bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A tale of two globbas: the complex nomenclatural history of Hura siamensium J. Koenig and Globba versicolor Sm. (Zingiberaceae)
Authors: Williams Kyle J.
Published: February 2008

The proper identities of Hura siamensium J. Koenig 1783 and Globba versicolor Sm. 1805 along with the history of the nomenclature surrounding these species are discussed. Both names have dropped out of common usage today due to early confusion over the identities of these taxa. It is found that the current names in use for these taxa, G. pendula Roxb. 1810 and G. leucantha Miq. 1860, are to be retained. It has now been recommended by the Spermatophyta Committee that G. siamensium (J. Koenig) Rao and Verma 1972 is to be treated as a homonym of G. siamensis (Hemsl.) Hemsl. 1895, an unrelated species. The name G. versicolor clearly refers to the same taxon as G. leucantha, but, for nomenclatural reasons, the name must be considered a synonym of H. siamensium.
Validations of the names of sevenPodocarpaceaemacrofossils
Authors: Mill Robert R.S. , Hill Robert S.
Published: February 2008

Seven names of macrofossil taxa belonging toPodocarpaceaeare here validated; they were all previously published but not validly so under theInternational Code of Botanical Nomenclature. The names apply to species in the generaAcmopylePilg. [A.setiger(Townrow) R. S. Hill & R. J. Carp. ex R. R. Mill & R. S. Hill],Dacrycarpus(Endl.) de Laub. [D.praecupressinus(Ettingsh.) D. R. Greenw. ex R. R. Mill & R. S. Hill],Falcatifoliumde Laub. [F.eocenicum(D. R. Greenw.) R. S. Hill & L. J. Scriven ex R. R. Mill & R. S. Hill],PrumnopitysPhil. [P.tasmanica(Townrow) D. R. Greenw. ex R. R. Mill & R. S. Hill],SigmaphyllumR. S. Hill & L. J. Scriven [S.australe(D. R. Greenw.) R. S. Hill & L. J. Scriven ex R. R. Mill & R. S. Hill],SmithtoniaR. S. Hill & M. Pole [S.lanceolata(D. R. Greenw.) R. S. Hill & M. Pole ex R. R. Mill & R. S. Hill] andWillungiaR. S. Hill & M. Pole [W.maslinensis(D. T. Blackburn) R. S. Hill & M. Pole ex R. R. Mill & R. S. Hill]. All these combinations were originally published without exact basionym references; instead, the authors cited the complete pagination of the paper in which the intended basionym was made.
Phylogeny and biogeography of Balsaminaceae inferred from ITS sequences
Authors: Yuan Yong–Ming , Song Yi , Geuten Koen , Rahelivololona Elisette , Wohlhauser Sébastien , Fischer Eberhard , Smets Erik , Küpfer Philippe
Published: February 2008

Sequences of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA were acquired for 112 species of Balsaminaceae worldwide and five species of its closest relatives Marcgraviaceae and Tetrameristaceae. Phylogenetic analyses applying parsimony and distance estimates confirmed the monophyly of Balsaminaceae and suggest the monophyly of Impatiens. Within Impatiens, a few clades are recognized with strong support. Two of the most important clades are the spurless Madagascan endemic group, and the one comprising species with broadly fusiform fruits and the basic chromosome number x = 8, that shows a Southeast Asia, southern India, Africa, and Madagascar connection. Despite recognition of several strongly supported small lineages, ITS data alone could not resolve relationships among most of the lineages with confident support values. ITS phylogenies are therefore of limited taxonomic value for Impatiens. However, ITS phylogenies do reveal that extant Impatiens species are of Southeast Asian origin, from where dispersals to boreal Eurasia and North America, to central Asia and eastern Europe via the Himalayas, and to India and Africa have occurred. The Madagascan Impatiens show an African origin. Molecular phylogenies suggest the ancestral basic chromosome number to be x = 10, and the spurred flowers and elongated linear fruits to be plesiomorphic states in Impatiens. A predominantly descending dysploid chromosome evolution, following dispersal of the clade with broadly fusiform fruits from Southeast Asia to India, Africa, and Madagascar, is also suggested.
Mainstreaming biodiversity: the role of taxonomy in bioregional planning activities in South Africa
Authors: Smith Gideon F. , Wolfson Maureen M.
Published: February 2008

Bioregional planning processes, which employ an essentially holistic view of the environment as far as current and proposed land–use practices are concerned, are justifiably gaining ground worldwide. This is also true for South Africa, a country that harbours remarkably rich biota. The concept of bioregional planning prominently includes aspects such as informed conservation planning and the sustainable use of biodiversity, among a range of other equally important environmental considerations. This paper argues that support of on–going, basic taxonomic studies in bioregions are critically important to ensure the comprehensive and accurate documentation and inventorying of biodiversity at any scale. As such, taxonomists fulfill an essential role in the initial and follow–up phases of bioregional planning processes. Insufficient attention to checklisting activities will severely hamper the implementation of workable bioregional plans.
The nomenclature of Plasmopara (Chromista, Peronosporales) parasitic on Geraniaceae
Authors: Constantinescu Ovidiu
Published: February 2008

The four names in use for Plasmopara parasitic on Geranium are lectotypified. It is recommended that the name Plasmopara pusilla should be restricted to Plasmopara occurring mostly on Geranium pratense. Plasmopara geranii–pratensis is considered a taxonomic synonym of P. pusilla. Plasmopara geranii–sylvatici, frequently treated as a synonym of Plasmopara pusilla, is reinstated. Plasmopara geranii, based on two fungi, is retained for the common downy mildew of Geranium spp. in North America.
Comments on the nomenclature of a fossil sweet–fern Comptonia difformis (Sternb.) Berry (Myricaceae)
Authors: Kvaček Jiří
Published: February 2008

