bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonvolatile Static Random Access Memory Using Resistive Switching Devices: Variable-Transconductance Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor Field-Effect-Transistor Approach
Authors: Yamamoto Shuu'ichirou , Shuto Yusuke , Sugahara Satoshi
Published: April 2010

In this paper, we present a variable-transconductance (g
m) metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect-transistor (VGm-MOSFET) architecture using a nonpolar resistive switching device (RSD) for nonvolatile bistable circuit applications. The architecture can be achieved by connecting an RSD to the source terminal of an ordinary MOSFET. The current drive capability of the VGm-MOSFET can be modified by resistance states of the connected RSD, which is a very useful function for nonvolatile bistable circuits, such as nonvolatile static random access memory (NV-SRAM) and nonvolatile flip-flop (NV-FF). NV-SRAM can be easily configured by connecting two additional VGm-MOSFETs to the storage nodes of a standard SRAM cell. Using our developed SPICE macromodel for nonpolar RSDs, successful circuit operations of the proposed NV-SRAM cell were confirmed.
Effects of Wall Charge on Firing Voltage and Statistical Delay Time in Alternating-Current Plasma Display Panels
Authors: Yoshino Kyohei , Nagatomi Takaharu , Morita Yukihiro , Oue Toshiyasu , Kosugi Naoki , Nishitani Mikihiko , Kitagawa Masatoshi , Takai Yoshizo
Published: April 2010

The effects of wall charge on firing voltage, V
f, and the statistical delay time of discharge, t
s, in plasma display panels were investigated. V
f, i.e., the ion-induced secondary electron emission, is independent of both the polarity and amount of wall charge. In contrast, t
s, i.e., the exoelectron emission, strongly depends on the wall charge and is smaller for a high positive wall charge, revealing the coexistence of trapped electrons and holes in the surface region. Positive charging of the MgO surface of the cathode side is effective to improve the response of the address discharge.
Efficient Up-Conversion Detection of 1550 nm Photons Using Bulk Periodically-Poled LiNbO3
Authors: Syouji Atsushi , Nagano Shigehiro , Shimizu Ryosuke , Suizu Koji , Edamatsu Keiichi
Published: April 2010

We demonstrate efficient up-conversion detection of photons at 1550 nm utilizing bulk periodically-poled LiNbO3 (PPLN) and nanosecond-pulsed pumping. An internal conversion efficiency of 96% and an overall photon detection efficiency of 19% including the efficiency of a visible photon detector were achieved with a low dark count rate.
Enhanced myogenic response in the afferent arteriole of spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Ren YiLin , D'Ambrosio Martin A. , Liu Ruisheng , Pagano Patrick J. , Garvin Jeffrey L. , Carretero Oscar A.
Published: April 2010

Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) have normal glomerular capillary pressure even though renal perfusion pressure is higher, suggesting that preglomerular vessels exhibit abnormally high resistance. This may be due to increased superoxide (O2−) production, which contributes to the vasoconstriction in hypertension. We tested the hypothesis that the myogenic response of the afferent arteriole (Af-Art) is exaggerated in SHRs because of increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Single Af-Arts were microdissected from kidneys of SHRs and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and microperfused in vitro. When perfusion pressure in the Af-Art was increased stepwise from 60 to 140 mmHg, the luminal diameter decreased by 8.4 ± 2.9% in WKY Af-Arts but fell by 29.3 ± 5.6% in SHR Af-Arts. To test whether ROS production is enhanced during myogenic response in SHRs, we measured chloromethyl-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate acetyl ester (CM-H2DCFDA) florescence before and after increasing intraluminal pressure from 60 to 140 mmHg. Pressure-induced increases in ROS were fourfold greater in SHR Af-Arts compared with WKY Af-Arts (SHR, 48.0 ± 2.2%; and WKY, 12.2 ± 0.3%). To test whether O2− contributes to the myogenic response in SHRs, either the membrane-permeant O2− scavenger Tempol or the nox2-based NADPH oxidase (NOX2) inhibitor gp91 ds-tat were added to the Af-Art lumen and bath and the myogenic response was tested before and after treatment. Both Tempol (10−4 M) and gp91 ds-tat (10−5 M) significantly attenuated the pressure-induced constriction in SHR Af-Arts but not in WKY Af-Arts. We conclude that 1) pressure-induced constriction is exaggerated in SHR Af-Arts, 2) NOX2-derived O2− may contribute to the enhanced myogenic response, and 3) O2− exerts little influence on the myogenic response under normotensive conditions.
Effects of cardiac-restricted overexpression of the A2Aadenosine receptor on adriamycin-induced cardiotoxicity
Authors: Hamad Eman A. , Li Xue , Song Jianliang , Zhang Xue-Qian , Myers Valerie , Funakoshi Hajime , Zhang Jin , Wang JuFang , Li Jifen , Swope David , Madonick Ashley , Farber John , Radice Glenn L. , Cheung Joseph Y. , Chan Tung O. , Feldman Arthur M.
Published: April 2010

