bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of Parrot Papillomavirus in Cloacal and Oral Papillomas of Psittacine Birds
Authors: Latimer Kenneth S. , Rakich Pauline M. , Campagnoli Raymond P. , Ritchie Branson W. , McGee Evan D. , Niagro Frank D.
Published: February 2009

Cloacal and oral papillomas from 27 psittacine birds of various species were examined for the presence of parrot papillomavirus by DNA in situ hybridization, DNA in situ polymerase chain reaction, and nested polymerase chain reaction. Parrot papillomavirus was detected in one oral papilloma from an African grey parrot by all three techniques. In addition, rare basophilic intranuclear inclusions were observed by light microscopy in tissue sections of the oral papilloma from this parrot. The remaining lesions were negative for parrot papillomavirus DNA. This study suggests that parrot papillomavirus may be involved in the development of papillomas in African grey parrots, but apparently is not responsible for development of similar lesions in unrelated species of psittacine birds.
Multiple Forms of Alkaline Phosphatase in Horse Bone, Liver, Kidney, Duodenum, Caecum and Serum Separated by Agarose Gel Electrophoresis With and Without Neuraminidase Pretreatment
Authors: Rudolph W.G. , Figueroa A.N. , Zoccola C.A. , Godoy A.F.
Published: February 2009

Horse bone, liver, duodenum, caecum and kidney alkaline phosphatases were separated by a commercial agarose gel electrophoresis method with and without neuraminidase pretreatment, following the manufacturer's directions. Tissue extracts were obtained in saline solution and ALP extracted from cell membranes by the butanol method. Electrophoresis was performed using a TRIS/barbital/sodium barbital buffer with detergent, pH 8.6 to 9.0, at 250 V for 30 minutes. Bone, liver and kidney untreated extracts showed two ALP bands each, but with different relative migration (compared to albumin migration). When they were preincubated with neuraminidase, the two bone bands showed a marked decrease in their migration, followed by the kidney ALP bands and the most anodic band of liver. Both intestinal untreated extracts showed three bands but with different mobilities. After preincubation with neuraminidase, the three bands of caecum mucosa decreased in their migration, and the most anodic duodenum band disappeared, overlapping the second one. When tissue extracts were incubated with wheat germ‐lectin (WGL), 74.5% of bone extract ALP and 67.2% of caecum extract ALP precipitated, which demonstrated that the ALP band of both tissues have similar groups in the carbohydrate side chains. Horse serum showed two electrophoretic bands, which increased to three bands when treated with neuraminidase. ALP from hepatocytes was the dominant isoform, followed by a caecum band. Because the electrophoretic mobilities of some of the tissue bands studied were identical, the neuraminidase agarose electrophoretic method appeared to be a satisfactory alternative to separate them.
Cytologic and Histologic Features of a Poorly Differentiated Glioma in a Dog
Authors: Fernandez Fidelia R. , Grindem Carol B. , Brown Talmage T. , Sharp Nick J. H. , Saulnier Muriel
Published: February 2009

A 5‐year old female Boxer with a 1‐week history of progressive paresis and paraplegia had a T10‐13 subarachnoid filling defect on myelography. Exploratory hemilaminectomy revealed an intramedullary spinal cord tumor which was subsequently diagnosed as a poorly differentiated glioma, most likely an anaplastic ependymoma. The cytologic, histologic, and immunocytochemical staining characteristics of this neoplasm are described. Differential diagnoses, including primary and secondary tumors involving the central nervous system are discussed.
The Apo‐enzyme Content of Aminotransferases in Healthy and Diseased Domestic Animals
Authors: Stokol Tracy , Erb Hollis
Published: February 2009

