bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nonclassicality of radiation fields propagating in complex material systems
Authors: Vasylyev D. Yu. , Vogel W. , Manzke G. , Henneberger K. , Welsch D.‐G. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe combination of methods of micro‐ and macroscopic QED alows one to describe the influence of the absorbtion/ amplification and dispersion effects on the nonclassical radiation propagating through complex material systems. Within the framework of macroscopic QED the input‐otput formalism can be applied in order to include the arbitrary quantum state of the radiation field. On the other hand, the microscopic derivation of the emission spectra of a bulk semiconductor gives the physical interpretation of the noise current operators in the macroscopic theory. As an example, we investigate the propagation of the field being in squeezed vacuum state through a 5 μm ZnSe slab in absorbing and amplifying regimes. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Potential use of an ensemble of analyses in the ECMWF Ensemble Prediction System
Authors: Buizza Roberto , Leutbecher Martin , Isaksen Lars 
Published: November 2008

AbstractOne of the crucial aspects of the design of an ensemble prediction system is the definition of the ensemble of initial states. This work investigates the use of singular vectors, an ensemble of analyses, and a combination of the two types of perturbations in the ECMWF operational ensemble prediction system. First, the similarity between perturbations generated using initial‐time singular vectors (SVs) and analyses from the ensemble data assimilation (EDA) system is assessed. Results show that the EDA perturbations are less localized geographically and have a better coverage of the Tropics. EDA perturbations have also smaller scales than SV‐based perturbations, and have a less evident upshear vertical tilt, which explains why they grow less with forecast time. Then, the use of EDA‐based perturbations in the ECMWF ensemble prediction system is studied. Results indicate that if used alone, EDA‐based perturbations lead to an under‐dispersive and less skilful ensemble then the one based on initial‐time SVs only. Combining the EDA and the initial‐time SVs gives a system with a better agreement between ensemble spread and the error of the ensemble mean, a smaller ensemble‐mean error and more skilful probabilistic forecasts than the current operational system based on initial‐time and evolved SVs. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Communications and networking over satellites: SatNEx experimental activities and testbeds
Authors: de Cola T. , Ronga L. , Pecorella T. , Barsocchi P. , Chessa S. , Ferro E. , Gotta A. , Oligeri G. , Potortì F. , Secchi R. , Sathiaseelan A. , Castro V. M. , Peral R.J. , Caini C. , Firrincieli R. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractOne of the aims of the SatNEx (Satellite Network of Excellence,http://www.satnex.de) European project is to provide the scientific community that operates on satellite communications with measurement campaign results and evaluation tools, in order to support research activities that investigate problems in satellite communications at different levels of the OSI stack. In fact, the research activities developed in SatNEx address the most relevant aspects of satellite communications, such as channel modulation and coding schemes, access strategies, advanced networking, end‐to‐end quality of service, transport performance, delay tolerant networks, and new applications. Even if SatNEx is mainly devoted to satellite communications, integration of satellite and terrestrial wireless segments has also been taken into account. This paper presents the results obtained in the specific research activity devoted to trials and testbeds developed during the SatNEx project. The high number of authors of this paper is an indication of the strong collaborative work sustained, the numerous measurement campaigns, and the complexity in developing integrated testbeds. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trace element mapping of a single cell using a hard x‐ray nanobeam focused by a Kirkpatrick‐Baez mirror system
Authors: Matsuyama S. , Shimura M. , Mimura H. , Fujii M. , Yumoto H. , Sano Y. , Yabashi M. , Nishino Y. , Tamasaku K. , Ishikawa T. , Yamauchi K. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractTo visualize the distributions of trace elements in biological samples such as tissues and cells at high spatial resolution, we developed a scanning x‐ray fluorescence microscope (SXFM) at SPring‐8, using a Kirkpatrick‐Baez mirror optics that enables achromatic and highly efficient focusing. To evaluate performance regarding its application to biological samples, the SXFM was used at x‐ray energy of 15 keV to observe NIH/3T3 cells in which adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase β (specifically localized at the mitochondria) were labeled with gold colloidal particles. Various elemental distributions were visualized at the single‐cell level, including those for P, S, Cl, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn and Au, and we obtained high‐resolution elemental distribution maps by magnifying the labeled single mitochondrion. Maximum spatial resolution achieved in the experiments was sub‐100 nm. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the correctness of upper layers of automotive systems
Authors: Botaschanjan Jewgenij , Broy Manfred , Gruler Alexander , Harhurin Alexander , Knapp Steffen , Kof Leonid , Paul Wolfgang , Spichkova Maria 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Formal verification of software systems is a challenge that is particularly important in the area of safety-critical automotive systems. Here, approaches like direct code verification are far too complicated, unless the verification is restricted to small textbook examples. Furthermore, the verification of application logic is of limited use in industrial context, unless the underlying operating system and the hardware are verified, too. This paper introduces a generic model stack, allowing the verification of all system layers as well as the concrete application models being used in the upper layers. The presented models and proofs close the gap between the correctness proof for the lower layers of car electronics developed at the Saarland University and the verification procedure for distributed applications developed at the Technische Universität München.
