bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
VORTICES AS INSTANTONS IN NONCOMMUTATIVE DISCRETE SPACE: USE OF Z2 COORDINATES
Authors: OTSU HIDEHARU , SATO TOSHIRO , IKEMORI HITOSHI , KITAKADO SHINSAKU
Published: July 2010

We show that vortices of Yang–Mills–Higgs model in R2 space can be regarded as instantons of Yang–Mills model in R2 × Z2 space. For this, we construct the noncommutative Z2 space by explicitly fixing the Z2 coordinates and then show, by using the Z2 coordinates, that BPS equation for the vortices can be considered as a self-dual equation. We also propose the possibility to rewrite the BPS equations for vortices as ADHM equations through the use of self-dual equation.
STATISTICAL QUANTUM OPERATION
Authors: ABE SUMIYOSHI , ITTO YUICHI , MATSUNAGA MAMORU
Published: July 2010

An explicit form of a generic unital quantum operation, which transforms a given stationary pure state to an arbitrary statistical state with perfect decoherence, is presented. This allows one to operationally realize the thermal state as a special case. The loss of information due to randomness generated by the operation is discussed by evaluating the entropy. Realization of the thermal state of a bipartite spin-1/2 system is discussed as an illustrative example.
SUBSTITUTIONAL SINGLE RESISTOR IN AN INFINITE SQUARE LATTICE APPLICATION TO LATTICE GREEN'S FUNCTION
Authors: OWAIDAT M. Q. , HIJJAWI R. S. , KHALIFEH J. M.
Published: July 2010

The resistance between two arbitrary lattice sites in an infinite square lattice of identical resistors is studied when the lattice is perturbed by substituting a single resistor using lattice Green's function. The relation between the resistance and the lattice Green's function for the perturbed lattice is derived. Solving Dyson's equation, the Green's function and the resistance of the perturbed lattice are expressed in terms of those of the perfect lattice. Numerical and experimental results are presented.
SOME NEW INTEGRABLE NONLINEAR EVOLUTION EQUATIONS AND THEIR INFINITELY MANY CONSERVATION LAWS
Authors: GENG XIANGUO , XUE BO
Published: July 2010

A hierarchy of new nonlinear evolution equations associated with a 3×3 matrix spectral problem with two potentials is derived and its Hamiltonian structures are established with the aid of trace identity. The negative flow of the hierarchy is then discussed. A reduction of this hierarchy and its Hamiltonian structures are constructed. An infinite sequence of conserved quantities of several new soliton equations is obtained.
TWO-DIMENSIONAL ELECTROPHORESIS GEL IMAGES SCAN FOR DECOMPOSITION AND DEPLETION ANALYSIS
Authors: MARULLO OSVALDO , SOGGIU ALESSIO , CAPOBIANCO ENRICO
Published: July 2010

Two-dimensional Electrophoresis Gel Images Scan (2dEGIS) implements a mix of computational methods for processing two-dimensional electrophoresis gel images. For advancing the analysis in case-control sample studies, a multi-component decomposition-approximation approach is presented, based on: (1) A global scan aimed to detect discriminative patterns with just a few components; (2) A more localized image scan through aggregated components; (3) The exploration of specific regions with maximal localization power. The tool 2dEGIS represents a novel unifying instrument for the computational analysis of gel images.
ON INTRINSIC MODE FUNCTION
Authors: WANG GANG , CHEN XIAN-YAO , QIAO FANG-LI , WU ZHAOHUA , HUANG NORDEN E.
Published: July 2010

Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) has been widely used to analyze non-stationary and nonlinear signal by decomposing data into a series of intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) and a trend function through sifting processes. For lack of a firm mathematical foundation, the implementation of EMD is still empirical and ad hoc. In this paper, we prove mathematically that EMD, as practiced now, only gives an approximation to the true envelope. As a result, there is a potential conflict between the strict definition of IMF and its empirical implementation through natural cubic spline. It is found that the amplitude of IMF is closely connected with the interpolation function defining the upper and lower envelopes: adopting the cubic spline function, the upper (lower) envelope of the resulting IMF is proved to be a unitary cubic spline line as long as the extrema are sparsely distributed compared with the sampling data. Furthermore, when natural spline boundary condition is adopted, the unitary cubic spline line degenerates into a straight line. Unless the amplitude of the IMF is a strictly monotonic function, the slope of the straight line will be zero. It explains why the amplitude of IMF tends to be a constant with the number of sifting increasing ad infinitum. Therefore, to get physically meaningful IMFs the sifting times for each IMF should be kept low as in the practice of EMD. Strictly speaking, the resolution of these difficulties should be either to change the EMD implementation method and eschew the spline, or to define the stoppage criterion more objectively and leniently. Short of the full resolution of the conflict, we should realize that the EMD as implemented now yields an approximation with respect to cubic spline basis. We further concluded that a fixed low number of iterations would be the best option at this time, for it delivers the best approximation.
Spintronics
Authors: Bader S.D. , Parkin S.S.P.
Published: July 2010