The correct name Comptonia difformis (Sternb.) Berry is discussed against its later homonym Comptonia acutiloba Brongn. 1828. The name Comptonia difformis is based on the first legitimately published name Aspleniopteris difformis Sternb. 1825. This name is treated as nomen novum and not as a new combination based on an illegitimate name Asplenium difforme Sternb. 1821.
Paravojnovskya, a new substitute name for Gaussia (Vojnovskyales) based on fossil female fructifications
Authors: Doweld Alexander B.
Published: February 2008

A new generic name Paravojnovskya Doweld is established for Carboniferous/Permian umbellate strobili of Angaraland pteridospermous plants replacing the illegitimate Gaussia M. F. Neuburg, 1934, which is a later homonym of Gaussia H. A. Wendland, 1865, used for recent palms. Three new combinations are made to transfer all described species of Gaussia to Paravojnovskya: P. cristata (M. F. Neuburg) Doweld, P. scutellata (M. F. Neuburg) Doweld and P. imbricata (Naugolnykh) Doweld.
Ceramic Diversity in Chavín De Huantar, Peru
Authors: Druc Isabelle C.
Published: February 2008

Ceramic diversity in the ceremonial center of Chavín de Huantar in the Peruvian highlands is assessed by neutron activation analysis, petrography, and stylistic analysis. These analyses lead to a new interpretation of ceramic production in Chavín between ca. 850 and 200 B.C. Several compositional groups with very different mineralogical paste types are identified. More than 30 percent of the ceramics are nonlocal. Most of these are bottles and fine wares, probably brought to the site as gifts or offerings. At the local level, ceramic production changed over time. A dramatic shift in resource procurement occurred at the end of the first occupation phase, and production became more diversified and intense as the site and its population grew larger.
A Late Monte Albán I Phase (300–100 B.C.) Palace in the Valley of Oaxaca
Authors: Spencer Charles S. , Redmond Elsa M.
Published: February 2008

A masonry and adobe construction called the “Area I Palace” was excavated by the authors at the site of El Palenque (SMT-llb), located near San Martín Tilcajete in the Ocotlán district of the Valley of Oaxaca, Mexico. The Area I Palace covered 850 m2and consisted of nine interconnected structures, one of which was an elaborate residence that measured 16 m by 16 m and had eight rooms arranged around an interior patio. Several additional platforms and two paved courtyards were probably more ceremonial in nature. There is evidence that multiple work groups were involved in the construction of the palace. The associated ceramics and four radiocarbon samples indicate that the palace was built at the beginning of the Late Monte Albán I phase (300–100 B.C.) and abandoned in the first century B.C. It is argued that the Area I Palace is one of earliest known examples of a Zapotec quihuitào or royal palace.
Roman Judges, Case Law, and Principles of Procedure
Authors: Metzger Ernest
Published: February 2008

Most who study Roman law today do so as historians, not lawyers. History includes doctrine, but Roman legal doctrine is rarely used to solve modern problems. There are exceptions: Roman law helps to solve modern problems in certain jurisdictions and academic writing sometimes gives a Roman solution to a modern problem. But the time is past when Roman sources were routinely put to work in the world of affairs, and most would say codification is the main reason.
Decay or Endurance? The Ruins of Socialism
Authors: Lahusen Thomas
Published: February 2008

The building of socialism, in its concrete and metaphorical sense, has been in a state of constant decay—in ruins—from its very foundation. For those who inhabited it, endurance became a way of life. It is precisely this endurance that explains the resistance, by both people and the landscapes in which they live, to the market. Nostalgia for socialism has become a commodity, but not for those who still live in its ruins, because they are home. This essay by Thomas Lahusen explores this ruined landscape, from the vanishing Palace of the Republic in Berlin and the decrepit-looking buildings made of precast concrete slabs of real socialism, to its culture, which shares decay and ruin with its built structures. Lahusen juxtaposes this landscape to philosophical essays on the collapse of communism and to recent histories, some of which yield new fetishes and new commodities.
Returning to Judaism after the 1905 Law on Religious Freedom in Tsarist Russia
Authors: Avrutin Eugene M.
Published: February 2008

As a consequence of the 17 April 1905 law on religious freedom, hundreds of baptized Jews petitioned to return to Judaism. While the law paralleled the liberalization of the attitudes and values regarding religious differences that occurred in European societies between the sixteenth and twentieth centuries, the reform also helped destabilize traditional social boundaries and religious identities in the empire. On one level, this essay examines the conflicts and problems authorities faced in categorizing a Jewish population that continually resisted conventional assumptions. In the context of rapid population movements, political and religious reforms, and increased acculturation, what it meant to be “Jewish” was redefined, and administrators needed to establish an acceptable criterion by which (baptized) Jews could be classified. On another level, this essay draws on individual petitions and government correspondence to analyze the personal choices and social dilemmas that baptized Jews faced when they attempted to return to Judaism.
Cultural Diversity and the Interwar Conjuncture: Soviet Nationality Policy in Its Comparative Context
Authors: Blitstein Peter A.
Published: February 2008

