bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of magnetic nanoparticle properties on magnetic fluid hyperthermia
Authors: Kappiyoor Ravi , Liangruksa Monrudee , Ganguly Ranjan , Puri Ishwar K.
Published: November 2010

Magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) is a noninvasive treatment that destroys cancer cells by heating a ferrofluid-impregnated malignant tissue with an ac magnetic field while causing minimal damage to the surrounding healthy tissue. The strength of the magnetic field must be sufficient to induce hyperthermia but it is also limited by the human ability to safely withstand it. The ferrofluid material used for hyperthermia should be one that is readily produced and is nontoxic while providing sufficient heating. We examine six materials that have been considered as candidates for MFH use. Examining the heating produced by nanoparticles of these materials, barium-ferrite and cobalt-ferrite are unable to produce sufficient MFH heating, that from iron-cobalt occurs at a far too rapid rate to be safe, while fcc iron-platinum, magnetite, and maghemite are all capable of producing stable controlled heating. We simulate the heating of ferrofluid-loaded tumors containing nanoparticles of the latter three materials to determine their effects on tumor tissue. These materials are viable MFH candidates since they can produce significant heating at the tumor center yet maintain the surrounding healthy tissue interface at a relatively safe temperature.
Wake transition in flow past a circular cylinder
Authors: Behara Suresh , Mittal Sanjay
Published: November 2010

The transition of the wake of a circular cylinder is investigated numerically via a stabilized finite element method for 150≤Re≤350. Both the flow and aerodynamic coefficients are studied. The onset of the three-dimensionality of the flow takes place via the mode-A instability at Re=200. At this Re, the flow exhibits pure mode-A type flow structures for t<1800. At larger times, the vortex dislocations appear spontaneously and destroy the spanwise periodicity in the flow. This confirms the hypothesis that the fully developed mode-A flow structures cannot exist without vortex dislocations. The appearance of dislocations leads to time variation in the vortex shedding frequency. They also lead to a reduction in the global aerodynamic parameters such as drag coefficient, rms value of lift coefficient, and dominant vortex shedding frequency. The vortex dislocations repetitively appear and disappear from the flow. The aerodynamic coefficients achieve a relatively lower value at the time instant when vortex dislocations appear in the flow. This leads to a low frequency modulation in the time variation of aerodynamic coefficients. The onset of mode-A is hysteretic. This is demonstrated in the present work via computations perhaps for the first time for increasing and decreasing Re. The transition from mode-A to mode-B vortex structures is gradual and not hysteretic. Mode-B is devoid of vortex dislocations and, therefore, the aerodynamic coefficients achieve a relatively larger value. The discontinuity in the variation of aerodynamic coefficients with Re is captured very well by the present computations. Unlike mode-A, the flow structures of the mode-B instability are restricted to the near wake.
Spin-polarized current separator based on a fork-shaped Rashba nanostructure
Authors: Xiao Xianbo , Chen Yuguang
Published: November 2010

A scheme for a spin-polarized current separator is investigated by studying the spin-dependent electron transport of a fork-shaped nanostructure with Rashba spin-orbit coupling (SOC), connected to three leads with the same width. It is found that two spin-polarized currents are of the same magnitude but opposite polarizations can be generated simultaneously in the two output leads when the spin-unpolarized electrons injected from the input lead. The underlying physics is revealed to originate from the different spin-dependent conductance caused by the effects of Rashba SOC and the geometrical structure of the system. Further study shows that the spin-polarized current with a strong robustness against disorder, demonstrates the feasibility of the proposed nanostructure for a real application.
Tungsten oxides. I. Effects of oxygen vacancies and doping on electronic and optical properties of different phases of WO3
Authors: Migas D. B. , Shaposhnikov V. L. , Rodin V. N. , Borisenko V. E.
Published: November 2010

In this part we present results of our ab initio calculations indicating that dispersion of the bands near the gap region for different phases of WO3 (namely, ε-WO3, δ-WO3, γ-WO3, β-WO3, orth-WO3, α-WO3, and hex-WO3) is rather close. The rapid increase in the absorption coefficient starts at the lower energy range for α-WO3 and hex-WO3 than for the other phases in accordance with the calculated band gaps. An oxygen vacancy has turned out to decrease the gap by 0.50 eV and to shift the absorption coefficient to the lower energy range in the room temperature γ-WO3 phase. We have also traced changes caused by molybdenum and sulfur doping of γ-WO3. Only sulfur doped γ-WO3 has been revealed to display the formation of the impurity band along with a sizable reduction in the gap and the shift in the absorption coefficient to the lower energy range.
Tungsten oxides. II. The metallic nature of Magnéli phases
Authors: Migas D. B. , Shaposhnikov V. L. , Borisenko V. E.
Published: November 2010

In the first part [D. B. Migas et al., J. Appl. Phys. 108, 093713 (2010)] electronic and optical properties of different phases of WO3 have been considered. In this part we present results of our ab initio calculations which clearly show that all Magnéli phases of tungsten oxides WOx (namely, W32O84, W3O8, W18O49, W17O47, W5O14, W20O58, and W25O73) are characterized by metal-like properties. Their band structures display an energy gap in the valence band just below the Fermi level. We discuss how addition (removal) of oxygen atoms to (from) the unit cell of W18O49 affects the position of the Fermi level with respect to the energy gap and the charge carrier concentration. A possible mechanism has been suggested in order to switch from metallic to semiconducting properties for W18O49 and to explain experimental observations.
Ion acceleration in Ar–Xe and Ar–He plasmas. II. Ion velocity distribution functions
Authors: Biloiu Ioana A. , Scime Earl E.
Published: November 2010

