bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Population-based resequencing analysis of wild and cultivated barley revealed weak domestication signal of selection and bottleneck in theRrs2scald resistance gene region
Authors: Fu Yong-Bi
Published: February 2012

Many plant disease resistance (R) genes have been cloned, but the potential of utilizing these plant R-gene genomic resources for genetic inferences of plant domestication history remains unexplored. A population-based resequencing analysis of the genomic region near the Rrs2 scald resistance gene was made in 51 accessions of wild and cultivated barley from 41 countries. Fifteen primer pairs were designed to sample the genomic region with a total length of 10 406 bp. More nucleotide diversity was found in wild (π = 0.01846) than cultivated (π = 0.01507) barley samples. Three distinct groups of 29 haplotypes were detected for all 51 samples, and they were well mixed with wild and cultivated barley samples from different countries and regions. The neutrality tests by Tajima’s D were not significant, but a significant (P < 0.05) case by Fu and Li’s D* and F* was found in the barley cultivar samples. The estimate of selection intensity by Ka/Kswas 0.691 in wild barley and 0.580 in cultivated barley. The estimate of the minimum recombination events was 16 in wild barley and 19 in cultivated barley. A coalescence simulation revealed a bottleneck intensity of 1.5 to 2 since barley domestication. Together, the domestication signal in the genomic region was weak both in human selection and domestication bottleneck.
Under-representation of repetitive sequences in whole-genome shotgun sequence databases: an illustration using a recently acquired transposable element
Authors: Koga Akihiko
Published: February 2012

It is widely accepted in a conceptual framework that repetitive sequences, especially those with high sequence homogeneity among copies, tend to be under-represented in whole-genome shotgun sequence databases, because of the difficulty of assembling sequence reads into contigs. Although this is easily inferred, there is no quantitative illsutration of this phenomenon. An example using a currently used database is expected to contribute to the intuitive understanding of how serious the under-representation is. The present study provides the first quantitative example (in the case of 16 copies of virtually identical, 4.7-kb sequences in a genome of 7 × 108bp) by comparing the results of BLAST searches of a sequence database (contig N50; 9.8 kb) with those of Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA. This has revealed that the internal regions of the repetitive sequences are under-represented to a striking extent.
Role of a chameleon field in the presence of variable modified Chaplygin gas in Brans–Dicke theory
Authors: Chakraborty Shuvendu , Debnath Ujjal
Published: February 2012

In this work, we have considered the Friedmann–Robertson–Walker model of the universe for Brans–Dicke (BD) theory with a BD scalar field as a chameleon field. First we have transformed the field equations and conservation equation from Jordan’s frame to Einstein’s frame. We have shown that, in the presence of a variable modified Chaplygin gas (VMCG), the potential function V and another analytic function f always increase with respect to the BD–chameleon scalar field [Formula: see text] but decrease with time t for pure Chaplygin gas, modified Chaplygin gas, and VMCG models.
Complex dynamical invariants for two-dimensional nonhermitian Hamiltonian systems
Authors: Virdi J.S. , Chand F. , Kumar C.N. , Mishra S.C.
Published: February 2012

Keeping in view the importance of dynamical invariants, attempts have been made to investigate complex invariants for two-dimensional Hamiltonian systems within the framework of the extended complex phase space approach. The rationalization method has been used to derive an invariant of a general nonhermitian quartic potential. Invariants for three specific potentials are also obtained from the general result.
An analysis of the first-order form of gauge theories
Authors: Kiriushcheva N. , Kuzmin S.V. , McKeon D.G.C.
Published: February 2012

The first-order form of a Maxwell theory and U(1) gauge theory in which a gauge invariant mass term appears is analyzed using the Dirac procedure. The form of the gauge transformation that leaves the action invariant is derived from the constraints present. A nonabelian generalization is similarly analyzed. This first-order three dimensional massive gauge theory is rewritten in terms of two interacting vector fields. The constraint structure when using light-cone coordinates is considered. The relationship between first- and second-order forms of the two-dimensional Einstein–Hilbert action is explored where a Lagrange multiplier is used to ensure their equivalence.
Anisotropic dark energy Bianchi type III cosmological models in the Brans–Dicke theory of gravity
Authors: Shamir Muhammad Farasat , Bhatti Akhlaq Ahmad
Published: February 2012

The main purpose of this paper is to explore the solutions of Bianchi type III cosmological model in Brans–Dicke theory of gravity in the background of anisotropic dark energy. We use the assumption of constant deceleration parameter and power law relation between scalar field [Formula: see text] and scale factor a to find the solutions. The physical behavior of the solutions has been discussed using some physical quantities.
FREE-FORM SURFACE PARTITION IN 3-D
Authors: CHEN DANNY Z. , MISIOŁEK EWA
Published: February 2012

