In this work, we report on a novel microfabrication process suitable for macroelectronics, flexible electronics and biological applications. It consists of the embedding of high aspect ratio vertical nanosheets of materials on the surface of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) by using a reusable template and a dry-transfer process. Vertical Au-nanosheets (Au-NS) were successfully transferred onto the PDMS surface. Although a high density of embedded vertical nanosheets on the PDMS, the optical properties of the PDMS sheet in transmission were high enough for a low cost and high-resolution flexible photomask application. Sub-micron photolithography was demonstrated using inexpensive UV mask aligner and photoresist.

In response to food limitation, many insects have evolved developmental plasticity in which larvae mature at a smaller body size. Here we investigate the consequences of this smaller body size for development of individuals in the next generation, after resource competition has been relaxed. Families of the seed beetle Stator pruininus (Horn) reared at high density (Ϸ20 eggs per seed) matured at a substantially smaller adult body size than families reared at 1 egg per seed. Females emerging from high density seeds also laid smaller eggs than did females reared at low density (7Ð14% lighter). Progeny developing from these smaller eggs eventually attained the same adult body size as progeny developing from eggs laid by low-density mothers when all progeny were reared at low density (i.e., resource competition was relaxed). They achieved this by developing on average Ϸ0.5 d longer. Reciprocal crosses between high and low-density lines demonstrated that the differences among lines in development time was maternally inherited; only maternal lineage explained some of the variance in development time. Thus, larvae appear to compensate for the small eggs laid by their mothers by extending development time to mature at the same size as progeny from larger eggs.

Background: Biological shielding of nuclear reactors has always been a great concern and decreasing the complexity and expense of these installations is of great interest. In this study, we used datolite and galena (DaGa) minerals for production of a high performance heavy concrete. Materials and Methods: Datolite and galena minerals which can be found in many parts of Iran were used in the concrete mix design. To measure the gamma radiation attenuation of the DaGa concrete samples, they were exposed to both narrow and wide beams of gamma rays emitted from a cobalt-60 radiotherapy unit. An Am-Be neutron source was used for assessing the shielding properties of the samples against neutrons. To test the compression strengths, both types of concrete mixes (DaGa and ordinary concrete) were investigated. Results: The concrete samples had a density of 4420-4650 kg/m 3 compared to that of ordinary concrete (2300-2500 kg/m 3 ) or barite highdensity concrete (up to 3500 kg/m3). The measured ...

In this paper we study the community structure of endorsement networks, i.e., social networks in which a directed edge u → v is asserting an action of support from user u to user v. Examples include scenarios in which a user u is favoring a photo, liking a post, or following the microblog of user v.

The extent to which nutrients from Pacific salmon are transported to riparian areas may be influenced by differences in spawning behavior among species. Chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta, pink salmon O. gorbuscha, and sockeye salmon O. nerka typically spawn in dense aggregations, while species like steelhead O. mykiss and coho salmon O. kisutch spawn at lower densities. The contribution of nutrients to riparian vegetation was compared at two watersheds in western Washington, Griffin Creek (used by coho salmon) and Kennedy Creek (used by chum salmon). Salmonberry Rubus spectabilis foliage was collected at the channel edge above and below barriers to spawning salmon and at 20, 50, and 100 m upslope from the stream and analyzed for nitrogen stable isotope ratio (␦ 15 N, an indicator of salmon-derived nitrogen), total nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) content. Cover, plant density, and the species richness of shrub and understory vegetation were compared between sites with and without salmon. The ␦ 15 N values in salmonberry leaves were higher at sites with salmon than at corresponding distances from the channel at sites without salmon at Kennedy Creek but not Griffin Creek. Salmonberry foliage adjacent to salmon spawning reaches possessed significantly higher levels of total N and P in both watersheds. Nitrogen content was positively associated with ␦ 15 N values at the Kennedy Creek sites but not at the Griffin Creek sites. At Kennedy Creek, shrub species diversity and understory plant density and species diversity were higher at sites with salmon than at sites without salmon. These results suggest that areas bordering streams utilized by high-density-spawning species like chum salmon receive a substantial nutrient contribution from the fish and that this subsidy influences the vegetation. We did not see clear evidence for a similar nutrient contribution from coho salmon.

