bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychosocial well‐being of patients with skin diseases in general practice
Authors: Verhoeven EWM , Kraaimaat FW , Van De Kerkhof PCM , Van Weel C , Duller P , Van Der Valk PGM , Van Den Hoogen HJM , Bor JHJ , Schers HJ , Evers AWM
Published: February 2007

Background  Skin diseases are a substantial part of the problems dealt with by general practitioners. Although the psychosocial consequences of skin diseases in secondary care has been extensively studied, little is known about the psychosocial well‐being of patients with skin diseases in primary care.

Objective  To investigate the psychosocial well‐being of patients with skin diseases in primary care.

Patients/methods  Questionnaires about the psychosocial consequences of skin diseases were sent to patients with a skin disease who were registered within a research network (continuous morbidity registration) of general practices that continuously have recorded morbidity data since 1971. Questionnaires completed by 532 patients were eventually suitable for analyses.

Results  Compared with the general population, patients with skin diseases reported significantly lower scores for psychosocial well‐being. Furthermore, a lower psychosocial wellbeing was significantly related with higher levels of disease‐severity, lower disease‐related quality of life, longer disease duration, more comorbidity and more physical symptoms of itch, pain and fatigue. After demographic variables and comorbidity were controlled for, sequential regression analyses showed that disease duration, disease severity and physical symptoms (itch, pain and fatigue) were significant predictors of psychosocial well‐being.

Conclusion  The psychosocial well‐being of patients with skin diseases in primary care is lower than that of the general population. Special attention has to be directed to those patients with lowered psychosocial well‐being who might be at risk of developing severe psychosocial impairments such as clinical depression.
Transforming Conflicts on EU Borders: the Case of Greek‐Turkish Relations*
Authors: RUMELILI BAHAR
Published: February 2007

Drawing on the trajectory of Greek‐Turkish conflicts, this article demonstrates how the EU's bordering practices affect the conflict resolution capacity of the EU on its external borders. Close institutional relations and positive identification with outsider states diffuse the logic of the security community. On the other hand, hard EU borders incapacitate the EU from having a positive influence.
Reactive changes in dorsal roots and dorsal root ganglia after C7 dorsal rhizotomy and ventral root avulsion/replantation in rabbits
Authors: Schlegel N. , Asan E. , Hofmann G. O. , Lang E. M.
Published: February 2007

Current surgical treatment of spinal root injuries aims at reconnecting ventral roots to the spinal cord while severed dorsal roots are generally left untreated. Reactive changes in dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) and in injured dorsal roots after such complex lesions have not been analysed in detail. We studied dorsal root remnants and lesioned DRGs 6 months after C7 dorsal rhizotomy, ventral root avulsion and immediate ventral root replantation in adult rabbits. Replanted ventral roots were fixed to the spinal cord with fibrin glue only or with glue containing ciliary neurotrophic factor and/or brain‐derived neurotrophic factor. Varying degrees of degeneration were observed in the deafferented dorsal spinal cord in all experimental groups. In cases with well‐preserved morphology, small myelinated axons extended into central tissue protrusions at the dorsal root entry zone, suggesting sprouting of spinal neuron processes into the central dorsal root remnant. In lesioned DRGs, the density of neurons and myelinated axons was not significantly altered, but a slight decrease in the relative frequency of large neurons and an increase of small myelinated axons was noted (significant for axons). Unexpectedly, differences in the degree of these changes were found between control and neurotrophic factor‐treated animals. Central axons of DRG neurons formed dorsal root stumps of considerable length which were attached to fibrous tissue surrounding the replanted ventral root. In cases where gaps were apparent in dorsal root sheaths, a subgroup of dorsal root axons entered this fibrous tissue. Continuity of sensory axons with the spinal cord was never observed. Some axons coursed ventrally in the direction of the spinal nerve. Although the animal model does not fully represent the situation in human plexus injuries, the present findings provide a basis for devising further experimental approaches in the treatment of combined motor/sensory root lesions.
Chronic neuropathic pain: mechanisms, drug targets and measurement
Authors: Finnerup Nanna B. , Sindrup Søren H. , Jensen Troels S.
Published: February 2007

Neuropathic pain is common in many diseases or injuries of the peripheral or central nervous system, and has a substantial impact on quality of life and mood. Lesions of the nervous system may lead to potentially irreversible changes and imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory systems. Preclinical research provides several promising targets for treatment such as sodium and calcium channels, glutamate receptors, monoamines and neurotrophic factors; however, treatment is often insufficient. A mechanism‐based treatment approach is suggested to improve treatment. Valid and reliable tools to assess various symptoms and signs in neuropathic pain and knowledge of drug mechanisms are prerequisites for pursuing this approach. The present review summarizes mechanisms of neuropathic pain, targets of currently used drugs, and measures used in neuropathic pain trials.
Skin Basement Membrane Zone: A Depository for Circulating Microbial Antigen Evoking Psoriasis and Autoimmunity
Authors: Noah Patricia W , Handorf Charles R. , Skinner Robert B , Mandrell Timothy D , Rosenberg E. William
Published: February 2007

Background. Elevated levels of antibody to streptococcal exoenzymes have been found in patients with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. Research on the role of streptococcal antigen in psoriasis has been hampered by a potential molecular mimicry between streptococcal epitopes and human epidermal keratin.

Objective and Methods. Evidence of microbial product was sought in skin biopsies of psoriasis patients thought clinically to have either strep‐tococcal` skin. Staining was negative for nonpsoriatic subjects.