We present a theoretical study of a problem related to optimal free-form surface partitioning, which arises in surface machining in manufacturing. In particular, we consider partitioning a free-form surface in 3-D into two subsurfaces subject to a global objective function. As a key subroutine, we develop new algorithms for the geometric problem of processing an off-line sequence of insertions and deletions of convex polygons alternated with point membership/proximity queries on the common intersection of the polygons. We show how this subroutine can be used to solve surface 2-partitioning. Our algorithm for the 2-partitioning problem takes [Formula: see text] time, where m is the number of polygons of size O(n) each. This improves the asymptotic time complexity of the previous best-known O(m2n2)-time algorithm. Our algorithms may be applicable to other accessibility and partition problems involving free-form surfaces in computer graphics and manufacturing. From the computational geometry point of view, our method combines nontrivial data structures, geometric observations, and algorithmic techniques that may be used to solve other geometric problems. For example, our algorithm can process O(n) insertions and deletions of convex polygons (of size O(n) each) and queries on their intersections in O(n2 log log n) time, improving the "standard" O(n2 log n) time solution.
FURTHER RESULTS ON MONOIDS ACTING ON TREES
Authors: RHODES JOHN , SILVA PEDRO V.
Published: February 2012

This paper further develops the theory of arbitrary semigroups acting on trees via elliptic mappings. A key tool is the Lyndon–Chiswell length function L for the semigroup S which allows one to construct a tree T and an action of S on T via elliptic maps. Improving on previous results, the length function of the action will also be L.
LARGENESS AND SQ-UNIVERSALITY OF CYCLICALLY PRESENTED GROUPS
Authors: WILLIAMS GERALD
Published: February 2012

Largeness, SQ-universality, and the existence of free subgroups of rank 2 are measures of the complexity of a finitely presented group. We obtain conditions under which a cyclically presented group possesses one or more of these properties. We apply our results to a class of groups introduced by Prishchepov which contains, amongst others, the various generalizations of Fibonacci groups introduced by Campbell and Robertson.
IS AN IRNG SINGLY GENERATED AS AN IDEAL?
Authors: MONOD NICOLAS , OZAWA NARUTAKA , THOM ANDREAS
Published: February 2012

Recall that a rng is a ring which is possibly non-unital. In this note, we address the problem whether every finitely generated idempotent rng (irng) is singly generated as an ideal. It is well-known that it is the case for a commutative irng. We prove here that it is also the case for a free rng on finitely many idempotents and for a finite irng. A relation to the Wiegold problem for perfect groups is discussed.
Salt tectonics on passive margins: examples from Santos, Campos and Kwanza basins
Authors: Quirk Dave G. , Schødt Niels , Lassen Birgitte , Ings Steven J. , Hsu Dan , Hirsch Katja K. , Von Nicolai Christina
Published: February 2012

Salt flows downslope, irrespective of overburden. In salt basins on passive margins, the salt will tilt and flow towards the ocean immediately after continental rifting has ended due to thermal subsidence. Using real examples, as well as physical and numerical models, tilting is shown to be relatively rapid, enhanced by isostatic rebound updip and loading downdip where salt pools and inflates behind an outer high. In the Santos, Campos and Kwanza basins, this outer high is represented by an embryonic mid-Atlantic ridge, amplified in height by the differential weight of the inflating salt. Widespread extension and translation of overburden, utilizing both seaward- and landward-dipping normal faults, characterizes the early evolution of the inboard region. Inflation and contraction occur outboard, the effects of which tend to expand in a landward direction over time. Rapid accumulation of salt implies wholesale dewatering of pre-salt sediments, the water possibly permeating the salt once it has reached a burial depth of
c.
3 km. The process of thermal subsidence, salt drainage and isostatic amplification is an efficient mechanism for moving sediment on passive margins tens of kilometres seaward during a relatively short period and helps explain why great thicknesses of salt can accumulate there in the first place.
Flip-flop salt tectonics
Authors: Quirk David G. , Pilcher Robin S.
Published: February 2012

This paper describes a common type of salt wall found in extensional regimes which possess the characteristics: cover strata truncated against both flanks; an asymmetric appearance in cross-section caused by normal fault-related growth patterns; and at least one unconformity and onlap surface separating strata which are tilted in opposite directions. This type of structure evolves by a process known as flip-flop salt tectonics starting with a roller where a normal fault detaches down one flank of the embryonic salt body. The structure grows as salt flows towards the low-stress zone below the crest of the footwall causing it to swell and tilt backwards until it becomes gravitationally unstable, until the cover strata on one or both sides welds out or until the salt emerges at surface. Further growth is then accommodated by switching to a new counter-dipping fault that detaches on the opposite flank of the salt body leading to a flip in hanging-wall/footwall polarity marked by an unconformity and onlap surface. The salt body continues to grow beneath the new footwall, causing partial inversion of the old hanging wall. Additional switches may occur, leading to tall flip-flop structures until the source of salt is depleted.
Halokinetic effects on submarine channel equilibrium profiles and implications for facies architecture: conceptual model illustrated with a case study from Magnolia Field, Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Kane Ian A. , McGee David T. , Jobe Zane R.
Published: February 2012

