bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacteriological and Epidemiological Characteristics of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Isolated in Tokyo, Japan, between 1966 and 2009
Authors: Konishi Noriko , Obata Hiromi , Monma Chie , Nakama Akiko , Kai Akemi , Tsuji Takao
Published: July 2011

Enterotoxigenic
Escherichia coli
(ETEC) caused 131 outbreaks in Tokyo, Japan, between 1966 and 2009. The major serogroups were O6, O27, O148, and O159. The incidence of serogroups O25 and O169 recently increased. Heat-stable enterotoxin (ST) subtyping revealed that
E. coli
of serogroups O6, O15, O25, and O159 possessed the STh gene, whereas those serotyped as O27 and O169 possessed the STp gene.
The L-Coding Region of the DA Strain of Theiler's Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus Causes Dysfunction and Death of Myelin-Synthesizing Cells
Authors: Ghadge G. D. , Wollmann R. , Baida G. , Traka M. , Roos R. P.
Published: July 2011

The DA strain and other members of the TO subgroup of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) induce an early transient subclinical neuronal disease followed by a chronic progressive inflammatory demyelination, with persistence of the virus in the central nervous system (CNS) for the life of the mouse. Although TMEV-induced demyelinating disease (TMEV-IDD) is thought to be immune mediated, there is also evidence that supports a role for the virus in directly inducing demyelination. In order to clarify the function of DA virus genes, we generated a transgenic mouse that had tamoxifen-inducible expression of the DA L-coding region in oligodendrocytes (and Schwann cells), a cell type in which the virus is known to persist. Tamoxifen-treated young transgenic mice usually developed an acute progressive fatal paralysis, with abnormalities of the oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells and demyelination, but without significant lymphocytic infiltration; later treatment led to transient weakness with demyelination and persistent expression of the recombined transgene. These findings demonstrate that a high level of expression of DA L can cause the death of myelin-synthesizing cells and death of the mouse, while a lower level of L expression (which can persist) can lead to cellular dysfunction with survival. The results suggest that expression of DA L plays an important role in the pathogenesis of TMEV-IDD. Virus-induced infection and death of oligodendrocytes may play a part in the demyelination of other diseases in which an immune-mediated mechanism has been stressed, including multiple sclerosis.
Deletion of the Monkeypox Virus Inhibitor of Complement Enzymes Locus Impacts the Adaptive Immune Response to Monkeypox Virus in a Nonhuman Primate Model of Infection
Authors: Estep Ryan D. , Messaoudi Ilhem , O'Connor Megan A. , Li Helen , Sprague Jerald , Barron Alexander , Engelmann Flora , Yen Bonnie , Powers Michael F. , Jones John M. , Robinson Bridget A. , Orzechowska Beata U. , Manoharan Minsha , Legasse Alfred , Planer Shannon , Wilk Jennifer , Axthelm Michael K. , Wong Scott W.
Published: July 2011

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is an orthopoxvirus closely related to variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox. Human MPXV infection results in a disease that is similar to smallpox and can also be fatal. Two clades of MPXV have been identified, with viruses of the central African clade displaying more pathogenic properties than those within the west African clade. The monkeypox inhibitor of complement enzymes (MOPICE), which is not expressed by viruses of the west African clade, has been hypothesized to be a main virulence factor responsible for increased pathogenic properties of central African strains of MPXV. To gain a better understanding of the role of MOPICE during MPXV-mediated disease, we compared the host adaptive immune response and disease severity following intrabronchial infection with MPXV-Zaire (
n
= 4), or a recombinant MPXV-Zaire (
n
= 4) lacking expression of MOPICE in rhesus macaques (RM). Data presented here demonstrate that infection of RM with MPXV leads to significant viral replication in the peripheral blood and lungs and results in the induction of a robust and sustained adaptive immune response against the virus. More importantly, we show that the loss of MOPICE expression results in enhanced viral replication
in vivo
, as well as a dampened adaptive immune response against MPXV. Taken together, these findings suggest that MOPICE modulates the anti-MPXV immune response and that this protein is not the sole virulence factor of the central African clade of MPXV.
Autophagosome Formation during Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection following Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and the Unfolded Protein Response
Authors: Carpenter John E. , Jackson Wallen , Benetti Luca , Grose Charles
Published: July 2011

Autophagy is a recently recognized component of the life cycle of varicella-zoster virus (VZV). We have documented abundant autophagosome formation in skin vesicles (final site of virion assembly) from randomly selected cases of varicella and zoster. The fact that autophagy was an early event in the VZV replication cycle was documented by finding infected vesicle cells with the VZV IE62 protein confined to the nucleus. Next, we pursued studies in VZV-infected cultured cells to define whether autophagy was preceded by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR). First, we demonstrated that autophagosome formation in infected cells closely resembled that seen after treatment of cells with tunicamycin, a potent initiator of ER stress. Second, we demonstrated a marked expansion of ER size in both VZV-infected cells and cells transfected with the predominant VZV glycoprotein complex gE/gI. An enlarged ER is critical evidence of ER stress, which in turn is relieved by the UPR. To this end, we documented the UPR by detecting the alternatively spliced form of the XBP1 protein as well as CHOP (C/EBP homologous protein), both transcriptional activators of other UPR genes in an ER stress-dependent manner. Because VZV does not encode inhibitors of autophagy, the above results suggested that autophagy was a common event in VZV-infected cells and that it was provoked at least in part by ER stress secondary to overly abundant VZV glycoprotein biosynthesis, which led to UPR activation in an attempt to maintain cellular homeostasis.
Human Rhinovirus 2 Induces the Autophagic Pathway and Replicates More Efficiently in Autophagic Cells
Authors: Klein Kathryn A. , Jackson William T.
Published: July 2011

