bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural study of supercooled liquid transition metals
Authors: Kim T. H. , Kelton K. F.
Published: February 2007

Local structural models for supercooled liquid transition metals (Ti, Ni, and Zr) are proposed based on a reverse Monte Carlo analysis of high-energy x-ray diffraction data taken from the electrostatically levitated liquids. The resulting structures are characterized by their bond angle distributions, Honeycutt and Andersen indices [J. Phys. Chem. 91, 4950 (1987)], and bond orientational order parameters. All analyses suggest that an icosahedral short-range order is present in these supercooled liquids, but it is distorted in liquid Ti. These results are in agreement with the observed evolution of the high-q shoulder on the second peak in the structure factor S(q) and with an earlier analysis based on a local cluster model.
Raman scattering studies of cobalt nanoclusters formed during high energy implantation of cobalt ions in a silica matrix
Authors: Gangopadhyay P. , Ravindran T. R. , Nair K. G. M. , Kalavathi S. , Sundaravel B. , Panigrahi B. K.
Published: February 2007

Nanoscale cobalt clusters are synthesized in a silica glass matrix through implantation of high energy cobalt ions. Surface acoustic symmetrical vibrational modes of cobalt nanoclusters are detected using Raman spectroscopy. Mode intensity is found to depend strongly on excitation wavelengths. X-ray diffraction studies reveal face-centered-cubic phase of cobalt nanoclusters in postannealed samples. Postannealing in vacuum has led to significant growth of the cobalt nanoclusters in the matrix.
Measuring material softening with nanoscale spatial resolution using heated silicon probes
Authors: Nelson B. A. , King W. P.
Published: February 2007

This article describes the use of heated silicon atomic force microscopy probes to perform local thermal analysis (LTA) of a thin film of polystyrene. The experiments measure film softening behavior with 100nm spatial resolution, whereas previous research on LTA used probes that had a resolution near 10μm, which was too large to investigate some types of features. This article demonstrates four methods by which heated silicon probes can perform thermal analysis with nanoscale spatial resolution. The polystyrene softening temperature measured from nanoscale LTA techniques is 120°C, compared to 100°C, measured with bulk ellipsometry. The discrepancy is attributed to the thermal contact resistance at the end of the silicon probe tip, on the order of 107K∕W, which modulates heat flow between the tip and sample and governs the fundamental limits of this technique. The use of a silicon probe for LTA enables bulk fabrication, parallelization for high-throughput analysis, and fabrication of a sharp tip capable of nanoscale spatial resolution.
Ultrafast compact classical Mott polarimeter
Authors: Petrov V. N. , Grebenshikov V. V. , Andronov A. N. , Gabdullin P. G. , Maslevtcov A. V.
Published: February 2007

An ultrafast compact classical Mott detector is described. The efficiency of the polarimeter is ε≈6×10−4 and the maximum counting rate ∼2000kcps. The Mott polarimeter employs photomultipliers with scintillators as electron energy sensitive detectors with low dark noise. The photomultipliers and scintillators are placed in vacuum. With this choice of technology, it will be possible to build a classical Mott detector with a bulk size of cubic decimeter in the future.
A new method of observing weak extended x-ray sources with the Reuven Ramaty High-Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager
Authors: Hannah Iain G. , Hurford Gordon J. , Hudson Hugh S. , Lin Robert P.
Published: February 2007

We present a new method, fan-beam modulation, for observing weak extended x-ray sources with the Reuven Ramaty High-Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI). This space-based solar x-ray and γ-ray telescope has much greater sensitivity than previous experiments in the 3–25 keV range, but is normally not well suited to detecting extended sources since their signal is not modulated by RHESSI’s rotating grids. When the spacecraft is offpointed from the target source, however, the fan-beam modulation time-modulates the transmission by shadowing resulting from exploiting the finite thickness of the grids. In this article we detail how the technique is implemented and verify its consistency with sources with clear known signals that have occurred during RHESSI offpointing: microflares and the Crab Nebula. In both cases the results are consistent with previous and complementary measurements. Preliminary work indicates that this new technique allows RHESSI to observe the integrated hard x-ray spectrum of weak extended sources on the quiet Sun.
Strain relaxation mechanism in a reverse compositionally graded SiGe heterostructure
Authors: Wong L. H. , Liu J. P. , Romanato F. , Wong C. C. , Foo Y. L.
Published: February 2007

A concept of compositional reverse-grading (RG) in SiGe∕Si heteroepitaxy has been proposed, in which the graded layer lattice mismatch starts at the highest value at the RG/Si interface and decreases to a final mismatch at the SiGe/RG interface. Using various characterization techniques, the authors show that this low-dislocation-density strain relaxation mechanism relies on the large nucleation rates of misfit dislocations at the abrupt RG/Si interface and the reduction of threading dislocations at the SiGe/RG interface by facilitating glide. The RG concept enables the growth of high-quality relaxed epitaxial layer on a thin buffer layer, suitable as a substrate for many microelectronic and optoelectronic applications.
Large and stable thickness coupling coefficients of [001]C-oriented KNbO3 and Li-modified (K,Na)NbO3 single crystals
Authors: Davis Matthew , Klein Naama , Damjanovic Dragan , Setter Nava , Gross Andreas , Wesemann Volker , Vernay Sophie , Rytz Daniel
Published: February 2007

