bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impairment of the Ca2+‐Permeable AMPA/Kainate Receptors by Lead Exposure in Organotypic Rat Hippocampal Slice Cultures
Authors: Sui Li , Ruan Di‐Yun
Published: August 2010

Previous studies have demonstrated that chronic lead exposure may impair neuronal process underlying synaptic plasticity via a direct interaction with N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors. The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of lead exposure on non‐NMDA (α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole propionic acid, AMPA/kainate) receptors of rat hippocampus. Ca2+‐permeable AMPA/kainate receptors in organotypic slice cultures were evaluated by using cobalt uptake, a histochemical method that identifies cells expressing Ca2+‐permeable non‐NMDA receptors. Ten mM L‐glutamate‐induced cobalt accumulation was enriched in area CA1, area CA3 and in dentate gyrus, which was totally blocked by 100 μM DL‐2‐amino‐5‐phosphonovaleric acid (AP5) and 100 μM 6‐cyano‐7‐nitroquinoxaline‐2, 3‐dione (CNQX). Three hundred μM NMDA‐induced cobalt accumulation was in area CA1, area dentate gyrus and was blocked by AP5 or CNQX. One hundred μM AMPA had effects in area CA1, area CA3 and in dentate gyrus, which were blocked by CNQX, not by AP5. Furthermore, cobalt accumulations induced by NMDA and AMPA in the lead‐exposed rats decreased significantly than those in the controls. The results indicate that AMPA receptors enriched in area CA1, area CA3, area dentate gyrus and kainate receptors enriched in area CA1, area dentate gyrus are impaired by lead exposure.
Avoidance Responding Following Amphetamine‐Induced Dopamine Depletion
Authors: Halladay Alycia K. , Coyne Thomas , Sharifi Jill , Seto Jeremy , Wagner George C.
Published: August 2010

The effect of an amphetamine‐induced depletion of striatal dopamine on active and passive avoidance responding of rats was examined. Sixteen animals received two sets of 4 injections each of 15 mg/kg d‐amphetamine, administered at 2 hr intervals with each set delivered one week apart. One week after the last injection, animals were given 50 consecutive active avoidance trials in a shuttle box. Animals treated with amphetamine exhibited a 50% depletion of striatal dopamine and showed a slower learning curve, as evidenced by significantly fewer avoidances and a slower escape latency during trials 21–30. Both groups demonstrated a 90% avoidance rate by trials 41–50. A separate group of rats was treated as above and trained for several weeks on the active avoidance procedure. Haloperidol (0.01–0.10 mg/kg intraperitoneally) dose‐dependently decreased avoidance number and increased avoidance and escape latency in both groups, an effect that was exaggerated in those animals previously treated with amphetamine. Finally, these animals were tested in the same apparatus using a passive avoidance procedure. The amphetamine treatment produced a significantly higher mean number of avoidances in this procedure compared to saline‐treated animals during trials 1–20. These results suggest that the impairment in conditioned avoidance following amphetamine treatment is due to a motoric, rather than a cognitive deficit.
Pharmacokinetics of Chlorambucil in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia: Comparison of Different Days, Cycles and Doses
Authors: Silvennoinen Raija , Malminiemi Kimmo , Malminiemi Outi , Seppälä Erkki , Vilpo Juhani
Published: August 2010

The effects of repeated treatment cycles and different doses on intraindividual variation in oral bioavailability of chlorambucil and its first, active, and more toxic metabolite, phenylacetic acid mustard, were studied. Chlorambucil and phenylacetic acid mustard concentrations were measured with HPLC on Day 1 and on Day 4 in 15 timed blood samples from 11 chronic lymphocytic leukaemia patients receiving chlorambucil therapy cycles. Bioavailability was evaluated also after the first chlorambucil doses of six consecutive treatment cycles repeated every 4 weeks with increasing chlorambucil doses starting with 0.8 mg/kg/4 days, and increased by 0.1 mg/kg/4 days cycle. Area under the concentration‐time‐curve (AUC) from t=0 to infinite was in average 3.2 hr*μg/ml for the first cycle, and decreased by 17% in four days (P<0.05). The mean distribution half‐life of chlorambucil was 0.49 hr and the terminal elimination half‐life 2.45 hr. The bioavailability of chlorambucil decreased further when 4‐day treatment cycles were repeated. For the fifth cycle, dose‐corrected AUC for the first 2 hr was 33% smaller than that for the first cycle (P for trend <0.01). Data suggest accelerated metabolism and elimination of chlorambucil and phenylacetic acid mustard, but reduced oral bioavailability of chlorambucil cannot be excluded. However, except for AUC, none of the pharmacokinetic parameters of chlorambucil changed significantly during the first 4‐day treatment period. The maximal plasma concentration and AUC of phenylacetic acid mustard did not change significantly during repeated treatment cycles. According to this trial a dose adjustment of chlorambucil is not necessary during a short‐term course, but may be necessary when treatment cycles are repeated. An average increase in the chlorambucil dose of 10% per cycle maintains similar plasma concentration of chlorambucil.
Equation of state of TiH2 up to 90 GPa: A synchrotron x-ray diffraction study and ab initio calculations
Authors: Kalita Patricia E. , Sinogeikin Stanislav V. , Lipinska-Kalita Kristina , Hartmann Thomas , Ke Xuezhi , Chen Changfeng , Cornelius Andrew
Published: August 2010