Picornaviruses rearrange cellular membranes to form cytosolic replication sites. In the case of poliovirus and several other picornaviruses, these membranes are derived from subversion of the cellular autophagy pathway. We also reported observation of autophagosome-like structures during infection by two human rhinoviruses (HRVs), HRV-2 and HRV-14 (W. T. Jackson et al., PLoS Biol. 3:e156, 2005). Another group reported that HRV-2 does not induce autophagosomes or respond to changes in cellular autophagy (M. Brabec-Zaruba, U. Berka, D. Blaas, and R. Fuchs, J. Virol. 81:10815-10817, 2007). In this study, we tested HRV-2-infected cells for activation of autophagic signaling and changes in virus growth in response to changes in autophagy levels. Our data indicate that HRV-2 induces and subverts the autophagic machinery to promote its own replication.
High-Functional-Avidity Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Responses to HLA-B-Restricted Gag-Derived Epitopes Associated with Relative HIV Control
Authors: Berger Christoph T. , Frahm Nicole , Price David A. , Mothe Beatriz , Ghebremichael Musie , Hartman Kari L. , Henry Leah M. , Brenchley Jason M. , Ruff Laura E. , Venturi Vanessa , Pereyra Florencia , Sidney John , Sette Alessandro , Douek Daniel C. , Walker Bruce D. , Kaufmann Daniel E. , Brander Christian
Published: July 2011

Virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) with high levels of functional avidity have been associated with viral clearance in hepatitis C virus infection and with enhanced antiviral protective immunity in animal models. However, the role of functional avidity as a determinant of HIV-specific CTL efficacy remains to be assessed. Here we measured the functional avidities of HIV-specific CTL responses targeting 20 different, optimally defined CTL epitopes restricted by 13 different HLA class I alleles in a cohort comprising 44 HIV controllers and 68 HIV noncontrollers. Responses restricted by HLA-B alleles and responses targeting epitopes located in HIV Gag exhibited significantly higher functional avidities than responses restricted by HLA-A or HLA-C molecules (P= 0.0003) or responses targeting epitopes outside Gag (P< 0.0001). The functional avidities of Gag-specific and HLA-B-restricted responses were higher in HIV controllers than in noncontrollers (P= 0.014 andP= 0.018) and were not restored in HIV noncontrollers initiating antiretroviral therapy. T-cell receptor (TCR) analyses revealed narrower TCR repertoires in higher-avidity CTL populations, which were dominated by public TCR sequences in HIV controllers. Together, these data link the presence of high-avidity Gag-specific and HLA-B-restricted CTL responses with viral suppressionin vivoand provide new insights into the immune parameters that mediate spontaneous control of HIV infection.
Green Fluorescent Protein Reporter System with Transcriptional Sequence Heterogeneity for Monitoring the Interferon Response
Authors: Mahmoud Linah , Al-Saif Maher , Amer Haitham M. , Sheikh Mustafa , Almajhdi Fahad N. , Khabar Khalid S. A.
Published: July 2011

The interferon (IFN) response is initiated by a variety of triggers, including viruses and foreign RNA, and involves several receptors and intracellular mediators. Although there are common
cis
-acting consensus sequences in the promoters of many genes stimulated during the IFN response, they exhibit core and context heterogeneity that may lead to differential transcriptional activity. We have developed and validated a live cell-based enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) reporter system employing more than a hundred constructs containing multiple viruses and IFN response elements derived from a variety of promoters involved in immunity to viruses. Common and distinct response patterns were observed due to promoter heterogeneity in response to different stimuli, including IFN-α, TLR3-agonist double-stranded RNA, and several viruses. This information should serve as a resource in selecting specific reporters for sensing nonself ligands.
The Members of an Epstein-Barr Virus MicroRNA Cluster Cooperate To Transform B Lymphocytes
Authors: Feederle Regina , Haar Janina , Bernhardt Katharina , Linnstaedt Sarah D. , Bannert Helmut , Lips Helge , Cullen Bryan R. , Delecluse Henri-Jacques
Published: July 2011

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transforms B lymphocytes through the expression of the latent viral proteins EBNA and latent membrane protein (LMP). Recently, it has become apparent that microRNAs (miRNAs) also contribute to EBV's oncogenic properties; recombinant EBVs that lack the BHRF1 miRNA cluster display a reduced ability to transform B lymphocytes
in vitro
. Furthermore, infected cells evince a marked upregulation of the EBNA genes. Using recombinant viruses that lack only one member of the cluster, we now show that all three BHRF1 miRNAs contribute to B-cell transformation. Recombinants that lacked miR-BHRF1-2 or miR-BHRF1-3 displayed enhanced EBNA expression initiated at the Cp and Wp promoters. Interestingly, we find that the deletion of miR-BHRF1-2 reduced the expression level of miR-BHRF1-3 and possibly that of miR-BHRF1-1, demonstrating that the expression of one miRNA can potentiate the expression of other miRNAs located in the same cluster. Therefore, the phenotypic traits of the miR-BHRF1-2 null mutant could result partly from reduced miR-BHRF1-1 and miR-BHRF1-3 expression levels. Nevertheless, using an miR-BHRF1-1 and miR-BHRF1-3 double mutant, we could directly assess and confirm the contribution of miR-BHRF1-2 to B-cell transformation. Furthermore, we found that the potentiating effect of miR-BHRF1-2 on miR-BHRF1-3 synthesis can be reproduced with simple expression plasmids, provided that both miRNAs are processed from the same transcript. Therefore, this enhancing effect does not result from an idiosyncrasy of the EBV genome but rather reflects a general property of these miRNAs. This study highlights the advantages of arranging the BHRF1 miRNAs in clusters: it allows the synchronous and synergistic expression of genetic elements that cooperate to transform their target cells.
Differential Effects of Viral Vectors on Migratory Afferent Lymph Dendritic CellsIn VitroPredict Enhanced ImmunogenicityIn Vivo
Authors: Cubillos-Zapata C. , Guzman E. , Turner A. , Gilbert S. C. , Prentice H. , Hope J. C. , Charleston B.
Published: July 2011