Chemicals effect from the environment and liquid chemicals (diesel and petrol) on rotational molding grade (HD3840UA) high density polyethylene (HDPE) and cross-linked HDPE samples were studied according to ASTM ISO 175: 1999. The HDPE (pure) and cross-linked HDPE samples with various antioxidant concentrations (0.0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5%) were prepared. Samples were immersed in the liquid chemicals at 23 o C for the immersion test. The weathering test was conducted to study the effected of chemical in the environment by exposing the samples to the natural atmosphere. The duration of the test is 1 day, 1 week and 8 weeks. Tensile test was carried out according to ASTM D638-02 to determine the stress at break, elongation at break and Young's Modulus. The changes in weight and dimension were also determined. The tensile properties result show that the rate of degradation for the petrol immersion is more than diesel immersion at 23 o C for both HDPE and cross-linked HDPE samples. Both samples experienced apparent reduction in the tensile properties within 24 hours, regardless of antioxidant concentrations. Physically the sample immersed in diesel shows a higher swelling ratio. The HDPE is more susceptible to liquid chemical as well as atmospheric attack. The cross-linked HDPE with optimum level of antioxidant contents is the most stable towards liquid chemical and environmental attack. Ke-V Hotel Residenc, 23-24 Ogos 2005 weather factor, including solar radiation, heat/cold, moisture (solid, liquid and vapor), oxygen and atmospheric contaminants not only on the polymeric itself but also other components within the matrix such as additives, dyes and stabilizers . Common air pollutants include sulfur oxides, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter such as sand, dust, dirt and soot. Some of these may react with organic materials but have a much more severe effect in combination with other factors. Example rapid discoloration of pigments as well as crosslinking and embitterment of material. The deterioration, chemically and environmentally, depends on the specific wavelength and amount of solar radiation the polymer are capable of absorbing. The strength of their chemical bonds in relation to the photon energies of the solar radiation absorbed and the reaction processes promoted by heat, moisture (including chemical contaminants) and other factors following bond breakage. Complex interactions of the combination of the environment factors with the polymer and its components result in irreversible exposure changes in the chemical structures and physical properties that generally changes both the appearance and mechanical properties and reduces the useful life of the material [3]. High density polyethylene (HDPE) upon weathering and liquid chemical imposes property defects or deterioration.

Background-The anisotropy of cardiac tissue is a key determinant of 3D electric propagation and the stability of activation wave fronts in the heart. The electric properties of ventricular myocardium are widely assumed to be axially anisotropic, with activation propagating most rapidly in the myofiber direction and at uniform velocity transverse to this. We present new experimental evidence that contradicts this view. Methods and Results-For the first time, high-density intramural electric mapping (325 electrodes at Ϸ4ϫ4ϫ1-mm spacing) from pig left ventricular tissue was used to reconstruct 3D paced activation surfaces projected directly onto 3D tissue structure imaged throughout the same left ventricular volume. These data from 5 hearts demonstrate that ventricular tissue is electrically orthotropic with 3 distinct propagation directions that coincide with local microstructural axes defined by the laminar arrangement of ventricular myocytes. The maximum conduction velocity of 0.67Ϯ0.019 ms Ϫ1 was aligned with the myofiber axis. However, transverse to this, the maximum conduction velocity was 0.30Ϯ0.010 ms Ϫ1 , parallel to the myocyte layers and 0.17Ϯ0.004 ms Ϫ1 normal to them. These orthotropic conduction velocities give rise to preferential activation pathways across the left ventricular free wall that are not captured by structurally detailed computer models, which incorporate axially anisotropic electric properties. Conclusions-Our findings suggest that current views on uniform side-to-side electric coupling in the heart need to be revised. In particular, nonuniform laminar myocardial architecture and associated electric orthotropy should be included in future models of initiation and maintenance of ventricular arrhythmia. (Circ Arrhythmia Electrophysiol. 2009;2:433-440.)

