bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Redlining or risk? A spatial analysis of auto insurance rates in Los Angeles
Authors: Ong Paul M. , Stoll Michael A.
Published: September 2007

Auto insurance rates can vary dramatically, with much higher premiums in poor and minority areas than elsewhere, even after accounting for individual characteristics, driving history, and coverage. This paper uses a unique data set to examine the relative influence of place‐based socioeconomic characteristics (or redlining) and place‐based risk factors on the place‐based component of automobile insurance premiums. We use a novel approach of combining tract‐level census data and car insurance rate quotes from multiple companies for sub‐areas within the city of Los Angeles. The quotes are for a hypothetical individual with identical demographic and auto characteristics, driving records, and insurance coverage. This method allows the individual demographic and driving record to be fixed. Multivariate models are then used to estimate the independent contributions of these risk and redlining factors to the place‐based component of the car insurance premium. We find that both risk and redlining factors are associated with variations in insurance costs in the place‐based component, with black and poor neighborhoods being adversely affected, although risk factors are stronger predictors. However, even after risk factors are taken into account in the model specification, SES factors remain statistically significant. Moreover, simulations show that redlining factors explain more of the gap in auto insurance premiums between black (and Latino) and white neighborhoods and between poor and nonpoor neighborhoods. The findings do not appear sensitive to the individual characteristics of the hypothetical driver. © 2007 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
E‐glass/DGEBA/m‐PDA single fiber composites: Interface debonding during fiber fracture
Authors: Holmes G.A. , Peterson R.C. , Hunston D.L. , McDonough W.G.
Published: September 2007

In this paper, we examine the regions of debonding between the fibers and the matrix surrounding fiber breaks formed during single fiber fragmentation tests. The fiber breaks are accompanied by areas of debonding between the matrix and the surface of the fiber. With increasing applied strain, the lengths of these debonded regions generally increase. At the end of the test, the matrix tensile strain adjacent to the debond regions is an order of magnitude higher than the applied strain (40% vs. 4%). Although the debond edges typically remain attached at the same locations on the fiber fragments, debond propagation along fiber fragments under increasing strain has been observed in some cases. The phenomenon is termed secondary debond growth, and two mechanisms that trigger secondary debond region growth have been proposed. As expected, tests with bare fibers and with fibers coated to alter interface adhesion indicate that the average size of debonded regions at the end of the test increases as the calculated interfacial shear strength decreases. However, a decrease in the “apparent” interfacial shear strength resulting from an increase in testing rate results in a decrease in the size of the average debond region. This result suggests an increase in the amount of energy stored in the matrix from the fiber fracture process. POLYM. COMPOS. 28:561–574, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Preparation and properties of polyimide/silica hybrid nanocomposites
Authors: Tang J.C. , Yang H.C. , Chen S.Y. , Chen‐Yang Y.W.
Published: September 2007

In this study, a commercially available nano‐sized silica (SiO2) was surface‐modified via esterification with oleic acid (OA), a relatively inexpensive and hydrophobic modifier. The surface‐modified silica (SiO2‐OA) nanoparticles were used to disperse in the poly(amic acid) solutions of a commercial polyimide (PI), used for two‐layer film, and thermally imidized to form a series of PI/silica nanocomposites. The effects of the addition of SiO2‐OA nanoparticles on the properties of the as‐prepared PI/silica nanocomposites were studied. The results indicated that the as‐prepared PI/silica nanocomposites exhibited improvements in the dynamic mechanical property, thermal stability, water resistance, and thermal expansion. POLYM. COMPOS. 28:575–581, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Chitosan‐hydroxyapatite‐BIT composite films: Preparation and characterization
Authors: Pinheiro A. G. , Pereira F.F.M. , Santos M.R.P. , Freire F.N.A. , Góes J.C. , Sombra A.S.B.
Published: September 2007

In this article, we present a study of chitosan‐hydroxyapatite‐BIT composite films by combining chitosan (deacetylated degree, 90%) solution and two crystalline materials, HAN (hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) N for nanocrystalline) and BIT (Bi4Ti3O12)). The first one (HAN), is the mineral phase present in human bone, the second one (BIT) is a ferroelectric discovered by Aurivillius in 1949 (Fang, Robbins, and Aurivillius, Physical Review, 126, 3 (1962)). Both BIT and HAN were synthesized by our group using the ball milling process. Combining these two materials (HAN and BIT), we took a series of measurements to identify the composite phases present, and their electric and structural behavior. For the Chitosan composite Q6 (50% BIT + 50% HAN), we achieved at 100 Hz a dielectric constant K ∼3360. The application could be a new biomembrane, which once polarized could be applied to the human skin as curatives or biosensors. POLYM. COMPOS. 28:582–587, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Properties of a reactive‐graphitic‐carbon‐nanofibers‐reinforced epoxy
Authors: Zhamu Aruna , Hou Yaping , Zhong Wei‐Hong , Stone James J. , Li Jiang , Lukehart Charles M.
Published: September 2007