Spintronics encompasses the ever-evolving field of magnetic electronics. It is an applied discipline that is so forward-looking that much of the research that supports it is at the center of basic condensed matter physics. This review provides a perspective on recent developments in switching magnetic moments by spin-polarized currents, electric fields, and photonic fields. Developments in the field continue to be strongly dependent on the exploration and discovery of novel material systems. An array of novel transport and thermoelectric effects dependent on the interplay between spin and charge currents have been explored theoretically and experimentally in recent years. The review highlights select areas that hold promise for future investigation and attempts to unify and further inform the field.
The “Coulomb Phase” in Frustrated Systems
Authors: Henley Christopher L.
Published: July 2010

The “Coulomb phase” is an emergent state for lattice models (particularly highly frustrated antiferromagnets), which have local constraints that can be mapped to a divergence-free “flux.” The coarse-grained versions of this flux or polarization behave analogously to electric or magnetic fields; in particular, defects at which the local constraint is violated behave as effective charges with Coulomb interactions. I survey the derivation of the characteristic power-law correlation functions and the pinch points in reciprocal space plots of diffuse scattering, as well as applications to magnetic relaxation, quantum-mechanical generalizations, phase transitions to long-range-ordered states, and the effects of disorder.
Cell-cell contact regulates gene expression in CDK4-transformed mouse podocytes
Authors: Sakairi Toru , Abe Yoshifusa , Jat Parmijit S. , Kopp Jeffrey B.
Published: July 2010

We transformed mouse podocytes by ectopic expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4). Compared with podocytes transformed with a thermo-sensitive SV40 large T antigen mutant tsA58U19 (tsT podocytes), podocytes transformed with CDK4 (CDK4 podocytes) exhibited significantly higher expression of nephrin mRNA. Synaptopodin mRNA expression was significantly lower in CDK4 podocytes and in tsT podocytes under growth-permissive conditions (33°C) compared with tsT podocytes under growth-restricted conditions (37°C), which suggests a role for cell cycle arrest in synaptopodin mRNA expression. Confluent CDK4 podocytes showed significantly higher mRNA expression levels for nephrin, synaptopodin, Wilms tumor 1, podocalyxin, and P-cadherin compared with subconfluent cultures. We carried out experiments to clarify roles of various factors in the confluent podocyte cultures; our findings indicate that cell-cell contact promotes expression of five podocyte marker genes studied, that cellular quiescence increases synaptopodin and podocalyxin mRNA expression, and that soluble factors play a role in nephrin mRNA expression. Our findings suggest that CDK4 podocytes are useful tools to study podocyte biology. Furthermore, the role of cell-cell contact in podocyte gene expression may have relevance for podocyte function in vivo.
Role of supraspinal and spinal α1-adrenergic receptor subtypes in micturition reflex in conscious rats
Authors: Yoshizumi Masaru , Matsumoto-Miyai Kazumasa , Yonezawa Akihiko , Kawatani Masahito
Published: July 2010

α1-Adrenergic receptor subtypes are widely distributed in the central nervous system and are involved in autonomic functions such as micturition. We investigated the presence and the role of supraspinal and/or spinal α1-adrenergic receptors in modulating the micturition reflex in conscious female Wistar rats. The expression of α1-adrenergic receptor subtypes in rat brain and lumbosacral spinal cord was studied using RT-PCR. Continuous-infusion cystometrograms were obtained in conscious rats, and α1-adrenergic receptor antagonists were administered via intracerebroventricular or intrathecal routes. The mRNA expression of α1A-, α1B-, and α1D-adrenergic receptors was detected in rat brain (midbrain and pons) and lumbosacral spinal cord (dorsal and ventral parts of spinal cord). In addition, intracerebroventricular injection of the α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist tamsulosin (1–10 μg), the selective α1A-adrenergic receptor antagonist silodosin (1–10 μg), and the selective α1D-adrenergic receptor antagonist BMY 7378 (1–10 μg) significantly prolonged the intercontraction interval (ICI) but did not alter maximum voiding pressure (MVP). Although intrathecal injection of BMY 7378 (0.0001–10 μg) did not affect ICI, tamsulosin and silodosin prolonged ICI in a dose-dependent manner. MVP was significantly reduced by intrathecal injection of tamsulosin (10 μg) but not by silodosin or BMY 7378 (0.0001–10 μg). Supraspinal α1A- and α1D-adrenergic receptors are apparently important for the regulation of reflex-bladder activity in conscious rats. Noradrenergic projection from the brain stem to the lumbosacral spinal cord may promote the afferent limb rather than the efferent limb of the micturition reflex pathway via α1A-adrenergic receptors.
Behavioral Response and Transmitter Release During Atonia Elicited by Medial Medullary Stimulation
Authors: Lai Yuan-Yang , Kodama Tohru , Schenkel Elizabeth , Siegel Jerome M.
Published: July 2010

