bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Total Synthesis of (+)-11,11'-Dideoxyverticillin A
Authors: Kim Justin , Ashenhurst James A. , Movassaghi Mohammad
Published: April 2009

The fungal metabolite (+)-11,11′-dideoxyverticillin A, a cytotoxic alkaloid isolated from a marine
Penicillium
sp., belongs to a fascinating family of densely functionalized, stereochemically complex, and intricate dimeric epidithiodiketopiperazine natural products. Although the dimeric epidithiodiketopiperazines have been known for nearly 4 decades, none has succumbed to total synthesis. We report a concise enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-11,11′-dideoxyverticillin A via a strategy inspired by our biosynthetic hypothesis for this alkaloid. Highly stereo- and chemoselective advanced-stage tetrahydroxylation and tetrathiolation reactions, as well as a mild strategy for the introduction of the epidithiodiketopiperazine core in the final step, were developed to address this highly sensitive substructure. Our rapid functionalization of the advanced molecular framework aims to mimic plausible biosynthetic steps and offers an effective strategy for the chemical synthesis of other members of this family of alkaloids.
Analysis of
bla
SHV
Codon 238 and 240 Allele Mixtures Using Sybr Green High-Resolution Melting Analysis
Authors: Andersson Patiyan , Harris Tegan , Tong Steven Y. C. , Giffard Philip M.
Published: April 2009

Klebsiella pneumoniae
isolates frequently contain complex mixtures of
bla
SHV
alleles. A high-resolution melting-based method for interrogating the extended-spectrum activity conferring codon 238 and 240 polymorphisms was developed. This detects minority extended-spectrum β-lactamase-encoding alleles, allows estimation of allele ratios, and discriminates between single and double mutants.
Clearance of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
from a Healthy Ocular Surface Involves Surfactant Protein D and Is Compromised by Bacterial Elastase in a Murine Null-Infection Model
Authors: Mun James J. , Tam Connie , Kowbel David , Hawgood Samuel , Barnett Mitchell J. , Evans David J. , Fleiszig Suzanne M. J.
Published: April 2009

Our previous studies showed that surfactant protein D (SP-D) is present in human tear fluid and that it can protect corneal epithelial cells against bacterial invasion. Here we developed a novel null-infection model to test the hypothesis that SP-D contributes to the clearance of viable
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
from the healthy ocular surface in vivo. Healthy corneas of Black Swiss mice were inoculated with 10
7
or 10
9
CFU of invasive (PAO1) or cytotoxic (6206)
P. aeruginosa
. Viable counts were performed on tear fluid collected at time points ranging from 3 to 14 h postinoculation. Healthy ocular surfaces cleared both
P. aeruginosa
strains efficiently, even when 10
9
CFU was used: e.g., <0.01% of the original inoculum was recoverable after 3 h. Preexposure of eyes to bacteria did not enhance clearance. Clearance of strain 6206 (low protease producer), but not strain PAO1 (high protease producer), was delayed in SP-D gene-targeted (SP-D
−/−
) knockout mice. A protease mutant of PAO1 (PAO1
lasA
lasB
aprA
) was cleared more efficiently than wild-type PAO1, but this difference was negligible in SP-D
−/−
mice, which were less able to clear the protease mutant. Experiments to study mechanisms for these differences revealed that purified elastase could degrade tear fluid SP-D in vivo. Together, these data show that SP-D can contribute to the clearance of
P. aeruginosa
from the healthy ocular surface and that proteases can compromise that clearance. The data also suggest that SP-D degradation in vivo is a mechanism by which
P. aeruginosa
proteases could contribute to virulence.
Detection of Plasmid-Mediated KPC-Producing
Klebsiella pneumoniae
in Ottawa, Canada: Evidence of Intrahospital Transmission
Authors: Goldfarb David , Harvey Sarah-Beth , Jessamine Kelsi , Jessamine Peter , Toye Baldwin , Desjardins Marc
Published: April 2009

Klebsiella pneumoniae
isolates from three patients admitted to the Ottawa Hospital, a 1,040-bed teaching hospital, were found to contain the plasmid-borne
K. pneumoniae
carbapenemase (KPC)-producing
bla
gene (
bla
KPC
)
.
There was evidence of person-to-person transmission for two patients. Screening of 186 clinical isolates revealed no additional
bla
KPC
-containing isolates.
Validation of Five-Colony Pool Analysis Using Multiplex Real-Time PCR for Detection of Diarrheagenic
Escherichia coli
Authors: Barletta F. , Ochoa T. J. , Ecker L. , Gil A. I. , Lanata C. F. , Cleary T. G.
Published: April 2009

Five
Escherichia coli
colonies/patient were studied to evaluate the reliability of a multiplex real-time PCR assay for detection of diarrheagenic
Escherichia coli
groups, using a pool of five colonies rather than individual colonies. Sensitivity and specificity were 98% and 100%, respectively, at a fifth of the cost of the individual colony analysis.
Virulence Potential of
Escherichia coli
Isolates from Skin and Soft Tissue Infections
Authors: Petkovšek Živa , Eleršič Kristina , Gubina Marija , Žgur-Bertok Darja , Starčič Erjavec Marjanca
Published: April 2009