In Magnolia Field, deepwater sediments were affected during deposition by allochthonous salt. Pleistocene channel systems developed on a salt flank and were initially deeply incised close to the salt but progressively avulsed down the lateral slope, each time with decreasing depth of incision. Following this degradational stage, a lobe developed on top of the channel fills and a large-scale aggradational system developed. A conceptual model of submarine channel development adjacent to active topography has been developed from this dataset. Channels may become deeply entrenched during stages of salt growth, but only where flow frequency and magnitude are sufficient to outpace topographic growth. Where flows are less frequent topographic growth may present a barrier to successive flows, causing avulsion. The large-scale cycles of salt growth and withdrawal commonly recognized in subsurface systems, combined with eustatic sea-level changes, may result in a cyclic style of evolution whereby channels initially become entrenched and/or step away from the growing topography, switching to backfilling as salt growth slows or pauses, followed by a distributive-style as the entire system backsteps. During salt withdrawal the equilibrium profile may become relatively raised and channels may develop an aggradational style. In these settings, significant cross-channel facies asymmetry may result.
Some consequences of mechanical stratification in basin-scale numerical models of passive-margin salt tectonics
Authors: Albertz Markus , Ings Steven J.
Published: February 2012

Two-dimensional plane-strain numerical experiments illustrate the effects of variable evaporite viscosity and embedded frictional-plastic sediment layers on the style of salt flow and associated deformation of the sedimentary overburden. Evaporite viscosity exerts a first-order control on the salt flow rate and the style of overburden deformation. Nearly complete evacuation of low-viscosity salt occurs beneath expulsion basins, whereas significant salt is trapped when viscosity is high. Embedded frictional-plastic sediment layers with yield strength partition salt flow and develop transient contractional structures (folds, thrust faults and folded faults) in a seaward salt-squeeze flow regime. Multiple internal sediment layers reduce the seaward salt flow during sediment aggradation, leaving more salt behind to be remobilized during subsequent progradation. This produces more seaward extensive allochthonous salt sheets. If there is a density difference between the embedded layers and the surrounding salt, then the embedded layers fractionate during deformation and either float to the surface or sink to the bottom, creating a thick zone of pure halite. Such a process of ‘buoyancy fractionation’ may partially explain the apparent paradox of layered salt in autochthonous salt basins and pure halite in allochthonous salt sheets.

Supplementary material:

Animated gif files of the model results are available at
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18500
.
Analysis of folding and deformation within layered evaporites in Blocks BM-S-8 & -9, Santos Basin, Brazil
Authors: Fiduk J. Carl , Rowan Mark G.
Published: February 2012

The São Paulo Plateau in the deepwater Santos Basin is the site of numerous recent pre-salt petroleum discoveries. The area is characterized by a thick sequence of layered evaporites comprising primarily halite, with subordinate anhydrite and carnalite and trace amounts of other minerals. The sequence is divided into six stratigraphic packages: three relatively competent beams containing the bulk of the stronger anhydrite and three relatively weak detachment layers. Observed structural styles range from the simple to the complex, including: upright open folds, inclined thrusted folds, recumbent isoclinal folds, sheath folds and superposed folds. Multiple detachments lead to polyharmonic folding, disharmonic folding and overtightened folds. Major anticlinal structures contain acoustically transparent material surrounding disrupted, highly deformed pieces of the lower two beams. The deformation is non-coaxial, with anticlines forming a polygonal pattern and fold hinges that are highly curvilinear. The São Paulo Plateau is a contractional province that formed in response to proximal extension at the Albian Gap during convergent gravity gliding/spreading of the margin. Shortening possibly began during the waning stages of evaporite deposition, but the bulk of the movement occurred during the Santonian–Mid-Eocene. The evaporite sequence shortened much more than the cover because of extreme updip attenuation and consequent basinwards flow beneath the cover; deeper levels of evaporite exhibit more shortening due to strain partitioning across internal detachments.
Fracture-controlled palaeohydrology of a secondary salt weld, La Popa Basin, NE Mexico
Authors: Smith Adam P. , Fischer Mark P. , Evans Mark A.
Published: February 2012

Isotopic and fluid inclusion analyses of veins and host rocks constrain the compositions, temperatures and sources of palaeofluids along the La Popa salt weld. Most veins formed after the salt was evacuated from the precursor salt wall; veins are generally more abundant on the downthrown side of the weld and near a significant bend in the trace of the weld. The spatial distribution of fluid types and temperatures suggests the weld served as a vertical fluid conduit and a horizontal baffle. Stable isotopes indicate there was significant fluid–rock interaction and little vertical fluid communication between rock units in areas away from the weld. Fluid temperatures along the weld ranged from 84 to 207 °C, salinities ranged from 4 to 25 wt% NaCl equiv. and methane was abundant in the weld zone and on the downthrown side of the weld. Strontium isotopes suggest that some of the vein-forming fluids were derived from the evaporites that once occupied the weld. Our results suggest the sealing potential of similar welds may be related to the presence of abrupt changes in weld geometry such as cusps or bends, the amount of shortening across the weld and the amount of vertical displacement across the weld.
Salt deposition, loading and gravity drainage in the Campos and Santos salt basins
Authors: Davison Ian , Anderson Lee , Nuttall Peter
Published: February 2012

