bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of Yap1p and Skn7p‐mediated oxidative stress response in the defence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae against singlet oxygen
Authors: Brombacher Katrin , Fischer Beat B. , Rüfenacht Karin , Eggen Rik I. L.
Published: July 2006

The production of the reactive oxygen species superoxide and hydrogen peroxide in Saccharomyces cerevisiae induces the expression of various defence genes involved in an oxidative stress response. Expression of many of these genes has been shown to be coordinated by two transcriptional regulators, Yap1p and Skn7p, either alone or in concert. Here, we investigated the role of the Yap1p and Skn7p‐mediated stress response in the defence against singlet oxygen, a non‐radical reactive oxygen species produced mainly by photosensitized reactions in illuminated cells. Both, a yap1 and skn7 mutant were highly sensitive to Rose Bengal, an exogenous photosensitizer producing singlet oxygen in the light. The expression of a Yap1p‐dependent reporter gene was induced by increased singlet oxygen production, showing that singlet oxygen activates general oxidative stress response mechanisms required for the resistance against Rose Bengal treatment. This response was also slightly stimulated by light in the absence of the photosensitizer, possibly due to singlet oxygen production by endogenous photosensitizers. The expression pattern of four oxidative stress genes in a yap1, skn7 and wild‐type strain and the sensitivity of the corresponding mutants exposed to different oxidative stress conditions proved a role of Yap1p and Skn7p in the defence against singlet oxygen. Similarities in the genetic responses against singlet oxygen and hydroperoxides suggest an overlap in the oxidative stress response against these reactive oxygen species. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Supervision of Psychosocial Skills in Genetic Counseling
Authors: Borders L. DiAnne , Eubanks Sonja , Callanan Nancy
Published: July 2006

Little has been written about how genetic counseling supervisors can help students develop psychosocial skills in their clinical rotations. The authors describe several approaches supervisors can use, ranging from preventive measures (e.g., normalizing anxiety), to skill‐enhancing interventions (e.g., modeling and thinking aloud), to more direct approaches (e.g., immediacy, confrontation) that may be necessary for students who are reluctant, or even resistant, to using psychosocial skills with their clients.
Whispering gallery modes in photoluminescence and Raman spectra of a spherical microcavity with CdTe quantum dots: anti-Stokes emission and interference effects
Authors: Gaponik Nikolai , Rakovich Yury P. , Gerlach Matthias , Donegan John F. , Savateeva Diana , Rogach Andrey L.
Published: July 2006

We have studied the photoluminescence and Raman spectra of a system consisting of a polystyrene latex microsphere coated by CdTe colloidal quantum dots. The cavity-induced enhancement of the Raman scattering allows the observation of Raman spectra from only a monolayer of CdTe quantum dots. Periodic structure with very narrow peaks in the photoluminescence spectra of a single microsphere was detected both in the Stokes and anti-Stokes spectral regions, arising from the coupling between the emission of quantum dots and spherical cavity modes.
Multi-scale ordering of self-assembled InAs/GaAs(001) quantum dots
Authors: Kiravittaya S , Songmuang R , Rastelli A , Heidemeyer H , Schmidt OG
Published: July 2006

Ordering phenomena related to the self-assembly of InAs quantum dots (QD) grown on GaAs(001) substrates are experimentally investigated on different length scales. On the shortest length-scale studied here, we examine the QD morphology and observe two types of QD shapes, i.e., pyramids and domes. Pyramids are elongated along the [1–10] directions and are bounded by {137} facets, while domes have a multi-facetted shape. By changing the growth rates, we are able to control the size and size homogeneity of freestanding QDs. QDs grown by using low growth rate are characterized by larger sizes and a narrower size distribution. The homogeneity of buried QDs is measured by photoluminescence spectroscopy and can be improved by low temperature overgrowth. The overgrowth induces the formation of nanostructures on the surface. The fabrication of self-assembled nanoholes, which are used as a template to induce short-range positioning of QDs, is also investigated. The growth of closely spaced QDs (QD molecules) containing 2–6 QDs per QD molecule is discussed. Finally, the long-range positioning of self-assembled QDs, which can be achieved by the growth on patterned substrates, is demonstrated. Lateral QD replication observed during growth of three-dimensional QD crystals is reported.
Botulinum neurotoxin for management of intractable central leakage through a voice prosthesis in surgical voice restoration
Authors: Mullan G P J , Lee M T , Clarke P M
Published: July 2006

Rehabilitation of voice and speech after total laryngectomy has become established practice in recent years. A voice prosthesis is placed within a surgically produced fistula between the trachea and upper oesophagus and acts as a one way valve, allowing passage of pulmonary air from the trachea into the oesophagus and preventing aspiration of food and fluid from the oesophagus into the trachea. Persistent leakage through or around these prostheses is a recognized complication, the aetiology of which can vary widely, from mechanical issues with the prostheses themselves to anatomical and physiological issues associated with the reconstructed pharynx.

