bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SDOVS: A solvent dipole ordering‐based method for virtual screening
Authors: Murata Katsumi , Nagata Naoya , Nakanishi Isao , Kitaura Kazuo
Published: May 2010

We previously reported that solvent dipole ordering (SDO) at the ligand binding site of a protein indicates an outline of the preferred shape and binding pose of the ligands. We suggested that SDO‐mimetic pseudo‐molecules that mimic the 3D shape of the SDO region could be used as molecular queries with a shape similarity matching method in virtual screening. In this work, a virtual screening method based on SDO, named SDOVS, was proposed. This method was applied to virtual screening of ligands for four typical drug target proteins and the performance compared with that of FRED (well‐known rigid docking method); the efficiency of SDOVS was demonstrated to be better than FRED. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010
Effect of substrate stiffness and PDGF on the behavior of vascular smooth muscle cells: Implications for atherosclerosis
Authors: Brown Xin Q. , Bartolak‐Suki Erzsebet , Williams Corin , Walker Mathew L. , Weaver Valerie M. , Wong Joyce Y.
Published: May 2010

Vascular disease, such as atherosclerosis, is accompanied by changes in the mechanical properties of the vessel wall. Although altered mechanics is thought to contribute to disease progression, the molecular mechanisms whereby vessel wall stiffening could promote vascular occlusive disease remain unclear. It is well known that platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF) is a major stimulus for the abnormal migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and contributes critically to vascular disease. Here we used engineered substrates with tunable mechanical properties to explore the effect of tissue stiffness on PDGF signaling in VSMCs as a potential mechanism whereby vessel wall stiffening could promote vascular disease. We found that substrate stiffness significantly enhanced PDGFR activity and VSMC proliferation. After ligand binding, PDGFR followed distinct routes of activation in cells cultured on stiff versus soft substrates, as demonstrated by differences in its intensity and duration of activation, sensitivity to cholesterol extracting agent, and plasma membrane localization. Our results suggest that stiffening of the vessel wall could actively promote pathogenesis of vascular disease by enhancing PDGFR signaling to drive VSMC growth and survival. J. Cell. Physiol. 225: 115–122, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adsorption of Reactive Red 120 from aqueous solutions by cetylpyridinium‐bentonite
Authors: Tabak Ahmet , Baltas Nimet , Afsin Beytullah , Emirik Mustafa , Caglar Bulent , Eren Erdal
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND: The removal of Reactive Red 120 (RR 120) from aqueous solutions using cetylpyridinium modified Resadiye bentonite (CP‐bentonite) prepared by ion exchange was investigated with particular reference to the effects of temperature, pH and ionic strength on adsorption.

RESULTS: Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and thermal analysis (TG‐DTG/DTA) techniques revealed that the anionic dye (RR 120) molecules replaced partly cationic surfactant species on interacting with CP‐bentonite. The positive surface charge originating from the cationic surfactant species located on the external surface of the modified bentonite sample increased at low pH values. The significant amount of dye removal by CP‐bentonite at high pH values proved the importance of π and van der Waals interactions other than the electrostatic attraction in the duration of the adsorption process. The adsorption isotherms and the kinetic data were well described by the Langmuir and pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model, respectively. The Gibbs energy (ΔG), enthalpy (ΔH) and entropy (ΔS) changes in the temperature range 25–65 °C pointed out that the RR 120 uptake increased in parallel with the temperature.

CONCLUSION: This study showed that the structural arrangement of cetylpyridinium ions in the CP‐bentonite sample as well as the pH, temperature and ionic strength of the bulk solution influenced the adsorption of RR 120 dye from aqueous solutions by CP‐bentonite. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Depth‐dependent anisotropies of amides and sugar in perpendicular and parallel sections of articular cartilage by Fourier transform infrared imaging
Authors: Xia Yang , Mittelstaedt Daniel , Ramakrishnan Nagarajan , Szarko Matthew , Bidthanapally Aruna
Published: May 2010

Full thickness blocks of canine humeral cartilage were microtomed into both perpendicular sections and a series of 100 parallel sections, each 6 μm thick. Fourier transform infrared (IR) imaging was used to image each tissue section eleven times under different IR polarizations (from 0° to 180° polarization states in 20° increments and with an additional 90° polarization), at a spatial resolution of 6.25 μm and a wavenumber step of 8 cm−1. With increasing depth from the articular surface, amide anisotropies increased in the perpendicular sections and decreased in the parallel sections. Both types of tissue sectioning identified a 90° difference between amide I and amide II in the superficial zone (SZ) of cartilage. The fibrillar distribution in the parallel sections from the SZ was shown to not be random. Sugar had a weak but recognizable anisotropy in the upper part of the radial zone (RZ) in the perpendicular sections. The depth‐dependent anisotropic data were fitted with a theoretical equation that contained three signature parameters, which illustrate the arcade structure of collagens with the aid of a fibril model. Fourier‐transform IR imaging of both perpendicular and parallel sections provides the possibility of determining the three‐dimensional macromolecular structures in articular cartilage. Being sensitive to the orientation of the macromolecular structure in healthy articular cartilage aids the prospect of detecting the early onset of the tissue degradation that may lead to pathological conditions such as osteoarthritis. Microsc. Res. Tech. 74:122–132, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The effects of acute carbon dioxide on behavior and physiology inProcambarus clarkii
Authors: Bierbower S.M. , Cooper R.L.
Published: May 2010