The southern Brazilian salt basin, comprising the three sub-basins Santos, Campos and Espirito Santo, was deposited over a pre-existing rifted basin with
c.
1–2 km of relief bordered by an outer basin high that separated the basin from the conjugate African margin. The evaporites are interpreted to have been deposited very rapidly (<1 Ma) during the waning of extension. Deposition of salt caused rapid loading of the basin, so that further basin subsidence occurred and mobile salt drained from structurally higher zones into the subsiding basins. Seismic evidence indicates that downslope salt drainage occurred before any sediment overburden accumulated. Withdrawal synclines within salt units developed adjacent to diapirs, which have intruded the evaporite sequence, and salt extrusions are observed which were buried by later salts. The early movement of the salt probably contributed to significant fault reactivation and redistribution of salt load, so that the final half-graben salt fill reached up to 4.5 km thick where only 1–2 km of salt was originally deposited.
Modeling of the Near-Earth Low-Energy Antiproton Fluxes
Authors: Jayanthi U. B. , Gusev A. A.
Published: February 2012

The local interstellar antiproton spectrum is simulated taking into account antineutron decay, (He,p) interaction, secondary and tertiary antiproton production, and the solar modulation in the “force field” approximation. Inclusive invariant cross-sections were obtained through a Monte Carlo procedure using the Multistage Dynamical Model code simulating various processes of the particle production. The results of the simulations provided flux values of to and to antiprotons/( s sr GeV) at energies of 0.2 and 1 GeV, respectively, for the solar maximum and minimum epochs. Simulated flux of the trapped antiprotons in the inner magnetosphere due to galactic cosmic ray (GCR) interactions with the atmospheric constituents exceeds the galactic antiproton flux up to several orders. These simulation results considering the assumptions with the attendant limitations are in comprehensive agreement with the experimental data including the PAMELA ones.
On the Regularity of Solutions to an Adjoint Elliptic Equation with Partially VMO Coefficients
Authors: Alberico Teresa
Published: February 2012

We establish, in dimension two, a regularity result for nonnegative solutions to an adjoint elliptic equation, generalizing a previous result of Escauriaza (1994). We consider elliptic equations with coefficients which are measurable with respect to one variable and VMO with respect to the other.
Autism Spectrum Disorders: Is Mesenchymal Stem Cell Personalized Therapy the Future?
Authors: Siniscalco Dario , Sapone Anna , Cirillo Alessandra , Giordano Catia , Maione Sabatino , Antonucci Nicola
Published: February 2012

Autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders. They are enigmatic conditions that have their origins in the interaction of genes and environmental factors. ASDs are characterized by dysfunctions in social interaction and communication skills, in addition to repetitive and stereotypic verbal and nonverbal behaviours. Immune dysfunction has been confirmed with autistic children. There are no defined mechanisms of pathogenesis or curative therapy presently available. Indeed, ASDs are still untreatable. Available treatments for autism can be divided into behavioural, nutritional, and medical approaches, although no defined standard approach exists. Nowadays, stem cell therapy represents the great promise for the future of molecular medicine. Among the stem cell population, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show probably best potential good results in medical research. Due to the particular immune and neural dysregulation observed in ASDs, mesenchymal stem cell transplantation could offer a unique tool to provide better resolution for this disease.
The Cosmic History of Black Hole Growth from Deep Multiwavelength Surveys
Authors: Treister Ezequiel , Urry C. Megan
Published: February 2012

Significant progress has been made in the last few years on understanding how supermassive black holes form and grow. In this paper, we begin by reviewing the spectral signatures of active galactic nuclei (AGN) ranging from radio to hard X-ray wavelengths. We then describe the most commonly used methods to find these sources, including optical/UV, radio, infrared, and X-ray emission, and optical emission lines. We then describe the main observational properties of the obscured and unobscured AGN population. Finally, we summarize the cosmic history of black hole accretion, that is, when in the history of the universe supermassive black holes were getting most of their mass. We finish with a summary of open questions and a description of planned and future observatories that are going to help answer them.
Augmented Kalman Filter and Map Matching for 3D RISS/GPS Integration for Land Vehicles
Authors: Cossaboom Matthew , Georgy Jacques , Karamat Tashfeen , Noureldin Aboelmagd
Published: February 2012

Owing to their complimentary characteristics, global positioning system (GPS) and inertial navigation system (INS) are integrated, traditionally through Kalman filter (KF), to obtain improved navigational solution. To reduce the overall cost of the system, microelectromechanical system- (MEMS-) based INS is utilized. One of the approaches is to reduce the number of low-cost inertial sensors, decreasing their error contribution which leads to a reduced inertial sensor system (RISS). This paper uses KF to integrate GPS and 3D RISS in a loosely coupled fashion to enhance navigational solution while further improvement is achieved by augmenting it with map matching (MM). The 3D RISS consists of only one gyroscope and two accelerometers along with the vehicle’s built-in odometer. MM limits the error growth during GPS outages by restricting the predicted positions to the road networks. The performance of proposed method is compared with KF-only 3D RISS/GPS integration to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed technique.
Chaos and Control in Coronary Artery System
Authors: Shi Yanxiang
Published: February 2012