We report a new technique of using Dysport® in the management of intractable central leakage due to premature and forceful closure of the upper oesophageal sphincter during swallowing. This resulted in the pooling of fluids around the posterior flange of the prosthesis. This, along with the increased pressure from the muscle contraction, led to central leakage, as identified on videofluoroscopy. An injection of Dysport paralysed the upper oesophageal sphincter, preventing pooling of fluids around the prosthesis and the forcing open of the valve. The effect was to eliminate the leakage, and the patient did not require further injections over the following 22 months.
Mediastinal dissection in head and neck cancer
Authors: Yakirevitch A , Horowitz Z , Simansky D , Bedrin L , Kronenberg J , Talmi Y P
Published: July 2006

The superior mediastinum contains a considerable number of lymph nodes. Although occasionally involved in head and neck cancer, there are not many reports of mediastinal dissection in the practice of head and neck surgery. We present a group of seven patients with head and neck tumours that underwent mediastinal dissection in our department. Three patients are alive and free of disease six months to three years after the operation, two are alive with disease four and five years after the procedure, and two patients died peri-operatively. According to reviewed current literature, direct invasion of cancer of the head and neck to the mediastinum or mediastinal lymph node involvement is uncommon. Yet, mediastinal dissection provides the only chance for cure in selected cases.
Can we improve dysphagia referrals?
Authors: Phillips S A , Ross P D , Chalmers K , MacDougall G
Published: July 2006

We set out to examine whether a multidisciplinary out-patient dysphagia referral triage service would shorten the duration of a patient's referral process and direct patients to the correct specialty. A review was carried out of patients referred with dysphagia before and after the introduction of a multidisciplinary out-patient dysphagia service, from February 2001 to April 2001 and from January 2002 to March 2002, inclusive.

One hundred and eight patients were referred in total. The length of time until the first appointment was reduced from four to three weeks (median; range one to 23; p<0.001). The number of instrumental investigations was reduced, with a median of one instrumentation per patient under the new service, compared with two in those under the standard service (p<0.001). Attendance to hospital was also reduced, with 45 per cent of patients under the new service requiring only one appointment, compared with 13 per cent in those under the standard service (p<0.001).

The multidisciplinary out-patient dysphagia service was associated with significant reductions in waiting times, in the number of instrumental investigations and in the duration of the patient's referral process.
A multivariate analysis of the factors predicting hearing outcome after surgery for cholesteatoma in children
Authors: Chadha N K , Jardine A , Owens D , Gillett S , Robinson P J , Maw A R
Published: July 2006

Objective: To explore factors influencing hearing outcomes in children treated by canal wall up (CWU) and canal wall down (CWD) mastoid surgery.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study including three units in Bristol and Bath, UK. Ninety consecutive children underwent cholesteatoma mastoid surgery, with the first procedure between 1998 and 2001; minimum follow up was three disease-free years.

Results: The CWU and CWD cohorts significantly differed in pre-operative stage and hearing. After disease eradication, air conduction (AC) thresholds changed by +4.0 dB (95 per cent confidence intervals (95%CI) −2.0, 10.1) in the CWD group and −5.3 dB (95%CI −9.3, 1.3) in the CWU group (p=0.029). Using multiple linear regression to account for cohort differences, AC thresholds were increased by: pre-operative AC threshold (p<0.0001), initial ossicular stage (p=0.013), and CWD-surgery (p=0.005).

Conclusion: Disease-free hearing was better with CWU-surgery, less initial ossicular damage, and better pre-operative hearing. Worse initial disease increased the likelihood of CWD surgery. Wider use of ossiculoplasty in the CWU cohort (51 per cent vs 5 per cent) may partially explain the superior results.
Horner's syndrome following tonsillectomy
Authors: Hobson J C , Malla J V , Kay N J
Published: July 2006

Tonsillectomy is one of the commonest procedures performed in the United Kingdom. Peri-operative infiltration of local anaesthetic is a well documented adjunct to post-operative analgesia. We report the first case of temporary Horner's syndrome in a patient who received such treatment and postulate an anatomical explanation.
Der Stellenwert von Kombinationsbehandlung in der Versorgung schizophrener Störungen
Authors: Vauth Roland , Stieglitz Rolf-Dieter
Published: July 2006

Zusammenfassung: Antipsychotika sind in der Behandlung schizophrener Störungen die evidenzbasierte Basisbehandlung. Dies gilt für eine Vielzahl von Zielsyndromen wie wahnhafte und halluzinatorische Symptomatik (Positivsymptomatik), kognitive Funktionsstörungen, Negativsymptomatik und depressive Syndrome im Verlauf. Werden die Antipsychotika falsch ausgewählt (Nebenwirkungen; Wirkungsdefizite) oder falsch dosiert, entstehen schwerwiegende Beeinträchtigungen von Compliance bzw. für die Entfaltung der sozialen und beruflichen Reintegrationschancen. Antipsychotika dienen nicht nur für die Akuttherapie und die Rückfallprophylaxe, sondern sind die Grundlage für jeden erfolgreichen Einsatz vielfältiger moderner störungs- und problemspezifischer kognitiv-verhaltenstherapeutischer und rehabilitativer Interventionen. Diese gehören durch ihre in den letzten Jahren belegte Wirksamkeit inzwischen zum evidenz-basierten Behandlungsrepertoire schizophrener Störungen. Die Ansatzpunkte psychotherapeutischer Interventionen sind vielfältig und werden für folgende Bereiche exemplarisch dargestellt: Ansätze im Rahmen der Frühintervention, Ansätze bei Behandlungsresistenz, Rückfallprävention sowie Compliance-Förderung. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird eine Übersicht zum aktuellen Stand der Möglichkeiten der genannten Interventionsschwerpunkte gegeben, basierend auf dem aktuellen empirisch belegten Kenntnisstand.
Understanding Terminal Decline in Cognition and Risk of Death
Authors: Rabbitt Patrick , Lunn Mary , Wong Danny
Published: July 2006

