bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SEARCH FOR $D^0-\overline{D}^0$ MIXING USING SEMILEPTONIC DECAYS
Authors:   on behalf of the Babar Collaboration., Flood Kevin T.
Published: August 2005

Based on an 87-fb-1 dataset collected by the Babar detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy B-Factory, a search for [Formula: see text] mixing has been made using the semileptonic decay modes D*+ → π+D0, D0 → Kev (+c.c.) . The use of these modes allows unambiguous flavor tagging and a combined fit of the D0 decay time and D*+-D0 mass difference (ΔM) distributions. The high-statistics sample of unmixed semileptonic D0 decays is used to model the ΔM distribution and time-dependence of mixed events directly from the data. Neural networks are used to select events and reconstruct the D0. A result consistent with no charm mixing has been obtained, R mix = 0.0023 ± 0.0012 ± 0.0004. This corresponds to an upper limit of R mix < 0.0042 (90% CL).
$D^0-\overline{D}^0$ hadronic mixing and DCS decays from FOCUS
Authors:   on behalf of the FOCUS Collaboration., Stenson Kevin
Published: August 2005

We present an analysis of the decay D0 → K+π- from FOCUS. From a sample of 234 events we find a branching ratio of [Formula: see text] under the assumption of no mixing and no CP violation. We also present limits on charm mixing.
MEASUREMENT OF THE $D \bar{D}$ CROSS SECTIONS AND D HADRONIC BRANCHING FRACTIONS
Authors: Chen Guang-Pei
Published: August 2005

Using 57.2 pb-1 of data collected with the CLEO-c detector at the ψ(3770) resonance, we measure absolute branching fractions for three D0 and two D+ Cabibbo-allowed hadronic decay modes, and the cross section for [Formula: see text] at [Formula: see text].
A STUDY OF $B \to D^{(*)+}_{sJ} \overline{D}^{(*)}$ DECAYS WITH BABAR
Authors:   on behalf of the BABAR collaboration., KROSEBERG JÜRGEN
Published: August 2005

We present a study of [Formula: see text] and DsJ(2460)+ meson production in B decays based on a data sample of 122 million [Formula: see text] pairs collected with the BABAR experiment.
DETERMINATION OF |Vub| FROM TAGGED AND UNTAGGED $B \overline{B}$ EVENTS WITH THE BABAR DETECTOR
Authors:   on behalf of the BABAR Collaboration., DINGFELDER JOCHEN
Published: August 2005

Measurements of charmless semileptonic B-meson decays and the CKM matrix element |Vub| are reported based on a sample of 88 million [Formula: see text] events recorded with the BABAR detector. Decays B → Xuℓν are selected from both tagged and untagged [Formula: see text] events and separated from the dominant charm background, B → Xcℓν, using different kinematic variables: the lepton momentum Eℓ, the squared four-momentum transfer q2, and the hadronic mass mX. The extrapolation to the total decay rate to determine |Vub| is performed for different theoretical models. We have also measured branching ratios for the exclusive semileptonic decays B → π(ρ,ω,η,η′,a0)ℓν, where a high signal purity is reached by fully or partially reconstructing the second B meson.
Angular correlations between b jets in ${\rm p}\bar{\rm p}$ collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 1.96~ {\rm TeV}$
Authors:   for the DØ Collaboration., WIJNGAARDEN D. A.
Published: August 2005

We present a preliminary measurement of angular correlations between b jets. The distribution of Δϕ between a muon-tagged jet and a lifetime-tagged jet in data is compared to individual distributions for gluon splitting, flavor excitation and flavor creation [Formula: see text] processes, and background. The relative contributions of gluon splitting, flavor excitation and flavor creation to the data distribution are determined.
Fragmentation differences of quark and gluon jets at Tevatron
Authors:   for CDF Collaboration., PRONKO ALEXANDRE
Published: August 2005

We present the results on fragmentation differences of quark and gluon jets obtained by CDF at [Formula: see text]. We compare the multiplicities and momentum distributions of charged particles in two data samples: dijet data and photon+jet data. These two samples have a different quark/gluon jet content, which allows a measurement of the inclusive properties of gluon and quark jets. The results are compared to the earlier measurements obtained at e+e- collisions and to the re-summed perturbative QCD calculations.
THRESHOLD CORRECTIONS IN PRECISION LHC PHYSICS: QED⊗QCD
Authors: WARD B. F. L. , GLOSSER C. , JADACH S. , YOST S. A.
Published: August 2005

With an eye toward LHC processes in which theoretical precisions of 1% are desired, we introduce the theory of the simultaneous YFS resummation of QED and QCD to compute the size of the expected resummed soft radiative threshold effects in precision studies of heavy particle production at the LHC. Our results show that both QED and QCD soft threshold effects must be controlled to be on the conservative side to achieve such precision goals.
SEARCHES FOR CHARMED PENTAQUARKS AT CDF
Authors:   On behalf of the Collider Detector at Fermilab (CDF) Collaboration., GERCHTEIN ELENA A.
Published: August 2005