Large thickness coupling factors kT⩽0.7 are measured in both [001]C-oriented (45° cut in the orthorhombic ac plane), monodomain and [001]C-poled, domain-engineered single crystals of KNbO3. kT is extremely stable over a large temperature range, remaining high (⩾0.65) even upon heating and cooling through the orthorhombic-tetragonal phase transition. This is likely related to another finding that spontaneously high kT values (⩽0.68) are observed in as-grown (unpoled), [001]C-cut, polydomain KNbO3 crystals. kT is also stable upon thinning to thicknesses below 60μm, as required for high-frequency applications. Finally, large kT values (⩽0.7) are reported in [001]C-poled, polydomain, Li-doped (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3.
Aquaglyceroporin PbAQP during intraerythrocytic development of the malaria parasite
Plasmodium berghei
Authors: Promeneur Dominique , Liu Yangjian , Maciel Jorge , Agre Peter , King Landon S. , Kumar Nirbhay
Published: February 2007

The malaria parasite can use host plasma glycerol for lipid biosynthesis and membrane biogenesis during the asexual intraerythrocytic development. The molecular basis for glycerol uptake into the parasite is undefined. We hypothesize that the
Plasmodium
aquaglyceroporin provides the pathway for glycerol uptake into the malaria parasite. To test this hypothesis, we identified the orthologue of
Plasmodium falciparum
aquaglyceroporin (PfAQP) in the rodent malaria parasite,
Plasmodium berghei
(PbAQP), and examined the biological role of PbAQP by performing a targeted deletion of the PbAQP gene. PbAQP and PfAQP are 62% identical in sequence. In contrast to the canonical NPA (Asn-Pro-Ala) motifs in most aquaporins, the PbAQP has NLA (Asn-Leu-Ala) and NPS (Asn-Leu-Ser) in those positions. PbAQP expressed in
Xenopus
oocytes was permeable to water and glycerol, suggesting that PbAQP is an aquaglyceroporin. In
P. berghei
, PbAQP was localized to the parasite plasma membrane. The PbAQP-null parasites were viable; however, they were highly deficient in glycerol transport. In addition, they proliferated more slowly compared with the WT parasites, and mice infected with PbAQP-null parasites survived longer. Taken together, these findings suggest that PbAQP provides the pathway for the entry of glycerol into
P. berghei
and contributes to the growth of the parasite during the asexual intraerythrocytic stages of infection. In conclusion, we demonstrate here that PbAQP plays an important role in the blood-stage development of the rodent malaria parasite during infection in mice and could be added to the list of targets for the design of antimalarial drugs.
Models, Representation, and Mediation
Authors: Knuuttila Tarja
Published: February 2007

Representation has been one of the main themes in the recent discussion of models. Several authors have argued for a pragmatic approach to representation that takes users and their interpretations into account. It appears to me, however, that this emphasis on representation places excessive limitations on our view of models and their epistemic value. Models should rather be thought of as epistemic artifacts through which we gain knowledge in diverse ways. Approaching models this way stresses their materiality and media-specificity. Focusing on models as multifunctional artifacts releases them from any preestablished and fixed representational relationships and leads me to argue for a twofold approach to representation.
Theory Change and Bayesian Statistical Inference
Authors: Romeijn Jan-Willem
Published: February 2007

This paper addresses the problem that Bayesian statistical inference cannot accommodate theory change, and proposes a framework for dealing with such changes. It first presents a scheme for generating predictions from observations by means of hypotheses. An example shows how the hypotheses represent the theoretical structure underlying the scheme. This is followed by an example of a change of hypotheses. The paper then presents a general framework for hypotheses change, and proposes the minimization of the distance between hypotheses as a rationality criterion. Finally the paper discusses the import of this for Bayesian statistical inference.
The Number of Black Widows in the National Academy of Sciences
Authors: Root Michael
Published: February 2007

Studies in the social and biomedical sciences of racial differences in socioeconomic status or health within a population view the race of members as fixed and look for a difference in the frequency of a trait like average income or disease risk between racial subgroups. But, as I explain in this paper, there are good reasons to allow the race of members to vary with the trait whose variation within the population is to be described or explained. According to such a view of race, racial categories are more scientifically significant if membership in the categories is allowed to vary with differences in scientific interest rather than held constant across a variety of interests.
A Critique of Localized Realism
Authors: Elsamahi Mohamed
Published: February 2007

In an attempt to avert Laudan's pessimistic induction, Kitcher, Worrall and Psillos introduce a narrower version of scientific realism. According to this version, which can be referred to as “localized realism,” realists need not accept every component in a successful theory. They are supposed only to accept those components that led to the theory's empirical success. Consequently, realists can avoid believing in dubious entities like the caloric and ether. This paper examines and critiques localized realism. It also scrutinizes Psillos's historical study of the caloric theory of heat, which is intended to support localized realism.
On the Interaction between a Fully lonized Plasma and a Neutral Gas Blanket
Authors: B Lehnert  , J Bergström  , S Holmberg  , B Wilner
Published: February 2007

Experimental studies have been performed of a fully ionized magnetized plasma generated in a poloidal magnetic field by a transverse electric field applied between two electrodes and being surrounded by a neutral gas blanket:

(i)The rotating plasma which has been generated in the crossed fields is released from its energy source and its rotation is being stopped. The plasma decay is then studied in the absence of macroscopic motions, with the exception of those from a slow diffusion process. The state of ionization is determined by suddenly giving the plasma a small pulse of angular momentum which, after a short time is recovered as a current pulse being extracted by means of a short-circuit between the electodes. The pulse becomes a measure of the state of ionization and shows that the rate of penetration of neutral gas into the plasma is strongly delayed at high plasma densities, in agreement with theory.