There is new empirical evidence that the effects of impending death on cognition have been miscalculated because of neglect of the incidence of dropout and of practice gains during longitudinal studies. When these are taken into consideration, amounts and rates of cognitive declines preceding death and dropout are seen to be almost identical, and participants aged 49 to 93 years who neither dropout nor die show little or no decline during a 20-year longitudinal study. Practice effects are theoretically informative. Positive gains are greater for young and more intelligent participants and at all levels of intelligence and durations of practice; declines in scores of 10% or more between successive quadrennial test sessions are risk factors for mortality. Higher baseline intelligence test scores are also associated with reduced risk of mortality, even when demographics and socioeconomic advantage have been taken into consideration.
The Relationship Between Cognition and Mortality in Patients with Stroke, Coronary Heart Disease, or Cancer
Authors: Anstey Kaarin J. , Mack Holly A. , von Sanden Chwee
Published: July 2006

Numerous studies have reported an association between cognitive impairment and an increased risk for mortality. Most results are from large epidemiological studies and control for medical conditions that may relate to cognitive decline, as well as an increased mortality risk. The aim of this review was to evaluate the association between cognitive performance and mortality within patient samples of stroke, cancer, or coronary heart disease. After reviewing the PubMed literature for articles on stroke, cancer, and cardiovascular related illnesses, 47 longitudinal studies were identified that met the cognition/mortality search criteria. In general, the results demonstrated that within the clinical groups studied, cognitive performance and cognitive impairment both predict mortality, although results were less consistent for coronary heart disease. This study adds further support for the ubiquity of the association of cognitive performance with health outcomes and mortality. Optimizing health has implications for both cognitive performance and longevity.
Longitudinal Cognition-Survival Relations in Old and Very Old Age
Authors: Ghisletta Paolo , McArdle John J. , Lindenberger Ulman
Published: July 2006

We use a statistical model that combines longitudinal and survival analyses to estimate the influence of level and change in cognition on age at death in old and very old individuals. Data are from the Berlin Aging Study, in which an initial sample of 516 elderly individuals with an age range of 70 to 103 years was assessed up to 11 times across a period of up to 13 years. Four cognitive ability domains were assessed by two variables each: perceptual speed (Digit Letter and Identical Pictures), episodic memory (Paired Associates and Memory for Text), fluency (Categories and Word Beginnings), and verbal knowledge (Vocabulary and Spot-a-Word). Longitudinal models on cognition controlled for dementia diagnosis and retest effects, while survival models on age at death controlled for age, sex, socioeconomic status, sensory and motor performance, and broad personality characteristics. Results indicate: (1) Individual differences in the level of and in the linear change in performance are present for all cognitive variables; (2) when analyzed independently of cognitive performance, all covariates, except broad personality factors, predict survival; (3) when cognitive performance is accounted for, age, sex, and motor performance do predict survival, while socioeconomic status and broad personality factors do not, and sensory performance does only at times; (4) when cognitive variables are analyzed independently of each other, both level and change in speed and fluency, as well as level in memory and knowledge predict survival; (5) when all cognitive variables are analyzed simultaneously using a two-stage procedure, none of them is significantly associated to survival. In agreement with others, our findings suggest that survival is related to cognitive development in old and very old age in a relatively global, rather than ability-specific, manner.
Rayleigh wave phase velocities, small‐scale convection, and azimuthal anisotropy beneath southern California
Authors: Yang Yingjie , Forsyth Donald W.
Published: July 2006

We use Rayleigh waves to invert for shear velocities in the upper mantle beneath southern California. A one‐dimensional shear velocity model reveals a pronounced low‐velocity zone (LVZ) from 90 to 210 km. The pattern of velocity anomalies indicates that there is active small‐scale convection in the asthenosphere and that the dominant form of convection is three‐dimensional (3‐D) lithospheric drips and asthenospheric upwellings, rather than 2‐D sheets or slabs. Several of the features that we observe have been previously detected by body wave tomography: these anomalies have been interpreted as delaminated lithosphere and consequent upwelling of the asthenosphere beneath the eastern edge of the southern Sierra Nevada and Walker Lane region; sinking lithosphere beneath the southern Central Valley; upwelling beneath the Salton Trough; and downwelling beneath the Transverse Ranges. Our new observations provide better constraints on the lateral and vertical extent of these anomalies. In addition, we detect two previously undetected features: a high‐velocity anomaly beneath the northern Peninsular Range and a low‐velocity anomaly beneath the northeastern Mojave block. We also estimate the azimuthal anisotropy from Rayleigh wave data. The strength is ∼1.7% at periods shorter than 100 s and decreases to below 1% at longer periods. The fast direction is nearly E‐W. The anisotropic layer is more than 300 km thick. The E‐W fast directions in the lithosphere and sublithosphere mantle may be caused by distinct deformation mechanisms: pure shear in the lithosphere due to N‐S tectonic shortening and simple shear in sublithosphere mantle due to mantle flow.
Can springs cut canyons into rock?
Authors: Lamb Michael P. , Howard Alan D. , Johnson Joel , Whipple Kelin X. , Dietrich William E. , Perron J. Taylor
Published: July 2006