Activation of the medial medulla is responsible for rapid eye movement (REM) sleep atonia and cataplexy. Dysfunction can cause REM sleep behavior disorder and other motor pathologies. Here we report the behavioral effects of stimulation of the nucleus gigantocellularis (NGC) and nucleus magnocellularis (NMC) in unrestrained cats. In waking, 62% of the medial medullary stimulation sites suppressed muscle tone. In contrast, stimulation at all sites, including sites where stimulation produced no change or increased muscle tone in waking, produced decreased muscle tone during slow-wave sleep. In the decerebrate cat electrical stimulation of the NGC increased glycine and decreased norepinephrine (NE) release in the lumbar ventral horn, with no change in γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) or serotonin (5-HT) release. Stimulation of the NMC increased both glycine and GABA release and also decreased both NE and 5-HT release in the ventral horn. Glutamate levels in the ventral horn were not changed by either NGC or NMC stimulation. We conclude that NGC and NMC play neurochemically distinct but synergistic roles in the modulation of motor activity across the sleep–wake cycle via a combination of increased release of glycine and GABA and decreased release of 5-HT and NE. Stimulation of the medial medulla that elicited muscle tone suppression also triggered rapid eye movements, but never produced the phasic twitches that characterize REM sleep, indicating that the twitching and rapid eye movement generators of REM sleep have separate brain stem substrates.
Multiple Firing Patterns in Deep Dorsal Horn Neurons of the Spinal Cord: Computational Analysis of Mechanisms and Functional Implications
Authors: Le Franc Yann , Le Masson Gwendal
Published: July 2010

Deep dorsal horn relay neurons (dDHNs) of the spinal cord are known to exhibit multiple firing patterns under the control of local metabotropic neuromodulation: tonic firing, plateau potential, and spontaneous oscillations. This work investigates the role of interactions between voltage-gated channels and the occurrence of different firing patterns and then correlates these two phenomena with their functional role in sensory information processing. We designed a conductance-based model using the NEURON software package, which successfully reproduced the classical features of plateau in dDHNs, including a wind-up of the neuronal response after repetitive stimulation. This modeling approach allowed us to systematically test the impact of conductance interactions on the firing patterns. We found that the expression of multiple firing patterns can be reproduced by changes in the balance between two currents (L-type calcium and potassium inward rectifier conductances). By investigating a possible generalization of the firing state switch, we found that the switch can also occur by varying the balance of any hyperpolarizing and depolarizing conductances. This result extends the control of the firing switch to neuromodulators or to network effects such as synaptic inhibition. We observed that the switch between the different firing patterns occurs as a continuous function in the model, revealing a particular intermediate state called the accelerating mode. To characterize the functional effect of a firing switch on information transfer, we used correlation analysis between a model of peripheral nociceptive afference and the dDHN model. The simulation results indicate that the accelerating mode was the optimal firing state for information transfer.
Long-Term Impact of Cyclosporin Reduction with MMF Treatment in Chronic Allograft Dysfunction: REFERENECE Study 3-Year Follow Up
Authors: Frimat L. , Cassuto-Viguier E. , Provôt F. , Rostaing L. , Charpentier B. , Akposso K. , Moal M. C. , Lang P. , Glotz D. , Caillard S. , Ducloux D. , Pouteil-Noble C. , Girardot-Seguin S. , Kessler M.
Published: July 2010

Calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) toxicity contributes to chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN). In the 2-year, randomized, study, we showed that 50% cyclosporin (CsA) reduction in combination with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) treatment improves kidney function without increasing the risk for graft rejection/loss. To investigate the long-term effect of this regimen, we conducted a follow up study in 70 kidney transplant patients until 5 years after REFERENCE initiation. The improvement of kidney function was confirmed in the MMF group but not in the control group (CsA group). Four graft losses occurred, 2 in each group (graft survival in the MMF group 95.8% and 90.9% in control group). One death occurred in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of serious adverse events or acute graft rejections. A limitation is the weak proportion of patient still remaining within the control group. On the other hand, REFERENCE focuses on the CsA regimen while opinions about the tacrolimus ones are still debated. In conclusion, CsA reduction in the presence of MMF treatment seems to maintain kidney function and is well tolerated in the long term.
Fixed Point Theorems for Suzuki Generalized Nonexpansive Multivalued Mappings in Banach Spaces
Authors: Abkar A , Eslamian M
Published: July 2010

In the first part of this paper, we prove the existence of common fixed points for a commuting pair consisting of a single-valued and a multivalued mapping both satisfying the Suzuki condition in a uniformly convex Banach space. In this way, we generalize the result of Dhompongsa et al. (2006). In the second part of this paper, we prove a fixed point theorem for upper semicontinuous mappings satisfying the Suzuki condition in strictly "Equation missing" spaces; our result generalizes a recent result of Domínguez-Benavides et al. (2009).
Heavy Metal Pollution, Selection, and Genome Size: The Species of the Žerjav Study Revisited with Flow Cytometry
Authors: Temsch Eva M. , Temsch Wilhelm , Ehrendorfer-Schratt Luise , Greilhuber Johann
Published: July 2010

The Death Valley at Žerjav in northern Slovenia exhibits a gradient of heavy metal pollution in the soil with severe consequences for species richness and composition along this gradient. Recently, a progressive loss of large-genome species in parallel with increasing concentrations of heavy metals has been shown. Here, we have measured the genome size of a near-complete sample of these species with flow cytometry and analysed the correlation of heavy metal pollution with the C- and Cx-values assigned to the test plots. The method of probability analysis was a hypergeometric distribution method. We confirm, on a different methodological basis than previously, that along the pollution gradient, species with high C- and Cx-values are increasingly underrepresented. This lends support to the “large genome constraint hypothesis”, predicting that plants with large genomes are at a disadvantage under all aspects of evolution, ecology, and phenotype, because junk DNA imposes a load to the organism.
Monitoring of Fixture Osteointegration after BAHA® Implantation
Authors: Clemente Fabrizio , Costa Michele , Monini Simonetta , Barbara Maurizio
Published: July 2010