Reduced Lymph Node Yield in Rectal Carcinoma Specimen After Neoadjuvant Radiochemotherapy Has No Prognostic Relevance
Authors: Doll Dietrich , Gertler Ralf , Maak Matthias , Friederichs Jan , Becker Karen , Geinitz Hans , Kriner Monika , Nekarda Hjalmar , Siewert Jörg R. , Rosenberg Robert 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackgroundIn colorectal surgery UICC/AJCC criteria require a yield of 12 or more locoregional lymph nodes for adequate staging. Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy for rectal carcinoma reduces the number of lymph nodes in the resection specimen; the prognostic impact of this reduced lymph node yield has not been determined.MethodsOne hundred two patients with uT3 rectal carcinoma who were receiving neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy were compared with 114 patients with uT3 rectal carcinoma who were receiving primary surgery followed by adjuvant radiochemotherapy. Total lymph node yield and number of tumor‐positive lymph nodes were determined and correlated with survival.ResultsAfter neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy both total lymph node yield (12.9 vs. 21.4, p < 0.0001) and number of tumor‐positive lymph nodes (1.0 vs. 2.3, p = 0.014) were significantly lower than after primary surgery plus adjuvant radiochemotherapy. Reduced total lymph node yield in neoadjuvantly treated patients had no prognostic impact, with overall survival of patients with 12 or more lymph nodes the same as that of patients with less than 12 lymph nodes. Overall survival of neoadjuvantly treated patients was significantly influenced by the number of tumor‐positive lymph nodes with 5‐year‐survival rates of 88, 63, and 39% for 0, 1–3, and more than 3 positive lymph nodes (p < 0.0001).ConclusionThe UICC/AJCC criterion of a total lymph node yield of 12 or more should be revised for rectal carcinoma patients.
The Effect of Interface Texture on Exchange Biasing in Ni80Fe20/Ir20Mn80System
Authors: Chen Yuan-Tsung 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Exchange-biasing phenomenon can induce an evident unidirectional hysteresis loop shift by spin coupling effect in the ferromagnetic (FM)/antiferromagnetic (AFM) interface which can be applied in magnetoresistance random access memory (MRAM) and recording-head applications. However, magnetic properties are the most important to AFM texturing. In this work, top-configuration exchange-biasing NiFe/IrMn(x Å) systems have been investigated with three different conditions. From the high-resolution cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (HR X-TEM) and X-ray diffraction results, we conclude that the IrMn (111) texture plays an important role in exchange-biasing field (H
ex) and interfacial exchange energy (J
k).H
exandJ
ktend to saturate when the IrMn thickness increases. Moreover, the coercivity (H
c) dependence on IrMn thickness is explained based on the coupling or decoupling effect between the spins of the NiFe and IrMn layers near the NiFe/IrMn interface. In this work, the optimal values forH
exandJ
kare 115 Oe and 0.062 erg/cm2, respectively.
