bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growth mechanisms of silicon oxide nano‐layers grown onto polymeric substrates for flexible electronics applications
Authors: Georgiou D. , Laskarakis A. , Koidis C. , Goktsis N. , Logothetidis S.
Published: July 2008

Silicon oxide (SiOx) thin films are used as protective layers on flexible electronic devices in order to protect them from permeation of atmospheric O2 and H2O that induce corrosion effects to the active layers of these devices. In this work in‐situ and real‐time Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (SE) was used to monitor the SiOx deposition onto the polymeric substrates. The analysis of the real‐time SE measurements revealed information about the growth mechanism and showed that SiOx follows an island type growth mechanism onto Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate)‐PET substrate and a layer‐by‐layer mechanism onto Poly(Ethylene Naphthalate)‐PEN substrate. Also, SE provides information about the evolution of the optical response during the deposition of SiOx nano‐layers and of SiOx stoichiometry and how it is affected by substrate's surface. Furthermore the realization of sequential SE measurements onto different sites onto the sample surface led to the spatial distribution of the SiOx nano‐layers optical properties. Finally the investigation of SiOx bonding structure has been performed by Fourier Transform InfraRed Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (FTIRSE) and led to the determination of the different vibrational modes of SiOx nano‐layers and its relation to the SiOx growth mechanisms and the substrates (PET and PEN). (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Identifying hERG Potassium Channel Inhibitors by Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Wang Min , Yang Xue‐Gang , Xue Ying
Published: July 2008

The human Ether‐a‐Go‐Go‐Related Gene (hERG) potassium ion channel plays a crucial role in cardiac repolarization. The inhibition of this channel by marketed drug may prolong the length of time between the start of Q wave and end of the T wave on an electrocardiogram (QT interval) and then possibly leads to fatal cardiac arrhythmia. Therefore, it is vital to predict the potential hERG inhibitors in early stages of drug discovery. This work explored the identifying of hERG inhibitors by different machine learning methods including C4.5 Decision Tree (C4.5 DT), multilayer perceptron, Radial Basis Function Network (RBFNetwork), and Support Vector Machine (SVM). Recursive Feature Elimination (RFE), a feature selection method, was used to select molecular descriptors appropriate for distinguishing hERG inhibitors and noninhibitors. For Data_91 classification system with 91 compounds, the prediction accuracies of those methods are 72.1–92.3% for hERG inhibitors and 81.7–98.1% for noninhibitors in a five‐fold crossvalidation calculation. For an independent validation set of 47 compounds of Data_91, these methods gave an overall accuracy of 72.3–80.9% using the selected descriptors. This suggests that the combination of the machine learning methods and the feature selection method can provide an effective way to filter the hERG inhibitors in the drug discovery process.
A 60‐year‐old man with lower urinary tract symptoms
Authors: Gall Zara , Crump Ann A. , Pearce Ian
Published: July 2008

In this problem‐orientated exercise, a case history is presented, followed by a number of relevant questions. The answers will elicit enough information to lead to the next question. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd
Vincent Alexander Bochdalek (1801–1883)
Authors: Loukas Marios , El‐Sedfy Abraham , Shane Tubbs R. , Gribben Walter B. , Shoja Mohammadali M. , Cermakova Andrea
Published: July 2008

Vincent Alexander Bochdalek, Czech anatomist and professor, was one of the pioneers in describing congenital diaphragmatic hernias in newborns. Interestingly, there is very little in the literature and almost nothing in the English literature regarding this important medical figure. A dedicated individual, Bochdalek had great perseverance, which allowed him to surpass obstacles in both his personal life and career. He is recognized for his accurate description of posterior diaphragmatic herniation, for which during his lifetime, there was no treatment. In addition, Bochdalek has multiple eponyms in his honor: ganglion Bochdalecki, Bochdalek’s basket, and the valves of Bochdalek. Always steadfast in his beliefs, Bochdalek fought for the creation of anatomy labs in Prague against society pressures. His devoted study of anatomy, especially of congenital diaphragmatic hernias, laid the foundation for the successful surgical correction of this once lethal anomaly.
A two-loop frequency-domain electromagnetic induction system for detection of anomalous objects
Authors: Chelovechkov A.I. , Chistoserdov B.M. , Baidikov S.V.
Published: July 2008

We discuss a two-loop frequency-domain electromagnetic induction sounding system which allows vertical focussing of the primary magnetic field thus reducing the disturbance from shallow subsurface. The frequency dependence of apparent resistivity estimated from the real part of the measured magnetic field turns out to be more sensitive than that found from the absolute total field. The advantage of the suggested FD EMI system has been validated by experiments.
Unusual IOD event of 2007
Authors: Behera Swadhin K. , Luo Jing‐Jia , Yamagata Toshio
Published: July 2008

The positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) of 2007 evolved together with a La Niña in the Pacific and consecutive to a positive IOD event of 2006. It was an extremely rare blend of climate anomalies in those two basins. The evolution of a negative IOD, which normally follows a positive IOD, was reversed during boreal summer of 2007. This was associated with a pattern of sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in which the colder seas of the Maritime Continent were flanked by the warmer central Pacific and Indian Oceans. The associated subsidence over the Maritime Continent caused divergent easterly wind anomalies in the eastern equatorial Indian Ocean to trigger a successive positive IOD event through ocean dynamics. Discrete occurrences of such events are found only twice in historical records; the positive IOD of 1967 evolved concurrently with a La Niña and the positive IODs of 1913 and 1914 evolved consecutively. Those historical events were recognized by a rainfall dipole index in addition to the customary SST dipole index.
Construction and evaluation of a maize (Zea mays) chimaeric promoter with activity in kernel endosperm and embryo
Authors: Shepherd Colin T. , Scott M. Paul
Published: July 2008

