bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Moment-equation methods for calculating neoclassical transport coefficients in general toroidal plasmas
Authors: Sugama H. , Nishimura S.
Published: April 2008

A detailed comparison is made between moment-equation methods presented by H. Sugama and S. Nishimura [Phys. Plasmas 9, 4637 (2002)] and by M. Taguchi [Phys. Fluids B 4, 3638 (1992)] for calculating neoclassical transport coefficients in general toroidal plasmas including nonsymmetric systems. It is shown that these methods can be derived from the drift kinetic equation with the same collision model used for correctly taking account of collisional momentum conservation. In both methods, the Laguerre polynomials of the energy variable are employed to expand the guiding-center distribution function and to obtain the moment equations, by which the radial neoclassical transport fluxes and the parallel flows are related to the thermodynamic forces. The methods are given here in the forms applicable for an arbitrary truncation number of the Laguerre-polynomial expansion so that their accuracies can be improved by increasing the truncation number. Differences between results from the two methods appear when the Laguerre-polynomial expansion is truncated up to a finite order because different weight functions are used in them to derive the moment equations. At each order of the truncation, the neoclassical transport coefficients obtained from the Sugama–Nishimura method show the Onsager symmetry and satisfy the ambipolar-diffusion condition intrinsically for symmetric systems. Also, numerical examples are given to show how the transport coefficients converge with the truncation number increased for the two methods.
An atomic orbital-based reformulation of energy gradients in second-order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory
Authors: Schweizer Sabine , Doser Bernd , Ochsenfeld Christian
Published: April 2008

A fully atomic orbital (AO)-based reformulation of second-order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) energy gradients is introduced, which provides the basis for reducing the computational scaling with the molecular size from the fifth power to linear. Our formulation avoids any transformation between the AO and the molecular orbital (MO) basis and employs pseudodensity matrices similar to the AO-MP2 energy expressions within the Laplace scheme for energies. The explicit computation of perturbed one-particle density matrices emerging in the new AO-based gradient expression is avoided by reformulating the Z-vector method of Handy and Schaefer [J. Chem. Phys. 81, 5031 (1984)] within a density matrix-based scheme.
Direct coupling of pulsed radio frequency and pulsed high power in novel pulsed power system for plasma immersion ion implantation
Authors: Gong Chunzhi , Tian Xiubo , Yang Shiqin , Fu Ricky K. Y. , Chu Paul K.
Published: April 2008

A novel power supply system that directly couples pulsed high voltage (HV) pulses and pulsed 13.56MHz radio frequency (rf) has been developed for plasma processes. In this system, the sample holder is connected to both the rf generator and HV modulator. The coupling circuit in the hybrid system is composed of individual matching units, low pass filters, and voltage clamping units. This ensures the safe operation of the rf system even when the HV is on. The PSPICE software is utilized to optimize the design of circuits. The system can be operated in two modes. The pulsed rf discharge may serve as either the seed plasma source for glow discharge or high-density plasma source for plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII). The pulsed high-voltage glow discharge is induced when a rf pulse with a short duration or a larger time interval between the rf and HV pulses is used. Conventional PIII can also be achieved. Experiments conducted on the new system confirm steady and safe operation.
Laser powered heating stage in a scanning electron microscope for microstructural investigations at elevated temperatures
Authors: Kirch Dirk M. , Ziemons Arndt , Burlet Thomas , Lischewski Ingo , Molodova Xenia , Molodov Dmitri A. , Gottstein Günter
Published: April 2008

A laser powered heating stage designed for application in high vacuum environment of a scanning electron microscope (SEM) is presented. It was developed to observe and characterize microstructural changes in crystalline materials at elevated temperatures up to 1000°C. The approach utilizes the power output of a commercial infrared diode laser in order to heat up specimens without interference with the electronic system of the SEM. The heating stage can be used in combination with any standard characterization technique applicable for SEMs—electron backscatter diffraction, orientation contrast imaging, x-ray energy dispersive spectrometry, etc. The results of test measurements are presented.
Observation of Andreev–Saint-James reflections in nano-scale planar superconductor to ferromagnet contacts
Authors: Hacohen-Gourgy S. , Almog B. , Deutscher G.
Published: April 2008

We fabricated nanoscale ferromagnetic (F) Nickel/superconducting (S) indium junctions which show that spin polarization effects on the contact conductance can be observed in a planar geometry. The data demonstrate that the Andreev–Saint-James [Sov. Phys. JETP 19, 1228 (1964) and J. Phys. (Paris) 25, 899 (1964)] electron-hole reflections at the F∕S interface, which are sensitive to the polarization of the F side, dominate the conductance of the contact at low bias. The simplicity of fabrication makes these junctions appealing for use in multiterminal SF structures.
Surface nematic bistability at nanoimprinted topography
Authors: Gwag Jin Seog , Kim Jae-Hoon , Yoneya Makoto , Yokoyama Hiroshi
Published: April 2008