Conclusions. The findings support a direct effect of microbial antigen in psoriasis. They also suggest an important role for SBMZ as a very large adhesive surface in the first step of a process of percutaneous epidermal elimination of foreign antigens and microbial toxins. The many autoimmune phenomena seen so often at the SBMZ are probably a physiologic part of this important immune function. Efforts to enhance the adhesive properties of SBMZ should be exploitable for both diagnostic and therapeutic benefit.
Why a Historical Approach Has Clinical Benefits: John Hinchman Stokes and George Miller MacKee
Authors: Charles Steffen
Published: February 2007

John Hinchman Stokes studied syphilis intensely, and George Miller MacKee studied and wrote texts on x‐ray and radium therapy for skin diseases. This review will encapsulate their lives and note the effect that the demise of their fields of interest had on them.
Chlorpyrifos Exacerbating Pemphigus Vulgaris: A Preliminary Report and Suggested In Vitro Immunologic Evaluation Model
Authors: Yonit Wohl , Ilan Goldberg , Idit Shirazi , Sarah Brenner
Published: February 2007

Background. There is accumulating evidence on the role of pesticides in the etiology of pemphigus vulgaris (PV).

Objective. To determine whether chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate pesticide, is involved in the immunopathology of PV.

Methods. Normal human skin biopsy specimens incubated with progressively diluted chlorpyrifos solutions were used as indirect immunofluorescence substrates for sera from two PV patients previously exposed to the agent and from healthy controls. Involvement of T‐cell lymphocytes was assessed by release of interferon‐y in the presence of chlorpyrifos.Results. In one PV patient, immunofluorescence was strongly positive for the specimen incubated with the pesticide and weakly positive for the specimen incubated with medium alone. Immunofluorescence was negative in the patient under immunosuppression with prednisolone and in all controls. Both patients tested positive on interferon‐y assay; controls tested negative.

Conclusions. Findings suggest an immunopathogenic role of chlorpyrifos in PV. Interferon‐y cytokine assay with the pesticide combined with immunofluorescence tests may provide an in vitro diagnostic tool in suspected pesticide‐induced/exacerbated pemphigus.
Safety and Efficacy of Tretin‐X Compared With Retin‐A in Patients With Mild‐to‐Severe Acne Vulgaris
Authors: Guy F. Webster
Published: February 2007

Background and Objective. The therapeutic efficacy of the tretinoin products Tretin‐X (Triax Pharmaceuticals, Cranford, NJ) and Retin‐A (Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ) in the treatment of acne vulgaris was compared in four bioequivalence studies.

Methods. Four double‐blind, three‐treatment, parallel‐group studies randomly assigned 1642 adolescents and adults, 12–40 years of age, with mild‐to‐severe acne vulgaris to receive topical tretinoin therapy with Tretin‐X, Retin‐A, or placebo (drug vehicle) as 0.1% cream (study 1), 0.025% cream (study 2), 0.025% gel (study 3), and 0.01% gel (study 4) once daily for 84 days. The primary efficacy measures were overall acne severity and the number of inflammatory lesions. The secondary efficacy measure was the total number of lesions.

Results. In each trial, Tretin‐X and Retin‐A were clinically equivalent according to all primary and secondary end points at Weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12, a finding also demonstrated by the averaged scores from Weeks 2 through 12. Moreover, each active treatment was significantly more efficacious than placebo at the conclusion of the study ( p≤0.05). Both of the Tretin‐X and Retin‐A formulations compared in each study were well tolerated. The severity of erythema and peeling did not differ significantly among the three groups studied. Conclusions. The four bioequivalence studies demonstrated that Tretin‐X and Retin‐A tretinoin products behaved similarly in patients with mild‐to‐severe acne vulgaris and were thus clinically bioequivalent. Both treatments were well tolerated, and their associated adverse events were similar to those with placebo.
Low‐Temperature Firing and Microwave Dielectric Properties of Ca[(Li1/3Nb2/3)0.84Ti0.16]O3−δ Ceramics for LTCC Applications
Authors: Tong Jian‐Xi , Zhang Qi‐Long , Yang Hui , Zou Jia‐Li
Published: February 2007

The effects of LiF and ZnO–B2O3–SiO2 (ZBS) glass combined additives on phase composition, microstructures, and microwave dielectric properties of Ca[(Li1/3Nb2/3)0.84Ti0.16]O3−δ (CLNT) ceramics were investigated. The LiF and ZBS glass combined additives lowered the sintering temperature of CLNT ceramics effectively from 1150° to 880°C. The main diffraction peaks of all the specimens split due to the coexistence of the non‐stoichiometric phase (A) and stoichiometric phase (B), which all possess CaTiO3‐type perovskite structures. The transformation from A into B became accelerated with the increase of LiF or ZBS content. ZBS glass restrained the volatilization of lithium salt, which greatly affected the microstructures and microwave dielectric properties. CLNT ceramics with 2 wt% LiF and 3 wt% ZBS sintered at 900°C for 2 h show excellent dielectric properties: ɛr=34.3, Q×f=17 400 GHz, and τf=−4.6 ppm/°C. It is compatible with Ag electrodes, which makes it a promising ceramic for low‐temperature cofired ceramics technology application.
Tungsten Bronze‐Structured Temperature‐Stable Dielectrics
Authors: Stennett M. C. , Reaney I. M. , Miles G. C. , West A. R. , Kirk C. A.
Published: February 2007