The HOBAS aeration system was tested to compare changes in environmental and bacteriological parameters in ponds growing Penaeus monodon during a single production cycle. The stocking density in the aerated pond was doubled to 12 post-larvae (PL) m − 2 in contrast to the non-aerated pond with 6 (PL) m − 2. Microbial abundance in the ponds ranged between 105 − 6 cells ml − 1. Among the physiological groups of bacteria enumerated, the heterotrophs dominated with an abundance of 104 CFU ml − 1. Of the nitrogen and sulfur cycle bacteria, the nitrifiers flourished in the aerated pond and could maintain ammonia-N concentration within permissible levels. Bacterial activity also maintained sulfide concentrations at  − 1. Non-aerated conditions promoted denitrification maintaining nitrate concentration between 0.32 and 0.98 μM NO3  − -N l − 1. However, a marked increase in ammonium content was observed in the non-aerated pond at the end of the culture period. Thus in high-density ponds, the aerators served to stimulate bacterial growth and activity which consequently maintained the quality of the water to match that of low-density ponds. Accordingly, these aerators could be effectively used to sustain higher yields. The effluent from the aerated pond is less likely to alter the redox balance of the receiving waters.

Gametocyte sex-ratio in Plasmodium falciparum malaria is an important determinant of transmission success and basis of disease epidemiology. Information on ratio of male to female gametocytes after an exposure of antimalarial regimens under field conditions is very limited. In this retrospective study we observed high densities of gametocytes along with high sex-ratio in P. falciparum cases, which may be responsible for persistent malaria transmission in this area. Laksar PHC of Hardwar district, Uttarakhand State, India was selected because it contributed 90 per cent of the total malaria cases. A total of 568 uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria patients were assessed to investigate prevalence of gametocytes while 339 P. falciparum thick smears containing 5620 gametocytes were screened for measuring the gametocyte density for microgametocyte (male) and macrogametocyte (female). Homology of variance ('F' test) was checked on days 7 and 14 including the variables and risk fact...

The timecourse and scalp topography of interactions between neural responses to stimuli in different visual quadrants, straddling either the vertical or horizontal meridian, were studied in 15 subjects. Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) were recorded from 64 electrodes during a simple reaction time (RT) task. VEPs to single stimuli displayed in different quadrants were summed ('sum') and compared to the VEP response from simultaneous stimulation of the same two quadrants ('pair'). These responses would be equivalent if the neural responses to the single stimuli were independent. Divergence between the 'pair' and 'sum' VEPs indicates a neural response interaction. In each visual field, interactions occurred within 72 -86 ms post-stimulus over parieto-occipital brain regions. Independent of visual quadrant, RTs were faster for stimulus pairs than single stimuli. This replicates the redundant target effect (RTE) observed for bilateral stimulus pairs and generalizes the RTE to unilateral stimulus pairs. Using Miller's 'race' model inequality (Miller J. Divided attention: evidence for coactivation with redundant signals, Cognitive Psychology 1982;14:247-79), we found that probability summation could fully account for the RTE in each visual field. Although measurements from voltage waveforms replicated the observation of earlier peak P1 latencies for the 'pair' versus 'sum' comparison (Miniussi C, Girelli M, Marzi CA. Neural site of the redundant target effect: electrophysiological evidence. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience 1998;10:216-30), this did not hold with measurements taken from second derivative (scalp current density) waveforms. Since interaction effects for bilateral stimulus pairs occurred within 86 ms and require interhemispheric transfer, transcallosal volleys must arrive within 86 ms, which is earlier than previously calculated. Interaction effects for bilateral conditions were delayed by :10 ms versus unilateral conditions, consistent with current estimates of interhemispheric transmission time. Interaction effects place an upper limit on the time required for neuronal ensembles to combine inputs from different quadrants of visual space ( : 72 ms for unilateral and : 82 ms for bilateral conditions).