Activation of the A2Aadenosine receptor (A2AR) has been shown to be cardioprotective. We hypothesized that A2AR overexpression could protect the heart from adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy. Transgenic (TG) mice overexpressing the A2AR and wild-type mice (WT) were injected with adriamycin (5 mg·kg−1·wk−1ip, 4 wk). All WT mice survived adriamycin treatment while A2AR TG mice suffered 100% mortality at 4 wk. Telemetry showed progressive prolongation of the QT interval, bradyarrhythmias, heart block, and sudden death in adriamycin-treated A2AR TG but not WT mice. Both WT and A2AR TG demonstrated similar decreases in heart function at 3 wk after treatment. Adriamycin significantly increased end-diastolic intracellular Ca2+concentration in A2AR TG but not in WT myocytes ( P < 0.05). Compared with WT myocytes, action potential duration increased dramatically in A2AR TG myoctyes ( P < 0.05) after adriamycin treatment. Expression of connexin 43 was decreased in adriamycin treated A2AR TG but not WT mice. In sharp contrast, A2AR overexpression induced after the completion of adriamycin treatment resulted in no deaths and enhanced cardiac performance compared with WT adriamycin-treated mice. Our results indicate that the timing of A2AR activation is critical in terms of exacerbating or protecting adriamycin-induced cardiotoxicity. Our data have direct relevance on the clinical use of adenosine agonists or antagonists in the treatment of patients undergoing adriamycin therapy.
Vulnerable windows define susceptibility to alternans and spatial discordance
Authors: Weinberg Seth , Malhotra Neha , Tung Leslie
Published: April 2010

Electrophysiological alternans is a beat-to-beat alternation of the action potential duration and/or Ca2+ transient amplitude and is linked to ventricular arrhythmias. We investigated the significance of various rate parameters under different experimental conditions with respect to alternans incidence and the propensity for spiral wave formation. Voltage and Ca2+ were optically mapped in monolayers of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. Alternans did not occur at physiological temperature, but its incidence increased significantly at lowered temperatures. Pacing cycle length for spatially concordant alternans onset (PCLC), PCL for spatially discordant alternans onset (PCLD), and minimum cycle length for loss of 1:1 or 2:2 capture (MCL) also significantly increased with lower temperature but in a way such that the differences between PCLC and MCL and between PCLD and MCL widened. These results provided the rationale to identify the former difference as the alternans vulnerable window (AVW; in ms) and the latter difference as the discordant alternans vulnerable window (AVWD; in ms). Computational simulations showed that interventions that widen AVW, including altered Ca2+ cycling and enhanced K+ currents, also promote alternans, regardless of whether PCLC or MCL increased or decreased. The simulation results were confirmed experimentally by addition of the ATP-sensitive K+ channel agonist pinacidil. Mathematical analysis provided a theoretical basis linking the size of AVW to the incidence of alternans. Finally, experiments showed that the size of AVWD is related to the incidence of spatially discordant alternans and, additionally, to the incidence of spiral wave formation. In conclusion, vulnerable windows can be defined that are strongly correlated with alternans incidence, spatial discordance, and spiral wave formation.
Role of heat shock factor-1 activation in the doxorubicin-induced heart failure in mice
Authors: Vedam Kaushik , Nishijima Yoshinori , Druhan Lawrence J. , Khan Mahmood , Moldovan Nicanor I. , Zweier Jay L. , Ilangovan Govindasamy
Published: April 2010

Treating cancer patients with chemotherapeutics, such as doxorubicin (Dox), cause dilated cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure because of oxidative stress. On the other hand, heat shock factor-1 (HSF-1), a transcription factor for heat shock proteins (Hsps), is also known to be activated in response to oxidative stress. However, the possible role of HSF-1 activation and the resultant Hsp25 in chemotherapeutic-induced heart failure has not been investigated. Using HSF-1 wild-type (HSF-1+/+) and knock-out (HSF-1−/−) mice, we tested the hypothesis that activation of HSF-1 plays a role in the development of Dox-induced heart failure. Higher levels of Hsp25 and its phosphorylated forms were found in the failing hearts of Dox-treated HSF-1+/+mice. More than twofold increase in Hsp25 mRNA level was found in Dox-treated hearts. Proteomic analysis showed that there is accumulation and aggregation of Hsp25 in Dox-treated failing hearts. Additionally, Hsp25 was found to coimmunoprecipitate with p53 and vice versa. Further studies indicated that the Dox-induced higher levels of Hsp25 transactivated p53 leading to higher levels of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax, but other p53-related proteins remained unaltered. Moreover, HSF-1−/−mice showed significantly reduced Dox-induced heart failure and higher survival rate, and there was no change in Bax upon treating with Dox in HSF-1−/−mice. From these results we propose a novel mechanism for Dox-induced heart failure: increased expression of Hsp25 because of oxidant-induced activation of HSF-1 transactivates p53 to increase Bax levels, which leads to heart failure.
Regulation of the voltage-insensitive step of HERG activation by extracellular pH
Authors: Zhou Qinlian , Bett Glenna C. L.
Published: April 2010