Targeting dendritic cells (DC) is key to driving effective immune responses. Lymphatic cannulation provides access to the heterogeneous populations of DC draining peripheral sites in rodents and ruminants. Afferent lymph DEC-205+CD11c+SIRPα+DC were preferentially infectedex vivowith three vaccine viral vectors: recombinant human replication-defective human adenovirus 5 (rhuAdV5), recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara (rMVA), and recombinant fowlpox virus (rFPV), all expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP). The rhuAdV5-infected cells remained viable, and peak GFP expression was observed 16 to 24 h posttransduction. Increasing the incubation period of DC with rhuAdV5 enhanced GFP expression. In contrast, DC infected with rMVA-GFP or rFPV-GFP became rapidly apoptotic and GFP expression peaked at 6 h postinfection. Delivery of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) A22antigen to DC by rhuAdV5-FMDV-A22ex vivoresulted in significantly greater CD4+T cell proliferation than did delivery by rFPV-FMDV-A22. Delivery of rhuAdV5-GFP in oil adjuvantin vivo, to enhance DC-vector contact, resulted in increased GFP expression in migrating DC compared to that with vector alone. Similarly, CD4+T cell responses were significantly enhanced when using rhuAdV5-FMDV-A22in adjuvant. Therefore, the interaction between viral vectors and afferent lymph DCex vivocan predict the outcome ofin vivoimmunization and provide a means of rapidly assessing the effects of vector modification.
Structure of a Baculovirus Sulfhydryl Oxidase, a Highly Divergent Member of the Erv Flavoenzyme Family
Authors: Hakim Motti , Mandelbaum Amitai , Fass Deborah
Published: July 2011

Genomes of nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses (NCLDVs) encode enzymes that catalyze the formation of disulfide bonds between cysteine amino acid residues in proteins, a function essential for the proper assembly and propagation of NCLDV virions. Recently, a catalyst of disulfide formation was identified in baculoviruses, a group of large double-stranded DNA viruses considered phylogenetically distinct from NCLDVs. The NCLDV and baculovirus disulfide catalysts are flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-binding sulfhydryl oxidases related to the cellular Erv enzyme family, but the baculovirus enzyme, the product of the Ac92 gene in
Autographa californica
multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV), is highly divergent at the amino acid sequence level. The crystal structure of the Ac92 protein presented here shows a configuration of the active-site cysteine residues and bound cofactor similar to that observed in other Erv sulfhydryl oxidases. However, Ac92 has a complex quaternary structural arrangement not previously seen in cellular or viral enzymes of this family. This novel assembly comprises a dimer of pseudodimers with a striking 40-degree kink in the interface helix between subunits. The diversification of the Erv sulfhydryl oxidase enzymes in large double-stranded DNA viruses exemplifies the extreme degree to which these viruses can push the boundaries of protein family folds.
The Novel Anticytomegalovirus Compound AIC246 (Letermovir) Inhibits Human Cytomegalovirus Replication through a Specific Antiviral Mechanism That Involves the Viral Terminase
Authors: Goldner Thomas , Hewlett Guy , Ettischer Nicole , Ruebsamen-Schaeff Helga , Zimmermann Holger , Lischka Peter
Published: July 2011

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) remains the leading viral cause of birth defects and life-threatening disease in transplant recipients. All approved antiviral drugs target the viral DNA polymerase and are associated with severe toxicity issues and the emergence of drug resistance. Attempts to discover improved anti-HCMV drugs led to the identification of the small-molecular-weight compound AIC246 (Letermovir). AIC246 exhibits outstanding anti-HCMV activityin vitroandin vivoand currently is undergoing a clinical phase IIb trial. The initial mode-of-action studies suggested that the drug acts late in the HCMV replication cycle via a mechanism distinct from that of polymerase inhibitors. Here, we extend our mode-of-action analyses and report that AIC246 blocks viral replication without inhibiting the synthesis of progeny HCMV DNA or viral proteins. The genotyping of mutant viruses that escaped AIC246 inhibition uncovered distinct point mutations in the UL56 subunit of the viral terminase complex. Marker transfer analyses confirmed that these mutations were sufficient to mediate AIC246 resistance. The mapping of drug resistance to open reading frame UL56 suggests that viral DNA processing and/or packaging is targeted by AIC246. In line with this, we demonstrate that AIC246 affects the formation of proper unit-length genomes from viral DNA concatemers and interferes with virion maturation. However, since AIC246-resistant viruses do not exhibit cross-resistance to previously published terminase inhibitors, our data suggest that AIC246 interferes with HCMV DNA cleavage/packaging via a molecular mechanism that is distinct from that of other compound classes known to target the viral terminase.
A Dual Strategy for the Suppression of Host Antiviral Silencing: Two Distinct Suppressors for Viral Replication and Viral Movement Encoded by Potato Virus M
Authors: Senshu Hiroko , Yamaji Yasuyuki , Minato Nami , Shiraishi Takuya , Maejima Kensaku , Hashimoto Masayoshi , Miura Chihiro , Neriya Yutaro , Namba Shigetou
Published: July 2011

