bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A systematic evaluation of linkage studies in bipolar disorder
Authors: Turecki G. , Rouleau G.A. , Mari J.J. , Morgan K.
Published: August 2007

Turecki G, Rouleau GA, Mari JJ, Morgan K. A systematic evaluation of linkage studies in bipolar disorder. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1996: 93: 317–326. © Munksgaard 1996.

Genetic factors have long been implicated in the aetiology of bipolar disorder (BD). During the past two decades several linkage studies have been carried out with the aim of identifying major genes. However, remarkable discrepancies in results both between and within studies have constituted a major problem. In order to elucidate some of these conflicts, we assessed the published literature on linkage studies of bipolar disorder, focusing on methodological issues. Studies published between January 1980 and December 1994 were identified by computerized literature searches and subsequent scanning of review articles, and the reference lists of the articles primarily identified. A set of defined inclusion and exclusion criteria was used to select studies for assessment. A total of 31 variables were determined, and pre‐defined codes were assigned in a structured manner. More than 200 citations were reviewed, and 60 articles were included in this study. Descriptive statistical analyses of the variables, as well as associations between variables, are presented. The findings are discussed with regard to the possibility that, beyond the genetic complexity of the disorder itself, there are several other similarly complicated study design issues which should be more carefully observed. Moreover, the need for standardization of basic criteria to use and report clinical and analytical parameters employed in linkage studies is strongly suggested.
Premorbid adjustment as predictor of outcome in schizophrenia: results of a prospective study
Authors: Bailer J. , Bräuer W. , Rey E.‐R.
Published: August 2007

Bailer J, Bräuer W, Rey E‐R. Premorbid adjustment as predictor of outcome in schizophrenia: results of a prospective study.

Acta Psychiatr Scand 1996: 93: 368–377. © Munksgaard 1996.

The present prospective follow‐up study of 163 schizophrenic patients admitted to hospital for the first time examined the relationship between premorbid adjustment and different measures of the 3‐year course and outcome. The same instruments had been used in all phases of the study. The Premorbid Adjustment Scale was used to assess premorbid social functioning. Outcome measures were positive symptoms, negative symptoms, social disability and number of rehospitalizations. The results of the multiple regression analyses showed that premorbid adjustment was the strongest overall predictor of outcome. Premorbid adjustment was significantly associated with negative symptoms and social disability over the 3‐year course of illness. In a further step, we examined the relationship between good, moderate and poor premorbid adjustment and the course of positive symptoms, negative symptoms and social disability within the first 3 years after index admission. The most important finding was that premorbid functioning showed a stronger correlation with the course of negative symptoms and social disability than with the course of positive symptoms. Poor premorbid social functioning implies a poor social course of the illness. Female subjects showed better premorbid functioning than male subjects. Good premorbid adjustment was strongly associated with an acute onset of the illness, and poor premorbid adjustment with an insidious onset.
Post‐traumatic symptoms among younger and elderly evacuees in the early stages following the 1995 Hanshin‐Awaji earthquake in Japan
Authors: Kato H. , Asukai N. , Miyake Y. , Minakawa K. , Nishiyama A.
Published: August 2007

We assessed the frequency of short‐term, post‐traumatic symptoms among evacuees of the Hanshin‐Awaji earthquake. A total of 67 younger subjects (under 60 years) and 75 elderly subjects (60 years or above) were interviewed during the third week after the earthquake, and 50 and 73 subjects, respectively, were interviewed during the eighth week. All subjects were assessed using the Post‐Traumatic Symptom Scale. During the first assessment, subjects from both age groups experienced sleep disturbances, depression, hypersensitivity and irritability. During the second assessment, the percentage of younger subjects experiencing symptoms did not decrease, while elderly subjects showed a significant decrease in 8 of 10 symptoms. This may have been due to such factors as decreased psychological stress, extensive social networks, and previous disaster experiences in the case of the elderly subjects.
Experience of pain in rheumatoid arthritis an empirical evaluation of the contribution of developmental psychosocial stress
Authors: Radanov B. P. , Frost S.‐A. , Schwarz H. A. , Augustiny K. F.
Published: August 2007

Using a structured biographical history we evaluated the relationship between aspects of development and reports of pain experience (i.e. intensity of pain, affective and affective‐evaluative dimensions of pain according to the McGill pain questionnaire, and effectiveness of medication) in 66 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. It was postulated that higher loading with regard to developmental stress would have a negative influence on reports of pain experience. Multiple regression analysis showed that (i) the intensity of pain was significantly correlated with the functional stage of the illness, (ii) affective and affective‐evaluative dimensions of pain experience correlated with the interviewer's scoring of nurture and the patient's relationship with his or her partner, and (iii) the effectiveness of medication was significantly associated with the partner's understanding of the patient's pain and duration of illness. However, independent variables could explain only part of the variance (i.e. 12% for pain intensity, 17% for affective and affective‐evaluative dimensions of pain experience and 26% for the effectiveness of medication). These results suggest that the previously assumed importance of developmental psychosocial stress as a factor in chronic intractable pain may require careful reassessment.
IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—AORTIC THROMBOEMBOLISM ASSOCIATED WITH SPIROCERCOSIS IN A DOG
Authors: KIRBERGER ROBERT M. , ZAMBELLI ANTHONY
Published: August 2007