Human ether-à-go-go-related gene (HERG, Kv11.1, KCNH2) voltage-gated K+ channels dominate cardiac action potential repolarization. In addition, HERG channels play a role in neuronal and smooth cell excitability as well as cancer pathology. Extracellular pH (pHo) is modified during myocardial ischemia, inflammation, and respiratory alkalosis, so understanding the response of HERG channels to changes in pH is of clinical significance. The relationship between pHo and HERG channel gating appears complex. Acidification has previously been reported to speed, slow, or have no effect on activation. We therefore undertook comprehensive analysis of the effect of pHo on HERG channel activation. HERG channels have unique and complex activation gating characteristics with both voltage-sensitive and voltage-insensitive steps in the activation pathway. Acidosis decreased the activation rate, suppressed peak current, and altered the sigmoidicity of gating near threshold potentials. At positive voltages, where the voltage-insensitive transition is rate limiting, pHo modified the voltage-insensitive step with a pKa similar to that of histidine. Hill coefficient analysis was incompatible with a coefficient of 1 but was well described by a Hill coefficient of 4. We derived a pHo-sensitive term for a five-state Markov model of HERG channel gating. This model demonstrates the mechanism of pHo sensitivity in HERG channel activation. Our experimental data and mathematical model demonstrate that the pHo sensitivity of HERG channel activation is dominated by the pHo sensitivity of the voltage-insensitive step, in a fashion that is compatible with the presence of at least one proton-binding site on each subunit of the channel tetramer.
Residential Proximity to Schools and Daycares
Authors: Zandbergen Paul A. , Levenson Jill S. , Hart Timothy C.
Published: April 2010

Residential restrictions for sex offenders have become increasingly popular, despite the lack of empirical data suggesting that offenders’ proximity to schools or daycares contributes to recidivism. Using a matched sample of recidivists and nonrecidivists from Florida ( n = 330) for the period from 2004 through 2006, the authors investigated whether sex offenders who lived closer to schools or daycares were more likely to reoffend sexually against children than those who lived farther away. No significant differences were found between the distances that recidivists and nonrecidivists lived from schools and daycares. There was no significant relationship between reoffending and proximity to schools or daycares. The results indicate that proximity to schools and daycares, with other risk factors being comparable, does not appear to contribute to sexual recidivism. These data do not support the widespread enactment of residential restrictions for sexual offenders.
Introduction to Special Issue on Sex Offenses and Offenders: Toward Evidence-Based Public Policy
Authors: Harris Andrew J. , Lurigio Arthur J.
Published: April 2010

Since the early 1990s, state and federal lawmakers have enacted a range of laws and policies intended to mitigate the societal risk presented by sex offenders. In recent years, sex offender legislation has ranked near the top of state legislative agendas, and the U.S. Congress has asserted a role in shaping the nation’s sex offender management practice at the state level. Although this legislative activity has been accompanied by research-generated knowledge that has improved professionals’ ability to assess risk and to provide effective treatment and supervision, research on the specific effects of the policies is scanty. Hence, significant gaps are found between prevailing public policies and effective practices. This article introduces a special issue of Criminal Justice and Behavior focused on critically evaluating the efficacy of contemporary sex offender management policies in terms of enhancing public safety. The article describes the studies contained in the issue and places these studies into a broader policy framework. It concludes with a call for expanding the role of evidence in the development of our nation’s sex offender laws.
Effects of South Carolina’s Sex Offender Registration and Notification Policy on Deterrence of Adult Sex Crimes
Authors: Letourneau Elizabeth J. , Levenson Jill S. , Bandyopadhyay Dipankar , Armstrong Kevin S. , Sinha Debajyoti
Published: April 2010

This study examined whether South Carolina’s sex offender registration and notification (SORN) policy was associated with a general deterrent effect on adult sex crimes. Using adult arrest data from 1990 through 2005, trend analyses modeled the intervention effects of 1995 (the year South Carolina’s SORN policy was initially implemented) and 1999 (the year the policy was revised to include online registration). Results supported a significant deterrent effect for the 1995 intervention year, with an approximately 11% reduction in first-time sex crime arrests in the post-SORN period (1995-2005) relative to the pre-SORN period (1990-1994). This decline equated to averting approximately three new sex crime arrests per month. Comparison analyses with serious nonsex offenses against persons (assault and robbery) failed to identify similar effects, suggesting that the 1995 effect is attributable to sex offense—specific legislation. Findings are compared with the existing literature on general deterrent effects of SORN and discussed in the context of research examining other effects of SORN.
Assessing the Impact of Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification On Sex-Offending Trajectories
Authors: Tewksbury Richard , Jennings Wesley G.
Published: April 2010

General public sentiment and anecdotal evidence suggests that sex offenders are highly recidivistic. Furthermore, these similar beliefs have influenced a series of recent policy and legislative changes targeting sex offenders. This study examined the impact of sex offender registration and notification (SORN) on sex offender recidivism among a cohort of Iowa prisoners released prior to SORN and a cohort of Iowa prisoners released post-SORN. Results from semiparametric group-based trajectory models demonstrated that both sex offender samples had similar trajectory groups, that is, one group of nonrecidivist sex offenders, another group of very low-rate sex recidivists, and a small high-rate group of sex recidivists. Study limitations and implications for sex offender registration and community notification systems are also discussed.
Sex Offending and Serious Mental Illness
Authors: Harris Andrew J. , Fisher William , Veysey Bonita M. , Ragusa Laura M. , Lurigio Arthur J.
Published: April 2010

