bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the interface zone between the glass ionomer and enamel and dentin of primary molars
Authors: Petrovic Bojan , Peric Tamara , Markovic Dejan
Published: July 2008

Restoring carious teeth is one of the major dental treatment needs of young children. Conventional glassionomer materials are frequently used as filling materials in contemporary pediatric dentistry. The objective of this study was to evaluate the restorative and prophylactic efficacy of the newly marketed glass ionomer, Fuji Triage (GC, Tokyo, Japan), through morphological analysis of the interface zone between the material and the enamel and the dentin of primary molars and to determine the extent of the ion exchange at the interface zone. The sample consisted of 5 extracted intact first primary molars in which glassionomer had been used as filling material after standard class I cavity preparation. The material was placed according to the manufacturer's instructions and teeth were placed into dionised water prior to experiment. Six sections of each tooth had been examined using scanning electron microscopic and electron dispersive spectroscopic techniques (SEM/EDS). The parameters for evaluation included: morphological characteristics of the interface zone and the extent of the ion exchange between the material and the tooth structures Results were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. SEM/EDS analysis revealed the presence of the chemical bonding between the glass ionomer and the enamel and dentin, 5 and 15 ?m in width, respectively. Ion exchange has not been detected in the enamel at the EDS sensitivity level. Strontium and fluor penetration has been detected in dentin. The ion exchange and chemical bonding formation justify the usage of the conventional glass ionomer materials for restorative procedures in primary molars.
Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from Satureja horvatii Silic (Lamiaceae)
Authors: Lakusic Branislava , Ristic Mihailo , Slavkovska Violeta , Antic-Stankovic Jelena , Milenkovic Marina
Published: July 2008

The present paper describes the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of the endemic species Satureja horvatii Silic, collected in Montenegro. The essential oil was obtained from the aerial parts of the plant by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-MS. From the 34 compounds representing 100 % of the oil, the major compound was the phenolic monoterpene thymol (63.37 %). The oil contained smaller amounts of g-terpinene (7.49 %), carvacrol methyl ether (4.92 %), carvacrol (4.67 %), p-cymene (4.52%), a-terpinene (1.81 %), borneol (1.58 %), a-thujene (1.56 %), b-caryophyllene (1.55 %) and b-myrcene (1.44 %). The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of S. horvatii was evaluated using the agar diffusion and broth microdilution methods. The essential oil exhibited antimicrobial activity to varying degrees against all the tested strains. The maximum activity of S. horvatii oil was observed against Gram-positive bacteria (Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis) and against the yeast (Candida albicans). The oil exhibited moderate activity against the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae and weak activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This study confirms that the essential oil of S. horvatii possesses antimicrobial activities in vitro against medically important pathogens.
Effect of excess free energy of solvents on the oxidation of methionine by quinolinium fluorochromate: A kinetic study
Authors: Bhuvaneshwari D.S. , Elango K.P.
Published: July 2008

The oxidation of methionine by quinolinium fluorochromate (QFC) was studied in the presence of chloroacetic acid, in water/organic solvent mixtures of varying excess molar free energy function. The reaction is first order with respect to both QFC and acid. The reaction rates were determined at different temperatures and the activation parameters computed. The rate data was correlated with different solvent parameters using linear multiple regression analysis. From the results, information on the solvent-reactants and the solvent-transition state interactions was obtained. .
Molecular structure in correlation with electrochemical properties of mixed-ligand cobalt(III) complexes
Authors: Babic-Samardzija K. , Jovanovic V.M. , Sovilj S.P.
Published: July 2008

Four mixed-ligand cobalt(III) complexes (1-4) of the general formula [Co(Rdtc)cyclam](ClO4)2 and [Co(Rac)cyclam](ClO4)2 (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetra- azacyclotetradecane; Rdtc = thiomorpholine-(Timdtc) or 2-methylpiperidine-(2-Mepipdtc) dithiocarbamates; Rac = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedionato (Hfac) or 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato (Tmhd), respectively) were electrochemically examined on a glassy carbon and an iron electrode in perchloric acid solution. The obtained results showed the influence of these complexes on hydrogen evolution, the oxygen reduction reaction and iron dissolution. The exhibited effects of the complexes on these reactions depend on structure related to the bidentate dithiocarbamato or b-diketonato ligand. The electrochemical properties of the complexes were correlated with molecular structure and parameters derived from spectral analysis and molecular modeling. .
Serbian public opinion on child imagination and its correlates
Authors: Maksic Slavica , Pavlovic Zoran
Published: July 2008

