bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Faculty work as learning: Insights from theories of cognition
Authors: Lattuca Lisa R.
Published: July 2005

Sociocultural and cultural‐historical theories urge us to study the social relations and interactions of faculty embedded in local and particular contexts. They promise deeper insights into the work of college and university faculty.
The challenge of integration in interdisciplinary education
Authors: Minnis Michele , John‐Steiner Vera
Published: July 2005

Focused on an interdisciplinary graduate program in water resources management, this case study illustrates how theory‐into‐practice integration occurred in a field course and clarified students' expectations that faculty model interdisciplinary ways of knowing.
Promoting the effective evaluation of collaboratively produced scholarship: A call to action
Authors: Creamer Elizabeth G.
Published: July 2005

Examples are provided about ways to change professional and ethical practices to promote the creation of a culture that facilitates and equitably recognizes collaboratively produced scholarship.
Cannabis use and outcome of recent onset psychosis
Authors: Grech Anton , Van Os Jim , Jones Peter B. , Lewis Shon W. , Murray Robin M.
Published: July 2005

Purpose

To test the hypothesis that recent onset psychotic patients who use cannabis will have psychotic symptoms that are more severe and more persistent than those who do not use cannabis.

Subjects and methods

We carried out a 4-year follow-up study of a cohort of 119 patients with recent onset of psychosis. The patients were divided into four groups according to duration of cannabis use, taking index admission and follow-up as reference points.

Results

Those subjects who persisted in the use of cannabis had more positive (but not negative) symptoms and a more continuous illness at follow-up.

Limitations

The main limitations of the study were: the relatively small sample size, and that the excess of male subjects and the presence of cannabis induced psychosis could have a confusing impact on the interpretation of the results.

Conclusion

It is possible that psychotic patients who use cannabis are at a greater risk of a more continuous illness with more positive symptoms than those who do not.
The use of historical catch data to trace the influence of climate on fish populations: examples from the White and Barents Sea fisheries in the 17th and 18th centuries
Authors: Lajus Dmitry L. , Lajus Julia A. , Dmitrieva Zoya V. , Kraikovski Alexei V. , Alexandrov Daniel A.
Published: July 2005

We analysed catch records of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), cod (Gadus morhua), and halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus and Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) from the 17th and 18th centuries from several locations of the Barents and White Seas areas. Historical records, found in Russian archives, allow analysis of long-term series of catches, and sometimes of the average weight of the fish. In total, we obtained data on catches of salmon for 51 years (for the period from 1615 to 1772) and of cod and halibut for 33 years (for the period from 1710 to 1793). These data are comparable with respect to fishing effort within the series. The data on Atlantic salmon are also comparable with statistical data for the period 1875–1915. We found notable fluctuations in catches and sometimes in the average weight of salmon. There was also fluctuation in catches of cod and halibut. Both observational comparison of catch series and temperature data and formal statistical analysis showed that catches tended to decrease during relatively colder periods.
The remarkable population size of the endangered clam Tridacna maxima assessed in Fangatau Atoll (Eastern Tuamotu, French Polynesia) using in situ and remote sensing data
Authors: Andréfouët Serge , Gilbert Antoine , Yan Laurent , Remoissenet Georges , Payri Claude , Chancerelle Yannick
Published: July 2005

Several lagoons of the Eastern Tuamotu Atolls (French Polynesia) are characterized by enormous populations of the clam Tridacna maxima, a species considered as endangered in many locations worldwide. This unique resource is virtually intact, until recently being impacted only by local consumption. Increasing exports to Tahiti's market (up to 50 tonnes of wet matter y−1), combined with the relatively small size of these lagoons (<50 km2), have raised significant concerns for agencies charged with management of lagoonal resources. In order to evaluate whether the current harvesting pressure threatens long-term sustainability of this resource, it is necessary to estimate the total number of individual clams present and also the fraction of that stock that is currently targeted by fishers, who generally collect clams in very shallow waters (<1 m), walking on the reef edges. Here, we present results for a pilot study evaluating this resource at Fangatau Atoll. Using a combination of data collected in situ and three remotely sensed images with different spatial resolution (1.5, 5.6, and 30 m), we estimate that the shallowest lagoonal areas (4.05 km2 at depth <6 m) harbour five classes of benthic habitat with significantly different clam areal covers and densities. Considering the cover/density values for each habitat class, 23.65 ± 5.33 million clams (mean ± 95% confidence interval) inhabit these 4.05 km2. Assuming that current harvesting techniques will be maintained in the future, the commercially available stock represents 44% of the population located on 1.18 km2 of the shallow lagoon. A comparison of results from the three remote sensing platforms indicates that high resolution, broadband multispectral sensors (e.g. IKONOS, Quickbird) should provide the best existing platforms to conduct similar assessments elsewhere.
Lessons for the emerging markets from Poland’s great change
Authors: Kolodko Grzegorz W.
Published: July 2005

