bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A NusE:NusG Complex Links Transcription and Translation
Authors: Burmann Björn M. , Schweimer Kristian , Luo Xiao , Wahl Markus C. , Stitt Barbara L. , Gottesman Max E. , Rösch Paul
Published: April 2010

Transcription and Translation in Train

In bacteria, translation of messenger RNA into proteins by the ribosome usually begins soon after the ribosome binding site emerges from RNA polymerase. Now there is evidence for direct coupling between transcription and translation in bacteria.
Proshkin et al.
(p.
504
; see the Perspective by

Roberts

) show that the trailing ribosome controls the rate of transcription by preventing RNA polymerase from spontaneous backtracking, which allows precise adjustment of transcriptional yield to translational needs under various growth conditions.
Burmann et al.
(p.
501
; see the Perspective by

Roberts

) provide a potential mechanism for coupling by showing that the transcription factor NusG, which binds RNA polymerase through its amino-terminal domain, competitively binds either a ribosomal protein or the Rho transcription termination factor through its carboxy-terminal domain. Rho binding might occur after release of the ribosome from messenger RNA, thus linking termination of transcription and translation.
Teacher Quality Moderates the Genetic Effects on Early Reading
Authors: Taylor J. , Roehrig A. D. , Hensler B. Soden , Connor C. M. , Schatschneider C.
Published: April 2010

Reading Influences and Achievement

When it comes to learning to read, children are immersed in a variety of influences. Debate rages over what aspects are affected and what importance to attribute to genetic influences, the effect of good teaching, the tools used, the family environment, and so on.

Taylor
et al.

(p.
512
) analyzed reading achievement from kindergarten through to fifth grade in mono- and dizygotic twins from a diverse population. The results show that better teachers allow children to fulfill their genetic potential.
The Case for Plasmonics
Authors: Brongersma Mark L. , Shalaev Vladimir M.
Published: April 2010

Light-induced surface excitations may offer a route to faster, smaller, and more efficient electronics as well as new technology opportunities.
An Informative Itinerary
Complexity
A Guided Tour

by Melanie Mitchell

Oxford University Press, New York, 2009. 365 pp. $29.95, £14.99. ISBN 9780195124415.
Authors: Couzin Iain D.
Published: April 2010

Mitchell surveys complex-systems approaches to a wide range of biological, technological, and social phenomena.
Genotype to Phenotype: A Complex Problem
Authors: Dowell Robin D. , Ryan Owen , Jansen An , Cheung Doris , Agarwala Sudeep , Danford Timothy , Bernstein Douglas A. , Rolfe P. Alexander , Heisler Lawrence E. , Chin Brian , Nislow Corey , Giaever Guri , Phillips Patrick C. , Fink Gerald R. , Gifford David K. , Boone Charles
Published: April 2010

In yeast, the impact of gene knockouts depends on genetic background.
Iceland Eruptions Fuel Interest in Volcanic Gas Monitoring
Authors: Laursen Lucas
Published: April 2010

Icelandic researchers and civil protection officials are continually analyzing several streams of data to make educated guesses about the duration and size of the eruption on Eyjafjallajökull, the volcano that on Wednesday, 14 April, turned into a nightmare for airlines and passengers across Europe.
Max Planck Tests the Korean Waters
Authors: Normile Dennis , Vogel Gretchen
Published: April 2010

In another sign of the Max Planck Society's desire to extend its reach beyond Germany, it is negotiating with Pohang University of Science and Technology to establish two joint research centers there.
A Groundbreaking Observatory to Monitor the Environment
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: April 2010

A decade in the making, the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) hopes to set a new standard for tracking long-term ecological change across the United States.
Imponderables Complicate Hunt For Intelligent Life Beyond Earth
Authors: Bhattacharjee Yudhijit
Published: April 2010

Those looking for signals from extraterrestrial civilizations should cast a bigger net, says Paul Davies, head of a group figuring out what to do if the search succeeds.
Unprecedented Excavation Brings Maritime Silk Road to Life
Authors: Jiao Li
Published: April 2010

Raising the medieval
Nanhai 1
wreck was a technical tour de force; now archaeologists are preparing to take the vessel apart plank by plank.
Vaccination of Rabbits with an Alkylated Toxoid Rapidly Elicits Potent Neutralizing Antibodies against Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype B
Authors: Held Daniel M. , Shurtleff Amy C. , Fields Scott , Green Christopher , Fong Julie , Jones Russell G. A. , Sesardic Dorothea , Buelow Roland , Burke Rae Lyn
Published: April 2010

New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits were immunized with several different nontoxic botulinum neurotoxin serotype B (BoNT/B) preparations in an effort to optimize the production of a rapid and highly potent, effective neutralizing antibody response. The immunogens included a recombinant heavy chain (rHc) protein produced in
Escherichia coli
, a commercially available formaldehyde-inactivated toxoid, and an alkylated toxoid produced by urea-iodoacetamide inactivation of the purified active toxin. All three immunogens elicited an antibody response to BoNT/B, detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and by toxin neutralization assay, by the use of two distinct mouse toxin challenge models. The induction period and the ultimate potency of the observed immune response varied for each immunogen, and the ELISA titer was not reliably predictive of the potency of toxin neutralization. The kinetics of the BoNT/B-specific binding immune response were nearly identical for the formaldehyde toxoid and alkylated toxoid immunogens, but immunization with the alkylated toxoid generated an approximately 10-fold higher neutralization potency that endured throughout the study, and after just 49 days, each milliliter of serum was capable of neutralizing 10
7
50% lethal doses of the toxin. Overall, the immunization of rabbits with alkylated BoNT/B toxoid appears to have induced a neutralizing immune response more rapid and more potent than the responses generated by vaccination with formaldehyde toxoid or rHc preparations.
Microsatellite Typing To Trace
Aspergillus flavus
Infections in a Hematology Unit
Authors: Hadrich Inès , Makni Fattouma , Ayadi Ali , Ranque Stéphane
Published: April 2010

