bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low‐temperature glycol methacrylate resin embedding method: A protocol suitable for bone marrow immunohistochemistry, PCR, and fish analysis
Authors: Zhang Qiguo , Wang Jing , Wu Hongyan , Zhang Le , Zhou Jinyong , Ye Qing , Shao Xiaoyan , Guan Chaoyang , Xu Jingyan , Yang Yonggong , Zhou Rongfu , Ouyang Jian
Published: March 2010

Molecular analyses such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are demanded to improve diagnostic accuracy in addition to immunohistopathology of bone marrow (BM) trephine specimens. Conventional BM embedding method needs decalcification, and its procedure may impair tissue morphology and DNA quality. Here, we report an undecalcified method by which glycol methacrylate resin is polymerized at low temperature (4°C). Using this method, BM enzyme activity and antigenic determinants are well preserved, and moreover, DNA extracted from plastic embedding sections is suitable for PCR amplification and sequencing, FISH analysis can be well done because of the DNA integrity of BM sections. If working with BM trephine specimen, our protocol offers the possibility to combine superior morphology with modern molecular analysis. Microsc. Res. Tech. 73:1067–1071, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Annual precipitation reconstruction since AD 775 based on tree rings from the Qilian Mountains, northwestern China
Authors: Zhang Yong , Tian Qinhua , Gou Xiaohua , Chen Fahu , Leavitt Steven W. , Wang Yousheng
Published: March 2010

A millennium‐long tree‐ring‐width chronology from the middle Qilian Mountains in northwestern China has been used to reconstruct annual precipitation variation (from the prior August to current July) since AD 775. The reconstruction explains 37.8% of variance of the observed data. Based on the mean and standard deviation of the reconstructed series, several prolonged severe dry and wet periods were indentified: drought spells in AD 1144–1154 (11 years) and 1925–1932 (8 years) and wet spells in AD 985–999 (15 years), 1089–1097 (9 years) and 1979–1991 (12 years). Both multi‐taper spectral analysis (MTM) and wavelet analysis suggest that periods of the reconstructed precipitation are consistent with those associated with the Asian Summer Monsoon and perhaps solar activity. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Electrostatic Assembly of Poly(ethylene glycol) Nanotubes
Authors: Jang Woo‐Sik , Saito Tomonori , Hickner Michael A. , Lutkenhaus Jodie L.
Published: March 2010

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)‐based films, nanotubes, and nanotube arrays were successfully made using layer‐by‐layer (LbL) assembly ion‐containing PEO derivatives on porous templates and planar substrates. PEG nanotubes are challenging to produce because PEG dissolves into solutions and solvents used during nanotube processing, but our techniques circumvent the issue. Nanotube dimensions were verified using microscopy and the average observed diameter was 155 nm. The PEG‐based structures showed remarkable stability in water, salt water, and sodium hydroxide solution.

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Selective MMP13 inhibitors
Authors: Li Jie Jack , Johnson Adam R.
Published: March 2010

Pharmacology of MMP13 and MMP13 selective inhibitors is reviewed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev 31:863‐894, 2011
Medizinische Chemie der GLP‐1‐Analoga und DPP‐IV‐Inhibitoren. Das Inkretinsystem als Wirkstoff‐Target
Authors: Zettl Heiko , Steinhilber Dieter
Published: March 2010

Die mittlerweile als “Epidemie des 21. Jahrhunderts” bezeichnete Volkskrankheit Typ 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) zählt mehr denn je zu den großen Herausforderungen bei der Entwicklung neuer Arzneistoffe. Die beiden jüngsten Arzneistoffklassen – Analoga des Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) und Inhibitoren der Dipeptidyl‐Peptidase IV (DPP IV) – sollen aufgrund ihres pharmakologischen Ansatzes klassische Antidiabetika‐assoziierte Nebenwirkungen wie Hypoglykämien und Gewichtszunahme umgehen.
Neue Wirkstoffklassen in der Pipeline. Neues in der Therapie des Diabetes mellitus
Authors: Steri Ramona , Schubert‐Zsilavecz Manfred
Published: March 2010

Die Pharmakotherapie des Diabetes mellitus hat in der letzten Dekade kontinuierlich zugenommen. Die Insulinverordnungen haben sich in diesem Zeitraum verdoppelt. Die Metformin‐Verordnungen sind mehr als dreifach angestiegen, wohingegen die der Sulfonylharnstoffe seit 1999 in etwa konstant geblieben sind. Glitazone zeigen nur mehr geringfügige Zuwachsraten, da insbesondere neuere Studien Hinweise auf ein erhöhtes Herzinfarkt‐ und Frakturrisiko gezeigt haben.
Amadacyclin – ein neues Tetracyclin‐Antibiotikum in der Pipeline
Authors: Schmitz Jens , Holzgrabe Ulrike
Published: March 2010

Kürzlich gab Novartis bekannt, die weltweiten Distributionsrechte an dem Tetracyclin‐Derivat Amadacyclin (PTK0796) von Paratek Pharmaceuticals erworben zu haben. Amadacyclin ist ein partialsynthetisches Derivat von Minocyclin und aufgrund seiner Substitution in Position 9 in Ring D mit einer Dimethylpropylaminomethyl‐Gruppe der erste Vertreter einer vermeintlich neuen Gruppe von Tetracyclinen, den “Aminomethylcyclinen”.
Der Ball ist nicht immer rund. Gleiten, Rollen und Haften bei Ballreflexionen
Authors: Thaller Sigrid , Mathelitsch Leopold
Published: March 2010