Recently the H 1 Collaboration observed a narrow peak in D*-p invariant mass spectrum from what is believed to be an anti-charmed pentaquark baryon state with [Formula: see text] quark content, produced in deep inelastic scattering in ep collisions at HERA. This new state was tentatively named [Formula: see text] as being an anti-charmed analog of Θ+ pentaquark discovered in 2003 by LEPS Collaboration. The upgraded CDF detector is sensitive to production of charmed pentaquark states in central rapidity region due to ability to trigger on displaced tracks from weakly decaying daughter hadrons. At this conference we report results of searches for anti-charmed pentaquark [Formula: see text] and its charged isospin partner [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] collisions at [Formula: see text] at Tevatron.
Upsilon Transverse Momentum at Hadron Colliders
Authors: Berger Edmond L. , Qiu Jianwei , Wang Yili
Published: August 2005

We predict the shape of the transverse momentum pT spectrum of ϒ production. The distribution at low pT is dominated by the region of small impact parameter b and may be computed reliably in perturbation theory. We resum to all orders in the strong coupling αs the process-independent large logarithmic contributions that arise from initial-state gluon showers in the small pT(≤ Mϒ) region. The cross section at large pT is represented by the [Formula: see text] lowest-order non-vanishing perturbative contribution.
NuTeV Structure Function Measurement
Authors:   The NuTeV Collaboration., Tzanov M. , Adams T. , Alton A. , Avvakumov S. , de Barbaro L. , de Barbaro P. , Bernstein R. H. , Bodek A. , Bolton T. , Boyd S. , Brau J. , Buchholz D. , Budd H. , Bugel L. , Conrad J. , Drucker R. B. , Fleming B. T. , Formaggio J. , Frey R. , Goldman J. , Goncharov M. , Harris D. A. , Kim J. H. , Koutsoliotas S. , Johnson R. A. , Lamm M. J. , Marsh W. , Mason D. , McFarland K. S. , McNulty C. , Naples D. , Nienaber P. , Radescu V. , Romosan A. , Sakumoto W. K. , Schellman H. , Shaevitz M. H. , Spentzouris P. , Stern E. G. , Suwonjandee N. , Tobien N. , Vaitaitis A. , Vakili M. , Yang U. K. , Yu J. , Zeller G. P. , Zimmerman E. D.
Published: August 2005

The NuTeV experiment obtained high statistics samples of neutrino and antineutrino charged current events during the 1996-1997 Fermilab fixed target run. The experiment combines sign-selected neutrino and antineutrino beams and the upgraded CCFR iron-scintillator neutrino detector. A precision continuous calibration beam was used to determine the muon and hadron energy scales to a precision of 0.7% and 0.43% respectively. The structure functions F2(x, Q2) and xF3(x, Q2) obtained by fitting the y-dependence of the sum and the difference of the ν and [Formula: see text] differential cross sections are presented.
STATUS OF DIFFRACTIVE PHYSICS AT DØ RUN II
Authors:   on behalf of the DØ Collaboration., STRANG MICHAEL
Published: August 2005

The Forward Proton Detector (FPD) is a new sub-system of the DØ detector implemented for Run II at the Fermilab Tevatron which gives access to a wide range of diffractive scattering physics processes. This new detector is described and preliminary results from the diffractive program are presented.
JETS AND FLOW EFFECTS ON TRANSVERSE MOMENTUM FLUCTUATIONS
Authors: Abdel-Aziz Mohamed , Gavin Sean
Published: August 2005

We briefly review the nonequilibrium description of parton thermalization then extend the formulation to account for contributions to fluctuations from flow and the energy loss of the high transverse momentum particles. Calculations are then compared to the measured ransverse momentum fluctuations.
UPGRADE OF THE DØ DETECTOR: THE TEVATRON BEYOND 2 fb-1
Authors:   For the DØ Collaboration., QUINN BREESE
Published: August 2005

Recent performance of Fermilab's Tevatron has exceeded this year's design goals and further accelerator upgrades are underway. The high-luminosity period which follows these improvements is known as Run IIb. The DØ experiment is in the midst of a comprehensive upgrade program designed to enable it to thrive with much higher data rate and occupancy. Extensive modifications of and additions to all levels of the trigger and the silicon tracker are in progress. All upgrade projects are on schedule for installation in the 2005 shutdown.
The BABAR Level 1 Drift-Chamber Trigger Upgrade with 3D Tracking
Authors: Chai Xuedong
Published: August 2005

At BABAR, the Level 1 Drift Chamber trigger is being upgraded to reduce increasing background rates while the PEP-II luminosity keeps improving. This upgrade uses the drift time information and stereo wires in the drift chamber to perform a 3D track reconstruction that effectively rejects background events spread out along the beam line.
A Scintillating Fibre Tracker for MICE
Authors:   for the MICE SciFi group., Ellis Malcolm
Published: August 2005

The provision of intense stored muon beams would allow the properties of neutrinos to be measured precisely and provide a route to multi-TeV lepton-anti-lepton collisions. The short muon lifetime makes it impossible to employ traditional cooling techniques while maintaining the muon-beam intensity. Ionisation cooling, a process in which the muon beam is passed through a series of liquid hydrogen absorbers followed by accelerating RF-cavities, is the proposed cooling technique. The international Muon Ionisation Cooling Experiment (MICE) collaboration has been approved at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and proposes to perform an engineering demonstration of ionisation cooling. The MICE experiment will require the measurement of the momentum and position of muons entering and leaving a section of ionisation cooling channel with high precision and purity in the presence of a large background. The technology chosen to meet this challenge is scintillating fibres readout with Visible Light Photon Detectors. The design, construction and operation of a prototype detector is described, as well as a summary of ongoing research and development activities in preparation for supplying the trackers needed for the MICE experiment.
Design and Construction of a TPC using GEM Foils for Gas Amplification
Authors: Weber Michael
Published: August 2005

