bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical Solution of Boundary Value Problems
Authors: Radok J. R. M. , Merril R. F.
Published: May 2007

Many transient physical processes are governed by differential equations which under sufficiently smooth conditions permit the evaluation of higher rates of change of the process variables from their space distributions. An explicit method, utilizing a finite number of such higher rates of change, is examined for the particular problem of one dimensional diffusion in a bounded region with radiation into the adjacent medium. Conditions of high order compatibility between the differential and corresponding difference equations are established and shown to ensure a high order truncation error. Satisfaction of the boundary conditions is achieved by a numerical analogue to the method of images, based on time derivatives of the boundary conditions. Numerical results for four problems are presented.
Mouvement d'un rotor asymétrique tournant dans les paliers élastiques d'une équilibreuse
Authors: Plainevaux J. E.
Published: May 2007

Etude du mouvement d'un rotor asymétrique déséquilibré tournant dans les paliers flexibles d'une équilibreuse. Les équations linérisées du mouvement sont à coefficients périodiques. Détermination d'une solution approchée par une méthode de perturbation. Le mouvement est périodique, ne présentant que des harmoniques impairs. L'équation matricielle d'équilibrage n'est pas valable. Application aux différentes méthodes d'expression de la précision d'équilibrage.
Einseitig eingespannter Plattenstreifen mit Einzellast. „Alte Wege — neue Wege”︁
Authors: Weber C.
Published: May 2007

Ein unendlich langer Plattenstreifen sei an der einen Längsseite eingespannt, während die andere Längsseite ein freier Band ist. In einem Punkte zwischen beiden Längsseiten ist der Plattenstreifen durch die Kraft P belastet. Es wird eine Lösung abgeleitet, die durch Potentialfunktionen mit singulären Stellen ausgedrückt ist.
Zwei Lehrsätze in der Operatorenrechnung
Authors: Wasowski J.
Published: May 2007

In der vorliegenden Arbeit ist eine Methode zur Bestimmung der Ableitungsanfangswerte der gesuchten Oberfunktion angegeben. Diese Methode unterscheidet sich von der in der Literatur bekannten und vereinfacht die Berechnung. In dieser Arbeit ist auch gezeigt, wie man die Oberfunktionen der Gleichungen und der gesamten Gleichungssysteme finden kann, welche als Unterfunktionen gegeben sind. Es wird ebenfalls die Verbindung der Operatorenrechnung mit der klassischen Methode zur Auflösung der Differentialgleichungssysteme hergestellt.
Spectrum Emitted by a Trapped Electron
Authors: Corso Pietro Paolo , Fiordilino Emilio , Orlando Gianfranco , Persico Franco
Published: May 2007

We study the behaviour of a homonuclear molecule driven by an intense laser field. Newton's laws are used to describe the dynamics of nuclei while the quantal approach is reserved to the study of the electron. It is observed that the nuclei can oscillate or dissociate according to the degree of ionization of the molecule. In case of low ionization rate it is shown that great amount of information can be obtained by using the simplified approaches of fixed nuclei and of two-state approximation. Under suitable conditions the electron wave function spends a long time localized around one nucleus. The harmonic generation of the molecule is studied and seen to contain even harmonics.
Determination of the Hydroxyl Value of Soybean Polyol by Attenuated Total Reflectance/Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Godoy Simone C. , Ferrão Marco Flôres , Gerbase Annelise E.
Published: May 2007

A rapid method for the quantitative determination of the hydroxyl value (OHV) of hydroxylated soybean oils by HATR/FTIR spectroscopy is described. Calibration standards were prepared by the formic acid/hydrogen peroxide method and OH values were determined by the official method of AOCS Tx 1a‐66, covering an analytical range of 3.5–125 mg of KOH/g of sample. A partial least squares (PLS) calibration model for the prediction of the hydroxyl value (OHV) was developed based on eight different spectral subregions between 3,150 and 990 cm−1 and combinations of them. On average, 36 samples were used for the modeling and 17 were used for external validation. The resulting calibration was linear over the analytical range and had a standard deviation of 2.334. Validation of the method was carried out by comparing the OHV of a series of hydroxylated soybean oils predicted by the PLS model to the values obtained by the AOCS standard method. A correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.9843 and RMSEC and RMSEP values of, respectively, 3.393 and 3.643 were obtained. After the calibration of the spectrometer, the OHV could be obtained in 2–3 min per sample, a major improvement over conventional wet chemical methods. The advantages of these methodologies are that they do not destroy the sample, have a lower cost, expedite the analysis and do not produce residues. Therefore, they may yield excellent results when used to quantify OHV of soybean polyols obtained by hydroxylation reaction.
Thermal degradation of single methyl oleate hydroperoxides obtained by Photosensitized oxidation
Authors: Lercker Giovanni , Bortolomeazzi Renzo , Pizzale Lorena
Published: May 2007