Over the past decade, two rapidly evolving areas of criminal justice practice have garnered increasing attention from policy makers, practitioners, and researchers: the management and treatment of justice involved individuals with serious and persistent mental illness, and the challenges of managing the perceived societal risk presented by sex offenders. Yet, whereas each of these issues has independently attracted significant attention, the nexus between them has remained largely unexamined. Matters of concern include the manner in which individuals with serious mental illness may be disproportionately affected by the expanding range of restrictions placed on those with sexual offense histories, the demands for adapting traditional models of sex offender treatment and supervision for those with serious mental illness, and the manner in which public mental health agencies must adapt their systems of inpatient and community-based care to meet the needs of clients with sex offense histories. This article explores the connections between sex offending and serious mental illness, examining the magnitude and nature of the issue, the organizational and programmatic challenges facing both the public mental health and criminal justice systems, and the emergent public policy implications. The article analyzes existing research, identifies relevant gaps in our existing body of knowledge, and concludes by presenting an agenda for policy makers and researchers.
Sex Offenses and Offenders Reconsidered
Authors: Veysey Bonita M. , Zgoba Kristen M.
Published: April 2010

Analyses of national and state-based data suggest that the rate of reported sexual offenses has declined in the past 25 years. This decline began prior to the implementation of registration and notification laws in the mid-1990s and continued to decline after the laws’ passage. It remains unclear, however, whether registration and notification laws have produced a qualitative change in the characteristics of the offender population and/or the predictors of sexual recidivism. This study investigates key differences among offenders pre- and postimplementation of community notification laws across an 11-year period (1990-2000) using a random sample of 550 offenders in New Jersey. All offenders were followed for 6.5 years, and reoffenses were analyzed across a range of demographic, clinical, and criminal offense predictors.
The Effects of Failure to Register on Sex Offender Recidivism
Authors: Duwe Grant , Donnay William
Published: April 2010

Failure to register (FTR) as a predatory offender recently supplanted criminal sexual conduct as the most common recidivism offense for sex offenders released from Minnesota prisons. To date, however, little is known about FTR. The authors attempted to address this gap by examining recidivism outcomes among inmates required to register as predatory offenders who were released from Minnesota prisons between 2000 and 2004. In particular, they analyzed whether an FTR offense (or history of any FTR offense) had a significant impact on sexual, general, and FTR recidivism. To minimize observed differences between FTR and non-FTR offenders, propensity score matching was used to create the non-FTR comparison group. Results from the Cox regression models indicate that an FTR offense did not have a significant effect on either sexual or general recidivism. In contrast, the findings suggested that an FTR conviction significantly increased the risk of recidivism for another FTR offense. Moreover, the results indicated that offenders with at least a GED or high school diploma at the time of release had a significantly reduced risk of FTR recidivism.
Understanding Men’s Perceptions of Risks and Rewards in a Date Rape Scenario
Authors: Bouffard Leana A. , Bouffard Jeffrey A.
Published: April 2010

Existing research on date rape has identified important correlations between rape-supportive attitudes and sexual aggression. What remains unclear is the mechanism by which these attitudes are translated into sexually aggressive behavior. This study borrows from a rational choice framework to explore the relationship between attitudes, perceptions of the risks and rewards of engaging in date rape, and self-reported hypothetical aggression in a date rape scenario. Results suggest that rape-supportive attitudes are related to particular patterns of identified risks and rewards of date rape as well as to the self-reported likelihood of engaging in date rape behavior. This supports a perspective that certain attitude structures may alter the risks and rewards that potential offenders consider in deciding whether or not to engage in sexual aggression. Implications for future research and prevention programs are discussed.
Assessing Risk for Sexual Recidivism: Some Proposals on the Nature of Psychologically Meaningful Risk Factors
Authors: Mann Ruth E. , Hanson R. Karl , Thornton David
Published: April 2010

Risk assessment and treatment for sexual offenders should focus on individual characteristics associated with recidivism risk. Although it is possible to conduct risk assessments based purely on empirical correlates, the most useful evaluations also explain the source of the risk. In this review, the authors propose that the basic requirements for a psychologically meaningful risk factor are (a) a plausible rationale that the factor is a cause of sexual offending and (b) strong evidence that it predicts sexual recidivism. Based on the second of these criteria, the authors categorize potential risk factors according to the strength of the evidence for their relationship with offending. The most strongly supported variables should be emphasized in both assessment and treatment of sexual offenders. Further research is required, however, to establish causal connections between these variables and recidivism and to examine the extent to which changes in these factors leads to reductions in recidivism potential.
Neuropsychological Correlates of Written Expression in College Students With ADHD
Authors: Semrud-Clikeman Margaret , Harder Lana
Published: April 2010

Objective: To examine written expression and the executive function skills (working memory, verbal fluency, and planning and organization) involved in written expression in college-aged students with ADHD. Method: Two groups of undergraduate students, aged 19 to 28 years, (ADHD, n = 31; control, n = 27) are evaluated on selected measures of executive function and a measure of written expression. Results: No statistically significant differences are found between groups on measures of executive function and written expression. A standard multiple regression model is significant for predicting writing mechanics, with a measure of behavioral inhibition making a statistically significant contribution. Conclusion: Findings from the study provide important information about the link between specific executive function abilities and written expression, particularly for fundamentals in writing in college students. ( J. of Att. Dis. 2011; 15(3) 215-223)
Can I Live Up to That Ad? Impact of Implicit Theories of Ability on Service Employees’ Responses to Advertising
Authors: Wentzel Daniel , Henkel Sven , Tomczak Torsten
Published: April 2010