Ion velocity distribution functions (ivdfs) are investigated by laser induced fluorescence in Ar–Xe and Ar–He expanding helicon plasmas as a function of gas composition. In the case of Ar–Xe plasma, it was found that in the helicon source, both the Ar+ and Xe+ vdfs are unimodal. Their parallel speeds are subsonic and unaffected by changes in gas composition. At the end of the source, the argon ivdf shows a bimodal structure indicative of an electric double layer upstream of the measurement location. The fast argon ion component parallel velocity increases with Xe fraction from 6.7 to 8 km/s as the Xe fraction increases from 0% to 4%. In the expansion region, the bimodal character of Ar ivdf is maintained with a supersonic fast component reaching parallel speeds of 10.5 km/s. For all the studied plasma conditions and different spatial locations, the Xe+ vdf exhibits a unimodal structure with a maximum parallel flow velocity of 2.2 km/s at the end of the source. For Ar–He plasma, the Ar ivdf is bimodal with the fast ion component parallel velocity increasing from 5.2 to 7.8 km/s as the He fraction increases from 0% to 30%. For the same He fraction range, the slow argon ion population distribution changes from a single Gaussian to a wide distribution extending all the way from the speed of the fast population to 0 m/s.
Photoluminescence of as-grown and thermal annealed SiOx/Si-nanocrystals heterolayers grown by reactive rf sputtering
Authors: Mota-Pineda E. , Meléndez-Lira M. , Zapata-Torres M. , del Angel P. , Pérez-Centeno A. , Jiménez-Sandoval S. , Santana-Aranda M. A.
Published: November 2010

SiO x / Si -nanocrystals (Si NCs) heterolayers were fabricated employing a rf magnetron sputtering system. The synthesis process, through modification of the oxygen partial pressure of the plasma, promotes the synthesis of stoichiometric SiO2 layers and affect the Si NCs layer giving place to SiOx/Si NCs (1.64<x<2) interfaces. All as-grown samples showed strong photoluminescence (PL) bands in the visible and near-infrared regions; transmission electron microscopy measurements confirmed the presence of Si NCs. Thermal annealing at 1100 °C promoted the SiO2 stoichiometry in the interface and the crystallization of more Si NCs. The results allow us to clearly identify the origin of the PL bands; indicating that the near-infrared emission is related to the nonstoichiometric oxide while the red and green bands are originated in Si NCs.
Transient phenomena in the dielectric breakdown of HfO2 optical films probed by ultrafast laser pulse pairs
Authors: Nguyen Duy N. , Emmert Luke A. , Patel Dinesh , Menoni Carmen S. , Rudolph Wolfgang
Published: November 2010

The laser induced breakdown threshold of HfO2 films is studied with single pairs of pulses of variable delay and 50 fs and 1 ps pulse duration. Two distinct transient regimes are observed that can be related to the relaxation of the electron density from the conduction band via an intermediate state to the valence band. The experimental results are in good agreement with a theoretical model that assumes occupation of mid gap states after the first pulse on a time scale of several tens of picoseconds and subsequent decay of this population via recombination with holes in the valence band on a time scale of several tens of milliseconds.
Theoretical investigation of Lamb wave characteristics in AlN/3C–SiC composite membranes
Authors: Lin Chih-Ming , Chen Yung-Yu , Pisano Albert P.
Published: November 2010

Cubic silicon carbide (3C–SiC) layer can provide advantages of high frequency and high quality factor for Lamb wave devices due to the superior properties of high acoustic velocity and low acoustic loss. In this study, Lamb wave propagation characteristics in composite membranes consisting of a c-axis oriented aluminum nitride (AlN) film and an epitaxial 3C–SiC (100) layer are investigated by theoretical calculation. The lowest symmetric mode Lamb wave propagating along the [011] direction exhibits a phase velocity higher than 10 000 m/s and an electromechanical coupling coefficient above 2% in the AlN/3C–SiC multilayered membranes.
Zero-cell photonic crystal nanocavity laser with quantum dot gain
Authors: Nomura Masahiro , Ota Yasutomo , Kumagai Naoto , Iwamoto Satoshi , Arakawa Yasuhiko
Published: November 2010

We demonstrate laser oscillation in a hexagonal-lattice photonic crystal nanocavity using an InGaAs quantum dot gain material by optical pumping at 5 K. The cavity comprises a defect created by shifting several air holes in a two-dimensional photonic crystal slab structure without removing any air holes to achieve both small mode volume and a high cavity quality factor. The measured cavity quality factors and estimated mode volume for the nanocavity are ∼33 000 and 0.004 μm3 [0.23(λ0/n)3]. The laser threshold is compared between the zero-cell and L3-type nanocavity lasers, and the zero-cell nanolasers are found to have lower thresholds of about one-third of the L3-type nanolasers. This result suggests that a higher Purcell factor of the zero-cell nanolaser is reflected as a lower laser threshold.
Linear analysis of a rectangular waveguide cyclotron maser with a sheet electron beam
Authors: Zhao Ding , Ding Yaogen , Wang Yong , Ruan Cunjun
Published: November 2010