A peroxidation mixture containing methyl 9‐ and 10‐hydroperoxy‐trans‐octadecenoates (MOHP) was obtained by singlet oxygen oxidation of methyl oleate. The two hydroperoxides were collected by solid phase extraction and purified separately by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Identification and single‐isomer purity evaluations were carried out by comparing the chromatographic and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry parameters of the corresponding reduced hydroxy derivatives. Each purified MOHP was thermally degraded and new reaction mechanisms were proposed from the identification of the degradation products. Thermal rearrangement of each hydroperoxide isomer involved an allylic 3‐carbon intermediate before further degradation steps. The two MOHP isomers obtained from singlet oxygen oxidation produced all eight hydroperoxide isomers by thermal degradation in the condensed phase at high temperature (200°C). This result supports the assumption of singlet oxygen as a promoter of the first steps of oxidation of food lipids and also reconsiders the Khan mechanism.
Oxidative and flavor stability of oil from lipoxygenase‐free soybeans
Authors: King J. M. , Svendsen L. K. , Fehr W. R. , Narvel J. M. , White R. J.
Published: May 2007

Soybeans that lack or contain three lipoxygenase (LOX) isozymes, LOX‐1, LOX‐2, and LOX‐3, were evaluated for oxidative and flavor stability at 60°C in the dark and at 35°C in the light. Although the two types of soybeans had a similar genetic background, there were significant differences (P≤0.01) in fatty acid percentages between the lipoxygenase‐free and normal oils before and after storage at both temperatures. The linolenic acid content of oil from LOX‐free germplasm before storage averaged 7.2%, while normal lines averaged 6.6%. The linoleic acid content after storage averaged 6.9% for LOX‐free and 6.6% for normal oils. LOX‐free oil was not significantly different from normal oil in flavor, as judged by a sensory panel, or in concentrations of volatiles during storage at either storage condition. LOX‐free oil had less hexanal than normal oil before storage, but had significantly greater (P≤0.05) levels after storage for two weeks at 35°C. Peroxide values of oil from LOX‐free soybeans were significantly greater (P≤0.01) than oil from the normal soybean after storage at 60 and 35°C. LOX‐free oil had significantly greater (P≤0.01) levels of α‐, β‐, and γ‐tocopherols. In general, oil from LOX‐free soybeans did not have improved flavor or oxidative stability. Differences between the two oil types in peroxide value and in production of a few volatiles were probably a result of the differences in initial fatty acid composition.
Effects of processing on the oxidative stability of soybean oil produced in Mexico
Authors: Medina‐Juárez L. A. , González‐Díaz P. , Gámez‐Meza N. , Ortega‐García J. , Moreno‐Varela A. B. , Bringas‐Alvarado L. , Angulo‐Guerrero O.
Published: May 2007

The stability parameters of 22 samples of soybean oil produced in Mexico were determined. Samples were analyzed for moisture, color, free fatty acids, peroxide value, p‐anisidine value, fatty acid profile, metals, flavor, and Rancimat test for oxidative stability. Results obtained were compared with the stability parameters of soybean oil sproduced in the United States and Costa Rica. The fatty acid profile in all samples analyzed corresponded to the expected profile for a 100% soybean oil. Sixty‐four percent of the oils had oxidative stabilities similar to those reported for soybean oils from the United States and Costa Rica. This suggests that in spite of the good quality, the soybean oil production process in Mexico needs further improvement. Especially important is maintaining appropriate control during the degumming and bleaching steps. Special consideration should be given to preserving the natural antioxidants present in the oil.
Preparation of malvalic and sterculic acid methyl esters from Bombax munguba and Sterculia foetida seed oils
Authors: Fehling E. , Schönwiese S. , Klein E. , Mukherjee K. D. , Weber N.
Published: May 2007

A method has been developed for the preparation of highly pure malvalic (cis‐8,9‐methyleneheptadec‐8‐enoic) and sterculic (cis‐9,10‐methyleneoctadec‐9‐enoic) acid methyl esters starting from Bombax munguba and Sterculia foetida seed oils. The methyl esters of these oils were prepared by sodium methylate‐catalyzed transmethylation followed by cooling (6°C) the hexane solution of crude methyl esters and separation of insoluble fatty acid methyl esters by centrifugation in the case of B. munguba and by column chromatography in the case of S. foetida. Subsequently, the saturated straight‐chain fatty acid methyl esters were almost quantitatively removed by urea adduct formation. Finally, methyl malvalate and methyl sterculate were separated from the remaining unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters, in particular methyl oleate and methyl linoleate, by preparative high‐performance liquid chromatography on C18 reversed‐phase using acetonitrile isocratically. Methyl malvalate and methyl sterculate were obtained with purities of 95–97 and 95–98%, respectively.
The effect of immobilization on the hydrolytic/interesterification activity of lipase from Rhizopus niveus
Authors: Kermasha S. , Bisakowski B.
Published: May 2007

Lipase from Rhizopus niveus was immobilized by physical adsorption on Celite 545 and glass beads. The results showed that the highest immobilization efficiency and specific hydrolytic activity of 96% and 9.2 meq/mg protein/min, respectively, were obtained with Celite as the carrier. However, the specific hydrolytic activity of lipase adsorbed on glass beads by acetone precipitation was similar to that obtained by the Celite carrier, although the protein loading capacity was relatively low. The results showed that lipase immobilized on glass beads exhibited similar activity profiles with respect to reaction time, different enzyme concentrations, and water content, using trimyristin and tripalmitin as substrates, to those obtained with the free enzyme. In contrast, the immobilized lipase on Celite exhibited a considerably lower hydrolytic activity. However, the results also showed that the lipase activities of the free enzyme and the immobilized Celite enzyme were similar when the more hydrophilic triolein was used as the substrate. The interesterification of a mixture of tripalmitin and trimyristin or triolein was carried out using both the free and immobilized enzymes. The results indicated that the hydrolytic activity of lipase was similar in both cases for the first 24 h, after which it decreased dramatically. These findings suggest that at this late stage an equilibrium between the hydrolytic and interesterification reactions was reached.
The influence of trace components on the melting point of methyl soyate
Authors: Yu Liangping , Lee Inmok , Hammond Earl G. , Johnson Lawrence A. , Van Gerpen Jon H.
Published: May 2007

