bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validating census methods to measure changes in house mouse populations
Authors: Quy Roger J , Watkins Richard W , Lambert Mark S , Cowan David P 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Tracking and census baiting are two techniques that are commonly advocated for monitoring the size of mouse populations. However, currently these techniques are only able to provide an index of population size, rather than an assessment of absolute numbers. In this study the authors tested the reliability of both tracking (footprints left on tiles of fixed size) and census baiting as indices of population size, and sought to calibrate levels of activity and bait consumption under both semi‐natural and field conditions (inside farm buildings).RESULTS: Under semi‐natural conditions, census baiting produced more satisfactory population estimates than those derived from tracking activity. An initial field trial established that the optimum bait point density for this technique was 1 point per 2 m. Subsequent field trials demonstrated that the bait census technique offers a way to estimate the approximate size of stable populations of mice (population size = (mean daily bait consumption ‐ 36.3)/2.46).CONCLUSION: The results to date are sufficiently encouraging to support the use of this cost‐effective approach to monitoring mouse numbers in the type of habitats investigated in this study. © Crown copyright 2008. Reproduced with the permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electronic properties of finite‐length silicon carbide nanotubes
Authors: Alfieri G. , Kimoto T. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe electronic properties of silicon carbide nanotubes (SiCNT) as a function of length, were investigated by means of density functional theory (DFT). We found that the increasing nanotube length yields a higher localization of the lowest unoccupied and highest occupied molecular orbitals (LUMO and HOMO), thus affecting the behavior of the band gap and chemical reactivity of the SiCNTs. It is also found that structural stability increases for longer and larger nanotubes. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electroluminescence in quantum well heterostructures p‐AlxGa1–xAs/GaAs1–yPy/n‐AlxGa1–xAs under uniaxial stress
Authors: Berman Irina V. , Bogdanov Evgeniy V. , Kissel Heiko , Minina Natalia Ya. , Shirokov Stanislav S. , Yunovich Alexander E. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractWe present new results on the influence of uniaxial stress up to P = 4 kbar on the electroluminescence spectra and current–voltage characteristics of p‐Alx Ga1–x As/GaAs1–y Py /n‐Alx Ga1–x As double heterostructures usually used in TM emitting 808 nm high‐power diode lasers. With increasing stress, the emission spectra demonstrate a blue shift of up to 25 meV at a pressure of P = 4 kbar, while the electroluminescence intensity increases under compression. The different behavior of the current–voltage characteristics under uniaxial stress along [110] and [1$ \bar 1 $0] directions is mainly determined by the arising piezoelectric field. The results are also discussed in terms of changes in the band structure under uniaxial compression. The construction of the cryostat for optical measurements under uniaxial stress at liquid nitrogen temperature is described in the paper. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Configuration dependence of the electronic structure and optical properties of BC2N alloys
Authors: Chen Shiyou , Gong X. G. , Wei Su‐Huai 
Published: December 2008

AbstractUsing the first‐principles band structure and total energy method, we have studied the general trend of physical properties of the BC2N alloy as a function of atomic configurations. We found that the mechanical properties of the BC2N alloy are basically determined by the bond components: structures with more C–C and B–N bonds have low energy, high density, and high bulk and shear moduli, which validates the so called the bond counting rule. We also show that the electronic and optical properties of the BC2N alloy are more sensitive to the atomic configuration, thus could be used in future experimental measurement to identify the atomic configuration of BC2N samples. A strong internal electric field produced by the polar interfaces is observed in the long period BC2Nn ×n (111) superlattices, which explains the significant band gap decrease as the period n increases. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Comparison of the dilute bismide and nitride alloys GaAsBi and GaAsN
Authors: Mascarenhas Angelo , Kini Rajeev , Zhang Yong , France Ryan , Ptak Aaron 
Published: December 2008

AbstractDilute III–V alloys containing N or Bi share many features that are common, but some that are distinct. In GaP and GaAs, both the substituent species N and Bi behave as isoelectronic impurity traps and both lead to a giant bandgap bowing phenomenon. The isolated N and Bi impurities generate bound states in GaP but resonant states in GaAs. N impurity pairs have been observed as bound states in GaP and in GaAs whereas Bi impurity pairs have not been observed as bound states in GaP nor in GaAs. Low temperature photoluminescence studies on GaAs1–x Bix show undulations in the spectra but these are not associated with Bi–Bi pairs. Theoretical arguments for the differing behaviour of the N and Bi isolated impurities in GaAs as a function of pressure are provided. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The recovery of the shear viscosity of thermally aged bulk and ribbon glassy Pd40Cu30Ni10P20 by rapid quenching from the supercooled liquid state