An 8‐year‐old neutered female Rhodesian Ridgeback developed acute, nonneurological right pelvic limb lameness. Femoral pulsation was poor, and oscillometric blood pressure measurements between the two pelvic limbs differed markedly. A caudal aortic right external iliac embolus was detected sonographically. Radiographically, there was a caudal esophageal mass and thoracic vertebral spondylitis typical of spirocercosis. Using CT‐angiography, a caudal thoracic aortic aneurysm with a mural thrombus was detected. The dog recovered following heparin and aspirin therapy but signs recurred 7 months later. Subsequently, the patient improved on treatment and remains asymptomatic. This report illustrates the value of CT‐angiography in detecting aortic thrombosis in dogs with spirocercosis.
COMPARATIVE CONTRIBUTION AND INTENTIONAL TORTS: A REMAINING ROADBLOCK TO DAMAGES APPORTIONMENT
Authors: LEIBMAN JORDAN H.
Published: August 2007

In November of 1974, recording artist Connie Francis was a guest at the Howard Johnson Motor Lodge in Westbury, New York. In the early morning hours she was criminally assaulted by an unknown man who came through sliding glass doors that appeared to be locked, but were apparently capable of being easily unsecured form the outside. In a suit for negligence against Howard Johnson, Ms. Francis received a jury verdict of $2.5 million to compensate her for her pain and suffering and for future lost earnings. The rapist who escaped never answered for his crime to the people of New York nor to Ms. Francis in damages for his intentional tort of battery.1
NEW APPRAISALS OF OLD PROBLEMS: REFLECTIONS ON THE DELAWARE APPRAISAL PROCEEDING.
Authors: Calio Joseph Evan
Published: August 2007

A review of this testimony clearly shows that testimony as to value by experts is of such limited use to a trier of fact. Vice Chancellor Hartnett1
Optimization of trans‐Resveratrol Concentration and Sensory Properties of Peanut Kernels by Slicing and Ultrasound Treatment, Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Rudolf J.L. , Resurreccion A.V.A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT:  Effect of postharvest stress application by slicing at 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 cm, exposure to ultrasound (power density of 39.2 mW/cm3) for 4 min at 25 °C and subsequent incubation for 24, 36, 42, and 48 h on trans‐resveratrol concentrations, and sensory attributes were evaluated using response surface methodology. Peanuts sliced 0.4 and 0.6 cm, exposed to ultrasound, and incubated for 42 h had trans‐resveratrol concentrations above 1.0 μg/g, as did all samples incubated for 48 h. The optimized area was bound by peanut size of 0.89, 0.72, and 0.64 and incubation time of 48, 41.5, and 48 h, respectively. Combinations of treatments that fall within the optimized area were predicted to result in a peanut with a trans‐resveratrol ≥1.0 μg/g; slightly lower roasted peanut aroma (>24) and flavor (>43); peanut butter aroma (>14), and flavor (>31) compared to controls with attribute ratings of 33, 78, 38, and 51, respectively; and slightly higher oxidized aroma (<6), and painty (<0.5), fishy (<6), and cardboard flavor (>4) compared to controls rated 0 for all attributes.
An Experimental Investigation of the Separation Points on a Circular Rotating Cylinder in Cross Flow
Authors: Labraga L. , Kahissim G. , Keirsbulck L. , Beaubert F.
Published: August 2007

The flow past a rotating cylinder placed within a uniform stream is investigated at Reynolds numbers ranging from 8500 to 17,000 to 34,000. The dimensionless rotation rate α (ratio of the cylinder peripheral speed to the free-stream velocity) varies from 0 to 7. The experimental investigation is based on laser-Doppler anemometry measurements and particle-image velocimetry (PIV) within a water channel. The analysis of the experimental results mainly concerns the location of the separation points as defined by various criteria. It is found that the criterion suggested by Moore, Rott and Sears (MRS) is met in the case of the downstream-moving walls. Moreover, this study shows that sufficient information was obtained to confirm that the MRS criterion is still valid even in the case of the upstream-moving walls. This is confirmed by the behavior of the vertical velocity component educed from the averaged two-dimensional flow field obtained by PIV measurements.
Dielectrophoretic Control of Bubble Transport in Mesochannels— Experimental Study
Authors: Helberg C. , Bryan J. E.
Published: August 2007

Using electrostatic fields to manipulate and/or pump fluids on the microscale is a promising method for the advancement in microfluidics. Preliminary analysis showed that unidirectional bubble motion could be achieved if the polarization (dielectrophoretic) force could overcome surface tension and viscous forces. Results are presented for the development and fundamental study of dielectrophoretic control of bubble transport in mesochannels. Electrode array configurations were manufactured using printed circuit board technology and mated with an acrylic channel. Bubble velocity, acceleration, and deformation were investigated for a range of bubble sizes, two electrode array configurations, two working fluids—pentane and a 20/80 mixture by mass of ethanol and pentane, two switching frequencies, and a range of +DC pulse applied voltages. A maximum average velocity of 6.6mm∕s and a maximum local velocity of 30mm∕s were achieved. For the results presented, both the switching frequency and bubble size affected the velocity for a given applied voltage. Of the two fluids tested, there was no measurable difference in the bubble velocity even though the bubble deformation was significantly different for the two fluids. It was concluded that bubble deformation reduced the unidirectional bubble motion effectiveness. Bubble deformation could be reduced by lowering the applied voltage without significantly reducing the velocity of the bubble.
Nonequilibrium Molecular Dynamics Approach for Nanoelectromechanical
Systems: Nanofluidics and Its Applications
Authors: Sean Kim Changsung
Published: August 2007