Chimaeric promoters contain DNA sequences from different promoters. Chimaeric promoters are developed to increase the level of recombinant protein expression, to precisely control transgene activity or to combat homology‐based gene silencing. Sets of chimaeric promoters, each containing different lengths of DNA from maize (Zea mays) 27zn (27 kDa γ‐zein) endosperm‐specific promoter and the Glb1 (Globulin‐1) embryo‐specific promoter were created and tested in a transient expression assay of GFP (green fluorescent protein). Promoter fragments with the highest activity were combined to create the chimaeric promoter A27znGlb1. In the context of the chimaeric promoter, the selected Glb1 promoter fragment was necessary and sufficient to activate expression in embryo tissue and was functionally equivalent to the native Glb1 promoter. Similarly, the selected 27zn promoter fragment in the chimaeric promoter was necessary and sufficient to activate expression in endosperm tissue and was functionally equivalent to the native 27zn promoter. Maize transgenic plants containing the A27znGlb1 chimaeric promoter fused to GFP were produced to characterize this promoter in vivo. Quantitative reverse‐transcriptase PCR was used to determine that the promoter was active in the embryo, endosperm, pericarp and immature leaf tissues. GFP activity in plants containing the chimaeric promoter was not significantly different in endosperm than the activity of GFP fused to the full‐length 27zn promoter, nor was it different in embryo from the activity of GFP fused to the full‐length Glb1 promoter. Transgene copy numbers were shown to be between 4 and 12 copies in different events.
Paramagnetic point defects at SiO2/nanocrystalline Si interfaces
Authors: Stesmans A. , Jivanescu M. , Godefroo S. , Zacharias M.
Published: July 2008

A K- and Q-band electron spin resonance study, combining two detection modes, on structures composed of Si nanoparticles (∼2nm across) embedded in a SiO2 matrix obtained by annealing of SiO∕SiO2 superstructures unveils the observed principal Si dangling bond signal as solely comprised of the intrinsic Pb(0) and Pb1 Si∕SiO2 interface defect spectra, of comparable densities. Based on independent particle density counting, about one Pb-type defect is found at every 1.4 Si nanoparticles. Relying on the known properties of Pb-type defects in standard microscopic Si∕SiO2, the data would comply with Si nanocrystallites with morphology, schematically, of [100] truncated (111) octahedrons. Both types and densities of observed point defects indicate a structure of quality much alike that of standard thermal Si∕SiO2.
On the role of the nonlocal Hartree–Fock exchange in ab initio quantum transport: H2 in Pt nanocontacts revisited
Authors: García Y. , Sancho-García J. C.
Published: July 2008

We propose a practical way to overcome the ubiquitous problem of the overestimation of the zero-bias and zero-temperature conductance, which is associated with the use of local approximations to the exchange-correlation functional in density-functional theory when applied to quantum transport. This is done through partial substitution of the local exchange term in the functional by the nonlocal Hartree–Fock exchange. As a nontrivial example of this effect we revisit the smallest molecular bridge studied so far: a H2 molecule placed in between Pt nanocontacts. When applied to this system the value of the conductance diminishes as compared to the local-exchange-only value, which is in close agreement with the results predicted from time-dependent current-density-functional theory. Our results issue a warning message on recent claims of perfect transparency of a H2 molecule in Pt nanocontacts.
Exact subgrid interface correction schemes for elliptic interface problems
Authors: Huh Jae-Seok , Sethian James A.
Published: July 2008

We introduce a nonconforming finite-element method for second order elliptic interface problems. Our approach applies to problems in which discontinuous coefficients and singular sources on the interface may give rise to jump discontinuities in either the solution or its normal derivative. Given a standard background mesh and an interface that passes between elements, the key idea is to construct a singular correction function that satisfies the prescribed jump conditions, providing accurate subgrid resolution of the discontinuities. Utilizing the closest point extension and an implicit interface representation by the signed distance function, an algorithm is established to construct the correction function. The result is a function that is supported only on the interface elements, represented by the regular basis functions, and bounded independently of the interface location with respect to the background mesh. In the particular case of a constant second-order coefficient, our regularization by a singular function is straightforward, and the resulting left-hand side is identical to that of a regular problem without introducing any instability. The influence of the regularization appears solely on the right-hand side, which simplifies the implementation. In the more general case of discontinuous second-order coefficients, a normalization is invoked which introduces a constraint equation on the interface. This results in a problem statement similar to that of a saddle-point problem. We employ two-level iteration as the solution strategy, which exhibits aspects similar to those of iterative preconditioning strategies.
Metric adjusted skew information
Authors: Hansen Frank
Published: July 2008

We extend the concept of Wigner–Yanase–Dyson skew information to something we call “metric adjusted skew information” (of a state with respect to a conserved observable). This “skew information” is intended to be a non-negative quantity bounded by the variance (of an observable in a state) that vanishes for observables commuting with the state. We show that the skew information is a convex function on the manifold of states. It also satisfies other requirements, proposed by Wigner and Yanase, for an effective measure-of-information content of a state relative to a conserved observable. We establish a connection between the geometrical formulation of quantum statistics as proposed by Chentsov and Morozova and measures of quantum information as introduced by Wigner and Yanase and extended in this article. We show that the set of normalized Morozova–Chentsov functions describing the possible quantum statistics is a Bauer simplex and determine its extreme points. We determine a particularly simple skew information, the “λ-skew information,” parametrized by a λ ∈ (0, 1], and show that the convex cone this family generates coincides with the set of all metric adjusted skew informations.
Conceptual Problems in Classical Electrodynamics*
Authors: Frisch Mathias
Published: July 2008