Authors: Khonik V. A. , Lysenko A. V. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractIsochronal (= linear heating) measurements of the shear viscosity below the glass transition of bulk and ribbon glassy Pd40Cu30Ni10P20 samples differing ∼104‐fold in the production quenching rates have been performed. It has been found that heating up into the supercooled liquid region followed by slow cooling leads to a significant structural relaxation‐induced viscosity increase upon subsequent testing. This increase, however, is not truly irreversible and the viscosity can be fully recovered (= decreased) by fast quenching from the supercooled liquid state. The effect is nearly independent of whether ribbon or bulk samples are used despite the fact that those latter are notably denser. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Anticonvulsant activities of nutmeg oil of Myristica fragrans
Authors: Wahab Abdul , Haq Rizwan Ul , Ahmed Aftab , Khan Rafeeq Alam , Raza Mohsin 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate the anticonvulsant activity of the volatile oil of nutmeg, the dried seed kernel of Myristica fragrans Houtt, using well‐established animal seizure models and to evaluate its potential for acute toxicity and acute neurotoxicity. The volatile oil of nutmeg (nutmeg oil) was tested for its effects in maximal electroshock, subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole, strychnine and bicuculline seizure tests. All the experiments were performed at the time of peak effect of nutmeg oil. Nutmeg oil showed a rapid onset of action and short duration of anticonvulsant effect. It was found to possess significant anticonvulsant activity against electroshock‐induced hind limb tonic extension. It exhibited dose dependent anticonvulsant activity against pentylenetetrazole‐induced tonic seizures. It delayed the onset of hind limb tonic extensor jerks induced by strychnine. It was anticonvulsant at lower doses, whereas weak proconvulsant at a higher dose against pentylenetetrazole and bicuculline induced clonic seizures. Nutmeg oil was found to possess wide therapeutic margin, as it did not induce motor impairment when tested up to 600 µL/kg in the inverted screen acute neurotoxicity test. Furthermore, the LD50 (2150 µL/kg) value was much higher than its anticonvulsant doses (50–300 µL/kg). The results indicate that nutmeg oil may be effective against grand mal and partial seizures, as it prevents seizure spread in a set of established animal models. Slight potentiation of clonic seizure activity limits its use for the treatment of myoclonic and absence seizures. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
trans‐resveratrol alone and hydroxystilbenes of rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum L.) root reduce liver damage induced by chronic ethanol administration: a comparative study in mice
Authors: Raal Ain , Pokk Paavo , Arend Andres , Aunapuu Marina , Jõgi Janne , Õkva Kai , Püssa Tõnu 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe hepatoprotective effects and pharmacokinetics of trans‐resveratrol and hydroxystilbenes of the garden rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum L., R. rhaponticum) root ethanol extract were studied.Ethanol was administered to male BALB/c mice for 35 days in an inhalation chamber. During this time vehicle, trans‐resveratrol (20 mg/kg per day) or R. rhaponticum extract was intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered and mice were sacrificed for the collection of liver and blood. In an additional experiment, the level of parent compounds and metabolites was estimated in the blood after acute i.p. administration of trans‐resveratrol or R. rhaponticum extract. The levels of hydroxystilbenes, their metabolites and fatty acid oxy‐metabolites (oxylipins) were studied by LC‐tandem DAD‐MS/MS.Ethanol induced hepatotoxicity, as evidenced by histological changes and accumulation of oxylipins in the blood. Both trans‐resveratrol and R. rhaponticum extract reduced the extent of these changes.The pharmacokinetics of trans‐resveratrol was characterized by a rapid removal from the blood and metabolism to sulfates and glucuronides. After the administration of R. rhaponticum extract, in addition to trans‐resveratrol glucoside and its metabolites, several other hydroxystilbenes were found.Inhibition of oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids is proposed as a basis of the hepatoprotective effect of both trans‐resveratrol and R. rhaponticum extract. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling of chemical and physical aerosol properties during the ADRIEX aerosol campaign
