bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ENTROPY IN SCALAR O(N) MODEL WITH A SPONTANEOUSLY BROKEN SYMMETRY
Authors: LI BAO-CHUN , WANG LI-LI
Published: December 2009

We investigate the entropy in a scalar O(N) model with a spontaneously broken symmetry. The Cornwall–Jackiw–Tomboulis formalism is applied to derive the entropy in the Hartree and Hartree–Fock approximations. In contrast to the Hartree approximation where the particles are quasiparticles with vanishing decay width, the Hartree–Fock approximation contains exchange contributions, which lead to nonzero decay width. We find that the sunset diagrams contribution is very small. Furthermore, the decay widths from these diagrams are discussed in the weak and strong coupling cases.
A SUPERFIELD FOR EVERY DASH-CHROMOTOPOLOGY
Authors: DORAN C. F. , FAUX M. G. , GATES S. J. , HÜBSCH T. , IGA K. M. , LANDWEBER G. D.
Published: December 2009

The recent classification scheme of so-called adinkraic off-shell supermultiplets of N-extended worldline supersymmetry without central charges finds a combinatorial explosion. Completing our earlier efforts, we now complete the constructive proof that all of these trillions or more of supermultiplets have a superfield representation. While different as superfields and supermultiplets, these are still super-differentially related to a much more modest number of minimal supermultiplets, which we construct herein.
Geometry-aware direction field processing
Authors: Ray Nicolas , Vallet Bruno , Alonso Laurent , Levy Bruno
Published: December 2009

Many algorithms in texture synthesis, nonphotorealistic rendering (hatching), or remeshing require to define the orientation of some features (texture, hatches, or edges) at each point of a surface. In early works, tangent vector (or tensor) fields were used to define the orientation of these features. Extrapolating and smoothing such fields is usually performed by minimizing an energy composed of a smoothness term and of a data fitting term. More recently, dedicated structures (
N
-RoSy and
N
-symmetry direction fields ) were introduced in order to unify the manipulation of these fields, and provide control over the field's topology (singularities). On the one hand, controlling the topology makes it possible to have few singularities, even in the presence of high frequencies (fine details) in the surface geometry. On the other hand, the user has to explicitly specify all singularities, which can be a tedious task. It would be better to let them emerge naturally from the direction extrapolation and smoothing.

This article introduces an intermediate representation that still allows the intuitive design operations such as smoothing and directional constraints, but restates the objective function in a way that avoids the singularities yielded by smaller geometric details. The resulting design tool is intuitive, simple, and allows to create fields with simple topology, even in the presence of high geometric frequencies. The generated field can be used to steer global parameterization methods (e.g., QuadCover).
Accurate multidimensional Poisson-disk sampling
Authors: Gamito Manuel N. , Maddock Steve C.
Published: December 2009

We present an accurate and efficient method to generate samples based on a Poisson-disk distribution. This type of distribution, because of its blue noise spectral properties, is useful for image sampling. It is also useful for multidimensional Monte Carlo integration and as part of a procedural object placement function. Our method extends trivially from 2D to 3D or to any higher dimensional space. We demonstrate results for up to four dimensions, which are likely to be the most useful for computer graphics applications. The method is accurate because it generates distributions with the same statistical properties of those generated with the brute-force dart-throwing algorithm, the archetype against which all other Poisson-disk sampling methods are compared. The method is efficient because it employs a spatial subdivision data structure that signals the regions of space where the insertion of new samples is allowed. The method hasO(NlogN) time and space complexity relative to the total number of samples. The method generates maximal distributions in which no further samples can be inserted at the completion of the algorithm. The method is only limited in the number of samples it can generate and the number of dimensions over which it can work by the available physical memory.
Efficient purely-dynamic information flow analysis
Authors: Austin Thomas H. , Flanagan Cormac
Published: December 2009

We present a novel approach for efficiently tracking information flow in a dynamically-typed language such as JavaScript. Our approach is purely dynamic, and it detects problems with implicit paths via a dynamic check that avoids the need for an approximate static analyses while still guaranteeing non-interference. We incorporate this check into an efficient evaluation strategy based on sparse information labeling that leaves information flow labels implicit whenever possible, and introduces explicit labels only for values that migrate between security domains. We present experimental results showing that, on a range of small benchmark programs, sparse labeling provides a substantial (30%-50%) speed-up over universal labeling.
Oceanographic and Biogeochemical Insights from Diatom Genomes
Authors: Bowler Chris , Vardi Assaf , Allen Andrew E.
Published: December 2009

Diatoms are the most successful group of eukaryotic phytoplankton in the modern ocean and have risen to dominance relatively quickly over the last 100 million years. Recently completed whole genome sequences from two species of diatom, Thalassiosira pseudonana and Phaeodactylum tricornutum, have revealed a wealth of information about the evolutionary origins and metabolic adaptations that have led to their ecological success. A major finding is that they have incorporated genes both from their endosymbiotic ancestors and by horizontal gene transfer from marine bacteria. This unique melting pot of genes encodes novel capacities for metabolic management, for example, allowing the integration of a urea cycle into a photosynthetic cell. In this review we show how genome-enabled approaches are being leveraged to explore major phenomena of oceanographic and biogeochemical relevance, such as nutrient assimilation and life histories in diatoms. We also discuss how diatoms may be affected by climate change–induced alterations in ocean processes.
Paleophysical Oceanography with an Emphasis on Transport Rates
Authors: Huybers Peter , Wunsch Carl
Published: December 2009