Child imagination is considered in developmental theories as a desirable precondition for later creative production, though in everyday use, imagination is viewed as fantasy, unreal, not practical and not important. The topic of interest in this paper is public opinion of imagination as the quality that can be encouraged to learn at home and the factors which influence this opinion. The data for the analysis were collected from the Third and Fourth Wave of World Values Survey. The findings suggest that imagination has a very low status among other child qualities which have to be supported. The increase in interest for imagination in the world and in Europe between the Third and Fourth Wave of the survey can indicate larger compliance with the actual demands of educational reform for democratization of education and encouragement of creativity of the young. Stagnation of child imagination status in the opinion of Serbian respondents is understandable in the framework of social crisis which happened at the time when the survey was conducted. The preference of imagination is positively correlated with respondents' postmaterialist orientation and educational level, but negatively with their age. The implications of findings for nurturing creativity in formative period are discussed. It is concluded that the school is invited to offer special programs to compensate for public opinion effects.
The quality of communication between teacher and pupil and the application of stimulative measures
Authors: Lalic-Vucetic Natasa
Published: July 2008

If we accept the view that teaching is one form of social interaction and highly a communication process, then it is possible to argue that different forms and kinds of social influence are established between a teacher and a pupil, and not only the influence of teacher on the pupil, but vice versa as well, the influence of pupil on the teacher. This paper emphasises the importance of social context in motivating the pupil by certain stimulative measures, which is substantiated by the results of the study performed in primary schools in Belgrade. The technique of systematic observation was applied and it comprised monitoring the classes of regular teaching and the frequency of stimulative measures in regular classes. The aim of research was to determine the significance of difference between the quality of communication between teachers and pupils and the frequency of stimulative measures. The quality of communication encompassed the course of verbal communication, expressing of initiative in class on the part of pupils, two kinds of pupils' responses and the possibility of combining those kinds and, finally, the dominant form of class work. The concluding part of the paper lists the basic steps that contribute to the quality of the communication between pupils and teachers.
Biotenodesis Screw for Fixation of FDL Transfer in the Treatment of Adult Acquired Flatfoot Deformity
Authors: Wukich Dane K. , Rhim Bora , Lowery Nicholas James , Dial Dekarlos
Published: July 2008

Background: In stage II PTTD, flexor digitorum longus (FDL) tendon transfer with an adjunctive bony procedure is the most common method of surgical correction. This paper presents an alternative method of fixation with a biotenodesis interference screw (Arthrex Biotenodesis Screw System) that allows proper tensioning of the FDL tendon transfer. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 25 consecutive patients who underwent FDL tendon transfer utilizing a biotenodesis interference screw. Intraoperative stability was noted and any loss of correction was assessed postoperatively. Results: Stable fixation was achieved in 24 of the 25 patients who underwent FDL tendon transfer for PTTD. We were not able to achieve stable fixation in one patient due to improper placement of the bone tunnel. This was recognized intraoperatively and did not affect the final outcome. Conclusion: This method is technically easier to perform than the recommended technique by the manufacturer. It can be performed through a slightly smaller incision without disrupting the normal interconnections between flexor hallucis long (FHL) and FDL tendon at the Knot of Henry.
Life/History: Personal Narratives of Development Amongst NGO Workers and Activists in Ghana
Authors: Yarrow Thomas
Published: July 2008

Widespread assumptions about the extractive and self-serving nature of African elites have resulted in the relative neglect of questions concerning their personal ethics and morality. Using life-history interviews undertaken with a range of Ghanaian development workers, this article explores some of the different personal aspirations, ideologies and beliefs that such narratives express. The self-identification of many of those interviewed as ‘activists’ is examined in terms of the related concepts of ‘ideology’, ‘commitment’ and ‘sacrifice’. Much recent work within history and anthropology uses the ‘life-history’ as a way of introducing ‘agency’ that is purported to be missing in accounts focusing on larger social abstractions. Yet it is the very opposition between abstractions such as ‘history’ and ‘society’ and their own more ‘personal’ lives that such narratives themselves enact. The article thus interrogates the various ways in which development workers variously imagine their lives in relation to broader social and historical processes.
Byron, Clough, and the Grounding of Victorian Poetry
Authors: CRONIN RICHARD
Published: July 2008

