bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hemoglobin oxygen saturation discrepancy using various methods in patients with sickle cell vaso‐occlusive painful crisis
Authors: Ahmed Shahid , Siddiqui Anita K. , Sison Cristina P. , Shahid Rabia K. , Mattana Joseph
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  Objective: To evaluate agreement among various methods for measuring oxyhemoglobin (O2Hb) saturation in adult hypoxic patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) during painful vaso‐occlusive crisis and to compare those results with a control group. Patients and methods: The hemoglobin oxygen saturation was determined simultaneously by pulse oximetry (SpO2), co‐oximetry [SO2 (functional oxyhemoglobin saturation) and FO2Hb (oxyhemoglobin fraction)] and by calculation (SaO2) using a normal O2Hb dissociation curve in 18 adult patients with SCD during vaso‐occlusive crisis and 12 non‐SCD patients with various cardiopulmonary diagnoses. The method proposed by Bland and Altman was used to evaluate agreement of various methods in each of the two groups. Results: Mean differences between various methods in patients with SCD were significantly larger than the control group. Limits of agreement (LOA) were also wider in the SCD group than in the control group. Mean bias between SpO2 and SO2, and SpO2 and FO2Hb in patients with SCD were −3.1 ± 4.4 (LOA: −11.9 to 5.7) and 2 ± 4.1 (LOA: −6.2 to 10.2) respectively, compared with −1.4 ± 1.4 (LOA: −4.2 to 1.4) and 1.2 ± 1.5 (LOA: −1.9 to 4.3) in the control group. A mean bias of −4.5 ± 4 (LOA: −12.5 to 3.5) between SpO2 and SaO2 was noted in patients with SCD compared with −0.1 ± 2.1 (LOA: −4.3 to 4.1) in the control group. The width of LOA for various methods in patients with SCD ranged from 9.8 to 17.6 compared with 1.3 to 8.4 in the control group. Conclusion: Patients with SCD during vaso‐occlusive crisis have discrepancies in O2Hb saturation measurements by various methods. Abnormal pulse oximetry values in these patients should be interpreted cautiously and supplemented by arterial blood gas analysis and co‐oximetry.
Quality of life in adult hematopoietic cell transplant patients at least 5 yr after treatment: a comparison with healthy controls
Authors: Kopp Martin , Holzner Bernhard , Meraner Verena , Sperner‐Unterweger Barbara , Kemmler Georg , Nguyen‐Van‐Tam Dominic P. , Nachbaur David
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  Background and objective: As long‐term survivors of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) become more numerous, studies addressing the issue of long‐term follow‐up are necessary. In this study, we report on the quality of life (QOL) of HCT‐patients, who were alive at least at 5 yr after transplantation in comparison to an age‐ and sex‐matched sample of healthy controls assessed in the same time‐period and the same geographical region. Design and methods: The European Group of Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)‐QOL Questionnaire (EORTC‐QLQ C30) was sent by post to 39 HCT‐survivors. Thirty‐four patients answered the questionnaire. Patients were compared with 68 healthy controls from the same geographical region. Patients and controls completed the EORTC in the same time period. Results: Mann–Whitney U‐tests identified significantly lower QOL on the dimensions of physical and social functioning and on the financial impact symptom scale. Conclusions: Patients who had survived their HCT for more than 5 yr did generally well in terms of global QOL. This is consistent with Kiss et al. (J Clin Oncol 2002;20:2334–2343), who found that chronic myeloid leukemia patients who were alive at least 10 yr after HCT report lower physical functioning in comparison to healthy controls. Problems in the areas of social functioning and financial difficulty can possibly be addressed by intensive rehabilitation processes integrating patients, family members and significant others. Interdisciplinary (medical, psychological and social) treatment of patients should not come to an end after the acute phase of the illness but should continue during check‐ups following transplantation.
Blastoid variant of mantle cell lymphoma: late progression from classical mantle cell lymphoma and quantitation of minimal residual disease
Authors: Pott Christiane , Schrader Carsten , Brüggemann Monika , Ritgen Matthias , Harder Lana , Raff Thorsten , Tiemann Markus , Dreger Peter , Kneba Michael
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  Objectives: Classical mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and its blastoid variant (MCL‐BV) are characterized by an extremely poor prognosis. Long‐time survivors are rare, only very few patients with an overall survival over 10 years have been reported. We present a case of a 41‐year‐old male with a 12 yr history of MCL stage I to show, that very late relapses in MCL are possible and may present as a transformation into an aggressive blastoid variant and to illustrate the value of quantitative minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring for treatment guidance. Methods: Diagnostic lymph node and bone marrow samples were investigated by immunohistochemistry. Clonality analysis was performed by immunoglobulin heavy chain gene (IGVH) and t(11;14) PCR. The MRD assessment was done by real‐time quantitative PCR (RQ‐PCR) on available follow‐up samples. Results: By histologic review and sequencing of the clonal IGVH and t(11;14) PCR products we demonstrated a common clonal origin of the leucemic MCL‐BV and the classical MCL diagnosed 12 yr earlier. Quantitative MRD assessment revealed significant MRD levels after intensive conventional chemotherapy including Rituximab. Therefore, treatment was early intensified by myeloablative radio‐chemotherapy and allogeneic peripheral stem cell transplantation from an unrelated HLA‐identical donor. This did not translate into a sustained remission as reflected by persisting MRD levels after transplantation and the patient died from rapid progressive disease 3.5 months after transplant. Conclusion: This report presents a rare case of long‐term survivor of MCL with a progression of the original MCL cell clone to MCL‐BV and demonstrates the clinical value of quantitative MRD assessment for optimized therapeutic management.
Phosphate Availability Alters Lateral Root Anatomy and Root Architecture of Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr. Seedlings
Authors: WU Chu , WEI Xing , SUN Hai‐Long , WANG Zheng‐Quan
Published: March 2005

