bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The co-evolved Helicobacter pylori and gastric cancer: trinity of bacterial virulence, host susceptibility and lifestyle
Authors: Akhter Yusuf , Ahmed Irshad , Devi S Manjulata , Ahmed Niyaz
Published: January 2007

Helicobacter pylori is an important yet unproven etiological agent of gastric cancer. H. pylori infection is more prevalent in developing Asian countries like India and it is usually acquired at an early age. It has been two decades since Marshall and Warren (1984) first described curved bacilli in the stomach of ulcer and gastritis patients. This discovery has won them the Nobel Prize recently, but the debate whether H. pylori is a pathogen or a commensal organism is still hot. Associations with disease-specific factors remain illusive years after the genome sequences were made available. Cytotoxin-associated antigen A (CagA) and the so-called plasticity region cluster genes are implicated in pathogenesis of the carcinoma of stomach. Another virulence factor VacA whose role is still debatable, has recently been projected in pathology of gastric cancer. Studies of the evolution through genetic variation in H. pylori populations have provided a window into the history of human population migrations and a possible co-evolution of this pathogen with its human host. Possible symbiotic relationships were seriously debated since the discovery of this pathogen. The debate has been further intensified as some studies proposed H. pylori infection to be beneficial in some humans. In this commentary, we attempt to briefly discuss about H. pylori as a human pathogen, and some of the important issues linked to its pathophysiology in different hosts.

'We dance around in a ring and suppose, the secret sits in the middle and knows' – Robert Frost
"'Tis better to be brief than tedious"? The Evolution of the American Public Library Annual Report, 1876-2004
Authors: Lear Bernadette A
Published: January 2007

In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries public libraries used annual reports to inform the public and one another about new services and managerial approaches. Because librarians filled reports with statistics, narrative, and professional philosophy and exchanged them throughout the country, nearby collections of reports can provide rich and accessible evidence for institutional, social, and cultural history studies. However, starting in the 1920s, library reports began to emphasize themes rather than departmental details, and librarians increasingly communicated through journals. Thus some libraries ceased collecting institutional publications. Although today's reports are suitable for public relations purposes, historians should be concerned about their limited content and distribution.
Prenatal Exposure to Cocaine Produces Unique Developmental and Long-Term Adaptive Changes in Dopamine D1Receptor Activity and Subcellular Distribution
Authors: Stanwood Gregg D. , Levitt Pat
Published: January 2007

Low-dose intravenous cocaine administration to pregnant rabbits causes permanent structural alterations in dopamine-rich cerebral cortical areas, substantially reduced dopamine D1receptor coupling to Gs-protein, and deficits in cognitive function. The developmental influences of reduced D1–Gscoupling and the underlying cellular basis are unknown. Using primary neuronal cultures derived from the medial frontal cortex and striatum ofin uterosaline- and cocaine-exposed embryos, spontaneous neurite outgrowth ofin utero-exposed cortical neurons was greater than in control neurons. In contrast, striatal neurons exposed to cocainein uteroexhibited an entirely opposite adaptive response, with diminished spontaneous neurite outgrowth compared with saline-exposed controls. Control neurons isolated from the two structures also exhibited opposite regulatory responses to the D1receptor agonist SKF38393 (1-phenyl-2,3,4-5-tetrahydro-(1H)-3-benzazepine-7,8-diol hydrochloride), inhibiting outgrowth in cortical cultures and stimulating outgrowth in striatal cultures. The agonist was ineffective in modulating neurite outgrowth of neurons from either structure isolated from cocaine-exposed fetuses, reflecting the reduced D1–Gs coupling. Total D1receptor number was indistinguishable in neurons from the cocaine- and saline-exposed animals, but cell imaging and receptor binding of differentially isolated membranes showed that the lack of responsiveness was because of greatly reduced cell-surface localization of D1receptors. These data suggest that prenatal exposure to cocaine causes a novel, long-lasting adaptive response in the subcellular distribution of D1receptors, resulting in alterations in signaling capacity that have developmental and behavioral consequences.
Electrochemistry in Room Temperature Ionic Liquids: A Review and Some Possible Applications
Authors: Silvester Debbie S. , Compton Richard G.
Published: January 2007

A review of electrochemistry in ionic liquids is presented, highlighting some particular examples, with the aim to compare any similarities and differences observed in RTILs to that observed in conventional solvents. The presence of impurities such as halide and water on the electrochemical window and viscosity of RTILs is discussed. Some fundamental electrochemical studies relating to mass transport, heterogeneous electron transfer kinetics and double-layer capacitance are compared to similar studies in conventional solvents, and the suitability of RTILs as solvents in electrochemical experiments is considered. The application of RTILs as replacements for conventional solvents in gas sensors is reviewed, focussing on the electrochemistry observed in RTILs for the following gases: oxygen, a mixture of oxygen and carbon dioxide, and ammonia. The low volatility and high thermal stability of RTILs renders them advantageous for the development of robust sensors under extreme conditions. Finally, the possibility for use of RTILs as solvents in electrosynthesis is discussed, focussing on two examples: the reactivity of electrogenerated bromine with cyclohexene, and the reduction of 4-nitrophenol. It is obvious that RTILs have the ability to offer many advantages over traditional solvents in the field of electrochemistry.
Participatory maize breeding in Portugal. A case study
Authors: Moreira P. M. R. M.
Published: January 2007