Das Reflexionsverhalten von Bällen ist physikalisch gesehen sehr unterschiedlich. Je nach Material, Spin und Einfallswinkel kommt es zu Gleit‐ oder Rollbewegungen. In vielen Fällen kann man auch ein teilweises oder vollständiges Haften des Balles beobachten. Durch die Verformung des Balles während der Stoßbewegung können Schwingungen auftreten. Sie verursachen eine mehrmalige Richtungsänderung der Reibungskräfte. Bei gleichem Einfallswinkel und gleichem Spin kann je nach Materialeigenschaften und Reflexionsart eine Verstärkung der Drehung oder sogar eine Umkehrung des Drehsinns auftreten.
Bewegte Bilder aus dem Nanokosmos. Der Freie‐Elektronen‐Laser European XFEL
Authors: Tschentscher Thomas , Schwarz Andreas S. , Rathje Dirk
Published: March 2010

Am European XFEL in Hamburg sollen ultrakurze Röntgenlaserblitze erzeugt werden – 30000‐mal in der Sekunde und mit einer Leuchtstärke, die milliardenfach höher ist als die der besten Röntgenstrahlungsquellen herkömmlicher Art. Dazu werden in einem Linearbeschleuniger Elektronen in Paketen auf hohe Energien gebracht und anschließend durch spezielle Magnetanordnungen (Undulatoren) gelenkt. Dabei senden die Teilchen Licht aus, das sich immer mehr verstärkt, bis schließlich ein extrem kurzer und intensiver Röntgenblitz entsteht. Mehrere Experimentierstationen ermöglichen parallel verlaufende Untersuchungen. Der European XFEL wird von einer eigenständigen Forschungsorganisation, der European XFEL GmbH, realisiert, die eng mit DESY und internationalen Partnern zusammenarbeitet und soll 2014 in Betrieb gehen.
Photoredox reaction of functionalized polyelectrolytes
Authors: Morishima Yotaro , Nozakura Shun‐Ichi
Published: March 2010

The electron transfer reaction from excited phenanthrene to acceptors was shown to be modified markedly when the phenanthrene unit was covalently linked to polyelectrolytes. (1) Such functionalized polyelectrolytes were shown to form hydrophobic microdomains in aqueous solution. (2) Uptake of amphiphilic acceptor substrates by the microdomain was demonstrated and was shown to accelerate the forward electron transfer reaction. (3) The electrostatic effect of microdomain was shown to effect the photoinduced charge separation. (4) The electrostatic potential of the microdomain was estimated to be comparable with that of surfactant micelles.
Determination of the sequence distribution and ionization constant of poly(acrylic acid‐co‐vinylamine) by C‐13 NMR
Authors: Chang C. , Muccio D. D. , Pierre T. St.
Published: March 2010

Three copolymers of poly(acrylic acid‐co‐vinylamine) containing 12% (SP12). 30% (SP30), and 52% (SP52) amino groups were synthesized from poly(acrylic acid) by means of the Schmidt reaction. These copolymers were analyzed by C‐13 NMR and the results compared wiih the previously analyzed homopolymers. The various comonomer sequence distributions were identified by means of peak areas. It was determined thai (1) the reactivity was not significantly influenced by the triad taciicity of the parent poly(acrylic acid), (2) the final copolymer is characterized by an essentially alternating sequence, and (3) there is extensive lactam formation between neighboring carboxyl and amino groups. In terms of nearest neighbor effects, the relative rales of amine formation are k1/k0 ≈ 0.3 and k2/k0 ≈ 0. A C‐13 NMR pH titration of SPI2 showed that the carboxyl group with a neighboring amino group is more acidic man a carboxyl group flanked by two carboxyl groups.
Determination of polymer‐polymer interaction parameters of incompatible monodisperse and polydisperse polymers in solution
Authors: Narasimhan Venkataraman , Huang Robert Y. M. , Burns Charles M.
Published: March 2010

Equilibrium phase studies were carried out on the ternary system of polystyrene‐poly butadiene‐toluene at 23°C and 1 atm. Narrow and broad molecular weight distribution (MWD) samples of polystyrene and polybutadiene were employed, and their binodal curves were established. Expressions were derived to calculate X2i values for both monodisperse (narrow MWD) and polydisperse polymers. Typical interaction parameters determined from (lie experimental data are presented. It is concluded that monodisperse expressions can be used for polydisperse polymers using the number‐average molecular weight.
Synthesis and enhanced green photoluminescence emission from BCT ZnS nanocrystals
Authors: Tiwary C. S. , Kumbhakar P. , Mondal A. K. , Mitra A. K.
Published: March 2010

