bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Cardiac Twist in Dilated Cardiomyopathy Using Velocity Vector Imaging
Authors: Liu Xiaowei , Li Zhian
Published: January 2010

Objectives: Velocity vector imaging (VVI) is a novel echocardiography technique to assess myocardial motion in two dimensions. In this study, we used VVI to assess left ventricular twist (LVtwist) in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients. Methods: Twenty DCM patients and 31 normal subjects were evaluated. Echocardiographic images of the long and short axis were processed by VVI software to measure peak rotation angle (ProtA), peak rotation rate (ProtR) in systole. In addition, peak untwisting velocity (Pun‐twV) and untwisting rate (unTwR) were measured in diastole. LVtwist was defined as the net difference between the apical and basal angle of rotation, left ventricular torsion (LVtor) was calculated as LVtwist divided by left ventricular diastolic longitudinal length. Results: The pattern of LVtwist was normal (apex counterclockwise, base clockwise) in 16 DCM patients but abnormal in four. LVtwist and LVtor were significantly decreased (P < 0.01) in DCM compared with normals. In addition, ProtA, ProtR, Pun‐twV, and unTwR were all decreased at the basal and apical levels in DCM compared with normals (P < 0.01). There was a significant correlation between ejection fraction and LVtwist in the DCM patients (r = 0.489, P < 0.05). Conclusions: Cardiac twist is impaired in DCM and this impairment is linked to global dysfunction. VVI is a new noninvasive technology that can be used to assess cardiac twist. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY 2010;27:400‐405)
C‐Reactive Protein, Left Atrial Volume, and Atrial Fibrillation: A Prospective Study in High‐Risk Elderly
Authors: Casaclang‐Verzosa Grace , Barnes Marion E. , Blume Gustavo , Seward James B. , Gersh Bernard J. , Cha Stephen S. , Bailey Kent R. , Tsang Teresa S. M.
Published: January 2010

Background: The data regarding the interrelationships of high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein (CRP), left atrial (LA) volume, and atrial fibrillation (AF) are sparse. Additionally, while LA volume has been shown to be useful for prediction of AF in low‐to‐moderate risk populations, its predictive value in clinically high‐risk populations is unknown. Methods: SAFHIRE (Study of Atrial Fibrillation in High Risk Elderly) is an ongoing prospective study of the pathophysiology of first AF in persons aged ≥65 years with ≥2 other AF risk factors [systemic hypertension, proven coronary artery disease, heart failure (HF), diabetes]. Participants are followed annually, and undergo an interview, physical examination, blood work, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram assessment. Results: Of 800 participants, mean age of 74 ± 6 years, 34 developed first AF over 1.7± 0.9 years. A history of systemic hypertension and proven coronary artery disease was present in 97% and 78%, respectively. CRP was unrelated to LA volume on univariable or multivariable analyses (P > 0.10), and not predictive of first AF on univariable or multivariable models (all P > 0.10). Indexed LA volume was an independent predictor of first AF (unadjusted P< 0.0001; age and sex adjusted P = 0.0006; adjusted for multiple factors, HR 1.3/5 ml per m2, 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.48, P = 0.001). Conclusion: In this elderly population at high clinical risk for the development of first AF, CRP was unrelated to LA volume and nonpredictive of first AF, while indexed LA volume was incremental to clinical risk factors for the prediction of first AF. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY 2010;27:394‐399)
Long‐term outcomes for cross‐arch stabilizing bridges in periodontal maintenance patients – a retrospective study
Authors: Fardal Øystein , Linden Gerard J.
Published: January 2010

Fardal Ø, Linden GJ. Long‐term outcomes for cross‐arch stabilizing bridges in periodontal maintenance patients – a retrospective study. J Clin Periodontol 2010; 37: 299–304. doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐051X.2009.01528.x.

Background: Cross‐arch bridges are used to stabilize teeth for patients with reduced periodontal support. Little is known about technical or biological complications, whether teeth and implants can be combined in this type of bridge and the long‐term effects on tooth loss.

Materials and methods: All patients treated in a specialist periodontal practice who received cross‐arch stabilizing bridgework and were subsequently maintained for at least 7 years were included in the study. The patients were selected from all patients who underwent initial periodontal therapy after 1986 in a Norwegian periodontal practice. The bridges were assessed for biological and technical complications. Bridges retained by teeth or by a combination of teeth and implants were included in the study.

Results: Ninety‐four rigid fixed bridges (77 teeth supported, 17 teeth and implant supported) in 80 patients (46 females, 34 males) were observed for an average of 10 years (range 7–22 years). In four patients, a bridge became loose and had to be re‐cemented, and in one case the metal framework of a bridge fractured and the bridge had to be remade. In total, eight abutment teeth were lost from five patients but no implant abutments were lost. Overall, a higher rate of tooth loss was observed for patients provided with stabilizing bridges compared with control maintenance patients not treated with bridgework (p<0.0001); however, the rates in both groups were very low.