Our previous studies showed that herringbone graphitic GNFs surface‐derivatized with reactive linker molecules bearing pendant primary amino functional groups capable of binding covalently to epoxy resins. Of special importance, herringbone GNFs derivatized with 3,4′‐oxydianiline (GNF‐ODA) were found to react with neat butyl glycidyl ether to form mono‐, di‐, tri‐, and tetra‐glycidyl oligomers covalently coupled to the ODA pendant amino group. The resulting reactive GNF‐ODA (butyl glycidyl)n nanofibers, r‐GNF‐ODA, are especially well suited for reactive, covalent incorporation into epoxy resins during thermal curing. Based on these studies, nanocomposites reinforced by the r‐GNF‐ODA nanofibers at nanofiber loadings of 0.15–1.3 wt% were prepared. Flexural property of cured r‐GNF‐ODA/epoxy nanocomposites were measured through three‐point‐bending tests. Thermal properties, including glass transition temperature (Tg) and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) for the nanocomposites, were investigated using thermal mechanical analysis. The nanocomposites containing 0.3 wt% of the nanofibers gives the highest mechanical properties. At this 0.3‐wt% fiber loading, the flexural strength, modulus and breaking strain of the particular nanocomposite are increased by about 26, 20, and 30%, respectively, compared to that of pure epoxy matrix. Moreover, the Tg value is the highest for this nanocomposite, 14°C higher than that of pure epoxy. The almost constant change in CTEs before and after Tg, and very close to the change of pure epoxy, is in agreement with our previous study results on a chemical bond existing between the r‐GNF‐ODA nanofibers and epoxy resin in the resulting nanocomposites. POLYM. COMPOS., 28:605–611, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Optimization of water absorption of starch/PVA composites
Authors: Zou Guo‐Xiang , Qu Jin‐Ping , Zou Xin‐Liang
Published: September 2007

The thermoplastic starch/PVA (SP) composites are prepared by a single‐screw extruder. This article presents a study of the influence of the formulation on the hydrophilicity of SP composites. An orthogonal array and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) are employed. The results of ANOVA show that the water absorption (WA) of the SP composites with increasing amount of starch, but glycerol and citric acid (CA) are useful in decreasing the WA of the SP composites. Some interactions are come into being between the factors, and the most important one is the interaction between WCA and WB. From the results of experiment, increasing the amount of CA and borax can improve the mechanical properties of SP composites and decrease the water absorption of SP composites by crosslinking starch and PVA, which was confirmed by thermalanalysis. POLYM. COMPOS., 28:674–679, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Drug utilization study in a neonatology unit of a tertiary care hospital in eastern India
Authors: Chatterjee Suparna , Mandal Ananya , Lyle Nazmun , Mukherjee Suchandra , Singh Arun K
Published: September 2007

Objectives

To evaluate the drug prescribing trends in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a tertiary care hospital in eastern India.

Methods

The study was a prospective study that spanned for a period of 6 months from March 2005 to August 2005. Prescriptions and patient records were reviewed and analyzed using the World Health Organization (WHO) indicators for drug utilization studies. Rationality of drug usage was also evaluated by analyzing the drug prescriptions.

Results

A total of 176 neonates were admitted and 21 deaths were noted. The total number of drugs prescribed were 849. The average number of drugs per prescription was 4.8. The intravenous route (92.1%) was the commonest route of drug administration. 79.7% of the drugs were prescribed in generics. 30.2% of the total drugs prescribed were antimicrobials. It was noted that 88.6% of the drugs prescribed were in compliance with the National list of Essential Medicines 2003.

Conclusion

The common diseases for which the neonates sought admission in the NICU were suspected septicaemia, birth asphyxia, neonatal jaundice and major congenital malformations. As antibiotics were the most frequently used drugs, their usage was analyzed in all cases. It was found to be rational in 84% of suspected septicaemia cases, as the provisional diagnosis on admission was confirmed with subsequent investigations thereby justifying appropriate antibiotic therapy. The diagnosis and treatment of other cases like neonatal jaundice, birth asphyxia, congenital malformations and electrolyte imbalance were rational and treatment was given as per treatment guidelines. Irrational usage of vitamins, nutritional supplements and parenteral fluids was not noted. The absence of the latest National essential list of medicines at the neonatology unit was noted. Secondly an antibiotic usage policy for the unit depending on the local microbial sensitivity pattern should have been in place. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polymerization and self‐assembly of thermally responsive in‐chain functionalized double‐hydrophilic macromonomers
Authors: Berlinova Iliyana V. , Iliev Plamen V. , Vladimirov Nikolay G. , Novakov Christo P.
Published: September 2007

Double‐hydrophilic in‐chain functionalized macromonomers consisting of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and poly(ethylene oxide) were prepared by a multistep procedure including esterification of PNIPAM monoester of maleic acid with α‐methoxy‐ω‐hydroxypolyoxyethylene or its amidation with α‐methoxy‐ω‐aminopolyoxyethylene. The polymerization of the macromonomers was carried out in aqueous solutions. The temperature was the key parameter controlling the polymerization process that was performed in the organized domains formed by the macromonomers below and above the phase transition temperature (Ttr). Polymacromonomers with higher degrees of polymerization were prepared at temperatures just below the Ttr. Static light scattering measurements on dilute aqueous solutions of thermally‐responsive macromonomers and their polymerization products demonstrated that they formed aggregates below the Ttr. Supramolecular structures with low density cores, formed by the polymacromonomers at room temperature, were imaged by SEM. Morphological tuning was achieved by varying both the composition of the copolymer and the concentration of the aqueous solution. The rheological behavior of the polymacromonomers in 25 wt % aqueous solution was compared to that of the respective macromonomers. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4720–4732, 2007
Addition polymerization of norbornene using bis(β‐ketoamino)nickel(II)/tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane catalytic systems
Authors: He Xiaohui , Chen Yiwang , Liu Yongming , Yu Shuxian , Hong Sanguo , Wu Qing
Published: September 2007

