bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Olfaction in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Murphy Claire , Solomon Ethan S. , Haase Lori , Wang MiRan , Morgan Charlie D.
Published: July 2009

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative condition that affects more than 5 million Americans. Currently, a definitive and unequivocal diagnosis of AD can only be confirmed histopathogically via postmortem autopsy, demonstrating the need for objective measures of cognitive functioning for those at risk for AD. The single most important genetic risk factor of AD is the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) ɛ4 allele. The present study investigated olfactory and cognitive processing deficits in ApoE ɛ4+ individuals using a cross‐modal recognition memory task and an objective electrophysiological measure, the event‐related potential (ERP). Ten ɛ4+ individuals (5 M, 5 F, mean [M]= 75.1 years) and 10 age‐ and gender‐matched ɛ4− individuals (5 M, 5 F, M = 71 years) sequentially encoded a set of 16 olfactory stimuli and were subsequently shown names of odors previously presented (targets) or not (foils). EEG activity was recorded from 19 electrodes as participants distinguished targets from foils using a two‐button mouse. P3 latencies were significantly longer in ɛ4+ individuals, and intraclass correlations demonstrated differential activity between the two groups. These findings are consistent with a compensatory hypothesis, which posits that nondemented ɛ4+ individuals will expend greater effort in cognitive processing or engage in alternative strategies and therefore require greater activation of neural tissue or recruitment of different neural populations. The findings also suggest that cross‐modal ERP studies of recognition memory discriminate early neurocognitive changes in ApoE ɛ4+ and ApoE ɛ4− individuals and may contribute to identifying the phenotype of persons who will develop Alzheimer's disease.
Perspectives on Population‐based Epidemiological Studies of Olfactory and Taste Impairment
Authors: Hoffman Howard J. , Cruickshanks Karen J. , Davis Barry
Published: July 2009

Epidemiological studies of the senses of olfaction (smell) and gustation (taste) are needed since impairments in these senses have important implications for health. Only a few attempts have been made to measure the prevalence of olfactory and gustatory or taste dysfunction, and many methodological challenges remain to be addressed. These challenges differ from those faced in studies based in the clinic or research laboratory. Epidemiological studies of smell and taste represent translational research, because they can be used to understand how findings from laboratory or clinical studies apply to the general population. This paper briefly reviews existing methods for “how” to measure smell and taste dysfunction and then illustrates findings based on prior epidemiological studies to indicate “why” we wish to measure smell and taste functioning in population‐based samples. Self‐reported information collected on smell and taste loss in a national sample, the 1994–1995 Disability Sample (phase I screening) of the National Health Interview Survey, is contrasted with results provided by an exam‐based measure of olfactory impairment in an epidemiological study conducted in Beaver Dam, WI. The comparison of self‐reported and exam‐based measures of smell or taste loss leads to the question of how to best define smell or taste impairment in population samples, since unlike other sensory domains (namely, vision and hearing), there are no internationally accepted standards of impairment for the chemosenses. In addition to highlighting existing epidemiological studies, the current development of an NIH Toolbox of brief exam measures is described. Through this symposium, we hope to advance the nascent field of olfactory and taste epidemiology.
The Modulation of Lifespan by Perceptual Systems
Authors: Pletcher Scott D.
Published: July 2009

Could the mere perception of food availability reverse the beneficial effects of diet restriction, which robustly increases lifespan and reduces aging‐related disease in many species? We had noted from previous work in Drosophila that the effects of dietary restriction were fast acting, completely reversible, and largely independent of the energetic content of the food. Indeed, some characteristic of the diet seemed to be “sensed” by the flies independent of their tendency to eat it. We quickly realized that the Drosophila olfactory system, with its well‐understood architecture and associated set of genetic tools, was the ideal model to test our hypothesis. Subsequent work resulted in the identification of particular odorants and populations of sensory neurons with potent effects on lifespan, obesity, and metabolism.
Drought Resilience of the California Central Valley Surface‐Ground‐Water‐Conveyance System1
Authors: Miller Norman L. , Dale Larry L. , Brush Charles F. , Vicuna Sebastian D. , Kadir Tariq N. , Dogrul Emin C. , Chung Francis I.
Published: July 2009

Abstract:  A series of drought simulations were performed for the California Central Valley using computer applications developed by the California Department of Water Resources and historical datasets representing a range of droughts from mild to severe for time periods lasting up to 60 years. Land use, agricultural cropping patterns, and water demand were held fixed at the 2003 level and water supply was decreased by amounts ranging between 25 and 50%, representing light to severe drought types. Impacts were examined for four hydrologic subbasins, the Sacramento Basin, the San Joaquin Basin, the Tulare Basin, and the Eastside Drainage. Results suggest the greatest impacts are in the San Joaquin and Tulare Basins, regions that are heavily irrigated and are presently overdrafted in most years. Regional surface water diversions decrease by as much as 70%. Stream‐to‐aquifer flows and aquifer storage declines were proportional to drought severity. Most significant was the decline in ground water head for the severe drought cases, where results suggest that under these scenarios the water table is unlikely to recover within the 30‐year model‐simulated future. However, the overall response to such droughts is not as severe as anticipated and the Sacramento Basin may act as ground‐water insurance to sustain California during extended dry periods.
Decreased apoptosis of pulmonary PMN in COPD patients with community‐acquired pneumonia
Authors: Strassburg Alan , Luers Arne , Dalhoff Klaus
Published: July 2009

Introduction:  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) predisposes for the acquisition of community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP).