Vertebrates and invertebrates show a similar response of rapid anesthesia with high levels of carbon dioxide. In this study, we use crayfish to examine both behavioral and physiological responses to increasing [CO2] to explain the rapid unresponsiveness and cessation of an autonomic response. Hypoxic and low pH environments that are induced by CO2exposure were also examined, although neither produced the identified CO2effects. In insects, low concentrations play a vital role in providing information for task performance such as food location through attraction cues, whereas high concentrations produce avoidance responses. We found behavioral responses in crayfish that demonstrate a strong repellent effect to high [CO2] and that the avoidance behavior decreases with lower [CO2]. There was not a preference and/or repellent behavioral response with 5% CO2, hypoxic or low pH environments. Mechanosensory stimulation showed that only at high [CO2] there is an unresponsiveness to stimuli within a 30 min time period. Additionally, the autonomic bioindex of heart and ventilatory rates showed a complete cessation with high acute exposure within in the same time period for unresponsiveness to mechanosensory stimulation.J. Exp. Zool. 313A:484–497, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Site‐adjusted organic matter–balance method for use in arable farming systems
Authors: Kolbe Hartmut
Published: May 2010

Organic‐matter (OM) balancing can provide useful information for sustainable arable farm management. However, the balance methods commonly used are rather inaccurate and fail to meet current requirements. Therefore, an improved, site‐adjusted, semiquantitative technique based on the VDLUFA method developed by Körschens et al. (2004) in Germany was worked out for terrestrial soils for manual (i.e., not computer‐based) use in agricultural practice and consulting. It was optimized using results from 39 long‐term field trials to take into account site‐specific effects in Central Europe. The climatic, geogenic, and soil‐chemical influences on the process of OM decay were taken into consideration by adapting organic‐carbon (OC) coefficients of the organic material and the cultivation effects of crop species divided into six site‐specific groups. The balances calculated were adjusted to the soil organic‐carbon (SOC) concentrations, and the evaluation system was developed for use in conventional and organic agriculture on sites in Central Europe. The statistical deviation between calculated and field data is ± 3.7 g kg–1 for the VDLUFA method and ± (2.1–2.3) g kg–1 SOC for the site‐adjusted method, and the variance is reduced by 62%–68%. For use in farming, little information about soil and climatic characteristics, crop species, or organic material supply is needed, and the results can be used for in‐depth farm analyses and regulative reasons.
Holocene flooding history of the Lower Tagus Valley (Portugal)
Authors: Vis Geert‐Jan , Bohncke Sjoerd J. P. , Schneider Heike , Kasse Cornelis , Coenraads‐Nederveen Sander , Zuurbier Koen , Rozema Jouke
Published: May 2010

The present paper aims to reconstruct the Lower Tagus Valley flooding history for the last ca. 6500 a, to explore the suitability of pollen‐based local vegetation development in supporting the reconstruction of flooding history, and to explain fluvial activity changes in terms of allogenic (climate, human impact) and autogenic (system intrinsic) processes. The flooding history has been determined by cored sedimentary records located ∼18 km apart in distal, low‐energy backswamps on both sides of the Tagus channel. In these low‐energy backswamps, fine‐grained sediment layers deposited from suspended load of overbank flood water reflect periods with multiple overbank floods. By means of a multi‐proxy approach (sedimentology, magnetic susceptibility, grain size, loss‐on‐ignition, carbonate content and pollen), sedimentary and environmental changes were identified. At both sites, synchronous lithological intervals accumulated, suggesting a common origin for the changes in fluvial activity since ca. 6500 cal. a BP. Based on lithological changes, three phases of high fluvial activity (6500–5500, 4900–3500 and 1000–0 cal. a BP) and two phases of low fluvial activity (5500–4900 and 3500–1000 cal. a BP) were identified. Two periods with dominant allogenic controls on fluvial activity in the Lower Tagus Valley were identified: relative sea level (6500–5500 cal. a BP) and human impact (1000–0 cal. a BP). During the intermediate period, changes in fluvial activity may have been caused by climate (5500–1000 cal. BP), but unambiguous correlations are difficult to make. This is due to the way allogenic controls are translated through the fluvial system, the geomorphological differences between upstream and downstream studies and autogenic processes. The comparison of local vegetation development and flooding phases as reconstructed using sedimentology shows a limited added value of using local palynology as a proxy for fluvial activity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gaucher disease ascertained through a Parkinson's center: Imaging and clinical characterization
Authors: Saunders‐Pullman Rachel , Hagenah Johann , Dhawan Vijay , Stanley Kaili , Pastores Gregory , Sathe Swati , Tagliati Michele , Condefer Kelly , Palmese Christina , Brüggemann Norbert , Klein Christine , Roe AM , Kornreich Ruth , Ozelius Laurie , Bressman Susan
Published: May 2010