Soviet nationality policy was one of several political responses to cultural diversity in the interwar period. Peter A. Blitstein situates that policy in its comparative context, contrasting the Soviet Union to its eastern European neighbors and to British and French rule in Africa. Contrary to the nationalizing policies of the new states of eastern Europe, which sought national unity at the expense of ethnic minorities, Soviet nationality policy was initially based on practices of differentiation. Contrary to the colonial policies of Britain and France, which were based on ethnic and racial differentiation, Soviet policy sought to integrate all peoples into one state. In the mid-to-late 1930s, however, Soviet policy took a nationalizing turn similar to its neighbors in eastern Europe, without completely abandoning policies of ethnic differentiation. We should thus understand the Soviet approach as a unique hybrid of contradictory practices of nationalization and differentiation
Soviet Empire as “Family Resemblance”
Authors: Beissinger Mark R.
Published: February 2008

Empire has become a common analytical frame through which the Soviet state and its collapse are interpreted. Commenting on the other contributions to this forum, Mark R. Beissinger examines the limits and utility of this concept, arguing that empire needs to be understood, not as a clearly bounded transhistorical model, but as a Wittgensteinian “family resemblance” whose meaning and referents have altered significantly over time. The article then probes the ways the concept of empire has been redeployed in the Soviet context, addressing in particular the role of nationalism in the making of empire, the injustices associated with empire, and the contested boundary between the multinational empire and the multinational state. It concludes by arguing for a more interpretive approach to Soviet empire as a way of relating to authority rather than a common set of political practices.
Pruritus in polycythemia vera is associated with a lower risk of arterial thrombosis
Authors: Gangat Naseema , Strand Jacob J. , Lasho Terra L. , Li Chin‐Yang , Pardanani Animesh , Tefferi Ayalew
Published: February 2008

Among 418 patients with polycythemia vera seen at our institution and in whom pruritus history was recorded, the presence of pruritus at diagnosis was documented in 131 (31%) and its absence in 287 (69%). Pruritus was less frequently reported by smokers (12% vs. 24%; P = 0.004) and diabetics (5% vs. 11%; P = 0.04). The presence of pruritus was associated with a lower rate of arterial thrombosis, both at diagnosis (8% vs. 17%; P = 0.01) and during follow‐up (16% vs. 30%; P = 0.003). Multivariable analysis revealed that these associations were independent of other risk factors for thrombosis. High JAK2V617F allele burden clustered with pruritus (P = 0.002) but did not affect thrombosis rates. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dialogue act recognition using maximum entropy
Authors: Lan Kwok Cheung , Ho Kei Shiu , Pong Luk and Robert Wing , Leong Hong Va
Published: February 2008

A dialogue‐based interface for information systems is considered a potentially very useful approach to information access. A key step in computer processing of natural‐language dialogues is dialogue‐act (DA) recognition. In this paper, we apply a feature‐based classification approach for DA recognition, by using the maximum entropy (ME) method to build a classifier for labeling utterances with DA tags. The ME method has the advantage that a large number of heterogeneous features can be flexibly combined in one classifier, which can facilitate feature selection. A unique characteristic of our approach is that it does not need to model the prior probability of DAs directly, and thus avoids the use of a discourse grammar. This simplifies the implementation of the classifier and improves the efficiency of DA recognition, without sacrificing the classification accuracy. We evaluate the classifier using a large data set based on the Switchboard corpus. Encouraging performance is observed; the highest classification accuracy achieved is 75.03%. We also propose a heuristic to address the problem of sparseness of the data set. This problem has resulted in poor classification accuracies of some DA types that have very low occurrence frequencies in the data set. Preliminary evaluation shows that the method is effective in improving the macroaverage classification accuracy of the ME classifier.
Expression and biophysical analysis of two double‐transmembrane domain‐containing fragments from a yeast G protein‐coupled receptor
Authors: Cohen Leah S. , Arshava Boris , Estephan Racha , Englander Jacqueline , Kim Heejung , Hauser Melinda , Zerbe Oliver , Ceruso Marco , Becker Jeffrey M. , Naider Fred
Published: February 2008

Fragments of G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) are widely used as models to investigate these polytopic integral–membrane, signal‐transducing molecules, but have proven difficult to prepare in quantities necessary for NMR analyses. We report on the biosynthesis of two double transmembrane (TM) containing fragments of Ste2p, the α‐factor GPCR from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Ste2p(G31‐T110) [TM1‐TM2] and Ste2p(R231‐S339) [TM6‐TM7‐CT40] were expressed as TrpΔLE fusion proteins in Escherichia coli and released by CNBr cleavage. Expression yields were optimized using different strains and induction parameters, and by performing CNBr cleavage directly on inclusion bodies. Nonlabeled and uniformly labeled [15N]‐TM1‐TM2 and TM6‐TM7‐CT40, as well as uniformly labeled [15N,13C]‐TM1‐TM2 and TM1‐TM2 selectively labeled with [15N‐Ala], [15N‐Phe], [15N‐Leu], [15N‐Ile], and [15N‐Val] were prepared. Yields of target peptides with >95% homogeneity varied from 3 mg/L of fermentation ([15N]‐TM6‐TM7‐CT40) to 20 mg/L (selectively labeled TM1‐TM2). The high level biosynthesis and the efficient CNBr processing and purification yields allowed the initiation of a comprehensive biophysical analysis of TM1‐TM2 and TM6‐TM7‐CT40. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that TM1‐TM2 was monomeric in this micellar environment, whereas TM6‐TM7‐CT40 migrated as a dimer. CD analysis indicated that TM1‐TM2 was highly helical in SDS and 1‐palmitoyl‐2‐hydroxy‐sn‐glycero‐3‐[phospho‐RAC‐(1‐glycerol)], but had a tendency to aggregate in dodecylphosphocholine micelles. Similar results were found with TM6‐TM7‐CT40. Conditions for NMR measurements were optimized, and both TM1‐TM2 and TM6‐TM7‐CT40 exhibited more than 90% of the expected crosspeaks in the [15N,1H]‐HSQC spectrum. These findings set the stage for the determination of the 3D structure of these large domains of a GPCR in micelles using high‐resolution NMR. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 90: 117–130, 2008.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Investigation of particle‐functionalized tissue engineering scaffolds using X‐ray tomographic microscopy
Authors: Nygaard J.V. , Andersen M.Ø. , Howard K.A. , Foss M. , Bünger C. , Kjems J. , Besenbacher F.
Published: February 2008