Participatory maize breeding (PMB) was initiated in Portugal in 1984 by
Dr. Silas Pêgo at Sousa Valley. The VASO project was intended to answer
the problem facing small farmers, i.e. yield increasing without losing the
parameters defined by farmers in polycropping systems maintaining the quality
traits under a sustainable agriculture. This model is based on the Integrant
Philosophy, which contrasts with the Productivist Philosophy. The Integrant
Philosophy is intended to fit a multicrop agricultural system that corporate
agriculture does not reach due to incipient market conditions. The present
document intends to be a contribution to: 1) the study of 20 years of VASO; 2)
methods used in PMB for Portuguese open-pollinated maize varieties and 3)
present research.
Effects of Lactation on Alveolar Bone Loss in Experimental Periodontitis
Authors: Shoji Kanako , Ohtsuka‐Isoya Mie , Shimauchi Hidetoshi , Shinoda Hisashi
Published: January 2007

Background: The development and progression of periodontitis are accelerated by various systemic conditions. The present study was designed to determine whether lactation affects alveolar bone loss in rat models of experimental periodontitis.

Methods: Sixty‐two female Wistar rats were bred with male rats and divided into three groups that were fed diets containing 0.9%, 0.3%, and 0.02% calcium. They were divided further into two subgroups of lactating and non‐lactating animals. An elastic ring was placed around the neck of the right mandibular first molar to induce periodontitis (experimental side) on day 32 after mating. The left first molar was not fitted with an elastic ring (control side). After the lactation period, bone mineral density (BMD) was determined, and a histologic examination of the interdental alveolar bone was performed.

Results: On the experimental and control sides, BMD decreased significantly according to the amount of calcium in the diet; however, the magnitude of this decrease was much greater in the lactating group. Histologic examination revealed that in lactating and non‐lactating rats, the decrease in BMD was accompanied by a decrease in alveolar bone height on the experimental side, whereas similar results were not seen on the control side.

Conclusions: Lactation could be a risk factor for alveolar bone loss, especially under conditions of calcium insufficiency. Increased systemic demand for calcium and an insufficient supply of calcium might enhance the development of alveolar bone loss in periodontitis.
PTQ™ Implants in the treatment of faecal soiling
Authors: van der Hagen S J , van Gemert W G , Baeten C G
Published: January 2007

Effective in the short term
Artificial Zinc(II) Complexes Regulate Cell Cycle and Apoptosis‐Related Genes in Tumor Cell Lines
Authors: Gao Jian , Liu Ya‐Guang , Zhou Yaqing , Boxer Linda M. , Woolley F. Ross , Zingaro Ralph A.
Published: January 2007

Various proteins involved in transcriptional regulation possess highly selective DNA‐binding domains, known as zinc fingers. However, little is known about small‐molecule zinc(II) complexes in the regulation of gene expression and programmed cell death. A new family of zinc(II) complexes is reported, which might be useful against human cancer cells. By using template synthesis and in vitro cell‐line screening, a set of zinc(II) complexes has been found to induce apoptosis of cancer cells and display single‐reagent in vitro cytotoxicity. The method used to synthesize the molecules resulted in “built‐in” luminescent behavior. Confocal optical imaging clearly demonstrated penetration through the cell membrane by these metal complexes. We have discovered that C3, the meso‐zinc(II) complex is an extremely efficient regulator of the cell cycle and anti‐apoptosis genes bcl‐2 and bcl‐xL. This study provides a new insight into the development of zinc(II) complexes as potential drugs.
Synthesis and Characterization of the First Silver Complexes with Antimony Anions
Authors: Fenske Dieter , Rothenberger Alexander , Wieber Stephan
Published: January 2007

The synthesis and characterization of the silver antimony complexes [Ag12{Sb(SiMe3)}6(PiPr3)6] (1), [Ag4(Sb4Ph4)2(PiPr3)4] (2) and [Ag4(Sb6Ph6)2(PnBu3)4] (3) is reported. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Depletion of neutrophils reduces neuronal degeneration and inflammatory responses induced by quinolinic acid in vivo
Authors: Ryu Jae K. , Tran Karen C. , McLarnon James G.
Published: January 2007

The use of anti‐neutrophil serum (anti‐PMN) to induce neutropenia has been assessed for neuroprotection, modulation of microgliosis and astrogliosis, effects on oxidative stress, and intactness of blood‐brain barrier (BBB) following injection of the excitotoxin quinolinic acid (QUIN) into rat striatum. At 1 day following QUIN injection, considerable striatal neurodegeneration was measured (Fluoro‐Jade B marker). At this time, marked microgliosis (OX‐42 marker) and astrogliosis (GFAP marker) were evident in QUIN‐injected striatum. Treatment of QUIN‐injected animals with anti‐PMN protected neurons (48% reduction of striatal neuron loss) and inhibited microgliosis (61% reduction) and astrogliosis (43% reduction) compared with QUIN injection alone. Anti‐PMN treatment was effective in decreasing levels of superoxide anions (by 42%) compared with QUIN alone; in addition, expressions of the neutrophil enzyme myeloperoxidase and the neutrophil oxidant 3‐chlorotyrosine were markedly reduced (by 79 and 72%, respectively) with neutrophil depletion. QUIN‐induced leakiness in BBB was indicated by elevated striatal levels of the blood protein fibrinogen, a result confirmed using Evans blue dye; anti‐PMN was effective in reducing BBB permeability. Measurements from QUIN‐injected animals directly confirmed anti‐PMN efficacy in diminishing numbers of circulating neutrophils. Longer term neuroprotection and reduced microgliosis were also observed at 7 days post‐injection of anti‐PMN; at this time, anti‐PMN‐treated rats also demonstrated an improved apomorphine‐induced rotational performance. We conclude that anti‐PMN treatment could serve as a novel strategy to prevent leakiness to BBB, reduce gliosis, and protect striatal neurons in excitotoxin‐injected brain. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
OCT‐4, an embryonic stem cell marker, is highly expressed in bladder cancer
Authors: Atlasi Yaser , Mowla Seyed J. , Ziaee Seyed A.M. , Bahrami Ahmad‐Reza
Published: January 2007