Abstract: Plants have evolved some mechanisms to maximize the efficiency of phosphorus acquisition. Changes in root architecture are one such mechanism. When Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr. seedlings were grown under conditions of low phosphorus availability, the length of cells in the meristem zone of the lateral roots was longer, but the length of cells in the elongation and mature zones of the lateral roots was shorter, compared with seedlings grown under conditions of high phosphorus availability. The elongation rates of primary roots increased as phosphorus availability increased, but the elongation rates of the branched zones of the primary roots decreased. The number of lateral root primordia and the length of the lateral roots decreased as phosphorus availability increased. The topological index (altitude slope) decreased as phosphorus availability increased, suggesting that root architecture tended to be herringbone‐like when seedlings were grown under conditions of low phosphate availability. Herringbone‐like root systems exploit nutrients more efficiently, but they have higher construction costs than root systems with a branching pattern.

(Managing editor: Wei WANG)
Antiporter Gene from Hordum brevisubulatum (Trin.) Link and Its Overexpression in Transgenic Tobaccos
Authors: LÜ Shi‐You , JING Yu‐Xiang , SHEN Shi‐Hua , ZHAO Hua‐Yan , MA Lan‐Qing , ZHOU Xiang‐Juan , REN Qing , LI Yan‐Fang
Published: March 2005

Abstract: A vacuolar Na+/H+ antiporter cDNA gene was successfully isolated from Hordeum brevisubulatum (Trin.) Link using the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) method. The gene was named HbNHX1 and was found to consist of 1 916 bp encoding a predicted polypeptide of 540 amino acids with a conserved amiloride‐binding domain. Phylogenetic tree analysis of the Na+/H+ antiporters showed that the HbNHX1 gene shares 55.3%–74.8% similarity with the vacuolar‐type Na+/H+ antiporters. Transgenic tobaccos that contain the HbNHX1 gene, integrated by forward insertion into the tobacco genome, were obtained via Agrobacterium tumerfaciens and characterized for the determination of the concentration of Na+ and K+ ions, as well as proline, in the presence of 300 mmol/L NaCl. The T1 transgenic plants showed more tolerance to salt and drought than did wild‐type plants. Our data suggest that overexpression of the HbNHX1 gene could improve the tolerance of transgenic tobaccos to salt and drought through the function of the vacuolar Na+/H+ antiporter.

(Managing editor: Li‐Hui ZHAO)
Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases Mediate the Signaling Pathway of Stomatal Closure of Vicia faba L.
Authors: SHI Wu‐Liang , LIU Xin , JIA Wen‐Suo , ZHANG Shu‐Qiu
Published: March 2005

Abstract: The regulation of stomatal movement is one of the most important signaling networks in plants. The H+‐ATPase at the plasma membrane of guard cells plays a critical role in the stomata opening, while there are some conflicting results regarding the effectiveness of the plasma membrane H+‐ATPase inhibitor, vanadate, in inhibiting stomata opening. We observed that 2 mmol/L vanadate hardly inhibited light‐stimulated stomata opening in epidermal peels of Vicia faba L., but significantly inhibited dark‐ and ABA‐induced stomatal closure. These results cannot be explained with the previous findings that H+‐ATPase was inhibited by vanadate. In view of the fact that vanadate is an inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases), we investigated whether the stomatal movement regulated by vanadate is through the regulation of PTPase. As expected, phenylarsine oxide (PAO), a specific inhibitor of PTPase, has very similar effects and even more effective than vanadate. Typical PTPase activity was found in guard cells of V. faba; moreover, the phosphatase activity could be inhibited by both vanadate and PAO. These results not only provide a novel explanation for conflicting results about vanadate modulating stomatal movement, but also provide further evidence for the involvement of PTPases in modulating signal transduction of stomatal movement.

(Managing editor: Ping HE)
Conifer Woods of the Pliocene Age from Yunnan, China
Authors: YI Tie‐Mei , LI Cheng‐Sen , JIANG Xiao‐Mei
Published: March 2005

Abstract: The Tertiary floras play an integral role in understanding the biodiversity and interactions between climate and vegetation in Yunnan, China. The fossil spores, pollen grains, and leaves in this region have been investiaged intensively. In comparison, the woods have been studied relatively little. A large number of Pliocene wood specimens was collected from the opencast lignite coal mine of Hongxing situated in Changning County of Yunnan Province. Among the collection, Tsuga cf. dumosa (D. Don) Eichler and Pinus cf. armandii Franchet were identified based on wood structures. The subtle feature of tori extensions is reported in the wood of T. cf. dumosa. Considering the climatic requirements of modern T. dumosa and P. armandii, the two species of conifer described from Pliocene sediments probably grew in mountainous terrain at an elevation of approximately 2 300 m, in a cool and humid environment.

