bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The SRI24 multichannel atlas of normal adult human brain structure
Authors: Rohlfing Torsten , Zahr Natalie M. , Sullivan Edith V. , Pfefferbaum Adolf
Published: December 2009

This article describes the SRI24 atlas, a new standard reference system of normal human brain anatomy, that was created using template‐free population registration of high‐resolution magnetic resonance images acquired at 3T in a group of 24 normal control subjects. The atlas comprises anatomical channels (T1, T2, and proton density weighted), diffusion‐related channels (fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, longitudinal diffusivity, mean diffusion‐weighted image), tissue channels (CSF probability, gray matter probability, white matter probability, tissue labels), and two cortical parcellation maps. The SRI24 atlas enables multichannel atlas‐to‐subject image registration. It is uniquely versatile in that it is equally suited for the two fundamentally different atlas applications: label propagation and spatial normalization. Label propagation, herein demonstrated using diffusion tensor image fiber tracking, is enabled by the increased sharpness of the SRI24 atlas compared with other available atlases. Spatial normalization, herein demonstrated using data from a young–old group comparison study, is enabled by its unbiased average population shape property. For both propagation and normalization, we also report the results of quantitative comparisons with seven other published atlases: Colin27, MNI152, ICBM452 (warp5 and air12), and LPBA40 (SPM5, FLIRT, AIR). Our results suggest that the SRI24 atlas, although based on 3T MR data, allows equally accurate spatial normalization of data acquired at 1.5T as the comparison atlases, all of which are based on 1.5T data. Furthermore, the SRI24 atlas is as suitable for label propagation as the comparison atlases and detailed enough to allow delineation of anatomical structures for this purpose directly in the atlas. Hum Brain Mapp, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Semiblind spatial ICA of fMRI using spatial constraints
Authors: Lin Qiu‐Hua , Liu Jingyu , Zheng Yong‐Rui , Liang Hualou , Calhoun Vince D.
Published: December 2009

Independent component analysis (ICA) utilizing prior information, also called semiblind ICA, has demonstrated considerable promise in the analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). So far, temporal information about fMRI has been used in temporal ICA or spatial ICA as additional constraints to improve estimation of task‐related components. Considering that prior information about spatial patterns is also available, a semiblind spatial ICA algorithm utilizing the spatial information was proposed within the framework of constrained ICA with fixed‐point learning. The proposed approach was first tested with synthetic fMRI‐like data, and then was applied to real fMRI data from 11 subjects performing a visuomotor task. Three components of interest including two task‐related components and the “default mode” component were automatically extracted, and atlas‐defined masks were used as the spatial constraints. The default mode network, a set of regions that appear correlated in particular in the absence of tasks or external stimuli and is of increasing interest in fMRI studies, was found to be greatly improved when incorporating spatial prior information. Results from simulation and real fMRI data demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can improve ICA performance compared to a different semiblind ICA algorithm and a standard blind ICA algorithm. Hum Brain Mapp, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Integrative molecular characterization of head and neck cancer cell model genomes
Authors: Tsui Ivy F. L. , Garnis Cathie
Published: December 2009

Background.

Cell lines are invaluable model systems for the investigation of cancer. Knowledge of the molecular alterations that exist within cell models is required to define the mechanisms governing cellular phenotypes.

Methods.

Five tongue squamous cell carcinomas cell lines and 1 submaxillary salivary gland epidermoid carcinoma cell line were analyzed for copy number and mRNA expression by tiling‐path DNA microarrays and Agilent Whole Human Genome Oligoarrays, respectively.

Results.

Integrative analysis of genetic and expression alterations revealed the molecular landscape of each cell line. Molecular results for individual cell lines and across all samples have been summarized and made available for easy reference.

Conclusion.

Our integrative genomic analyses have defined the DNA and RNA alterations for each individual line. These data will be useful to anyone modeling oral cancer behavior, providing a molecular context that will be useful for deciphering cell phenotypes. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2010
Evidence of heterogeneity within colorectal liver metastases for allelic losses, mRNA level expression and in vitro response to chemotherapeutic agents
Authors: Goasguen Nicolas , de Chaisemartin Cecile , Brouquet Antoine , Julié Catherine , Prevost Gregoire P. , Laurent‐Puig Pierre , Penna Christophe
Published: December 2009

