bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simulation of gas flow through tubes of finite length over the whole range of rarefaction for various pressure drop ratios
Authors: Varoutis S. , Valougeorgis D. , Sharipov F.
Published: October 2009

The rarefied gas flow through circular tubes of finite length has been investigated computationally by the direct simulation Monte Carlo method. The reduced flow rate and the flow field have been calculated as functions of the gas rarefaction, the length-to-radius ratio, and the pressure ratio along the tube. The gas rarefaction, which is inversely proportional to the Knudsen number, is varied from 0 to 2000, i.e., the free-molecular, transitional, and hydrodynamic regimes are embraced. A wide range of the length-to-radius ratio, namely, from 0 corresponding to the orifice flow up to 10 representing a sufficiently long tube, has been considered. Several values of the pressure ratio between 0 and 0.7 have been regarded. This pressure range covers both gas flow into vacuum and into a background gas. It has been found that the rarefaction parameter has the most significant effect on the flowfield characteristics and patterns, followed by the pressure ratio drop, while the length-to-radius ratio has a rather modest impact. Several interesting findings have been reported including the behavior of the flow rate and other macroscopic quantities in terms of these three parameters. In addition, the effect of gas rarefaction on the choked flow and on the Mach disks at large pressure drops is discussed. Comparison of some of the present numerical results with available experimental data has shown a good agreement.
Hemagglutinin Receptor Binding Avidity Drives Influenza A Virus Antigenic Drift
Authors: Hensley Scott E. , Das Suman R. , Bailey Adam L. , Schmidt Loren M. , Hickman Heather D. , Jayaraman Akila , Viswanathan Karthik , Raman Rahul , Sasisekharan Ram , Bennink Jack R. , Yewdell Jonathan W.
Published: October 2009

Flu's Tricky Tricks

After vaccination against influenza A virus, single-point mutations are selected in hemagglutinin (the virus molecule that binds to sialic acid molecules on the surface of host cells) that escape neutralization by polyclonal antibody responses.

Hensley
et al.

(p.
734
) have discovered that in mice these mutations increased the virus's avidity for sialic acid. Amino acid substitutions that occur during reiterations of immune escape and avidity modulation can thus drive antigenic variation. This constant evolution of influenza viruses requires us to change vaccine components annually, and, for equine influenza,

Park
et al.

(p.
726
) show that as the match between virus and vaccine strains drifts apart with time, the probability of becoming infected and the length of the infectious period increase to the point where outbreaks occur. Nevertheless, even imperfect vaccines may be of benefit to a population because increasing the proportion of vaccinated individuals can supply enough herd immunity to offset a poor antigenic match, especially if used in conjunction with antiviral drugs. For humans,

Yang
et al.

(p.
729
, published online 10 September) estimate that the rate of transmission within U.S. households puts influenza A 2009 H1N1 (the current pandemic “swine flu”) in the higher range of transmissibility, compared to past seasonal and pandemic strains. Thus, to achieve mitigation this fall, children should be the first recipients of vaccine, followed by adults—aiming overall for 70% coverage of the population.
High-Temperature Superconductivity in a Single Copper-Oxygen Plane
Authors: Logvenov G. , Gozar A. , Bozovic I.
Published: October 2009

Superconductivity Sliced Thin

Since the initial characterization of high-temperature cuprate superconductors, an intriguing challenge has been determining the minimum number of copper oxide planes needed to support the superconducting state. The observation of superconductivity at interfaces of metallic oxides and insulators provides a route to addressing this question.

Logvenov
et al.

(p.
699
) describe a method for layer-by-layer synthesis of alternating oxides of metal and insulators based on La and Cu. Layers three unit cells thick supported superconductivity with a transition temperature of 32 kelvin. When selected layers were then doped with Zn atoms to suppress superconductivity, the interface superconductivity was shown to arise from a single copper-oxide plane.
An Ancient Gauge for Iron
Authors: Rouault Tracey A.
Published: October 2009

A protein with a domain that binds to oxygen and iron acts as a sensor to control iron metabolism in human cells.
Beyond Thailand: Making Sense of a Qualified AIDS Vaccine "Success"
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: October 2009

Since researchers announced on 24 September that an AIDS vaccine trial had positive results for the first time in history, the debate over whether the results were real has largely given way to intense discussions about how to build on this surprising finding.
Intranasal Immunization of Mice with a Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Induces Superior Immunity and Protection Compared to Those by Subcutaneous Delivery or Combinations of Intranasal and Subcutaneous Prime-Boost Strategies
Authors: Mapletoft John W. , Latimer Laura , Babiuk Lorne A. , van Drunen Littel-van den Hurk Sylvia
Published: October 2009