A linear theory for a rectangular waveguide cyclotron maser with a sheet electron beam is developed by using the Laplace transformation approach. This theory can be applied to any TEmn rectangular waveguide mode. The corresponding equations for the TMmn mode in the rectangular waveguide are also derived as a useful reference. Especially, the effect from the coupling between degenerate modes, which is induced by the nonideal rectangular waveguide walls, on the dispersion relation is considered in order to provide a more accurate model for the real devices. Through numerical calculations, the linear growth rate, launching loss, and spontaneous oscillations (caused by the absolute instability and backward wave oscillation) of this new structure can be analyzed in detail. It is worthwhile to point out that the operation at higher power levels of the rectangular waveguide sheet beam system is possible.
skNAC, a Smyd1-interacting transcription factor, is involved in cardiac development and skeletal muscle growth and regeneration
Authors: Park Chong Yon , Pierce Stephanie A. , von Drehle Morgan , Ivey Kathryn N. , Morgan Jayson A. , Blau Helen M. , Srivastava Deepak
Published: November 2010

Cardiac and skeletal muscle development and maintenance require complex interactions between DNA-binding proteins and chromatin remodeling factors. We previously reported that Smyd1, a muscle-restricted histone methyltransferase, is essential for cardiogenesis and functions with a network of cardiac regulatory proteins. Here we show that the muscle-specific transcription factor skNAC is the major binding partner for Smyd1 in the developing heart. Targeted deletion of
skNAC
in mice resulted in partial embryonic lethality by embryonic day 12.5, with ventricular hypoplasia and decreased cardiomyocyte proliferation that were similar but less severe than in
Smyd1
mutants. Expression of Irx4, a ventricle-specific transcription factor down-regulated in hearts lacking
Smyd1
, also depended on the presence of skNAC. Viable
skNAC
−/−
adult mice had reduced postnatal skeletal muscle growth and impaired regenerative capacity after cardiotoxin-induced injury. Satellite cells isolated from
skNAC
−/−
mice had impaired survival compared with wild-type littermate satellite cells. Our results indicate that
skNAC
plays a critical role in ventricular cardiomyocyte expansion and regulates postnatal skeletal muscle growth and regeneration in mice.
Translating question propositions between English and Yoruba
Authors: Friday-Ótún J.O.
Published: November 2010

This paper focuses on the aspect of question translation between English and Yoruba. Translation serves as a mirror through which any language can be relatively replicated into another. Question proposition between English and Yoruba are significant in the body of language knowledge among about 30 million Yoruba users of English in the western part of Nigeria and diaspora.
This study explored the types of question propositions between English and Yoruba, and their process in translation free from the former to the latter, and, vice versa, using the literal and idiomatic continuum of translation proposed by Larson (1984).  The findings of the paper revealed that question translation between both languages has implications on the characteristics of language which affect translation. The similarities and peculiarities of each language as they affect the translation to Wh, Yes/no, Echo, Tag and Alternative questions in both languages were highlighted. Also underscored was the significance of translating question proposition between both languages in pedagogical and other contexts of communication.
Improved performance on high-dimensional survival data by application of Survival-SVM
Authors: Van Belle V. , Pelckmans K. , Van Huffel S. , Suykens J. A. K.
Published: November 2010

Motivation: New application areas of survival analysis as for example based on micro-array expression data call for novel tools able to handle high-dimensional data. While classical (semi-) parametric techniques as based on likelihood or partial likelihood functions are omnipresent in clinical studies, they are often inadequate for modelling in case when there are less observations than features in the data. Support vector machines (svms) and extensions are in general found particularly useful for such cases, both conceptually (non-parametric approach), computationally (boiling down to a convex program which can be solved efficiently), theoretically (for its intrinsic relation with learning theory) as well as empirically. This article discusses such an extension of svms which is tuned towards survival data. A particularly useful feature is that this method can incorporate such additional structure as additive models, positivity constraints of the parameters or regression constraints.

Results: Besides discussion of the proposed methods, an empirical case study is conducted on both clinical as well as micro-array gene expression data in the context of cancer studies. Results are expressed based on the logrank statistic, concordance index and the hazard ratio. The reported performances indicate that the present method yields better models for high-dimensional data, while it gives results which are comparable to what classical techniques based on a proportional hazard model give for clinical data.

Contact:  vanya.vanbelle@esat.kuleuven.be

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A genome-wide RNAi screen identifies multiple RSK-dependent regulators of cell migration
Authors: Smolen Gromoslaw A. , Zhang Jianmin , Zubrowski Matthew J. , Edelman Elena J. , Luo Biao , Yu Min , Ng Lydia W. , Scherber Cally M. , Schott Benjamin J. , Ramaswamy Sridhar , Irimia Daniel , Root David E. , Haber Daniel A.
Published: November 2010