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been performed to provide the basic knowledge of nanofluidics and its applications at the molecular level. A nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) code was developed and verified by comparing a micro Poiseuille flow with the classical Navier–Stokes solution with nonslip wall boundary conditions. Liquid argon fluids in a platinum nanotube were simulated to characterize the homogeneous fluid system. Also, positively charged particles were mixed with solvent particles to study the non-Newtonian behavior of the heterogeneous fluid. At equilibration state, the macroscopic parameters were calculated using the statistical calculation. As an application of MD simulation, the nanojetting mechanism was identified by simulating the full process of droplet ejection, breakup, wetting on the surface, and natural drying. For an electrowetting phenomenon, a fluid droplet with positive charges moving on the ultrathin film with negative charges was simulated and then compared to the macroscopic experiments. A conceptual nanopumping system using the electrowetting phenomenon was also simulated to prove its feasibility. The molecular dynamics code developed here showed its potential applicability to the novel concept design of nano- and microelectromechanical systems.
Turbulent Flow Downstream of a Perforated Plate: Sharp-Edged Orifice Versus Finite-Thickness Holes
Authors: Liu Rui , Ting David S.-K.
Published: August 2007

In this study, perforated plates with sharp-edged orificed openings and finite-thickness straight openings were applied to produce nearly isotropic turbulence in a wind tunnel. At the same nominal velocity, the orificed perforated plate was able to produce a higher level of turbulence due to the well-defined flow separation from its sharp edge openings. The integral length, L was found to be related to the square root of the turbulence decay coefficient in the power law decay of turbulence kinetic energy, A. The larger A associated with the orificed perforated plate gave rise to a larger L. The corresponding streamwise autocorrelation functions for the two perforated plates behaved differently, confirming the quantitative disparity in L and further indicates some qualitative difference in the large-scale structures generated.
Blue-Light-Activated Histidine Kinases: Two-Component Sensors in Bacteria
Authors: Swartz Trevor E. , Tseng Tong-Seung , Frederickson Marcus A. , Paris Gastón , Comerci Diego J. , Rajashekara Gireesh , Kim Jung-Gun , Mudgett Mary Beth , Splitter Gary A. , Ugalde Rodolfo A. , Goldbaum Fernando A. , Briggs Winslow R. , Bogomolni Roberto A.
Published: August 2007

Histidine kinases, used for environmental sensing by bacterial two-component systems, are involved in regulation of bacterial gene expression, chemotaxis, phototaxis, and virulence. Flavin-containing domains function as light-sensory modules in plant and algal phototropins and in fungal blue-light receptors. We have discovered that the prokaryotes
Brucella melitensis
,
Brucella abortus
,
Erythrobacter litoralis
, and
Pseudomonas syringae
contain light-activated histidine kinases that bind a flavin chromophore and undergo photochemistry indicative of cysteinyl-flavin adduct formation. Infection of macrophages by
B. abortus
was stimulated by light in the wild type but was limited in photochemically inactive and null mutants, indicating that the flavin-containing histidine kinase functions as a photoreceptor regulating
B. abortus
virulence.
Monoclonal Antibody to Fungal Glucosylceramide Protects Mice against LethalCryptococcus neoformansInfection
Authors: Rodrigues Marcio L. , Shi Li , Barreto-Bergter Eliana , Nimrichter Leonardo , Farias Sandra E. , Rodrigues Elaine G. , Travassos Luiz R. , Nosanchuk Joshua D.
Published: August 2007

Glucosylceramides (GlcCer) are involved in the regulation ofCryptococcus neoformansvirulence. In the present study, we demonstrate that passive immunization with a monoclonal antibody to GlcCer significantly reduces host inflammation and prolongs the survival of mice lethally infected withC. neoformans, revealing a potential therapeutic strategy to control cryptococcosis.
Partial Protection against
Brucella
Infection in Mice by Immunization with Nonpathogenic Alphaproteobacteria
Authors: Delpino M. Victoria , Estein Silvia M. , Fossati Carlos A. , Baldi Pablo C.
Published: August 2007

Previous findings indicate that
Brucella
antigens and those from nonpathogenic alphaproteobacteria (NPAP) are cross-recognized by the immune system. We hypothesized that immunization with NPAP would protect mice from
Brucella
infection. Mice were immunized subcutaneously with heat-killed
Ochrobactrum anthropi
,
Sinorhizobium meliloti
,
Mesorhizobium loti
,
Agrobacterium tumefaciens
, or
Brucella melitensis
H38 (standard positive control) before intravenous challenge with
Brucella abortus
2308. Cross-reacting serum antibodies against
Brucella
antigens were detected at the moment of challenge in all NPAP-immunized mice. Thirty days after
B. abortus
challenge, splenic CFU counts were significantly lower in mice immunized with
O. anthropi
,
M. loti
, and
B. melitensis
H38 than in the phosphate-buffered saline controls (protection levels were 0.80, 0.66, and 1.99 log units, respectively). In mice immunized intraperitoneally with cytosoluble extracts from NPAP or
Brucella abortus
, protection levels were 1.58 for the latter, 0.63 for
O. anthropi
, and 0.40 for
M. loti
. To test whether the use of live NPAP would increase protection further, mice were both immunized and challenged by the oral route. Immunization with NPAP induced a significant increase in serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), but not serum or fecal IgA, against
Brucella
antigens. After challenge, anti-
Brucella
IgA increased significantly in the sera and feces of mice orally immunized with
O. anthropi
. For all NPAP, protection levels were higher than those obtained with systemic immunizations but were lower than those obtained by oral immunization with heat-killed
B. abortus
. These results show that immunization with NPAP, especially
O. anthropi
, confers partial protection against
Brucella
challenge. However, such protection is lower than that conferred by immunization with whole
Brucella
or its cytosoluble fraction.
Reevaluating the Serotype II Capsular Locus of
Streptococcus agalactiae
Authors: Martins E. R. , Melo-Cristino J. , Ramirez M.
Published: August 2007