A low‐density, porous chitosan/poly‐(dl‐lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) microparticle composite scaffold was produced by thermally induced phase separation followed by lyophilization, to provide a bicontinuous microstructure potentially suitable for tissue engineering and locally controlled drug release. PLGA particles were mixed into the chitosan solution and subsequent phase separation during chitosan solidification forced PLGA particles into chitosan phase (Plateau borders). The distributions of volume, surface area, and elongation of 15,422 inclusions of agglomerated PLGA particles were calculated and approximated with log‐normal distribution functions from nanotomography reconstructions. Cluster analysis revealed a homogenous inclusion distribution throughout the scaffold. The spatial location and orientation of individual inclusions within the Plateau borders of the scaffold were determined and from these the nearest‐neighbor inter‐inclusion distance distribution calculated, showing a mean of 2.5 µm. The depth of the inclusions in Plateau borders peaks at 700 or 125 nm, respectively, indicating a step‐wise drug release from inclusions successively exposed during scaffold decomposition. Particle diameter ranged from 400 nm to 3 µm and inclusion Feret lengths ranged from 800 nm to 12 µm. These findings on composite morphology and distribution of inclusions are fundamental for predicting scaffold deterioration and particle‐mediated drug release during ex vivo and in vivo cell cultivation. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;100: 820–829. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sall3 is required for the terminal maturation of olfactory glomerular interneurons
Authors: Harrison Susan J. , Parrish Mark , Monaghan A. Paula
Published: February 2008

Sall3 is a zinc finger containing putative transcription factor and a member of the Sall gene family. Members of the Sall gene family are highly expressed during development. Sall3‐deficient mice die in the perinatal period because of dehydration and display alterations in palate formation and cranial nerve formation (Parrish et al. [2004] Mol Cell Biol 24:7102–7112). We examined the role of Sall3 in the development of the olfactory system. We determined that Sall3 is expressed by cells in the olfactory epithelium and olfactory bulb. Sall3 deficiency specifically alters formation of the glomerular layer. The glomerular layer was hypocellular, because of a decrease in the number of interneurons. The lateral ganglionic eminence and rostral migratory stream developed normally in Sall3‐deficient animals, which suggests that Sall3 is not required for the initial specification of olfactory bulb interneurons. Fewer GAD65/67‐, Pax6‐, calretinin‐, and calbindin‐positive cells were detected in the glomerular layer, accompanied by an increase in cells positive for these markers in the granule cell layer. In addition, a complete absence of tyrosine hydroxylase expression was observed in the olfactory bulb in the absence of Sall3. However, expression of Nurr1, a marker of dopaminergic precursors, was maintained, indicating that dopaminergic precursors were present. Our data suggest that Sall3 is required for the terminal maturation of neurons destined for the glomerular layer. J. Comp. Neurol. 507:1780–1794, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Emergence of self‐similar tree network organization
Authors: Paik Kyungrock , Kumar Praveen
Published: February 2008

The self‐similar tree topology in open dissipative systems is formed as a result of self‐organization and found in various examples, such as river networks, blood vessels, vascular organizations in plants, and even lightning. It is generally assumed that the tree organization is a result of a dynamic process that minimizes the dissipation of energy. Here, we argue that inherent randomness is a sufficient condition for the generation of tree patterns under evolutionary dynamics and the decrease of energy expenditure is not the cause but a consequent signature. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity, 13: 30–37, 2008
New prognostic markers revealed by evaluation of genes correlated with clinical parameters in Wilms tumors
Authors: Wittmann Stefanie , Wunder Christina , Zirn Birgit , Furtwängler Rhoikos , Wegert Jenny , Graf Norbert , Gessler Manfred
Published: February 2008

