bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pain‐related fear in low back pain: A prospective study in the general population
Authors: Leeuw Maaike , Houben Ruud M.A. , Severeijns Rudy , Picavet H. Susan J. , Schouten Erik G.W. , Vlaeyen Johan W.S.
Published: March 2006

A cognitive behavioural account of chronic low back pain (CLBP) proposes that the relationship between pain catastrophizing and functional disability is mediated by fear of movement/(re)injury. Several clinical studies already demonstrated the contribution of pain catastrophizing and fear of movement/(re)injury in the development and maintenance of CLBP. This study included people with low back pain (LBP) in the general population, and aimed to investigate whether fear of movement/(re)injury mediated the relationship between pain catastrophizing and functional disability, by examining several prerequisites for mediation. Data from the Dutch population‐based Musculoskeletal Complaints and Consequences Cohort (DMC3) study were used, including 152 people suffering from LBP who completed both a follow‐up questionnaire and a baseline questionnaire 6 months previously. This study was unable to demonstrate that the relationship between pain catastrophizing and functional disability was mediated by fear of movement/(re)injury, since the prerequisite that pain catastrophizing and functional disability were related, was not fulfilled. However, pain catastrophizing was significantly related to fear of movement/(re)injury 6 months later, above and beyond other contributing variables such as fear of movement/(re)injury already present at baseline. On its turn, fear of movement/(re)injury was related to functional disability, in addition to pain intensity. Although this study leaves some indistinctness concerning the actual relationships between pain catastrophizing, fear of movement/(re)injury, and functional disability, it does provide some evidence for the contributing role of these factors in LBP in the general population.
Setting the biological time in central and peripheral clocks during ontogenesis
Authors: Sumová Alena , Bendová Zdenka , Sládek Martin , El-Hennamy Rehab , Laurinová Kristýna , Jindráková Zuzana , Illnerová Helena
Published: March 2006

In mammals, the principal circadian clock within the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) entrains the phase of clocks in numerous peripheral tissues and controls the rhythmicity in various body functions. During ontogenesis, the molecular mechanism responsible for generating circadian rhythmicity develops gradually from the prenatal to the postnatal period. In the beginning, the maternal signals set the phase of the newly developing fetal and early postnatal clocks, whereas the external light–dark cycle starts to entrain the clocks only later. This minireview discusses the complexity of signaling pathways from mothers and the outside world to the fetal and newborn animals’ circadian clocks.
Multiple functions of Notch signaling in self‐renewing organs and cancer
Authors: Wilson Anne , Radtke Freddy
Published: March 2006

In recent years a substantial body of evidence has accumulated to support the notion that signaling pathways known to be important during embryonic development play important roles in regulating self‐renewing tissues. Moreover, the same pathways are often deregulated during tumorigenesis due to mutations of key elements of these pathways. The Notch signaling cascade meets all of the above‐mentioned criteria. We discuss here the pleiotropic roles of the Notch signaling pathway in three different self‐renewing organs (intestine, hematopoietic system and skin) and how its deregulation is involved in tumorigenesis.
Upregulation of hypoxia‐induced mitogenic factor in bacterial lipopolysaccharide‐induced acute lung injury
Authors: Tong Qiangsong , Zheng Liduan , Kang Qiaohua , Dodd-o Jeffrey , Langer John , Li Bo , Wang Danming , Li Dechun
Published: March 2006

Hypoxia‐induced mitogenic factor (HIMF), also known as FIZZ1 (found in inflammatory zone), plays important roles in lung inflammation. We found that intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced intensive HIMF production exclusively in mouse lung, but not in the heart, liver, spleen or kidney. This HIMF production, at least partly, contributes to LPS‐induced vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1) upregulation and mononuclear cell sequestration to lung parenchyma, while protecting alveolar type II cells from LPS‐resulted decrease in surfactant protein‐C production and cell death. These data indicate that HIMF participates in LPS‐induced acute lung injury and inflammation through modulating VCAM‐1 and SP‐C expression.
Oxidized protein degradation and repair in ageing and oxidative stress
Authors: Friguet Bertrand
Published: March 2006

Cellular ageing is characterized by the accumulation of oxidatively modified proteins which may be due to increased protein damage and/or decreased elimination of oxidized protein. Since the proteasome is in charge of protein turnover and removal of oxidized protein, its fate during ageing and upon oxidative stress has received special attention, and evidence has been provided for an age‐related impairment of proteasome function. However, proteins when oxidized at the level of sulfur‐containing amino acids can also be repaired. Therefore, the fate of the methionine sulfoxide reductase system during ageing has also been addressed as well as its role in protection against oxidative stress.
Cytochrome b5 is a major reductant in vivo of human indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase expressed in yeast
Authors: Vottero Eduardo , Mitchell David A. , Page Michael J. , MacGillivray Ross T.A. , Sadowski Ivan J. , Roberge Michel , Mauk A. Grant
Published: March 2006

The evolutionary relationship of indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO) to some gastropod myoglobins suggests that IDO may undergo autoxidation in vivo such that one or more currently unidentified electron donors are required to maintain IDO heme iron in the active, ferrous state. To evaluate this hypothesis we have used yeast knockout mutants in combination with a recently developed yeast growth assay for IDO activity in vivo to demonstrate a role for cytochrome b
5 and cytochrome b
5 reductase in maintaining IDO activity in vivo.
Spatially dependent activation of the patterning protease, Easter
Authors: LeMosy Ellen K.
Published: March 2006