Conclusion: Cross‐arch stabilizing bridges constructed for periodontal patients as part of their periodontal maintenance therapy had few complications and were associated with low rates of abutment tooth loss. Combining teeth and implants did not affect the performance of these bridges.
A common currency for the different ways in which patches and links can contribute to habitat availability and connectivity in the landscape
Authors: Saura Santiago , Rubio Lidón
Published: January 2010

Graph structures and habitat availability metrics are two recent and complementary approaches for analysing landscape connectivity. They have gained rapid popularity and provided significant conceptual improvements for decision making in conservation planning. We present a further methodological development of the habitat availability concept and metrics by partitioning them into three separate fractions that quantify the different ways in which individual landscape elements can contribute to overall habitat connectivity and availability in the landscape, including stepping stone effects. These fractions are derived from the same concept, are measured in the same units and can be directly compared and combined within a unifying framework. This avoids the problematic and, so far, usual combination of metrics coming from different backgrounds and the arbitrary weighting of connectivity considerations in a broader context of conservation alternatives. We analyse how the relative importance of each fraction varies with species traits. In addition, we show how the critical patches differ for each of the fractions by analysing various forest habitats in the province of Lleida (NE Spain). We discuss the conceptual and conservation implications of this approach, which can be adapted to different degrees of ecological and spatial detail within the graph while still maintaining a coherent framework for the identification of critical elements in the landscape network.
Developmental changes in factors limiting colony survival and growth of the leaf‐cutter ant Atta laevigata
Authors: Vieira‐Neto Ernane H. M. , Vasconcelos Heraldo L.
Published: January 2010

Many species of leaf‐cutter ants (Atta and Acromyrmex) increase in abundance following natural or anthropogenic disturbances in the vegetation. However, the mechanisms responsible for such an increase are still poorly understood. We evaluated the effects of nesting site and the availability of palatable forage on survival and growth of Atta laevigata colonies at different developmental stages. Foundress queens transplanted into man‐made clearings (dirt roads) had a much higher survival than those transplanted into the adjacent undisturbed savannah vegetation. Similarly, incipient colonies (≥3‐months old) had significantly greater survival and growth rates in dirt roads. In contrast, nesting site did not influence performance of young colonies (≥15‐months old). Both incipient and young colonies responded strongly and positively to experimental supplementation of palatable forage, and this effect was independent of the nesting habitat. Colonies that received extra food grew faster and had a significantly greater survival rate than control colonies. These results suggest that performance of A. laevigata is affected by the generally greater availability of suitable nesting sites and palatable vegetation in disturbed habitats. This may explain how these ants maintain high densities in these habitats, and since the relative importance of these factors changed with colony ontogeny, our findings highlight the importance of evaluating potential limiting factors throughout the full range of an organism's developmental stages.
Spatial and temporal hotspots of termite‐driven decomposition in the Serengeti
Authors: Freymann Bernd P. , De Visser Sara N. , Olff Han
Published: January 2010

Ecosystem engineers are organisms that directly or indirectly control the availability of resources to other organisms by causing physical state changes in biotic or abiotic materials. Termites (Insecta, Isoptera) are among the most important ecosystem engineers in tropical ecosystems. We used a field experiment in the tall grasslands of Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, to investigate 1) the consumption by termites of grass litter and dung baits along the landscape gradient of catena position, and 2) seasonal variation in litter and dung removal. Our maps of termitaria and patterns of bait removal revealed clear spatial and temporal hotspots of termite activity. In the dry season termites removed more baits at the top‐catena positions than at the bottom positions, but there was no effect of catena position in the wet season. Spatial hotspots of termite activity overlapped with those of both mammalian herbivores and predators. Within the framework of ecosystem engineering, this study suggests that intraspecific aspects of spatial heterogeneity and temporal variability deserve much greater consideration.
Spatial pattern of adult trees and the mammal‐generated seed rain in the Iberian pear
Authors: Fedriani Jose M. , Wiegand Thorsten , Delibes Miguel
Published: January 2010

The degree to which plant individuals are aggregated or dispersed co‐determines how a species uses resources, how it is used as a resource, and how it reproduces. Quantifying such spatial patterns, however, presents several methodological issues that can be overcome by using spatial point pattern analyses (SPPA). We used SPPA to assess the distribution of P. bourgaeana adult trees and their seeds (within fecal samples) dispersed by three mammals (badger, fox, and wild boar) within a 72‐ha plot across a range of spatial scales. Pyrus bourgaeana trees in our study plot (n=75) were clearly aggregated with a critical spatial scale of ca 25 m, and approximately nine randomly distributed tree clusters were identified. As expected from their marking behaviors, the spatial patterns of fecal deposition varied widely among mammal species. Whereas badger feces and dispersed seeds were clearly clustered at small spatial scales (<10 m), boar and fox feces were relatively scattered across the plot. A toroidal shift null model testing for independence indicated that boars tended to deliver seeds to the vicinity of adult trees and thus could contribute to the maintenance and enlargement of existing tree clusters. Badgers delivered feces and seeds in a highly clumped pattern but unlike boars, away from P. bourgaeana neighborhoods; thus, they are more likely to create new tree clusters than boars. The strong tree aggregation is likely to be the result of one or several non‐exclusive processes, such as the spatial patterning of seed delivery by dispersers and seedling establishment beneath mother trees. In turn, the distinctive distribution of P. bourgaeana in Doñana appeared to interact with the foraging behavior of its mammalian seed dispersers, leading to neighbourhood‐specific dispersal patterns and fruit‐removal rates. Our study exemplifies how a detailed description of patterns generates testable hypotheses concerning the ecology of zoochorous. Pyrus bourgaeana dispersers were unique and complementary in their spatial patterning of seed delivery, which likely confers resilience to their overall service and suggests lack of redundancy and expendability of any one species.
Involvement of ERK1/2, p38 and PI3K in megakaryocytic differentiation of K562 cells
Authors: Conde Isabel , Pabón Dina , Jayo Asier , Lastres Pedro , González‐Manchón Consuelo
Published: January 2010