In Scene VI of Dipsychus, the Spirit wonders, as people on holiday often do, what he should do next: What now? The Lido shall it be? That none may say we didn't see The ground which Byron used to ride on, And do I don't know what beside on. (VI. 1–4)1 When Byron was living in Venice or nearby, for two years from 1817 to 1819, he had already, as he frequently complained, become one of the objects that English visitors to Venice liked to inspect. But he had only himself to blame, because it was Byron, even more powerfully than Scott, who had established the fashion for literary tourism. The thousands of British visitors who took a boat on Lake Leman or a guided tour of the dungeons of the castle of Chillon did so to honour Rousseau and the Swiss patriot Bonnivard, but also and more directly as witnesses to the fame of the poet of Childe Harold and The Prisoner of Chillon. It is no wonder that they were drawn in such numbers to the Lido when the poet himself rode on it, and continued to visit it when it summoned into presence not the poet himself but, perhaps still more potently, his memory. ‘Murray's faithful guide / Informs us’ (Dipsychus, V. 190–1) that the ‘shore of the Littorale, towards the Adriatic’ which ‘constitutes the Lido,’ is ‘now associated with the name of Byron, as the spot where he used to take his rides, and where he designed to have been buried.’2 There is then a double appropriateness in Clough's reference to Byron. Byron himself was, both in his own lifetime and after it, one of the prime tourist sites of Venice, and it was Byron who, more than any other poet, had set the fashion for tourist poetry of the kind that Clough himself wrote,3 not just in Dipsychus, but in The Bothie of Tober-na-Vuolich in which an Oxford reading party spends the long vacation in the Scottish Highlands, and in Amours de Voyage, in which an Oxford intellectual visits Rome in the Spring of 1849. Clough is, of course, a very different poet from Byron, but I want to begin by suggesting that one clue to their differences may be found in the different ways in which they thought about tourism and tourist poetry.
Deleuze and the Limits of Mathematical Time
Authors: Olkowski Dorothea
Published: July 2008

In Creative Evolution, Bergson argues that life, the so-called inner becoming of things, does not develop linearly, in accordance with a geometrical, formal model. For Bergson as for classical science, matter occupies a plane of immanence defined by natural laws. But he maintains that affection is not part of that plane of immanence and that it needs new kind of scientific description. For Deleuze, affection does belong to the plane of immanence whose parts are exterior to one another, according to classical natural laws. Out of this may be cut the closed, mechanical world with its immobile sections that Bergson attributes to cinematographic knowledge. Thus, in place of a science of creative evolution, Deleuze has substituted external relations, blocs of becoming and ultimately, a theory of extinction.
Transcendental Priority and Deleuzian Normativity. A Reply to James Williams
Authors: Reynolds Jack
Published: July 2008

I am grateful that someone whose work I greatly admire could be the philosopher to so eloquently and succinctly cut to the heart of the problem that I posed in the previous issue of Deleuze Studies. James Williams' critical reply leaves me, prima facie, confronted by a stark alternative: either I have misunderstood Deleuze, or I have illustrated problems and lacunae in Deleuze. I will suggest, however, that this is a false alternative, and that Williams' and my divergent accounts of The Logic of Sense – and even Deleuze's oeuvre as a whole – is better understood as a situation of ‘both/and’ rather than ‘either/or’, and hence that my interpretation of Deleuze isn't wrong, but necessarily iconoclastic.
History Undone: Towards a Deleuzo-Guattarian Philosophy of History
Authors: Bell Jeffrey A.
Published: July 2008

For those familiar with the work of Deleuze, and Deleuze and Guattari, it might at first seem unwise to pursue a Deleuze and Guattarian philosophy of history. After all, is it not Deleuze who, in an interview with Antonio Negri, argues that ‘What history grasps in an event is the way it’s actualized in particular circumstances; the event's becoming is beyond the scope of history'? (Deleuze 1995 : 170). And more damningly, Deleuze adds, ‘History isn’t experimental, it's just the set of more or less negative preconditions that make it possible to experiment with something beyond history' (Deleuze 1995 : 170). History, in short, is a starting point for experimental work, but it is precisely history ‘that one leaves behind in order to “become,” that is, to create something new’ (1995: 171). Similarly in A Thousand Plateaus, Deleuze and Guattari argue that ‘History is made by those who oppose history (not by those who insert themselves into it, or even reshape it)’ (Deleuze and Guattari 1987 : 295). In the very first line of his book, Lampert recognizes the possible conclusion these citations might lead one to, namely, ‘Deleuze and Guattari’s philosophy of becoming seems at times opposed to the very idea of historical succession' (1); and yet, as Lampert adeptly demonstrates, it would be a mistake to conclude that opposing history to ‘create something new’, ‘something beyond history’, necessarily entails being hostile to history, to the ‘idea of historical succession’, and thus to a philosophy of history.
An adaptive nonlinear output feedback controller using dynamic bounding with an aircraft control application
Authors: Tang Xidong , Tao Gang
Published: July 2008

An adaptive output feedback control scheme is developed for a class of nonlinear systems with uncertain nonlinearities, which are bounded by both static and dynamic functions of the system output, and with actuator failures whose failure time instants, patterns and values are unknown, as motivated from an aircraft flight control application. An adaptive backstepping control law using dynamic bounding is constructed to deal with unknown actuator failures as well as system parameter and dynamics uncertainties to guarantee desired system performance. Complete stability and performance analysis and illustrative simulation results of an application to aircraft flight control are presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Longitudinal auto‐landing controller design via adaptive backstepping
Authors: Ju Hann‐Shing , Tsai Ching‐Chih
Published: July 2008