(ii)The velocity field of a quasi-stationary, rotating plasma has been investigated spectroscopically by observing the Doppler shifts of various spectral lines. The results agree with theoretical perdictions of the velocity and temperature distributions within the plasma region. The results also support the prediction that the interior of the plasma should be screened from the surrounding neutral gas.
Critical Phenomena and Zeroes of the Partition Function in Two Complex Variables
Authors: O Stormark  , C Blomberg
Published: February 2007

By an extension of the Yang-Lee picture of phase transitions to the case of two complex variables, we have been able to study the properties of a ferromagnetic system in the vicinity of the critical point. A linear approximation is used, which yields a satisfactory result close to that point. Especially, we see how a critical point and a phase boundary can arise from statistical mechanical laws. It is shown that scaling laws are generally valid, although there may be special cases when they are not.
Band Structure of Transition Metals Studied by ESCA
Authors: Y Baer  , P F Hedén  , J Hedman  , M Klasson  , C Nordling  , K Siegbahn
Published: February 2007

The position and shape of the energy bands of the following transition metals have been studied by ESCA: Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Os, Ir, Pt, Au. The Fermi levels of the metals with unfilledd-bands are found in the high-energy flanks of the valence band spectra. For the noble metals the Fermi level is shifted toward higher energies. These observations are in general accordance with the overlap ofd- andsp-bands in transition metals. An increase in band width is noted between corresponding elements in each series of transition metals. A comparison is drawn between band widths obtained in the present study and those deduced from cohesive energy data. An observed splitting in some of the bands seems to be much too large to be attributable to spin-orbit interaction. Core electron lines are recorded for the purpose of obtaining an energy calibration, estimating the contribution to the observed band spectra from inelastically scattered electrons, and checking the chemical state of the sample. The photoexcitation process and the energy losses of the electrons due to single-particle and plasmon excitations are discussed.
Thermal Neutron Capture in Natural Argon
Authors: R Hardell  , C Beer
Published: February 2007

The energies and intensities of gamma rays from thermal neutron capture in natural argon have been determined by means of a Ge(Li) pair spectrometer and anti-Compton spectrometer. An internal reactor target has been used. The reaction Q-value, excitation energies and decay schemes of 37Ar and 41Ar have been deduced.
Lifetimes of Excited States in 101Rh
Authors: K G Välivaara  , A Marelius  , J Kozyczkowski  , J Sieniawski
Published: February 2007

Half-lives of the 181.8 keV level (1.91 ± 0.06 ns) and the 477.9 keV level (68 ± 16 ps) have been measured by the delayed coincidence technique. Upper limits for the half-lives of two levels in 101Ru are reported.
Conversion Probability of the 35 keV Transition in 125Te
Authors: A Marelius  , K G Välivaara  , Z Awwad  , J Lindskog  , J Phil  , S-E Hägglund
Published: February 2007

The probability for K-conversion of the 35 keV M1 + E2 transition is determined from coincidences between Auger electrons and conversion electrons. The result is χ
K
=0.804±0.010.
Differences in Single, Plural and Multiple Scattering of Electrons and Positrons through Intermediate Angles
Authors: Peter Erman
Published: February 2007

Experiments have been done where the elastic scattering of a divergent beam of electrons and positrons in foils of Al, Cu, Ag and Pb have been studied. The difference between the scattered fractions of the two types of particles was measured as a function of the particle energy in the range 100-1 300 keV, foil thicknesses 0.2-10 mg/cm2, and incidence angles in the intervals 15°-30° and 30°-47°. The results have been compared to available theoretical treatments and a good agreement is found between the experiments with thin scatterers and the Mott formula for single scattering, while difficulties have occurred in attempts to get a theoretical representation of the scattering in thicker foils. The latter fact may be understood from the incompletenesses in the theoretical treatments of plural and multiple scattering, in the first place the neglect of spin-orbit effects and the absence of a calculation of the real crooked paths of the particles. However, a theoretical fit to the measureddifferencesin scattering has been obtained by assuming a larger screening parameter for positrons than for electrons, but this assumption should only be considered as a mathematical way of obtaining a larger single scattering cross section for electrons than for positrons as required by the Mott formula.
Effects of Cold-working and Annealing on the Resistivity Minimum of some Dilute Cu-Fe Alloys
Authors: S G Humble  , K Svensson  , H U Åström
Published: February 2007

Changes in the temperature at which the resistivity minimum occurs have been studied in dilute Cu-Fe alloys in different quenched, coldworked and annealed states. The effects observed are thought to be caused by clustering tendencies of the iron atoms in the matrix affecting the scattering process. The connection between the temperature of the resistivity minimum and the Fe concentration empirically derived by Knook [3] for very dilute Cu-Fe alloys is shown to hold reasonably well for quenched alloys at Fe concentrations below about 0.85 at% while for alloys of higher concentrations the temperature of the resistivity minimum decreases with increasing Fe content. In the latter case intense cold-work is shown to cause an increase of the temperature of the resistivity minimum whereas annealing processes lower the same temperature.
Rydberg series of small molecules VIII. Photoelectron spectroscopy and electron spectroscopy of NO2
Authors: O Edqvist  , E Lindholm  , L E Selin  , L Åsbrink  , C E Kuyatt  , S R Mielczarek  , J A Simpson  , I Fischer-Hjalmars
Published: February 2007