Viruses encode RNA silencing suppressors to counteract host antiviral silencing. In this study, we analyzed the suppressors encoded by potato virus M (PVM), a member of the genus
Carlavirus
. In the conventional green fluorescent protein transient coexpression assay, the cysteine-rich protein (CRP) of PVM inhibited both local and systemic silencing, whereas the triple gene block protein 1 (TGBp1) showed suppressor activity only on systemic silencing. Furthermore, to elucidate the roles of these two suppressors during an active viral infection, we performed PVX vector-based assays and viral movement complementation assays. CRP increased the accumulation of viral RNA at the single-cell level and also enhanced viral cell-to-cell movement by inhibiting RNA silencing. However, TGBp1 facilitated viral movement but did not affect viral accumulation in protoplasts. These data suggest that CRP inhibits RNA silencing primarily at the viral replication step, whereas TGBp1 is a suppressor that acts at the viral movement step. Thus, our findings demonstrate a sophisticated viral infection strategy that suppresses host antiviral silencing at two different steps via two mechanistically distinct suppressors. This study is also the first report of the RNA silencing suppressor in the genus
Carlavirus
.
Type 1 Responses of Human Vγ9Vδ2 T Cells to Influenza A Viruses
Authors: Qin Gang , Liu Yinping , Zheng Jian , Ng Iris H. Y. , Xiang Zheng , Lam Kwok-Tai , Mao Huawei , Li Hong , Peiris J. S. Malik , Lau Yu-Lung , Tu Wenwei
Published: July 2011

γδ T cells are essential constituents of antimicrobial and antitumor defenses. We have recently reported that phosphoantigen isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP)-expanded human Vγ9Vδ2 T cells participated in anti-influenza virus immunity by efficiently killing both human and avian influenza virus-infected monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs)in vitro. However, little is known about the noncytolytic responses and trafficking program of γδ T cells to influenza virus. In this study, we found that Vγ9Vδ2 T cells expressed both type 1 cytokines and chemokine receptors during influenza virus infection, and IPP-expanded cells had a higher capacity to produce gamma interferon (IFN-γ). Besides their potent cytolytic activity against pandemic H1N1 virus-infected cells, IPP-activated γδ T cells also had noncytolytic inhibitory effects on seasonal and pandemic H1N1 viruses via IFN-γ but had no such effects on avian H5N1 or H9N2 virus. Avian H5N1 and H9N2 viruses induced significantly higher CCL3, CCL4, and CCL5 production in Vγ9Vδ2 T cells than human seasonal H1N1 virus. CCR5 mediated the migration of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells toward influenza virus-infected cells. Our findings suggest a novel therapeutic strategy of using phosphoantigens to boost the antiviral activities of human Vγ9Vδ2 T cells against influenza virus infection.
Decreased Infectivity of a Neutralization-Resistant Equine Infectious Anemia Virus Variant Can Be Overcome by Efficient Cell-to-Cell Spread
Authors: Wu Wuwei , Blythe Derek C. , Loyd Hyelee , Mealey Robert H. , Tallmadge Rebecca L. , Dorman Karin S. , Carpenter Susan
Published: July 2011

Two variants of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) that differed in sensitivity to broadly neutralizing antibody were tested in direct competition assays. No differences were observed in the growth curves and relative fitness scores of EIAVs of principal neutralizing domain variants of groups 1 (EIAV
PND-1
) and 5 (EIAV
PND-5
), respectively; however, the neutralization-resistant EIAV
PND-5
variant was less infectious in single-round replication assays. Infectious center assays indicated similar rates of cell-to-cell spread, which was approximately 1,000-fold more efficient than cell-free infectivity. These data indicate that efficient cell-to-cell spread can overcome the decreased infectivity that may accompany immune escape and should be considered in studies assessing the relative levels of fitness among lentivirus variants, including HIV-1.
Microwave-assisted solvent-free synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones catalyzed by NH4OBr
Authors: Azarifar Davood , Khosravi Kaveh , Soleimani Khadijeh , Najminejad Zohreh
Published: July 2011

Catalytic potential of ammonium hypobromite in the one-pot synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones from Biginelli-type condensation reaction between an aldehyde, β-keto ester and urea has been explored. The reaction proceeds under solvent-free conventional heating as well as microwave-irradiation conditions to afford the respective products in excellent yields.
The study of monochlorinated phenols using hyphenated electrochemical method
Authors: Roziková Matilda , Janderka Pavel , Trnková Libuše
Published: July 2011