This paper presents an auto‐landing controller for glide‐slope tracking and the flare maneuver via adaptive backstepping design and describes a flight path command generator for indirect altitude control in order to provide precise altitude trajectories for auto‐landing of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Using the adaptive backstepping procedure to synthesize a glide‐slope tracking and flare maneuver control law is being used differently from designing the guidance and control loops separately in autopilot. An adaptive controller is proposed to control aircraft from glide‐slope to flare by following the flight path angle command for indirect altitude control via elevator and maintaining the constant airspeed control via throttle. Simulation results demonstrate that the adaptive auto‐landing controller is capable of effectively guiding the UAV along the flight path angle command under the presence of the wind turbulence. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptive identification of two unstable PDEs with boundary sensing and actuation
Authors: Smyshlyaev Andrey , Orlov Yury , Krstic Miroslav
Published: July 2008

In this paper we consider a problem of on‐line parameter identification of parabolic partial differential equations (PDEs). In the previous study, on the actuation side, both distributed (SIAM J. Optim. Control 1997; 35:678–713; IEEE Trans. Autom. Control 2000; 45:203–216) and boundary (IEEE Trans. Autom. Control 2000; 45:203–216) actuations were considered in the open loop, whereas for the closed loop (unstable plants) only distributed one was addressed. On the sensing side, only distributed sensing was considered. The present study goes beyond the identification framework of (SIAM J. Optim. Control 1997; 35:678–713; IEEE Trans. Autom. Control 2000; 45:203–216) by considering boundary actuation for the unstable plants, resulting in the closed‐loop identification, and also introducing boundary sensing. This makes the proposed technique applicable to a much broader range of practical problems. As a first step towards the identification of general reaction–advection–diffusion systems, we consider two benchmark plants: one with an uncertain parameter in the domain and the other with an uncertain parameter on the boundary. We design the adaptive identifier that consists of standard gradient/least‐squares estimators and backstepping adaptive controllers. The parameter estimates are shown to converge to the true parameters when the closed‐loop system is excited by an additional constant input at the boundary. The results are illustrated with simulations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ADAMTS13 activity and inhibitor
Authors: Doldan‐Silvero Adriana , Acevedo‐Gadea Carlos , Habib Clandine , Freeman Jonathan , Johari Vandita
Published: July 2008

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is often associated with acquired or congenital deficiency of the von Willebrand factor‐cleaving metalloprotease, ADMATS13 (Lammle B et al., J Thromb Haemost 2005;3:1663‐1675; Schneppenheim et al., Blood 2003;101:1845‐1850). Although undetectable levels of enzyme activity (<10%) are diagnostic of inherited or acquired TTP in the correct clinical setting (absence is specific), not all patients diagnosed with TTP have severe protease deficiency, and it is therefore not recommended as an initial test for diagnosis (Copelovitch and Kaplan, Pediatr Nephrol, in press). Many prospective and retrospective studies have demonstrated that patients with severe protease deficiency have a higher likelihood of relapse, making it helpful as an indicator of recurrence. The short‐term prognostic usefulness of ADAMTS13 testing during acute TTP warrants further investigation because of limited prospective studies (Ferrari S et al., Blood 2007;109:2815‐2822; Peyvandi et al., Haematologica 2008;93:232‐239). Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
New constraints from the Hα line for the temperature of the transiting planet host star OGLE‐TR‐10
Authors: Ammler‐von Eiff M. , Santos N.C.
Published: July 2008

The spectroscopic analysis of systems with transiting planets gives strong constraints on planetary masses and radii as well as the chemical composition of the systems. The properties of the system OGLE‐TR‐10 are not well‐constrained, partly due to the discrepancy of previous measurements of the effective temperature of the host star.

This work, which is fully independent from previous works in terms of data reduction and analysis, uses the Hα profile in order to get an additional constraint on the effective temperature. We take previously published UVES observations which have the highest available signal‐to‐noise ratio for OGLE‐TR‐10. A proper normalization to the relative continuum is done using intermediate data products of the reduction pipeline of the UVES spectrograph. The effective temperature then is determined by fitting synthetic Hα profiles to the observed spectrum.

With a result of Teff = 6020 ± 140 K, the Hα profile clearly favours one of the previous measurements. The Hα line is further consistent with dwarf‐like surface gravities as well as solar and super‐solar metallicities previously derived for OGLE‐TR‐10.The Hα line could not be used to its full potential, partly because of the varying shape of the UVES échelle orders after flat field correction. We suggest to improve this feature when constructing future spectrographs. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A local multivariate Lagrange interpolation method for constructing shape functions
Authors: Luo Yunhua
Published: July 2008

In this paper, the conventional global univariate Lagrange interpolation method is transformed into a local multivariate interpolation method. The method has the following attractive features: it can be used to interpolate irregularly distributed data points; it does not need to solve local problems; if used for constructing shape functions, the obtained shape functions satisfy the Kronecker delta condition and they have the reproducing properties. The performance of the local multivariate Lagrange interpolation method was examined by applying it to function approximation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A fast algorithm for detecting admissible cuts in prestressed hollow core units
Authors: Tomasiello Stefania
Published: July 2008