Objective/Methods:  To assess clinically and scientifically suggested disorders in innate immune response during acute phrase and resolution CAP (T2), we evaluated peripheral and pulmonary polymorphnuclear neutrophils (PMN), recovered by induced sputum, from CAP patients with and without COPD with regard to cell activation, interleukin‐8 (CXCL‐8) and CXCL‐8 receptor expression, and apoptosis rate.

Results:  At T1, COPD patients displayed significantly lower pulmonary PMN apoptosis rates, while total cell count, the amount of macrophages, and vital and necrotic neutrophils in sputum samples were similar between study groups. At T2, there were no differences between study groups or between pulmonary and peripheral compartment. While under systemic steroid treatment apoptosis rates of peripheral and pulmonary PMN at T1 were slightly decreased, there were no significant differences in intrapulmonary CXCL‐8 levels. Regarding cell activation, no significant differences could be seen, neither in comparing study groups nor in pulmonary to peripheral PMN.

Conclusion:  Elucidating the pathology of suspected disorder in innate immune response, we found decreased apoptosis rates of pulmonary neutrophils in COPD at the peak of CAP indicating an increased inflammatory response, which is independent from anti‐apoptotic cytokines such as CXCL‐8, severity of disease and isolation of bacteria from sputum cultures.

Please cite this paper as: Strassburg A, Luers A and Dalhoff K. Decreased apoptosis of pulmonary PMN in COPD patients with community‐acquired pneumonia. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2010; 4: 111–119.
fptest: a sas routine for testing differences in allelic count
Authors: FU YONG‐BI
Published: July 2009

Allelic count is an important measure of genetic diversity, but it is a function of sample size. This size‐dependent property may not only introduce bias in its estimation, but also cause difficulty in testing the significance of its difference between samples. Here we present a sas routine of random permutation that can assist in the assessment of allelic count differences among groups of variable size. An example is given to examine the statistical significance of the differences in allelic count among eight breeding periods of Canadian oat cultivars.
α‐MSH activates immediate defense responses to UV‐induced oxidative stress in human melanocytes
Authors: Song Xiuzu , Mosby Nicole , Yang Jennifer , Xu Aie , Abdel‐Malek Zalfa , Kadekaro Ana Luisa
Published: July 2009

Exposure of cultured human melanocytes to ultraviolet radiation (UV) results in DNA damage. In melanoma, UV‐signature mutations resulting from unrepaired photoproducts are rare, suggesting the possible involvement of oxidative DNA damage in melanocyte malignant transformation. Here we present data demonstrating immediate dose‐dependent generation of hydrogen peroxide in UV‐irradiated melanocytes, which correlated directly with a decrease in catalase activity. Pretreatment of melanocytes with α‐melanocortin (α‐MSH) reduced the UV‐induced generation of 7,8‐dihydro‐8‐oxyguanine (8‐oxodG), a major form of oxidative DNA damage. Pretreatment with α‐MSH also increased the protein levels of catalase and ferritin. The effect of α‐MSH on 8‐oxodG induction was mediated by activation of the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), as it was absent in melanocytes expressing loss‐of‐function MC1R, and blocked by concomitant treatment with an analog of agouti signaling protein (ASIP), ASIP‐YY. This study provides unequivocal evidence for induction of oxidative DNA damage by UV in human melanocytes and reduction of this damage by α‐MSH. Our data unravel some mechanisms by which α‐MSH protects melanocytes from oxidative DNA damage, which partially explain the strong association of loss‐of‐function MC1R with melanoma.
Partitioning of genetic variation in the weedy clonal herb Aegopodium podagraria (Apiaceae) in Sweden
Authors: Eneström Johanna , Andersson Stefan , D'Hertefeldt Tina
Published: July 2009

Although sexual reproduction appears to be rare in many clonal plant species, the majority of clonal species show similar levels of genetic variation to non‐clonal plant species. Aegopodium podagraria is a noxious garden weed and has become a successful invader in many natural habitats. Earlier studies have demonstrated population differentiation in life‐history traits between different A. podagraria populations in Sweden. In this study, we used three methods to assess genetic variation in this species. Using analyses of molecular markers (chloroplast DNA PCR‐RFLP and allozyme electrophoresis) we did not detect any variation between different A. podagraria clones. However, a multivariate analysis of leaflet shape in five populations from central Sweden revealed considerable variation both within and between populations. The variation found in leaflet shape is suggested to be genetically based because the leaves were collected from plants grown from seed under similar conditions in a common garden environment. These relatively high levels of variation within and between populations indicate that there is likely to be repeated seedling recruitment within established populations.1
Inhibition of rat Na+–HCO3– cotransporter (NBCn1) function and expression by the alternative splice domain
Authors: Yang Han Soo , Cooper Deborah S. , Rajbhandari Ira , Park Hae Jeong , Lee Soojung , Choi Inyeong
Published: July 2009