Service researchers have postulated that ads have an important “second” audience, namely an organization’s own service employees. Specifically, ads may depict how employees deliver on the service promise, thereby communicating to other service employees what kind of behaviors they are expected to perform. This research examines when and to what extent service employees are motivated to live up to such ad models. Two experiments at a Swiss bank demonstrate that the effectiveness of an ad model is determined not only by the challenge presented by the model’s behavior but also by an employee’s implicit beliefs. Employees who believe that their abilities are fixed (i.e., entity-focused) are more motivated to imitate an ad model if the model’s behavior is moderately challenging rather than strongly challenging. In contrast, employees who believe that their abilities are malleable (i.e., incremental-focused) are not affected by how challenging the model’s behavior is. Moreover, the reactions of entity-focused employees to challenging ads may be improved by encouraging them to mentally simulate the process they need to go through to achieve a similar performance as the model.
The Relationship Between Forefoot and Rearfoot Static Alignment in Pain-Free Individuals With Above-Average Forefoot Varus Angles
Authors: Johanson Marie A. , Greenfeld Lauren , Hung Calvin , Walters Rob , Watson Clay
Published: April 2010

This study used a within-subjects correlational design to determine the relationship between forefoot varus angle and standing rearfoot angle among individuals with above-average forefoot varus angles. Clinicians have long theorized that forefoot position is related to the standing rearfoot angle and that both may be related to pronation during gait. More recently, data suggest that the association between static forefoot and rearfoot position may be limited to those individuals with forefoot varus angles larger or smaller than average. However, little data are available on the association between static forefoot and rearfoot angles among individuals with larger than average forefoot varus angles. Twenty-three healthy participants (mean age = 27.04 ± 6.24 years) with at least 8 degrees of forefoot varus bilaterally were recruited for this study. Goniometric measurements of forefoot varus angle and standing rearfoot angle of each foot were taken. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to assess intrarater and interrater reliability of the static forefoot and rearfoot angle measurements. The Pearson product moment coefficient was used to assess the association between the forefoot and rearfoot static angles. ICCs for intrarater and interrater reliability of the forefoot and rearfoot angles were equal to or greater than 0.98 and 0.92, respectively. Forefoot varus angle was significantly correlated with standing rearfoot angle (P = .034). Among healthy individuals with larger than average forefoot varus angles, static forefoot varus and standing rearfoot valgus angles demonstrate a positive association.
Parvovirus B19 infection and severe anaemia in Kenyan children: a retrospective case control study
Authors: Wildig James , Cossart Yvonne , Peshu Norbert , Gicheru Nimmo , Tuju James , Williams Thomas N , Newton Charles R
Published: April 2010

Background

During acute Human parvovirus B19 (B19) infection a transient reduction in blood haemoglobin concentration is induced, due to a 5-7 day cessation of red cell production. This can precipitate severe anaemia in subjects with a range of pre-existing conditions. Of the disease markers that occur during B19 infection, high IgM levels occur closest in time to the maximum reduction in haemoglobin concentration. Previous studies of the contribution of B19 to severe anaemia among young children in Africa have yielded varied results. This retrospective case/control study seeks to ascertain the proportion of severe anaemia cases precipitated by B19 among young children admitted to a Kenyan district hospital.

Methods

Archival blood samples from 264 children under 6 years with severe anaemia admitted to a Kenyan District Hospital, between 1999 and 2004, and 264 matched controls, were tested for B19 IgM by Enzyme Immunosorbent Assay and 198 of these pairs were tested for B19 DNA by PCR. 536 samples were also tested for the presence of B19 IgG.

Results

7 (2.7%) cases and 0 (0%) controls had high B19 IgM levels (Optical Density > 5 × cut-off value) (McNemar's exact test p = 0.01563), indicating a significant association with severe anaemia. The majority of strongly IgM positive cases occurred in 2003.

10/264 (3.7%) cases compared to 5/264 (1.9%) controls tested positive for B19 IgM. This difference was not statistically significant, odds ratio (OR) = 2.00 (CI95 [0.62, 6.06], McNemar's exact test p = 0.3018. There was no significant difference between cases and controls in the B19 IgG (35 (14.8%) vs 32 (13.6%)), OR = 1.103 (CI95 [0.66, 1.89], McNemar's exact test, p = 0.7982), or the detection of the B19 DNA (6 (3.0%) vs 5 (2.5%)), OR = 1.2 (CI95 [0.33, 4.01], McNemar's exact test p = 1).

Conclusions

High B19 IgM levels were significantly associated with severe anaemia, being found only among the cases. This suggests that 7/264 (2.7%) of cases of severe anaemia in the population of children admitted to KDH were precipitated by B19. While this is a relatively small proportion, this has to be evaluated in the light of the IgG data that shows that less than 15% of children in the study were exposed to B19, a figure much lower than reported in other tropical areas.
Simulation of full responses of a triaxial induction tool in a homogeneous biaxial anisotropic formation
Authors: Yuan Ning , Nie Xiao Chun , Liu Richard , Qiu Cheng Wei
Published: April 2010