In this paper a fast algorithm based on a recursive function to solve a design problem for the precast industry is presented. The problem can be summarized as follows: for a given span in the direction of the supporting beams, how many hollow core units of suitable length are necessary to cover exactly all the span, since the cuts in the hollow units can be made just in some admissible intervals because of some production constraints and the geometry is a customer requirement. The mathematical model and the algorithm are here discussed, proving that the computing time of the recursive function is O(n). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A variational multiscale model for the advection–diffusion–reaction equation
Authors: Houzeaux Guillaume , Eguzkitza Beatriz , Vázquez Mariano
Published: July 2008

The variational multiscale (VMS) method sets a general framework for stabilization methods. By splitting the exact solution into coarse (grid) and fine (subgrid) scales, one can obtain a system of two equations for these unknowns. The grid scale equation is solved using the Galerkin method and contains an additional term involving the subgrid scale. At this stage, several options are usually considered to deal with the subgrid scale equation: this includes the choice of the space where the subgrid scale would be defined as well as the simplifications leading to compute the subgrid scale analytically or numerically. The present study proposes to develop a two‐scale variational method for the advection–diffusion–reaction equation. On the one hand, a family of weak forms are obtained by integrating by parts a fraction of the advection term. On the other hand, the solution of the subgrid scale equation is found using the following. First, a two‐scale variational method is applied to the one‐dimensional problem. Then, a series of approximations are assumed to solve the subgrid space equation analytically. This allows to devise expressions for the ‘stabilization parameter’ τ, in the context of VMS (two‐scale) method. The proposed method is equivalent to the traditional Green's method used in the literature to solve residual‐free bubbles, although it offers another point of view, as the strong form of the subgrid scale equation is solved explicitly. In addition, the authors apply the methodology to high‐order elements, namely quadratic and cubic elements. The proposed model consists in assuming that the subgrid scale vanishes also on interior nodes of the element and applying the strategy used for linear element in the segment between these interior nodes. The proposed scheme is compared with existing ones through the solution of a one‐dimensional numerical example for linear, quadratic and cubic elements. In addition, the mesh convergence is checked for high‐order elements through the solution of an exact solution in two dimensions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
LC‐GRFA: global register file assignment with local consciousness for VLIW DSP processors with non‐uniform register files
Authors: Lu Chia‐Han , Lin Yung‐Chia , You Yi‐Ping , Lee Jenq‐Kuen
Published: July 2008

Embedded processors developed within the past few years have employed novel hardware designs to reduce the ever‐growing complexity, power dissipation, and die area. Although using a distributed register file architecture is considered to have less read/write ports than using traditional unified register file structures, it presents challenges in compilation techniques to generate efficient codes for such architectures. This paper presents a novel scheme for register allocation that includes global and local components on a VLIW DSP processor with distributed register files whose port access is highly restricted. In the scheme, an optimization phase performed prior to conventional global/local register allocation, named global/local register file assignment (RFA), is used to minimize various register file communication costs. A heuristic algorithm is proposed for global RFA to make suitable decisions based on local RFA. Experiments were performed by incorporating our schemes on a novel VLIW DSP processor with non‐uniform register files. The results indicate that the compilation based on our proposed approach delivers significant performance improvements, compared with the solution without using our proposed global register allocation scheme. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A utility‐based capacity optimization framework for achieving cooperative diversity in the hierarchical converged heterogeneous wireless networks
Authors: Peng Mugen , Zhang Qianqian , Wang Wenbo
Published: July 2008

A hierarchical convergence mechanism for the heterogeneous wireless communication system via the heterogeneous cooperative relay node is presented in this paper, in which the techniques of cooperative communication and wireless relay are utilized to improve performances of the individual user and the overall converged networks. In order to evaluate the benefits of the proposal, a utility‐based capacity optimization framework for achieving the heterogeneous cooperative diversity gain is proposed. The heterogeneous cooperative capacity, relay selection and power allocation theoretical models are derived individually. The joint optimization model for relay selection and power allocation is presented as well. Owing to the computation complexity, the sub‐optimal cooperative relay selection algorithm, the sub‐optimal power allocation algorithm and the sub‐optimal joint algorithm are determined to approach the maximum overall networks' spectrum efficiency. These proposed algorithms are designed in conformance to guarantee the equivalent transmission rates of the different wireless access networks. The simulation results demonstrate that the utility‐based capacity model is available for the heterogeneous cooperative wireless communication system, and the proposed algorithms can improve performances by achieving the cooperative gain and taking full advantage of the cross‐layer design. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The neurobiology of swallowing and dysphagia
Authors: Miller Arthur J.
Published: July 2008