The Na+–HCO3– cotransporter NBCn1 (SLC4A7) has multiple variants depending upon splice domains in the cytoplasmic amino‐ and carboxy‐termini of the protein. In this study, we examined the role of the amino‐terminal splice domain containing 123 amino acids (cassette II) in the regulation of NBCn1 function and expression. Polymerase chain reaction detected NBCn1 mRNAs containing cassette II in a variety of tissues. Two variants, NBCn1‐B containing cassette II and NBCn1‐E lacking cassette II, were expressed in Xenopus oocytes and assessed by two‐electrode voltage clamp to measure the ionic current mediated by the transporters. The two variants showed similar current–voltage (I–V) relations when measured 3–4 days after RNA injection. Replacment of Cl− with gluconate did not affect the I–V relations. When exposed to solutions containing 20–50 mm Na+, the current produced by NBCn1‐B was slightly more positive than that produced by NBCn1‐E. The two currents were similar at 100 mm Na+. The slope conductances for the two variants were progressively increased at higher Na+ levels, and the increases were parallel and superimposed. Measured at different time points after RNA injection, NBCn1‐B produced lower conductance than NBCn1‐E at 24–48 h. Protein expression of NBCn1‐B was also low at these time points as determined by immunoblot of oocyte membrane preparation. Expressed in opossum kidney (OK) cells, NBCn1‐E caused a 1.5‐fold increase in ouabain‐sensitive production of p‐nitrophenol from p‐phenyl phosphate compared with control preparations, whereas NBCn1‐B had negligible effect. We conclude that the primary function of cassette II is to reduce NBCn1 protein expression.
Brainstem oxytocinergic modulation of heart rate control in rats: effects of hypertension and exercise training
Authors: Higa‐Taniguchi Keila T. , Felix Jorge V. C. , Michelini Lisete C.
Published: July 2009

Oxytocinergic brainstem projections participate in the autonomic control of the circulation. We investigated the effects of hypertension and training on cardiovascular parameters after oxytocin (OT) receptor blockade within the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) and NTS OT and OT receptor expression. Male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) rats were trained (55% of maximal exercise capacity) or kept sedentary for 3 months and chronically instrumented (NTS and arterial cannulae). Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were measured at rest and during an acute bout of exercise after NTS pretreatment with vehicle or OT antagonist (20 pmol of OT antagonist (200 nl of vehicle)–1). Oxytocin and OT receptor were quantified (35S‐oligonucleotide probes, in situ hybridization) in other groups of rats. The SHR exhibited high MAP and HR (P < 0.05). Exercise training improved treadmill performance and reduced basal HR (on average −11%) in both groups, but did not change basal MAP. Blockade of NTS OT receptor increased exercise tachycardia only in trained groups, with a larger effect on trained WKY rats (+31 ± 9 versus+12 ± 3 beats min−1 in the trained SHR). Hypertension specifically reduced NTS OT receptor mRNA density (–46%versus sedentary WKY rats, P < 0.05); training did not change OT receptor density, but significantly increased OT mRNA expression (+2.5‐fold in trained WKY rats and +15% in trained SHR). Concurrent hypertension‐ and training‐induced plastic (peptide/receptor changes) and functional adjustments (HR changes) of oxytocinergic control support both the elevated basal HR in the SHR group and the slowing of the heart rate (rest and exercise) observed in trained WKY rats and SHR.
In-plane strain effects on dielectric properties of the HfO2 thin film
Authors: Wakui Sadakazu , Nakamura Jun , Natori Akiko
Published: July 2009

We have studied the dielectric properties of the cubic HfO2 thin film using first-principles ground-state calculations in external electric fields. We have evaluated the optical and the static dielectric constants for the cubic (c-) and the strained c-HfO2(001) films. The hydrogen termination of the surface suppresses the dielectric constant near the surface. The spatial variation of the local dielectric constant inside the film is very small. The static dielectric constant becomes larger with increasing lateral lattice constant and smaller if the constraint of the cubic symmetry is relaxed and two oxygen atoms in a unit cell becomes unequivalent. These results indicate that the change in dielectric constant can be attributed to the increase of the tetragonality in the film.
Ultrasmooth Patterned Metals for Plasmonics and Metamaterials
Authors: Nagpal Prashant , Lindquist Nathan C. , Oh Sang-Hyun , Norris David J.
Published: July 2009

Perfectly Flat?

Plasmonic devices, which exploit the interactions of light with surface electrons, show great promise for applications in sensing, communications, and energy conversion. A key hindrance is the deposition of patterned metals used for plasmonics, because, as deposited, the terminal surfaces are rough and not amenable to patterning by directional dry-etching techniques.

Nagpal
et al.

(p.
594
) use patterned silicon substrates on which they add gold, silver, or copper and then apply an epoxy layer to the deposited metal. When pulled apart, the metal separates from the silicon, where the adhesion is poorer, leaving an ultra-smooth surface. The resulting surface plasmon propagation lengths approach the theoretical values for perfectly flat films.
Bringing Coral Reefs Back From the Living Dead
Authors: Normile Dennis
Published: July 2009

A smattering of efforts are aiming to prove that degraded coral reefs can be restored to functionality, if not pristine beauty.
Intensity of leisure-time physical activity and cancer mortality in men
Authors: Laukkanen J A , Rauramaa R , Mäkikallio T H , Toriola A T , Kurl S
Published: July 2009

Objective

There is a lack of evidence to show the role of exercise intensity in the prevention of cancer mortality because no previous studies have shown this relation. The relationship of leisure-time physical activity with cancer mortality was therefore assessed.