Cyclic voltammetric (CV) study of electrooxidation of monochlorophenols (2-chlorophenol, 3-chlorophenol, 4-chlorophenol) on a Pt electrode in 0.5 M H2SO4 was combined with the experiment using electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM). For all chlorophenols the polymeric film formation on the electrode surface has been observed and the electrode surface was completely covered with polymeric film after five cycles. Partial deactivation of the electrode resulting in the formation of the more permeable film was created in the case of 2-chlorophenol and the film of 4-chlorophenol was created also with the low permeability. The influence of the scan rate on the electrooxidation of chlorophenol was evaluated. It was found that the lower electropolymerization rate and better permeability of the film was observed at higher scan rates. Valuable insights into complex electrooxidation processes of all chlorophenols were also gained by means of the elimination voltammetry with linear scan (EVLS). The EVLS functions, eliminating two current components, reveal a strong adsorption state of 3-chlorophenol and show differences in electrochemical behavior of chlorophenols in all cycles. From the comparison of elimination results of corresponding derivatives the different mechanism of electrooxidation was suggested.
PORTFOLIO SELECTION USING LEVEL CROSSING ANALYSIS
Authors: BOLGORIAN MEYSAM , SHIRAZI A. H. , JAFARI G. R.
Published: July 2011

Asset allocation is one of the most important and also challenging issues in finance. In this paper using level crossing analysis we introduce a new approach for portfolio selection. We introduce a portfolio index that is obtained based on minimizing the waiting time to receive known return and risk values. By the waiting time, we mean time that a special level is observed in average. The advantage of this approach is that the investors are able to set their goals based on gaining return and knowing the average waiting time and risk value at the same time. As an example we use our model for forming portfolio of stocks in Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE).
ON THE ALGEBRAIC DERIVATION OF PHASE SHIFTS FOR SHAPE INVARIANT POTENTIALS
Authors: MAHAPATRA SABYASACHI , DAS TAPAN KUMAR
Published: July 2011

Phase shifts produced by two supersymmetric partner potentials satisfy a simple relation. One expects that the phase shift can be obtained algebraically, if the potential is shape invariant. We show that this is true only for a special class of shape invariant potentials. Among known shape invariant potentials, only the Coulomb potential satisfy this requirement. The Coulomb phase shift can be obtained analytically, which agrees with the well-known standard result.
TOPOLOGICAL QUANTUM D-BRANES AND WILD EMBEDDINGS FROM EXOTIC SMOOTH ℝ4
Authors: ASSELMEYER-MALUGA TORSTEN , KRÓL JERZY
Published: July 2011

This is the next step of uncovering the relation between string theory and exotic smooth ℝ4. Exotic smoothness of ℝ4is correlated with D6-brane charges in IIA string theory. We construct wild embeddings of spheres and relate them to a class of topological quantum D p-branes as well to KK theory. These branes emerge when there are nontrivial NS–NS H-fluxes on S3where the topological classes are determined by wild embeddings S2→S3. Then wild embeddings of higher dimensional p-complexes into Sncorrespond to D p-branes. These wild embeddings as constructed by using gropes are basic objects to understand exotic smoothness as well Casson handles. Next we build C⋆-algebras corresponding to the embeddings. Finally we consider topological quantum D-branes as those which emerge from wild embeddings in question. We construct an action for these quantum D-branes and show that the classical limit agrees with the Born–Infeld action such that flat branes = usual embeddings.
ϵ-CORRECTED SEIBERG–WITTEN PREPOTENTIAL OBTAINED FROM HALF-GENUS EXPANSION IN β-DEFORMED MATRIX MODEL
Authors: ITOYAMA H. , YONEZAWA N.
Published: July 2011

We consider the half-genus expansion of the resolvent function in the β-deformed matrix model with three-Penner potential under the AGT conjecture and the 0d–4d dictionary. The partition function of the model, after the specification of the paths, becomes the DF conformal block for fixed c and provides the Nekrasov partition function expanded both in [Formula: see text] and in ϵ = ϵ1+ϵ2. Exploiting the explicit expressions for the lower terms of the free energy extracted from the above expansion, we derive the first few ϵ corrections to the Seiberg–Witten prepotential in terms of the parameters of SU(2), Nf = 4, [Formula: see text] supersymmetric gauge theory.
MULTIPLICITIES IN ULTRARELATIVISTIC PROTON–(ANTI)PROTON COLLISIONS AND NEGATIVE BINOMIAL DISTRIBUTION FITS
Authors: PROROK DARIUSZ
Published: July 2011

Likelihood ratio tests are performed for the hypothesis that charged-particle multiplicities measured in proton–(anti)proton collisions at [Formula: see text] and 2.36 TeV are distributed according to the negative binomial form. Results indicate that the hypothesis should be rejected in the all cases of ALICE-LHC measurements in the limited pseudorapidity windows, whereas should be accepted in the corresponding cases of UA5 data. Possible explanations of that and of the disagreement with the least-squares fitting method are given.
THE PREDICTION OF MASS OF Z′-BOSON FROM $B_q^0\hbox{--}\overline{B_q^0}$ MIXING
Authors: SAHOO S. , DAS C. K. , MAHARANA L.
Published: July 2011

[Formula: see text] mixing offers a profound probe into the effects of new physics beyond the Standard Model. In this paper, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] mass differences are considered taking the effect of both Z- and Z′-mediated flavor-changing neutral currents in the [Formula: see text] mixing (q = d, s). Our estimated mass of Z′ boson is accessible at the experiments LHC and B-factories in near future.
FLUCTUATION-INDUCED CONDUCTIVITY OF POLYCRYSTALLINE Er1-xCexBa2Cu3O7-δ SUPERCONDUCTOR
Authors: OPATA YURI APARECIDO , KURELO ANDERSON ROSA , DE LEITE LINCOLN BRUM , PINHEIRO GUSMÃO , RODRIGUES PEDRO , JURELO ALCIONE ROBERTO , SIQUEIRA EZEQUIEL COSTA
Published: July 2011