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) infects cells of the respiratory mucosa, so it is desirable to develop a vaccination strategy that induces mucosal immunity. To achieve this, various delivery routes were compared for formalin-inactivated (FI) BRSV formulated with CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) and polyphosphazene (PP). Intranasal delivery of the FI-BRSV formulation was superior to subcutaneous delivery in terms of antibody, cell-mediated, and mucosal immune responses, as well as reduction in virus replication after BRSV challenge. Although intranasal delivery of FI-BRSV also induced higher serum and lung antibody titers and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production in the lungs than intranasal-subcutaneous and/or subcutaneous-intranasal prime-boost strategies, no significant differences were observed in cell-mediated immune responses or virus replication in the lungs of challenged mice. Interleukin 5 (IL-5), eotaxin, and eosinophilia were enhanced after BRSV challenge in the lungs of subcutaneously immunized mice compared to unvaccinated mice, but not in the lungs of mice immunized intranasally or through combinations of the intranasal and subcutaneous routes. These results suggest that two intranasal immunizations with FI-BRSV formulated with CpG ODN and PP are effective and safe as an approach to induce systemic and mucosal responses, as well to reduce virus replication after BRSV challenge. Furthermore, intranasal-subcutaneous and subcutaneous-intranasal prime-boost strategies were also safe and almost as efficacious. In addition to the implications for the development of a protective BRSV vaccine for cattle, formulation with CpG ODN and PP could also prove important in the development of a mucosal vaccine that induces protective immunity against human RSV.
Clinical Significance of
Mycobacterium asiaticum
Isolates in Queensland, Australia
Authors: Grech Miriam , Carter Robyn , Thomson Rachel
Published: October 2009

Mycobacterium asiaticum
was first reported as a cause of human disease in 1982, with only a few cases in the literature to date. This study aims to review the clinical significance of
M. asiaticum
isolates in Queensland, Australia. A retrospective review (1989 to 2008) of patients with
M. asiaticum
isolates was conducted. Data were collected through the Queensland TB Control Centre database. Disease was defined in accordance with the American Thoracic Society criteria. Twenty-four patients (13 female) had a positive culture of
M. asiaticum
, many residing around the Tropic of Capricorn.
M. asiaticum
was responsible for pulmonary disease (
n
= 2), childhood lymphadenitis (
n
= 1), olecranon bursitis (
n
= 1), 6 cases of possible pulmonary disease, and 2 possible wound infections. Chronic lung disease was a risk factor for pulmonary infection, and wounds/lacerations were a risk factor for extrapulmonary disease. Extrapulmonary disease responded to local measures. Pulmonary disease responded to ethambutol-isoniazid-rifampin plus pyrazinamide for the first 2 months in one patient, and amikacin-azithromycin-minocycline in another patient. While
M. asiaticum
is rare in Queensland, there appears to be an environmental niche. Although often a colonizer, it can be a cause of pulmonary and extrapulmonary disease. Treatment of pulmonary disease remains challenging. Extrapulmonary disease does not mandate specific nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) treatment.
Formaldehyde-Inactivated Whole-Virus Vaccine Protects a Murine Model of Enterovirus 71 Encephalomyelitis against Disease
Authors: Ong Kien Chai , Devi Shamala , Cardosa Mary Jane , Wong Kum Thong
Published: October 2009

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) causes childhood hand, foot, and mouth disease and neurological complications, and no vaccines or therapeutic drugs are currently available. Formaldehyde-inactivated whole-virus vaccines derived from EV71 clinical isolates and a mouse-adapted virus (MAV) were tested in a mouse model of EV71 encephalomyelitis. After only two immunizations, given to mice at 1 and 7 days of age, the MAV vaccine protected mice at 14 days of age from disease. Tissues from immunized mice were negative for virus by viral culture, reverse transcriptase PCR, immunohistochemistry analysis, and in situ hybridization. Cross-neutralizing EV71 antibodies to strains with genotypes B3, B4, and C1 to C5 generated in immunized adult mice were able to passively protect 14-day-old mice from disease.
The Single-Stranded DNA Genome of Novel Archaeal Virus
Halorubrum
Pleomorphic Virus 1 Is Enclosed in the Envelope Decorated with Glycoprotein Spikes
Authors: Pietilä Maija K. , Laurinavičius Simonas , Sund Jukka , Roine Elina , Bamford Dennis H.
Published: October 2009

Only a few archaeal viruses have been subjected to detailed structural analyses. Major obstacles have been the extreme conditions such as high salinity or temperature needed for the propagation of these viruses. In addition, unusual morphotypes of many archaeal viruses have made it difficult to obtain further information on virion architectures. We used controlled virion dissociation to reveal the structural organization of
Halorubrum
pleomorphic virus 1 (HRPV-1) infecting an extremely halophilic archaeal host. The single-stranded DNA genome is enclosed in a pleomorphic membrane vesicle without detected nucleoproteins. VP4, the larger major structural protein of HRPV-1, forms glycosylated spikes on the virion surface and VP3, the smaller major structural protein, resides on the inner surface of the membrane vesicle. Together, these proteins organize the structure of the membrane vesicle. Quantitative lipid comparison of HRPV-1 and its host
Halorubrum
sp. revealed that HRPV-1 acquires lipids nonselectively from the host cell membrane, which is typical of pleomorphic enveloped viruses.
Dual Mechanism of Impairment of Interleukin-7 (IL-7) Responses in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection: Decreased IL-7 Binding and Abnormal Activation of the JAK/STAT5 Pathway
Authors: Juffroy Olivier , Bugault Florence , Lambotte Olivier , Landires Ivan , Viard Jean-Paul , Niel Loïc , Fontanet Arnaud , Delfraissy Jean-François , Thèze Jacques , Chakrabarti Lisa A.
Published: October 2009