Among the genes implicated for parkinsonism is glucocerebrosidase (GBA), which causes Gaucher disease (GD). Despite a growing literature that GD may present as parkinsonism, neuroimaging, olfaction, and neuropsychological testing have not been extensively reported. We describe transcranial sonography (TCS), 18F‐fluorodopa (F‐dopa) and fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) Positron emission tomography, olfaction testing, neuropsychological testing, and clinical features in homozygous and compound heterozygous GBA mutation carriers identified through screening of 250 Ashkenazi Jewish parkinsonian individuals treated at a tertiary care center. We identified two individuals with N370S/R496H compound heterozygous mutations and two with N370S homozygous mutations; one individual died before completing detailed evaluation. TCS (n = 3) demonstrated nigral hyperechogenicity that was greater than controls [median area maximal substantia nigra echogenicity (aSNmax) = 0.28 cm2 vs. 0.14 cm2, P = 0.005], but similar to idiopathic PD (aSNmax = 0.31 cm2). FDG PET (n = 2) demonstrated hypermetabolism of the lentiform nuclei, and F‐fluorodopa PET (n = 2), bilateral reduction in striatal F‐dopa uptake. Olfaction was markedly impaired in the two tested cases, including onset of smell disturbance in adolescence in one. Neuropsychological features (n = 3) were consistent with Parkinson's disease (PD) or diffuse Lewy body disease (DLB). The imaging, neuropsychological and olfactory markers suggest the GD phenotype includes PD with and without features of DLB, marked olfactory loss, nigral hyperechogenicity on TCS, and F‐dopa and FDG PET abnormalities. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Early versus delayed bilateral subthalamic deep brain stimulation for parkinson's disease: A decision analysis
Authors: Espay Alberto J. , Vaughan Jennifer E. , Marras Connie , Fowler Rob , Eckman Mark H.
Published: May 2010

The long‐term benefits of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN DBS) applied earlier in the disease course, before significant disability accumulates, remain to be determined. We developed a Markov state transition decision analytic model to compare effectiveness in quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) of STN DBS applied to patients with PD at an “early” (“off time” 10–20%) versus “delayed” stage (“off time” >40%). A lifelong time horizon and societal perspective were assumed. Probabilities and rates were obtained from literature review; utilities were derived using the time trade‐off technique and a computer‐assisted utility assessment software tool applied to a cohort of 22 STN‐DBS and 21 non‐STN‐DBS PD patients. Uncertainty was assessed through one‐ and two‐way sensitivity analyses and probabilistic sensitivity analysis using second‐order Monte Carlo simulations. Early STN DBS was preferred with a quality‐adjusted life expectancy of 22.3 QALYs, a gain of 2.5 QALYs over those with delayed surgery (19.8 QALYs). Early STN DBS was preferred in 69% of 5,000 Monte Carlo simulations. Early surgery was robustly favored through most sensitivity analyses. Delayed STN DBS afforded greater QALYs when using utility estimates exclusively from non‐STN‐DBS patients and, for the entire group, if the rate of motor progression were to exceed 25% per year. Although decision modeling requires assumptions and simplifications, our exploratory analysis suggests that STN DBS performed in early PD may convey greater quality‐adjusted life expectancy when compared to a delayed procedure. These findings support further evaluation of early STN DBS in a controlled clinical trial. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Identification of testis‐specific ubiquitin‐conjugating enzyme in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis
Authors: Yokota Naoto , Harada Yoshito , Sawada Hitoshi
Published: May 2010

The ubiquitin–proteasome system is known to play a key role in fertilization in ascidians, sea urchins, and mammals. To obtain insights into the ubiquitin‐conjugating enzymes (Ube2) involved in reproductive systems, we systematically explored Ube2 enzymes expressed in the testis of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis. Here, we report cDNA cloning and characterization of a novel type of Ube2r (Ci0100152677) that is capable of making a thiolester bond with ubiquitin. Northern analysis, whole‐mount in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry indicate that this enzyme is exclusively expressed in the testis, mainly in the germ cells during the late stage of spermatogenesis, and is localized in the sperm head and tail, suggesting possible participation in fertilization or spermatogenesis/spermiogenesis. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 77: 640–647, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Echo‐planar spectroscopic imaging (EPSI) of the water resonance structure in human breast using sensitivity encoding (SENSE)
Authors: Medved Milica , Ivancevic Marko K. , Olopade Olufunmilayo I. , Newstead Gillian M. , Karczmar Gregory S.
Published: May 2010

High spectral and spatial resolution MRI, based on echo‐planar spectroscopic imaging, has been applied successfully in diagnostic breast imaging, but acquisition times are long. One way of increasing acquisition speed is to apply the sensitivity encoding algorithm for complex high spectral and spatial resolution data. We demonstrate application of a complex sensitivity encoding algorithm to high spectral and spatial resolution MRI data, in a phantom and human breast, with 7‐ and 16‐channel dedicated breast phased‐array coils. Very low g factors are obtained using the breast coils, and the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) penalty for water resonance peak height and water resonance asymmetry images is small at acceleration factors of up to 6 and 4, respectively, as evidenced by high Pearson correlation factors between fully sampled and accelerated data. This is the first application of the sensitivity encoding algorithm to characterize the structure of the water resonance at high spatial resolution. Magn Reson Med 63:1557–1563, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The MRI‐measured arterial input function resulting from a bolus injection of Gd‐DTPA in a rat model of stroke slightly underestimates that of Gd‐[14C]DTPA and marginally overestimates the blood‐to‐brain influx rate constant determined by Patlak plots
Authors: Nagaraja Tavarekere N. , Karki Kishor , Ewing James R. , Divine George W. , Fenstermacher Joseph D. , Patlak Clifford S. , Knight Robert A.
Published: May 2010