Abstract— We investigated the apo‐enzyme content of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in clinically normal and ill canine, feline, equine and bovine patients. Aminotransferase activity was measured with and without the addition of exogenous pyridoxal‐5′‐phosphate (P5P). The amount of apo‐enzyme was expressed as the percentage change in aminotransferase activity with the inclusion of P5P. The results of aminotransferase assays without P5P (holo‐enzyme activity) were highly correlated to the results obtained with P5P (total enzyme activity) in all four species (Spearman rank correlations > 0.980). The median apo‐aminotransferase percentage in clinically normal patients was: 11% ALT and 0% AST in 115 dogs, 7% ALT and ‐5% AST in 50 cats, 6% AST in 46 horses and 9% AST in 50 cattle. The amount of apo‐enzyme did not increase as holo‐enzyme activity increased in any of the species. The apo‐aminotransferase content was not significantly different in canine, feline and equine patients with diseases affecting the liver, kidney or musculature compared to clinically normal animals. The apo‐enzyme content did not differ significantly between specific liver diseases in canine and feline patients. (Vet Clin Pathol 27:71–78, 1998)
Artifactually Increased Serum Bicarbonate Values in Two Horses and a Calf with Severe Rhabdomyolysis
Authors: Collins Nathaniel D. , LeRoy Bruce E. , Vap Linda
Published: February 2009

Abstract— Extremely high bicarbonate (HCO3‐) and anion gap values were measured in two horses and a calf using the Hitachi 911 automated serum biochemistry analyzer. All three animals had severe muscle disease as evidenced by markedly increased aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase activities. Laboratory error was suspected as the source of the increased HCO3‐ because values calculated from blood gas analysis were normal. It was hypothesized that increased serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and pyruvate concentration overwhelmed the oxamate LDH inhibitor in the enzymatic HCO3‐ assay, resulting in consumption of NADH and a falsely elevated spectrophotometric reading. Serum LDH activity was markedly increased in all three patients. In an attempt to reproduce this interference in vitro, LDH and pyruvate were added to normal bovine serum. Bicarbonate concentration was artifactually increased in a linear, dose‐response relationship proportional to the amount of LDH activity in the sample; addition of pyruvate augmented this increase. It was concluded that increased serum LDH activity and pyruvate concentration secondary to severe muscle disease can result in artifactual increases in serum HCO3‐ values obtained by routine enzymatic assay. (Vet Clin Pathol 27:85–90, 1998)
Hematology of Equine Fetuses with Comparisons to Their Dams
Authors: Allen Andrew L. , Myers Sherry L. , Searcy Gene P. , Fretz Peter B.
Published: February 2009

Abstract— The hematologic values of 19 equine fetuses between 202 and 238 days gestation were compared with those of their dams. The red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were significantly lower in fetal blood, while the mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and red cell distribution width were significantly higher. Mares had a significantly higher nucleated blood cell count than fetuses, and all nucleated cells were leukocytes (WBC). Most WBC in mare blood were segmented neutrophils and lymphocytes. In contrast, over one‐half of the nucleated cells in fetal blood were nucleated RBC, and the majority of WBC in fetal blood were lymphocytes. Mares also had significantly higher plasma protein and fibrinogen concentrations than their fetuses. Mild macrocytosis and mild polychromasia were observed in most fetal blood samples, but not in blood samples from mares. All fetal blood contained reticulocytes, and most samples contained Heinz bodies and Howell‐Jolly bodies. The results of this study will contribute to the development of hematologic reference values that may be useful in equine fetal research and, possibly, in the diagnosis of equine fetal disease. (Vet Clin Pathol 27:93–100, 1998)
Alanine Aminotransferase Apoenzyme in Dogs
Authors: Mesher Christopher I. , Rej Robert , Stokol Tracy
Published: February 2009