The neurobiological study of swallowing and its dysfunction, defined as dysphagia, has evolved over two centuries beginning with electrical stimulation applied directly to the central nervous system, and then followed by systematic investigations that have used lesioning, transmagnetic stimulation, magnetoencephalography, and functional magnetic resonance imaging. The field has evolved from mapping the central neural pathway and peripheral nerves, to defining the importance of specific regions of the lower brain stem in terms of interneurons that provide sequential control for multiple muscles in the most complex reflex elicited by the nervous system, the pharyngeal phase of swallowing. The field is now emerging into defining how the higher cortical regions interact with this brain stem control and is providing a broader perspective of how the intact nervous system functions to control the three phases of swallowing (i.e., oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal). Much of the present interest focuses on how to retrain a damaged nervous system using a variety of stimulus techniques, which follow fundamentals in rehabilitation of the nervous system. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Dev Disabil Res Rev 2008;14:77–86.
Neurophysiology of hunger and satiety
Authors: Smith Pauline M. , Ferguson Alastair V.
Published: July 2008

Hunger is defined as a strong desire or need for food while satiety is the condition of being full or gratified. The maintenance of energy homeostasis requires a balance between energy intake and energy expenditure. The regulation of food intake is a complex behavior. It requires discrete nuclei within the central nervous system (CNS) to detect signals from the periphery regarding metabolic status, process and integrate this information in a coordinated manner and to provide appropriate responses to ensure that the individual does not enter a state of positive or negative energy balance. This review of hunger and satiety will examine the CNS circuitries involved in the control of energy homeostasis as well as signals from the periphery, both hormonal and neural, that convey pertinent information regarding short‐term and long‐term energy status of the individual. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Dev Disabil Res Rev 2008;14:96–104.
The nervous system and gastrointestinal function
Authors: Altaf Muhammad A. , Sood Manu R.
Published: July 2008

The enteric nervous system is an integrative brain with collection of neurons in the gastrointestinal tract which is capable of functioning independently of the central nervous system (CNS). The enteric nervous system modulates motility, secretions, microcirculation, immune and inflammatory responses of the gastrointestinal tract. Dysphagia, feeding intolerance, gastroesophageal reflux, abdominal pain, and constipation are few of the medical problems frequently encountered in children with developmental disabilities. Alteration in bowel motility have been described in most of these disorders and can results from a primary defect in the enteric neurons or central modulation. The development and physiology of the enteric nervous system is discussed along with the basic mechanisms involved in controlling various functions of the gastrointestinal tract. The intestinal motility, neurogastric reflexes, and brain perception of visceral hyperalgesia are also discussed. This will help better understand the pathophysiology of these disorders in children with developmental disabilities. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Dev Disabil Res Rev 2008;14:87–95.
Feeding and swallowing dysfunction in genetic syndromes
Authors: Cooper‐Brown Linda , Copeland Sara , Dailey Scott , Downey Debora , Petersen Mario Cesar , Stimson Cheryl , Van Dyke Don C.
Published: July 2008

Children with genetic syndromes frequently have feeding problems and swallowing dysfunction as a result of the complex interactions between anatomical, medical, physiological, and behavioral factors. Feeding problems associated with genetic disorders may also cause feeding to be unpleasant, negative, or even painful because of choking, coughing, gagging, fatigue, or emesis, resulting in the child to stop eating and to develop behaviors that make it difficult, if not impossible, for a parent to feed their child. In addition, limited experiences with oral intake related to the medical or physical conditions, or other variables such as prematurity, often result in a failure of the child's oral motor skills to develop normally. For example, a child with Pierre Robin sequence may be unable to successfully feed orally, initially, due to micrognathia and glossoptosis. Oral‐motor dysfunction may develop as a result of both anatomical problems, (e.g., cleft lip/palate), lack of experience (e.g., s/p. surgery), or oral motor abnormalities (e.g., brain malformation). Neuromotor coordination impairments such as those associated with Down syndrome (e.g., hypotonia, poor tongue control, and open mouth posture) frequently interfere with the acquisition of effective oral‐motor skills and lead to feeding difficulties. Management of these phenomena is frequently possible, if an appropriate feeding plan exist that allows for three primary factors: (1) feeding program must be safe, (2) feeding program must support optimal growth, and (3) feeding program must be realistic. Researchers have demonstrated the utility of behavioral approaches in the treatment of feeding disorders, such as manipulations in the presentation of foods and drink and consequences for food refusal and acceptance (e.g., praise, extinction, contingent access to preferred foods). However, because a child's failure to eat is not frequently the result of a single cause, evaluation and treatment are typically conducted by an interdisciplinary team usually consisting of a behavioral psychologist, pediatric gastroenterologist, speech pathologist, nutrition, and sometimes other disciplines. This chapter provides an overview of some of the feeding difficulties experience by some of the more common genetic disorders including identification, interventions, and management. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Dev Disabil Res Rev 2008;14:147–157.
Experimental verification of a dynamic voltage restorer capable of significantly reducing energy‐storage element requirements
Authors: Jimichi Takushi , Fujita Hideaki , Akagi Hirofumi
Published: July 2008

