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Terms modified by LO Selected AbstractsDO FEMALE SPIDERS SELECT HEAVIER MALES FOR THE GENES FOR BEHAVIORAL AGGRESSIVENESS THEY OFFER THEIR OFFSPRING?EVOLUTION, Issue 6 2003S. E. RIECHERT Abstract., We explore the hypothesis that females choose to mate with heavier males for the genes for behavioral aggressiveness they offer their offspring in the desert spider, Agelenopsis aperta. Behavioral aggressiveness is important to competition for limited resources in the field and is thus correlated with the mass spiders achieve. We established four crosses based on the body mass relationships of parents subjected to selection in their natural environment (female mass/male mass: HI/HI, HI/LO, LO/HI, and LO/LO) and reared the F1 offspring in a noncompetitive laboratory environment. Offspring size and mass at maturity were measured, life history parameters recorded, and behavioral aggressiveness scored in a series of tests. Significant familial effects were detected in all of these measures, but pertinent cross effects were observed only in the assays measuring behavioral aggressiveness. The results were summarized in terms of the fitness costs to HI females of mating with LO males (fewer female offspring of the more aggressive phenotypes) and the benefits to LO females of mating with HI males (fewer fearful offspring of both sexes). [source] Preparation and characterization of electrodeposited indium selenide thin filmsCRYSTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 6 2005S. Gopal Abstract Indium Selenide (InSe) thin films were deposited from a mixture of Indium chloride and selenium dioxide in aqueous solution by electrodeposition technique on Indium Tin oxide coated glass substrates. The effects of the parameters during deposition such as current density, deposition potential versus saturated calomel electrode, pH value and concentration of source material were studied. X-ray diffraction studies were carried out on the films to analyze the microstructure using an x-ray diffractometer and were examined by RAMAN spectroscopy. The Raman peak position did not change much with chemical concentrations. Raman scattering due to the (LO) phonon was observed at 211 cm,1. Optical absorption studies were performed with a double beam ultra violet-visible ,NIR spectrophotometer in the wavelength 300,1100 nm. The surface morphology of the layer was examined using a scanning electron micrograph. The composition of the films was studied using an Energy Dispersive Analysis by X-Rays (EDAX). [source] An Approach to the Synthesis of Silicon Carbide Nanowires by Simple Thermal Evaporation of Ferrocene onto Silicon WafersEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 25 2007Jun-Jie Niu Abstract Scales of silicon carbide nanowires (SiC-NWs) with high quality were synthesized by direct thermal evaporation of ferrocene onto silicon wafers at high temperature. Ferrocene decomposed into iron and carbon, which was subsequently treated with silicon to form SiC-NWs at high temperature. The SiC-NWs possess small diameters of , 20 nm and lengths of several ,ms. Furthermore, the samples show a uniform morphology, crystalline structure, and a very thin oxide layer. The main crystal direction of [111] was confirmed by high-resolution field-emission-transmission electron microscopy (HR-FETEM). The Raman scattering spectra showed two peaks at , 796 (TO) and , 980 cm,1 (LO) with varying intensity ratios at different positions. The band line fluctuation was contributed to the Raman selection rules. With reference to the experimental results, we suggested a tentative growth model according to the vapor,liquid,solid (VLS) mechanism. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007) [source] Thrombin induces expression of cytokine-induced SH2 protein (CIS) in rat brain astrocytes: Involvement of phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase, and lipoxygenaseGLIA, Issue 2 2004Kyung-ae Ji Abstract Previously we have reported that thrombin induces inflammatory mediators in brain glial cells (Ryu et al. 2000. J Biol Chem 275:29955). In the present study, we found that thrombin induced a negative regulator of a cytokine signaling molecule, cytokine-induced SH2 protein (CIS), in rat brain astrocytes. In response to thrombin, CIS expression was increased at both the mRNA and protein levels. Although STAT5 is known to regulate CIS expression, thrombin did not activate STAT5, and inhibitors of JAK2 (AG490) and JAK3 (WHI-P97 and WHI-P154) had little effect on thrombin-induced CIS expression. In contrast, cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), cyclooxygenase (COX), and lipoxygenase (LO) play a role in CIS expression, since inhibitors of cPLA2, cyclooxygenase (COX), and LO significantly reduced CIS expression. