bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heterogeneous chemical processes as a source of persistent meteor trains
Authors: MURAD Edmond
Published: February 2010

Abstract— Observations of long‐lasting persistent trains following the entry of some meteoroids into the Earth's atmosphere are suggested to arise in part from the interaction between meteoroid components and the atmosphere and in the heterogeneous recombination reaction of atmospheric O atoms with NO. The latter occurs on the surfaces of dust left by the explosive fragmentation of larger meteoroids. A strong role is attributed to reactions of troilite (FeS), a meteorite component, with the atmosphere at elevated temperatures. The suggestions made in this paper complement previous work that suggested that long‐lived emissions results from a variety of species made in the shock of larger meteoroids.
Radar observations of asteroid 1998 ML14
Authors: OSTRO Steven J. , HUDSON R. Scott , BENNER Lance A. M. , NOLAN Michael C. , GIORGINI Jon D. , SCHEERES Daniel J. , JURGENS Raymond F. , ROSE Randy
Published: February 2010

Abstract— Goldstone and Arecibo delay‐Doppler radar imaging of asteroid 1998 ML 14 shortly after its discovery reveals a 1 km diameter spheroid with prominent topography on one side and subdued topography on the other. The object's radar and optical properties are typical for S‐class near‐Earth asteroids. The gravitational slopes of a shape model derived from the images and assumed to have a uniform density are shallow, exceeding 30° over only 4% of the surface. If 1998 ML14's density distribution is uniform, then its orbital environment is similar to a planetary body with a spheroidal gravitational field and is relatively stable. Integration of a radar‐refined orbit reveals that the 1998 apparition was the asteroid's closest approach to Earth since at least 1100 and until 2283, when it approaches to within 2.4 lunar distances. Outside of that time interval, orbit uncertainties based on the present set of observations preclude reliable prediction.
Chemical and isotopic characteristics of the Didwana‐Rajod (H5) chondrite
Authors: PALIWAL B. S. , MAHAJAN R. R. , MURTY S. V. S. , SHUKLA A. D. , SHUKLA P. N. , BHANDARI N. , NATARAJAN R. , HUTCHISON R. , RUSSELL S. , FRANCHI I. A.
Published: February 2010

Abstract— The mineralogical and chemical characteristics of the Didwana‐Rajod chondrite are described. The mean mineral composition is found to be olivine (Fo83.2) and pyroxene (En83.5Wo0.7Fs15.8), and feldspar is mainly oligoclase. Oxygen isotopic analysis shows δ18O = +3.8%0 and δ17O = +2.59%0. The nitrogen content of Didwana‐Rajod is ∼2 ppm with δ15N ≅ 3.4%0. Based on microscopic, chemical, isotopic and electron probe microanalysis, the meteorite is classified as an H5 chondrite. Cosmogenic tracks, radionuclides and the isotopic composition of rare gases were also measured in this meteorite. The track density in olivines varies in a narrow range with an average value of (6.5 ± 0.5) × 105/cm2 for four spot samples taken at the four corners of the stone. The cosmic‐ray exposure age based on neon and argon is 9.8 Ma. 22Na/26Al ≅ 0.94 is lower than the solar‐cycle average value of ∼1.5 and is consistent with irradiation of the meteoroid to lower galactic cosmic‐ray fluxes as expected at the solar maximum. The track density, rare gas isotopic ratios, 60Co activity and other radionuclide data are consistent with a preatmospheric radius of ∼15 cm, corresponding to a mass of ∼50 kg. The cosmogenic properties are consistent with a simple exposure history in interplanetary space.
Effects of Psychological Stress and Fluoxetine on Development of Oral Candidiasis in Rats
Authors: Núñez María J. , Novío Silvia , Suárez Juan Antonio , Balboa José , Freire-Garabal Manuel
Published: February 2010

Psychological stress has been found to suppress cell-mediated immune responses that are important for limiting the proliferation of
Candida albicans
. Fluoxetine has been observed to reduce negative consequences of stress on the immune system in experimental and clinical models, but there are no data on its effects on oral candidiasis. We designed experiments to evaluate the effects of fluoxetine on the development of oral candidiasis in Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to a chronic auditory stressor. Animals were submitted to surgical hyposalivation in order to facilitate the establishment and persistence of
C. albicans
infection. Stress application and treatment with drugs (placebo or fluoxetine) were initiated 7 days before
C. albicans
inoculation and lasted until the end of the experiments, on day 15 postinoculation. Establishment of
C. albicans
infection was evaluated on days 2 and 15 after inoculation. Tissue injury was determined by the quantification of the number and type (normal or abnormal) of papillae on the dorsal tongue per microscopic field. A semiquantitative scale was devised to assess the degree of colonization of the epithelium by fungal hyphae. Our results showed that stress exacerbates
C. albicans
infection in the tongues of rats. Significant increases in
Candida
counts, the percentage of the tongue's surface covered with clinical lesions, the percentage of abnormal papillae, and the colonization of the epithelium by hyphae were found in stressed rats compared to the nonstressed ones. Treatment with fluoxetine significantly reversed these adverse effects of stress. Besides the psychopharmacological properties of fluoxetine against stress, it has consequences for
Candida
infection.
Evaluation of an Upgraded Version of the Roche Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan HIV-1 Test for HIV-1 Load Quantification
Authors: Damond F. , Avettand-Fenoel V. , Collin G. , Roquebert B. , Plantier J. C. , Ganon A. , Sizmann D. , Babiel R. , Glaubitz J. , Chaix M. L. , Brun-Vezinet F. , Descamps D. , Rouzioux C.
Published: February 2010