Amphitheater‐headed valleys on Earth and Mars are often assumed to result from erosion by emerging spring water (i.e., seepage erosion or groundwater sapping) rather than by surface runoff. The origin of such valleys has implications for landscape evolution on Earth and the hydrologic cycle and associated potential for life on other planets. In this paper we explore the evidence for seepage erosion in bedrock to address whether valley morphology can be used as a diagnostic indicator of seepage erosion. Seepage erosion is an important process in loose sediment where hydraulic forces cause grain detachment, often resulting in amphitheater‐headed valleys. However, the extension of these processes to resistant rock is uncertain. In sedimentary rocks, groundwater might control the shape and rate of valley formation. It is possible, however, that seepage plays only a secondary role to runoff processes. This seems likely in basaltic valleys on Earth, where little evidence exists for seepage erosion. Since the ability of seepage to erode bedrock valleys remains unclear and because many amphitheater‐headed valleys were probably carved by other processes, seepage erosion should not be inferred based solely on valley form.
New satellite‐based systems for ionospheric tomography and scintillation region imaging
Authors: Bernhardt Paul A. , Siefring Carl L.
Published: July 2006

The new constellation of radio beacons called Coherent Electromagnetic Radio Tomography (CERTO) will be available for measurements of ionospheric total electron content and radio scintillations. These beacons transmit unmodulated, phase‐coherent waves, VHF, UHF, and L band frequencies. A fixed radio of 3/8 is used between successive frequencies. Total electron content (TEC) can be measured using the differential phase technique. The range between beacon and receiver is removed from the phase measurements, leaving a differential phase that is proportional to TEC. The three CERTO frequencies cover a wide range for determination of the radio scintillation effects caused by diffraction after propagation though ionospheric irregularities. All of the CERTO beacons are in low Earth orbit with inclinations ranging from equatorial to polar. Each satellite that carries CERTO has other plasma instruments that complement the beacon data. In addition, a Scintillation and Tomography Receiver in Space (CITRIS) instrument will be placed in orbit to detect signals from the CERTO beacons and from the array of 56 Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS) VHF/S band radio beacons placed around the word by the French Centre National D'Etudes Spatiales. CITRIS will record ionospheric occultations and radio scintillations with a unique occultation and ground‐to‐space geometry. New algorithms have been developed for the multifrequency CERTO and CITRIS data to provide improved acquisition and analysis of TEC and scintillation data in ionospheric studies. The data from the CERTO constellation of beacons and receivers may be used to update space weather models.
Comparative study of two assimilative models of the ionosphere
Authors: Angling M. J. , Khattatov B.
Published: July 2006

Two assimilative models of the ionosphere are described: the Electron Density Assimilative Model (EDAM), developed by QinetiQ, and the IonoNumerics model developed by Fusion Numerics, Inc. Output from each technique has been compared to independent validation data measured by oblique and vertical ionosondes. Results indicate that when tested against vertical ionosondes, both models can reduce RMS errors compared to a median model. For example, the daytime RMS errors in the F region critical frequency above the Eglin Air Force Base ionosonde are 1.2 MHz for the Parameterised Ionospheric Model, 0.7 MHz for EDAM, and 1.0 MHz for IonoNumerics. Testing conducted against an oblique ionosonde has helped to expose a potential problem with ionospheric hmF2 due to poorly specified empirical driver models within IonoNumerics. The testing shows the usefulness of ray‐tracing experiments for improving numerical models and the limitations of only testing models against independent total electron content measurements.
Theoretically modeling the low‐latitude, ionospheric response to large geomagnetic storms
Authors: Anderson D. , Anghel A. , Araujo E. , Eccles V. , Valladares C. , Lin C.
Published: July 2006

In the low‐latitude, ionospheric F region, the primary transport mechanism that determines the electron and ion density distributions is the magnitude of the daytime, upward E × B drift velocity. During large geomagnetic storms, penetration of high‐latitude electric fields to low latitudes can often produce daytime, vertical E × B drift velocities in excess of 50 m/s. Employing a recently developed technique, we can infer these daytime, upward E × B drift velocities from ground‐based magnetometer observations at Jicamarca and Piura, Peru, as a function of local time (0700–1700 LT). We study the ionospheric response in the Peruvian longitude sector to these large upward drifts by theoretically calculating electron and ion densities as a function of altitude, latitude, and local time using the time‐dependent Low‐Latitude Ionospheric Sector (LLIONS) model. This is a single‐sector ionosphere model capable of incorporating data‐determined drivers, such as E × B drift velocities. For this study, we choose three large storms in 2003 (29 and 30 October and 20 November) when daytime E × B drift velocities approached or exceeded 50 m/s. Initial results indicate that the large, upward E × B drift velocities on 29 October produced equatorial anomaly crests in ionization at ±20° dip latitude rather than the usual ±16° dip latitude. We compare the theoretically calculated results with a variety of ground‐based and satellite observations for these three periods and discuss the implications of these comparisons as they relate to the capabilities of current theoretical models and our ability to infer ionospheric drivers such as E × B drifts (Anderson et al., 2002).
Diffusive fractionation of 3H and 3He in groundwater and its impact on groundwater age estimates
Authors: LaBolle Eric M. , Fogg Graham E. , Eweis Juana B.
Published: July 2006