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of various amounts of unsaponifiables and bound glycerol on the crystallization temperatures of methyl soyate used as biodiesel. The preparation of methyl esters did not affect the amount of unsaponifiable matter in biodiesel. A synthetic unsaponifiable mixture added to distilled methyl soyate and blends of methyl soyate and No. 1 diesel fuel (20:80, vol/vol) did not affect the crystallization onset temperature, cloud point, or pour point at concentrations up to 3% by weight. The amounts of monoglycerides and diglycerides in methyl soyate decreased from 2.60 and 9.87%, respectively, to 0% as the methanol/soybean oil ratio increased from 90 to 200% of the theoretical requirement. Transesterification reactions conducted with less than 130% of the theoretical amount of methanol resulted in methyl soyate with a higher cloud point because of the presence of saturated mono‐ and diglycerides. Pure mono‐ and diglycerides added to distilled methyl soyate at 0 to 1.0% did not change the pour point of the esters, but the cloud point of esters increased with increasing amount of saturated mono‐ or diglyceride. Pure saturated mono‐ or diglyceride presented in concentrations as low as 0.1% increased the cloud point of methyl soyate. Similar results were obtained with mono‐ and diglyceride mixtures present in incompletely converted methyl soyate.
Synthesis, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance characterization of Di‐guerbet esters
Authors: Knothe Gerhard , Carlson Kenneth D.
Published: May 2007

Several Di‐Guerbet esters (DGE) suitable for lubricant applications were synthesized from branched Guerbet alcohols and Guerbet acids. The mass spectra of DGE under electron‐ionization and positive chemical‐ionization (PCI) conditions were recorded. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, especially in PCI mode with methane as reagent gas, is an effective method for analyzing DGE. In methane positive chemical‐ionization mass spectrometry, the DGE give molecular ion peaks. In both PCI and EI modes, some other characteristic ions including up to four McLafferty rearrangement products with high m/z are observed. Thus identification of both hydrocarbon moieties is possible. The DGE were also characterized by 1H‐and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance.
Oxidative stability of polyunsaturated fatty acids and soybean oil in an aqueous solution with emulsifiers
Authors: Duh Pin‐Der , Yen Wen Jye , Yen Gow‐Chin
Published: May 2007

The oxidative stability of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and soybean oil homogenized with emulsifiers was investigated. Model emulsions were prepared from PUFA, including linoleic acid (LA), arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and from soybean oil emulsified with different emulsifiers: three Tween emulsifiers (Tween 20, Tween 60, Tween 80) and two sucrose esters (S‐1170 and S‐1570) were used. The results showed that the emulsions prepared from LA and the various emulsifiers, oxidized at 40°C, were unstable. However, the corresponding AA, EPA, and DHA emulsions were stable, indicating that PUFA with a higher degree of unsaturation were more stable with emulsifiers than without the emulsifiers. In the soybean oil‐in‐water model system, the oxidation of soybean oil with various emulsifiers was less than without the emulsifiers.
Static headspace gas chromatographic analyses to determine oxidation of fish muscle lipids during thermal processing
Authors: Medina I. , Satué‐Gracia M. T. , Frankel E. N.
Published: May 2007

Oxidation in fish during thermal processing was studied by determining volatile production with a static headspace gas chromatographic system. Different processing temperatures and periods were evaluated to simulate conditions of fish industrial treatments. The major volatiles formed included acetaldehyde, propanal, heptane, 2‐ethylfuran, pentanal, and hexanal. Changes in volatile composition were studied for different processing times and temperatures. The method for volatile analyses to determine oxidation in fish muscle was tested by correlation with peroxide value, conjugated diene, and thiobarbituric acid indices. Significant single and multivariate regressions were found between the time of thermal treatment and volatiles produced, showing that the amount of 2‐ethylfuran was the best predictor of oxidative stability in fish.
The hard cell: From proteomics to a whole cell model
Authors: Betts Matthew J. , Russell Robert B.
Published: May 2007

Proteomics has provided a wealth of data related to the nature of the proteome, including subcellular location, copy number, interaction partners and protein complexes. This raises the question of whether it is feasible to combine these data, together with other data related to overall cellular structure, to construct a static picture of the cell. In this minireview, we discuss these data, and the issues of turning them into whole cell models.
Save a Life: The ABCs of CPR
Authors: Fritz Patricia
Published: May 2007

Save a Life: The ABCs of CPR By Barbara W. Trefz, 1988, 113 pp $3.95 paperback
Elements of Research in Nursing
Authors: Collins Marjorie A
Published: May 2007

Elements of Research in Nursing, 3rd ed. Eleanor Walters Treece, James William Treece, Jr. C V Mosby, 11830 Westline Industrial Dr, St Louis, Mo 63141, 1982. 424 pp, $15.95 paperback.
“The effects of decentralization on nurses' job attendance behaviors,”
Authors: Takahashi Jacklyn J.
Published: May 2007