Assessing the relatedness of strains isolated from patients and their environment is instrumental in documenting the source of preventable health care-associated life-threatening
Aspergillus flavus
human infection clusters. The present study aimed at identifying and selecting suitable microsatellite markers for
A. flavus
typing. This typing scheme was then applied to investigate the
A. flavus
epidemiology within a hematology unit in Sfax, Tunisia. Use of a combination of five markers made it possible to discern clusters of isolates and to substantiate the genetic diversity of
A. flavus
within clusters. Isolates from Tunisia and Marseille, France, displayed distinct haplotypes, indicating a highly significant geographical structuring of
A. flavus
. The typing of clinical and environmental
A. flavus
isolates in a hematology unit provided insights into its hospital epidemiology. From a heterogeneous genetic background, a cluster indicative of a clonal propagation episode within the unit could be identified. In two patients with invasive aspergillosis, the same genotype was found in clinical and environmental isolates, indicating hospital-acquired colonization and infection. In further studies, this novel microsatellite typing scheme might be instrumental in illuminating important epidemiological issues about
A. flavus
population genetics or epidemiology, including tracing the sources and routes of transmission.
Long-Term Control of HIV-1 in Hemophiliacs Carrying Slow-Progressing Allele HLA-B*5101
Authors: Kawashima Yuka , Kuse Nozomi , Gatanaga Hiroyuki , Naruto Takuya , Fujiwara Mamoru , Dohki Sachi , Akahoshi Tomohiro , Maenaka Katsumi , Goulder Philip , Oka Shinichi , Takiguchi Masafumi
Published: April 2010

HLA-B*51 alleles are reported to be associated with slow disease progression to AIDS, but the mechanism underlying this association is still unclear. In the present study, we analyzed the effect of HLA-B*5101 on clinical outcome for Japanese hemophiliacs who had been infected with HIV-1 before 1985 and had been recruited in 1998 for this study. HLA-B*5101+hemophiliacs exhibited significantly slow progression. The analysis of HLA-B*5101-restricted HIV-1-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses to 4 HLA-B*-restricted epitopes in 10 antiretroviral-therapy (ART)-free HLA-B*5101+hemophiliacs showed that the frequency of Pol283-8-specific CD8+T cells was inversely correlated with the viral load, whereas the frequencies of CD8+T cells specific for 3 other epitopes were positively correlated with the viral load. The HLA-B*5101+hemophiliacs whose HIV-1 replication had been controlled for approximately 25 years had HIV-1 possessing the wild-type Pol283-8 sequence or the Pol283-8V mutant, which does not critically affect T-cell recognition, whereas other HLA-B*5101+hemophiliacs had HIV-1 with escape mutations in this epitope. The results suggest that the control of HIV-1 over approximately 25 years in HLA-B*5101-positive hemophiliacs is associated with a Pol283-8-specific CD8+T-cell response and that lack of control of HIV-1 is associated with the appearance of Pol283-8-specific escape mutants.
Evaluation of Cellular Determinants Required for
In Vitro
Xenotropic Murine Leukemia Virus-Related Virus Entry into Human Prostate Cancer and Noncancerous Cells
Authors: Bhosle Sushma , Suppiah Suganthi , Molinaro Ross , Liang Yuying , Arnold Rebecca , Diehl William , Makarova Natalia , Blackwell Jerry , Petros John , Liotta Dennis , Hunter Eric , Ly Hinh
Published: April 2010

The newly identified retrovirus—the xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV)—has recently been shown to be strongly associated with familial prostate cancer in humans (A. Urisman et al., PLoS Pathog.
2:
e25, 2006). While that study showed evidence of XMRV infection exclusively in the prostatic stromal fibroblasts, a recent study found XMRV protein antigens mainly in malignant prostate epithelial cells (R. Schlaberg et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A.
106:
16351-16356, 2009). To help elucidate the mechanisms behind XMRV infection, we show that prostatic fibroblast cells express Xpr1, a known receptor of XMRV, but its expression is absent in other cell lines of the prostate (i.e., epithelial and stromal smooth muscle cells). We also show that certain amino acid residues located within the predicted extracellular loop (ECL3 and ECL4) sequences of Xpr1 are required for efficient XMRV entry. Although we found strong evidence to support XMRV infection of prostatic fibroblast cell lines via Xpr1, we learned that XMRV was indeed capable of infecting cells that did not necessarily express Xpr1, such as those of the prostatic epithelial and smooth muscle origins. Further studies suggest that the expression of Xpr1 and certain genotypes of the
RNASEL
gene, which could restrict XMRV infection, may play important roles in defining XMRV tropisms in certain cell types. Collectively, our data reveal important cellular determinants required for XMRV entry into different human prostate cells
in vitro
, which may provide important insights into the possible role of XMRV as an etiologic agent in human prostate cancer.
Integrin α4β7 Is Downregulated on the Surfaces of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus SIVmac239-Infected Cells
Authors: Budde Melisa L. , Lhost Jennifer J. , Dudley Dawn M. , Rakasz Eva G. , O'Connor David H.
Published: April 2010

Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection results in an early and enduring depletion of intestinal CD4
+
T cells. SIV and HIV bind integrin α4β7, thereby facilitating infection of lymphocytes that home to the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). Using an ex vivo flow cytometry assay, we found that SIVmac239-infected cells expressed significantly lower levels of integrin α4β7 than did uninfected cells. This finding suggested a potential viral effect on integrin α4β7 expression. Using an
in vitro
model, we confirmed that integrin α4β7 was downregulated on the surfaces of SIVmac239-infected cells. Further, modulation of integrin α4β7 was dependent on
de novo
synthesis of viral proteins, but neither cell death, the release of a soluble factor, nor a change in activation state was involved. Downregulation of integrin α4β7 may have an unappreciated role in the CD4 depletion of the mucosal-associated lymphoid compartments, susceptibility to superinfection, and/or immune evasion.
Genome-Scale Phylogenetic Analyses of Chikungunya Virus Reveal Independent Emergences of Recent Epidemics and Various Evolutionary Rates
Authors: Volk Sara M. , Chen Rubing , Tsetsarkin Konstantin A. , Adams A. Paige , Garcia Tzintzuni I. , Sall Amadou A. , Nasar Farooq , Schuh Amy J. , Holmes Edward C. , Higgs Stephen , Maharaj Payal D. , Brault Aaron C. , Weaver Scott C.
Published: April 2010

Chikungunya virus
(CHIKV), a mosquito-borne alphavirus, has traditionally circulated in Africa and Asia, causing human febrile illness accompanied by severe, chronic joint pain. In Africa, epidemic emergence of CHIKV involves the transition from an enzootic, sylvatic cycle involving arboreal mosquito vectors and nonhuman primates, into an urban cycle where peridomestic mosquitoes transmit among humans. In Asia, however, CHIKV appears to circulate only in the endemic, urban cycle. Recently, CHIKV emerged into the Indian Ocean and the Indian subcontinent to cause major epidemics. To examine patterns of CHIKV evolution and the origins of these outbreaks, as well as to examine whether evolutionary rates that vary between enzootic and epidemic transmission, we sequenced the genomes of 40 CHIKV strains and performed a phylogenetic analysis representing the most comprehensive study of its kind to date. We inferred that extant CHIKV strains evolved from an ancestor that existed within the last 500 years and that some geographic overlap exists between two main enzootic lineages previously thought to be geographically separated within Africa. We estimated that CHIKV was introduced from Africa into Asia 70 to 90 years ago. The recent Indian Ocean and Indian subcontinent epidemics appear to have emerged independently from the mainland of East Africa. This finding underscores the importance of surveillance to rapidly detect and control African outbreaks before exportation can occur. Significantly higher rates of nucleotide substitution appear to occur during urban than during enzootic transmission. These results suggest fundamental differences in transmission modes and/or dynamics in these two transmission cycles.
Type I Interferons Mediate the Innate Cytokine Response to Recombinant Fowlpox Virus but Not the Induction of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell-Dependent Adaptive Immunity
Authors: Lousberg Erin L. , Fraser Cara K. , Tovey Michael G. , Diener Kerrilyn R. , Hayball John D.
Published: April 2010

Type I interferons (IFNs) are considered to be important mediators of innate immunity due to their inherent antiviral activity, ability to drive the transcription of a number of genes involved in viral clearance, and their role in the initiation of innate and adaptive immune responses. Due to the central role of type I IFNs, we sought to determine their importance in the generation of immunity to a recombinant vaccine vector fowlpox virus (FPV). In analyzing the role of type I IFNs in immunity to FPV, we show that they are critical to the secretion of a number of innate and proinflammatory cytokines, including type I IFNs themselves as well as interleukin-12 (IL-12), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), IL-6, and IL-1β, and that deficiency leads to enhanced virus-mediated antigen expression. Interestingly, however, type I IFNs were not required for adaptive immune responses to recombinant FPV even though plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), the primary producers of type I IFNs, have been shown to be requisite for this to occur. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the importance of pDCs may lie in their ability to capture and present virally derived antigen to T cells rather than in their capacity as professional type I IFN-producing cells.
Small Noncoding RNAs Encoded within the Bovine Herpesvirus 1 Latency-Related Gene Can Reduce Steady-State Levels of Infected Cell Protein 0 (bICP0)
Authors: Jaber Tareq , Workman Aspen , Jones Clinton
Published: April 2010

Following acute infection in mucosal epithelium, bovine herpes virus 1 (BHV-1) establishes lifelong latency in sensory neurons within trigeminal ganglia. The latency-related RNA (LR-RNA) is abundantly expressed in sensory neurons of latently infected calves. Expression of LR proteins is necessary for the latency reactivation cycle because a mutant virus that does not express LR proteins is unable to reactivate from latency after dexamethasone treatment. LR-RNA sequences also inhibit bICP0 expression, productive infection, and cell growth. However, it is unclear how LR-RNA mediates these functions. In this study, we identified a 463-bp region within the LR gene (the XbaI-PstI [XP] fragment) that inhibited bICP0 protein and RNA expression in transiently transfected mouse neuroblastoma cells. Small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) encoded within the XP fragment (20 to 90 nucleotides in length) were detected in transiently transfected mouse neuroblastoma cells. Two families of sncRNAs were cloned from this region, and each family was predicted to contain a mature microRNA (miRNA). Both miRNAs were predicted to base pair with bICP0 mRNA sequences, suggesting that they reduce bICP0 levels. To test this prediction, sequences encompassing the respective sncRNAs and mature miRNAs were synthesized and cloned into a small interfering RNA expression vector. Both sncRNA families and their respective miRNAs inhibited bICP0 protein expression in mouse neuroblastoma cells and productive infection in bovine cells. In trigeminal ganglia of latently infected calves, an sncRNA that migrated between nucleotides 20 and 25 hybridized to the XP fragment. During dexamethasone-induced reactivation from latency, XP-specific sncRNA levels were reduced, suggesting that these sncRNAs support the establishment and maintenance of lifelong latency in cattle.
Microcatheter contrast injections during intra-arterial thrombolysis increase intracranial hemorrhage risk
Authors: Khatri Rakesh , Khatri Pooja , Khoury Jane , Broderick Joseph , Carrozzella Janice , Tomsick Thomas
Published: April 2010

Background and purpose

Combined analysis of the Interventional Management of Stroke I and II trials demonstrated a significant association between microcatheter contrast injections and both intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and contrast extravasation following combined intravenous (IV) and intra-arterial (IA) thrombolysis. The reliability of these observations was tested in our local registry of IA cases.