We report a novel sequence of the serotype II capsular locus of group B streptococcus that resolves inconsistencies among the results of various groups and the sequence in GenBank. This locus was found in diverse lineages and presents genes consistent with the complete synthesis of the type II polysaccharide.
The Transcription Profile of the
Bocavirus
Bovine Parvovirus Is Unlike Those of Previously Characterized Parvoviruses
Authors: Qiu Jianming , Cheng Fang , Johnson F. Brent , Pintel David
Published: August 2007

The
Bocavirus
bovine parvovirus generated a single pre-mRNA from a promoter at its left-hand end; however, the pattern of its alternative polyadenylation and splicing was different from that of other parvoviruses. A large left-hand-end open reading frame (ORF) encoded a nonstructural protein of approximately 95 kDa. An abundant, spliced, internally polyadenylated transcript encoded the viral NP1 protein from an ORF in the center of the genome. Transcripts encoding the capsid proteins were polyadenylated in the right-hand terminal palindrome. This is the first published transcription map of a member of the
Bocavirus
genus of the
Parvovirinae
.
A Human Lung Carcinoma Cell Line Supports Efficient Measles Virus Growth and Syncytium Formation via a SLAM- and CD46-Independent Mechanism
Authors: Takeda Makoto , Tahara Maino , Hashiguchi Takao , Sato Takeshi A. , Jinnouchi Fumiaki , Ueki Shoko , Ohno Shinji , Yanagi Yusuke
Published: August 2007

Measles virus (MV) propagates mainly in lymphoid organs throughout the body and produces syncytia by using signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM) as a receptor. MV also spreads in SLAM-negative epithelial tissues by unknown mechanisms. Ubiquitously expressed CD46 functions as another receptor for vaccine strains of MV but not for wild-type strains. We here show that MV grows and produces syncytia efficiently in a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line via a SLAM- and CD46-independent mechanism using a novel receptor-binding site on the hemagglutinin protein. This infection model could advance our understanding of MV infection of SLAM-negative epithelial cells and tissues.
INVESTIGATION COMPARISON ON THE GATE SPEED OF THREE-LEVEL AND TWO-LEVEL QUANTUM NOT GATES WITH ASYMMETRIC POTENTIAL OF rf-SQUID
Authors: JI YING-HUA , HU JU-JU , CAI SHI-HUA
Published: August 2007

We investigate the relation between the speed of quantum NOT gate and the asymmetry or detuning of the potential in system of the interaction of a two-level rf-SQUID qubit with a classical microwave pulse. The rf-SQUID is characterized by an asymmetric double well potential that gives rise to diagonal matrix elements. Then in resonance, we compare the gate speeds for three-level and two-level quantum NOT gates. We show that in general, a three-level gate is much faster than the conventional two-level gate.
A GENERALIZATION OF BIHARI'S INEQUALITY AND FUZZY RANDOM DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS WITH NON-LIPSCHITZ COEFFICIENTS
Authors: FEI WEIYIN
Published: August 2007

This paper studies a class of fuzzy random differential equations with non-Lipschitz coefficients. We first generalize the Bihari's inequality which is later applied to solving the related problem of uniqueness of the solution to fuzzy random differential equations with non-Lipschitz coefficients. The dependence of fuzzy random differential equations on initial values is also discussed. Finally, the non confluence property of the solutions to fuzzy random differential equations is investigated.
INTERVAL-VALUED FUZZY LOGIC CONTROL FOR A CLASS OF DISTRIBUTED PARAMETER SYSTEMS
Authors: ZHANG XIAN-XIA , LI SHAO-YUAN , LI HAN-XIONG
Published: August 2007

An interval-valued fuzzy logic controller (I-V FLC) is presented to control a class of nonlinear distributed parameter systems. The proposed FLC is inspired by human operators' knowledge or expert experience to control a distributed parameter process from the point of view of overall space domain. Based on spatial fuzzy set, the I-V FLC employs a centralized rule base over the space domain. Using spatial membership degree fusion operation, the I-V FLC can compress spatial input information into interval-valued fuzzy sets and then execute an interval-valued rule inference mechanism; thereby the I-V FLC has the capability to process spatial information over the space domain. Compared with traditional FLCs, the I-V FLC can improve its control performance due to its increased ability to express and process spatial information. The I-V FLC is successfully applied to a catalytic packed-bed reactor and compared with the traditional FLCs. The results demonstrate its effectiveness to control the unknown nonlinear distributed parameter process.
ROUGHNESS OF TYPE-2 FUZZY SET BASED ON SIMILARITY RELATION
Authors: WU HAOYANG , WU YUYUAN , LIU HAITAO , ZHANG HONGJUN
Published: August 2007