We evaluated the performance of the prototype Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan HIV-1 test, version 2.0, using prospective and archived clinical samples initially underquantitated by the Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan HIV-1 test. The performance of the new test was significantly improved, and the majority of the underquantitation observed with the first-version test was eliminated.
Genetic Makeup of Amantadine-Resistant and Oseltamivir-Resistant Human Influenza A/H1N1 Viruses
Authors: Zaraket Hassan , Saito Reiko , Suzuki Yasushi , Baranovich Tatiana , Dapat Clyde , Caperig-Dapat Isolde , Suzuki Hiroshi
Published: February 2010

The emergence and widespread occurrence of antiviral drug-resistant seasonal human influenza A viruses, especially oseltamivir-resistant A/H1N1 virus, are major concerns. To understand the genetic background of antiviral drug-resistant A/H1N1 viruses, we performed full genome sequencing of prepandemic A/H1N1 strains. Seasonal influenza A/H1N1 viruses, including antiviral-susceptible viruses, amantadine-resistant viruses, and oseltamivir-resistant viruses, obtained from several areas in Japan during the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 influenza seasons were analyzed. Sequencing of the full genomes of these viruses was performed, and the phylogenetic relationships among the sequences of each individual genome segment were inferred. Reference genome sequences from the Influenza Virus Resource database were included to determine the closest ancestor for each segment. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the oseltamivir-resistant strain evolved from a reassortant oseltamivir-susceptible strain (clade 2B) which circulated in the 2007-2008 season by acquiring the H275Y resistance-conferring mutation in the NA gene. The oseltamivir-resistant lineage (corresponding to the Northern European resistant lineage) represented 100% of the H1N1 isolates from the 2008-2009 season and further acquired at least one mutation in each of the polymerase basic protein 2 (PB2), polymerase basic protein 1 (PB1), hemagglutinin (HA), and neuraminidase (NA) genes. Therefore, a reassortment event involving two distinct oseltamivir-susceptible lineages, followed by the H275Y substitution in the NA gene and other mutations elsewhere in the genome, contributed to the emergence of the oseltamivir-resistant lineage. In contrast, amantadine-resistant viruses from the 2007-2008 season distinctly clustered in clade 2C and were characterized by extensive amino acid substitutions across their genomes, suggesting that a fitness gap among its genetic components might have driven these mutations to maintain it in the population.
Identification of Clinically Important Anaerobic Bacteria by an Oligonucleotide Array
Authors: Lin Yu Tzu , Vaneechoutte Mario , Huang Ay Huey , Teng Lee Jene , Chen Hung-Mo , Su Shu-Li , Chang Tsung Chain
Published: February 2010

Anaerobic bacteria can cause a wide variety of infections, and some of these infections can be serious. Conventional identification methods based on biochemical tests are often lengthy and can produce inconclusive results. An oligonucleotide array based on the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer (ITS) sequences was developed to identify 28 species of anaerobic bacteria and
Veillonella
. The method consisted of PCR amplification of the ITS regions with universal primers, followed by hybridization of the digoxigenin-labeled PCR products to a panel of 35 oligonucleotide probes (17- to 30-mers) immobilized on a nylon membrane. The performance of the array was determined by testing 310 target strains (strains which we aimed to identify), including 122 reference strains and 188 clinical isolates. In addition, 98 nontarget strains were used for specificity testing. The sensitivity and the specificity of the array for the identification of pure cultures were 99.7 and 97.1%, respectively. The array was further assessed for its ability to detect anaerobic bacteria in 49 clinical specimens. Two species (
Finegoldia magna
and
Bacteroides vulgatus
) were detected in two specimens by the array, and the results were in accordance with those obtained by culture. The whole procedure of array hybridization took about 8 h, starting with the isolated colonies. The array can be used as an accurate alternative to conventional methods for the identification of clinically important anaerobes.
Molecular Characterization of an Adenovirus 3-16 Intertypic Recombinant Isolated in Argentina from an Infant Hospitalized with Acute Respiratory Infection
Authors: Kajon Adriana E. , Dickson Laura M. , Murtagh Patricia , Viale Diana , Carballal Guadalupe , Echavarria Marcela
Published: February 2010

An intertypic recombinant adenovirus with a serotype 3-like hexon gene and a serotype 16-like fiber (99% identical to that of the prototype strain of human adenovirus 16 [HAdV-16], Ch79) was isolated in Argentina from an infant admitted to the hospital with acute respiratory disease. Consistent with the results of molecular characterization, strain Arg827/04 was designated H3-F16.
Distinct p53, p53:LANA, and LANA Complexes in Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Lymphomas
Authors: Chen Wuguo , Hilton Isaac B. , Staudt Michelle R. , Burd Christin E. , Dittmer Dirk P.
Published: February 2010