D Y Barhyte, M D Counte, L P Christman, “The effects of decentralization on nurses' job attendance behaviors,” Nursing Administration Quarterly 11 (summer 1987) 37–46.
Professional Obligations and Approaches to the Aged
Authors: Kane Sister
Published: May 2007

Professional Obligations and Approaches to the Aged. Schwartz, Arthur, Mensh, Ivan, eds. Charles C Thomas, 301–327 E Lawrence Ave, Springfield, Ill 62717, 1974, 360 pp, $15.95.
Health Assessment for Professional Nursing
Authors: ALVERSON ELISE
Published: May 2007

Health Assessment for Professional Nursing, second ed. Gloria J. Block, JoEllen W. Nolan. Appleton‐Century‐Crofts, 25 Van Zant St, East Norwalk, CT 06855, 1986, 494 pp, $37.95 clothbound
The association of betaine, homocysteine and related metabolites with cognitive function in Dutch elderly people
Authors: Eussen Simone J. P. M. , Ueland Per M. , Clarke Robert , Blom Henk J. , Hoefnagels Willibrord H. L. , van Staveren Wija A. , de Groot Lisette C. P. G. M.
Published: May 2007

The importance of the one-carbon metabolites, choline and homocysteine, to brain function is well known. However, the associations between the one-carbon metabolites choline, betaine, methionine and dimethylglycine with cognition in elderly are unclear. We therefore examined the associations of these metabolites with cognition in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Individuals (n 195) were randomized to receive daily oral capsules with either 1000 μg cobalamin (vitamin B12), or 1000 μg cobalamin plus 400 μg folic acid, or placebo for 24 weeks. Concentrations of homocysteine, methionine, choline, betaine and dimethylglycine were assessed before and after 12 and 24 weeks of treatment. Cognitive function, including domains of attention, construction, sensomotor speed, memory and executive function, was assessed before and after 24 weeks of treatment. At baseline, elevated plasma homocysteine was associated with lower performance of attention, construction, sensomotor speed and executive function. In addition, betaine was positively associated with better performance of construction, sensomotor speed and executive function, whereas elevated concentrations of methionine were positively associated with sensomotor speed. Daily combined supplementation with cobalamin plus folic acid decreased total homocysteine concentrations by 36 %, and increased betaine concentrations by 38 %. Participants with the largest increases in betaine concentrations showed a borderline significant (P = 0·07) higher memory performance compared to those without it. Although this trial observed associations of homocysteine and betaine with cognitive domains prior to supplementation, decreased concentrations of homocysteine were not related to improved cognitive performance. There was a tendency of participants with the largest increases in betaine concentrations to show the greatest improvement in memory function.
Within-field variation in grain yield, yield components and quality traits of two-row barley
Authors: RAJALA A. , PELTONEN-SAINIO P. , KAUPPILA R. , WILHELMSON A. , REINIKAINEN P. , KLEEMOLA J.
Published: May 2007

Recent studies of precision cereal farming systems have documented large within-field and annual variation in grain yield and quality. The principal aim of the present study was to evaluate the degree of within- and between-field variation in biomass, yield, yield component structure and quality traits, such as grain protein of two-row barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), using crop samples collected from field patches of varying yield potential. Plant samples were collected from the fields of commercial farmers located in southern Finland in 2000 and 2001. Selection of low, intermediate and high yielding patches for crop sampling was based on aerial infrared colour images taken twice during the growing season. When stands were mature, plant samples from an area of 0·5 m2 were uprooted for yield component and quality analysis. Nitrogen accumulation prior to heading was strongly associated with biomass accumulation, indicating differences in growth potential of the different field patches. The principal yield determining trait in two-row barley was grain number/m2, whereas single grain weight (SGW) had a lesser effect on grain yield. The degree of variation in the quality parameters, namely protein and SGW, was not associated with grain yield. This suggests that within-field variation in yield potential does not determine heterogeneity of the grain yield in terms of grain weight or grain protein content.
Lagrangian statistics of Navier–Stokes and MHD turbulence
Authors: HOMANN H. , GRAUER R. , BUSSE A. , MÜLLER W. C.
Published: May 2007

We report on a comparison of high-resolution numerical simulations of Lagrangian particles advected by incompressible turbulent hydro- and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flows. Numerical simulations were performed with up to 10243 collocation points and 10 million particles in the Navier–Stokes case and 5123 collocation points and 1 million particles in the MHD case. In the hydrodynamics case our findings compare with recent experiments from Mordant et al. (2004 New J. Phys.6, 116) and Xu et al. (2006 Phys. Rev. Lett.96, 024503). They differ from the simulations of Biferale et al. (2004 Phys. Rev. Lett.93, 064502) due to differences of the ranges chosen for evaluating the structure functions. In Navier–Stokes turbulence intermittency is stronger than predicted by the multifractal approach of Biferale et al. (2004 Phys. Rev. Lett.93, 064502) whereas in MHD turbulence the predictions from the multifractal approach are more intermittent than observed in our simulations. In addition, our simulations reveal that Lagrangian Navier–Stokes turbulence is more intermittent than MHD turbulence, whereas the situation is reversed in the Eulerian case. Those findings can not consistently be described by the multifractal modeling. The crucial point is that the geometry of the dissipative structures have different implications for Lagrangian and Eulerian intermittency. Application of the multifractal approach for the modeling of the acceleration probability density functions works well for the Navier–Stokes case but in the MHD case just the tails are well described.
A Second Glance at Matthew 27.24
Authors: WETTLAUFER RYAN D.
Published: May 2007