The osteointegration phase of BAHA® fixture was assessed via electrical impedance spectroscopy in BAHA® implantees. Measurements were carried out by using a prototype device and were correlated with previously published histological data obtained at certain times after surgery, i.e. 1–2 days, 1 week, 1 and 3 months. Module variations of impedance spectra were found to be in agreement with the different pathophysiological conditions of bone ingrowth. The proposed methodology has shown to be promisingly reliable to properly monitor BAHA fixture osteointegration.
Renal carcinoma infiltrating inferior vena cava and combined valvular heart disease - one-stage uro-cardiological procedure: a case report
Authors: Antoniewicz Artur A , Poletajew Slawomir , Biederman Andrzej , Zapala Lukasz , Borowka Andrzej
Published: July 2010

Standard treatment of patients with coexisting cardiac and non-cardiac diseases includes two separate operations. We report a case of 55-year-old man with combined valvular heart disease and renal carcinoma infiltrating inferior caval vein, who underwent one-stage cardio-urologic procedure. In the first step, mitral and tricuspid valvuloplasty were performed by cardiac surgeons. Then, urologists performed radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy. The postoperative course was uneventful. In twelve months follow-up the patient shows no signs of reccurrence and he had no symptoms of cardiac disease. To the best of our knowledge such a case has never been reported before in the literature.
Sustained viral load and late death in Rag2-/- mice after influenza A virus infection
Authors: Wu Haiya , Haist Verena , Baumgärtner Wolfgang , Schughart Klaus
Published: July 2010

The importance of the adaptive immune response for secondary influenza infections and protection from a lethal challenge after vaccination has been well documented. However, some controversy still exists concerning the specific involvement of B and T cells during a primary infection. Here, we have followed the survival, weight loss, viral load and lung pathology inRag2-/-knock-out mice after infection with influenza A virus (H1N1). Infected wild type mice initially lost weight early after infection but then cleared the virus and recovered.Rag2-/-mice, however, showed similar weight loss kinetics in the early stages after infection but weight loss continued post infection and culminated in death. In contrast to wild type mice,Rag2-/-mice were not able to clear the virus, despite an increased inflammatory response. Furthermore, they did not recruit virus-specific lymphocytes into the lung in the later stages after infection and exhibited sustained pulmonary lesions.
Struma ovarii associated with pseudo-Meigs' syndrome and elevated serum CA 125: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Jiang Wei , Lu Xin , Zhu Zhi Ling , Liu Xi Shi , Xu Cong Jian
Published: July 2010

The association of pseudo-Meigs' syndrome, elevation of CA 125 to the struma ovarii is a rare condition. So far only nine cases have been reported in English literature through MEDLINE search. Here we report a 46-year-old case of the struma ovarii, presented with ascites, hydrothorax, right ovarian mass and elevated serum CA 125 level. These findings were misdiagnosed for an ovarian malignancy at the first impression. Immediate resolution of the ascites, hydrothorax and normalization of the serum CA 125 level were followed by ovarian mass removal. Struma ovarii could be a rare cause of ascites, hydrothorax, ovarian mass and elevated CA 125. This rare condition should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patents with ascites and pleural effusions but with negative cytology.
Coupled Tuned Mass Dampers for the Seismic Control of Asymmetric-Plan Buildings
Authors: Lin Jui-Liang , Tsai Keh-Chyuan , Yu Yi-Jer
Published: July 2010

An innovative tuned mass damper, referred to as a coupled tuned mass damper (CTMD), is proposed for the control of a coupled vibration mode of one-way asymmetric-plan buildings. The CTMD simultaneously translates and rotates almost resonantly with the vibration of the controlled mode, which actually vibrates in translation, as well as rotation. Thus, the CTMD can be viewed as a direct approach for controlling the modal vibration of asymmetric-plan buildings. First, the CTMD is developed from the two-degree-of-freedom modal system, which has one active and one spurious vibration frequency. It is illustrated that the optimum parameter values of the CTMD can be conveniently determined from those of the corresponding tuned mass damper (TMD). Second, in order to apply the CTMD to a building structure, the properties of the CTMD obtained in the modal space are transformed into the physical space. Finally, the effectiveness of the CTMD in reducing the vibrations of asymmetric-plan structures is verified by investigating the frequency response functions and the response histories of three eight-story asymmetric-plan buildings with and without dampers. These three buildings are respectively torsionally stiff, torsionally similarly stiff, and torsionally flexible. This study confirms that the CTMD is an effective alternative for the seismic control of asymmetric-plan buildings.
Recorded Motions of the 6 April 2009 Mw 6.3 L'Aquila, Italy, Earthquake and Implications for Building Structural Damage: Overview
Authors: Çelebi Mehmet , Bazzurro Paolo , Chiaraluce Lauro , Clemente Paolo , Decanini Luis , DeSortis Adriano , Ellsworth William , Gorini Antonella , Kalkan Erol , Marcucci Sandro , Milana Guiliano , Mollaioli Fabrizio , Olivieri Marco , Paolucci Roberto , Rinaldis Dario , Rovelli Antonio , Sabetta Fabio , Stephens Christopher
Published: July 2010