Paleophysical oceanography is the study of the behavior of the fluid ocean of the past, with a specific emphasis on its climate implications, leading to a focus on the general circulation. Even if the circulation is not of primary concern, heavy reliance on deep-sea cores for past climate information means that knowledge of the oceanic state when the sediments were laid down is a necessity. Like the modern problem, paleoceanography depends heavily on observations, and central difficulties lie with the very limited data types and coverage that are, and perhaps ever will be, available. An approximate separation can be made into static descriptors of the circulation (e.g., its water-mass properties and volumes) and the more difficult problem of determining transport rates of mass and other properties. Determination of the circulation of the Last Glacial Maximum is used to outline some of the main challenges to progress. Apart from sampling issues, major difficulties lie with physical interpretation of the proxies, transferring core depths to an accurate timescale (the “age-model problem”), and understanding the accuracy of time-stepping oceanic or coupled-climate models when run unconstrained by observations. Despite the existence of many plausible explanatory scenarios, few features of the paleocirculation in any period are yet known with certainty.
Contemporary Sea Level Rise
Authors: Cazenave Anny , Llovel William
Published: December 2009

Measuring sea level change and understanding its causes has considerably improved in the recent years, essentially because new in situ and remote sensing observations have become available. Here we report on most recent results on contemporary sea level rise. We first present sea level observations from tide gauges over the twentieth century and from satellite altimetry since the early 1990s. We next discuss the most recent progress made in quantifying the processes causing sea level change on timescales ranging from years to decades, i.e., thermal expansion of the oceans, land ice mass loss, and land water–storage change. We show that for the 1993–2007 time span, the sum of climate-related contributions (2.85 ± 0.35 mm year−1) is only slightly less than altimetry-based sea level rise (3.3 ± 0.4 mm year−1): ∼30% of the observed rate of rise is due to ocean thermal expansion and ∼55% results from land ice melt. Recent acceleration in glacier melting and ice mass loss from the ice sheets increases the latter contribution up to 80% for the past five years. We also review the main causes of regional variability in sea level trends: The dominant contribution results from nonuniform changes in ocean thermal expansion.
The Ecology of Seamounts: Structure, Function, and Human Impacts
Authors: Clark Malcolm R. , Rowden Ashley A. , Schlacher Thomas , Williams Alan , Consalvey Mireille , Stocks Karen I. , Rogers Alex D. , O'Hara Timothy D. , White Martin , Shank Timothy M. , Hall-Spencer Jason M.
Published: December 2009

In this review of seamount ecology, we address a number of key scientific issues concerning the structure and function of benthic communities, human impacts, and seamount management and conservation. We consider whether community composition and diversity differ between seamounts and continental slopes, how important dispersal capabilities are in seamount connectivity, what environmental factors drive species composition and diversity, whether seamounts are centers of enhanced biological productivity, and whether they have unique trophic architecture. We discuss how vulnerable seamount communities are to fishing and mining, and how we can balance exploitation of resources and conservation of habitat. Despite considerable advances in recent years, there remain many questions about seamount ecosystems that need closer integration of molecular, oceanographic, and ecological research.
What Can Ecology Contribute to Ecosystem-Based Management?
Authors: Thrush Simon F. , Dayton Paul K.
Published: December 2009

Modern fishing changes the ocean environment in many ways, including disturbing the sea floor, altering the food webs, and shifting many important ecosystem functions. Natural history, oceanographic, habitat, behavior, and ecological information must be integrated to implement meaningful ecosystem-based management. We discuss the urgent need to expand the concept of essential fish habitat to include important food-web relationships. The need for a broader perspective in terms of ecosystem function and the effects of interactive stressors is emphasized to maintain the vitality and resilience of valued ecosystems. Maintenance of multiple ecosystem functions is a key factor in the adaptive capacity of ecosystems to change. We argue that an ecological understanding of resilience embraces uncertainty and encourages multiple approaches to the management of humans such that ecosystem functions are maintained.
Pathological Narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Authors: Pincus Aaron L. , Lukowitsky Mark R.
Published: December 2009

We review the literature on pathological narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) and describe a significant criterion problem related to four inconsistencies in phenotypic descriptions and taxonomic models across clinical theory, research, and practice; psychiatric diagnosis; and social/personality psychology. This impedes scientific synthesis, weakens narcissism's nomological net, and contributes to a discrepancy between low prevalence rates of NPD and higher rates of practitioner-diagnosed pathological narcissism, along with an enormous clinical literature on narcissistic disturbances. Criterion issues must be resolved, including clarification of the nature of normal and pathological narcissism, incorporation of the two broad phenotypic themes of narcissistic grandiosity and narcissistic vulnerability into revised diagnostic criteria and assessment instruments, elimination of references to overt and covert narcissism that reify these modes of expression as distinct narcissistic types, and determination of the appropriate structure for pathological narcissism. Implications for the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and the science of personality disorders are presented.
The Genetics of Mood Disorders
Authors: Lau Jennifer Y.F. , Eley Thalia C.
Published: December 2009