OCT‐4 (also known as POU5F1) is a key regulator of self‐renewal in embryonic stem cells. Regarding the new cancer stem cell concept, the expression of such genes is potentially correlated with tumorigenesis and can affect some aspects of tumor behavior, such as tumor recurrence or resistance to therapies. Although OCT‐4 has been introduced as a molecular marker for germ cell tumors, little is known about its expression in somatic cancers. Here, we have investigated the potential expression of OCT‐4 in bladder cancer. We used semiquantitative RT‐PCR to examine the expression of OCT‐4 in 32 tumors, 13 apparently nontumor tissues taken from the margin of tumors and 9 normal urothelial tissues. The expression of OCT‐4 at protein level was further determined by Western blotting and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis. OCT‐4 expression was detected in almost all examined tumors (31/32), but at much lower level (p < 0.001) in some nonneoplastic samples (6/22). A significantly strong correlation of 0.6 has been observed between OCT‐4 expression and the presence of tumors (p < 0.001). Western blot analysis further confirmed the expression of OCT‐4 in tumor biopsies. According to IHC results, OCT‐4 is primarily localized in the nuclei of tumor cells, with no or low immunoreactivity in nontumor cells. Our study demonstrated, for the first time, the expression of OCT‐4 in bladder cancer and a further clue to the involvement of embryonic genes in carcinogenesis. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vivo Raman spectroscopic analysis of the influence of IR radiation on the carotenoid antioxidant substances beta-carotene and lycopene in the human skin. Formation of free radicals
Authors: Darvin M E , Gersonde I , Albrecht H , Zastrow L , Sterry W , Lademann J
Published: January 2007

Resonance Raman spectroscopy was used as a fast and non-invasive optical method for the determination of the influence of IR radiation on the degradation of carotenoid antioxidant substances beta-carotene and lycopene in the human skin. It was found that the beta-carotene and lycopene concentration in the skin are decreased almost immediately subsequent to IR irradiation. The magnitude of degradation of carotenoids in the skin was determined at 27% for beta-carotene and 38% for lycopene on average. A strong correlation between the individual level of beta-carotene and lycopene in the skin of volunteers and the magnitude of destruction of carotenoids beta-carotene and lycopene in the skin was found to be R
2=0.78 and R
2=0.89 correspondingly. Taking into consideration the absence of absorption in the infrared range of spectra and the relative heat stability of carotenoids up to 50° C, the action of free radicals, which can be produced subsequent to IR irradiation in the skin, can be the main purpose for the degradation of carotenoid substances in the skin.
Theory of ferromagnetic semiconductors
Authors: Katayama‐Yoshida H. , Sato K. , Fukushima T. , Toyoda M. , Kizaki H. , Dinh V. A. , Dederichs P. H.
Published: January 2007

The Editor's Choice article presents a unified physical picture of magnetism and an accurate calculation method of the Curie temperature TC in II–VI and III–V dilute magnetic semiconductors (DMS). New phases in inhomogeneous systems, e.g. nitrides, causing particularly high T C are proposed. The cover picture shows the spinodal nano‐decomposition of (Ga,Cr)N (Cr 30% T C = 700 K), called 3D Dairiseki phase after 100 Monte Carlo steps. Cr atoms are plotted in pink colour.

The first author, Hiroshi Katayama‐Yoshida holds a professor‐ship at ISIR, Departments of Condensed Matter Physics and Computational Nano‐materials Design of Osaka University. His research area covers semiconductor physics and high‐TC superconductors as well as computational nano‐materials design, yielding 40 patents and more than 300 publications to date.

The article is an invited presentation from the recent 2006 E‐MRS Fall Meeting symposium on Dilute Magnetic Materials for Spintronic Applications in Warsaw, highlighting the current high scientific interest in the development of DMS and other materials exhibiting ferromagnetism. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Performance measures for supporting project manager decisions
Authors: Bertolino Antonia , Marchetti Eda , Mirandola Raffaela
Published: January 2007

Software measurement is a crucial technology along the software development process, and notably for project management. Decision‐making in project management requires in fact, accurate estimations and the support of metrics to monitor and control the varying factors affecting the development process.

Managers must make reliable schedule predictions and optimize personnel utilization. They therefore must be able to dynamically evaluate whether the resources assigned to a job are sufficient and whether the organization structure is adequate to meet the scheduled deadlines.