Theory of fuzzy set and theory of rough set are two useful means of describing and modeling of uncertainty in ill defined environment where precise mathematical analysis are not suitable. Classical rough set theory is based on equivalent relation. It has been indicated that it could be generated to case with a similarity relation. So far, there has been theoretical investigations on roughness measure of fuzzy set based on equivalent relation. The intention of this paper is to go further and propose a measure of roughness of a type-2 fuzzy set based on similarity relation and prove some properties of this novel measure.
INTERVAL METHODS IN KNOWLEDGE REPRESENTATION
Authors: Kreinovich Vladik
Published: August 2007

This section is maintained by Vladik Kreinovich. Please send your abstracts (or copies of papers that you want to see reviewed here) to vladik@utep.edu, or by regular mail to: V. Kreinovich, Department of Computer Science, University of Texas, El Paso, TX 79968, USA.
POISSON SPACES FOR PROPER SEMIGROUPS OF SEMI-SIMPLE LIE GROUPS
Authors: LÓPEZ JORGE N. , RUFFINO PAULO R. C. , SAN MARTIN LUIZ A. B.
Published: August 2007

Let ν be a probability measure on a semi-simple Lie group G with finite center. Under the hypothesis that the semigroup S generated by ν has non-empty interior, we identify the Poisson space Π = G/MνAN, where bounded (l.u.c.) ν-harmonic functions in G have a one-to-one correspondence with measurable (continuous) functions in Π. This paper extends a classical result (see Furstenberg [7], Azencott [1] and others), where the semigroup generated by ν was assumed to be the whole (connected) group. We present two detailed examples.
AN OPEN SET OF UNBOUNDED COCYCLES WITH SIMPLE LYAPUNOV SPECTRUM AND NO EXPONENTIAL SEPARATION
Authors: CONG NGUYEN DINH , SON DOAN THAI
Published: August 2007

We give an example of an open set of unbounded cocycles satisfying the integrability condition of the multiplicative ergodic theorem such that all the cocycles in this open set have simple Lyapunov spectrum but have no exponential separation. Thus, unlike the bounded case, the exponential separation property is nongeneric in the space of unbounded cocycles.
REMARKS ON LARGE DEVIATION FOR RATIONAL MAPS ON THE RIEMANN SPHERE
Authors: XIA HONGQIANG , FU XINCHU
Published: August 2007

We consider rational maps of degree d ≥ 2 on the Riemann sphere and obtain large deviation results for Hölder observables under the measure of maximal entropy.
PSEUDO-TELEPATHY: INPUT CARDINALITY AND BELL-TYPE INEQUALITIES
Authors: GISIN NICOLAS , MÉTHOT ANDRÉ ALLAN , SCARANI VALERIO
Published: August 2007

Pseudo-telepathy is the most recent form of rejection of locality. Many of its properties have already been discovered: for instance, the minimal entanglement, as well as the minimal cardinality of the output sets, have been characterized. This paper contains two main results. First, we prove that no bipartite pseudo-telepathy game exists, in which one of the partners receives only two questions; as a corollary, we show that the minimal "input cardinality", that is, the minimal number of questions required in a bipartite pseudo-telepathy game, is 3 × 3. Second, we study the Bell-type inequality derived from the pseudo-telepathy game known as the Magic Square game: we demonstrate that it is a tight inequality for 3 inputs and 4 outputs on each side and discuss its weak resistance to noise.
INFORMATION TRANSFER RATES IN SPIN QUANTUM CHANNELS
Authors: ROSSINI DAVIDE , GIOVANNETTI VITTORIO , FAZIO ROSARIO
Published: August 2007

We analyze the communication efficiency of quantum information transfer along unmodulated spin chains by computing the communication rates of various protocols. The effects of temporal correlations are discussed, showing that they can be exploited to boost the transmission efficiency.
ALTERNATE SCHEME FOR OPTICAL CLUSTER-STATE GENERATION WITHOUT NUMBER-RESOLVING PHOTON DETECTORS
Authors: WILDE MARK M. , SPEDALIERI FEDERICO , DOWLING JONATHAN P. , LEE HWANG
Published: August 2007

We design a controlled-phase gate for linear optical quantum computing by using photodetectors that cannot resolve photon number. An intrinsic error-correction circuit corrects errors introduced by the detectors. Our controlled-phase gate has a 1/4 success probability. Recent development in cluster-state quantum computing has shown that a two-qubit gate with non-zero success probability can build an arbitrarily large cluster state only with polynomial overhead. Hence, it is possible to generate optical cluster states without number-resolving detectors and with polynomial overhead.
OPPORTUNITY COSTS OF RISKS IN EVALUATION OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES
Authors: ORDOOBADI SHARON M.
Published: August 2007

For most companies a key to survival in today's competitive market is to invest in new technologies. However, for many reasons such investments are difficult to justify by traditional economic analysis alone. One reason is the challenge of including the intangible and often hard to quantify costs and benefits associated with these investments. This is particularly true for new technologies due to the fact that there exits a lower level of corporate experience regarding the potential risks associated with a new technology compared to technologies that the company is familiar with. This situation points towards the need for an evaluation tool that complements classical economic analysis techniques with additional processes that consider these risks as well. The attempt here is to develop a process to help practitioners to consider the costs due to these risks through a systematic procedure based on their risk aversion traits.
COMMERCIALIZING A DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGY BASED UPON UNIVERSITY IP THROUGH OPEN INNOVATION: A CASE STUDY OF CAMBRIDGE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
Authors: MINSHALL TIM , SELDON STUART , PROBERT DAVID
Published: August 2007

