bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Closed‐loop input shaping control of vibration in flexible structures using discrete‐time sliding mode
Authors: Pai Ming‐Chang 
Published: June 2010

AbstractInput shaping technique is widely used in reducing or eliminating residual vibration of flexible structures. It is easy to implement and achieve the exact elimination of the residual vibration if the dynamics of the system are known accurately. However, it is not very robust to parameter uncertainties and external disturbances. In this paper, a closed‐loop input shaping method is developed for reducing or eliminating residual vibration of flexible structure systems with parameter uncertainties and external disturbances. The algorithm is based on input shaping control and discrete‐time sliding mode control. It is shown that the proposed scheme guarantees closed‐loop system stability, and yields good performance and robustness in the presence of parameter uncertainties and external disturbances as well. The selection of switching surface and the existence of sliding mode are two important issues, which have been addressed. The knowledge of upper bound of uncertainties is not required. Furthermore, it is shown that increasing the robustness to parameter uncertainties does not lengthen the duration of the impulse sequence. Simulation results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed closed‐loop input shaping control scheme. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
First language acquisition
Authors: Goodluck Helen 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThis article reviews current approaches to first language acquisition, arguing in favor of the theory that attributes to the child an innate knowledge of universal grammar. Such knowledge can accommodate the systematic nature of children's non‐adult linguistic behaviors. The relationships between performance devices (mechanisms for comprehension and production of speech), non‐linguistic aspects of cognition, and child grammars are also discussed.WIREs Cogn Sci2011 2 47–54 DOI: 10.1002/wcs.95This article is categorized under:Linguistics > Language Acquisition
Biochemical Studies on Sphingolipid ofArtemia franciscana(I) Isolation and Characterization of Sphingomyelin
Authors: Kojima Hisao , Inoue Takashi , Sugita Mutsumi , Itonori Saki , Ito Masahiro 
Published: June 2010

AbstractSphingomyelin was isolated from cysts of the brine shrimpArtemia franciscanausing QAE‐Sephadex A25, Florisil and Iatrobeads column chromatographies. The chemical structure was identified using thin‐layer chromatography, gas–liquid chromatography, infrared spectroscopy and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. The ceramide moiety of sphingomyelin consisted of stearic, arachidic, and behenic acids as fatty acids, and hexadeca‐4‐ and heptadeca‐4‐sphingenines as sphingoids. By comparative analysis, the ceramide component ofArtemiasphingomyelin appears unique in invertebrates and vertebrates. Biological functions of sphingomyelin have largely been investigated using mammalian‐derived sphingomyelin. In mammals, a wide variety of molecular species of sphingomyelins have been reported, especially derived from nerve tissue, while the lower animalArtemiacontains this unusual sphingomyelin perhaps because of having a much simpler nervous system. The purified unusual sphingomyelin derived fromArtemia franciscanamight be a very useful tool in elucidating the functions and mechanisms of action of this mediator.
Inter-observer and intra-observer agreement in the radiographic diagnosis of avascular necrosis of the femoral head following slipped capital femoral epiphysis
Authors: Davidson Darin , Ghag Arvindera , Beauchamp Richard D. , Tredwell Stephen J. , Mulpuri Kishore 
Published: June 2010

Introduction Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a common pediatric hip disorder. Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head is a devastating complication of SCFE. The frequency of this complication reported in the literature has been variable. It was the objective of this study to estimate the inter- and intra-observer agreement between two experienced pediatric orthopaedic surgeons for the radiographic diagnosis of AVN following SCFE. Methods A retrospective review of all cases of SCFE treated at our center between 1995 and 2005 was performed. All cases of AVN and a random sample of 19 of the remaining cases were selected for study. The most recent anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were presented to two experienced pediatric orthopaedic surgeons in a random order. Inter-observer reliability was determined by calculating the kappa statistic to assess for clinical agreement. Each observer repeated this process two weeks after the initial review. Results There were a total of 103 cases of SCFE, of which four were diagnosed with AVN. The inter-observer agreement in the first trial was 0.79. The intra-observer agreement for the first observer was 0.9 and for the second observer, it was 0.88. Conclusion The agreement, both inter- and intra-observer, for the radiographic diagnosis of AVN amongst adolescents with previous SCFE is very high. The results of this study suggest that the reported discrepancy of AVN in the literature following SCFE is not likely due to the lack of inter- and intra-observer agreement.
Effects of dietary fat modification on oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in the LIPGENE study
Authors: Petersson Helena , Risérus Ulf , McMonagle Jolene , Gulseth Hanne L. , Tierney Audrey C. , Morange Sophie , Helal Olfa , Shaw Danielle I. , Ruano Juan A. , López-Miranda José , Kieć-Wilk Beata , Gołąbek Iwona , Blaak Ellen E. , Saris Wim H. M. , Drevon Christian A. , Lovegrove Julie A. , Roche Helen M. , Basu Samar 
Published: June 2010