To define the functional pathways regulating epithelial cell migration, we performed a genome-wide RNAi screen using 55,000 pooled lentiviral shRNAs targeting ∼11,000 genes, selecting for transduced cells with increased motility. A stringent validation protocol generated a set of 31 genes representing diverse pathways whose knockdown dramatically enhances cellular migration. Some of these pathways share features of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and together they implicate key regulators of transcription, cellular signaling, and metabolism, as well as novel modulators of cellular trafficking, such as DLG5. In delineating downstream pathways mediating these migration phenotypes, we observed universal activation of ERKs and a profound dependence on their RSK effectors. Pharmacological inhibition of RSK dramatically suppresses epithelial cell migration induced by knockdown of all 31 genes, suggesting that convergence of diverse migratory pathways on this kinase may provide a therapeutic opportunity in disorders of cell migration, including cancer metastasis.
Two Host Cytoplasmic Effectors Are Required for Pathogenesis of Phytophthora sojae by Suppression of Host Defenses
Authors: Liu Tingli , Ye Wenwu , Ru Yanyan , Yang Xinyu , Gu Biao , Tao Kai , Lu Shan , Dong Suomeng , Zheng Xiaobo , Shan Weixing , Wang Yuanchao , Dou Daolong
Published: November 2010

Phytophthora sojae encodes hundreds of putative host cytoplasmic effectors with conserved FLAK motifs following signal peptides, termed crinkling- and necrosis-inducing proteins (CRN) or Crinkler. Their functions and mechanisms in pathogenesis are mostly unknown. Here, we identify a group of five P. sojae-specific CRN-like genes with high levels of sequence similarity, of which three are putative pseudogenes. Functional analysis shows that the two functional genes encode proteins with predicted nuclear localization signals that induce contrasting responses when expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana and soybean (Glycine max). PsCRN63 induces cell death, while PsCRN115 suppresses cell death elicited by the P. sojae necrosis-inducing protein (PsojNIP) or PsCRN63. Expression of CRN fragments with deleted signal peptides and FLAK motifs demonstrates that the carboxyl-terminal portions of PsCRN63 or PsCRN115 are sufficient for their activities. However, the predicted nuclear localization signal is required for PsCRN63 to induce cell death but not for PsCRN115 to suppress cell death. Furthermore, silencing of the PsCRN63 and PsCRN115 genes in P. sojae stable transformants leads to a reduction of virulence on soybean. Intriguingly, the silenced transformants lose the ability to suppress host cell death and callose deposition on inoculated plants. These results suggest a role for CRN effectors in the suppression of host defense responses.
Comparison of phenylephrine hydrochloride and mephentermine sulphate for prevention of post spinal hypotension
Authors: Mohta M. , Janani S. Sai , Sethi A. K. , Agarwal D. , Tyagi A.
Published: November 2010

This study compared the effects of intravenous infusions of phenylephrine and mephentermine on the prevention of maternal hypotension and neonatal outcome in patients receiving spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section. Sixty ASA 1‐2 patients with term, uncomplicated singleton pregnancy undergoing caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia were randomly divided into two groups of 30 each, to receive a prophylactic intravenous infusion of either phenylephrine or mephentermine. The incidence of hypotension was statistically similar in the two groups. However, in patients receiving phenylephrine, 7 (23%) developed bradycardia and 6 (20%), reactive hypertension. Neonatal outcome, in terms of Apgar scores and umbilical artery pH, was similar in both the groups. To conclude, phenylephrine and mephentermine infusions are equally effective in preventing post spinal hypotension in patients undergoing caesarean section and are associated with a similar neonatal outcome.
Efficacy of mirtazapine in preventing intrathecalmorphine‐induced nausea and vomiting after orthopaedic surgery*
Authors: Chang F.‐L. , Ho S.‐T. , Sheen M. J.
Published: November 2010

Nausea and vomiting are frequent complications of intrathecal morphine. In this randomised, double‐blind trial, we tested the efficacy of mirtazapine, an antidepressant that blocks receptors associated with vomiting, on the incidence of nausea and vomiting after intrathecal morphine. One hundred patients receiving spinal anaesthesia for lower limb surgery were assigned equally to take either an orally disintegrating form of 30 mg mirtazapine or matching placebo 1 h before surgery. Spinal anaesthesia was performed by injection of 15 mg isobaric bupivacaine 0.5% along with 0.2 mg preservative‐free morphine. Nausea and vomiting were evaluated 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 h after intrathecal morphine administration. The incidence of nausea and vomiting was significantly lower in patients receiving mirtazapine compared with placebo (26.5% vs 56.3%, respectively; p = 0.005). The mean (SD) onset time of postoperative nausea and vomiting was significantly delayed in mirtazapine patients: 9.4 (2.5) vs 5.2 (1.8) h, respectively; p < 0.0001. The severity of nausea and vomiting was also decreased after mirtazapine at the 3‐6 h and 6‐12 h periods. Our data indicate that pre‐operative mirtazapine decreases the incidence, delays the onset and reduces the severity of nausea and vomiting induced by intrathecal morphine in patients undergoing spinal anaesthesia.
Genome‐wide SNP association–based localization of a dwarfism gene in Friesian dwarf horses
Authors: Orr N. , Back W. , Gu J. , Leegwater P. , Govindarajan P. , Conroy J. , Ducro B. , Van Arendonk J. A. M. , MacHugh D. E. , Ennis S. , Hill E. W. , Brama P. A. J.
Published: November 2010