Current treatment protocols for Wilms tumor achieve 90% cure rates, but relapse risk and side effects from therapy remain challenging. Over the last decade, numerous markers have been proposed for classification and/or prediction of outcome. However, cohort sizes were quite variable and often small. We now provide a large‐scale reassessment by real‐time RT‐PCR of 40 markers in 102 Wilms tumors followed by validation of potentially relevant markers in an independent set of 74 tumors. In the first data set, individual comparison with clinical data combined with adjustment for multiple testing and multivariate analysis revealed potentially relevant alteration of CA9, DKK1, EGR1, HEY2, MYC, MYCN, TERT, TOP2A, TRIM22, and VEGF expression in association with CTNNB1 mutation status, histological risk, response to chemotherapy, metastasis, relapse, or mortality. To further validate these data, potentially relevant genes for specific outcomes were reanalyzed in a second, independent tumor set. Here, univariate analysis confirmed the association of HEY2 with high‐risk tumors and of TRIM22 with mortality. Even where significance levels could not be reached, the direction and extent of differential expression were generally reproducible. Multivariate analysis verified a weak correlation of TOP2A expression with metastasis and of TRIM22 with fatal outcome. Although we could corroborate only some of the previously reported associations of expression changes with clinical parameters, our results indicate that real‐time RT‐PCR analysis can facilitate further classification of Wilms tumor and prediction of outcome to adjust treatment accordingly. This article contains Supplementary Material available at http://www.interscience.wiley.com/jpages/1045‐2257/suppmat. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Use of Bacillus subtilis to enrich isoflavone aglycones in fermented natto
Authors: Wei Que‐King , Chen Tong‐Rong , Chen Jun‐Ting
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND: Natto is a food made by fermenting cooked soybeans with Bacillus subtilis. Soybean isoflavones are reported to provide many health benefits, including oestrogenic effects. However, isoflavone aglycones may be absorbed faster and in higher amounts in the human intestine than their glucosides. This study aimed to investigate the content of isoflavone components in commercial natto products as well as the use of B. subtilis strains to ferment cooked soybeans to produce a high level of isoflavone aglycones in natto.

RESULTS: The content and composition of isoflavones in commercial natto products were predominantly (>76%) isoflavone glucosides. Fermentation of cooked soybeans with B. subtilis BCRC 14718 at 37 °C for 48 h was more effective in converting glucosides to aglycones than with other strains of B. subtilis, increasing the proportion of isoflavone aglycones from 12 to 68% of the total isoflavones in the fermented natto. The proportions of the isoflavone aglycones daidzein and genistein in cooked soybeans fermented with B. subtilis BCRC 14718 for 48 h increased from 6 to 54% and from 5 to 13% respectively.

CONCLUSION: Bacillus subtilis BCRC 14718 incubated with cooked soybeans produces higher levels of isoflavone aglycones, which may enhance health benefits over traditional fermented natto. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
A new space–time energetic formulation for wave propagation analysis in layered media by BEMs
Authors: Aimi A. , Diligenti M.
Published: February 2008

In this paper, considering a Dirichlet–Neumann problem for 1D wave propagation analysis in layered media reformulated in terms of boundary integral equations, we compare two classical weak formulations for the boundary element method with a new space–time energetic formulation. Continuity and coerciveness of the bilinear form corresponding to this last formulation are proved. Several numerical results will be presented, pointing out the numerical properties of the derived linear systems. Instability phenomena arising using one of the classical techniques can be prevented choosing suitable time steps in the discretization phase, of course with a higher computational cost with respect to the new procedure, which appears to be unconditionally stable. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid and sensitive on‐line liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric determination of an ethylene oxide‐DNA adduct, N7‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)guanine, in urine of nonsmokers
Authors: Huang Chih‐Chun Jean , Shih Wei‐Chung , Wu Chia‐Fang , Chen Ming‐Feng , Chen Yi‐Lung , Lin Ying‐Huei , Wu Kuen‐Yuh
Published: February 2008

Ethylene oxide (EtO) is classified as a known human carcinogen. The formation of EtO‐DNA adducts is considered as an important early event in the EtO carcinogenic process. An isotope‐dilution on‐line solid‐phase extraction and liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry method was then developed to analyze one of the EtO‐DNA adducts, N7‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)guanine (N7‐HEG), in urine of 46 nonsmokers with excellent accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. The merits of this method include small sample volume (only 120 µL urine required), automated sample cleanup, and short total run time (12 minutes per sample). This method demonstrates its high‐throughput capacity for future molecular epidemiology studies on the potential health effects resulting from the low‐dose EtO exposure. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Teaching children with diabetes about adequate dietary choices
Authors: Maffeis Claudio , Pinelli Leonardo
Published: February 2008

Recent recommendations by the American Diabetes Association suggest that children with type 1 diabetes should follow the recommendations for age, sex and body size of the general population. In the case of being overweight or obese, weight-control strategies should be applied. Adherence to recommendations should be pursued by continuous nutritional education that should start at the onset of diabetes and maintained by means of nutritional counselling to the family. The second main target of nutritional intervention is to encourage a reproducible daily meal plan that can be maintained by acquiring good habits when making nutritional choices. Finally, children and parents should be taught how to count carbohydrates, which would help them manage exceptions in their daily meal plan. Specifically, nutritional recommendations for children with diabetes focus on limiting the intake of foods of animal origin (red meat, cheese, cold cuts), moderating fat intake and promoting the intake of foods that naturally contain fibre (mainly vegetables, legumes, fruit). There are two at-risk periods in the lives of children when nutritional education procedures as well as diabetes care in general are less likely to be effective: early years of life and adolescence. In the case of very young children, new behavioural-based intervention strategies to help parents improve mealtimes could be useful in teaching diabetic children to learn to follow a structured eating schedule, which is desirable for long-lasting efficacy in diabetes care. In adolescents, eating disorders and insulin misuse for weight control purposes are concrete and difficult problems to deal with. A good balance between eating for pleasure and maintaining one's health is a challenge for anyone. Appropriate nutritional education helps children with diabetes to find this balance and enjoy a better quality of life.
Temporal coexistence of dung-dweller and soil-digger dung beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea) in contrasting Mediterranean habitats
Authors: Jay-Robert P. , Errouissi F. , Lumaret J.P.
Published: February 2008