A goal of oncology is to predict chemosensitivity of tumors. This approach assumes that in a patient all tumor deposits are homogeneous. We have tested the heterogeneity between several samples of the same liver metastasis (LM; intrametastatic heterogeneity) or between multiple LM (intermetastatic heterogeneity) from colorectal cancer in a single patient. In 16 untreated patients, several fragments of LM and nontumorous liver were collected. Heterogeneity to anticancer drug treatment was assessed in vitro on primary tissue cultures on poly‐HEMA‐coated surface with or without the topoisomerase‐I inhibitor metabolite SN‐38. Heterogeneity of response to SN‐38 was observed in 55% of cases from one fragment to another in the same LM and in 64% of cases from one LM to another in the same patient. Allelic losses were characterized on 5q, 8p, 17p, 18q, 22q using 29 microsatellites markers. Seven patients (58%) had a perfect homogeneity for allelic losses in their LM whereas 3 (21%) had intrametastatic and 2 (18%) had intermetastatic heterogeneity. The analysis of gene expression was carried out by real time RT‐PCR quantification using specific probes for TS, TOPO1, ERCC1, and CES2. Level expression of genes tested appeared heterogeneous with average variations of 57(±23)%, 52(±18)%, 53(±18)%, 56(±16)% for TS, TOPO1, ERCC1, and CES2 respectively for intermetastatic variability and 47(±26)%, 36(±14)%, 38(±19)%, and 56(±29)%, respectively for intrametastatic variability. Our results demonstrate intermetastatic and intrametastatic heterogeneity suggesting that pretherapeutic analysis of a single tumor biopsy is likely to lead to a misinterpretation of sensitivity to anticancer treatment.
Fast determination of the optimal rotational matrix for macromolecular superpositions
Authors: Liu Pu , Agrafiotis Dimitris K. , Theobald Douglas L.
Published: December 2009

Finding the rotational matrix that minimizes the sum of squared deviations between two vectors is an important problem in bioinformatics and crystallography. Traditional algorithms involve the inversion or decomposition of a 3 × 3 or 4 × 4 matrix, which can be computationally expensive and numerically unstable in certain cases. Here, we present a simple and robust algorithm to rapidly determine the optimal rotation using a Newton‐Raphson quaternion‐based method and an adjoint matrix. Our method is at least an order of magnitude more efficient than conventional inversion/decomposition methods, and it should be particularly useful for high‐throughput analyses of molecular conformations. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010
The effect of dietary Laminaria‐derived laminarin and fucoidan on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilisation, intestinal microflora and volatile fatty acid concentration in pigs
Authors: Lynch Mary B , Sweeney Torres , Callan James J , O'Sullivan John T , O'Doherty John V
Published: December 2009

BACKGROUND: In experiment 1, 30 boars were assigned to one of five treatments (n = 6): T1, 0 g kg−1 seaweed extract (SWE); T2, 0.7 g kg−1 SWE; T3, 1.4 g kg−1 SWE; T4, 2.8 g kg−1 SWE and T5, 5.6 g kg−1 SWE. The extract contained laminarin and fucoidan only and was extracted from Laminaria spp. In experiment 2, 28 boars were assigned, in a 2 × 2 factorial to one of four treatments (n = 7): T1, control; T2, control plus 300 mg laminarin; T3, control plus 240 mg fucoidan; T4, control plus 300 mg laminarin and 240 mg fucoidan kg−1 diet.

RESULTS: In experiment 1 there was a response to SWE on colonic Bifidobacterium spp. (P < 0.01 quadratic), Enterobacterium spp. (quadratic P < 0.05) and on caecal Enterobacterium spp. (quadratic P < 0.05). In experiment 2 there was an interaction (P < 0.05) between laminarin and fucoidan supplementation on Enterobacterium spp. in the proximal and distal colon. Pigs offered laminarin had reduced Enterobacterium spp. compared with pigs offered the control diet. However, the combination of laminarin and fucoidan had increased Enterobacterium spp. compared with alone. Pigs offered diets containing fucoidan had increased Lactobacilli spp. in the proximal colon (P < 0.05) and distal colon (P < 0.001) compared with non‐fucoidan diets.

CONCLUSION: Overall, the reductions in intestinal Enterobacterium spp. and increases in Lactobacilli spp. obtained suggest that laminarin and fucoidan may provide a dietary means to improve gut health in pigs. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Renal ablative therapy: Radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation
Authors: Raman Jay D. , Hall David W. , Cadeddu Jeffrey A.
Published: December 2009

Widespread use of cross‐sectional imaging has contributed to an increase in diagnosis of small renal masses. While extirpation has historically been the “gold standard” for managing such tumors, thermal ablation is increasingly utilized as primary surgical therapy. Contemporary series suggest that ablative procedures maintain oncologic outcomes similar to extirpation while minimizing patient morbidity. As more renal masses are diagnosed in elderly or comorbid patients, ablation will likely assume a central role in management strategies. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;100:639–644. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mammographic casting‐type calcifications is not a prognostic factor in unifocal small invasive breast cancer: A population‐based retrospective cohort study
Authors: Månsson Emeli , Bergkvist Leif , Christenson Gunilla , Persson Carina , Wärnberg Fredrik
Published: December 2009

Background and Objectives

The role of mammographic casting‐type microcalcifications as a prognostic factor in breast cancer has been debated. We studied the relation between mammographic features and prognosis in a population‐based cohort.

Methods

In 515 women with 1–15 mm invasive breast cancer mammogrammes were re‐classified according to Tabar et al. The relation to breast cancer death was studied.

Results

During the follow‐up (median 155 months) 44 of 515 women died from breast cancer. Twenty‐nine of 515 presented with casting‐type calcifications and three of these died from breast cancer. The adjusted odds ratio for breast cancer death was 1.6 (0.5–5.8) for patients presenting with casting‐type calcifications and 4.8 (1.8–12.7) for crushed stone‐like (pleomorphic) calcifications using stellate tumors as a reference group.