Triaxial induction tools are used to evaluate fractured and low-resistivity reservoirs composed of thinly laminated sand-shale sequences. Thinly laminated and fractured reservoirs demonstrate transversely isotropic or fully anisotropic (biaxial anisotropic) electrical properties. Compared to the number of studies on transverse isotropy, relatively little work covers biaxial anisotropy because of the mathematical complexity. We have developed a theoretical analysis for the full response of a triaxial induction tool in a homogeneous biaxial anisotropic formation. The triaxial tool is composed of three mutually orthogonal transmitters and three mutually orthogonal receivers. The bucking coils are also oriented at three mutually orthogonal directions to remove direct coupling. Starting from the space-domain Maxwell’s equations, which the electromagnetic (EM) fields satisfied, we obtain the spectral-domain Maxwell’s equations by defining a Fourier transform pair. Solving the resultant spectral-domain vector equation, we can find the spectral-domain solution for the electric field. Then, the magnetic fields can be determined from a homogeneous form of Maxwell’s equations. The solution for the EM fields in the space domain can be expressed in terms of inverse Fourier transforms of their spectral-domain counterparts. We use modified Gauss-Laguerre quadrature and contour integration methods to evaluate the inverse Fourier transform efficiently. Our formulations are based on arbitrary relative dipping and azimuthal and tool angles; thus, we obtain the full coupling matrix connecting source excitations to magnetic field response. We have validated our formulas and investigated the effects of logging responses on factors such as relative dipping, azimuthal and tool angles, and frequency using our code. We only consider conductivity anisotropy, not anisotropy in dielectric permittivity and magnetic permeability. However, our method and formulas are straightforward enough to consider anisotropy in dielectric permittivity.
Direct nonlinear Q-compensation of seismic primaries reflecting from a stratified, two-parameter absorptive medium
Authors: Innanen Kristopher A. , Lira Jose E.
Published: April 2010

[Formula: see text]-compensation of seismic primaries that have reflected from a stratified, absorptive-dispersive medium may be posed as a direct, nonlinear inverse scattering problem. If the reference medium is chosen to be nonattenuating and homogeneous, an inverse-scattering [Formula: see text]-compensation procedure may be derived that is highly nonlinear in the data, but which operates in the absence of prior knowledge of the properties of the subsurface, including its [Formula: see text] structure. It is arrived at by (1) performing an order-by-order inversion of a subset of the Born series, (2) isolating and extracting a component of the resulting nonlinear inversion equations argued to enact [Formula: see text]- compensation, and (3) mapping the result back to data space. Once derived, the procedure can be understood in terms of nonlinear interaction of the input primary reflection data: the attenuation of deeper primaries is corrected by an operator built (automatically) using the angle- and frequency variations of all shallower primaries. A simple synthetic example demonstrates the viability of the procedure in the presence of densely sampled, broadband reflection data.
Pitfalls in seismic amplitude interpretation: Lessons from Oligocene channel sandstones
Authors: Harilal  , Biswal S. K.
Published: April 2010

A high-amplitude anomaly was identified in the Upper Oligocene Daman Formation clastic sequence during initial interpretation of newly acquired 3D seismic data in the Tapti-Daman sub-basin offshore western India. This anomaly exhibited the depositional signature of a channel and was interpreted as bright spots associated with gas sands, consistent with the occurrence of thin gas pays in the sandstone reservoirs of Daman Formation in the area. Considering thickness and areal extent, thick gas sands were predicted, upon drilling; however, thick water-bearing sands were found. The predrill interpretation was mainly based on windowed amplitudes without validation through character of reflection events and other supporting evidence such as frequency, velocity, and AVO.
Introduction to this special section: OTC.10 and Offshore technology
Authors: Reilly Joseph M.
Published: April 2010

From 3–6 May 2010, SEG will again cosponsor the Offshore Technology Conference, also known as OTC.10, the world's foremost event for the development of offshore resources in the fields of drilling, exploration, production, and environmental protection. OTC, founded in 1969, is now held annually at Reliant Center in Houston.
Q-compensation study at the Thunder Horse Field, Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Gherasim Mariana , Crider Richard , Davis Stan , Shoshitaishvili Elena , Trout Matt , Quist Yan , Casler Christopher
Published: April 2010

The available seismic imaging methods are challenged by the presence of massive and complicated salt bodies. This complex overburden affects seismic wave propagation in many ways including attenuation. As a consequence, the amplitude and frequency of the recorded seismic data decay differentially with time and raypath. The differential attenuation lowers the seismic resolution and distorts the phase.
Efficient broadband marine acquisition and processing for improved resolution and deep imaging
Authors: Kragh Ed , Muyzert Everhard , Curtis Tony , Svendsen Morten , Kapadia Deepak
Published: April 2010

One of the main goals of marine seismic acquisition is to deliver broadband data, rich in both low and high frequencies. The low frequencies are required for deep imaging, for inversion stability and for improved processing such as velocity analyses. The high frequencies are required, in addition to the low-frequencies, for better resolution. The problem of increasing the low-frequency content while maintaining the high-frequency content is caused by the well understood free-surface ghost effect. Towing streamers shallow favors the higher frequencies at the expense of attenuating the low frequencies, while towing streamers deep favors the lower frequencies, at the expense of attenuating frequencies within the seismic bandwidth.
GEOPHYSICS BRIGHT SPOTS
Authors: Mahrer K.
Published: April 2010

Welcome, if you are new; welcome back, if you are not. If you read our last column, you may recognize that we have changed the Bright Spots format a bit, making it a bit more casual and conversational, a bit less formal. We leave the formal where it must be, the articles in GEOPHYSICS. This month's column highlights some, but certainly not all, of the bright spots in the March–April issue. As always, consider this column your invitation to make the time to give the GEOPHYSICS articles their due.
AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Inhibits IGF-I Signaling and Protein Synthesis in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells via Stimulation of Insulin Receptor Substrate 1 S794 and Tuberous Sclerosis 2 S1345 Phosphorylation
Authors: Ning Junyu , Clemmons David R.
Published: April 2010