The dorsoventral axis of the Drosophila embryo is established by the activating cleavage of a signaling ligand by a serine protease, Easter, only on the ventral side of the embryo. Easter is the final protease in a serine protease cascade in which initial reaction steps appear not to be ventrally restricted, but where Easter activity is promoted ventrally through the action of a spatial cue at an unknown step in the pathway. Here, biochemical studies demonstrate that this spatial control occurs at or above the level of Easter zymogen activation, rather than through direct promotion of Easter's catalytic activity against the signaling ligand.
Not yet havoc: geopolitical change and the international rules on military force
Authors: BYERS MICHAEL
Published: March 2006

This article considers the relationship between geopolitical change and the evolving international rules on military force. Its focus is the impact of the United States’ rise to hegemonic status on the rules governing recourse to force (the jus ad bellum) and the conduct of hostilities (the jus in bello, otherwise known as ‘international humanitarian law’). For reasons of space and clarity of analysis, the article does not focus on the different, more traditional IR questions of whether and why the behaviour of the United States might be constrained by these rules.
Force, legitimacy, success, and Iraq
Authors: MUELLER JOHN
Published: March 2006

Having apparently abandoned war as a device for settling their own quarrels, developed countries, in the wake of the Cold War, have had an opportunity to cooperate to deal with the two chief remaining sources of artificial or human-made death: civil war and vicious regimes. In addition, international law has evolved to allow them to do so, variously conferring legitimacy on most international policing measures even when they involve the use of military force and even when they violate the policed country’s sovereignty.
The judgment of war: on the idea of legitimate force in world politics
Authors: RENGGER NICHOLAS
Published: March 2006

The twenty first century has opened, as so many centuries before it, with the drum roll of war depressingly audible. The optimism of the early 1990s that world politics was being remade, and that the threat of serious conflict was receding, vanished along with the twin towers that were so much a symbol of that world, one heart-breakingly beautiful September morning in 2001. And with the return of force and war to the forefront of international politics, so come the inevitable questions; when, under what circumstances, in what manner and with what restraint, may we (whoever the we might be) use force to secure our interests, protect our families, defend our communities or our values?
Discourses of difference: civilians, combatants, and compliance with the laws of war
Authors: KINSELLA HELEN M.
Published: March 2006

Why have President Bush and his administration consistently, and publicly, stated their commitment to fully comply with the laws of war protecting civilians while, simultaneously, refusing to fully comply with the laws of war protecting prisoners of war? How do we understand President Bush and his administration’s unquestioning acceptance of the protection of civilians, but the rejection of the same for prisoners of war? Are the strategic and normative costs of each so dissimilar as to justify this difference? Considering the recent exposé of abuses and torture of prisoners of war held in both Iraq and Cuba, the answers to these questions are not merely academic.
Fights about rules: the role of efficacy and power in changing multilateralism
Authors: FINNEMORE MARTHA
Published: March 2006

The American-led Iraq war that began in 2003 has generated intense discussion about when it is legitimate to use force and what force can accomplish. Often this debate is portrayed as a breakdown in consensus, with the US charting a new unilateralist course that undermines existing multilateral understandings of how force should be used. Often, too, the debate is portrayed as a transatlantic one in which Europeans (notably France, supported by Germany) are leading the multilateralist defence against growing US unilateralism.
Predation of artificial Xantus's murrelet (Synthliboramphus hypoleucus scrippsi) nests before and after black rat (Rattus rattus) eradication
Authors: JONES HOLLY P. , WILLIAMHENRY R. , HOWALD GREGG R. , TERSHY BERNIE R. , CROLL DONALD A.
Published: March 2006

Introduced rats depredate every life stage of island nesting seabirds, but the extent of predation is rarely quantified. Introduced black rat (Rattus rattus) and native deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus anacapae) predation on Xantus's murrelet (Synthliboramphus hypoleucus scrippsi) nests was experimentally quantified using artificial nests before and after rat eradication on Anacapa Island (California). The staged rat eradication programme provided experimental treatments: in 2002 rats were eradicated on one island (East Anacapa Islet) and remained on two islands (Middle and West Anacapa Islets), providing a control comparison, and, in 2003, rats were eradicated from the remaining islands (Middle and West Anacapa Islets). In 2002, 96% of artificial nests were depredated on control islands (rats present) with rats accounting for most predation. Nest predation on the treatment island (rats eradicated) in 2002 was significantly lower: 8% of artificial nests were depredated, mostly by endemic deer mice. In 2003, following rat eradication on the remaining islands (Middle and West Anacapa Islets), nest predation was reduced from 96% in 2002 to 3% of total nests in 2003. Predation of nests on East Anacapa Islet (rats eradicated in 2002) increased significantly due to reintroduction and recovery of native deer mouse populations, with 23% of artificial nests depredated. The inference is that rat predation on real Xantus's murrelet nests was responsible for the historically low nesting success and small population sizes of breeding murrelets on Anacapa Island. With rats removed, the hatching success of Xantus's murrelet chicks and the number of individuals nesting on Anacapa Island will increase dramatically. Artificial nest studies are particularly well suited to quantifying introduced rat impacts on hole and crevice nesting seabirds and can simultaneously serve as an effective monitoring tool to detect the presence of rats and the recovery of native nest predators.
Der TFDD
Authors: Grass-Kapanke Brigitte , Brieber Sarah , Pentzek Michael , Ihl Ralf
Published: March 2006