It is widely assumed that the post-socialist transformation started in Poland. This is true, but only in part. Although it was indeed in Poland that various processes contributing to this dramatic change gained the greatest momentum in the 1980s, things were not at a standstill in other countries of central and eastern Europe, either. Another widespread assumption is that the post-socialist transformation was set in motion in 1989, when—first in Poland and then, through a chain reaction engulfing the entire region—‘real socialism collapsed’ or, as others would prefer to put it, ‘communism was defeated’. There is no doubt that later in many respects Poland has handled the challenges of the great transformation better than other countries. Hence, after already over 15 years of ongoing post-socialist transformation toward democratic polity, market economy and civil society, there must be certain lessons the other countries, especially the so-called emerging markets, can learn from the Polish experience. Hence it is worth having a closer look at what works and why and what does not work and whyŒ
Are we improving after 10 years of humanitarian paediatric cardiac assistance?
Authors: Novick William M. , Stidham Gregory L. , Karl Thomas R. , Guillory Karen L. , Ivanćan Visnja , Malčić Ivan , Sandoval Nestor , Reid Robert W. , Lazorishisnets Vasily V. , Davis Matthew C. , Baum Victor C. , Di Sessa Thomas G.
Published: July 2005

Background:Paediatric cardiovascular services are frequently absent or poorly developed in many countries around the world. Our foundation made 83 trips in support of cardiovascular services between April 1993 and March 2003 to help alleviate this problem. In this study, we present an analysis of our results over these period of 10 years.Methods:We performed a review of all available records relating to the trips, including patient databases, audited financial statements, donated product inventory lists, lists of team members, and follow-up data from the host sites concerning the state of the patients treated.Results:We made 83 trips to 14 countries, 40 of these being in Central Europe, 5 in Eastern Europe, 10 in Caribbean, and Central America, 18 in South America, 9 in Asia, and 1 in the Middle East. In the first 5 years, we made 23, as opposed to 60 in the second 5 years, this difference being significant (p less than 0.01). The total number of primary operations performed over 10 years was 1,580. The number of procedures performed yearly increased over the two intervals from 97.0 plus or minus 32.7 to 219.0 plus or minus 41.7, p less than 0.002. The probability of survival between the periods increased from 84.6 to 93.3 per cent, and this was also significantly different (p less than 0.001). Overall, the rate of survival for the period of 10 years was 90.5 per cent. Moreover, the value of services donated to support each trip also differed significantly, decreasing from 105,900 dollars plus or minus 14,581 dollars for the first period to 54,617 dollars plus or minus 11,425 dollars for the second period (p less than 0.001).Conclusions:Improving paediatric cardiac services in under-served countries requires significant financial and personnel commitments, but can produce reasonable outcomes.
Employment and advice regarding careers for adults with congenital heart disease
Authors: Crossland David S. , Jackson Susan P. , Lyall Rosalind , Burn John , O'Sullivan John J.
Published: July 2005

Aims: To compare the rates of employment, and advice offered concerning careers, in adults with congenital heart disease and controls. To assess the impact of the severity of the congenital cardiac malformation on the chances for employment. Methods: We solicited responses from 299 adults with congenitally malformed hearts, asking them to answer questions from a questionnaire posed at interview by a trained nurse. The adults were asked to give an identical questionnaire to a friend to act as a control. We received responses from 177 of the controls. Results: The responses showed that 51 of 156 (33 per cent) adults with congenital heart disease were unemployed, and 37 of 151 (25 per cent) had been unemployed for more than a year. This is significantly more than 25 of 156 (16 per cent) matched controls unemployed, and 5 of 151 (3 per cent) controls unemployed for more than a year. Almost one-fifth of the adults with congenital heart disease (19 per cent) had received advice regarding their career which they found helpful, which is significantly fewer than the 31 per cent of controls. More (42 per cent) had been given advice against certain occupations than controls (11 per cent). Receiving career advice was significantly associated with employment in the population with congenitally malformed hearts, with almost three-quarters (73 per cent) of those given advice being employed compared to 46 per cent of those not given advice. This pattern was not seen in controls. The severity of the congenital cardiac malformation did not significantly affect the rates of unemployment. Conclusions: Whatever the severity of their disease, adults with congenitally malformed hearts are more likely to be unemployed than matched controls. They are less likely to receive useful advice regarding potential careers, and find the advice given less helpful, than controls, although receiving suitable advice is associated with being employed in the population with congenital cardiac disease.
Prolapse of the antero-superior leaflet of the tricuspid valve secondary to congenital anomalies of the valvar and sub-valvar apparatus: a rare cause of severe tricuspid regurgitation
Authors: Abrams Dominic J. R. , Kilner Philip , Till Janice A. , Shore Darryl F. , Sethia Babulal , Franklin Rodney C. G. , Magee Alan G.
Published: July 2005

Congenital anomalies of the tricuspid valve, and/or its supporting apparatus, leading to severe tricuspid regurgitation are rare. Although well tolerated in early childhood, long-standing and progressive volume loading of the right heart leads to symptoms of decreased exercise tolerance, and may predispose to arrhythmias in the long term. We report three cases of severe tricuspid regurgitation related to anomalies of the cords supporting the antero-superior leaflet of the tricuspid valve. Shortened cords leading to tethering of the leaflet were seen in two cases, and hypoplasia of the leaflet in the other. In all cases, the regurgitant jet was directed posteriorly towards the coronary sinus and atrial septum. Surgical repair was possible in one case, while it proved necessary to replace the valve in a second. The third child is asymptomatic and under regular review.
Successful use of an intravenous infusion of flecainide and amiodarone for a refractory combination of postoperative junctional and ectopic tachycardias
Authors: Haas Nikolaus A. , Fox Scott , Skinner Jonathan R.
Published: July 2005