We report on the development of a large Time Projection Chamber (TPC) for the e+e- Linear Collider (LC). Our studies concentrate on the use of Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) foils for the gas amplification in the TPC. Charge transfer measurements are performed using a triple-GEM structure installed into a small test chamber which is irradiated with an 55 Fe source. This device is operated in high magnetic fields up to 5 T. No severe drop in primary ionisation statistics is observed, but an improved suppression of ion backdrift is achieved. For optimum settings the relative ion backdrift drops to only 2 per mil. Additionally, the width of the charge cloud created by individual 55 Fe photons is measured using a finely segmented strip readout behind the triple GEM structure. Charge widths between 0.2 and 0.5 mm RMS are observed. This charge broadening is reduced in high magnetic fields. Based on these experiments a prototype GEM-TPC has been constructed for further tests in the 5 T magnet and in test beams.
CMS ECAL PERFORMANCE - TESTBEAM RESULTS
Authors:   on behalf of the CMS ECAL Collaboration., DASKALAKIS GEORGIOS
Published: August 2005

The Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment is a general-purpose detector designed to explore the physics of proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 14 TeV over the full range of luminosities expected at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The Electromagnetic Calorimeter (ECAL) will play an essential role in the study of the electroweak symmetry breaking, particularly through the exploration of the Higgs boson sector. To evaluate its characteristics, an ECAL prototype was placed in an electron testbeam at CERN. Highlights of results obtained during the test beam campaign are presented.
A BARREL IFR INSTRUMENTED WITH LIMITED STREAMER TUBES FOR BABAR EXPERIMENT
Authors:   on behalf of the BaBar LST Collaboration., Cibinetto Gianluigi
Published: August 2005

The new barrel Instrumented Flux Return (IFR) of BABAR detector will be reported here. Limited Stramer Tubes (LSTs) have been chosen to replace the existing RPCs as active elements of the barrel IFR. The layout of the new detector will be discussed: in particular, a cell bigger than the standard one has been used to improve efficiency and reliability. The extruded profile is coated with a resistive layer of graphite having a typical surface resistivity between 0.2 and 0.4 MOhm/square. The tubes are assembled in modules and installed in 12 active layers of each sextant of the IFR detector. R&D studies which have been done to choose the final design will be discussed, as well as the Quality Control procedure adopted during the tube production to assure high performances of the detector.
A MUON COOLING RING WITH LITHIUM LENSES
Authors: FUKUI YASUO , CLINE DAVID B. , GARREN ALPER A. , KIRK HAROLD G.
Published: August 2005

We discuss particle tracking simulations in a storage ring with Lithium lens inserts designed for the transverse phase space cooling of muons by the ionization cooling. In a hard-edged magnetic element model, we demonstrate the equilibrium normalized transverse emittance of 0.3 mm*rad which is necessary for a Higgs Factory, a low energy mu+mu- Collider. For the 6 dimensional phase space cooling of muons, a method of using bent Lithium lenses were discussed.
Performance of an Operating High Energy Physics Data Grid: DØSAR-Grid
Authors: Abbott B. , Baringer P. , Bolton T. , Greenwood Z. , Gregores E. , Kim H. , Leangsuksun C. , Meyer D. , Mondal N. , Novaes S. , Quinn B. , Severini H. , Skubic P. , Snow J. , Sosebee M. , Yu J.
Published: August 2005

The DØ experiment at Fermilab's Tevatron will record several petabytes of data over the next five years in pursuing the goals of understanding nature and searching for the origin of mass. Computing resources required to analyze these data far exceed capabilities of any one institution. Moreover, the widely scattered geographical distribution of DØ collaborators poses further serious difficulties for optimal use of human and computing resources. These difficulties will exacerbate in future high energy physics experiments, like the LHC. The computing grid has long been recognized as a solution to these problems. This technology is being made a more immediate reality to end users in DØ by developing a grid in the DØ Southern Analysis Region (DØSAR), DØSAR-Grid, using all available resources within it and a home-grown local task manager, McFarm. We will present the architecture in which the DØSAR-Grid is implemented, the use of technology and the functionality of the grid, and the experience from operating the grid in simulation, reprocessing and data analyses for a currently running HEP experiment.
DETECTOR DESCRIPTION OF THE ATLAS MUON SPECTROMETER
Authors:   on behalf of the ATLAS Collaboration., POMAREDE D.
Published: August 2005

The Muon Spectrometer of the ATLAS experiment is a large and complex system relying on several detector technologies. The simulation and reconstruction of muon events require a very careful description of these detectors, some of which provide a muon trigger while the others make precision measurements of tracks. A precise description of the passive materials, toroidal magnet systems and shield is also needed to account for Coulomb scattering and energy losses. Finally, the spectrometer performance is enhanced by the alignment of its precision chambers, so the detector description model must fully implement misalignments and deformations. We present the Detector Description chain employed in the Muon system and its integration in the ATLAS software framework. It relies on a database technology and a standard set of geometrical primitives common to all ATLAS subsystems. The Muon Detector Description has been used successfully in the context of the ATLAS Data Challenges, where it provides a unique and coherent geometry source for the simulation and reconstruction algorithms. It has also been validated in the context of the experimental program of the ATLAS testbeams, where analyses of the treatment of chamber alignment in track reconstruction relies crucially upon the detector description model.
EVALUATION OF ARBITRARY INTEGER BASED MULTIPLE TUNED MASS DAMPERS FOR STRUCTURES
Authors: LI CHUNXIANG , ZHANG JINGYI
Published: August 2005