The hypothesis that the arterial input function (AIF) of gadolinium‐diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid injected by intravenous bolus and measured by the change in the T1‐relaxation rate (ΔR1; R1 = 1/T1) of superior sagittal sinus blood (AIF‐I) approximates the AIF of 14C‐labeled gadolinium‐diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid measured in arterial blood (reference AIF) was tested in a rat stroke model (n = 13). Contrary to the hypothesis, the initial part of the ΔR1‐time curve was underestimated, and the area under the normalized curve for AIF‐I was about 15% lower than that for the reference AIF. Hypothetical AIFs for gadolinium‐diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid were derived from the reference AIF values and averaged to obtain a cohort‐averaged AIF. Influx rate constants (Ki) and proton distribution volumes at zero time (Vp + Vo) were estimated with Patlak plots of AIF‐I, hypothetical AIFs, and cohort‐averaged AIFs and tissue ΔR1 data. For the regions of interest, the Kis estimated with AIF‐I were slightly but not significantly higher than those obtained with hypothetical AIFs and cohort‐averaged AIF. In contrast, Vp + Vo was significantly higher when calculated with AIF‐I. Similar estimates of Ki and Vp + Vo were obtained with hypothetical AIFs and cohort‐averaged AIF. In summary, AIF‐I underestimated the reference AIF; this shortcoming had little effect on the Ki calculated by Patlak plot but produced a significant overestimation of Vp + Vo. Magn Reson Med 63:1502–1509, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Accelerating time‐resolved MRA with multiecho acquisition
Authors: Jeong Hyun J. , Eddleman Christopher S. , Shah Saurabh , Seiberlich Nicole , Griswold Mark A. , Batjer H. Hunt , Carr James C. , Carroll Timothy J.
Published: May 2010

A new four‐dimensional magnetic resonance angiograpy (MRA) technique called contrast‐enhanced angiography with multiecho and radial k‐space is introduced, which accelerates the acquisition using multiecho while maintaining a high spatial resolution and increasing the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR). An acceleration factor of approximately 2 is achieved without parallel imaging or undersampling by multiecho (i.e., echo‐planar imaging) acquisition. SNR is gained from (1) longer pulse repetition times, which allow more time for T1 regrowth; (2) decreased specific absorption rate, which allows use of flip angles that maximize contrast at high field; and (3) minimized effects of a transient contrast bolus signal with a shorter temporal footprint. Simulations, phantom studies, and in vivo scans were performed. Contrast‐enhanced angiography with multiecho and radial k‐space can be combined with parallel imaging techniques such as Generalized Autocalibrating Partially Parallel Acquisitions (GRAPPA) to provide additional 2‐fold acceleration in addition to higher SNR to trade off for parallel imaging. This technique can be useful in diagnosing vascular lesions where accurate dynamic information is necessary. Magn Reson Med 63:1520–1528, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nonlinear inverse reconstruction for real‐time MRI of the human heart using undersampled radial FLASH
Authors: Uecker Martin , Zhang Shuo , Frahm Jens
Published: May 2010

A previously proposed nonlinear inverse reconstruction for autocalibrated parallel imaging simultaneously estimates coil sensitivities and image content. This work exploits this property for real‐time MRI, where coil sensitivities need to be dynamically adapted to the conditions generated by moving objects. The development comprises (i) an extension of the nonlinear inverse algorithm to non‐Cartesian k‐space encodings, (ii) its implementation on a graphical processing unit to reduce reconstruction times, and (iii) the use of a convolution‐based iteration, which considerably simplifies the graphical processing unit implementation compared to a gridding technique. The method is validated for real‐time MRI of the human heart at 3 T using radio frequency‐spoiled radial FLASH (pulse repetition time/echo time = 2.0/1.3 ms, flip angle 8°). The results demonstrate artifact‐free reconstructions from only 65–85 spokes, with 256 oversampled data points. Acquisition times of 130–170 ms resulted in 29–38 frames per second for sliding window reconstructions (factor 5). While offline reconstructions required 1–2 sec, real‐time applications with modified parameters and slightly lower image quality were achieved within 90 ms per graphical processing unit. Magn Reson Med 63:1456–1462, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modification of acrylonitrile/acrylic acid copolymer films and fibers by dendrigraft formation
Authors: Akbari Somaye , Kish Mohammad H , Entezami Ali A
Published: May 2010

Samples of film, wet‐ and electro‐spun fibers and powder were prepared from acrylonitrile/acrylic acid copolymer, with their specific surface areas being considerably different. We attempted to alter the properties of the samples by increasing the amount of carboxylic acid groups on the surfaces through the formation of dendritic structures. Dendritic molecules were grown by a reaction between the carboxylic acid groups of acrylic acid, activated by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, and hydroxyl groups of citric acid. Products were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared and NMR spectroscopy, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and density measurements. It was found that with an increase of the specific surface area, the percentage conversion increased indicating that the topochemical reactions were prominent. The density of electro‐spun fibers was the greatest indicating the most compact structure. With an increase of step numbers of dendrigraft formation the density reached a minimum which points to the formation of nanoscale voids in the deposited dendritic structure. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
HVPE GaN substrates: growth and characterization
Authors: Gogova D. , Siche D. , Kwasniewski A. , Schmidbauer M. , Fornari R. , Hemmingsson C. , Yakimova R. , Monemar B.
Published: May 2010

GaN substrates with low dislocation densities were prepared by halide vapor‐phase epitaxy (HVPE) on c‐plane sapphire and by means of a post‐growth laser‐induced lift‐off or natural stress‐induced (self‐) separation process. The HVPE growth on InGaN/GaN buffer layers and subsequent self‐separation method was seen as advantageous, in comparison with the laser‐induced lift‐off one, in terms of lower cost and better crystalline quality of the GaN material obtained. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Cubic GaN growth on (311)A GaAs substrate by MOVPE
Authors: Sanorpim Sakuntam , Discharoen Nuttapong , Onabe Kentaro
Published: May 2010