Abstract— Unusually low serum activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was detected in a Rottweiler dog with gastric dilatation‐volvulus. Activity of ALT in the same sample was found to be much higher (estimated increase of 14, 225%) when measured by methods adding the cofactor pyridoxal‐5′‐phosphate (P5P), indicating that nearly all serum ALT was in the apoenzyme form. An investigation was undertaken to determine the frequency of high serum aminotransferase apoenzyme levels in dogs. Eighty canine serum samples submitted to the Clinical Pathology Laboratory at Cornell University were assayed for ALT and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the presence or absence of exogenous P5P. In 79 dogs, inclusion of P5P in the ALT assay resulted in a median increase in ALT activity of 9.6% (range ‐7.1% to 46.5%). Inclusion of P5P in the AST assay resulted in a median decrease in AST activity of‐6.3% (range ‐33.3% to 25.0%) in all 80 dogs. One dog had an increase of 336% in ALT activity after inclusion of P5P in the assay, but lacked a similar increase in AST activity. The reason for the high levels of ALT apoenzyme in the 2 dogs was not determined.
Morphology, Cytochemical Staining and Ultrastructural Characteristics of Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) Leukocytes
Authors: Henkel Kurt A. , Swenson Cheryl L. , Richardson Burnell , Common Ralph
Published: February 2009

Abstract—Peripheral blood smears from four adult reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) were examined after staining with Romanowsky's stain and cytochemical stains, including α‐napthyl butyrate esterase (α‐NBE), Sudan black B (SBB), chloroacetate esterase (CAE) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Romanowsky‐stained eosinophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes resembled those of cattle, sheep and goats. Basophils had two different staining patterns with Romanowsky's stain. Basophils that we termed“grey basophils”were similar in appearance to grey eosinophils in Greyhound dogs, with medium blue‐grey to lavender‐grey cytoplasm containing varying numbers of clear vacuoles or granules and variable numbers of small, intensely basophilic, perinuclear granules. The second basophil staining pattern was more typical of ruminant basophils, with uniform, pale to dark, basophilic cytoplasmic granules. Basophils stained positive for α‐NBE, SBB, CAE and ALP. Eosinophils stained positive for SBB, and were negative for α‐NBE, CAE and ALP. Neutrophils stained positive for SBB and CAE, and were negative for α‐NBE and ALP. Lymphocytes stained positive for α‐NBE, and were negative for SBB, CAE and ALP. Monocytes stained positive for α‐NBE, were rarely positive for CAE and SBB, and were negative for ALP. Transmission electron microscopy revealed matrix within all granulocyte granules, including those of basophils.
Biological Variation of Canine Serum Thyrotropin (TSH) Concentration
Authors: Iversen Lars , Jensen Asger Lundorff , Høier René , Aaes Helle
Published: February 2009

Abstract— The aim of the present study was to estimate the between‐dog, within‐dog and analytical components of variance for serum thyrotropin (TSH) in healthy dogs, and to use these components of variance to 1) estimate the critical difference for significance between serial results; 2) assess the utility of the conventional population‐based reference interval; 3) set a desirable performance standard for analytical imprecision; and 4) estimate the number of samples required for determination of the true mean value for an individual dog. Using the Immulite test system, TSH was measured in serum samples collected weekly for five weeks from eight clinically healthy dogs. Results were subjected to nested analysis of variance. Between‐dog variation was 43.6%, within‐dog variation was 13.6%, analytical variation was 8.8%, the one‐sided critical difference was 37.8%, the index of individuality was 0.4, the maximum allowable analytical imprecision was 6.8%, and the number of samples required to determine the true mean value in a single dog was 40. In practical terms, the present study indicated that the analytical imprecision of canine serum TSH measurement should be < 7%, and that comparing a single serum TSH measurement from an individual dog to the conventional population‐based reference range may be too insensitive to detect small but important changes in the serum TSH level of that particular dog. In addition, when treating a hypothyroid dog, serum TSH, measured on a weekly basis, should decrease by at least one‐third before any effect of exogenous thyroxine supplementation can be said to have influenced the serum TSH level.
Diagnostic and Hematologic Features of Probable Essential Thrombocythemia in Two Dogs
Authors: Dunn John K. , Heath M. Fred , Jefferies Andrew R. , Blackwood Laura , McKay Jennifer S. , Nicholls Philip K.
Published: February 2009