This paper deals with a dynamic voltage restorer (DVR) characterized by installing the shunt converter at the load side. The DVR can compensate for the load voltage when a voltage sag appears in the supply voltage. An existing DVR requires a large capacitor bank or other energy‐storage elements such as double‐layer capacitors or batteries. The DVR presented in this paper requires only a small DC capacitor intended for smoothing the DC‐link voltage. Moreover, three control methods for the series converter are compared and discussed to reduce the series‐converter rating, paying attention to the zero‐sequence voltages included in the supply voltage and the compensating voltage. Experimental results obtained from a 200‐V, 5‐kW laboratory system are shown to verify the viability of the system configuration and the control methods. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 165(3): 73–82, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20460
Characteristics of a new power generation system with application of a Shape Memory Alloy Engine
Authors: Sato Yoshihisa , Yoshida Naotsugu , Tanabe Yukinori , Fujita Hideki , Ooiwa Norio
Published: July 2008

It is necessary to develop new power generation systems using the unused low‐temperature thermal energy around 100 °C from the viewpoint of global warming prevention. Even if a shape memory alloy is bent at normal temperature, when it is warmed, it has the character that it returns to the original straight form. Using this character of a shape memory alloy, unused thermal energy will be able to transform into rotation energy, and finally it can change into electric energy. We solved this energy conversion mechanism and the validity of this theory was indirectly verified by experiment. Furthermore, the power generation characteristic of the Shape Memory Alloy Engine was obtained by experiment. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 165(3): 8–15, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20620
Information rates for multi‐dimensional modulation over multiple antenna wireless channels
Authors: Kassouf Marthe , Leib Harry
Published: July 2008

This paper considers achievable information rates for space‐‐time modulation schemes created by various allocations of signal dimensions to transmit antennas, and various transmit power allocations. We employ a deterministic space and time dispersive channel model following the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards. With informed transmitters, Shannon capacity is achieved by a water‐filling power allocation and an eigen‐beamforming signalling structure. With uninformed transmitters, we represent the lack of channel knowledge by an a‐prior probability distribution on the components of the channel propagation matrix. Then we show that a uniform power allocation makes the fraction of channels whose mutual information is less than any given rate, converge to zero fastest as the a‐prior distribution becomes non‐informative. Allocating all signal dimensions to all transmit antennas has significant benefits in many situations when the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) is not too small. For extreme SNR (low and high) cases, we consider power and signal dimension allocations that maximise the information rate with partial transmitter channel knowledge. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Actin cytoskeleton remodeling governs aquaporin‐4 localization in astrocytes
Authors: Nicchia Grazia Paola , Rossi Andrea , Mola Maria Grazia , Procino Giuseppe , Frigeri Antonio , Svelto Maria
Published: July 2008

Aquaporin‐4 (AQP4) is constitutively concentrated in the plasma membrane of the perivascular glial processes, and its expression is altered in certain pathological conditions associated with brain edema or altered glial migration. When astrocytes are grown in culture, they lose their characteristic star‐like shape and AQP4 continuous plasma membrane localization observed in vivo. In this study, we differentiated primary astrocyte cultures with cAMP and lovastatin, both able to induce glial stellation through a reorganization of F‐actin cytoskeleton, and obtained AQP4 selectively localized on the cell plasma membrane associated with an increase in the plasma membrane water transport level, but only cAMP induced an increase in AQP4 total protein expression. Phosphorylation experiments indicated that AQP4 in astrocytes is neither phosphorylated nor a substrate of PKA. Depolymerization of F‐actin cytoskeleton performed by cytochalasin‐D suggested that F‐actin cytoskeleton plays a primary role for AQP4 plasma membrane localization and during cell adhesion. Finally, AQP4 knockdown does not compromise the ability of astrocytes to stellate in the presence of cAMP, indicating that astrocyte stellation is independent of AQP4. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regulation of ABC membrane transporters in glial cells: Relevance to the pharmacotherapy of brain HIV‐1 infection
Authors: Ronaldson Patrick T. , Persidsky Yuri , Bendayan Reina
Published: July 2008