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers (N-acetyl-cysteine [NAC] and trolox) reduced thrombin-induced CIS expression, and inhibitors of COX and LO reduced ROS produced by thrombin. Furthermore, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4), products of COX and LO, respectively, potentiated thrombin-induced CIS expression, indicating that ROS, and PGE2 and LTB4 generated by COX and LO, mediate CIS expression. Since interferon-, (IFN-,)-induced GAS-luciferase activity and tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT3 were lower in CIS-transfected cells compared to control vector-transfected cells, CIS could have anti-inflammatory activity. These data suggest that thrombin-stimulation of ROS and prostaglandin and leukotriene production via the cPLA2, COX and LO pathways results in CIS expression. More importantly, CIS expression may be a negative feedback mechanism that prevents prolonged inflammatory responses. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Root production and demography in a california annual grassland under elevated atmospheric carbon dioxideGLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, Issue 9 2002Paul A. T. Higgins Abstract This study examined root production and turnover in a California grassland during the third year of a long-term experiment with ambient (LO) and twice-ambient atmospheric CO2 (HI), using harvests, ingrowth cores, and minirhizotrons. Based on one-time harvest data, root biomass was 32% greater in the HI treatment, comparable to the stimulation of aboveground production during the study year. However, the 30,70% increase in photosynthesis under elevated CO2 for the dominant species in our system is considerably larger than the combined increase in above and belowground biomass. One possible explanation is, increased root turnover, which could be a sink for the additional fixed carbon. Cumulative root production in ingrowth cores from both treatments harvested at four dates was 2,3 times that in the single harvested cores, suggesting substantial root turnover within the growing season. Minirhizotron data confirmed this result, demonstrating that production and mortality occurred simultaneously through much of the season. As a result, cumulative root production was 54%, 47% and 44% greater than peak standing root length for the no chamber (X), LO, and HI plots, respectively. Elevated CO2, however, had little effect on rates of turnover (i.e. rates of turnover were equal in the LO and HI plots throughout most of the year) and cumulative root production was unaffected by treatment. Elevated CO2 increased monthly production of new root length (59%) only at the end of the season (April,June) when root growth had largely ceased in the LO plots but continued in the HI plots. This end-of-season increase in production coincided with an 18% greater soil moisture content in the HI plots previously described. Total standing root length was not affected by CO2 treatment. Root mortality was unaffected by elevated CO2 in all months except April, in which plants grown in the HI plots had higher mortality rates. Together, these results demonstrate that root turnover is considerable in the grassland community and easily missed by destructive soil coring. However, increased fine root turnover under elevated CO2 is apparently not a major sink for extra photosynthate in this system. [source] The end of the Ghent system as trade union recruitment machinery?INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS JOURNAL, Issue 6 2009Jens Lind ABSTRACT During the past 15 years, membership rates in many unions have been declining in Denmark, Finland and Sweden. Reasons for this decline may be similar to what has happened in other countries,occupational change and neoliberal ideology and policies,but in the three Ghent countries, changes in the unemployment insurance system may also have affected trade union membership losses. The major part of the decline has taken place in a period of low unemployment, which may have reduced the employee incentive to take unemployment insurance, but will increasing unemployment rates mean more trade union members? At least for the LO- and SAK-affiliated trade unions, it seems that trade union independent unemployment funds may be alternatives for workers who take unemployment insurance. [source] Diverse roles of 2-arachidonoylglycerol in invasion of prostate carcinoma cells: Location, hydrolysis and 12-lipoxygenase metabolismINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 5 2007Michael P. Endsley Abstract Endogenous 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is antiinvasive in androgen-independent prostate carcinoma (PC-3) cells. Invasion of PC-3 cells is also inhibited by exogenously added noladin ether, a non-hydrolyzable analog of 2-AG. In contrast, exogenous 2-AG has the opposite effect. Cell invasion significantly increased with high concentrations of exogenous 2-AG. In PC-3 cells, arachidonic acid (AA) and 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) concentrations increased along with exogenously added 2-AG, and 12-HETE concentrations increased with exogenously added AA. Invasion of PC-3 cells also increased with exogenously added AA and 12(S)-HETE but not 12(R)-HETE. The exogenous 2-AG-induced invasion of PC-3 cells was inhibited by 3-octylthio-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-one (OTFP, an inhibitor of 2-AG hydrolysis) and baicalein (a 12-LO inhibitor). Western blot and RT-PCR analyses indicated expression of 12-HETE producing lipoxygenases (LOs), platelet-type 12-LO (P-12-LO) and leukocyte-type 12-LO (L-12-LO), in PC-3 cells. These results suggest that exogenous 2-AG induced, rather inhibited, cell invasion because of its rapid hydrolysis to free AA, and further metabolism by 12-LO of AA to 12(S)-HETE, a promoter of PC cell invasion. The results also suggest that PC-3 cells and human prostate stromal (WPMY-1) cells released free AA, 2-AG, and 12-HETE. In the microenvironment of the PC cells, this may contribute to the cell invasion. The 2-AG hydrolysis and concentration of 2-AG in microenvironment are critical for PC cell's fate. Therefore, inhibitors of 2-AG hydrolysis could potentially serve as therapeutic agents for the treatment of prostate cancer. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Neuropsychological performance in early and late onset Alzheimer's disease: comparisons in a memory clinic populationINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 12 2004Srinivas Suribhatla Abstract Objectives To compare the neuropsychological performance associated with early and late onset Alzheimer's disease (AD), in order to identify differences and compare these with previous reports. Methods Patients attending a memory clinic were given a detailed multi-disciplinary diagnostic assessment, including a battery of neuropsychological tests. From those meeting ICD-10 criteria for Alzheimer's disease (AD), an early-onset (EO) group (n,=,40) and a late-onset (LO) group (n,=,90) were identified, and their performances compared. Patients with mixed dementia and co-morbid depression were excluded. Results After adjustment, the EO and LO groups performed at a comparable level on the majority of the neuropsychological tests. The LO group performed better on the WAIS digit span test, AMIPB Complex Design and the written picture description, and the EO group performed better on the WAIS similarities test and the Boston naming test. Conclusions These findings suggest that, after adjusting for overall dementia severity and pre-morbid IQ, there is greater fronto-parietal/right hemisphere involvement in early-onset AD, and greater temporal/left hemisphere involvement in late-onset AD. This may be due to different genetic risk profiles for AD at different ages. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Ab initio quantum-mechanical prediction of the IR and Raman spectra of Ca3Cr2Si3O12 Uvarovite garnetINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUANTUM CHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2010L. Valenzano Abstract The IR and Raman spectra of uvarovite (Ca3Cr2Si3O12) garnet were simulated with the periodic ab initio CRYSTAL code by adopting an all-electron Gaussian-type basis set and the B3LYP Hamiltonian. The two sets of 17 F1u Transverse-Optical (TO) and Longitudinal-Optical (LO) frequencies are generated, together with their intensities. As regards the IR experimental spectrum, only five peaks are available, that are in excellent agreement with the calculated data (mean absolute difference smaller than 5.2 cm,1). The analysis of the TO-LO eigenvalue overlaps permits to establish a correspondence between LO and TO modes. The set of experimental Raman peaks is much reacher (23 out of 25) and the agreement with our calculations excellent ( smaller than 6 cm,1). Isotopic substitution is used to identify the zones of the spectrum where Cr and Ca contributions are relevant. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010 [source] Performance evaluation of decision making strategies for an embedded lane departure warning systemJOURNAL OF FIELD ROBOTICS (FORMERLY JOURNAL OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS), Issue 10 2002Woong Kwon An on-board lane departure warning system embedded in a vehicle is composed of a localization module and a decision making module. The decision making module detects unintended lane departure so as to warn the driver of the danger. The performance of a decision making module is crucial to the performance of the total embedded system. This article proposes two heuristic decision making strategies: a lateral offset (LO) based strategy and a time-to-lane crossing (TLC) based strategy. The performance criteria of decision making strategies are proposed as: (1) false alarm rate, and (2) alarm triggering time (ATT). Numerical parameters of both strategies are optimized through numerical simulation, taking the performance criteria into consideration. The proposed strategies are incorporated into the prototype system and evaluated in real expressway experiments. The comparative study of both methods with experimental results shows the applicability of the on-board lane departure warning system. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Apoptosis does not play an important role in the resistance of ,immune'Penaeus japonicus against white spot syndrome virusJOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 1 2004J L Wu Abstract We previously demonstrated that kuruma shrimp, Penaeus japonicus, exposed to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) became resistant (,immune' shrimp) to subsequent challenge with the virus. The present study investigated the role of apoptosis in the ,immune' shrimp during a secondary challenge with WSSV. When naive kuruma shrimp were intramuscularly injected with WSSV at a high or low dose, apoptosis was often detected by TUNEL assay in the lymphoid organ (LO), mainly in the early stage of the infection. A significantly higher incidence of apoptosis was observed in the LO of the shrimp injected with the high dose of WSSV (cumulative mortality: 100%) than in the shrimp injected with the low dose (cumulative mortality: 0%). When ,immune' and naive shrimp were injected with an equal dose of WSSV, the incidence of apoptosis was significantly lower in the ,immune' shrimp than in the naive shrimp. This difference is assumed to result from a substantial reduction of the virus by humoral neutralizing factor in the ,immune' shrimp. These results suggest that apoptosis is not a principal protective factor in ,immune' shrimp. [source] Lorenzo's oil, adrenoleukodystrophy, and the blood, brain barrierJOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 2002E. J. Murphy Adrenoleukodystrophy is a rapid, progressive demyelinating disease affecting the CNS that is characterized by large increases in plasma and tissue very long saturated fatty acids (VLCFA). Lorenzo's oil (LO), consisting of erucic (22:1 n-9) and oleic (18:1 n-9) acid in a triglyceride form, is a dietary therapy effective in reducing plasma and tissue VLCFA. Despite the decreased VLCFA, clinical studies indicated that LO failed to stop the progressive demyelination, suggesting that erucic acid, the active component of LO, did not cross the BBB. We addressed this question by infusing [14-14C] 22:1 n-9 (170 ,Ci/kg) into male rats using two different infusion paradigms. The radiotracer was infused (i.v.) into awake, adult male rats over a 10-min period or infused (i.c.v.) into the fourth ventricle over a 7-day period using an osmotic mini-pump. Brains were removed from the cranium, frozen in liquid nitrogen, lipids extracted, and separated using standard techniques. [1-14C] 20:4 n-6 was infused (i.v.) and used as a positive control. Following i.v. infusion, 0.011% of the erucic acid was extracted by the brain, compared to 0.055% of the arachidonic acid. About 60% of the brain erucic acid was found in the aqueous fraction compared to 30% for arachidonic acid. Further, erucic acid was targeted to cholesteryl ester and triacylglyceride pools, whereas arachidonic acid was targeted to phospholipid pools. In animals infused i.c.v., 0.078% of the dose was taken up and about 60% of the erucic acid was targeted to phospholipid pools. These results clearly demonstrate that erucic acid crosses the BBB, similar to arachidonic acid, and is incorporated into specific lipid pools. Acknowledgements:, This work was supported by The Myelin Project. [source] Is the superior belly of the lateral pterygoid primarily a stabilizer?JOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 6 2001An EMG study The aim of the present study was to compare the activity levels within the two bellies of the lateral pterygoid muscle between different jaw positions to test the hypothesis that the upper head is primarily a stabilizer. Electromyographic (EMG) recordings, using monopolar concentric needle electrodes, were made from 14 healthy subjects during mandibular rest position (RP), clenching in intercuspal position and jaw opening, first about 10 mm and then about 25 mm. Both bellies had very little activity during RP. The activity level of the superior belly was high during clenching and large opening (LO) with a dip during low opening degree. This pattern differed from that of the inferior belly where the activity was relatively low during clenching and then gradually increased to its highest level during LO. The results support that the lower belly is primarily a jaw opener while the superior belly acts as a stabilizer keeping the disc and condyle in a functionally stable position during clenching and jaw movements. [source] Quantification and characterization of subvisible proteinaceous particles in opalescent mAb Formulations Using Micro-Flow ImagingJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 6 2010Deepak K. Sharma Abstract Micro-flow imaging (MFIÔ) has been shown to be more sensitive than light obscuration (LO) methods for measuring subvisible proteinaceous particles in protein formulations. Given the potential challenges in detecting particulates in opalescent mAb formulations, the accuracy of MFI to size and count particles in opalescent solutions was investigated and compared to LO and membrane microscopy methods. Proteinaceous monoclonal antibody (mAb) particles, generated either by chemical denaturation or agitation stress, polystyrene and glass particles were used as model systems for measurements in opalescent mAb solutions. The sizing and