Abstract—The clinical and hematologic features of two cases of probable essential thrombocythemia in the dog are described. Both dogs presented with hepatosplenomegaly, severe nonregenerative anemia, neutrophilia and thrombocytosis. Mean platelet volume and percentages of large platelets were markedly increased in both dogs. Platelet aggregation studies demonstrated hyperaggregability in one dog; platelets from the other dog aggregated spontaneously, precluding further investigation. Cytologic and histologic examination of bone marrow showed pronounced megakaryocytic hyperplasia, with erythroid hypoplasia and relative myeloid hyperplasia. Megakaryocyte morphology was abnormal, with increased numbers of small mononuclear and binucleate cells. Normal to increased hemosiderin stores suggested that apparent microcytosis in one dog, rather than being due to iron deficiency, resulted from the hematology analyzer counting large platelets as small red blood cells. Megakaryocytic infiltration of the spleen was evident in both dogs. The hematologic findings in dogs with essential thrombocythemia can mimic those associated with iron deficiency anemia, such that diagnostic investigations should be aimed at ruling out chronic blood loss and other causes of reactive thrombocytosis.
Sensitivity and Specificity of Cytologic Evaluation in the Diagnosis of Neoplasia in Body Fluids from Dogs and Cats
Authors: Hirschberger Johannes , DeNicola Dennis B. , Hermanns Walter , Kraft Wilfried
Published: February 2009

Abstract— Sensitivity and specificity were determined for the cytologic detection of malignant tumors in canine and feline body cavity effusions. In a prospective study, 424 body cavity effusions from dogs and cats were collected and evaluated, including 70 pleural and 163 peritoneal effusions from dogs, and 77 pleural and 114 peritoneal effusions from cats. Final diagnoses were confirmed in 339 of the 424 cases by clinical follow‐up, necropsy, and in the case of malignant tumors, histopathology. Malignant tumors were found in 18% of canine and 25% of feline body cavity effusions. Approximately one‐half of tumors in both dogs and cats were carcinomas. Discrete cell tumors accounted for 56% of feline neoplastic effusions. The sensitivity of cytologic evaluation for the detection of malignant tumors in body cavity effusions was 64% for dogs and 61% for cats. Specificity was 99% for canine and 100% for feline effusions. Sensitivity and specificity were comparable to those obtained with cytologic evaluation of human samples.
Quality Control Validation in Veterinary Laboratories
Authors: Freeman Kathleen P. , Gruenwaldt Julie
Published: February 2009

Abstract— Quality control (QC) validation is used to determine: 1) whether statistical QC procedures are appropriate for detecting medically important errors; and 2) the quality of performance required by different laboratory tests. QC validation is well documented in the medical literature, but we are unaware of studies addressing its application, problems or unique differences in veterinary laboratories. We applied QC validation to automated hematology and biochemistry analyses in our laboratories, with goals of ≥ 90% probability of error detection and ≤ 5% probability of false rejection. Analytical quality requirements in the form of total allowable error were defined using regulatory criteria for human proficiency testing; these were later modified based on clinician and pathologist feedback. Initial QC goals were not met for 14 of 49 (28.6%) analyte‐control combinations. Subsequent modifications in methodology, analytical quality requirements and technician training achieved QC goals for all but one analyte. For this analyte (platelet count, low control), nonstatistical QC procedures were emphasized. QC validation was beneficial for clarifying statistical QC performance, and for assessing the need and justification for changes in methods and personnel training. The validation exercise allowed simplification of QC rules, enabled machine flagging of abnormal results, and decreased time and expense associated with QC recording, analysis, problem‐solving and reruns. QC validation is recommended for all veterinary laboratories as a useful tool in total quality management.
Energy and the Elliptical Orbit
Authors: Nettles Bill
Published: February 2009