Zusammenfassung: Die Früherkennung von Demenzen ist noch immer unzureichend. Hilfreiche Instrumente zur Verbesserung dieser Situation sind psychometrische Screeningtests, die objektiv und ökonomisch Leistungsdefizite erfassen. Derzeit gängige Screeningverfahren, wie z. B. der MMST, sind zwar einfach durchzuführen, weisen aber nicht die notwendige Sensitivität für beginnende Demenzen auf. Der TFDD wurde gezielt für diesen Anwendungsbereich entwickelt. Wir untersuchten eine Stichprobe von Patienten mit Alzheimerkrankheit (n = 197), Depression (n = 161) sowie Kontrollpersonen (n = 84). Die Sensitivität des TFDD betrug 98 % und die Spezifität 97 %. Die Inter-Rater-Reliabilität lag bei rs = .99 und die Test-Retest-Reliabilität bei rs = .99 (1 Woche) bzw. rs = .87 (variables Intervall, 2-12 Wochen). Die Konvergenzvalidität mit der ADAS war rs = -.82 mit dem SKT rs = .75 und mit dem MMST rs = .83. Die Korrelation (rs = .73) der Veränderungswerte von ADAS und TFDD verweist auf die Verlaufssensitivität des TFDD. Eine hohe Übereinstimmung des TFDD-Demenzscores mit den GDS-Schweregraden (rs = -.91) ermöglicht eine Einschätzung der Krankheitsschwere durch das TFDD Ergebnis. Aufgrund der guten Testgütekriterien und der ökonomischen Durchführung eignet sich der TFDD für das Demenzscreening sowie die Schweregradeinschätzung und Verlaufskontrolle von Demenzen in der niedergelassenen Praxis.
The African meridional OLR contrast as a diagnostic for Atlantic tropical cyclone activity and implications for predictability
Authors: Karnauskas Kristopher B.
Published: March 2006

The interannual variability of outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) over Africa from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and zonal wind speed in the African easterly jet (AEJ) is analyzed and discussed in the context of Atlantic tropical cyclone activity. It is found that hurricane and tropical storm totals in the Atlantic basin are closely related to the African meridional OLR contrast (AMOC). It is suggested that the AMOC provides a simple yet novel way to simultaneously characterize the meridional temperature gradient and ITCZ activity, both of which play integral roles in generating African easterly waves. Complimentary to observed relationships between Sahel rainfall and Atlantic tropical cyclone activity, the potential for the AMOC to augment existing techniques used in preparing Atlantic hurricane season outlooks is also discussed.
An enhanced convection‐wind‐evaporation feedback in a superparameterization GCM (SP‐GCM) depiction of the Asian summer monsoon
Authors: Luo Zhengzhao , Stephens Graeme L.
Published: March 2006

Both the Colorado State University (CSU) and Goddard superparameterization GCM (SP‐GCM) simulate a superactive Asian summer monsoon with unrealistically enhanced levels of precipitation. The underlying physical mechanism for this monsoon bias in the CSU SP‐GCM is shown to involve an enhanced convection‐wind‐evaporation feedback. The feedback process is studied using two experiments with different fixed specifications of surface evaporation. A regional analysis of an area that exhibits excessive precipitation offers a glimpse of the transient nature of the feedback. Finally, we discuss the broader relevance of the feedback study to climate modeling.
Amplification of the mesospheric diurnal tide in a doubled CO2 atmosphere
Authors: McLandress C. , Fomichev V. I.
Published: March 2006

The impact of doubled CO2 on the vertically propagating migrating diurnal tide in the mesosphere is studied using the Canadian Middle Atmosphere Model (CMAM), a coupled chemistry‐climate model that extends from the Earth's surface to the lower thermosphere. A linear tidal model forced by the tidal heating from the CMAM is used to attribute cause and effect. The CMAM results exhibit a tidal temperature amplitude increase of up to 2 K in the equatorial upper mesosphere. This is attributed primarily to an increase in tropospheric solar heating which results from an increase in water vapor. Changes in stratospheric solar heating, radiative damping, tropospheric latent heating, background atmosphere, and clouds are found to have little impact.
Wavelength‐dependence of the photolysis of diiodomethane in seawater
Authors: Martino Manuela , Liss Peter S. , Plane John M. C.
Published: March 2006

The wavelength‐dependence of CH2I2 photolysis was studied in the laboratory using natural seawater. Irradiations were carried out using a 1 kW Xe lamp equipped with a monochromator, and halocarbon concentrations were determined by purge‐and‐trap gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The absolute quantum yields for CH2I2 photodissociation were determined between 290 and 365 nm, and varied between 0.27 and 0.39. Our calculations show that photolysis of CH2I2 under natural sunlight conditions occurs predominantly between 300 and 350 nm. In seawater, calculated CH2I2 photolysis rates decrease quickly with depth, with 90% attenuation occurring in the top 10–25 m depending on the water clarity. A simple photochemical box model of a shallow equatorial mixed layer showed that most of the CH2I2 is photolysed before reaching the sea surface, where this compound is depleted with respect to the underlying water column.
Spatial‐temporal patterns of seismic tremors in northern Cascadia
Authors: Kao Honn , Shan Shao‐Ju , Dragert Herb , Rogers Garry , Cassidy John F. , Wang Kelin , James Thomas S. , Ramachandran Kumar
Published: March 2006