We performed high-pressure studies and ab initio calculations of titanium hydride (TiH2), an important compound in hydrogen storage research. In situ, synchrotron x-ray diffraction studies were carried out in two separate compression runs: the first up to 19 GPa in quasihydrostatic conditions and the second up to 90 GPa in nonhydrostatic conditions, and followed by the subsequent decompression to ambient conditions. The pressure evolution of the diffraction patterns revealed a cubic [face-centered-cubic (fcc), Fm-3m] to tetragonal (body-centered-tetragonal (bct), I4/mmm) phase transition in TiH2 occurring at or below 0.6 GPa. The high-pressure tetragonal phase persisted up to 90 GPa. Upon decompression to ambient conditions the observed phase transition appeared irreversible. A third order Birch–Murnaghan fit of the unit cell volume as a function of pressure for all experimental points, yielded a zero pressure bulk modulus K0=142(7) GPa, and its pressure derivative K0′=3.3(0.2) for the high-pressure tetragonal phase of TiH2 and with K0′ held at four, K0=130(5) GPa. The experimental value of bulk modulus confirmed our ab initio calculations where K0=139.9 GPa, and K0′=3.7 for the high-pressure tetragonal phase of TiH2.
Temperature dependence of Raman scattering in filled double-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Sendova Mariana , Flahaut Emmanuel , Hartsfield Thomas
Published: August 2010

Four types of filled double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWNTs) (Se@DWNT; Te@DWNT; HgTe@DWNT; and PbI2@DWNT) have been studied by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy in the temperature interval from 80 to 700 K employing 785 nm excitation wavelength. The temperature dependence of the dominant bands (D-band, G-band, and the (2D)-band) are analyzed in terms of the model developed by Klemens, Hart, Agraval, Lax, and Cowley and extended by Balkanski for anharmonic decay of optical phonons. The quasiharmonic frequencies and the anharmonicity constants were obtained from the temperature dependences of the analyzed Raman bands. The findings were compared to analogous study for empty DWNTs. The strength of the van der Waals interaction between the guest material and the carbon nanotube (CNT) estimated through the quasiharmonic frequencies was found to decrease in the following order: Se@DWNT; Te@DWNT; PbI2@DWNT, and HgTe@DWNT. In agreement with this, the anharmonicity due to the phonon–phonon interactions was found to decrease in the same order.
Modeling high power light-emitting diode spectra and their variation with junction temperature
Authors: Keppens A. , Ryckaert W. R. , Deconinck G. , Hanselaer P.
Published: August 2010

Spectral radiant flux is the primary optical characteristic of a light source, determining the luminous flux and color. Much research is dedicated to the modeling of light-emitting diode (LED) spectra and their temperature dependence, allowing for the simulation of optical properties in various applications. Most of the spectral radiant flux models that have been published so far are purely mathematical. For this paper, spectral radiant fluxes of commercial single color LED packages have been measured in a custom made integrating sphere at several junction temperatures by active cooling and heating with a Peltier element. A spectrum model at 300 K is constructed where the Boltzmann free carrier distribution and carrier temperature are included. Subsequently, the model is extended with the carrier temperature variation, the band gap energy shift, and the nonradiative recombination rate decrease with junction temperature. As a result, the skewness variation, peak frequency shift, and peak value change in the spectrum with temperature can be predicted. The model has been validated by comparing flux and color coordinates of measured and simulated spectra at 340 K junction temperature. In practice, only two spectral flux measurements at different junction temperatures are needed to accurately simulate a single color spectrum at any temperature.
Impact of front and rear texture of thin-film microcrystalline silicon solar cells on their light trapping properties
Authors: Sai Hitoshi , Jia Haijun , Kondo Michio
Published: August 2010

The effect of front and rear texture of thin-film microcrystalline silicon solar cells on light trapping is evaluated by characterizing solar cell specimens with both superstrate (p-i-n) and substrate (n-i-p) configurations that have a variety of surface morphologies including intentionally polished flat surfaces. It is demonstrated that the front texture enhances light absorption and external quantum efficiency from the visible region to the near-infrared region, while the rear texture increases these properties only at wavelengths longer than around 600 nm. The photocurrent enhancement by the rear texture is comparable or superior to that by the front texture, especially in n-i-p solar cells with a thin transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer on the front surface. Irrespective of the cell configuration, parasitic absorption loss in solar cells is increased by the textures. Loss analyses show that the absorption loss at textured back-surface reflectors (BSRs) plays a dominant role in n-i-p solar cells and is obviously affected by the localized surface plasmon absorption induced by the Ag reflector with microroughness on its surface. In p-i-n solar cells, additional absorption loss due to the thick front TCO layers is superimposed on that induced by the textured BSR and becomes dominant with increasing wavelengths.
Electrojet-independent ionospheric extremely low frequency/very low frequency wave generation by powerful high frequency waves
Authors: Kuo Spencer , Snyder Arnold , Chang Chia-Lie
Published: August 2010