Body‐centered‐tetragonal (BCT) ZnS nanocrystals have been synthesized, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, by using the chemical coprecipitation method at higher synthesis temperatures of 65 and 95 °C. It is confirmed from X‐ray diffraction (XRD) studies that in the high‐temperature‐synthesized samples, cubic and BCT phases coexist, in contrast to the room‐temperature‐synthesized sample, which consists of only cubic phase with sizes of the particles lying between 2 and 3 nm. The sizes of BCT phase nanocrystals are bigger than those of cubic phase of ZnS. The presence of BCT phase of ZnS in the samples is increased from 40 to 90% when the temperature of synthesis is increased from 65 to 95 °C. The nanocrystalline nature and UV–Vis absorption characteristics of the prepared samples have been studied with a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and a UV–Visible spectrophotometer, respectively. The room‐temperature‐synthesized ZnS sample shows photoluminescence (PL) emission in the blue region with multiple peaks, whereas the high‐temperature‐synthesized samples show PL emissions in the visible region. The Gaussian fittings of the measured PL spectra shows that three PL peaks at 429, 477, and 525 nm are appeared in the 65 °C sample and two peaks at 491 and 540 nm appear in the 95 °C sample with the enhanced PL intensity of the green peak at 540 nm.
Plasmonic resonances in nanostructured gold/polymer surfaces by colloidal lithography
Authors: Giudicatti Silvia , Valsesia Andrea , Marabelli Franco , Colpo Pascal , Rossi François
Published: March 2010

We investigate nanostructured surfaces consisting of a hexagonal lattice of polymeric pillars embedded in a gold matrix. These systems are prepared by a new fabrication technique based on plasma assisted deposition and colloidal lithography. A complete characterization of such surfaces is performed by angle resolved reflectance and transmittance measurements. Both delocalized and localized plasmonic modes can be identified: their reciprocal interplay allows to observe spectral features and to detect refractive index changes related to one of the sample interfaces by measurements performed with a light beam incident from the opposite side. This intriguing behaviour, together with ease of use and low cost of the deposition procedure, make this kind of nanostructures particularly interesting in biosensing applications.
Polarization dependences of absorption and luminescence spectra on each crystal face of α‐quaterthiophene and α‐quinquethiophene
Authors: Tanaka Shin , Katano Yoshitaka , Kimura Yuki , Yoshinari Takehisa , Nagasaka Shin‐ichiro , Itoh Hiroki , Kuriyama Yasunao
Published: March 2010

Polarization dependence of the absorption spectra (ABS) and the luminescence spectra in α‐quaterthiophene (4T) and α‐quinquethiophene (5T) has been measured directly with near normal incident light on the ab, bc, and ca crystal planes of their thick single crystals (SCs). Vibronic excitons (Frenkel excitons) have been observed on each crystal plane of 4T and 5T. The polarizations of the ABS are consistent with the prediction obtained from the MOPAC calculations of the transition dipole moment directions of the molecules in the SCs. Excited electron relaxes to the lowest excited state which is composed of the LUMO states.
Degradation of micromorph silicon solar cells after exposure to 65 MeV protons
Authors: Neitzert Heinz‐Christoph , Labonia Laura , Citro Michele , Delli Veneri Paola , Mercaldo Lucia
Published: March 2010

Silicon micromorph tandem solar cells, grown on commercial TCO coated substrates by plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition, with an initial efficiency higher than 10%, have been degraded, in order to check their stability under space conditions, by irradiation with 65 MeV protons with fluences ranging from 1012protons/cm2 up to 1014protons/cm2. For low proton fluences we find a stronger decrease of the top amorphous cell photocurrent due to the stronger impact of the proton beam on the glass substrate transparency in the visible wavelength range, as compared to the infrared range. Only for very high fluences a stronger degradation of the photocurrent in the infrared wavelength range where the bottom microcrystalline cell is dominating the spectral response, has been observed. Because the non‐irradiated cell has been found to be spectrally mismatched in favour of the top amorphous cell under AM1.5 and even more under AM0 irradiation conditions, for low and intermediate fluences the irradiation decreases the spectral mismatch of the micromorph tandem cells and results consequently in a relative stabilization of the irradiation induced degradation. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Advantage of plasma‐less deposition: Cat‐CVD fabrication of a‐Si TFT with current drivability equivalent to poly‐Si TFT
Authors: Matsumura Hideki , Ohdaira Keisuke , Nishizaki Shogo
Published: March 2010

This is to study on the advantage of plasma‐less deposition in catalytic chemical vapour deposition (Cat‐CVD), often called hot‐wire CVD. The effects of plasma damage are particularly studied by the performance of amorphous‐silicon thin film transistors (a‐Si TFTs), since it is strongly affected by the property of an interface between a gate insulating film and an a‐Si film. It is found that the plasma damage at the interface affects on off‐current of TFT, and that the off‐current of Cat‐CVD a‐Si TFT is much lower than that of a‐Si TFT in which all films are prepared by the conventional plasma‐enhanced CVD (PECVD). The off‐current of Cat‐CVD a‐Si TFTs is likely to increase and approach to the same level as the off‐current of PECVD a‐Si TFT, when Cat‐CVD a‐Si is exposed to weak plasma. In addition, since the off‐current is so low, when the ratio of the channel width (W) to the channel length (L) is adjusted, the on‐current can be increased up to the same level as the on‐current of poly‐crystalline silicon (poly‐Si) TFT with keeping the off‐current on the same level as that of poly‐Si one. That is, it is concluded that a‐Si TFT with current drivability equivalent to poly‐Si TFT can be produced by using plasma‐less Cat‐CVD method for preparing films used in TFTs. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Instability effects in hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon thin films
Authors: Yilmaz G. , Turan E. , Günes M. , Smirnov V. , Finger F. , Brüggemann R.
Published: March 2010