We study in detail the two consecutive episodic tremor‐and‐slip (ETS) events that occurred in the northern Cascadia subduction zone during 2003 and 2004. For both sequences, the newly developed Source‐Scanning Algorithm (SSA) is applied to seismic waveform data from a dense regional seismograph array to determine the precise locations and origin times of seismic tremors. In map view, the majority of the tremors occurred in a limited band bounded approximately by the surface projections of the 30‐km and 50‐km depth contours of the plate interface. The horizontal migration of tremor occurrence is from southeast to northwest with an average speed of 5 km/d. In cross section, tremors in both sequences span a depth range of over 40 km across the interface, with the majority occurring in the overriding continental crust. In particular, 50–55% of them are located within 2.5 km from the strong seismic reflector bands above the plate interface. The lack of vertical migration implies that a slow diffusion process in the vertical direction cannot be responsible for tremor occurrences. The source spectra of tremors clearly lack high‐frequency content (>5 Hz) relative to local earthquakes. We propose two possible models to explain the relationship between slip and tremors. The first one regards ETS tremors as the manifestation of hydroseismogenic processes in response to the temporal strain variation associated with the episodic slip along the lower portion of the plate interface downdip from the locked zone. In the second model, tremors and slip are associated with the same process along the same structure in a distributed deformation zone across the plate interface. Neither model can be dismissed conclusively at this stage.
Estimates of global biomass burning emissions for reactive greenhouse gases (CO, NMHCs, and NOx) and CO2
Authors: Jain Atul K. , Tao Zhining , Yang Xiaojuan , Gillespie Conor
Published: March 2006

Open fire biomass burning and domestic biofuel burning (e.g., cooking, heating, and charcoal making) algorithms have been incorporated into a terrestrial ecosystem model to estimate CO2and key reactive GHGs (CO, NOx, and NMHCs) emissions for the year 2000. The emissions are calculated over the globe at a 0.5° × 0.5° spatial resolution using tree density imagery, and two separate sets of data each for global area burned and land clearing for croplands, along with biofuel consumption rate data. The estimated global and annual total dry matter (DM) burned due to open fire biomass burning ranges between 5221 and 7346 Tg DM/yr, whereas the resultant emissions ranges are 6564–9093 Tg CO2/yr, 438–568 Tg CO/yr, 11–16 Tg NOx/yr (as NO), and 29–40 Tg NMHCs/yr. The results indicate that land use changes for cropland is one of the major sources of biomass burning, which amounts to 25–27% (CO2), 25 –28% (CO), 20–23% (NO), and 28–30% (NMHCs) of the total open fire biomass burning emissions of these gases. Estimated DM burned associated with domestic biofuel burning is 3,114 Tg DM/yr, and resultant emissions are 4825 Tg CO2/yr, 243 Tg CO/yr, 3 Tg NOx/yr, and 23 Tg NMHCs/yr. Total emissions from biomass burning are highest in tropical regions (Asia, America, and Africa), where we identify important contributions from primary forest cutting for croplands and domestic biofuel burning.
Differing regional responses to a perturbation in solar cloud absorption in the SKYHI general circulation model
Authors: Erlick Carynelisa , Ramaswamy V. , Russell Lynn M.
Published: March 2006

In this study we perform an idealized experiment to investigate the effect of solar absorption in clouds on climate using a general circulation model with prescribed sea surface temperatures, focusing on the manner of regional changes during the northern summer season. The response arising from this type of perturbation is akin to “semidirect” effects of absorbing aerosols, namely, dissipation of clouds owing to a high aerosol absorption in the cloud layers. In the experiment, we apply a similar perturbation to all low‐cloud layers, reducing their single‐scattering albedo to a value of 0.99, which enables us to isolate the effect of such solar absorption from other aerosol related influences. We find that in both midlatitude and equatorial regions, the reduction in low‐cloud single‐scattering albedo causes a reduction in low‐cloud amount and a warming of the surface. However, the dynamical response of the system varies from one continental region to another. In the midlatitude regions of the United States and Europe/east Asia, the diabatic heating perturbation leads to the dissipation of low clouds, an increase in shortwave flux to the surface, an increase in horizontal heat advection, and an increase in atmospheric stability. In the tropical region of North Africa, the diabatic heating perturbation translates into an increase in convection, a decrease in stability, an increase in middle‐ and high‐level clouds, and a reduction in shortwave flux to the surface. In agreement with previous studies, these results demonstrate the distinctive response of the tropical versus midlatitude regions to a similar solar perturbation.
Construction of a human functional single‐chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody recognizing the malaria parasitePlasmodium falciparum
Authors: Wajanarogana Sumet , Prasomrothanakul Teerawat , Udomsangpetch Rachanee , Tungpradabkul Sumalee
Published: March 2006