After repair of an atrioventricular septal defect with common atrioventricular junction in a 2-month-old girl, rapid atrial tachycardia, in combination with junctional ectopic tachycardia, led to severe postoperative cardiovascular compromise. Intercurrent runs of ectopic atrial tachycardia made atrial pacing impossible, despite high doses of intravenous amiodarone. Following the addition of flecainide to the infusion, we were able to control the rhythm, and when combined with atrial pacing, this led to an immediate haemodynamic improvement. Treatment of refractory supraventricular tachycardias with amiodarone combined with flecainide can be very effective in the setting of postoperative cardiac intensive care.
Neutral atmospheric influences of the solar proton events in October–November 2003
Authors: Jackman Charles H. , DeLand Matthew T. , Labow Gordon J. , Fleming Eric L. , Weisenstein Debra K. , Ko Malcolm K. W. , Sinnhuber Miriam , Russell James M.
Published: July 2005

The large solar storms in October–November 2003 caused solar proton events (SPEs) at the Earth and impacted the middle atmospheric polar cap regions. Although occurring near the end of the maximum of solar cycle 23, the fourth largest period of SPEs measured in the past 40 years happened 28–31 October 2003. The highly energetic protons associated with the SPEs produced ionizations, excitations, dissociations, and dissociative ionizations of the background constituents, which led to the production of odd hydrogen (HOx) and odd nitrogen (NOy). NOx (NO + NO2) was observed by the UARS HALOE instrument to increase over 20 ppbv throughout the Southern Hemisphere polar lower mesosphere. The NOAA 16 SBUV/2 instrument measured a short‐term ozone depletion of 40% in the Southern Hemisphere polar lower mesosphere, probably a result of the HOx increases. SBUV/2 observations showed ozone depletions of 5–8% in the southern polar upper stratosphere lasting days beyond the events, most likely a result of the NOy enhancements. Longer‐term Northern Hemisphere polar total ozone decreases of >0.5% were predicted to last for over 8 months past the events with the Goddard Space Flight Center two‐dimensional model. Although the production of NOy constituents is the same in both hemispheres, the NOy constituents have a much larger impact in the northern than the southern polar latitudes because of the seasonal differences between the two hemispheres. These observations and model computations illustrate the substantial impact of solar protons on the polar neutral middle atmosphere.
Geostatistical modeling of the spatial variability of arsenic in groundwater of southeast Michigan
Authors: Goovaerts P. , AvRuskin G. , Meliker J. , Slotnick M. , Jacquez G. , Nriagu J.
Published: July 2005

During the last decade one has witnessed an increasing interest in assessing health risks caused by exposure to contaminants present in the soil, air, and water. A key component of any exposure study is a reliable model for the space‐time distribution of pollutants. This paper compares the performances of multi‐Gaussian and indicator kriging for modeling probabilistically the spatial distribution of arsenic concentrations in groundwater of southeast Michigan, accounting for arsenic data collected at private residential wells and the hydrogeochemistry of the area. The arsenic data set, which was provided by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), includes measurements collected between 1993 and 2002 at 8212 different wells. Factorial kriging was used to filter the short‐range spatial variability in arsenic concentration, leading to a significant increase (17‐65%) in the proportion of variance explained by secondary information, such as type of unconsolidated deposits and proximity to Marshall Sandstone subcrop. Cross validation of well data shows that accounting for this regional background does not improve the local prediction of arsenic, which reveals the presence of unexplained sources of variability and the importance of modeling the uncertainty attached to these predictions. Slightly more precise models of uncertainty were obtained using indicator kriging. Well data collected in 2004 were compared to the prediction model and best results were found for soft indicator kriging which has a mean absolute error of 5.6 µg/L. Although this error is large with respect to the USEPA standard of 10 µg/L, it is smaller than the average difference (12.53 µg/L) between data collected at the same well and day, as reported in the MDEQ data set. Thus the uncertainty attached to the sampled values themselves, which arises from laboratory errors and lack of information regarding the sample origin, contributes to the poor accuracy of the geostatistical predictions in southeast Michigan.
Features in wavelength dependence of aerosol absorption observed over central India
Authors: Ganguly Dilip , Jayaraman A. , Gadhavi H. , Rajesh T. A.
Published: July 2005

Measurements on spectral dependence of aerosol light absorption and BC mass concentrations were made at various locations between Ahmedabad (23.03°N, 72.50°E) and Hyderabad (17.47°N, 78.45°E) during February 2004. Average concentration of BC was close to 2 μg/m3 which is about 2 to 5% of the total aerosol mass loading measured at the surface. Absorption Angstrom coefficient estimated using a relation of the form βabs(λ) = K.λ−α is found to vary between 1.2 to 2.0 at different locations. Our result shows an excess absorption of up to 30% in lower wavelengths below 880 nm. Deviation from λ−1 dependence, which is typical of BC from fossil fuel, shows that aerosol mixture contains other particles from biofuel/biomass or mineral dust. As there was no major biomass burning observed in the study region as well as no specific enhancement observed in the coarse size aerosols, we attribute the observed excess absorption to the biofuel combustion.
Local friction in polyolefin blends
Authors: Luettmer-Strathmann Jutta
Published: July 2005