The recent completion of the horse genome and commercial availability of an equine SNP genotyping array has facilitated the mapping of disease genes. We report putative localization of the gene responsible for dwarfism, a trait in Friesian horses that is thought to have a recessive mode of inheritance, to a 2‐ MB region of chromosome 14 using just 10 affected animals and 10 controls. We successfully genotyped 34 429 SNPs that were tested for association with dwarfism using chi‐square tests. The most significant SNP in our study, BIEC2‐239376 (P2df = 4.54 × 10−5, Prec = 7.74 × 10−6), is located close to a gene implicated in human dwarfism. Fine‐mapping and resequencing analyses did not aid in further localization of the causative variant, and replication of our findings in independent sample sets will be necessary to confirm these results.
Effects ofCYP2C9*1/*13on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of meloxicam
Authors: Bae Jung‐Woo , Choi Chang‐Ik , Jang Choon‐Gon , Lee Seok‐Yong
Published: November 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Meloxicam is a substrate for the CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 enzymes.

• We have previously reported that the frequency of theCYP2C9*1/*13genotype in the Korean population is 1.1%.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• TheCYP2C9*1/*13genotype is associated with decreased metabolism and increased pharmacodynamic effects of meloxicam.

• This is the first report that evaluates thein vivoeffects of theCYP2C9*13allele on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of CYP2C9 substrates with a sufficient sample size.

AIMSTo determine the effects of theCYP2C9*1/*13genotype on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of meloxicam in Korean subjects.

METHODSMeloxicam (15 mg) was orally administered to 21 healthy Korean volunteers with either theCYP2C9*1/*1or theCYP2C9*1/*13genotype. Plasma meloxicam concentrations were analysed by HPLC‐UV for 72 h after drug administration. The pharmacodynamic effects of meloxicam were determined by measuring TXB2generated in blood.

RESULTSThe AUC(0,∞) andCmaxof meloxicam were 2.43‐ and 1.46‐fold higher in theCYP2C9*1/*13group than in theCYP2C9*1/*1group, respectively. The oral clearance of meloxicam was significantly lower in theCYP2C9*1/*13group (37.9% of wild type) than in theCYP2C9*1/*1group. Thet1/2of meloxicam was 1.84‐fold longer in theCYP2C9*1/*13group than in theCYP2C9*1/*1group. The rate of TXB2production was significantly lower in theCYP2C9*1/*13group than in theCYP2C9*1/*1group.

CONCLUSIONSTheCYP2C9*1/*13genotype is associated with decreased metabolism and increased pharmacodynamic effects of meloxicam.
Drug discovery: lessons from evolution
Authors: Warren John
Published: November 2010

A common view within the pharmaceutical industry is that there is a problem with drug discovery and we should do something about it. There is much sympathy for this from academics, regulators and politicians. In this article I propose that lessons learnt from evolution help identify those factors that favour successful drug discovery. This personal view is influenced by a decade spent reviewing drug development programmes submitted for European regulatory approval. During the prolonged gestation of a new medicine few candidate molecules survive. This process of elimination of many variants and the survival of so few has much in common with evolution, an analogy that encourages discussion of the forces that favour, and those that hinder, successful drug discovery. Imagining a world without vaccines, anaesthetics, contraception and anti‐infectives reveals how medicines revolutionized humanity. How to manipulate conditions that favour such discoveries is worth consideration.
A novel mutation in LPAR6 causes autosomal recessive hypotrichosis of the scalp
Authors: Nahum S. , Morice-Picard F. , Taieb A. , Sprecher E.
Published: November 2010

Background. Autosomal recessive hypotrichosis simplex (ARHS) presents with progressive hair loss mainly affecting the scalp area. In a small number of families, the condition has been associated with mutations in three distinct genes: DSG4, LIPH and LPAR6.

Aim. To identify the molecular basis of ARHS in a consanguineous family of Turkish extraction.

Methods. We used a combination of microsatellite marker screening and direct sequencing.

Results. We identified a novel missense mutation (c.C587T) in the human LPAR6 gene, resulting in the amino acid substitution p.P196L. The mutation affects a highly conserved amino acid residue, and is predicted to disrupt signalling through the P2Y5 receptor.

Conclusions. This study provides further evidence supporting a role for the lysophosphatidyl signalling pathway in hair growth and differentiation. In addition, this paper reports, for the first time to our knowledge, the use of homozygosity mapping as a premutation screening tool in the diagnosis of a group of inherited hair disorders.
Evaluation of soluble CD163 as a marker of inflammation in psoriasis
Authors: Feighery C. , Dunne J. , Bingham E. A. , Feighery C. F.
Published: November 2010

A reliable biomarker of disease activity in psoriasis would be helpful for management, especially if this gave early information on treatment efficacy. This study investigated whether serum levels of soluble (s)CD163 correlated with psoriasis activity as assessed by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). CD163, a glycoprotein molecule expressed on macrophages and dendritic cells, is cleaved from the surface of these cells in some inflammatory diseases, and sCD163 levels have been shown to correlate with disease activity in other disorders. In this study, levels of sCD163 did not correlate with PASI in the patients (P = 0.56). Five patients had moderately increased PASI (12.6–20.3) but their sCD163 levels were within the normal range. From this study, it seems that sCD163 levels do not correlate with the inflammatory process in the skin of patients with psoriasis and thus sCD163 is not likely to be a useful biomarker for this disease.
Measures of immune function of wild mice, Mus musculus
Authors: ABOLINS STEPHEN R. , POCOCK MICHAEL J. O. , HAFALLA JULIUS C. R. , RILEY ELEANOR M. , VINEY MARK E.
Published: November 2010