Authors: Myhre G. , Berglen T. F. , Hoyle C. R. , Christopher S.A. , Coe H. , Crosier J. , Formenti P. , Haywood J.M. , Johnsrud M. , Jones T.A. , Loeb N. , Osborne S. , Remer L.A. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractA global aerosol model with relatively high resolution is used to simulate the distribution and radiative effect of aerosols during the Aerosol Direct Radiative Impact Experiment (ADRIEX) campaign in August and September 2004. The global chemical transport model Oslo CTM2 includes detailed chemistry, which is coupled to aerosol partitioning of sulphate, nitrate and secondary organic aerosols. In accordance with aircraft observations the aerosol model simulates a dominance of secondary aerosols compared to primary aerosols in the ADRIEX study region. The model underestimates the aerosol optical depth (AOD) at 550 nm in the main region of the campaign around Venice. This underestimation mainly occurs during a 3–4 day period of highest AODs. At two AERONET (Aerosol Robotic Network) stations related to the ADRIEX campaign outside the Po valley area, the model compares very well with the observed AOD. Comparisons with observed chemical composition show that the model mainly underestimates organic carbon, with better agreement for other aerosol species. The model simulations indicate that the emission of aerosols and their precursors may be underestimated in the Po valley. Recent results show a large spread in radiative forcing due to the direct aerosol effect in global aerosol models, which is likely linked to large differences in the vertical profile of aerosols and aerosol absorption. The modelled vertical profile of aerosol compares reasonably well to the aircraft measurements as was the case in two earlier campaigns involving biomass burning and dust aerosols. The radiative effect of aerosols over the northern part of the Adriatic Sea agrees well with the mean of three satellite‐derived estimates despite large differences between the satellite‐derived data. The difference between the model and the mean of the satellite data is within 10% for the radiative effect. The radiative forcing due to anthropogenic aerosols is simulated to be negative in the ADRIEX region with values between − 5 and − 2 W m−2. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Interactive data mining informs designed experiments
Authors: Gaudard Marie , Ramsey Philip , Stephens Mia 
Published: December 2008

AbstractWe illustrate how a Six Sigma project team can apply recursive partitioning to a historical data set to narrow down a list of potential experimental factors and then construct an experimental design using information from the partition analysis. The paper illustrates the value of analyzing historical manufacturing data to inform the choice of factors and levels for statistically designed experiments. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
All orthogonal arrays with 18 runs
Authors: Schoen Eric D. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAll combinatorially inequivalent orthogonal arrays with 18 runs and eight or less factors are generated. Their potential as practical experimental designs is evaluated by a classification using generalized word‐length patterns of the original arrays and those of their projections into less factors. Arrays of special interest are given explicitly. This paper includes the statistical analysis of results from a real‐life experiment based on one of the arrays. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resource allocation for reliability of a complex system with aging components
Authors: Anderson‐Cook Christine M. , Graves Todd L. , Hamada Michael S. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractTo assess the reliability of a complex system, many different types of data may be available. Full‐system tests are the most direct measure of reliability, but may be prohibitively expensive or difficult to obtain. Other less direct measures, such as component or section level tests, may be cheaper to obtain and more readily available. Using a single Bayesian analysis, multiple sources of data can be combined to give component and system reliability estimates. Resource allocation looks to develop methods to predict which new data would most improve the precision of the estimate of system reliability, in order to maximally improve understanding. In this paper, we consider a relatively simple system with different types of data from the components and system. We present a methodology for assessing the relative improvement in system reliability estimation for additional data from the various types. Various metrics for comparing improvement and a response surface approach to modeling the relationship between improvement and the additional data are presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lower confidence limits for process capability indices Cp and Cpk when data are autocorrelated