Cubic GaN layers has been grown on (311)A GaAs substrates by MOVPE at relatively high growth temperature at 900 °C. Cubic GaN (311) grew on the (311)A GaAs with and in‐plane epitaxial relationship of [01‐1]GaN//[01‐1]GaAs and [200]GaN//[200]GaAs. Full width at half maximum of the cubic GaN (002) X‐ray rocking curve is less than 20 arc min, which is comparable to that of the cubic GaN grown on (001) substrate. The lattice constant is in the range of 4.502 to 4.506 Å. Even at the growth temperature as high as 900 °C, the interface between cubic GaN layer and GaAs substrate is remarkably smooth without any voids, owing to the suppression of the (111) surface steps on the (311)A substrate surface. These results indicate that the (311)A‐oriented GaAs is a candidate substrate for the MOVPE growth of cubic GaN layer in avoiding the thermal decomposition of GaAs and in improving the interface and surface morphologies. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Angle‐resolved photoelectron spectroscopy study of the GaN(0001)‐2×2 surface
Authors: Lorenz P. , Gutt R. , Himmerlich M. , Schaefer J. A. , Krischok S.
Published: May 2010

GaN(0001)‐2×2 surfaces were investigated by angle‐resolved ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (ARUPS) as well as X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Contamination‐ and metal‐free GaN thin films with a 2×2 reconstruction and a rms roughness below 1 nm were grown on 6H‐SiC(0001) by plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PAMBE). The valence band structure of the surface was investigated in‐situ with ARUPS along the $ {\bar \rm \Gamma} - {\bar \rm M}$ and $ {\bar \rm \Gamma} - {\bar \rm K}$ directions of the surface Brillouin zone. Weak dispersive surface states related to the unreconstructed GaN surface or to the 2×2 superstructure as well as the dispersion of electron states of the bulk band structure are identified and compared to available results from density functional theory (DFT) calculations [Phys. Rev. B 77, 115120 (2008)] for GaN(0001). (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Fabrication of light emitting diodes transferred onto different substrates by GaN substrate separation technique
Authors: Kunoh Y. , Takeuchi K. , Inoshita K. , Ohbo H. , Tokunaga S. , Goto T. , Kunisato T.
Published: May 2010

We have successfully transferred GaN films grown on high crystalline quality GaN substrates onto different substrates, where we have developed a laser lift‐off technique with a green laser and an absorption‐enhanced InGaN layer as a sacrificial layer (a layer to absorb laser beams). We have also achieved an output power of 13.0 mW at 20 mA with a wavelength of approximately 410 nm and an external quantum efficiency of 21.6% for light emitting diodes transferred on Si substrates by using this method (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Theoretical investigation of the decomposition mechanism of AlN(0001) surface under a hydrogen atmosphere
Authors: Suzuki Hikari , Panyukova Uliana , Togashi Rie , Murakami Hisashi , Kumagai Yoshinao , Koukitu Akinori
Published: May 2010

The activation energies for Al and N desorption from an AlN surface were calculated using the density functional theory (DFT) to obtain a detailed understanding of the decomposition process of AlN(0001) Al and N surfaces under a hydrogen atmosphere. It was found that Al atoms on the AlN(0001) Al surface desorbed as AlH and formed AlH3 by reacting with two H atoms on the surface just after desorption, whereas N atoms on the AlN(0001) N surface desorbed as NH3 molecules from the surface. The desorption energy of Al on the hydrogen terminated surface was more consistent with previous experimental value than that on an ideal surface. This result suggests that the initial surface structure of the AlN(0001) surface is terminated with hydrogen. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Enhancement of initial layer‐by‐layer growth and reduction of threading dislocation density by optimized Ga pre‐irradiation in molecular‐beam epitaxy of 2H‐AlN on 6H‐SiC(0001)
Authors: Okumura Hironori , Kimoto Tsunenobu , Suda Jun
Published: May 2010

300‐nm‐thick AlN layers without a nucleation layer were grown on 6H‐SiC (0001) vicinal substrates with 3‐bilayer‐height steps by rf‐plasma‐assisted molecular‐beam epitaxy. A Ga beam was supplied for 0 to 30 seconds just before growth of AlN. The Ga pre‐irradiation for 7 seconds (∼1.6 ML) was found to be effective for realization of the AlN layer‐by‐layer growth mode at an earlier stage of the growth and reduction of threading dislocation densities (TDD) in the AlN layers. The screw‐type and edge‐type TDDs were ∼106 cm‐2 and 6×108 cm‐2, respectively. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Light emission polarization properties of strained (11$ \bar 2 $2) semipolar InGaN quantum well
Authors: Huang Hung‐Hsun , Wu Yuh‐Renn
Published: May 2010

We studied the optical characteristics of a (11$ \bar 2 $2) semipolar InGaN/GaN quantum well with different indium compositions, quantum well widths, and injection carrier densities. The self‐consistent Poisson and 6×6 k · p Schrödinger solver has been applied to study the band structure in semipolar InGaN quantum well light emitting diodes. Our work shows an interesting switching behavior of the polarization direction when the indium composition is larger than 40%. The best configuration for the maximized polarization condition has been studied in this paper. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Probing nanotribological and electrical properties of organic molecular films with atomic force microscopy
Authors: Park Jeong Young , Qi Yabing
Published: May 2010