Instability effects on the dark conductivity (σDark) and photoconductivity (σphoto) of microcrystalline silicon films with different microstructures deposited on smooth and rough substrates, after exposure to different storage conditions have been investigated. Samples stored in vacuum are less affected by aging than films stored in air and sealed plastic bags filled with N2 gas. The aging is reversible after annealing at 450 K. Thin films deposited on smooth and rough substrates with the same thickness and silane concentrations (SC) during the same deposition run showed similar aging effects. Thick samples exhibited a decrease in σDark, while both decrease and increase in σDark occur in thin samples after aging. For each sample, σDark and σphoto presented the same type of aging, independent of thickness and type of substrate used. The applicability of the steady‐state photocarrier grating technique was successfully tested on the rough substrates. Light‐induced degradation studies confirm the dependence of the Staebler‐Wronski effect on the crystallinity of the material (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Heavy metal‐induced physiological alterations and oxidative stress in the moss Brachythecium piligerum chad
Authors: Sun Shou‐Qin , He Ming , Wang Gen‐Xu , Cao Tong
Published: March 2010

Antioxidative enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX)), as well as lipid peroxidation and proline were studied in moss Brachythecium piligerum Card. collected from different sites in Shanghai, China, to validate the physiological parameters as biomarkers of atmospheric heavy metal pollution. Results demonstrated that the responses of POD and CAT activities, as well as MDA and proline contents were in accordance with the heavy metal contents in mosses. That is, POD activity, MDA, and proline content were activated and CAT activity was inhibited in heavier polluted sites, indicating that POD and CAT activities, and MDA and proline contents could be used as biomarkers for biomonitoring atmospheric heavy metal pollution. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2010.
Effect of vaginal progesterone, administered to prevent preterm birth, on impedance to blood flow in fetal and uterine circulation
Authors: Barda G. , Ben‐Haroush A. , Barkat J. , Malinger G. , Luria O. , Golan A. , Bar J.
Published: March 2010

Objective

To evaluate the effect on the maternal and fetal circulation of progesterone administered to prevent preterm birth.

Methods

We used an observational cohort study design. The study group included 44 women at 18–32 weeks' gestation who presented with an episode of preterm labor, with or without history of delivery before 34 weeks' gestation, or an incidental finding of short cervix (≤ 25 mm). Doppler flow assessment of the umbilical artery, fetal middle cerebral artery and uterine arteries was performed before and 24 h after vaginal administration of progesterone.

Results

Seventeen (38.6%) women gave birth before term, but only nine (20.4%) did so before 34 weeks' gestation. Following progesterone treatment, there was a statistically significant decrease in the pulsatility index of the fetal middle cerebral artery (mean reduction, 18.2%; mean change in pulsatility index, 0.44 (95% CI, 0.25–0.63), P < 0.001), with no changes in the other vessels. Comparison of the women who gave birth before with those who delivered at term yielded no significant differences in Doppler flow parameters in any vessel examined, either before or after progesterone treatment.

Conclusion

Treatment with vaginal progesterone is associated with a lower pulsatility index in the fetal middle cerebral artery, suggesting a vasodilatory effect on the fetal circulation. Copyright © 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Newborn screening strategies for congenital hypothyroidism: an update
Authors: LaFranchi Stephen H.
Published: March 2010

It is the purpose of this article to briefly review the initial development and subsequent evolution of newborn screening programs to detect infants with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) and then to provide an update of the advantages and disadvantages of the main test strategies. Pilot programs began screening newborn populations in North America in the mid‐1970s using either primary thyroxine (T4)‐follow‐up thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) or primary TSH testing. Many programs in the United States and around the world continue to prefer a primary T4‐follow‐up TSH test strategy. This approach has the advantage of detecting infants with primary CH, as well as cases of hypopituitary hypothyroidism, by follow‐up of infants with a T4 below an absolute cutoff or with a persistently low T4 level, necessitating a higher recall rate. With increasing assay sensitivity and specificity, several programs in the United States and worldwide have elected to switch to a primary TSH test strategy. This test strategy has the advantage of detecting primary CH and subclinical hypothyroidism and at a lower recall rate. Programs considering switching to a primary TSH test strategy need to develop age‐related TSH cutoffs to maintain an acceptable recall rate. Both test strategies have the potential to detect infants with CH characterized by “delayed TSH rise,” but only if they collect a routine or discretionary second specimen, now recommended in low‐birth‐weight and acutely ill infants. Lastly, a lower TSH cutoff appears to be one of the explanations for the recently described increased incidence of CH.
Adolescent chronic pain‐related functioning: Concordance and discordance of mother‐proxy and self‐report ratings
Authors: Cohen Lindsey L. , Vowles Kevin E. , Eccleston Christopher
Published: February 2010

Accurate assessment of adolescent chronic pain is critical to guiding treatment decisions. Given the multifaceted role of the parents in their children's lives, parents, and patients often each provide reports of adolescents’ pain‐related functioning. In order to make sense of these data, clinicians should be aware of patterns of discordance in perspectives. In this study, we aimed to examine concordance and discordance in adolescents’ self‐report and mothers’ proxy‐report of adolescents’ chronic pain‐related functioning. Results suggested that although there were high correlations between the raters, there were also significant discordance with mothers rating their adolescents as having greater disability in social functioning, depression, and pain‐specific anxiety. Analyses suggested that high pain and being older predicted greater concordance in ratings. Findings suggest that mothers and adolescents tended to have greater concordance for more observable and shared disability (e.g., physical disability, family functioning) and greater discordance for internal experiences (e.g., pain‐specific anxiety, depression). Awareness of these patterns of concordance and discordance should help clinicians in interpreting mothers’ proxy‐reports and adolescents’ self‐reports of chronic pain‐related functioning.
The impact of pain spread on the outcome of multidisciplinary therapy in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain – A prospective clinical study in 389 patients
Authors: Moradi Babak , Zahlten‐Hinguranage Anita , Barié Alexander , Caldeira Fernanda , Schnatzer Philipp , Schiltenwolf Marcus , Neubauer Eva
Published: February 2010

Background: Musculoskeletal pain represents a continuous process ranging from single‐site to multiple‐site pain, with an increase in pain sites accompanied by an increasing risk of chronification and the development of further comorbidities. Within this context, the impact of pain spread on therapy outcome is still unknown.