The immune function of wild animals has been rather little studied. Wild animals’ immune function may differ from that of laboratory bred animals because of their different environments. This idea follows from the concept of resource partitioning in which animals distribute scarce resources to all aspects of life, including to costly immune responses. A logical extension of this idea is that there may be substantial interindividual variation in the immune function of wild animals. To begin to investigate this, we compared the immune function of a laboratory bred mouse strain (C57BL/6, a widely used mouse strain that makes potent immune responses) and wild caught Mus musculus. We found that by most measures of immune function, the wild caught mice had greater immune function. Specifically, wild mice had greater concentrations and more avid antigen‐specific IgG responses, as well as higher concentrations of total IgG and IgE, compared with those laboratory bred mice. Moreover, flow cytometric analysis showed a comparatively greater overall level of activation of the cells of the immune system in wild mice. Lastly, we observed that immune function was substantially more variable among wild caught mice than among the laboratory bred mice. The next research challenge is to understand which aspects of an individual animal’s life determine its immune function.
Involvement of extracellular oxidative burst in salicylic acid‐induced stomatal closure in Arabidopsis
Authors: KHOKON MD. ATIQUR RAHMAN , OKUMA EIJI , HOSSAIN MOHAMMAD ANOWAR , MUNEMASA SHINTARO , URAJI MISUGI , NAKAMURA YOSHIMASA , MORI IZUMI C. , MURATA YOSHIYUKI
Published: November 2010

Salicylic acid (SA), a ubiquitous phenolic phytohormone, is involved in many plant physiological processes including stomatal movement. We analysed SA‐induced stomatal closure, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO), cytosolic calcium ion ([Ca2+]cyt) oscillations and inward‐rectifying potassium (K+in) channel activity in Arabidopsis. SA‐induced stomatal closure was inhibited by pre‐treatment with catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), suggesting the involvement of extracellular ROS. A peroxidase inhibitor, SHAM (salicylhydroxamic acid) completely abolished SA‐induced stomatal closure whereas neither an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase (DPI) nor atrbohD atrbohF mutation impairs SA‐induced stomatal closures. 3,3′‐Diaminobenzidine (DAB) and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) stainings demonstrated that SA induced H2O2 and O2– production. Guard cell ROS accumulation was significantly increased by SA, but that ROS was suppressed by exogenous CAT, SOD and SHAM. NO scavenger 2‐(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethylimidazoline‐1‐oxyl‐3‐oxide (cPTIO) suppressed the SA‐induced stomatal closure but did not suppress guard cell ROS accumulation whereas SHAM suppressed SA‐induced NO production. SA failed to induce [Ca2+]cyt oscillations in guard cells whereas K+in channel activity was suppressed by SA. These results indicate that SA induces stomatal closure accompanied with extracellular ROS production mediated by SHAM‐sensitive peroxidase, intracellular ROS accumulation and K+in channel inactivation.
Prespore cell inducing factor, ψ factor, controls both prestalk and prespore gene expression in Dictyostelium development
Authors: Yamada Yoko , Minamisawa Hiroshi , Fukuzawa Masashi , Kawata Takefumi , Oohata Akiko A.
Published: November 2010

Prespore cell‐inducing (psi, ψ) factor (PsiA), encoded by the psiA gene of Dictyostelium, is a secreted signal glycoprotein that induces prespore cell differentiation when added to monolayer cultures. In situ hybridization during normal development showed that the psiA gene is highly expressed in scattered cells at the mound stage and in prespore cells at the onset of culmination. The conventional prespore‐cell marker genes, cotC and pspA, were expressed normally in psiA− and psiA overexpressing strains. Expressions of rnrB and cudA are repressed in the prestalk cells of a wild type slug to render prespore specific pattern. However, a promoter‐reporter fusion gene, rnrB:lacZ, showed an ectopic expression in the prestalk cells of the psiA− strain while cudA(psp):lacZ did so in those of the psiA overexpressing strain. Overexpression of psiA delayed expression of the prestalk specific gene, ecmB, during development, while knocking out psiA promoted its expression. In addition, overexpression inhibited DIF‐1‐induced stalk formation in monolayer cultures. Together with the known prespore inducing activity, the results indicate that PsiA regulates both prespore and prestalk/stalk cell differentiation. These results indicate that PsiA is also involved in prestalk cell differentiation.
The Joanna Briggs Institute Best Practice Information Sheet: The psychosocial and spiritual experiences of elderly individuals recovering from a stroke
Authors:   The Joanna Briggs Institute
Published: November 2010

This Best Practice Information Sheet aims to synthesize the best available evidence on the psychosocial and spiritual experiences of elderly individuals recovering from a stroke. The information that is contained in this sheet has been derived from studies that were included in a systematic review conducted by The Joanna Briggs Institute. Stroke is a major cause of death and disability and the risk of experiencing a stroke increases with age. A wide range of issues that are related to the experience of a stroke, from the perspective of the patient, have been identified in the research literature. This information sheet focuses on qualitative evidence on the short‐term and long‐term recovery process from the perspective of the elderly person, with the intention of assessing the evidence that would guide nursing practice.
Positron emission tomography in non‐medullary thyroid cancer
Authors: Ho Shon Ivan , Depcynzski Barbara , Lin Michael , Clark Jonathan R. , Wong Vincent , Lin Peter , Campbell Peter
Published: November 2010