Structural aspects of organic molecular films, such as disordering, packing density, molecular bending or tilts, and phase separation, influence electrical properties as well as friction and adhesion. This indicates a correlation between nanomechanical and charge transport properties of molecular films at the molecular scale. In this review, we highlight the recent studies on correlations between charge transport and nanomechanical properties probed with atomic force microscopy. We discuss the key issues that determine charge transport and nanomechanical properties on several organic molecular films, including self‐assembled monolayers formed by saturated hydrocarbon molecules conjugated molecules, and hybrid molecules as well as polymer and polymer blend films. We address the role of molecular deformation and bending in friction and conductance measurements. SCANNING 32: 257–264, 2010. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
EphB3 Limits the Expansion of Neural Progenitor Cells in the Subventricular Zone by Regulating p53 During Homeostasis and Following Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Theus Michelle H. , Ricard Jerome , Bethea John R. , Liebl Daniel J.
Published: May 2010

Ephrins and Eph receptor(s) have recently been implicated in regulating neurogenesis in the adult subventricular zone (SVZ) and rostral migratory stream. Here, we examined the role of ephrinB3-EphB3 signaling in mediating the SVZ response to traumatic brain injury (TBI). Analysis of EphB3 expression showed colocalization with glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive neural stem progenitor cells (NSPCs) and doublecortin-positive neuroblasts, whereas ephrinB3 was expressed outside the neurogenic region. TBI resulted in a significant reduction in EphB3 expression, which coincided with enhanced NSPC survival and proliferation at 3 and 7 days postinjury. Analysis of mice lacking either ephrinB3 (ephrinB3−/−) or EphB3 (EphB3−/−) showed a significant increase in bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation and Ki67 immunoreactivity in the SVZ. Interestingly, cell death was dissimilar between knockout mice, where cell death was reduced in EphB3−/− but increased in ephrinB3−/− mice. Lateral ventricle infusion of soluble preclustered ephrinB3-Fc reversed the proliferative and cell death defects in ephrinB3−/− but not EphB3−/− mice and prevented TBI-induced proliferation in wild-type NSPCs. Coincidently, tumor suppressor p53 expression was increased following EphB3 stimulation and is reduced in the absence of either EphB3 or ephrinB3. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition and siRNA knockdown of p53-attenuated ephrinB3-Fc-mediated growth suppression while having no effect on cell death in cultured NSPCs. These data demonstrate that EphB3 signaling suppresses NSPC proliferation in a p53-dependent manner, induces cell death in the absence of ligand stimulation and is transiently reduced in the SVZ to initiate the expansion and survival of endogenous adult NSPCs following TBI.
Observed trends in Earth System behavior
Authors: Steffen Will
Published: May 2010

The behavior of the Earth System over the past two centuries has been dominated by the rapid rise of human activities as a significant geophysical force at the global scale. After the proximate and ultimate human drivers of change in the Earth System are described, the cumulative impact of these drivers on the structure and functioning of the Earth System are explored. Although the imprints of human activities are most profound on the land surface and in the atmosphere, significant effects are also discernible in the coastal seas, in the ocean, and—indirectly—in the cryosphere. The perturbations to the carbon cycle by human activities, most notably the burning of fossil fuels, is the most well‐known example of change in global biogeochemical cycling over the past two centuries. However, human modification of the nitrogen cycle is arguably even more pervasive, and other biogeochemical cycles, such as the phosphorus and sulfur cycles, have also been significantly altered by human activities. The changes to the planet's biodiversity over the past two centuries have been profound and continue to accelerate; the Earth is now in the midst of its sixth great extinction event. All of these human‐driven changes have implications for the climate system, and in turn are affected by changes in the physical climate. The concept of the Anthropocene—the proposal that the Earth has entered a new geological epoch—is a powerful way to understand the many interacting ways in which over six billion humans have collectively become a geophysical force that rivals the great forces of Nature and are now driving accelerating changes to the behavior of the Earth System Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This article is categorized under:

Paleoclimates and Current Trends > Earth System Behavior
Effect of Pancreaticoduodenectomy on the Course of Hepatic Steatosis
Authors: Yu Hsin‐Hsien , Shan Yan‐Shen , Lin Pin‐Wen
Published: May 2010

Background

The progression of hepatic steatosis after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is controversial. This study was designed to determine whether PD would influence the course of hepatic steatosis.

Methods

Patients admitted for PD and distal pancreatectomy (DP) from January 2004 to January 2008 were enrolled. Exclusion criteria included liver metastasis, severe obesity (body mass index >30), diabetic mellitus, excessive alcohol consumption, and unavailable preoperative and 6‐month postoperative unenhanced CT images. The pre‐PD and post‐PD liver attenuation, ratio, and difference of liver‐to‐spleen attenuation between liver and spleen attenuation were compared.

Results

Fifty patients who underwent PD and 20 patients who underwent DP were eligible. The mean follow‐up period was 18.2 ± 1.6 months for the PD group and 19.7 ± 1.7 months for the DP group. Liver attenuation after PD was significantly decreased from 52.3 ± 1.1 H. to 47.6 ± 2 H. (p = 0.044), but no difference was observed in spleen attenuation. The liver‐to‐spleen attenuation ratio after PD also was significantly decreased: 1.12 ± 0.02 versus 1.01 ± 0.04 (p = 0.033). No difference in liver attenuation was found in the DP group. The female gender was a significant risk factor.