Processes on different length scales affect the dynamics of chain molecules. The friction experienced by a short chain segment depends on both small-scale chain properties and on the local environment of the segment. As a consequence, the (monomeric) friction coefficients of the two components of a binary polymer blend will, in general, differ from each other and from the friction coefficients of the corresponding melts. In this work, we investigate local friction in polyolefin blends with the aid of a small-scale simulation approach. The polymer chains, in united atom representation, are assumed to occupy the sites of a partially filled simple cubic lattice. The simulation focuses on short chain sections with straight backbones and enumerates all possible binary contacts and relative movements of such sections. By evaluating the exact enumeration results in conjunction with equations of state for the blends, we are able to make predictions about the variation of the friction coefficients with local chain architecture and thermodynamic state (temperature, pressure, and composition). We calculate relative values of friction coefficients at temperatures well above the glass transition for blends of PEP, an alternating copolymer of polyethylene and polypropylene, with polyethylene and polyisobutylene and for blends of polyethylene and atactic polypropylene. We also investigate a blend of PEP with head-to-head polypropylene and compare our results with experimental data.
Stretch flow of thin layers of Newtonian liquids: Fingering patterns and lifting forces
Authors: Lindner A. , Derks D. , Shelley M. J.
Published: July 2005

We study the stretch flow of a thin layer of Newtonian liquid constrained between two circular plates. The evolution of the interface of the originally circular bubble is studied when lifting one of the plates at a constant velocity and the observed pattern is related to the measured lifting force. By comparing experimental results to numerical simulations using a Darcy’s law model we can account for the fully nonlinear evolution of the observed fingering pattern. One observes an initial destabilization of the interface by growth of air fingers due to a Saffman–Taylor-like instability and then a coarsening of the pattern toward a circular interface until complete debonding of the two plates occurs. Numerical simulations reveal that when relating the observed patterns to the lifting force not only the number of fingers but also the amplitude of the fingering growth has to be taken into account. This is consistent with the experimental observations.
Spectroscopy and recombination dynamics of InAs∕AlAs quantum dots
Authors: Dawson P. , Göbel E. O. , Pierz K.
Published: July 2005

We present a detailed study of the low-temperature spectroscopy and recombination dynamics of an InAs∕AlAs quantum dot sample. In particular, our studies reveal the existence of sharp lines in the photoluminescence spectra whose photon energy and decay time depend in a well-defined manner on the excitation photon energy. We explain the observation of these lines as being due to the resonant enhancement of the spatially indirect recombination of electrons localized in strain-induced AlAs X states and holes in the InAs quantum dots and spatially direct recombination of electrons and holes in the same InAs quantum dot.
On the notion of “1∕f noise” and data analysis for glassy water
Authors: Johari G. P.
Published: July 2005

It is argued that the measured dielectric loss is the sum of a background loss and a dipolar relaxation loss, and both should be considered in a dielectric spectrum analysis. The background loss can be determined by fitting a relaxation function to the spectral peak region. It is also shown that the dielectric loss tangent tanδ of glassy water, which has been rejected as “1∕f noise” [A. Minoguchi, R. Richert, and C. A. Angell, Phys. Rev. Lett.93, 215703 (2004)], contains a large contribution from dipole relaxation loss, and its tanδ neither remains constant with change in f nor varies as 1∕f. The incorrect attribution of water’s tanδ of Minoguchi et al. puts into question the basis of their analysis.
Anisotropic diffusion of n-butane and n-decane on a stepped metal surface
Authors: Subramanian Shrijay , Wang Jee-Ching
Published: July 2005

The diffusion of single n-butane and n-decane molecules on a model stepped surface, Pt(655), and on a corresponding flat surface, Pt(111), is investigated using molecular-dynamics simulations and anisotropic united atom model. The surface step on Pt(655) causes the alkane molecules to adsorb on the lower terrace in all-trans conformations with their long molecular axes adjacent and parallel to the step edge, and to diffuse anisotropically along the surface step via a constant wiggly motion without rotation or marked deviation from the parallel adsorption configuration. At relatively high temperatures, the alkane molecules can temporarily break away from the step edge but cannot migrate across the step edge in either the downstair or upstair direction. In comparison with the diffusion on Pt(111), the diffusivity of n-decane is reduced by the surface step but its diffusion barrier is hardly affected. In the case of the shorter n-butane, however, the surface step significantly reduces the diffusion energy barrier and gives rise to higher diffusion coefficients at lower temperatures. Important implications of the simulation results are discussed.
Response to “Comment on ‘Multireference configuration interaction calculations for positronium halides’ ” [J. Chem. Phys. 123, 017101 (2005)]
Authors: Saito S. L.
Published: July 2005

Several incorrect arguments which were contained in a Comment written by Mitroy and Bromley are pointed out and are discussed. Their incorrect arguments are caused by the following two reasons: (1) neglect of the difference between systems treated by them and us and (2) the difference of their computational method and ours.
Thermal and mechanical properties of BaWO4 crystal
Authors: Ge W. W. , Zhang H. J. , Wang J. Y. , Liu J. H. , Xu X. G. , Hu X. B. , Jiang M. H. , Ran D. G. , Sun S. Q. , Xia H. R. , Boughton R. I.
Published: July 2005