Design/methods

Treatment angiograms and post-procedure CTs of patients treated with combined IV/IA or IA only recombinant tissue plasminogen activator for ICA-T, M1 or M2 occlusions (n=77) were reviewed. The number of microcatheter injections (MCIs) within/distal to the target occlusion was assigned for every case. The association of MCIs to total ICH, total parenchymal hematoma (PH1+PH2) and PH2 after adjusting for significant covariates was tested.

Results

MCIs were used in 21 (27%) cases (range MCI 0–6). Any ICH occurred in 38 (49%) cases, including eight (10%) PH1s and eight (10%) PH2s. The use of MCIs was associated with increased PH (p=0.04), PH2 (p=0.07) and total ICH (p=0.03). MCIs were associated with increased contrast extravasation (CEx) (p=0.02). ICH was observed in all CEx cases (n=5, 100% vs 46% non-CEx; p=0.03), and four (80%) CEx cases developed PH2s (p<0.01). MCIs remained associated with total ICH after adjustment for significant covariates of Thromolysis in Cerebral Infarction score, glucose level and presence of atrial fibrillation (OR 3.60; 95% CI 1.12 to 11.49, p=0.03). MCI use was the only significantly associated covariate for total PHs.

Conclusions

MCI use was associated with ICH and with clinically significant PHs in this cohort, providing further evidence that MCIs be reduced during IA thrombolysis.
Frameless image guided robotic radiosurgery of arteriovenous malformation localized on spatially correlated digital subtraction and C-arm CT angiography images
Authors: Hristov Dimitre , Adler John R , Gibbs Iris C , Dodd Robert , Marks Michael , Chang Steve D , Do Huy M
Published: April 2010

A case is reported of frameless image guided robotic radiosurgery for an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). C-arm CT (CACT) and concurrent digital subtraction angiography images were used for AVM localization within the CACT volume. Treatment planning was performed on CT images registered with the CACT dataset. During delivery, a robotic linear accelerator tracked the target based on localization with frequent stereoscopic x-ray imaging. This case demonstrates that a frameless approach to AVM radiosurgery is possible.
RECENT STATUS OF DARK ENERGY
Authors: TSUJIKAWA SHINJI
Published: April 2010

We review a number of approaches that have been adopted to explain the origin of dark energy responsible for the late-time cosmic acceleration. This includes the cosmological constant and dynamical dark energy models such as quintessence, k -essence, Chaplygin gas, f(R) gravity, scalar-tensor theories, and braneworld models. We also discuss observational and local gravity constraints on those models and clarify which models are favored or ruled out in current observations.
MATTER INSTABILITIES IN GENERAL GAUSS-BONNET GRAVITY
Authors: DE FELICE ANTONIO , MOTA DAVID F. , TSUJIKAWA SHINJI
Published: April 2010

We study the evolution of cosmological perturbations in [Formula: see text] gravity, where the Lagrangian is the sum of a Ricci scalar R and an arbitrary function f in terms of a Gauss-Bonnet term [Formula: see text]. We derive the equations for perturbations assuming matter to be described by a perfect fluid with a constant equation of state w. We show that density perturbations in perfect fluids exhibit negative instabilities during both the radiation and the matter domination, irrespective of the form of [Formula: see text]. This growth of perturbations gets stronger on smaller scales, which is difficult to be compatible with the observed galaxy spectrum unless the deviation from General Relativity is very small. Thus [Formula: see text] cosmological models are effectively ruled out from this Ultra-Violet instability, even though they can be compatible with the late-time cosmic acceleration and local gravity constraints.
SPIN-2 GHOST IN BRANE GRAVITY
Authors: TANAKA TAKAHIRO
Published: April 2010

It is known that Dvali-Gabadadze-Porrati (DGP) braneworld model has a self-acceleration branch. However, this cosmological solution contains a spin-2 ghost. We study the possibility of avoiding the appearance of the ghost by slightly modifying the model, introducing the second brane. As a result we find we cannot avoid the appearance of ghost by two-branes model. Then we discuss whether spin-2 ghost is really harmful or not by evaluating the rate of spontaneous particle production due to ghost instability. We explain that non-covariant cutoff momentum arises rather naturally in the case of spin-2 ghost. As a result, the particle production rate is extremely suppressed and therefore the presence of a ghost might be harmless.
DARK MATTER SEARCHES WITH SUB-keV GERMANIUM DETECTOR
Authors: WONG HENRY T.
Published: April 2010

The theme of the TEXONO research program is on the studies of low energy neutrino and dark matter physics. The current goals are on the development of germanium detectors with sub-keV sensitivities to realize experiments on neutrino magnetic moments, neutrino-nucleus coherent scattering, as well as WIMP dark matter searches. A threshold of 100–200 eV was achieved with prototype detectors at the Kuo-Sheng Neutrino Laboratory. New limits were placed for low-mass WIMPs. The dark matter program will move to a new underground laboratory currently under construction in Sichuan, China.
CAN DARK MATTER ANNIHILATION ACCOUNT FOR THE COSMIC e± EXCESSES?
Authors: BI XIAO-JUN
Published: April 2010