counting accuracies of MFI were unaffected by the opalescence of the medium. Using glass particles as a model system for proteinaceous particles, MFI was able to detect relatively low particle concentrations (,10/mL) in opalescent solutions. MFI showed excellent linearity (R2,=,0.9969) for quantifying proteinaceous particles in opalescent solutions over a wide range of particle concentrations (,20,160,000/mL). Analyses of MFI particle image intensities revealed significant differences in the transparency of proteinaceous particles as a function of their size and mode of generation. LO method significantly underestimated proteinaceous particles, particularly those in the 2,10,µm size range. The less opaque proteinaceous particles were relatively more underestimated by the LO method in opalescent solutions. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 99: 2628,2642, 2010 [source] Size-dependent Raman and infrared studies of PbSe nanoparticlesJOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 9 2008F. S. Manciu Abstract Micro-probe Raman and far-infrared absorption spectroscopies were used to prove the existence of optical phonon modes of PbSe nanoparticles prepared by colloidal chemistry and preliminarily characterized by transmission electron microscopy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that evidence of the surface phonon (SP) mode by Raman spectroscopy has been experimentally observed. The wavenumber of the SP mode is consistent with its prediction by a dielectric continuum model. While for different PbSe nanoparticle sizes the observed SP mode does not show any obvious change in its position, there is a clear shift by approximately 4 cm,1 toward higher wavenumber in the appearance of the LO(,) in the Raman spectra from the 3 nm to the 7 nm PbSe nanoparticles. Far-infrared measurements demonstrate the presence of the transverse optical TO(,) and of the coupled phonon modes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Raman studies of cubic BC2N, a new superhard phaseJOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 10 2004H. W. Hubble Abstract UV and visible Raman scattering spectra of a new superhard phase, cubic BC2N, were measured for the first time. The Raman band at 1326 cm,1 was attributed to the longitudinal optical (LO) mode of cubic BC2N, whereas the transverse optic (TO) mode is missing in the spectra. Raman scattering was found to be a sensitive method for detecting new diamond-like BCN phases. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Lattice dynamics of Ca4GdO(BO3)3JOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 4 2004M. Ma, czka Abstract Polarized Raman and IR spectra were obtained for Ca4GdO(BO3)3 crystal at ambient temperature. The assignment of the observed bands to the respective internal and external phonons is proposed on the basis of lattice dynamics calculations. This study also shows that significant LO,TO splitting exists for some internal modes. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Nod1, Nod2 and Nalp3 receptors, new potential targets in treatment of allergic rhinitis?ALLERGY, Issue 10 2010J. Bogefors To cite this article: Bogefors J, Rydberg C, Uddman R, Fransson M, Månsson A, Benson M, Adner M, Cardell LO. Nod1, Nod2 and Nalp3 receptors, new potential targets in treatment of allergic rhinitis? Allergy 2010; 65: 1222,1226. Abstract Background:, Recently, a new set of pattern-recognition receptors, the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (Nod)-like receptors (NLRs), have emerged. Their activation, either by allergens or microbes, triggers an inflammatory response. The knowledge about NLRs in human airways is limited. Aim of the study:, To investigate presence of NLRs in the human nose of healthy individuals and patients with intermittent allergic rhinitis outside and during pollen season. Methods:, The expression of Nod1, Nod2, and Nalp3 in nasal biopsies was determined with real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Cultured primary human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) were analyzed using real-time RT-PCR and flow cytometry to further verify the presence of NLRs in the epithelium. Results:, Immunohistochemical analysis revealed presence of Nod1, Nod2, and Nalp3 in the nasal epithelium. This was corroborated in cultured HNECs. Patients suffering from symptomatic allergic rhinitis exhibited lower Nod1 and Nalp3 mRNA levels than both controls and patients during pollen season. Nod2 expression was found in all specimens tested, but no differences were seen between the three groups. Conclusion:, Nod1, Nod2, and Nalp3 receptors were found to be present in the human nose. The expression of Nod1 and Nalp3 were down-regulated during pollen season among patients with allergic rhinitis. This opens up for new insights and novel therapeutic strategies in inflammatory airway disease. [source] Allergic rhinitis and the common cold , high cost to societyALLERGY, Issue 6 2010J. Hellgren To cite this article: Hellgren J, Cervin A, Nordling S, Bergman A, Cardell LO. Allergic rhinitis and the common cold , high cost to society. Allergy 2010; 65: 776,783. Abstract Background:, The common cold and allergic rhinitis constitute a global health problem that affects social life, sleep, school and work performance and is likely to impose a substantial economic burden on society because of absence from work and reduced working capacity. This study assesses the loss of productivity as a result of both allergic rhinitis and the common cold in the Swedish working population. Methods:, Four thousand questionnaires were sent to a randomized adult population, aged 18,65 years, in Sweden, stratified by gender and area of residence (metropolitan area vs rest of the country). The human capital approach was used to assign monetary value to lost productivity in terms of absenteeism (absence from work), presenteeism (reduced working capacity while at work) and caregiver absenteeism (absence from work to take care of a sick child). Results:, Thousand two hundred and thirteen individuals responded, response rate 32%. The mean productivity loss was estimated at 5.1 days or , 653 per worker and year, yielding a total productivity loss in Sweden of , 2.7 billion a year. Of the total costs, absenteeism (44%) was the dominant factor, followed by presenteeism (37%) and caregiver absenteeism (19%). Poisson regression analyses revealed that women, people in the 18,29 year age group, and respondents with ,doctor-diagnosed asthma' reported more lost days than the rest of the group. Conclusion:, In Sweden, the cost of rhinitis is , 2.7 billion a year in terms of lost productivity. A reduction in lost productivity of 1 day per individual and year would potentially save , 528 million. [source] A lethal ovitrap-based mass trapping scheme for dengue control in Australia: I. Public acceptability and performance of lethal ovitrapsMEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 4 2009S. A. RITCHIE Abstract We report on the first field evaluation of the public acceptability and performance of two types of lethal ovitrap (LO) in three separate trials in Cairns, Australia. Health workers were able to set standard lethal ovitraps (SLOs) in 75 and 71% of premise yards in the wet and dry season, respectively, and biodegradable lethal ovitraps (BLOs) in 93% of yards. Public acceptance, measured as retention of traps by residents, was high for both trap types, with <9% of traps missing after 4 weeks. Traps retaining water after 4 weeks were 78 and 34% for the two SLO trials and 58% for the BLOs. The ,failure rate' in the 535 BLOs set in the field for 4 weeks was 47%, of which 19% were lost, 51% had holes from probable insect chewing, 23% were knocked over, 7% had dried by evaporation and 1% were split. There was no significant difference in the failure rate of BLOs set on porous (grass, soil and mulch) versus solid (tiles, concrete, wood and stone) substrates. The SLOs and the BLOs were readily acceptable to ovipositing Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae); the mean number of eggs/trap was 6 and 15, for the dry season and wet season SLO trial, respectively, and 15 for the BLO wet season trial. Indeed, 84,94% of premise yards had egg positive SLOs or BLOs. A high percentage of both wet and dry season SLOs (29 and 70%, respectively) and BLOs (62%) that were dry after 4 weeks were egg positive, indicating the traps had functioned. Lethal strips from SLOs and BLOs that had been exposed for 4 weeks killed 83 and 74%, respectively, of gravid Ae. aegypti in laboratory assays. These results indicate that mass trapping schemes using SLOs and BLOs are not rejected by the public and effectively target gravid Ae. aegypti. The impact of the interventions on mosquito populations is described in a companion paper. [source] In situ micro-Raman and X-ray diffraction study of diamonds and petrology of the new ureilite UAE 001 from the United Arab EmiratesMETEORITICS & PLANETARY SCIENCE, Issue 7 2008Dominik C. HEZEL This is the first report of a meteorite in this country. The sample is heavily altered, of medium shock level, and has a total weight of 155 g. Bulk rock, olivine (Fo79.8,81.8) and pyroxene (En73.9,75.2, Fs15.5,16.9, Wo8.8,9.5) compositions are typical of ureilites. Olivine rims are reduced with Fo increasing up to Fo96.1,96.8. Metal in these rims is completely altered to Fehydroxide during terrestrial weathering. We studied diamond and graphite using micro-Raman and in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The main diamond Raman band (LO = TO mode at ,1332 cm,1) is broadened when compared to well-ordered diamond single crystals. Full widths at half maximum (FWHM) values scatter around 7 cm,1. These values resemble FWHM values obtained from chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamond. In situ XRD measurements show that diamonds have large grain sizes, up to >5 ,m. Some of the graphite measured is compressed graphite. We explore the possibilities of CVD versus impact shock origin of diamonds and conclude that a shock origin is much more plausible. The broadening of the Raman bands might be explained by prolonged shock pressure