A large single crystal of barium tungstate (BaWO4) with dimensions of 22-mmdiameter×80-mm length was grown by the Czochralski method using an iridium crucible. The melting point, molar enthalpy of fusion, and molar entropy of fusion of the crystal were determined to be 1775.10 K, 96913.80Jmol−1, and 54.60JK−1mol−1, respectively. The average linear thermal-expansion coefficients are αa=10.9526×10−6∕K, αb=10.8069×10−6∕K, and αc=35.1063×10−6∕K in the temperature range from 303.15 to 1423.15 K along the three respective crystallographic axes. The density of the crystal follows an almost linear decrease from 6.393×103 to 6.000×103kgm−3 when the temperature is increased from 303.15 to 1423.15 K. The measured specific heat are 115.56–130.96JK−1mol−1 in the temperature range of 323.15–1173.15 K. The thermal diffusion coefficient of the crystal was measured in the temperature range of 297.15–563.15 K. The calculated thermal conductivity is 2.256Wm−1K−1 along the [001] direction and 2.324Wm−1K−1 along the [100] direction at 323.15 K. The microhardness of the BaWO4 single crystal in the (001) and (100) planes is 1393 and 1814 MPa under a load of 0.050 kg.
Birkhoff’s theorem in Lovelock gravity
Authors: Zegers Robin
Published: July 2005

We show that the solutions of the Lovelock equations with spherical, planar, or hyperbolic symmetry are locally isometric to the corresponding static Lovelock black hole. As a consequence, these solutions are locally static: they admit an additional Killing vector that can either be space-like or time-like, depending on the position. This result also holds in the presence of an abelian gauge field, in which case the solutions are locally isometric to a charged static black hole.
Effect of AlN nucleation layer on the structural properties of bulk GaN grown on sapphire by molecular-beam epitaxy
Authors: Davidsson S. K. , Fälth J. F. , Liu X. Y. , Zirath H. , Andersson T. G.
Published: July 2005

The properties of GaN, grown on sapphire by molecular-beam epitaxy, have been investigated with respect to the properties of the underlying AlN nucleation layer. We show that the AlN thickness and the Al∕N flux ratio have pronounced effects on the surface morphology and crystal quality of the GaN overlayer. Low Al∕N ratio (<0.4) leads to N-polarity GaN with poor crystal quality. For ratios between 0.4 and 0.7 the surface is smooth with Ga polarity. Higher Al∕N flux ratios result in Ga-polar surfaces having plateaus intersected by holes. Optimum values for the GaN(0002) ω scan (full width at half maximum of 250 arc sec) and the surface roughness (root mean square of 0.7 nm) were found for a 3-nm-thick AlN nucleation layer (Al∕N ratio of 0.6).
Suppression of myasthenogenic responses of a T cell line by a dual altered peptide ligand by induction of CD4+CD25+regulatory cells
Authors: Aruna Badiga Venkata , Sela Michael , Mozes Edna
Published: July 2005

Myasthenia gravis is a T cell-dependent, antibody-mediated autoimmune disease. A dual altered peptide ligand (APL) that is composed of the tandemly arranged two single amino acid analogs of two myasthenogenic peptides, p195–212 and p259–271, was demonstrated to down-regulatein vitroandin vivomyasthenia gravis-associated autoreactive responses. The aims of this study were to demonstrate the suppressive properties and to elucidate the mechanism of action of the dual APL on a T cell line specific to the myasthenogenic peptide p195–212. We demonstrate here that incubation of cells of the line with the dual APL resulted in the inhibition of proliferation and secretion of IL-2 and IFN-γ triggered by p195–212. In contrast, secretion of TGF-β and IL-10 was upregulated. The dual APL induced the generation of CD4+CD25+cells that were characterized by the expression of CD45Rblow, cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4, TGF-β, CD62L, Foxp3, and neuropilin. In addition, the dual APL-treated cells were capable of inhibiting the proliferation response of the line when the two sets of cells were cocultured. The role of CD4+CD25+cells was further confirmed by demonstrating that the suppression was abrogated by blocking/neutralization of CD25. Thus, the dual APL acts by inducing the formation of CD4+CD25+regulatory cells. By using a T cell line, we could show that the immunosuppressive CD4+CD25+cells were indeed induced by the dual APL and are not part of the naturally occurring regulatory cells.
Entropy-constrained functional quantization of Gaussian processes
Authors: Graf Siegfried , Luschgy Harald
Published: July 2005

The sharp asymptotics for the entropy-constrained

L
2

L^2

-quantiza- tion errors of Gaussian measures on a Hilbert space and in particular, for Gaussian processes is derived. The condition imposed is regular variation of the eigenvalues of the covariance operator.
A new representation of the Dedekind completion of 𝐶(𝐾)-spaces
Authors: Ercan Z. , Onal S.
Published: July 2005

A new representation of the Dedekind completion of

C
(
K
)

C(K)

is given. We present a necessary and sufficient condition on a compact Hausdorff space

K
K

for which the Dedekind completion of

C
(
K
)

C(K)

is

B
(
S
)

B(S)