In Frisch 2004 and 2005 I showed that the standard ways of modeling particle-field interactions in classical electrodynamics, which exclude the interactions of a particle with its own field, results in a formal inconsistency, and I argued that attempts to include the self-field lead to numerous conceptual problems. In this paper I respond to criticism of my account in Belot 2007 and Muller 2007. I concede that this inconsistency in itself is less telling than I suggested earlier but argue that existing solutions to the theory's foundational problems do not support the kind of traditional philosophical conception of scientific theorizing defended by Muller and Belot.
The protein information and property explorer: an easy-to-use, rich-client web application for the management and functional analysis of proteomic data
Authors: Ramos H. , Shannon P. , Aebersold R.
Published: July 2008

Motivation: Mass spectrometry experiments in the field of proteomics produce lists containing tens to thousands of identified proteins. With the protein information and property explorer (PIPE), the biologist can acquire functional annotations for these proteins and explore the enrichment of the list, or fraction thereof, with respect to functional classes. These protein lists may be saved for access at a later time or different location. The PIPE is interoperable with the Firegoose and the Gaggle, permitting wide-ranging data exploration and analysis. The PIPE is a rich-client web application which uses AJAX capabilities provided by the Google Web Toolkit, and server-side data storage using Hibernate.

Availability:  http://pipe.systemsbiology.net

Contact:  pshannon@systemsbiology.org
Cognitive and emotional consequences of binge drinking: role of amygdala and prefrontal cortex
Authors: Stephens David N , Duka Theodora
Published: July 2008

Binge drinking is an increasingly recognized problem within the UK. We have studied the relationship of binge drinking to cognitive and emotional functioning in young adults, and have found evidence for increased impulsivity, impairments in spatial working memory and impaired emotional learning. Since in human studies it is difficult to understand whether such behavioural changes pre-date or are a consequence of binge drinking, we have also studied parallel behaviours in a rodent model, in which rats are exposed to intermittent episodes of alcohol consumption and withdrawal. In this model, and in parallel with our findings in human binge drinkers, and alcoholic patients who have undergone multiple episodes of detoxification, we have found evidence for impairments in aversive conditioning as well as increased impulsivity. These behavioural changes are accompanied by facilitated excitatory neurotransmission and reduced plasticity (long-term potentiation (LTP)) in amygdala and hippocampus. The impaired LTP is accompanied by both impaired associative learning and inappropriate generalization of previously learned associations to irrelevant stimuli. We propose that repeated episodes of withdrawal from alcohol induce aberrant neuronal plasticity that results in altered cognitive and emotional competences.
Evidence-based treatments of addiction
Authors: O'Brien Charles P
Published: July 2008

Both pharmacotherapy and behavioural treatment are required to relieve the symptoms of addictive disorders. This paper reviews the evidence for the benefits of pharmacotherapy and discusses mechanisms where possible. Animal models of addiction have led to some medications that are effective in reducing symptoms and improving function but they do not produce a cure. Addiction is a chronic disease that tends to recur when treatment is stopped; thus, long-term treatment is recommended.
Osmolality of elemental and semi‐elemental formulas supplemented with nonprotein energy supplements
Authors: Pereira‐da‐Silva L. , Pitta‐Grós Dias M. , Virella D. , Serelha M.
Published: July 2008

Background  Elemental and semi‐elemental formulas are used to feed infants with short bowel syndrome, who may not be able to tolerate feeds of more than 310 mOsm kg−1. The present study aimed to measure the osmolality of elemental and semi‐elemental formulas at different concentrations, with and without the addition of nonprotein energy supplements.

Methods  The osmolality of one elemental and three semi‐elemental formulas was measured by the freezing point depression method at concentrations of 10, 12, 14 and 16 g per 100 mL, with and without 10% or 20% of additional calories, in the form of glucose polymers and medium chain triglycerides. Inter‐analysis and intra‐analysis coefficients of variation of the measurements were less than 3.9%.

Results  The mean osmolalities of formulas reconstituted up to 12 g per 100 mL did not exceed 305.3 mOsm kg−1, even with added energy supplements. The mean osmolalities of formulas at 14 and 16 g per 100 mL, with or without added energy supplements varied between 205.8 and 421.6 mOsm kg−1.

Conclusions  A comprehensive list of elemental and semi‐elemental formulas at different concentrations, enriched or not with calories, is made available. This will enable professionals to customize feeds with the optimum composition, without exceeding the osmolality suggested for infants with short bowel syndrome.
Supply of nitrogen can reverse senescence processes and affect expression of genes coding for plastidic glutamine synthetase and lysine‐ketoglutarate reductase/saccharopine dehydrogenase
Authors: Schildhauer J. , Wiedemuth K. , Humbeck K.
Published: July 2008