A detailed study of the effect caused by the partial substitution of Er by Ce on fluctuation conductivity of the Er 1-x Ce x Ba 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ; 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.10; is presented. The combined experimental results of structural and electrical measurements indicate that Ce substitutes Er for x ≤ 0.10 with no significant structural distortions. However, there is suppression of the superconducting state with zero-resistance state at temperatures ≥ 86.3 K. The results were analyzed in terms of the temperature derivative of the resistivity and the logarithmic temperature derivative of the conductivity to identify power-law divergences of the conductivity. The data revealed the occurrence of a two-stage intragranular-intergranular transition. Above the critical temperature, the Gaussian and critical regimes were observed. Also, from the critical exponents analysis, we observed a splitting of the pairing transition for Ce -doped samples, suggesting the occurrence of a phase separation. On approaching the zero resistance state, our results showed a power-law behavior that corresponds to a phase transition from a paracoherent to a coherent state of the granular array and which does not depend on Ce doping.
THE OPTICAL POLARON IN A TUNABLE POTENTIAL WELL
Authors: SAQQA B. , AL-MOKAYED M. T. , RADWAN M. A. , ABOU EL-ELA F. M.
Published: July 2011

The optical polaron confined to quantum well with tunable dimensions is investigated within the framework of a variational technique intending to give a unified characterization of problem for all the coupling strengths. The ground state energy and the number of phonons around the electron are studied as a function of the degree of confinement of the quantum well to interpolate between all possible confinement geometries. A comparison is made with the pure strong-coupling and the pure weak-coupling theories and a good agreement is obtained.
GAUGE THEORY AND TWO LEVEL SYSTEMS
Authors: BRUNO A. , CAPOLUPO A. , KAK S. , RAIMONDO G. , VITIELLO G.
Published: July 2011

We consider the time evolution of a two level system (a two level atom or a qubit) and show that it is characterized by a local (in time) gauge invariant evolution equation. The covariant derivative operator is constructed and related to the free energy. We show that the gauge invariant characterization of the time evolution of the two level system is analogous to the birefringence phenomenon in optics. The relation with Berry-like and Anandan–Aharonov phase is pointed out. Finally, we discuss entropy, environment effects and the distance in projective Hilbert space between two level states in their evolution.
TENSOR EFFECTS IN PYGMY DIPOLE EXCITATION
Authors: YUKSEL ESRA , BOZKURT KUTSAL
Published: July 2011

We investigate tensor effects in pygmy dipole excitations for the case of neutron-rich nuclei 68 Ni and 124 Sn using effective nucleon–nucleon Skyrme interaction. We use the Hartree–Fock–Bogoliubov (HFB) theory and employ the quasiparticle random phase approximation (QRPA). We calculate and compare the PDR and also GDR strength in the PDR–GDR energy region for QRPA calculations with and without tensor correlations. The most obvious results for the dipole excitations calculations are strongly dependent on the tensor terms. We see that the tensor correlations are more active at around 14–20 MeV , especially for the neutron-rich nuclei 68 Ni . We also compare the PDR calculations with their experimental results for the different proton–neutron tensor coupling constants.
GENERALIZED ORTHONORMAL PIECEWISE CONSTANT WAVELET BASES WITH 1–4 SPLITTING
Authors: ROŞCA DANIELA
Published: July 2011

We give the most general expression of orthonormal piecewise constant wavelet bases, in the case when the refinement process consists in dividing a domain into four subdomains having the same area. We show that the classical Haar bases are optimal with respect to the ∞-norm of the reconstruction error, but not with respect to the 1-norm. The construction applies not only to planar domains, but also to surfaces of revolution, like sphere, cone, paraboloid, or two-sheeted hyperboloid.
MULTI-CHANNEL SAMPLING ON SHIFT-INVARIANT SPACES WITH FRAME GENERATORS
Authors: GARCIA A. G. , KIM J. M. , KWON K. H. , YOON G. J.
Published: July 2011

Let φ be a continuous function in L2(ℝ) such that the sequence {φ(t - n)}n∈ℤ is a frame sequence in L2(ℝ) and assume that the shift-invariant space V(φ) generated by φ has a multi-banded spectrum σ(V). The main aim in this paper is to derive a multi-channel sampling theory for the shift-invariant space V(φ). By using a type of Fourier duality between the spaces V(φ) and L2[0, 2π] we find necessary and sufficient conditions allowing us to obtain stable multi-channel sampling expansions in V(φ).
LEAST SQUARE REGRESSION WITH COEFFICIENT REGULARIZATION BY GRADIENT DESCENT
Authors: HUANG JUAN , CHEN HONG , LI LUOQING
Published: July 2011

We propose a stochastic gradient descent algorithm for the least square regression with coefficient regularization. An explicit expression of the solution via sampling operator and empirical integral operator is derived. Learning rates are given in terms of the suitable choices of the step sizes and regularization parameters.
OPTIMALLY SPARSE IMAGE REPRESENTATION BY THE EASY PATH WAVELET TRANSFORM
Authors: PLONKA GERLIND , TENORTH STEFANIE , ISKE ARMIN
Published: July 2011

The Easy Path Wavelet Transform (EPWT),20has recently been proposed by one of the authors as a tool for sparse representations of bivariate functions from discrete data, in particular from image data. The EPWT is a locally adaptive wavelet transform. It works along pathways through the array of function values and it exploits the local correlations of the given data in a simple appropriate manner. In this paper, we show that the EPWT leads, for a suitable choice of the pathways, to optimal N-term approximations for piecewise Hölder continuous functions with singularities along curves.
SYMMETRIZATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF THE CONTINUOUS MORLET TRANSFORM FOR SPECTRAL DENSITY ESTIMATION
Authors: JOHNSON ROBERT W.
Published: July 2011