Studying the genetics of mood disorders has never been more exciting. We have moved rapidly from establishing the genetic basis of depression to asking questions about how genes are expressed. This has been made possible by the capacity to collect and sequence DNA for large samples cheaply. But “multidisciplinary” approaches investigating interrelationships between risk factors have also been increasingly adopted, encouraging collaborations between those studying genes and those studying the brain, cognition, and/or the social environment. In this review, we first describe findings from quantitative and molecular studies investigating the genetic basis of depression. Second, we present overviews of three hot topics of genetic research: gene-environment interplay, which considers how genetic factors shape exposure and responses toward the social environment; endophenotypic research, which identifies neurophysiological and psychological mediators of genetic risk; and epigenetics, which explain how early environments can foster changes in gene expression, altering subsequent emotional development.
Archaeology Meets Marine Ecology: The Antiquity of Maritime Cultures and Human Impacts on Marine Fisheries and Ecosystems
Authors: Erlandson Jon M. , Rick Torben C.
Published: December 2009

Interdisciplinary study of coastal archaeological sites provides a wealth of information on the ecology and evolution of ancient marine animal populations, the structure of past marine ecosystems, and the history of human impacts on coastal fisheries. In this paper, we review recent methodological developments in the archaeology and historical ecology of coastal regions around the world. Using two case studies, we examine (a) a deep history of anthropogenic effects on the marine ecosystems of California's Channel Islands through the past 12,000 years and (b) geographic variation in the effects of human fishing on Pacific Island peoples who spread through Oceania during the late Holocene. These case studies—the first focused on hunter-gatherers, the second on maritime horticulturalists—provide evidence for shifting baselines and timelines, documenting a much deeper anthropogenic influence on many coastal ecosystems and fisheries than considered by most ecologists, conservation biologists, and fisheries managers.
Biocomplexity in Mangrove Ecosystems
Authors: Feller I.C. , Lovelock C.E. , Berger U. , McKee K.L. , Joye S.B. , Ball M.C.
Published: December 2009

Mangroves are an ecological assemblage of trees and shrubs adapted to grow in intertidal environments along tropical coasts. Despite repeated demonstration of their economic and societal value, more than 50% of the world's mangroves have been destroyed, 35% in the past two decades to aquaculture and coastal development, altered hydrology, sea-level rise, and nutrient overenrichment. Variations in the structure and function of mangrove ecosystems have generally been described solely on the basis of a hierarchical classification of the physical characteristics of the intertidal environment, including climate, geomorphology, topography, and hydrology. Here, we use the concept of emergent properties at multiple levels within a hierarchical framework to review how the interplay between specialized adaptations and extreme trait plasticity that characterizes mangroves and intertidal environments gives rise to the biocomplexity that distinguishes mangrove ecosystems. The traits that allow mangroves to tolerate variable salinity, flooding, and nutrient availability influence ecosystem processes and ultimately the services they provide. We conclude that an integrated research strategy using emergent properties in empirical and theoretical studies provides a holistic approach for understanding and managing mangrove ecosystems.
Integrating Clinical, Community, and Policy Perspectives on Human Papillomavirus Vaccination
Authors: Fernández María E. , Allen Jennifer D. , Mistry Ritesh , Kahn Jessica A.
Published: December 2009

Infection with genital human papillomavirus (HPV) may cause anogenital cancers, oropharyngeal cancers, anogenital warts, and respiratory papillomas. Two prophylactic vaccines (a bivalent and a quadrivalent vaccine) are now licensed and currently in use in a number of countries. Both vaccines prevent infection with HPV-16 and HPV-18, which together cause ∼70% of cervical cancers, and clinical trials have demonstrated 90%–100% efficacy in preventing precancerous cervical lesions attributable to HPV-16 and HPV-18. One vaccine also prevents HPV-6 and HPV-11, which cause 90% of genital warts. A growing literature describes psychosocial, interpersonal, organizational, and societal factors that influence HPV vaccination acceptability. This review summarizes the current literature and presents an integrated perspective, taking into account these diverse influences. The resulting integrated framework can be used as a heuristic tool for organizing factors at multiple levels to guide intervention development and future research.
A Similarity Search Using Molecular Topological Graphs
Authors: Fukunishi Yoshifumi , Nakamura Haruki
Published: December 2009

A molecular similarity measure has been developed using molecular topological graphs and atomic partial charges. Two kinds of topological graphs were used. One is the ordinary adjacency matrix and the other is a matrix which represents the minimum path length between two atoms of the molecule. The ordinary adjacency matrix is suitable to compare the local structures of molecules such as functional groups, and the other matrix is suitable to compare the global structures of molecules. The combination of these two matrices gave a similarity measure. This method was applied to in silico drug screening, and the results showed that it was effective as a similarity measure.
Partitioning of Iron and Scandium in Soils Having Water Drainage Limitations
Authors: Aide Michael , Braden Indi , Mueller Wesley
Published: December 2009