The photoelectron spectrum of NO2has been measured with high resolution up to 27.5 eV and interpreted by use of molecular orbital theory, taking especially the vibrational structure into account. The electron impact energy loss spectrum has been measured with electron energy 100 eV. The spectrum above 6.5 eV has been interpreted as due to Rydberg transitions and comparison with spectroscopic measurements have been made.
Eigenfunction Expansions Associated with Unitary Irreducible Representations of SU(1,1)
Authors: G Lindblad
Published: February 2007

The noncompact group SU(1,1) has three types of parametrizations associated with the three classes of one-parameter subgroups. Each of them gives rise to an expansion into matrix elements which are eigenfunctions of the differential operator associated with the Casimir invariant. The two cases related to noncompact subgroups are solved using some previous results on the generalized eigenvectors of the noncompact generators of SU(1,1).
Energy Levels in 70Ga
Authors: Zdzislaw P Sawa
Published: February 2007

The spectrum of energy levels in 70Ga was investigated by Morozow and Yampolskij [1] and, more systematically, by Rester, Durham and Class [2] who employed the 70Zn[p,n]70Ga reaction and deduced 4 excited levels in 70Ga from the study of conversion electrons and gamma-rays. The present contribution contains the experimental information on the locations of levels in 70Ga which was obtained mainly in a 69Ga[d,p]70Ga reaction investigation at E
d = 7.1 MeV in which the proton groups were observed with a moderate energy resolution. In addition information about levels in 72Ga is given in the appendix. A study on the deexcitation of levels reached by the 70Zn[p,nγ]70Ga process is also presented. Here the gamma-rays were observed with Ge-Li detectors.
A Grating Order Sorter for Separation of High Orders in a 5 m Fastie Vacuum Spectrograph. Some new results concerning the spectra of AlH and AlD
Authors: A Lagerqvist  , L E Lundh  , H Neuhaus
Published: February 2007

This paper deals with the construction of a grating order sorter for high orders in a 5 m Fastie plane grating vacuum spectrograph. Some parts of the AlH and AlD spectra have been photographed in order to test the order sorter. A rather unique 1Π+ - 1Σ+ perturbation in AlD is discussed.
Valence Bands and Core Levels of the Isoelectronic Series LiF, BeO, BN, and Graphite Studied by ESCA
Authors: K Hamrin  , G Johansson  , U Gelius  , C Nordling  , K Siegbahn
Published: February 2007

The core lines and valence bands of LiF, BeO, BN and graphite have been studied by the ESCA technique. The energy differences between inner levels and valence bands are compared with X-ray transition energies. The changes in binding energy for the Belslevel when going from metal to oxide and fluoride are compared with X-ray spectroscopic data and with a study of the disintegration constant in electron capture of7Be in the same compounds.
The Role of β‐Cell Dysfunction in the Cardiometabolic Syndrome
Authors: Lastra Guido , Manrique Camila Margarita , Hayden Melvin R.
Published: February 2007

The regulation of blood glucose levels involves a finely tuned relationship between insulin sensitivity, hepatic glucose output, and production of insulin. The cardiometabolic syndrome includes in its definition criteria a disturbance of normal glucose tolerance and implies development of both insulin resistance and β‐cell dysfunction. There is now abundant evidence pointing toward a central role of dysregulation of the β‐cell function and mass in the development of impaired glucose tolerance. Mechanisms implicated in β‐cell dysfunction include genetic abnormalities, prenatal and early postnatal insults, and environmental events along with obesity, dyslipidemia‐lipotoxicity, glucotoxicity, oxidative stress, chronic low‐grade inflammation, amyloid deposition, and activation of the local renin—angiotensin system. Novel therapeutic characteristics of known medications such as metformin, thiazolidinediones, angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, and novel medications such as exendin‐4 promise encouraging possibilities to battle against the cardiometabolic syndrome and the future development of cardiovascular disease.
Alcohol and the preventive paradox: serious harms and drinking patterns
Authors: Poikolainen Kari , Paljärvi Tapio , Mäkelä Pia
Published: February 2007

Aims The preventive paradox prevails if the majority of alcohol problems accrue to the lesser‐drinking majority of population, not to heavy drinkers. Evidence for the paradox has been criticized for being based on self‐report. The aim was to examine whether the paradox also applies to deaths and hospital admissions.

Design Data from four surveys representing the Finnish population aged 15–69 years in 1969, 1976, 1984 and 1992 were pooled; those from1969, 1976 and 1984 (n = 6726) to study alcohol‐related hospital admissions and alcohol‐related deaths, and those from 1984 and 1992 (n = 5558) to study self‐reported problems. The former data were linked with register data on hospital admission and death up to the end of 2002.

Methods Comparisons were made separately for men and women (1) between the 10% of population with the highest average alcohol consumption and the remaining 90% of drinkers and (2) between those who reported and those who did not report drinking to intoxication.