Aims: This prospective clinical study aimed to evaluate whether and to what extent patients with pain at multiple sites would also benefit from multidisciplinary therapy or whether therapy success is limited by pain spread.

Methods: Patients’ characteristics were assessed, including socio‐demographic variables, occupational and workplace characteristics, pain intensity and dimensions of pain, psychological aspects and functional back capacity, as well as the generic health status. Data were prospectively collected at day 1 (baseline) and at 6‐month follow‐up from a sample of 389 patients undergoing multidisciplinary treatment. Patients were distributed into three groups based on the number of pain sites (single‐site, dual‐site and multiple‐site) and the outcome parameters were compared.

Results: All three groups improved significantly from baseline to the 6‐month follow‐up. Compared to patients with multiple‐site pain, patients with single‐site and dual‐site pain displayed significantly better outcome on almost all measures. Only the subcategory mental health of the SF‐36 did not show any statistically significant differences among the three groups.

Conclusions: Our results display that patients with two or more pain sites also improve significantly in the outcome measures. Therefore, treatment should be offered independent of the extent of pain spread. However, therapy is significantly less successful in patients with pain at multiple sites.
Two active and differently N‐glycosylated isoforms of human ST3Gal‐V are produced from the placental mRNA variant by a leaky scanning mechanism
Authors: Zava Stefania , Milani Simona , Sottocornola Elena , Berra Bruno , Colombo Irma
Published: February 2010

Previously, we identified a human ST3Gal‐V mRNA variant peculiarly characterized by the presence of a translational start codon localized up‐stream and in‐frame with the one that is usually considered as unique translation initiation site in the human gene. In this study we demonstrate, by cDNA transfection experiments, mutational analyses, enzyme activity assays, and endoglycosidase‐H treatments, that the in vivo expression of this transcript gives rise to two human ST3Gal‐V isoforms with distinct characteristics. Produced by a leaky scanning mechanism, they carry different N‐glycan structures and exhibit differences in their GM3 synthase activity that might be relevant for the modulation of GM3 cellular content.
Identification of MyD88 as a novel target of miR‐155, involved in negative regulation of Helicobacter pylori‐induced inflammation
Authors: Tang Bin , Xiao Bin , Liu Zhen , Li Na , Zhu En-Dong , Li Bo-Sheng , Xie Qing-Hua , Zhuang Yuan , Zou Quan-Ming , Mao Xu-Hu
Published: February 2010

MicroRNA‐155 (miR‐155) has been implicated as a central regulator of the immune system. We have previously reported that miR‐155 negatively regulates Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)‐induced inflammation, but the molecular mechanism of miR‐155 regulating the inflammation is not fully clear. Here, we identified myeloid differentiation protein 88 (MyD88) as a target gene of miR‐155, and found that miR‐155 decreased MyD88 expression at the protein but not the mRNA message level, suggesting that the miR‐155‐mediated inhibition is a post‐transcriptional event. Furthermore, the overexpression of miR‐155 led to significantly reduced IL‐8 production induced by H. pylori infection. Thus, we have demonstrated that miR‐155 can negatively regulate inflammation by targeting a key adaptor molecule MyD88 in inflammatory pathways.
Substrate specificity and evolutionary implications of a NifDK enzyme carrying NifB‐co at its active site
Authors: Soboh Basem , Boyd Eric S. , Zhao Dehua , Peters John W. , Rubio Luis M.
Published: February 2010

The in vitro reconstitution of molybdenum nitrogenase was manipulated to generate a chimeric enzyme in which the active site iron–molybdenum cofactor (FeMo‐co) is replaced by NifB‐co. The NifDK/NifB‐co enzyme was unable to reduce N2 to NH3, while exhibiting residual C2H4 and considerable H2 production activities. Production of H2 by NifDK/NifB‐co was stimulated by N2 and was dependent on NifH and ATP hydrolysis. Thus, NifDK/NifB‐co is a useful tool to gain insights into the catalytic mechanism of nitrogenase. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis of D and K homologs indicates that several early emerging lineages, which contain NifB, NifH and NifDK encoding genes but which lack other genes required for processing NifB‐co into FeMo‐co, might encode an enzyme with similar catalytic properties to NifDK/NifB‐co.
Henry James and the Philosophical Novel
Authors: Williams Merle A.
Published: March 2010