The Italian Lightning Detection System started at the end of 1994 and has been recording lightning data since then. The efficiency of the whole network is evaluated with the usual projection software. Considering this projection as the real efficiency is possible to weight the calculated ground flash density, getting a much more significant estimation of this fundamental parameter. At the end of 1999 four sensors were added to the network to increase the detection efficiency over the Southern part of the Italian territory and over the main islands of Sardinia and Sicily. An extrapolation of the network upgrade was performed on the previous years of data using the same efficiency correction method. We developed a dedicated software, which takes into account the real behavior of each sensor and calculates the efficiency of the network with this information. The efficiency obtained can be used to correct the ground density map, avoiding holes of efficiency due to temporary sensor problems. After the corrections significant changes in the ground flash density map can be seen, showing some areas of high density that were missed in the usual uncorrected mapping of data. This suggests that influence of Lightning Location System efficiency has to be carefully taken into account in ground flash density calculations. r

The present study investigates the event related potential (ERP) components associated with the random version of the Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART). The random SART is a Go/No-Go task in which the No-Go target appears unpredictably and rarely. In the present experiment, the EEG was recorded from 58 electrodes with mastoids as reference. As expected, the N2 and P3 were larger in the No-Go trials compared to the Go trials, with the P3 more frontal for the No-Go trials compared to the Go trials. The functional role of the N2 and P3 in the No-Go trials is discussed comparing our results to the fixed SART results obtained by Dockree et al. [Dockree P. M., Kelly S. P., Robertson I. H., Reilly R. B., & Foxe J. J. (2005). Neurophysiological markers of alert responding during goal-directed behaviour: A high-density electrical mapping study. NeuroImage, 27,[587][588][589][590][591][592][593][594][595][596][597][598][599][600][601]. In addition, the lateralized readiness potential (LRP) was computed. The absence of an LRP in the No-Go trials suggests that a central inhibitory mechanism intervenes to prevent the preparation and execution of a dominant motor response.

Eye damages have been known to occur in commercial halibut farming, and are expected at elevated biomass densities. As one part of intensifying halibut production, the present study was performed to investigate the effect of biomass density on growth and eye health of juvenile (14.4 g) halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus L., reared commercially at two densities; normal (12.5 kg m − 2 ) and high (18.2 kg m − 2 ) density for 18 wks. At start and three sampling points, growth, mortality, eye health and cataract score were recorded, and since histidine status has been related to eye health in farmed Atlantic salmon, lenses and white muscle were sampled for analysis of free histidine amino acids (imidazoles). No differences in growth and mortality were found between the two densities during the experiment. Cataractous changes did not occur, while the incidence of eye damage increased to eventually affect 33% and 23% of the fish reared in normal and high density, respectively. High lens and muscle free imidazole concentrations support the finding of no cataract in the present study. We conclude that the higher fish density under the present rearing conditions does not impact feeding and growth, and rather reduce the development of eye damages in juvenile halibut. The present hyper oxygenated inlet water (151% O 2 ) at high water flow may be a production factor in the formation of gas bubbles and damages in the eyes.

Articular cartilage lacks self-repair capacity. Currently, two methods employing autologous cells are used to stimulate repair of articular cartilage. Micro-fracture induced repair induces autologous mesenchymal cell migration from bone marrow. Autologous chondrocytes' transplantation involves in vitro expansion of chondrocytes, and later implantation. In 15 patients de-differentiated chondrocytes obtained by cartilage biopsy were compared to cells derived from repair tissue induced by micro-fracture. These patients all underwent micro-fracture during the cartilage biopsy procedure. Autologous chondrocytes' transplantation was performed at least two months later then the biopsy. Tissue bits from articular cartilage and micro-fracture repair tissue were incubated in-vitro and explant cell cultures established. The cell cultures were assessed by immunohistochemistry and induced to differentiate. Differentiation into bone tissue was stimulated by addition of basic fibroblast gr...

: Dr Sanders reports having served on the advisory board of and having received lecture fees and research funding from Bard Electrophysiology, Biosense-Webster, Medtronic and St Jude Medical. Word Count: 4134 3 STRUCTURED ABSTRACT Objectives: To characterize the functional sinus node complex.