The role of p53 in primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is complicated. The latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) binds p53. Despite this interaction, we had found that p53 was functional in PEL, i.e., able to induce apoptosis in response to DNA damage (C. E. Petre, S. H. Sin, and D. P. Dittmer, J. Virol. 81:1912-1922, 2007), and that hdm2 was overexpressed. To further elucidate the relationship between LANA, p53, and hdm2, we purified LANA complexes from PEL by column chromatography. This confirmed that LANA bound p53. However, the LANA:p53 complexes were a minority compared to hdm2:p53 and p53:p53 complexes. The half-life of p53 was not extended, which is in contrast to the half-life of simian virus 40 T antigen-transformed cells. p53:p53, LANA:p53, and LANA:LANA complexes coexisted in PEL, and each protein was able to bind to its cognate DNA element. These data suggest that under normal conditions, p53 is inactive in PEL, thus allowing for exponential growth, but that this inactivation is driven by the relative stoichiometries of LANA, hdm2, and p53. If p53 is activated by DNA damage or nutlin-3a, the complex falls apart easily, and p53 exercises its role as guardian of the genome.
Killing of Avian and Swine Influenza Virus by Natural Killer Cells
Authors: Achdout Hagit , Meningher Tal , Hirsh Shira , Glasner Ariella , Bar-On Yotam , Gur Chamutal , Porgador Angel , Mendelson Michal , Mandelboim Michal , Mandelboim Ofer
Published: February 2010

Today, global attention is focused on two influenza virus strains: the current pandemic strain, swine origin influenza virus (H1N1-2009), and the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, H5N1. At present, the infection caused by the H1N1-2009 is moderate, with mortality rates of less <1%. In contrast, infection with the H5N1 virus resulted in high mortality rates, and ca. 60% of the infected patients succumb to the infection. Thus, one of the world greatest concerns is that the H5N1 virus will evolve to allow an efficient human infection and human-to-human transmission. Natural killer (NK) cells are one of the innate immune components playing an important role in fighting against influenza viruses. One of the major NK activating receptors involved in NK cell cytotoxicity is NKp46. We previously demonstrated that NKp46 recognizes the hemagglutinin proteins of B and A influenza virus strains. Whether NKp46 could also interact with H1N1-2009 virus or with the avian influenza virus is still unknown. We analyzed the immunological properties of both the avian and the H1N1-2009 influenza viruses. We show that NKp46 recognizes the hemagglutinins of H1N1-2009 and H5 and that this recognition leads to virus killing both
in vitro
and
in vivo
. However, importantly, while the swine H1-NKp46 interactions lead to the direct killing of the infected cells, the H5-NKp46 interactions were unable to elicit direct killing, probably because the NKp46 binding sites for these two viruses are different.
Caulimoviridae
Tubule-Guided Transport Is Dictated by Movement Protein Properties
Authors: Sánchez-Navarro Jesús , Fajardo Thor , Zicca Stefania , Pallás Vicente , Stavolone Livia
Published: February 2010

Plant viruses move through plasmodesmata (PD) either as nucleoprotein complexes (NPCs) or as tubule-guided encapsidated particles with the help of movement proteins (MPs). To explore how and why MPs specialize in one mechanism or the other, we tested the exchangeability of MPs encoded by DNA and RNA virus genomes by means of an engineered alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) system. We show that
Caulimoviridae
(DNA genome virus) MPs are competent for RNA virus particle transport but are unable to mediate NPC movement, and we discuss this restriction in terms of the evolution of DNA virus MPs as a means of mediating DNA viral genome entry into the RNA-trafficking PD pathway.
Proliferation Capacity and Cytotoxic Activity Are Mediated by Functionally and Phenotypically Distinct Virus-Specific CD8 T Cells Defined by Interleukin-7Rα (CD127) and Perforin Expression
Authors: Cellerai Cristina , Perreau Matthieu , Rozot Virginie , Enders Felicitas Bellutti , Pantaleo Giuseppe , Harari Alexandre
Published: February 2010

Cytotoxicity and proliferation capacity are key functions of antiviral CD8 T cells. In the present study, we investigated a series of markers to define these functions in virus-specific CD8 T cells. We provide evidence that there is a lack of coexpression of perforin and CD127 in human CD8 T cells. CD127 expression on virus-specific CD8 T cells correlated positively with proliferation capacity and negatively with perforin expression and cytotoxicity. Influenza virus-, cytomegalovirus-, and Epstein-Barr virus/human immunodeficiency virus type 1-specific CD8 T cells were predominantly composed of CD127+perforin−/CD127−perforin+, and CD127−/perforin−CD8 T cells, respectively. CD127−/perforin−and CD127−/perforin+cells expressed significantly more PD-1 and CD57, respectively. Consistently, intracellular cytokine (gamma interferon, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin-2 [IL-2]) responses combined to perforin detection confirmed that virus-specific CD8 T cells were mostly composed of either perforin+/IL-2−or perforin−/IL-2+cells. In addition, perforin expression and IL-2 secretion were negatively correlated in virus-specific CD8 T cells (P< 0.01). As previously shown for perforin, changes in antigen exposure modulated also CD127 expression. Based on the above results, proliferating (CD127+/IL-2-secreting) and cytotoxic (perforin+) CD8 T cells were contained within phenotypically distinct T-cell populations at different stages of activation or differentiation and showed different levels of exhaustion and senescence. Furthermore, the composition of proliferating and cytotoxic CD8 T cells for a given antiviral CD8 T-cell population appeared to be influenced by antigen exposure. These results advance our understanding of the relationship between cytotoxicity, proliferation capacity, the levels of senescence and exhaustion, and antigen exposure of antiviral memory CD8 T cells.
Env-Expressing Autologous T Lymphocytes Induce Neutralizing Antibody and Afford Marked Protection against Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
Authors: Pistello Mauro , Bonci Francesca , Zabogli Elisa , Conti Francesca , Freer Giulia , Maggi Fabrizio , Stevenson Mario , Bendinelli Mauro
Published: February 2010