In the climactic trial scene of Matthew's Gospel, Pontius Pilate stands over Jesus and, having washed his hands, declares himself innocent of ‘this man's blood’. This shorter reading is found in most modern translations and critical editions and is supported by many of the best manuscripts. It has been the preferred reading ever since Wescott and Hort. Prior to then, however, a longer reading was preferred by the majority of scholars. It reads ‘I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man’. It too is found in many of the best manuscripts, but for the last century has been all but ignored by scholarship. This internal investigation will show why it is finally time to give the longer reading a second glance.
The Pericope of the Adulteress Reconsidered:
The Nomadic Misfortunes of a Bold Pericope
Authors: RIUS-CAMPS JOSEP
Published: May 2007

This article considers afresh the origin of the pericope of the adulteress, which is absent from some important manuscripts. Comparison of the witnesses to the text reveals that it has been preserved in two distinct forms, one (attested by Codex Bezae and the minuscules 2722 and 1071) that is Markan in style, and the other (attested by f13) that reproduces the style of Luke. The conclusion drawn is that the account was first composed by Mark (and placed after Mark 12.12) and subsequently adopted by Luke (after Luke 20.19). Because of the apparent moral leniency displayed by Jesus, the story would have been removed at an early date from both Gospels, and then later reinserted by some manuscripts but at different places.
Reaction time performance in ADHD: improvement under fast-incentive condition and familial effects
Authors: ANDREOU PENNY , NEALE BEN M. , CHEN WAI , CHRISTIANSEN HANNA , GABRIELS ISABEL , HEISE ALEXANDER , MEIDAD SHEERA , MULLER UELI C. , UEBEL HENRIK , BANASCHEWSKI TOBIAS , MANOR IRIS , OADES ROBERT , ROEYERS HERBERT , ROTHENBERGER ARIBERT , SHAM PAK , STEINHAUSEN HANS-CHRISTOPH , ASHERSON PHILIP , KUNTSI JONNA
Published: May 2007

Background

Reaction time (RT) variability is one of the strongest findings to emerge in cognitive-experimental research of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We set out to confirm the association between ADHD and slow and variable RTs and investigate the degree to which RT performance improves under fast event rate and incentives. Using a group familial correlation approach, we tested the hypothesis that there are shared familial effects on RT performance and ADHD.

Method

A total of 144 ADHD combined-type probands, 125 siblings of the ADHD probands and 60 control participants, ages 6–18, performed a four-choice RT task with baseline and fast-incentive conditions.

Results

ADHD was associated with slow and variable RTs, and with greater improvement in speed and RT variability from baseline to fast-incentive condition. RT performance showed shared familial influences with ADHD. Under the assumption that the familial effects represent genetic influences, the proportion of the phenotypic correlation due to shared familial influences was estimated as 60–70%.

Conclusions

The data are inconsistent with models that consider RT variability as reflecting a stable cognitive deficit in ADHD, but instead emphasize the extent to which energetic or motivational factors can have a greater effect on RT performance in ADHD. The findings support the role of RT variability as an endophenotype mediating the link between genes and ADHD.
Genetic and environmental factors affecting self-esteem from age 14 to 17: a longitudinal study of Finnish twins
Authors: RAEVUORI ANU , DICK DANIELLE M. , KESKI-RAHKONEN ANNA , PULKKINEN LEA , ROSE RICHARD J. , RISSANEN AILA , KAPRIO JAAKKO , VIKEN RICHARD J. , SILVENTOINEN KARRI
Published: May 2007

Background

We analysed genetic and environmental influences on self-esteem and its stability in adolescence.

Method

Finnish twins born in 1983–1987 were assessed by questionnaire at ages 14 (n=4132 twin individuals) and 17 years (n=3841 twin individuals). Self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg global self-esteem scale and analyzed using quantitative genetic methods for twin data in the Mx statistical package.

Results

The heritability of self-esteem was 0·62 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0·56–0·68] in 14-year-old boys and 0·40 (95% CI 0·26–0·54) in 14-year-old girls, while the corresponding estimates at age 17 were 0·48 (95% CI 0·39–0·56) and 0·29 (95% CI 0·11–0·45). Rosenberg self-esteem scores at ages 14 and 17 were modestly correlated (r=0·44 in boys,r=0·46 in girls). In boys, the correlation was mainly (82%) due to genetic factors, with residual co-variation due to unique environment. In girls, genetic (31%) and common environmental (61%) factors largely explained the correlation.

Conclusions

In adolescence, self-esteem seems to be differently regulated in boysversusgirls. A key challenge for future research is to identify environmental influences contributing to self-esteem during adolescence and determine how these factors interact with genetic influences.
Actuarial prediction of violent recidivism in mentally disordered offenders
Authors: SNOWDEN ROBERT J. , GRAY NICOLA S. , TAYLOR JOHN , MacCULLOCH MALCOLM J.
Published: May 2007

Background

Actuarial instruments may be useful in predicting long-term violence in mentally disordered patients. We compared two instruments that differ in terms of what they are designed to predict (generalversusviolent recividism) and the inclusion of stable mental health variables.

Method

A large sample of mentally disordered patients were scored on two risk assessment instruments, the Violence Risk Appraisal Guide (VRAG) and the Offender Group Reconviction Scale (OGRS), based on information at the point of discharge. Their criminal histories for at least 2 years following discharge were obtained from official records.