Falciparum malaria is one of the most deadly and profound human health problems around the tropical world. Antimalarial drugs are now considered to be a powerful treatment; however, there are drugs currently being used that are resistant toPlasmodium falciparumparasites spreading in different parts of the world. Although the protective immune response against intraerythrocytic stages of the falciparum malaria parasite is still not fully understood, immune antibodies have been shown to be associated with reduced parasite prevalence. Therefore antibodies of the right specificity present in adequate concentrations and affinity are reasonably effective in providing protection. In the present study, VH(variable domain of heavy chain) and VL(variable domain of light chain) were isolated from human blood lymphocytes ofP.falciparumin one person who had high serum titre to RESA (ring‐infected erythrocyte surface antigen). Equal amounts of VHand VLwere assembled together with universal linker (G4S)3to generate scFvs (single‐chain variable fragments). The scFv antibodies were expressed with a phage system for the selection process. Exclusively, an expressed scFv against asynchronous culture ofP.falciparum‐infected erythrocytes was selected and characterized. Sequence analysis of selected scFv revealed that this clone could be classified into a VHfamily‐derived germline gene (VH1) and Vκfamily segment (Vκ1). Using an indirect immunofluorescence assay, we could show that soluble expressed scFv reacted with falciparum‐infected erythrocytes. The results encourage the further study of scFvs for development as a potential immunotherapeutic agent.
Bicistronic expression plasmid for the rapid production of recombinant fused proteins in Escherichia coli
Authors: Yero Daniel , Pajón Rolando , Niebla Olivia , Sardiñas Gretel , Vivar Isbel , Perera Yasser , García Darien , Delgado Maité , Cobas Karem
Published: March 2006

In the post‐genomic era, every aspect of the production of proteins must be accelerated. In this way, several vectors are currently exploited for rapid production of recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli. N‐terminal fusions to the first 47 amino acids of the LpdA (dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase A) protein of Neisseria meningitidis have been shown to increase the expression of recombinant proteins. Consequently, we have constructed a modified N‐terminal LpdA fusion vector, introducing the blue/white colony selection by exploiting a bicistronic gene organization. In the new vector, the sequence encoding the first 47 amino acids of meningococcal LpdA and the α‐peptide sequence of β‐galactosidase were connected via a ribosome‐binding site, and two MCSs (multiple cloning sites) were located surrounding the latter, allowing efficient cloning by colour selection of recombinants. The vector was also improved with the addition of a C‐terminal polyhistidine tag, and an EKS (enterokinase recognition sequence) immediately after the LpdA fusion sequence. The new plasmid was employed in the expression and purification of six different bacterial polypeptides. One of these recombinant proteins, P6 protein from Haemophilus influenzae, was used as a model and its N‐terminal fusion sequence was totally removed from the recombinant version after incubation with the enterokinase protease, while the polyhistidine tail successfully allowed the purification of the unfused protein from the protease reaction. Two completely new neisserial vaccine candidates, NMB0088 and NMB1126 proteins, were cloned, expressed and purified using this system. To our knowledge, this constitutes the first report of the cloning and expression of these proteins in E. coli.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein enhances the immunogenicity of a co‐delivered DNA vaccine encoding HCV structural antigens in mice
Authors: Alvarez‐Lajonchere Liz , González Marleny , Alvarez‐Obregón Julio César , Guerra Ivis , Viña Ariel , Acosta‐Rivero Nelson , Musacchio Alexis , Morales Juan , Dueñas‐Carrera Santiago
Published: March 2006

In the present study, recombinant HCV (hepatitis C virus) core proteins enhanced the immune response elicited by a co‐delivered DNA vaccine encoding HCV core and envelope proteins. A mixture of the plasmid pIDKE2 and Co.173, a protein comprising the first 173 amino acids of HCV core, in particular induces a strong humoral response, including antibodies that recognized peptides representing hypervariable region I from different viral isolates. Moreover, positive lymphoproliferative responses against the HCV structural proteins, encoded by the plasmid, were detected after two doses with this mixture. When the HCV core protein used in the mixture with pIDKE2 was Co.120, a protein comprising the first 120 amino acids of the viral antigen, a strong humoral response and a positive lymphoproliferative response were also detected. The effectiveness of this formulation was tested in vivo by measuring the protection against infection with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing HCV core protein. A 2 log reduction in vaccinia‐virus titre was observed in mice immunized with the mixture of pIDKE2 and Co.120. Humoral and cellular immune responses elicited for the mixture of pIDKE2 with either Co.173 or Co.120 was stronger and more diverse than those generated by individual components. In conclusion, our results indicate that formulations comprising both DNA constructs and protein subunit vaccine candidates are able to elicit strong humoral and cellular immunity against several antigens. Particularly, HCV core protein might be used as a feasible vehicle/adjuvant for DNA vaccines.
Large‐scale purification and characterization of non‐glycosylated Gc globulin (vitamin D‐binding protein) from plasma fraction IV
Authors: Jørgensen Charlotte S. , Christiansen Maja , Laursen Inga , Krogsøe Lisbeth B. , Højrup Peter , Blou Lene , Houen Gunnar
Published: March 2006