Nitrogen availability has a strong influence on developmental processes in plants. We show that the time of nitrogen supply regulates the course of leaf senescence in flag leaves of Hordeum vulgare. The senescence‐specific decrease in chlorophyll content and photosystem II efficiency is clearly delayed when plants are fertilised with nitrate at the onset of leaf senescence. Concurrently, the additional supply of nitrate affects expression patterns of two marker genes of nitrogen metabolism. As shown by quantitative RT‐PCR analyses, senescence‐specific downregulation of plastidic glutamine synthetase (GS2) and senescence‐specific upregulation of lysine‐ketoglutarate reductase/saccharopine dehydrogenase (LKR/SDH) are both clearly retarded. Depletion of nitrogen in experiments using hydroponic growth systems results in premature primary leaf senescence. The already started senescence processes can be even reversed by later nitrogen addition, as proved by a further increase in photosystem II efficiency and chlorophyll content, returning to the high values of controls which had not been deprived of nitrogen. Although both addition of nitrate or ammonium effectively reversed nitrogen depletion‐induced primary leaf senescence, addition of urea did not. Additionally, effects of nitrogen supply on the course of leaf senescence were analysed in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Leaves of A. thaliana show the same reversion of senescence processes after receiving additional nitrogen supply, indicating that the nitrogen response of leaf development is conserved in different plant species.
The control of chlorophyll catabolism and the status of yellowing as a biomarker of leaf senescence
Authors: Ougham H. , Hörtensteiner S. , Armstead I. , Donnison I. , King I. , Thomas H. , Mur L.
Published: July 2008

The pathway of chlorophyll catabolism during leaf senescence is known in a fair amount of biochemical and cell biological detail. In the last few years, genes encoding a number of the catabolic enzymes have been characterized, including the key ring‐opening activities, phaeophorbide a oxygenase (PaO) and red chlorophyll catabolite reductase (RCCR). Recently, a gene that modulates disassembly of chlorophyll–protein complexes and activation of pigment ring‐opening has been isolated by comparative mapping in monocot species, positional cloning exploiting rice genomics resources and functional testing in Arabidopsis. The corresponding gene in pea has been identified as Mendel’s I locus (green/yellow cotyledons). Mutations in this and other chlorophyll catabolic genes have significant consequences, both for the course of leaf senescence and senescence‐like stress responses, notably hypersensitivity to pathogen challenge. Loss of chlorophyll can occur via routes other than the PaO/RCCR pathway, resulting in changes that superficially resemble senescence. Such ‘pseudosenescence’ responses tend to be pathological rather than physiological and may differ from senescence in fundamental aspects of biochemistry and regulation.
Leaf senescence and nutrient remobilisation in barley and wheat
Authors: Gregersen P. L. , Holm P. B. , Krupinska K.
Published: July 2008

Extensive studies have been undertaken on senescence processes in barley and wheat and their importance for the nitrogen use efficiency of these crop plants. During the senescence processes, proteins are degraded and nutrients are re‐mobilised from senescing leaves to other organs, especially the developing grain. Most of the proteins degraded reside in the chloroplasts, with Rubisco constituting the most dominant protein fraction. Despite intensive studies, the proteases responsible for Rubisco degradation have not yet been identified. Evidence for degradation of stromal proteins outside of chloroplasts is summarised. Rubisco is thought to be released from chloroplasts into vesicles containing stroma material (RCB = Rubisco‐containing bodies). These vesicles may then take different routes for their degradation. Transcriptome analyses on barley and wheat senescence have identified genes involved in degradative, metabolic and regulatory processes that could be used in future strategies aimed at modifying the senescence process. The breeding of crops for characters related to senescence processes, e.g. higher yields and better nutrient use efficiency, is complex. Such breeding has to cope with the dilemma that delayed senescence, which could lead to higher yields, is correlated with a decrease in nutrient use efficiency. Pinpointing regulatory genes involved in senescence might lead to tools that could effectively overcome this dilemma.
Detection of quantitative trait loci affecting non‐return rate in French dairy cattle
Authors: Ben Jemaa S. , Fritz S. , Guillaume F. , Druet T. , Denis C. , Eggen A. , Gautier M.
Published: July 2008

The purpose of this study was to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) influencing female fertility estimated by non‐return rate (NRR) in the French dairy cattle breeds Prim’Holstein, Normande and Montbeliarde. The first step was a QTL detection study on NRR at 281 days after artificial insemination on 78 half‐sib families including 4993 progeny tested bulls. In Prim’Holstein, three QTL were identified on Bos taurus chromosomes BTA01, BTA02 and BTA03 (p < 0.01), whereas one QTL was identified in Normande on BTA01 (p < 0.05). The second step aimed at confirming these three QTL and refining their location by selecting and genotyping additional microsatellite markers on a sub‐sample of 41 families from the three breeds using NRR within 56, 90 and 281 days after AI. Only the three QTL initially detected in Prim’Holstein were confirmed. Moreover, the analysis of NRR within 56, 90 and 281 days after AI allowed us to distinguish two FF QTL on BTA02 in Prim’Holstein, one for NRR56 and one for NRR90. Estimated QTL variance was 18%, 14%, 11.5% and 14% of the total genetic variance, respectively, for QTL mapping to BTA01, BTA02 (NRR90 and NRR56) and BTA03.
Autoimmune diabetes in adults: lessons from the UKPDS
Authors: Desai M. , Clark A.
Published: July 2008

Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) is characterised by a relatively mild diabetes onset, autoantibody positivity and eventual requirement for insulin therapy. Twelve per cent of newly diagnosed, UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) patients were positive for autoantibodies to GAD65 (GADA) and/or insulinoma‐associated antigen‐2A (IA‐2A) and managed as if they had Type 2 diabetes according to the UKPDS protocol. Here, we compare data from UKPDS LADA patients with that from other cohorts. In common with other groups, UKPDS LADA patients required insulin therapy earlier post‐diagnosis than non‐LADA patients. Reduction of islet function was similar in UKPDS LADA groups randomised to oral glucose‐lowering agents or insulin replacement therapy, contesting the current hypothesis of reduced decline of insulin secretion in LADA by immediate insulin therapy. Disease progression was not predicted by post‐diagnosis GADA levels or epitope specificities as has been suggested. Slowly progressing insulitis and pancreatic β‐cell loss at post‐mortem are consistent with sustained retention of residual C‐peptide secretion in LADA. Genetic association patterns at the human leucocyte antigen (HLA) and insulin gene (INS) regions are similar in UKPDS LADA patients and individuals with adult and childhood‐onset Type 1 diabetes. The combined evidence suggests that LADA is an adult‐onset form of Type 1 diabetes, rather than a separate condition or an intermediate state in a continuum of phenotype from Type 1 to Type 2 diabetes.
Vaniada
Authors: Paz Menahem
Published: July 2008

Modern physics has significant philosophical and social consequences. Vladimir Nabokov’s Ada is the first serious attempt by a postmodernist author to make use of twentieth‐century physics as a means of investigating the role of literature and language in the shaping of the human worldview.

Van Veen, Ada’s main protagonist, seeks a world of absolute values in order to retain the experience of his memorable summer with Ada, his half‐sister and lover. Nabokov employs Hugh Everett’s “alternative universes” interpretation of quantum mechanics to examine whether such a world can exist in principle, and to estimate the artistic and personal cost of maintaining such a world. Van’s wish to overcome the human limitations of time and space drives him into a futile attempt to refute Einstein’s theory of relativity on aesthetic grounds.

Using physical theories as metaphors, Nabokov stresses, at almost every stage of the novel, Van’s lack of social responsibility and his inability to make a humanly relevant redescription of his world. Finally, at the age of eighty‐seven, Van learns how to integrate physics and novel‐writing into a meaningful and rewarding worldview.
Intravital Two‐Photon Microscopy for Studying the Uptake and Trafficking of Fluorescently Conjugated Molecules in Live Rodents
Authors: Masedunskas Andrius , Weigert Roberto
Published: July 2008

In this study, we describe an experimental system based on intravital two‐photon microscopy for studying endocytosis in live animals. The rodent submandibular glands were chosen as model organs because they can be exposed easily, imaged without compromising their function and, furthermore, they are amenable to pharmacological and genetic manipulations. We show that the fibroblasts within the stroma of the glands readily internalize systemically injected molecules such as fluorescently conjugated dextran and BSA, providing a robust model to study endocytosis. We dynamically image the trafficking of these probes from the early endosomes to the late endosomes and lysosomes while also visualizing homotypic fusion events between early endosomes. Finally, we demonstrate that pharmacological agents can be delivered specifically to the submandibular salivary glands, thus providing a powerful tool to study the molecular machinery regulating endocytosis in a physiological context.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Analysis of Immunological Markers Associated with Pregnancy and HIV‐1 Infection: Relevance in Perinatal Transmission in HIV‐1‐Infected Pregnant Women with Low Plasma Viral Load
Authors: Sachdeva Naresh , Oshima Kyoko , Cotter Amanda , Ashman Margarita , Davila Leonardo , Okazaki Takayuki , Inaba Noriyuki , Asthana Deshratn
Published: July 2008

Problem  In HIV‐1‐infected pregnant women with low plasma viral load, risk factors associated with perinatal HIV‐1 transmission are not clearly understood.

Method of study  We analyzed distribution of peripheral CD8 T‐cell subsets, plasma cytokines and measured secretory leukocyte peptidase inhibitor (SLPI) and myeloid‐related protein (MRP)‐8 levels in whole‐blood and cervico‐vaginal fluid (CVF) specimens obtained from 35 HIV‐1‐infected pregnant women (group 1), 12 HIV‐1‐infected non‐pregnant women (group 2) and 15 HIV‐1 uninfected pregnant women (group 3).

Results  The group 1 women had higher expression of CD38, human leukocyte antigen‐DR and CD95 on CD8 T‐cells and higher levels of plasma tumor necrosis factor‐α and epidermal growth factor. CVF‐SLPI levels were the highest in group‐3, while MRP‐8 levels were the highest in group 1 women in plasma and CVF (P < 0.01). Although there were no cases of perinatal HIV‐1 transmission, group 1 women undergoing HIV‐1‐indicated cesarean section had lower levels of CVF‐SLPI as compared with those undergoing normal vaginal delivery.

Conclusion  Pregnancy contributes to the activation of peripheral CD8 T cells and increase in pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Production of protective mucosal secretory factors such as SLPI is affected by HIV‐1 infection in pregnant women and down‐regulated SLPI levels may indirectly indicate a higher possibility of perinatal HIV‐1 transmission.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from the yellow‐eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes)
Authors: BOESSENKOOL S , KING T. M , SEDDON P. J , WATERS J. M
Published: July 2008

Twelve microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized in the endangered yellow‐eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes) using enriched genomic libraries. Polymorphic loci revealed two to eight alleles per locus and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.21 to 0.77. These loci will be suitable for assessing current and historical patterns of genetic variability in yellow‐eyed penguins.
Twelve new polymorphic microsatellite loci and PCR multiplexing in the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci
Authors: GAUTHIER N. , DALLEAU‐CLOUET C. , BOUVRET M‐E
Published: July 2008