The azimuthal nematic bistability was realized by frustration between two azimuthally orthogonal anchoring axes induced by a nanoimprinted groove pattern and mechanical rubbing. The nematic bistability can be explained by the revised Berreman model of groove-induced surface anchoring, recently introduced by Fukuda et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 187803 (2007)]. The azimuthal bistability can be tuned in arbitrary direction by changing the groove pitch and rubbing conditions. This simple combinatorial scheme may be considered as a practical candidate for bistable displays with tailored bistable directions required in various liquid crystal device modes.
Alteration of cyclin D1 transcript elongation by a mutated transcription factor up-regulates the oncogenic D1b splice isoform in cancer
Authors: Sanchez Gabriel , Bittencourt Danielle , Laud Karine , Barbier Jérôme , Delattre Olivier , Auboeuf Didier , Dutertre Martin
Published: April 2008

Pre-mRNA splicing and polyadenylation are tightly connected to transcription, and transcriptional stimuli and elongation dynamics can affect mRNA maturation. However, whether this regulatory mechanism has a physio/pathological impact is not known. In cancer, where splice variant expression is often deregulated, many mutated oncogenes are transcriptional regulators. In particular, the Ewing sarcoma (EwSa) oncogene, resulting from a fusion of the EWS and FLI1 genes, encodes a well characterized transcription factor. EWS-FLI1 directly stimulates transcription of the CCND1 protooncogene encoding cyclin D1a and a less abundant but more oncogenic splice isoform, D1b. We show that, although both EWS and EWS-FLI1 enhance cyclin D1 gene expression, they regulate the D1b/D1a transcript ratio in an opposite manner. Detailed analyses of RNA polymerase dynamics along the gene and of the effects of an inhibitor of elongation show that EWS-FLI1 favors D1b isoform expression by decreasing the elongation rate, whereas EWS has opposite effects. As a result, the D1b/D1a ratio is elevated in EwSa cell lines and tumors. The endogenous D1b protein is enriched in nuclei, where the oncogenic activity of cyclin D1 is known to occur, and depleting D1b in addition to D1a results in a stronger reduction of EwSa cell growth than depleting D1a only. These data show that elevated expression of a splice isoform in cancer can be due to an alteration of the transcription process by a mutated transcriptional regulator and provide evidence for a physio/pathological impact of the coupling between transcription and mRNA maturation.
Stable isotope evidence for an amphibious phase in early proboscidean evolution
Authors: Liu Alexander G. S. C. , Seiffert Erik R. , Simons Elwyn L.
Published: April 2008

The order Proboscidea includes extant elephants and their extinct relatives and is closely related to the aquatic sirenians (manatees and dugongs) and terrestrial hyracoids (hyraxes). Some analyses of embryological, morphological, and paleontological data suggest that proboscideans and sirenians shared an aquatic or semiaquatic common ancestor, but independent tests of this hypothesis have proven elusive. Here we test the hypothesis of an aquatic ancestry for advanced proboscideans by measuring δ18O in tooth enamel of two late Eocene proboscidean genera,BarytheriumandMoeritherium, which are sister taxa of Oligocene-to-Recent proboscideans. The combination of low δ18O values and low δ18O standard deviations inBarytheriumandMoeritheriummatches the isotopic pattern seen in aquatic and semiaquatic mammals, and differs from that of terrestrial mammals. δ13C values of these early proboscideans suggest that both genera are likely to have consumed freshwater plants, although a component of C3terrestrial vegetation cannot be ruled out. The simplest explanation for the combined evidence from isotopes, dental functional morphology, and depositional environments is thatBarytheriumandMoeritheriumwere at least semiaquatic and lived in freshwater swamp or riverine environments, where they grazed on freshwater vegetation. These results lend new support to the hypothesis that Oligocene-to-Recent proboscideans are derived from amphibious ancestors.
Language politics and legitimation crisis in Sweden
Authors: Milani Tommaso M. , Johnson Sally
Published: April 2008

Since the late 1990s the question of whether to ratify the status of Swedish as the “principal” language of Sweden by means of a language law has been subject to considerable public dispute. Drawing on Blommaert’s concept of a “language ideological debate,” we explore how and why this particular debate seemingly ground to a halt without achieving any kind of tangible closure. In order to do so, we introduce Habermas’s notion of “legitimation crisis” and describe how such crises are, according to Habermas, typically underpinned by one or more “rationality deficits,” i.e. discursive paradoxes that emerge in a given historical, cultural, social and economic context. We then propose that the concept of “legitimation crisis” not only may help to explain why some language ideological debates sometimes reach a stalemate at a specific historical moment as in the Swedish case, but also constitutes a theoretical framework that could be productively incorporated into the study of language politics more generally.
From ‘wood’ to future tense
Authors: Epps Patience
Published: April 2008

Cross-linguistic comparison of future constructions (e.g. Bybee et al. 1994) shows that future grams almost invariably derive from verbs involving agent-oriented modality or spatial movement. However, the Hup language of the northwest Brazilian Amazon (Nadahup or ‘Makú’ family) has developed a future gram from a noun: ‘wood, stick’. This paper traces a proposed path of grammaticalization from the free lexeme ‘wood’ to an increasingly abstract ‘generic’ noun in nominal compounds, thence to a purpose adverbial, and finally to a future suffix in verbal constructions. While a nominal source like ‘wood, stick’ for a future gram is typologically extraordinary, each step in this transition is argued to be clearly motivated and consistent with more general cross-linguistic patterns of grammaticalization.
High-b-value diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of pancreatic cancer and mass-forming chronic pancreatitis: preliminary results
Authors: Takeuchi M. , Matsuzaki K. , Kubo H. , Nishitani H.
Published: April 2008

Background: Mass-forming chronic pancreatitis may mimic a pancreatic cancer on dynamic computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and preoperative differential diagnosis is often difficult. Recently, the usefulness of diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer has been reported in several studies.