Conclusions

The liver attenuation of CT images decreases in patients who receive PD, which implicates that hepatic steatosis can develop after PD; however, the mechanism needs to be elucidated.
Long-Term Results of Modified Green Method in Sprengel's Deformity
Authors: Gonen Emel , Simsek Umit , Solak Sukru , Bektaser Bulent , Ates Yalim , Aydin Erbil
Published: May 2010

Aim

Congenital undescended scapula (Sprengel deformity) is a rare deformity that is reported in the literature mostly as small case series with short- or medium-term follow-up periods. Here, we aimed to present the long-term results of this deformity treated with modified Green procedure.

Method

The modified Green procedure was performed in 24 patients (28 shoulders) with Sprengel deformity. Clavicular osteotomy accompanied in all, and omovertebral bone excision in 13 shoulders. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 4.5 years (range 1.5–17 years). Mean follow-up period was 11 years 4 months (4.3–17 years). Preoperative cosmetic appearance was noted as Cavendish III in 17 shoulders and as IV in 11 shoulders. In addition to the Cavendish scale, shoulder abduction, shoulder asymmetry, and scapular elevation and medialization were evaluated.

Results

The decrease in scapular elevation and Cavendish scale, and the improvement in shoulder abduction and scapular medialization postoperatively were statistically significant ( P < 0.001). Cosmetic improvement of at least one Cavendish grade were attained in 88.9% of shoulders. One patient (unilateral) who was Cavendish grade IV preoperatively died in the early postoperative period from unrelated causes. Of the remaining 10 preoperatively grade IV shoulders, 2 remained at the same grade, 1 improved to grade III, and 7 shoulders to grade I. Of the 17 preoperatively grade III shoulders, 1 shoulder stayed the at same grade, 7 shoulders improved to II, and 9 shoulders to grade I. Postoperative winging in 2 shoulders and hypertrophic scarring in 6 shoulders were noted.

Conclusion

The modified Green procedure is a relatively safe and reliable method in the treatment of severe Sprengel deformity cases and provides highly constructive and aesthetic results in the long term.
TIP47 protects mitochondrial membrane integrity and inhibits oxidative‐stress‐induced cell death
Authors: Hocsak E. , Racz B. , Szabo A. , Mester L. , Rapolti E. , Pozsgai E. , Javor Sz. , Bellyei Sz. , Gallyas F. , Sumegi B. , Szigeti A.
Published: May 2010

We found that overexpression of tail interacting protein of 47 kDa (TIP47), but not its truncated form (t‐TIP47) protected NIH3T3 cells from hydrogen‐peroxide‐induced cell death, prevented the hydrogen‐peroxide‐induced mitochondrial depolarization determined by 5,5′,6,6′‐tetrachloro‐1,1′,3,3′‐tetraethyl‐benzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide (JC1), while suppression of TIP47 in HeLa cells facilitated oxidative‐stress‐induced cell death. TIP47 was located to the cytoplasm of untreated cells, but some was associated to mitochondria in oxidative stress. Recombinant TIP47, but not t‐TIP47 increased the mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ), and partially prevented Ca2+ induced depolarization. It is assumed that TIP47 can bind to mitochondria in oxidative stress, and inhibit mitochondria mediated cell death by protecting mitochondrial membrane integrity.
REGγ proteasome mediates degradation of the ubiquitin ligase Smurf1
Authors: Nie Jing , Wu Min , Wang Jian , Xing Guichun , He Fuchu , Zhang Lingqiang
Published: May 2010

MINT‐7894558: Smurf1 (uniprotkb:Q9HCE7) physically interacts (MI:0915) with REG gamma (uniprotkb:P61289) by two hybrid (MI:0018)
The nucleoporin Nup153 maintains nuclear envelope architecture and is required for cell migration in tumor cells
Authors: Zhou Lixin , Panté Nelly
Published: May 2010

MINT‐7893761: sun1 (uniprotkb:Q9D666) and Lamin‐A/C (uniprotkb:P02545) colocalize (MI:0403) by fluorescence microscopy (MI:0416)
,,Die Tablette ist wie ein Freund‘‘- Die unterschätzte Medikamentenabhängigkeit!
Authors: Glaeske Gerd
Published: May 2010

Einleitung

Schätzungen der Konsummuster bei Arzneimitteln mit Abhängigkeitspotenzial zeigen, dass 1,5 Millionen Menschen - viele Experten meinen sogar 1,9 Millionen - bei uns abhängig von Arzneimitteln sind: 2/3 von Schlaf- und Beruhigungsmitteln, die Übrigen von starken Schmerz- und Migränemitteln, von Hustenmitteln und Psychostimulanzien. Diese Zahlen sind seit vielen Jahren relativ konstant. Es sind vor allem die verschreibungspflichtigen Mittel, die zu einem Abhängigkeitsproblem führen können und dieses wird insbesondere von Experten begleitet. Daher ist vor allem auch die Verantwortung der Ärzte und Apotheker gefragt, wenn es um Präventionsmaßnahmen dieser „Sucht auf Rezept und aus der Apotheke“ geht.
Consumption, Social Capital, and the “Industrious Revolution” in Early Modern Germany
Authors: Ogilvie Sheilagh
Published: May 2010