Dielectrics with exceptional temperature stability suitable for multilayer capacitor applications have been fabricated based on compositions in the tungsten bronze‐structured BaO–M2O3–TiO2–Nb2O5 (BMTN, M=La3+, Nd3+, Sm3+) system. Heterogeneous mixtures of BLTN, BNTN, and BSTN end members groups have been used to manufacture a ceramic capacitor stable to −15% of the room temperature capacitance (ɛr>300) between −50° and + 200°C, with a room temperature dielectric loss of <0.02 at 1 MHz.
Effect of Polyethylenimine on Hydrolysis and Dispersion Properties of Aqueous Si3N4 Suspensions
Authors: Zhu Xinwen , Uchikoshi Tetsuo , Suzuki Tohru S. , Sakka Yoshio
Published: February 2007

The roles of polyethylenimine (PEI) in the hydrolysis and dispersion properties of aqueous Si3N4 suspensions were studied in terms of the hydrolysis, adsorption, electrokinetic, and rheological measurements. It was found that the pH change of the suspensions in the acidic environment could be minimized in the presence of ≥0.5 dwb% PEI. The ammonia and oxygen measurements suggest that this phenomenon is primarily attributed to the buffer mechanism generated by the ionized PEI, instead of the protection mechanism. The constant pH enables the suspensions to retain a better stability with time at acidic pH. The adsorption of PEI on Si3N4 is a high‐affinity type at highly basic pH, but is a low‐affinity type at acidic pH. As the PEI amount increases, the adsorption shifts the isoelectric point (IEP) of Si3N4 from pH 5.9 to pH ∼11 until complete coverage is attained. The stability of Si3N4 suspensions is found to depend strongly on the saturated adsorption of PEI, which is as a function of the pH and PEI amount. Once the saturated adsorption limit is reached, the excess free PEI molecules become more detrimental to the stability with increased solid loading. The stabilization mechanisms of Si3N4 suspensions by PEI were discussed in detail.
Y‐Chromosome STR Haplotypes in a Sample from São Paulo State, Southeastern Brazil
Authors: Mendes‐Junior Celso T. , Ferreira Luzitano B. , Canas Maria do Carmo T. , Pimentel Ana Lúcia , Muniz Yara C. N. , Wiezel Cláudia E. V. , Heckmann Maria Izabel O. , Luizon Marcelo R. , Sousa Sandra M. B. , Simões Aguinaldo L.
Published: February 2007

POPULATION: Unrelated males from the São Paulo State, Brazil (n=617).
Prevalence of Hypertension in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Impact of the Tightening Definition of High Blood Pressure and Association With Confounding Risk Factors
Authors: Kabakov Emma , Norymberg Clara , Osher Esther , Koffler Michael , Tordjman Karen , Greenman Yona , Stern Naftali
Published: February 2007

The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7) has recommended a downward shift in target blood pressure to <130/80 mm Hg in diabetic patients, thus operatively setting a new threshold level for the definition of hypertension at 130/80 mm Hg.The authors performed a retrospective chart analysis of 2227 type 2 diabetes patients treated in one hospital‐based and two community‐based clinics in central Israel to determine the prevalence of hypertension as a function of three diagnostic threshold levels.The prevalence of hypertension in this cohort was 60.2%, 76.5%, and 85.8% at blood pressure thresholds of 140/90, 130/85, and 130/80 mm Hg respectively. Hypertension prevalence increased with age, reaching a rate of 94.4% in patients aged 80 years or more when the cutoff value of 130/80 mm Hg was used. At this cutoff, 93.3% and 86.6% of patients with a body mass index over or under 30 kg/m2, respectively, were diagnosed with hypertension. As hypertension appears to eventually afflict the vast majority of diabetic patients, the minority of subjects not developing hypertension emerges as a unique group, which potentially deserves further in‐depth study.
Association Between Components of the Metabolic Syndrome and Serum Levels of C‐Reactive Protein in Japanese Workingmen
Authors: Kawada Tomoyuki , Otsuka Toshiaki , Katsumata Masao , Suzuki Hiroko
Published: February 2007

Middle‐aged workingmen (N=984) with no present medical treatment were enrolled to determine whether there is an association between the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and serum levels of C‐reactive protein. MetS was defined as follows: waist circumference ≥85 cm as a necessary criterion; in addition, two or more of the following criteria were required: serum triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL and/or highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol <40 mg/dL; systolic blood pressure ≥130 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥85 mm Hg; fasting blood glucose ≥110 mg/dL. Three groups were identified by the components of MetS: a reference group of subjects with a waist circumference <85 cm; group A, with a waist circumference ≥85 cm with no or one additional MetS criterion; and group B, subjects satisfying the criteria for a diagnosis of MetS. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the components of MetS contributed significantly to serum levels of C‐reactive protein. The odds ratios were 2.5 (group A) and 4.0 (group B), when 3 mg/L was adopted as the cutoff value of C‐reactive protein.
Oxidative Stress and Adverse Adipokine Profile Characterize the Metabolic Syndrome in Children
Authors: Kelly Aaron S. , Steinberger Julia , Kaiser Daniel R. , Olson Thomas P. , Bank Alan J. , Dengel Donald R.
Published: February 2007

Thirty‐four children were assessed for body composition, blood pressure, lipids, glucose tolerance, markers of insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and adipokines. Children were divided into 3 groups: (1) normal weight, (2) overweight but otherwise healthy, and (3) overweight with the metabolic syndrome. There were no differences among any of the groups for age or Tanner stage, and anthropometric variables were similar between the overweight and the overweight with the metabolic syndrome groups. Differences across groups were found for high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (P<.001), triglycerides (P<.01), fasting insulin (P<.001), homeostasis model assessment (P<.01), adiponectin (P<.05), leptin (P<.0001), C‐reactive protein (P<.0001), interleukin 6 (P<.0001), and 8‐isoprostane (P<.001). In children, oxidative stress and adipokine levels worsen throughout the continuum of obesity and especially in the presence of components of the metabolic syndrome. Overweight children with components of the metabolic syndrome may be at elevated risk for future cardiovascular disease.
Association of IL12RB1 polymorphisms with susceptibility to and severity of tuberculosis in Japanese: a gene‐based association analysis of 21 candidate genes
Authors: Kusuhara K. , Yamamoto K. , Okada K. , Mizuno Y. , Hara T.
Published: February 2007