Purpose: To determine whether high- b-value DWI can distinguish pancreatic cancer from benign mass-forming chronic pancreatitis.

Material and Methods: Twenty pancreatic cancers and four cases of mass-forming chronic pancreatitis were evaluated by high- b-value DWI ( b=800 s/mm2). The signal intensity on DWI was visually evaluated, and the isotropic apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) were measured.

Results: All twenty pancreatic cancers showed high signal intensity (18 showed very high, two showed slightly high) on DWI. None of the mass-forming chronic pancreatitis cases showed very high intensity (three showed iso to low, one showed slightly high) on DWI. The ADCs in the pancreatic cancer and mass-forming chronic pancreatitis were 1.38±0.32×10−3 mm2/s and 1.00±0.18×10−3 mm2/s, respectively ( P<0.05).

Conclusion: On high- b-value DWI, most pancreatic cancers showed very high signal intensity, and may hence be distinguished from benign mass-forming chronic pancreatitis based on our preliminary results.
Regulation of inflammatory responses by IL-17F
Authors: Yang Xuexian O. , Chang Seon Hee , Park Heon , Nurieva Roza , Shah Bhavin , Acero Luis , Wang Yi-Hong , Schluns Kimberly S. , Broaddus Russell R. , Zhu Zhou , Dong Chen
Published: April 2008

Although interleukin (IL) 17 has been extensively characterized, the function of IL-17F, which has an expression pattern regulated similarly to IL-17, is poorly understood. We show that like IL-17, IL-17F regulates proinflammatory gene expression in vitro, and this requires IL-17 receptor A, tumor necrosis factor receptor–associated factor 6, and Act1. In vivo, overexpression of IL-17F in lung epithelium led to infiltration of lymphocytes and macrophages and mucus hyperplasia, similar to observations made in IL-17 transgenic mice. To further understand the function of IL-17F, we generated and analyzed mice deficient in IL-17F or IL-17. IL-17, but not IL-17F, was required for the initiation of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Mice deficient in IL-17F, but not IL-17, had defective airway neutrophilia in response to allergen challenge. Moreover, in an asthma model, although IL-17 deficiency reduced T helper type 2 responses, IL-17F–deficient mice displayed enhanced type 2 cytokine production and eosinophil function. In addition, IL-17F deficiency resulted in reduced colitis caused by dextran sulfate sodium, whereas IL-17 knockout mice developed more severe disease. Our results thus demonstrate that IL-17F is an important regulator of inflammatory responses that seems to function differently than IL-17 in immune responses and diseases.
More than one way to skin . . .
Authors: Fuchs Elaine , Horsley Valerie
Published: April 2008

Epithelial stem cells in the skin are specified during development and are governed by epithelial–mesenchymal interactions to differentially adopt the cell fates that enable them to form the epidermis, hair follicle, and sebaceous gland. In the adult, each of three epithelial lineages maintains their own stem cell population for self-renewal and normal tissue homeostasis. However, in response to injury, at least some of these stem cell niches can be mobilized to repair an epithelial tissue whose resident stem cells have been damaged. How do these stem cell populations respond to multiple signaling networks, activate migration, and proliferation, and differentiate along a specific lineage? Recent clues add new pieces to this multidimensional puzzle. Understanding how these stem cells maintain normal homeostasis and wound repair in the skin is particularly important, as these mechanisms, when defective, lead to skin tissue diseases including cancers.
Transcription factor and microRNA motif discovery: The Amadeus platform and a compendium of metazoan target sets
Authors: Linhart Chaim , Halperin Yonit , Shamir Ron
Published: April 2008

We present a threefold contribution to the computational task of motif discovery, a key component in the effort of delineating the regulatory map of a genome: (1) We constructed a comprehensive large-scale, publicly-available compendium of transcription factor and microRNA target gene sets derived from diverse high-throughput experiments in several metazoans. We used the compendium as a benchmark for motif discovery tools. (2) We developed Amadeus, a highly efficient, user-friendly software platform for genome-scale detection of novel motifs, applicable to a wide range of motif discovery tasks. Amadeus improves upon extant tools in terms of accuracy, running time, output information, and ease of use and is the only program that attained a high success rate on the metazoan compendium. (3) We demonstrate that by searching for motifs based on their genome-wide localization or chromosomal distributions (without using a predefined target set), Amadeus uncovers diverse known phenomena, as well as novel regulatory motifs.
The proteosomal degradation of fusion proteins cannot be predicted from the proteosome susceptibility of their individual components
Authors: Ilyinskii Petr O. , Meriin Anatoli B. , Gabai Vladimir L. , Usachev Evgeny V. , Prilipov Alexei G. , Thoidis Galini , Shneider Alexander M.
Published: April 2008