Megakaryocytic differentiation of myelogenous leukemia cell lines induced by a number of chemical compounds mimics, in part, the physiological process that takes place in the bone marrow in response to a variety of stimuli. We have investigated the involvement of mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) [extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2) and p38] and phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) signaling pathways in the differentiated phenotypes of K562 cells promoted by phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate, staurosporine (STA), and the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB202190. In our experimental conditions, only STA‐treated cells showed the phenotype of mature megakaryocytes (MKs) including GPIbα expression, DNA endoreduplication, and formation of platelet‐like structures. We provide evidence supporting that basal activity, but not sustained activation, of ERK1/2 is required for expression of MK surface markers. Moreover, ERK1/2 signaling is not involved in cell endomitosis. The PI3K pathway exerts dual regulatory effects on K562 cell differentiation: it is intimately connected with ERK1/2 cascade to stimulate expression of surface markers and it is also necessary, but not sufficient, for polyploidization. Finally, apoptosis and megakaryocytic differentiation exhibit different sensitivity to p38 down‐regulation: it is required for expression of early specific markers but is not involved in cell apoptosis. The present work with K562 cells provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms regulating MK differentiation. The results indicate that a precise orchestration of signals, including ERK1/2 and p38 MAPKs as well as PI3K pathway, is necessary for acquisition of features of mature MKs.
Fulcrums and Borderlands. A Desert Reading of Cormac McCarthy’s The Road
Authors: Graulund Rune
Published: January 2010

The article presents a reading of Cormac McCarthy’s The Road (2006) in terms of the desert. The desert has been a landscape of central importance for McCarthy since Blood Meridian (1985), but it is of unprecedented importance in The Road. Physically, emotionally as morally, every choice the protagonists of The Road face as they trek across the bleak and abstract wasteland of a future America can in some way or other lead back to the ultimate question of deserta, of absence. The problem of the desert, in other words, is the barren ground upon which the central questions of the novel rest. The article concludes with the suggestion that The Road may present a new phase in McCarthy’s authorship, a shift heralded not just by McCarthy’s plunge into a new genre but possibly his entire philosophy.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Contribution of Interferon‐γ Receptor 1 Gene Polymorphisms to Pre‐Eclampsia in China
Authors: Chen Li‐Juan , Gao Hui , Zhou Hao , Zou Li , Zou Ping
Published: January 2010

Citation Chen L‐J, Gao H, Zhou H, Zou L, Zou P. Contribution of interferon‐γ receptor 1 gene polymorphisms to pre‐eclampsia in China. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 63: 331–338

Problem  As gene polymorphisms of cytokines receptors have been found to significantly influence cell responses to cytokines, the aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that IFN‐γ receptor 1 (IFNGR1) gene polymorphisms may contribute to the pathogenesis of pre‐eclampsia.

Method of study  One hundred and sixty‐four pre‐eclamptic patients (121 patients with mild pre‐eclampsia and 43 patients with severe pre‐eclampsia) and 171 controls were included. Polymorphisms of the IFNGR1 gene at positions −611, −270, +56 and +95 were genotyped with the matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry.

Results  This study showed a positive association between −56C/C genotype (OR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.1–2.7) and pre‐eclampsia. Although the genotype frequencies (except for −56C/C) of the two polymorphisms were comparable between cases and controls, higher frequency of the −611A/−56C haplotype (OR = 1.450; 95% CI = 1.070–1.966) was noticed in patients versus controls. All patients and controls were homozygous for the −270T/T and +95T/T genotypes. Specifically, the frequency of the −56C allele (OR = 1.838; 95% CI = 1.127–2.995) was higher among patients with severe pre‐eclampsia.

Conclusion  The IFNGR1 gene polymorphisms may contribute to the pathogenesis of pre‐eclampsia in our population.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Enhanced Maternal Anti‐Fetal Immunity Contributes to the Severity of Hypertensive Disorder Complicating Pregnancy
Authors: Liu Li‐Ping , Huang Wei , Lu Yue‐Chao , Liao Ai‐Hua
Published: January 2010

Citation Liu L‐P, Huang W, Lu Y‐C, Liao A‐H. Enhanced maternal anti‐fetal immunity contributes to the severity of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010

Problem  The aim of this study was to evaluate how fetal monocyte activation and maternal anti‐fetal antigen‐specific antibody‐secreting cells (ASC) affect the severity of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy (HDCP).

Method of study  Forty‐six healthy third‐trimester pregnant women and 20 patients with gestational hypertension, 20 with mild pre‐ecalmpsia and another 20 with severe pre‐eclampsia were included in the study. Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) release from cord blood monocytes was examined by intracellular cytokine staining and flow cytometric analysis. Moreover, the maternal anti‐fetal antigen‐specific ASC were detected by enzyme‐linked immunospot assay.