Two types of coronary artery system N‐type and S‐type, are investigated. The threshold conditions for the occurrence of Smale horseshoe chaos are obtained by using Melnikov method. Numerical simulations including phase portraits, potential diagram, homoclinic bifurcation curve diagrams, bifurcation diagrams, and Poincaré maps not only prove the correctness of theoretical analysis but also show the interesting bifurcation diagrams and the more new complex dynamical behaviors. Numerical simulations are used to investigate the nonlinear dynamical characteristics and complexity of the two systems, revealing bifurcation forms and the road leading to chaotic motion. Finally the chaotic states of the two systems are effectively controlled by two control methods: variable feedback control and coupled feedback control.
Perioperative Glucose Control in Neurosurgical Patients
Authors: Godoy Daniel Agustín , Di Napoli Mario , Biestro Alberto , Lenhardt Rainer
Published: February 2012

Many neurosurgery patients may have unrecognized diabetes or may develop stress-related hyperglycemia in the perioperative period. Diabetes patients have a higher perioperative risk of complications and have longer hospital stays than individuals without diabetes. Maintenance of euglycemia using intensive insulin therapy (IIT) continues to be investigated as a therapeutic tool to decrease morbidity and mortality associated with derangements in glucose metabolism due to surgery. Suboptimal perioperative glucose control may contribute to increased morbidity, mortality, and aggravate concomitant illnesses. The challenge is to minimize the effects of metabolic derangements on surgical outcomes, reduce blood glucose excursions, and prevent hypoglycemia. Differences in cerebral versus systemic glucose metabolism, time course of cerebral response to injury, and heterogeneity of pathophysiology in the neurosurgical patient populations are important to consider in evaluating the risks and benefits of IIT. While extremes of glucose levels are to be avoided, there are little data to support an optimal blood glucose level or recommend a specific use of IIT for euglycemia maintenance in the perioperative management of neurosurgical patients. Individualized treatment should be based on the local level of blood glucose control, outpatient treatment regimen, presence of complications, nature of the surgical procedure, and type of anesthesia administered.
The Antiproliferative Activity of Sclerotia ofLignosus rhinocerus(Tiger Milk Mushroom)
Authors: Lee M. L. , Tan N. H. , Fung S. Y. , Tan C. S. , Ng S. T.
Published: February 2012

Lignosus rhinocerus, the tiger milk mushroom, is one of the most important medicinal mushrooms used by the indigenous people of Southeast Asia and China. It has been used to treat breast cancer. A cold water extract (LR-CW) prepared from the sclerotia ofL. rhinoceruscultivar was found to exhibit antiproliferative activity against human breast carcinoma (MCF-7) and human lung carcinoma (A549), withIC50of 96.7 μg/mL and 466.7 μg/mL, respectively. In comparison, LR-CW did not show significant cytotoxicity against the two corresponding human normal cells, 184B5 (human breast cell) and NL 20 (human lung cell). DNA fragmentation studies suggested that the cytotoxic action of LR-CW against cancer cells is mediated by apoptosis. Sephadex G-50 gel filtration fractionation of LR-CW yielded a high-molecular-weight and a low-molecular-weight fraction. The high-molecular-weight fraction contains mainly carbohydrate (68.7%) and small amount of protein (3.6%), whereas the low-molecular-weight fraction contains 31% carbohydrate and was devoid of protein. Only the high-molecular-weight fraction exhibited antiproliferative activity against cancer cells, withIC50of 70.0 μg/mL and 76.7 μg/mL, respectively. Thus, the cytotoxic action of the LR-CW is due to the high-molecular-weight fraction, either the proteins or protein-carbohydrate complex.
Understanding Crop Response to Climate Variability with Complex Agroecosystem Models
Authors: Newlands Nathaniel K. , Espino-Hernández Gabriela , Erickson R. Scott
Published: February 2012

Agroecosystem modeling studies often rely on relatively short time-series historical records for training/tuning empirical parameters and to predict long-term variation in crop production associated with trends in climate and hydrological forcing. While ecosystem models may exhibit similar prediction skill in validation studies, their sensitivity to climate variability can differ significantly. Such discrepancy often arises due to the need to tradeoff model complexity with data availability. We examine the sensitivity in predicting spring wheat crop productivity across agricultural sites with differing soil and climate conditions where long-term agronomic and climate records are available. We report significant changes in the model sensitivity accompanying changing climatic regime. If not corrected for, this can lead to substantial predictive error when simulating across time and space. Our findings lend further support for a hierarchical (componentwise) approach for reducing model complexity and improving prediction skill.
The Low-Mass End of theMBH/MhostRelation in Quasars
Authors: Decarli Roberto , Falomo Renato , Kotilainen Jari K. , Hyvönen Tomi , Uslenghi Michela , Treves Aldo
Published: February 2012