The forward and inverse wavelet transform using the continuous Morlet basis may be symmetrized by using an appropriate normalization factor. The loss of response due to wavelet truncation is addressed through a renormalization of the wavelet based on power. The spectral density has physical units which may be related to the squared amplitude of the signal, as do its margins the mean wavelet power and the integrated instant power, giving a quantitative estimate of the power density with temporal resolution. Deconvolution with the wavelet response matrix reduces the spectral leakage and produces an enhanced wavelet spectrum providing maximum resolution of the harmonic content of a signal. Applications to data analysis are discussed.
R&D PERFORMANCE MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: A MODEL AND METHODS
Authors: LEE HAKYEON , KIM MOON-SOO , YEE SOUNG RYONG , CHOE KYUNGIL
Published: July 2011

Since previous frameworks and methods for evaluation of national R&D have mainly focused on short-term R&D outputs, long-term R&D outcomes have been neglected so that they have failed to be fully utilized and spread. Thus, it is imperative to mirror long-term R&D outcomes in performance evaluation and utilize them through continuous management and monitoring. In response, this paper presents a model of R&D performance monitoring, evaluation, and management system (RPMEMS) for national R&D. The conceptual model of RPMES is presented with its scope, structure, role, and process. It is based on the logic model used in the planning and evaluation of public programs. This study also proposes two methods for relative comparison in the context of RPMEMS: analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and data envelopment analysis (DEA). The proposed model of RPMEMS and methods for relative comparison are expected to be effectively implemented and operated in the practice of management of national R&D.
IDENTIFICATION, CLASSIFICATION, AND PRIORITIZATION OF RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH A DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROCESS
Authors: GANGULY ANIRBAN , NILCHIANI ROSHANAK , FARR JOHN V.
Published: July 2011

Disruptive technology (DT) is an emerging technology whose arrival in the marketplace signifies the eventual displacement of the existing dominant technology. Identifying and assessing the risks associated with the various phases of a DT process is one of the key challenges a firm developing the technology might encounter. This paper identifies, classifies, and prioritizes a set of possible risks associated with different phases of a DT process. The paper presents ideas that differ from traditional risk assessment for new product development in that DT occurs at a different pace. These results can be used to develop a technology as well as a risk mitigation strategy.
THE IMPACT OF EXPOSING HUMAN BLOOD SAMPLES TO THE RADON GAS ON THE PLATELET COUNT: USING NEW EXPOSURE TECHNIQUE
Authors: ISMAIL ASAAD H. , JAFAAR MOHAMAD S. , HOUSSEIN HEND A. A. , MUSTAFA FARHAD H.
Published: July 2011

In the present technique, an amount of radon gas (2210 ± 5.1 Bq/m3) is collected in a tight PVC chamber equipped with two sources of radium (5 μCi). Blood samples and the pieces of CR-39NTDs are exposed (together) to a known radon concentration for different periods of exposure. Complete blood test and the computer scanning for each piece of CR-39NTDs before and after exposure are carried out. The results show a 95% retention of radon gas in the present technique during the exposure. Thus, the present technique is considered a better technique in terms of conservation of gas, because of the low rate of loss of the gas (4.915%), and this is the advantage of the present technique: keeping the concentration of gas during periods of exposure as much as possible. Deposition of the alpha particles, which are emitted from radon daughters, has reduced the number of platelets in both gender, and this is dependent on the energies of the alpha particles. Exposure time and the energy loss of the alpha particles within the target (blood and CR-39) through the atomic displacements are considered important parameters in the changes of platelet count. At 20-minute exposure time, the rate of absorption dose is 2.255 ± 0.11 μSv and the platelet count reduces rapidly.
PERFORMANCE OF BLIND DECONVOLUTION IN OPTOACOUSTIC TOMOGRAPHY
Authors: JETZFELLNER THOMAS , NTZIACHRISTOS VASILIS
Published: July 2011

In this paper, we consider the use of blind deconvolution for optoacoustic (photoacoustic) imaging and investigate the performance of the method as means for increasing the resolution of the reconstructed image beyond the physical restrictions of the system. The method is demonstrated with optoacoustic measurement obtained from six-day-old mice, imaged in the near-infrared using a broadband hydrophone in a circular scanning configuration. We find that estimates of the unknown point spread function, achieved by blind deconvolution, improve the resolution and contrast in the images and show promise for enhancing optoacoustic images.
USING FUNCTIONAL NEAR-INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY TO MEASURE COGNITIVE FUNCTION: WHEN WILL IT BECOME AN ACCEPTED CLINICAL TOOL FOR COGNITIVE AGING AND PRODROMAL DEMENTIA SCREENING?
Authors: LECH GWEN M.
Published: July 2011

This article presents a historical perspective of foundational studies utilizing near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to measure the hemodynamics, oxygenation, and activation of the human brain cortex during cognitive tasks, called functional NIRS (fNIRS). It discusses studies representative of the diagnostic power and potential that fNIRS has shown for providing increased understanding of cognitive changes with aging and dementia. It concludes by discussing challenges that continue to confront the implementation of NIRS and fNIRS in clinical and translational research, in particular, the challenges to measure cognitive function and impairment in aged, chronically ill, and fragile subjects with or without dementia. It is written specifically in memoriam, honoring Britton Chance, therefore papers authored by him and his collaborative research family are weighted to illustrate the significant foundation and legacy he has left to this world.
Structure and development of cochlear afferent innervation in mammals
Authors: Defourny Jean , Lallemend François , Malgrange Brigitte
Published: July 2011