Twelve new dinucleotide microsatellite loci of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, were obtained from enriched genomic libraries. Three polymerase chain reaction multiplex sets comprising three, five and four loci were optimized and characterized across 133 B. tabaci females from Israeli rearings and natural populations collected in four Mediterranean countries (Tunisia, France, Spain and Morocco). There were three to 24 alleles per locus and the observed heterozygosity was from 0.084 to 0.420. Deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was detected at four loci associated with significant heterozygote deficiencies due to null alleles and presence of subpopulations that were mostly in the Tunisian sample. The 12 loci carried independent information.
Isolation and characterization of 14 polymorphic microsatellite markers for the blue and red shrimp, Aristeus antennatus (Crustacea, Decapoda)
Authors: CANNAS RITA , BUCCOLI SIMONA , SACCO FLAVIO , MARCIAS SANDRO , SALVADORI SUSANNA , CAU ANGELO , DEIANA ANNAMARIA
Published: July 2008

Eighteen microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from the blue and red shrimp, Aristeus antennatus Risso 1816, a commercially exploited marine crustacean widely distributed throughout the Mediterranean Sea and in the eastern Atlantic. Polymorphism was assessed in a population (n = 20) from the southwestern Sardinian seas; 14 loci resulted polymorphic and showed from three to 13 alleles. The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.2 to 0.85. These microsatellites will be potentially useful for the study of A. antennatus population genetic structure.
Molecular regulation of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis in adult male guinea pigs after prenatal stress at different stages of gestation
Authors: Kapoor Amita , Leen Jason , Matthews Stephen G.
Published: July 2008

Studies in humans and animals have demonstrated that maternal stress during fetal development can lead to altered hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis function and behaviour postnatally. We have previously shown adult male guinea pigs that were born to mothers exposed to a stressor during the phase of rapid fetal brain growth (gestational days (GD) 50, 51 and 52; prenatal stress (PS)50) exhibit significantly increased basal plasma cortisol levels. In contrast, male guinea pig offspring whose mothers were exposed to stress later in gestation (GD60, 61 and 62; PS60) exhibited a significantly higher plasma cortisol response to activation of the HPA axis. In the present study, we hypothesized that the endocrine changes in HPA axis function observed in male guinea pig offspring would be reflected by altered molecular regulation of the HPA axis. Corticosteroid receptors in the hippocampus, hypothalamus and pituitary were measured, as well as corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH), pro‐opiomelanocortin (POMC) and adrenal enzymes in the paraventricular nucleus, pituitary and adrenal cortex, respectively, by in situ hybridization and Western blot. PS50 male offspring exhibited a significant reduction in glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mRNA (P <0.01) in the CA3 region of the hippocampus and significantly increased POMC mRNA (P <0.05) in the pituitary, consistent with the increase in basal HPA axis activity observed. In line with elevated activity of the HPA axis, both PS50 and PS60 male offspring exhibited significantly higher steroidogenic factor (SF)‐1 (P <0.001) and melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2‐R) mRNA (P <0.001) in the adrenal cortex. This study demonstrates that short periods of prenatal stress during critical windows of neuroendocrine development affect the expression of key regulators of HPA axis activity leading to the changes in endocrine function observed in prenatally stressed male offspring. Further, these changes are dependent on the timing of the maternal stressor, a pattern that is emerging in human studies.
Interaction between the ventilatory and cerebrovascular responses to hypo‐ and hypercapnia at rest and during exercise
Authors: Ogoh Shigehiko , Hayashi Naoyuki , Inagaki Masashi , Ainslie Philip N. , Miyamoto Tadayoshi
Published: July 2008

Cerebrovascular reactivity to changes in the partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (P) via limiting changes in brain [H+] modulates ventilatory control. It remains unclear, however, how exercise‐induced alterations in respiratory chemoreflex might influence cerebral blood flow (CBF), in particular the cerebrovascular reactivity to CO2. The respiratory chemoreflex system controlling ventilation consists of two subsystems: the central controller (controlling element), and peripheral plant (controlled element). In order to examine the effect of exercise‐induced alterations in ventilatory chemoreflex on cerebrovascular CO2 reactivity, these two subsystems of the respiratory chemoreflex system and cerebral CO2 reactivity were evaluated (n= 7) by the administration of CO2 as well as by voluntary hypo‐ and hyperventilation at rest and during steady‐state exercise. During exercise, in the central controller, the regression line for the P–minute ventilation relation shifted to higher and P with no change in gain (P= 0.84). The functional curve of the peripheral plant also reset rightward and upward during exercise. However, from rest to exercise, gain of the peripheral plant decreased, especially during the hypercapnic condition (−4.1 ± 0.8 to −2.0 ± 0.2 mmHg l−1 min−1, P= 0.01). Therefore, under hypercapnia, total respiratory loop gain was markedly reduced during exercise (−8.0 ± 2.3 to −3.5 ± 1.0 U, P= 0.02). In contrast, cerebrovascular CO2 reactivity at each condition, especially to hypercapnia, was increased during exercise (2.4 ± 0.2 to 2.8 ± 0.2% mmHg−1, P= 0.03). These findings indicate that, despite an attenuated chemoreflex system controlling ventilation, elevations in cerebrovascular reactivity might help maintain CO2 homeostasis in the brain during exercise.
Essential Cytoplasmic Translocation of a Cytokine Receptor–Assembled Signaling Complex
Authors: Matsuzawa Atsushi , Tseng Ping-Hui , Vallabhapurapu Sivakumar , Luo Jun-Li , Zhang Weizhou , Wang Haopeng , Vignali Dario A. A. , Gallagher Ewen , Karin Michael
Published: July 2008