Norbornene polymerizations proceeded in toluene with bis(β‐ketoamino)nickel(II) {Ni[CH3C(O)CHC(NR)CH3]2 [R = phenyl (1) or naphthyl (2)]} complexes as the catalyst precursors and the organo‐Lewis compound tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane [B(C6F5)3] as a unique cocatalyst. The polymerization conditions, such as the cocatalyst/catalyst ratio (B/Ni), catalyst concentration, monomer/catalyst ratio (norbornene/Ni), polymerization temperature, and polymerization time, were studied in detail. Both bis(β‐ketoamino)nickel(II)/B(C6F5)3 catalytic systems showed noticeably high conversions and activities. The polymerization activities were up to 3.64 × 107 g of polymer/mol of Ni h for complex 1/(B(C6F5)3 and 3.80 × 107 g of polymer/mol of Ni h for complex 2/B(C6F5)3, and very high conversions of 90–95% were maintained; both polymerizations provided high‐molecular‐weight polynorbornenes with molecular weight distributions (weight‐average molecular weight/number‐average molecular weight) of 2.5–3.0. The achieved polynorbornenes were confirmed to be vinyl‐addition and atactic polymers through the analysis of Fourier transform infrared, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectra, and the thermogravimetric analysis results showed that the polynorbornenes exhibited good thermal stability (decomposition temperature > 410 °C). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4733–4743, 2007
Generation of core/shell iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles with polystyrene brushes by atom transfer radical polymerization
Authors: Garcia I. , Tercjak A. , Zafeiropoulos N. E. , Stamm M. , Mondragon I.
Published: September 2007

The functionalization of nanoparticle surfaces is required to improve the dispersion of an inorganic material inside an organic matrix. In this work, polystyrene (PS) brushes were grown on the surface of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles with atom transfer radical polymerization and a grafting‐from approach. After polymerization, the magnetic nanoparticles had a graft density of 0.9 PS chains/nm2. A sacrificial initiator was used to obtain a satisfactory result for the control of the polymerization, as its addition had to generate a sufficient concentration of persistent radicals (deactivator). A variety of techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, gel permeation chromatography, water contact‐angle measurements, and atomic force microscopy, were used to characterize the nanoparticles. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4744–4750, 2007
Synthesis of perfectly bifunctional polyacrylates by single‐electron‐transfer living radical polymerization
Authors: Lligadas Gerard , Percec Virgil
Published: September 2007

Poly(methyl acrylate)s, poly(ethyl acrylate)s, and poly(butyl acrylate)s with α,ω‐di(bromo) chain ends and Mn from 8500 to 35,000 were synthesized by single‐electron‐transfer living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP). The analysis of their chain ends by a combination of 1H and 2D‐NMR, GPC, MALDI‐TOF MS, chain end functionalization, chain extension, and halogen exchange experiments demonstrated the synthesis of perfectly bifunctional polyacrylates by SET‐LRP. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4684–4695, 2007
Cancer and disability benefits: a synthesis of qualitative findings on advice and support
Authors: Wilson Kate , Amir Ziv
Published: September 2007

Following the Supportive and Palliative Care Guidance, a call was made for a meta‐ethnography on social support services for people affected by cancer. We responded by focusing on the topic of financial advice and support. After a scoping exercise revealed little qualitative evidence, we adopted the chief aim of identifying issues for research. Over 50 keywords relating to patient finances, cancer and qualitative research were entered into electronic search databases and combined. Because of the nature of the literature found, we synthesized primary data into themes and discussion, rather than second‐order constructs into third‐order constructs, as is common in meta‐ethnography. Most of the literature found serves pragmatic, campaigning and/or service‐development objectives. Also, most relates to disability benefits rather than insurance, tax and other issues. Five themes emerged: patients' struggles to obtain financial advice and benefits; tests/rules for disability benefits; issues relating to ‘Special Rules’; intervention by benefit advisers; and intervention by health/social‐care professionals. Struggles with the benefit system emerged as the fundamental theme.

We conclude that patients need sensitive, proactive services to assist with benefit claims, and a benefit system that seems supportive rather than obstructive. Numerous under‐researched topics were identified, including the need for general financial advice, help for carers, and cultural issues. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electronic interaction effects in rare‐earth alloys from 2D‐ACAR experiments
Authors: Biasini M. , Rusz J.
Published: September 2007

The cover picture of this issue of physica status solidi (c) has been taken from the article [1].
Hand position effects on precision and speed in telerobotic surgery
Authors: Golenberg L. , Cao A. , Ellis R. D. , Klein M. , Auner G. , Pandya A. K.
Published: September 2007

Background

Many surgical robotic interfaces allow users to interact with robots over a wide potential range of motion, yet variation in operator performance across a range of motion remains unexamined. This research identifies and explores a new construct, the surgeon's ‘comfortable working envelope’ within the available range of motion, as a factor in surgical robotic interface design.