Conclusions

Except for patients with crushed stone‐like microcalcifications breast cancer survival was excellent, 87–95% after 15 years. Casting‐type calcifications were not a statistically significant prognostic factor. Tumors with casting‐type calcifications were more often of high grade, hormone receptor negative, and HER2 positive but this was not statistically significant either. However, microcalcifications may be more prevalent in tumors with extensive ductal cancer in situ (DCIS) containing multiple foci of invasive cancer and in this study we only included unifocal cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;100:670–674. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Towards tourism: a Laotian perspective
Authors: Suntikul Wantanee , Bauer Thomas , Song Haiyan
Published: December 2009

This paper reports the findings of a study of the attitudes of residents towards tourism in the District of Viengxay, Lao People's Democratic Republic, where tourism is in its infancy. Based on focus group interviews, the paper analyses the societal and individual attitudes of the residents towards tourists, tourism development and employment in the tourism field. It was found that locals have little understanding of the motivations of tourists for visiting their villages. Villagers look forward to tourism development to bring more communication and fame to their village, as well as to tourism's contribution to the local economy. Community‐mindedness, control and organisation, cultural exchange, understanding and cultural awareness are prime motivators in forming local attitudes towards tourism. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microbiology of third and fourth branchial pouch cysts
Authors: Pahlavan Shane , Haque Waqar , Pereira Kevin , Larrier Deidre , Valdez Tulio A.
Published: December 2009

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To identify the most common pathogens involved in infections of third and fourth branchial pouch cysts. Third and fourth branchial pouch cyst infections are an uncommon cause of anterior neck abscesses often confused with other entities, such as thyroglossal duct cysts and thyroid abscesses leading to misdiagnosis, recurrence, and increased morbidity related to a delay in diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Study Design:

Retrospective chart and literature review.

Methods:

Retrospective chart review case series of patients presenting to the Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology at Texas Children's Hospital from July 2004 to July 2008 with third and fourth branchial pouch cysts.

Results:

A total of 11 patients were identified. All patients had left‐sided lesions. Eikenella corrodens was found in 60% of cultures and was the most common organism identified in our patient group. Furthermore, 56% of the organisms isolated were anaerobic. All organisms with the exception of Staphylococcus aureus were identified as oral cavity flora.

Conclusions:

Third and fourth branchial pouch cysts provide a communication between the neck and the oral cavity through pyriform sinus tracts. The presence of oral cavity flora in a left anterior neck abscess should raise the suspicion of a branchial pouch anomaly, and subsequently alter therapeutic management. Laryngoscope, 2010
Parallel excitation in the human brain at 9.4 T counteracting k‐space errors with RF pulse design
Authors: Wu Xiaoping , Vaughan J. Thomas , Uğurbil Kâmil , Van de Moortele Pierre‐François
Published: December 2009

Multidimensional spatially selective radiofrequency (RF) pulses have been proposed as a method to mitigate transmit B1 inhomogeneity in MR experiments. These RF pulses, however, have been considered impractical for many years because they typically require very long RF pulse durations. The recent development of parallel excitation techniques makes it possible to design multidimensional RF pulses that are short enough for use in actual experiments. However, hardware and experimental imperfections can still severely alter the excitation patterns obtained with these accelerated pulses. In this note, we report at 9.4 T on a human eight‐channel transmit system, substantial improvements in two‐dimensional excitation pattern accuracy obtained when measuring k‐space trajectories prior to parallel transmit RF pulse design (acceleration ×4). Excitation patterns based on numerical simulations closely reproducing the experimental conditions were in good agreement with the experimental results. Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The effects of customer rebates and retailer incentives on a manufacturer's profits and sales
Authors: Demirag Ozgun Caliskan , Baysar Ozgul , Keskinocak Pinar , Swann Julie L.
Published: December 2009

In some industries such as automotive, production costs are largely fixed and therefore maximizing revenue is the main objective. Manufacturers use promotions directed to the end customers and/or retailers in their distribution channels to increase sales and market share. We study a game theoretical model to examine the impact of “retailer incentive” and “customer rebate” promotions on the manufacturer's pricing and the retailer's ordering/sales decisions. The main tradeoff is that customer rebates are given to every customer, while the use of retailer incentives is controlled by the retailer. We consider several models with different demand characteristics and information asymmetry between the manufacturer and a price discriminating retailer, and we determine which promotion would benefit the manufacturer under which market conditions. When demand is deterministic, we find that retailer incentives increase the manufacturer's profits (and sales) while customer rebates do not unless they lead to market expansion. When the uncertainty in demand (“market potential”) is high, a customer rebate can be more profitable than the retailer incentive for the manufacturer. With numerical examples, we provide additional insights on the profit gains by the right choice of promotion.© 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2010
What can clinical behaviour analysis contribute to nidotherapy?
Authors: Veale David , Smith Georgina , Drossel Claudia
Published: December 2009