resulting in a transitional Raman signal between experimentally shock-produced and natural diamonds. [source] Ku-band SiGe HBT I/Q subharmonic mixer with reactive quadrature generatorsMICROWAVE AND OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 7 2010Sheng-Che Tseng Abstract This article demonstrates a high-frequency 0.35-,m SiGe HBT subharmonic downconverter with reactive in-phase and quadrature-phase (I/Q) generators. Two reactive I/Q generators are integrated in our work to provide differential quadrature RF and LO signal. The I/Q subharmonic downconverter with single-ended LO, RF, and IF (I/Q) ports has a conversion gain of 1 dB, IP1dB of ,10 dBm, IIP3 of 0 dBm, and IIP2 of 21 dBm at 16.4 GHz. The magnitude and phase errors between the I and Q channels are 1.34% and 0.6°, respectively. The dc power consumption of this I/Q mixer without output buffers is approximately 5 mW. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 1516,1520, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25281 [source] A low local oscillator power K-band mixer based on tunneling diodesMICROWAVE AND OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 4 2009Iacopo Magrini Abstract In this article, we will demonstrate a low local oscillator (LO) power K-band mixer based on a tunneling diode technology. Due to its unique diode characteristics, no DC supply is needed, whereas an LO power as low as ,2 dBm is required for nominal functionality. The energy-efficient MMIC prototype integrates a pair of heterojunction interband tunnel diodes and a 90° coplanar broadband coupler. The prototype is optimized within the 19,26 GHz band, with an IF ranging from zero to 7 GHz. In addition, when compared with other mixers, it has the lowest LO power requirement with a conversion loss ranging from 6 to 10 dB, an input compression point of ,3 dBm and an intercept 2nd and 3rd order intermodulation point of 22 and 12 dBm, respectively. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 1140,1143, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24228 [source] A 26,38 GHz millimeter-wave band APDP sub-harmonic mixerMICROWAVE AND OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 8 2008Shu-Jenn Yu Abstract A 26,38 GHz millimeter-wave (MMW) band sub-harmonic mixer has been designed using a 0.15-,m GaAs pseudomorphic high-electron-mobility transistor (pHEMT) technology. The anti-parallel diode pair (APDP) configuration as the basic unit in this sub-harmonic mixer design to suppress the fundamental frequency signals is used. The radio-frequency (RF) and the local oscillator (LO) signals are imported by two Lange couplers in the proposed design, with four pairs of APDPs connected in a ring structure. Superior RF/LO-to-IF (intermediate-frequency) and 2LO-to-RF/IF isolations have been achieved. The sub-harmonic mixer circuit has also exhibited excellent conversion loss of 13.7 dB with LO power of 13 dBm. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 2135,2138, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23595 [source] A 3.1 to 5 GHZ CMOS RF transmitter for direct-sequence code division multiple access applicationsMICROWAVE AND OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 12 2007Bon-Hyun Ku Abstract An ultra-wideband RF transmitter with local oscillator (LO) leakage reduction method for direct-sequence code division multiple access (DS-CDMA) is presented. To achieve ultra-wideband gain flatness, the method of combining two shunt-peaking loads with different resonant frequencies is used. A double balanced mixer with a linear transconductance stage is used to increase the linearity of the mixer. To reduce the LO leakage at the output port, an additional DC feedback loop is applied to the linear transconductor. Measurement results show 9.5 dB gain with ±0.8 dB variation over 3.1,5 GHz range. The output P1dB is approximately ,3 dBm and the output IP3 is more than 9.8 dBm for a frequency greater than 3,5 GHz. By the LO leakage reduction method, the LO leakage output power is 5 dB lower than without it. The transmitter consumes 54 mW with a 1.8 V supply and is realized with a 0.18 ,m RF CMOS technology. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 49: 3140,3145, 2007; Published online in Wiley Inter-Science (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.22960 [source] A 16-GHz CMOS differential Colpitts VCO for DS-UWB and 60-GHz direct-conversion receiver applicationsMICROWAVE AND OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 10 2007C.-C. Lee Abstract A 16-GHz CMOS differential Colpitts VCO fabricated with the 0.18 ,m 1P6M process is presented. The 16-GHz VCO is a good choice for the local oscillator (LO) circuit of the UWB or 60-GHz WPAN direct conversion receiver. The VCO is composed of a PMOS transistor-pair core circuit and two source follower output buffers. The VCO can operate at 16.5 GHz, and the measured phase noise at 1-MHz offset is ,115 dBc/Hz. The power consumption of the VCO core is 12.6 mW. Compared with previous reported works, this VCO has an output power of ,0.9 dBm and about 800-mV output peak-to-peak voltage swing of the VCO core at 16.5 GHz. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 49: 2489,2492, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com) DOI 10.1002/mop.22742 [source] A CMOS subharmonic mixer with input and output active balunsMICROWAVE AND OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 12 2006Brad R. Jackson Abstract A CMOS 0.18 ,m subharmonic mixer is experimentally demonstrated that uses active baluns at the local oscillator (LO) and RF inputs, as well as at the output. With this subharmonic mixer, a 2.1 GHz RF input and a 1.0 GHz LO input produce a 100 MHz output signal. The conversion gain is 8 dB, the LO and RF input reflection coefficients are better than ,10 dB, and IIP3 is ,8.5 dBm. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 48: 2472,2478, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.21957 [source] Lipoxins in asthma: potential therapeutic mediators on bronchial inflammation?ALLERGY, Issue 10 2004C. Bonnans Arachidonic acid metabolism represents an important source of mediators with ambivalent actions. Among these, lipoxins (LXs) are the first agents identified and recognized as anti-inflammatory endogenous lipid mediators, which are involved in the resolution of inflammation and are present in the airways of asthmatic patients. Lipoxins result mainly from the interaction between 5 and 15-lipoxygenases (LO) and their levels are modulated by the degree of bronchial inflammation as well as by the long-term glucocorticoid treatments. In the airways, LX synthesis is higher in mild asthmatics than in severe asthmatics, whereas in vitro chemokine release inhibition by LXs is more effective in cells from severe asthmatics than from mild asthmatics. LipoxinA4 effects on interleukin (IL)-8 released by blood mononuclear cells and on calcium influx in epithelial cells are mediated by the specific receptor ALX. Lipoxin generation by lung epithelial cells depends mainly on 15-LO activity. Mild asthmatics present higher 15-LOb expression at the epithelium level than severe patients, whereas the LX deficit in severe asthma is associated with an up-regulation of the 15-LOa expressions. Therefore, bronchial epithelial cells become a target for therapeutic intervention and LXs represent a potential therapeutic solution for bronchial inflammation resolution in asthma. [source] Chromosome 1p and 19q status and p53 and p16 expression patterns as prognostic indicators of oligodendroglial tumors: A clinicopathological study using fluorescence in situ hybridizationNEUROPATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2007Yoon Kyung Jeon To verify the prognostic implications of the statuses of chromosome 1p and 19q and the expressions of p53, p16 and GFAP in oligodendrogliomas, we investigated these parameters and correlated the results with patient outcome. Twenty-seven cases of low-grade oligodendroglioma (LO) and 29 cases of anaplastic oligodendroglioma (AO) were analyzed by FISH for 1p and 19q status and by immunohistochemistry for p53, p16, and GFAP expression using a tissue microarray. Direct sequencing of the p53 gene was also performed. 1p deletion was observed in 39 of 56 patients (69.9%), and 19q deletion in 41 of 56 (73.2%). Combined loss of 1p and 19q was found in 38 of 56 (67.9%) and exhibited distinct concomitant deletion (P = 0.000). p53 overexpression was observed in 17 cases (30.3%), GFAP expression in 18 cases (32.1%), and p16 loss in 40 cases (74%) of oligodendrogliomas. The expressions of p53 and GFAP were more frequent in AO than in LO (P = 0.015 and 0.001). In contrast, p53 expression was more common in oligodendrogliomas with an intact 19q (P = 0.029), or an intact 1p (P = 0.071). Only five of 14 patients with p53 expression showed TP53 mutation, which was inversely correlated with 1p deletion (P = 0.036). Patients with combined loss of 1p and 19q exhibited better overall survival (P = 0.045). Patients with p53 expression without combined 1p and 19q loss showed poor overall survival (P < 0.000). However, TP53 mutation along with 1p and 19q status could not predict patient outcome. Patients with p16 loss without combined 1p and 9q loss showed poor overall survival (P = 0.011). Therefore, in oligodendrogliomas, the absence of the combined deletion of 1p and 19q and the aberrant expression of p53 or loss of p16 could be used as poor prognostic markers. [source] LO + EPSS = just-in-time reuse of content to support employee performancePERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT, Issue 6 2007Frank Nguyen Those involved in training know that creating instructional materials can become a tedious, repetitive process. They also know that business conditions often require training interventions to be delivered in ways that are not ideally structured or timed. This article examines the notion that learning objects can be reused and adapted for performance support systems. By doing so, a performance technologist can develop content for just-in-case training and reuse it for just-in-time performance support. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||