This study uses evidence from central Europe to address open questions about the Consumer and Industrious Revolutions. Did they happen outside the North Atlantic economies? Were they shaped by the “social capital” of traditional institutions? How were they affected by social constraints on women? It finds that people in central Europe did desire to increase market work and consumption. But elites used the social capital of traditional institutions to oppose new work and consumption practices, especially by women, migrants, and the poor. Although they seldom blocked new practices wholly, they delayed them, limited them socially, and increased their costs.
The Procyclical Behavior of Total Factor Productivity in the United States, 1890–2004
Authors: Field Alexander J.
Published: May 2010

Between 1890 and 2004 total factor productivity (TFP) growth in the United States has been strongly procyclical, while labor productivity growth has been mildly so. This article argues that these results are not simply a statistical artifact, as Mathew Shapiro and others have argued. Procyclicality resulted principally from demand shocks interacting with capital services which are relatively invariant over the cycle. This account contrasts with explanations emphasizing labor hoarding as well as those offered by the real business cycle (RBC) program, in which TFP shocks (deviations from trend) are themselves the cause of cycles.
Race, Literacy, and Real Estate Transactions in the Postbellum South
Authors: Canaday Neil , Reback Charles
Published: May 2010

This article examines barriers that impeded the accumulation of land by African Americans in the postbellum South with a new data set of real estate transactions from 1880 Tennessee. We find that rates of purchase by African Americans differed little between plantation and non-plantation regions. We also find that parcels sold in plantation regions were relatively small, suggesting that African American accumulation of land was not hindered by plantation owners refusing to subdivide their properties. Additionally, we find blacks paid more than whites per acre of quality-constant land, although literacy at least partially mitigated the racial price discrimination.
Experimental verification of an Oseen flow slender body theory
Authors: CHADWICK E. , KHAN H. M. , MOATAMEDI M. , MAPPIN M. , PENNEY M.
Published: May 2010

Consider uniform flow past four slender bodies with elliptical cross-section of constant ellipticity along the length of 0, 0.125, 0.25 and 0.375, respectively, for each body. Here, ellipticity is defined as the ratio of the semiminor axis of the ellipse to the semimajor axis. The bodies have a pointed nose which gradually increases in cross-section with a radius of curvature 419 mm to a mid-section which then remains constant up to a blunt end section with semimajor axis diameter 160 mm, the total length of all bodies being 800 mm. The bodies are side-mounted within a low-speed wind tunnel with an operational wind speed of the order 30 m s−1. The side force (or lift) is measured within an angle of attack range of −3° to 3° such that the body is rotated about the major axis of the ellipse cross-section. The lift slope is determined for each body, and how it varies with ellipticity. It is found that this variance follows a straight line which steadily increases with increasing ellipticity. It is shown that this result is predicted by a recently developed Oseen flow slender body theory, and cannot be predicted by either inviscid flow slender body theory or viscous crossflow theories based upon the Allen and Perkins method.
Distribution of genetic diversity in wild European populations of prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola): implications for plant genetic resources management
Authors: van de Wiel C. C. M. , Sretenović Rajičić T. , van Treuren R. , Dehmer K. J. , van der Linden C. G. , van Hintum Th. J. L.
Published: May 2010

Genetic variation inLactuca serriola, the closest wild relative of cultivated lettuce, was studied across Europe from the Czech Republic to the United Kingdom, using three molecular marker systems, simple sequence repeat (SSR, microsatellites), AFLP and nucleotide-binding site (NBS) profiling. The ‘functional’ marker system NBS profiling, targeting disease resistance genes of the NBS/LRR family, did not show marked differences in genetic diversity parameters to the other systems. The autogamy of the species resulted in low observed heterozygosity and high population differentiation. Intra-population variation ranged from complete homogeneity to nearly complete heterogeneity. The highest genetic diversity was found in central Europe. The SSR results were compared to SSR variation screened earlier in the lettuce collection of the Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands (CGN). In the UK, practically only a single SSR genotype was found. This genotype together with a few other common SSR genotypes comprised a large part of the plants sampled on the continent. Among the ten most frequent SSR genotypes observed, eight were already present in the CGN collection. Overall, the CGN collection appears to already have a fair representation of genetic variation from NW Europe. The results are discussed in relation to sampling strategies for improving genebank collections of crop wild relatives.
Should Liberal Feminists Support “Paternafare” and Welfare Reform? A Capabilities-Oriented Analysis
Authors: Smith Anna Marie
Published: May 2010

When policymakers invoke liberal democratic tropes while endorsing welfare reform, and, in particular, “paternafare”—the mandatory child support and paternity identification requirement—are they contradicting themselves? Can paternafare be defended in liberal democratic terms? In this article, I propose to set aside, for the sake of argument, my own radical egalitarian commitments and to speak directly to the liberal feminist in her own terms. Because the capabilities approach of Martha Nussbaum is one of the less demanding liberal democratic theories of justice, insofar as it permits a relatively large degree of inequality, it provides a particularly helpful framework for this feminist dialogue. I construct a hypothetical world in which the needy single mother has an entitlement to a basic income under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, and I draw up my own version of an undue burden test on the basis of Nussbaum's theory. I explore whether the paternafare rule within this hypothetical world would pass the capabilities-oriented undue burden test. Finally, I argue that Nussbaum's nonfungibility principle can yield surprisingly robust redistributive results within specific historical conditions.
Gender Politics and Global Householding in International Student/Scholar Families
Authors: Kim Minjeong
Published: May 2010

Global householding encompasses a variety of (re)configurations of family and household arrangements due to people on the move across national boundaries (Douglass 2006). My essay focuses on global householding associated with educational migration, and in particular, the flow of students and scholars from Asia to the United States.