In the talk I give a brief review of the works related with the recent results from PAMELA, ATIC and Fermi about the cosmic electron and positron excesses. Especially I introduce constraints gotten from astrophysical observations on the DM annihilation scenario to account for the cosmic electron excess.
DARK MATTER IN THE MSSM AND ITS SINGLET EXTENSION
Authors: YANG JIN MIN
Published: April 2010

We briefly review the supersymmetric explanation for the cosmic dark matter. Although the neutralino in the minimal supersymmetric model (MSSM), the next-to-minimal supersymmetric model (NMSSM) and the nearly minimal supersymmetric model (nMSSM) can naturally explain the dark matter relic density, the PAMELA result can hardly be explained in these popular models. In the general singlet extension of the MSSM, both the PAMELA result and the relic density can be explained by the singlino-like neutralino. Such singlino-like neutralinos annihilate into the singlet-like Higgs bosons, which are light enough to decay dominantly to muons or electrons, and the annihilation cross section can be greatly enhanced by the Sommerfeld effect via exchanging a light CP-even singlet-like Higgs boson. In this scenario, in order to meet the stringent LEP constraints, the SM-like Higgs boson tends to decay into the singlet Higgs pairs instead of [Formula: see text] and consequently it will give a multi-muon signal hSM → aa → 4µ or hSM → hh → 4a → 8µ at the LHC.
AXION SEARCH WITH Q & A EXPERIMENT
Authors:   Q & A Collaboration, MEI HSIEN-HAO , NI WEI-TOU , CHEN SHENG-JUI , PAN SHEAU-SHI
Published: April 2010

Dark matter is a focused issue in galactic evolution and cosmology. Axion is a viable particle candidate for dark matter. Its interaction with photon is an effective way to detect it, e.g., pseudoscalar-photon interaction will generate vacuum dichroism in a magnetic field. Motivated to measure the QED vacuum birefringence and to detect pseudoscalar-photon interaction, we started to build up the Q & A experiment (QED [Quantum Electrodynamics] and Axion experiment) in 1994. In this talk, we first give a brief historical account of planet hunting and dark matter evidence. We then review our 3.5 m Fabry-Perot interferometer together with our results of measuring vacuum dichroism and gaseous Cotton-Mouton effects. Our first results give (-0.2 ± 2.8) × 10-13 rad/pass, at 2.3 T with 18,700 passes through a 0.6 m long magnet, for vacuum dichroism measurement. We are upgrading our interferometer to 7 m arm-length with a new 1.8 m 2.3 T permanent magnet capable of rotation up to 13 cycles per second. We aim at [Formula: see text] optical sensitivity with 532 nm cavity finesse around 100,000. When achieved, vacuum dichroism would be measured to 8.6 × 10-17 rad/pass in about 50 days, and QED birefringence would be measured to 28%.
LEPTOGENESIS WITH FRIEDBERG-LEE SYMMETRY
Authors: ARAKI TAKESHI , GENG C. Q.
Published: April 2010

We consider the µ - τ symmetric Friedberg-Lee (FL) symmetry for the neutrino sector and show that a specific FL translation leads to the tribimaximal mixing pattern of the Maki-Nakagawa-Sakata (MNS) matrix. We also apply the symmetry to the type-I seesaw framework and address the baryon asymmetry of the universe through the leptogenesis mechanism. We try to establish a relation between the net baryon asymmetry and CP phases included in the MNS matrix.
INTEGRABLE PROPERTIES FOR A GENERALIZED NON-ISOSPECTRAL AND VARIABLE-COEFFICIENT KORTEWEG–DE VRIES MODEL
Authors: XU XIAO-GE , MENG XIANG-HUA , SUN FU-WEI , GAO YI-TIAN
Published: April 2010

Applicable in fluid dynamics and plasmas, a generalized variable-coefficient Korteweg–de Vries (vcKdV) equation is investigated analytically employing the Hirota bilinear method in this paper. The bilinear form for such a model is derived through a dependent variable transformation. Based on the bilinear form, the integrable properties such as the N-solitonic solution, the Bäcklund transformation and the Lax pair for the vcKdV equation are obtained. Additionally, it is shown that the bilinear Bäcklund transformation can turn into the one denoted in the original variables.
EFFECT OF VANADIUM CONTENT ON PHOTOLUMINESCENCE AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF DOPED ZnO THIN FILMS
Authors: WANG LIWEI , XU ZHENG , ZHAO SULING , LU LIFANG , ZHANG FUJUN
Published: April 2010

ZnO : V thin films with different doping concentration (0%, 1.8%, 3.9%, 6.8%, 10%, and 13%) were fabricated by direct current magnetron sputtering. The X-ray diffraction patterns show that the wurzite structure changed with doping concentration. Furthermore, we could not find any vanadium cluster or phase separation in the X-ray diffraction patterns. The photoluminescence of ZnO : V with different vanadium concentration was investigated. The room temperature photoluminescence spectrum indicates that the films have purple band with 370 nm and the bands with 475 and 490 nm. The peak intensity of room temperature photoluminescence spectrum was affected by vanadium contents and its position remained stable. The intensity of band with 370 nm increases with raising the vanadium concentration and then decreases. The hysteresis behavior indicates that films were ferromagnetic at 50 K. Room temperature ferromagnetism was observed for the film with the doping concentration at 6.8%. However, in this case almost no hysteresis is noticeable. The results implied that the doping concentration and crystalline microstructure influence strongly the film's magnetic characteristics. Increasing the vanadium content in the film caused the degradation of the magnetic ordering.
QUANTUM KEY DISTRIBUTION AND REMOTE STATE PREPARATION VIA CLUSTER STATE
Authors: SHI GUO-FANG
Published: April 2010