In contrast with the odd number based multiple tuned mass dampers (ON-MTMD) used conventionally, which is targeted at the central natural frequency, the arbitrary integer based multiple tuned mass dampers (AI-MTMD) is proposed for the convenient applications of MTMD by giving up the central natural frequency hypothesis. The total number of the TMD units constituting the AI-MTMD may be selected as an arbitrary integer according to the practical requirements. In terms of the dynamic magnification factors (DMF) of the AI-MTMD structure system, the criterion for evaluating the optimum parameters and effectiveness of the AI-MTMD is selected as the minimization of the minimum values of the maximum DMF of the structure with the AI-MTMD. Employing the maximum DMF of every mass block in the AI-MTMD, the stroke of the AI-MTMD is simultaneously evaluated. The results indicate that both the AI-MTMD and the ON-MTMD can practically render the same performance, thus demonstrating that the former can be more convenient in mitigating structural oscillations with respect to the ON-MTMD stuck to the central natural frequency hypothesis.
FREE VIBRATION RESPONSE OF CYLINDRICAL PANELS WITH HIGHER ORDER SHEAR DEFORMATION THEORY
Authors: KABIR HUMAYUN R. H. , ASKAR HASAN
Published: August 2005

Presented here is an analytical solution to the free vibration problem of an isotropic cylindrical panel with SS2-type simply supported boundary conditions based on Reddy's third order shear deformation shell theory. Using the principle of virtual work, the Reddy's shell theory generates five highly coupled partial differential equations in terms of three unknown displacements and two unknown rotations. The partial differential equations in conjunction with the prescribed boundary conditions are solved using displacement functions expressed in terms of double Fourier series expansion. Cylindrical panels with various aspect and thickness ratios are considered in the study of convergence behavior and parametric variation of the eigenvalues. The eigenvalues and mode shapes obtained in this study are compared with those obtained from the finite element software package ANSYS. The hitherto unavailable analytical solutions can be used as benchmarks for checking the accuracy of various approximate methods such as the Rayleigh–Ritz, finite element and finite difference methods.
SLACK AND NET TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY MEASUREMENT: A BOOTSTRAP APPROACH
Authors: RICHMOND J.
Published: August 2005

Statistical properties of DEA methods for efficiency estimation are poorly understood and currently the best way forward must be to use bootstrap techniques. The article seeks to extend bootstrap methods to allow investigation of the properties of estimates of inefficiencies due to the slack in the use of resources as well as technical efficiency. In an empirical application, it is found that inefficiency due to slack is a small component of the overall inefficiency and that the DEA technical efficiency estimates have a small downward bias, with confidence intervals that are wide enough to suggest cautious interpretation.
CONTEXT-DEPENDENT DEA WITH AN APPLICATION TO TOKYO PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Authors: CHEN YAO , MORITA HIROSHI , ZHU JOE
Published: August 2005

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) identifies an empirical efficient frontier of a set of peer decision making units (DMUs) with multiple inputs and outputs. The efficient frontier is characterized by the DMUs with an unity efficiency score. The performance of inefficient DMUs is characterized with respect to the identified efficient frontier. If the performance of inefficient DMUs deteriorates or improves (up to the frontier), the efficient DMUs still have an unity efficiency score. However, the performance of DMUs may be influenced by the context — e.g. a product may appear attractive against a background of less attractive alternatives and unattractive when compared to more attractive alternatives. With an application to Tokyo public libraries, the current paper presents and demonstrates a context-dependent DEA which measures the relative attractiveness of libraries on a specific performance level against libraries exhibiting poorer performance. The set of libraries are grouped into different levels of efficient frontiers. Each efficient frontier (on a specific performance level) is then used as evaluation context for the relative attractiveness. The performance of the efficient libraries changes as the inefficient libraries change their performance. The context-dependent DEA can also be used to differentiate the performance of efficient DMUs. The context-dependent DEA provides finer DEA results with respect to the performance of all DMUs.
ON PREFERENCE STRUCTURE IN DATA ENVELOPMENT ANALYSIS
Authors: CHEN YAO
Published: August 2005

The paper studies the result of Zhu21 and establishes a relationship between the efficiency in data envelopment analysis (DEA) and the pareto optimality under multiple objective linear programming (MOLP). It is shown that the DEA/preference structure models in Zhu21 can be derived by traditional MOLP techniques. Incorporation of tradeoffs or value judgments is a direct result of using MOLP techniques. New uses of DEA are developed and described. The approach is applied to a set of Chinese cities.
MODELING OUTPUT GAINS AND EARNINGS' GAINS
Authors: FUKUYAMA HIROFUMI , WEBER WILLIAM L.
Published: August 2005