It is assumed that the proteosome‐processing characteristics of fusion constructs can be predicted from the sum of the proteosome sensitivity of their components. In the present study, we observed that a fusion construct consisting of proteosome‐degradable proteins does not necessarily result in a proteosome‐degradable chimera. Conversely, fusion of proteosome‐resistant proteins may result in a proteosome‐degradable composite. We previously demonstrated that conserved influenza proteins can be unified into a single fusion antigen that is protective, and that vaccination with combinations of proteosome‐resistant and proteosome‐degradable antigens resulted in an augmented T‐cell response. In the present study we constructed proteosome‐degradable mutants of conserved influenza proteins NP, M1, NS1, and M2. These were then fused into multipartite proteins in different positions. The stability and degradation profiles of these fusion constructs were demonstrated to depend on the relative position of the individual proteins within the chimeric molecule. Combining unstable sequences of either NP and M1 or NS1 and M2 resulted in either rapidly proteosome degraded or proteosome‐resistant bipartite fusion mutants. However, further unification of the proteosome‐degradable forms into a single four‐partite fusion molecule resulted in relatively stable chimeric proteins. Conversely, the addition of proteosome‐resistant wild‐type M2 to proteosome‐resistant NP–M1–NS1 fusion protein lead to the decreased stability of the resulting four‐partite multigene products, which in one case was clearly proteosome dependent. Additionally, a highly destabilized form of M1 failed to destabilize the wild‐type NP. Collectively, we did not observe any additive effect leading to proteosomal degradation/nondegradation of a multigene construct.
Child Welfare Services in Russia
Authors: Thomas Nigel , Simm Michael
Published: April 2008

SUMMARY: This is an account of a visit to Moscow in May 1994 to assess the possibilities for collaboration in developing child welfare services in Russia. The authors argue that the present situation is a critical one for millions of children, and that there is an urgent need for practical and theoretical assistance from Britain.
Parenting Education in Australia
Authors: Allan June
Published: April 2008

SUMMARY: The provision of parenting education in Australia has increased dramatically in recent years in response to the rapid changes in contemporary society and the involvement of professionals in family life and relationships. Informed by a critical perspective which highlights the impact of individuals and society upon each other, the paper argues that the value base of parenting education programmes needs to be made clear. Parents need to be helped to consider their personal experiences of mothering and fathering in relation to the under structural tensions shaping their individual responses which impact in turn on the broader situation. A study being undertaken in Melbourne, Australia is drawn on to illustrate certain aspects of parenting education, and ways in which programmes can perpetuate dominant ideologies which can disadvantage parents, but especially mothers, are noted.
A comparison of the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence and smoking prevalence across countries
Authors: Fagerström Karl , Furberg Helena
Published: April 2008

Aims  To examine the correlation between the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) score and smoking prevalence across countries.

Design  Cross‐sectional study.

Setting  Fifteen studies from 13 countries with FTND score data.

Participants  Samples of smokers were identified through systematic literature searches, web queries and colleagues. Smokers were considered representative of their country's smoking population if they were drawn from population‐based sources, were not seeking smoking cessation treatment and did not have significant comorbidities. Smoking prevalence data were derived from the study itself or the country's population rate of daily smoking for the study year.

Measurements  A Pearson correlation coefficient was used to examine the direction and magnitude of the correlation between FTND score and smoking prevalence across countries.

Findings  FTND scores ranged from 2.8 to 4.6. Smokers in Germany and Norway had the lowest FTND scores, while smokers in Sweden and the United States had the highest FTND scores. The prevalence of daily smoking in these countries was very different: 37% and 30% in Germany and Norway, 19% and 16% in the United States and Sweden, respectively. An inverse correlation towards higher FTND scores in countries with lower smoking prevalence was found (r =−0.73, P = 0.001). Current smokers had higher FTND scores than former smokers.

Conclusions  The significant inverse correlation between FTND score and smoking prevalence across countries and higher FTND score among current smokers supports the idea that remaining smokers may be hardening. Less dependent smokers may quit more easily and remaining dependent smokers may need more intensive treatment.
Evaluation of the use of and attitudes towards a face‐bow in complete denture fabrication: a pilot questionnaire investigation in Chinese prosthodontists
Authors: WANG M.‐Q. , XUE F. , CHEN J. , FU K. , CAO Y. , RAUSTIA A.
Published: April 2008

Summary  The aim of this study was to assess the use of and attitudes towards a face‐bow among Chinese prosthodontists in complete denture fabrication. Thirty‐six prosthodontists in two dental hospitals affiliated separately to two of the top four dental schools in China were included. A questionnaire was sent to them with 18 questions covering the following four aspects: (i) the education and experience background of the prosthodontists, (ii) their impression of the quality of the dentures, (iii) the use of and attitudes towards a face‐bow in complete denture fabrication and (iv) their understanding of jaw relationship and occlusal adjustment in complete denture fabrication. Most (97%) experienced Chinese prosthodontists seldom used a face‐bow in complete denture fabrication. Although they (92%) believed that more than 90% of their edentulous patients were satisfied with the complete dentures, 39% of them thought that not using a face‐bow might lower the quality of complete dentures and 94% believed that there was a difference between the quality of dentures fabricated with an adjustable articulator and those made with a simple articulator. Among the 36 prosthodontists, 75% often and 8% occasionally did the occlusal adjustment when giving the newly made dentures to their patients. The great majority of prosthodontists in two of top four Chinese dental hospitals, who believed most of their patients satisfied with their complete dentures, seldom used a face‐bow. Occlusal adjustment may be helpful to eliminate the possible errors caused by not using a face‐bow.
Dipsogeniolike and behavioural effects of bombesin administered intra‐cerebroventricularly to sheep
Authors: BELLOLI C. , BERETTA C. , MARCHISIO A. , ORMAS P. , TANZI G. B. , VOLONTE M.
Published: April 2008