Methods

Task accuracy and completion time for a simple aimed movement task were analysed as a function of participant hand positions obtained via infrared motion tracking.

Results

Hand positions outside the ‘comfortable working envelope’ led to a 20% increase in error magnitude. With respect to the overall input device range of motion, there were large variations in performance, up to 31% difference in error magnitude and 11% difference in movement time.

Conclusions

These results suggest that advanced surgical robots should have intelligent re‐indexing strategies. Alternatively, the robot's control gain should adaptively change with respect to hand position to normalize a surgeon's performance throughout his/her working volume. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Real‐time localization and elevation mapping within urban search and rescue scenarios
Authors: Kleiner Alexander , Dornhege Christian
Published: September 2007

Urban search and rescue (USAR) is a time critical task. One goal in rescue robotics is to have a team of heterogeneous robots that explore autonomously the disaster area, while jointly creating a map of the terrain and registering victim locations, which can further be utilized by human task forces for rescue. Basically, the robots have to solve autonomously in real‐time the problem of simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), consisting of a continuous state estimation problem and a discrete data association problem. In this paper we contribute a novel method for efficient loop closure in harsh large‐scale environments that utilizes RFID technology for data association and slippage‐sensitive odometry for 2D pose tracking. Furthermore, we introduce a computational efficient method for building elevation maps by utilizing an extended Kalman filter for 3D pose tracking, which can be applied in real‐time while navigating on rough terrain. The proposed methods have been extensively evaluated within outdoor environments, as well as within USAR test arenas designed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Our results show that the proposed methods perform robustly and efficiently within the utilized benchmark scenarios. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evolving interface design for robot search tasks
Authors: Yanco Holly A. , Keyes Brenden , Drury Jill L. , Nielsen Curtis W. , Few Douglas A. , Bruemmer David J.
Published: September 2007

This paper describes two steps in the evolution of human‐robot interaction designs developed by the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML) and the Idaho National Laboratory to support urban search and rescue tasks. Usability tests were conducted to compare the two interfaces, one of which emphasized three‐dimensional mapping while the other design emphasized the video feed. We found that participants desired a combination of the interface design approaches. As a result, the UML system was changed to augment its heavy emphasis on video with a map view of the area immediately around the robot. The changes were tested in a follow‐up user study and the results from that experiment suggest that performance, as measured by the number of collisions with objects in the environment and time on task, is better with the new interaction techniques. Throughout the paper, we describe how we applied human‐computer interaction principles and techniques to benefit the evolution of the human‐robot interaction designs. While the design work is situated in the urban search and rescue domain, the results can be generalized to domains that involve other search or monitoring tasks using remotely located robots. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Atomic Force Microscopy of Recombinant Adeno‐associated Virus‐2 Prepared by Centrifugation
Authors: Chen Heng
Published: September 2007

In order to decrease salt crystal formation, reduce the aggregation of viruses in atomic force microscopy (AFM) preparations and obtain an acceptable AFM image, the AFM sampling of viruses must be optimized. In this paper, centrifugal AFM sampling of recombinant adeno‐associated virus‐2 (rAAV‐2) was used. The prepared rAAV‐2 virus was imaged by AFM using the tapping mode in air. The results indicate that the rAAV‐2 viruses prepared by centrifugal AFM sampling methods could be well imaged by AFM. The rAAV‐2 viruses exhibited polymorphous particles in the AFM images. The preliminary off‐line section analysis of the individual rAAV‐2 virus particle indicated that the half‐high widths of the large rAAV‐2 particles ranged from 18 to 23 nm, while those of the small rAAV‐2 particles ranged from 15 to 17 nm, which is almost in agreement with the results obtained by the off‐line particle analysis of the rAAV‐2 virus particles. Above all, the aggregation of different‐sized rAAV‐2 particles was directly imaged by AFM, which verifies the previous speculation that the large number (>∼31 nm) distribution of the mean diameter of rAAV‐2 virus particles was probably caused by aggregation of rAAV‐2 particles. SCANNING 29: 238‐242, 2007. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Converging confidence of expert opinions
Authors: Hart Gary C. , King Stephanie A. , Hortacsu Ayse
Published: September 2007

In this age of high technology, the expert consultant usually must state an opinion based on limited information. This is especially true in construction defect or delay claim cases, or when the damage to a structure is due to the occurrence of a natural phenomenon such as rainstorms, strong winds, or earthquakes. The ever expanding availability of tools for computer analysis of structures enable increasing insight and improved accuracy in helping to understand the cause of damage, but many of these analyses are very expensive. Often the client and the expert face the dilemma of balancing the expenditure of limited funds with the goal of achieving a desired level of confidence in the expert's opinion. This paper addresses how one can scientifically assess the confidence in an experts' opinion. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of verbal interactions during an extended, open‐inquiry general chemistry laboratory investigation
Authors: Krystyniak Rebecca A. , Heikkinen Henry W.
Published: September 2007