In this paper, we examine the potential gains in physical outputs or earnings on outputs from an optimal reallocation of inputs. When some decision-making units (DMUs) face higher input prices than other DMUs, the Farrell decomposition of cost efficiency can potentially indicate that a firm with lower overall costs of production is less efficient than a firm that uses fewer physical inputs, but has higher costs. We extend our gain functions accounting for cases where DMUs face different input prices. An empirical illustration of our method is provided using data on Japanese banks operating during 2000–2003.
FINANCIAL LIBERALIZATION AND EFFICIENCY IN TUNISIAN BANKING INDUSTRY: DEA TEST
Authors: COOK WADE D. , HABABOU MOEZ , LIANG LIANG
Published: August 2005

IMF policies have been widely criticized in the aftermath of the Asian crisis. Key critics questioned the appropriateness and the sequencing of financial liberalization programs which, along with insufficient monitoring and inadequate prudential regulations, left the financial sectors of the affected countries highly leveraged and exposed. This paper examines the impacts of similar reforms on the efficiency of the banking system in Tunisia, a country whose economy has been reshaped by the IMF/World Bank prescribed economic adjustment plans since 1987. Using various DEA models and panel data covering the period 1992–1997, we evaluate the individual effects of each component of the reforms on the banking industry overall.

Meanwhile, we compare the effects on banks because of the different ownership structures over time. We also pay particular attention to specific factors that have kept the financial sector in Tunisia relatively stable in the midst of the global market turmoil caused by the Asian crisis.
OXIDATIVE STRESS IN MARINE ENVIRONMENTS: Biochemistry and Physiological Ecology
Authors: Lesser Michael P.
Published: August 2005

▪ Abstract  Oxidative stress—the production and accumulation of reduced oxygen intermediates such as superoxide radicals, singlet oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals—can damage lipids, proteins, and DNA. Many disease processes of clinical interest and the aging process involve oxidative stress in their underlying etiology. The production of reactive oxygen species is also prevalent in the world's oceans, and oxidative stress is an important component of the stress response in marine organisms exposed to a variety of insults as a result of changes in environmental conditions such as thermal stress, exposure to ultraviolet radiation, or exposure to pollution. As in the clinical setting, reactive oxygen species are also important signal transduction molecules and mediators of damage in cellular processes, such as apoptosis and cell necrosis, for marine organisms. This review brings together the voluminous literature on the biochemistry and physiology of oxidative stress from the clinical and plant physiology disciplines with the fast-increasing interest in oxidative stress in marine environments.
Lipopolysaccharide-induced sensitization of adenylyl cyclase activity in murine macrophages
Authors: Osawa Y. , Lee H. T. , Hirshman C. A. , Xu D. , Emala C. W.
Published: August 2005

LPS is known to modulate macrophage responses during sepsis, including cytokine release, phagocytosis, and proliferation. Although agents that elevate cAMP reverse LPS-induced macrophage functions, whether LPS itself modulates cAMP and whether LPS-induced decreases in proliferation are modulated via a cAMP-dependent pathway are not known. Murine macrophages (RAW264.7 cells) were treated with LPS in the presence or absence of inhibitors of prostaglandin signaling, protein kinases, CaM, Gi proteins, and NF-κB translocation or transcription/translation. LPS effects on CaMKII phosphorylation and the expression of relevant adenylyl cyclase (AC) isoforms were measured. LPS caused a significant dose (5–10,000 ng/ml)- and time (1–8 h)-dependent increase in forskolin-stimulated AC activity that was abrogated by pretreatment with SN50 (an NF-κB inhibitor), actinomycin D, or cycloheximide, indicating that the effect is mediated via NF-κB-dependent transcription and new protein synthesis. Furthermore, LPS decreased the phosphorylation state of CaMKII, and pretreatment with a CaM antagonist attenuated the LPS-induced sensitization of AC. LPS, cAMP, or PKA activation each independently decreased macrophage proliferation. However, inhibition of NF-κB had no effect on LPS-induced decreased proliferation, indicating that LPS-induced decreased macrophage proliferation can proceed via PKA-independent signaling pathways. Taken together, these findings indicate that LPS induces sensitization of AC activity by augmenting the stimulatory effect of CaM and attenuating the inhibitory effect of CaMKII on isoforms of AC that are CaMK sensitive.
Coupling of GABAB receptor GABAB2 subunit to G proteins: evidence from Xenopus oocyte and baby hamster kidney cell expression system
Authors: Uezono Yasuhito , Kanaide Masato , Kaibara Muneshige , Barzilai Rachel , Dascal Nathan , Sumikawa Koji , Taniyama Kohtaro
Published: August 2005