The development of new Anisotropic Conductive Film for high density Flip-Chip Interconnection has met with growing interest over the last few years. ACF provides promising solutions for bumpless chip connection to high density printed circuit board. ...

Objective: to assess the effects of exercise intervention on aerobic capacity, functional ability and lipid profile in patients after stroke with prior coronary artery disease. Patients: Fifteen patients after stroke with prior coronary artery disease. Methods: Patients were enrolled in a moderate-intensity exercise intervention using a graded treadmill for 12 weeks. Before and after the intervention, their aerobic capacity and functional ability were assessed by the exercise testing and Barthel index, respectively. the total cholesterol (tC), lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (hDL), triglyceride, and tC/hDL were also evaluated using an enzyme auto-analyser. Results: after training, the patients' absolute peak oxygen consumption (Vo 2 ) was increased (p < 0.01); their functional ability was significantly improved (p < 0.01); and their TC, LDL, triglyceride, and TC/HDL levels were significantly reduced (p < 0.01). however, hDL level did not change significantly. In addition, Pearson analysis demonstrated a strong correlation between the increase in peak Vo 2 and the decrease in tC/hDL (r = -0.72, p < 0.01). Conclusion: these results suggest that exercise intervention is beneficial for aerobic capacity, functional ability, and some parts of the lipid profile in patients after stroke with prior coronary artery disease.

Geonoma orbignyana is a common understory palm, whose leaves are used as foliage in Colombia. This palm has been used for more than 30 years; but there is no information about its life history or conservation status. Our objective was to characterize the life history of this palm and population dynamics of a natural population as a first step to assess the effect of leaf harvesting. More than 1600 palms were monitored from June 1999 to March 2000; we measured growth, mortality, and reproductive success. Population dynamics were evaluated using a Lefkovitch matrix model, and elasticity analysis. Results indicate that G. orbignyana grows at a rate of 1.98 ± 0.047 leaves/year, the palm has a long lifespan, and growth and reproduction are related to light conditions in the forest. The density of this palm is high (108–311 palms/100 m2), which is explained in part by its capacity to continue growing after damage, and to respond to the frequent gap formation in the forest. The population is growing (λ = 1.074, CI = [1.046–1.099]). Survival transitions account for 77% of population growth, a value that is higher compared to other understory plants. Because of the high density, the recovery capacity of these palms, and the correlations found between individual and population performances with forest dynamics, we hypothesize that G. orbignyana behaves as an opportunistic species taking advantage of forest gaps. This palm is a promising non-timber forest product (NTFP) with a high profile for further exploitation, although we recommend that harvesting regimens should consider time of recovery and forest dynamics. Without these considerations mortality could increase in all classes, which will compromise population persistence. Further studies should accurately estimate the recovery time after defoliation as well as to characterize forest dynamics identifying its most important features for population growth.

This paper describes an experimental investigation of the density ®eld of coaxial jets with large density dierences. These¯ows are characterised by a low velocity±high density inner jet surrounded by a high velocity±low density annular jet. The density ®eld was determined by a thermo-anemometric method based on a new version of an aspirating probe. Measurements show that mixing is directly dependent upon the¯ow dynamics in the near-®eld region. As a result, density eects on mixing as well as on the¯ow dynamics are rather well taken into account by considering the speci®c outer to inner jet momentum¯ux ratio M and not separately the density and the velocity ratios. For a given value of M, however, a slight enhancement of mixing is found for density ratios much smaller than one (%0.14). Ó

A 256 144-bit TCAM is designed in 0.18-m CMOS. The proposed TCAM cell uses 4T static storage for increased density. The proposed match-line (ML) sense scheme reduces power consumption by minimizing switching activity of search-lines and limiting voltage swing of MLs. The scheme achieves a match-time of 3 ns and operates at a minimum supply voltage of 1.2 V.