On the Substrate Binding of Linoleate 9‐Lipoxygenases
Authors: Andreou Alexandra‐Zoi , Hornung Ellen , Kunze Susan , Rosahl Sabine , Feussner Ivo 
Published: November 2008

AbstractLipoxygenases (LOX; linoleate:oxygen oxidoreductase EC 1.13.11.12) consist of a class of enzymes that catalyze the regio‐ and stereo specific dioxygenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Here we characterize two proteins that belong to the less studied class of 9‐LOXs, Solanum tuberosum StLOX1 and Arabidopsis thaliana AtLOX1. The proteins were recombinantly expressed in E. coli and the product specificity of the enzymes was tested against different fatty acid substrates. Both enzymes showed high specificity against all tested C18 fatty acids and produced (9S)‐hydroperoxides. However, incubation of the C20 fatty acid arachidonic acid with AtLOX1 gave a mixture of racemic hydroperoxides. On the other hand, with StLOX1 we observed the formation of a mixture of products among which the (5S)‐hydroperoxy eicosatetraenoic acid (5S‐H(P)ETE) was the most abundant. Esterified fatty acids were no substrates. We used site directed mutagenesis to modify a conserved valine residue in the active site of StLOX1 and examine the importance of space within the active site, which has been shown to play a role in determining the positional specificity. The Val576Phe mutant still catalyzed the formation of (9S)‐hydroperoxides with C18 fatty acids, while it exhibited altered specificity against arachidonic acid and produced mainly (11S)‐H(P)ETE. These data confirm the model that in case of linoleate 9‐LOX binding of the substrate takes place with the carboxyl‐group first.
EPR Investigations of Spin‐Probe Dynamics in Aqueous Dispersions of a Nonionic Amphiphilic Compound
Authors: Nakagawa Kouichi 
Published: November 2008

AbstractDynamics of various spin probes in aqueous dispersions of nonionic amphiphilic compound, [poly(oxyethylene) hydrogenated castor oil, HCO], were investigated by EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance) and saturation recovery (SR) spectroscopies. Partitioning, rotational correlation time (τR), rotational diffusion coefficient, and electron spin‐lattice relaxation time (T1e) in dispersions of the HCO membrane were obtained. The partitioning of water soluble spin probes, DTBN and TEMPO, in the aqueous and vesicle phases was determined by an EPR linewidth simulation as a function of temperature. The results suggest that DTBN and TEMPO have a similar partitioning in the vesicle phase throughout the temperatures studied. The longer τR and shorter T1e (~0.33 μs) values of DTBN in the vesicle phase were obtained, and could be attributed to the probe environment in the membrane. The simulation results for fast tumbling probes were quite different from those of conventional intensity analysis (spectral parameter, f). Thus, the simulation and T1e analyses have provided a quantitative understanding of the probe dynamics in both phases. Aliphatic spin probes, doxylstearic acids (DSAs) and 3β‐doxyl‐5α‐cholestane (CHL), were used for monitor of various membrane motions. The EPR spectra were quantitatively analyzed by a slow tumbling simulation. The rotational diffusion coefficients and order parameter were obtained by the simulation. In addition, the direct observations of the behavior of the probes were measured by SR method. The results were consistent with T1e obtained for spin probes. Thus, the quantitative results regarding EPR, SR method, various simulation analyses have provided detailed information regarding physicochemical properties of the various moieties of the probe region in the amphiphilic compound.
A Novel Method for the Production of Biodiesel from the Whole Stillage‐Extracted Corn Oil
Authors: Noureddini Hossein , Bandlamudi Santosh R. P. , Guthrie Emily A. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe extraction of corn oil from whole stillage and condensed distillers’ solubles (CDS) with hexane and its conversion to biodiesel were investigated. The analysis of the extracted oil showed 6–8 wt.% free fatty acid (FFA) in this oil. Acid, base, acid–base, and acid–base catalyzed transesterifications with intermediate neutralization with anion exchange resin were investigated. Experiments were performed with model corn oil substrates which contained 1.0–6.0 wt.% FFA. The effect of catalyst at 0.50–1.25 wt.% was studied at a 1:8 oil/methanol molar ratio. At 6.0 wt.% FFA concentration, the acid‐catalyzed scheme was slow and resulted in less than 20% yield after 4 h, while the base‐catalyzed was mostly consumed by the FFA and very little conversion was achieved. The acid–base catalyzed scheme succeeded in reducing the FFA content of the oil through the acid‐catalyzed stage, and yields in excess of 85% were achieved after the second stage of the reaction with a base catalyst. However, formation of water and soap prevented the separation of product phases. An alternative acid–base catalyzed scheme was examined which made use of a strong anion exchange resin to neutralize the substrate after the initial acid‐catalyzed stage. This scheme resulted in the effective removal of the acid catalyst as well as the residual FFA prior to the base‐catalyzed stage. The subsequent base‐catalyzed stage resulted in yields in excess of 98% for a 7.0 wt.% FFA corn oil and for the corn oil extracted from CDS.