Coupling of functional GABAB receptors (GABABR) to G proteins was investigated with an expression system of baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells and Xenopus oocytes. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) analysis of BHK cells coexpressing GABAB1a receptor (GB1aR) fused to Cerulean, a brighter variant of cyan fluorescent protein, and GABAB2 receptor (GB2R) fused to Venus, a brighter variant of yellow fluorescent protein, revealed that GB1aR-Cerulean and GB2R-Venus form a heterodimer. The GABABR agonists baclofen and 3-aminopropylphosphonic acid (3-APPA) elicited inward-rectifying K+ currents in a concentration-dependent manner in oocytes expressing GB1aR and GB2R, or GB1aR-Cerulean and GB2R-Venus, together with G protein-activated inward-rectifying K+ channels (GIRKs), but not in oocytes expressing GB1aR alone or GB2R alone together with GIRKs. Oocytes coexpressing GB1aR + Gαi2-fused GB2R (GB2R-Gαi2) caused faster K+ currents in response to baclofen. Furthermore, oocytes coexpressing GB1aR + GB2R fused to Gαqi5 (a chimeric Gαq protein that activates PLC pathways) caused PLC-mediated Ca2+-activated Cl− currents in response to baclofen. In contrast, these responses to baclofen were not observed in oocytes coexpressing GB1aR-Gαi2 or GB1aR-Gαqi5 together with GB2R. BHK cells and Xenopus oocytes coexpressing GB1aR-Cerulean + a triplet tandem of GB2R-Venus-Gαqi5 caused FRET and Ca2+-activated Cl− currents, respectively, with a similar potency in BHK cells coexpressing GB1aR-Cerulean + GB2R-Venus and in oocytes coexpressing GB1aR + GB2R-Gαqi5. Our results indicate that functional GABABR forms a heterodimer composed of GB1R and GB2R and that the signal transducing G proteins are directly coupled to GB2R but not to GB1R.
Neural sites involved in the sustained increase in muscle sympathetic nerve activity induced by inspiratory capacity apnea: a fMRI study
Authors: Macefield V. G. , Gandevia S. C. , Henderson L. A.
Published: August 2005

A maximal inspiratory breath hold (inspiratory capacity apnea) against a closed glottis evokes a large and sustained increase in muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA). Because of its dependence on a high intrathoracic pressure, it has been suggested that this maneuver causes unloading of the low-pressure baroreceptors, known to increase MSNA. To determine the central origins of this sympathoexcitation, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to define the loci and time course of activation of different brain areas. We hypothesized that, as previously shown for the Valsalvsa maneuver, discrete but widespread regions of the brain would be involved. In 15 healthy human subjects, a series of 90 gradient echo echo-planar image sets was collected during three consecutive 40-s inspiratory capacity apneas using a 3-T scanner. Global signal intensity changes were calculated and subsequently removed by using a detrending technique, which eliminates the global signal component from each voxel's signal intensity change. Whole brain correlations between changes in signal intensity and the known pattern of MSNA during the maneuver were performed on a voxel-by-voxel basis, and significant changes were determined by using a random-effects analysis procedure ( P < 0.01, uncorrected). Significant signal increases emerged in multiple areas, including the rostral lateral medulla, cerebellar nuclei, anterior insula, dorsomedial hypothalamus, anterior cingulate, and lateral prefrontal cortexes. Decreases in signal intensity occurred in the dorsomedial and caudal lateral medulla, cerebellar cortex, hippocampus, and posterior cingulate cortex. Given that many of these sites have roles in cardiovascular control, the sustained increase in MSNA during an inspiratory capacity apnea is likely to originate from a distributed set of discrete areas.
Early Appearance of Inhibitory Input to the MNTB Supports Binaural Processing During Development
Authors: Green Joshua S. , Sanes Dan H.
Published: August 2005

Despite the peripheral and central immaturities that limit auditory processing in juvenile animals, they are able to lateralize sounds using binaural cues. This study explores a central mechanism that may compensate for these limitations during development. Interaural time and level difference processing by neurons in the superior olivary complex depends on synaptic inhibition from the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB), a group of inhibitory neurons that is activated by contralateral sound stimuli. In this study, we examined the maturation of coding properties of MNTB neurons and found that they receive an inhibitory influence from the ipsilateral ear that is modified during the course of postnatal development. Single neuron recordings were obtained from the MNTB in juvenile (postnatal day 15–19) and adult gerbils. Approximately 50% of all recorded MNTB neurons were inhibited by ipsilateral sound stimuli, but juvenile neurons displayed a much greater suppression of firing as compared with those in adults. A comparison of the prepotential and postsynaptic action potential indicated that inhibition occurred at the presynaptic level, likely within the cochlear nucleus. A simple linear model of level difference detection by lateral superior olivary neurons that receive input from MNTB suggested that inhibition of the MNTB may expand the response of LSO neurons to physiologically realistic level differences, particularly in juvenile animals, at a time when these cues are reduced.
Genotoxic and Cytotoxic Studies of Beta‐Sitosterol and Pteropodine in Mouse
Authors: Paniagua-Pérez R. , Madrigal-Bujaidar E. , Reyes-Cadena S. , Molina-Jasso D. , Gallaga J. Pérez , Silva-Miranda A. , Velazco O. , Hernández N. , Chamorro G.
Published: August 2005