To support managers in these tasks, we propose a method called Propean (for PROject PErformance ANalysis) based on the combination of classical performance engineering techniques and the Unified Modelling Language (UML). The combined application of these disciplines guarantees on one hand, a validated approach for modelling and estimating the ‘Quality of Service’ parameters when they come to the development process. Performance engineering techniques are in fact based on rigorous mathematical formalisms such as queueing networks, stochastic Petri nets and Markov models. On the other hand, the adoption of UML provides managers with an easy‐to‐use front‐end representation of the process closer to the design notations they routinely employ. To illustrate Propean application, in this article, we model the case of a manager who must decide a release date for a product undergoing the testing phase. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of essential fatty acid deficiency on the size and distribution of rat plasma HDL
Authors: Lowe K. E. , Pelkey S. , Williams M. A. , Nichols A. V.
Published: January 2007

Rat plasma high density lipoproteins (HDL) are comprised of two major particle size subpopulations, HDL1 (255 Å−140 Å) and HDL2 (140 Å−84 Å), in which the proportion of arachidonate in fatty acids of cholesteryl esters is greater than 50%. To determine whether decreased availability of arachidonate for cholesterol esterification would alter the distribution and/or amounts of the HDL subpopulations, we compared HDL subpopulations in EFA‐deficient and control rats. To separate the effects of EFA deficiency and fat deficiency and to evaluate effects of different saturated fats, we used EFA‐deficient diets that were fat‐free or that contained 5% saturated fat. The control diets were the EFA‐deficient diets plus 1% safflower oil. The saturated fats were hydrogenated coconut oil, hydrogenated cottonseed oil and saturated medium‐chain triglycerides. All EFA‐deficient diets decreased the proportion of the HDL1 subpopulation and the peak diameter of the HDL2 subpopulation. These changes appeared after quite brief EFA depletion in young rats and may be related to the increased liver cholesteryl ester concentrations typical of EFA‐deficient rats.
Diffication of high affinity fatty acid receptors in rat myocardial sarcolemmal membranes
Authors: Fujii Satoshi , Kawaguchi Hideaki , Yasuda Hisakazu
Published: January 2007

High affinity receptors for fatty acid were purified from rat cardiac sarcolemmal membrane using gel filtration, DEAE‐cellulose chromatography and affinity chromatography. The purified protein was homogeneous on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with the molecular weight of 60 kDa. Binding studies revealed the presence of a single class of high affinity binding sites with an apparent dissociation constant of 1.0 μM and a maximal binding capacity of 12.1 pmol/μg protein.
Extraction of lipids from yeast
Authors: Sobus M. T. , Holmlund C. E.
Published: January 2007

Several methods for the extraction of lipids from intact yeast cells have been compared. Extraction of intact cells with methanol followed by methanol:benzene (1∶1, v/v) and benzene resulted in the recovery of equal or greater amounts of polar and nonpolar lipids than obtained by other methods. A preparative method involving preincubation of cells with aqueous KOH followed by the treatment of the cellular residue as described above yielded slightly more steryl esters than was extracted from broken cell preparations.
Reaction products of α‐tocopherol with methyl linoleate‐peroxyl radicals
Authors: Yamauchi Ryo , Matsui Tomoatsu , Kato Koji , Ueno Yoshimitsu
Published: January 2007

α‐Tocopherol was reacted with methyl linoleateperoxyl radicals at 37°C. The peroxyl radicals were generated by the reaction of methyl linoleate with a free radical initiator, 2,2′‐azobis(2,4‐dimethylvaleronitrile). The primary products of α‐tocopherol with methyl linoleate‐peroxyl radicals were isolated by reversephase and normal‐phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and their structures were characterized by ultraviolet (UV), infrared (IR),1H and13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS). There were four stereoisomers of methyl 13‐(8a‐peroxy‐α‐tocopherone)‐9(Z),11(E)‐octadecadienoate and four stereoisomers of methyl9‐(8a‐peroxy‐α‐tocopherone)‐10(E),12(Z)‐octadecadienoate.
Quantitative determination of 1,2‐diacylglycerol in thoracic aorta of the rat using latroscan TLC/FID: Effect of norepinephrine
Authors: Okumura Kenji , Yamada Yumiko , Kondo Junichiro , Kobayashi Norio , Hashimoto Hidekazu , Ito Takayuki
Published: January 2007

This study was undertaken to evaluate the use of the Iatroscan TLC/FID system for quantitating 1,2‐diacylglycerol (DG) in the aorta. Cholesteryl acetate was chosen as an internal standard. In order to avoid interference of triglyceride and phospholipids with the separation of the internal standard and 1,2‐DG, a stepwise elution of lipids from the silicic acid column was used. The development of Chromarods was done using two solvent systems and a three‐step developing technique. Assay and recovery of both 1,2‐DG and cholesterol (as compared to cholesteryl acetate) were sufficient to measure changes in the 1,2‐DG content in blood vessels. After exposing the thoracic aorta to 10−5 M norepinephrine for 10 min, the 1,2‐DG content increased nearly two‐fold without significant change in cholesterol content.
Feeding pure docosahexaenoate or arachidonate decreases plasma triacylglycerol secretion in rats
Authors: Williams M. A. , Tinoco J. , Yang Y. ‐T. , Bird M. I. , Hincenbergs I.
Published: January 2007