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) plays a central role in controlling the homeostasis of both naive and long-term-memory CD4
+
T cells. To better understand how human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) perturbs CD4
+
T-cell homeostasis, we performed a detailed analysis of IL-7R expression, IL-7 binding, and IL-7-dependent early and late signaling events in CD4
+
T-cell subsets from viremic and efficiently treated patients. HIV infection differentially affected the expression of IL-7 receptor (IL-7R) chains, with decreases in IL-7Rα/CD127 expression in the memory subset and increases in γc/CD132 expression in all CD4
+
T cells. This resulted in preserved IL-7 binding in the naive compartment and decreased IL-7 binding in the memory compartment of viremic patients. Accordingly, the percentages of cells signaling in response to IL-7, as measured by pSTAT5 induction, were decreased in memory subsets, including conventional CD4
+
T cells and regulatory T cells. However, the levels of pSTAT5 induction per responding cell, as measured by pSTAT5 fluorescence intensity, were increased within all naive and memory CD4
+
T-cell subsets of viremic patients. The basal level of pSTAT5 was also increased, indicating a constitutive activation of the JAK/STAT5 pathway. IL-7 functional responses, as measured by Bcl-2, CD25, and Foxp3 induction, were impaired in viremic patient CD4
+
T cells, suggesting that chronic activation led to downstream defects in the STAT5 signaling pathway. Thus, HIV infection perturbs IL-7 responses at both receptor binding and signaling steps, which likely compromises the regenerative capacity of the CD4
+
T-cell pool and may contribute to CD4
+
T-cell depletion.
Evaluation of CD4-CD4i Antibody Architectures Yields Potent, Broadly Cross-Reactive Anti-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Reagents
Authors: West Anthony P. , Galimidi Rachel P. , Foglesong Christopher P. , Gnanapragasam Priyanthi N. P. , Klein Joshua S. , Bjorkman Pamela J.
Published: October 2009

The envelope glycoprotein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) has several adaptations that allow the virus to evade antibody neutralization. Nevertheless, a few broadly cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies as well as reagents containing portions of CD4, the HIV receptor, have demonstrated partial efficacy in suppressing viral replication. One type of reagent designed for improved HIV neutralization fuses the CD4 D1-D2 domains to the variable regions of an antibody recognizing the CD4-induced (CD4i) coreceptor binding site on the gp120 portion of the HIV envelope spike. We designed, expressed, purified, and tested the neutralization potencies of CD4-CD4i antibody reagents with different architectures, antibody combining sites, and linkers. We found that fusing CD4 to the heavy chain of the CD4i antibody E51 yields a bivalent reagent including an antibody Fc region that expresses well, is expected to have a long serum half-life, and has comparable or greater neutralization activity than well-known broadly neutralizing anti-HIV antibodies. A CD4 fusion with the anti-HIV carbohydrate antibody 2G12 also results in a potent neutralizing reagent with more broadly neutralizing activity than 2G12 alone.
Activation of an Antiviral Response in Normal but Not Transformed Mouse Cells: a New Determinant of Minute Virus of Mice Oncotropism
Authors: Grekova Svitlana , Zawatzky Rainer , Hörlein Rita , Cziepluch Celina , Mincberg Michal , Davis Claytus , Rommelaere Jean , Daeffler Laurent
Published: October 2009

Parvovirus minute virus of mice (MVMp) is endowed with oncotropic properties so far ascribed only to the dependency of the virus life cycle on cellular factors expressed during S phase and/or modulated by malignant transformation. For other viruses oncotropism relies on their inability to circumvent type I interferon (IFN)-induced innate antiviral mechanisms, the first line of defense triggered by normal cells against viral infections. These agents propagate, therefore, preferentially in transformed/tumor cells, which often lack functional antiviral mechanisms. The present study aimed at investigating whether antiviral processes also contribute to MVMp oncotropism. Our results demonstrate that in contrast to MVMp-permissive transformed mouse A9 fibroblasts, freshly isolated normal counterparts (mouse embryonic fibroblasts [MEFs]) mount, through production and release of type I IFNs upon their infection, an antiviral response against MVMp lytic multiplication. Pretreatment of MEFs with a type I IFN-β-neutralizing antibody, prior to MVMp infection, inhibits the virus-triggered antiviral response and improves the fulfillment of the MVMp life cycle. Our results also show that part of the A9 permissiveness to MVMp relies on the inability to produce type I IFNs upon parvovirus infection, a feature related either to an A9 intrinsic deficiency of this process or to an MVMp-triggered inhibitory mechanism, since stimulation of these cells by exogenous IFN-β strongly inhibits the parvovirus life cycle. Taken together, our results demonstrate for the first time that parvovirus infection triggers an innate antiviral response in normal cells and suggest that the MVMp oncotropism depends at least in part on the failure of infected transformed cells to mount such a response.
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus-Encoded Ovarian Tumor Protease Activity Is Dispensable for Virus RNA Polymerase Function
Authors: Bergeron Éric , Albariño César G. , Khristova Marina L. , Nichol Stuart T.
Published: October 2009