(Managing editor: Ya‐Qin HAN)
Glycosides from Roots of Cyathula officinalis Kuan
Authors: ZHOU Rong , LI Bo‐Gang , ZHANG Guo‐Lin
Published: March 2005

Abstract: To search for new and bioactive compounds from traditional Chinese medicines, a new glycoside, 3‐O‐[α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐(n‐butyl‐β‐D‐glucopyranosiduronate)]‐28‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyloleanolic acid (1), was isolated from the roots of Cyathula officinalis Kuan, along with 3‐O‐(methyl‐β‐D‐glucopyranosiduronate)‐28‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl oleanolic acid (2), 3‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl oleanolic acid (3), 3‐O‐β‐D‐glucuronopyranosyl oleanolic acid (4), 3‐O‐[β‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐(β‐D‐glucuronopyranosyl)] oleanolic acid (5), 3‐O‐(β‐D‐glucuronopyranosyl)‐28‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl oleanolic acid (6), 28‐O‐β‐D‐glucuronopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl hederagenin (7), 3‐O‐[β‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐β‐D‐glucuronopyranosyl]‐28‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl oleanolic acid (8), and 3‐O‐[β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐β‐D‐glucuronopyranosyl]‐28‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl oleanolic acid (9). The structures of these compounds were determined based on spectral and chemical evidence. The 50 per cent growth‐inhibiting (GI50) of compounds 1 and 5 against MDA‐MB‐231 (a human breast cancer cell line) was 3.44 × 10‐4 and 4.66 × 10‐4 mol/L, respectively.

(Managing editor: Wei WANG)
Variation in the Agronomic and Morphological Traits of Iranian Chickpea Accessions
Authors: NAGHAVI Mohammad Reza , JAHANSOUZ Mohammad Reza
Published: March 2005

Abstract: Landraces of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in Iran have not been adequately characterized for their agronomic and morphological traits. Such characterization would be helpful in the development of improved cultivars, so in this study 362 chickpea accessions, collected from the major chickpea growing areas of Iran, were evaluated to determine their phenotypic diversity. High coefficients of variation (CVs) were recorded in pods/branch, seeds/pod, yield/plant, seeds/plant, pods/plant and branches/plant. Using principal component (PC) analysis, the first four PCs with eigenvalues more than 1 contributed 84.10% of the variability among accessions, whereas PC5 to PC10 were less than unity. PC1 was positively related to days to first maturity, days to 50% flowering and days to 50% maturity. The characters with the greatest weight on PC2 were seeds/plant and yield/plant, whereas PC3 was mainly related to pods/plant, seeds/pod and 100‐seed weight, and PC4 was positively related to pods/branch and negatively to branches/plant. The germplasm was grouped into four clusters using cluster analysis. Each cluster had some specific characteristics of its own and the cluster I was clearly separated from clusters II, III and IV. These accessions are an important resource for the establishment of a core collection of chickpeas in the world.

(Managing editor: Ping)
The Mechanical Response of Freestanding Circular Elastic Films Under Point and Pressure Loads
Authors: Komaragiri U. , Begley M. R. , Simmonds J. G.
Published: March 2005

This paper provides a comprehensive description of the mechanical response of freestanding circular elastic films subjected to point and pressure loads. Regimes of behavior, such as plate, linear membrane, and nonlinear membrane, are identified in terms of two dimensionless variables that allow the creation of a single map that indicates appropriate closed-form solutions. This map provides a theoretical framework to design experiments and interpret film behavior for all orders of magnitude of: film thickness-to-span ratio, deflection, loads, prestretch, and elastic properties. The normalization approach provides the means to quickly identify appropriate simplifications to the nonlinear governing equations, and identify applicable analytical solutions. Numerical results are used to illustrate behavior in transition regions, e.g., the transition for a given plate thickness from small to large deflections under increasing load. Critical loads, thickness and prestretch are identified which indicate when asymptotic plate or membrane solutions are accurate. Asymptotic and numerical results are presented which illustrate finite-sized regions of bending-influenced deformation near point loads and clamped edges. Theoretical predictions for the width of these regions enable us to estimate the validity of analytical strain distributions, and in turn the maximum strains in the film. These results help avoiding brittle fracture or ductile yielding of the film by identifying physical parameters that limit strains to an acceptable level.
Elastic-Plastic Wrinkling of Sandwich Panels With Layered Cores
Authors: Grenestedt Joachim L. , Danielsson Mikael
Published: March 2005

Elastic-plastic wrinkling of compression loaded sandwich panels made with layered cores was studied analytically and experimentally. A core with a stiff layer near the sandwich skins can improve various properties, including wrinkling and impact strengths, with only a minor weight penalty. The 2D plane stress and plane strain bifurcation problems were solved analytically, save for a determinantal equation which was solved numerically. Experiments were performed on aluminum skin/foam core sandwich panels with different combinations of stiff and soft core materials. Good correlation between experiments and theory was obtained.
Green’s Functions for Holes/Cracks in Laminates With Stretching-Bending Coupling
Authors: Hwu Chyanbin
Published: March 2005