The efficacy and safety of Crataegus extract WS® 1442 in patients with heart failure: The SPICE trial
Authors: Holubarsch Christian J.F. , Colucci Wilson S. , Meinertz Thomas , Gaus Wilhelm , Tendera Michal ,   Survival and Prognosis: Investigation of Crataegus Extract WS® 1442 in CHF (SPICE) trial study group
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground:Crataegus preparations have been used for centuries especially in Europe. To date, no proper data on their efficacy and safety as an add‐on‐treatment are available. Therefore a large morbidity/mortality trial was performed.Aim:To investigate the efficacy and safety of an add‐on treatment with Crataegus extract WS® 1442 in patients with congestive heart failure.Methods:In this randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled multicenter study, adults with NYHA class II or III CHF and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF≤35%) were included and received 900 mg/day WS® 1442 or placebo for 24 months. Primary endpoint was time until first cardiac event.Results:2681 patients (WS® 1442: 1338; placebo: 1343) were randomised. Average time to first cardiac event was 620 days for WS® 1442 and 606 days for placebo (event rates: 27.9% and 28.9%, hazard ratio (HR): 0.95, 95% CI [0.82;1.10]; p=0.476). The trend for cardiac mortality reduction with WS® 1442 (9.7% at month 24; HR: 0.89 [0.73;1.09]) was not statistically significant (p=0.269). In the subgroup with LVEF ≥ 25%, WS® 1442 reduced sudden cardiac death by 39.7% (HR 0.59 [0.37;0.94] at month 24; p=0.025). Adverse events were comparable in both groups.Conclusions:In this study, WS® 1442 had no significant effect on the primary endpoint. WS® 1442 was safe to use in patients receiving optimal medication for heart failure. In addition, the data may indicate that WS® 1442 can potentially reduce the incidence of sudden cardiac death, at least in patients with less compromised left ventricular function.
Transvaginal ultrasound for diagnosis of deeply infiltrating endometriosis
Authors: Goncalves Manoel Orlando , Dias Joao A. , Podgaec Sergio , Averbach Marcelo , Abrão Mauricio S 
Published: November 2008

AbstractDeeply infiltrating endometriosis is the clinical form of the disease that is generally associated with conditions of more intense pain and may require more complex surgical management, consequently resulting in greater risks to the patient. In recent years, various investigators have confirmed the usefulness of methods such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), transrectal ultrasound and transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) for the diagnosis of deep endometriotic lesions. The objectives of the present study are to describe the method used to perform TVUS for the detection of deeply infiltrating endometriosis, and to discuss the clinical benefits that the data obtained may offer clinicians providing care for patients suspected of having this type of endometriosis.