Results  A significantly increased percentage of IL‐6‐positive monocytes were detected in the cord blood of study groups compared with the controls (P < 0.01). The percentage of IL‐6‐positive monocytes was increased as the disease progressed (P < 0.05). There were more anti‐fetal antigen‐specific ASC in the study groups than those in the controls (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the anti‐fetal antigen‐specific ASC showed difference in gestational hypertensive and severe pre‐eclamptic groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusion  We conclude that the fetal monocyte activation and the increase in maternal anti‐fetal antigen‐specific ASC were related to the incidence and severity of HDCP. These results provide both indirect and direct evidence for the occurrence of exaggerated maternal humoral immunity against the fetal antigens in HDCP.
In vivo immunomodulatory effects of dietary purple sweet potato after immunization in chicken
Authors: HANIEH Hamza , GERILE Chaogetu , NARABARA Kiyoaki , GU Zhigang , ABE Asaki , KONDO Yasuhiro
Published: January 2010

This study was intended to determine the modulatory effects of dietary supplementation of purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batats Poir., PSP) on the immune response of chickens. PSP was included in a basal starter diet by 1% (PSPL) or 3% (PSPH) and continually fed. Newcastle disease (NDV) vaccine, Brucella abortus (BA) and sheep red blood cells (SRBC) were used for chicken immunization. Antibody titers against these antigens were used to estimate humoral immunity. Concanavalin A (Con A)‐induced proliferations of splenocytes, thymocytes and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), ratios of CD4‐ and CD8‐single positive and CD4‐CD8‐double negative (DN) cells in splenocytes, were both used to indicate cellular immunity. Relative weights of spleen, thymus and bursa and white blood cell (WBC) counts were studied. PSPH increased anti‐NDV (P < 0.05), anti‐BA (P < 0.01) and anti‐SRBC titers (P < 0.05) in response to secondary immunization, whereas PSPL increased titers of anti‐BA (P < 0.05) and anti‐SRBC (P < 0.01). Proliferations of splenocytes and thymocytes were augmented with PSPL (P < 0.05). PSPH‐treated chickens had lower (P < 0.05) ratios of CD4‐sigle positive lymphocytes. Proliferation of PBL, weights of lymphoid organs and WBC counts were not affected. These results suggest that dietary PSP supplementation could enhance the immune response after immunization in chickens.
Changes in Structure, Composition, and Nutrients During 15 Yr of Hurricane‐Induced Succession in a Subtropical Wet Forest in Puerto Rico
Authors: Heartsill Scalley Tamara , Scatena Fred N. , Lugo Ariel E. , Moya Samuel , Estrada Ruiz Carlos R.
Published: January 2010

The trajectory of hurricane‐induced succession was evaluated in a network of forest plots measured immediately before and 3 mo, 5, 10, and 15 yr after the direct impact of a Category 4 hurricane. Comparisons of forest structure, composition, and aboveground nutrients pools were made through time, and between species, life‐history groups and geomorphic settings. The hurricane reduced aboveground biomass by 50 percent, causing an immediate decrease in stem density and diversity indices among all geomorphic settings. After 15 yr, basal area and aboveground biomass returned to pre‐hurricane levels, while species richness, diversity indices, and stem densities exceeded pre‐hurricane levels. Differences in species composition among geomorphic settings had not returned after 15 yr but differences in stem densities and structure were beginning to emerge. Significant differences were observed in the nutrient concentration of the three species that comprised the most aboveground biomass, and between species categorized as secondary high‐light species and primary, low‐light species. Species whose abundance was negatively correlated with the mature forest dominant also had distinct nutrient concentrations. When total aboveground nutrient pools were compared over time, differences in leaf nutrients among species were hidden by similarities in wood nutrient concentrations and the biomass dominance of a few species. The observed successional trajectory indicates that changes in species composition contributed to fast recovery of aboveground biomass and nutrient pools, while the influence of geomorphic setting on species composition occurs at time scales >15 yr of succession.
Unanticipated Effects of Stand Dynamism on Amazonian Tree Diversity
Authors: Laurance Susan G. W. , Andrade Ana , Laurance William F.
Published: January 2010

We assessed a general hypothesis of tropical tree diversity that predicts that species richness will be positively correlated with stand dynamism. Our analysis was based one of the largest and longest‐running datasets on Amazonian trees (≥10 cm diameter at breast height), with data collected over a 23‐yr period within 66 1 ha plots spanning a large (1000 km2) landscape. Within these plots, maximum tree‐species richness (329 species/ha) and Fisher's α values (227.5) were among the highest ever recorded. Contrary to the diversity‐dynamism concept, tree species richness in our landscape was significantly and negatively associated with stand dynamism (measured as the mean rate of annual tree turnover). Because of this unexpected finding, we critically re‐evaluated the relationship between stand dynamism and tree diversity across the Amazon basin and the tropics as a whole. With the inclusion of additional data we found that the relationship between stand dynamism and tree diversity becomes non‐significant at larger spatial scales.
Host‐Specific Myrmecophily and Myrmecophagy in the Tropical Coccinellid Diomus thoracicus in French Guiana
Authors: Vantaux Amélie , Roux Olivier , Magro Alexandra , Ghomsi Nathan Tene , Gordon Robert D. , Dejean Alain , Orivel Jérôme
Published: January 2010