The use of 3H and 3He to estimate the apparent age of groundwater presumes that differences in their transport behavior have little effect on 3H‐3H ages. Here we show that 3H and 3He are highly susceptible to diffusive fractionation, which can result in substantial errors in 3H‐3He apparent ages of post‐1950, prebomb peak groundwater. Previous analyses in homogeneous and weakly heterogeneous systems suggested that significant diffusive fractionation effects on 3H‐3He ages only manifest at low velocities. We show that the potential for diffusive fractionation depends strongly on the subsurface heterogeneity, flow field, and 3H source. Results indicate that within aquitards dominated by diffusive mass transfer, diffusive fractionation can lead to artificially old apparent age dates. Along preferential flow paths, diffusive fractionation can lead to artificially young apparent age dates. Along preferential flow paths strongly affected by diffusive mass transfer, this phenomenon can result in the same 3H‐3He apparent age for postbomb peak and older post‐1950, prebomb peak groundwater. Therefore, where nonunique age dates are plausible, it may be difficult to distinguish postbomb peak groundwater from post‐1950, prebomb peak groundwater affected by diffusive fractionation in the absence of additional hydrogeologic information sufficient to delineate the effects of diffusive fractionation.
Third generation of the Potsdam Magnetic Model of the Earth (POMME)
Authors: Maus S. , Rother M. , Stolle C. , Mai W. , Choi S. , Lühr H. , Cooke D. , Roth C.
Published: July 2006

The Potsdam Magnetic Model of the Earth (POMME) is a geomagnetic field model providing an estimate of the Earth's core, crustal, magnetospheric, and induced magnetic fields. The internal field is represented to spherical harmonic (SH) degree 90, while the secular variation and acceleration are given to SH degree 16. Static and time‐varying magnetospheric fields are parameterized in Geocentric Solar‐Magnetospheric (GSM) and Solar‐Magnetic (SM) coordinates and include Disturbance Storm‐Time (Dst index) and Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF‐By) dependent contributions. The model was estimated from five years of CHAMP satellite magnetic data. All measurements were corrected for ocean tidal induction and night‐side ionospheric F‐region currents. The model is validated using an independent model from a combined data set of Ørsted and SAC‐C satellite measurements. For the core field to SH degree 13, the root mean square (RMS) vector difference between the two models at the center of the model period is smaller than 4 nT at the Earth's surface. The RMS uncertainty increases to about 100 nT for the predicted field in 2010, as inferred from the difference between the two models.
Magnetic hysteresis properties of interacting and noninteracting micron‐sized magnetite produced by electron beam lithography
Authors: Muxworthy Adrian R. , King James G. , Odling Nic
Published: July 2006

The magnetic hysteresis properties for well‐defined micron‐sized magnetite samples produced by electron beam lithography (EBL) are presented. In addition to measuring standard hysteresis parameters, first‐order reversal curve (FORC) diagrams are also reported. EBL produces samples that consist of particles with very tightly constrained size distributions, and spatial distributions that govern the degree of intergrain magnetostatic interactions are accurately controlled and known. Thus EBL samples are significantly better characterized compared to powdered samples, which are conventionally used to characterize the size dependency of magnetic hysteresis properties of naturally occurring magnetic minerals. Compared with the hysteresis properties of powdered samples of the same nominal sizes, EBL samples display more multidomain‐like (MD) behavior. The influence of magnetostatic interactions fields on hysteresis properties is analyzed. When magnetostatic interactions are effectively in only one direction, the hysteresis properties become more single domain‐like, and if the interactions are in more than one direction, hysteresis becomes more MD‐like, in agreement with numerical models.
Glacier shrinkage and modeled uplift of the Alps
Authors: Barletta V. R. , Ferrari C. , Diolaiuti G. , Carnielli T. , Sabadini R. , Smiraglia C.
Published: July 2006

Present day glacier reduction in the Alps, estimated from glacier inventories and induced viscoelastic response of a stratified Earth's model, is responsible for sizable uplift rates. Patches of 0.4–0.5 mm/yr, due to ice mass loss of largest ice complexes, overprint a characteristic area of slower uplift of 0.1–0.2 mm/yr, signature of the phenomenon in the whole Alpine chain. Viscous stress relaxation in the lower crust, due to glacier mass loss after the end of the Little Ice Age, is expected to produce uplift rates of 0.32 mm/yr, leading to a total viscoelastic response up to 0.8 mm/yr. Our predictions in the western Alps show that viscoelastic response to present day glacier shrinkage forms a substantial fraction (half) of the observed uplift data. Attempts to constrain the contributions arising from active Alpine tectonics and drainage must account for this uplift signal.
Satellite observations of intense intraseasonal cooling events in the tropical south Indian Ocean
Authors: Saji N. H. , Xie S.‐P. , Tam C.‐Y.
Published: July 2006

Intense intraseasonal cooling events in the tropical south Indian Ocean are examined using eight years of TRMM observations. These events occur almost every year during austral summer when the intertropical convergence zone is displaced south of the equator and roughly collocated with a thermocline ridge. Composite maps of SST, OLR and surface winds, based on eleven cooling events with SST exceeding 1°C, suggest that reduced solar radiation, enhanced evaporation and possibly strong entrainment over the thermocline ridge all play a role in the SST cooling. OLR and covariability in SST exhibit latitudinal variations in spectrum. A distinct southern mode around 10°S–5°S exhibits a peak in coherence‐squared at a period of 65 days. In contrast, an equatorially symmetric mode has a coherence‐squared peak at 35 days. This may hint at a possible feedback onto the atmosphere from strong intraseasonal SST variability over the south Indian Ocean.
Heat signature on the Chelungpu fault associated with the 1999 Chi‐Chi, Taiwan earthquake
Authors: Kano Yasuyuki , Mori Jim , Fujio Ryo , Ito Hisao , Yanagidani Takashi , Nakao Setsuro , Ma Kuo‐Fong
Published: July 2006