Escherichia coli
strains frequently are isolated from skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI); however, their virulence potential has not yet been extensively studied. In the present study, we characterized 102
E. coli
SSTI strains isolated mostly from surgical and traumatic wounds, foot ulcers, and decubitus. The strains were obtained from the Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. Phylogenetic backgrounds, virulence factors (VFs), and antibiotic resistance profiles were determined. Correlations between VFs and phylogenetic groups were established and analyzed with regard to patient factors. Further, the associations of the three most prevalent antibiotic resistance patterns with virulence potential were analyzed. Our results showed that the majority of the studied strains (65%) belonged to the B2 phylogenetic group. The most prevalent VF was
ompT
(80%), while toxin genes
cnf1
and
hlyA
were found with prevalences of 32 and 30%, respectively. None of the investigated bacterial characteristics were significantly associated with patient gender, age, type of infection, or immunodeficiency. The most prevalent antibiotic resistance pattern was resistance to ampicillin (46%), followed by resistance to tetracycline (25%) and fluoroquinolones (21%). Strains resistant to ciprofloxacin exhibited a significantly reduced prevalence of
cnf1
(
P
< 0.05) and
usp
(
P
< 0.01). Our study revealed that
E. coli
isolates from SSTIs exhibit a remarkable virulence potential that is comparable to that of
E. coli
isolates from urinary tract infections and bacteremia.
Typing of Enteroviruses by Use of Microwell Oligonucleotide Arrays
Authors: Susi P. , Hattara L. , Waris M. , Luoma-aho T. , Siitari H. , Hyypiä T. , Saviranta P.
Published: April 2009

We have developed a straightforward assay for the rapid typing of enteroviruses using oligonucleotide arrays in microtiter wells. The viral nucleic acids are concomitantly amplified and labeled during reverse transcription-PCR, and unpurified PCR products are used for hybridization. DNA strands are separated by alkaline denaturation, and hybridization is started by neutralization. The microarray hybridization reactions and the subsequent washes are performed in standard 96-well microtiter plates, which makes the method easily adaptable to high-throughput analysis. We describe here the assay principle and its potential in clinical laboratory use by correctly identifying 10 different enterovirus reference strains. Furthermore, we explore the detection of unknown sequence variants using serotype consensus oligonucleotide probes. With just two consensus probes for the coxsackievirus A9 (CVA9) serotype, we detected 23 out of 25 highly diverse CVA9 isolates. Overall, the assay involves several features aiming at ease of performance, robustness, and applicability to large-scale studies.
Improved Adenovirus Type 5 Vector-Mediated Transduction of Resistant Cells by Piggybacking on Coxsackie B-Adenovirus Receptor-Pseudotyped Baculovirus
Authors: Granio Ophélia , Porcherot Marine , Corjon Stéphanie , Kitidee Kuntida , Henning Petra , Eljaafari Assia , Cimarelli Andrea , Lindholm Leif , Miossec Pierre , Boulanger Pierre , Hong Saw-See
Published: April 2009

Taking advantage of the wide tropism of baculoviruses (BVs), we constructed a recombinant BV (BVCAR) pseudotyped with human coxsackie B-adenovirus receptor (CAR), the high-affinity attachment receptor for adenovirus type 5 (Ad5), and used the strategy of piggybacking Ad5-green fluorescent protein (Ad5GFP) vector on BVCARto transduce various cells refractory to Ad5 infection. We found that transduction of all cells tested, including human primary cells and cancer cell lines, was significantly improved using the BVCAR-Ad5GFP biviral complex compared to that obtained with Ad5GFP or BVCARGFP alone. We determined the optimal conditions for the formation of the complex and found that a high level of BVCAR-Ad5GFP-mediated transduction occurred at relatively low adenovirus vector doses, compared with transduction by Ad5GFP alone. The increase in transduction was dependent on the direct coupling of BVCARto Ad5GFP via CAR-fiber knob interaction, and the cell attachment of the BVCAR-Ad5GFP complex was mediated by the baculoviral envelope glycoprotein gp64. Analysis of the virus-cell binding reaction indicated that the presence of BVCARin the complex provided kinetic benefits to Ad5GFP compared to the effects with Ad5GFP alone. The endocytic pathway of BVCAR-Ad5GFP did not require Ad5 penton base RGD-integrin interaction. Biodistribution of BVCAR-Ad5Luc complex in vivo was studied by intravenous administration to nude BALB/c mice and compared to Ad5Luc injected alone. No significant difference in viscerotropism was found between the two inocula, and the liver remained the preferred localization. In vitro, coagulation factor X drastically increased the Ad5GFP-mediated transduction of CAR-negative cells but had no effect on the efficiency of transduction by the BVCAR-Ad5GFP complex. Various situations in vitro or ex vivo in which our BVCAR-Ad5 duo could be advantageously used as gene transfer biviral vector are discussed.
Shared and Group-Specific Features of the Rotavirus RNA Polymerase Reveal Potential Determinants of Gene Reassortment Restriction
Authors: McDonald Sarah M. , Aguayo Daniel , Gonzalez-Nilo Fernando D. , Patton John T.
Published: April 2009