In mammals, sensorineural deafness results from damage to the auditory receptors of the inner ear, the nerve pathways to the brain or the cortical area that receives sound information. In this review, we first focused on the cellular and molecular events taking part to spiral ganglion axon growth, extension to the organ of Corti, and refinement. In the second half, we considered the functional maturation of synaptic contacts between sensory hair cells and their afferent projections. A better understanding of all these processes could open insights into novel therapeutic strategies aimed to re-establish primary connections from sound transducers to the ascending auditory nerve pathways.
Renal proximal tubule angiotensin AT1A receptors regulate blood pressure
Authors: Li Huiping , Weatherford Eric T. , Davis Deborah R. , Keen Henry L. , Grobe Justin L. , Daugherty Alan , Cassis Lisa A. , Allen Andrew M. , Sigmund Curt D.
Published: July 2011

All components of the renin angiotensin system necessary for ANG II generation and action have been reported to be present in renal proximal convoluted tubules. Given the close relationship between renal sodium handling and blood pressure regulation, we hypothesized that modulating the action of ANG II specifically in the renal proximal tubules would alter the chronic level of blood pressure. To test this, we used a proximal tubule-specific, androgen-dependent, promoter construct (KAP2) to generate mice with either overexpression of a constitutively active angiotensin type 1A receptor transgene or depletion of endogenous angiotensin type 1A receptors. Androgen administration to female transgenic mice caused a robust induction of the transgene in the kidney and increased baseline blood pressure. In the receptor-depleted mice, androgen administration to females resulted in a Cre recombinase-mediated deletion of angiotensin type 1A receptors in the proximal tubule and reduced blood pressure. In contrast to the changes observed at baseline, there was no difference in the blood pressure response to a pressor dose of ANG II in either experimental model. These data, from two separate mouse models, provide evidence that ANG II signaling via the type 1A receptor in the renal proximal tubule is a regulator of systemic blood pressure under baseline conditions.
Soluble epoxide hydrolase contamination of specific catalase preparations inhibits epoxyeicosatrienoic acid vasodilation of rat renal arterioles
Authors: Gauthier Kathryn M. , Olson Lauren , Harder Adam , Isbell Marilyn , Imig John D. , Gutterman David D. , Falck J. R. , Campbell William B.
Published: July 2011

Cytochrome P-450 metabolites of arachidonic acid, the epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), are important signaling molecules in the kidney. In renal arteries, EETs cause vasodilation whereas H2O2causes vasoconstriction. To determine the physiological contribution of H2O2, catalase is used to inactivate H2O2. However, the consequence of catalase action on EET vascular activity has not been determined. In rat renal afferent arterioles, 14,15-EET caused concentration-related dilations that were inhibited by Sigma bovine liver (SBL) catalase (1,000 U/ml) but not Calbiochem bovine liver (CBL) catalase (1,000 U/ml). SBL catalase inhibition was reversed by the soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitor tAUCB (1 μM). In 14,15-EET incubations, SBL catalase caused a concentration-related increase in a polar metabolite. Using mass spectrometry, the metabolite was identified as 14,15-dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (14,15-DHET), the inactive sEH metabolite. 14,15-EET hydrolysis was not altered by the catalase inhibitor 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (3-ATZ; 10–50 mM), but was abolished by the sEH inhibitor BIRD-0826 (1–10 μM). SBL catalase EET hydrolysis showed a regioisomer preference with greatest hydrolysis of 14,15-EET followed by 11,12-, 8,9- and 5,6-EET ( Vmax= 0.54 ± 0.07, 0.23 ± 0.06, 0.18 ± 0.01 and 0.08 ± 0.02 ng DHET·U catalase−1·min−1, respectively). Of five different catalase preparations assayed, EET hydrolysis was observed with two Sigma liver catalases. These preparations had low specific catalase activity and positive sEH expression. Mass spectrometric analysis of the SBL catalase identified peptide fragments matching bovine sEH. Collectively, these data indicate that catalase does not affect EET-mediated dilation of renal arterioles. However, some commercial catalase preparations are contaminated with sEH, and these contaminated preparations diminish the biological activity of H2O2and EETs.
Clearance and beyond: the complementary roles of GFR measurement and injury biomarkers in acute kidney injury (AKI)
Authors: Endre Zoltán H. , Pickering John W. , Walker Robert J.
Published: July 2011

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and frequently fatal illness in critically ill patients. The reliance on daily measurements of serum creatinine as a surrogate of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) not only delays diagnosis and development of successful therapies but also hinders insight into the pathophysiology of human AKI. Measurement of GFR under non-steady-state conditions remains an elusive gold standard against which biomarkers of renal injury need to be judged. Approaches to the rapid (near real-time) measurement of GFR are explored. Even if real-time GFR was available, absent baseline information will always limit diagnosis of AKI based on GFR or serum creatinine to a detection of change. Biomarkers of renal cellular injury have provided new strategies to facilitate detection and early intervention in AKI. However, the diagnostic and predictive performance of urinary biomarkers of injury vary, depending on both the time after renal injury and on the preinjury GFR. Progress in understanding the role of each novel biomarker in the causal pathways of AKI promises to enhance their diagnostic potential. We predict that combining rapid measures of GFR with biomarkers of renal injury will yield substantive progress in the treatment of AKI.