Essential fatty acid (EFA)‐deficient rats were fed highly purified methyl esters of docosahexaenoate (22∶6n−3), arachidonate (20∶4n−6), alpha‐linolenate (18∶3n−3) or oleate (18∶1n−9) (100 mg/day, tube fed for 3–10 days), and their plasma triacylglycerol (TG) secretion rates were measured. Secretion rates of TG into plasma were reduced by tube‐feeding 22∶6n−3, 20∶4n−6, 18∶3n−3, but not 18∶1n−9, to EFA‐deficient rats. A significant reduction occurred after feeding 22∶6n−3 for only three days. Feeding 22∶6n−3 or 18∶3n−3 to EFA‐deficient rats for three days also reduced the activities of liver lipogenic enzymes and sharply increased the proportions of 22∶6n−3 and 20∶5n−3 in liver phospholipid fractions. Mechanisms by which these EFA may reduce lipogenesis are discussed.
Rhizomucor miehei triglyceride lipase is processed and secreted from transformedAspergillus oryzae
Authors: Huge‐Jensen Birgitte , Andreasen Frank , Christensen Tove , Christensen Mogens , Thim Lars , Boel Esper
Published: January 2007

The cDNA encoding the precursor of theRhizomucor miehei triglyceride lipase was inserted in anAspergillus oryzae expression vector. In this vector the expression of the lipase cDNA is under control of theAspergillus oryzae α‐amylase gene promoter and theAspergillus niger glucoamylase gene terminator. The recombinant plasmid was introduced intoAspergillus oryzae, and transformed colonies were selected and screened for lipase expression. Lipase‐positive transformants were grown in a small fermentor, and recombinant triglyceride lipase was purified from the culture broth. The purified enzymatically active recombinant lipase (rRML) secreted fromA. oryzae was shown to have the same characteristics with respect to mobility on reducing SDS‐gels and amino acid composition as the native enzyme. N‐terminal amino acid sequencing indicated that approximately 70% of the secreted rRML had the same N‐terminal sequence as the nativeRhizomucor miehei enzyme, whereas 30% of the secreted rRML was one amino acid residue shorter in the N‐terminal. The recombinant lipase precursor, which has a 70 amino acid propeptide, is thus processed in and secreted fromAspergillus oryzae. We have hereby demonstrated the utility of this organism as a host for the production of recombinant triglyceride lipases.
Microstructures in a banded iron formation (Gua mine, India)
Authors: MAMTANI MANISH A. , MUKHERJI A. , CHAUDHURI A. K.
Published: January 2007

This paper provides a detailed documentation of microstructures developed in the banded iron formation (BIF) of Gua mine, located in the Bonai Synclinorium (eastern India), where the rocks have been subjected to three deformations (D1 to D3). Folded iron ores, quartz strain fringes around rigid core objects and folded iron ore layers, and refracted quartz veins are described from samples taken from D2 folds in the banded iron formation. Orientations of microstructures are compared with mesoscopic structures to interpret the generations of ore minerals, planar structures and the time relationship between deformation and development of different microstructures. The mechanism of D2 folding is worked out and its bearing on microstructure development is discussed. The D2 folds are inferred to have developed by a combination of tangential longitudinal strain in the competent layer, flexural flow in the incompetent layers and flexural slip at the interface between layers of differing competence. Homogeneous flattening strain superposed the earlier strain, which led to modification of the folds in the competent layer from class 1B to 1C. This strain is quantified and is found to be higher in the limb than the hinge of a fold. Diffusive mass transfer by solution and bulging dynamic recrystallization in quartz are inferred as the dominant deformation processes during folding. Moreover, based on comparison with published deformation microstructure maps, the microstructures of the present study are estimated to have developed between 300 and 350 °C temperatures at a strain rate of 10−14–10−12 s−1, which are geologically realistic conditions for naturally deformed rocks.
State affective instability in borderline personality disorder assessed by ambulatory monitoring
Authors: EBNER-PRIEMER ULRICH W. , KUO JANICE , KLEINDIENST NIKOLAUS , WELCH STACY S. , REISCH THOMAS , REINHARD IRIS , LIEB KLAUS , LINEHAN MARSHA M. , BOHUS MARTIN
Published: January 2007

Background. Although affective instability is an essential criterion for borderline personality disorder (BPD), it has rarely been reported as an outcome criterion. To date, most of the studies assessing state affective instability in BPD using paper-pencil diaries did not find indications of this characteristic, whereas in others studies, the findings were conflicting. Furthermore, the pattern of instability that characterizes BPD has not yet been identified.

Method. We assessed the affective states of 50 female patients with BPD and 50 female healthy controls (HC) during 24 hours of their everyday life using electronic diaries.

Results. In contrast to previous paper-and-pencil diary studies, heightened affective instability for both emotional valence and distress was clearly exhibited in the BPD group but not in the HC group. Inconsistencies in previous papers can be explained by the methods used to calculate instability (see Appendix). In additional, we were able to identify a group-specific pattern of instability in the BPD group characterized by sudden large decreases from positive mood states. Furthermore, 48% of the declines from a very positive mood state in BPD were so large that they reached a negative mood state. This was the case in only 9% of the HC group, suggesting that BPD patients, on average, take less time to fluctuate from a very positive mood state to a negative mood state.