Methods

Participants were from a population-based sample of 2560 men from eastern Finland with no history of cancer at baseline. Physical activity was assessed using the 12-month leisure-time physical activity questionnaire. During an average follow-up of 16.7 years, a total of 181 cancer related deaths occurred.

Results

An increase of 1.2 metabolic units (MET or metabolic equivalents of oxygen consumption; 1 SD in metabolic equivalents) in the mean intensity of leisure-time physical activity was related to a decrease (relative risk (RR) 0.85, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.99) in cancer mortality mainly due to lung and gastrointestinal cancers, after adjustment for age, examination year, alcohol consumption, smoking, body mass index and energy, fibre and fat intake. Men with leisure-time physical activity of more than 5.2 MET (highest quartile) had a lower (RR 0.63, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.99) cancer mortality compared with men whose mean intensity of physical activity was less than 3.7 MET (lowest quartile). The mean intensity of physical activity was related to the risk of cancer death among men who exercised at least 30 minutes per day on average.

Conclusions

This prospective study indicates that the mean intensity of leisure-time physical activity is inversely associated with the risk of premature death from cancer in men.
Priority-setting in healthcare: a framework for reasonable clinical judgements
Authors: Bærøe K
Published: July 2009

What are the criteria for reasonable clinical judgements? The reasonableness of macro-level decision-making has been much discussed, but little attention has been paid to the reasonableness of applying guidelines generated at a macro-level to individual cases. This paper considers a framework for reasonable clinical decision-making that will capture cases where relevant guidelines cannot reasonably be followed. There are three main sections. (1) Individual claims on healthcare from the point of view of concerns about equity are analysed. (2) The demands of responsibility and equity on professional clinical performance are discussed, and how the combination of these demands emerges into seven requirements that constitute the framework is explored. Since this framework is developed to assist in reasonable clinical decision-making, practical implications of all these requirements are also suggested. (3) Challenges concerning the framework are discussed. First, a crucial presumption that the framework relies upon is considered—namely, clinicians’ willingness to justify their decisions as requested. Then how public deliberation may influence clinical decision-making is discussed. Next is a consideration of how clinicians’ need to have confidence in their own judgements in order to perform in a manner worthy of trust would be compatible with adherence to the framework supported by public deliberation. It is concluded that fair distribution in the interplay between macro- and micro-level considerations can be secured by legitimising procedures on each level, by ensuring well-organised and continuing public debate and by basing individual clinical judgements upon well-justified and principled normative bases.
Measuring nursing care and compassion: the McDonaldised nurse?
Authors: Bradshaw A
Published: July 2009

In June 2008 the UK government, supported by the Royal College of Nursing, stated that nursing care would be measured for compassion. This paper considers the implications of this statement by critically examining the relationship of compassion to care from a variety of perspectives. It is argued that the current market-driven approaches to healthcare involve redefining care as a pale imitation, even parody, of the traditional approach of the nurse as “my brother’s keeper”. Attempts to measure such parody can only measure artificial techniques and give rise to a McDonald’s-type nursing care rather than heartfelt care. The arguments of this paper, although applied to nursing, also apply to medicine and healthcare generally.
Expectations regarding cognitive enhancement create substantial challenges
Authors: Racine E , Forlini C
Published: July 2009

A recent discussion on cognitive enhancers has caused some controversy in the ethics and neuroscience fields by coming out in favour of making neuropharmaceuticals with enhancing properties available for general consumption. We highlight in this brief commentary why concerns regarding efficacy and safety, demands on resources, and public health are substantive enough to warrant serious reconsideration before pharmaceutical performance enhancement can be widely supported.
COMPUTING CONVEX HULLS BY AUTOMATA ITERATION
Authors: CANTIN FRANÇOIS , LEGAY AXEL , WOLPER PIERRE
Published: July 2009

This paper considers the problem of computing the real convex hull of a finite set of n-dimensional integer vectors. The starting point is a finite-automaton representation of the initial set of vectors. The proposed method consists in computing a sequence of automata representing approximations of the convex hull and using extrapolation techniques to compute the limit of this sequence. The convex hull can then be directly computed from this limit in the form of an automaton-based representation of the corresponding set of real vectors. The technique is quite general and has been implemented.
A RUN-TIME EFFICIENT IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPRESSED PATTERN MATCHING AUTOMATA
Authors: MATSUMOTO TETSUYA , HAGIO KAZUHITO , TAKEDA MASAYUKI
Published: July 2009

We present a run-time efficient implementation of compressed pattern matching automata (CPMA) of Kida et al. (2003), where a text is given as a truncation-free collage system [Formula: see text] such that variable sequence [Formula: see text] is encoded by any prefix code. We first build CPMA directly from P and [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] time and space, and then convert it into the decoder-embedded CPMA (DECPMA), where |P| is the pattern length and [Formula: see text] is the number of variables defined in [Formula: see text]. The bound [Formula: see text] improves the bound [Formula: see text] achieved by a straightforward application of the method of Kida et al. We experimentally show that a combination of recursive-pairing compression and byte-oriented Huffman coding allows both a high compression ratio and a high speed CPM.
AUTOMATED COMPOSITIONAL REASONING OF INTUITIONISTICALLY CLOSED REGULAR PROPERTIES
Authors: TSAY YIH-KUEN , WANG BOW-YAW
Published: July 2009