Henry James and the Philosophical Novel examines James's unique position as a philosophical novelist, closely associated with the climate of ideas generated by his brother, William and his father, the elder Henry. The book offers a detailed consideration of story-telling as a mode of philosophical enquiry, showing how a range of distinguished thinkers have relied on fictional narrative as a vital technique for formulating and clarifying their ideas. At the same time, it investigates (with close reference to his novels) the affiliations between James's practice as a novelist and the epistemological, moral and linguistic concerns pursued by members of the Phenomenological movement. The study brings to light striking similarities between James's later works and the philosophical project of Merleau-Ponty; it emphasises James's growing attraction to and versatility with deconstructive strategies such as those later employed by Jacques Derrida.
American Slaves in Victorian England
Authors: Fisch Audrey A.
Published: March 2010

Audrey Fisch's study, first published in 2000, examines the circulation within England of the people and ideas of the black Abolitionist campaign. During the 1850s, African-Americans and others active in the campaign to abolish slavery, journeyed to England to present the slave experience and rouse opposition to American slavery. By focusing on Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin, an anonymous sequel to that novel, Uncle Tom in England, and John Brown's Slave Life in Georgia, and the lecture tours of free blacks and ex-slaves, Fisch follows the discourse of American abolitionism as it moved across the Atlantic and was reshaped by domestic Victorian debates about popular culture and taste, the worker versus the slave, popular education, and working class self-improvement. Despite its popular appeal, she claims, the African-American abolitionist campaign actually re-energised English nationalism. This book will be of interest to students of African-American literature, and nineteenth-century American and English literature.
Total body water and fat-free mass: evaluation of equations based on bioelectrical impedance analysis in infants and young children in India
Authors: Sen Bandana , Mahalanabis Dilip , Kurpad Anura V. , Shaikh Saijuddin , Bose Kaushik
Published: March 2010

The association of early postnatal growth with diseases in adults such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes and CHD has generated interest in studying postnatal growth. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a useful measure to estimate total body water (TBW) and fat-free mass (FFM). We evaluated three published equations (Fjeld et al. (Pediatr Res (1990) 27, 98–102), Bocage (MSc Thesis (1988) University of West Indies) and Kushner et al. (Am J Clin Nutr (1992) 56, 835–839) to measure TBW and derived FFM based on BIA, using 2H2O dilution as a reference method for suitability in infants in India. In a cross-sectional study in seventy-eight apparently healthy infants aged 6–24 months from the urban poor attending an immunisation clinic at a hospital in Kolkata, we measured their length to the nearest 0·1 cm, weight to the nearest 10 g, resistance at 50 kHz using BIA and TBW using 2H2O dilution. TBW was derived using three published BIA-based equations and compared with TBW using 2H2O dilution. Based on the BIA equations of Fjeld et al., Bocage and Kushner et al., the mean TBW values were 2·46 % (P < 0·001), 4·62 % (P < 0·001) and 9·50 % (P < 0·001) lower than the reference 2H2O method, respectively. All three published BIA-based equations consistently underestimated the TBW and FFM and appeared inadequate for studying infants in India. The equation described by Fjeld et al. gave the smallest deviation from the reference method and may be used for field studies. New equations based on population-specific data are desirable for a more precise measure of TBW.
Tudor antiquaries and the Vita Ædwardi regis
Authors: Summerson Henry
Published: March 2010

Recent investigations into the sources of Holinshed's Chronicles, both in the latter's text and in the collections of the late-sixteenth-century antiquaries responsible for its compilation, have brought to light a number of passages derived from the eleventh-century Vita Ædwardi regis, some in Latin and others translated into English. In most cases, corresponding passages occur in the single surviving manuscript of the Vita, but this is not invariably so. It is argued here that the antiquaries had access to a manuscript of the Vita which was at one time in the keeping of John Stow, but has since been lost, and that certain passages missing from the extant manuscript of the Vita can now be reconstructed on the basis of the passages derived from Stow's manuscript. Prominent among them is the complete poem describing the magnificent ship and other gifts given by Earl Godwine to King Edward the Confessor in 1042.
Anger, Irony, and the Formal Rationality of Professionalism
Authors: Mehrotra Ajay K.
Published: March 2010

One of the challenges in writing about the history of American law and political economy is determining the proper amount of historical context necessary to make sense of past institutional and organizational change. Where to begin and end a historical narrative and how much to include about the broader social, cultural, political, and economic conditions of a particular place and time are, of course, questions that accompany any attempt to reconstruct the past. How one addresses these issues invariably shapes the motives and intentions that can be ascribed to historical figures. In their eloquent and thoughtful comments, Christopher Capozzola and Michael Bernstein have urged me to think more carefully about these issues, about where my story begins and ends, about the broader social, political, and material circumstances that animated World War I state-building, and about the seemingly apolitical ideas and actions of the Treasury lawyers who are the center of “Lawyers, Guns, and Public Moneys.”
Patent arterial duct, bottle-meal, and fatal myocardial ischaemia
Authors: Fluri Simon , Pavlovic Mladen , Wagner Bendicht P.
Published: March 2010

A patent arterial duct in pre-term neonates is frequent. Systemic complications consecutive to left-to-right shunting are well known but fatal myocardial ischaemia has not been described till now. The presented premature baby died from catecholamine refractory cardiogenic shock. Autoptic examination revealed acute ischaemic changes predominantly in the inner third of myocardium, speaking of coronary hypoperfusion due to a steal phenomenon secondary to the patent arterial duct.
Trends and correlates in meat consumption patterns in the US adult population
Authors: Wang Youfa , Beydoun May A , Caballero Benjamin , Gary Tiffany L , Lawrence Robert
Published: March 2010

Objective

Few studies have examined recent shifts in meat consumption (MC), differences among US population groups, and the influence of psychosocial–behavioural factors.