This paper discusses the use of a university spin-out firm to bring a potentially disruptive technology to market. The focus for discussion is how a spin-out can build a technology ecosystem of providers of complementary resources to enable partner organizations to build competence in a novel and potentially disruptive technology. The paper uses the illustrative case of Cambridge Display Technology Ltd (CDT) to consider these issues from the perspective of the literature on open innovation (with particular emphasis on the role of partnerships between start-ups and established firms), the commercialization of university IP, and the commercialization of disruptive technologies.
Functional characterization of testis-specific rodent multidrug and toxic compound extrusion 2, a class III MATE-type polyspecific H+/organic cation exporter
Authors: Hiasa Miki , Matsumoto Takuya , Komatsu Toshinori , Omote Hiroshi , Moriyama Yoshinori
Published: August 2007

Mammalian multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE) proteins are classified into three subfamilies: classes I, II, and III. We previously showed that two of these families act as polyspecific H+-coupled transporters of organic cations (OCs) at final excretion steps in liver and kidney (Otsuka et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 102: 17923–17928, 2005; Omote et al. Trends Pharmacol Sci 27: 587–593, 2006). Rodent MATE2 proteins are class III MATE transporters, the molecular nature, as well as transport properties, of which remain to be characterized. In the present study, we investigated the transport properties and localization of mouse MATE2 (mMATE2). On expression in human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells, mMATE2 localized to the intracellular organelles and plasma membrane. mMATE2 mediated pH-dependent TEA transport with substrate specificity similar to, but distinct from, that of mMATE1, which prefers N-methylnicotinamide and guanidine as substrates. mMATE2 expressed in insect cells was solubilized and reconstituted with bacterial H+-ATPase into liposomes. The resultant proteoliposomes exhibited ATP-dependent uptake of TEA that was sensitive to carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone but unaffected by valinomycin in the presence of K+. Immunologic techniques using specific antibodies revealed that mMATE2 was specifically expressed in testicular Leydig cells. Thus mMATE2 appears to act as a polyspecific H+/OC exporter in Leydig cells. It is concluded that all classes of mammalian MATE proteins act as polyspecific and electroneutral transporters of organic cations.
Effects of temperature on ventilatory response to hypercapnia in newborn mice heterozygous for transcription factor Phox2b
Authors: Ramanantsoa N. , Vaubourg V. , Matrot B. , Vardon G. , Dauger S. , Gallego J.
Published: August 2007

Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) is a rare disease with variable severity, generally present from birth and chiefly characterized by impaired chemosensitivity to hypercapnia. The main cause of CCHS is a mutation in the PHOX2B gene, which encodes a transcription factor involved in the development of autonomic medullary reflex pathways. Temperature regulation is abnormal in many patients with CCHS. Here, we examined whether ambient temperature influenced CO2sensitivity in a mouse model of CCHS. A weak response to CO2at thermoneutrality (32°C) was noted previously in 2-day-old mice with an invalidated Phox2b allele ( Phox2b+/−), compared with wild-type littermates. We exposed Phox2b+/− pups to 8% CO2at three ambient temperatures (TAs): 29°C, 32°C, and 35°C. We measured breathing variables and heart rate (HR) noninvasively using a novel whole body flow plethysmograph equipped with contact electrodes. Body temperature and baseline breathing increased similarly with TA in mutant and wild-type pups. The hypercapnic ventilatory response increased linearly with TA in both groups, while remaining smaller in mutant than in wild-type pups at all TAs. The differences between the absolute increases in ventilation in mutant and wild-type pups become more pronounced as temperature increased above 29°C. The ventilatory abnormalities in mutant pups were not associated with significant impairments of heart rate control. In both mutant and wild-type pups, baseline HR increased with TA. In conclusion, TA strongly influenced the hypercapnic ventilatory response in Phox2b+/− mutant mice. These findings suggest that abnormal temperature regulation may contribute to the severity of respiratory impairments in CCHS patients.
Involvement of splanchnic vascular bed in anaphylactic hypotension in anesthetized BALB/c mice
Authors: Liu Wei , Takano Hiromichi , Shibamoto Toshishige , Cui Sen , Zhao Zhan-Sheng , Zhang Wei , Kurata Yasutaka
Published: August 2007

Using in vivo and isolated perfused liver preparations of BALB/c mice, we determined the roles of the liver and splanchnic vascular bed in anaphylactic hypotension. Intravenous injection of ovalbumin antigen into intact-sensitized mice decreased systemic arterial pressure (Psa) from 92 ± 2 to 39 ± 3 (SE) mmHg but only slightly increased portal venous pressure (Ppv) from 6.4 ± 0.1 cmH2O to the peak of 9.9 ± 0.5 cmH2O at 3.5 min after antigen. Elimination of the splanchnic vascular beds by ligation of the celiac and mesenteric arteries, combined with total hepatectomy, attenuated anaphylactic hypotension. Ligation of these arteries alone, but not partial hepatectomy (70%), similarly attenuated anaphylactic hypotension. In contrast, isolated sensitized mouse liver perfused portally at constant flow did not show anaphylactic venoconstriction but, rather, substantial constriction in response to the anaphylaxis-associated platelet-activating factor, indicating that venoconstriction in mice in vivo may be induced by mediators released from extrahepatic tissues. These results suggest that splanchnic vascular beds are involved in BALB/c mouse anaphylactic hypotension. They presumably act as sources of chemical mediators to cause the anaphylaxis-induced portal hypertension, which induced splanchnic congestion, resulting in a decrease in circulating blood volume and, thus, systemic arterial hypotension. Mouse hepatic anaphylactic venoconstriction may be induced by factors outside the liver, but not by anaphylactic reaction within the liver.
Heterogeneous Electrotonic Coupling and Synchronization of Rhythmic Bursting Activity in Mouse Hb9 Interneurons
Authors: Wilson J. M. , Cowan A. I. , Brownstone R. M.
Published: August 2007