Conclusion. Future ambulatory monitoring studies will be useful in clarifying which events lead to the reported, sudden decrease in positive mood in BPD patients.
Folklore, commercialism and exploitation: copyright in the blues
Authors: SPRINGER ROBERT
Published: January 2007

Though federal law in the United States provides for the protection of artistic property, including music, African-American blues musicians, since the appearance of their first commercial records in the 1920s, have generally not received their due. Part of the problem came from the difficulty of squaring the discrete notions of folk composition and artistic property in those early days. But the exploitation of black artists was largely attributable to common practices in the record industry whose effects were multiplied in this case by the near total defencelessness of the victims. Imitations and cover versions led to a veritable despoliation of black talent which has only belatedly received legal compensation and public recognition.
An Example of Statistical Investigation of the Text Eugene Onegin Concerning the Connection of Samples in Chains
Authors: Markov A. A.
Published: January 2007

This study investigates a text excerpt containing 20,000 Russian letters of the alphabet, excluding $\Cprime$ and $\Cdprime$, from Pushkin's novel Eugene Onegin–the entire first chapter and sixteen stanzas of the second.
The influence of ENSO on winter North Atlantic climate
Authors: Toniazzo Thomas , Scaife Adam A.
Published: January 2007

Although the influence of the El Niño ‐ Southern Oscillation on the extra‐tropical climate is well established for the Pacific basin and North American regions, there is no clear consensus as to whether there are reproducible effects from ENSO on the North Atlantic and West European regions. In this study we present a revised analysis of past El‐Niño teleconnections. By stratifying El‐Niño events according to amplitude, we find a highly non‐linear yet robust response to ENSO that changes sign over the eastern North Atlantic as the amplitude of the El‐Niño anomaly increases. Results from a series of experiments with a general circulation model indicate that the response to strong ENSO events is reproducible given the sea‐surface temperature anomalies in the tropical Pacific. The response to moderate El‐Niño events resembles the negative phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation as found in previous studies.
South China Sea throughflow as evidenced by satellite images and numerical experiments
Authors: Yu Z. , Shen S. , McCreary J. P. , Yaremchuk M. , Furue R.
Published: January 2007

The South China Sea throughflow begins at the Luzon Strait, as an intrusion of the Kuroshio. At the present time, there are insufficient in situ measurements either to estimate accurately the transport loss or to provide a clear picture of the Kuroshio pathway at the Luzon Strait. In this study, we use newly available, multi‐year, high‐resolution satellite images and a numerical model to track the warm, relatively low‐biomass, Pacific water carried by the Kuroshio. A suite of numerical experiments are carried out to identify key factors that influence Kuroshio paths at the Luzon Strait. The model can reproduce the satellite‐inferred Kuroshio paths across the Luzon Strait only when a significant amount of the Kuroshio water is allowed to enter the Luzon Strait during December–February, therefore providing strong evidence for the existence of the South China Sea throughflow.
Observations of highly regular oscillations in the overflow plume downstream of the Faroe Bank Channel
Authors: Geyer F. , Østerhus S. , Hansen B. , Quadfasel D.
Published: January 2007

The Faroe Bank Channel (FBC) is the deepest connection between the Atlantic Ocean and the Nordic Seas. This work describes the dynamic properties of the plume of dense overflow water descending from the Faroe Bank Channel using time series data for velocity and temperature from a network of 25 moorings deployed west of the Faroe Bank Channel between July 1999 and February 2001. The cold water plume was identified using mean velocity and temperature data. A regular pattern of strong velocity and temperature oscillations with 88 ± 4 hours period was the most striking feature observed in the FBC overflow plume. These oscillations are initiated in a region where observations indicate supercritical conditions and compare well to recent model results for the FBC overflow plume by Ezer (2006).
Steady decline of east Asian monsoon winds, 1969–2000: Evidence from direct ground measurements of wind speed
Authors: Xu Ming , Chang Chih‐Pei , Fu Congbin , Qi Ye , Robock Alan , Robinson David , Zhang Huai‐min
Published: January 2007

It is commonly believed that greenhouse‐gas‐induced global warming can weaken the east Asian winter monsoon but strengthen the summer monsoon, because of stronger warming over high‐latitude land as compared to low‐latitude oceans. In this study, we show that the surface wind speed associated with the east Asian monsoon has significantly weakened in both winter and summer in the recent three decades. From 1969 to 2000, the annual mean wind speed over China has decreased steadily by 28%, and the prevalence of windy days (daily mean wind speed > 5 m/s) has decreased by 58%. The temperature trends during this period have not been uniform. Significant winter warming in northern China may explain the decline of the winter monsoon, while the summer cooling in central south China and warming over the South China Sea and the western North Pacific Ocean may be responsible for weakening the summer monsoon. In addition, we found that the monsoon wind speed is also highly correlated with incoming solar radiation at the surface. The present results, when interpreted together with those of recent climate model simulations, suggest two mechanisms that govern the decline of the east Asian winter and summer monsoons, both of which may be related to human activity. The winter decline is associated with global‐scale warming that may be attributed to increased greenhouse gas emission, while the summer decline is associated with local cooling over south‐central China that may result from air pollution.
Effect of impact angle and substrate roughness on growth of diamondlike carbon films
Authors: Ma Tianbao , Hu Yuanzhong , Wang Hui , Li Xin
Published: January 2007