TheMBH-Mhostrelation in quasars has been probed only in a limited parameter space, namely, atMBH∼109 M⊙andMhost∼1012 M⊙. Here we present a study of 26 quasars laying in the low-mass end of the relation, down toMBH∼107 M⊙. We selected quasars from the SDSS and HST-FOS archives, requiring modestMBH(as derived through the virial paradigm). We imaged our sources inHband from the Nordic Optical Telescope. The quasar host galaxies have been resolved in 25 out of 26 observed targets. Host galaxy luminosities and stellar masses are computed, under reasonable assumptions on their star formation histories. Combining these results with those from our previous studies, we manage to extend the sampled parameter space of theMBH-Mhostrelation in quasars. The relation holds over 2 dex in both the parameters. For the first time, we are able to measure the slope of theMBH-Mhostrelation in quasars. We find that it is consistent with the linear case (similarly to what observed in quiescent galaxies). We do not find any evidence of a population of massive black holes lying below the relation.
An Unusual Cause of Right Lower Quadrant Pain: The Caecum Diverticulitis
Authors: Yildar Murat , Ozkan Omer Faruk , Caglayan Kasım , Ozkul Faruk , Cavdar Faruk , Saygın İsmail
Published: February 2012

Purpose. In the study presented, preoperative examinations and surgical methods were discussed along with literature, regarding two cases who were operated with the prediagnosis of acute appendicitis and for whom caecum diverticulitis was determined.Case 1. 21 years old male patient who had applied to hospital with complaint of abdominal pain, underwent an operation with a prediagnosis of acute appendicitis. Right hemicolectomy was performed with mass perioperatively determined in caecum. Histopathological examination revealed necrosis and inflammation in diverticulum wall.Case 2. 36 years old female patient applied to emergency department with abdominal pain and underwent an operation with a prediagnosis of acute appendicitis. Appendectomy and diverticulectomy were performed for whom inflame diverticula in caecum was determined perioperatively. Histopathological examination was revealed acute inflammation in diverticulum wall.Conclusion. Although solitary caecum diverticulitis is a rarely encountered disease, it must be considered in the differential diagnosis of right lower abdomen pain.
Finite Element Modelling of Pulsatile Blood Flow in Idealized Model of Human Aortic Arch: Study of Hypotension and Hypertension
Authors: Vasava Paritosh , Jalali Payman , Dabagh Mahsa , Kolari Pertti J.
Published: February 2012

A three-dimensional computer model of human aortic arch with three branches is reproduced to study the pulsatile blood flow with Finite Element Method. In specific, the focus is on variation of wall shear stress, which plays an important role in the localization and development of atherosclerotic plaques. Pulsatile pressure pulse is used as boundary condition to avoid flow entry development, and the aorta walls are considered rigid. The aorta model along with boundary conditions is altered to study the effect of hypotension and hypertension. The results illustrated low and fluctuating shear stress at outer and inner wall of aortic arch, proximal wall of branches, and entry region. Despite the simplification of aorta model, rigid walls and other assumptions results displayed that hypertension causes lowered local wall shear stresses. It is the sign of an increased risk of atherosclerosis. The assessment of hemodynamics shows that under the flow regimes of hypotension and hypertension, the risk of atherosclerosis localization in human aorta may increase.
Microalbuminuria and sRAGE in High-Risk Hypertensive Patients Treated with Nifedipine/Telmisartan Combination Treatment: A Substudy of TALENT
Authors: Falcone Colomba , Buzzi Maria Paola , Bozzini Sara , Boiocchi Chiara , D'Angelo Angela , Schirinzi Sandra , Esposito Ciro , Torreggiani Massimo , Choi Jasmine , Ochan Kilama Michael , Mancia Giuseppe
Published: February 2012

Some antihypertensive drugs have also renoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties that go beyond their effect on blood pressure. It has been suggested that microalbuminuria and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are associated with circulating levels of the soluble form of the receptor, sRAGE (soluble receptor for advanced glycation ends-products). In the present analysis, we used data from the TALENT study to evaluate soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products (sRAGE) plasma levels in patients with hypertension and high-cardiovascular risk-treated nifedipine and telmisartan in combination. Treatment with nifedipine-telmisartan significantly decreased mean systolic and diastolic ambulatory blood pressure and resulted in a significant increase in sRAGE plasma concentrations after 24 weeks of therapy. We concluded that in hypertensive patients with early-stage renal disease, sRAGE concentrations are not influenced by either microalbuminuria or GFR. Long-term treatment with a combination of nifedipine-telmisartan may have a beneficial effect increasing sRAGE plasma levels, thus exerting an atheroprotective and anti-inflammatory activity.
Intense Visible Luminescence in CdSe Quantum Dots by Efficiency Surface Passivation with H2O Molecules
Authors: Park Hyeoung Woo , Kim Do-Hyung
Published: February 2012

We have investigated the effect of water (H2O) cooling and heat treatment on the luminescence efficiency of core CdSe quantum dots (QDs). The photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield of the CdSe QDs was enhanced up to ~85%, and some periodic bright points were observed in wide color ranges during the heat treatment of QDs mixed with H2O. The PL enhancement of QDs could be attributed to the recovery of QDs surface traps by unreacted ligands confined within the hydrophilic H2O molecule containers.
A Note on Some Uniform Algebra Generated by Smooth Functions in the Plane
Authors: Mortini Raymond , Rupp Rudolf
Published: February 2012