The normal-faulting earthquake of 6 April 2009 in the Abruzzo Region of central Italy caused heavy losses of life and substantial damage to centuries-old buildings of significant cultural importance and to modern reinforced-concrete-framed buildings with hollow masonry infill walls. Although structural deficiencies were significant and widespread, the study of the characteristics of strong motion data from the heavily affected area indicated that the short duration of strong shaking may have spared many more damaged buildings from collapsing. It is recognized that, with this caveat of short-duration shaking, the infill walls may have played a very important role in preventing further deterioration or collapse of many buildings. It is concluded that better new or retrofit construction practices that include reinforced-concrete shear walls may prove helpful in reducing risks in such seismic areas of Italy, other Mediterranean countries, and even in United States, where there are large inventories of deficient structures.
A Ground Motion Prediction Equation for the Horizontal Component of Cumulative Absolute Velocity (CAV) Based on the PEER-NGA Strong Motion Database
Authors: Campbell Kenneth W. , Bozorgnia Yousef
Published: July 2010

Cumulative absolute velocity (CAV), defined as the integral of the absolute acceleration time series, has been used as an index to indicate the possible onset of structural damage to nuclear power plant facilities and liquefaction of saturated soils. However, there are very few available ground motion prediction equations for this intensity measure. In this study, we developed a new empirical prediction equation for the horizontal component of CAV using the strong motion database and functional forms that were used to develop similar prediction equations for peak response parameters as part of the PEER Next Generation Attenuation (NGA) Project. We consider this relationship to be valid for magnitudes ranging from 5.0 up to 7.5–8.5 (depending on fault mechanism) and distances ranging from 0–200 km. We found the interevent, intra-event, and intracomponent standard deviations from this relationship to be smaller than any intensity measure we have investigated thus far.
An Improved Method for Nonstationary Spectral Matching
Authors: Al Atik Linda , Abrahamson Norman
Published: July 2010

Seismic input to nonlinear dynamic analyses of structures is usually defined in terms of acceleration time series whose response spectra are compatible with a specified target response spectrum. Time domain spectral matching used to generate realistic design acceleration time series is discussed in this paper. A new and improved adjustment function to be used in modifying existing accelerograms while preserving the nonstationary character of the ground motion is presented herein. The application of the new adjustment wavelet ensures stability, efficiency and speed of the numerical solution and prevents drift in the resulting velocity and displacement time series.
Neuroethical Considerations: Cognitive Liberty and Converging Technologies for Improving Human Cognition
Authors: SENTENTIA WRYE
Published: July 2010

Abstract: Developers of NBIC (Nano‐Bio‐Info‐Cogno) technologies face a multitude of obstacles, not the least of which is navigating the public ethics of their applied research. Biotechnologies have received widespread media attention and spawned heated interest in their perceived social implications. Now, in view of the rapidly expanding purview of neuroscience and the growing array of technologic developments capable of affecting or monitoring cognition, the emerging field of neuroethics calls for a consideration of the social and ethical implications of neuroscientific discoveries and trends. To negotiate the complex ethical issues at stake in new and emerging kinds of technologies for improving human cognition, we need to overcome political, disciplinary, and religious sectarianism. We need analytical models that protect values of personhood at the heart of a functional democracy—values that allow, as much as possible, for individual decision‐making, despite transformations in our understanding and ability to manipulate cognitive processes. Addressing cognitive enhancement from the legal and ethical notion of “cognitive liberty” provides a powerful tool for assessing and encouraging NBIC developments.
Mitochondrial and Nuclear Cross Talk in Cell Death
Authors: Andrabi Shaida A. , Dawson Ted M. , Dawson Valina L.
Published: July 2010

Poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase‐1 (PARP‐1) is an abundant nuclear protein best known to facilitate DNA base excision repair. Recent work has expanded the physiologic functions of PARP‐1, and it is clear that the full range of biologic actions of this important protein are not yet fully understood. Regulation of the product of PARP‐1, poly(ADP‐ribose) (PAR), is a dynamic process with PAR glycohydrolase playing the major role in the degradation of the polymer. Under pathophysiologic situations overactivation of PARP‐1 results in unregulated PAR synthesis and widespread neuronal cell death. Once thought to be necrotic cell death resulting from energy failure, we have found that PARP‐1‐dependent cell death is dependent on the generation of PAR, which triggers the nuclear translocation of apoptosis‐inducing factor resulting in caspase‐independent cell death. This form of cell death is distinct from apoptosis, necrosis, or autophagy and is termed parthanatos. PARP‐1‐dependent cell death has been implicated in tissues throughout the body and in diseases afflicting hundreds of millions worldwide, including stroke, Parkinson's disease, heart attack, diabetes, and ischemia reperfusion injury in numerous tissues. The breadth of indications for PARP‐1 injury make parthanatos a clinically important form of cell death to understand and control.
A New Approach to Treating Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Blass John P.
Published: July 2010