Beta‐sitosterol (BS) and pteropodine (PT) are constituents of various plants with pharmacological activities potentially useful to man. The chemicals themselves possess biomedical properties related to the modulation of the immune and the nervous systems, as well as to the inflammatory process. Therefore, safety evaluation of the compounds is necessary in regard to their probable beneficial use in human health. The present study evaluates their genotoxic and cytotoxic potential by determining the capacity of the compounds to induce sister chromatid exchanges (SCE), or to alter cellular proliferation kinetics (CPK) and the mitotic index (MI) in mouse bone marrow cells. Besides, it also determines their capacity to increase the rate of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPE) in peripheral mouse blood, and the relationship polychromatic erythrocytes/normochromatic erythrocytes (PE/NE) as an index of cytotoxicity. For the first assay, four doses of each compound were tested: 200, 400, 600, and 1000 mg/kg in case of BS, and 100, 200, 300, and 600 mg/kg for PT. The results in regard to both agents showed no SCE increase induced by any of the tested doses, as well as no alteration in the CPK, or in the MI. With respect to the second assay, the results obtained with the two agents were also negative for both the MNPE and the PE/NE index along the daily evaluation made for four days. In the present study, the highest tested dose corresponded to 80% of the LD 50 obtained for BS and to 78% in the case of PT. The results obtained establish that the studied agents have neither genotoxic nor cytotoxic effect on the model used, and therefore they encourage studies on their pharmacological properties.
Correlation Between PSMA and VEGF Expression as Markers for LNCaP Tumor Angiogenesis
Authors: Tsui Paulus , Rubenstein Marvin , Guinan Patrick
Published: August 2005

Our aim is the identification and correlation of changes in tumor‐associated protein expression which results from therapy. LNCaP tumors, excised from nude mice treated either by orchiectomy or with the chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel, were evaluated for the expression of proteins and receptors associated with growth, differentiation, and angiogenesis using immunohistologic procedures. Compared to untreated control tumors, both treatments reduced the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA), prostate‐specific antigen (PSA), androgen receptor (AR), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The effect of paclitaxel treatment on AR expression was the most significant (P = .005). Of particular interest was identifying a significant correlation (P < .000801) between PSMA and VEGF expression regardless of treatment modality. These altered expressions suggest that PSMA may also be a marker for angiogenesis and could represent a target for deliverable agents recognizing either prostatic tumors or endothelial development. Cell surface PSMA would then present a unique target for treatment of patients early in their development of prostatic metastases.
A Method for Measuring the Efficiency Gap between Average and Best Practice Energy Use: The ENERGY STAR Industrial Energy Performance Indicator
Authors: Boyd Gale A.
Published: August 2005

A common feature distinguishing between parametric/statistical models and engineering economics models is that engineering models explicitly represent best practice technologies, whereas parametric/statistical models are typically based on average practice. Measures of energy intensity based on average practice are of little use in corporate management of energy use or for public policy goal setting. In the context of companyor plant‐level indicators, it is more useful to have a measure of energy intensity that is capable of indicating where a company or plant lies within a distribution of performance. In other words, is the performance close to (or far from) the industry best practice? This article presents a parametric/statistical approach that can be used to measure best practice, thereby providing a measure of the difference, or “efficiency gap,” at a plant, company, or overall industry level. The approach requires plant‐level data and applies a stochastic frontier regression analysis used by the ENERGY STARTM industrial energy performance indicator (EPI) to energy intensity. Stochastic frontier regression analysis separates energy intensity into three components: systematic effects, inefficiency, and statistical (random) error. The article outlines the method and gives examples of EPI analysis conducted for two industries, breweries and motor vehicle assembly. In the EPI developed with the stochastic frontier regression for the auto industry, the industry median “efficiency gap” was around 27%.
Pulp Nonfiction: Regionalized Dynamic Model of the U.S. Pulp and Paper Industry
Authors: Davidsdottir Brynhildur , Ruth Matthias
Published: August 2005

This article presents a modeling framework that enhances our ability to analyze the implications of policy for future sustainability of industrial systems. The framework quantifies the relationship between physical input and waste flows, capital vintage, and investment behavior in the U.S. pulp and paper industry. A regional vintage model is developed that simultaneously incorporates investment decisions, vintage structure of the capital stock, and physical material and energy flows, in addition to paper demand. Each capital vintage is specified by size, output structure, and age‐specific retirement rates, as well as fiber use and energy intensities. Both embodied and disembodied technological change are incorporated, as well as greenhouse gas emissions from fuel use, and decomposition and incineration of waste. Estimated equations are used to simulate industrial futures until 2020, from a system of nonlinear differential equations.

Our results demonstrate the economic and physical inter‐dependence between material and energy flows and the central role energy prices have in decision‐making. For instance, an increase in average energy prices, ceteris paribus, will on average discourage paper recycling, which has implications for greenhouse gas emissions as well as for changes in energy intensity. The analysis of the data reveals diminishing rates of energy self‐generation, and the immense longevity of capital, which hampers rapid change in input and carbon intensity. This stresses the importance of investment‐led strategies in facilitating faster capital turnover to enhance future sustainability of the system.
Internet‐Based Integrated Environmental Assessment Using Ontologies to Share Computational Models
Authors: Kraines Steven , Batres Rafael , Koyama Michihisa , Wallace David , Komiyama Hiroshi
Published: August 2005

New advances in Internet technologies and computer modeling provide opportunities for collaborative systems to support research and development in the field of industrial ecology. In particular, new information technologies such as semantic search engines based on ontologies could help researchers to link fragments of knowledge generated at research centers from around the world. Using a storyline of four imaginary researchers who hope to find collaborators in order to develop their research findings, we illustrate two levels of a four‐level architecture for an Internet‐based knowledge integration and collaboration environment for integrated environmental assessment. The foundation of the proposed architecture is a belief that computational models are an effective medium for conveying expert knowledge of various phenomena. Drawing from this premise, the first level of the architecture stands on a base of computational models that in some way represent the expert knowledge of the model builder. At the second level, we provide markup and interface definition tools to describe the type of knowledge contained in each model, together with the types of information services that can be provided.