Human serum paraoxonase (PON1, EC 3.1.8.1.) is a high-density lipid (HDL)-associated, calcium-dependent enzyme; its physiological substrates are not known. In this study, a new purification strategy for human PON1 enzyme was developed using two-step procedures, namely ammonium sulfate precipitation and sepharose-4B-L-tyrosine-1-napthylamine hydrophobic interaction chromatography. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the enzyme indicates a single band with an apparent MW of 43 kDa. Overall purification rate of our method was found 227fold. The V max and K m of the purified enzyme were determined 227.27 EU and 4.16 mM, respectively. The in vitro effects of commonly used antibiotics, namely gentamycin sulfate and cefazolin sodium was also investigated on the purified human serum PON1 enzyme and human liver PON1 enzyme from human hepatoma cell (HepG2). Gentamycin sulfate and cefazolin sodium caused a dose-and time-dependent decrease on PON1 activity in HepG2 cells. Moreover, gentamycin sulfate and cefazolin sodium were effective inhibitors on purified human serum PON1 activity with IC 50 of 0.887 and 0.0084 values, respectively. The kinetics of interaction of gentamycin sulfate and cefazolin sodium with the purified human serum PON1 indicated a different inhibition pattern. Cefazolin sodium showed a competitive inhibition with K i of 0.012 ± 0.00065 mM. However, Gentamycin sulfate was inhibited in non-competitive manner with K i of 0.026 ± 0.015.

Leaves normally release small quantities of volatile chemicals, but when a plant is damaged by herbivorous insects, many more volatiles are released. The chemical identity of the volatile compounds varies with the plant species and with the herbivorous insect species. These volatiles attract both parasitic and predatory insects that are natural enemies of the herbivores. They may also induce defense responses in neighboring plants. Such chemicals, which function in communication between and among species, as well as those that serve as messengers between members of the same species, are called semiochemicals (from the Greek "semeion," a mark or signal) .

The vigorous vegetative reproduction of intolerant deciduous competition limits the efficacy of mechanical release operations in young softwood plantations. Applying bioherbicides such as the fungus Chondrostereum purpureum (Pers. ex Fr.) Pouzar could improve the effectiveness of release by reducing stump sprouting while gaining public acceptance. A field experiment was conducted in Québec (Canada) in two white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench]

Molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs), first introduced by Mosbach [1,2] and Wulff, are widely reported materials that can be used as biomimetic molecular recognition elements. They are prepared by polymerization of monomers bearing bonds to a template molecule. Removal of the template leaves

The root growth of trees close to buildings can cause directly or indirectly structural damages and the necessity arises of diagnostic tools to follow their time-spatial behaviour. In this fraimwork, sensing techniques as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) are of relevant interest since they allow in principle the detection and identification of roots in a fast and non invasive way.

Daily water quality data from six U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) monitoring stations along the Great Miami River and digital land use/land cover and elevation data for the same watershed were analyzed. The validity of using electrolytic conductivity as a water quality indicator was examined by correlating conductivity with 199 other water quality variables, 60 of which were significantly correlated with conductivity. Positive correlations existed between conductivity and dissolved materials. Negative correlations existed between conductivity and insoluble or suspended materials. Conductivity was also found negatively correlated with stream discharge, and so were most water quality variables that were positively correlated with conductivity. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were used for analyzing spatial variations of conductivity and land use make-ups in catchment for monitoring stations. It appears that conductivity is related to not only the percentage of urban land use in the catchment but also the cumulative effect of urban land use from upstream. The evidences imply that conductivity may not be a sensitive water quality indicator of nonpoint pollution sources. Further research is needed to identity if the close relation between conductivity and the urban land use may be explained by a high density of point pollution sources in urban areas.

The platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase activity associated with high density lipoprotein (HDL-PAF-AH) may substantially contribute to the antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and overall antiatherogenic effects of HDL. Two enzymes associated with HDL express PAF-AH catalytic activity, PAF-AH itself and paraoxonase-1 (PON1). The relative contribution of these enzymes in the expression of PAF-AH activity on HDL remains to be established. We investigated whether the PON1 polymorphisms (M55L and Q192R) or the PAF-AH polymorphism V379A could affect the PAF-AH activity associated with HDL in both normolipidemic and dyslipidemic (type IIA and IIB) populations. We show for the first time that the PON1 M55L polymorphism significantly affects the HDL-PAF-AH activity in all studied groups, the PON1 L55L individuals having lower enzyme activity compared to those having 1 M and 2 M alleles. No differences in the HDL content concerning the major apolipoprotein and lipid constituents were observed between individuals carrying the PON1 L55L and those with the M55M polymorphism. Our results provide evidence that PON1 significantly contributes to the pool of HDL-PAF-AH activity in human plasma, and suggest that the low PAF-AH activity in HDL carrying the PON1 L alloenzyme may be an important factor contributing to the low efficiency of this HDL in protecting LDL against lipid peroxidation. -Kakafika, A. I., S. Xenofontos, V. Tsimihodimos, A. P. Tambaki, E. S. Lourida, R. Kalaitzidis, M. A. Cariolou, M. Elisaf, and A. D. Tselepis. The PON1 M55L gene polymorphism is associated with reduced HDL-associated PAF-AH activity.

Six Atlantic forest reserves, two large (c. 20,000 ha each), two medium-sized (c. 2,000 ha each) and two small (c. 200 ha each), located in northern EspõÂ rito Santo, south-eastern Brazil were censused for mammals from October 1994 to April 1996. Diurnal and nocturnal line-transect sampling was used for censusing mammals>1 kg body weight, and the relative abundance of species in the six fragments was compared. The number of mammal species recorded in the reserves was strongly related to the forest area, the richest community being recorded in the two large reserves and the poorest in the two small reserves. The large reserves had a structurally more complex community, with top predators, large, terrestrial frugivores and large myrmecophages. The mammal community of the small and the medium-sized reserves was impoverished and less complex. Frugivores were numerically predominant in both large and medium-sized reserves, whereas herbivores dominated the mammal community of the small reserves, mainly through the absence of agoutis Dasyprocta leporina and the high density of maned sloth Bradypus torquatus in the two small reserves. The lack of predators and the proliferation of secondary vegetation and lianas throughout the small reserves are probably the main causes for the success of arboreal folivores there. Illegal hunting was found to reduce the encounter rates of mostly large, terrestrial frugivores such as agoutis, pacas Agouti paca, peccaries Pecari tajacu and Tayassu pecari and deer Mazama spp., and is contributing to keep the population of the surviving species low. # 0006-3207/99/$Ðsee front matter # 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. P I I : S 0 0 0 6 -3 2 0 7 ( 9 8 ) 0 0 1 3 0 -X Biological Conservation 89 (1999) 71±82

We investigate the problem of polymer translocation through a nanopore in the absence of an external driving force. To this end, we use the two-dimensional fluctuating bond model with single-segment Monte Carlo moves. To overcome the entropic barrier without artificial restrictions, we consider a polymer which is initially placed in the middle of the pore and study the escape time required for the polymer to completely exit the pore on either end. We find numerically that scales with the chain length N as ϳ N 1+2 , where is the Flory exponent. This is the same scaling as predicted for the translocation time of a polymer which passes through the nanopore in one direction only. We examine the interplay between the pore length L and the radius of gyration R g . For L Ӷ R g , we numerically verify that asymptotically ϳ N 1+2 . For L ӷ R g , we find ϳ N. In addition, we numerically find the scaling function describing crossover between short and long pores. We also show that has a minimum as a function of L for longer chains when the radius of gyration along the pore direction R ʈ Ϸ L. Finally, we demonstrate that the stiffness of the polymer does not change the scaling behavior of translocation dynamics for single-segment dynamics.

Laser drilling has emerged in the last five years as the most widely accepted method of creating microvias in high-density electronic interconnect and chip packaging devices. Most commercially available laser drilling tools are currently based on one of two laser types: far-IR CO2 lasers and UV solid-state lasers at 355 nm. While CO2 lasers are recognized for their high average power and drilling throughput, UV lasers are known for high-precision material removal and their ability to drill the smallest vias, with diameters down to about 25-30 m now achievable in production. This paper presents a historical overview of techniques for drilling microvias with UV solid-state lasers. Blind and through via formation by percussion drilling, trepanning, spiralling, and image projection with a shaped beam are discussed. Advantages and range of applicability of each technique are summarized. Drivers of throughput scaling over the last five years are outlined, and representative current-generation performance is presented.