Authors: Lovelace Cynthia R. , Swain James J. , Zeinelabdin Hisham , Gupta Jatinder N. D. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractMany organizations use a single estimate of Cp and/or Cpk for process benchmarking, without considering the sampling variability of the estimators and how that impacts the probability of meeting minimum index requirements. Lower confidence limits have previously been determined for the Cp and Cpk indices under the standard assumption of independent data, which are based on the sampling distributions of the index estimators. In this paper, lower 100(1‐α)% confidence limits for Cp and Cpk were developed for autocorrelated processes. Simulation was used to generate the empirical sampling distribution of each estimator for various combinations of sample size (n), autoregressive parameter (ϕ), true index value (Cp or Cpk), and confidence level. In addition, the minimum values of the estimators required in order to meet quality requirements with 100(1‐α)% certainty were also determined from these empirical sampling distributions. These tables may be used by practitioners to set minimum capability requirements for index estimators, rather than true values, for the autocorrelated case. The implications of these results for practitioners will be discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The synthetic control chart based on two sample variances for monitoring the covariance matrix
Authors: Machado M. A. G. , Costa A. F. B. , Rahim M. A. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractIn this article, we propose a new statistic to control the covariance matrix of bivariate processes. This new statistic is based on the sample variances of the two quality characteristics, in short VMAX statistic. The points plotted on the chart correspond to the maximum of the values of these two variances. The reasons to consider the VMAX statistic instead of the generalized variance |S| are its faster detection of process changes and its better diagnostic feature, that is, with the VMAX statistic it is easier to identify the out‐of‐control variable. We study the synthetic chart based on the VMAX statistic. The proposed chart is always more efficient than the chart based on the generalized variance |S|. An example is presented to illustrate the application of the proposed chart. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dispersing hash functions
Authors: Pagh Rasmus 
Published: December 2008

AbstractWe define a family of functions F from a domain U to a range R to be dispersing if for every set S ⊆ U of a certain size and random h ∈ F, the expected value of ∣S∣ – ∣h[S]∣ is not much larger than the expectation if h had been chosen at random from the set of all functions from U to R.We give near‐optimal upper and lower bounds on the size of dispersing families and present several applications where using such a family can reduce the use of random bits compared to previous randomized algorithms. A close relationship between dispersing families and extractors is exhibited. This relationship provides good explicit constructions of dispersing hash functions for some parameters, but in general the explicit construction is left open. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2009
Corrigendum: The cover time of the giant component of a random graph, Random Structures and Algorithms 32 (2008), 401–439
Authors: Cooper Colin , Frieze Alan 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe above paper gives an asymptotically precise estimate of the cover time of the giant component of a sparse random graph. The proof as it stands is not tight enough, and in particular, Eq. (64) is not strong enough to prove (65). The o(1) term in (64) needs to be improved to o(1/(lnn)2) for (65) to follow. The following section, which replaces Section 3.6, amends this oversight. The notation and definitions are from the paper.A further correction is needed. Property P2 claims that the conductance of the giant is whp, Ω(1/lnn). The proof of P2 in the appendix of the paper is not quite complete. A complete proof of Property P2 can be found in 1,2. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2009
Physiological responses of Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806 to nonanoic acid stress
Authors: Shao Ji‐Hai , Wu Xing‐Qiang , Li Ren‐Hui 
Published: December 2008

AbstractA recent study has shown that nonanoic acid (NA) is one of the strongest allelochemicals to a cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa, but the physiological responses of M. aeruginosa to NA stress remain unknown. In this study, physiological characters such as the growth rate, photosynthetic processes, phosphorus and nitrogen uptake kinetics, and the contents of intracellular microcystin of M. aeruginosa PCC7806 were studied under the NA stress. The results showed that the growth rates of M. aeruginosa PCC 7806 were significantly inhibited in all NA stress treatments during first 3 days after exposure, and the growth rate was recovered after 5‐day exposure. After 2‐day exposure, the contents of both phycocyanin and allophycocyanin per cell decreased at NA concentration of 4 mg L−1, and oxygen evolution was inhibited even at the concentration of 0.5 mg L−1, but carotenoid content per cell was slightly boosted in NA stress. Physiological recovery of M. aeruginosa PCC7806 was observed after 7‐day exposure to NA. It was shown that NA stress had no effect on uptake of nitrogen, but could stimulate the uptake of phosphorus. The contents of intracellular microcystin have not been affected in all NA treatments in contrast with the control. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2009.