While iodine scanning is the mainstay of functional imaging in differentiated thyroid cancer, there is now a significant body of literature regarding positron emission tomography with 2‐fluoro‐2‐deoxy glucose in thyroid cancer. This clinical review will examine the evidence supporting the use of 2‐fluoro‐2‐deoxy glucose‐positron emission tomography throughout the diagnosis and management of thyroid cancer, and provide suggestions for its clinical use and potential future roles.
Prostate cancer immunology – an update for Urologists
Authors: Rajarubendra Nieroshan , Lawrentschuk Nathan , Bolton Damien M. , Klotz Laurence , Davis Ian D.
Published: November 2010

A better understanding of the immune processes in the pathogenesis and progression of prostate cancer (CaP) may point the way towards improved treatment modalities. The challenge is to amplify immune responses to combat tumour escape mechanisms. Infection and inflammation may have a role in prostate carcinogenesis, including the newly discovered xenotropic murine leukaemia virus (XMRV). These inflammatory states damage defence mechanisms and induce a high proliferative state favouring further mutation and impaired immune surveillance. With this knowledge we are able to explore the use of immunotherapy to rejuvenate the immune system in combating CaP. Recently Sipuleucel‐T, an immunotherapeutic agent for metastatic androgen independent CaP, has resulted in improved survival and might be the first immunotherapeutic agent to obtain approval for CaP treatment. This short review will focus on the growing body of evidence suggesting an immunity‐based link between CaP and inflammation and infection.
FEE VERSUS ROYALTY POLICY IN LICENSING THROUGH BARGAINING: AN APPLICATION OF THE NASH BARGAINING SOLUTION
Authors: Kishimoto Shin , Muto Shigeo
Published: November 2010

In this paper, we consider a Cournot duopoly market in which the patent‐holding firm negotiates with its rival firm about payments for licensing a cost‐reducing innovation. Applying the Nash bargaining solution, we compare two licensing policies, a fixed fee and a royalty. Our results are as follows. Royalty licensing is better than fixed fee licensing for both firms if the innovation is not drastic. So, royalty licensing is always carried out. Moreover, though there exists a case in which consumers prefer fixed fee licensing, royalty licensing is always superior to fixed fee licensing from the social point of view.
The N400 and the P300 are not all that independent
Authors: Arbel Yael , Spencer Kevin M. , Donchin Emanuel
Published: November 2010

This study assessed whether two ERP components that are elicited by unexpected events interact. The conditions that are known to elicit the N400 and the P300 ERP components were applied separately and in combination to terminal‐words in sentences. Each sentence ended with a terminal‐word that was highly expected, semantically unexpected, physically deviant, or both semantically unexpected and physically deviant. In addition, we varied the level of semantic relatedness between the unexpected terminal‐words and the expected exemplars. Physically deviant words elicited a P300, whereas semantically unexpected words elicited an N400, whose amplitude was sensitive to the level of semantic relatedness. Words that were both semantically unexpected and physically deviant elicited both an N400 with enhanced amplitude, and a P300 with reduced amplitude. These results suggest an interaction between the processes manifested by the two components.
Dietary effects on body composition, glucose metabolism, and longevity are modulated by skeletal muscle mitochondrial uncoupling in mice
Authors: Keipert Susanne , Voigt Anja , Klaus Susanne
Published: November 2010

Little is known about how diet and energy metabolism interact in determination of lifespan under ad libitum feeding. From 12 weeks of age until death, male and female wild‐type (WT) and transgenic (TG) mice with increased skeletal muscle mitochondrial uncoupling (HSA‐mUCP1 mice) were fed one of three different semisynthetic diets differing in macronutrient ratio: control (high‐carbohydrate/low‐fat‐HCLF) and two high‐fat diets: high‐carbohydrate/high‐fat (HCHF), and low‐carbohydrate/high‐fat (LCHF). Compared to control and LCHF, HCHF feeding rapidly and significantly increased body fat content in WT. Median lifespan of WT was decreased by 33% (HCHF) and 7% (LCHF) compared to HCLF. HCHF significantly increased insulin resistance (HOMA) of WT from 24 weeks on compared to control. TG mice had lower lean body mass and increased energy expenditure, insulin sensitivity, and maximum lifespan (+10%) compared to WT. They showed a delayed development of obesity on HCHF but reached similar maximum adiposity as WT. TG median lifespan was only slightly reduced by HCHF (−7%) and unaffected by LCHF compared to control. Correlation analyses showed that decreased longevity was more strongly linked to a high rate of fat gain than to adiposity itself. Furthermore, insulin resistance was negatively and weight‐specific energy expenditure was positively correlated with longevity. We conclude that (i) dietary macronutrient ratios strongly affected obesity development, glucose homeostasis, and longevity, (ii) that skeletal muscle mitochondrial uncoupling alleviated the detrimental effects of high‐fat diets, and (iii) that early imbalances in energy homeostasis leading to increased insulin resistance are predictive for a decreased lifespan.
Post‐fallow tillage and crop effects on soil enzymes and other indicators
Authors: De Varennes A. , Torres M. O.
Published: November 2010