GRAVI: Robotized Microfluidics for Fast and Automated Immunoassays in Low Volume
Authors: Rossier Joël S. , Baranek Sophie , Morier Patrick , Vollet Christine , Vulliet François , De Chastonay Yves , Reymond Frédéric 
Published: November 2008

GRAVI, presented here in its automated version, is a new bench-top sized immunoassay platform combining the advantages of microfluidics with those of simplified robotics. Characterized by dramatically reduced time to result (< 10 min) and significantly decreased sample/reagent consumption, the cost-efficient biosensor instrumentation allows performing multimenu analysis with minimal laboratory infrastructure. Coupled to a robotic liquid handler, the system dispenses samples and reagents from conventional plates or tubes into microchannels of a microchip (GRAVI- Chip), in which assays are processed and results readout. As in conventional 96-well microtiter plates, the microchannels have a standard spacing of 9 mm to facilitate automation. With solely gravity and capillary force-driven fluidics within the microchannels, liquids are free to flow while magnetic beads, functionalized with the antibody of choice, are trapped nearby incorporated electrodes by virtue of a magnet array. Following assay performance and electrochemical signal detection in the parallel microchannels, chips are regenerated by magnet release and rinsing of beads out from the microchannels. Applicability of the presented immunoassay platform, delivering 100 results per hour, is exemplified here with results from the validation of an immunoglobulin assay for antibody quantification in mammalian cell cultures. Adapted to run on the GRAVI platform, this competitive assay covers a dynamic range of two orders of magnitude.
Reasserting the state in Viet Nam Health Care and the logics of market-Leninism
Authors: London Jonathan D 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
The collapse of Viet Nam's state-socialist economic institutions in the late 1980s occasioned an almost complete inversion of the socialist principles that had guided health policy under the Communist Party of Viet Nam since the 1950s. Since the early 1990s, however, the Vietnamese state has reasserted its roles in the health sector. These reassertions have been of two major types. Through redistributive reassertions the state has sought to ensure a basic floor of health services for all Vietnamese and bolster its subjective legitimacy, even as public spending on health has remained conspicuously low. Through its accumulative reassertions, the state has transformed ‘public’ health facilities into sites of economic accumulation, thereby responding to the state's weak extractive capacities and gaining political support from within the public health systems. Overall, the article likens reassertions of the state in Viet Nam's health sector represent a contemporary instance of a Polanyian “double movement,” albeit within the context of a market-Leninist regime.
Should “Grave Crimes of International Terrorism” be included in the Jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court?
Authors: Wertheim Peter J 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes are among the most serious categories of crimes known to international law. For decades lawyers and others debated whether a standing international court should be established to prosecute and punish such crimes. In 1998 the debate ended with the adoption of the Rome Statute for the establishment of an International Criminal Court (ICC). The Statute defines the elements of each of these crimes and includes them in the ICC's jurisdiction. The idea of including “grave crimes of international terrorism” as an additional category in the ICC's jurisdiction was considered, but abandoned as too difficult. Firstly, there is at present no universally agreed definition of terrorism and the whole subject is politically sensitive. Secondly, democratic and other States have long recognised that certain acts that would ordinarily be considered criminal should be treated differently if they can be characterised as “political offences”. This paper argues that both these difficulties can be overcome. A solution to the problem of definition is to confine “terrorism” to those acts that are outlawed by existing anti-terrorist multilateral conventions, as listed by the UN, at least to the extent that those conventions are declaratory of customary international law. It is also argued that the “political offence” issue has been rendered obsolete by the creation of the ICC, with its numerous safeguards to ensure the Court's impartiality. In 2009 the Rome Statute will be reviewed and there will be an opportunity to expand the ICC's jurisdiction to include grave crimes of international terrorism. For the international rule of law to be supported and strengthened, that opportunity should not be missed.
Property Tax in a City-State: The Case of Singapore
Authors: Asher Mukul G , Nandy Amarendu 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
This paper examines the nature and structure of property tax in Singapore, an affluent and rapidly ageing city state in Southeast Asia. While the property tax based on annual rental value has a long history and is a well accepted tax in Singapore, it is only about two decades ago that the process of modernizing the tax began. The paper highlights three characteristics of Singapore's property tax. The first concerns the activist and aggressive use of the property tax as an industrial policy and macroeconomic stabilization tool. The second is the close relationship between public housing, property tax, and mandatory savings scheme. As a result, this scheme has essentially substituted for the mortgage finance market in Singapore. Third, there exist large disparities in property tax treatment of public housing which is very lightly taxed, and the treatment of non-residential properties, which are relatively more heavily taxed. The paper suggests a need for more transparent assessment procedures, particularly in the current scenario of deflationary pressures in the property sector. The paper also suggests that the future revenue potential of Singapore's property tax is limited.