Tuberculosis (TB) is the second commonest cause of death from infectious disease after HIV/AIDS worldwide. Association studies have revealed that host genetic factors, such as human leukocyte antigen and solute carrier family 11 member A1 (NRAMP1), play roles in susceptibility to TB. To identify host genetic factors involved in the susceptibility to TB in Japanese, we performed a gene‐based association analysis of 21 candidate genes on 87 TB patients and 265 controls using marker single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). For the genes with two or more marker SNPs exhibiting significant allele association, we subsequently analysed the association between adjacent coding SNPs (cSNPs) and TB. Among a total of 118 marker SNPs, 3 of IL1B and 2 of IL12RB1 showed association with TB. Non‐synomymous cSNPs were not identified in IL1B. Association studies on four non‐synomymous cSNPs of IL12RB1 (641A/G, 1094T/C, 1132C/G, 1573G/A) in linkage disequilibrium showed that three of them (641A/G, 1094T/C, 1132C/G) were significantly associated with the development of TB. Haplotype analysis on the four cSNPs demonstrated that frequency of ATGG haplotype was significantly lower in TB patients than in controls. When TB patients were divided into two subgroups according to the severity of lung disease, advanced subgroup showed a prominent association with 641A/G, 1094T/C and 1132C/G SNPs. These data suggested that genetic variants of IL12RB1, at least in part, confer genetic susceptibility to TB, and are associated with the progression of the disease, in Japanese.
Analysis of CD28 and CTLA‐4 gene polymorphisms in Turkish patients with Behcet's disease
Authors: Gunesacar R. , Erken E. , Bozkurt B. , Ozer H. T. , Dinkci S. , Erken E. G. , Ozbalkan Z.
Published: February 2007

In this study we aimed to investigate IVS3 +17T/C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of CD28 gene, +49A/G and −318C/T SNPs of CTLA‐4 gene in patients with Behçet's disease (BD) and their potential association to the main clinical features of the disease. These polymorphisms were investigated in a Turkish population of 123 patients with BD and 179 healthy controls, by using PCR‐RFLP technique. HLA‐B*51 genotype was also studied in both groups by using PCR‐SSP. The frequency of IVS3 +17TC genotype of the CD28 gene was significantly increased in BD patients compared to controls (43.6% vs. 31.2%, OR = 1.663, 95% CI = 1.033–2.679, P = 0.039). CTLA‐4 +49GG genotype frequency was found to be significantly lower in patients with BD than those of healthy controls (4% vs. 10.6%, OR = 0.357, 95% CI = 0.130–0.983, P = 0.05). Genotype and allele frequencies of the CTLA‐4–318C/T polymorphism between the BD and healthy control groups were not significantly different (12.2% vs. 10.6%, OR = 1.170, 95% CI = 0.570–2.402, P = 0.713). There were no associations between the studied polymorphisms and the main clinical features of BD. The frequencies of HLA‐B*51 were 60.3% and 30.7% in BD and control groups, respectively (OR = 3.429, 95% CI = 2.115–5.559, P = 0.0001). Association between HLA‐B*51 and each studied polymorphism did not reach to significant levels (OR = 0.479, 95% CI = 0.228–1.004, P = 0.064 for CD28 IVS3 +17TT genotype; OR = 2.180, 95% CI = 1.025–4.639, P = 0.061 for TC genotype; OR = 1.570, 95% CI = 0.870–2.836, P = 0.146 for C allele). These results may suggest that CD28 IVS3 +17TC genotype may be a risk factor for the development of BD, on the contrary CTLA‐4 +49GG genotype may be protective in the studied Turkish population.
Clinical evaluation of imidapril in congestive heart failure in dogs: results of the EFFIC study
Authors: Besche B. , Chetboul V. , Lachaud Lefay M.‐P. , Grandemange E.
Published: February 2007

Objectives:The clinical efficacy and safety of imidapril were evaluated in dogs that presented with mild to severe congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association stage II to IV) by comparing the success rate of imidapril with a positive control by a non‐inferiority approach.

Methods:This good, clinical practice compliant, multicentre study (EFFIC study) enrolled 142 client‐owned dogs and was conducted in 20 locations in France, Belgium and Germany. Dogs of various breed, age and weight were included in the study. These dogs were randomised into two groups that were treated for 84 days with either the test product, imidapril, or the positive control, benazepril, and followed up in parallel over this period. Both treatments were administered at a dose of 0·25 mg/kg once a day with the possibility of doubling this dose to 0·5 mg/kg if considered necessary from a clinical point of view. In addition, concomitant treatment was given to dogs presenting with pulmonary oedema and/or ascites, supraventricular tachyarrhythmia and/or dilated cardiomyopathy. The evolution of the New York Heart Association stage and the “functional signs” score were evaluated as primary efficacy criteria.

Results:The success rate in the imidapril group was 66 compared with 68 per cent in the benazepril group. Regarding safety, 35 dogs in each group experienced at least one adverse event. Nine dogs in each group experienced at least one serious adverse event. The difference between these results was not statistically significant.