Bombesin administered intracerebroventricularly both by bolus injection (3.0, 6.0, 12.5, 25.0 and 50.0 ng kg‐1) and slow infusion (0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 ng kg‐1 min‐1 for 30 min) potently and promptly stimulated water intake in sheep. This effect was dose dependent and bombesin was slightly more potent than angiotensin II (on a molar basis); both caused behavioural alterations (scratching and licking) in treated animals. Intravenous bolus injections of bombesin at doses up to 2500 ng kg‐1 did not elicit either dipsogenic‐like or behavioural effects, unlike angiotensin II. The receptor antagonist of angiotensin II, saralasin, provoked drinking in sheep at doses of 18.7, 37.5 and 75.0 ng kg‐1 by intracerebroventricular bolus injection. These results surprisingly revealed that bombesin, a potent inhibitor of water intake in other mammals (rats and pigs), exerted in sheep dipsogenic‐like effects similar to those in pigeons and ducks.
Percutaneous absorption of organophosphorus insecticides in pigs – the influence of different vehicles
Authors: GYRD‐HANSEN N. , BRIMER L. , RASMUSSEN F.
Published: April 2008

In 40 experiments on 20 pigs three different organophosphorus insecticides (OPs), parathion (n= 6), phoxim (n= 7) and phosmet (n= 7), were administered both intravenously (i.v.) and dermally (d.) as ‘pour‐ons’ in a crossover design in order to determine the dermal bioavailability of the OPs. As percutaneous absorption of drugs may be affected by the vehicle used, three chemically different vehicles – DMSO, 1‐octanol and macrogol 400 – were used for the dermal administration of each of the OPs. The pharmacokinetic parameters measured showed that 15–30% of dermally applied parathion is absorbed when administered in DMSO or octanol, but only 4–5% when administered in macrogol. Absorption was fastest with DMSO and slowest with macrogol. For the two ectoparasiticides, phoxim and phosmet, only between 0.5 and 3% of the dermal dose was absorbed with little difference in the absorption rate between the three vehicles. On the basis of the very limited dermal bioavailability for these two OPs it seems doubtful whether sufficient concentrations can reach the ectoparasites through the systemic route.
Relationships among burnout, coping style and personality: Study of Japanese professional caregivers for elderly
Authors: Narumoto Jin , Nakamura Kaeko , Kitabayashi Yurinosuke , Shibata Keisuke , Nakamae Takashi , Fukui Kenji
Published: April 2008

Aim:  To investigate relationships among burnout, coping style and personality.

Methods:  Seventy‐two professional caregivers working at nursing homes in Japan were assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), NEO Five‐Factor Inventory (NEO‐FFI), 30‐item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and Coping Inventory for Stressful Situation (CISS).

Results:  GHQ (β = 0.34, P < 0.01) and emotion‐oriented coping (CISS‐E; β = 0.31, P < 0.05) were the predictors of emotional exhaustion (MBI‐EE), and neuroticism (NEO‐N; β = 0.45, P < 0.001) and age (β = ‐0.23, P < 0.05) were the predictors of depersonalization (MBI‐DP). Structural equation modeling showed that NEO‐N affected the burnout scores through CISS‐E, and that age and GHQ affected the burnout scores independently.

Conclusion:  Personality affects burnout through coping style in professional caregivers.
Displacement, Estrangement and Sovereignty: Reconfiguring State Power in Urban South Africa
Authors: Landau Loren B. , Monson Tamlyn
Published: April 2008

Academic writing often portrays migrants as either passive victims of violence and aid recipients or as courageous heroes facing horrific indifference and hazards. This article recodes them and their activities as potent forces for reshaping practices of state power. In this depiction, displacement also becomes a lens for re-evaluating the nature of sovereignty in urban Africa. Through its focus on Johannesburg this article explores how migrant communities intentionally and inadvertently evade, erode and exploit state policies, practices and shortcomings. Rather than being bound by their ambiguous status, they exploit their exclusion to exercise forms of autonomy and freedom in their engagement with the state and its street-level manifestations. Through these interactions, displacement and the continued mobility of urban residents is generating new forms of non-state-centric urban sovereignties and new patterns of transnational governance shaped, but not controlled, by state institutions. To recognize these evolving configurations we must look beyond Manichaean perspectives to see the full nature and degree of territorial control.
A pilot study for screening blood donors in Taiwan by nucleic acid amplification technology: detecting occult hepatitis B virus infections and closing the serologic window period for hepatitis C virus
Authors: Li Lei , Chen Pei‐Jer , Chen Ming‐Hung , Chak Kin‐Fu , Lin Kuo‐Sin , Tsai Su‐Jen Lin
Published: April 2008

BACKGROUND: Blood donors in Taiwan currently are screened for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection by immunoassay. The risk of enzyme immunoassay (EIA)‐negative, nucleic acid amplification technology (NAT)‐reactive donations is not well understood. This study aimed to screen for such donors in Taiwan by a multiplex test (cobas TaqScreen, Roche) on a commercially available NAT system (cobas s 201 system, Roche).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: NAT was performed on donors without prescreening in pools of six and NAT‐reactive pools were then resolved to the single donation. Individual‐donor NAT–reactive samples were discriminated by a commercially available polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–based diagnostic assay (COBAS AmpliScreen, Roche). Samples with EIA‐ and NAT‐discordant results were investigated with supplemental serologic and confirmatory tests. Each sample taken from follow‐up of HBV NAT yield cases was tested for HBV serologic profile, NAT, and viral load. The sensitivity and performance efficacy were also evaluated.