In the January 2007 issue of The Physics Teacher, Prentis, Fulton, Hesse, and Mazzino1 describe a laboratory exercise in which students use a geometrical analysis inspired by Newton to show that an elliptical orbit and an inverse-square law force go hand in hand. The historical, geometrical, and teamwork aspects of the exercise are useful and important. This paper presents an exercise which uses an energy/angular momentum conservation model for elliptical orbits. This exercise can be done easily by an individual student and on regular notebook-sized paper.
Cellular Phones Helping To Get a Clearer Picture of Kinematics
Authors: Falcão A. E. G. , Gomes R. A. , Pereira J. M. , Coelho L. F. S. , Santos A. C. F.
Published: February 2009

The main purpose of this paper is to add to the list of examples of how cell phones may be used as teaching tools in the classroom.1 One very interesting example of this comes from the study of projectile motion, the classical “cannon ball” problem. This problem is central to the study of kinematics, the very first topic a student meets in physics. Our approach exploits the fact that these days almost all students carry cellular phones and the vast majority of the phones have built-in cameras.
Instructor-Designed Tutorials—Meeting the Needs of Our Students
Authors: Brichta J. P. , Bizheva K. , Sanderson J. H. , Holbrook J.
Published: February 2009

We have developed an easy-to-use online tutorial generator designed to allow instructors to make tutorials quickly and with a minimal learning curve. The motivation was to create a generator that would allow instructors to create tutorials as needed and possibly build up a bank of tutorials over a number of years. A key design feature of the online tutorials was the inclusion of branching pathways through the material to provide targeted remedial aid for conceptual difficulties as they appear. We tested the generator by creating a small number of online tutorials that focus on areas where typical first-year students encounter difficulty: vectors, Newton's second law, circular motion, and rotation. We found that students using the online tutorials achieved a better result on the related online quizzes and final exam questions for these topics. The results of our analysis indicate that the online tutorials have been partially successful at reinforcing these key concepts.
Read Any Good Science Lately?
Authors: Blanton Patricia
Published: February 2009

A primary directive of any teacher is to help prepare students to meet the challenges they will face in their daily lives. Many of the high school and college students we teach have had so much “handed to them” and assume this will continue with little or no effort on their part. Members of this “me” generation are encouraged by everything around them to focus more on relationships, social status, and physical attributes, receiving less encouragement to focus on their intellectual development and preparation to compete in a global economy. The recent economic woes of the country may serve as a wake-up call to our students and their families, giving us the support we need to ignite a passion for learning in our students.
Isolation and Characterization of a Single-Stranded RNA Virus Infecting the Bloom-Forming Diatom
Chaetoceros socialis
Authors: Tomaru Yuji , Takao Yoshitake , Suzuki Hidekazu , Nagumo Tamotsu , Nagasaki Keizo
Published: February 2009

Diatoms are very significant primary producers in the world's oceans. Various environmental factors affect the depletion of diatom populations. The importance of viruses as a potential mortality source has recently been recognized. We isolated and characterized a new diatom virus (
Chaetoceros socialis
f.
radians
RNA virus [CsfrRNAV]) causing the lysis of the bloom-forming species
Chaetoceros socialis
Lauder f.
radians
(Schütt) Proschkina-Lavrenko. The virus infectious to
C. socialis
f.
radians
was isolated from water samples collected in Hiroshima Bay. Here we show the physiology, morphology, and genome characteristics of the virus clone. Virions were 22 nm in diameter and accumulated in the cytoplasm of the host cells. The latent period and the burst size were estimated to be <48 h and 66 infectious units per host cell, respectively. CsfrRNAV harbors a single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) genome and encodes at least three polypeptides of 32.0, 28.5, and 25.0 kDa. Sequencing analysis shows the length of the genome is 9,467 bases, excluding a poly(A) tail. The monophyly of CsfrRNAV and other diatom-infecting RNA viruses,
Rhizosolenia setigera
RNA virus and
Chaetoceros tenuissimus
RNA virus, was strongly supported by phylogenetic analysis based on the amino acid sequence of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase domains. This suggested a new ssRNA virus family, Bacillariornaviridae. This discovery of CsfrRNAV may aid in further understanding the ecological dynamics of the
C. socialis
f.
radians
population in nature and the relationships between ssRNA diatom viruses and their hosts.
A new combining rule for fluid mixtures
Authors: González-Calderón José Alfredo , del Río Fernando
Published: February 2009