ClinicalSignificance:Imidapril is as efficacious and safe as the reference product, benazepril.
Cryogenic etch process development for profile control of high aspect-ratio submicron silicon trenches
Authors: Pruessner Marcel W. , Rabinovich William S. , Stievater Todd H. , Park Doewon , Baldwin Jeffrey W.
Published: February 2007

A cryogenic etch process using low temperature (T⩽−100°C) and SF6 and O2 gases is presented for fabricating high aspect ratio silicon microstructures, including photonic devices and micro- and nanoelectromechanical systems. The process requires only a single electron beam resist mask and results in open area etch rates of 4μm∕min. Various etch process parameters, including O2 flow, rf forward power, substrate temperature, and chamber pressure were studied, and the resulting effect on the etch quality was evaluated in terms of sidewall verticality and surface roughness. The optimized process uses low temperature (T=−110°C) and low chamber pressure (P=7mTorr) and enables sidewall verticality greater than 89.5° with roughness of 1–10nm. A silicon etch selectivity of 26:1 was obtained for 380nm thick electron beam resist. Using the optimized process, a silicon-on-insulator Fabry-Pérot optical cavity with integrated rib waveguides and deeply etched silicon/air distributed Bragg reflector mirrors was fabricated and tested. The device exhibits sharp resonance peaks with full width at half maximum Δλ=0.45nm, free-spectral range of 26 nm, finesse F=58, and quality factor Q=3400 (at λ0=1531.6nm). The optical measurements and extracted mirror reflectance (R≈95%) confirm the high quality of our optimized etch process.
Simple theoretic approach to estimate the effect of gravity and thermophoresis on the diffusional nanoparticle contamination under low pressure conditions
Authors: Asbach Christof , Fissan Heinz , Kim Jung Hyeun , Yook Se-Jin , Pui David Y. H.
Published: February 2007

The problem of nanoparticle contamination on critical surfaces is becoming more and more important for the semiconductor industry. Under the low pressure conditions, as, e.g., prevalent in the extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL), generally two different deposition mechanisms need to be distinguished: impaction of high speed particles and diffusion of low speed particles. To protect EUVL photomasks from particle contamination, it is intended to maintain them facing down to make use of gravitational settling and to establish a temperature gradient below the mask surface to make use of thermophoresis. A simple theoretical approach to estimate the effect of gravity and thermophoresis on the diffusional nanoparticle deposition on downward facing surfaces, e.g., of EUVL photomasks, under low pressure conditions (10–500mTorr, 1.3–66.7Pa) is described in this article. The time dependent diffusional displacement of particles is compared with the gravitational and with the combined thermophoretic and gravitational settling. Initially, the diffusional displacement is always larger than the distance, particles have traveled due to gravity or gravity plus thermophoresis. Since thermophoresis and gravity move the particles away from the downward facing critical surface, while diffusion might cause a particle to move towards the surface, a certain risk exists that particles might deposit on the mask. Due to the different time and pressure dependencies of diffusional displacement (∼t1∕2 and ∼P1∕2) on the one side and gravitational and thermophoretic settlings (∼t and ∼P) on the other side, gravity and the combined effect of gravity and thermophoresis can overcome diffusion only after a certain time and distance. The approach presented here allows the estimation whether particle contamination is likely or not. The authors found that if only gravity is acting as a protecting force against diffusion, only the deposition of particles larger than 300nm is unlikely, whereas smaller particles might still be deposited. When a temperature gradient of 10K∕cm is established adjacent to the critical surface to make use of thermophoresis, the deposition of all particles down to 30nm becomes quite unlikely for pressure levels of 50mTorr and above.
Analysis of interface trap states at Schottky diode by using equivalent circuit modeling
Authors: Jun Myungsim , Jang Moongyu , Kim Yarkyeon , Choi Cheljong , Kim Taeyoub , Park Byungchul , Lee Seongjae
Published: February 2007

The authors have developed a new equivalent circuit model to analyze the charging dynamics of the interface states in Schottky barrier diodes at reverse bias condition. Trap density and the capture/emission times are extracted by incorporating the measured ac admittance of erbium silicide Schottky diode with the newly developed equivalent circuit model. The extracted trap density is 1.5×1012cm−2eV−1 and the capture and emission transition times are 19 and 5.9μs, respectively. Trap density decreases to 6.1×109cm−2eV−1 after N2 annealing.
Depth resolution studies in SiGe delta-doped multilayers using ultralow-energy Cs+ secondary ion mass spectrometry
Authors: Chanbasha A. R. , Wee A. T. S.
Published: February 2007

It is known that depth resolution can be improved by lowering the primary ion impact energy (Ep) and/or increasing the impact angle (θ) up to a critical θ, beyond which surface roughening ensues. However, lower Ep is accompanied by lower secondary ion yield, and for ultralow-energy Cs+ primary beam, a poorly focused beam. In this study, the authors subject a Ge delta-doped Si sample to ultralow-energy (<1keV) Cs+ bombardment over a wide range of impact angles (θ∼0°–70°). The authors demonstrated high depth resolution with full width at half maximum (FWHM) of ∼1.9 and ∼2.5nm with Ep∼320 and ∼500eV, respectively, at θ∼50° over a significant depth range (∼120nm). At a higher energy of Ep ∼1keV, a FWHM of ∼2.5nm is achieved at θ∼60°. The authors established that the relationship between improvements in depth resolution (FWHM) is linear and gradual with increasing θ. The decay lengths (λd) characterizing the trailing edge decreased with increasing θ up to θ∼50°–60° throughout the depth evaluated, but λd decreased beyond θ∼60° only near the surface (∼12nm). The authors noted that good depth resolution is achievable with the following θ ranges; Ep∼320–500eV∕θ∼30°–50° and Ep∼1keV∕θ∼40°–60°. Using the mixing-roughness-information depth model, the authors were able to differentiate the effect of atomic mixing and surface roughness on depth resolution of δ layers. The impact of atomic mixing, surface roughness, and instrument conditions (poor focus) on depth resolution is also discussed.
Effect of surface roughness of the neutralization grid on the energy and flux of fast neutrals and residual ions extracted from a neutral beam source
Authors: Ranjan Alok , Helmbrecht Clemens , Donnelly Vincent M. , Economou Demetre J. , Franz Gerhard F.
Published: February 2007