It is rational to try to normalize changes that correlate with the severity of the clinical disabilities in Alzheimer's disease (AD) rather than focusing on other of the many abnormalities in end‐stage AD brain that relate only theoretically to the clinical manifestations. The neurobiological measure that correlates most closely to the degree of cognitive deterioration is reduction in cerebral metabolic rate. An attempt to treat this abnormality in AD patients is described; it is based, in part, on metabolic control theory. Encouraging results of a preliminary double‐blind clinical trial do not allow confident conclusions but do support the need for more intensive examination of this approach to AD treatment.
Mechanosensilla in the adult abdomen ofDrosophila:engrailedandslithelp to corral the peripheral sensory axons into segmental bundles
Authors: Fabre Caroline C. G. , Casal José , Lawrence Peter A.
Published: July 2010

The abdomen of adult Drosophila bears mechanosensory bristles with axons that connect directly to the CNS, each hemisegment contributing a separate nerve bundle. Here, we alter the amount of Engrailed protein and manipulate the Hedgehog signalling pathway in clones of cells to study their effects on nerve pathfinding within the peripheral nervous system. We find that high levels of Engrailed make the epidermal cells inhospitable to bristle neurons; sensory axons that are too near these cells are either deflected or fail to extend properly or at all. We then searched for the engrailed-dependent agent responsible for these repellent properties. We found slit to be expressed in the P compartment and, using genetic mosaics, present evidence that Slit is the responsible molecule. Blocking the activity of the three Robo genes (putative receptors for Slit) with RNAi supported this hypothesis. We conclude that, during normal development, gradients of Slit protein repel axons away from compartment boundaries – in consequence, the bristles from each segment send their nerves to the CNS in separated sets.
H3K27me3 regulates BMP activity in developing spinal cord
Authors: Akizu Naiara , Estarás Conchi , Guerrero Laura , Martí Elisa , Martínez-Balbás Marian A.
Published: July 2010

During spinal cord development, the combination of secreted signaling proteins and transcription factors provides information for each neural type differentiation. Studies using embryonic stem cells show that trimethylation of lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27me3) contributes to repression of many genes key for neural development. However, it remains unclear how H3K27me3-mediated mechanisms control neurogenesis in developing spinal cord. Here, we demonstrate that H3K27me3 controls dorsal interneuron generation by regulation of BMP activity. Our study indicates that expression of Noggin, a BMP extracellular inhibitor, is repressed by H3K27me3. Moreover, we show that Noggin expression is induced by BMP pathway signaling, generating a negative-feedback regulatory loop. In response to BMP pathway activation, JMJD3 histone demethylase interacts with the Smad1/Smad4 complex to demethylate and activate the Noggin promoter. Together, our data reveal how the BMP signaling pathway restricts its own activity in developing spinal cord by modulating H3K27me3 levels at the Noggin promoter.
Habit Persistence, Asset Returns, and the Business Cycle
Authors: Boldrin Michele , Christiano Lawrence J , Fisher Jonas D. M
Published: July 2010

Two modifications are introduced into the standard real-business-cycle model: habit preferences and a two-sector technology with limited intersectoral factor mobility. The model is consistent with the observed mean risk-free rate, equity premium, and Sharpe ratio on equity. In addition, its business-cycle implications represent a substantial improvement over the standard model. It accounts for persistence in output, comovement of employment across different sectors over the business cycle, the evidence of “excess sensitivity” of consumption growth to output growth, and the “inverted leading-indicator property of interest rates,” that interest rates are negatively correlated with future output. (JEL D10, E10, E20, G12)
Auctions with Resale Markets: An Application to U.S. Forest Service Timber Sales
Authors: Haile Philip A
Published: July 2010

When bidders anticipate an opportunity for resale trade, the value of winning an auction is determined in part by the option values of buying and selling in the secondary market. One implication is that a bidder's willingness to pay at an auction increases with the expected level of competition between resale buyers. Empirical evidence from auctions of timber contracts supports this prediction and rejects standard models that ignore resale. The estimated effect is smaller after policy changes expected to diminish the prevalence of resale. Additional evidence supports the predicted presence of a common value element introduced by the resale opportunity. (JEL D44, D82, C52, L73)
The Value of Information in Efficient Risk-Sharing Arrangements
Authors: Schlee Edward E
Published: July 2010

Suppose that agents share risks in competitive markets. We show that better information makes everyone worse off if the economy has a representative agent—that is, the economy's demand for state-contingent consumption equals the demand of a hypothetical agent who owns all the economy's wealth. The representative agent, moreover, is normatively unrepresentative: although each agent dislikes information, the “representative” agent is indifferent. Although we emphasize pure exchange, our results imply that a representative-agent model might seriously misstate the welfare effects of improved information in an economy with production and risk sharing, even if it performs well otherwise. (JEL D8)
World Income Components: Measuring and Exploiting Risk-Sharing Opportunities
Authors: Athanasoulis Stefano G , Shiller Robert J
Published: July 2010

A method is constructed for decomposing the variance of changes in incomes in the world into components, to indicate the most important risk-sharing opportunities among people of the world. A constant absolute risk premium (CARP) model, an intertemporal general-equilibrium model of the world, is presented to permit optimal contract design. For a contract designer maximizing a social welfare function, the optimal contracts maximize the equilibrium world real interest rate. Securities are defined in terms of eigenvectors of a transformed variance matrix. The method is applied using Penn World Table data on the G-7 countries, 1950–1992. (JEL F00, G00, G10)
The Division of Spoils: Rent-Sharing and Discrimination in a Regulated Industry
Authors: Black Sandra E , Strahan Philip E
Published: July 2010