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibits IGF-I actions, but the mechanism by which AMPK functions is undefined. This study identified signaling events that were induced by AMPK that mediated inhibition of IGF-I-stimulated phosphoinosotide-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway activation. The AMPK activator metformin stimulated AMPK Thr172 phosphorylation and inhibited IGF-I-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt/tuberous sclerosis 2 (TSC2)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/p70S6 kinase (p70S6K). Expression of constitutively active forms of AMPK suppressed IGF-I-stimulated activation of Akt/TSC2/mTOR/p70S6K and protein synthesis, whereas AMPK knockdown resulted in enhanced responses to IGF-I. To determine the mechanism by which AMPK inhibited IGF-I signaling, the role of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) was examined. Both metformin and constitutively activated AMPK enhanced phosphorylation of IRS-1 Ser794, which led to decreased IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation and recruitment of the p85 subunit of PI3K. Overexpression of IRS-1 S794A was associated with increased IGF-I-stimulated IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation, p85 association, and protein synthesis. To determine whether other signaling molecules mediated the effect of AMPK, TSC2 function was examined. Cells overexpressing TSC2/S1345A (the site of AMPK phosphorylation) were less responsive to metformin-induced inhibition of p70S6 kinase. These findings are relevant to whole animal physiology because administration of metformin to mice resulted in inhibition of IGF-I-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt/mTOR/p70S6K. In conclusion, AMPK functions to inhibit IGF-I-stimulated PI3K pathway activation through stimulation of IRS-1 serine 794 phosphorylation. Because IGF-I is an important stimulant of the anabolic response, this effect of AMPK could account for part of its inhibitory effect on protein synthesis, thus allowing more efficient energy use by other cellular processes.
Synthesis of N,N′-Bis(thioacetoxyalkoxy)piperazine and Its Self-assembled Monolayer (SAM) Formation on Gold Electrode
Authors: Xi Haitao , Ju Shenglan , Chen Zhidong , Sun Xiaoqiang
Published: April 2010

A novel terminal thioacetate-substitued alkoxy piperazine was successfully synthesized from 4-(benzyloxy)phenol after six-step reaction and employed as the surface-active material in fabrication of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Cyclic voltammetric (CV) results showed that the SAM-modified gold electrode had special capacity in recognition for Fe3+.
Preparation of Nonporous Carbon-based Sorbent from Sucrose
Authors: Zhang Deyi , Luo Heming , Wang Yi , Feng Huixia
Published: April 2010

A nonporous carbon-based sorbent was obtained by partial carbonization of sucrose utilizing the dehydration effect of concentrated sulfuric acid. The BET specific surface area of the reported sorbent only is 0.6 m2 g−1, but it exhibits excellent adsorbability. Differently from active carbon, oxygen groups, such as hydroxy groups and carboxyl groups, are main active adsorption sites of the reported sorbent.
Synthesis of 3-D Ordered Macroporous MxH3−xPW12O40 (M = Cs+ and NH4+): Trimodal Mirco-, Meso-, and Macropores in CsxH3−xPW12O40 Material
Authors: Sasaki Keisuke , Sadakane Masahiro , Ninomiya Wataru , Ueda Wataru
Published: April 2010

3-D ordered macroporous (3DOM) crystalline CsxH3−xPW12O40 and (NH4)xH3−xPW12O40 were synthesized by a colloidal crystal template method. CsxH3−xPW12O40 and (NH4)xH3−xPW12O40 were deposited in the voids of templates by a two-step impregnation process and homogeneous precipitation, respectively, and polymer templates were removed by subsequent calcination. 3DOM crystalline CsxH3−xPW12O40 exhibits trimodal micro-, meso-, and macroporosity.
Energy-storable Dye-sensitized Solar Cells with Interdigitated Nafion/Polypyrrole–Pt Comb-like Electrodes
Authors: Saito Yosuke , Ogawa Akira , Uchida Satoshi , Kubo Takaya , Segawa Hiroshi
Published: April 2010

A single plate storage battery composed of Nafion-coated polypyrrole and I3−,I−|Pt electrodes in an interdigitated comb-like structure was set in an energy-storable dye-sensitized solar cell (ES-DSSC). The new ES-DSSC has a simple electrochemical cell structure having a single electrolyte with a typical photoanode and a dual functional electrode assembly.
Real-Time Diagnosis Method of Compaction State of Subgrade during Dynamic Compaction
Authors: Cui Xinzhuang
Published: April 2010

Dynamic compaction (DC) has become a popular method for deep improvement of subgrade. Dynamic settlement is often used as the termination index of DC. However, the index is external and experiential and cannot directly reflect the compaction state of a soil mass. In this regard, this paper presents a method for a real-time diagnosis of compaction state of subgrade, which is based on the analysis of dynamic pore pressure and dynamic soil stress induced by the impact of tamper weight. A field test was conducted to measure the dynamic pore water pressure and soil stress in a road subgrade under DC for expressway widening. After a certain number of compactions, the amplitudes of dynamic stress and pore pressure were stabilized and correlated well with both the compaction degree of soil and the dynamic settlement of ground. The dynamic response of the subgrade under different impact number reflects the variation of stiffness and strength of soil. With the findings the method for determining the optimum compaction number and the optimum single impact energy was presented.
Detailing Masonry Veneer/Steel Stud Backup Systems at Fenestration Systems to Avoid Moisture Problems
Authors: Krogstad Norbert V. , Weber Richard A. , Huhtala Michael J.
Published: April 2010