A directional fast neutral beam was extracted from an inductively coupled argon plasma in contact with a neutralization grid. Ions expelled from the plasma converted into fast neutrals by grazing angle collisions with the internal surfaces of the openings of the grid. The effect of surface roughness of the neutralization grid was studied experimentally by using two grids: an array of holes drilled in an aluminum plate, and a set of atomically smooth Si parallel plates. With the atomically smooth Si grid, the ion translational energy lost in the surface collision was relatively small, and agreed well with the prediction of a specular reflection model. For the relatively rough metal grid, however, the translational energy loss was substantial due to the reduced probability of specular reflection from the rough surface. The residual ion flux and fast neutral flux were observed to be two to four times higher for the Si grid than for the metal grid, due to a higher percent open area and specular reflections off the smooth Si surfaces. The neutralization efficiency with the Si grid was between ∼50% and 90%, depending on plasma conditions. At the highest neutral beam energies, the Si grid neutralizes about half of the incoming ions and thus would provide a sufficient flux of directional neutrals for anisotropic etching at commercially viable rates.
VERIFYING VERY LARGE INDUSTRIAL CIRCUITS USING 100 PROCESSES AND BEYOND
Authors: FIX LIMOR , GRUMBERG ORNA , HEYMAN AMNON , HEYMAN TAMIR , SCHUSTER ASSAF
Published: February 2007

Recent advances in scheduling and networking have paved the way for efficient exploitation of large-scale distributed computing platforms such as computational grids and huge clusters. Such infrastructures hold great promise for the highly resource-demanding task of verifying and checking large models, given that model checkers would be designed with a high degree of scalability and flexibility in mind.

In this paper we focus on the mechanisms required to execute a high-performance, distributed, symbolic model checker on top of a large-scale distributed environment. We develop a hybrid algorithm for slicing the state space and dynamically distribute the work among the worker processes. We show that the new approach is faster, more effective, and thus much more scalable than previous slicing algorithms. We then present a checkpoint-restart module that has very low overhead. This module can be used to combat failures, the likelihood of which increases with the size of the computing plat-form. However, checkpoint-restart is even more handy for the scheduling system: it can be used to avoid reserving large numbers of workers, thus making the distributed computation work-efficient. Finally, we discuss for the first time the effect of reorder on the distributed model checker and show how the distributed system performs more efficient reordering than the sequential one.

We implemented our contributions on a network of 200 processors, using a distributed scalable scheme that employs a high-performance industrial model checker from Intel. Our results show that the system was able to verify real-life models much larger than was previously possible.
SCHWARZSCHILD–de SITTER BLACK HOLES IN (4 + 1)-DIMENSIONAL BULK
Authors: ARIK METİN , ÇİFTCİ DİLEK
Published: February 2007

We construct a static solution for (4 + 1)-dimensional bulk such that the (3 + 1)-dimensional world has a linear warp factor and describes the Schwarzschild–dS4 black hole. For m = 0 this four-dimensional universe and Friedmann–Robertson–Walker universe are related with an explicit coordinate transformation. We emphasize that for linear warp factors the effect of bulk on the brane world shows up as the dS4 background which is favored by the big bang cosmology.
BANDWIDTH ENHANCEMENT METHODS OF TELECOM-REGION ENTANGLED TWIN PHOTONS VIA QUASI-PHASE-MATCHED SPONTANEOUS PARAMETRIC DOWN-CONVERSION
Authors: GAO SHIMING , YANG CHANGXI , CHEN DARU , QIN SHAN , GAO YING
Published: February 2007

We theoretically present the bandwidth enhancement methods of the telecom-region entangled twin photons generated by quasi-phase-matched (QPM) spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) in periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystals. By using type I (e → e + e) SPDC, the degenerate entangled twin photons will have a broad bandwidth and it can be further enhanced by shortening the crystal length, detuning the pump wavelength or adjusting the working temperature of the PPLN crystal. This principle provides the possibility to introduce wavelength-division-multiplexed technique into quantum information systems.
Alterations in soleus muscle gene expression associated with a metabolic endpoint following exercise training by lean and obese Zucker rats
Authors: Ort Tatiana , Gerwien Robert , Lindborg Katherine A. , Diehl Cody J. , Lemieux Andrew M. , Eisen Andrew , Henriksen Erik J.
Published: February 2007