Subjects with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) have enhanced oxidative stress and inflammation. Dietary fat quality has been proposed to be implicated in these conditions. We investigated the impact of four diets distinct in fat quantity and quality on 8-iso-PGF2α (a major F2-isoprostane and oxidative stress indicator), 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-PGF2α (15-keto-dihydro-PGF2α, a major PGF2α metabolite and marker of cyclooxygenase-mediated inflammation) and C-reactive protein (CRP). In a 12-week parallel multicentre dietary intervention study (LIPGENE), 417 volunteers with the MetS were randomly assigned to one of the four diets: two high-fat diets (38 % energy (%E)) rich in SFA or MUFA and two low-fat high-complex carbohydrate diets (28 %E) with (LFHCC n-3) or without (LFHCC) 1·24 g/d of very long chain n-3 fatty acid supplementation. Urinary levels of 8-iso-PGF2α and 15-keto-dihydro-PGF2α were determined by RIA and adjusted for urinary creatinine levels. Serum concentration of CRP was measured by ELISA. Neither concentrations of 8-iso-PGF2α and 15-keto-dihydro-PGF2α nor those of CRP differed between diet groups at baseline (P>0·07) or at the end of the study (P>0·44). Also, no differences in changes of the markers were observed between the diet groups (8-iso-PGF2α, P = 0·83; 15-keto-dihydro-PGF2α, P = 0·45; and CRP, P = 0·97). In conclusion, a 12-week dietary fat modification did not affect the investigated markers of oxidative stress and inflammation among subjects with the MetS in the LIPGENE study.
Correlation between the reproductive potential and the pyrethroid resistance in an Indian strain of filarial vector, Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Kumar S. , Pillai M.K.K. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe laboratory studies were conducted to uncover the correlation between the levels of pyrethroid resistance and the reproductive potential of parent (SS) and resistant strains of Culex quinquefasciatus (RR) originating from Delhi, India and selected with deltamethrin (RDL) or the combination of deltamethrin and PBO (1:5) (RDP) at the larval stage and selected with deltamethrin at the adult stage (RDA). The reproductive potential was evaluated in terms of fecundity, fertility, egg hatchability and longevity of gonotrophic cycles. The RR strains exhibited 68–74% reduced duration of the gonotrophic cycles when compared with that of SS strain. The considerable decrease in the egg production, ranging from 45.4% to 61.6%, observed in the selected strains as compared to the SS strain, indicates the possible positive correlation between the levels of deltamethrin resistance and the reproduction disadvantage. This correlation was further confirmed by 24.6% to 53.6% decrease in the hatchability of eggs of the selected strains with respect to that of the parent strain. A worth-mentioning observation of the reduced reproductive fitness in RDP strains suggests the effectiveness of synergized deltamethrin selections in reducing the frequency of resistant individuals. The reproductive disadvantage in adult-selected strains possessing negligible resistance to deltamethrin implicates the efficacy of deltamethrin as an adulticide rather than as a larvicide against Cx. quinquefasciatus. The results suggest that the reduced reproductive fitness of resistant genotypes in the population can eliminate heterozygotes and resistant homozygotes by implementing different resistance-management strategies against Cx. quinquefasciatus.
The genusEumetula(Gastropoda: Caenogastropoda: Cerithiopsidae) in north European waters, with the description of a new species from the upper continental slope off Norway
Authors: Høisæter Tore 
Published: June 2010