Molecular dynamics simulations are performed to study the growth of diamondlike carbon films. The effect of impact angles on deposited film structures is quantitatively studied, the result of which shows that the transverse migration of incident atoms facilitates the film relaxation. Atomic-scale behaviors of the incident atoms are analyzed to give a clear picture of the phenomenon, through which a model concerning the transverse-migration-induced film relaxation is brought forward to elucidate the process of film relaxation. The effects of surface roughness of the substrate on the film growth process are also investigated. The evolution of microstructure and surface morphology of the film exhibits different characteristics in different stages of the deposition process. In the initial stage, the film shows a preferred growth at the valley, which results in smoothening of the film. In the later stage, the film shows a homogeneous growth mode. The film smoothening is attributed to the transverse migration of the incident atoms.
Convergence and sampling efficiency in replica exchange simulations of peptide folding in explicit solvent
Authors: Periole Xavier , Mark Alan E.
Published: January 2007

Replica exchange methods (REMs) are increasingly used to improve sampling in molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of biomolecular systems. However, despite having been shown to be very effective on model systems, the application of REM in complex systems such as for the simulation of protein and peptide folding in explicit solvent has not been objectively tested in detail. Here we present a comparison of conventional MD and temperature replica exchange MD (T-REMD) simulations of a β-heptapeptide in explicit solvent. This system has previously been shown to undergo reversible folding on the time scales accessible to MD simulation and thus allows a direct one-to-one comparison of efficiency. The primary properties compared are the free energy of folding and the relative populations of different conformers as a function of temperature. It is found that to achieve a similar degree of precision T-REMD simulations starting from a random set of initial configurations were approximately an order of magnitude more computationally efficient than a single 800ns conventional MD simulation for this system at the lowest temperature investigated (275K). However, whereas it was found that T-REMD simulations are more than four times more efficient than multiple independent MD simulations at one temperature (300K) the actual increase in conformation sampling was only twofold. The overall gain in efficiency using REMD resulted primarily from the ordering of different conformational states over temperature, as opposed to a large increase of conformational sampling. It is also shown that in this system exchanges are accepted primarily based on (random) fluctuations within the solvent and are not strongly correlated with the instantaneous peptide conformation raising questions in regard to the efficiency of T-REMD in larger systems.
Solitary potential in a four-component dusty plasma
Authors: Sayed Fatema , Mamun A. A.
Published: January 2007

A four-component dusty plasma consisting of electrons, ions, and negative as well as positive dust particles has been considered. The basic properties of small but finite amplitude solitary potential structures that may exist in such a four-component dusty plasma have been investigated theoretically by the reductive perturbation method. It has been found that the presence of additional positive dust component has significantly modified the basic properties of solitary potential structures in a dusty plasma. The implications of our results in different regions of space (viz., cometary tails, mesosphere, Jupiter’s magnetosphere, etc.) are discussed briefly.
Steric stabilization of spherical colloidal particles: Implicit and explicit solvent
Authors: Striolo Alberto , Egorov S. A.
Published: January 2007

We present the results of Monte Carlo simulations and density functional theory treatment of interactions between spherical colloidal brushes both in implicit (good) solvent and in an explicit polymeric solution. Overall, theory is seen to be in good agreement with simulations. We find that interactions between hard-sphere particles grafted with hard-sphere chains are always repulsive in implicit solvent. The range and steepness of the repulsive interaction is sensitive to the grafting density and the length of the grafted chains. When the brushes are immersed in an explicit solvent of hard-sphere chains, a weak mid-range attraction arises, provided the length of the free chains exceeds that of the grafted chains.
Mode behavior in InAs midinfrared whispering gallery lasers
Authors: Norris G. , Krier A. , Sherstnev V. V. , Monakhov A. , Baranov A.
Published: January 2007

The authors report on the spectral properties of the modes in midinfrared whispering gallery lasers based on InAs. The behavior of the modes excited in cylindrical disk, pillbox, and mesa etched ridge resonators has been studied. The excitation of whispering gallery modes in these structures is found to depend strongly on the contact electrode and its location from the perimeter of the resonator. The authors also report on the threshold current and temperature sensitivity of different resonator and electrode combinations.
Spreading of a water droplet on a vertically aligned Si nanorod array surface
Authors: Fan J.-G. , Zhao Y.-P.
Published: January 2007

The dynamics of spreading of a water drop on a vertically aligned Si nanorod array surface is studied with a fast charge coupled device camera. Four dynamic spreading regimes are identified, with a precursor rim advancing ahead of the contact line. The diameters of the precursor rim Dp, the precursor length δ, and the contact line Dc obey dynamic scaling laws, Dc,p∝tnc,p∕2, with nc≈0.216 and np≈0.272, and δ≈t1∕2. The exponents do not vary significantly with the nanorod height and are consistent with the dynamic spreading behavior on a rough or porous surface.
Multiferroic properties of epitaxially stabilized hexagonal DyMnO3 thin films
Authors: Lee J.-H. , Murugavel P. , Lee D. , Noh T. W. , Jo Y. , Jung M.-H. , Jang K. H. , Park J.-G.
Published: January 2007