Rotaviruses (RVs) are nonenveloped, 11-segmented, double-stranded RNA viruses that are major pathogens associated with acute gastroenteritis. Group A, B, and C RVs have been isolated from humans; however, intergroup gene reassortment does not occur for reasons that remain unclear. This restriction might reflect the failure of the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp; VP1) to recognize and replicate the RNA of a different group. To address this possibility, we contrasted the sequences, structures, and functions of RdRps belonging to RV groups A, B, and C (A-VP1, B-VP1, and C-VP1, respectively). We found that conserved amino acid residues are located within the hollow center of VP1 near the active site, whereas variable, group-specific residues are mostly surface exposed. By creating a three-dimensional homology model of C-VP1 with the A-VP1 crystallographic data, we provide evidence that these RV RdRps are nearly identical in their tertiary folds and that they have the same RNA template recognition mechanism that differs from that of B-VP1. Consistent with the structural data, recombinant A-VP1 and C-VP1 are capable of replicating one another's RNA templates in vitro. Nonetheless, the activity of both RdRps is strictly dependent upon the presence of cognate RV core shell protein A-VP2 or C-VP2, respectively. Together, the results of this study provide unprecedented insight into the structure and function of RV RdRps and support the notion that VP1 interactions may influence the emergence of reassortant viral strains.
Effect of Intraoperative Electroacupuncture on Postoperative Pain, Analgesic Requirements, Nausea and Sedation: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: El-Rakshy Mohanned , Clark Sue C , Thompson James , Thant Moe
Published: April 2009

Background

Acupuncture has potential value in producing analgesia in the postoperative period, but previous trials have inconsistent results. We aimed to study the effect of electroacupuncture on pain and nausea and the requirement for postoperative analgesia via patient-controlled analgesia.

Method

107 patients who were undergoing abdominal hysterectomy or laparascopic cholecystectomy were randomised to receive either electroacupuncture (n = 56) or no additional treatment (n = 46) during the operative period. We measured the use of patient-controlled analgesia and time in recovery as well as pain, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and sedation. 102 patients were included in the analysis. The majority of patients were female: the laparoscopic cholecystectomy group included 10 males. Adhesive dressings were placed over all acupuncture points in both groups, to ensure blinding of patients and assessors during the recovery period.

Results

The electroacupuncture group had a longer duration of operation but the difference was not statistically significant. There were no significant differences between the groups for the requirement for patient-controlled analgesia or total time in recovery. Pain scores were marginally lower in the acupuncture group, but not significantly, and there were no differences between the groups in nausea or sedation scores.

Conclusion

Electroacupuncture at 10 Hz given under general anaesthetic has no effect on postoperative nausea or analgesic requirement. Future studies should investigate acupuncture given before or after surgery.
Does the Burning of Moxa (Artemisia vulgaris) in traditional Chinese medicine constitute a health hazard?
Authors: Wheeler John , Coppock Belinda , Chen Cecil
Published: April 2009

Background

Concerns have been expressed about potential toxicity of the smoke produced by the burning of moxa in traditional Chinese medicine. With the advent of strict anti-smoking legislation in the UK, it was decided to test the volatiles produced by moxibustion and compare them with current agreed safe exposure levels.

Method

Moxa, in the form of cigar shaped moxa “sticks” or “rolls”, was tested under International Organization for Standardization conditions in a tobacco testing laboratory, and the quantities of a number of pre-determined volatiles measured. The smoke tested was “sidestream smoke”, the smoke which arises from the burning tip of the moxa. The test results were then scaled up to reflect normal use and to provide direct comparisons with agreed national safety standards for both short- and long-term exposure levels.

Results

Levels of only two volatiles produced were equivalent or greater than the safe exposure levels, as was the carbon monoxide level reported, both as a consequence of using worst case assumptions for comparison. Under normal operating conditions neither volatile nor carbon monoxide would present a safety hazard. One group of chemicals tested, the aromatic amines, with known carcinogenic properties have no agreed safety levels. Results for these in the study compared favourably with background levels reported in urban environments.

Conclusion

There are no immediate concerns arising from the continued use of moxa as a therapeutic modality in traditional Chinese medicine. Further testing may be required to establish whether current recommendations for ventilation and cleansing of treatment room surfaces may need to be revised. Stronger recommendations may also be necessary on the inadvisability of using moxa on broken skin.
Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolt production: the relative importance of survival and body growth
Authors: Horton Gregg E. , Letcher Benjamin H. , Bailey Michael M. , Kinnison Michael T.
Published: April 2009

The complex life history of Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) coupled with interacting abiotic and biotic factors leads to extreme demographic variability across the species’ range. Our goal was to evaluate the relative importance of survival and body growth in determining smolt production across space and time. We used passive integrated transponder tags and capture–mark–recapture analyses to estimate survival, emigration, and growth for six cohorts of presmolt Atlantic salmon in two streams (three cohorts per stream) in New England, USA. We observed remarkable among-cohort consistency in mean monthly survival during a 17-month period from age-0+ autumn to age-2+ spring yet high variability in monthly survival over shorter time intervals (seasons). Despite this latter variability, survival did not translate into among-cohort differences in proportions of age-2+ versus age-3+ smolts. Alternatively, the high variability across seasons and cohorts in mean individual growth rate did lead to differences in within-cohort proportions of age-2+ versus age-3+ smolts (regardless of stream). We conclude that in our two small study streams, variability in growth and size impacted smolt age and, ultimately, smolt production. Density-dependent effects on growth at the scale of the entire study site represent a possible mechanism underlying our observations.
Synchronous multidecadal fish recruitment patterns in Chesapeake Bay, USA
Authors: Wood Robert J. , Austin Herbert M.
Published: April 2009