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a tick-borne virus (genusNairovirus, familyBunyaviridae) associated with high case fatality disease outbreaks in regions of Africa, Europe, and Asia. The CCHFV genome consists of three negative-strand RNA segments, S, M, and L. The unusually large virus L polymerase protein and the need for biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) containment conditions for work with infectious virus have hampered the study of CCHFV replication. The L protein has an ovarian tumor (OTU) protease domain located in the N terminus, which has led to speculation that the protein may be autoproteolytically cleaved to generate the active virus L polymerase and additional functions. We report the successful development of efficient CCHFV helper virus-independent S, M, and L segment minigenome systems for analysis of virus RNA and protein features involved in replication. The virus RNA segment S, M, and L untranslated regions were found to be similar in support of replication of the respective minigenomes. In addition, the OTU domain located in the N terminus of the expressed virus L protein was shown to be a functional protease. However, no evidence of L protein autoproteolytic processing was found, and the OTU protease activity was dispensable for virus RNA replication. Finally, physiologically relevant doses of ribavirin inhibited CCHFV minigenome replication. These results demonstrated the utility of the minigenome system for use in BSL-2 laboratory settings to analyze CCHFV biology and in antiviral drug discovery programs for this important public health and bioterrorism threat.
BRST STRUCTURE OF NONLINEAR SUPERALGEBRAS
Authors: ASOREY M. , LAVROV P. M. , RADCHENKO O. V. , SUGAMOTO A.
Published: October 2009

In this paper we analyze the structure of the BRST charge of nonlinear superalgebras. We consider quadratic nonlinear superalgebras where a commutator (in terms of (super-)Poisson brackets) of the generators is a quadratic polynomial of the generators. We find the explicit form of the BRST charge up to cubic order in Faddeev–Popov ghost fields for arbitrary quadratic nonlinear superalgebras. We point out the existence of constraints on structure constants of the superalgebra when the nilpotent BRST charge is quadratic in Faddeev–Popov ghost fields. The general results are illustrated by simple examples of superalgebras.
EFFECT OF SPIN–TORSION INTERACTION ON RAYCHAUDHURI EQUATION
Authors: WANAS M. I. , BAKRY M. A.
Published: October 2009

Raychaudhuri equation is generalized in the parametrized absolute parallelism geometry. This version of absolute parallelism is more general than the conventional one. The generalization takes into account the suggested interaction between the quantum spin of the moving particle and the torsion of the background gravitational field. The generalized Raychaudhuri equation obtained contains some extra terms, depending on the torsion of space–time, that would have some effects on the singularity theorems of general relativity. Under a certain condition, this equation could be reduced to the original Raychaudhuri equation without any need for a vanishing torsion.
A NOTE ON THE QUANTUM-MECHANICAL RICCI FLOW
Authors: ISIDRO JOSÉ M. , SANTANDER J. L. G. , DE CÓRDOBA P. FERNÁNDEZ
Published: October 2009

We obtain Schrödinger quantum mechanics from Perelman's functional and from the Ricci-flow equations of a conformally flat Riemannian metric on a closed two-dimensional configuration space. We explore links with the recently discussed emergent quantum mechanics.
COVARIANT FORMULATION OF M-THEORY
Authors: SATO MATSUO
Published: October 2009

We propose the bosonic part of an action that defines M-theory. It possesses manifest SO(1, 10) symmetry and constructed based on the Lorentzian 3-algebra associated with U(N) Lie algebra. From our action, we derive the bosonic sector of BFSS matrix theory and IIB matrix model in the naive large N limit by taking appropriate vacua. We also discuss an interaction with fermions.
FOXO signaling is required for disuse muscle atrophy and is directly regulated by Hsp70
Authors: Senf Sarah M. , Dodd Stephen L. , Judge Andrew R.
Published: October 2009

The purpose of the current study was to determine whether heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) directly regulates forkhead box O (FOXO) signaling in skeletal muscle. This aim stems from previous work demonstrating that Hsp70 overexpression inhibits disuse-induced FOXO transactivation and prevents muscle fiber atrophy. However, although FOXO is sufficient to cause muscle wasting, no data currently exist on the requirement of FOXO signaling in the progression of physiological muscle wasting, in vivo. In the current study we show that specific inhibition of FOXO, via expression of a dominant-negative FOXO3a, in rat soleus muscle during disuse prevented >40% of muscle fiber atrophy, demonstrating that FOXO signaling is required for disuse muscle atrophy. Subsequent experiments determined whether Hsp70 directly regulates FOXO3a signaling when independently activated in skeletal muscle, via transfection of FOXO3a. We show that Hsp70 inhibits FOXO3a-dependent transcription in a gene-specific manner. Specifically, Hsp70 inhibited FOXO3a-induced promoter activation of atrogin-1, but not MuRF1. Further studies showed that a FOXO3a DNA-binding mutant can activate MuRF1, but not atrogin-1, suggesting that FOXO3a activates these two genes through differential mechanisms. In summary, FOXO signaling is required for physiological muscle atrophy and is directly inhibited by Hsp70.
Pretreatment with a soluble activin type IIB receptor/Fc fusion protein improves hypoxia-induced muscle dysfunction
Authors: Pistilli Emidio E. , Bogdanovich Sasha , Mosqueira Matias , Lachey Jennifer , Seehra Jasbir , Khurana Tejvir S.
Published: October 2009