Through more than 20 years of investigating water leakage and condensation problems, the authors have observed that a high percentage of moisture problems related to masonry walls are associated with the interface between masonry veneer and fenestration systems. These problems are often associated with wall systems in aggressive exposures where the drainage system and air seal details at interfaces are not adequately considered by the designers and contractors. In many cases, drainage systems are not provided or not properly installed at joints between these systems. Air barriers and vapor retarders often are not sealed to fenestration systems or contain voids that permit the flow of air into the wall system. Problems can occur when anchors, lintels, support angles, and sill flashings are either not thermally improved or where the location of thermal breaks is not coordinated with the location of insulation within the walls. This paper outlines considerations for detailing the interface between masonry veneer over steel stud wall systems and fenestration systems. The fenestration systems reviewed in this paper include typical storefront or operable windows and curtain walls. Both masonry systems with the insulation positioned within the stud space and systems with the insulation positioned within the masonry air space are discussed.
Illness in Children After International Travel: Analysis From the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network
Authors: Hagmann Stefan , Neugebauer Richard , Schwartz Eli , Perret Cecilia , Castelli Francesco , Barnett Elizabeth D. , Stauffer William M. ,   for the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network
Published: April 2010

OBJECTIVE:

By using a large, multicenter database, we investigated the characteristics and morbidities of 1591 children returning from 218 global destinations and presenting for care in 19 countries.

METHODS:

Data reported to the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network between January 1997 and November 2007 were analyzed, to assess demographic features, travel characteristics, and clinical diagnoses of ill pediatric travelers. Data were compared between children and adults and among 3 pediatric age groups (0–5 years, 6–11 years, and 12–17 years).

RESULTS:

Children were predominantly tourist travelers returning from Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, or Latin America. Compared with adults, children disproportionately presented within 7 days after return, required hospitalization, lacked pretravel health advice, and had traveled for the purpose of visiting friends and relatives. Diarrhea (28%), dermatologic conditions (25%), systemic febrile illnesses (23%), and respiratory disorders (11%) accounted for the majority of diagnoses reported for children. No fatalities were reported. Diarrhea occurred disproportionately among children after exposure to the Middle East/North Africa, dermatologic conditions after exposure to Latin America, systemic febrile illnesses after exposure to sub-Saharan Africa or Asia, and respiratory disorders after exposure to Europe or North America. The proportionate morbidity rates of travel-associated diseases differed among the pediatric age groups and between children and adults.

CONCLUSIONS:

The health care utilization patterns before and after travel and the profiles of travel-associated health problems differed between children and adults. Health professionals providing pretravel advice need to consider destination- and age-specific susceptibility to travel-related morbidities and develop prevention strategies accordingly.
Seasonal Estimates of Fish Biomass and Length Distributions Using Acoustics and Traditional Nets to Identify Estuarine Habitat Preferences in Barataria Bay, Louisiana
Authors: Boswell Kevin M. , Wilson Matthew P. , MacRae Pamela S. D. , Wilson Charles A. , Cowan James H.
Published: April 2010

We conducted hydroacoustic, gill-net, and push trawl surveys to quantify changes in habitat-specific fish size and biomass in shallow (<2-m) estuarine waters of Barataria Bay, Louisiana, in order to evaluate essential fish habitat. Surveys were conducted monthly between June 2003 and May 2004 among regions located along a north—south salinity gradient. The fish length distributions derived from the gill-net and push trawl catches showed moderate concordance with the measured target strength distributions, indicating that our integrated approach more effectively characterized the fish community than using only a single gear type would have. Acoustic estimates showed that biomass was highest during fall (mean ± SE; 2.30 ± 0.27 g/m3) and next highest in spring (1.49 ± 0.20 g/m3), with relatively low biomass during summer (0.70 ± 0.14 g/m3) and winter (0.86 ± 0.14 g/m3); pelagic fish biomass from nets was low during winter (53.9 ± 14.9 grams per unit effort [gpue]) but relatively high in fall (846.1 ± 207.2 gpue), spring (774.3 ± 175.5 gpue), and summer (620.3 ± 140.7 gpue). Oyster habitat supported a greater biomass of pelagic fish (acoustic survey: 1.54 ± 0.15 g/m3; gill-net survey: 467.3 ± 81.0 gpue) than soft-bottom habitat (acoustic: 0.94 ± 0.11 g/m3; gill-net: 315.2 ± 54.8 gpue). Among regions, the greatest biomass of pelagic fish was observed at polyhaline stations (acoustic: 1.78 ± 0.19 g/m3; gill-net: 654.3 ± 136.5 gpue), followed by mesohaline (acoustic: 1.18 ± 0.15 g/m3; gill-net: 378.5 ± 79.1 gpue) and oligohaline stations (acoustic: 0.82 ± 0.12 g/m3; gill-net: 228.3 ± 50.2 gpue). Gill-net biomass was linearly related to the acoustic biomass estimates of small pelagic fish. The complementary, multigear approach proved to be useful in evaluating habitat use and may be particularly helpful in identifying and monitoring ecosystem reference points to evaluate change and in standardizing ecosystem-based assessment approaches.