Nidotherapy is an approach that involves the assessment and modification of situational or interpersonal aspects. It is used to reduce the impact of severe mental disorder when previous therapies have failed and suggests that its methods result in improved social functioning. We describe nidotherapy as a novel intervention, and to enhance understanding, compare and contrast nidotherapy with clinical behaviour analysis. To facilitate establishing an evidence base, our recommendations include: clarification of the theory underlying nidotherapy; collaboration with clinical behaviour analysts to explore the role of situational and interpersonal changes within the theoretical system; design of single‐subject experiments to gather data pertaining to individuals; consideration of Functional Analytic Psychotherapy to examine the therapeutic bond; a definition of the repertoires and competencies of nidotherapists to guarantee supervision; and long‐term follow‐up to rule out unintended effects of environmental changes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteomic analysis of doxorubicin‐induced changes in the proteome of HepG2cells combining 2‐D DIGE and LC‐MS/MS approaches
Authors: Hammer Elke , Bien Sandra , Salazar Manuela Gesell , Steil Leif , Scharf Christian , Hildebrandt Petra , Schroeder Henry W. S. , Kroemer Heyo K. , Völker Uwe , Ritter Christoph A.
Published: December 2009

HepG‐2 cells are widely used as a cell model to investigate hepatocellular carcinomas and the effect of anticancer drugs such as doxorubicin, an effective antineoplastic agent, which has broad antitumoral activity against many solid and hematological malignancies. To investigate the effect of doxorubicin on the protein pattern, we used complementary proteomic workflows including 2‐D gel‐based and gel‐free methods. The analysis of crude HepG2 cell extracts by 2‐D DIGE provided data on 1835 protein spots which was then complemented by MS‐centered analysis of stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture‐labeled cells. The monitoring of more than 1300 distinct proteins, including proteins of the membrane fraction provides the most comprehensive overview on the proteome of the widely used model cell line HepG2. Of the proteins monitored in total, 155 displayed doxorubicin‐induced changes in abundance. Functional analysis revealed major influences of doxorubicin on proteins involved in protein synthesis, DNA damage control, electron transport/mitochondrial function, and tumor growth. The strongest decrease in level was found for proteins involved in DNA replication and protein synthesis, whereas proteins with a function in DNA damage control and oxidative stress management displayed increased levels following treatment with doxorubicin compared with control cells. Furthermore, the doxorubicin‐associated increase in levels of multiple forms of keratins 8, 18, and 19 and other structural proteins revealed an influence on the cytoskeleton network.
Protein profiling in human sera for identification of potential lung cancer biomarkers using antibody microarray
Authors: Han Min‐Kyu , Oh Young‐Hee , Kang Jimin , Kim Young‐Pil , Seo Soowon , Kim Jhingook , Park KeunChil , Kim Hak‐Sung
Published: December 2009

To identify potential biomarkers of lung cancer (LC), profiling of proteins in sera obtained from healthy and LC patients was determined using an antibody microarray. Based on our previous study on mRNA expression profiles between patients with LC and healthy persons, 19 proteins of interest were selected as targets for fabrication of an antibody microarray. Antibody to each protein and five nonspecific control antibodies were spotted onto a hydrogel‐coated glass slide and used for profiling of proteins in sera of LC patients in a two‐color fluorescence assay. Forty‐eight human sera samples were analyzed, and expression profiling of proteins were represented by the internally normalized ratio method. Six proteins were distinctly down‐regulated in sera of LC patients; this observation was validated by Wilcoxon test, false discovery rate, and Western blotting. Blind test of other 32 human sera using the antibody microarray followed by hierarchical clustering analysis revealed an approximate sensitivity of 88%, specificity of 80%, and an accuracy of 84%, respectively, in classifying the sera, which supports the potential of the six identified proteins as biomarkers for the prognosis of lung cancer.
Glucose‐regulated protein 78: A new partner of p53 in trophoblast
Authors: Arnaudeau Serge , Arboit Patrizia , Bischof Paul , Shin‐ya Kasuo , Tomida A. , Tsuruo T. , Irion Olivier , Cohen Marie
Published: December 2009

Although wild‐type p53 protein is overexpressed in first trimester trophoblast, it is inactive towards its target genes Metalloproteinase 2 and 9. This seems to be due to a complex mechanism of inactivation and stabilization of p53 relying on the formation of protein complexes involving the N‐terminus of p53. To detect the proteins associated with this sequence, we incubated biotinylated p53 N‐terminal peptide in cytotrophoblastic cell medium 24 h before lysis of cells. We purified the proteins retained on biotinylated peptide using a neutravidin affinity column. Proteins were then identified by peptide mass finger printing followed or not by peptide fragmentation sequencing. Among these proteins, we identified glucose‐regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and verified its interaction with p53 in trophoblastic cells by immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis. Moreover, the decreased expression of GRP78 induced by GRP78siRNA or versipelostatin decreased the formation of high molecular weight p53 complexes and p53 monomer and increased trophoblastic invasion. These results suggest that GRP78 is involved in inactivation and stabilization of p53 and in the regulation of trophoblastic invasion.
Application of a stress and coping model to positive and negative adjustment outcomes in colorectal cancer caregiving
Authors: Fitzell Amber , Pakenham Kenneth I.
Published: December 2009