Results of extremely low frequency/very low frequency (ELF/VLF) wave generation by intensity-modulated high frequency (HF) heaters of 3.2 MHz in Gakona, Alaska, near local solar noon during a geomagnetic quiet time, are presented to support an electrojet-independent ELF/VLF wave generation mechanism. The modulation was set by splitting the HF transmitter array into two subarrays; one was run at cw full power and the other run alternatively at 50% and 100% power modulation by rectangular waves of 2.02, 5, 8, and 13 kHz. The most effective generation was from the X-mode heater with 100% modulation. While the 8 kHz radiation has the largest wave amplitude, the spectral intensity of the radiation increases with the modulation frequency, i.e., 13 kHz line is the strongest. Ionograms recorded significant virtual height spread of the O-mode sounding echoes. The patterns of the spreads and the changes of the second and third hop virtual height traces caused by the O/X-mode heaters are distinctively different, evidencing that it is due to differently polarized density irregularities generated by the filamentation instability of the O/X-mode HF heaters.
Comment on “Stimulated Raman scattering of laser from periodically spaced nanoparticles” [Phys. Plasmas 16, 093106 (2009)]
Authors: Maraghechi B. , Chakhmachi A.
Published: August 2010

Parashar [Phys. Plasmas 16, 093106 (2009)] studied the Raman backscattering of electromagnetic waves from nanoparticle lattice. We have demonstrated that the uncoupled dispersion curves have incorrect cutoff frequencies and the electromagnetic dispersion curves do not have correct asymptotic behavior at large frequencies. It has been shown that Parashar obtained an incorrect diagram of the growth rate for which the pump wave frequency goes below the cutoff frequency of the electromagnetic wave. Correct diagrams for the Raman backscattering as well as forward scattering are presented. It has been shown that backscattering has a larger maximum growth rate. We also found no instability if scattered radiation belongs to the lower branch of the dispersion curves.
Composition profile of oxygenated organic compounds and inorganic ions in PM2.5 in Hong Kong
Authors: Li Yun Chun , Yu Jian Zhen
Published: August 2010

Environment context.Oxygenated organic compounds are active constituents in ambient aerosols, affecting their hygroscopic properties and other interactions with water. We have measured 29 oxygenated organic compounds, together with inorganic ions and other major aerosol constituents, in ambient samples collected under various synoptic conditions in Hong Kong. These composition profiles of water-soluble matter provide valuable data for modelling and theoretical studies of aerosol–water interactions.
Abstract. This study reports a comprehensive dataset of oxygenated compounds, inorganic ions and other major aerosol constituents in fine particulate matter (2.5 μm) in the urban atmosphere of Hong Kong in periods of different synoptic weather conditions during 2003–05. The oxygenated compounds quantified include C2–C10 dicarboxylic acids, C3–C9 ketoacids and C2–C3 dicarbonyls, their combined concentrations accounting for 3.2–18.2% of water-soluble organic carbon on a carbon mass basis. Six C2 and C3 oxygenated compounds, namely oxalic acid, malonic acid, glyoxylic acid, pyruvic acid, glyoxal, and methyl glyoxal, dominate this suite of oxygenated compounds, accounting for 75% of the total quantified oxygenated species. Good correlations were observed among most of the quantified oxygenated compounds, suggesting that a relatively stable abundance distribution exists under varying synoptic conditions. These composition profiles provide a comprehensive dataset for use in modelling and theoretical studies of aerosol–water interactions, secondary aerosol formation pathways, and speciated organic mass distributions.
What is recalcitrant soil organic matter?
Authors: Kleber Markus
Published: August 2010

Environmental context.On a global scale, soils store more carbon than plants or the atmosphere. The cycling of this vast reservoir of reduced carbon is closely tied to variations in environmental conditions, but robust predictions of climate–carbon cycle feedbacks are hampered by a lack of mechanistic knowledge regarding the sensitivity of organic matter decomposition to rising temperatures. This text provides a critical discussion of the practice to conceptualise parts of soil organic matter as intrinsically resistant to decomposition or ‘recalcitrant’. Abstract.The understanding that some natural organic molecules can resist microbial decomposition because of certain molecular properties forms the basis of the biogeochemical paradigm of ‘intrinsic recalcitrance’. In this concept paper I argue that recalcitrance is an indeterminate abstraction whose semantic vagueness encumbers research on terrestrial carbon cycling. Consequently, it appears to be advantageous to view the perceived ‘inherent resistance’ to decomposition of some forms of organic matter not as a material property, but as a logistical problem constrained by (i) microbial ecology; (ii) enzyme kinetics; (iii) environmental drivers; and (iv) matrix protection. A consequence of this view would be that the frequently observed temperature sensitivity of the decomposition of organic matter must result from factors other than intrinsic molecular recalcitrance.
Aquaporin-3 mediates hydrogen peroxide uptake to regulate downstream intracellular signaling
Authors: Miller Evan W. , Dickinson Bryan C. , Chang Christopher J.
Published: August 2010

Hydrogen peroxide (H
2
O
2
) produced by cell-surface NADPH Oxidase (Nox) enzymes is emerging as an important signaling molecule for growth, differentiation, and migration processes. However, how cells spatially regulate H
2
O
2
to achieve physiological redox signaling over nonspecific oxidative stress pathways is insufficiently understood. Here we report that the water channel Aquaporin-3 (AQP3) can facilitate the uptake of H
2
O
2
into mammalian cells and mediate downstream intracellular signaling. Molecular imaging with Peroxy Yellow 1 Methyl-Ester (PY1-ME), a new chemoselective fluorescent indicator for H
2
O
2
, directly demonstrates that aquaporin isoforms AQP3 and AQP8, but not AQP1, can promote uptake of H
2
O
2
specifically through membranes in mammalian cells. Moreover, we show that intracellular H
2
O
2
accumulation can be modulated up or down based on endogenous AQP3 expression, which in turn can influence downstream cell signaling cascades. Finally, we establish that AQP3 is required for Nox-derived H
2
O
2
signaling upon growth factor stimulation. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that the downstream intracellular effects of H
2
O
2
can be regulated across biological barriers, a discovery that has broad implications for the controlled use of this potentially toxic small molecule for beneficial physiological functions.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of fluorinated deoxynucleotide analogs based on bis-(difluoromethylene)triphosphoric acid
Authors: Surya Prakash G. K. , Zibinsky Mikhail , Upton Thomas G. , Kashemirov Boris A. , McKenna Charles E. , Oertell Keriann , Goodman Myron F. , Batra Vinod K. , Pedersen Lars C. , Beard William A. , Shock David D. , Wilson Samuel H. , Olah George A.
Published: August 2010