RESULTS: The 95 percent limit of detection (LOD) for HBV, HCV, and HIV were 5.09, 11.83, and 62.53 IU per mL, respectively. Among 10,727 seronegative donations, 12 HBV NAT yield cases (0.11%) and 1 HCV NAT yield case (0.01%) were detected. Follow‐up results for 1 to 8 months showed that the HCV yield case was a window case and all HBV NAT yield cases were occult carriers.

CONCLUSION: The use of NAT detected occult HBV and reduced HCV window period. The yield rate, especially occult HBV, was 10‐ to 100‐fold higher than that in developed, HBV nonendemic countries. Therefore, NAT implementation for routine donor screening in a more cost‐effective manner should contribute to safer blood transfusion in Taiwan.
Hierarchical Domain Structure of Adaptive MB Phase in Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–32%PbTiO3 Single Crystal
Authors: Wang Hui , Zhu Jing , Zhang Xiao Wen , Tang Yan Xue , Luo Hao Su
Published: April 2008

The domain structure in Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–32%PbTiO3 single crystal has been investigated with analytical electron microscopy. It is revealed that the MB phase is an adaptive phase composed of 71° rhombohedral nanodomains and that the nanodomain walls are parallel to {110} planes by a combination of convergent beam electron diffraction and through‐focus high‐resolution image series. The findings suggest and are supportive of the viewpoint that the MA phase could also be an adaptive phase composed of 109° rhombohedral nanodomains with domain walls parallel to {001} planes.
Systematic Review of Emergency Physician–performed Ultrasonography for Lower‐Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis
Authors: Burnside Patrick R. , Brown Michael D. , Kline Jeffrey A.
Published: April 2008

Objectives:  The authors performed a systematic review to evaluate published literature on diagnostic performance of emergency physician–performed ultrasonography (EPPU) for the diagnosis and exclusion of deep venous thrombosis (DVT).

Methods:  Structured search criteria were used to query MEDLINE and EMBASE, followed by a hand search of published bibliographies. Relevance and inclusion criteria required prospective investigation of emergency department (ED) outpatients with suspected DVT; diagnostic evaluations had to consist of EPPU followed by criterion standard (radiology‐performed) imaging. Two authors independently extracted data from included studies; study quality was assessed utilizing a validated tool for quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies (QUADAS). Pooled data were analyzed using an unweighted summary receiver‐operating‐characteristic (SROC) curve; sensitivity and specificity were estimated using a random effects model.

Results:  The initial search yielded 1,162 publications. Relevance screening and selection yielded six articles including 936 patients. Four of the six studies reported adequate blinding but a number of other methodologic flaws were identified. A random effects model yielded an overall sensitivity of 0.95 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.87 to 0.99) and specificity of 0.96 (95% CI = 0.87 to 0.99).

Conclusions:  Systematic review of six studies suggests that EPPU may be accurate for the diagnosis of DVT compared with radiology‐performed ultrasound (US). However, given the methodologic limitations identified among the primary studies, the estimates of diagnostic test performance may be overly optimistic. Further research into EPPU for suspected DVT is needed before it can be adopted into routine clinical practice.
Early activation of adult organ differentiation during delay of metamorphosis in solitary ascidians, and consequences for juvenile growth
Authors: Jacobs Molly W. , Degnan Bernard M. , Bishop John D.D. , Strathmann Richard R.
Published: April 2008

Abstract. Many animals have the ability to delay metamorphosis when conditions are unfavorable. This strategy carries obvious benefits, but may also result in severe consequences for lecithotrophic larvae that run low on time and energy. Precocious activation of postlarval developmental programs—so‐called anticipatory development—may be adaptive and increase the survival of older, energy‐depleted larvae by allowing more rapid metamorphosis. Three of six solitary ascidian species displayed extensive anticipatory development of postlarval structures, similar to heterochronies normally observed for colonial species. The capacity for anticipatory development may be linked to the length of competent period, taxonomic group, or both: members of suborder Phlebobranchia exhibited extensive anticipatory development and long competent periods, but members of suborder Stolidobranchia exhibited little or no anticipatory development and had shorter competent periods. Delay of metamorphosis of up to 3 d did not negatively impact postlarval and juvenile growth rates for any of three species tested, regardless of taxonomic group or length of competent period, although a longer, 7‐d, delay resulted in slower postlarval growth in Ciona intestinalis. Anticipatory development of postlarval structures may ameliorate the negative consequences of delay of metamorphosis in C. intestinalis and Ascidiella aspersa, but Molgula socialis showed neither anticipatory development nor a negative impact of metamorphic delay on postlarval fitness. This is the first demonstration that anticipatory development of postlarval structures, normally associated only with colonial ascidians, can occur as a normal part of the development of solitary ascidians.
Colour M‐mode tissue Doppler imaging in healthy cats and cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Koffas H. , Dukes‐McEwan J. , Corcoran B. M. , Moran C. M. , French A. , Sboros V. , Simpson K. , Anderson T. , McDicken W. N.
Published: April 2008