This study examined relations between stress and coping predictors and negative (distress) and positive (positive affect, life satisfaction, positive states of mind, health) adjustment outcomes in colorectal cancer caregivers. A total of 622 caregivers and their care‐recipients completed questionnaires and interviews. Predictors included caregiving parameters, social support, appraisal (stress, control, challenge), and coping strategies (problem‐solving, avoidance, substance use, religion, humor, seeking social support). Regression analyses indicated that after controlling for the effects of relevant caregiving parameters (caregiver age, gender and paid employment status, care‐recipient quality of life, cancer stage), better caregiver adjustment was related to higher social support, lower stress and higher challenge appraisals, and less reliance on avoidance and substance use coping, as hypothesized. Stress appraisal emerged as the strongest and most consistent predictor of all adjustment outcomes. Findings support the utility of the stress and coping model of adjustment to caregiving in colorectal cancer. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fusion partners can increase the expression of recombinant interleukins via transient transfection in 2936E cells
Authors: Carter Jane , Zhang Jue , Dang Thien‐Lan , Hasegawa Haruki , Cheng Janet D. , Gianan Irene , O'Neill Jason W. , Wolfson Martin , Siu Sophia , Qu Sheldon , Meininger David , Kim Helen , Delaney John , Mehlin Christopher
Published: December 2009

The expression levels of five secreted target interleukins (IL‐11, 15, 17B, 32, and IL23 p19 subunit) were tested with three different fusion partners in 2936E cells. When fused to the N‐terminus, human serum albumin (HSA) was found to enhance the expression of both IL‐17B and IL‐15, cytokines which did not express at measurable levels on their own. Although the crystallizable fragment of an antibody (Fc) was also an effective fusion partner for IL‐17B, Fc did not increase expression of IL‐15. Fc was superior to HSA for the expression of the p19 subunit of IL‐23, but no partner led to measurable levels of IL‐32γ secretion. Glutathione S‐transferase (GST) did not enhance the expression of any target and suppressed the production of IL‐11, a cytokine which expressed robustly both on its own and when fused to HSA or Fc. Cleavage of the fusion partner was not always possible. The use of HSA or Fc as N‐terminal fusions can be an effective technique to express difficult proteins, especially for applications in which the fusion partner need not be removed.
Elucidating residue roles in engineered variants of AraC regulatory protein
Authors: Tang Shuang‐Yan , Cirino Patrick C.
Published: December 2009

The AraC regulatory protein was previously engineered to control gene expression specifically in response to D‐arabinose and not the native effector L‐arabinose (Tang et al., J Am Chem Soc 2008;130:5267–5271). Mutations were targeted in the ligand‐binding pocket and on the AraC N‐terminal arm, which plays an important role in maintaining repressing or activating conformations in the absence or presence of effector, respectively. In this study, we analyze the contributions of individual mutations toward the overall mutant functions in an attempt to streamline future AraC design efforts. For a variety of point mutants, we quantify the induced expression response to D‐arabinose (level of leaky expression, induction fold, half‐maximal dose response, and effector specificity) and the binding affinity of the purified ligand‐binding domain for D‐arabinose. We find that mutations introduced in the N‐terminal arm (design Position 8) strengthen the induction response, most likely by weakening interactions with the DNA‐binding domain, but are not involved in ligand binding. Meanwhile, binding pocket mutations occurring further away from the arm (Positions 80 and 82) primarily contribute to maintaining repression in the absence of effector and do not show response to D‐arabinose without the accompanying mutations. Combinations of mutations cooperatively couple molecular recognition to transcriptional activation, demonstrating the complexity of the AraC regulatory switch and the power of combinatorial protein design to alter effector specificity while maintaining regulatory function.
Germline humanization of a murine Aβ antibody and crystal structure of the humanized recombinant Fab fragment
Authors: Robert Remy , Streltsov Victor A. , Newman Janet , Pearce Lesley A. , Wark Kim L. , Dolezal Olan
Published: December 2009

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting 26 million people worldwide. The Aβ peptide (39–43 amino acids) derived from the proteolytic cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein is one of the main constituents of amyloid plaques associated with disease pathogenesis and therefore a validated target for therapy. Recently, we characterized antibody fragments (Fab and scFvs) derived from the murine monoclonal antibody WO‐2, which bind the immunodominant epitope (3EFRH6) in the Aβ peptide at the N‐terminus. In vitro, these fragments are able to inhibit fibril formation, disaggregate preformed amyloid fibrils, and protect neuroblastoma cells against oligomer‐mediated toxicity. In this study, we describe the humanization of WO‐2 using complementary determining region loop grafting onto the human germline gene and the determination of the three‐dimensional structure by X‐ray crystallography. This humanized version retains a high affinity for the Aβ peptide and therefore is a potential candidate for passive immunotherapy of Alzheimer's disease.
Ni based planar Schottky diodes on gallium nitride (GaN) grown on sapphire
Authors: Ménard Olivier , Cayrel Frédéric , Collard Emmanuel , Alquier Daniel
Published: December 2009