Hypoxia, or reduced oxygen, occurs in a variety of clinical and environmental situations. Hypoxic exposure is associated with decreased muscle mass and a concomitant reduction in exercise capacity, although the exact mechanisms are not completely understood. The activin type IIB receptor (ActRIIB) is a receptor for transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) superfamily members that are involved in the negative regulation of lean tissue mass. Given that hypoxia has negative effects on muscle mass and function and that modulation of the ActRIIB has been shown to increase muscle mass, we tested the hypothesis that pharmacological targeting of the ActRIIB for 2 wk would attenuate the loss of muscle mass and function in mice after exposure to normobaric hypoxia. ActRIIB modulation was achieved using a soluble activin receptor/Fc fusion protein (sActRIIB) in mice housed in a hypoxic chamber for 1 or 2 wk. Hypoxia induced a reduction in body weight in PBS- and sActRIIB-treated mice, although sActRIIB-treated mice remained larger throughout the hypoxic exposure. The absolute forces generated by extensor digitorum longus muscles were also significantly greater in sActRIIB- than PBS-treated mice and were more resistant to eccentric contraction-induced force drop after eccentric lengthening contractions. In summary, sActRIIB pretreatment attenuated hypoxia-induced muscle dysfunction. These data suggest that targeting the ActRIIB is an effective strategy to counter hypoxia-induced muscle dysfunction and to preacclimatize to hypoxia in clinical or high-altitude settings.
Human placental metabolic adaptation to chronic hypoxia, high altitude: hypoxic preconditioning
Authors: Tissot van Patot Martha C. , Murray Andrew J. , Beckey Virginia , Cindrova-Davies Tereza , Johns Jemma , Zwerdlinger Lisa , Jauniaux Eric , Burton Graham J. , Serkova Natalie J.
Published: October 2009

We have previously demonstrated placentas from laboring deliveries at high altitude have lower binding of hypoxia-inducible transcription factor (HIF) to DNA than those from low altitude. It has recently been reported that labor causes oxidative stress in placentas, likely due to ischemic hypoxic insult. We hypothesized that placentas of high-altitude residents acquired resistance, in the course of their development, to oxidative stress during labor. Full-thickness placental tissue biopsies were collected from laboring vaginal and nonlaboring cesarean-section term (37–41 wk) deliveries from healthy pregnancies at sea level and at 3,100 m. After freezing in liquid nitrogen within 5 min of delivery, we quantified hydrophilic and lipid metabolites using31P and1H NMR metabolomics. Metabolic markers of oxidative stress, increased glycolysis, and free amino acids were present in placentas following labor at sea level, but not at 3,100 m. In contrast, at 3,100 m, the placentas were characterized by the presence of concentrations of stored energy potential (phosphocreatine), antioxidants, and low free amino acid concentrations. Placentas from pregnancies at sea level subjected to labor display evidence of oxidative stress. However, laboring placentas at 3,100 m have little or no oxidative stress at the time of delivery, suggesting greater resistance to ischemia-reperfusion. We postulate that hypoxic preconditioning might occur in placentas that develop at high altitude.
Evaluation of the lack of anorectic effect of intracerebroventricular insulin in rats
Authors: Jessen Lene , Clegg Deborah J. , Bouman Stephan D.
Published: October 2009

Insulin detemir is a novel human insulin analog that does not show the usual propensity for weight gain in diabetic patients. We speculated that this beneficial effect could be due to insulin detemir exerting stronger anorectic effects within the brain than other insulins. To study the central effects of regular human insulin and insulin detemir on food intake, the present study was undertaken. We used acute intracerebroventricular insulin injections to compare food intake and body weight in rats fed ad libitum. Contrary to previously published data, we found that neither regular human insulin (8 or 32 mU) nor insulin detemir (1,290 pmol) reduced food intake in this model. Melanotan-II was also injected intracerebroventricularly as a positive control, and significantly reduced food intake and body weight, suggesting that our intracerebroventricular model is able to show anorectic effects. A series of experiments was therefore conducted in which different set-ups were tested to investigate which factors would be required to produce the reported anorectic effect of intracerebroventricular insulin. Although we varied rat strain, stereotactic coordinates, formulations of insulin and vehicle, dose, volume, and time of injection, the anorectic effect of intracerebroventricular insulin could not be replicated. Therefore, we suggest that acute intracerebroventricularly injected insulin does not robustly inhibit food intake in rats. Based on our results, the acute intracerebroventricular injection procedure may not be a preferred method for studying the central anorectic effects of insulin in rats. Instead, administrations over time or locally in hypothalamic nuclei might be recommended.
Signals consistent with microbubbles detected in legs of normal human subjects after exercise
Authors: Wilbur J. C. , Phillips S. D. , Donoghue T. G. , Alvarenga D. L. , Knaus D. A. , Magari P. J. , Buckey J. C.
Published: October 2009

Exercise may produce micronuclei (presumably gas-filled bubbles) in tissue, which could serve as nucleation sites for bubbles during subsequent decompression stress. These micronuclei have never been directly detected in humans. Dual-frequency ultrasound (DFU) is a resonance-based, ultrasound technique capable of detecting and sizing small stationary bubbles. We surveyed for bubbles in the legs of six normal human subjects (ages 28–52 yr) after exercise using DFU. Eleven marked sites on the left thigh and calf were imaged using standard imaging ultrasound. Subjects then rested in a reclining chair for 2 h before exercise. For the hour before exercise, a series of baseline measurements was taken at each site using DFU. At least six baseline measurements were taken at each site. Subjects exercised at 80% of their age-adjusted maximal heart rate for 30 min on an upright bicycle ergometer. After exercise, the subjects returned to the chair, and multiple postexercise measurements were taken at the marked sites. Measurements continued until no further signals consistent with bubbles were returned or 1 h had elapsed. All subjects showed signals consistent with bubbles after exercise at at least one site. The percentage of sites in a given subject showing signals significantly greater than baseline ( P < 0.01) at first measurement ranged from 9.1 to 100%. Overall, 58% of sites showed signals consistent with bubbles at the first postexercise measurement. Signals decreased over time after exercise. These data strongly suggest that exercise produces bubbles detectable using DFU.
Influence of Parallel and Orthogonal Real Lines on Illusory Contour Perception
Authors: Dillenburger Barbara , Roe Anna W.
Published: October 2009