Multispecies fish recruitment patterns within Chesapeake Bay were investigated in four fishery-independent survey data sets (one primary and three ancillary data sets) that together span the years 1968–2004. These independently conducted surveys record interannual recruitment variability for 15 ecologically and economically important fish species of the Northeast US Continental Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem. Principal component analyses revealed that the strongest multispecies recruitment pattern (first principal component) present in each data set describes a negative recruitment relationship between anadromous and coastal shelf-spawning species. Among the data sets, the first principal component accounted for 31%–42% of multispecies variance. Locally weighted regression modeling revealed that the decadal-scale variability accounted for 62% of the variance in the primary data set’s first principal component’s (annual) scores, whereas interannual variability accounted for only 38%. Despite strong differences in sampling methods, sampled habitats, and sampling locations, this pattern of antagonistic recruitment between Chesapeake Bay anadromous and shelf-spawning (CBASS) species was synchronously correlated among data sets at both decadal and interannual scales. The CBASS pattern has tended to persist in one mode for periods lasting longer than a decade and tends to reverse sign rather within only 2–3 years. A statistically significant regime shift occurred in 1992, when recruitment in anadromous fishes became favored at the expense of recruitment of shelf-spawning estuarine-dependant fishes.
Atomic calculations and search for variation of the fine-structure constant in quasar absorption spectra
Authors: Dzuba V A , Flambaum V V
Published: April 2009

A brief review of the search for variation of the fine-structure constant in quasar absorption spectra is presented. Special consideration is given to the role of atomic calculations in the analysis of the observed data. A range of methods that allows us to perform calculations for atoms or ions with different electron structure and which cover practically all the Periodic Table of elements is discussed. Critical compilation of the results of the calculations as well as a review of the most recent results of the analysis are presented.PACS Nos.: 31.25.Eb, 31.25.Jf
Models for predicting vertical profiles of heartwood diameter in mature Scots pine
Authors: Flæte Per Otto , Høibø Olav
Published: April 2009

Variation in heartwood diameter (HWD) along the stem was studied in 106 mature Scots pines ( Pinus sylvestris L.) sampled from southern Norway. HWD decreased from the base towards the treetop, following a profile similar to that of the stem diameter (shape of the tree). A few trees deviated from this general pattern. In these trees HWD increased from the base of the stem to a maximum at 2–2.5 m and then decreased towards the top of the tree. Random coefficient mixed models based on a second-degree polynomial of vertical position in the tree and tree variables that can be measured in the forest were developed to predict HWD profiles of pine stems. Seven different models were developed in steps, based on how easily the input variables can be measured. Input variables consisted of information describing the size and shape of trees and information from increment cores. Performances of the models were validated with an independent sample (R2 = 0.88–0.95, root mean square error = 12–19 mm). The high predictive abilities of the models indicate that they can be prospective tools for selecting trees and stem sections within trees to produce logs with HWD suitable for manufacturing of heartwood sawn-wood products.
Greenhouse gas fluxes from boreal forest soils during the snow-free period in Quebec, Canada
Authors: Ullah Sami , Frasier Rebeccah , Pelletier Luc , Moore Tim R.
Published: April 2009

This paper presents soil fluxes of methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2) from 12 sites located in four major forest types, black spruce ( Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP), jack pine ( Pinus banksiana Lamb.), aspen ( Populus spp.), and alder ( Alnus spp.) stands, in the Eastmain and Chibougamau regions of Quebec. Fluxes were determined with closed chambers during the snow-free period from May to October 2007. Well-drained black spruce, jack pine, and aspen forest soils were net sinks of atmospheric CH4 (–0.33 ± 0.11 mg·m–2·day–1), while alder-dominated wetland soils were sources of CH4 (0.45 ± 0.12 mg·m–2·day–1). The cut-over alder wetland soil produced 131 times more CH4 than the undisturbed wetland soil. Soil moisture and temperature mainly regulated CH4 fluxes. N2O fluxes from these forest soils were highly variable and smaller (1.6 ± 0.33 µg N·m–2·h–1) than those from deciduous forest soils. N2O emission from the cut-over black spruce forest soil was 2.7 times greater than that from the mature black spruce forest soil. Large C/N ratios (27 to 78) and slow soil N mineralization and nitrification rates in these forest soils may have led to small N2O fluxes. CO2 emissions from these forest soils, ranging from 0.20 to 2.7 g·m–2·day–1, were mainly controlled by soil temperature.
Black-tailed deer feeding bouts: dynamic events
Authors: Gillingham Michael P. , Bunnell Fred L.
Published: April 2009

Foraging bouts of captive black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus Richardson) were investigated to examine how searching for food affects diet selection. We determined food preference for three types of food under ad libitum conditions and then studied the foraging of two deer in a 0.5-ha, vegetation-free pen in which we controlled food availability and distribution of the same three types of food. Our hypotheses included the following: (i) clumping of preferred food into patches would enable animals to better exploit food distributions; (ii) the switch from preferred to lower-ranked food would be gradual as preferred food was less frequently encountered; and (iii) deer would respond to a lower abundance of preferred foods by eating more of lower-ranked food items at each feeding location. Searching for food alone did not alter diet selection from ad libitum conditions. Deer nearly exhausted their highly preferred food item before switching to lower-ranked ones. Amount of preferred food already eaten during a trial was positively correlated with the time that animals continued searching before switching to lower-ranked food items. Switching was related to amount and type of food encountered and not to amount of food in the pen. Clumping of the preferred food had no significant effect on the amount of food eaten, but did significantly influence types of food encountered by one deer. When preferred food was abundant, it was not always completely eaten the first time a feeding platform was visited. Increases in the intake rates of nonpreferred food items resulted from deer visiting more feeding stations containing nonpreferred food items and not from deer eating more food at each feeding station.
Sexual singing in a nonchrysoperlan green lacewing, Chrysopiella minora Banks (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)
Authors: Henry Charles S. , Johnson James B.
Published: April 2009