, the space of real valued bounded functions on some set

S
S

.
On successive coefficients of odd univalent functions
Authors: Ye Zhongqiu
Published: July 2005

The relative growth of successive coefficients of odd univalent functions is investigated. We prove that a conjecture of Hayman is true.
Morita equivalences between some blocks for 𝑝-solvable groups
Authors: Zhou Yuanyang
Published: July 2005

We prove that any Morita equivalence between some blocks with Abelian defect groups and cyclic inertia quotients for

p
p

-solvable groups is basic.
Comparison theorems of Hille–Wintner type for dynamic equations on time scales
Authors: Erbe Lynn , Peterson Allan
Published: July 2005

We obtain an analogue of the Hille–Wintner comparison theorem for the nonoscillation of second-order linear dynamic equations on time scales. Several examples are given including applications to difference equations.
A general multiplicity theorem for certain nonlinear equations in Hilbert spaces
Authors: Ricceri Biagio
Published: July 2005

In this paper, we prove the following general result. Let

X
X

be a real Hilbert space and

J
:
X
→

R

J:X\to \textbf {R}

a continuously Gâteaux differentiable, nonconstant functional, with compact derivative, such that
\[

lim sup

‖
x
‖
→
+
∞

J
(
x
)

‖
x

‖
2

≤
0
 
.

\limsup _{\|x\|\to +\infty }{{J(x)}\over {\|x\|^2}}\leq 0\ .

\]
Then, for each

r
∈
 
]

inf

X

J
,

sup

X

J
[

r\in \ ]\inf _{X}J,\sup _{X}J[

for which the set

J

−
1

(
[
r
,
+
∞
[
)

J^{-1}([r,+\infty [)

is not convex and for each convex set

S
⊆
X

S\subseteq X

dense in

X
X

, there exist

x
0

∈
S
∩

J

−
1

(
]
−
∞
,
r
[
)

x_0\in S\cap J^{-1}(]-\infty ,r[)

and

λ
>
0

\lambda >0

such that the equation
\[

x
=
λ

J
′

(
x
)
+

x
0

x=\lambda J’(x)+x_0

\]
has at least three solutions.
Fibroblast differentiation of bone marrow‐derived cells during wound repair
Authors: Opalenik Susan R. , Davidson Jeffrey M.
Published: July 2005

To examine the ontogeny of the wound fibroblast, bone marrow transplantation was performed to wild‐type recipients from transgenic donors that express both the luciferase and β‐galactosidase reporter genes under transcriptional control of the promoter/enhancer for the α2 chain of type I collagen. Polyvinyl alcohol sponges were implanted to elicit a naïve granulation tissue response, removed at defined time points, and processed for nucleic acids and histochemistry. Quantitative PCR for the luciferase transgene demonstrated that donor‐derived cells were present during inflammation, declined, and rebounded during later stages of tissue remodeling. Furthermore, quantitative RT‐PCR revealed that bone marrow‐derived collagen transcripts contributed significantly to the total collagen I α2 promoter activation during later stages of repair. β‐galactosidase staining revealed that indeed those cells which expressed the transgene exhibited a fibroblastic phenotype, co‐localized with sites of active collagen deposition, and expressed fibroblast specific protein‐1. These data strongly support the concept that the adult bone marrow compartment houses progenitors with the potential to migrate to sites of tissue damage, and participate in repair beyond inflammation as fibroblasts. Moreover, that bone marrow‐derived fibroblasts make a substantial contribution to the formation of new connective tissue, including type I collagen, during wound repair.
Generation of a vascularized organoid using skeletal muscle as the inductive source
Authors: Messina Aurora , Bortolotto Susan K. , Cassell Oliver C. S. , Kelly Jack , Abberton Keren M. , Morrison Wayne A.
Published: July 2005

The technology required for creating an in vivo microenvironment and a neovasculature that can grow with and service new tissue is lacking, precluding the possibility of engineering complex three‐dimensional organs. We have shown that when an arterio‐venous (AV) loop is constructed in vivo in the rat groin, and placed inside a semisealed chamber, an extensive functional vasculature is generated. To test whether this unusually angiogenic environment supports the survival and growth of implanted tissue or cells, we inserted various preparations of rat and human skeletal muscle. We show that after 6 weeks incubation of muscle tissue, the chamber filled with predominantly well‐vascularized recipient‐derived adipose tissue, but some new donor‐derived skeletal muscle and connective tissue were also evident. When primary cultured myoblasts were inserted into the chamber with the AV loop, they converted to mature striated muscle fibers. Furthermore, we identify novel adipogenesis‐inducing properties of skeletal muscle. This represents the first report of a specific three‐dimensional tissue grown on its own vascular supply.
Infection density ofWolbachiaendosymbiont affected by co-infection and host genotype
Authors: Kondo Natsuko , Shimada Masakazu , Fukatsu Takema
Published: July 2005