Real lines and illusory contours (ICs) have been reported to either interfere with or facilitate the perception of the other, depending on real line orientation and contrast. Here we investigate contextual effects of real lines on illusory contour perception. Curvature discrimination thresholds of Kanizsa-contours were measured for superimposed real lines of different sub- and suprathreshold contrasts. We find that parallel lines interfere with curvature discrimination at suprathreshold, whereas orthogonal lines interfere at subthreshold contrasts. We did not find stable facilitating effects of lines in any orientation or contrast. These results are discussed in relation to existing physiological and imaging data.
Where Is Your Arm? Variations in Proprioception Across Space and Tasks
Authors: Fuentes Christina T. , Bastian Amy J.
Published: October 2009

The sense of limb position is crucial for movement control and environmental interactions. Our understanding of this fundamental proprioceptive process, however, is limited. For example, little is known about the accuracy of arm proprioception: Does it vary with changes in arm configuration, since some peripheral receptors are engaged only when joints move toward extreme angles? Are these variations consistent across different tasks? Does proprioceptive ability change depending on what we try to localize (e.g., fingertip position vs. elbow angle)? We used a robot exoskeleton to study proprioception in 14 arm configurations across three tasks, asking healthy subjects to 1) match a pointer to elbow angles after passive movements, 2) match a pointer to fingertip positions after passive movements, and 3) actively match their elbow angle to a pointer. Across all three tasks, subjects overestimated more extreme joint positions; this may be due to peripheral sensory signals biasing estimates as a safety mechanism to prevent injury. We also found that elbow angle estimates were more precise when used to judge fingertip position versus directly reported, suggesting that the brain has better access to limb endpoint position than joint angles. Finally, precision of elbow angle estimates improved in active versus passive movements, corroborating work showing that efference copies of motor commands and alpha-gamma motor neuron coactivation contribute to proprioceptive estimates. In sum, we have uncovered fundamental aspects of normal proprioceptive processing, demonstrating not only predictable biases that are dependent on joint configuration and independent of task but also improved precision when integrating information across joints.
Responses of Human Medial Temporal Lobe Neurons Are Modulated by Stimulus Repetition
Authors: Pedreira Carlos , Mormann Florian , Kraskov Alexander , Cerf Moran , Fried Itzhak , Koch Christof , Quiroga Rodrigo Quian
Published: October 2009

Recent studies have reported the presence of single neurons with strong responses to visual inputs in the human medial temporal lobe. Here we show how repeated stimulus presentation—photos of celebrities and familiar individuals, landmark buildings, animals, and objects—modulates the firing rate of these cells: a consistent decrease in the neural activity was registered as images were repeatedly shown during experimental sessions. The effect of repeated stimulus presentation was not the same for all medial temporal lobe areas. These findings are consistent with the view that medial temporal lobe neurons link visual percepts to declarative memory.
A New Information Measure Based on Example-Dependent Misclassification Costs and Its Application in Decision Tree Learning
Authors: Wysotzki Fritz , Geibel Peter
Published: October 2009

This article describes how the costs of misclassification given with the individual training objects for classification learning can be used in the construction of decision trees for minimal cost instead of minimal error class decisions. This is demonstrated by defining modified, cost-dependent probabilities, a new, cost-dependent information measure, and using a cost-sensitive extension of the CAL5 algorithm for learning decision trees. The cost-dependent information measure ensures the selection of the (local) next best, that is, cost-minimizing, discriminating attribute in the sequential construction of the classification trees. This is shown to be a cost-dependent generalization of the classical information measure introduced by Shannon, which only depends on classical probabilities. It is therefore of general importance and extends classic information theory, knowledge processing, and cognitive science, since subjective evaluations of decision alternatives can be included in entropy and the transferred information. Decision trees can then be viewed as cost-minimizing decoders for class symbols emitted by a source and coded by feature vectors. Experiments with two artificial datasets and one application example show that this approach is more accurate than a method which uses class dependent costs given by experts a priori.
Drug-Carrying Magnetic Nanocomposite Particles for Potential Drug Delivery Systems
Authors: Asmatulu R. , Fakhari A. , Wamocha H. L. , Chu H. Y. , Chen Y. Y. , Eltabey M. M. , Hamdeh H. H. , Ho J. C.
Published: October 2009