Gc globulin, also called vitamin D‐binding protein, is a plasma protein involved in the extracellular actin‐scavenger system. Low levels of Gc globulin have been found to correlate with multiple organ failure and nonsurvival of patients with fulminant hepatic failure and trauma. Therefore substitution therapy with Gc globulin might be beneficial for such patients, increasing their chance of survival. In the present study, we describe a large‐scale purification process for the production of a virus‐safe human plasma‐derived Gc globulin from Cohn fraction IV paste. The process includes three ion‐exchange‐chromatography steps, followed by a gel filtration, and two virus‐reduction steps are implemented. The Gc globulin product was characterized with respect to purity, functional activity, glycosylation and, finally, with respect to content of endotoxin. From the results, it can be concluded that human Gc globulin purified from Cohn fraction IV is non‐glycosylated. The purified Gc globulin is able to mask the presence of endotoxin by 20%.
Aquaporin 2 (AQP2) and vasopressin type 2 receptor (V2R) endocytosis in kidney epithelial cells: AQP2 is located in ‘endocytosis‐resistant’ membrane domains after vasopressin treatment
Authors: Bouley Richard , Hawthorn Gayle , Russo Leileata M. , Lin Herbert Y. , Ausiello Dennis A. , Brown Dennis
Published: March 2006

Background information. Aquaporin 2 (AQP2) plays an important, VP (vasopressin)‐regulated role in water reabsorption by the kidney. The amount of AQP2 expressed at the surface of principal cells results from an equilibrium between the AQP2 in intracellular vesicles and the AQP2 on the plasma membrane. VP shifts the equilibrium in favour of the plasma membrane and this allows osmotic equilibration to occur between the collecting duct lumen and the interstitial space. Membrane accumulation of AQP2 could result from a VP‐induced increase in exocytosis, a decrease in endocytosis, or both. In the present study, we further investigated AQP2 accumulation at the cell surface, and compared it with V2R (VP type 2 receptor) trafficking using cells that express epitope‐tagged AQP2 and V2R.

Results. Endocytosis of V2R and of AQP2 are independent events that can be separated temporally and spatially. The burst of endocytosis seen after VP addition to target cells, when AQP2 accumulates at the cell surface, is primarily due to internalization of the V2R. Increased endocytosis is not induced by forskolin, which also induces membrane accumulation of AQP2 by direct stimulation of adenylate cyclase. This indicates that cAMP elevation is not the primary cause of the initial, VP‐induced endocytic process. After VP exposure, AQP2 is not located in endosomes with internalized V2R. Instead, it remains at the cell surface in ‘endocytosis‐resistant’ membrane domains, visualized by confocal imaging. After VP washout, AQP2 is progressively internalized with the fluid‐phase marker FITC—dextran, indicating that VP washout releases an endocytotic block that maintains AQP2 at the cell surface. Finally, polarized application of VP to filter‐grown cells shows that apical VP can induce basolateral endocytosis and V2R down‐regulation, and vice versa.

Conclusions. After VP stimulation of renal epithelial cells, AQP2 accumulates at the cell surface, while the V2R is actively internalized. This endocytotic block may involve a reduced capacity of phosphorylated AQP2 to interact with components of the endocytotic machinery. In addition, a complex cross‐talk exists between the apical and basolateral plasma‐membrane domains with respect to endocytosis and V2R down‐regulation. This may be of physiological significance in down‐regulating the VP response in the kidney in vivo.
Muscling in on stem cells
Authors: Sinanan Andrea C. M. , Buxton Paul G. , Lewis Mark P.
Published: March 2006

Skeletal muscle is one of the few adult tissues that possesses the capacity for regeneration (restoration of lost functional tissue) as opposed to repair. This capacity is due to the presence of ‘muscle stem cells’ known as satellite cells. Detailed investigation of these cells over the past 50 years has revealed that both these and other cells within the skeletal muscle complex are capable of regenerating both muscle and other cell types as well. Here, we review this information, and suggest that skeletal muscle is an exciting reservoir of cells for regenerating skeletal muscle itself, as well as other cell types.
Qualitative research: does it fit in economics?1
Authors: Piore Michael J
Published: March 2006

This article discusses the role that case studies, built upon open‐ended interviews with economic actors, can play in economic research. It argues that such material cannot be treated directly as empirical evidence. Rather it provides a way of building theory, by offering a critical perspective on the standard theoretical assumptions of the discipline and offering alternatives with which to construct theoretical models. It illustrates several alternative ways in which this can be done, drawing on examples from my own research.
ITEP Bernas ion source with additional electron beam
Authors: Kulevoy T. V. , Kuibeda R. P. , Petrenko S. V. , Batalin V. A. , Pershin V. I. , Kropachev G. N. , Hershcovitch A. , Johnson B. M. , Gushenets V. I. , Oks E. M. , Poole H. J.
Published: March 2006

A joint research and development program is underway to develop steady-state intense ion sources for the two energy extremes of MeV and hundreds of eV. For the MeV range the investigations were focused on charge-state enhancement for ions generated by the modified Bernas ion sources. Based on the previously successful ITEP experience with the e-metal vapor vacuum arc ion source [e.g., Batalin et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 75, 1900 (2004)], the injection of a high-energy electron beam into the Bernas ion source discharge region is expected to enhance the production of high charge states. Presented here are construction details and studies of electron-beam influence on the enhancement of ion-beam charge states generated by the modified Bernas ion source.
Low-energy ion decelerator for an external injection line at the NIRS-930 cyclotron
Authors: Honma T. , Hojo S. , Sakamoto Y. , Muramatsu M. , Miyahara N. , Okada T. , Komatsu K. , Yamada S.
Published: March 2006