Infection density is among the most important factors for understanding the biological effects ofWolbachiaand other endosymbionts on their hosts. To gain insight into the mechanisms of infection density regulation, we investigated the adzuki bean beetlesCallosobruchus chinensisand theirWolbachiaendosymbionts. Double-infected, single-infected and uninfected host strains with controlled nuclear genetic backgrounds were generated by introgression, and infection densities in these strains were evaluated by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction technique. Our study revealed previously unknown aspects ofWolbachiadensity regulation: (i) the identification of intra-specific host genotypes that affectWolbachiadensity differently and (ii) the suppression ofWolbachiadensity by co-infectingWolbachiastrains. These findings shed new light on symbiont–symbiont and host–symbiont interactions in theWolbachia–insect endosymbiosis and strongly suggest thatWolbachiadensity is determined through a complex interaction between host genotype, symbiont genotype and other factors.
Heterogeneous nucleation of hydroxyapatite on protein: structural effect of silk sericin
Authors: Takeuchi Akari , Ohtsuki Chikara , Miyazaki Toshiki , Kamitakahara Masanobu , Ogata Shin-ichi , Yamazaki Masao , Furutani Yoshiaki , Kinoshita Hisao , Tanihara Masao
Published: July 2005

Acidic proteins play an important role during mineral formation in biological systems, but the mechanism of mineral formation is far from understood. In this paper, we report on the relationship between the structure of a protein and hydroxyapatite deposition under biomimetic conditions. Sericin, a type of silk protein, was adopted as a suitable protein for studying structural effect on hydroxyapatite deposition, since it forms a hydroxyapatite layer on its surface in a metastable calcium phosphate solution, and its structure has been reported. Sericin effectively induced hydroxyapatite nucleation when it has high molecular weight and a β sheet structure. This indicates that the specific structure of a protein can effectively induce heterogeneous nucleation of hydroxyapatite in a biomimetic solution, i.e. a metastable calcium phosphate solution. This finding is useful in understanding biomineralization, as well as for the design of organic polymers that can effectively induce hydroxyapatite nucleation.
The Medawar Lecture 2001 Knowledge for vision: vision for knowledge
Authors: Gregory Richard L
Published: July 2005

An evolutionary development of perception is suggested—from passivereceptionto activeperceptionto explicitconception—earlier stages being largely retained and incorporated in later species. A key is innate and then individually learned knowledge, giving meaning to sensory signals. Inappropriate or misapplied knowledge produces rich cognitive phenomena of illusions, revealing normally hidden processes of vision, tentatively classified here in a ‘peeriodic table’. Phenomena of physiology are distinguished from phenomena of general rules and specific object knowledge. It is concluded that vision uses implicit knowledge, and provides knowledge for intelligent behaviour and for explicit conceptual understanding including science.
The estimation of genetic relationships using molecular markers and their efficiency in estimating heritability in natural populations
Authors: Thomas Stuart C
Published: July 2005

Molecular marker data collected from natural populations allows information on genetic relationships to be established without referencing an exact pedigree. Numerous methods have been developed to exploit the marker data. These fall into two main categories: method of moment estimators and likelihood estimators. Method of moment estimators are essentially unbiased, but utilise weighting schemes that are only optimal if the analysed pair is unrelated. Thus, they differ in their efficiency at estimating parameters for different relationship categories. Likelihood estimators show smaller mean squared errors but are much more biased. Both types of estimator have been used in variance component analysis to estimate heritability. All marker-based heritability estimators require that adequate levels of the true relationship be present in the population of interest and that adequate amounts of informative marker data are available. I review the different approaches to relationship estimation, with particular attention to optimizing the use of this relationship information in subsequent variance component estimation.
Relationships between quantitative and reproductive fitness traits in animals
Authors: Bünger Lutz , Lewis Ronald M , Rothschild Max F , Blasco Agustin , Renne Ulla , Simm Geoff
Published: July 2005

The relationships between quantitative and reproductive fitness traits in animals are of general biological importance for the development of population genetic models and our understanding of evolution, and of great direct economical importance in the breeding of farm animals. Two well investigated quantitative traits—body weight (BW) and litter size (LS)—were chosen as the focus of our review. The genetic relationships between them are reviewed in fishes and several mammalian species. We have focused especially on mice where data are most abundant. In mice, many individual genes influencing these traits have been identified, and numerous quantitative trait loci (QTL) located. The extensive data on both unselected and selected mouse populations, with some characterized for more than 100 generations, allow a thorough investigation of the dynamics of this relationship during the process of selection. Although there is a substantial positive genetic correlation between both traits in unselected populations, caused mainly by the high correlation between BW and ovulation rate, that correlation apparently declines during selection and therefore does not restrict a relatively independent development of both traits. The importance of these findings for overall reproductive fitness and its change during selection is discussed.
Expression of tumor necrosis factor‐α stimulated gene‐6 mRNA in cultured human uterine cervical fibroblasts
Authors: Shimizu Dai , Hosoya Naoko , Ogawa Masaki , Konishi Yoshitomo , Sato Hirokazu , Hirano Hideto , Tanaka Toshinobu
Published: July 2005

Background.  Uterine cervical ripening process is an active biochemical process similar in part to inflammatory reaction. In this process, hyaluronan plays important roles including facilitation of tissue hydration, release of matrix metalloproteinases and migration of inflammatory cells. The activities of hyaluronan are mediated by the hyaluronan binding proteins, hyaladherins. In the present study, we investigated the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor‐α stimulated gene‐6 (TSG‐6), a member of the hyaladherin family, in cultured human uterine fibroblasts and uterine cervical tissues.