Soil chemistry of Fe includes weathering reactions, adsorption, hydrolysis, complexation, and oxidation-reduction reactions. Soil chemistry for scandium (Sc) is similar, but Sc does not include oxidation-reduction reactions. To determine if geochemical analysis may be used to identify Sc partitioning with respect to Fe among the particle size fractions, two Alfisol and two Ultisol soils were assessed using an aqua-regia digestion to estimate Sc and Fe concentrations for whole soil and particle size separates. Aqua-regia digestion data showed Sc depletion relative to Fe in sand separate. Sand separate is largely composed on quartz sand and Fe-Mn-bearing nodules, which are redoximorphic features produced by alternating oxic and suboxic/anoxic conditions associated with seasonally fluctuating water tables. Relative partitioning of Fe and Sc in these soils warrants further study to assess if selective extractions could quantify the extent of modern or ancestral oxidation-reduction processes responsible in some soil features involved in soil genesis.
Bifurcating Solutions to the Monodomain Model Equipped with FitzHugh‐Nagumo Kinetics
Authors: Artebrant Robert
Published: December 2009

We study Hopf bifurcation solutions to the Monodomain model equipped with FitzHugh‐Nagumo cell dynamics. This reaction‐diffusion system plays an important role in the field of electrocardiology as a tractable mathematical model of the electrical activity in the human heart. In our setting the (bounded) spatial domain consists of two subdomains: a collection of automatic
cells surrounded by collections of normal cells. Thus, the cell model features a discontinuous coefficient. Analytical techniques are applied to approximate the time‐periodic solution that arises at the Hopf bifurcation point. Accurate numerical experiments are employed to complement our findings.
Modeling and Control of Distillation Column in a Petroleum Process
Authors: Minh Vu Trieu , Abdul Rani Ahmad Majdi
Published: December 2009

This paper introduces a calculation procedure for modeling and control simulation of a condensate distillation column based on the energy balance (L‐V) structure. In this control, the reflux rate L and the boilup rate V are used as the inputs to control the outputs of the purity of the distillate overhead and the impurity of the bottom products. The modeling simulation is important for process dynamic analysis and the plant initial design. In this paper, the modeling and simulation are accomplished over three phases: the basic nonlinear model of the plant, the full‐order linearised model, and the reduced‐order linear model. The reduced‐order linear model is then used as the reference model for a model‐reference adaptive control (MRAC) system to verify the applicable ability of a conventional adaptive controller for a distillation column dealing with the disturbance and the model‐plant mismatch as the influence of the plant feed disturbances.
In Vitro Study of Nitric Oxide Metabolites Effects on Human Hydatid ofEchinococcus granulosus
Authors: Zeghir-Bouteldja Razika , Amri Manel , Aitaissa Saliha , Bouaziz Samia , Mezioug Dalila , Touil-Boukoffa Chafia
Published: December 2009

Hydatidosis is characterized by the long-term coexistence of larvaEchinococcus granulosusand its host without effective rejection. Previous studies demonstrated nitric oxide (NO) production (in vivo and in vitro) during hydatidosis. In this study, we investigated the direct in vitro effects of NO species: nitrite (NO2−), nitrate (NO3−) and peroxynitrite (ONOO−) on protoscolices (PSCs) viability and hydatid cyst layers integrity for 24 hours and 48 hours. Our results showed protoscolicidal activity ofNO2−andONOO−24 hours and 3 hours after treatment with 320 μM and 80 μM respectively. Degenerative effects were observed on germinal and laminated layers. The comparison of the in vitro effects of NO species on the PSCs viability indicated thatONOO−is more cytotoxic thanNO2−. In contrast,NO3−has no effect. These results suggest possible involvement ofNO2−andONOO−in antihydatic action and point the efficacy of these metabolites as scolicidal agents.
Segmentation of Pulmonary Vascular Trees from Thoracic 3D CT Images
Authors: Shikata Hidenori , McLennan Geoffrey , Hoffman Eric A. , Sonka Milan
Published: December 2009

This paper describes an algorithm for extracting pulmonary vascular trees (arteries plus veins) from three‐dimensional (3D) thoracic computed tomographic (CT) images. The algorithm integrates tube enhancement filter and traversal approaches which are based on eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a Hessian matrix to extract thin peripheral segments as well as thick vessels close to the lung hilum. The resultant algorithm was applied to a simulation data set and 44 scans from 22 human subjects imaged via multidetector‐row CT (MDCT) during breath holds at 85% and 20% of their vital capacity. A quantitative validation was performed with more than 1000 manually identified points selected from inside the vessel segments to assess true positives (TPs) and 1000 points randomly placed outside of the vessels to evaluate false positives (FPs) in each case. On average, for both the high and low volume lung images, 99% of the points was properly marked as vessel and 1% of the points were assessed as FPs. Our hybrid segmentation algorithm provides a highly reliable method of segmenting the combined pulmonary venous and arterial trees which in turn will serve as a critical starting point for further quantitative analysis tasks and aid in our overall goal of establishing a normative atlas of the human lung.
Understanding and Targeting the Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor eIF4E in Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Culjkovic Biljana , Borden Katherine L.
Published: December 2009

The eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF4E is elevated in about 30% of human malignancies including HNSCC where its levels correlate with poor prognosis. Here, we discuss the biochemical and molecular underpinnings of the oncogenic potential of eIF4E. Studies in human leukemia specimens, and later in a mouse model of prostate cancer, strongly suggest that cells with elevated eIF4E develop an oncogene dependency to it, making them more sensitive to targeting eIF4E than normal cells. We describe several strategies that have been suggested for eIF4E targeting in the clinic: the use of a small molecule antagonist of eIF4E (ribavirin), siRNA or antisense oligonucleotide strategies, suicide gene therapy, and the use of a tissue-targeting 4EBP fusion peptide. The first clinical trial targeting eIF4E indicates that ribavirin effectively targets eIF4E in poor prognosis leukemia patients and more importantly leads to striking clinical responses including complete and partial remissions. Finally, we discuss the relevance of these findings to HNSCC.
Making Preliminary GRBs Real‐Time Astronomical Reports
Authors: Castillo-Carrión Sebastián , Castro-Tirado Alberto Javier
Published: December 2009

We present a standalone software tool which makes reports for analysis and evaluation of GRBs. Recently, analysis and evaluation of GRBs were done without help of semiautomated tools or routines; so the time elapsed from the detection until getting all the information produced (DSS‐2 data: Digitized Sky Surveys, elevation diagrams in each observatory, etc.) could be 30 minutes. The software presented allows to reduce the time elapsed to 30 seconds, getting an email, web, and sms reports.
Circulating Tumor Cell Analysis: Technical and Statistical Considerations for Application to the Clinic
Authors: Allan Alison L. , Keeney Michael
Published: December 2009

Solid cancers are a leading cause of death worldwide, primarily due to the failure of effective clinical detection and treatment of metastatic disease in distant sites. There is growing evidence that the presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood of cancer patients may be an important indicator of the potential for metastatic disease and poor prognosis. Technological advances have now facilitated the enumeration and characterization of CTCs using methods such as PCR, flow cytometry, image-based immunologic approaches, immunomagnetic techniques, and microchip technology. However, the rare nature of these cells requires that very sensitive and robust detection/enumeration methods be developed and validated in order to implement CTC analysis for widespread use in the clinic. This review will focus on the important technical and statistical considerations that must be taken into account when designing and implementing CTC assays, as well as the subsequent interpretation of these results for the purposes of clinical decision making.
Toward Engineering Synthetic Microbial Metabolism
Authors: McArthur George H. , Fong Stephen S.
Published: December 2009

The generation of well-characterized parts and the formulation of biological design principles in synthetic biology are laying the foundation for more complex and advanced microbial metabolic engineering. Improvements inde novoDNA synthesis and codon-optimization alone are already contributing to the manufacturing of pathway enzymes with improved or novel function. Further development of analytical and computer-aided design tools should accelerate the forward engineering of precisely regulated synthetic pathways by providing a standard framework for the predictable design of biological systems from well-characterized parts. In this review we discuss the current state of synthetic biology within a four-stage framework (design, modeling, synthesis, analysis) and highlight areas requiring further advancement to facilitate true engineering of synthetic microbial metabolism.
Progesterone Induces Scolex Evagination of the Human ParasiteTaenia solium: Evolutionary Implications to the Host-Parasite Relationship
Authors: Escobedo Galileo , Camacho-Arroyo Ignacio , Hernández-Hernández Olivia Tania , Ostoa-Saloma Pedro , García-Varela Martín , Morales-Montor Jorge
Published: December 2009

Taenia soliumcysticercosis is a health problem in underdeveloped and developed countries. Sex hormones are involved in cysticercosis prevalence in female and male pigs. Here, we evaluated the effects of progesterone and its antagonist RU486 on scolex evagination, which is the initial step in the development of the adult worm. Interestingly, progesterone increasedT. soliumscolex evagination and worm growth, in a concentration-independent pattern. Progesterone effects could be mediated by a novelT. soliumprogesterone receptor (TsPR), since RU486 inhibits both scolex evagination and worm development induced by progesterone. Using RT-PCR and western blot, sequences related to progesterone receptor were detected in the parasite. A phylogenetic analysis reveals that TsPR is highly related to fish and amphibian progesterone receptors, whereas it has a distant relation with birds and mammals. Conclusively, progesterone directly acts uponT. soliumcysticerci, possibly through its binding to a progesterone receptor synthesized by the parasite.
Phenotypic Transition of the Collecting Duct Epithelium in Congenital Urinary Tract Obstruction
Authors: Trnka Peter , Hiatt Michael J. , Ivanova Larissa , Tarantal Alice F. , Matsell Douglas G.
Published: December 2009