Results

Both instruments were good predictors of both violent and general offending. Over shorter periods (<1 year) the VRAG had very good predictive validities for both types of offences [areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) >0·85], which were significantly better than the OGRS. For longer follow-up periods the instruments had approximately equal prediction accuracy. However, both instruments predicted far more offences than were in fact recorded.

Conclusions

The VRAG is a very good predictor of future violence in the UK sample. The OGRS may also be of value as it can be completed quickly and without the need for mental health variables. Caution is needed, however, as both instruments appeared to over-predict the levels of reconvictions in this sample.
Molecular identification of species comprising an unusual biofilm from a groundwater treatment plant
Authors: Gillings M. R. , Holley M. P. , Selleck M.
Published: May 2007

Orica's groundwater treatment plant in Botany, NSW, Australia, was designed to remove and destroy volatile organic compounds from polluted groundwater and to treat the water for reuse on the Botany Industrial Park. The initial steps in this process involved acidification of the groundwater and air stripping. During this operation, very large quantities of a biofilm formed within the air stripper, necessitating weekly clean-outs. We investigated the composition of this biofilm using molecular methods. Total DNA extracted from biofilm material was used as a template for amplification of both bacterial 16 S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and the eukaryotic rDNA internal transcribed spacer region. Cloning and sequencing of these products showed that the biofilm was composed primarily of a bacterium belonging to the genusAcidocella, a filamentous fungus (Trichoderma asperellum), and the ascomycetous yeastsPichia,CandidaandGeotrichum. This unusual biofilm was composed of acidophiles that were capable of rapidly generating large amounts of biomass under these conditions. When acidification of the groundwater ceased, the biofilm no longer formed.
Genderbezogene Epidemiologie von Herz-Kreislaufkrankheiten
Authors: Härtel
Published: May 2007

Im vergangenen Jahrzehnt ist unser Wissen über die geschlechtsspezifischen Unterschiede in der Epidemiologie der Herz-Kreislaufkrankheiten erheblich angewachsen. Die meisten Erkenntnisse existieren allerdings für die koronare bzw. ischämische Herzkrankheit, während andere Herzkrankheiten oder zerebrovaskuläre Erkrankungen bisher weniger Beachtung fanden. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden zunächst die unterschiedlichen Mortalitäts- und Morbiditätsrisiken von Männern und Frauen im europäischen Vergleich beschrieben und die geschlechtsspezifischen Letalitätsrisiken nach akutem Herzinfarkt. Anschließend wird auf die bei Männern und Frauen differierenden Wirkungen klassischer und neuer Risikofaktoren im Zusammenhang mit der Entwicklung einer koronaren Herzkrankheit eingegangen und auf aktuelle Forschungsergebnisse aus der kardiologischen Rehabilitation. Generell ist festzustellen, dass Unterschiede zwischen Männern und Frauen in jedem Stadium der koronaren Herzkrankheit existieren, die in der primären Prävention, der akuten Therapie und der Rehabilitation stärker berücksichtigt werden müssten als bisher. Spezieller Forschungsbedarf herrscht bei sonstigen Herz-Kreislauferkrankungen, von denen Frauen in höheren Jahrgängen häufiger betroffen sind als Männer.
Geschlecht und Adipositas – bedeutet Dicksein dasselbe für Jungen und Mädchen?
Authors: Wiegand
Published: May 2007

Jungen und Mädchen sind gleich häufig von Adipositas und Übergewicht betroffen. Dies entwickelt sich selten bereits im Kleinkindalter, sondern vor allem zu Beginn der Schulzeit und im Verlauf der Pubertätsentwicklung. Obwohl die Pubertätshormone bei Jungen und Mädchen sich bekanntermaßen in ihrer Wirkung deutlich unterscheiden, gibt es auch in dieser Lebensphase keine signifikanten Prävalenzunterschiede. Die somatischen Folgeerkrankungen sind in ihrer Häufigkeit ebenfalls gleich verteilt, in ihrer Symptomatik aber durchaus unterschiedlich. Während eine nichtalkoholische Steatohepatitis sich eher bei Jungen entwickelt, sind Gallensteine oder ein Pseudotumor cerebri bei Mädchen häufiger. Die gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität ist bei adipösen Kindern und Jugendlichen geschlechtsunabhängig erheblich eingeschränkt, vergleichbar mit onkologisch erkrankten Gleichaltrigen. Die psychiatrische und psychosoziale Komorbidität der Adipositas betrifft im Gegensatz dazu wesentlich häufiger adipöse Mädchen: Essstörungen (meist Binge eating disorder) im Rahmen einer Adipositas entwickeln überwiegend Mädchen, sie sind aber auch viermal häufiger von Aggressionen innerhalb ihrer Gruppe Gleichaltriger betroffen im Vergleich zu normalgewichtigen Mädchen, aber auch im Vergleich zu adipösen Jungen. Im Gegensatz dazu scheint Mediensucht meist ein Problem der Jungen zu sein.
Solar wind–magnetosphere coupling efficiency for solar wind pressure impulses
Authors: Palmroth M. , Partamies N. , Polvi J. , Pulkkinen T. I. , McComas D. J. , Barnes R. J. , Stauning P. , Smith C. W. , Singer H. J. , Vainio R.
Published: May 2007