The courtship song of the western North American green lacewing Chrysopiella minora is described. Like the songs of better known members of the genus Chrysoperla, that of C. minora is a tremulation signal, produced by rapid vertical oscillation (jerking) of the abdomen. Both sexes produce identical shortest repeated units and must duet with one another before mating. Each shortest repeated unit is a volley of abdominal vibration about 0.25 s long, repeated twice per s. Mean abdominal vibration frequency at 27 °C is 113 Hz at the start of each volley, but drops during the course of the volley to 75 Hz. During a duet, individuals reciprocally and precisely exchange single volleys for many seconds before copulating; there is little overlap of the volleys of the partners. Temperature affects the call: linear regression equations describing temperature relationships are calculated for the important features of the song. Obligatory sexual singing by abdominal tremulation has been seen previously only in Chrysoperla, and its presence in Chrysopiella suggests independent origin in a distinct lacewing lineage. Superficial resemblance between the calls of Chrysoperla plorabunda and Chrysopiella minora is due to convergence, which can be tolerated without danger of hybridization in such distantly related species.
Movements of intercolony natal dispersers in the Columbian ground squirrel
Authors: Wiggett Darwin R. , Boag David A. , Wiggett April D. R.
Published: April 2009

Eight yearling male Columbian ground squirrels (Spermophilus columbianus) were radio-collared in an attempt to document emigration from an isolated montane meadow in southwestern Alberta. Six of the eight squirrels emigrated from the meadow over a 14-day period. All six dispersers departed during the first half of the day, before 13:30. Four of the squirrels were known to have travelled briefly in and out of the forest habitat bordering the meadow before emigrating, possibly searching for exit routes. During emigration, squirrels moved quickly (up to 4.0 km/h) over relatively long distances, stopping occasionally for extended periods of time [Formula: see text]. Emigrating squirrels followed cutbanks along natural drainages, roads, and game trails; routes tended to interconnect patches of suitable ground squirrel habitat. While dispersing, five of the six emigrants were known to have encountered such patches within 10 km of the natal colony. None of the squirrels died while being tracked and four squirrels were known to have settled either temporarily (two) or permanently (two) in patches of suitable habitat. The latter settled permanently in meadows where other animals were present and the former in meadows without resident squirrels but where refuges (artificial burrows or log piles) had been provided.
Endocrine-mediated photostimulation of growth in Atlantic salmon
Authors: Komourdjian M. P. , Fenwick J. C. , Saunders R. L.
Published: April 2009

The response of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) pituitary to photoperiod manipulation was investigated histologically, and the observations were related to gross morphometric changes. Salmon were placed under either a simulated natural photoperiod (NP), a photoperiod complementary to the natural photoperiod (RP) or constant daylight (CL) in December. The latter two regimens stimulated the pituitary, particularly the somatotrops, and enhanced growth. After 6 weeks, the CL fish were longer than all others (P < 0.01) and their pituitaries showed marked hypertrophy, with many somatotrops and other cell types in mitosis. The RP fish were also longer (P < 0.01) than the NP animals at that time but their pituitaries appeared less stimulated than those of CL fish. However, the stimulation in CL and RP fish was not maintained beyond 3 months. At that time NP pituitaries more closely resembled the stimulated condition shown earlier by the RP glands. Our results confirm that changes in day length elicit corresponding changes in pituitary cytology and growth rates, albeit without eliminating an apparently innate growth cycle. While increased day length in winter may stimulate the pituitary, such regimens appear to render the gland refractory and cause a phase-shift in the rhythm. It is proposed that suitable interruptions in photostimulation may prolong stimulation.
Winter activity patterns of females in two moose populations
Authors: Cederlund Göran , Bergström Roger , Sandegren Finn
Published: April 2009

Data on activity patterns of nine radio-tagged female moose (Alces alces) in an area with a high level of nutrition (Grimsö) and seven radio-tagged female moose in an area with a low level of nutrition (Furudal) are presented. The study was done during January–May in 1982–1986 at Grimsö and in 1986 in Furudal, comprising 6063 and 4136 h of recording, respectively. The character of the radio signals allowed separation of active (any kind of body motion, mainly movements) and inactive (a motionless state, mainly in lying position) bouts. The 24-h activity pattern was similar between the two areas during all winter months. Active bouts showed a polyphasic pattern with prominent peaks around sunrise and sunset. The average active time per 24-h interval varied (30–50%) through the winter months, and increased rapidly in April and May. The average length of active bouts was similar in both areas during midwinter (60–70 min) but developed more rapidly in April and May among moose at Grimsö. The moose at Furudal rested for longer periods than those at Grimsö, and in both areas bouts became shorter towards spring (around 120 min). The moose at Grimsö kept the number of bouts per 24-h interval almost unchanged throughout winter (11.0–11.9), while the number consistently increased at Furudal (9.9–12.7 bouts per 24-h interval). Differences in activity pattern are discussed in relation to food availability and overbrowsing.
DECOMPOSITION OF WEIGHTED MULTIOPERATOR TREE AUTOMATA
Authors: STÜBER TORSTEN , VOGLER HEIKO , FÜLÖP ZOLTÁN
Published: April 2009