The envelope (Env) glycoproteins of HIV and other lentiviruses possess neutralization and other protective epitopes, yet all attempts to induce protective immunity using Env as the only immunogen have either failed or afforded minimal levels of protection. In a novel prime-boost approach, specific-pathogen-free cats were primed with a plasmid expressing Env of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and then boosted with their own T lymphocytes transduced
ex vivo
to produce the same Env and interleukin 15 (3 × 10
6
to 10 × 10
6
viable cells/cat). After the boost, the vaccinees developed elevated immune responses, including virus-neutralizing antibodies (NA). Challenge with an
ex vivo
preparation of FIV readily infected all eight control cats (four mock vaccinated and four naïve) and produced a marked decline in the proportion of peripheral CD4 T cells. In contrast, five of seven vaccinees showed little or no traces of infection, and the remaining two had reduced viral loads and underwent no changes in proportions of CD4 T cells. Interestingly, the viral loads of the vaccinees were inversely correlated to the titers of NA. The findings support the concept that Env is a valuable immunogen but needs to be administered in a way that permits the expression of its full protective potential.
Voltammetric and amperometric determination of N-nitroso antineoplastic drugs at mercury and amalgam electrodes
Authors: Pecková Karolina , Vrzalová Lucie , Bencko Vladimír , Barek Jiří
Published: February 2010

A hanging mercury drop electrode and a mercury meniscus modified silver solid amalgam electrode were used as electroanalytical sensors for voltammetric determination of antineoplastic drugs carmustine, lomustine and streptozotocin containing reducible N-nitroso groups. On the example of carmustine it was shown that its one-step reduction proceeds at substantially more negative potentials at amalgam electrode as compared with mercury electrode. Both electrodes offer satisfactory repeatability of current response (relative standard deviations < 5%) using DC voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The achieved limits of determination lie mostly in the 10–7 mol l–1 concentration range. The mentioned voltammetric methods were applied to determination of carmustine and lomustine in pharmaceutical formulations. Further, the mercury meniscus modified silver solid amalgam electrode was employed in a “wall-jet” amperometric detection cell in the determination of carmustine by flow injection analysis. Under optimized conditions (run electrolyte Britton– Robinson buffer of pH 7.0; flow rate 5.5 ml min–1; detection potential –1.5 V; injection volume 0.02 ml) the limit of quantitation 7.1 × 10–6 mol l–1 was achieved.
National Bioethics Council: a Brazilian proposal
Authors: Garrafa V , ten Have H
Published: February 2010

The number of national bioethics commissions has burgeoned since the establishment of the first one in 1983. They provide an arena in which stakeholders with widely differing moral views can discuss, interact and negotiate about controversial matters. The establishment of the Brazilian committee is used as an example of how such bodies can be introduced. If such councils are to be implemented effectively and regarded as legitimate, the society as a whole should be included in the construction of the proposal and represented on the council, the council should have the benefit of specialist advice when that is needed, and the council should be linked to the elected government in an official advisory capacity. The article describes long process of planning and consultation to establish Brazil's National Bioethics Council and of eventually defining its task as advising the president on matters relating to bioethics.
Importance of explanation before and after forensic autopsy to the bereaved family: lessons from a questionnaire study
Authors: Ito Takako , Nobutomo Koichi , Fujimiya Tatsuya , Yoshida Ken-ichi
Published: February 2010

To investigate how bereaved families felt about the explanation received before and after forensic autopsies, the authors conducted a cross-sectional survey of the bereaved families whose next of kin underwent a forensic autopsy at the two Departments of Forensic Medicine and a few bereaved families of crime victims. Of 403 questionnaires sent, 126 families responded. Among 81.5% of the respondents who received an explanation from policemen before the autopsy, 78.8% felt that the quality of the explanation was poor or improper. In Japan, the law has restricted disclosure of information from a forensic autopsy. Despite legal restrictions, 82% wanted to hear from the person who conducted the autopsy. However, police explained the results of autopsy to 65.2% of respondents. Among the families whose frustration and anger increased after autopsy, 86.4% had not been satisfied with the explanation before the autopsy. Additionally, 57.7% had not been informed on the autopsy findings at the time of the questionnaire when more than 2 years had passed after the autopsy. These results reminded us of the importance of an explanation before and shortly after a forensic autopsy for a better understanding and acceptance by bereaved families.
Are patients receiving enough information about healthcare rationing? A qualitative study: Table 1
Authors: Owen-Smith Amanda , Coast Joanna , Donovan Jenny
Published: February 2010

Background

There is broad international agreement from clinicians and academics that healthcare rationing should be undertaken as explicitly as possible, and the BMA have publicly supported the call for more accountable priority setting for some time. However, studies in the UK and elsewhere suggest that clinicians experience a number of barriers to rationing openly, and the information needs of patients at the point of provision are largely unknown.