It is difficult to overestimate the importance of nucleoside triphosphates in cellular chemistry: They are the building blocks for DNA and RNA and important sources of energy. Modifications of biologically important organic molecules with fluorine are of great interest to chemists and biologists because the size and electronegativity of the fluorine atom can be used to make defined structural alterations to biologically important molecules. Although the concept of nonhydrolyzable nucleotides has been around for some time, the progress in the area of modified triphosphates was limited by the lack of synthetic methods allowing to access bisCF
2
-substituted nucleotide analogs—one of the most interesting classes of nonhydrolyzable nucleotides. These compounds have “correct” polarity and the smallest possible steric perturbation compared to natural nucleotides. No other known nucleotides have these advantages, making bisCF
2
-substituted analogs unique. Herein, we report a concise route for the preparation of hitherto unknown highly acidic and polybasic bis(difluoromethylene)triphosphoric acid
1
using a phosphorous(III)/phosphorous(V) interconversion approach. The analog
1
compared to triphosphoric acid is enzymatically nonhydrolyzable due to substitution of two bridging oxygen atoms with CF
2
groups, maintaining minimal perturbations in steric bulkiness and overall polarity of the triphosphate polyanion. The fluorinated triphosphoric acid
1
was used for the preparation of the corresponding fluorinated deoxynucleotides (dNTPs). One of these dNTP analogs (dT) was demonstrated to fit into DNA polymerase beta (DNA pol β) binding pocket by obtaining a 2.5 Å resolution crystal structure of a ternary complex with the enzyme. Unexpected dominating effect of triphosphate/Mg
2+
interaction over Watson–Crick hydrogen bonding was found and discussed.
A general basis for quarter-power scaling in animals
Authors: Banavar Jayanth R. , Moses Melanie E. , Brown James H. , Damuth John , Rinaldo Andrea , Sibly Richard M. , Maritan Amos
Published: August 2010

It has been known for decades that the metabolic rate of animals scales with body mass with an exponent that is almost always <1, >2/3, and often very close to 3/4. The 3/4 exponent emerges naturally from two models of resource distribution networks, radial explosion and hierarchically branched, which incorporate a minimum of specific details. Both models show that the exponent is 2/3 if velocity of flow remains constant, but can attain a maximum value of 3/4 if velocity scales with its maximum exponent, 1/12. Quarter-power scaling can arise even when there is no underlying fractality. The canonical “fourth dimension” in biological scaling relations can result from matching the velocity of flow through the network to the linear dimension of the terminal “service volume” where resources are consumed. These models have broad applicability for the optimal design of biological and engineered systems where energy, materials, or information are distributed from a single source.
Mas-related G-protein–coupled receptors inhibit pathological pain in mice
Authors: Guan Yun , Liu Qin , Tang Zongxiang , Raja Srinivasa N. , Anderson David J. , Dong Xinzhong
Published: August 2010

An important objective of pain research is to identify novel drug targets for the treatment of pathological persistent pain states, such as inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Mas-related G-protein–coupled receptors (Mrgprs) represent a large family of orphan receptors specifically expressed in small-diameter nociceptive primary sensory neurons. To determine the roles of Mrgprs in persistent pathological pain states, we exploited a mouse line in which a chromosomal locus spanning 12 Mrgpr genes was deleted (KO). Initial studies indicated that these KO mice show prolonged mechanical- and thermal-pain hypersensitivity after hind-paw inflammation compared with wild-type littermates. Here, we show that this mutation also enhances the windup response of dorsal-horn wide dynamic-range neurons, an electrophysiological model for the triggering of central pain sensitization. Deletion of the Mrgpr cluster also blocked the analgesic effect of intrathecally applied bovine adrenal medulla peptide 8–22 (BAM 8–22), an MrgprC11 agonist, on both inflammatory heat hyperalgesia and neuropathic mechanical allodynia. Spinal application of bovine adrenal medulla peptide 8–22 also significantly attenuated windup in wild-type mice, an effect eliminated in KO mice. These data suggest that members of the Mrgpr family, in particular MrgprC11, may constitute an endogenous inhibitory mechanism for regulating persistent pain in mice. Agonists for these receptors may, therefore, represent a class of antihyperalgesics for treating persistent pain with minimal side effects because of the highly specific expression of their targets.
The bounds of representation
Authors: Steiner Pierre
Published: August 2010