The authors fabricated epitaxial thin films of hexagonal DyMnO3, which otherwise form in a bulk perovskite structure, via deposition on Pt(111)‖Al2O3(0001) and YSZ(111) substrates, each of which has in-plane hexagonal symmetry. The polarization hysteresis loop demonstrated the existence of ferroelectricity in our hexagonal DyMnO3 films at least below 70K. The observed 2.2μC∕cm2 remnant polarization at 25K corresponded to a polarization enhancement by a factor of 10 compared to that of the bulk orthorhombic DyMnO3. Interestingly, this system showed an antiferroelectriclike feature in its hysteresis loop. Our hexagonal DyMnO3 films showed an antiferromagnetic Néel temperature around 60K and a spin reorientation transition around 40K. The authors also found spin-glass-like behavior, which was likely to arise from the geometric frustration of antiferromagnetically coupled Mn spins with an edge-sharing triangular lattice.
Evidence for last interglacial chronology and environmental change from Southern Europe
Authors: Brauer Achim , Allen Judy R. M. , Mingram Jens , Dulski Peter , Wulf Sabine , Huntley Brian
Published: January 2007

Establishing phase relationships between earth-system components during periods of rapid global change is vital to understanding the underlying processes. It requires records of each component with independent and accurate chronologies. Until now, no continental record extending from the present to the penultimate glacial had such a chronology to our knowledge. Here, we present such a record from the annually laminated sediments of Lago Grande di Monticchio, southern Italy. Using this record we determine the duration (17.70 ± 0.20 ka) and age of onset (127.20 ± 1.60 ka B.P.) of the last interglacial, as reflected by terrestrial ecosystems. This record also reveals that the transitions at the beginning and end of the interglacial spanned only ≈100 and 150 years, respectively. Comparison with records of other earth-system components reveals complex leads and lags. During the penultimate deglaciation phase relationships are similar to those during the most recent deglaciation, peaks in Antarctic warming and atmospheric methane both leading Northern Hemisphere terrestrial warming. It is notable, however, that there is no evidence at Monticchio of a Younger Dryas-like oscillation during the penultimate deglaciation. Warming into the first major interstadial event after the last interglacial is characterized by markedly different phase relationships to those of the deglaciations, warming at Monticchio coinciding with Antarctic warming and leading the atmospheric methane increase. Diachroneity is seen at the end of the interglacial; several global proxies indicate progressive cooling after ≈115 ka B.P., whereas the main terrestrial response in the Mediterranean region is abrupt and occurs at 109.50 ± 1.40 ka B.P.
The
c
i
/
b
H
moiety in the
b
6
f
complex studied by EPR: A pair of strongly interacting hemes
Authors: Baymann Frauke , Giusti Fabrice , Picot Daniel , Nitschke Wolfgang
Published: January 2007

X-band EPR features in the region of 90–150 mT have previously been attributed to heme
c
i
of the
b
6
complex [Zhang H, Primak A, Bowman MK, Kramer DM, Cramer WA (2004)
Biochemistry
43:16329–16336] and interpreted as arising from a high-spin species. However, the complexity of the observed spectrum is rather untypical for high-spin hemes. In this work, we show that addition of the inhibitor 2-
n
-nonyl-4-hydroxyquinoline
N
-oxide largely simplifies heme
c
i
's EPR properties. The spectrum in the presence of 2-
n
-nonyl-4-hydroxyquinoline
N
-oxide is demonstrated to be caused by a simple
S
= 5/2, rhombic species split by magnetic dipolar interaction (
A
xx
= 7.5 mT) with neighboring heme
b
H
. The large spacing of lines in the uninhibited system, by contrast, cannot be rationalized solely on the basis of magnetic dipolar coupling but is likely to encompass strong contributions from exchange interactions. The role of the H
2
O/OH− molecule bridging heme
c
i
's Fe atom and heme
b
H
's propionate side chain in mediating these interactions is discussed.
Inconsistent effects of all-
trans
retinoic acid on different clones of chemically transformed rat liver epithelial cells
Authors: Tsao Ming-Sound , Blaisdell Joyce , Chou Barbara B. , Earp H.Shelton , Grisham Joe W.
Published: January 2007

The effects of all- trans retinoic acid (RA) on the growth and biochemical properties of five clonal strains of neoplastically transformed rat liver epithelial cells were studied. These cell strains were derived clonally from a single line of normal diploid rat liver epithelial cells that had been transformed by treatment with N -methyl- N′ -nitro- N -nitrosoguanidine. The results show that RA induces inconsistent alterations in selected phenotypic properties of these five different cell strains. Retinoic acid either depressed, enhanced or produced no effect on the colony-forming ability in soft agar, on the activity of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, on the amount of cell-associated fibronectin, and on the binding capacity of 125 I-epidermal growth factor (EGF). The only consistent correlation observed among cell strains was between the cellular ability to grow in soft agar and the amount of cell-associated fibronectin. Enhancement of anchorage-independent growth by retinoic acid was not mediated through changes in the number of EGF receptors. Our data demonstrate that the responses to retinoic acid of clonal subpopulations of chemically transformed rat liver epithelial cells are inconsistent, even when the clonal subpopulations are derived from a common precursor.