We determine, via classroom proofs, the maximal ideal space, the Bass stable rank as well as the topological and dense stable rank of the uniform closure of all complex-valued functions continuously differentiable on neighborhoods of a compact planar set and holomorphic in the interior of . In this spirit, we also give elementary approaches to the calculation of these stable ranks for some classical function algebras on .
Effect of Trapezoidal-Shaped Well on Efficiency Droop in InGaN-Based Double-Heterostructure Light-Emitting Diodes
Authors: Lin Ray-Ming , Lai Mu-Jen , Chang Liann-Be , Huang Chou-Hsiung , Chen Chang-Ho
Published: February 2012

We investigated the effects of different well shapes on the external quantum efficiency (EQE) and the efficiency droop in wide-well InGaN/GaN double-heterostructure light-emitting diodes. For forward current densities in the measurement range of greater than 135 A/cm2, the device featuring a trapezoidal well exhibited improved EQEs and alleviative efficiency droop, relative to those of the device featuring a rectangular well. The decreased Auger loss has been proposed as the main reason for the greater maximum efficiency that occurred at high current density (>50 A/cm2). For the devices incorporating trapezoidal and rectangular wells, the EQEs at 200 A/cm2decreased by 14 and 40%, respectively, from their maximum values, resulting in the EQE at a current density of 200 A/cm2of the device featuring a trapezoidal well being 17.5% greater than that featuring a rectangular well. These results suggest that, in addition to the decreased Auger loss, the alleviation in efficiency droop at higher current densities might be due to higher internal quantum efficiency resulted from the improved carrier injection efficiency of the trapezoidal well.
Molecular Typing of Dengue Virus Circulating in Kolkata, India in 2010
Authors: Sarkar Arindam , Taraphdar Debjani , Chatterjee Shyamalendu
Published: February 2012

Dengue is one of the major public health threats in Kolkata. Every year, blood samples with dengue-like illness are referred to us from different medical colleges and hospitals in Kolkata for the detection of dengue infection in them. In 2010, a total of 378 samples were referred to us for that purpose. All the samples were tested for the detection of IgM antibodies by ELISA method, followed by RT-PCR test for the detection of serotypes. Only 173 samples were ELISA positive. Out of 378 samples, 108 were RT-PCR positive. Out of 108 samples, 74 samples had monotypic infection with different serotypes of DENV and 33 samples had dual infections with DENV-2 and DENV-3. Only one sample had the infection with DENV-1, DENV-2, and DENV-3. DHF was found mainly among the patients, infected with multiple dengue serotypes. Only 3 dengue monotypic infected patients had suffered from DHF.
Catenarin Prevents Type 1 Diabetes in Nonobese Diabetic Mice via Inhibition of Leukocyte Migration Involving the MEK6/p38 and MEK7/JNK Pathways
Authors: Shen Ming-Yi , Lin Yu-Ping , Yang Bei-Chang , Jang Yu-Song , Chiang Chih-Kang , Mettling Clément , Chen Zeng-Weng , Sheu Joen-Rong , Chang Cicero L. , Lin Yea-Lih , Yang Wen-Chin
Published: February 2012

Inflammation contributes to leukocyte migration, termed insulitis, andβ-cell loss in type 1 diabetes (T1D). Naturally occurring anthraquinones are claimed as anti-inflammatory compounds; however, their actions are not clear. This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of catenarin on the inflammatory disease, T1D. Catenarin and/or its anthraquinone analogs dose-dependently suppressed C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4)- and C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5)-implicated chemotaxis in leukocytes. Catenarin, the most potent anthraquinone tested in the study, prevented T1D in nonobese diabetic mice. Mechanistic study showed that catenarin did not act on the expression of CCR5 and CXCR4. On the contrary, catenarin inhibited CCR5- and CXCR4-mediated chemotaxis via the reduction of the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38 and JNK) and their upstream kinases (MKK6 and MKK7), and calcium mobilization. Overall, the data demonstrate the preventive effect and molecular mechanism of action of catenarin on T1D, suggesting its novel use as a prophylactic agent in T1D.
New Lung Cancer Susceptibility Locus Identified: Significance and Implications for Other Genome-Wide Association Studies
Authors: Sellers Thomas A. , Chen Y. Ann
Published: February 2012

Genome-wide association studies have identified more than 150 loci that influence the risk of cancer. In this issue of Cancer Discovery, Shi and colleagues report that a variant in RAD52 is a risk factor for squamous cell lung carcinoma. This work is important not only for its potential implications on control of this dreaded malignancy but also for its methodologic contributions that can advance the field of molecular-genetic epidemiology. Cancer Discovery; 2(2); 110–1. ©2012 AACR.

Commentary on Shi et al., p. 131.
New Roles Opined for OPCML
Authors: Wu Sherry Y. , Sood Anil K.
Published: February 2012

OPCML, frequently inactivated in ovarian tumors, mediates its antitumor effect via binding to the extracellular domains of several important oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK). This, in turn, leads to the downregulation of RTKs in tumor cells and results in significant inhibition of tumor growth. Cancer Discovery; 2(2); 115–6. ©2012 AACR.