Results A total of 3025 men and 2693 women were available for the study of self‐reported problems and 2945 men and 2615 women for deaths and hospital admissions. Seventy per cent of all self‐reported problems, 70% of alcohol‐related hospitalizations, 64% of alcohol‐related deaths and 64% of the premature life‐years lost before the age of 65 occurred among the 90% of men consuming less. The respective figures for women were 64%, 60%, 93% and 98%. Drinking five or more drinks per occasion was related to more harm than not drinking that much.

Conclusions In men, the ‘prevention paradox’ appears to apply to a broadly similar degree to hospitalizations and deaths as self‐report alcohol‐related problems; in women the phenomenon was apparent to a greater degree for deaths than for other markers of harm.
A new method of construction of obturators for nasal septal perforations and evidence of outcomes
Authors: Barraclough J.P. , Ellis D. , Proops D.W.
Published: February 2007

Keypoints

• Septal obturators and buttons for nasal septal perforations are often poorly tolerated.

• We describe a new method of obturator construction using three‐dimensional imaging which more closely replicates the true anatomy of the defect.

• Patients were assessed using a questionnaire relating to how symptoms had changed between having no obturator, a conventional obturator and the new CT obturator.

• Eight of nine patients had an improvement in total symptom scores comparing old obturators to new CT obturators and this was significant with a P‐value of 0.018 using Student's paired t‐test.

• The majority of patients were satisfied with the new obturators and reported an overall improvement of symptoms.
Early BCG and pertussis vaccination and atopic diseases in 5‐ to 7‐year‐old preschool children from Augsburg, Germany: Results from the MIRIAM study
Authors: Möhrenschlager Matthias , Haberl Victoria M. , Krämer Ursula , Behrendt Heidrun , Ring Johannnes
Published: February 2007

The role of immunization in the development of atopic disorders is still under debate. One reason might be, that because of high vaccination coverage in most countries only few and selected children are not immunized, leading to unstable and often biased effect estimates. In Germany, the situation was different between 1985 and 1991: bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) and pertussis vaccination were not officially recommended leading to high numbers of non‐vaccinated children in the 1990s. We report on a cross‐sectional study with 1673 participants among 5‐ to 7‐year‐old preschool children conducted in 1996. We found no hint that BCG vaccination or whole‐cell pertussis (WCP) vaccination may lead to higher prevalences of asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema or allergic sensitization at preschool age. None of the associations was significantly positive. WCP vaccination may be protective against asthma OR 0.55 (95% CI: 0.31–0.98) and against symptoms of eczema in boys.
Ureteric and urethral stenosis: A complication of BK virus infection in a pediatric renal transplant patient
Authors: Rajpoot Deepak K. , Gomez Allan , Tsang Walter , Shanberg Allan
Published: February 2007

Abstract:  Viral infections remain an Achilles heel in solid organ transplant. In recent years, incidence of BK virus infection in the kidney transplant population is on rise. BK virus is known to cause severe renal dysfunction, ureteric stenosis, and hemorrhagic cystitis in renal transplant patients. Most of the reviews and prospective studies on BKV nephropathy pertain to the adult population. Although ureteral stenosis is known to occur in BK infection, urethral stenosis is not being reported in the literature. In this report, we describe a case of BKV nephropathy in a 16‐yr‐old male presenting with ureteric and urethral stenosis. To our knowledge this is the first case report of its kind in a pediatric transplant population.
Rituximab for the treatment of post‐bone marrow transplantation refractory hemolytic anemia in a child with Omenn's syndrome
Authors: Silvana Briuglia , Antonella La Mazza , Basilia Piraino , Trombetta Domenico , Saija Antonella , Salpietro Carmelo
Published: February 2007

Abstract:  Omenn's syndrome is a rare severe combined immunodeficiency that kills affected subjects before the end of the first year of life unless patients are treated with bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Unfortunately, post‐BMT patients may develop autoimmune diseases, such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), which sometimes fails to respond to standard therapies. Rituximab is a chimeric, human, immunoglobulin G1/k monoclonal antibody specific for the CD20 antigen expressed on the surface of B lymphocytes. Rituximab is currently only labeled for treatment of B‐cell lymphoproliferative disorders, such as B‐cell non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma and follicular lymphoma; however, it is also employed in the treatment of a variety of disorders mediated by auto‐antibodies, such as AIHA and transplant‐related autoimmune disorders. Herein, we describe the case of a 23‐month‐old male child with Omenn's syndrome, who had undergone BMT and was successfully treated with rituximab (375 mg/m2 intravenously, weekly for three times) for refractory post‐BMT hemolytic anemia. Our findings evidence that rituximab should be considered for treatment of post‐BMT AIHA refractory to traditional therapy also in children with primary immunodeficiencies; furthermore, rituximab might represent a means to obtain remissions without the toxic effects associated with corticosteroid and immunosuppressive agents.
Effects of turnip crinkle virus infection on the structure and function of mitochondria and expression of stress proteins in turnips
Authors: Blake James A. , Lee Kit W. , Morris T. Jack , Elthon Thomas E.
Published: February 2007