The western part of the Mediterranean basin is a transitional biogeographical region for the distribution of the representatives of the main guilds of dung beetles; towards the south, Aphodiinae (dung-dwellers) become scarce, whereas northwards Scarabaeinae (soil-diggers) progressively disappear. The number of species in local dung beetle assemblages is enhanced by this double faunistic contribution. Annual dung beetle assemblages were sampled in two sub-Mediterranean sites, which differed by 600 m in elevation, in order to determine the phenological dynamics related to the way of using dung (dung-dwellers/Aphodiinae vs. soil-diggers/Scarabaeinae and Geotrupinae). Aphodiids were active all year round, although they were affected by summer drought and, at high elevation, by the length of the cold season. This reduced activity was related to an impoverishment of Aphodiinae and to reduced temporal segregation between species. In contrast, soil-diggers were not active all year round and showed different species assemblages in the two sites. An extension of the activity period of these beetles was observed due to the occurrence of cold resistant species at high elevation. Our results suggested that the occurrence of soil-diggers seemingly did not affect the seasonality of dung-dwellers; their local abundance showed no negative correlation and, most importantly, phenological differences between dung-dwellers were always significantly higher than the seasonal differences between dwellers and diggers.
Jewish Converts in the Early Church and Latin Christian Exegetes of Isaiah, c. 400–1150
Authors: MÉGIER ELISABETH
Published: February 2008

This article examines the role, in patristic and medieval commentaries on Isaiah in the west up until 1150, of the theme of the ‘remnant’ (Isaiah i.9; x.22), which is related to Jewish Christians by St Paul. Assumed to signify the small number of Jewish converts in Apostolic times, it could also be used on the one hand to minimise the Jewish contribution to the early Church (St Jerome and Rupert of Deutz) and on the other hand to emphasise it (Haimo of Auxerre, Bruno of Segni and Herveus of Bourg-Dieu). Some authors, however, simply ignore the question (Arnold of Bonneval and Rainald of St Eloi).
On distant excitation of the ionospheric Alfvén resonator by positive cloud‐to‐ground lightning discharges
Authors: Shalimov S. , Bösinger T.
Published: February 2008

On theoretical and experimental ground it is shown that the occurrence rate of distant (r ≥ 2000 km) positive cloud‐to‐ground (+CG) lightning discharges can be sufficient for excitation of the ionospheric Alfvén resonator (IAR) to intensities which make the resonance signatures observable on the ground. In this evaluation the efficiency of +CG lightning discharges for the excitation of IAR was proven to be considerably enhanced due to long‐lasting, strong‐continuing currents associated with +CG events as compared to the case of excitation by negative cloud‐to‐ground lightning discharges.
The sensitivity of catecholamine release to botulinum toxin C1 and E suggests selective targeting of vesicles set into the readily releasable pool
Authors: Stigliani Sara , Raiteri Luca , Fassio Anna , Bonanno Giambattista
Published: February 2008

The impact of syntaxin and SNAP‐25 cleavage on [3H]noradrenaline ([3H]NA) and [3H]dopamine ([3H]DA) exocytotic release evoked by different stimuli was studied in superfused rat synaptosomes. The external Ca2+‐dependent K+‐induced [3H]catecholamine overflows were almost totally abolished by botulinum toxin C1 (BoNT/C1), which hydrolyses syntaxin and SNAP‐25, or by botulinum toxin E (BoNT/E), selective for SNAP‐25. BoNT/C1 cleaved 25% of total syntaxin and 40% of SNAP‐25; BoNT/E cleaved 40% of SNAP‐25 but left syntaxin intact. The GABA uptake‐induced releases of [3H]NA and [3H]DA were differentially affected: both toxins blocked the former, dependent on external Ca2+, but not the latter, internal Ca2+‐dependent. BoNT/C1 or BoNT/E only slightly reduced the ionomycin‐evoked [3H]catecholamine release. More precisely, [3H]NA exocytosis induced by ionomycin was sensitive to toxins in the early phase of release but not later. The Ca2+‐independent [3H]NA exocytosis evoked by hypertonic sucrose, thought to release from the readily releasable pool (RRP) of vesicles, was significantly reduced by BoNT/C1. Pre‐treating synaptosomes with phorbol‐12‐myristate‐13‐acetate, to increase the RRP, enhanced the sensitivity to BoNT/C1 of [3H]NA release elicited by sucrose or ionomycin. Accordingly, cleavage of syntaxin was augmented by the phorbol‐ester. To conclude, our results suggest that clostridial toxins selectively target exocytosis involving vesicles set into the RRP.
Study on proton fraction of beams extracted from electron cyclotron resonance ion source
Authors: Xu R. , Zhao J. , Peng S. X. , Yuan Z. X. , Song Z. Z. , Yu J. X. , Guo Z. Y.
Published: February 2008

A permanent magnet electron cyclotron resonance ion source PMECR II is used to generate proton ions for radio frequency quadrupole (RFQ) injection at Peking University (PKU). The proton fractions of the extracted beam were measured at the positions both after extraction system of ion source and the end of low energy beam transport line (LEBT). Experiments show that the proton fraction has a rise time within a beam pulse, and its value varies with pulse width and microwave power. The proton fractions measured at different positions are comparable.
Micromagnetic simulations of ferromagnetic rings
Authors: Chaves–O’Flynn Gabriel D. , Xiao Ke , Stein D. L. , Kent A. D.
Published: February 2008