Consider an infinite composite laminate containing a traction-free elliptical hole subjected to concentrated forces and moments at an arbitrary point outside the hole. This problem for two-dimensional deformation has been solved analytically in the literature, while for the general unsymmetric composite laminates stretching and bending coupling may occur and due to the mathematical complexity the associated Green’s functions have never been found for complete loading cases. Recently, by employing Stroh-like formalism for coupled stretching-bending analysis, the Green’s functions for the infinite laminates (without holes) were obtained in closed-form. Based upon the nonhole Green’s functions, through the use of analytical continuation method the Green’s functions for holes are now obtained in explicit closed-form for complete loading cases and are valid for the full fields. The Green’s functions for cracks are then obtained by letting the minor axis of ellipse be zero. By proper differentiation, the stress resultants and moments along the hole boundary and the stress intensity factors of cracks are also solved explicitly. Like the Green’s functions for the infinite laminates, only the solutions associated with the in-plane concentrated forces f^1,f^2 and out-of-plane concentrated moments m^1,m^2 have exactly the same form as those of the corresponding two-dimensional problems. For the cases under the concentrated force f^3 and torsion m^3, new types of solutions are obtained.
Monte Carlo Simulation of Moment Lyapunov Exponents
Authors: Xie Wei-Chau
Published: March 2005

A Monte Carlo simulation method for determining the pth moment Lyapunov exponents of stochastic systems, which governs the pth moment stability, is developed. Numerical results of two-dimensional systems under bounded noise and real noise excitations are presented to illustrate the approach.
Wall Heat Flux Partitioning During Subcooled Flow Boiling: Part 1—Model Development
Authors: Basu Nilanjana , Warrier Gopinath R. , Dhir Vijay K.
Published: March 2005

In this work a mechanistic model has been developed for the wall heat flux partitioning during subcooled flow boiling. The premise of the proposed model is that the entire energy from the wall is first transferred to the superheated liquid layer adjacent to the wall. A fraction of this energy is then utilized for vapor generation, while the rest of the energy is utilized for sensible heating of the bulk liquid. The contribution of each of the mechanisms for transfer of heat to the liquid—forced convection and transient conduction, as well as the energy transport associated with vapor generation has been quantified in terms of nucleation site densities, bubble departure and lift-off diameters, bubble release frequency, flow parameters like velocity, inlet subcooling, wall superheat, and fluid and surface properties including system pressure. To support the model development, subcooled flow boiling experiments were conducted at pressures of 1.03–3.2 bar for a wide range of mass fluxes 124-926kg/m2 s, heat fluxes 2.5-90W/cm2 and for contact angles varying from 30° to 90°. The model developed shows that the transient conduction component can become the dominant mode of heat transfer at very high superheats and, hence, velocity does not have much effect at high superheats. This is particularly true when boiling approaches fully developed nucleate boiling. Also, the model developed allows prediction of the wall superheat as a function of the applied heat flux or axial distance along the flow direction.
Finite Element Predictions of Temperature Distributions in a Multipass Welded Piping Branch Junction
Authors: Jiang Wei , Yahiaoui Kadda , Hall Frank R.
Published: March 2005

This contribution deals with the complex temperature profiles that are generated by the welding process in the intersection region of thick walled, cylinder-cylinder junctions. These affect material microstructure, mechanical properties and residual stresses. Knowledge of the thermal history and temperature distributions are thus critical in developing control schemes for acceptable residual stress distributions to improve in-service component behavior. A comprehensive study of three-dimensional temperature distributions in a stainless steel tee branch junction during a multipass welding process is presented. A newly developed partitioning technique has been used to mesh the complex intersection areas of the welded junction. Various phenomena associated with welding, such as temperature dependent material properties, heat loss by convection and latent heat have been taken into consideration. The temperature distribution at various times after deposition of certain passes and the thermal cycles at various locations are reported. The results obtained in this study will be used for on-going and future analysis of residual stress distributions. The meshing technique and modeling method can also be applied to other curved, multipass welds in complex structures.
On the Violence of High Explosive Reactions
Authors: Tarver Craig M. , Chidester Steven K.
Published: March 2005

High explosive reactions can be caused by three general energy deposition processes: impact ignition by frictional and/or shear heating; bulk thermal heating; and shock compression. The violence of the subsequent reaction varies from benign slow combustion to catastrophic detonation of the entire charge. The degree of violence depends on many variables, including the rate of energy delivery, the physical and chemical properties of the explosive, and the strength of the confinement surrounding the explosive charge. The current state of experimental and computer-modeling research on the violence of impact, thermal, and shock-induced reactions is briefly reviewed in this paper.
Limit and Burst Pressures for a Cylindrical Vessel With a 30 deg—Lateral d/D⩾0.5
Authors: Sang Z. F. , Lin Y. J. , Xue L. P. , Widera G. E. O.
Published: March 2005

The purpose of this paper is to provide research results for a cylindrical vessel—30 deg lateral intersection with diameter ratio d/D⩾0.5 under increasing internal pressure loading. The results include those from tests as well as from an inelastic stress analysis. The experimentally determined limit load is compared with that from the finite element analysis. The stress concentration factor, the spread of the plastic area, and the behavior of the deformation are provided. Also, a burst test of the model vessel is carried out to provide some data to justify the existing design method and forms a basis for developing an advanced design guideline for cylindrical vessel—lateral intersection under internal pressure loading.
Fluidelastic Instability and Work-Rate Measurements of Steam-Generator U-Tubes in Air–Water Cross-Flow
Authors: Janzen V. P. , Hagberg E. G. , Pettigrew M. J. , Taylor C. E.
Published: March 2005