Sestamibi SPECT Intensity Scoring System in Sporadic Primary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Yip Linwah , Pryma Daniel A. , Yim John H. , Carty Sally E. , Ogilvie Jennifer B. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackgroundMost cases of sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP) are due to a single parathyroid adenoma and can be treated with minimally invasive parathyroid exploration guided by sestamibi SPECT imaging and intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring. Successful surgery depends on identification of the 10–15% of patients with multiglandular disease. Failed initial parathyroid exploration is both costly and morbid. We examined whether a sestamibi SPECT scoring system could predict anatomic findings in patients with PHP.MethodsProspective data from 1,061 consecutive patients undergoing initial parathyroid exploration for PHP from March 6, 2000 to September 28, 2007 were reviewed. One nuclear medicine physician performed independent blinded review of 577 available dual time‐point sestamibi SPECT scans, and scored the results into 1 of 5 categories: 0—negative, 1—possible, 2—probable, 3—definite adenoma, or 4—multiglandular disease. Intraoperative findings and outcomes at >5 months follow‐up were examined. Chi‐square and nonparametric analyses were used to evaluate variables for correlation.ResultsAmong patients with sestamibi SPECT scan results classified as either 0—negative or 1—possible adenoma, only 211/262 (81%) had a single adenoma, compared to 263/288 (91%) patients with scan results classified as 2—probable or 3—definite adenoma (p < 0.001). Positive predictive values increased in stepwise correlation with sestamibi SPECT image intensity: 1—possible 78.5%, 2—probable 94.3%, and 3—definite adenoma 98.8%. Multiglandular disease was present in 31/144 (22%) patients with a 0—negative scan versus 13/166 (8%) patients with a 3—definite adenoma scan (p = 0.0005). Only 7/27 (26%) patients with scans classified as 4—multiglandular had actual multiglandular disease. Negative scan results were associated with a greater risk of operative failure (p < 0.001).ConclusionsA simple scoring system based on sestamibi SPECT intensity can predict the likelihood of single adenoma in PHP. Even the best localizing study cannot exclude multiglandular disease preoperatively. Negative sestamibi SPECT scans are associated with a higher rate of operative failure. Because sestamibi SPECT scans of any category do not reliably identify multiglandular disease, expert surgeons must use validated adjuncts to avoid operative failure.
Organelle dynamics and dysfunction: A closer link between peroxisomes and mitochondria
Authors: Camões F. , Bonekamp N. A. , Delille H. K. , Schrader M. 
Published: December 2008

SummaryMitochondria and peroxisomes are ubiquitous subcellular organelles, which fulfil an indispensable role in the cellular metabolism of higher eukaryotes. Moreover, they are highly dynamic and display large plasticity. There is growing evidence now that both organelles exhibit a closer interrelationship than previously appreciated. This connection includes metabolic cooperations and cross‐talk, a novel putative mitochondria‐to‐peroxisome vesicular trafficking pathway, as well as an overlap in key components of their fission machinery. Thus, peroxisomal alterations in metabolism, biogenesis, dynamics and proliferation can potentially influence mitochondrial functions, and vice versa. In this review, we present the latest progress in the emerging field of peroxisomal and mitochondrial interrelationship with a particular emphasis on organelle dynamics and its implication in diseases.