We investigate the solar wind–magnetosphere coupling efficiency in response to solar wind dynamic pressure impulses. We carry out a superposed epoch analysis of 236 pressure impulses from the years 1998–2002 detected by the ACE/SWEPAM instrument. For the coupling efficiency, we use four definitions based on: the polar cap potential from SuperDARN radars, the northern polar cap index (PCN), the available magnetospheric potential, and the interplanetary electric field (IEF). All definitions show consistent results: the coupling efficiency depends on the internal structure of the impulse. The coupling efficiency increases (decreases) for events mimicking slow (fast) MHD shocks. The coupling energy estimated from the IMAGE magnetometer chain is larger for the “fast‐type” events and stronger drivers. Hence, our results indicate that the magnetosphere uses the energy from the weaker driver more geoeffectively, while the energy associated with stronger drivers is partly transmitted through the system.
Survival of genetically marked Escherichia coli O157:H7 in soil as affected by soil microbial community shifts
Authors: van Elsas Jan Dirk , Hill Patrick , Chroňáková Alica , Grekova Martyna , Topalova Yana , Elhottová Dana , Krištůfek Václav
Published: May 2007

A loamy sand soil sampled from a species-rich permanent grassland at a long-term experimental site (Wildekamp, Bennekom, The Netherlands) was used to construct soil microcosms in which the microbial community compositions had been modified by fumigation at different intensities (depths). As expected, increasing depth of fumigation was shown to result in progressively increasing effects on the microbiological soil parameters, as determined by cultivation-based as well as cultivation-independent (PCR-DGGE, PLFA) methods. Both at 7 and at 60 days after fumigation, shifts in the bacterial, fungal and protozoan communities were noted, indicating that altered community compositions had emerged following a transition phase. At the level of bacteria culturable on plates, an increase of the prevalence of bacterial r-strategists was noted at 7 days followed by a decline at 60 days, which also hinted at the effectiveness of the fumigation treatments. The survival of a non-toxigenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 derivative, strain T, was then assessed over 60 days in these microcosms, using detection via colony forming units counts as well as via PCR-DGGE. Both data sets were consistent with each other. Thus, a clear effect of fumigation depth on the survival of the invading strain T was noted, as a progressive increase of depth coincided with a progressively enhanced inoculant survival rate. As fumigation depth was presumably inversely related to community complexity, this was consistent with the hypothesis that soil systems with reduced biological complexity offer enhanced opportunities for invading microbial species to establish and persist. The significance of this finding is discussed in the light of the ongoing discussion about the complexity–invasiveness relationship within microbial communities, in particular regarding the opportunities of pathogens to persist.
Reciprocal space approaches to neutron imaging
Authors: Pushin D. A. , Cory D. G. , Arif M. , Jacobson D. L. , Huber M. G.
Published: May 2007

Here the authors introduce a Fourier based method for phase contrast neutron imaging, report its experimental implementation, and show results for a one-dimensional test phantom. This approach makes use of neutron interferometry to achieve both phase contrast and to spatially code the phase of the neutron with a linear phase grating. The spatial information is recovered from the coherent interference of this phase grating and a spatial phase distribution due to the sample. By moving neutron imaging from real to reciprocal space they avoid the need for position sensitive detectors and improve the potential image resolution.
Dislocation generation at the coalescence of aluminum nitride lateral epitaxy on shallow-grooved sapphire substrates
Authors: Mei J. , Ponce F. A. , Fareed R. S. Qhalid , Yang J. W. , Khan M. Asif
Published: May 2007

The joining of defect-free AlN stripes is observed to trigger the generation of a large density of threading dislocations in the vicinity of the coalescence point. The AlN structure was grown by pulsed lateral epitaxy on shallow-grooved sapphire substrates. In the precoalescence stage, the dislocation density in the lateral epitaxial region (<108cm−2) is over two orders of magnitude less than in standard c-plane epitaxy. Basal-plane dislocations (b=a=13<112¯0>) are generated at the coalescence point as a result of relaxation of compressive stress that develops due to temperature gradients during growth. They bend toward the surface during the postcoalescence growth stage, leading to a high density of pure-edge threading dislocations in the lateral growth regions. Some threading dislocations form loops on prismatic planes in the crystal and the basal segments are observed to glide in the [0001] direction under the electron beam in the microscope.
Photocurrent gain in 4H-SiC interdigit Schottky UV detectors with a thermally grown oxide layer
Authors: Sciuto A. , Roccaforte F. , Di Franco S. , Raineri V. , Billotta S. , Bonanno G.
Published: May 2007

A large photocurrent increase in 4H-SiC interdigit Schottky UV detectors was observed in the presence of a thermally grown silicon oxide layer. In particular, internal quantum efficiency higher than unity indicated the presence of an internal gain strictly correlated with the presence of the superficial oxide on SiC. Moreover, a long recovery time, in the range of 10–19s, was evaluated by fall-time photocurrent measurements due to the detrapping of charges in the oxide after the irradiation switching off. The photoresponse of the device was analytically described considering the lowering of the surface potential barrier due to charges trapped at the oxide/semiconductor interface.
Spatial distribution of phase transition temperature of KTa1−xNbxO3 measured using scanning nonlinear dielectric microscopy
Authors: Sakamoto Takashi , Nakamura Koichiro , Fujiura Kazuo , Cho Yasuo
Published: May 2007