The neurons and mechanisms involved in mammalian spinal cord networks that produce rhythmic locomotor activity remain largely undefined. Hb9 interneurons, a small population of discretely localized interneurons in the mouse spinal cord, are conditionally bursting neurons. Here we applied potassium channel blockers with the aim of increasing neuronal excitability and observed that under these conditions, postnatal Hb9 interneurons exhibited bursts of action potentials with underlying voltage-independent spikelets. The bursts were insensitive to antagonists to fast chemical synaptic transmission, and the bursting and spikelets were blocked by tetrodotoxin. Calcium imaging studies using 2-photon excitation in spinal cord slices revealed that clustered Hb9 interneurons exhibited synchronous and occasional asynchronous, calcium transients that were also insensitive to fast synaptic transmission blockade. All transients were blocked by the gap junction blocker carbenoxolone. Paired whole cell patch-clamp recordings of Hb9 interneurons in the late postnatal mouse revealed common chemical synaptic inputs but no evidence of current transfer (i.e., electrotonic coupling) between the neurons. However, Hb9 and a previously defined population of non-Hb9 interneurons were electrotonically coupled. In the absence of fast chemical transmission in the whole spinal cord preparation, 2-photon excitation calcium imaging revealed bursting activity of Hb9 interneurons synchronous with rhythmic ventral root output. Thus Hb9 interneurons are both endogenous bursters and rhythmically active within a heterogeneous electrotonically coupled network. A network with these properties could produce the wide range of stable rhythms necessary for locomotor activity.
Itch Induced by a Novel Method Leads to Limbic Deactivations— A Functional MRI Study
Authors: Herde Lina , Forster Clemens , Strupf Marion , Handwerker Hermann O.
Published: August 2007

Functional brain imaging studies on itch usually use histamine as a stimulus and, in consequence, have to cope with the highly variable time course of this particular itch sensation. In this study, we describe a novel method of histamine application. To provoke itch, a mixture of histamine and codeine was applied through intradermally positioned microdialysis fiber. The itch was terminated by lidocaine application through the same fiber. During one fMRI session, this procedure was repeated four times in four different microdialysis fibers, including one placebo control. Itch ratings of the subjects were correlated with blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) effects. In a subsequent experiment performed in the same fMRI session, heat pain was provoked in the right forearm with a Peltier thermode. During both experiments, activation clusters were found in brain areas that have been described previously to be frequently activated in response to painful stimuli. This includes prefrontal areas, supplementary motor areas (SMA), premotor cortex, anterior insula, anterior midcingulate cortex, S1, S2, thalamus, basal ganglia, and cerebellum. In general, itch stimulation entailed more activation clusters, in particular on the contralateral brain side. Only on itch, but not on heat pain, negative BOLD signals were found in the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex and the amygdala. The latter results may be associated with the itch induced urge to scratch. Amygdala deactivation may be related to the preparation of scratching by aiming to dissolve the otherwise aversive effects of the noxious scratch stimuli. These negative BOLD effects may also be attributed to the stressful character of itch stimulation.
Characterization of Lobula Giant Neurons Responsive to Visual Stimuli That Elicit Escape Behaviors in the CrabChasmagnathus
Authors: Medan Violeta , Oliva Damián , Tomsic Daniel
Published: August 2007

In the grapsid crab Chasmagnathus, a visual danger stimulus elicits a strong escape response that diminishes rapidly on stimulus repetition. This behavioral modification can persist for several days as a result of the formation of an associative memory. We have previously shown that a generic group of large motion-sensitive neurons from the lobula of the crab respond to visual stimuli and accurately reflect the escape performance. Additional evidence indicates that these neurons play a key role in visual memory and in the decision to initiate an escape. Although early studies recognized that the group of lobula giant (LG) neurons consisted of different classes of motion-sensitive cells, a distinction between these classes has been lacking. Here, we recorded in vivo the responses of individual LG neurons to a wide range of visual stimuli presented in different segments of the animal's visual field. Physiological characterizations were followed by intracellular dye injections, which permitted comparison of the functional and morphological features of each cell. All LG neurons consisted of large tangential arborizations in the lobula with axons projecting toward the midbrain. Functionally, these cells proved to be more sensitive to single objects than to flow field motion. Despite these commonalities, clear differences in morphology and physiology allowed us to identify four distinct classes of LG neurons. These results will permit analysis of the role of each neuronal type for visually guided behaviors and will allow us to address specific questions on the neuronal plasticity of LGs that underlie the well-recognized memory model of the crab.
Serotonergic Raphe Magnus Cell Discharge Reflects Ongoing Autonomic and Respiratory Activities
Authors: Mason Peggy , Gao Keming , Genzen Jonathan R.
Published: August 2007