Methodology

In-depth interviews were undertaken with NHS professionals working at the community level of provision, and with patients and professionals receiving or providing treatment for morbid obesity and breast cancer (n=52).

Results

Nearly all patients wanted to know about healthcare rationing and had high expectations of their clinical professionals to provide all relevant information about treatment options. However, professionals did not always understand these information requirements, and cases of implicit rationing were common. The existence of relevant national guidance was not always known about, meaning that patients were often reliant on other sources of information about treatment options, which included the popular media, the internet, patient advocacy groups and informal networks of support.

Discussion

Clinical professionals need to understand patients' need for detailed information when it comes to rationing, and to understand that they are the main gateway for this to be provided. However, disclosure could be distressing for both patients and professionals, and thus the most sensitive and acceptable ways to make this information available requires further investigation.
Neurolupus
Authors: Joseph Fady G , Scolding Neil J
Published: February 2010

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is not an uncommon condition. Most neurologists are well aware that it can cause a wide range of neurological complications, and SLE almost invariably appears on ‘differential diagnosis’ lists in cases of clinical uncertainty. However, the precise nature of the manifestations of SLE in the central and peripheral nervous systems is perhaps less widely understood, and misperceptions about phenomenology and treatment are common. Here we survey some of the mainprimaryneurological complications of SLE—‘neurolupus’—while acknowledging thatsecondaryproblems, either iatrogenic or relating to other consequences of SLE (eg, hypertensive CNS disease, for example, secondary to renal lupus) are neither less serious nor less treatable.
Deep brain stimulation for movement disorders
Authors: Thevathasan Wesley , Gregory Ralph
Published: February 2010

Deep brain stimulation is now considered a routine treatment option for selected patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease, primary segmental and generalised dystonia, and essential tremor. The neurosurgeon is responsi ble for the accurate and safe placement of the electrodes and the neurologist for the careful selection of patients and titration of medication against the effects of stimulation. A multidisciplinary team approach involving specialist nurses, neuropsychologists and neurophysiologists is required for a successful outcome. In this article we will summarise the key points in patient selection, provide an overview of the surgical technique, and discuss the beneficial and adverse outcomes that can occur.
NONLINEAR PROPERTIES, FRACTAL BEHAVIOR AND LONG-RANGE CORRELATION ANALYSIS OF THE CHINESE FUND MARKET
Authors: DENG WEIBING , LI WEI , CAI XU
Published: February 2010

Applying the statistical hypothesis testing, we investigate several nonlinear properties embedded in the return series of the Chinese Fund Market (CFM), which suggests the series is non-normal, auto-correlative and heteroskedastic. We hereby analyze the Hurst exponent of the return series in different timescales on the basis of the detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) algorithm, and discuss the fractal behavior of the CFM. Furthermore, by studying the correlation of different weights in the volatility, we find the persistent long-range power-law correlation exists in the time series. We also provide hints that the above statistical properties are insensitive to the funds kind, and may be irrelevant to the market phases. Our work may reveal the self-similarity characteristics of the financial market and show a better understanding of the CFM.
DEGREE CORRELATION OF BIPARTITE NETWORK ON PERSONALIZED RECOMMENDATION
Authors: LIU JIAN-GUO , ZHOU TAO , WANG BING-HONG , ZHANG YI-CHENG , GUO QIANG
Published: February 2010

In this paper, the statistical property, namely degree correlation between users and objects, is taken into account and be embedded into the similarity index of collaborative filtering (CF) algorithm to improve the algorithmic performance. The numerical simulation on a benchmark data set shows that the algorithmic accuracy of the presented algorithm, measured by the average ranking score, is improved by 18.19% in the optimal case. The statistical analysis on the product distribution of the user and object degrees indicate that, in the optimal case, the distribution obeys the power-law and the exponential is equal to -2.33. Numerical results show that the presented algorithm can provide more diverse and less popular recommendations, for example, when the recommendation list contains 10 objects, the diversity, measured by the hamming distance, is improved by 21.90%. Since all of the real recommendation data evolving with time, this work may shed some light on the adaptive recommendation algorithm which could change its parameter automatically according to the statistical properties of the user-object bipartite network.
DIPEPTIDE ADSORPTION ON Si(100)-2 × 1 ASYMMETRIC SURFACE BY FIRST PRINCIPLES
Authors: AKTÜRK ETHEM , GÜLSEREN OĞUZ , ARKIN HANDAN , ÇELIK TARIK
Published: February 2010

The adsorption of alanine dipeptide on a Si (100)-2 × 1 asymmetric surface is studied by using pseudopotential plane wave approach based on Density Functional Theory (DFT). Adsorption energies for different surface sites of various conformations are calculated and the groove site is found to be energetically most favorable. We observed that the molecule-surface interactions might modify surface reconstruction: asymmetric surface dimers reconstruct to asymmetric dimers in opposite directions doubling the surface periodicity, which in turn gives the surface metallic properties.
REGULARITY AND EXPONENTIAL STABILITY OF THE pth NEWTONIAN FLUID IN ONE SPACE DIMENSION
Authors: QIN YUMING , HUANG LAN
Published: February 2010