Eumetula vitrea, a new species of Cerithiopsidae, is described from the upper continental slope outside western Norway. The taxonomic status of theEumetulaspecies complex is discussed. WhileEumetula arcticais a shelf species rarely found in sub-zero waters,E. vitreais one of a group of species supposedly found only in negative temperature or water fluctuating between negative and positive temperatures (below ~570 m) in the bathyal around the Norwegian Sea.
Lost in transmission: The case of the Pahlavi-Vīdēvdād manuscripts
Authors: Cantera Alberto 
Published: June 2010

AbstractAll extant Pahlavi-Vīdēvdād (PV) manuscripts derive from a single copy. The binding of this copy was damaged early on, and some folios were lost and others displaced. A detailed analysis of the extant manuscripts allows us to reconstruct the original order and to discover where some folios are lost, but in previous editions (especially of the Pahlavi translation), this fact was not always noted appropriately and numerous errors occurred. Moreover, other typical transmission errors in this common source have slipped into all extant PV manuscripts and caused omissions of several fragments of the Avestan text and its Pahlavi translation, hence the importance of the Sādes for the edition of the Avestan text of the Vīdēvdād. Geldner was, unfortunately, too confident in the quality of the PV manuscripts and omitted from his edition Avestan texts that should have been included. But not every difference between the Avestan text of the Sāde and Pahlavi manuscripts can be attributed to the transmission. One of the most important differences is the omission of fragard 12 in the Pahlavi-Vīdēvdād manuscripts. Since its omission cannot be attributed to transmission, an alternative explanation for this important difference is proposed.
Potential source regions of biogenic aerosol number concentration apportioning at King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula
Authors: Alencar Alexandre S. , Evangelista Heitor , Dos Santos Elaine A. , Correa Sergio M. , Khodri Myriam , Garcia Virginia M.T. , Garcia Carlos A.E. , Pereira Enio B. , Piola Alberto R. , Felzenszwalb Israel 
Published: June 2010

AbstractNowadays it is well accepted that background aerosols in the boundary layer over remote oceans are of marine origin and not aged continental. Particularly in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean at least four main important regions exhibit significant ocean primary productivity. They are the Bellingshausen–Amundsen Sea, the Weddell Sea, the southern Argentinean shelf and the southern Chilean coast. In this work, we have combined ground-based continuous atmospheric sampling of aerosol number concentration (ANC), over-sea dimethyl sulphide (DMS) measurements, chlorophyll a (chl a) concentration provided by Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) satellite images, in situ meteorological data and monthly regional NCEP-NCAR re-analysis wind fields in order to investigate the relative contribution of each of the above regions to the apportionment of the ANC at King George Island (KGI), South Shetland Islands. Our results suggest that, at least during the period from September 1998–December 1999, the southern Argentinean shelf acted as the main contributor to the ANC measured in KGI.
Short-term treatment with 6-DMAP and demecolcine improves developmental competence of electrically or Thi/DTT-activated porcine parthenogenetic embryos
Authors: Park Sol Ji , Koo Ok Jae , Kwon Dae Kee , Gomez Ma Ninia Limas , Kang Jung Taek , Atikuzzaman Mohammad , Kim Su Jin , Jang Goo , Lee Byeong Chun 
Published: June 2010