Thin nanomagnetic rings have generated interest for fundamental studies of magnetization reversal and also for their potential in various applications, particularly as magnetic memories. They are a rare example of a geometry in which an analytical solution for the rate of thermally induced magnetic reversal has been determined, in an approximation whose errors can be estimated and bounded. In this work, numerical simulations of soft ferromagnetic rings are used to explore aspects of the analytical solution. The evolution of the energy near the transition states confirms that, consistent with analytical predictions, thermally induced magnetization reversal can have one of two intermediate states: either constant or solitonlike saddle configurations, depending on ring size and externally applied magnetic field. The results confirm analytical predictions of a transition in thermally activated reversal behavior as magnetic field is varied at constant ring size. Simulations also show that the analytic one-dimensional model continues to hold even for wide rings.
Radio frequency-driven recoupling at high magic-angle spinning frequencies: Homonuclear recoupling sans heteronuclear decoupling
Authors: Bayro Marvin J. , Ramachandran Ramesh , Caporini Marc A. , Eddy Matthew T. , Griffin Robert G.
Published: February 2008

We describe solid-state NMR homonuclear recoupling experiments at high magic-angle spinning (MAS) frequencies using the radio frequency-driven recoupling (RFDR) scheme. The effect of heteronuclear decoupling interference during RFDR recoupling at high spinning frequencies is investigated experimentally and via numerical simulations, resulting in the identification of optimal decoupling conditions. The effects of MAS frequency, RF field amplitude, bandwidth, and chemical shift offsets are examined. Most significantly, it is shown that broadband homonuclear correlation spectra can be efficiently obtained using RFDR without decoupling during the mixing period in fully protonated samples, thus considerably reducing the rf power requirements for acquisition of C13–C13 correlation spectra. The utility of RFDR sans decoupling is demonstrated with broadband correlation spectra of a peptide and a model protein at high MAS frequencies and high magnetic field.
On the controllability of nanorod alignment in magnetic fluids
Authors: Ooi Chinchun , Erb Randall M. , Yellen Benjamin B.
Published: February 2008

The controllability of orienting colloidal nanorods suspended in ferrofluid is investigated as a function of the external magnetic field intensity and the concentration of conventional ferrofluid. The expected value for the nanorod orientation was derived from the competition between the potential energy variation of an ellipsoid in a uniform magnetic field and randomizing rotational thermal energy. The agreement between experiment and theory is found to be quite accurate when the measured nanorod volume and vendor-supplied values for the ferrofluid’s magnetic susceptibility are used as inputs in the model. Our investigations confirm that local magnetic susceptibility surrounding the nanorod is equivalent to the bulk fluid susceptibility, indicating that ferrofluid composed of 12nm iron oxide particles can be treated as a continuum on the 100–1000nm length scale.
Domain reversal properties and refractive index changes of magnesium doped lithium niobate upon ion exposure
Authors: Jentjens L. , Hattermann H. , Peithmann K. , Haaks M. , Maier K. , Kösters M.
Published: February 2008

Irradiation of optical damage resistant, magnesium doped lithium niobate crystals with fast, high-energy He2+3 ions changes important material properties. In the interaction region, where the ions transmit through the material, the ferroelectric coercive field EC is diminished from 6.0kVmm−1 down to 5.0–5.4kVmm−1 after transmission of 41MeV He2+3 particles. This enables easier domain reversal in irradiated crystals compared to untreated material. Besides, large changes of the refractive index of the crystals on the order of 6×10−3 are induced by the treatment. Moderate annealing treatments do not diminish Δn, but refresh the coercive field.
Thermal properties of cubic KTa1−xNbxO3 crystals
Authors: Wang X. P. , Wang J. Y. , Zhang H. J. , Yu Y. G. , Wu J. , Gao W. L. , Boughton R. I.
Published: February 2008

Cubic potassium tantalite niobate [KTa1−xNbxO3 (KTN)] crystals of large size, good quality, and varying Nb concentration have been grown by the Czochralski method and their thermal properties have been systematically studied. The melting point, molar enthalpy of fusion, and molar entropy of fusion of the crystals were determined to be: 1536.9 K, 12 068.521 J mol−1, and 7.85 J K−1 mol−1 for KTa0.67Nb0.33O3; and 1520.61 K, 15 352.511 J mol−1, and 10.098 J K−1 mol−1 for KTa0.67Nb0.33O3, respectively. Based on the data, the Jackson factor was calculated to be 0.994f and 1.214f for KTa0.67Nb0.33O3 and KTa0.63Nb0.37O3, respectively. The thermal expansion coefficients over the temperature range of 298.15−773.15 K are: α=4.0268×10−6/K, 6.4428×10−6/K, 6.5853×10−6/K for KTaO3, KTa0.67Nb0.33O3, and KTa0.63Nb0.37O3, respectively. The density follows an almost linear decrease when the temperature increases=from 298.15 to 773.15 K. The measured specific heats at 303.15 K are: 0.375 J g−1 K−1 for KTaO3; 0.421 J g−1 K−1 for KTa0.67Nb0.33O3, and 0.430 J g−1 K−1 for KTa0.63Nb0.37O3 The thermal diffusion coefficients of the crystals were measured over the temperature range from 303.15−563.15 K. The calculated thermal conductivity values of KTaO3, KTa0.67Nb0.33O3, and KTa0.63Nb0.37O3 at 303.15 K are 8.551, 5.592, and 4.489 W m−1 K−1, respectively. The variation of these thermal properties versus Nb concentration is qualitatively analyzed. These results show that crystalline KTN is a promising material for optical applications.
Hf
O
2
gate dielectric on (NH4)2S passivated (100) GaAs grown by atomic layer deposition
Authors: Chen P. T. , Sun Y. , Kim E. , McIntyre P. C. , Tsai W. , Garner M. , Pianetta P. , Nishi Y. , Chui C. O.
Published: February 2008