Analysis of infinitary safety properties with automated compositional reasoning through learning is discussed in the paper. We consider the class of intuitionistically closed regular languages and show that it forms a Heyting algebra and is finitely approximatable. Subsequently, compositional proof rules can be verified automatically and learning algorithms for finitary regular languages suffice. We also establish an axiom to deduce circular compositional proof rules for the infinitary languages.
AN EFFICIENT ALGORITHM TO TEST WHETHER A BINARY AND PROLONGEABLE REGULAR LANGUAGE IS GEOMETRICAL
Authors: CHAMPARNAUD JEAN-MARC , DUBERNARD JEAN PHILIPPE , JEANNE HADRIEN
Published: July 2009

Our aim is to present an efficient algorithm that checks whether a binary regular language is geometrical or not, based on specific properties of its minimal deterministic automaton. Geometrical languages have been introduced in the framework of off-line temporal validation of real-time softwares. Actually, validation can be achieved through both a model based on regular languages and a model based on discrete geometry. Geometrical languages are intended to develop a link between these two models. The regular case is of practical interest regarding to implementation features, which motivates the design of an efficient geometricity test addressing the family of regular languages.
CAPACITY ASSIGNMENT MODEL TO DEFENSE CASCADING FAILURES
Authors: WU J. J. , SUN H. J. , GAO Z. Y.
Published: July 2009

How to alleviate the damages of cascading failures triggered by the overload of edges/nodes is common in complex networks. To describe the whole cascading failures process from edges overloading to nodes malfunctioning and the dynamic spanning clustering with the evolvement of traffic flow, we propose a capacity assignment model by introducing an equilibrium assignment rule of flow in artificially created scale-free traffic networks. Additionally, the capacity update rule of node is given in this paper. We show that a single failed edge may undergo the cascading failures of nodes, and a small failure has the potential to trigger a global cascade. It is suggested that enhancing the capacity of node is particularly important for the design of any complex network to defense the cascading failures. Meanwhile, it has very important theoretical significance and practical application worthiness in the development of effective methods to alleviate the damage of one or some failed edges/nodes.
THE EFFECTS OF OFFSETTING AND WEDGING CELL LATTICES IN THE ON-RAMP SYSTEM
Authors: HUA WEI , ZHOU FENG-YAN , CHEN JIAN-HUA
Published: July 2009

On-ramp is generally regarded as one of the key bottlenecks along the highway. In the present paper, three different merging relationships between on-ramp and main lane are analyzed and presented. The first case parallels each cellular position of accelerating lane to that of main lane. In the second case, each cell of accelerating lane keeps half cell ahead. The third case wedges each cell of accelerating lane into cells of main lane from 1/4 overlap to all. Based on a cellular automaton model, the simulations have been done to demonstrate how vehicles from on-ramp affect the traffic flow moving on main road under the above three different cases. The results show that driver behavior under the third case is closer to the real traffic situation in China, where an on-ramp car finds it hard to merge into main lane with the same velocity. All three phase diagrams show the complex phase transitions, but this reflects the degree of the stochastic nature of traffic flow in reality.
FIRST-PRINCIPLES STUDY OF THE STRUCTURAL, ELECTRONIC AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF MgSiO3 AT HIGH PRESSURE
Authors: LI YANLING , ZENG ZHI
Published: July 2009

The high-pressure behavior of perovskite ( MgSiO 3) is studied based on density functional simulations within generalized gradient approximation (GGA). All calculations are performed by using the linear augmented plane waves plus local orbital (LAPW+lo) method to solve the scalar-relativistic Kohn-Sham equations. The static calculations predict a perovskite (pnma phase) — post-perovskite (Cmcm phase) transition occurring at 86 gigapascals (GPa). The similar bulk modulus values, differing only 3 GPa, are given by using three kinds of equation of states. The electronic structure and optical properties of MgSiO 3 at phase transition pressure are also discussed.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL ISOTROPIC PSEUDO-GAUSSIAN OSCILLATORS
Authors: COTĂESCU ION I. , GRĂVILĂ PAUL , PAULESCU MARIUS
Published: July 2009

A family of isotropic three-dimensional quantum models governed by isotropic pseudo-Gaussian potentials is proposed. These potentials are defined to have a Gaussian asymptotic behavior but approaching to the potential of the isotropic harmonic oscillator when x → 0. These models may have finite energy spectra with approximately equidistant energy levels that can be calculated using efficient numerical methods based on generating functionals.
FREE TRADE AREAS AND INTRA-REGIONAL TRADE: THE CASE OF ASEAN
Authors: BUN MAURICE J. G. , KLAASSEN FRANC J. G. M. , TAN G. K. RANDOLPH
Published: July 2009

We study the effects of free trade areas on bilateral trade flows. We review and extend the previous empirical literature by embarking on the modelling of unobserved heterogeneity. We apply our preferred model to the case of the Asean Free Trade Area (AFTA). The estimation results suggest that there has been a positive effect of AFTA. This empirical finding is contrary to earlier estimation results, which are typically not so positive about AFTA. It is our impression that these earlier estimates on AFTA are confounded with the effects of unobserved determinants of trade.
MODELING PROPORTIONS: RANDOM EFFECTS MODELS OF UK FIRM ENTRY
Authors: PODIVINSKY JAN M. , STEWART GEOFF
Published: July 2009