Drug-carrying magnetic nanocomposite spheres were synthesized using magnetite nanoparticles and poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) for the purpose of magnetic targeted drug delivery. Magnetic nanoparticles (∼13 nm on average) of magnetite were prepared by a chemical coprecipitation of ferric and ferrous chloride salts in the presence of a strong basic solution (ammonium hydroxide). An oil-in-oil emulsion/solvent evaporation technique was conducted at 7000 rpm and 1.5–2 hours agitation for the synthesis of nanocomposite spheres. Specifically, PLGA and drug were first dissolved in acetonitrile (oily phase I) and combined with magnetic nanoparticles, then added dropwise into viscous paraffin oil combined with Span 80 (oily phase II). With different contents (0%, 10%, 20%, and 25%) of magnetite, the nanocomposite spheres were evaluated in terms of particle size, morphology, and magnetic properties by using dynamic laser light scattering (DLLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). The results indicate that nanocomposite spheres (200 nm to 1.1 μm in diameter) are superparamagnetic above the blocking temperature near 40 K and their magnetization saturates above 5 000 Oe at room temperature.
Development of Severe Hyponatremia due to Salt-Losing Nephropathy after Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Yoshioka Katsunobu , Nishio Minako , Sano Soichi , Sakurai Katsunobu , Yamagami Keiko , Yamashita Yoshito
Published: October 2009

A 72-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. On the third postoperative day, she developed polyuria (3.8 L/day), massive natriuresis, hyponatremia (112 mEq/L), hyperkalemia (5.6 mEq/L), and decreased central venous pressure, which was refractory to isotonic saline infusion. Laboratory findings indicated proximal tubular injury (high urinaryβ2-microglobulin, coexistence of hypouricemia) together with reduced aldosterone action at the cortical collecting duct. A diagnosis of salt-losing nephropathy was made and sodium correction was done with 3% saline and fludrocortisone. She responded well to therapy. The cause of hyponatremia was considered renal tubular dysfunction together with elevated antidiuretic hormone level. Postoperatively, it is important to look for the development of salt-losing nephropathy.
Self‐Similar Solutions for Nonlinear Schrödinger Equations
Authors: Ye Yaojun
Published: October 2009

We study the self‐similar solutions for nonlinear Schrödinger type equations of higher order with nonlinear term |u|αu
by a scaling technique and the contractive mapping method. For some admissible value α, we establish the global well‐posedness of the Cauchy problem for nonlinear Schrödinger equations of higher
order in some nonstandard function spaces which contain many homogeneous functions. we do this by establishing some nonlinear estimates in the Lorentz spaces or Besov spaces. These new global solutions to nonlinear Schrödinger equations with small data admit a class of self‐similar solutions.
Analysis of Candidate Genes in Occurrence and Growth of Colorectal Adenomas
Authors: Olschwang Sylviane , Vernerey Déwi , Cottet Vanessa , Pariente Alexandre , Nalet Bernard , Lafon Jacques , Faivre Jean , Laurent-Puig Pierre , Bonithon-Kopp Claire , Bonaiti-Pellié Catherine
Published: October 2009

Predisposition to sporadic colorectal tumours is influenced by genes with minor phenotypic effects. A case-control study was set up on 295 patients treated for a large adenoma matched with polyp-free individuals on gender, age, and geographic origin in a 1 : 2 proportion. A second group of 302 patients treated for a small adenoma was also characterized to distinguish effects on adenoma occurrence and growth. We focussed the study on 38 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) encompassing 14 genes involved in colorectal carcinogenesis. Effect of SNPs was tested using unconditional logistic regression. Comparisons were made for haplotypes within a given gene and for biologically relevant genes combinations using the combination test. TheAPCp.Glu1317Gly variant appeared to influence the adenoma growth (P=.04, exact test) but not its occurrence. This result needs to be replicated and genome-wide association studies may be necessary to fully identify low-penetrance alleles involved in early stages of colorectal tumorigenesis.
Player Profile Management on NFC Smart Card for Multiplayer Ubiquitous Games
Authors: Pellerin Romain , Yan Chen , Cordry Julien , Gressier-Soudan Eric
Published: October 2009

One of the goals of mixed reality and ubiquitous computing
technologies is to provide an adaptable and personal
content at any moment, anywhere, and in any context. In
Multiplayer Ubiquitous Games (MUGs), players have to interact
in the real world at both physical and virtual levels.
Player profiles in MUGs offer an opportunity to provide personalized
services to gamers. This paper presents a way
to manage MUG player profiles on an NFC Smart Card, and
proposes a Java API to integrate Smart Cards in the development
of MUGs. This user centric approach brings new
forms of gameplay, allowing the player to interact with the
game or with other players any time and anywhere. Smart
Cards should also help improve the security, ubiquity, and
the user mobility in traditional MUGs.
A Unifying Theory for SIDS
Authors: Mage David T. , Donner Maria
Published: October 2009

The Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) has four distinctive characteristics that must be explained by any theory proposed for it. (1) A characteristic male fraction of approximately 0.61 for all postneonatal SIDS in the US; (2) a distinctive lognormal-type age distribution arising from zero at birth, mode at about 2 months, median at about 3 months, and an exponential decrease with age going towards zero beyond one year; (3) a marked decrease in SIDS rate from the discovery that changing the recommended infant sleep position from prone to supine reduced the rate of SIDS, but it did not change the form of the age or gender distributions cited above; (4) a seasonal variation, maximal in winter and minimal in summer, that implies subsets of SIDS displaying evidence of seasonal low-grade respiratory infection and nonseasonal neurological prematurity. A quadruple-risk model is presented that fits these conditions but requires confirmatory testing by finding a dominant X-linked allele protective against cerebral anoxia that is missing in SIDS.
An Extension of Stolarsky Means to the Multivariable Case
Authors: Simic Slavko
Published: October 2009