Cytokine signaling is thought to require assembly of multicomponent signaling complexes at cytoplasmic segments of membrane-embedded receptors, in which receptor-proximal protein kinases are activated. Indeed, CD40, a tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family member, forms a complex containing adaptor molecules TRAF2 and TRAF3, ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme Ubc13, cellular inhibitor of apoptosis proteins 1 and 2 (c-IAP1/2), IκB kinase regulatory subunit IKKγ (also called NEMO), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase kinase MEKK1 upon ligation. TRAF2, Ubc13, and IKKγ were required for complex assembly and activation of MEKK1 and MAPK cascades. However, these kinases were not activated unless the multicomponent signaling complex translocated from CD40 to the cytosol upon c-IAP1/2–induced degradation of TRAF3. This two-stage signaling mechanism may apply to other innate immune receptors, accounting for spatial and temporal separation of MAPK and IKK signaling.
A CLASS OF NONLINEAR LAGRANGIANS: THEORY AND ALGORITHM
Authors: ZHANG LI-WEI , REN YONG-HONG , WU YUE , XIAO XIAN-TAO
Published: July 2008

This paper establishes a theory framework of a class of nonlinear Lagrangians for solving nonlinear programming problems with inequality constraints. A set of conditions are proposed to guarantee the convergence of nonlinear Lagrangian algorithms, to analyze condition numbers of nonlinear Lagrangian Hessians as well as to develop the dual approaches. These conditions are satisfied by well-known nonlinear Lagrangians appearing in literature. The convergence theorem shows that the dual algorithm based on any nonlinear Lagrangian in the class is locally convergent when the penalty parameter is less than a threshold under a set of suitable conditions on problem functions and the error bound solution, depending on the penalty parameter, is also established. The paper also develops the dual problems based on the proposed nonlinear Lagrangians, and the related duality theorem and saddle point theorem are demonstrated. Furthermore, it is shown that the condition numbers of Lagrangian Hessians at optimal solutions are proportional to the controlling penalty parameters. We report some numerical results obtained by using nonlinear Lagrangians.
THE YUAN TSEH LEE AMiBA PROJECT
Authors: HO PAUL T. P. , ALTIMIRANO PABLO , BIRKINSHAW MARK , CHANG SU-WEI , CHANG CHA-HAO , CHEN KE-JUN , CHEN MINGTANG , CHIUEH TZI-DAR , CHIUEH TZIHONG , CHU TAH-HSIUNG , HAN CHIH-CHIANG , HUANG CHI-WEI , HUANG YAO-DE , HWANG W-Y. PAUCHY , HWANG YUH-JING , JIANG HOMIN , KESTEVEN MICHAEL , KOCH PATRICK , KUBO DEREK , LANCASTER KATY , LI CHAO-TE , LIANG HAIDA , LIAO YAO-WEI , LIM JEREMY , LIN YEN-SHEN , LIN KAI-YANG , LIU GUO-CHIN , LO KWOK-YUNG , MA CHENG-JIUN , MARTIN-COCHER PIERRE , MARTIN ROBERT N. , MOLNAR SANDOR , NG KIN-WANG , NISHIOKA HIROAKI , PARK CHAN-GYUNG , PATT FERDINAND , PETERSON JEFFREY B. , RAFFIN PHILIPPE , ROMANO FABI , WANG HUEI , UMETSU KEIICHI , WANG FU-CHENG , WU JIUN-HUEI PROTY
Published: July 2008

The Array for Microwave Background Anisotropy is a 7-element interferometer sited on Mauna Loa, Hawaii. The seven 60cm telescopes are mounted on a 6-meter platform, and operates at 3mm wavelength. In October 2006, the telescope was officially dedicated and renamed as the Y. T. Lee AMiBA. During 2007, scientific operations have begun, after a long process of calibration and testing. At the time of this meeting, six clusters of galaxies have been detected and mapped via the inverse Compton scattering of the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation, also known as the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich Effect.
THE QCD TRANSITION: LATTICE RESULTS
Authors: KATZ S. D.
Published: July 2008

The cosmological QCD transition is studied using lattice simulations. The order of the transition is determined via a finite volume analysis. It is found to be an analytic crossover. The transition temperature is determined in physical units using three different definitions. All results are obtained using four different lattice spacings (a ≈ 0.3, 0.2, 0.15 and 0.12 fm) and a continuum extrapolation.
THE ROAD TO DARK ENERGY
Authors: HUTERER DRAGAN
Published: July 2008

I describe and critically evaluate a variety of methods, from simple parametrizations to non-parametric methods, to model the background expansion history in the presence of dark energy. Motivated by these approaches, I review the prospects of determining the properties of dark energy with future experiments, in particular the Dark Energy Survey (DES) and SuperNova/Acceleration Probe (SNAP). Finally, I outline the importance of being able to constrain whole classes of dark energy models, and present recent work that comprehensively studied the observational signature of general scalar field models.
BAND-POWER RECONSTRUCTION OF PRIMORDIAL PERTURBATION SPECTRUM FROM CMB ANISOTROPY
Authors: NAGATA RYO , YOKOYAMA JUN'ICHI
Published: July 2008