A long-standing issue in industrial economics is the understanding of the relative prevalence of labor-managed firms (LMFs) and capitalist firms across industries. In proportionate terms, LMF entry tends to be highly concentrated in particular industries. We provide empirical evidence on this by modeling the proportions of industry entrants that are LMFs, using a panel of UK manufacturing industries. Random effects proportions models indicate the role and importance of risk and capital requirements as potential deterrents to LMF entry.
THE ROBUSTNESS OF ESTIMATORS FOR DYNAMIC PANEL DATA MODELS TO MISSPECIFICATION
Authors: HARRIS MARK N. , KOSTENKO WEIPING , MÁTYÁS LÁSZLÓ , TIMOL ISFAAQ
Published: July 2009

Transition from economic theory to a testable form of model invariably involves the use of certain "simplifying assumptions." If, however, these are not valid, misspecified models result. This article considers estimation of the dynamic linear panel data model, which often forms the basis of testable economic hypotheses. The estimators of such a model are frequently similarly based on certain assumptions which appear to be often untenable in practice. Here, the performance of these estimators is analyzed in scenarios where the theoretically required conditions are not met. Specifically, we consider three such instances of serial correlation of the idiosyncratic disturbance terms; correlation of the idiosyncratic disturbance terms and explanatory variables; and, finally, cross-sectional dependence (as a robustness check to these findings, we also consider correlations between observed and unobserved heterogeneity terms). The major findings are that the limited tests readily available tend to have poor power properties and that estimators' performance varies greatly across scenarios. In such a wide array of experiments, it is difficult to pick-out just one "winner." However, a robust estimator across all experiments and parameter settings was a variant of the Wansbeek–Bekker estimator. This is a significant finding, as this estimator is infrequently used in practice. When the experiments are extended to include correlations between observed and unobserved heterogeneity terms, one might also consider, for across-the-board performance, the Blundell and Bond estimator.
PRESENT ACCELERATION OF THE UNIVERSE, HOLOGRAPHIC ENERGY AND BRANS–DICKE THEORY
Authors: NAYAK B. , SINGH L. P.
Published: July 2009

The present-day accelerated expansion of the universe is naturally addressed within the Brans–Dicke theory just by using holographic dark energy model with inverse of Hubble scale as IR cutoff and power law temporal behavior of scale factor. It is also concluded that if the universe continues to expand, then one day it might be completely filled with dark energy.
AN AP-STRUCTURE WITH FINSLERIAN FLAVOR I: THE PRINCIPAL IDEA
Authors: WANAS M. I.
Published: July 2009

A geometric structure (FAP-structure), having both absolute parallelism and Finsler properties, is constructed. The building blocks of this structure are assumed to be functions of position and direction. A nonlinear connection emerges naturally and is defined in terms of the building blocks of the structure. Two linear connections, one of Berwald type and the other of the Cartan type, are defined using the nonlinear connection of the FAP. Both linear connections are nonsymmetric and consequently admit torsion. A metric tensor is defined in terms of the building blocks of the structure. The condition for this metric to be a Finslerian one is obtained. Also, the condition for an FAP-space to be an AP-one is given.
FRACTAL LARGE-SCALE STRUCTURE FROM A STOCHASTIC SCALING LAW MODEL
Authors: CAPOZZIELLO SALVATORE , FUNKHOUSER SCOTT
Published: July 2009

A stochastic model relating the parameters of astrophysical structures to the parameters of their granular components is applied to the formation of hierarchical, large-scale structures from galaxies assumed as point-like objects. If the density profile of galaxies on a given scale is described by a power law, then the stochastic model leads naturally to a mass function that is proportional to the square of the distance from an occupied point, which corresponds to a two-point correlation function that is inversely proportional to the distance. This result is consistent with observations indicating that galaxies are, on the largest scales, characterized by a fractal distribution with a dimension of order 2 and well-fit with transition to homogeneity at cosmological scales.
BOSON MASS SPECTRUM INSU(4)L⊗U(1)YMODEL WITH EXOTIC ELECTRIC CHARGES
Authors: PALCU ADRIAN
Published: July 2009

The boson mass spectrum of the electroweak SU (4)L⊗ U (1)Ymodel with exotic electric charges is investigated by using the algebraical approach supplied by the method of solving gauge models with high symmetries. Our approach predicts for the boson sector a one-parameter mass scale to be tuned in order to match the data obtained at LHC, LEP, CDF.
TWISTED QUANTUM FIELDS ON MOYAL AND WICK–VOROS PLANES ARE INEQUIVALENT
Authors: BALACHANDRAN A. P. , MARTONE M.
Published: July 2009

The Moyal and Wick–Voros planes [Formula: see text] are *-isomorphic. On each of these planes the Poincaré group acts as a Hopf algebra symmetry if its coproducts are deformed by twist factors [Formula: see text]. We show that the *-isomorphism [Formula: see text] also does not map the corresponding twists of the Poincaré group algebra. The quantum field theories on these planes with twisted Poincaré–Hopf symmetries are thus inequivalent. We explicitly verify this result by showing that a nontrivial dependence on the noncommutative parameter is present for the Wick–Voros plane in a self-energy diagram whereas it is known to be absent on the Moyal plane (in the absence of gauge fields).1–3

Our results differ from those of Ref. 4 because of differences in the treatments of quantum field theories.
CONTROLLING CHAOS IN RCL-SHUNTED JOSEPHSON JUNCTION BY DELAYED FEEDBACK
Authors: FENG YU-LING , ZHANG XI-HE , JIANG ZHI-GANG , SHEN KE
Published: July 2009