We have investigated the effect of turnip crinkle virus (TCV) infection on mitochondrial structure and function in turnips (Brassica rapa cultivar Just Right). TCV infection resulted in plants with small, mottled leaves with severely crinkled edges, and in a 46% reduction in storage root mass. TCV infection resulted in specific vesicularization of mitochondrial outer membranes where TCV replication is thought to occur, with no apparent affect on other cellular membrane systems. Immunoblot analysis of mitochondrial proteins from storage roots indicated that the TCV p28 protein, which is essential for viral replication, was associated with mitochondria and that mitochondrial heat shock protein 70 and cpn60 levels increased upon TCV infection. Isolation of mitochondrial outer membranes further showed TCV p28 protein enrichment in the outer membrane as compared with total mitochondrial proteins or total cellular proteins. Analysis of mitochondrial electron transport chain activities indicated that TCV infection resulted in a 54% decrease in exogenous NADH‐dependent oxygen uptake and a 8% decrease in succinate‐dependent oxygen uptake. Together these results indicate that TCV infection induces a stress response in mitochondria and a reduction in the ability of mitochondria to supply adenosine 5′‐triphosphate to the cell.
Intellectual Property System in China: A Study of the Grant Lags and Ratios
Authors: Yang Deli
Published: February 2007

This article examines the intellectual property (IP) system in China with a particular focus on grant lags and grant ratios in patents, utility models, industrial designs and trademarks of residents and non‐residents. The findings are derived from the empirical study of IP statistics (1985–2002). They demonstrate that trademark applicants endure the longest and patents enjoy the shortest grant lags in China according to the best models, and residents are overall more favoured than non‐residents. The research concludes that national treatment of residents and non‐residents should apply in both economic policy and practice, which also provides a new research domain.
Protozoan–bacterial symbiosis in a deep‐sea hydrothermal vent folliculinid ciliate (Folliculinopsis sp.) from the Juan de Fuca Ridge
Authors: Kouris Angela , Kim Juniper S. , Frébourg Ghislaine , Gaill Françoise
Published: February 2007

This study provides a first description of the morphology of Blue Mats: sessile, colonial folliculinid ciliates (Folliculinopsis sp.) that create dense bright blue carpets in certain Juan de Fuca Ridge vent fields and at vents elsewhere. In one area of widespread venting, for example, Blue Mats occupied approximately 70% of the substratum. The ultrastructure of the Blue Mat ciliates was investigated in samples from Axial Volcano on the Juan de Fuca Ridge using conventional scanning electron microscopy and thin section transmission electron microscopy. These Folliculinopsis sp. ciliates secrete and dwell in tubes (loricae). The loricae were colonized by both coccoid and filamentous bacteria‐like structures. Greater densities of coccoid‐ and short‐rod‐shaped bacteria were found between rows of cilia on the ciliate body (zooid) and especially on the peristomal lobes (arm‐like extensions typical to folliculinid ciliates). A coccoid bacterial morphotype (within and independent of a vacuole) was located throughout the ciliate cytoplasm. Groups of this organism clustered within vacuoles were regularly distributed along the ciliate cortex. Electron dense, vacuole‐bound features characterized by stacked membranous structures were also found within the ciliate cytoplasm. These results suggest the existence of at least an endosymbiosis between Folliculinopsis sp. ciliates and bacteria at hydrothermal vents. The chemolithoautotrophic nature of these symbiotic bacteria remains to be confirmed. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a protozoan–bacterial symbiosis at vents, as well as the first reported symbiosis in folliculinid ciliates.
Similar reproductive cycles and life‐history traits in congeneric limid bivalves with different modes of nutrition
Authors: Järnegren Johanna , Rapp Hans T. , Young Craig M.
Published: February 2007

We have studied two congeneric limid bivalves, Acesta species novum and Acesta excavata (Bivalvia: Limidae), that live in similar physical conditions but use different food sources. Acesta sp. nov. live on the giant siboglinid tubeworm Lamellibrachia luymesi at cold seeps and feed on their eggs, a continuous food source that ultimately is derived from chemosynthesis, whereas A. excavata relies on planktonic food of photosynthetic origin, which varies seasonally. We hypothesized that these two species might show differences in the periodicity of reproduction; specifically, we predicted that A. sp. nov. would breed continuously and that A. excavata would demonstrate an annual reproductive cycle. Our hypothesis was refuted, as both species have a semi‐continuous reproductive cycle. Food quality, quantity or seasonality had no clear effect. Reproductive adults are functionally gonochoristic. Females broadcast buoyant eggs with an average size of 179 μm in A. sp. nov. and 160 μm in A. excavata. Both the size of the larval shell and the size of the spawned eggs are suggestive of pelagic lecithotrophic development. Both species also appear to be protandric hermaphrodites, changing from male to female at approximately 77 and 90 mm shell height, respectively, although not all individuals change sex. In the material investigated in this study there was a biased sex ratio favouring males.
Characterization of bacterial community structure in vestimentiferan tubewormRidgeia piscesaetrophosomes
Authors: Chao Leslie S.‐L. , Davis Richard E. , Moyer Craig L.
Published: February 2007