In this paper, we prove the regularity and exponential stability of solutions in Hi (i = 2, 4) for a pth power Newtonian fluid undergoing one-dimensional longitudinal motions. Some new ideas and more delicate estimates are introduced to prove these results.
1/f NOISE IN EXTRINSIC SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS INTERPRETED AS MODULATED GENERATION-RECOMBINATION NOISE
Authors: GRÜNEIS FERDINAND
Published: February 2010

We investigate fixed dopants in the presence of mobile point defects. A defect entering the first Bohr radius RB of a dopant will modulate the generation-recombination (g-r) process. The times a defect walks inside and outside of RB are found to be power-law distributed; correspondingly, the modulated g-r process exhibits 1/fb noise. The predicted Hooge coefficient depends on RB, on the normalized fluctuations of charge carriers, the number of lattice sites and on the modulation depth of the g-r process.
BIRKHOFF SPECTRA FOR ONE-DIMENSIONAL MAPS WITH SOME HYPERBOLICITY
Authors: CHUNG YONG MOO
Published: February 2010

We study the multifractal analysis for smooth dynamical systems in dimension one. It is given a characterization of the Hausdorff dimension of the level set obtained from the Birkhoff averages of a continuous function by the local dimensions of hyperbolic measures for a topologically mixing C2 map modeled by an abstract dynamical system. A characterization which corresponds to above is also given for the ergodic basins of invariant probability measures. And it is shown that the complement of the set of quasi-regular points carries full Hausdorff dimension.
DENJOY'S APPROXIMATE CONTINUITY FOR THE SOLUTIONS OF MULTIVALUED STOCHASTIC DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
Authors: XU SIYAN
Published: February 2010

In this paper we prove Denjoy's approximate continuity for the solutions of multivalued stochastic differential equations.
Evolutionary emergence of N-glycosylation as a variable promoter of HCN channel surface expression
Authors: Hegle Andrew P. , Nazzari Hamed , Roth Andrew , Angoli Damiano , Accili Eric A.
Published: February 2010

All four mammalian hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-modulated (HCN) channel isoforms have been shown to undergo N-linked glycosylation in the brain. With the mouse HCN2 isoform as a prototype, HCN channels have further been suggested to require N-glycosylation for function, a provocative finding that would make them unique in the voltage-gated potassium channel superfamily. Here, we show that both the HCN1 and HCN2 isoforms are also predominantly N-glycosylated in the embryonic heart, where they are found in significant amounts and where HCN-mediated currents are known to regulate beating frequency. Surprisingly, we find that N-glycosylation is not required for HCN2 function, although its cell surface expression is highly dependent on the presence of N-glycans. Comparatively, disruption of N-glycosylation only modestly impacts cell surface expression of HCN1 and leaves permeation and gating functions almost unchanged. This difference between HCN1 and HCN2 is consistent with evolutionary trajectories that diverged in an isoform-specific manner after gene duplication from a common HCN ancestor that lacked N-glycosylation and was able to localize efficiently to the cell surface.
A metabolomics approach using juvenile cystic mice to identify urinary biomarkers and altered pathways in polycystic kidney disease
Authors: Taylor Sandra L. , Ganti Sheila , Bukanov Nikolay O. , Chapman Arlene , Fiehn Oliver , Osier Michael , Kim Kyoungmi , Weiss Robert H.
Published: February 2010

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common inherited kidney disease and affects 1 in 1,000 individuals. Ultrasound is most often used to diagnose ADPKD; such a modality is only useful late in the disease after macroscopic cysts are present. There is accumulating evidence suggesting that there are common cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for cystogenesis in human and murine PKD regardless of the genes mutated, and, in the case of complex metabolomic analysis, the use of a mouse model has distinct advantages for proof of principle over a human study. Therefore, in this study we utilized a urinary metabolomics-based investigation using gas chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry to demonstrate that the cystic mouse can be discriminated from its wild-type counterpart by urine analysis alone. At day 26 of life, before there is serological evidence of kidney dysfunction, affected mice are distinguishable by urine metabolomic analysis; this finding persists through 45 days until 64 days, at which time body weight differences confound the results. Using functional score analysis and the KEGG pathway database, we identify several biologically relevant metabolic pathways which are altered very early in this disease, the most highly represented being the purine and galactose metabolism pathways. In addition, we identify several specific candidate biomarkers, including allantoic acid and adenosine, which are augmented in the urine of young cystic mice. These markers and pathway components, once extended to human disease, may prove useful as a noninvasive means of diagnosing cystic kidney diseases and to suggest novel therapeutic approaches. Thus, urine metabolomics has great diagnostic potential for cystic renal disorders and deserves further study.
Fastigial Oculomotor Region and the Control of Foveation During Fixation
Authors: Guerrasio Lorenzo , Quinet Julie , Büttner Ulrich , Goffart Laurent
Published: February 2010