In this work, Schottky barrier diodes (SBD), made using lift‐off process, were realized on low doped n‐type GaN grown by MOCVD. Schottky to Schottky structures were first realized, allowing to select convenient process parameters that reduce the leakage current, such as surface cleaning, thickness of the metallic contact and annealing time or temperature. Then, planar Schottky diodes were patterned and characterized to extract barrier height and ideality factor. Results show that good rectifying behaviour can be obtained with a 300nm thick Ni Schottky contact annealed in RTA at 450°C during 3 min under Argon. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Total reflectance and Raman studies in AlyInxGa1‐x‐yN epitaxial layers
Authors: Bola A. Margarida , Correia M. R. , Pereira S. , González J. C. , Lorenz K. , Alves E. , Barradas N.
Published: December 2009

This study comprises a set of AlyInxGa1‐x‐yN thin films grown on GaN/sapphire substrate by MOVPE, with In content between 2 and 8% and Al between 21 and 38%. The thin films were optically characterized by means of UV‐Visible total reflectance and μ‐UV‐Raman scattering, performed at room temperature. It is shown that the [Al]/[In] ration influences strongly the Reflectance spectra and a good correlation has been found between the reflectance maximum located at higher energy and the band gap predicted by Vegard's law for quaternary alloys. The Raman results indicate that the LO‐AlGaN‐like vibration mode is the dominated vibration in good agreement with the oscillator strength values obtained theoretically [12] for this alloys. It is shown how the influence of competing effects, such as composition and strain influences the frequency observed for the LO‐AlGaN‐like mode (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optimization of the ohmic contact processing in InAlN//GaN high electron mobility transistors for lower temperature of annealing
Authors: Čičo Karol , Gregušová Dagmar , Gaži Štefan , Šoltýs Ján , Kuzmík Ján , Carlin Jean‐François , Grandjean Nicolas , Pogany Dionýz , Fröhlich Karol
Published: December 2009

In this article, we optimized the ohmic contact processing in InAlN/GaN high electron mobility transistors for the lower temperature of annealing by recessing of metalliza‐tion to approach the 2DEG at the InAlN/GaN interface. The ohmic contacts which were recessed down to 5 nm depth and annealed at 700 °C 2 min. exhibited the contact resistance of 0,39 Ωmm while the channel sheet resistance was 210 Ω/square. These values are comparative to values of contacts processed at more conventional an‐nealing conditions (800 °C, 2 min).

Moreover we applied the recessed ohmic contact technology to fabricate Schottky barrier (SB) HEMTs and MOSHEMTs with Al2O3 dielectric film. For MOSHEMTs, we measured the maximal reduction of the gate leakage current by about 6 orders of magnitude if compared with SB HEMTs. The maximal drain current of MOSHEMTs was about 750 mA/mm at VGS = 0 V and the maximal extrinsic transconductance (gme) reached 101 mS/mm. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Towards a functional understanding of the effects of sediment aggradation on stream fish condition
Authors: Sullivan S. M. P. , Watzin M. C.
Published: December 2009

Using both field and laboratory experiments, we evaluated mechanistic links among sediment aggradation, embeddedness and fish condition. In the field, we measured fish condition in three common stream and river species representing unique feeding guilds [creek chubs (surface and water column feeders), pumpkinseeds (omnivores) and white suckers (benthic invertivores)] over time across varying sedimentation levels. We continued this work in the laboratory with white suckers (benthic invertivores) and common shiners (surface and water column feeders), standardizing food amounts across degrees of sediment aggradation. In the field, pumpkinseeds – the species with the greatest foraging plasticity – showed no significant difference in condition across levels of sediment aggradation or time. Creek chubs and white suckers were affected by sediment level and time. White suckers – the most specialized forager – were most strongly affected, but exhibited the greatest loss of condition in least aggraded conditions. Laboratory data suggested that sedimentation and time spent in aggraded conditions were significant factors affecting common shiners, in spite of consistent food availability. Results varied across feeding guilds, indicating that opportunistic species that feed across the water column may be more resilient to sedimentation than more specialized trophic groups. However, all fish in the study experienced a loss of condition in aggraded environments over time, indicating that streams and rivers with extensive sediment aggradation are unlikely to support healthy fish assemblages. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A formal approach for the construction and verification of railway control systems
Authors: Haxthausen Anne E. , Peleska Jan , Kinder Sebastian
Published: December 2009

This paper describes a complete model-based development and verification approach for railway control systems. For each control system to be generated, the user makes a description of the application-specific parameters in a domain-specific language. This description is automatically transformed into an executable control system model expressed in SystemC. This model is then compiled into object code. Verification is performed using three main methods applied to different levels. (0) The domain-specific description is validated wrt. internal consistency by static analysis. (1) The crucial safety properties are verified for the SystemC model by means of bounded model checking. (2) The object code is verified to be I/O behaviourally equivalent to the SystemC model from which it was compiled.
Active management of the third stage of labour: Prevention and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage
Authors: Leduc Dean , Senikas Vyta , Lalonde André B. , Leduc Dean , Ballerman Charlotte , Biringer Anne , Delaney Martina , Duperron Louise , Girard Isabelle , Jones Donna , Lee Lily Shek‐Yun , Shepherd Debra , Wilson Kathleen
Published: December 2009

Objective

To review the clinical aspects of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and provide guidelines to assist clinicians in the prevention and management of PPH. These guidelines are an update from the previous Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) clinical practice guideline on PPH, published in April 2000.