Design

Nationally representative data collected for US adults aged ≥18 years in the 1988–1994 and 1999–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and the 1994–1996 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) and Diet and Health Knowledge Survey (DHKS) were used.

Results

We found a U-shaped trend in MC, a decrease between 1988–1994 and 1994–1996, and an increase from 1994–1996 to 1999–2004. NHANES 1988–1994 and 1999–2004 indicate that MC did not change significantly, particularly for all meat, red meat, poultry and seafood. Between 1994–1996 and 1999–2004, average MC, including red meat, poultry, seafood and other meat products, increased in men. Women’s total MC decreased, mainly due to decreased red meat and other meat products, except for increased seafood. Noticeable differences existed in the changes across population groups. Black men had the largest increase in consumption of total meat, poultry and seafood; Mexican American men had the smallest increase in poultry, seafood and other meat products. In 1999–2004, ethnic differences in MC became greater in women than among women in 1994–1996. Associations between MC and energy intake changed over time. Perceived benefit of dietary quality and food label use were associated with reduced red MC.

Conclusions

Noticeable differences exist in the shifts in MC across population groups and surveys. MC increased in men but decreased in women in recent years.
Evaluation of the Mini Nutritional Assessment in the elderly, Tehran, Iran
Authors: Amirkalali Bahareh , Sharifi Farshad , Fakhrzadeh Hossein , Mirarefin Mojde , Ghaderpanahi Maryam , Larijani Bagher
Published: March 2010

Objective

To determine whether the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) can screen and diagnose for malnutrition in the Iranian elderly.

Design

The MNA was administered to all volunteers. Each patient underwent anthropometric and serum albumin measurements. Reliability, validity, sensitivity, specificity, positive- and negative-predictive values were estimated. To identify optimal threshold values for predicting malnutrition, receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was performed for MNA scores.

Setting

Kahrizak Charity Foundation (Tehran, Iran).

Subjects

Two hundred and twenty-one consecutive elderly patients entered into the cross-sectional study. Amputees and patients with liver or renal disorders, oedema or any end-stage diseases were excluded.

Results

According to MNA score, 3·2 % were malnourished, 43·4 % were at risk of malnutrition and 53·4 % were well nourished. The proportions in these categories according to ideal body weight and serum albumin were 2·3 %, 17·1 % and 80·6 %, respectively. Cronbach’sαcoefficient (reliability) was 0·61. The correlations between total MNA score, anthropometric values and serum albumin (criterion-related validity) were all significant. There were significant differences in total MNA score between two BMI groups but not between two categories according to serum albumin and skin ulcers (construct validity). The sensitivity and specificity of the MNA according to its established cut-off points were 82 % and 63 %, respectively. Positive-predictive value was 35 % and negative-predictive value was 93 %. By using the best cut-off point (MNA score of 22 according to Youden index), the sensitivity, specificity, positive-predictive value and negative-predictive value were 88 %, 62 %, 57 % and 89 %, respectively.

Conclusions

The MNA with its established cut-off points may not be a good fit for Asian populations, including Iranian elderly.
An altimetry‐based gravest empirical mode south of Africa: 1. Development and validation
Authors: Swart Sebastiaan , Speich Sabrina , Ansorge Isabelle J. , Lutjeharms Johann R. E.
Published: March 2010

Hydrographic transects of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) south of Africa are projected into baroclinic stream function space parameterized by pressure and dynamic height. This produces a two‐dimensional gravest empirical mode (GEM) that captures more than 97% of the total density and temperature variance in the ACC domain. Weekly maps of absolute dynamic topography data, derived from satellite altimetry, are combined with the GEM to obtain a 16 year time series of temperature and salinity fields. The time series of thermohaline fields are compared with independent in situ observations. The residuals decrease sharply below the thermocline and through the entire water column the mean root‐mean‐square (RMS) error is 0.15°C, 0.02, and 0.02 kg m−3 for temperature, salinity, and density, respectively. The positions of ACC fronts are followed in time using satellite altimetry data. These locations correspond to both the observed and GEM‐based positions. The available temperature and salinity information allow one to calculate the baroclinic zonal velocity field between the surface and 2500 dbar. This is compared with velocity measurements from repeat hydrographic transects at the GoodHope line. The net accumulated transports of the ACC, derived from these different methods are within 1–3 Sv of each other. Similarly, GEM‐produced cross‐sectional velocities at 300 dbar compare closely to the observed data, with the RMS difference not exceeding 0.03 m s−1. The continuous time series of thermohaline fields, described here, are further exploited to understand the dynamic nature of the ACC fronts in the region, and which is given by Swart and Speich (2010).
Microwave to plasma coupling in electron cyclotron resonance and microwave ion sources (invited)
Authors: Celona L. , Gammino S. , Ciavola G. , Maimone F. , Mascali D.
Published: March 2010

Coupling improvements between microwaves and plasmas are a key factor to design more powerful electron cyclotron resonance and microwave ion sources. On this purpose different activities have been undertaken by the INFN-LNS ion source team and a new approach was developed. Recent experiments confirmed the simulations, demonstrating that even in presence of a dense plasma, resonant modes are excited inside the cavity and the plasma dynamics depends on their structure. An overview of the coupling issues on microwave ion sources is also given along with a discussion on alternative coupling techniques.
Ultracompact/ultralow power electron cyclotron resonance ion source for multipurpose applications
Authors: Sortais P. , Lamy T. , Médard J. , Angot J. , Latrasse L. , Thuillier T.
Published: March 2010