The dynamic response of U-tubes to two-phase cross-flow has been studied in tests involving a simplified U-tube bundle with a set of flat-bar supports at the apex, subjected to air–water cross-flow over the mid-span region. Tube vibration and the interaction between tubes and supports were measured over a wide range of void fractions and flow rates, for three different tube-to-support clearances. The vibration properties and tube-to-support work-rates could be characterized in terms of the relative influence of fluidelastic instability and random-turbulence excitation. For the first time, in a U-bend tube bundle with liquid or two-phase flow, fluidelastic instability was observed both in the out-of-plane and in the in-plane direction. This raises the possibility of higher-than-expected tube-to-support work-rates for U-tubes restrained by flat bars, particularly if fluidelastic instability, random turbulence and loose supports combine adversely.
Information Fusion Technique for Evaluating Radiation Embrittlement of Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels
Authors: Wang J. A. , Konduri S. , Rao N. S. V.
Published: March 2005

A new approach that utilizes the information fusion technique was developed to predict the radiation embrittlement of reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steels. The Charpy transition temperature-shift data is used as the primary index of the RPV radiation embrittlement in this study. Six parameters, Cu, Ni, P, neutron fluence, irradiation time, and irradiation temperature are used in the embrittlement prediction models. The results indicate that this new embrittlement predictor achieved about 66% and 53% reductions, respectively, in the uncertainties for the update General Electric (GE) Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) plate and weld data compared to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Regulatory Guide 1.99, Rev. 2 (RG1.99/R2). The implications of irradiation temperature effects for the development of radiation embrittlement models are also discussed.
PENTAQUARKS
Authors: KARLINER MAREK
Published: March 2005

I discuss the recent experimental and theoretical developments following the discovery of the Θ+ pentaquark – an exotic [Formula: see text] baryon resonance observed in the KN channel by several experiments, and an exotic Ξ*-- (ddssū) reported by NA49 at CERN. I focus on the theoretical interpretation of the data, both in terms of quark and chiral degrees of freedom, on the predictions for related exotic states, and on several unresolved questions raised by the experimental data, such why some experiments observe the pentaquarks and other don't, the apparently extremely narrow width of the Θ+ and the determination of its parity. I also describe the likely properties of the proposed heavy-quark pentaquarks – an anticharmed exotic baryon [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], which are expected to be extremely narrow or even stable against strong decays. H1 recently reported observation of a possible Θc candidate in D*-p channel. Pentaquarks are also being searched for in e+e- annihilation and γγ collisions in the LEP data and at B-factories.
EXPERIMENTAL OUTLOOK FOR THE PENTAQUARK
Authors: HICKS KEN
Published: March 2005

A critical look is taken at both positive and null evidence for the Θ+ pentaquark. Potential problems with experiments will be discussed and the question of what conclusion can be drawn from both the positive and the null results is examined. First the question of existence of the Θ+ pentaquark is considered, followed by a discussion of new experiments that are either planned or in progress to answer questions about its mass, width and isospin. Finally, indirect evidence for the parity of the Θ+ is examined, and suggestions for experiments to measure its parity directly are given.
EXCITED BARYONS AND PENTAQUARKS ON THE LATTICE
Authors: LEE FRANK X.
Published: March 2005

I review recent progress in computing the mass spectrum of excited baryons and pentaquarks in lattice QCD.
KAONIC HYDROGEN MEASUREMENT WITH DEAR AT DAΦNE
Authors:   DEAR COLLABORATION, CARGNELLI M. , BEER G. , BRAGADIREANU A. M. , CURCEANU PETRASCU C. , EGGER J. P. , FUHRMANN H. , GUARALDO C. , ILIESCU M. , ISHIWATARI T. , ITAHASHI K. , IWASAKI M. , KIENLE P. , KOIKE T. , LAUSS B. , LUCHERINI V. , LUDHOVA L. , MARTON J. , MULHAUSER F. , PONTA T. , SCHALLER L. A. , SEKI R. , SIRGHI D. L. , SIRGHI F. , ZMESKAL J.
Published: March 2005

The DEAR (DAΦNE Exotic Atom Research) experiment1 measured the energy of X-rays emitted in the transitions to the ground states of kaonic hydrogen. The shift ∊ and the width Γ of the 1s state are sensitive quantities for tests of the current understanding of the low energy antikaon-nucleon interaction. We obtain ∊1s=-193±37 ( stat. )±6 ( syst. ) and Γ1s=249±112 ( stat. )±30 ( syst. ).
CP VIOLATION IN B-MESON DECAYS
Authors: SCHUBERT KLAUS R.
Published: March 2005

After a short introduction on CP asymmetries in K and B meson decays, I discuss a few recent results related to CP violation, mainly from the BABAR experiment: CPT tests in [Formula: see text] mixing, search for CP violation in [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] decays, and measurements of the unitarity-triangle angle α in B →ππ and B →ρρ decays. I conclude with the result of a CKM-matrix fit to all relevant observations.
STUDY OF CHARM PHYSICS IN NEUTRINO SCATTERING IN THE CHORUS EXPERIMENT
Authors:   FOR THE CHORUS COLLABORATION., DE ROSA GIANFRANCA
Published: March 2005

The CHORUS detector was exposed to the neutrino beam of the CERN SPS during the years 94-97. About 150,000 νμ events have been collected in the nuclear emulsion target and analyzed.