A variety of arthropods, particularly insects, have developed myrmecophilous interactions with ants to gain access to resources and/or for protection. Among these myrmecophiles, only a few examples have been documented in the Coccinellidae, most of them involving species able to feed on ant‐tended Hemiptera. We report here a new case of obligate myrmecophily in the coccinellid Diomus thoracicus. Larvae are invariably and exclusively found in the nests of the ant Wasmannia auropunctata and seem to rely on ant brood as their only food source. Not only do ant workers show no aggressiveness toward the D. thoracicus larvae in their behavioral interactions at the colonial level, but also at the species level; while coccinellid adults are always attacked. The integration of the larvae inside of the ant nests is based on their chemical mimicry of the host's cuticular cues. Therefore, given the presence of the D. thoracicus larvae inside of the ant's nest, their predation on Wasmannia brood and their chemical mimicry, this species can be considered a specific parasite of W. auropunctata. Overall, this new case of myrmecophily not only specifically involves a highly invasive ant species, but also provides insights into the evolution of myrmecophily and myrmecophagy in coccinellids.
Implications of the remarkable homogeneity of galaxy groups and clusters
Authors: Balogh Michael L. , McGee Sean L.
Published: January 2010

We measure the diversity of galaxy groups and clusters with mass M > 1013h−1 M⊙, in terms of the star formation history of their galaxy populations, for the purpose of constraining the mass scale at which environmentally important processes play a role in galaxy evolution. We consider three different group catalogues, selected in different ways, with photometry and spectroscopy from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. For each system, we measure the fraction of passively evolving galaxies within R200 and brighter than either Mr=−18 (and with z < 0.05) or Mr=−20 (and z < 0.1). We use the (u−g) and (r−i) galaxy colours to distinguish between star-forming and passively evolving galaxies. By considering the binomial distribution expected from the observed number of members in each cluster, we are able to either recover the intrinsic scatter in this fraction or put robust 95 per cent confidence upper limits on its value. The intrinsic standard deviation in the fraction of passive galaxies is consistent with a small value of ≲0.1 in most mass bins for all three samples. There is no strong trend with mass; even groups with M∼ 1013h−1 M⊙ are consistent with such a small, intrinsic distribution. We compare these results with theoretical models of the accretion history to show that, if environment plays a role in transforming galaxies, such effects must occur first at mass scales far below that of rich clusters, at most M∼ 1013 M⊙.
In Vivo Photoacoustic Monitoring of Photosensitizer Distribution in Burned Skin for Antibacterial Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Hirao Akihiro , Sato Shunichi , Saitoh Daizoh , Shinomiya Nariyoshi , Ashida Hiroshi , Obara Minoru
Published: January 2010

For efficient antibacterial photodynamic therapy for wounds, information on the distribution of a photosensitizer in tissue is important, but conventional fluorescence measurement does not provide depth‐resolved information. We previously proposed in vivo photoacoustic (PA) depth profiling of a photosensitizer, but the contrast of PA signals was not sufficiently high, mainly due to light absorption by blood in tissue. In this study, we performed dual‐wavelength PA measurement; green light and red light were used to excite blood and photosensitzer, respectively, and the former signal was subtracted from the latter signal to compensate a blood‐associated component. Methylene blue or porfimer sodium solution was injected into subcutaneous tissue in rats with deep dermal burn and two‐dimensional PA measurement was performed. The signal subtraction diminished not only the signal originating from blood but also the signal originating from the stratum corneum and acoustic reflection noise, creating a high‐contrast PA image. The distribution of PA signals was confirmed to coincide well with the distribution of photosensitizer‐originating fluorescence measured for tissue biopsied after the PA measurement, demonstrating the validity of this method for in vivo photosensitizer dosimetry. On the basis of this method, temporal behaviors of two photosensitizers were compared.
Sequential Expectations: The Role of Prediction‐Based Learning in Language
Authors: Misyak Jennifer B. , Christiansen Morten H. , Bruce Tomblin J.
Published: January 2010

Prediction‐based processes appear to play an important role in language. Few studies, however, have sought to test the relationship within individuals between prediction learning and natural language processing. This paper builds upon existing statistical learning work using a novel paradigm for studying the on‐line learning of predictive dependencies. Within this paradigm, a new “prediction task” is introduced that provides a sensitive index of individual differences for developing probabilistic sequential expectations. Across three interrelated experiments, the prediction task and results thereof are used to bridge knowledge of the empirical relation between statistical learning and language within the context of nonadjacency processing. We first chart the trajectory for learning nonadjacencies, documenting individual differences in prediction learning. Subsequent simple recurrent network simulations then closely capture human performance patterns in the new paradigm. Finally, individual differences in prediction performances are shown to strongly correlate with participants’ sentence processing of complex, long‐distance dependencies in natural language.
The Hidden Markov Topic Model: A Probabilistic Model of Semantic Representation
Authors: Andrews Mark , Vigliocco Gabriella
Published: January 2010

In this paper, we describe a model that learns semantic representations from the distributional statistics of language. This model, however, goes beyond the common bag‐of‐words paradigm, and infers semantic representations by taking into account the inherent sequential nature of linguistic data. The model we describe, which we refer to as a Hidden Markov Topics model, is a natural extension of the current state of the art in Bayesian bag‐of‐words models, that is, the Topics model of Griffiths, Steyvers, and Tenenbaum (2007), preserving its strengths while extending its scope to incorporate more fine‐grained linguistic information.
Microstructures and magnetic properties of amorphous TbxCo1−x films deposited by facing target magnetron-sputtering system with divergent magnetic field
Authors: Kim Taewan , Lee Hyun-Yong , Lee Kyungil , Hwang Jae Youn
Published: January 2010