Objectives:To determine whether decreased diastolic and systolic myocardial velocity gradient between the endocardium and the epicardium exist in the left ventricle of cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Methods:Myocardial velocity gradient and mean myocardial velocities were measured by colour M‐mode tissue Doppler imaging in the left ventricular free wall of 20 normal cats and 17 cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Results:The peak myocardial velocity gradient (sec−1) during the first (E1) (5·71±1·75versus11·38±3·1, P<0·001) and second phase (E2) (3·09±1·53versus7·02±3·1, P=0·005) of early diastole and also the maximum early diastolic myocardial velocity gradient (Emax) (6·12±2·1versus10·76±3·2, P<0·001) were reduced in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy compared with normal cats. Peak myocardial velocity gradient during early systole (Se) was lower in affected cats than in normal cats (6·26±2·08versus8·67±2·83, P=0·006). Affected cats had a lower peak mean myocardial velocities (mm/s) during the two isovolumic periods (IVRb and IVCb) compared with normal cats (2·97±6·76versus12·74±5·5 and 22·28±9·96versus38·65±10·1, P<0·001, respectively).

ClinicalSignificance:This study shows that hypertrophic cardiomyopathy cats have decreased myocardial velocity gradient during both diastole and systole and also altered myocardial motion during the two isovolumic periods. Myocardial velocity gradients recorded by colour M‐mode tissue Doppler imaging can discriminate between the healthy and diseased myocardium.
Ultra‐low Temperature Oxidation of 5,6‐Dihydroxyindole: A Novel Approach to Study Synthetic Melanogenesis†
Authors: Hatcher Lanying Q. , Simon John D.
Published: April 2008

The detailed structure of melanin remains elusive due to the complexity and insolubility of the pigment. Herein we describe a novel oxidation of 5,6‐dihydroxyindole (DHI) as a means to characterize soluble intermediates formed prior to oligomerization. The approach entails the use of a biomimetic copper‐peroxo oxidant, at ultra‐low temperature (−78°C). DHI oxidized by [LCuII(O2)CuIIL]B(C6F5)4 (L = 2,6,10‐trimethyl‐2,6,10‐triazaundecane) under argon produces the one electron oxidation product, semiquinone radical, which is spectroscopically observed at −78°C. MS analysis of the reaction mixture reveals the DHI dimer as well as other extensively oxidized DHI units.
Influence of pH upon Surface‐enhanced Enzyme‐catalyzed Luminol Chemiluminescence at Vicinity of Nanoscale‐corrugated Gold and Silver Films
Authors: Ou Meigui , Lu Guowei , Shen Hong , Descamps Armel , Marquette Christophe André , Blum Loïc Jacques , Roux Stéphane , Tillement Olivier , Cheng Bolin , Perriat Pascal
Published: April 2008

Au and Ag biochips were fabricated to investigate the influence of pH upon the chemiluminescence (CL) of luminol at vicinity of surface‐adsorbed peroxidase. A nanoscaled‐corrugation of the metal induces an enhancement of the luminol CL which is maximal in the pH range favoring peroxidase catalysis and greater for gold than for silver. This is the proof that, in the CL process, the reactions involving peroxidase are surface‐enhanced near corrugated surfaces.
Preemptive Diagnosis of Minor Machine Failure by DDS Spectrum Analysis
Authors: Hong S. Y. , Ni J. , Wu S. M.
Published: April 2008

A preemptive diagnostic system has been developed to detect minor machine failures before machine breakdown for a computer controlled robotic drilling end-effector. By using the Dynamic Data System (DDS) approach, a set of discrete time series data taken from the continuous vibration signal of the machine is analyzed to detect machine failure and to distinguish failures due to the spindle, gears, air motors, and ball bearings of the machine drive system. Experiments validate that the proposed diagnostic method can identify spindle, air motors, gear, and bearing defects in the Robotic Drilling Unit.
The Influence of Zirconium and Boron on Low Carbon Steel Weld Metal Microstructure
Authors: Oh D. W. , Olson D. L. , Frost R. H.
Published: April 2008

By substituting zirconium-boron additions for titanium-boron additions in the weld deposit, further understanding of the role of specific microalloying additions on the suppression of grain boundary ferrite and the promotion of the intragranular formation of acicular ferrite in low carbon steel weld metal is achieved.
Chucking Performance of a Wedge-Type Power Chuck
Authors: Ema S. , Marui E.
Published: April 2008

In order to improve the chucking performance of a wedge-type power chuck with three top jaws, bending tests, chucking accuracy tests, and cutting tests in the chuck-work system were performed using top jaws with different inner diameters, gripping positions, and taper angles. Bending stiffness, eccentricity of a workpiece, and cutting stability of the chuck were assessed using variance analysis. The inner diameter and the taper angle are effective to increase the bending stiffness; however, the gripping position is generally ineffective. With respect to the chucking accuracy, the effects of the inner diameter and the taper angle are significant; however, the effect of the gripping position is insignificant. Top jaws with tapered gripping parts are effective for limiting chatter vibration in actual use. Therefore, for the wedge-type power chuck used in the experiment, the use of the top jaws with tapered gripping parts is the most effective.
In-Process Compensation for Milling Cutter Runout via Chip Load Manipulation
Authors: Liang S. Y. , Perry S. A.
Published: April 2008