Until the middle of the 1970's, regulations constrained banks' ability to enter new markets. Over the subsequent 25 years, states gradually lifted these restrictions. This paper tests whether rents fostered by regulation were shared with labor, and whether firms were discriminating by sharing these rents disproportionately with male workers. We find that average compensation and average wages for banking employees fell after states deregulated. Male wages fell by about 12 percent after deregulation, whereas women's wages fell by only 3 percent, suggesting that rents were shared mainly with men. Women's share of employment in managerial positions also increased following deregulation. (JEL G2, J3, J7, L5)
Telecommunications Infrastructure and Economic Development: A Simultaneous Approach
Authors: Röller Lars-Hendrik , Waverman Leonard
Published: July 2010

In this paper we investigate how telecommunications infrastructure affects economic growth. We use evidence from 21 OECD countries over a 20-year period to examine the impacts that telecommunications developments may have had. We jointly estimate a micromodel for telecommunication investment with a macro production function. We find evidence of a significant positive causal link, especially when a critical mass of telecommunications infrastructure is present. Interestingly, the critical mass appears to be at a level of telecommunications infrastructure that is near universal service. (JEL O57, O47, L69)
Social Culture and Economic Performance
Authors: Fang Hanming
Published: July 2010

The connection between obtaining higher paying jobs and undertaking some seemingly irrelevant activity is interpreted as “social culture.” In the context of a society trying to adopt a new technology, I show that by allowing the firms to give preferential treatment to workers based on some “cultural activity,” the society can partially overcome an informational free-riding problem. Therefore, social culture may affect the economic performance by altering the effective production technology of the economy. (JEL P17, Z13)
Competition in Loan Contracts
Authors: Parlour Christine A , Rajan Uday
Published: July 2010

We present a model of an unsecured loan market. Many lenders simultaneously offer loan contracts (a debt level and an interest rate) to a borrower. The borrower may accept more than one contract. Her payoff if she defaults increases in the total amount borrowed. If this payoff is high enough, deterministic zero-profit equilibria cannot be sustained. Lenders earn a positive profit, and may even charge the monopoly price. The positive-profit equilibria are robust to increases in the number of lenders. Despite the absence of asymmetric information, the competitive outcome does not obtain in the limit. (JEL D43, L13, L14)
An Account of Global Factor Trade
Authors: Davis Donald R , Weinstein David E
Published: July 2010

A half century of empirical work attempting to predict the factor content of trade in goods has failed to bring theory and data into congruence. Our study shows how the Heckscher-Ohlin-Vanek theory, when modified to permit technical differences, a breakdown in factor price equalization, the existence of nontraded goods, and costs of trade, is consistent with data from ten OECD countries and a rest-of-world aggregate. (JEL F1, F11, D5)
Nursery Cities: Urban Diversity, Process Innovation, and the Life Cycle of Products
Authors: Duranton Gilles , Puga Diego
Published: July 2010

This paper develops microfoundations for the role that diversified cities play in fostering innovation. A simple model of process innovation is proposed, where firms learn about their ideal production process by making prototypes. We build around this a dynamic general-equilibrium model, and derive conditions under which diversified and specialized cities coexist. New products are developed in diversified cities, trying processes borrowed from different activities. On finding their ideal process, firms switch to mass production and relocate to specialized cities where production costs are lower. We find strong evidence of this pattern in establishment relocations across French employment areas 1993–1996. (JEL R30, O31, D83)
Partnerships for local employment promotion: A case study
Authors: Carrilho Tiago
Published: July 2010

In this article we study typologies of partnership in three local projects for employment promotion, based on case study methodology. Partnership is the process by which two or more agents interact on the basis of key assumptions that are reflected in the project dynamic. For the three
projects analysed Medida, Formart and Le Cheile the definition of participation through resource availability and actions constitutes the basis for coordination development by partner agents. Forms of coordination differentiate partnership dynamics, which are also based on different organisational
impacts in projects and in the origin institutions of the partners.
A Distinct Set ofDrosophilaBrain Neurons Required for Neurofibromatosis Type 1-Dependent Learning and Memory
Authors: Buchanan Monica E. , Davis Ronald L.
Published: July 2010

Nonspecific cognitive impairments are one of the many manifestations of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). A learning phenotype is also present inDrosophila melanogasterthat lack a functional neurofibromin gene (nf1). Multiple studies have indicated that Nf1-dependent learning inDrosophilainvolves the cAMP pathway, including the demonstration of a genetic interaction between Nf1 and therutabaga-encoded adenylyl cyclase (Rut-AC). Olfactory classical conditioning experiments have previously demonstrated a requirement for Rut-AC activity and downstream cAMP pathway signaling in neurons of the mushroom bodies. However, Nf1 expression in adult mushroom body neurons has not been observed. Here, we address this discrepancy by demonstrating (1) that Rut-AC is required for the acquisition and stability of olfactory memories, whereas Nf1 is only required for acquisition, (2) that expression ofnf1RNA can be detected in the cell bodies of mushroom body neurons, and (3) that expression of annf1transgene only in the α/β subset of mushroom body neurons is sufficient to restore both protein synthesis-independent and protein synthesis-dependent memory. Our observations indicate that memory-related functions of Rut-AC are both Nf1-dependent and -independent, that Nf1 mediates the formation of two distinct memory components within a single neuron population, and that our understanding of Nf1 function in memory processes may be dissected from its role in other brain functions by specifically studying the α/β mushroom body neurons.
SIRT1 Promotes the Central Adaptive Response to Diet Restriction through Activation of the Dorsomedial and Lateral Nuclei of the Hypothalamus
Authors: Satoh Akiko , Brace Cynthia S. , Ben-Josef Gal , West Tim , Wozniak David F. , Holtzman David M. , Herzog Erik D. , Imai Shin-ichiro
Published: July 2010