A low-energy ion decelerator for the acceleration-deceleration system has been designed and installed in the beam-injection line of the NIRS-930 cyclotron in an attempt to increase the beam intensity from the cyclotron. With this acceleration-deceleration system, the beam intensity of C4+12 ions at the cyclotron exit has been increased by about five times. The system has an advantage in that it allows us to extract a high-current ion beam from an electron cyclotron resonance ion source because, independently of the injection-energy matching to the cyclotron, a large potential difference can be applied between the source and the extractor. The voltage applied to the extractor is about −12kV, which is reduced to the ground potential by the decelerator. The electric field distributions in the deceleration system were carefully designed using a three-dimensional field simulator. Design studies of the decelerator as well as the result of a beam test are presented.
Characterization of liquid cluster ion source by the time-of-flight method
Authors: Takaoka Gikan H. , Noguchi Hidetaka , Nakayama Kazuya , Kawashita Masakazu
Published: March 2006

A liquid cluster ion source, which offers many possibilities for new and advanced applications in the surface processing of materials, was developed, and the cluster size distribution was measured by using time-of-flight method. When the vapor pressure of liquid materials such as ethanol and water was larger than 1atm, the liquid clusters could be produced by an adiabatic expansion phenomenon. The peak size of the cluster ions increased with the increase of the vapor pressures, and decreased with the increase of the electron voltage and the electron current for ionization. In another case of producing liquid cluster ions at lower vapor pressures, He gas was used to mix up with vapors of liquid materials. Even if a vapor pressure was less than 0.1atm, the liquid cluster ions with smaller size could be produced at the He gas pressures larger than 0.5atm. The vapors of the liquid materials were cooled down by the collision with the He gas, which resulted in the effective formation of the liquid clusters even at lower vapor pressures.
Statistical mechanically averaged molecular properties of liquid water calculated using the combined coupled cluster/molecular dynamics method
Authors: Osted Anders , Kongsted Jacob , Mikkelsen Kurt V. , Åstrand Per-Olof , Christiansen Ove
Published: March 2006

Liquid water is investigated theoretically using combined molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and accurate electronic structure methods. The statistical mechanically averaged molecular properties of liquid water are calculated using the combined coupled cluster/molecular mechanics (CC/MM) method for a large number of configurations generated from MD simulations. The method includes electron correlation effects at the coupled cluster singles and doubles level and the use of a large correlation consistent basis set. A polarizable force field has been used for the molecular dynamics part in both the CC/MM method and in the MD simulation. We describe how the methodology can be optimized with respect to computational costs while maintaining the quality of the results. Using the optimized method we study the energetic properties including the heat of vaporization and electronic excitation energies as well as electric dipole and quadrupole moments, the frequency dependent electric (dipole) polarizability, and electric-field-induced second harmonic generation first and second hyperpolarizabilities. Comparisons with experiments are performed where reliable data are available. Furthermore, we discuss the important issue on how to compare the calculated microscopic nonlocal properties to the experimental macroscopic measurements.
A study of the ground state of manganese dimer using quasidegenerate perturbation theory
Authors: Yamamoto Shigeyoshi , Tatewaki Hiroshi , Moriyama Hiroko , Nakano Haruyuki
Published: March 2006

We study the electronic structure of the ground state of the manganese dimer using the state-averaged complete active space self-consistent field method, followed by second-order quasidegenerate perturbation theory. Overall potential energy curves are calculated for the Σg+1, Σu+11, and Πu11 states, which are candidates for the ground state. Of these states, the Σg+1 state has the lowest energy and we therefore identify it as the ground state. We find values of 3.29Å, 0.14eV, and 53.46cm−1 for the bond length, dissociation energy, and vibrational frequency, in good agreement with the observed values of 3.4Å, 0.1eV, and 68.1cm−1 in rare-gas matrices. These values show that the manganese dimer is a van der Waals molecule with antiferromagnetic coupling.
Surface and adsorption properties of α-tricalcium phosphate
Authors: Yin Xilin , Stott M. J.
Published: March 2006

The interaction between bone replacement bioceramic materials and the body will take place at the surface of the material. In the present ab initio study, we have investigated surfaces of biologically important α-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and adsorption of biological species including a Ca atom, an H2O molecule, and a SiO2 fragment on the surfaces. The results show that all these species adsorb on the surfaces. The Ca atoms are strongly chemisorbed with newly created Ca–O bonds similar to those in α-TCP bulk in bond length; a water molecule is adsorbed and in some cases also dissociated on the surfaces with the dissociative adsorption, the predominant process; a SiO2 fragment initially linear, strongly interacted with two oxygens of different PO4 groups and eventually forms a tetrahedral SiO4-like species which might be a precursor of the silicate present in Si-TCP materials.
Full configuration interaction approach to the few-electron problem in artificial atoms
Authors: Rontani Massimo , Cavazzoni Carlo , Bellucci Devis , Goldoni Guido
Published: March 2006

We present a new high performance configuration interaction code optimally designed for the calculation of the lowest-energy eigenstates of a few electrons in semiconductor quantum dots (also called artificial atoms) in the strong interaction regime. The implementation relies on a single-particle representation, but it is independent of the choice of the single-particle basis and, therefore, of the details of the device and configuration of external fields. Assuming no truncation of the Fock space of Slater determinants generated from the chosen single-particle basis, the code may tackle regimes where Coulomb interaction very effectively mixes many determinants. Typical strongly correlated systems lead to very large diagonalization problems; in our implementation, the secular equation is reduced to its minimal rank by exploiting the symmetry of the effective-mass interacting Hamiltonian, including square total spin. The resulting Hamiltonian is diagonalized via parallel implementation of the Lanczos algorithm. The code gives access to both wave functions and energies of first excited states. Excellent code scalability in a parallel environment is demonstrated; accuracy is tested for the case of up to eight electrons confined in a two-dimensional harmonic trap as the density is progressively diluted up to the Wigner regime, where correlations become dominant. Comparison with previous quantum Monte Carlo simulations in the Wigner regime demonstrates power and flexibility of the method.
Threshold laser power density for regime transition of a laser absorption wave in a reduced-density air atmosphere
Authors: Mori Koichi , Komurasaki Kimiya , Arakawa Yoshihiro
Published: March 2006