Evidence

Medline, PubMed, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, ACP Journal Club, and BMJ Clinical Evidence were searched for relevant articles, with concentration on randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, and clinical practice guidelines published between 1995 and 2007. Each article was screened for relevance and the full text acquired if determined to be relevant. Each full‐text article was critically appraised with use of the Jadad Scale and the levels of evidence definitions of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care.

Values

The quality of evidence was rated with use of the criteria described by the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care.

Sponsor

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.
“Fragmented Authoritarianism 2.0”: Political Pluralization in the Chinese Policy Process
Authors: Mertha Andrew
Published: December 2009

Traditional analyses of political liberalization in China focus on elections or other facets of democratization. But they cannot account for the fact that although China remains authoritarian, it is nevertheless responsive to the increasingly diverse demands of Chinese society. I argue that the rules of the policy-making process are still captured by the fragmented authoritarianism framework, but that the process has become increasingly pluralized: barriers to entry have been lowered, at least for certain actors (hitherto peripheral officials, non-governmental organizations and the media) identified here as “policy entrepreneurs.” With policy change as the variable of interest, I compare three cases of hydropower policy outcomes. I argue that policy entrepreneurs' ability to frame the issue effectively explains variation in hydropower policy outcomes. I then extend these findings to an unlikely policy area, international trade, specifically, the 2001–06 Sino-EU trade talks over child-resistant lighter safety regulations.
Income Inequality and Distributive Justice: A Comparative Analysis of Mainland China and Hong Kong
Authors: Wu Xiaogang
Published: December 2009

Over the past decades income inequality has been sharply increasing in both mainland China and Hong Kong, two Chinese societies that have distinct paths of institutional development. While previous studies on income inequality have attempted to document the trend and investigate its causes, this article focuses on people's perceptions of legitimate income inequality and how these perceptions are related to their attitude towards inequality. Analyses of data collected in separate population surveys in China (2005) and Hong Kong (2007) reveal a higher degree of tolerance of income inequality and a higher degree of perceived fairness of income distribution in Hong Kong than in the mainland. In both societies, such normative support for income inequality is positively associated with people's perceptions of opportunities.
The Production of Indigeneity: Contemporary Indigenous Literature in Taiwan and Trans-cultural Inheritance
Authors: Chiu Kuei-fen
Published: December 2009

This study investigates the complicated interplay between indigenous and mainstream discourse in the production of Taiwanese indigeneity. Via the case study of Syaman Rapongan 夏曼藍波安, an indigenous writer in Taiwan known for his ethnographic portrayal of his tribal culture, I examine how the production of indigeneity in Taiwan involves not only inscription of resistance from indigenous people but also strategic exploitations of transnational legacies by different social groups as they struggle over the definition of indigeneity to formulate their own specific agendas. It is the contention of this article that the question of Taiwanese indigeneity is not just about indigenous self-representation, that is, claiming the subject position of the indigenous people and seeking to restore declining, oppressed indigenous cultural heritages. The study shows that we need to go beyond the familiar scheme of binary opposition to deal with the complexity of the question of indigeneity. The article ends with a re-theorization of the relationship between indigenous and new Taiwanese identity discourse in terms of Jacques Derrida's notion of “inheritance.”
The China Quarterly at 50
Authors: Strauss Julia C.
Published: December 2009

It is both a privilege and an honour to be editor of The China Quarterly for the publication of its 200th issue. The autumn of 2009 is a time of multiple anniversaries. The People's Republic of China has completed its first 60-year great cycle; and The China Quarterly its first half-century. We have invited all of our previous editors to reflect on their life and times at The China Quarterly, and on the study of contemporary China more generally.
A Time of Upheaval
Authors: Gittings John
Published: December 2009

The year during which I served as acting editor while David Wilson was away (1971–72) came amidst “great changes” both in China and in China studies. Indeed it was a time of “great upheaval.” While the anarchic phase of the Cultural Revolution was giving way to one of shaky stability enforced by state violence, how to look at China had become part of a fierce controversy both in academic and political terms among Western scholars of Asia. Not surprisingly, both the upheavals in China and among China scholars were reflected in the pages of this journal.
The Chinese Economy and “China Economists” as Seen Through the Pages ofThe China Quarterly
Authors: Howe Christopher B.
Published: December 2009

To discuss the issues raised by the title of this essay requires us to think of four types of change. These are:

1.

The changing realities of the economy.

2.

The possibilities for assessing and analysing these realities.

3.

The background, training and chosen methodologies of those working in this field.

4.