When primates maintain their gaze directed toward a visual target (visual fixation), their eyes display a combination of miniature fast and slow movements. An involvement of the cerebellum in visual fixation is indicated by the severe gaze instabilities observed in patients suffering from cerebellar lesions. Recent studies in non-human primates have identified a cerebellar structure, the fastigial oculomotor region (FOR), as a major cerebellar output nucleus with projections toward oculomotor regions in the brain stem. Unilateral inactivation of the FOR leads to dysmetric visually guided saccades and to an offset in gaze direction when the animal fixates a visual target. However, the nature of this fixation offset is not fully understood. In the present work, we analyze the inactivation-induced effects on fixation. A novel technique is adopted to describe the generation of saccades when a target is being fixated (fixational saccades). We show that the offset is the result of a combination of impaired saccade accuracy and an altered encoding of the foveal target position. Because they are independent, we propose that these two impairments are mediated by the different projections of the FOR to the brain stem, in particular to the deep superior colliculus and the pontomedullary reticular formation. Our study demonstrates that the oculomotor cerebellum, through the activity in the FOR, regulates both the amplitude of fixational saccades and the position toward which the eyes must be directed, suggesting an involvement in the acquisition of visual information from the fovea.
Confinement Mechanism in the Field Correlator Method
Authors: Simonov Yu. A. , Shevchenko V. I.
Published: February 2010

Confinement in QCD results from special properties of vacuum fluctuations of gluon fields. There are two numerically different scales, characterizing nonperturbative
QCD vacuum dynamics: “small” one,
corresponding to gluon condensate, critical temperature etc, which is about 0.1–0.3 GeV, and a
“large” one, given by inverse confining string width,
glueball and gluelump masses, and so forth, which is about
1.5–2.5 GeV. We discuss the origin of this hierarchy in a picture where confinement is ensured by quadratic colorelectric field correlators of the special type. These correlators, on the other hand, can be calculated via
gluelump Green′s function, whose dynamics is defined by the
correlators themselves. In this way one obtains a self‐consistent scheme, where string tension can be expressed in terms of
ΛQCD.
Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery for Acute Appendicitis: Feasibility in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Chow Andre , Aziz Omer , Purkayastha Sanjay , Darzi Ara , Paraskeva Paraskevas
Published: February 2010

Background. Laparoscopic appendicectomy is accepted by many as the gold standard approach for the treatment of acute appendicitis. The use of Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS) has the potential of further reducing postoperative port site complications as well as improving cosmesis and patient satisfaction. Method. In this paper we report our experience and assess the feasibility of SILS appendicectomy in the pediatric setting. Results. Five pediatric patients with uncomplicated appendicitis underwent SILS appendicectomy. There were no significant intraoperative or postoperative complications. All patients were discharged within 24 hours. Conclusions. The use of Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery appears to be a feasible and safe technique for the treatment of uncomplicated appendicitis in the pediatric setting. Further studies are warranted to fully investigate the potential advantages of this new technique.
Systemic Lymphadenectomy Cannot Be Recommended for Low‐Risk Corpus Cancer
Authors: Hidaka Takao , Nakashima Akitoshi , Shima Tomoko , Hasegawa Toru , Saito Shigeru
Published: February 2010

Objective. The objective of this study is to ascertain whether omission of lymphadenectomy could be possible when uterine corpus cancer is considered low‐risk based on intraoperative pathologic indicators. Patient and Methods. Between 1998 and 2007, a total of 83 patients with low risk corpus cancer (endometrioid type, grade 1 or 2, myometrial invasion ≦50%, and no intraoperative evidence of macroscopic extrauterine spread, including pelvic and paraaortic lymph node swelling and adnexal metastasis) underwent the total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo‐oophorectomy without lymphadenectomy. A retrospective review of the medical records was performed, and the disease‐free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), peri‐ and postoperative morbidities and complications were evaluated. Results. The 5‐year DFS rates and the 5‐year OS rates were 97.6% and 98.8%, respectively. No patient presented postoperative leg lymphedema and deep venous thrombosis. Conclusion. Omission of lymphadenectomy did not worsen the DFS or OS. The present findings suggest that systemic lymphadenectomy could be omitted in low‐risk endometrial carcinoma.
Intrathymic T Cell Migration Is a Multivectorial Process under a Complex Neuroendocrine Control
Authors: Savino Wilson
Published: February 2010

The thymus is responsible for normal T cell development, a process that includes cell proliferation, death, migration, and T cell receptor gene rearrangements. Moreover, it depends on interactions between developing thymocytes and thymic microenvironmental cells. Along with differentiation, thymocytes migrate and such oriented movement is regulated by several molecular interactions, comprising extracellular matrix (ECM) elements and chemokines. We postulated that intrathymic T cell migration is a multivectorial process; each individual vector being represented by a given molecular interaction. In vivo and in vitro experiments revealed that migration of developing thymocytes, including the export of mature T cells, is upregulated by hormones, such as growth hormone and triiodothyronine, through the modulation of ECM-mediated interactions, associated or not with the chemokine CXCL12. Recent data revealed that molecular interactions typically found in the nervous system also affect intrathymic T cell migration. Semaphorin-3A, a soluble member of the semaphorin family, is involved in the control of human thymocyte migration, bearing a chemorepulsive role. Such an effect is partially due to its downregulatory effect upon the interactions mediated by fibronectin and laminin, as well as CXCL12. These data unravel a complex neuroendocrine control intrathymic T cell migration, involving both endocrine and paracrine molecular interactions.
Inflammatory Agents Involved in Septic Miscarriage
Authors: Aisemberg Julieta , Vercelli Claudia , Wolfson Manuel , Salazar Ana Inés , Osycka-Salut Claudia , Billi Silvia , Ribeiro María Laura , Farina Mariana , Franchi Ana María
Published: February 2010