Based on an endorsement of the hypothesis of extended cognition (and, more broadly, of distributed cognition), this paper proposes a criticism of the representationalist assumptions that still pertain to these contemporary models of cognition. I first rehearse some basic problems akin to any representationalist model of cognition, before proposing some more specific arguments directed against the necessity, the plausibility, and the coherence of the marriage between extended cognition and contemporary representationalism (not necessarily a symbolic one). Extended and distributed models of cognition have the resources to get rid of representationalism, and they should better do it. Their adherence to representationalism might be an (illusory) by-product of the extended character of the scientific study of cognition.
Unarticulated comparison classes
Authors: Vallée Richard
Published: August 2010

Relative gradable adjectives (“tall”, “big”) raise serious problems in semantics. First, I explore a few intuitions about relative gradable predicates and clarify some points. Second, I propose a multipropositionalist, Perry-inspired, perspective on relative gradable predicate utterances. Perry’s version of multipropositionalism introduces many different propositions or contents, including indexical content, referential content, and designational content, which are carried by the utterance of a single sentence. It also offers a new approach to relative gradable predicates, and suggests an explanation for the way relative predicates work in linguistic communication and for the divergent intuitions about these predicates. My approach focuses on the cognitive significance of relative gradable sentence utterances.
What is a convention?
Authors: Riesenfeld Dana
Published: August 2010

Ever since David Lewis’s publication of Convention: A Philosophical Study (1969) his definition of a convention has been widely accepted and marginally challenged. Andrei Marmor’s book Social Conventions: From Language to Law (2009) is both a continuation and a critical response to Lewis’s work. “Convention”, alongside “rule” and “norm”, is one of the most important and fundamental philosophical concepts. We tend to think of our behavior as human beings, of our linguistic and social actions, as largely conditioned by conventions. Marmor examines the role and significance of conventions in language, in the moral sphere, and in the legal system. His definition of convention renders language less conventional than we had thought it is and morality more so. In this review article I present Marmor’s concept of convention and follow the book’s main arguments. I then point to what I think is amiss in his account of convention, namely, the idea that some norms are conventional, which yields a conflation of norms and conventions.
Soybean genetic resources.
Authors: Mishra S. K. , Verma V. D.
Published: August 2010

This chapter discusses the genetic resources of soyabean in general, with examples taken from India. Topics include taxonomy, distribution, centres of diversity, and collection, introduction, evaluation, documentation, registration, conservation, utilization of soyabean germplasm.
Varietal improvement in soybean.
Authors: Panthee D. R.
Published: August 2010

This chapter discusses the components that are required in variety improvement programmes. Wild relatives, genetic resources, more of reproduction, crossing methods, breeding objectives and procedures, and seed production of soyabean are discussed.
Agro-techniques for soybean production.
Authors: Guriqbal Singh Guriqbal Singh , Hari Ram Hari Ram , Navneet Aggarwal Navneet Aggarwal
Published: August 2010

Different agricultural practices for soyabean production which include tillage/seedbed preparation, time, method, and depth of sowing, planting density and geometry, straw mulching, seed priming, intercropping/mixed cropping, nutrient, water and weed management are discussed. These practices are employed not only produce high crop yields, but also to reduce the costs of production by utilizing resources and inputs judiciously and taking care of the environment.
Insect pests of soybean and their management.
Authors: O'Neal M. E. , Johnson K. D.
Published: August 2010

The current chapter reviews the most significant insect pests of soyabean and gives an overview of integrated pest management (IPM) theory and the consequences that can occur with greater frequency when IPM is not practised. The main tactics used in IPM is briefly reviewed and their potential and limitations for soyabean production is discussed. This chapter also includes an update of the recent invasion of the soyabean aphid (Aphis glycines) to North America and Australia from its native range in Asia and discusses how multiple tactics are employed to limit this economically important pest of soyabean.
Uses of soybean: products and preparation.
Authors: Raghuvanshi R. S. , Kavita Bisht Kavita Bisht
Published: August 2010

This chapter discusses the physicochemical and functional properties, as well as the food, medicinal, fodder/feed and non-food versatile uses of soyabeans (Glycine max). The methods used in the preparation of soyabean products (soaking, germination, fermentation, blanching, boiling, dry roasting, frying and extrusion) and the different preparations and recipes using soyabean products (green leaves, pods, grains, soya flour and soya milk) as ingredients are described.
Determination of urinary d-/l-arabinitol ratios as a biomarker for invasive candidiasis in children with cardiac diseases
Authors: Stradomska Teresa J. , Sobielarska Dorota , Mielniczuk Zbigniew , Jagiełłowicz Dorota , Syczewska Małgorzata , Dzierżanowska Danuta
Published: August 2010

A non-invasive, non-culture-based method of determining urinary d-/l-arabinitol (d-/l-ARA) ratios was investigated as a tool for the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis in nosocomial paediatric infection cases. The study encompassed 138 children aged 4 days to 16 years (mean±sd=1.6±4.2 years) with congenital heart defects (91.4 %) or with rhythm disorders or circulatory failure (8.6 %). ARA enantiomers were detected by GC using an electron capture detector. Positive d-/l-ARA ratios were found for 11/11 patients with proven candidiasis and 17/19 patients with clinically suspected invasive candidiasis. Thirty children were undergoing antifungal chemotherapy. d-/l-ARA ratios (mean±sd) were 2.601±0.544 in hospitalized cardiac patients without fungal infection and 5.120±1.253 in those receiving antifungal therapy (P<0.001). The sensitivity of the method was 100 %, the specificity 97.2 %, the positive predictive value was 78.6 % and the negative predictive value was 100 %.
Evaluation of the specificity and effectiveness of selected oral hygiene actives in salivary biofilm microcosms
Authors: Ledder Ruth G. , Sreenivasan Prem K. , DeVizio William , McBain Andrew J.
Published: August 2010