The authors have demonstrated that the paraelectric to ferroelectric phase transition temperature TC of KTa1−xNbxO3 (KTN) crystal can be measured locally using scanning nonlinear dielectric microscopy with our newly developed probe, which can keep the contact force constant during a temperature sweep. The TC measurement precision (standard deviation) is 0.09°C. This corresponds to a composition of 1.4×10−4, which is difficult to achieve with other element analyzers. Moreover, by measuring TC while changing the position, the authors demonstrated that they can measure the spatial distribution of the TC of the KTN crystal.
Memory effect of CdSe∕ZnS nanoparticles embedded in a conducting poly[2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene-vinylene] polymer layer
Authors: Li Fushan , Son Dong-Ick , Cha Han-Moe , Seo Seung-Mi , Kim Bong-Jun , Kim Hyuk-Ju , Jung Jae-Hun , Kim Tae Whan
Published: May 2007

Capacitance-voltage (C-V) measurements on Au/a conducting poly[2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene-vinylene] polymer layer containing core/shell CdSe∕ZnS nanoparticles (hybrid layer)/indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass and Al/hybrid layer/ITO coated glass capacitors at 300K showed metal-insulator-semiconductor behavior with a large flatband voltage shift. This shift was due to the existence of the CdSe∕ZnS nanoparticles, indicative of trapping, storing, and emission of charge carriers in the CdSe∕ZnS nanoparticles. Symmetric and asymmetric C-V characteristics appeared in the Al/hybrid layer/ITO coated glass and Au/hybrid layer/ITO coated glass capacitors, respectively. A dipolar carrier trapping model is proposed to explain the symmetric behavior in the C-V curve.
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characteristics of single electron tunneling from symmetric and asymmetric double-barrier tunneling junctions
Authors: Negishi R. , Hasegawa T. , Terabe K. , Aono M. , Tanaka H. , Ogawa T. , Ozawa H.
Published: May 2007

I - V characteristics of single electron tunneling from a symmetric and an asymmetric double-barrier tunneling junction (DBTJ) were examined. A single Au nanoparticle was trapped in nanogap whose size was precisely controlled using a combination of electron beam lithography and molecular ruler technique. Though the symmetric junction showed a monotonic rise with a bias beyond the Coulomb gap voltage, the asymmetric junction showed Coulomb staircases. The capacitance of the junction estimated from the fitting curves using the Coulomb conventional theory was consistent with the capacitance calculated from the observed structure. The authors quantitatively found the correlation between the electrical and structural properties of DBTJ.
RNA Sampler: a new sampling based algorithm for common RNA secondary structure prediction and structural alignment
Authors: Xu Xing , Ji Yongmei , Stormo Gary D.
Published: May 2007

Motivation: Non-coding RNA genes and RNA structural regulatory motifs play important roles in gene regulation and other cellular functions. They are often characterized by specific secondary structures that are critical to their functions and are often conserved in phylogenetically or functionally related sequences. Predicting common RNA secondary structures in multiple unaligned sequences remains a challenge in bioinformatics research.

Methods and Results: We present a new sampling based algorithm to predict common RNA secondary structures in multiple unaligned sequences. Our algorithm finds the common structure between two sequences by probabilistically sampling aligned stems based on stem conservation calculated from intrasequence base pairing probabilities and intersequence base alignment probabilities. It iteratively updates these probabilities based on sampled structures and subsequently recalculates stem conservation using the updated probabilities. The iterative process terminates upon convergence of the sampled structures. We extend the algorithm to multiple sequences by a consistency-based method, which iteratively incorporates and reinforces consistent structure information from pairwise comparisons into consensus structures. The algorithm has no limitation on predicting pseudoknots. In extensive testing on real sequence data, our algorithm outperformed other leading RNA structure prediction methods in both sensitivity and specificity with a reasonably fast speed. It also generated better structural alignments than other programs in sequences of a wide range of identities, which more accurately represent the RNA secondary structure conservations.

Availability: The algorithm is implemented in a C program, RNA Sampler, which is available at http://ural.wustl.edu/software.html

Contact:  xingxu@ural.wustl.edu and stormo@genetics.wustl.edu.

Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Sources of Resistance to Pepino mosaic virus in Tomato Accessions
Authors: Ling Kai-Shu , Scott John W.
Published: May 2007

Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) is an emerging disease on greenhouse tomato. This highly contagious disease is difficult to control. The best disease management strategy is likely through the use of disease resistance. A major tomato germplasm core collection was evaluated for its resistance against PepMV. These accessions included 23 Solanum lycopersicum, 8 S. pimpinellifolium, 33 S. peruvianum, 18 S. chilense, and 27 S. habrochaites. The results showed that all plants in the accessions corresponding to S. lycopersicum and S. pimpinellifolium were susceptible to PepMV-US infection. On the other hand, two accessions of S. peruvianum (LA107 and LA1305) and S. chilense (LA1971 and LA2748) appeared to have some levels of moderate resistance. However, the most promising resistance segregated in three S. habrochaites accessions (LA1731, LA2156, and LA2167). Resistant plants from these three S. habrochaites accessions were saved for selection. A secondary screening was carried out with progenies generated from the selected plants. These tests showed the segregation of broad-spectrum resistance from the selected S. habrochaites plants against PepMV, especially in LA1731. The segregated LA1731 plants were resistant to not only the U.S. type isolate but also the European type isolate.