Exercise training decreases insulin resistance and increases glucose tolerance in conditions of prediabetes and overt Type 2 diabetes. However, the adaptive responses in skeletal muscle at the molecular and genetic level for these effects of exercise training have not been clearly established in an animal model of prediabetes. The present study identifies alterations in muscle gene expression that occur with exercise training in prediabetic, insulin-resistant obese Zucker rats and insulin-sensitive lean Zucker rats and are associated with a well-defined metabolic outcome. Treadmill running for up to 4 wk caused significant enhancements of glucose tolerance as assessed by the integrated area under the curve for glucose (AUCg) during an oral glucose tolerance test. Using microarray analysis, we identified a set of only 12 genes as both significantly altered by exercise training (>1.5-fold change; P < 0.05) and significantly correlated ( P < 0.05) with the AUCg. Two genes, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) and protein kinase C-ζ (PKC-ζ), are involved in the regulation of muscle glucose transport, and we provide the first evidence that PKC-ζ gene expression is enhanced by exercise training in insulin-resistant muscle. Protein expression of PGC-1α and PKC-ζ were positively correlated with the mRNA expression for these two genes. Overall, we have identified a limited number of genes in soleus muscle of lean and obese Zucker rats that are associated with both decreased insulin resistance and increased glucose tolerance following endurance exercise training. These findings could guide the development of pharmaceutical “exercise mimetics” in the treatment of insulin-resistant, prediabetic, or Type 2 diabetic individuals.
Influence of Splitter Blades on the Flow Field of a Centrifugal Pump: Test-Analysis Comparison
Authors: Kergourlay G. , Younsi M. , Bakir F. , Rey R.
Published: February 2007

This work aims at studying the influence of adding splitter blades on the performance of a hydraulic centrifugal pump. The studied machine is an ENSIVAL-MORET MP 250.200.400 pump (diameter=408 mm, 5 blades, specific speed=32), whose impeller is designed with and without splitter blades. Velocity and pressure fields are computed using unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) approach at different flow rates. The sliding mesh method is used to model the rotor zone motion in order to simulate the impeller-volute casing interaction. The flow morphology analysis shows that, when adding splitter blades to the impeller, the impeller periphery velocities and pressures become more homogeneous. An evaluation of the static pressure values all around the impeller is performed and their integration leads to the radial thrust. Global and local experimental validations are carried out at the rotating speed of 900 rpm, for both the original and the splitter blade impellers. The head is evaluated at various flow rates: 50%, 80%, 100%, and 120%of the flow rate at the best efficiency point (BEP). The pressure fluctuations are measured at four locations at the BEP using dynamic pressure sensors. The experimental results match the numerical predictions, so that the effect of adding splitter blades on the pump is acknowledged. Adding splitters has a positive effect on the pressure fluctuations which decrease at the canal duct.
Impact of Serum C-Reactive Protein Elevation on the Left Ventricular Spherical Change and the Development of Mitral Regurgitation after Anterior Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Kohno Takashi , Anzai Toshihisa , Naito Kotaro , Ohno Yohei , Kaneko Hidehiro , Li Hui-Chong , Sugano Yasuo , Maekawa Yuichiro , Iwanaga Shiro , Asakura Yasushi , Yoshikawa Tsutomu , Ogawa Satoshi
Published: February 2007

Background/Aims: Mitral regurgitation (MR) is frequently observed in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and is known to convey an adverse prognosis. We sought to clarify the relationship between MR and left ventricular (LV) remodeling, in association with serum C-reactive protein (CRP) elevation. Methods/Results: A total of 181 patients with first anterior ST-elevation AMI were examined. MR was detected in 68 patients by color Doppler echocardiography 2 weeks after AMI, and the patients with MR were associated with higher incidence of readmission for heart failure. Serum CRP was serially measured, and the peak serum CRP level was markedly increased in patients with MR compared with those without MR. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that peak CRP tertile was an independent determinant of MR after AMI (p < 0.0001). In the substudy, the increases in LV end-diastolic volume and sphericity index were higher in patients with MR than in those without MR. Conclusions: MR during the early phase of anterior AMI was associated with LV spherical change and late-phase heart failure, in association with increased serum CRP level. These findings suggest an important role of the inflammatory response in the development of ischemic MR and LV remodeling.
The Role of Amiodarone in Recent-Onset Atrial Fibrillation after Ibutilide Has Failed to Restore Sinus Rhythm
Authors: Sideris S. , Bonios M. , Melexopoulou C. , Exarchos P. , Tsatiris K. , Kogias J.
Published: February 2007

Background: Ibutilide is a class III antiarrhythmic drug that is used for the cardioversion of atrial arrhythmias, but it can cause torsades de pointes. Amiodarone is also used for the cardioversion of atrial fibrillation and prolongs the QT interval but rarely causes torsades de pointes. Methods and Results: The study included 51 consecutive patients with recent onset atrial fibrillation in whom the administration of ibutilide failed to restore sinus rhythm. In those patients we decided to proceed to intravenous administration of amiodarone. The QT intervals were measured on 12-lead ECG. After 11 ± 5 h of the administration of the amiodarone, 42 patients (82%) were on sinus rhythm. There was no episode of non-sustained torsades de pointes or hypotension that followed the administration of the two antiarrhythmic agents. Conclusions: The administration of amiodarone in the case of ibutilide failure may be a useful adjunct to current cardioversion protocols for recent onset atrial fibrillation.
Upregulation of the Water Channel Aquaporin-4 as a Potential Cause of Postischemic Cell Swelling in a Murine Model of Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Warth Arne , Eckle Tobias , Köhler David , Faigle Marion , Zug Stephanie , Klingel Karin , Eltzschig Holger K. , Wolburg Hartwig
Published: February 2007