Terminal‐restriction fragment length polymorphisms (T‐RFLPs) were used to address the question whether there are multiple phylotypes of bacteria within the trophosome of the vestimentiferan tubewormRidgeia piscesaein addition to the known endosymbiont. Clone libraries were constructed to aid in the identification of the additional bacterial phylotypes. IndividualR. piscesaespecimens were collected from Juan de Fuca Ridge, Axial Caldera and Explorer Ridge, Magic Mountain. Clone library analyses revealed only one bacterial phylotype (expectedR. piscesaeendosymbiont) within the Explorer Ridge trophosomes. However, the Axial Caldera clone library revealed five operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Three of the resulting phylotypes detected (designated RAE) were putative thioautotrophic symbionts within theγ‐Proteobacteriawhich belonged to the anticipated endosymbiont group (RAE OTU 1), theMaorithyas hadalissymbiont II group (RAE OTU 3), and theHalothiobacillusgroup (RAE OTU 4). The remaining two phylotypes were most likely opportunistically derived. RAE OTU 5 was anα‐Proteobacteriumwithin theRoseobactergroup and RAE OTU 2 was within theCytophaga–Flavobacterium–Bacteroidetes. T‐RFLP analyses revealed that all 15 trophosomes evaluated contained at least RAE OTUs 1 and 4. Five of the 15 trophosomes contained at least RAE OTUs 1, 3, and 4 and two of the trophosomes contained at least five RAE OTUs. Cluster analysis of the T‐RFLP data revealed three distinct clusters. The number of taxa within the trophosome may be an indication of the general health of the tubeworm. This study strongly suggests that we have discovered and identified more than one bacterial phylotype within the trophosome of vestimentiferanR. piscesae.
Rapid and sensitive electrophoresis of urinary protein clearly reveals the pathophysiological feature of renal diseases
Authors: SAKATSUME MINORU , KUBOTA RYO , OGAWA ASA , NARITA ICHIEI , MATSUDA TAKEHIDE , SHIBA KIYOKO , GEJYO FUMITAKE
Published: February 2007

Aim:  The diagnostic approach for renal diseases with the electrophoretic pattern of urinary protein on cellulose acetate (CA) membrane differentiates the causes of proteinuria. However, this method has not been used routinely because of its difficulty in obtaining a clear image. This study was performed in order to re‐evaluate this method with an improved system.

Methods:  Using the newly developed system of CA membrane electrophoresis and its visualization, we examined fresh urine from patients (n = 100) who subsequently underwent renal biopsy and compared the results with the histological findings.

Results:  The improved method of urine electrophoresis with CA membrane provided clear images and was sensitive enough for urine samples to be applied without concentration. The profiles of proteinuria were clearly classified into three patterns: glomerular, tubular or mixed. The profiles exhibited a good agreement with the histological findings of renal biopsy.

Conclusion:  The recognition of damaged portions in kidney through the profiles of proteinuria by this system could be practically effective for understanding the kidney disease at bedside.
Daily blood pressure control is not sufficient to regress cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction: A bi‐ventricular tissue Doppler echocardiographic study
Authors: BALAL MUSTAFA , KOC MEVLUT , PAYDAS SAIME , DEMIR ERKAN , SERTDEMIR YASAR , ACARTURK ESMERAY
Published: February 2007

Background:  Hypertension is one of the main causes of cardiovascular complications leading to death and allograft dysfunction. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the levels of 24 h blood pressure and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and bi‐ventricular tissue Doppler echocardiographic measurements in renal transplant recipients (RTxr) and dialysis patients.

Methods:  In this cross‐sectional study, we evaluated 32 non‐diabetic renal transplant recipients (GI) and 18 patients with end‐stage renal insufficiency who underwent haemodialysis (GII).

Results:  The mean follow‐up periods were 49.16 ± 38.02 and 56.83 ± 34.14 months in GI and GII, respectively. There were no differences for age, gender, daytime systolic–diastolic blood pressures and loads among the groups. The mean night‐time systolic–diastolic blood pressures in GI and GII were 119.77 ± 17.41–77.34 ± 14.46 and 120.23 ± 25.53–76.17 ± 18.77 mmHg, respectively (P I–II = 0.453–0.72). The mean night‐time systolic blood pressure loads in GI and GII were 4.92 ± 7.77 and 6.10 ± 8.16%, respectively (P I–II = 0.68). The mean night‐time diastolic blood pressure loads were 7.79 ± 7.83 and 8.02 ± 8.28% in GI and GII, respectively (P I–II = 0.55). The mean levels of LVMI in GI and GII were 115.81 ± 28.07 and 128.06 ± 65.72 g/m2, respectively (P I–II = 0.85). The mean levels of left ventricular Em/Am by tissue Doppler echocardiography were 1.13 ± 0.40 and 0.90 ± 0.29, respectively (P I–II = 0.127), while the mean levels of right ventricular Em/Am were 0.89 ± 0.37 and 0.88 ± 0.26, respectively (P I–II = 0.50).

Conclusion:  After renal transplantation, LVMI and bi‐ventricular diastolic dysfunction were not regressed. Daytime and night‐time blood pressures and loads were similar in the two groups. We can say that well‐controlled daytime blood pressure and load is not sufficient to decrease cardiovascular risk in RTxr. Also, it is important to control of night‐time blood pressure and load to reduce cardiovascular risk in RTxr. RTxr should be monitored with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and tissue Doppler echocardiography.
Effect of angiotensin II receptor blockers on insulin resistance in maintenance haemodialysis patients
Authors: SATIRAPOJ BANCHA , YINGWATANADEJ PAIROJ , CHAICHAYANON SOMCHAI , PATUMANOND JAYANTON
Published: February 2007

Aim:  Insulin resistance is a predictor of cardiovascular mortality in patients with end‐stage renal disease. Although some clinical studies demonstrated that angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) improve insulin action in hypertensive patients, the role of ARB among patients with maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) remains controversial. The aim was to evaluate the effect of the ARB on insulin resistance in patients with MHD.