In this paper, the schemes of quantum key distribution and remote state preparation of an arbitrary two-qubit state via four-particle cluster state are proposed. The efficiency of the former is 1 and the probability of the latter is 1(1/4) if the coefficients are real (complex).
GEOMETRIC PHASE OF COMPOSITE SYSTEMS IN DEPHASING
Authors: LI XIN
Published: April 2010

Based on an exactly-solvable spin-boson model, the geometric phase (GP) of a system of two qubits collectively coupled to a quantum bath is investigated. In this scenario, the decomposition of GP into the sum of GP of the subsystem should be forbidden. We demonstrate that the environment-induced modifications of the GP usually include not only the pure decoherence effect, but also the information about the environment evolution. We also show the dependence of the GP upon the entangled initial state and extend it to the case of multi-qubits system.
DIFFUSION-WEIGHTED MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE ULNAR NERVE IN CUBITAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
Authors: Iba K. , Wada T. , Tamakawa M. , Aoki M. , Yamashita T.
Published: April 2010

Diffusion-weighted images based on magnetic resonance reveal the microstructure of tissues by monitoring the random movement of water molecules. In this study, we investigated whether this new technique could visualize pathologic lesions on ulnar nerve in cubital tunnel. Six elbows in six healthy males without any symptoms and eleven elbows in ten patients with cubital tunnel syndrome underwent on diffusion-weighted MRI. No signal from the ulnar nerve was detected in normal subjects. Diffusion-weighted MRI revealed positive signals from the ulnar nerve in all of the eleven elbows with cubital tunnel syndrome. In contrast, conventional T2W-MRI revealed high signal intensity in eight elbows and low signal intensity in three elbows. Three elbows with low signal MRI showed normal nerve conduction velocity of the ulnar nerve. Diffusion-weighted MRI appears to be an attractive technique for diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome in its early stages which show normal electrophysiological and conventional MRI studies.
ELDERLY KENDO (JAPANESE FENCING) PLAYER WITH KIENBÖCK'S DISEASE IN ONE WRIST AND PREISER'S DISEASE IN THE OTHER WRIST: A CASE REPORT
Authors: Iwasaki Norimasa , Masuko Tatsuya , Funakoshi Tadanao , Minami Akio
Published: April 2010

Elderly patients suffering from avascular necrosis of a carpal bone in both wrists are extremely rare. We report a case of an elderly kendo (Japanese fencing) competitor who sustained Preiser's disease in the left hand following the occurrence of Kienböck's disease in the right hand. The current case demonstrates the importance of raising awareness of these diseases as potential sports-related problems in the elderly.
UNIQUENESS IN RANDOM-PROPOSER MULTILATERAL BARGAINING
Authors: YAN HUIBIN
Published: April 2010

Solution uniqueness is an important property for a bargaining model. Rubinstein's (1982) seminal 2-person alternating-offer bargaining game has a unique Subgame Perfect Equilibrium outcome. Is it possible to obtain uniqueness results in the much enlarged setting of multilateral bargaining with a characteristic function? This paper investigates a random-proposer model first studied in Okada (1993) in which each period players have equal probabilities of being selected to make a proposal and bargaining ends after one coalition forms. Focusing on transferable utility environments and Stationary Subgame Perfect Equilibria (SSPE), we find ex ante SSPE payoff uniqueness for symmetric and convex characteristic functions, considerably expanding the conditions under which this model is known to exhibit SSPE payoff uniqueness. Our model includes as a special case a variant of the legislative bargaining model in Baron and Ferejohn (1989), and our results imply (unrestricted) SSPE payoff uniqueness in this case.
A NEW SEQUENCE FORM APPROACH FOR THE ENUMERATION AND REFINEMENT OF ALL EXTREME NASH EQUILIBRIA FOR EXTENSIVE FORM GAMES
Authors: AUDET CHARLES , BELHAIZA SLIM , HANSEN PIERRE
Published: April 2010

This paper presents two new results on the enumeration of all extreme equilibria of the sequence form of a two person extensive game. The sequence form of an extensive game is expressed, for the first time to our knowledge, as a parametric linear 0 - 1 program. Considering Ext(P) as the set of all of the sequence form extreme Nash equilibria and Ext(Q) as the set of all the parametric linear 0 - 1 program extreme points, we show that Ext(P) ⊆ Ext(Q). Using exact arithmetics classes, the algorithm EχMIP Belhaiza (2002); Audet et al. (2006) is extended to enumerate all elements of Ext(Q). A small procedure is then applied in order to obtain all elements of Ext(P).
THE SHAPLEY VALUE, THE OWEN VALUE, AND THE VEIL OF IGNORANCE
Authors: CASAJUS ANDRÉ
Published: April 2010

We show that the Owen value for TU games with a cooperation structure extends the Shapley value in a consistent way. In particular, the Shapley value is the expected Owen value for all symmetric distributions on the partitions of the player set. Similar extensions of the Banzhaf value do not show this property.
EXTENSION AND RESTRICTION THEOREMS IN ANISOTROPIC BESOV SPACES
Authors: CHANG TONGKEUN
Published: April 2010