Shadowgraph visualization experiments provide measurements of the threshold laser power density (Sth) for the regime transition of a laser absorption wave generated using a transversely excited atmospheric CO2 pulse laser with various pulse shapes. Results revealed a great influence of the plasma expansion in the direction lateral to the wave propagation on the regime transition by showing that the threshold increased proportionally to the inverse of the beam cross-sectional radius at which the transition occurred (rf,tr): Sth=Cth∕rf,tr. The proportionality constant, Cth, was insensitive to air densities of 0.2–1.3kg∕m3.
Intersubband spin pump
Authors: Khurgin Jacob B.
Published: March 2006

It is shown that intersubband transitions caused by the normal incidence circularly polarized light can cause high degree of spin polarization in modulation doped semiconductor quantum wells, especially narrow band gap ones. The efficiency of the proposed spin-polarizing scheme in the presence of various spin-relaxation mechanisms is evaluated and found to approach 98% under moderate amounts of illumination. Potential applications are discussed.
Self-organization of ultrahigh-density Fe–Ni–Co nanocolumns in Teflon® AF
Authors: Greve Henry , Biswas Abhijit , Schürmann Ulrich , Zaporojtchenko Vladimir , Faupel Franz
Published: March 2006

We demonstrate a single-step and powerful method based on vapor-phase codeposition to fabricate self-organized, ultrahigh-density Fe–Ni–Co nanocolumnar structures in a Teflon® AF matrix. It is shown that at certain deposition parameters the structure of the metal-polymer nanocomposite changes from a cluster to a nanocolumnar morphology. These mostly monodisperse nanocolumns have an average diameter of around 6nm separated by ∼4nm Teflon® AF and were fabricated so far with aspect ratios of up to 30.
Resolution limitation due to phonon losses in superconducting tunnel junctions
Authors: Martin D. D. E. , Verhoeve P. , Peacock A. , Kozorezov A. G. , Wigmore J. K. , Rogalla H. , Venn R.
Published: March 2006

We report greatly enhanced energy resolving power of Ta∕Al superconducting tunnel junction (STJ) photon detectors. The improvement in resolution has led to the observation of features in the energy dependence of the resolving power, which are not predicted by the currently prevailing formulas. We show that these effects are related to phonon noise generated during energy down-conversion in the superconducting electrodes, and the dependence of phonon energy loss on the distance of a photon absorption site from the escape interface. The predictions of the model agree well with experimental data in the energy range 0.6–6eV.
A method of printing carbon nanotube thin films
Authors: Zhou Yangxin , Hu Liangbing , Grüner George
Published: March 2006

This paper describes a fabrication method for carbon nanotube thin films on various substrates including PET (polyethylene terephthalate), glass, polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA), and silicon. The method combines a polydimethysiloxane (PDMS) based transfer-printing technique with vacuum filtration, and allows controlled deposition—and patterning if needed—of large area highly conducting carbon nanotube films with high homogeneity. In the visible and infrared range, the performance characteristics of fabricated films are comparable to that of indium tin oxide (ITO) on flexible substrates.
Exploration of thermolithography for micro- and nanomanufacturing
Authors: Hung Ming-Tsung , Kim Jichul , Ju Y. Sungtaek
Published: March 2006

Lithography is a critical enabling technology for manufacturing micro- and nanoscale devices and structures. The present work explores alternative lithography techniques that pattern photoresist layers through selective thermochemical cross-linking. Microfabricated thin-film heaters are used as precisely defined heat sources to determine the thermal transport properties of photoresist layers and study the kinetics of cross-linking reactions. The present work identifies heating temperature, heating duration, and UV exposure dose as independent control parameters in thermolithography and demonstrates its potential for three-dimensional micro- and nanomanufacturing.
High uniformity of self-organized InAs quantum wires on InAlAs buffers grown on misoriented InP(001)
Authors: Wang Yuan-li , Jin P. , Ye X. L. , Zhang C. L. , Shi G. X. , Li R. Y. , Chen Y. H. , Wang Z. G.
Published: March 2006

Highly uniform InAs quantum wires (QWRs) have been obtained on the In0.5Al0.5As buffer layer grown on the InP substrate 8∘ off (001) towards (111) by molecular-beam epitaxy. The quasi-periodic composition modulation was spontaneously formed in the In0.5Al0.5As buffer layer on this misoriented InP (001). The width and period of the In-rich bands are about 10 and 40nm, respectively. The periodic In-rich bands play a major role in the sequent InAs QWRs growth and the InAs QWRs are well positioned atop In-rich bands. The photoluminescence (PL) measurements showed a significant reduction in full width at half maximum and enhanced PL efficiency for InAs QWRs on misoriented InP(001) as compared to that on normal InP(001).