With the present performance of the emulsion scanning systems, it has become possible to perform large area volume scanning around interaction vertex to detect decay topologies. This technique has been exploited to search for events where charmed particles are produced. More than 2000 events with a recognized charm decay have been collected.
A REVIEW OF RARE PION AND MUON DECAYS
Authors: POČANIĆ DINKO
Published: March 2005

After a decade of no measurements of pion and muon rare decays, PIBETA, a new experimental program is producing its first results. We report on a new experimental study of the pion beta decay, π+→π0e+ν, the πe2γ radiative decay, π+→e+νγ, and muon radiative decay, [Formula: see text]. The new results represent four- to six-fold improvements in precision over the previous measurements. Excellent agreement with Standard Model predictions is observed in all channels except for one kinematic region of the πe2γ radiative decay involving energetic photons and lower-energy positrons.
CHALLENGES IN HADRON PHYSICS
Authors: MEIßNER ULF-G.
Published: March 2005

In this talk, I address some open problems in hadron physics and stress their importance for a better understanding of QCD in the confinement regime.
STRANGENESS PHYSICS WITH THE WASA DETECTOR AT COSY
Authors: GILLITZER A. , GRZONKA D.
Published: March 2005

The talk discusses the possible contributions of the WASA detector, relocated to COSY, to the exploration of the strangeness degree of freedom in hadron physics. New opportunities are opened particularly in the study of the hyperon-nucleon interaction, and in the study of hyperon resonances both in vacuum and in nuclear matter.
K-MATRIX ANALYSIS OF 3He-η SYSTEM AND η-π0 MIXING
Authors: WYCECH S. , GREEN A. M.
Published: March 2005

Three amplitudes for pd→3 He η, π+3 H →3 He η, pd→3 H π+ are related by a K-matrix. Free parameters are fitted to the data. This K-matrix indicates the existence of a virtual η3 He state and sizeable η-π mixing effects in the pd→3 He π0 reaction. The η-π mixing angle θ=0.6(3)o is extracted.
COMPACT REPRESENTATIONS OF SIMPLICIAL MESHES IN TWO AND THREE DIMENSIONS
Authors: BLANDFORD DANIEL K. , BLELLOCH GUY E. , CARDOZE DAVID E. , KADOW CLEMENS
Published: March 2005

We describe data structures for representing simplicial meshes compactly while supporting online queries and updates efficiently. Our data structure requires about a factor of five less memory than the most efficient standard data structures for triangular or tetrahedral meshes, while efficiently supporting traversal among simplices, storing data on simplices, and insertion and deletion of simplices.

Our implementation of the data structures uses about 5 bytes/triangle in two dimensions (2D) and 7.5 bytes/tetrahedron in three dimensions (3D). We use the data structures to implement 2D and 3D incremental algorithms for generating a Delaunay mesh. The 3D algorithm can generate 100 Million tetrahedra with 1 Gbyte of memory, including the space for the coordinates and all data used by the algorithm. The runtime of the algorithm is as fast as Shewchuk's Pyramid code, the most efficient we know of, and uses a factor of 3.5 less memory overall.
CONSTRAINED QUADRILATERAL MESHES OF BOUNDED SIZE
Authors: RAMASWAMI SUNEETA , SIQUEIRA MARCELO , SUNDARAM TESSA , GALLIER JEAN , GEE JAMES
Published: March 2005

We introduce a new algorithm to convert triangular meshes of polygonal regions, with or without holes, into strictly convex quadrilateral meshes of small bounded size. Our algorithm includes all vertices of the triangular mesh in the quadrilateral mesh, but may add extra vertices (called Steiner points). We show that if the input triangular mesh has t triangles, our algorithm produces a mesh with at most [Formula: see text] quadrilaterals by adding at most t+2 Steiner points, one of which may be placed outside the triangular mesh domain. We also describe an extension of our algorithm to convert constrained triangular meshes into constrained quadrilateral ones. We show that if the input constrained triangular mesh has t triangles and its dual graph has h connected components, the resulting constrained quadrilateral mesh has at most [Formula: see text] quadrilaterals and at most t+3h Steiner points, one of which may be placed outside the triangular mesh domain. Examples of meshes generated by our algorithm, and an evaluation of the quality of these meshes with respect to a quadrilateral shape quality criterion are presented as well.
ON PRODUCT SYSTEMS ARISING FROM SUM SYSTEMS
Authors: RAJARAMA BHAT B. V. , SRINIVASAN R.
Published: March 2005

B. Tsirelson constructed an uncountable family of type III product systems of Hilbert spaces through the theory of Gaussian spaces, measure type spaces and "slightly colored noises", using techniques from probability theory. Here we take a purely functional analytic approach and try to have a better understanding of Tsireleson's construction and his examples.

We prove an extension of Shale's theorem connecting symplectic group and Weyl representation. We show that the "Shale map" respects compositions (this settles an old conjecture of K. R. Parthasarathy8). Using this we associate a product system to a sum system. This construction includes the exponential product system of Arveson, as a trivial case, and the type III examples of Tsirelson.