We have made observations of a heat signature that is associated with the frictional heat generated at the time of faulting for a large earthquake. Temperature measurements in a borehole that intersects the Chelungpu fault at a depth of about 1100 m, show a small increase near the fault even six years after the earthquake. The temperature signature has a symmetric shape with a width of about 40 m and is centered on the fault that slipped about 5 m during the 1999 Chi‐Chi, Taiwan earthquake. The small amplitude of 0.06°C for the observed temperature anomaly indicates a very low level of friction that generated heat at the time of the earthquake.
Effect of systemic and intracortical administration of phenytoin in two genetic models of absence epilepsy
Authors: Gurbanova Ayten A , Aker Rezzan , Berkman Kemal , Onat Filiz Yilmaz , van Rijn Clementana M , van Luijtelaar Gilles
Published: July 2006

Spontaneous 7–10 Hz spike‐wave discharges (SWDs) are the electroencephalographic hallmark of absence seizures, as can be observed in WAG/Rij as well as in GAERS, two commonly used well‐validated genetic rat models of absence epilepsy. A local upregulation of sodium channels within the perioral region of the primary somatosensory cortex indicated an initiation site for SWDs in WAG/Rij rats, in line with a new theory that assumes that SWDs have a cortical focal origin in the perioral region of the somatosensory cortex. We tested whether bilateral microinfusion at this focal site of the sodium channel blocker phenytoin, which is known to aggravate SWDs after systemic administration, reduces SWDs in both models.

WAG/Rij rats and GAERS, chronically provided with cortical EEG electrodes and bilateral cortical cannula's, were used. The EEGs were recorded before and after or systemic or bilateral infusion of phenytoin.

Microinfusion of phenytoin at the perioral region of the somatosensory cortex produced an immediate cessation of seizure activity in WAG/Rij rats, while systemic injection produced an increase in both genetic models. Microinfusion of the same and higher concentrations of phenytoin in GAERS at the same stereotactic coordinates showed no effect. Phenytoin was effective in GAERS 2 mm more posteriorly.

The data suggest that both genetic models have a cortical area at which diametrically opposite effects of phenytoin can be found compared to systemic injections: a decrease after local microinfusion and aggravation after systemic administration, although the exact cortical location may be different. Moreover, a deficit in sodium channels might be an ethiological factor underlying an increased probability for the initiation of SWDs in the somatosensory cortex.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 148, 1076–1082. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706791
Efficacy of selective 5‐HT6 receptor ligands determined by monitoring 5‐HT6 receptor‐mediated cAMP signaling pathways
Authors: Romero Gonzalo , Sánchez Elisabeth , Pujol Marta , Pérez Pilar , Codony Xavier , Holenz Jörg , Buschmann Helmut , Pauwels Petrus J
Published: July 2006

Two novel selective 5‐HT6 receptor ligands E‐6801 (6‐chloro‐N‐(3‐(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl)‐1H‐indol‐5‐yl)imidazo[2,1‐b]thiazole‐5‐sulfonamide) and E‐6837 (5‐chloro‐N‐(3‐(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl)‐1H‐indol‐5‐yl)naphthalene‐2‐sulfonamide) were investigated and compared to the putative 5‐HT6 receptor antagonists SB‐271046 (5‐chloro‐N‐(4‐methoxy‐3‐(piperazin‐1‐yl)phenyl)‐3‐methylbenzo[b]thiophene‐2‐sulfonamide) and Ro 04‐06790 (N‐(2,6‐bis(methylamino)pyrimidin‐4‐yl)‐4‐aminobenzenesulfonamide) using a cAMP‐mediated pathway.

Forskolin stimulation, to increase the magnitude of agonist cAMP responses, and site‐directed mutagenesis of the 5‐HT6 receptor, in order to yield constitutively active receptor, were applied.

5‐HT (Emax, % over basal: 200), E‐6801 (120) and E‐6837 (23) induced cAMP formation at the rat 5‐HT6 receptor. In the copresence of forskolin, cAMP responses were more potent and enhanced to 294 (5‐HT, % over forskolin), 250 (E‐6801) and 207 (E‐6837), respectively. 5‐HT‐mediated cAMP formation was dose‐dependently blocked by SB‐271046 (pA2: 8.76±0.22) and Ro 04‐6790 (pA2: 7.89±0.10) and not affected by the copresence of forskolin. Both E‐6801 and E‐6837 yielded partial antagonism of the 5‐HT response in the absence of forskolin, whereas antagonism was either completely absent (E‐6801) or attenuated (E‐6837) in the copresence of forskolin. Intrinsic activity of these 5‐HT6 receptor ligands at a constitutively active human S267K 5‐HT6 receptor in Cos‐7 cells indicated similar efficacy (Emax, % over basal) for 5‐HT (97), E‐6801 (91) and E‐6837 (100), while Ro 04‐6790 (‐33) and SB‐271046 (‐39) were equi‐efficacious inverse agonists.

The use of either forskolin or a constitutively active S267K 5‐HT6 receptor enhances the resolution for monitoring the efficacy of 5‐HT6 receptor ligands. E‐6801 and E‐6837 are potent partial agonists at the 5‐HT6 receptor. Ro 04‐6790 and SB‐271046 appear to act as inverse agonists/antagonists.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 148, 1133–1143. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706827
Is there a temperature‐dependent uptake of anandamide into cells?
Authors: Thors L , Fowler C J
Published: July 2006

Background and purpose:

The temperature dependency of anandamide uptake into cells implies an active mechanism but this is still a matter of considerable debate. We have therefore re‐examined the temperature‐sensitive uptake of anandamide in ND7/23 mouse neuroblastoma × rat dorsal root ganglion neurone hybrid cells and RBL2H3 rat basophilic leukaemia cells.