Amorphous TbCo thin films were deposited in a plasma-exposed region using a facing target magnetron-sputtering system with a divergent magnetic field, which can provide a large plasma potential by the loss of electrons from the plasma. The deposition parameters were controlled by changing Ar pressure and deposition distance from the center line of the system. Columnar structures were commonly observed in amorphous TbCo films, except in the films deposited at low Ar pressure. The microstructures could not be closely related with the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy of the TbCo films. The films deposited in a high plasma-exposed region showed the unusual changes in deposition rates and magnetic-compensation composition with Ar pressure, which were quantitatively analyzed.
Improvement in bias stability of amorphous-InGaZnO4 thin film transistors with SiOx passivation layers
Authors: Lim Wantae , Douglas E. A. , Norton D. P. , Pearton S. J. , Ren F. , Heo Young-Woo , Son S. Y. , Yuh J. H.
Published: January 2010

The authors investigated the effect of SiOx passivation layers on the bias stability of bottom gate amorphous (α-) InGaZnO4 thin film transistors (TFTs) fabricated on glass substrates. The use of rapid thermal annealing for unpassivated TFTs in air improved the device performance, showing larger drain current and field effect mobility compared to the as-fabricated TFTs. Threshold voltage (VTH) and subthreshold gate-voltage swing (S) for both unpassivated and passivated devices were found to be nearly independent of the low-gate-voltage stress (5V), but both were strongly affected under a relatively high-voltage stress (>10V). The positive VTH and S shifts after constant gate voltage stress (+20V) of 1000s were 1.8V and 0.72Vdecade−1 for the unpassivated devices and 1V and 0.42Vdecade−1 for the passivated devices, respectively. These results demonstrate that the SiOx passivation layer significantly reduced the shift in TFT’s characteristics.
Ultrahigh selective etching of Si3N4 films over SiO2 films for silicon nitride gate spacer etching
Authors: Lee Sunghoon , Oh Jinho , Lee Kyumin , Sohn Hyunchul
Published: January 2010

The process window for the high etching selectivity of silicon nitride to silicon oxide was investigated in CF4∕CH4 inductively coupled plasma. This work showed that the etching selectivity could be controlled by modulating the thickness of the fluorocarbon film with the flow rates of CH4 gas. The carbon content in the fluorocarbon by-product layers on the etched films was observed to play a critical role in determining the etching selectivity of silicon nitride to silicon oxide. The increase in the carbon content in the fluorocarbon films with increasing CH4 gas caused the etch rates of both silicon oxide and silicon nitride films to be reduced, eventually leading to the etch stops. The minimum effective thickness of the fluorocarbon films was estimated to be 20Å for the etch stop. The infinite etching selectivity of the silicon nitride to the silicon oxide on the blanket wafers could be achieved for the CH4 flow rate above 30SCCM (SCCM denotes cubic centimeters per minute at STP) for the CF4 flow rate of 10SCCM. NF3∕CH4 and SF6∕CH4 plasma showed etch behavior similar to CF4∕CH4 plasma.
Room-temperature capillary-imprint lithography for making micro-/nanostructures in large areas
Authors: Ye Xiangdong , Ding Yucheng , Duan Yugang , Liu Hongzhong , Lu Bingheng
Published: January 2010

Compared to imprint techniques under the driving condition of external imprint pressure, imprint lithography under capillary force has the advantages of being suitable to produce large feature patterns, simple mold structure, very low imprint pressure, and conformal contact between the mold and the substrate. However, in existing capillary-force lithography, the necessary heating process will bring problems, such as separation between the mold and the substrate, long imprint time, shorter lifetime of the mold, etc. In this article, the authors propose a technique of room-temperature capillary-imprint lithography which is applied to making both micro- and nanostructures simultaneously in large areas under low temperature. In order to prevent the polydimethylsiloxane mold from swelling in the imprint process, a new ultraviolet curable resist is introduced in the imprint process. This resist contains no solvents and has a wide range of viscosity. Through the experiment, three-dimensional microstructures are replicated in large areas on the flat substrate as well as on curved substrate. Moreover, by utilizing a resist with low viscosity, combination features with linewidth of 1 μm and 100 nm are reproduced successfully in the resist by the imprint technique.
Why Most Gene Expression Signatures of Tumors Have Not Been Useful in the Clinic
Authors: Koscielny Serge
Published: January 2010

Breast cancer provides a ripe arena for an analysis of why gene signatures devised from microarray data have failed to fulfill their promise.
Translational Medicine Policy Issues in Infectious Disease
Authors: Fears Robin , van der Meer Jos W. M. , ter Meulen Volker
Published: January 2010

Analysis from the European Academies Science Advisory Council is used to explore policy issues for R&D funding priorities and the environment for innovation in Europe.
Bone Metastases in Prostate Cancer: Finding the Achilles' Heel
Authors: Hansel Donna E.
Published: January 2010