Even though the understanding of the cause of early pregnancy loss due to chromosomal abnormalities has improved, there is a dearth of knowledge of the causes of loss in euploid conceptuses. Maternal infections are a cause of abort in humans, but the mechanisms are not clear, so we have developed a murine model to study the mechanism of septic abortion by inducing embryonic resorption (ER) with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We demonstrated that augmented production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandins (PG) is involved in ER, and that inhibitors of their synthesis could prevent ER. Also, we observed an increase in the oxidative damage, evidenced by nitration of tyrosine proteins, due to the peroxynitrite anion. Since an association between chronic marijuana smoking and early miscarriage has been shown in women, we studied the participation of anandamide (AEA), the principal endocannabinoid, on the mechanism of action of LPS. We showed that LPS-induced NO synthesis and tissue damage were mediated by AEA, and that this endotoxin inhibited AEA degradation and increased its synthesis. These results suggest that several inflammatory molecules participate in the mechanism of early pregnancy loss and that their modulation could be useful tools to prevent it.
Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells in the Control of Autoimmune Neuroinflammation: An Emerging Role of Protein-Glycan Interactions
Authors: Ilarregui Juan M. , Rabinovich Gabriel A.
Published: February 2010

During the past decade, a great deal of information has contributed to our understanding of the immunosuppressive pathways that operate during the resolution of autoimmune pathology, including central nervous system (CNS) inflammation. Activation of these pathways is accomplished through the integration of an intricate network of inhibitory signals and immune suppressive cells, including regulatory T cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, ‘alternatively activated’ macrophages and tolerogenic dendritic cells (DCs). During the course of inflammatory diseases, immature or mature DCs may be licensed by different stimuli (e.g. cytokines, neuropeptides and growth factors) to become tolerogenic and suppress pathogenic T cell responses, thus emphasizing the outstanding plasticity of these cells. Recent findings have shed light to an immunoregulatory circuit by which galectin-1, an endogenous glycan-binding protein, favors the differentiation of regulatory DCs which promote T cell tolerance and contribute to resolution of autoimmune pathology through mechanisms involving IL-27 and IL-10. Together with the ability of galectin-1-glycan interactions to selectively blunt T helper (Th)1 and Th17 responses, this effect provides a rational explanation for the broad immunosuppressive effects of this glycan-binding protein in several experimental models of chronic inflammation and cancer. In this mini review, we will summarize the regulatory signals leading to the differentiation of tolerogenic DCs and their participation in CNS inflammation. In addition, we will underscore recent findings on the emerging role of galectin-glycan interactions in the establishment of immunosuppressive networks during the resolution of chronic inflammation.
When Immune-Neuro-Endocrine Interactions Are Disrupted: Experimentally Induced Arthritis as an Example
Authors: del Rey Adriana , Wolff Christine , Wildmann Johannes , Randolf Anke , Straub Rainer H. , Besedovsky Hugo O.
Published: February 2010

We studied whether, in parallel to the activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system, hypothalamic cytokine expression and monoaminergic neurotransmitter concentrations are affected during the development and chronification of arthritis induced by immunization of rats with type II collagen. Corticosterone levels were increased only transiently, and were even below the normal range as the disease progressed. Increased adrenaline blood levels and hypothalamic IL-1β and IL-6 overexpression were observed only during the induction phase of the disease. The increase in hypothalamic noradrenaline content during the symptomatic phase was paralleled by a gradual loss of sympathetic fibers in the joints. Depletion of hypothalamic noradrenergic neurons at this time did not affect the symptomatology. Contrary to observations in healthy animals, no correlation between hypothalamic IL-1β expression and noradrenaline content was observed in rats with arthritis. The dissociation between hypothalamic cytokine gene expression and noradrenergic neuronal activity, the lack of sustained stimulation of the stress axes, and the loss of sympathetic signals in the joints indicate that the communication between afferent immune messages to the central nervous system and two main efferent anti-inflammatory pathways under control of the brain are disrupted during experimental arthritis.
Interplay between Neuroimmunoendocrine Systems during Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Minireview
Authors: Bauer Moisés E. , Wieck Andréa , Lopes Rodrigo P. , Teixeira Antonio L. , Grassi-Oliveira Rodrigo
Published: February 2010

Early life stress has been suggested to mediate vulnerability to affective disorders. Traumatic events experienced in childhood such as sexual abuse and/or physical neglect may lead to psychiatric diseases in adult life, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous studies have focused on adult traumatic events and very little is known regarding the long-term physiological effects of early life stress. Here, we review the complex interplay between most important cognitive, neuroendocrine and immunological changes reported in PTSD, focusing on long-term implications of childhood maltreatment. PTSD has been associated with significant biological changes related to impaired cognitive functions, attenuated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function (hypocortisolism) and activation of innate immune responses (low-grade inflammation).