This study explores effects of participation by second‐semester college general chemistry students in an extended, open‐inquiry laboratory investigation. Verbal interactions among a student lab team and with their instructor over three open‐inquiry laboratory sessions and two non‐inquiry sessions were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. Coding categories were developed using the constant comparison method. Findings indicate that, during open‐inquiry activities, the student team interacted less often, sought less instructor guidance, and talked less about chemistry concepts than during their non‐inquiry activities. Evidence suggests that the students employed science process skills and engaged in higher‐order thinking during both types of laboratory activities. Implications for including open‐inquiry experiences in general chemistry laboratory programs on student understanding of science as inquiry are discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 44: 1160–1186, 2007
Miscarriage after a normal scan at 12–14 gestational weeks in women at low risk of carrying a fetus with chromosomal anomaly according to nuchal translucency screening
Authors: Westin M. , Källén K. , Saltvedt S. , Almström H. , Grunewald C. , Valentin L.
Published: September 2007

Objectives

To estimate the risk of second‐trimester miscarriage in women with low risk of carrying a fetus with chromosomal abnormality, according to nuchal translucency (NT) screening, and to determine whether NT thickness or other factors affect the risk.

Methods

The study population comprised 14 278 singleton pregnancies with a risk of Down syndrome < 1:250 at NT scan, and where no fetal karyotyping was performed < 25 weeks. Risk factors for miscarriage were investigated by logistic regression.

Results

The median risk of Down syndrome was 1 : 3138 (range 1 : 9651–1 : 251) and median NT was 1.7 (range 0.4–3.0) mm. The miscarriage rate was 0.5% (77/14 278; 95% CI 0.4–0.6). After having controlled for maternal age, we found the number of previous deliveries and miscarriages to independently predict miscarriage: odds ratio (OR) for each previous delivery 1.48, 95% CI 1.22–1.94, P < 0.0001; OR for each previous miscarriage 1.34, 95% CI 1.07–1.68, P = 0.01. Excluding women with any previous miscarriage and adjusting for parity, we found a U‐shaped relationship between maternal age and miscarriage (P = 0.04).

Conclusion

In singleton pregnancies with estimated risk of Down syndrome < 1:250 according to NT screening at 12–14 weeks, the spontaneous fetal loss rate before 25 weeks is likely to be around 0.5%. NT thickness up to 3 mm does not seem to affect the risk of miscarriage in such pregnancies. Instead, the risk seems to increase with number of previous miscarriages and deliveries, and possibly the risk is highest in the youngest and oldest women. Copyright © 2007 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mover is a novel vertebrate‐specific presynaptic protein with differential distribution at subsets of CNS synapses
Authors: Kremer Thomas , Kempf Christian , Wittenmayer Nina , Nawrotzki Ralph , Kuner Thomas , Kirsch Joachim , Dresbach Thomas
Published: September 2007

Presynaptic nerve terminals contain scaffolding proteins that orchestrate neurotransmitter release at active zones. Here we describe mover, a yet unknown non‐transmembrane protein that is targeted to presynaptic terminals when overexpressed in cultured neurons. Confocal immunomicroscopy revealed that mover colocalizes with presynaptic markers in the calyx of Held. In the hippocampus, mover localizes to mossy fibre terminals, but is absent from inhibitory nerve terminals. By contrast, mover localizes to inhibitory terminals throughout the cerebellar cortex. Our results suggest that mover may act in concert with generally expressed scaffolding proteins in distinct sets of presynaptic terminals.
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) promotes fibroblast migration in scratch‐wounded monolayers in vitro
Authors: Dewor Manfred , Steffens Guy , Krohn Regina , Weber Christian , Baron Jens , Bernhagen Jürgen
Published: September 2007

MIF was recently redefined as an inflammatory cytokine, which functions as a critical mediator of diseases such as septic shock, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, and cancer. MIF also regulates wound healing processes. Given that fibroblast migration is a central event in wound healing and that MIF was recently demonstrated to promote leukocyte migration through an interaction with G‐protein‐coupled receptors, we investigated the effect of MIF on fibroblast migration in wounded monolayers in vitro. Transient but not permanent exposure of primary mouse or human fibroblasts with MIF significantly promoted wound closure, a response that encompassed both a proliferative and a pro‐migratory component. Importantly, MIF‐induced fibroblast activation was accompanied by an induction of calcium signalling, whereas chronic exposure with MIF down‐regulated the calcium transient, suggesting receptor desensitization as the underlying mechanism.
The PPARδ agonist, GW501516, promotes fatty acid oxidation but has no direct effect on glucose utilisation or insulin sensitivity in rat L6 skeletal muscle cells
Authors: Dimopoulos Nikolaos , Watson Maria , Green Charlotte , Hundal Harinder S.
Published: September 2007

Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐delta (PPARδ) activation enhances skeletal muscle fatty acid oxidation and improves whole body glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. Recently, GW501516, a selective PPARδ agonist, was reported to increase glucose uptake in human skeletal myotubes by an AMPK‐dependent mechanism that may contribute to the improved glucose tolerance. Here, we demonstrate that whilst GW501516 increases expression of PGC‐1α and CPT‐1 and stimulates fatty‐acid oxidation in L6 myotubes, it fails to enhance insulin sensitivity, AMPK activity or glucose uptake and storage. Our findings exclude sarcolemmal glucose transport as a potential target for the therapeutic action of PPARδ agonists in skeletal muscle.
Linking membrane microdomains to the cytoskeleton: Regulation of the lateral mobility of reggie‐1/flotillin‐2 by interaction with actin
Authors: Langhorst Matthias F. , Solis Gonzalo P. , Hannbeck Sylvia , Plattner Helmut , Stuermer Claudia A.O.
Published: September 2007

The reggies/flotillins are oligomeric scaffolding proteins for membrane microdomains. We show here that reggie‐1/flotillin‐2 microdomains are organized along cortical F‐actin in several cell types. Interaction with F‐actin is mediated by the SPFH domain as shown by in vivo co‐localization and in vitro binding experiments. Reggie‐1/flotillin‐2 microdomains form independent of actin, but disruption or stabilization of the actin cytoskeleton modulate the lateral mobility of reggie‐1/flotillin‐2 as shown by FRAP. Furthermore, reggie/flotillin microdomains can efficiently be immobilized by actin polymerisation, while exchange of reggie‐1/flotillin‐2 molecules between microdomains is enhanced by actin disruption as shown by tracking of individual microdomains using TIRF microscopy.
Focus on the language learner in an era of globalization: Tensions, positions and practices in technology-mediated language teaching
Authors: White Cynthia
Published: September 2007

Globalization as the intensification of worldwide social relations (Giddens 1990) continues to exert an influence on language, language use, and learning and teaching around the world. In this paper I examine the nature and influence of globalization on online language teaching through the lens of learner-centred principles, and the tensions between different positions and practices adopted by participants within virtual learning environments. I conclude by arguing that a focus on technology or innovation within global learning environments needs to be balanced by a focus on the learner in order to engage with and respond to emerging issues, challenges and practices, and to extend our understanding of language learning and teaching in the twenty-first century.
Stereotactic radiosurgery for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM): comparison with intra-operative radiotherapy and evaluation of prognostic factors
Authors: Matsuo Masayuki , Shinoda Jun , Miwa Kazuhiro , Yano Hirohito , Iwama Toru , Hayashi Shinya , Okada Sunaho , Tanaka Osamu , Hoshi Hiroaki
Published: September 2007

The goals of this study were (1) to compare, in a single institute, the clinical results of patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), which has been incorporated into the initial management approach, with thosein-patientstreated with intra-operative radiotherapy (IORT) and (2) to assess whether these local irradiation boost therapies are prognostic factors on survival analysis. One hundred and twenty adult patients with supratentorial GBM had undergone tumour resection or biopsy and had received external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). Of them, 31 underwent IORT, 29 underwent SRS, and the remaining 60 had no local high-dose irradiation boost. The local irradiation boost led to clearly better results on survival of GBM patients. Furthermore, SRS is less invasive and allows for meticulous target planning of the irradiation boost, and was superior to IORT in terms of survival prolongation as well as suppression of local tumour recurrence/progression at the primary site in this series. In addition, SRS was a significant, positive prognostic factor for survival as well as gross-total resection of the tumour, and could be an alternative therapeutic modality to IORT for GBM.
Commissioning a new CT simulator I: CT simulator hardware
Authors: Kearns D. , McJury M.
Published: September 2007

This paper reports on the commissioning tests performed on a new GE Lightspeed RT wide-bore computed tomography (CT) scanner with GE Advantage Sim software. This paper focuses on the laser marking system, CT hardware and the interfaces between each component of the system, and generalises the findings to most CT simulation systems currently available. A discussion on the commissioning of the virtual simulator software will follow in a separate paper. Three phantoms were used (two constructed in-house) to assist with a range of tests covering aspects such as the laser patient marking system, CT hardware, and connections between the CT scanner, virtual simulator system and the treatment planning system (TPS) and VARiS. Tests performed showed the CT simulation system to be working within acceptable tolerances suggested in the literature, and baseline data have been obtained against which future comparisons of system performance have been made. Where no tolerances were available, we have suggested suitable values. While considering tolerances on Hounsfield number variation that may lead to a dose error in excess of 2%, we found that in the case of low-kV CT scanning the range of Hounsfield numbers for dense bone was outside the acceptable limits for potential dose errors and so users were advised not to perform radiotherapy planning CT scans with kV below 100 kV.
A comparison of kilovoltage and megavoltage cone beam CT in radiotherapy
Authors: Broderick M. , Menezes G. , Leech M. , Coffey M. , Appleyard R.
Published: September 2007