Methods:  The authors examined 10 patients with MHD who regularly underwent haemodialysis at least two visits per week. After 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment with valsartan, blood pressure monitoring, insulin resistance by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA‐IR), fasting plasma glucose, fasting plasma insulin and blood chemistries were measured and compared with baseline values.

Results:  Ten patients with MHD aged 16–74 years participated in the study. The causes of end‐stage renal disease included hypertension (four cases), diabetes (three cases), glomerulonephritis (one case) and unknown cause (two cases). Fasting insulin levels significantly reduced from 11.9 ± 5.7 μU/mL to 8.0 ± 6.8 μU/mL (P < 0.001), and HOMA‐IR decreased significantly from 3.6 ± 2.5 to 2.1 ± 1.6 (P = 0.005). Averaged pre‐ and post‐haemodialysis systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not significantly change. The treatment did not significantly change the levels of uric acid, albumin and urea clearance, except for a significant decrease in total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein and intact‐parathyroid hormone.

Conclusion:  The insulin resistance in patients with MHD is controlled by valsartan. ARB that ameliorate insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemia could also provide effective options for preventing cardiovascular disease in patients with MHD.
Tight LP‐based lower bounds for wavelength conversion in optical networks
Authors: Koster Arie M. C. A. , Zymolka Adrian
Published: February 2007

With the introduction of optical switching technology in telecommunication networks, all‐optical connections, so‐called lightpaths, can be established. Lightpaths have to be assigned a wavelength in such a way that no two lightpaths sharing a fiber use the same wavelength. The wavelength of operation can only be exchanged by the deployment of a wavelength converter. In this paper, we study the minimum converter wavelength assignment problem. We develop three integer programming formulations to minimize the number of converters and study their properties. Where the first two formulations lack the power to provide non‐trivial lower bounds, tight lower bounds can be computed by solving the linear relaxation of the third formulation by delayed column generation. In fact, the lower bound equals the best known solution value for all realistic instances at our disposal. In a computational study, we compare different strategies to enhance the column generation algorithm.
Note on the applicability of the VCG mechanism to capacitated assignment problems and extensions
Authors: Lok Reinder B. , Morales Dolores Romero , Vermeulen Dries
Published: February 2007

For the allocation of heterogeneous items, it is known that the buyers‐are‐substitutes condition is necessary and sufficient to ensure that a pricing equilibrium can yield the same allocation and payments as the VCG mechanism. Furthermore, concavity of the corresponding transferable utility TU‐game guarantees that this VCG outcome can also be achieved by an ascending price auction. We show that concavity, and hence the buyers‐are‐substitutes condition, holds for the TU‐game of the assignment problem with general capacities. Therefore, the VCG mechanism is supported by a pricing equilibrium which can also be achieved by an ascending auction. We also show that the buyers‐are‐substitutes condition, and hence concavity, does not hold anymore for very natural and straightforward extensions of this problem. This shows that the necessity of the substitutes property is a considerable restriction on the applicability of the VCG mechanism.
EXCHANGE RATES, PRICES AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN A MODEL OF ENDOGENOUS MARKET STRUCTURE*
Authors: AKSOY YUNUS , LUSTIG HANNO
Published: February 2007

We suggest a new dynamic equilibrium approach that features product differentiation and endogenizes market structure at the same time. The model yields clear‐cut predictions regarding the effects of small and large exchange rate shocks on the market structure, pass‐through and international trade. First, we account for the asymmetric price adjustment process with respect to exchange rate shocks. Second, we discuss an array of conditions where short‐ and long‐run international monetary neutrality is violated. We present in detail under which conditions imperfect competition is able to generate persistent and volatile real exchange rate deviations. Most predictions survive alternative market configurations.
ANALYSIS OF THE CURRENT ACCOUNT POSITION OF FOUR ASIAN COUNTRIES BEFORE THE 1997 CRISIS
Authors: Andreosso‐O’Callaghan B. , Kan Denis
Published: February 2007

Abstract.  The current paper presents an empirical analysis of the current account positions during the pre Asian crisis period, in the four most crisis‐hit countries (namely Thailand, the Philippines, South Korea and Indonesia). We have employed the procedures advocated by Husted for the presence of stationarity in current accounts by estimating a cointegration relationship between any country's exports and imports. The results do not substantiate the presence of cointegration between the series, implying that the macroeconomic fundamentals in these countries prior to the crisis were far from robust, at least from the perspective of current account sustainability.
INDIRECT PRICING THEORY OF THE FIRM: A GENERAL‐EQUILIBRIUM ANALYSIS INVOLVING PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT SERVICE
Authors: Li Guo‐qiang , Ng Yew‐Kwang
Published: February 2007

Abstract.  This paper develops a general‐equilibrium model that involves production technology and management service to study the emergence of firms from the perspective of saving transaction costs. Inframarginal analysis is used to formalize Coase and Cheung's theory of the firm and to generalize Yang and Ng's indirect pricing theory of the firm. Not only the emergence of firms, their growth and contraction, but also the relevant conditions for the existence of technology entrepreneurs and professional management are also investigated.