Soil changes induced by crop rotations and soil management need to be quantified to clarify their impact on yield and soil quality. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of continuous oat (Avena sativaL.) and a lupin (Lupinus albusL.)‐oat rotation with and without tillage on soil enzymes, crop biomass and other soil properties In year 1, oat and lupin were grown in undisturbed plots or in plots subjected to disc tillage. Crop residues were incorporated before oat was sown in year 2 in the disc‐tilled plots or remained on the soil surface of untilled plots. Soil samples were collected regularly and analysed for pH, organic C, Kjeldahl‐N, mineral N, extractable P, and the enzyme activities of β‐glucosidase, cellulases, acid phosphatase, proteases, urease, and culturable bacteria and fungi. The main crop and tillage effects on soil parameters were: β‐glucosidase activity was greater after lupin than after oat, and the opposite was true for the number of culturable fungi. Organic carbon, phosphatase, cellulase and protease were greater in tilled soil than in the absence of tillage. Associations between variables that were stable over the 2 yr were those for mineral N and urease activity, cellulase activity and pH, and that of phosphatase activity and organic C. Our results contrast with most of the previous information on the effect of tillage on soil enzymes, where the activities were reported to be unchanged or decreased following tillage. This difference may be related to the small organic C content of the soil and to the fact that it was under fallow prior to the start of the experiment. In consequence, incorporation of residues would provide new sources of labile organic C for soil microbes, and result in increased enzymatic activity. The results obtained suggest that in coarse‐textured soils poor in organic matter, tillage with residue conservation after a period of fallow rapidly improves several soil characteristics and should be carried out even if it were to be followed by a no‐till system in the following years. This should be taken into consideration by land managers and technical advisers.
Long‐term effects of lime and gypsum additions on no‐till corn and soybean yield and soil chemical properties in southern Brazil
Authors: Caires E. F. , Joris H. A. W. , Churka S.
Published: November 2010

A long‐term experiment on a clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Rhodic Hapludox where dolomitic lime was applied to the surface (either at 4.5 t/ha or at 1.5 t/ha per yr for 3 yr), or incorporated into the topsoil (4.5 t/ha), and gypsum applied to the surface (3, 6, and 9 t/ha), was carried out to evaluate their effects on soil profile chemical properties and yields of corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill). Lime applied to the soil surface at either full or split rates, or incorporated and surface‐applied gypsum had long‐lasting effects on soil acidity or calcium and sulphur availability respectively, as measured 8 yr after application. Grain yields of corn and soybean were not influenced by liming. Gypsum at 9 t/ha significantly increased corn grain yields by 7 and 8% respectively 7–10 yr after application, but did not affect soybean grain yields. The differences in response of the corn and soybean crops to gypsum might be related to the Ca2+ uptake by plants because of cation exchange properties of roots, being smaller for corn than for soybean. The use of gypsum in no‐till systems becomes more viable when corn is grown with a greater frequency in crop rotation.
Timing Equity Issuance in Response to Information Asymmetry Arising from IFRS Adoption in Australia and Europe
Authors: WANG SHIHENG , WELKER MICHAEL
Published: November 2010

This study examines the association between changes in reported financial performance resulting from mandatory adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and equity issuance during the transition period leading up to IFRS adoption for listed firms in Australia and Europe. We hypothesize that firms affected by the accounting standards change strategically time equity issuance around the time the firm discloses the effects of IFRS adoption on reported financial performance. We document circumstances where market returns are associated with the reconciliation of net income between local GAAP and IFRS. We find that a firm's likelihood of equity issuance and equity issue size during the three years prior to the IFRS reconciliation disclosure are negatively associated with the unexpected change in net income resulting from the conversion to IFRS.
Convict Art and Craft in Colonial New Caledonia
Authors: Ahrens Prue , Lagarde Louis
Published: November 2010

New Caledonia’s history as a penal colony, and its past association with crime and punishment, is well documented. What remains unrecognised in published histories is the operation of the prison workshops, specifically the production of art and craft that was traded beyond the prison walls. A collection of convict art and craft recently acquired by the Noumea Town Museum and displayed in the exhibit ‘Ile d’exil, Terre d’asile’, contributes much to our knowledge of New Caledonian penal history and prison workshop production. The collection consists of engraved shells and wooden boxes produced by convict artists. The objects are very rarely signed, and it would be fruitless to attempt to attribute them to specific convict artists. What they offer, however, are insights into prison workshop production, developments in work with mother‐of‐pearl and the expansion of souvenir markets in New Caledonia during the late 19th century.
Beautiful balloon: The digital divide and the charisma of new media in India
Authors: MAZZARELLA WILLIAM
Published: November 2010

Against the view that the millennium brought only unrealistic hype around the socially transformative potentials of the Internet, I argue for skepticism vis‐à‐vis the “realistic” stance that is now employed to evaluate the success of development‐oriented applications of the Internet in India. Focusing on the heyday of ICT4D (information and communication technologies for development) projects, I move beyond the stalemate of hype versus debunking to suggest, instead, that although the discourse of development helped to legitimize the Internet as an “appropriate technology,” its emphasis on functional solutions also helped to obscure the Internet's more ambiguous emergent potentials.