The interface between hafnium oxide grown by atomic layer deposition and (100) GaAs treated with HCl cleaning and (NH4)2S passivation has been characterized. Synchrotron radiation photoemission core level spectra indicated successful removal of the native oxides and formation of passivating sulfides on the GaAs surface. Layer-by-layer removal of the hafnia film revealed a small amount of As2O3 formed at the interface during the dielectric deposition. Traces of arsenic and sulfur out diffusion into the hafnia film were observed after a 450°C postdeposition anneal and may be the origins for the electrically active defects. Transmission electron microscopy cross section images showed thicker HfO2 films for a given precursor exposure on sulfur treated GaAs versus the nontreated sample. In addition, the valence-band and the conduction-band offsets at the HfO2∕GaAs interface were deduced to be 3.18eV and a range of 0.87–1.36eV, respectively. It appears that HCl+(NH4)2S treatments provide a superior chemical passivation for GaAs and initial surface for atomic layer deposition.
Tunable dual-wavelength laser constructed by silicon micromachining
Authors: Cai H. , Liu A. Q. , Zhang X. M. , Tamil J. , Tang D. Y. , Wu J. , Zhang Q. X.
Published: February 2008

This paper presents a tunable dual-wavelength laser by integration of a semiconductor gain chip with silicon-micromachined grating and mirrors onto a silicon substrate. The wavelength tuning is demonstrated by rotating the micromirror. With one wavelength being tuned and the other fixed, the laser output presents a tunable spectral separation from −28.38to+24.18nm. The laser output reaches 2.9mW with far-field divergences of 37° and 30° in the vertical and horizontal directions, respectively. Besides, line broadening is observed with the reduction of the spectral separation.
1
W
tunable dual-wavelength emission from cascaded distributed feedback fiber lasers
Authors: Li L. , Schülzgen A. , Zhu X. , Moloney J. V. , Albert J. , Peyghambarian N.
Published: February 2008

We present experimental results of cascaded distributed feedback fiber lasers that generate up to 1W continuous-wave dual-wavelength emission at room temperature. The complete laser device is integrated into a 10-cm-long active phosphate glass fiber with two phase-shifted gratings inscribed. The distributed feedback fiber lasers are cladding pumped by multimode laser diodes, in contrast to conventional core pumping with single-mode diodes. Tuning of the emission wavelength is also demonstrated.
A Novel Cas Family Member, HEPL, Regulates FAK and Cell Spreading
Authors: Singh Mahendra K. , Dadke Disha , Nicolas Emmanuelle , Serebriiskii Ilya G. , Apostolou Sinoula , Canutescu Adrian , Egleston Brian L. , Golemis Erica A.
Published: February 2008

For over a decade, p130Cas/BCAR1, HEF1/NEDD9/Cas-L, and Efs/Sin have defined the Cas (Crk-associated substrate) scaffolding protein family. Cas proteins mediate integrin-dependent signals at focal adhesions, regulating cell invasion and survival; at least one family member, HEF1, regulates mitosis. We here report a previously undescribed novel branch of the Cas protein family, designated HEPL (for HEF1-Efs-p130Cas-like). The HEPL branch is evolutionarily conserved through jawed vertebrates, and HEPL is found in some species lacking other members of the Cas family. The human HEPL mRNA and protein are selectively expressed in specific primary tissues and cancer cell lines, and HEPL maintains Cas family function in localization to focal adhesions, as well as regulation of FAK activity, focal adhesion integrity, and cell spreading. It has recently been demonstrated that upregulation of HEF1 expression marks and induces metastasis, whereas high endogenous levels of p130Cas are associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer, emphasizing the clinical relevance of Cas proteins. Better understanding of the complete protein family should help inform prediction of cancer incidence and prognosis.
RECURRENT DRUNKEN DRIVING*: An occasional early sign of Alcoholism
Authors: GLATT M. M.
Published: February 2008

In tonight's discussion one speaker stated that in his experience “the local chronic alcoholics and addicts only rarely get involved in (traffic) accidents”. This statement may seem rather surprising in view of a number of considerations:
The Alcohol Problem in Finland
Authors: IMMONEN E. J.
Published: February 2008

Résumé Une meilleure compréhension devrait être crée entre le Monopole de l'Alcool de l'État et le Mouvement Finnois de Tempérance. Au lieu de lutter les uns contre les autres, les membres de ces organisations devraient collaborer pour éclairer le publique sur le problème de l'alcool. L'expérience a montré au Mouvement Finnois de Tempérance qu'une prohibition totale n'est pas possible. Pour que la perspective soit réaliste, le mouvement doit agir vers des solutions partielles. Au lieu d'introduire des lois, il serait plus convenable de bâtir une éthique sociale, d'enseigner et éduquer.

Es sollte besseres Verständnis zwischen dem staatlichen Alkoholmonopol und der finnischen Temperenzbewegung hergestellt werden. Anstatt sich gegenseitig zu bekämpfen sollten die Mitglieder dieser beiden Organisationen zur Erzielung allgemeiner Aufklärung über das Alkoholproblem zusammenarbeiten. Die finnische Temperenzbewegung machte die Erfahrung, dass ein vollständiges Alkoholverbot einfach unmöglich ist. Wenn ihre Anschauungen realistisch sein sollen, dann muss sie auf eine teilweise Lösung hinarbeiten. Anstatt Gesetze zu erlassen wäre es zweckmässiger, die soziale Ethik auszubauen, zu lehren und zu erziehen.