Experimental approach:

Cellular uptake of [3H] anandamide was measured in the presence of bovine serum albumin at different incubation temperatures and times. Rates of uptake were also measured in wells alone. Free anandamide concentrations were calculated by published methods.

Key results:

Anandamide showed a time‐dependent saturable uptake into ND7/23 cells. The uptake was greater at 37°C than at 4°C for a given added anandamide concentration following a 5 min incubation. However, this temperature‐dependency reflected temperature‐dependent effects on the concentration of anandamide available for uptake, rather than the uptake process itself. A similar conclusion could be drawn for the rapid (∼1 min) uptake of anandamide into RBL2H3 cells. In contrast, re‐analysis of published data for P19 cells indicated a clear temperature‐dependency of the uptake at long (15 min) incubation times. The level of anandamide retained by wells alone provided a better measure of free anandamide concentrations than calculated values.

Conclusions and implications:

ND7/23 cells may be a useful model system for the study of anandamide uptake. The temperature‐dependent uptake of anandamide may reflect effects on free anandamide concentrations rather than on the uptake process itself.

British Journal of Pharmacology(2006)149, 73–81. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706831
Systemic administration of interleukin‐2 inhibits inflammatory neutrophil migration: role of nitric oxide
Authors: Moreno Susana E , Alves‐Filho José C , Bertozi Giuliana , Alfaya Tais M , Thèze Jacques , Ferreira Sergio H , Vargaftig Bernardo Boris
Published: July 2006

Interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) has proinflammatory properties that limit its therapeutic use. Its side effects are mainly explained by the induction of a vascular leakage syndrome. Cytokines, as TNF‐α and IL‐1β, and nitric oxide (NO) generated by IL‐2‐activated leukocytes play a role in this defect.

As the systemic release of these mediators inhibits neutrophil migration to a specific inflammatory site, we investigated now whether IL‐2 administrated systemically inhibits the neutrophil recruitment to the inflamed peritoneum. The involvement of NO in the process was also addressed.

Using peritoneal neutrophils, we show that the intravenous treatment of the mice with IL‐2 inhibits the neutrophil migration induced by carrageenin, LPS or fMLP. In confirmation, IL‐2‐treated mice showed a significant reduction in leukocyte rolling and adhesion in mesenteric microcirculation evaluated after carrageenin, LPS and fMLP injections. Aminoguanidine prevented the inhibitory effect of IL‐2 on carrageenin‐induced neutrophil migration, rolling and adhesion. In contrast, IL‐2 failed to reduce the lung leukocyte infiltration induced by LPS. Therefore, IL‐2 inhibition of neutrophil migration is organ specific.

Our results indicate that IL‐2 administered systemically inhibits neutrophil recruitment to some inflammatory sites through a mechanism dependent on NO. The results also reinforce the needs to determine the mechanism by which patients treated with IL‐2 show increased risks of infection.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 148, 1060–1066. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706835
Anti‐inflammatory effects of PJ34, a poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase inhibitor, in transient focal cerebral ischemia in mice
Authors: Haddad M , Rhinn H , Bloquel C , Coqueran B , Szabó C , Plotkine M , Scherman D , Margaill I
Published: July 2006

Background and purpose:

Activation of poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) is deleterious during cerebral ischemia. We assessed the influence of PARP activation induced by cerebral ischemia on the synthesis of proinflammatory mediators including the cytokines, tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and the adhesion molecules, E‐selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1).

Experimental approach:

Ischemia was induced by intravascular occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery for 1 h in male Swiss mice anaesthetized with ketamine and xylazine. The PARP inhibitor PJ34 (1.25–25 mg kg−1) was administered intraperitoneally 15 min before and 4 hours after, the onset of ischemia. Animals were killed 6 h or 24 h after ischemia and cerebral tissue removed for analysis.

Key results:

Ischemia increased TNF‐α protein in cerebral tissue at 6 and 24 h after ischemia. All doses of PJ34 blocked the increase in TNF‐α at 6 h and 25 mg kg−1 PJ34 had a sustained effect for up to 24 h. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction showed that PJ34 (25 mg kg−1) reduced the increase in TNF‐α mRNA by 70% at 6 h. PJ34 also prevented the increase in mRNAs encoding IL‐6 (−41%), E‐selectin (−81%) and ICAM‐1 (−54%). PJ34 (25 mg kg−1) reduced the infarct volume (−26%) and improved neurological deficit, 24 h after ischemia.