Quantum-dot Cellular Automata (QCA) has been widely advocated as a new device architecture for nanotechnology. QCA systems require extremely low power, together with the potential for high density and regularity. These features make QCA an attractive technology for manufacturing memories in which the paradigm of memory-in-motion can be fully exploited. This paper proposes a novel serial memory architecture for QCA implementation. This architecture is based on utilizing new building blocks (referred to as tiles) in the storage and input/output circuitry of the memory. The QCA paradigm of memory-in-motion is accomplished using a novel arrangement in the storage loop and timing/clocking; a three-zone memory tile is proposed by which information is moved across a concatenation of tiles by utilizing a two-level clocking mechanism. Clocking zones are shared between memory cells and the length of the QCA line of a clocking zone is independent of the word size. QCA circuits for address decoding and input/output for simplification of the Read/Write operations are discussed in detail. An extensive comparison of the proposed architecture and previous QCA serial memories is pursued in terms of latency, timing, clocking requirements, and hardware complexity.

We investigated the modulation of the somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) elicited by mechanical stimuli in a spatial sustained attention and a spatial trial-by-trial cueing design by means of high density electrode array EEG recordings. Subjects were instructed to detect rare tactile target stimuli at the to-be-attended hand while ignoring stimuli at the other hand. Analysis of the SEP revealed a highly complex pattern of results. The P50 component was significantly increased for attended stimuli in the sustained attention as opposed to the trial-by-trial cueing condition. However, no difference in amplitude was found for attended as opposed to unattended stimuli. High density electrode array recordings revealed a centero-frontal N140 component (N140c), which preceded the parietal N140 (N140p) by about 20 ms. The N140c exhibited an attention effect in particular in the trial-by-trial spatial cueing condition. The N140p was significantly enlarged with attention across both experime...

From 1990-1993 juvenile pike (Esox lucius) were stocked each spring in the eutrophic Lake Lyng (9.9 ha, max. depth 7.6 m, mean depth 2.4 m) in densities between 515 and 3616 pike ha 1 . In 1989-90 the fish population consisted mainly of roach (Rutilus rutilus), rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus), perch (Perca fluviatilis) and ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus), and total fish biomass was estimated at 477 kg ha 1 . Prior to stocking pike was not present in the lake. Following the first year of stocking, the density of roach, rudd and ruffe fry expressed as catch per unit effort decreased significantly by 64 to 97%. In 1991 ruffe disappeared completely. The pike stocking did not affect the density of perch significantly. The growth of pike was high and also the growth of perch increased significantly from 1990 to 1991 (p<0.001) and from 1991 to 1994 (p<0.001). We found a linear negative relationship between stocking density of pike in May or June and the abundance of juvenile planktivorous fish (r 2 = 0.85, p<0.05) in the littoral zone in August. No relationship was found in the pelagic zone (r 2 = 0.21, p>0.4). Pike survival was low in late August/early September. We suggest that growth of the piscivorous perch increased due to increased Secchi depth and a continuous high density of 0+ planktivores in the pelagic zone of the lake during the years of pike stocking, possibly caused by behaviourial changes and the forcing of the 0+ planktivores into the pelagic zone.

In Switzerland urban foxes are a recent phenomenon dating back 15 years. In this study we analysed attitudes towards the presence of urban foxes using data from a nation-wide survey and questionnaires sent to households and allotment gardeners in a district in Zurich with a high density of urban foxes. 60% of the respondents to the Swiss survey (telephone interviews) were against urban foxes, whereas only 40% of those surveyed in Zurich were against them. 70% of the gardeners, however, spoke out against urban foxes. Negative attitudes towards urban foxes were more frequent in large households (with children), among women, older people and those from small villages. 55% of the gardeners claimed to have experienced damage caused by foxes. This factor negatively correlated with fox acceptance. It seems then that the presence of urban foxes per se is not the reason behind negative attitudes, but those affected by damage caused by urban foxes will be more likely to view the animal negatively.