Weighted multioperator tree automata (for short: wmta) are finite-state bottom-up tree automata in which the transitions are weighted with an operation taken from some multioperator monoid. A wmta recognizes a tree series which is a mapping from the set of trees to some commutative monoid. We prove that every wmta recognizable tree series can be decomposed into a relabeling tree transformation, a recognizable tree language, and a tree series computed by a homomorphism wmta; vice versa, the composition of an arbitrary relabeling tree transformation, a recognizable tree language, and a tree series computed by a homomorphism wmta yields a wmta recognizable tree series. We use this characterization result for specific multioperator monoids and prove (1) a new decomposition of polynomial bottom-up tree series transducers over semirings and (2) a new characterization of tree series which are recognizable by weighted tree automata over semirings, in terms of projections of local tree languages.
A NOTE ON SCHEDULING PARALLEL UNIT JOBS ON HYPERCUBES
Authors: ZAJÍČEK ONDŘEJ
Published: April 2009

We study the problem of scheduling independent unit-time parallel jobs on hypercubes. A parallel job has to be scheduled between its release time and deadline on a subcube of processors. The objective is to maximize the number of early jobs. Jobs' intervals of feasibility have to be nested. We provide a polynomial time algorithm for the problem.
MULTIDIMENSIONAL COSMOLOGY AND FUNDAMENTAL CONSTANTS
Authors: MELNIKOV V. N.
Published: April 2009

Studies of multidimensional models with different sources (models with S -branes, thin and thick brane worlds, Kaluza-Klein type models in curvature-nonlinear multidimensional gravity etc.) and their application to the cosmological constant, cosmological singularity, hierarchy and coincidence problems are presented. Their observational predictions: variations of fundamental physical constants, new types of black holes and wormholes are discussed.
STATIC WORMHOLES IN VACUUM FOR CONFORMAL GRAVITY
Authors: OLIVA JULIO , TEMPO DAVID , TRONCOSO RICARDO
Published: April 2009

A static spherically symmetric wormhole solution for conformal gravity in vacuum is found. The solution possesses a single integration constant which determines the size of the neck connecting two static homogeneous universes of constant spatial curvature. Time runs at different rates on each side of the neck, and depending on the value of the parameter, the wormhole can develop a cosmological horizon only at one side. It is shown that the wormholes correspond to the matching of different Einstein spacetimes by means of improper conformal transformations.
VERTICAL DIPOLE RADIATION IN MILNE UNIVERSE
Authors: DARIESCU CIPRIAN , DARIESCU MARINA-AURA
Published: April 2009

The aim of the present work is to study, within an SO(3, 1)-gauge invariant formulation, the vertical dipole radiation perceived by an observer in Milne Universe. Using the explicit expressions of the radial component and the declination of the four potential, we compute the electric and magnetic field intensities and the effective radiated power, in terms of the excitation current amplitude feeding-in the radiating system.
ON THE RENORMALIZATION PROCEDURE FOR QUANTUM FIELDS WITH MODIFIED DISPERSION RELATIONS IN CURVED SPACETIMES
Authors: LÓPEZ NACIR D. , MAZZITELLI F. D.
Published: April 2009

We review our recent results on the renormalization procedure for a free quantum scalar field with modified dispersion relations in curved spacetimes. For dispersion relations containing up to 2s powers of the spatial momentum, the subtraction necessary to renormalize 〈ϕ2〉 and 〈Tµν〉 depends on s. We first describe our previous analysis for spatially flat Friedmann-Robertson-Walker and Bianchi type I metrics. Then we present a new power counting analysis for general background metrics in the weak field approximation.
TESTING GAUSSIANITY IN THE WMAP DATA OF OT FOREGROUND REDUCED MAP
Authors: BERNUI ARMANDO , REBOUÇAS MARCELO J.
Published: April 2009

A considerable effort has recently gone into the study of Gaussianity of cosmic microwave background (CMB) data. Among such attempts, there is one with two non-Gaussianity indicators, proposed by the authors, and used in a search for significant deviation from Gaussianity in the WMAP internal linear combination (ILC) maps with the KQ75 mask. Here we extend and complement these results by performing a similar analysis for the de Oliveira-Costa and Tegmark (OT) WMAP three-year KQ75 masked map, in which the foreground is reduced through a different statistical cleaning procedure.
SOME ASPECTS OF THE EXACT FOLDY-WOUTHUYSEN TRANSFORMATION FOR A DIRAC FERMION
Authors: GONÇALVES BRUNO
Published: April 2009

The Foldy-Wouthuysen transformation (FWT) is used to separate distinct components of relativistic spinor field, e.g. electron and positron. Usually, the FWT is perturbative, but in some cases there is an involution operator and the transformation can be done exactly. We consider some aspects of an exact FWT and show that, even if the theory does not admit an involution operator, one can use the technique of exact FWT to obtain the conventional perturbative result. Several particular cases can be elaborated as examples.
WHY SCREENING EFFECTS DO NOT INFLUENCE THE CASIMIR FORCE
Authors: MOSTEPANENKO V. M. , DECCA R. S. , FISCHBACH E. , GEYER B. , KLIMCHITSKAYA G. L. , KRAUSE D. E. , LÓPEZ D. , MOHIDEEN U.
Published: April 2009