A study in humanized mice reveals a strong dependence of bone-associated human prostate cancer cells on IGF-II, a possible therapeutic target.
SEESAW SCALES AND STEPS FROM THE STANDARD MODEL TOWARDS SUPERSTRING-INSPIRED FLIPPED E6
Authors: DAS C. R. , LAPERASHVILI LARISA
Published: January 2010

Recently in connection with superstring theory and with an alternative nonsupersymmetric "Exceptionally Simple Theory of Everything," E8 and E6 unifications became very promising. In the present paper we have investigated a number of available paths from the Standard Model (SM) to the E6 unification, considering chains of flipped models following the extension of the SM, also a chain with a left–right symmetry. We have presented four examples including nonsupersymmetric and supersymmetric extensions of the SM and different contents of the Higgs bosons providing the breaking of the flipped SO(10) and SU(5) down to the SM. It was shown that the final unification E6× U (1) or E6 at the (Planck) GUT scale M SSG depends on the number of the Higgs boson representations considered in theory.
A PECULIAR PROPERTY OF SUSY AMPLITUDES AT HIGH ENERGY
Authors: BECCARIA M. , RENARD F. M. , VERZEGNASSI C.
Published: January 2010

We observe that the electroweak one-loop correction to the quark+gluon to quark+Higgs amplitude at high energy involves both single and quadratic logarithms of the energy in the SM case but only quadratic logarithms in the MSSM case. We explore the origin of this special SUSY cancellation, both in a diagrammatic way and through the splitting+parameter-renormalization procedure. We show that it is not an accident but a remarkable and general SUSY property of the renormalized Higgs–fermion–fermion and Higgsino–sfermion–fermion vertices which directly reflects in such processes, for example in bg→tH-, bg→bH0, bg→bh0, bg→bA0, and through equivalence in [Formula: see text], bg→bZ long , as well as in [Formula: see text]. This simplification of the high energy behavior (which only leaves quadratic logarithms involving pure gauge couplings without any free parameter) allows to write simple relations among these various processes which could constitute genuine tests of the assumed SUSY model.
STRING THEORY AND DUALITIES IN THE QUANTUM DISSIPATIVE HOFSTADTER SYSTEM
Authors: LEE TAEJIN
Published: January 2010

We study the dualities of the quantum dissipative Hofstadter system which describes particles moving in two dimensions, subject to a uniform magnetic field, a periodic potential and a dissipative force. Using the string theory formulation, we show that the system has two kinds of dualities. The duality, previously known as the exact duality in the literature is shown to correspond to a subgroup of the T-dual symmetry group unbroken by the periodic boundary potential in string theory. The other duality is a particle–kink duality in the noncommutative open string theory which is a generalized Schmid duality in the presence of the uniform magnetic field. The kinks of the dissipative Hofstadter model are found to be noncommutative objects. The particle–kink duality, which is called previously the approximate duality, is shown to be also exact. In contrast to the previous derivation, which is based on the Coulomb gas expansion of the partition function and asserts that the duality holds only approximately in the regime of strong magnetic field, the string theory formulation proves that duality holds always exactly in the off-critical regions where the periodic potential becomes strong, regardless of the strength of the magnetic field. The dualities of the DHM may also be useful for studying the rolling tachyon in string theory in the presence of the Neveu–Schwarz (NS) B-field, since both DHM and rolling tachyon in the presence of NS B-field are described by the same action.
NEW BRST CHARGES IN RNS SUPERSTRING THEORY AND DEFORMED PURE SPINORS
Authors: POLYAKOV DIMITRI
Published: January 2010

We show that new BRST charges in RNS superstring theory with nonstandard ghost numbers, constructed in our recent work, can be mapped to deformed pure spinor (PS) superstring theories, with the nilpotent pure spinor BRST charge QPS = ∮λαdα still retaining its form but with singular operator products between commuting spinor variables λα. Despite the OPE singularities, the pure spinor condition λγmλ = 0 is still fulfilled in a weak sense, explained in the paper. The operator product singularities correspond to introducing interactions between the pure spinors. We conjecture that the leading singularity orders of the OPE between two interacting pure spinors is related to the ghost number of the corresponding BRST operator in RNS formalism. Namely, it is conjectured that the BRST operators of minimal superconformal ghost pictures n > 0 can be mapped to nilpotent BRST operators in the deformed pure spinor formalism with the OPE of two commuting spinors having a leading singularity order λ(z)λ(w) ~ O(z-w)-2(n2+6n+1). The conjecture is checked explicitly for the first nontrivial case n = 1.
ABSOLUTE ANTICOMMUTATIVITY OF THE NILPOTENT SYMMETRIES IN THE HAMILTONIAN FORMALISM: FREE ABELIAN 2-FORM GAUGE THEORY
Authors: MALIK R. P. , MANDAL B. P. , RAI S. K.
Published: January 2010