In this paper, we study the extension and restriction theorems of the anisotropic Besov spaces in a Lipschitz hyper-surface in space-time domain. We hope that such theorems will be useful in solving a parabolic type equations in a time-varying domain.
WEAKLY SYMMETRIC FINSLER SPACES
Authors: DENG SHAOQIANG , HOU ZIXIN
Published: April 2010

In this paper, we introduce the notion of weakly symmetric Finsler spaces and study some geometrical properties of such spaces. In particular, we prove that each maximal geodesic in a weakly symmetric Finsler space is the orbit of a one-parameter subgroup of the full isometric group. This implies that each weakly symmetric Finsler space has vanishing S-curvature. As an application of these results, we prove that there exist reversible non-Berwaldian Finsler metrics on the 3-dimensional sphere with vanishing S-curvature. This solves an open problem raised by Z. Shen.
NAVIER–STOKES SYSTEM ON THE FLAT CYLINDER AND UNIT SQUARE WITH SLIP BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
Authors: DINABURG EFIM , LI DONG , SINAI YAKOV G.
Published: April 2010

We study the decay of Fourier modes of solutions to the two-dimensional Navier–Stokes System on a flat cylinder and the unit square with slip boundary conditions. Under some suitable assumptions on the initial velocity, we obtain quantitative decay estimates of the Fourier modes.
SUBORDINATION OF DYNAMICAL EVOLUTION
Authors: PONOMAREV VASILY I.
Published: April 2010

Anomalous kinetics, which does not fit the standard kinetic theory, has been found in many systems ranging from small neuronal networks to galactic clusters. Subordination of a "normal" dynamics, whose kinetics allows for a Brownian description, to the time flow generated by one-sided Lévy noise may result in "anomalous" evolution. We illustrate this straightforward and powerful method to produce an anomalous kinetics from a normal one by using a model of quantum kicked rotator.
Exercise changes regional vascular control by commissural NTS in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Ogihara Cristiana A. , Schoorlemmer Gerhardus H. M. , Levada Adriana C. , Pithon-Curi Tania C. , Curi Rui , Lopes Oswaldo Ubriaco , Colombari Eduardo , Sato Monica A.
Published: April 2010

Inhibition of the commissural nucleus of the solitary tract (commNTS) induces a fall in sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), which suggests that this subnucleus of the NTS is a source of sympathoexcitation. Exercise training reduces sympathetic activity and arterial pressure. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the swimming exercise can modify the regional vascular responses evoked by inhibition of the commNTS neurons in SHR and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Exercise consisted of swimming, 1 h/day, 5 days/wk for 6 wks, with a load of 2% of the body weight. The day after the last exercise session, the rats were anesthetized with intravenous α-chloralose, tracheostomized, and artificially ventilated. The femoral artery was cannulated for mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate recordings, and Doppler flow probes were placed around the lower abdominal aorta and superior mesenteric artery. Microinjection of 50 mM GABA into the commNTS caused similar reductions in MAP in swimming and sedentary SHR (−25 ± 6 and −30 ± 5 mmHg, respectively), but hindlimb vascular conductance increased twofold in exercised vs. sedentary SHR (54 ± 8 vs. 24 ± 5%). GABA into the commNTS caused smaller reductions in MAP in swimming and sedentary WKY rats (−20 ± 4 and −16 ± 2 mmHg). Hindlimb conductance increased fourfold in exercised vs. sedentary WKY rats (75 ± 2% vs. 19 ± 3%). Therefore, our data suggest that the swimming exercise induced changes in commNTS neurons, as shown by a greater enhancement of hindlimb vasodilatation in WKY vs. SHR rats in response to GABAergic inhibition of these neurons.
Basolateral Cl−uptake mechanisms in Xenopus laevis lung epithelium
Authors: Berger Jens , Hardt Martin , Clauss Wolfgang G. , Fronius Martin
Published: April 2010

A thin liquid layer covers the lungs of air-breathing vertebrates. Active ion transport processes via the pulmonary epithelial cells regulate the maintenance of this layer. This study focuses on basolateral Cl−uptake mechanisms in native lungs of Xenopus laevis and the involvement of the Na+/K+/2 Cl−cotransporter (NKCC) and HCO3−/Cl−anion exchanger (AE), in particular. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining revealed the expression of the NKCC protein in the Xenopus lung. Ussing chamber experiments demonstrated that the NKCC inhibitors (bumetanide and furosemide) were ineffective at blocking the cotransporter under basal conditions, as well as under pharmacologically stimulated Cl−-secreting conditions (forskolin and chlorzoxazone application). However, functional evidence for the NKCC was detected by generating a transepithelial Cl−gradient. Further, we were interested in the involvement of the HCO3−/Cl−anion exchanger to transepithelial ion transport processes. Basolateral application of DIDS, an inhibitor of the AE, resulted in a significantly decreased the short-circuit current (ISC). The effect of DIDS was diminished by acetazolamide and reduced by increased external HCO3−concentrations. Cl−secretion induced by forskolin was decreased by DIDS, but this effect was abolished in the presence of HCO3−. These experiments indicate that the AE at least partially contributes to Cl−secretion. Taken together, our data show that in Xenopus lung epithelia, the AE, rather than the NKCC, is involved in basolateral Cl−uptake, which contrasts with the common model for Cl−secretion in pulmonary epithelia.
Modulation of NaCl absorption by [HCO3−] in the marine teleost intestine is mediated by soluble adenylyl cyclase
Authors: Tresguerres Martin , Levin Lonny R. , Buck Jochen , Grosell Martin
Published: April 2010