The resistive–capacitive–inductive-shunted (RCL-shunted) Josephson junction (RCLSJJ) shows chaotic behavior under some parameter conditions. This paper studies chaos control in the RCLSJJ based on the delayed feedback theory. Numerical results demonstrate that chaotic states in this junction can be controlled into stable periodic states by appropriately adjusting the feedback intensity and delay time.
Molecular mechanisms involved in Sertoli cell adaptation to glucose deprivation
Authors: Riera María F. , Galardo María N. , Pellizzari Eliana H. , Meroni Silvina B. , Cigorraga Selva B.
Published: July 2009

Sertoli cells provide the physical support and the necessary environment for germ cell development. Among the products secreted by Sertoli cells, lactate, the preferred energy substrate for spermatocytes and spermatids, is present. Considering the essential role of lactate on germ cell metabolism, it is supposed that Sertoli cells must ensure its production even in adverse conditions, such as those that would result from a decrease in glucose levels in the extracellular milieu. The aim of the present study was to investigate 1) a possible effect of glucose deprivation on glucose uptake and on the expression of glucose transporters in rat Sertoli cells and 2) the participation of different signal transduction pathways in the above-mentioned regulation. Results obtained show that decreasing glucose levels in Sertoli cell culture medium provokes 1) an increase in glucose uptake accompanied by only a slight decrease in lactate production, 2) an increase in GLUT1 and a decrease in GLUT3 expression, and 3) an activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/PKB-, and p38 MAPK-dependent pathways. Additionally, by using specific inhibitors of these pathways, a possible participation of AMPK- and p38MAPK-dependent pathways in the regulation of glucose uptake and GLUT1 expression is shown. These results suggest that Sertoli cells adapt to conditions of glucose deprivation to ensure an adequate lactate concentration in the microenvironment where germ cell development occurs.
Extreme hypoxemic tolerance and blood oxygen depletion in diving elephant seals
Authors: Meir Jessica U. , Champagne Cory D. , Costa Daniel P. , Williams Cassondra L. , Ponganis Paul J.
Published: July 2009

Species that maintain aerobic metabolism when the oxygen (O2) supply is limited represent ideal models to examine the mechanisms underlying tolerance to hypoxia. The repetitive, long dives of northern elephant seals ( Mirounga angustirostris) have remained a physiological enigma as O2stores appear inadequate to maintain aerobic metabolism. We evaluated hypoxemic tolerance and blood O2depletion by 1) measuring arterial and venous O2partial pressure (Po2) during dives with a Po2/temperature recorder on elephant seals, 2) characterizing the O2-hemoglobin (O2-Hb) dissociation curve of this species, 3) applying the dissociation curve to Po2profiles to obtain %Hb saturation (So2), and 4) calculating blood O2store depletion during diving. Optimization of O2stores was achieved by high venous O2loading and almost complete depletion of blood O2stores during dives, with net O2content depletion values up to 91% (arterial) and 100% (venous). In routine dives (>10 min) PvO2and PaO2values reached 2–10 and 12–23 mmHg, respectively. This corresponds to So2of 1–26% and O2contents of 0.3 (venous) and 2.7 ml O2/dl blood (arterial), demonstrating remarkable hypoxemic tolerance as PaO2is nearly equivalent to the arterial hypoxemic threshold of seals. The contribution of the blood O2store alone to metabolic rate was nearly equivalent to resting metabolic rate, and mean temperature remained near 37°C. These data suggest that elephant seals routinely tolerate extreme hypoxemia during dives to completely utilize the blood O2store and maximize aerobic dive duration.
The Ste20-like kinase SLK promotes p53 transactivation and apoptosis
Authors: Cybulsky Andrey V. , Takano Tomoko , Guillemette Julie , Papillon Joan , Volpini Rildo A. , Di Battista John A.
Published: July 2009

Expression and activity of the germinal center SLK are increased during kidney development and recovery from renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. SLK promotes apoptosis, in part, via pathway(s) involving apoptosis signal-regulating kinase-1 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. This study addresses the role of p53 as a potential effector of SLK. p53 transactivation was measured after transient transfection of a luciferase reporter plasmid that contains a p53 cis-acting enhancer element. Overexpression of SLK in COS-1 cells and cotransfection of SLK and p53-wild type (wt) cDNAs in glomerular epithelial cells (GECs) stimulated p53 transactivational activity, as measured by a p53 response element-driven luciferase reporter. In GECs, chemical anoxia followed by glucose reexposure (in vitro ischemia-reperfusion) increased p53 reporter activity, and this increase was amplified by overexpression of SLK. Expression of SLK induced p53 phosphorylation on serine (S)-33 and S315. In GECs, cotransfection of SLK with p53-wt, p53-S33A, p53-S315A, or p53-S33A+S315A mutants showed that only the double mutation abolished the SLK-induced increase in p53 reporter activity. SLK-induced stimulation of p53 reporter activity was attenuated by inhibition of JNK. Overexpression of SLK amplified apoptosis induced by subjecting cells to in vitro ischemia-reperfusion injury, while ectopic expression of a dominant negative SLK mutant attenuated the ischemia-reperfusion-induced apoptosis. The p53 transactivation inhibitor pifithrin-α significantly attenuated the amount of apoptosis after ischemia-reperfusion and SLK overexpression. Thus SLK induces p53 phosphorylation and transactivation, which enhances apoptosis after in vitro ischemia-reperfusion injury.
A Hybrid Extragradient Viscosity Approximation Method for Solving Equilibrium Problems and Fixed Point Problems of Infinitely Many Nonexpansive Mappings
Authors: Jaiboon Chaichana , Kumam Poom
Published: July 2009