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has emerged in recent years as an important process in the development of organ fibrosis in many human diseases. Our previous experience in a nonhuman primate model of obstructive nephropathy suggested that EMT of collecting duct epithelium contributes to the development of interstitial fibrosis. In this study we demonstrate for the first time in humans that obstructed fetal collecting duct epithelium undergoes transition to mesenchymal phenotype, characterized by decreased expression of epithelial markers, de novo expression of mesenchymal markers with subsequent loss of cell-cell interaction, disruption of the basement membrane, and increased deposition of extracellular matrix into the expanded interstitium of the obstructed kidney. The results of this study therefore support the previous findings from animal studies and suggest that EMT of the collecting duct epithelium might contribute to the development of interstitial fibrosis in human fetal obstructive nephropathy.
A Compliant PKM Mesomanipulator: Kinematic and Dynamic Analyses
Authors: Amici C. , Borboni A. , Faglia R.
Published: December 2009

The kinematic and dynamic analyses of a PKM mesomanipulator are addressed in this paper: the proposed robot architecture allows only pure translations for the mobile platform, while the presence of flexure hinges introduces compliance into the structure. The analytical solutions to direct and inverse kinematic problems are evaluated after a brief introduction of the basic adopted nomenclature, the manipulator workspace and the robot singularity configurations are then described, and the analytical solution to the inverse dynamic problem is presented. Thereafter, an overview on some of the simulations results obtained through a software implementation of the described algorithms is addressed, and the most salient aspects of this topic are summarized in the final conclusions.
Reduction of Foxp3+Cells by Depletion with the PC61 mAb Induces Mortality in Resistant BALB/c Mice Infected withToxoplasma gondii
Authors: Tenorio Eda Patricia , Olguín Jonadab Efraín , Fernández Jacquelina , Vieyra Pablo , Saavedra Rafael
Published: December 2009

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) areCD4+Foxp3+cells that modulate autoimmune responses. Tregs have been shown to be also involved during the immune response against infectious agents. The aim of this work is to study the role of Tregs during the infection with the intracellular protozoanToxoplasma gondii. Resistant BALB/c mice were injected with 200 μg of anti-CD25 mAb (clone PC61) and 2 days later they were infected with 20 cysts of the ME49 strain ofT. gondii. We observed that depleted mice showed 50–60% mortality during the acute infection. When FACS analysis was carried out, we observed that although injection of PC61 mAb eliminated 50% of Tregs, infected-depleted mice showed a similar percentage of CD25+Foxp3−(activated T cells, Tact) to those observed in infected nondepleted animals, demonstrating that in our depletion/infection system, injection of PC61 mAb did not hamper T cell activation while percentage of Tregs was reduced by 75% 10 days post infection. We concluded that Tregs are essential during protection in the acute phase ofT. gondiiinfection.
Role of Earthworms in Soil Fertility Maintenance through the Production of Biogenic Structures
Authors: Bhadauria Tunira , Saxena Krishan Gopal
Published: December 2009

The soil biota benefits soil productivity and contributes to the sustainable function of all ecosystems. The cycling of nutrients is a critical function that is essential to life on earth. Earthworms (EWs) are a major component of soil fauna communities in most ecosystems and comprise a large proportion of macrofauna biomass. Their activity is beneficial because it can enhance soil nutrient cycling through the rapid incorporation of detritus into mineral soils. In addition to this mixing effect, mucus production associated with water excretion in earthworm guts also enhances the activity of other beneficial soil microorganisms. This is followed by the production of organic matter. So, in the short term, a more significant effect is the concentration of large quantities of nutrients (N, P, K, and Ca) that are easily assimilable by plants in fresh cast depositions. In addition, earthworms seem to accelerate the mineralization as well as the turnover of soil organic matter. Earthworms are known also to increase nitrogen mineralization, through direct and indirect effects on the microbial community. The increased transfer of organic C and N into soil aggregates indicates the potential for earthworms to facilitate soil organic matter stabilization and accumulation in agricultural systems, and that their influence depends greatly on differences in land management practices. This paper summarises information on published data on the described subjects.
Turbulent Heat Transfer Behavior of Nanofluid in a Circular Tube Heated under Constant Heat Flux
Authors: Torii Shuichi
Published: December 2009

The aim of the present study is to disclose the forced convective heat transport phenomenon of nanofluids inside a horizontal circular tube subject to a constant and uniform heat flux at the wall. Consideration is given to the effect of the inclusion of nanoparticles on heat transfer enhancement, thermal conductivity, viscosity, and pressure loss in the turbulent flow region. It is found that (i) heat transfer enhancement is caused by suspending nanoparticles and becomes more pronounced with the increase of the particle volume fraction, (ii) its augmentation is affected by three different nanofluids employed here, and (iii) the presence of particles produces adverse effects on viscosity and pressure loss that also increases with the particle volume fraction.
The Use of Fractional B‐Splines Wavelets in Multiterms Fractional Ordinary Differential Equations
Authors: Huang X. , Lu X.
Published: December 2009

We discuss the existence and uniqueness of the solutions of the nonhomogeneous linear differential equations of arbitrary positive real order by using the fractional B‐Splines wavelets and the Mittag‐Leffler function. The differential operators are taken in the Riemann‐Liouville sense and the initial values are zeros. The scheme of solving the fractional differential equations and the explicit expression of the solution is given in this paper. At last, we show the asymptotic solution of the differential equations of fractional order and corresponding truncated error in theory.
Dopaminergic Pathway Gene Polymorphisms and Genetic Susceptibility to Schizophrenia among North Indians
Authors: Srivastava Vibhuti , Deshpande Smita N. , Thelma B.K.
Published: December 2009