The primordial curvature fluctuation spectrum is reconstructed in terms of the cosmic inversion method using the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe data of the cosmic microwave background temperature anisotropy. Applying the covariance matrix analysis, the reconstructed spectrum is decomposed into statistically independent band powers. It is found that while statistically significant deviation from a simple power-law spectrum is found for first-year data, no such deviation is found for the three-year data except possibly at one point near the border of the wavenumber domain where accurate reconstruction is possible. This result, however, does not necessarily rule out theories predicting modulations in the power spectrum.
INFLATON IS FLATON IN SPLIT SUSY
Authors: NG KIN-WANG , LEUNG CHUNG NGOC , LEE DA-SHIN , CHARNG YEO-YIE
Published: July 2008

It is shown that, in the context of split supersymmetry, a simple model with a single complex scalar field can produce chaotic inflation and generate the observed amount of baryon asymmetry via the Affleck-Dine mechanism. Combining with constraints from WMAP data, all parameters in the model can be determined to within a narrow range. Possible effects due to non-equilibrium dynamics in the Affleck-Dine mechanism of baryogenesis are also examined.
DARK MATTER ANNIHILATION IN THE LATE UNIVERSE
Authors: BELL NICOLE F.
Published: July 2008

We examine dark matter annihilation in the Universe today. We first discuss the suggestion that the Galactic positron flux, which is difficult to account for with astrophysical sources, is produced by the annihilation of dark matter in the Galactic halo. We show that the positrons produced would necessarily be accompanied by a flux of gamma rays which exceed observational constraints, unless the dark matter mass is very low. We shall also derive a very general bond on the dark matter annihilation cross section. By considering annihilation into all Standard Model particles, we show that the least detectable final states, namely neutrinos, define an upper bound on the total annihilation cross section. Calculating the cosmic diffuse neutrino signal, and comparing it to the measured terrestrial atmospheric neutrino background, we derive a robust limit that is much stronger than the unitarity bound in the most interesting mass range. We conclude that dark matter self-annihilation rates cannot be large enough to have a significant effect on the density profiles of dark matter halos.
γ-RAYS FROM LIGHT DARK MATTER
Authors: KIM HANG BAE
Published: July 2008

The idea of light dark matter provides a plausible explanation for the observed 511 keV line emission from the galactic bulge. But the processes involved also emit the continuous spectrum of γ-rays. We present a detailed calculation of continuous spectrum for the decay model of light dark matter. Confrontation with the observed spectrum is challenging. We get the conservative mass bound mLDM ≲ 20 MeV for the decay model, and find that better understanding is needed for the diffuse γ-rays from the galactic bulge in the energy range 20 keV – 20 MeV.
EFFECT OF NEGATIVELY-CHARGED MASSIVE PARTICLES ON BIG-BANG NUCLEOSYNTHESIS AND A SOLUTION TO THE LITHIUM PROBLEMS
Authors: KUSAKABE MOTOHIKO , KAJINO TOSHITAKA , BOYD RICHARD N. , YOSHIDA TAKASHI , MATHEWS GRANT J.
Published: July 2008

Spectroscopic observations of metal poor halo stars give an indication of a possible primordial plateau of 6 Li abundance as a function of metallicity similar to that for 7 Li . The inferred abundance of 6 Li is ~1000 times larger than that predicted by standard big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) for the baryon-to-photon ratio inferred from the WMAP data, and that of 7 Li is about 3 times smaller than the prediction. We study a possible solution to both the problems of underproduction of 6 Li and overproduction of 7 Li in BBN. This solution involves a hypothetical massive, negatively-charged particle that would bind to the light nuclei produced in BBN. The particle gets bound to the existing nuclei after the usual BBN, and a second epoch of nucleosynthesis can occur among nuclei bound to the particles. We numerically carry out a fully dynamical BBN calculation, simultaneously solving the recombination and ionization processes of negatively-charged particles by normal and particle-bound nuclei as well as many possible nuclear reactions among them. It is confirmed that BBN in the presence of these hypothetical particles can solve the two Li abundance problems simultaneously.
AMIBA: FIRST-YEAR RESULTS FOR SUNYAEV-ZEL'DOVICH EFFECT
Authors: WU JIUN-HUEI PROTY , CHIUEH TZI-HONG , HUANG CHI-WEI , LIAO YAO-WEI , WANG FU-CHENG , ALTIMIRANO PABLO , CHANG CHA-HAO , CHANG SU-HAO , CHANG SU-WEI , CHEN MING-TANG , CHEREAU GUILLAUME , HAN CHIH-CHIANG , HO PAUL T. P. , HUANG YAO-DE , HWANG YUH-JING , JIANG HOMIN , KOCH PATRICK , KUBO DEREK , LI CHAO-TE , LIN KAI-YANG , LIU GUO-CHIN , MARTIN-COCHER PIERRE , MOLNAR SANDOR , NISHIOKA HIROAKI , RAFFIN PHILIPPE , UMETSU KEIICHI , KESTEVEN MICHAEL , WILSON WARWICK , BIRKINSHAW MARK , LANCASTER KATY
Published: July 2008

We discuss the observation, analysis, and results of the first-year science operation of AMiBA, an interferometric experiment designed to study cosmology via the measurement of Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). In 2007, we successfully observed 6 galaxy clusters (z < 0.33) through the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect. AMiBA is the first CMB interferometer operating at 86–102 GHz, currently with 7 close-packed antennas of 60 cm in diameter giving a synthesized resolution of around 6 arcminutes. An observing strategy with on-off-source modulation is used to remove the effects from electronic offset and ground pickup. Formalism of the analysis is given and preliminary science results are summarized. Tests for systematic effects are also addressed. We also discuss the expansion plan.