The role ofThe China Quarterlyin selecting and encouraging particular types of work.
A Real Peace Tradition? Norway and the Manchurian Crisis, 1931–1934
Authors: MAGELI ELDRID I.
Published: December 2009

This article questions Norway's role as peace promoter during the Manchurian crisis in the early 1930s. It appears that Norway's attitude towards Japan was more ambiguous and less consonant with the anti-war, anti-Japanese stand hitherto assumed on the basis of Norway's performance in the League of Nations. Norway's foreign ministry was mainly interested in Norway's practical and security needs, and fairly indifferent to events unfolding in the Far East, unless these affected Norwegian economic and political interests. For Norwegian diplomats and senior officials Japan was a civilised state and an important commercial partner. Favourable disposition towards Japan led the foreign ministry in 1934 to appear to acknowledge the ascendance of Emperor Pu Yi in the puppet state Manchukuo. This created considerable embarrassment in diplomatic and political circles.
Diagnostische Fähigkeiten von Lehrkräften
Authors: McElvany Nele , Schroeder Sascha , Hachfeld Axinja , Baumert Jürgen , Richter Tobias , Schnotz Wolfgang , Horz Holger , Ullrich Mark
Published: December 2009

Diagnostische Fähigkeiten von Lehrkräften gelten als wichtige Voraussetzungen für die adäquate Vorbereitung, Durchführung und Nachbereitung des schulischen Unterrichts. Für den Unterricht sind wiederum in vielen Fächern Lernmaterialien grundlegend, die Texte mit instruktionalen Bildern enthalten. Vor diesem Hintergrund diente die vorliegende Studie der Untersuchung von zentralen Forschungsfragen zu Niveau und Zusammenhängen der diagnostischen Fähigkeiten von Lehrkräften im Bereich der Text-Bild-Integration, zu möglichen lehrer- bzw. materialseitigen Moderatorvariablen sowie zu Determinanten im diagnostischen Urteilsprozess. Es nahmen 116 Lehrkräfte mit 48 Klassen der Stufen 5 bis 8 unterschiedlicher Schulformen an der Studie teil. Zentrale Ergebnisse waren eine schwache bis moderate Güte der diagnostischen Lehrerurteile bei einer Tendenz zur Unterschätzung der Schülerleistungen, ein heterogenes Befundmuster bezüglich der Zusammenhänge mit fachdidaktischem Wissen und Berufserfahrung sowie eine Bedeutung von gesamtmaterialbezogenen zusätzlich zu aufgabenspezifischen Schwierigkeitseinschätzungen im Urteilsprozess. Die Befunde werden im Hinblick auf Implikationen für die Praxis und weiteren Forschungsbedarf diskutiert.
Rapamycin: eine neue Therapieoption bei autosomal dominanter polyzystischer Nierenerkrankung (ADPKD)?
Authors: Serra  , Wüthrich
Published: December 2009

Die autosomal dominante polyzystische Nierenerkrankung (autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, ADPKD) ist charakterisiert durch eine massive Vergrösserung beider Nieren, bedingt durch unzählige Zysten. Die Zystenbildung beginnt bereits in utero und das kontinuierliche Zystenwachstum führt zur Kompression und Zerstörung des nicht-zystischen Nierenparenchyms, sodass schliesslich ein Nierenersatz in der 5. bis 6. Lebensdekade notwendig wird. Bisher gab es keine kausale Therapie, welche das Fortschreiten der Krankheiten aufhält. Tierexperimentelle Daten zeigen, dass die medikamentöse Inhibition eines zentralen Regulators der Zellproliferation, dem so genannten «mammalian target of rapamycin» (mTOR), den Kranheitsverlauf der ADPKD verlangsamen kann. Die vorliegende Übersicht vermittelt einen Einblick in die Erkrankung und in die neue therapeutische Möglichkeit des mTOR Inhibitors Sirolimus, welcher zurzeit in klinischen Studien getestet wird.
An assessment of upper mantle heterogeneity based on abyssal peridotite isotopic compositions
Authors: Warren J. M. , Shimizu N. , Sakaguchi C. , Dick H. J. B. , Nakamura E.
Published: December 2009

Abyssal peridotites, the depleted solid residues of ocean ridge melting, are the most direct samples available to assess upper oceanic mantle composition. We present detailed isotope and trace element analyses of pyroxene mineral separates from Southwest Indian Ridge abyssal peridotites and pyroxenites in order to constrain the size and length scale of mantle heterogeneity. Our results demonstrate that the mantle can be highly heterogeneous to <1 km and even <0.1 m length scales. Examination of Nd isotopes in relation to modal, trace, and major element compositions indicate that the length scales and amplitudes of heterogeneities in abyssal peridotites reflect both ancient mantle heterogeneity and recent modification by melting, melt‐rock reaction and melt crystallization. The isotopic and trace element compositions of pyroxenite veins in this study indicate that they are not direct remnants of recycled oceanic crust, but instead are formed by recent melt crystallization. Combined with existing data sets, the results show that the average global isotopic composition of peridotites is similar to that of mid‐ocean ridge basalts, though peridotites extend to significantly more depleted 143Nd/144Nd and 87Sr/86Sr. Standard isotope evolution models of upper mantle composition do not predict the full isotopic range observed among abyssal peridotites, as they do not account adequately for the complexities of ancient and recent melting processes.