Methods.  We developed one‐step RT‐PCR method for the quantification of TSG‐6 mRNA and quantified the expression of TSG‐6 mRNA in cultured human uterine fibroblasts, treated with or not proinflammatory cytokines, and TSG‐6 mRNA in uterine cervical tissues.

Results.  We clarified that [1] TSG‐6 mRNA was expressed constitutively in cultured human uterine cervical fibroblasts, [2] expression of TSG‐6 mRNA was upregulated in a dose dependent manner by proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL‐1β and TNF‐α, which were key mediators in the cervical ripening process, [3] expression of TSG‐6 mRNA in uterine cervices during parturition was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that in a non‐pregnant state.

Conclusions.  Our results suggest that TSG‐6 might participate in the cervical ripening process.
Fetal age assessment based on femur length at 10–25 weeks of gestation, and reference ranges for femur length to head circumference ratios
Authors: Johnsen Synnøve Lian , Rasmussen Svein , Sollien Rita , Kiserud Torvid
Published: July 2005

Background.  The aim of the present study is to establish new reference charts for gestational age assessment based on fetal femur length (FL), and new reference ranges for FL to head ratios at gestational weeks 10–25, and to determine the effect of maternal and fetal factors on these charts.

Methods. Six hundred fifty  low‐risk women with regular menstrual periods and singleton pregnancies were recruited to a prospective cross‐sectional study after obtaining written consent. FL, outer–outer biparietal diameter (BPD), and head circumference (HC) were measured at 10–25 weeks of gestation. We used regression analysis in order to construct mean curves and to assess the effect of maternal and fetal factors on age assessment.

Results.  The new chart for age assessment by means of FL was based on 636 measurements. The 95% CI of the mean corresponded to <1 day. The variation between the mean and the 90th percentile was 5, 6, and 7 days at 13, 18, and 23 weeks, respectively, similar to the results when using BPD or HC. Maternal age modestly influenced gestational age assessment (1.3 days/10 years, P = 0.005), whereas smoking, height, body mass index, multiparity, fetal sex, cephalic index, and breech presentation had no impact. Reference charts for FL to head ratios have been presented. Maternal age, fetal sex, and cephalic index influenced the FL/BPD ratio, whereas only fetal sex influenced FL/HC.

Conclusions.  Fetal age assessment based on FL is an equally robust method as using HC. FL/HC is a more robust ratio to characterize fetal proportions than is FL/BPD.
Uterine artery Doppler velocimetry for the detection of adverse obstetric outcomes in patients with elevated mid‐trimester β‐human chorionic gonadotrophin
Authors: Barkehall‐Thomas Andrea , Wilson Catherine , Baker Lesleigh , Bhuinneain Meabh ni , Wallace Euan M.
Published: July 2005

Aim.  The aim of this study is to review the clinical usefulness of Doppler velocimetry of the uterine artery for the detection of adverse obstetric outcome in a population of women with elevated mid‐trimester serum β‐human chorionic gonadotrophin (βhCG).

Methods.  Women with an unexplained elevated mid‐trimester βhCG level (≥ 4.0 multiples of the median) are offered uterine artery Doppler assessment at 22–24 weeks of gestation. We have audited the clinical usefulness of this practice by reviewing the prevalence of the adverse outcomes of gestational hypertension, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preterm birth and the predictive capacity of the test when applied to this subgroup of high‐risk patients.

Results.  Sixty‐two women had an elevated serum βhCG and underwent Doppler study of uterine artery flow velocity waveform. Notching afforded better predictive utility for any outcome than the resistance index alone or in combination with notching. For a composite adverse outcome of any or all of gestational hypertension, birthweight ≤ 10th centile, and preterm delivery, the presence of a uterine notch alone had sensitivity of 30.7% and specificity of 93.8%. For the identification of severe fetal growth restriction (< 5th centile) and/or preeclampsia, the presence of a notch offered a sensitivity of 50%, specificity of 96.3%, a positive likelihood ratio of 13.5, and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.5.

Conclusions.  The identification of uterine artery notching by means of Doppler ultrasound as a component of the surveillance of women with unexplained elevated βhCG levels significantly improves the prediction of preeclampsia and/or severe IUGR, although the low prevalence of 13% of these adverse outcomes limits the usefulness of the test in routine clinical practice.
The structure and distribution of cyanoglucoside‐storing cuticular cavities in Pryeria sinica Moore (Lepidoptera, Zygaenidae)*
Authors: NAUMANN CLAS M. , FEIST R.
Published: July 2005

The dorsal and lateral integument of last instar larvae of Pryeria sinica Moore, 1877 contains two different types of cuticular chambers which are used for the storage of a cyanogenic defensive secretion. Both types of cavities are found to be homologous with those found in the larva of Zygaena trifolii (Esper, 1783), another zygaenid moth with a completely different aposematic pattern. In contrast to the condition in Zygaena trifolíi, the type I cavities in Pryeria sinica bear two different types of opening structures, the smaller one of these being homologous with similar structures found in Zygaena. The aposematic pattern of the Pryeria larva is not contiguous with the cuticular cavities, as it is in Zygaena. The development of the opening structures in the four larval instars of Pryeria is described. It is suggested that the two types of opening structures of cuticular cavities, which form an apomorphic character of the Zygaeninae, have developed independently, the type I mechanisms representing the phylogenetically older system.