Commentary on McKie et al., p. 156.
Another LAP in the Race
Authors: Lee Sylvia M. , Yee Cassian
Published: February 2012

The unique promise of latency-associated peptide resides in its selective presence on regulatory T cells (Treg) in the activated setting after patients are treated with immunomodulators such as anti–CTLA-4. The improved ability to track, scrutinize, and potentially target Tregs in this manipulated environment will be increasingly critical in developing immune-based therapies for patients with cancer. Cancer Discovery; 2(2); 107–9. ©2012 AACR.

Commentary on Sun et al., p. 122.
Exercise Electrocardiography Extinguishes Persistent Junctional Rhythm in a Patient with Severe Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Krantz Mori J. , Gaudiani Jennifer L. , Johnson Victor W. , Mehler Philip S.
Published: February 2012

Among psychiatric conditions, anorexia nervosa carries the highest mortality, in part due to the propensity for rhythm disturbances among patients with advanced disease. Patients with anorexia nervosa are prone to both bradycardia and tachyarrhythmias, though mortality has not been associated with the former. To date, only one case of junctional rhythm in the setting of anorexia nervosa has been previously described, which was unremitting and required prolonged hospitalization. We report a case of persistent accelerated junctional rhythm where a formal exercise electrocardiography study demonstrated rapid reversion to sinus rhythm with graded exercise. Despite a 22-day hospitalization the patient never reverted permanently to sinus rhythm. This underscores the heightened vagal tone that may be seen among patients with severe anorexia nervosa. Despite this, it may be rapidly extinguished with sympathetic overdrive during exercise. In this context, exercise electrocardiography appears to be a safe, noninvasive means of assessing cardiac conduction and chronotropic reserve in this population.
The Contribution of Life Course Determinants to Early Childhood Caries: A 2-Year Cohort Study
Authors: Zhou Y. , Yang J.Y. , Lo E.C.M. , Lin H.C.
Published: February 2012

Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a serious problem in China. There are few data available on the risk factors contributing to ECC in children under the age of 3 years. In this study we investigate the risk factors for ECC in the life course of a cohort of 8-month-old children. Methods: A total of 225 children aged 8 months were recruited from a rural community in the city of Guangzhou in southern China. Information was collected at baseline and once every 6 months. The questionnaire was designed to collect socioeconomic and behavioural information. Dental caries was recorded by surface and oral hygiene was assessed using the visible plaque index. The presence of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) in dental plaque was determined using microbiological tests. The incidence density of ECC was calculated and generalised estimating equation analysis was performed to identify the risk factors. Results: The incidence density among 8 to 14-, 14 to 20-, 20 to 26- and 26 to 32-month-old children was found to be 0, 0.02 ± 0.19, 0.05 ± 0.26 and 0.20 ± 0.59 (surfaces/100 surface-months), respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that mothers who had a low level of education, families with higher monthly income, enamel hypoplasia of the teeth, lower than average height, a high proportion of visible plaque, and the presence of S. mutans were risk predictors for ECC of the children. Conclusions: There appears to be a relationship between socioeconomic, behavioural and biological factors and ECC. Early life factors play an important role in the development of ECC.
New Insight on the Response of Bacteria to Fluoride
Authors: Breaker R.R.
Published: February 2012

Fluoride has been used for decades to prevent caries and it is well established that this anion can inhibit the growth of bacteria. However, the precise effects that fluoride has on bacteria and the mechanisms that bacteria use to overcome fluoride toxicity have largely remained unexplored. Recently, my laboratory reported the discovery of biological systems that bacteria use to sense fluoride and reduce fluoride toxicity. These sensors and their associated genes are very widespread in biology, which has implications for a number of issues that are central to the use of fluoride for dental care. Below I provide a summary of our findings, comment on some of the key prospects for expanding our understanding of fluoride's effects on biology, and propose some future uses of this knowledge.
Cross-Genre and Cross-Domain Detection of Semantic Uncertainty
Authors: Szarvas György , Vincze Veronika , Farkas Richárd , Móra György , Gurevych Iryna
Published: February 2012

Uncertainty is an important linguistic phenomenon that is relevant in various Natural Language Processing applications, in diverse genres from medical to community generated, newswire or scientific discourse, and domains from science to humanities. The semantic uncertainty of a proposition can be identified in most cases by using a finite dictionary (i.e., lexical cues) and the key steps of uncertainty detection in an application include the steps of locating the (genre- and domain-specific) lexical cues, disambiguating them, and linking them with the units of interest for the particular application (e.g., identified events in information extraction). In this study, we focus on the genre and domain differences of the context-dependent semantic uncertainty cue recognition task.

We introduce a unified subcategorization of semantic uncertainty as different domain applications can apply different uncertainty categories. Based on this categorization, we normalized the annotation of three corpora and present results with a state-of-the-art uncertainty cue recognition model for four fine-grained categories of semantic uncertainty.

Our results reveal the domain and genre dependence of the problem; nevertheless, we also show that even a distant source domain data set can contribute to the recognition and disambiguation of uncertainty cues, efficiently reducing the annotation costs needed to cover a new domain. Thus, the unified subcategorization and domain adaptation for training the models offer an efficient solution for cross-domain and cross-genre semantic uncertainty recognition.