The Lifshitz theory of dispersion forces leads to thermodynamic and experimental inconsistencies when the role of drifting charge carriers is included in the model of the dielectric response. Recently modified reflection coefficients were suggested that take into account screening effects and diffusion currents. We demonstrate that this theoretical approach leads to a violation of the third law of thermodynamics (Nernst's heat theorem) for a wide class of materials and is excluded by the data from two recent experiments. The physical reason for its failure is explained by the violation of thermal equilibrium, which is the fundamental applicability condition of the Lifshitz theory, in the presence of drift and diffusion currents.
LEADING- AND NEXT-TO-LEADING-ORDER LATERAL CASIMIR FORCE ON CORRUGATED SURFACES
Authors: CAVERO-PELÁEZ INÉS , MILTON KIMBALL A. , PARASHAR PRACHI , SHAJESH K. V.
Published: April 2009

We derive explicit analytic expressions for the lateral force for two different configurations with corrugations, parallel plates and concentric cylinders. By making use of the multiple scattering formalism, we calculate the force for a scalar field under the influence of a delta-function potential that has sinusoidal dependence in one direction simulating the corrugations. By making a perturbative expansion in the amplitude of the corrugation we find the leading order for the corrugated concentric cylinders and the next-to-leading order for the corrugated parallel plates.
2D MATTER WAVES GUIDED IN VAN DER WAALS POTENTIALS OF DIELECTRIC SURFACES
Authors: SOARES WELITON M. , DE SILANS THIERRY PASSERAT , ORIÁ MARCOS , CHEVROLLIER MARTINE
Published: April 2009

The dipolar interaction between neutral atoms and non-resonant surfaces results in attractive potentials.We describe here techniques to probe these interactions, particulary focussing in mechanisms to selectively prepare adsorption quantum states. The control of the external degrees of freedom of atoms very close to a surface allows one, in the one hand, to get values for the parameters of the potentials between neutral atoms and solid surfaces and, on the other hand, to develop schemes to explore matter behavior at low dimensionality. As an application for the 2D confined atomic matter-wave we consider Bloch oscillation for atoms in a periodic surface potential.
NEW RESULTS FROM THE BATES LARGE ACCEPTANCE SPECTROMETER TOROID (BLAST)
Authors:   and the BLAST Collaboration, GAO HAIYAN
Published: April 2009

An experiment using the novel technique of scattering a longitudinally polarized electron beam from polarized internal hydrogen/deuterium gas targets was carried out in the South Hall Ring at the MIT-Bates Accelerator Center. The scattered particles were detected by the Bates Large Acceptance Spectrometer Toroid (BLAST) detector. The proton electric to magnetic form factor ratio, [Formula: see text] at Q 2 = 0.1 - 0.65 ( GeV/c )2 has been determined from the experiment by measuring the spin-dependent ep elastic scattering asymmetry in the two symmetric sectors of the BLAST simultaneously for the first time. The neutron electric form factor [Formula: see text] in the same Q2 range has been extracted by measuring the spin-dependent asymmetry from the [Formula: see text] process with a vector polarized deuterium target. These results on the nucleon form factors from the BLAST experiment are presented.
RECENT RESULTS FROM KLOE AT DAΦNE
Authors:   On behalf of the KLOE collaboration, MARTINI M. , AMBROSINO F. , ANTONELLI A. , ANTONELLI M. , ARCHILLI F. , BACCI C. , BELTRAME P. , BENCIVENNI G. , BERTOLUCCI S. , BINI C. , BLOISE C. , BOCCHETTA S. , BOSSI F. , BRANCHINI P. , CAMPANA P. , CAPON G. , CAPUSSELA T. , CERADINI F. , CESARIO F. , CHI S. , CHIEFARI G. , CIAMBRONE P. , CRUCIANELLI F. , DE LUCIA E. , DE SANTIS A. , DE SIMONE P. , DE ZORZI G. , DENIG A. , DI DOMENICO A. , DI DONATO C. , DI MICCO B. , DORIA A. , DREUCCI M. , FELICI G. , FERRARI A. , FERRER M. L. , FIORE S. , FORTI C. , FRANZINI P. , GATTI C. , GAUZZI P. , GIOVANNELLA S. , GORINI E. , GRAZIANI E. , KLUGE W. , KULIKOV V. , LACAVA F. , LANFRANCHI G. , LEE-FRANZINI J. , LEONE D. , MARTINI M. , MASSAROTTI P. , MEI W. , MEOLA S. , MISCETTI S. , MOULSON M. , MÜLLER S. , MURTAS F. , NAPOLITANO M. , NGUYEN F. , PALUTAN M. , PASQUALUCCI E. , PASSERI A. , PATERA V. , PERFETTO F. , PRIMAVERA M. , SANTANGELO P. , SARACINO G. , SCIASCIA B. , SCIUBBA A. , SIBIDANOV A. , SPADARO T. , TESTA M. , TORTORA L. , VALENTE P. , VENANZONI G. , VERSACI R. , XU G.
Published: April 2009

We report in the following, latest results from the KLOE detector at DAΦNE, the Frascati ɸ-factory. KLOE has collected 2.5 fb-1 of e + e - collisions at center of mass energy around the ɸ mass. We are completing the analyses of the 2001–2002 data sample of 450 pb-1 and we present selected results based on the complete data sample. KLOE results could be divided into two categories kaonic and hadronic physics. We present last results on both topics describing the impact of the KLOE physics.
DIPROTON FINAL STATES: A NEW TOOL FOR HADRON PHYSICS AT ANKE-COSY
Authors:   for the ANKE Collaboration, DYMOV S.
Published: April 2009