This paper discusses a real-time chip load compensation methodology for the elimination of cutting force oscillation and machined surface scalloping due to cutter runout so as to gain better utilization of machine tools. The concept and implementation of the methodology is illustrated using end milling as a process of example. In this work a force feedback system was discussed in the angle domain based upon a proportional-integral control strategy and a repetitive learning control strategy to actively manipulate the chip load during end milling. Numerical simulations based on experimentally identified machining dynamics were presented to compare the performance of the two control schemes. Experimental investigation under various cutting conditions was performed to assess the viability of the feedback compensation system in the context of cutting force response as well as machined surface finish. It has been shown that a proportional-integral control has limited effectiveness in eliminating the runout-induced cutting force oscillation due to the constraints of system stability and dynamic performance. On the other hand, the learning control system based on the internal model principal successfully yields a cutting force free of oscillatory components at the spindle frequency and significantly improves the quality of machined surfaces by cancelling the nonasymptotically stable dynamics of cutter runout.
A New Apparatus for Estimating Die Profile Friction in Deep Drawing
Authors: Tsutsumi S. , Kato T.
Published: April 2008

A new deep-drawing apparatus is developed for examining the compatibility problem between the tool and the workpiece material in metal forming. The die consists of two parts divided coaxially, the radius part rotating at a desired speed and the flange part fixed. The division of the die makes it possible to control the meridian component of the frictional force on the die profile radius by changing the direction of frictional force with its rotation. The characterization of the apparatus is made by drawing tests of copper blanks with a sintered carbide die. The result shows that it is possible to estimate the absolute value of die profile friction in deep drawing by using the apparatus developed.
Automatic Tool Selection for NC Turret Operation in Sheet Metal Stamping
Authors: Cho Kyung Ho , Lee Kunwoo
Published: April 2008

In sheet metal fabrication using an NCT (numerically controlled turret punch press) machine, automatic tool selection is a major problem to be solved to improve its production performance. However, this operation has been done either manually or semi-automatically by human experts. In this paper, we have introduced the shape-index-set to handle the shape of sheet metal parts and developed an algorithm through which one can find the successive matching curves between two curve lists, one from the punching tool and the other from the boundaries of the sheet metal part. The algorithm is used to select the tools automatically to punch out the boundaries of sheet metal parts. Several experiments are presented to prove the successful tool selection.
The Profile Determination and Machining of Camoids with Oscillating Spherical Followers
Authors: Tsay Der Min , Hwang Guan Shyong
Published: April 2008

A simple procedure, that can be used to determine the complicated camoid profile with an oscillating spherical follower and to decide the cutter path with the predictable surface roughness, is presented. In the profile design stage, it employs the theory of envelope for a family of surfaces with two independent parameters to derive the camoid contour. Also, the pressure angle is investigated by means of the analytical expression of the camoid. The results are compared to those obtained by using the principle of contact point between the camoid and the follower. Based on the chordal deviation and the scallop height, the surface roughness is analyzed in the machining process. An example is given to illustrate the application of the proposed method.
The Accuracy of Micro-molds Produced by a UV Laser Induced Polymerization
Authors: Yamaguchi K. , Nakamoto T. , Abbay P. A. , Mibu S.
Published: April 2008

This research work deals with the development of a simple and practical method for manufacturing metallic micromachine parts on the order of 0.01–1.0 mm in size. In this method, an ultraviolet laser beam is irradiated onto the surface of a liquid photopolymer material through a mask. The irradiated pattern is then developed to produce a solidified photopolymer mold. Finally, the metallic part is made by an electroforming process. This paper deals with the first process, the making of the photopolymer mold. At first, the accuracy of the mold is estimated by applying the theories of diffraction and absorption of light. Next, the accuracy is examined experimentally. The results show an accuracy of ± 1 μm can be obtained when a proximity transfer of 10 μm between the mask and the photopolymer surface is used. By stacking thin films, thick and high aspect ratio molds with a reasonably high accuracy are made.
Analysis of the Mechanics of Machining with Tapered End Milling Cutters
Authors: Ramaraj T. C. , Eleftheriou E.
Published: April 2008

The analytical prediction of forces in a tapered mill is of vital interest to the accurate machining of complex blade shapes for the aerospace industry. Failure of these cutters is more often by chipping and fracture as opposed to gradual wear. Geometry of the cutters along with duration and length during cutting is analyzed using known parameters. The influence of the geometrical parameters on the spatial distribution of cutting forces is derived from kinematics and the basic shearing processes. Shear strain is approximately obtained with the use of Stabler’s rule. Stress on the shear plane is found from appropriate shear stress-strain curves. A coefficient of friction on the cutting edge is used to evaluate the shear as well as normal forces. As a consequences, torque experienced by the cutter is evaluated. Finally, verification of the analysis is presented through sample calculations and correlations with experimental data measured with a dynamometer.