The celebrated Curci–Ferrari (CF) type of restrictions are invoked to obtain the off-shell nilpotent and absolutely anticommuting (anti-)BRST as well as (anti-)co-BRST symmetry transformations in the context of the Lagrangian description of the physical four (3+1)-dimensional (4D) free Abelian 2-form gauge theory. We show that the above CF-type conditions, which turn out to be the secondary constraints of the theory, remain invariant with respect to the time-evolution of the above 2-form gauge system in the Hamiltonian formulation. This time-evolution invariance (i) physically ensures the linear independence of the BRST versus anti-BRST as well as co-BRST versus anti-co-BRST symmetry transformations, and (ii) provides a logical reason behind the imposition of the above CF-type restrictions in the proof of the absolute anticommutativity of the off-shell nilpotent (anti-)BRST as well as (anti-)co-BRST symmetry transformations.
SEDEONIC GENERALIZATION OF RELATIVISTIC QUANTUM MECHANICS
Authors: MIRONOV VICTOR L. , MIRONOV SERGEY V.
Published: January 2010

We represent sixteen-component values "sedeons," generating associative noncommutative space–time algebra. We demonstrate a generalization of relativistic quantum mechanics using sedeonic wave functions and sedeonic space–time operators. It is shown that the sedeonic second-order equation for the sedeonic wave function, obtained from the Einstein relation for energy and momentum, describes particles with spin 1/2. We showed that the sedeonic second-order wave equation can be reformulated in the form of the system of the first-order Maxwell-like equations for the massive fields. We proposed the sedeonic first-order equations analogous to the Dirac equation, which differ in space–time properties and describe several types of massive and massless particles. In particular we proposed four different equations, which could describe four types of neutrinos.
ENGLERT–BROUT–HIGGS–GURALNIK–HAGEN–KIBBLE MECHANISM (HISTORY)
Authors: KIBBLE TOM W. B.
Published: January 2010

This article summarizes the history of the development of the Englert–Brout–Higgs–Guralnik–Hagen–Kibble mechanism. Many of the important papers have been reprinted in a volume edited by C. H. Lai,18 and/or in the review volume by John C. Taylor.27
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STOCHASTIC FLOWS AND CONNECTION FORMS
Authors: NEKLYUDOV MISHA
Published: January 2010

In this article we will prove new representation for the Levi–Cività connection in terms of the stochastic flow corresponding to Brownian motion on manifold.
ON A STOCHASTIC FIRST-ORDER HYPERBOLIC EQUATION IN A BOUNDED DOMAIN
Authors: VALLET GUY , WITTBOLD PETRA
Published: January 2010

In this paper, we are interested in the stochastic perturbation of a first-order hyperbolic equation of nonlinear type. In order to illustrate our purposes, we have chosen a scalar conservation law in a bounded domain with homogeneous Dirichlet condition on the boundary. Using the concept of measure-valued solutions and Kruzhkov's entropy formulation, a result of existence and uniqueness of the entropy solution is given.
OCCUPATION TIME FLUCTUATION LIMITS OF INFINITE VARIANCE EQUILIBRIUM BRANCHING SYSTEMS
Authors: MIŁOŚ PIOTR
Published: January 2010

We establish limit theorems for the fluctuations of the rescaled occupation time of a (d, α, β)-branching particle system. It consists of particles moving according to a symmetric α-stable motion in ℝd. The branching law is in the domain of attraction of a (1 + β)-stable law and the initial condition is the equilibrium random measure for the system (defined below). In the paper we treat separately the cases of intermediate α/β < d < (1 + β)α/β, critical d = (1 + β)α/β and large d > (1 + β)α/β dimensions. In the most interesting case of intermediate dimensions we obtain a version of a fractional stable motion. The long-range dependence structure of this process is also studied. Contrary to this case, limit processes in critical and large dimensions have independent increments.
MORPHOLOGY CONTROL OF CERIUM PHOSPHATES VIA SOLUTION PROCESSES FOR NEW SUNSCREEN APPLICATION
Authors: SATO TSUGIO , SAITO MIDORI , SATO CHIGUSA , YIN SHU
Published: January 2010

Plate-like hydrated cerium phosphate, Ce2(PO4)2HPO4 · H2O , ca. 3 μm in diameter, was obtained by the hydrothermal reaction of Ce(SO4)2 in H3PO4 aqueous solution at 150–200°C. Ce2(PO4)2HPO4 · H2O transformed to CeP2O7–CePO4 mixture around 700°C while maintaining the plate-like morphology. Plate-like CePO4 and CeP2 O 7 were also synthesized as single phase by heating plate-like Ce2(PO4)2HPO4 · H2O at 700°C with cerium hydroxide and NH4H2PO4 , respectively. Plate-like cerium phosphates showed excellent comfort, absorption ability of UV-ray and lower oxidation catalytic activity than undoped ceria. The UV-shielding ability was in the order Ce2(PO4)2HPO4 · H2O > CeP2O7 > CeP2O7–CePO4 mixture > CePO4 > K0.8Li0.266Ti1.734O4.
SYNTHESIS OF β-PbO MICRO-OCTAHEDRONS BY ELECTRODEPOSITION
Authors: CHENG JIN , ZOU XIAOPING , SU YI , YANG GANGQIANG , LÜ XUEMING
Published: January 2010

A simple and effective electrochemical deposition method to fabricate lead oxide micro-octahedrons is reported. Unlike previous reports in which the current densities of electrochemical deposition were normally not more than 5 mA/cm2 and resulted in the deposition of lead flakes, the current densities in our process were improved to more than 15 mA/cm2 which results in the deposition of lead oxide micro-octahedrons. Our results indicated that well-shaped lead oxide micro-octahedrons could form at current densities in the range of 15–25 mA/cm2.