Limited drug penetration is an obstacle that is often encountered in the treatment of CNS diseases including human immunodeficiency virus type‐1 (HIV‐1) encephalitis (HIVE). One mechanism that may contribute to this phenomenon is the expression of ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) drug efflux transporters [i.e., P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp), Multidrug Resistance‐Associated Proteins (MRP/Mrp), Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP; also known as ABCG2)] at the primary brain barrier sites (i.e., blood‐brain barrier, blood‐cerebrospinal fluid barrier). In addition, it has been recently proposed that glial cells may also contribute to the low accumulation and altered distribution of therapeutic compounds in the CNS by functioning as a “secondary barrier.” In fact, a few studies have shown that ABC transporters are both expressed and functional in glial cells. Furthermore, commonly prescribed antiretroviral compounds (ARVs), particularly HIV‐1 protease inhibitors, are substrates for many of these same transport proteins suggesting that ABC transporters in glial cells may contribute to the overall export of these drugs from the brain. HIV‐1 infection is a chronic condition characterized by long‐term exposure of brain cellular compartments to HIV‐1 virions and soluble viral proteins. In addition, treatment of HIV‐1 infection involves long‐term administration of a multiplicity of ARVs (i.e., HAART regimens). Indeed, pathological factors associated with HIV‐1 infection and/or pharmacological factors related to treatment may alter the expression of ABC transporters and lead to changes in CNS ARV uptake and/or distribution. This review summarizes recent knowledge in this area and emphasizes the role that glial ABC transporters may play in regulating ARV transport. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Executive control of spatial attention shifts in the auditory compared to the visual modality
Authors: Krumbholz Katrin , Nobis Esther A. , Weatheritt Robert J. , Fink Gereon R.
Published: July 2008

Voluntary orienting of visual spatial attention has been shown to be associated with activation in a distributed network of frontal and parietal brain areas. Neuropsychological data suggest that at least some of these areas should be sensitive to the direction in which attention is shifted. The aim of this study was to use rapid event‐related functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate whether spatial attention in the auditory modality is subserved by the same or different brain areas as in the visual modality, and whether the auditory and visual attention networks show any degree of hemispheric lateralisation or sensitivity to the direction of attention shifts. The results suggest that auditory and visual spatial attention shifts are controlled by a supramodal network of frontal, parietal and temporal areas. Areas activated included the precuneus and superior parietal cortex, the inferior parietal cortex and temporo‐parietal junction, as well as the premotor and supplementary motor areas and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). In the auditory task, some of these areas, in particular the precuneus as well as the inferior parietal cortex and temporo‐parietal junction, showed ‘relative’ asymmetry, in that they responded more strongly to attention shifts towards the contralateral than the ipsilateral hemispace. Some areas, such as the right superior parietal cortex and left DLPFC, showed ‘absolute’ asymmetry, in that they responded more strongly in one than in the other hemisphere. Human Brain Mapp 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diagnostic and prognostic implications of microRNAs in human hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Li Wenxi , Xie Lu , He Xianghuo , Li Jinjun , Tu Kang , Wei Lin , Wu Jun , Guo Yong , Ma Xi , Zhang Pingping , Pan Zhimei , Hu Xin , Zhao Yingjun , Xie Haiyang , Jiang Guoping , Chen Taoyang , Wang Jianneng , Zheng Shusen , Cheng Jing , Wan Dafang , Yang Shengli , Li Yixue , Gu Jianren
Published: July 2008

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important gene regulators, which are often deregulated in cancers. In this study, the authors analyzed the microRNAs profiles of 78 matched cancer/noncanerous liver tissues from HCC patients and 10 normal liver tissues and found that 69 miRNAs were differentially expressed between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and corresponding noncancerous liver tissues (N). Then the expressions of 8 differentially expressed miRNAs were validated by real time RT PCR. The set of differentially expressed miRNAs could distinctly classify HCC, N and normal liver tissues (NL). Moreover, some of these differentially expressed miRNAs were related to the clinical factors of HCC patients. Most importantly, Kaplan‐Meier estimates and the log‐rank test showed that high expression of hsa‐miR‐125b was correlated with good survival of HCC patients (hazard ratio, 1.787, 95% confidence interval, 1.020–3.133, p = 0.043). The transfection assay showed that overexpression of miR‐125b in HCC cell line could obviously suppress the cell growth and phosporylation of Akt. In conclusion, the authors have demonstrated the diagnostic miRNA profile for HCC, and for the first time, identified the miR‐125b with predictive significance for HCC prognosis. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Optimizing the location of contraction–expansion joints in concrete canal lining
Authors: Ahmadi H. , Rahimi H. , Abdollahi J.
Published: July 2008

In the present paper, the interaction between subgrade soil and canal lining under different operating conditions has been analysed using finite element models. Analysis was made by determining stress–strain relationships of soil–concrete lining. Based on the results of the analysis, the best location for providing contraction–expansion joints on the lining was determined in a way to minimize the risk of cracking for any operating condition of canals of different sizes. According to the findings, providing a longitudinal joint at the lower 1/3 depth of small to medium size canals would eliminate any possibility of cracking by reducing the bending moment to 1/10 in comparison with a lining having no joint at the same location. To generalize the results, effects of subgrade soil characteristics such as modulus of elasticity and Poisson's ratio on the magnitude of the bending moments and deformations have been investigated. It was proved that the results are valid for all possible soil characteristics. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.