Objective: Understanding the etiology and pathogenesis of schizophrenia has been difficult due to the complex inheritance patterns, genetic heterogeneity and varied multiple nonlinear interactions between genes. Several lines of evidence indicate the involvement of neurotransmitter dopamine in the pathophysiology of this disorder. To analyze such a possible role of dopaminergic pathway gene polymorphisms, we used a case-control approach. Method: We genotyped a total of 31 potential single nucleotide polymorphism/variable number of tandem repeat markers from 9 candidate genes including the dopamine receptors and metabolizing enzymes (synthesis and degradation) in 215 schizophrenia cases and 215 healthy controls from North India. Results: A nominally significant allelic association was observed in case of the catechol-O-methyltransferase rs362204 –/G (p = 0.028) marker whereas nominally significant genotypic associations were seen for tyrosine hydroxylase rs6356 A/G (p = 0.04) and dopamine β-hydroxylase rs1108580 A/G (p = 0.025) following the case-control approach. Several significant haplotypic associations were observed from dopamine β-hydroxylase, catechol-O-methyltransferase, and dopamine receptor D2 genes. A significant interaction of tyrosine hydroxylase rs6356 A/G and catechol-O-methyltransferase rs362204 –/G markers was also observed following binary logistic regression analysis (p = 0.009). Conclusions: A contribution of dopaminergic pathway gene polymorphisms to schizophrenia seems possible in our sample set. However, considering the marginal levels of associations, interpopulation comparisons and replicate studies are warranted.
Association of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Genetic Val66Met Polymorphism with Severity of Depression, Efficacy of Fluoxetine and Its Side Effects in Chinese Major Depressive Patients
Authors: Zou Yan-Feng , Wang Yu , Liu Ping , Feng Xiao-Liang , Wang Bin-Yan , Zang Tong-Hua , Yu Xin , Wei Jing , Liu Zhong-Chun , Liu Ying , Tao Ming , Li Hui-Chun , Li Ke-Qing , Hu Jian , Li Ming , Zhang Ke-Rang , Ye Dong-Qing , Xu Xi-Ping
Published: December 2009

Background: Preclinical studies have shown that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may be involved in antidepressant action, and the BDNF gene has been suggested to be involved in the pharmacological treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). In this study, the relationship between BDNF Val66Met polymorphism (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Database ID: rs6265) and severity of depression, efficacy of fluoxetine and its side effects was tested in Chinese patients with MDD. Methods: Patients with MDD took the oral selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine (20 mg/day) for 6 weeks. Its clinical efficacy and side effects were measured by the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Treatment-Emergent Symptoms Scale (TESS), respectively. The patients were genotyped for Val66Met polymorphism of the BDNF gene. Results: In the multivariate regression analysis, there was no significant association between severity of depression and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism. There was no association between efficacy of fluoxetine and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, but there was a marginal positive suggestion that heterozygous patients tended to have a better remission with fluoxetine in comparison with homozygous analogs. Insomnia and decreased sexual desire, side effects of fluoxetine, may have an association with the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, and Met allele carriers showed a lower incidence of these side effects. Conclusions: These results indicate that there was a lack of association between severity of depression and BDNF Val66Met polymorphism in Chinese patients with MDD. The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism may play a major role in the efficacy and side effects of SSRI (fluoxetine) in Chinese patients with MDD.
Sustained Attention and Planning Deficits but Intact Attentional Set-Shifting in Neuroleptic-Naïve First-Episode Schizophrenia Patients
Authors: Hilti Caroline C. , Delko Tarik , Orosz Ariane T. , Thomann Kathrin , Ludewig Stephan , Geyer Mark A. , Vollenweider Franz X. , Feldon Joram , Cattapan-Ludewig Katja
Published: December 2009

Introduction: The nature of deficits in tests of sustained attention, planning and attentional set-shifting has not been investigated in neuroleptic-naïve first-episode (FE) schizophrenia patients. Based on previous literature of chronic and medicated FE schizophrenia patients, we predicted that the neuroleptic-naïve patients would show deficits in these cognitive processes. Methods: Twenty-nine neuroleptic-naïve FE schizophrenia patients and 33 healthy controls – matched by age, gender, and nicotine consumption – performed 3 tests from the Cambridge Automated Neuropsychological Test Battery (CANTAB) thought to measure these cognitive processes: the Rapid Visual Information Processing task (RVIP, sustained attention), the Stockings of Cambridge task (SOC, planning), and the Intradimensional/Extradimensional set-shifting task (IDED, attention shifting). Results: The patients were significantly impaired in the sensitivity index (A′) of the RVIP, and in the number of problems solved with minimum moves on the SOC. Nevertheless, the groups did not differ regarding the number of participants who failed at the crucial extradimensional shift stage of the IDED. Conclusion: Sustained attention and planning abilities are already impaired in neuroleptic-naïve FE schizophrenia patients, whereas set-shifting abilities as measured with the IDED task seem to be intact at illness onset. Since chronic schizophrenia patients have been shown to have impaired IDED performance, we tentatively propose that IDED performance deteriorates over time with illness chronicity and/or medication.
Plasma Adrenomedullin Levels during Multiple Pregnancy
Authors: Shinozaki Hiromitsu , Aoki Hiroshi , Kasahara Yoshimitsu , Kangawa Kenji , Minegishi Takashi
Published: December 2009