As more and more patients are planned in 3D, the need to verify their position and treatment in 3D also becomes apparent. Megavoltage (MV) and kilovoltage (KV) cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) provide 3D verification of patient position. However, the soft tissue contrast and thus the accuracy of delineation is superior with KV CT imaging. CBCT in conjunction with energy fluence maps from electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs) could theoretically be used to verify the dose delivered. In this instance, a cross calibration between the KV CBCT and the EPID would be required which would not be necessary with MV CBCT. Adaptive planning with CBCT poses similar challenges for both KV and MV CBCT. Although KV CBCT can produce images with Hounsfield units (HUs) comparable with conventional CT in homogenous phantoms there are large discrepancies in inhomogeneous mediums. If the cupping artefact is corrected for in MV CBCT, the HU values can compare well with KV CBCT for homogenous media. However, advances need to be made to achieve a lower patient dose with MV CBCT. At present, the lower dose required for KV CBCT allows for more frequent imaging and better image quality.
Ground and satellite observations of the evolution of growth phase auroral arcs
Authors: Lessard M. R. , Lotko W. , LaBelle J. , Peria W. , Carlson C. W. , Creutzberg F. , Wallis D. D.
Published: September 2007

Auroral substorms are the result of a complex process involving coupling between the solar wind, magnetosphere and ionosphere. In this study, the objective is to understand the processes that precede what is perhaps the most fundamental aspect, the brightening of a preexisting arc at onset. The notion that this brightening provides an indicator of substorm onset remains one of the few aspects of substorms that is not disputed. In order to understand the processes that lead up to onset, auroral arcs that form during substorm growth phases are examined using ground‐based (CANOPUS) data with in situ measurements acquired by the FAST satellite. Four cases have been studied and are discussed in detail here. Consistent with other reports, the data show that the growth phase arcs persist for 30 min or more. During this time, the arcs often show little or no fluctuations, although a gradual intensification is clear in the ground‐based optical measurements. Two important results emerge from this study. First, FAST observations show that growth phase arcs develop within the region of proton precipitation but generally poleward of most intense precipitation, a topic that has been addressed (and disputed) using ground‐based observations of luminosity, a secondary effect. Second, we show that FAST observations before the growth phase arc is established show scattered plasma sheet electrons with no significant structure. However, once the growth phase is well developed, FAST confirms that the arcs are excited via inverted V precipitation, implying that an inverted V potential drop gradually develops in conjunction with the evolution of the growth phase.
Solar wind control of plasma number density in the near‐Earth plasma sheet
Authors: Nagata D. , Machida S. , Ohtani S. , Saito Y. , Mukai T.
Published: September 2007

The plasma number density in the plasma sheet depends on the solar wind number density and the north‐south component of interplanetary magnetic field (IMF Bz) with the time lag of several hours. We examined such dependences as functions of (X, Y) coordinates in the near‐Earth plasma sheet by fitting observations of plasma sheet and solar wind to an empirical model equation. We explored shortest and longest response time lags to IMF Bz by optimizing the correlation coefficient of fit. Analyses were conducted separately for northward and southward IMF dominant conditions. The dependence of plasma sheet number density on solar wind number density is stronger in the near‐tail region (r > 20 RE) under the southward IMF dominant condition. The dependence has weak dawn‐dusk asymmetry under the southward IMF dominant condition, whereas it is stronger in the dusk flank under the northward IMF dominant condition. The dependence on IMF Bz is globally positive under the northward IMF dominant condition, whereas the dependence is negative in the near‐Earth premidnight region under the southward IMF dominant condition. Both shortest and longest time lags increase from the mid‐tail to the near‐Earth premidnight region under the southward IMF dominant condition. On the other hand, the shortest (longest) time lag increases antisunward (sunward) along flanks under the northward IMF dominant condition. These features can be explained in terms of reconnection and Kelvin‐Helmholtz diffusion mechanisms for entry of magnetosheath plasma into the plasma sheet and electric and magnetic drift transport in the plasma sheet.
Buildup of the ring current during periodic loading‐unloading cycles in the magnetotail driven by steady southward interplanetary magnetic field
Authors: Taktakishvili A. , Kuznetsova M. M. , Hesse M. , Fok M.‐C. , Rastätter L. , Maddox M. , Chulaki A. , Gombosi T. I. , De Zeeuw D. L.
Published: September 2007

During prolonged intervals of negative interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) Bz the magnetosphere often enters a state in which quasi‐periodic, large‐amplitude oscillations of energetic particle fluxes are observed at the geosynchronous orbit. We use the global magnetosphere MHD code BATS‐R‐US output during a long period of steady southward IMF Bz to drive the Fok Ring Current Model. Previous simulations of such events demonstrated flat behavior of the energetic particle fluxes after the initial injection. Periodical north/south IMF turning was required to reproduce oscillations in particle fluxes at geosynchronous orbit. In the present study we use a global magnetosphere MHD code that reproduces fast magnetotail reconnection rates observed in kinetic simulations. This results in periodical loading‐unloading cycles in the magnetotail even for steady southward Bz and can explain quasi‐periodic oscillations of geosynchronous energetic particle fluxes. The total proton energy within geosynchronous orbit exhibits overall growth in time due to quasi‐steady convection and oscillates due to injection through inductive electric field caused by multiple dipolarization. The flux oscillation amplitude is stronger in the outer regions of the ring current although the regions close to the geosynchronous orbit experience substantial perturbations as well.
Cusp for high and low merging rates
Authors: Newell P. T. , Wing S. , Rich F. J.
Published: September 2007