The microbiological effects of biocidal products used for the enhancement of oral hygiene relate to the active compound(s) as well as other formulation components. Here, we test the specificities of selected actives in the absence of multiple excipients. Salivary ecosystems were maintained in tissue culture plate-based hydroxyapatite disc models (HDMs) and modified drip-flow biofilm reactors (MDFRs). Test compounds stannous fluoride (SF), SDS, triclosan (TCS), zinc lactate (ZL) and ZL with SF in combination (ZLSF) were delivered to the HDMs once and four times daily for 6 days to MDFRs. Plaques were characterized by differential viable counting and PCR–denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). TCS and SDS were the most effective compounds against HDM plaques, significantly reducing total viable counts (P<0.05), whilst SF, ZL and ZLSF were comparatively ineffective. TCS exhibited specificity for streptococci (P<0.01) and Gram-negative anaerobes (P<0.01) following a single dosing and also on repeated dosing in MDFRs. In contrast to single exposures, multiple dosing with ZLSF also significantly reduced all bacterial groups, whilst SF and ZL caused significant but transient reductions. According to PCR–DGGE analyses, significant (P<0.05) reductions in eubacterial diversity occurred following 6 day dosing with both TCS and ZLSF. Concordance of MDFR eubacterial profiles with salivary inocula ranged between 58 and 97 %. TCS and ZL(SF) exhibited similar specificities to those reported for formulations. TCS was the most potent antibacterial, after single and multiple dosage regimens.
Glutamine synthetase encoded by glnA-1 is necessary for cell wall resistance and pathogenicity of Mycobacterium bovis
Authors: Chandra Harish , Basir Seemi Farhat , Gupta Manish , Banerjee Nirupama
Published: August 2010

Pathogenic strains of mycobacteria produce copious amounts of glutamine synthetase (GS) in the culture medium. The enzyme activity is linked to synthesis of poly-α-l-glutamine (PLG) in the cell walls. This study describes a glnA-1 mutant of Mycobacterium bovis that produces reduced levels of GS. The mutant was able to grow in enriched 7H9 medium without glutamine supplementation. The glnA-1 strain contained no detectable PLG in the cell walls and showed marked sensitivity to different chemical and physical stresses such as lysozyme, SDS and sonication. The sensitivity of the mutant to two antitubercular drugs, rifampicin and d-cycloserine, was also increased. The glnA-1 strain infected THP-1 cells with reduced efficiency and was also attenuated for growth in macrophages. A Mycobacterium smegmatis strain containing the M. bovis glnA-1 gene survived longer in THP-1 cells than the wild-type strain and also produced cell wall-associated PLG. The M. bovis mutant was not able to replicate in the organs of BALB/c mice and was cleared within 4–6 weeks of infection. Disruption of the glnA-1 gene adversely affected biofilm formation on polystyrene surfaces. The results of this study demonstrate that the absence of glnA-1 not only attenuates the pathogen but also affects cell surface properties by altering the cell wall chemistry of the organism via the synthesis of PLG; this may be a target for drug development.
Structure of the endonuclease IV homologue fromThermotoga maritimain the presence of active-site divalent metal ions
Authors: Tomanicek Stephen J. , Hughes Ronny C. , Ng Joseph D. , Coates Leighton
Published: August 2010

The most frequent lesion in DNA is at apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites resulting from DNA-base losses. These AP-site lesions can stall DNA replication and lead to genome instability if left unrepaired. The AP endonucleases are an important class of enzymes that are involved in the repair of AP-site intermediates during damage-general DNA base-excision repair pathways. These enzymes hydrolytically cleave the 5′-phosphodiester bond at an AP site to generate a free 3′-hydroxyl group and a 5′-terminal sugar phosphate using their AP nuclease activity. Specifically,Thermotoga maritimaendonuclease IV is a member of the second conserved AP endonuclease family that includesEscherichia coliendonuclease IV, which is the archetype of the AP endonuclease superfamily. In order to more fully characterize the AP endonuclease family of enzymes, two X-ray crystal structures of theT. maritimaendonuclease IV homologue were determined in the presence of divalent metal ions bound in the active-site region. These structures of theT. maritimaendonuclease IV homologue further revealed the use of the TIM-barrel fold and the trinuclear metal binding site as important highly conserved structural elements that are involved in DNA-binding and AP-site repair processes in the AP endonuclease superfamily.
Structure of a stacked anthraquinone–DNA complex
Authors: De Luchi Daniela , Usón Isabel , Wright Glenford , Gouyette Catherine , Subirana Juan A.
Published: August 2010

The crystal structure of the telomeric sequence d(UBrAGG) interacting with an anthraquinone derivative has been solved by MAD. In all previously studied complexes of intercalating drugs, the drug is usually sandwiched between two DNA base pairs. Instead, the present structure looks like a crystal of stacked anthraquinone molecules in which isolated base pairs are intercalated. Unusual base pairs are present in the structure, such as G·G and A·UBrreverse Watson–Crick base pairs.
An Empirical Analysis of Qualitative Management Earnings Forecasts
Authors: Mensah Michael Ofosu , Nguyen Hong V. , Ryan Huldah A.
Published: August 2010