Background: To estimate the normal level of adrenomedullin (AM) during multiple pregnancy. Methods: The study population consisted of 5 women with normal cycles, 130 women with normal pregnancy between 6 and 40 weeks of gestation, 93 women with twin pregnancy and 42 women with triplet pregnancy. Results: Total AM concentration in the first trimester (13.7 ± 0.58 fmol/ml), second trimester (26.8 ± 1.13 fmol/ml) and third trimester (37.8 ± 1.32 fmol/ml) in pregnant women was significantly higher than that in nonpregnant women (8.0 ± 0.71 fmol/ml). In each trimester, the maternal plasma concentrations of triplet-pregnant women were significantly higher than in twin and singleton-pregnant women. Umbilical venous AM levels (29.9 ± 2.63 fmol/ml) were higher than umbilical arterial AM (20.2 ± 2.04 fmol/ml). Conclusion: Since alterations in the AM concentration in maternal plasma may mediate compensatory vascular responses in the uterine circulation, it might be useful to know the normal level of AM during multiple pregnancy in order to detect abnormalities during multiple pregnancy.
Bacterial Burden of Worn Therapeutic Silver Textiles for Neurodermitis Patients and Evaluation of Efficacy of Washing
Authors: Daeschlein G. , Assadian O. , Arnold A. , Haase H. , Kramer A. , Jünger M.
Published: December 2009

To reduce pruritus and colonization with Staphylococcus aureus, textiles containing silver are increasingly used as therapeutic option for patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). While wearing such textiles, the contained silver is in close contact with the patient’s skin. The silver serves two purposes: to reduce bacterial colonization of the skin, and to prevent contamination of the textile with ensuing growth of microorganisms. It is unknown whether the silver impregnation is able to reduce bacterial contamination of the textile during wearing and to prevent bacterial growth within the textile. The aim of this study was to investigate the bacterial contamination in textiles containing silver versus placebo worn by patients with AD and to determine the efficacy of processing worn textiles by manual and machine-based washing. Additionally, the effect of silver textiles on S. aureus and total bacterial counts colonizing the skin of AD patients was analyzed. The reduction factor of silver textile compared to placebo was 0.5 log steps against S. aureus and 0.4 log steps against total bacteria. Silver textiles exhibited significantly less S. aureus as well as total bacterial colonization after 2 days of wearing without washing, as compared with a placebo textile. On placebo textiles 385.6 ± 63.5 CFU total bacteria and 236.5 ± 49.9 CFU S. aureus, and on silver textiles 279.9 ± 78.7 CFU total bacteria and 119.3 ± 39.4 CFU S. aureus were found on the inner side of the textiles facing the neurodermitis lesions. However, the unexpectedly high residual contamination despite the silver exposure represents a potential risk as recontamination source of S. aureus that could maintain the proinflammatory process in AD. This contamination is nearly completely eliminated by machine-based washing at 60°C using conventional washing powder. AD patients wearing silver textiles should change their used clothes at least daily and wash them in a washing machine at 60°C.
Expression of Ca2+-Activated K+ Channels in Human Dermal Fibroblasts and Their Roles in Apoptosis
Authors: Yun J. , Park H. , Ko J.-H. , Lee W. , Kim K. , Kim T. , Shin J. , Kim K. , Kim K. , Song J.-H. , Noh Y.-H. , Bang H. , Lim I.
Published: December 2009

Backgrounds/Aims: Cell proliferation and apoptosis are responsible for maintaining normal tissue homeostasis, and K+ currents play important roles in regulating the physiological balance between them. This function of Ca2+-activated K+ (KCa) channels has been demonstrated in many types of tissues, but not in dermal fibroblasts. We investigated the expression of KCa channels and their effects on proliferation and apoptosis in human dermal fibroblasts. Methods: We used discoidin domain receptor 2 immunostaining to identify human dermal fibroblasts, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis and electrophysiological patch clamp recordings to evaluate the expression and characteristics of 3 members of the KCa channel family, large-conductance KCa (BK), intermediate-conductance KCa (IK) and small-conductance KCa channels. We also used the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, flow cytometry, Hoechst 33258 staining and Depsipher staining to investigate the effects of KCa channels on cell proliferation and the mechanisms involved. Results and Conclusions: All 3 members of the KCa channel family were found in fibroblasts. 1,3-Dihydro-1-[2-hydroxy-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-benzimidazol-2-one (NS1619, a BK channel activator) or 1-ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone (EBIO, an IK channel activator) decreased the proliferation of fibroblasts and induced apoptotic changes by mitochondrial membrane potential disruption. However, a pan-caspase inhibitor (Z-VAD-fmk) failed to prevent the apoptotic changes. Our findings indicate that 3 types of functional KCa channels are expressed in human dermal fibroblasts and are involved in apoptosis of the cells through the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, but seemingly in a caspase-independent manner.