The traditional distinction between the cusp for northward and southward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions is deficient in that many, if not most, “northward” IMF cusp encounters closely resemble southward IMF encounters. Partly for that reason, “southward” IMF cusps have been far more often examined than “northward. ” Recently, Newell et al. (2007) showed that the magnetopause merging rate, dΦMP/dt, much better predicts cusp latitude than does Bz (or Bs). Here, we investigate the extent to which high and low merging rate conditions better separates cusp encounters into mutually distinct classes. Indeed, high merging rate cusps (those with dΦMP/dt > 2* 〈dΦMP/dt〉) differ from low merging rate cusps (those with dΦMP/dt < 0.5〈dΦMP/dt〉) in several quantitative and even qualitative ways. High‐energy (tens of keV) ions, apparently of magnetospheric origin, do not extend into the high merging rate cusp but frequently do for low merging rates. However, the dispersion curve for ions, apparently of magnetosheath origin, extends to several keV for high merging rates but only to 1–2 keV for low merging rates. The local time extent of the cusp is 2.33 hours MLT for low merging rate conditions and 3.45 hours MLT for high merging rate conditions. All high merging rate cusps show clear forward dispersion (declining energy with increasing latitude) with low‐energy ion cutoffs within that dispersion. Low merging rates cusps rarely show forward dispersion, but about half, or slightly less, show reverse dispersion (declining energy with decreasing latitude) at the poleward edge of the cusp. Low‐energy ion cutoffs in the low‐merging rate cusp primarily occur only within that reverse dispersion. “Double” cusps, some with very clear latitudinal separation, occur in some high merging rate cases, but no low merging rate cases. The high merging rates cases also typically have a “shadow” region of electron‐only precipitation at roughly polar rain energies and intensities, lying immediately equatorward of the main cusp. For low‐merging rate conditions, the region immediately equatorward of the cusp (main magnetosheath ion population) contains ions as well as electrons, and forms a boundary layer.
Color contrast processing in human striate cortex
Authors: Kentridge R. W. , Heywood C. A. , Weiskrantz L.
Published: September 2007

Color constancy refers to the unchanging nature of the perceived color of an object despite considerable variation in the wavelength composition of the light illuminating it. The color contrasts between objects and their backgrounds play a crucial role in color constancy. We tested a patient whose right striate cortex had been removed and demonstrated that he made no use of color contrast in judging color appearance but instead made judgments based simply on wavelength comparison. This was shown by presenting pairs of colored stimuli against a background color that gradually changed across space. When presented with such displays, both normal observers and those with cerebral achromatopsia (cortical color blindness) judge the color appearance of such stimuli on the basis of the chromatic contrast the stimuli make against their background rather than on the physical wavelengths of the light emitted from them. However, our patient made no such use of color contrast but, instead, made color discriminations simply on the basis of wavelength composition. This is consistent with recent findings from monkey electrophysiology that identify cells in early cortical visual areas that signal local contrast and so contribute to the likely mechanism for achieving color constancy.
Verneinen als Absprechen bei Aristoteles oder: Muß man Aristoteles durch die Russellsche Brille lesen?
Authors: Pardey Ulrich
Published: September 2007

Two counter-examples stand against the Aristotelian thesis of De interpretatione 6 that negation principally means denial: Neither can the negation of general propositions be understood as denial, nor is this possible in the case of propositions whose grammatical subject is an empty singular term. While the first counter-example can be ea­sily refuted through the analysis which Aristotle gives of general propositions in De interpretatione 7, the second counter-example seems to be able to invoke Categoriae 10. According to the usual view of Categoriae 10, Aristotle himself delivers examples for negations which cannot be understood as denials. The present essay holds this interpretation to be incorrect, and attempts to show with reference to indexical propositions and an Aristotelian two-term concept of truth that even these negations are to be understood as denials. Specifically, it is argued that this errant interpretation relies upon a reading of the Aristotelian text through a Russellian lens.
«Deus est mortuus»
Authors: Pluta Olaf
Published: September 2007

This essay presents textual evidence that Nietzsche’s slogan “Gott ist todt!” (“God is dead!”) can be found in several texts of the later Middle Ages (both in Latin and in vernacular languages). Furthermore, it is argued that Nietzsche read one of these texts very early in his life – probably during the six years of his stay at Schulpforta – and that this may be one of the sources of his famous slogan. It is also shown how the slogan “God is dead!” could originate during the later Middle Ages.
The promise of partnership
Authors: Gregory Denis
Published: September 2007

‘Partnership’ is a word that crops up with increasing frequency in government, trade union and management circles in the UK. For many it neatly embodies both the practice and sentiment of the so-called ‘third way’. In the workplace, a partnership approach to industrial relations has been offered as a neo-pluralist alternative to the unitarism of Human Resources Management. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) is an active proponent of partnership and the government has created a fund to support the development of partnership at the workplace. This article sketches some theoretical underpinning for the practice of partnership. To shed some light on the prospects for partnership it draws on recent UK experience and includes a case study of the development of a partnership between UNISON, the UK’s largest trade union, and Vertex Data Sciences, one of the fastest growing call centre operators in the UK.