SummaryTreatment with 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP) or demecolcine (DE) for several (at least 2) hours after artificial activation is known to improvein vitrodevelopment of porcine embryos. However, several reports have also shown that treatments with these chemicals induce apoptosis. The aim of this study was to find out whether short-term treatment with 6-DMAP and DE combined with electrical or thimerosal/dithiothreitol (Thi/DTT) activation had a beneficial effect on development of parthenogenetically activated porcine oocytes. We additionally treated embryos with 6-DMAP (2 mM) and/or DE (0.4 μg/ml) for a short time (40 min) after an electrical pulse (EP) or Thi/DTT. As a result, short-term treatment with 6-DMAP and DE successfully induced development of electrically or Thi/DTT-activated porcine parthenogenetic embryos with no significant difference in cleavage rate, blastocyst formation rate and total cell number compared with long-term treatment. To find optimal activation protocol, cleavage rate, blastocyst formation rate and total cell number were compared between EP and Thi/DTT treatments. Thi/DTT + 6-DMAP + DE showed significantly higher blastocyst formation rate (36.1 ± 3.5%) and total cell number (46.9 ± 1.0) than other groups (EP + 6-DMAP + DE, EP + Thi/DTT + 6-DMAP + DE: 23.3 ± 3.0%, 42.2 ± 1.1 and 17.2 ± 2.7%, 36.7 ± 1.5, respectively). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that short-term treatment with 6-DMAP and DE is as effective as the standard long-term treatment and Thi/DTT + 6-DMAP + DE exerts a synergistic effect.
Identification of a 2-cell stage specific inhibitor of the cleavage of preimplantation mouse embryos synthesized by rat hepatoma cells as 5′-deoxy-5′-methylthioadenosine
Authors: Kobayashi Masayuki , Saito Koichi , Tamogami Shigeru , Takashima Junko , Kasuga Kano , Kojima Ikuo 
Published: June 2010

SummaryRat hepatoma Reuber H-35 cells produce a unique compound designated as Fr.B-25, a 2-cell stage-specific inhibitor of the cleavage of preimplantation mouse embryos culturedin vitro. Here, we identified Fr.B-25 as a purine nucleoside, 5′-deoxy-5′-methylthioadenosine (MTA), by mass spectroscopic analysis. All of the biological activities examined of authentic MTA on the development of mouse zygotes were indistinguishable from those of Fr.B-25. The mechanism of MTA action in the development of preimplantation mouse embryos was probably different from those of hypoxanthine and adenosine, which are well-characterized purine nucleosides that act as inhibitors of the cleavage of mouse 2-cell embryos. From the shared molecular and biological properties of Fr.B-25 and MTA, we concluded that Fr.B-25 is MTA. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first delineation of the effect of MTA on the development of preimplantation mammalian embryos culturedin vitro.
Meiotic inhibition of bovine oocytes in medium supplemented with a serum replacer and hormones: effects on meiosis progression and developmental capacity
Authors: Barretto Letícia Siqueira Sá , Caiado Castro Viviane Sgobbi Dias , Garcia Joaquim Mansano , Mingoti Gisele Zoccal 
Published: June 2010

SummaryAiming to improve the developmental competence of bovine oocytes during meiotic block, this study evaluated the effects of a serum replacer (Knockout SR®) and hormones (gonadotropins and estradiol) supplementation of prematuration medium (TCM119 with 0.5 mM IBMX [IBMX group] or 25 μM roscovitine [ROSC group]) on the kinetics of oocyte nuclear maturation and embryo development. Most IBMX and ROSC oocytes prematured for 8 h culture remained in the GV stage (70.3% and 73.1%, respectively; p > 0.05) similar to Control 8 h (63.5%) and to control immature oocytes (Control 0 h, 92.5%). After prematuration for 16 h, no oocytes remained in the GV stage at similar rates to those recently aspirated (p < 0.05); GV rates in ROSC (32.4%) were higher (p < 0.05) than in the Control 16 h group (8.6%), but similar (p > 0.05) to IBMX (9.7%). After in vitro maturation (IMV) for 24 h, metaphase II (MII) rates for oocytes prematured during 8 h were similar (p > 0.05) between control and treatments (65.0–71.7%). Similarly, MII rates oocytes prematured during 16 h were similar (p > 0.05) between all groups (45.9–60.4%). Cleavage rates (67.8–78.2%), embryonic development in day-7 (25.0–35.6%) and hatching rates in day-8 (2.5–11.3%) oocytes blocked during 8 h were similar for all groups (p > 0.05). Results indicate that addition of Knockout SR® and hormones to meiotic block culture with IBMX and roscovitine negatively affected meiotic arrest, but did not impair oocyte nuclear maturation and acquisition of developmental competence.
Nek2 and its substrate, centrobin/Nip2, are required for proper meiotic spindle formation of the mouse oocytes
Authors: Sonn Seongkeun , Oh Goo Taeg , Rhee Kunsoo 
Published: June 2010