Conclusions and Implications:

PJ34 inhibited the increase in the mRNAs of four inflammatory mediators, caused by cerebral ischemia. The contribution of this effect of PJ34 to neuroprotection remains to be clarified.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 149, 23–30. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706837
Radiational defect production in porous solid states
Authors: Turaeva N. N.
Published: July 2006

There are additional traps for displaced interstitial atoms in irradiated porous materials. Accounting for these traps leads to different expressions for radiation defect production probability, cross-section, and displacement energy.
Diffraction of light by a planar aperture in a metallic screen
Authors: Drezet A. , Woehl J. C. , Huant S.
Published: July 2006

We present a complete derivation of the formula of Smythe [Phys. Rev. 72, 1066 (1947)] giving the electromagnetic field diffracted by an aperture created in a perfectly conducting plane surface. The reasoning, valid for any excitating field and any hole shape, makes use only of the free scalar Green function for the Helmoltz equation without any reference to a Green dyadic formalism. We compare our proof with the one previously given by Jackson and connect our reasoning to the general Huygens Fresnel theorem.
The roaming atom pathway in formaldehyde decomposition
Authors: Lahankar Sridhar A. , Chambreau Steven D. , Townsend Dave , Suits Frank , Farnum John , Zhang Xiubin , Bowman Joel M. , Suits Arthur G.
Published: July 2006

We present a detailed experimental and theoretical investigation of formaldehyde photodissociation to H2 and CO following excitation to the 2141 and 2143 transitions in S1. The CO velocity distributions were obtained using dc slice imaging of single CO rotational states (v=0, jCO=5–45). These high-resolution measurements reveal the correlated internal state distribution in the H2 cofragments. The results show that rotationally hot CO (jCO∼45) is produced in conjunction with vibrationally “cold” H2 fragments (v=0–5): these products are formed through the well-known skewed transition state and described in detail in the accompanying paper. After excitation of formaldehyde above the threshold for the radical channel (H2CO→H+HCO) we also find formation of rotationally cold CO (jCO=5–28) correlated to highly vibrationally excited H2 (v=6–8). These products are formed through a novel mechanism that involves near dissociation followed by intramolecular H abstraction [D. Townsend et al., Science 306, 1158 (2004)], and that avoids the region of the transition state entirely. The dynamics of this “roaming” mechanism are the focus of this paper. The correlations between the vibrational states of H2 and rotational states of CO formed following excitation on the 2143 transition allow us to determine the relative contribution to molecular products from the roaming atom channel versus the conventional molecular channel.
Stochastic quantization of topological field theory: Generalized Langevin equation with memory kernel
Authors: Menezes G. , Svaiter N. F.
Published: July 2006

We use the method of stochastic quantization in a topological field theory defined in an Euclidean space, assuming a Langevin equation with a memory kernel. We show that our procedure for the Abelian Chern-Simons theory converges regardless of the nature of the Chern-Simons coefficient.
Development of simultaneous frequency- and time-resolved coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering for ultrafast detection of molecular Raman spectra
Authors: Prince Benjamin D. , Chakraborty Abhijit , Prince Beth M. , Stauffer Hans U.
Published: July 2006

The development of a time-resolved coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) variant for use as a probe of excited electronic state Raman-active modes following excitation with an ultrafast pump pulse is detailed. Application of this technique involves a combination of broadband fs-time scale pulses and a narrowband pulse of ps duration that allows multiplexed detection of the CARS signal, permitting direct observation of molecular Raman frequencies and intensities with time resolution dictated by the broadband pulses. Thus, this nonlinear optical probe, designated fs/ps CARS, is suitable for observation of Raman spectral evolution following excitation with a pump pulse. Because of the spatial separation of the CARS output signal relative to the three input beams inherent in a folded BOXCARS arrangement, this technique is particularly amenable to probing low-frequency vibrational modes, which play a significant role in accepting vibrational energy during intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution within electronically excited states. Additionally, this spatial separation allows discrimination against strong fluorescence signal, as demonstrated in the case of rhodamine 6G.
Interaction potential for water dimer from symmetry-adapted perturbation theory based on density functional description of monomers
Authors: Bukowski Robert , Szalewicz Krzysztof , Groenenboom Gerrit , van der Avoird Ad
Published: July 2006

A new six-dimensional interaction potential for the water dimer has been obtained by fitting interaction energies computed at 2510 geometries using a variant of symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (SAPT) based on density functional theory (DFT) description of monomers, referred to as SAPT(DFT). The stationary points, second virial coefficient, vibration-rotation-tunneling spectrum, and structure of liquid water computed with the new potential are in very good agreement with experiment and advanced ab initio calculations, confirming the high level of accuracy provided by SAPT(DFT).
Comment on “Calculation of accurate permanent dipole moments of the lowest Σ+1,3 states of heteronuclear alkali dimers using extended basis sets” [J. Chem. Phys. 122, 204302 (2005)]
Authors: Aymar M. , Dulieu O.
Published: July 2006

A few typing errors are corrected in Tables II and III of the quoted paper. In addition, we included an exhaustive list of sets of cut-off radii used by various authors in their effective core polarization potentials. Indeed the final results are very sensitive to the initial adjustment of atomic energies, and such a report should guide the interested readers through the corresponding literature. Moreover, it is emphasized that the values of cut-off parameters strongly depend on the chosen Gaussian basis set.
Optimized method of producing washers of titanium hydride for plasma gun using occluded hydrogen gas
Authors: Himura H. , Saito Y. , Sanpei A. , Masamune S. , Takeuchi N. , Shiono T.
Published: July 2006

An optimized way of producing washers of titanium hydride for the application to a plasma gun using the occluded gas is presented. The amount of H2 gas (equivalently, gas pressure p) is entirely preadjusted in a gas reservoir of a simple instrument. The temperature T of a furnace is completely feedback controlled. Data show that when p is the order of 1atm, T needs to be higher than about 450°C in order to successfully produce washers of titanium hydride. Results on compressive strength of the loaded washers suggest that an appropriate ratio of atoms of hydrogen to titanium is less than H:Ti∼0.85:1.