By associating a von Neumann algebra to every "elementary set" in [0, 1], in a much simpler and direct way, we arrive at the invariants of the product system introduced by Tsirelson, given in terms of the sum system. Then we introduce a notion of divisibility for a sum system, and prove that the examples of Tsirelson are divisible. It is shown that only type I and type III product systems arise out of divisible sum systems. Finally, we give a sufficient condition for a divisible sum system to give rise to a unitless (type III) product system.
INTEGRAL REPRESENTATION OF QUANTUM MARTINGALES
Authors: JI UN CIG , SINHA KALYAN B.
Published: March 2005

A stochastic integral representation in terms of generalized integral kernel operator is proved for a wide class of quantum martingales which includes regular martingales and the martingales determined by the second quantization of integral operators containing singular kernels.
EXTENDABILITY OF GENERALIZED QUANTUM MARKOV CHAINS ON GAUGE INVARIANT C*-ALGEBRAS
Authors: OHNO HIROMICHI
Published: March 2005

We prove the extendability of generalized quantum Markov chains on gauge-invariant parts of UHF algebras to Markov chains on ambient UHF algebras.
A novel hemoglobin-based blood substitute protects against myocardial reperfusion injury
Authors: Caswell John E. , Strange Micah B. , Rimmer David M. , Gibson Michael F. , Cole Phillip , Lefer David J.
Published: March 2005

HBOC-201 (Biopure; Cambridge, MA) is a glutaraldehyde-polymerized bovine hemoglobin (Hb) solution that is stroma free, has lower viscosity than blood, and promotes O2unloading. We investigated the effects of HBOC-201 in a canine model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Dogs were anesthetized and subjected to 90 min of regional myocardial ischemia and 270 min of reperfusion. HBOC-201 or 0.9% saline vehicle equivalent to 10% total blood volume was infused 30 min before myocardial ischemia. Hemodynamic data and peripheral blood samples were taken at baseline, 1 h of myocardial ischemia, and 1, 2, and 4 h of reperfusion. At 270 min of reperfusion, the area at risk (AAR) per left ventricle and the area of infarction (Inf) per AAR were determined. The myocardial AARs in the two study groups were similar. In addition, myocardial blood flow (as measured by radioactive microspheres) in the ischemic zone was similar between the vehicle and HBOC-201 groups. HBOC-201-infused dogs demonstrated a significant ( P < 0.01) 56% reduction in Inf/AAR. Analysis of blood samples taken at 4 h of reperfusion showed a significant ( P < 0.05) reduction in creatine kinase MB isoform for the HBOC-201 group. Histological analysis of the myocardium demonstrated significant ( P < 0.01) reductions in neutrophil infiltration in the HBOC-201 group. These data indicate that treatment with HBOC-201 before myocardial ischemia-reperfusion reduces the extent of myocardial inflammation and ischemia-reperfusion injury in the canine myocardium.
The anti-inflammatory effect of exercise
Authors: Petersen Anne Marie W. , Pedersen Bente Klarlund
Published: March 2005

Regular exercise offers protection against all-cause mortality, primarily by protection against cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The latter disorders have been associated with chronic low-grade systemic inflammation reflected by a two- to threefold elevated level of several cytokines. Adipose tissue contributes to the production of TNF-α, which is reflected by elevated levels of soluble TNF-α receptors, IL-6, IL-1 receptor antagonist, and C-reactive protein. We suggest that TNF-α rather than IL-6 is the driver behind insulin resistance and dyslipidemia and that IL-6 is a marker of the metabolic syndrome, rather than a cause. During exercise, IL-6 is produced by muscle fibers via a TNF-independent pathway. IL-6 stimulates the appearance in the circulation of other anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1ra and IL-10 and inhibits the production of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α. In addition, IL-6 enhances lipid turnover, stimulating lipolysis as well as fat oxidation. We suggest that regular exercise induces suppression of TNF-α and thereby offers protection against TNF-α-induced insulin resistance. Recently, IL-6 was introduced as the first myokine, defined as a cytokine that is produced and released by contracting skeletal muscle fibers, exerting its effects in other organs of the body. Here we suggest that myokines may be involved in mediating the health-beneficial effects of exercise and that these in particular are involved in the protection against chronic diseases associated with low-grade inflammation such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Randomized controlled trial of exercise and blood immune function in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors
Authors: Fairey Adrian S. , Courneya Kerry S. , Field Catherine J. , Bell Gordon J. , Jones Lee W. , Mackey John R.
Published: March 2005

The objective was to determine the effects of exercise training on changes in blood immune function in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors. Fifty-three postmenopausal breast cancer survivors were randomly assigned to an exercise ( n = 25) or control group ( n = 28). The exercise group trained on cycle ergometers three times per week for 15 wk. The control group did not train. The primary end point was change in natural killer cell cytotoxic activity in isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Secondary end points were changes in standard hematological variables, whole blood neutrophil function, the phenotypes of isolated mononuclear cells, estimations of unstimulated and phytohemaglutinin-stimulated mononuclear cell function (rate of [3H]thymidine uptake), and the production of proinflammatory [interleukin (IL)-1α, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-6] and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, transforming growth factor-β1). Statistical tests were two-sided (α < 0.05). Fifty-two participants completed the trial. Intention-to-treat analyses, which included the baseline value as a covariate, showed significant differences between groups for change in percent specific lysis of a target natural killer cell at all five effector-to-target ratios (adjusted mean between-group change over all 5 effector-to-target ratios = +6.34%; P < 0.05 for all comparisons), the lytic activity per cell (adjusted mean between-group change = −2.72 lytic units; P = 0.035), and unstimulated [3H]thymidine uptake by peripheral blood lymphocytes (adjusted mean between-group change = +218 per dpm × 106cells; P = 0.007). There were no significant differences between groups for change in any other end point. Exercise training increased natural killer cell cytotoxic activity and unstimulated [3H]thymidine uptake by peripheral blood lymphocytes in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors.
β2-Adrenergic receptor stimulation in vivo induces apoptosis in the rat heart and soleus muscle
Authors: Burniston Jatin G. , Tan Lip-Bun , Goldspink David F.
Published: March 2005