Intestinal HCO3−secretion and NaCl absorption are essential for counteracting dehydration in marine teleost fish. We investigated how these two processes are coordinated in toadfish. HCO3−stimulated a luminal positive short-circuit current ( Isc) in intestine mounted in Ussing chamber, bathed with the same saline solution on the external and internal sides of the epithelium. The Iscincreased proportionally to the [HCO3−] in the bath up to 80 mM NaHCO3, and it did not occur when NaHCO3was replaced with Na+-gluconate or with NaHCO3in Cl−-free saline. HCO3−(20 mM) induced a ∼2.5-fold stimulation of Isc, and this [HCO3−] was used in all subsequent experiments. The HCO3−-stimulated Iscwas prevented or abolished by apical application of 10 μM bumetanide (a specific inhibitor of NKCC) and by 30 μM 4-catechol estrogen [CE; an inhibitor of soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC)]. The inhibitory effects of bumetanide and CE were not additive. The HCO3−-stimulated Iscwas prevented by apical bafilomycin (1 μM) and etoxolamide (1 mM), indicating involvement of V-H+-ATPase and carbonic anhydrases, respectively. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of an NKCC2-like protein in the apical membrane and subapical area of epithelial intestinal cells, of Na+/K+-ATPase in basolateral membranes, and of an sAC-like protein in the cytoplasm. We propose that sAC regulates NKCC activity in response to luminal HCO3−, and that V-H+-ATPase and intracellular carbonic anhydrase are essential for transducing luminal HCO3−into the cell by CO2/HCO3−hydration/dehydration. This mechanism putatively coordinates HCO3−secretion with NaCl and water absorption in toadfish intestine.
Endothelial progenitors encapsulated in bioartificial niches are insulated from systemic cytotoxicity and are angiogenesis competent
Authors: Ratliff B. B. , Ghaly T. , Brudnicki P. , Yasuda K. , Rajdev M. , Bank M. , Mares J. , Hatzopoulos A. K. , Goligorsky M. S.
Published: April 2010

Intrinsic stem cells (SC) participate in tissue remodeling and regeneration in various diseases and following toxic insults. Failure of tissue regeneration is in part attributed to lack of SC protection from toxic stress of noxious stimuli, thus prompting intense research efforts to develop strategies for SC protection and functional preservation for in vivo delivery. One strategy is creation of artificial SC niches in an attempt to mimic the requirements of endogenous SC niches by generating scaffolds with properties of extracellular matrix. Here, we investigated the use of hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels as an artificial SC niche and examined regenerative capabilities of encapsulated embryonic endothelial progenitor cells (eEPC) in three different in vivo models. Hydrogel-encapsulated eEPC demonstrated improved resistance to toxic insult (adriamycin) in vitro, thus prompting in vivo studies. Implantation of HA hydrogels containing eEPC to mice with adriamycin nephropathy or renal ischemia resulted in eEPC mobilization to injured kidneys (and to a lesser extent to the spleen) and improvement of renal function, which was equal or superior to adoptively transferred EPC by intravenous infusion. In mice with hindlimb ischemia, EPC encapsulated in HA hydrogels dramatically accelerated the recovery of collateral circulation with the efficacy superior to intravenous infusion of EPC. In conclusion, HA hydrogels protect eEPC against adriamycin cytotoxicity and implantation of eEPC encapsulated in HA hydrogels supports renal regeneration in ischemic and cytotoxic (adriamycin) nephropathy and neovascularization of ischemic hindlimb, thus establishing their functional competence and superior capabilities to deliver stem cells stored in and released from this bioartificial niche.
Sex differences in exercise-induced diaphragmatic fatigue in endurance-trained athletes
Authors: Guenette Jordan A. , Romer Lee M. , Querido Jordan S. , Chua Romeo , Eves Neil D. , Road Jeremy D. , McKenzie Donald C. , Sheel A. William
Published: April 2010

There is evidence that female athletes may be more susceptible to exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia and expiratory flow limitation and have greater increases in operational lung volumes during exercise relative to men. These pulmonary limitations may ultimately lead to greater levels of diaphragmatic fatigue in women. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to determine whether there are sex differences in the prevalence and severity of exercise-induced diaphragmatic fatigue in 38 healthy endurance-trained men ( n = 19; maximal aerobic capacity = 64.0 ± 1.9 ml·kg−1·min−1) and women ( n = 19; maximal aerobic capacity = 57.1 ± 1.5 ml·kg−1·min−1). Transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) was calculated as the difference between gastric and esophageal pressures. Inspiratory pressure-time products of the diaphragm and esophagus were calculated as the product of breathing frequency and the Pdi and esophageal pressure time integrals, respectively. Cervical magnetic stimulation was used to measure potentiated Pdi twitches (Pdi,tw) before and 10, 30, and 60 min after a constant-load cycling test performed at 90% of peak work rate until exhaustion. Diaphragm fatigue was considered present if there was a ≥15% reduction in Pdi,tw after exercise. Diaphragm fatigue occurred in 11 of 19 men (58%) and 8 of 19 women (42%). The percent drop in Pdi,tw at 10, 30, and 60 min after exercise in men ( n = 11) was 30.6 ± 2.3, 20.7 ± 3.2, and 13.3 ± 4.5%, respectively, whereas results in women ( n = 8) were 21.0 ± 2.1, 11.6 ± 2.9, and 9.7 ± 4.2%, respectively, with sex differences occurring at 10 and 30 min ( P < 0.05). Men continued to have a reduced contribution of the diaphragm to total inspiratory force output (pressure-time product of the diaphragm/pressure-time product of the esophagus) during exercise, whereas diaphragmatic contribution in women changed very little over time. The findings from this study point to a female diaphragm that is more resistant to fatigue relative to their male counterparts.