidulans ATM Homolog AtmA
Authors: Malavazi Iran , Semighini Camile P , von Zeska Kress Marcia Regina , Harris Steven D , Goldman Gustavo H
Published: January 2006

Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is an inherited disorder characterized by progressive loss of motor function and susceptibility to cancer. The most prominent clinical feature observed in A-T patients is the degeneration of Purkinje motor neurons. Numerous studies have emphasized the role of the affected gene product, ATM, in the regulation of the DNA damage response. However, in Purkinje cells, the bulk of ATM localizes to the cytoplasm and may play a role in vesicle trafficking. The nature of this function, and its involvement in the pathology underlying A-T, remain unknown. Here we characterize the homolog of ATM (AtmA) in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. In addition to its expected role in the DNA damage response, we find that AtmA is also required for polarized hyphal growth. We demonstrate that an atmA mutant fails to generate a stable axis of hyphal polarity. Notably, cytoplasmic microtubules display aberrant cortical interactions at the hyphal tip. Our results suggest that AtmA regulates the function and/or localization of landmark proteins required for the formation of a polarity axis. We propose that a similar function may contribute to the establishment of neuronal polarity.
Concerted Evolution of Two Novel Protein Families in Caenorhabditis Species
Authors: Thomas James H
Published: January 2006

Among a large number of homologous gene clusters in C. elegans, two gene families that appear to undergo concerted evolution were studied in detail. Both gene families are nematode specific and encode small secreted proteins of unknown function. For both families in three Caenorhabditis species, concerted groups of genes are characterized by close genomic proximity and by genes in inverted orientation. The rate of protein evolution in one of the two families could be calibrated by comparison with a closely related nonconcerted singleton gene with one-to-one orthologs in all three species. This comparison suggests that protein evolution in concerted gene clusters is two- to sevenfold accelerated. A broader survey of clustered gene families, focused on adjacent inverted gene pairs, identified an additional seven families in which concerted evolution probably occurs. All nine identified families encode relatively small proteins, eight of them encode putative secreted proteins, and most of these have very unusual amino acid composition or sequence. I speculate that these genes encode rapidly evolving antimicrobial peptides.
A Simple Genetic Incompatibility Causes Hybrid Male Sterility in Mimulus
Authors: Sweigart Andrea L , Fishman Lila , Willis John H
Published: January 2006

Much evidence has shown that postzygotic reproductive isolation (hybrid inviability or sterility) evolves by the accumulation of interlocus incompatibilities between diverging populations. Although in theory only a single pair of incompatible loci is needed to isolate species, empirical work in Drosophila has revealed that hybrid fertility problems often are highly polygenic and complex. In this article we investigate the genetic basis of hybrid sterility between two closely related species of monkeyflower, Mimulus guttatus and M. nasutus. In striking contrast to Drosophila systems, we demonstrate that nearly complete hybrid male sterility in Mimulus results from a simple genetic incompatibility between a single pair of heterospecific loci. We have genetically mapped this sterility effect: the M. guttatus allele at the hybrid male sterility 1 (hms1) locus acts dominantly in combination with recessive M. nasutus alleles at the hybrid male sterility 2 (hms2) locus to cause nearly complete hybrid male sterility. In a preliminary screen to find additional small-effect male sterility factors, we identified one additional locus that also contributes to some of the variation in hybrid male fertility. Interestingly, hms1 and hms2 also cause a significant reduction in hybrid female fertility, suggesting that sex-specific hybrid defects might share a common genetic basis. This possibility is supported by our discovery that recombination is reduced dramatically in a cross involving a parent with the hms1–hms2 incompatibility.
Vitellogenin in black turtle (Chelonia mydas agassizii): Purification, partial characterization, and validation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for its detection
Authors: Sifuentes-Romero Itzel , Vázquez-Boucard Celia , Sierra-Beltrán Arturo P. , Gardner Susan C.
Published: January 2006

Black turtle plasmatic vitellogenin (VTG) was purified fom 177β-estradiol–induced males using ion-exchange chromatography. The isolated protein was identified as VTG by its glycolipoprotein nature and amino acid sequence homology with other vertebrate VTG. It was characterized as a 500-kDa dimer composed of two identical, 200- to 240-kDa monomers. Polyclonal antibodies raised against black turtle VTG showed high titer and specificity, as demonstrated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis, respectively. The range of the assay was estimated to be between 15 ng/ml and 2 μg/ml, and the inter- and intra-assay coefficients of variation were 9.4 and 7.3%, respectively. Black turtle antibody cross-reacted with VTG of two other sea turtle species, Caretta caretta (loggerhead) and Eretmochelys imbricata (hawksbill), extending the applicability of the assay as part of a sea turtle health assessment program.