High doses of the β2-adrenergic receptor (AR) agonist clenbuterol can induce necrotic myocyte death in the heart and slow-twitch skeletal muscle of the rat. However, it is not known whether this agent can also induce myocyte apoptosis and whether this would occur at a lower dose than previously reported for myocyte necrosis. Male Wistar rats were given single subcutaneous injections of clenbuterol. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect myocyte-specific apoptosis (detected on cryosections via a caspase 3 antibody and confirmed with annexin V, single-strand DNA labeling, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling). Myocyte apoptosis was first detected at 2 h and peaked 4 h after clenbuterol administration. The lowest dose of clenbuterol to induce cardiomyocyte apoptosis was 1 μg/kg, with peak apoptosis (0.35 ± 0.05%; P < 0.05) occurring in response to 5 mg/kg. In the soleus, peak apoptosis (5.8 ± 2%; P < 0.05) was induced by the lower dose of 10 μg/kg. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected throughout the ventricles, atria, and papillary muscles. However, this damage was most abundant in the left ventricular subendocardium at a point 1.6 mm, that is, approximately one-quarter of the way, from the apex toward the base. β-AR antagonism (involving propranolol, bisoprolol, or ICI 118551) or reserpine was used to show that clenbuterol-induced myocardial apoptosis was mediated through neuromodulation of the sympathetic system and the cardiomyocyte β1-AR, whereas in the soleus direct stimulation of the myocyte β2-AR was involved. These data show that, when administered in vivo, β2-AR stimulation by clenbuterol is detrimental to cardiac and skeletal muscles even at low doses, by inducing apoptosis through β1- and β2-AR, respectively.
Circadian profiling of the transcriptome in immortalized rat SCN cells
Authors: Menger Gus J. , Lu Kim , Thomas Terry , Cassone Vincent M. , Earnest David J.
Published: March 2005

Endogenous oscillations in gene expression are a prevalent feature of the circadian clock in the mammalian suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and similar timekeeping systems in other organisms. To determine whether immortalized cells derived from the rat SCN (SCN2.2) retain these intrinsic rhythm-generating properties, oscillatory behavior of the SCN2.2 transcriptome was analyzed and compared with that found in the rat SCN in vivo using rat U34A Affymetrix GeneChips. In SCN2.2 cells, 116 unique genes and 46 ESTs or genes of unknown function exhibited circadian fluctuations with a 1.5-fold or greater difference in their mRNA abundance for two cycles. Many (35%) of these rhythmically regulated genes in SCN2.2 cells also exhibited circadian profiles of mRNA expression in the rat SCN in vivo. Functional analyses and cartography indicate that a diverse set of cellular pathways are strategically regulated by the circadian clock in SCN2.2 cells and that the largest categories of rhythmic genes are those involved in cellular and systems-level communication or in metabolic processes like cellular respiration, fatty acid recycling, and steroid synthesis. Because many of the same genes or nodes within these functional categories were rhythmically expressed in both SCN2.2 cells and the rat SCN, the circadian regulation of these pathways may be important in modulating input to or output from the SCN clock mechanism. In summary, global expression and circadian regulation of the SCN2.2 transcriptome retain many SCN-like properties, suggesting that genes displaying rhythmic profiles in both experimental models may be integral to their function as both circadian oscillators and pacemakers.
Common Autosomal Recessive Diseases in Oman Derived from a Hospital-Based Registry
Authors: Rajab A. , Bappal B. , Al-Shaikh H. , Al-Khusaibi S. , Mohammed A.J.
Published: March 2005

Objectives: The local frequencies of genetic disorders in Oman apart from hemoglobinopathies are largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to evaluate birth prevalence of commonly diagnosed autosomal recessive diseases and to estimate needs and priorities of genetic services. Methods: Analysis of the years 1993–2002 using a hospital-based registry of genetic diseases was attempted. More than 3,000 records were reviewed. Only patients with definite diagnosis were included in the analysis. Genetically determined diseases occurring less frequently than 1 in 50,000 births are not included. Results: A number of rare autosomal recessive diseases are found to have a prevalence at least 1 in 50,000 livebirths. Conclusions: The data suggest that genetic diseases are important as major contributors to perinatal and childhood mortality and morbidity. The need for preventive genetic service is essential for the health of the community in Oman. Autosomal recessive diseases were frequently concentrated in specific geographical areas, which can be explained by founder effect and genetic drift. However, the hospital-based registry may present incomplete information. Further prospective studies are needed to provide more detailed data.