We give an extension of well‐known Stolarsky means to the multivariable case in a simple and
applicable way. Some basic inequalities concerning this matter are also established with applications in Analysis and Probability
Theory.
Strong Convergence Theorems of Modified Ishikawa Iterations for Countable Hemi-Relatively Nonexpansive Mappings in a Banach Space
Authors: Petrot Narin , Wattanawitoon Kriengsak , Kumam Poom
Published: October 2009

We prove some strong convergence theorems for fixed points of modified Ishikawa and Halpern iterative processes for a countable family of hemi-relatively nonexpansive mappings in a uniformly convex and uniformly smooth Banach space by using the hybrid projection methods. Moreover, we also apply our results to a class of relatively nonexpansive mappings, and hence, we immediately obtain the results announced by Qin and Su's result (2007), Nilsrakoo and Saejung's result (2008), Su et al.'s result (2008), and some known corresponding results in the literatures.
Successive Iteration and Positive Solutions for Nonlinear m‐Point Boundary Value Problems on Time Scales
Authors: Sang Yanbin
Published: October 2009

We study the existence of positive solutions for a class of m‐point boundary value problems on time scales. Our approach is based on the monotone iterative technique and
the cone expansion and compression fixed point theorem of norm type. Without the assumption of the existence of lower and upper solutions, we do not only obtain the existence of positive solutions of the problem, but also establish the iterative schemes for approximating the solutions.
Humus and Humic Acids of Luvisol and Cambisol of Jiguli Ridges, Samara Region, Russia
Authors: Abakumov Evgeny , Fujitake Nobihudu , Kosaki Takashi
Published: October 2009

Luvisols and Cambisols are two types of sub-boreal soils, which are known as continental and humid-ocean types of soils in deciduous forests respectively. Morphological features of soil, which are frequently used as the main argument in solum diagnostics, are subjective and do not give final decision that continental Cambisols are a specific type of soils different from Luvisols. These soils were studied in a mountain massive—Jiguli ridges of Samara region, Russia, East European part. Humid climate of northern slopes leads to formation of brown type of humic acids (HA), while the conditions of eastern slopes assist to formation of gray HA. These HAs of different soils are different in elemental composition (C and N are higher in Cambisols, O is higher in Luvisols), carbon species according to 13-C NMR (aromaticity is higher in Luvisols, while the aliphatic, carbonylic and carboxylic compounds are higher in Cambisols). Cambisols are characterized by dominance of fulvic acids (FAs) on HAs, while the ratio of HA to FA groups in Luvisols is about 1,0. Essential differences in humus composition and humic acids properties confirm that local humid climate in continental forest-steppe leads to formation of Cambisols instead of zonal Luvisols.
Seasonal Effects on a Beddington‐DeAngelis Type Predator‐Prey System with Impulsive Perturbations
Authors: Baek Hunki , Do Younghae
Published: October 2009

We study a Beddington‐DeAngelis type predator‐prey system with impulsive perturbation and seasonal effects. First, we numerically observe the influence of seasonal effects on the system without impulsive perturbations. Next, we find the conditions for the local and global stabilities of prey‐free periodic solutions by using Floquet theory for the impulsive equation and small amplitude perturbation skills, and for the permanence of the system via comparison theorem. Finally, we show that seasonal effects and impulsive perturbation can give birth to various kinds of dynamical behavior of the system including chaotic phenomena by numerical simulations.
Multicomponent MR Image Denoising
Authors: Manjón José V. , Thacker Neil A. , Lull Juan J. , Garcia-Martí Gracian , Martí-Bonmatí Luís , Robles Montserrat
Published: October 2009

Magnetic Resonance images are normally corrupted by random noise from the measurement process complicating the automatic feature extraction and analysis of clinical data. It is because of this reason that denoising methods have been traditionally applied to improve MR image quality. Many of these methods use the information of a single image without taking into consideration the intrinsic multicomponent nature of MR images. In this paper we propose a new filter to reduce random noise in multicomponent MR images by spatially averaging similar pixels using information from all available image components to perform the denoising process. The proposed algorithm also uses a local Principal Component Analysis decomposition as a postprocessing step to remove more noise by using information not only in the spatial domain but also in the intercomponent domain dealing in a higher noise reduction without significantly affecting the original image resolution. The proposed method has been compared with similar state‐of‐art methods over synthetic and real clinical multicomponent MR images showing an improved performance in all cases analyzed.
Investigation of Temperature and Aging Effects in Nanostructured Dye Solar Cells Studied by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Toivola Minna , Halme Janne , Peltokorpi Lauri , Lund Peter
Published: October 2009

Effects of aging and cyclically varying temperature on the electrical parameters of dye solar cells were analyzed with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Photoelectrode total resistance increased as a function of time due to increasing electron transport resistance in the TiO2 film. On the other hand, photoelectrode recombination resistance was generally larger, electron lifetimes in the TiO2 were film longer, and charge transfer resistance on the counter electrode was smaller after the temperature treatments than before them. These effects correlated with the slower deterioration rate of the temperature‐treated cells, in comparison to the reference cells.
Oscillation Criteria for a Class of Second‐Order Nonlinear Differential Equations with Damping Term
Authors: Ouyang Zigen , Zhong Jichao , Zou Shuliang
Published: October 2009

A class of second‐order nonlinear differential equations with damping term

are investigated in this paper. By using a new method, we obtain some new sufficient conditions for
the oscillation of the above equation, and some references are extended in this paper. Examples are
inserted to illustrate this result.