Ischemia of the myocardium is generally accepted to be characterized by swelling of myocytes resulting in cardiac dysfunction. However, data are limited concerning the molecular mechanisms of fast water fluxes across cell membranes in ischemic hearts. Since aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is a water channel with an enormous water flux capacity, we investigated in this study whether this water channel protein might play a role in myocyte swelling following myocardial infarction. For this purpose, we studied the expression of AQP4 mRNA at different time points of ischemia in a murine model of myocardial infarction. We observed a significant correlation between the upregulation of AQP4 mRNA and the size of the infarction. In situ hybridization experiments showed comparably higher expression levels of AQP4 mRNA in ischemic myocytes, and anti-AQP4 immunoreactivity was found to be stronger in the sarcolemma of ischemic myocytes. Our findings imply a role of AQP4 in the formation of myocardial edema and this might be important for future prevention and treatment strategies of this distressing situation in order to minimize cardiac dysfunction and mortality in a variety of cardiac diseases in which cell swelling is prevalent.
Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator Placement in a Patient with Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava and Brugada Syndrome
Authors: Vats Hemender S. , Sharma Param P. , Hayes John J. , Vidaillet Jr. Humberto J.
Published: February 2007

A 45-year-old man was diagnosed with new-onset atrial fibrillation. Control of ventricular rate led to spontaneous conversion to sinus rhythm. Subsequent electrocardiograms revealed ST segment changes characteristic of Brugada syndrome. Electrophysiology study demonstrated inducible ventricular fibrillation. During the placement of an implantable cardiac defibrillator the patient was found to have a persistent left superior vena cava. Persistent left superior vena cava is present in 0.3% of cases in autopsy series. To date, persistent left superior vena cava has not been reported in association with Brugada syndrome. We report such a case.
Lys, Pro and Trp Are Critical Core Amino Acid Residues Recognized by FUM20, a Monoclonal Antibody against Serine Protease Pan-Fungal Allergens
Authors: Lee Lin-Hau , Tam Ming F. , Chou Hong , Tai Hsiao-Yun , Shen Horng-Der
Published: February 2007

Background: Alkaline/vacuolar serine proteases comprise a major group of pan-fungal allergens from several prevalent airborne fungal species. It is of importance to characterize antigenic determinant(s) recognized by monoclonal antibodies against these major allergens. Methods: The antigenic determinant of fungal serine proteases recognized by a monoclonal antibody, FUM20, was analyzed by dot immunoassay of synthetic peptides immobilized on cellulose membrane. Results obtained were confirmed by wild-type recombinant protease and its mutants. The epitopes were mapped to the structure of serine proteases by molecular modeling. Results: A linear epitope encompassing 9 amino acids from Pen ch 18 (6EKNAPWGLA14) binds FUM20. The corresponding peptide (5AKGAPWGLA13) from Rho m 2 also binds FUM20. Substitution of K6, P9 or W10 with alanine in this peptide resulted in drastic loss of FUM20 binding. Rho m 2 mutants with single K6A, P9A, P9G, W10A or W10F substitute showed negative immunoblot reactivity against FUM20. However, the Rho m 2 K6R mutant can bind FUM20. Three-dimensional structural models of the FUM20 antigenic determinants on serine proteases were constructed. The lysine residue critical for FUM20 interaction is on the surface of the proteases and solvent accessible. The critical core residue proline is located at the beginning of an α-helix. Conclusions: The lysine, proline and tryptophan residues located on the N-terminal region of fungal serine proteases are critical core amino acid residues recognized by FUM20, a monoclonal antibody against serine protease pan-fungal allergens. These findings advance our understanding of the antigenic structures responsible for the antigenicity of serine protease allergens.
Loss of Parp-1 affects gene expression profile in a genome-wide manner in ES cells and liver cells
Authors: Ogino Hideki , Nozaki Tadashige , Gunji Akemi , Maeda Miho , Suzuki Hiroshi , Ohta Tsutomu , Murakami Yasufumi , Nakagama Hitoshi , Sugimura Takashi , Masutani Mitsuko
Published: February 2007

Background

Many lines of evidence suggest that poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (Parp-1) is involved in transcriptional regulation of various genes as a coactivator or a corepressor by modulating chromatin structure. However, the impact of Parp-1-deficiency on the regulation of genome-wide gene expression has not been fully studied yet.

Results

We employed a microarray analysis covering 12,488 genes and ESTs using mouse Parp-1-deficient (Parp-1
-/-) embryonic stem (ES) cell lines and the livers of Parp-1
-/- mice and their wild-type (Parp-1
+/+) counterparts. Here, we demonstrate that of the 9,907 genes analyzed, in Parp-1
-/- ES cells, 9.6% showed altered gene expression. Of these, 6.3% and 3.3% of the genes were down- or up-regulated by 2-fold or greater, respectively, compared with Parp-1
+/+ ES cells (p < 0.05). In the livers of Parp-1
-/- mice, of the 12,353 genes that were analyzed, 2.0% or 1.3% were down- and up-regulated, respectively (p < 0.05). Notably, the number of down-regulated genes was higher in both ES cells and livers, than that of the up-regulated genes. The genes that showed altered expression in ES cells or in the livers are ascribed to various cellular processes, including metabolism, signal transduction, cell cycle control and transcription. We also observed expression of the genes involved in the pathway of extraembryonic tissue development is augmented in Parp-1
-/- ES cells, including H19. After withdrawal of leukemia inhibitory factor, expression of H19 as well as other trophoblast marker genes were further up-regulated in Parp-1
-/- ES cells compared to Parp-1
+/+ ES cells.

Conclusion

These results suggest that Parp-1 is required to maintain transcriptional regulation of a wide variety of genes on a genome-wide scale. The gene expression profiles in Parp-1-deficient cells may be useful to delineate the functional role of Parp-1 in epigenetic regulation of the genomes involved in various biological phenomena.