Despite efforts by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to encourage corporate disclosure of quantitative management earnings projections, only a small fraction of firms voluntarily do so. Instead of quantitative estimates, a large number of firms choose to disclose qualitative (verbal) assessments of their earnings prospects. This paper is a study of the information characteristics and the usefulness of this alternative form of forecast disclosure to investors. The study examines a sample of qualitative forecast statements from the 1979–1985 period and finds associations between these forecasts and percentage changes in realized earnings per share, the direction of financial analysts' forecast revisions following the disclosure of these forecasts, and abnormal stock returns on the date of their disclosure. These associations are, however, shown to be more significant for negative (bad news) than for positive (good news) forecasts.
An Adjustment Procedure for Predicting Betas When Thin Trading is Present: Canadian Evidence
Authors: Boabang Francis
Published: August 2010

We have incorporated effects of the process that generates true betas for TSE stocks, as well as thin trading effects, into the beta adjustment model. We note the Blume and Dimson and Marsh beta adjustment techniques aim at eliminating beta forecast error through regression tendency bias. Effects of other sources of forecast error have been ignored. We show the process generating security betas affects both cross‐sectional correlation coefficient and order bias, while thin trading affects only cross‐sectional correlation coefficient. We demonstrate that when OLS beta estimates are used to forecast their future risk levels, order bias accounts for 86% of forecast error, while thin trading effects account for 14% of forecast error. A beta regression tendency model which properly accounts for effects of cross‐sectional correlation (which is a function of thin trading) and order bias completely abates forecast error. Our results have implications for the use of correlation coefficient to measure stability of betas across time, for beta adjustment models proposed in the literature, and for event study methodologies that rely on prediction errors.
Detecting Linear and Nonlinear Dependence in Stock Returns: New Methods Derived from Chaos Theory
Authors: Gilmore Claire G.
Published: August 2010

Interest in the relevance of nonlinear dynamics to fields such as finance and economics has spurred the development of new methods of analysis for time series data. Early tests for chaos led to problems when applied to financial and economic data. This motivated development of the BDS family of statistics to test for nonlinearity generally. More recently, another method of analysis has been introduced into the scientific literature. It uses a test for chaos which is relatively simple and appropriate for financial data. A quantitative version of this test is developed here and is used to analyze stock return data.
Mean Reversion in the United Kingdom Stock Market and its Implications for a Profitable Trading Strategy
Authors: Sauer David A. , Chen Carl R.
Published: August 2010

Following Fama and French (1988), we examine the mean reverting behavior of the United Kingdom stock market total returns over the period 1919 through 1990. Evidence of statistically significant mean reversion is only found during the pre‐war subperiod. A contrarian investment strategy, however, does not enhance performance over a naive buy and hold investment strategy. Further, an application of Richardson and Stock's (1989) alternative asymptotic distribution theory suggests that the mean reversion detected during the pre‐war period may reflect the poor finite sample approximation of traditional fixed overlap asymptotic distribution theory.
Information Content of Interim Earnings Components — Evidence from Finland
Authors: Schadewitz Hannu
Published: August 2010

This study examines the information content of the interim earnings of listed Finnish firms. The degree of association between returns and interim earnings is studied. The assumption is that, compared to transitory changes, permanent changes in earnings have a greater association with returns. Unexpected returns are regressed over unexpected permanent earnings and unexpected transitory earnings. Three return measurement periods are used to examine any potential asynchrony between prices and earnings. To reduce the errors‐in‐variables problem expected in single‐security‐level studies, observations are grouped into portfolios. When the data are divided into portfolios, the results give evidence of the association as hypothesized.
Overcompensation as a Partial Solution to Commitment and Renegotiation Problems: The Case of Ex Post Moral Hazard
Authors: Boyer M. Martin
Published: August 2010

In a Costly State Verification world, an agent who has private information regarding the state of the world must report what state occurred to a principal, who can verify the state at a cost. An agent then has what is called ex post moral hazard: he has an incentive to misreport the true state to extract rents from the principal. Assuming the principal cannot commit to an auditing strategy, the optimal contract is such that: (1) the agent's expected marginal utility when there is an accident (high‐ and low‐loss states) is equal to his marginal utility when there is no accident; (2) the lower loss is undercompensated, while the higher loss is overcompensated; and (3) the welfare of the agent is greater under commitment than under no‐commitment. Result 2 is contrary to the results obtained if the principal can commit to an auditing strategy (higher losses underpaid and lower losses overpaid). The reason is that by increasing the difference between the high and the low indemnity payments, the probability of fraud is reduced.
Price Regulation in Secondary Insurance Markets
Authors: Bhattacharya Jay , Goldman Dana , Sood Neeraj
Published: August 2010

Secondary life insurance markets are growing rapidly. From nearly no transactions in 1980, a wide variety of similar products in this market has developed, including viatical settlements, accelerated death benefits, and life settlements and as the population ages, these markets will become increasingly popular. Eight state governments, in a bid to guarantee sellers a “fair” price, have passed regulations setting a price floor on secondary life insurance market transactions, and more are considering doing the same. Using data from a unique random sample of HIV+ patients, we estimate welfare losses from transactions prevented by binding price floors in the viatical settlements market (an important segment of the secondary life insurance market). We find that price floors bind on HIV patients with greater than 4 years of life expectancy. Furthermore, HIV patients from states with price floors are significantly less likely to viaticate than similarly healthy HIV patients from other states. If price floors were adopted nationwide, they would rule out transactions worth $119 million per year. We find that the magnitude of welfare loss from these blocked transactions would be highest for consumers who are relatively poor, have weak bequest motives, and have a high rate of time preference.
Immunotherapy targeting fibroblast activation protein inhibits tumor growth and increases survival in a murine colon cancer model
Authors: Wen Yuan , Wang Chun‐Ting , Ma Tian‐Tai , Li Zhi‐Yong , Zhou Li‐Na , Mu Bo , Leng Fei , Shi Hua‐Shan , Li Ya‐Ou , Wei Yu‐Quan
Published: August 2010