We introduce a new hybrid extragradient viscosity approximation method for finding the common element of the set of equilibrium problems, the set of solutions of fixed points of an infinitely many nonexpansive mappings, and the set of solutions of the variational inequality problems for "Equation missing"-inverse-strongly monotone mapping in Hilbert spaces. Then, we prove the strong convergence of the proposed iterative scheme to the unique solution of variational inequality, which is the optimality condition for a minimization problem. Results obtained in this paper improve the previously known results in this area.
The Pullback Attractors for the Nonautonomous Camassa‐Holm Equations
Authors: Wu Delin
Published: July 2009

We consider the pullback attractors for the three‐dimensional nonautonomous Camassa‐Holm equations in the periodic box
Ω = [0, L] 3. Assuming , which is translation bounded, the existence of the pullback
attractor for the three‐dimensional nonautonomous Camassa‐Holm
system is proved in D(A1/2) and D(A).
A Note on Finite Quadrature Rules with a Kind of Freud Weight Function
Authors: Aghigh Kamal , Masjed-Jamei M.
Published: July 2009

We introduce a finite class of weighted quadrature rules with the
weight function |x|−2aexp (−1/x2) on (−∞, ∞) as
, where xi are the zeros of polynomials orthogonal with respect to the introduced weight
function, wi are the corresponding coefficients, and Rn[f] is the error value. We show that the
above formula is valid only for the finite values of n. In other words, the condition a ≥ {max n} + 1/2 must always be satisfied in order that one can apply the above quadrature
rule. In this sense, some numerical and analytic examples are also given and compared.
Electrochemical Sensing System Utilizing Simazine‐Imprinted Polymer Receptor for the Detection of Simazine in Tap Water
Authors: Fuchiwaki Yusuke , Sasaki Naoki , Kubo Izumi
Published: July 2009

A simazine sensing system, composed of column packed with a molecularly imprinted polymer (Sim‐MIP) and an electrochemical analyzer, was scaled down in order to easily determine the concentration of simazine, an environmentally restricted chemical, in tap water. In order to enhance the detection limit, the ratio of the eluent (dilution rate) in the electrolyte was optimized to 10%. A new in‐house built column size with ∅ = 1.5 mm was prepared, and 3 mg of Sim‐MIP particles was packed in the column. During the sensing process, 90% of the simazine loaded to the column was collected by elution. The reductive current of simazine was determined up to 1–10 μM. Solid phase extraction through the Sim‐MIP column enabled simazine to be selectively detected from a mixed aqueous solution containing structural analogues in the range of 10–40 nM. Whether the concentration of simazine in tap water had reached environmentally restricted levels (10–40 nM) was determined within 1 hour using this system.
Equivariant Hopf Bifurcation in a Ring of Identical Cells with Delay
Authors: Fan Dejun , Wei Junjie
Published: July 2009

A kind of delay neural network with n elements is considered. By analyzing the distribution of the eigenvalues, a bifurcation set is given in an appropriate parameter space. Then by using the theory of equivariant
Hopf bifurcations of ordinary differential equations due to Golubitsky et al. (1988) and delay differential equations due to Wu (1998), and combining the normal
form theory of functional differential equations due to Faria and Magalhaes (1995), the equivariant Hopf bifurcation is completely analyzed.
Intratumoral Induction of CD103 Triggers Tumor-Specific CTL Function and CCR5-Dependent T-Cell Retention
Authors: Franciszkiewicz Katarzyna , Le Floc'h Audrey , Jalil Abdelali , Vigant Frédéric , Robert Thomas , Vergnon Isabelle , Mackiewicz Andrzej , Benihoud Karim , Validire Pierre , Chouaib Salem , Combadière Christophe , Mami-Chouaib Fathia
Published: July 2009

We have reported previously that the interaction of αE(CD103)β7 integrin, expressed on a CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) clone but not on a peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) counterpart, with the epithelial marker E-cadherin on human lung tumor cells plays a crucial role in T-cell receptor–mediated cytotoxicity. We show here that both TIL and PBL clones are able to migrate toward autologous tumor cells and that chemokine receptor CCR5 is involved in this process. Adoptive transfer of the PBL clone in the cognate tumor engrafted in nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient mice and subsequent coengagement of T-cell receptor and transforming growth factor-β1 receptor triggers CD103 expression on T-cell surface resulting in strong potentiation of antitumor lytic function. Moreover, interaction of αEβ7 integrin with E-cadherin, but not lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 with intercellular adhesion molecule-1, promotes CCR5 recruitment at the immunologic synapse formed between TIL and tumor cells, leading to inhibition of T-cell sensitivity to CCL5 chemotactic gradient. These results provide evidence for a role of tumor microenvironment, namely MHC class I–restricted antigen presentation and transforming growth factor-β1 secretion, in regulating the effector phase of tumor-specific CTL response. They also suggest a unique role of CD103 in T-cell retention at the tumor site by a CCR5-dependent mechanism. [Cancer Res 2009;69(15):6249–55]