Diet restriction retards aging and extends lifespan by triggering adaptive mechanisms that alter behavioral, physiological, and biochemical responses in mammals. Little is known about the molecular pathways evoking the corresponding central response. One factor that mediates the effects of diet restriction is the mammalian nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent deacetylase SIRT1. Here we demonstrate that diet restriction significantly increases SIRT1 protein levels and induces neural activation in the dorsomedial and lateral hypothalamic nuclei. Increasing SIRT1 in the brain of transgenic (BRASTO) mice enhances neural activity specifically in these hypothalamic nuclei, maintains a higher range of body temperature, and promotes physical activity in response to different diet-restricting paradigms. These responses are all abrogated inSirt1-deficient mice. SIRT1 upregulates expression of the orexin type 2 receptor specifically in these hypothalamic nuclei in response to diet-restricting conditions, augmenting response to ghrelin, a gut hormone whose levels increase in these conditions. Our results suggest that in the hypothalamus, SIRT1 functions as a key mediator of the central response to low nutritional availability, providing insight into the role of the hypothalamus in the regulation of metabolism and aging in mammals.
Presetting Basal Ganglia for Volitional Actions
Authors: Watanabe Masayuki , Munoz Douglas P.
Published: July 2010

The basal ganglia (BG) have been considered as a key structure for volitional action preparation. Neurons in the striatum, the main BG input stage, increase activity gradually before volitional action initiation. However, because of the diversity of striatal motor commands, such as automatic (sensory driven) and volitional (internally driven) actions, it is still unclear whether an appropriate set of neurons encoding volitional actions are activated selectively for volitional action preparation. Here, using the antisaccade paradigm (look away from a visual stimulus), we dissociated neurons in the caudate nucleus, the oculomotor striatum, encoding predominantly automatic saccades toward the stimulus and volitional saccades in the opposite direction of the stimulus in monkeys. We found that before actual saccade directions were defined by visual stimulus appearance, neurons encoding volitional saccades increased activity with elapsed time from fixation initiation and by a temporal gap between fixation point disappearance and stimulus appearance. Their activity was further enhanced by an antisaccade instruction and correlated with antisaccade behavior. Neurons encoding automatic saccades also increased activity with elapsed time from fixation initiation and by a fixation gap. However, the activity of this type of neuron was not enhanced by an antisaccade instruction nor correlated with antisaccade behavior. We conclude that caudate neurons integrate nonspatial signals, such as elapsed time from fixation initiation, fixation gap, and task instructions, to preset BG circuits in favor of volitional actions to compete against automatic actions even before automatic and volitional commands are programmed with spatial information.
Interferência de caruru-de-mancha, maria-pretinha, picão-preto e tiririca em tomateiro industrial
Authors: Silva Bruna Pires da , Carvalho Leonardo Bianco de , Alves Pedro Luis da Costa Aguiar , Souza Marcelo Claro de , Magário Fernando Benini
Published: July 2010

O objetivo da presente pesquisa foi estudar o efeito da interferência de caruru-de-mancha (Amaranthus viridis), picão-preto (Bidens pilosa), tiririca (Cyperus rotundus) e Maria-pretinha (Solanum americanum) sobre a altura de plantas, a área foliar, o teor de clorofila, o acúmulo de massa seca e macronutrientes na cultura e a massa fresca de frutos do tomateiro industrial. Os tratamentos foram (a) duas plantas de tomateiro + duas de A. viridis; (b) duas plantas de tomateiro + duas de B. pilosa; (c) duas plantas de tomateiro + duas de C. rotundus; e (d) duas plantas de tomateiro + duas de S. americanum. Além disso, manteve-se uma testemunha com duas plantas de tomateiro sem associação com planta daninha. Dentro de cada espécie de planta daninha, o efeito sobre a cultura foi o mesmo para todas as características avaliadas, independentemente da distância utilizada. A. viridis e S. americanum foram plantas daninhas com maior capacidade competitiva que B. pilosa e C. rotundus. O teor de clorofila, a altura e a área foliar do tomateiro não foram afetados pela convivência com as plantas daninhas. B. pilosa e C. rotundus não influenciaram no acúmulo de macronutrientes do tomateiro, enquanto A. viridis e S. americanum afetaram de maneira diferenciada em função da distância utilizada, sendo A. viridis a espécie mais competitiva. A massa fresca de frutos do tomateiro não foi reduzida pela convivência com as quatro espécies de plantas daninhas.