Murine studies have shown that immunological targeting of fibroblast activation protein (FAP) can elicit protective immunity in the absence of significant pathology. Fibroblast activation protein is a product overexpressed by tumor‐associated fibroblasts (TAF) and is the predominant component of the stoma in most types of cancer. Tumor‐associated fibroblasts differ from normal adult tissue fibroblasts, and instead resemble transient fetal and wound healing‐associated fibroblasts. Tumor‐associated fibroblasts are critical regulators of tumorigenesis, but differ from tumor cells by being more genetically stable. Therefore, in comparison to tumor cells, TAF may represent more viable therapeutic targets for cancer immunotherapy. To specifically target TAF, we constructed a DNA vaccine directed against FAP. This vaccine significantly suppressed primary tumor and pulmonary metastases primarily through CD8+ T‐cell‐mediated killing in tumor‐bearing mice. Most importantly, tumor‐bearing mice vaccinated against FAP exhibited a 1.5‐fold increase in lifespan and no significant pathology. These results suggest that FAP, a product preferentially expressed by TAF, could function as an effective tumor rejection antigen. (Cancer Sci 2010; 101: 2325–2332)
A set of genes associated with the interferon‐γ response of lung cancer patients undergoing α‐galactosylceramide‐pulsed dendritic cell therapy
Authors: Okita Kohsuke , Motohashi Shinichiro , Shinnakasu Ryo , Nagato Kaoru , Yamasaki Kazuki , Sato Yasunori , Kitamura Hiroshi , Hijikata Atsushi , Yamashita Masakatsu , Shimizu Kanako , Fujii Shin‐ichiro , Ohara Osamu , Taniguchi Masaru , Sakaida Isao , Nakayama Toshinori
Published: August 2010

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells possess potent antitumor effects after activation with a specific glycolipid antigen, α‐galactosylceramide (αGalCer). A phase I–II clinical study of αGalCer‐pulsed dendritic cells (DC) to activate endogenous iNKT cells was previously performed in patients with non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this clinical trial, the patients with increased interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) production (>two‐fold) in PBMC after the DC treatment (good responder group) experienced a prolonged overall survival time in comparison with the poor responder group. We extended the previous study and performed a microarray‐based gene expression analysis using peripheral blood CD56+ cells and CD56−CD3+ T cells from patients enrolled in the above‐mentioned clinical study. We sought to identify any biomarkers associated with the immune responses in this immunotherapy trial. Six patient samples corresponding to three subjects in the good responder group and three subjects in the poor responder group were included in the microarray analysis. Genes differentially expressed between pre‐treatment and post‐treatment samples were selected for analysis. Subsequently, genes that were only expressed in the good responder group or poor responder group were chosen. After these procedures, four selected genes were quantified by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction in another eight patient samples, and two genes, LTB4DH and DPYSL3, were confirmed to be candidate genes for the predictor of a good immune response. The expression profile of these two genes may be associated with the responsiveness of IFN‐γ production after αGalCer‐pulsed DC treatment. (Cancer Sci 2010; 101: 2333–2340)
Modulation of RIP1 ubiquitylation and distribution by MeBS to sensitize cancer cells to tumor necrosis factor α‐induced apoptosis
Authors: Kim Seungseob , Ohoka Nobumichi , Okuhira Keiichiro , Sai Kimie , Nishimaki‐Mogami Tomoko , Naito Mikihiko
Published: August 2010

Overexpression of anti‐apoptosis protein cIAP1 due to its genetic amplification is found in certain cancers such as esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, cervical cancer and lung cancer, and plays a significant role in resistance to cancer therapy. We previously reported that a class of small molecules represented by (−)‐N‐[(2S, 3R)‐3‐amino‐2‐hydroxy‐4‐phenyl‐butyryl]‐L‐leucine methyl ester (MeBS) activates auto‐ubiquitylation of cIAP1 for proteasomal degradation, and enhances apoptosis of various cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanism of how MeBS sensitizes cancer cells to apoptosis via downregulation of cIAP1 is not well understood. Here, we show that ubiquitylation and distribution of RIP1, a protein ubiquitylated by cIAP1, is modulated by MeBS. Upon tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α stimulation, ubiquitylated RIP1 associates with the TNF‐receptor (TNFR) complex, whereas non‐ubiquitylated RIP1 associates with caspase8. MeBS reduces the ubiquitylated RIP1 in the TNFR complex and increases non‐ubiquitylated RIP1 bound to caspase8. Downregulation of RIP1 by siRNA reduces apoptosis induced by TNFα plus MeBS treatment. These results indicate an important role of RIP1 in apoptosis induced by combined treatment with TNFα and MeBS, suggesting that MeBS sensitizes cancer cells to apoptosis by modulating RIP1 ubiquitylation and distribution. (Cancer Sci 2010; 101: 2425–2429)