The results of research at these two levels of an Internet‐based knowledge integration environment for integrated environmental assessment in industrial ecology are presented in this article. Our work on the third level of model searching and matching and the fourth level of parametric model integration and solving will be presented in subsequent articles.
Mixtures of UK Wheat as an Efficient and Environmentally Friendly Source for Bioethanol
Authors: Swanston J. Stuart , Newton Adrian C.
Published: August 2005

Concerns about access to oil supplies have encouraged the exploration of renewable fuel and energy sources. Industrial ecology offers tools to compare the energy implications and benefits of differing strategies, but using botanical sources of raw materials to replace nonrenewable ones also requires appreciation of plant science, especially the variation in genetic potential within species. Whereas cultivation methods determine whether genetic potential is realized, different methods impact the environment to varying degrees. Experience with barley variety mixtures, aimed at reducing chemical input, has shown them to improve yield and reduce disease, while maintaining or even enhancing quality. Yield improvements still occurred in the absence of disease and increased in proportion to the number of component varieties. Because other research showed mixtures to be similarly effective in wheat, a protocol to grow and exploit a complex mixture of soft wheat is proposed, offering a cost‐effective and energy efficient feedstock for a possible bioethanol industry in the United Kingdom. Ethanol would be produced initially from grain, with the straw used for heating or electricity generation. Fertilizer production and use and vehicle fuels have been shown as the main forms of energy consumption in growing a crop, and targets for enhancing the energy balance, by growing mixtures under an integrated farming system, are postulated. A close but negative association between grain protein and alcohol yield is demonstrated and a mixture giving comparable grain yield, but superior alcohol yield, to its best component is identified. Mixing varieties differing in plant morphology may also increase total biomass yield and, therefore, the energy generated from the crop. Pesticide reduction has another positive, though small, effect on the energy balance, from using mixtures. Eliminating prophylactic spraying also reduces vehicle fuel consumption, and may provide the low‐toxicity benefits of organic agriculture without the yield penalty. A range of alternative uses for straw and other by‐products is also discussed.
Notch signaling coordinates the patterning of striatal compartments
Authors: Mason Heather A. , Rakowiecki Staci M. , Raftopoulou Myrto , Nery Susana , Huang Yuanyuan , Gridley Thomas , Fishell Gord
Published: August 2005

Numerous lines of evidence suggest that Notch signaling plays a pivotal role in controlling the production of neurons from progenitor cells. However,most experiments have relied on gain-of-function approaches because perturbation of Notch signaling results in death prior to the onset of neurogenesis. Here, we examine the requirement for Notch signaling in the development of the striatum through the analysis of different single and compound Notch1 conditional and Notch3 null mutants. We find that normal development of the striatum depends on the presence of appropriate Notch signals in progenitors during a critical window of embryonic development. Early removal of Notch1 prior to neurogenesis alters early-born patch neurons but not late-born matrix neurons in the striatum. We further show that the late-born striatal neurons in these mutants are spared as a result of functional compensation by Notch3. Notably, however,the removal of Notch signaling subsequent to cells leaving the germinal zone has no obvious effect on striatal organization and patterning. These results indicate that Notch signaling is required in neural progenitor cells to control cell fate in the striatum, but is dispensable during subsequent phases of neuronal migration and differentiation.
Novel Isothermal, Linear Nucleic Acid Amplification Systems for Highly Multiplexed Applications
Authors: Kurn Nurith , Chen Pengchin , Heath Joe Don , Kopf-Sill Anne , Stephens Kathryn M , Wang Shenglong
Published: August 2005

Background: Global analysis of the genome, transcriptome, and proteome is facilitated by the recent development of tools for large-scale, highly parallel analysis. We describe a novel nucleic acid amplification system that generates products by several methods. 3′-Ribo-SPIA™ primes cDNA synthesis at the 3′ polyA tail, and whole transcript (WT)-Ribo-SPIA primes cDNA synthesis across the full length of the transcripts and thus provides whole-transcriptome amplification, independent of the 3′ polyA tail.

Methods: We developed isothermal linear nucleic acid amplification systems, which use a single chimeric primer, for amplification of DNA (SPIA) and RNA (Ribo-SPIA). The latter allows mRNA amplification from as little as 1 ng of total RNA. Amplification efficiency was calculated based on the delta threshold cycle between nonamplified cDNA targets and amplified cDNA. The amounts and quality of total RNA and amplification products were determined after purification of the amplification products. GeneChip® array gene expression profiling and real-time PCR were used to test the accuracy and reproducibility of the method. Quantification of cDNA products (before and after amplification) at the 2 loci along the transcripts was used to assess product length (for evaluation of the 3′-initiated Ribo-SPIA) and equal representation throughout the length of the transcript (for evaluation of the whole transcript amplification system, WT-Ribo-SPIA™).

Results: Ribo-SPIA–based global RNA amplification exhibited linearity over 6 orders of magnitude of transcript abundance and generated microgram amounts of amplified cDNA from as little as 1 ng of total RNA.

Conclusions: The described methods enable comprehensive gene expression profiling and analysis from limiting biological samples. The WT-Ribo-SPIA procedure, which enables amplification of non–polyA-tailed RNA, is suitable for amplification and gene expression analysis of both eukaryotic and prokaryotic biological samples.