Serotonergic cells are located in a restricted number of brain stem nuclei, send projections to virtually all parts of the CNS, and are critical to normal brain function. They discharge tonically at a rate modulated by the sleep–wake cycle and, in the case of medullary serotonergic cells in raphe magnus and the adjacent reticular formation (RM), are excited by cold challenge. Yet, beyond behavioral state and cold, endogenous factors that influence serotonergic cell discharge remain largely mysterious. The present study in the anesthetized rat investigated predictors of serotonergic RM cell discharge by testing whether cell discharge correlated to three rhythms observed in blood pressure recordings that averaged >30 min in length. A very slow frequency rhythm with a period of minutes, a respiratory rhythm, and a cardiac rhythm were derived from the blood pressure recording. Cross-correlations between each of the derived rhythms and cell activity revealed that the discharge of 38 of the 40 serotonergic cells studied was significantly correlated to the very slow and/or respiratory rhythms. Very few serotonergic cells discharged in relation to the cardiac cycle and those that did, did so weakly. The correlations between serotonergic cell discharge and the slow and respiratory rhythms cannot arise from baroreceptive input. Instead we hypothesize that they are by-products of ongoing adjustments to homeostatic functions that happen to alter blood pressure. Thus serotonergic RM cells integrate information about multiple homeostatic activities and challenges and can consequently modulate spinal processes according to the most pressing need of the organism.
Approximal Secondary Caries Lesion Progression, a 20-Week in situ Study
Authors: Thomas R.Z. , Ruben J.L. , ten Bosch J.J. , Fidler V. , Huysmans M.C.D.N.J.M.
Published: August 2007

There is no consensus about the definition and progression of outer and wall lesions in secondary caries. In this study we investigated whether lesion progression is influenced by an adjacent composite restoration and whether wall lesions develop at the composite-tooth interface. In order to study the appearance and progression of approximal primary caries lesions and lesions next to composite restorations, 16 samples were placed in a full denture of each of 8 subjects. Each denture housed 4 restored and 4 unrestored enamel samples and similarly 8 dentin samples. All samples were distributed over 2 sample holders, in each of which 4 approximal spaces were simulated. Every 4 weeks the sample holders were microradiographed using transversal wavelength independent microradiography and lesion depth was measured. At the end of the study, after 20 weeks, the lesion depth of the outer lesions was 0–350 µm for enamel and 0–750 µm for dentin. The estimated difference in pro- gression between secondary and primary lesions (1.1 µm/4 weeks, 95% CI: –9.2 to 11.4 µm) was not statistically significant (p = 0.83). Secondary outer lesions appeared and progressed as primary caries lesions. No clear wall lesions were found next to composite, but they were observed next to acrylic resin.
Microbiota of Plaque Microcosm Biofilms: Effect of Three Times Daily Sucrose Pulses in Different Simulated Oral Environments
Authors: Sissons C.H. , Anderson S.A. , Wong L. , Coleman M.J. , White D.C.
Published: August 2007

Aim: To explore the Ecological Plaque Hypothesis for dental caries. To test modification of the microbiota of dental plaque microcosm biofilms by sucrose pulsing during growth in two different simulated oral fluids, and with a urea-induced plaque pH elevation. Methods: Plaque microcosm biofilms were cultured in an ‘artificial mouth’ with and without 6-min 5% w/v sucrose pulses every 8 h in an environment of continuously supplied saliva-like defined medium with mucin (DMM), or basal medium mucin (BMM, a high-peptone-yeast extract oral fluid analogue), and also in DMM + 10 mmol/l urea, with sucrose pulsing. Forty plaque species were quantified by checkerboard DNA:DNA hybridization analysis. Results: Sucrose pulsing extended rapid plaque growth in DMM and BMM, inducing major microbiota changes in DMM but not in BMM. In DMM, some streptococci and lactobacilli were unaffected while others implicated in caries, together with Candida albicans and Capnocytophaga gingivalis, increased. Aerobic, microaerophilic and major anaerobic species decreased. Elevation of the pHmax from 6.4 to 7.0 had almost no effect on the microbiota. BMM plaques were distinct from DMM plaques with particularly low levels of Candida albicans and Actinomyces. Conclusions: Modest sucrose exposure in a saliva-like environment causes profound changes in the developmental self-organization of plaque microcosms, supporting the Ecological Plaque Hypothesis. Nevertheless, there is significant stability in microbial composition with varying pH near neutrality. Increases in levels of specific bacteria in response to sucrose could be characteristic of organisms particularly important in caries.
Temporal Relationship between Sucrose-Associated Changes in Dental Biofilm Composition and Enamel Demineralization
Authors: Vale G.C. , Tabchoury C.P.M. , Arthur R.A. , Del Bel Cury A.A. , Paes Leme A.F. , Cury J.A.
Published: August 2007

The aim of this study was to investigate the temporal relationship between changes in biofilm composition and enamel demineralization following exposure to sucrose. A crossover blind study was conducted in situ in three phases, during which 12 volunteers, divided into three groups, subjected enamel slabs 8 times/day to water (negative control), 10% glucose + 10% fructose (active control) or 20% sucrose solution. Biofilms accumulated for 3, 7 and 14 days were collected and analyzed biochemically and microbiologically, and mineral loss from enamel (ΔZ) was evaluated. Significantly higher ΔZ was found in the sucrose group after 7 days. However, on the 3rd day, lactobacilli, insoluble extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) and intracellular polysaccharide were significantly higher, and the calcium, inorganic phosphorus and fluoride concentrations in the biofilm were significantly lower in the sucrose group than in the negative controls. The only significant difference compared to glucose + fructose treatment was a higher insoluble EPS concentration. The data suggest that, although sucrose induces significant enamel demineralization only after 7 days of biofilm accumulation, changes in the biofilm composition are observed earlier.