In order to drastically reduce the power consumption of a microwave ion source, we have studied some specific discharge cavity geometries in order to reduce the operating point below 1 W of microwave power (at 2.45 GHz). We show that it is possible to drive an electron cyclotron resonance ion source with a transmitter technology similar to those used for cellular phones. By the reduction in the size and of the required microwave power, we have developed a new type of ultralow cost ion sources. This microwave discharge system (called COMIC, for COmpact MIcrowave and Coaxial) can be used as a source of light, plasma or ions. We will show geometries of conductive cavities where it is possible, in a 20 mm diameter chamber, to reduce the ignition of the plasma below 100 mW and define typical operating points around 5 W. Inside a simple vacuum chamber it is easy to place the source and its extraction system anywhere and fully under vacuum. In that case, current densities from 0.1 to 10 mA/cm2 (Ar, extraction 4 mm, 1 mAe, 20 kV) have been observed. Preliminary measurements and calculations show the possibility, with a two electrodes system, to extract beams within a low emittance. The first application for these ion sources is the ion injection for charge breeding, surface analyzing system and surface treatment. For this purpose, a very small extraction hole is used (typically 3/10 mm for a 3 μA extracted current with 2 W of HF power). Mass spectrum and emittance measurements will be presented. In these conditions, values down to 1 π mm mrad at 15 kV (1σ) are observed, thus very close to the ones currently observed for a surface ionization source. A major interest of this approach is the possibility to connect together several COMIC devices. We will introduce some new on-going developments such as sources for high voltage implantation platforms, fully quartz radioactive ion source at ISOLDE or large plasma generators for plasma immersion, broad or ribbon beams generation.
Emittance estimation by an ion optical element with variable focusing strength and a viewing target
Authors: Mäder J. , Roßbach J. , Maimone F. , Spädtke P. , Tinschert K. , Lang R. , Sun L. , Cao Y. , Zhao H.
Published: March 2010

The emittance of an extracted ion beam can be estimated to first order by a series of three linear independent profile measurements. This estimation is restricted to the evaluation of an upper limit of the emittance value for a homogeneous, nonfilamented beam. The beam is assumed to be round, respectively elliptical, without any structure of the intensity distribution, no space charge has been assumed for the drifting beam, and the optics is assumed to be linear. Instead of using three different drift sections, a linear focusing element with three different focusing strengths can be used. Plotting the beam radius as function of focusing strength, three independent solutions can be used to calculate the Twiss parameters α, β, and γ and furthermore the emittance ϵ. Here we describe the measurements which have been performed with the SECRAL ion source at Institute of Modern Physics Lanzhou.
Negative ion source development for fusion application (invited)
Authors: Takeiri Yasuhiko
Published: March 2010

Giant negative ion sources, producing high-current of several tens amps with high energy of several hundreds keV to 1 MeV, are required for a neutral beam injector (NBI) in a fusion device. The giant negative ion sources are cesium-seeded plasma sources, in which the negative ions are produced on the cesium-covered surface. Their characteristic features are discussed with the views of large-volume plasma production, large-area beam acceleration, and high-voltage dc holding. The international thermonuclear experimental reactor NBI employs a 1 MeV-40 A of deuterium negative ion source, and intensive development programs for the rf-driven source plasma production and the multistage electrostatic acceleration are in progress, including the long pulse operation for 3600 s. Present status of the development, as well as the achievements of the giant negative ion sources in the working injectors, is also summarized.
Time structure of an accelerated beam using a radio-frequency quadrupole linac with direct plasma injection scheme
Authors: Kashiwagi Hirotsugu , Okamura Masahiro , Jameson R. A. , Hattori Toshiyuki , Hayashizaki Noriyosu
Published: March 2010

In direct plasma injection scheme, the relation between the ion current from a laser ion source and the accelerated beam current by a radio-frequency quadrupole (RFQ) linac was studied by a series of the following analyses. First, ion current at beam extraction was calculated from measured plasma parameters using a scaling law. Second, the beam emittance at the entrance of acceleration electrode region was evaluated by the simulation of the ion extraction out of the ion source plasma using the result of the first calculation. Last, the accelerated beam current could be reproduced by the simulation of beam acceleration using the results of the second. The second calculation revealed the time variation in the injected beam parameter to the RFQ linac. Then it was proved that the time structure of the accelerated beam was different from that of the injection beam because the degree of the matching between the injected beam emittance and the RFQ acceptance varied with time.
First-principles prediction of half-metallic ferromagnetism in Cu-doped ZnS
Authors: Zhang Chang-wen , Yan Shi-shen
Published: March 2010

The spin-polarized full potential linearized augmented plane wave method in the generalized gradient approximation is carried out for investigation on the magnetism and electronic structures of Cu-doped ZnS. We find that the Cu-doped ZnS supercell shows half-metallic ferromagnetic character with a total magnetic moment of 1.0μB per Cu. The long-range ferromagnetism in Cu-doped ZnS can be explained in terms of p-d like hybridization chain, and the Curie temperature higher than around 350 K is predicted. These results suggest that Cu-doped ZnS may be a promising half-metallic ferromagnetic material for applications in spintronics.