SummaryA typical centrosome consists of a pair of centrioles embedded in a proteinous matrix called pericentriolar material. However, the centrosomes in the mouse oocytes and early embryos lack centrioles, but consist of the γ-tubulin-enriched vesicle aggregates. We previously revealed that Nek2 and centrobin/Nip2, a centrosomal substrate of Nek2, is critical for the mouse early embryogenesis, especially at the step of spindle assembly during mitosis. In order to expand our understanding of the biological functions of Nek2, we examined expression and knockdown phenotypes of Nek2 and its substrates, centrobin and C-Nap1, in the mouse oocyte. Nek2, centrobin and C-Nap1 in the mouse oocytes were also centrosomal. Suppression of Nek2 and its substrates did not affect meiotic resumption of the oocytes. However, meiosis of theNek2- andcentrobin-suppressed oocytes was not completed, but arrested with defects in spindle assembly. No visible phenotype was observed in theC-Nap1-suppressed oocytes. These results indicate that Nek2 is critical for proper assembly of the meiotic spindles. Centrobin may be a possible substrate of Nek2 responsible for the meiotic spindle assembly in the mouse oocytes.
Effect of trichostatin A on transfected donor cells and subsequent development of porcine cloned embryos
Authors: Bo Fu , Di Liu , Qing-chang Fang , Liang Ren , Hong Ma , Liang Wang , Zhen-hua Guo , Zhong-qiu Li 
Published: June 2010

SummaryTransgenes integrated into mammalian cells are silenced rapidly. This phenomenon correlates with repressed chromatin structure marked by histone hypoacetylation. This study investigated the effect of trichostatin A (TSA; a histone-deacetylase inhibitor) on EGFP expression in transfected cells and embryonic development after somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Porcine adult fibroblasts were transfected with a pEGFP-C1 vector. Then transfected cells, donor cells for SCNT, were pretreated with TSA, with the untreated cells being used as the control. Expression of EGFP in donor cells and reconstructed embryos was detected when exposed to blue light. Results showed that the percentage of EGFP-positive cells significantly increased when the transfected cells were treated with TSA and the increased expression of EGFP was sustained to at least the morula stage. In addition, the cytotoxic effect of TSA on the transfected cells was dose dependent. In conclusion, TSA can rescue the silencedEGFPgene. Even after transferring the TSA-treated cells to enucleated recipient oocytes, TSA retained the ability to rescue a silencedEGFPgene. In addition, TSA had an impact on cell proliferation.
Determinants of the generosity of pension plans for public school teachers, 1982–2006
Authors: CLARK ROBERT L. , CRAIG LEE A. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractAll states provide pension plans to their teachers and civil servants; however, these plans vary across the states. We present a history of the development of teacher retirement plans during the twentieth century, describe how teacher plans relate to retirement plans for other state employees, and assess the impact of teachers not being included in Social Security on the benefits they receive from their employer pension plan. Over the past 25 years, public school teacher retirement plans in the United States have increased in generosity as benefit formulas have been increased, salary averaging periods have been reduced, and the normal retirement age has been lowered. We employ data from retirement plans in the states to estimate the impact of social and economic factors on the replacement rates for teachers retiring with 30 years of service.
Practice Makes Perfect? When Does Massed Learning Improve Product Usage Proficiency?
Authors: Lakshmanan Arun , Lindsey Charles D. , Krishnan H. Shanker 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
Previous research has shown that spacing of information (over time) leads to better learning of product information. We develop a theoretical framework to describe how massed or spaced learning schedules interact with different learning styles to influence product usage proficiency. The core finding is that with experiential learning, proficiency in a product usage task is better under massed conditions, whereas with verbal learning, spacing works better. This effect is demonstrated for usage proficiency assessed via speed as well as quality of use. Further, massed learning also results in better usage proficiency on transfer tasks, for both experiential and verbal learning. We also find that massed learning in experiential learning conditions leads not only to better usage proficiency but also to positive perceptions of the product. Overall, the pattern of results is consistent with a conceptual mapping account, with massed experiences leading to a superior mental model of usage and thus to better usage proficiency.