The ANKE spectrometer at COSY-Juelich provides the possibility to select proton pairs with small excitation energy in the final state. This opens a new way to study hadron interactions at intermediate energies. The final proton pairs with small excitation energy are found presumably in the 1S0 state which simplifies significantly the theoretical analysis. This approach has been successfully applied to the reactions pd → {pp}sn at high and low momentum transfer kinematics, as well as to the pp → {pp}sπ0 and pp → {pp}sγ processes.
TECHNICAL REALIZATION OF THE ELISe EXPERIMENT AT FAIR
Authors:   for the ELISe collaboration, SIMON H.
Published: April 2009

The ELISe experiment addresses the physics, scattering electrons off radioactive ions in colliding kinematics for the first time. It is an integral part of the FAIR facility as specified in the Baseline Technical Report.1 The physics addressed covers elastic and inelastic scattering experiments for the study of charge distributions, the electromagnetic response and the single particle structure via quasielastic scattering. Details on the programme can be found in our recent publication.2 The colliding beam kinematics allows for a complete reconstruction of the excitation and deexcitation process, measured via the electron and decay products with a close to 4π solid angle coverage. This complements and enhances the opportunities of the only other expected electron scattering experiment world-wide called SCRIT3 that aims for elastic scattering studies, and is especially suited for ISOL type facilities. The high centre-of-mass energy for the colliding beams, the fully identified target like ion beam, and the high reachable luminosities up to a few times 1029 cm-2s-1 will allow to extend the projected studies exploring also the inelastic channels. In this paper, the technical design of ELISe is presented.
A STUDY OF THE PROTON BEAM LIFETIME IN THE COSY STORAGE RING AT LOW MOMENTA
Authors:   and the Pax Collaboration, GARISHVILI A. , STEFFENS E. , LENISA P. , GRIGORYEV K. , LEHRACH A. , LORENTZ B. , OELLERS D. , NEKIPELOV N. , PRASUHN D. , RATHMANN F. , STEIN H. J.
Published: April 2009

Proton beams were stored in COSY at 45 MeV and electron-cooled. Their lifetime was measured with gas target on and off and found to be 321.3 ± 0.4 s and 4639 ± 70 s , respectively. A model based on calculated machine parameters and the measured, interpolated residual gas distribution in COSY predicts lifetimes which are about 7 times longer. Possible reasons for this discrepancy are discussed.
STRINGS, WAVES, DRUMS: SPECTRA AND INVERSE PROBLEMS
Authors: BEALS RICHARD , GREINER PETER C.
Published: April 2009

This survey treats a number of interconnected topics related in one way or another to the famous paper of Mark Kac, "Can one hear the shape of a drum?": wave motion, classical and quantum inverse problems, integrable systems, and the relations between spectra and geometry. We sketch the history and some of the principal developments from the vibrating string to quantum inverse problems, the KdV equation and integrable systems, spectral geometry and the index problem.
ASYMPTOTIC BEHAVIOR OF THE KRYLOV–LANCZOS INTERPOLATION
Authors: POGHOSYAN ARNAK
Published: April 2009

In this paper the asymptotic behavior of the Krylov–Lanczos interpolation is investigated. Exact asymptotic constants of the errors are obtained on the subintervals where the 2-periodic extension of the approximated function is smooth. In particular, the fast convergence of this method is observed and examined in a special case. Some numerical results are presented.
SECRET BROADCASTING OF W-TYPE STATE
Authors: CHAKRABARTY I.
Published: April 2009

In this work we describe a protocol by which one can secretly broadcast W-type state among three distant partners. This work is interesting in the sense that we introduce a new kind of local cloning operation to generate two mixed three qubit entangled states between these partners from a W-type state initially shared by them.
OPTIMAL UNAMBIGUOUS DISCRIMINATION OF TWO FINITE-DIMENSIONAL COHERENT STATES
Authors: REZAEI M. , REZAPOUR M. R. , FASIHI M. A.
Published: April 2009

An exact analytical solution to the optimal unambiguous state discrimination involving two finite-dimensional coherent states that occur with given prior probabilities is presented using the Lewenstein–Sanpera decomposition method. Furthermore, a numerical method is advised for efficient solving of the unambiguous state discrimination of the two finite-dimensional coherent states with the same dimensions. In this manner, it is shown that the maximum success rate for the unambiguous states discrimination of the two finite-dimensional coherent states with the arbitrary prior probability is decreased by increasing the dimensionality of the finite-dimensional coherent states. Also, the success rate for the unambiguous states discrimination of the two coherent states satisfies the upper bound proportional to the fidelity of the states for a given prior probability.
OPTIMAL CONTROL FOR A PREDATOR-PREY SYSTEM WITH AGE-DEPENDENT
Authors: LU ZHIXUE
Published: April 2009

This paper is concerned with optimal harvesting policy for predator-prey system of three species with age-dependent. The existence and uniqueness of non-negative solution of the system are proved using the fixed pint theorem. The existence of optimal control strategy is discussed, optimality conditions are derived by means of normal cone and Dubovitskii–Milyutin's general theory. Our results extend some known criteria.