We present evidence for the regular behaviour of the Boyle temperature TB in gaseous binary mixtures of small molecules with negligible multipolar moments. We use this regularity to construct a new combining rule for the prediction of the cross interaction u12(r) in those mixtures. The combining rule gives TB of the cross interaction as the harmonic mean of the Boyle temperatures of the pure components. The validity of this harmonic rule is based on experimental data of 28 binary mixtures, whose TB have been obtained from experimental data of the cross virial coefficient B12(T). In determining TB we make use of non-conformal potentials that have been proven to represent very accurately the effective interactions of the molecules investigated. The new combining rule is used to give interaction parameters of several dozens of binary mixtures involving noble gases (Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe), diatomic molecules (N2, O2 and CO) and n-alkanes (from methane to n-octane). These interaction parameters lead to a prediction of cross virial coefficients B12(T) within experimental error. Electrostatic interactions, originating in permanent dipolar, quadrupolar, octupolar and hexadecapolar moments and exemplified by molecules of HCl, CO2, CF4 and SF6, depart from the regular non-polar behaviour.
MEDICAL APPLICATIONS OF PARTICLE-INDUCED X-RAY EMISSION
Authors: HARADA S. , EHARA S. , ISHII K. , YAMAZAKI H. , MATSUYAMA S. , SATO T. , OIKAWA S. , KAMIYA T. , ARAKAWA K. , SERA K. , ITO J.
Published: February 2009

We report two medical applications of particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) as described below (1) Observation of biological events: The kinetics of trace elements during the initiation of radiation-induced apoptosis (RIA) was observed using a micro-PIXE and PIXE. RIA is a process in which irradiated cells commit suicide; it results in the removal of severely damaged and harmful cells. During RIA, cytochrome c is released from the mitochondria and reaches the nucleus, where it activates a Ca- or Mg-dependent endonuclease. We examined this phenomenon by using a micro-PIXE and PIXE. A high concentration of Fe was detected in the stroma of cells in the early apoptotic phase. We also observed accumulation of large amounts of Ca and Mg in the nucleus.

(2) Development of liquid-core microcapsules for novel cancer chemoradiotherapy: Currently, we are developing liquid-core (containing an anticancer drug) microcapsules that release their core content upon irradiation. These microcapsules will localize the anticancer drug within the irradiated field. The outer shell of these microcapsules is prepared from alginate and hyaluronic acid and polymerized by Fe, while the anticancer drug Paraplatin®(carboplatin) containing Pt is the liquid core. The micro-PIXE revealed that these microcapsules released their core content after irradiation, and the amount of carboplatin released was measured by PIXE. More than 83.1% ± 8.3% of the microcapsules were ruptured, and the amount of carboplatin released was more than 81.2% ± 2.3%. Thus, the combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy showed improved antitumor effects and a decrease in adverse effects because of drug localization.
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF VERY SMALL QUANTITY OF ORGANS TAKEN FROM PATIENTS AND EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS: STANDARD-FREE METHOD FOR ORGAN SAMPLES
Authors: SERA K. , ITOH J. , GOTO S. , SAITOH Y. , FUJIMURA A. , NOZAKA Y. , NODA Y. , NISHIZUKA S. , WAKABAYASHI G.
Published: February 2009

A standard-free method for small lymph node and spleen samples taken from rats, and lymph node, esophagus, colon etc. taken from real patients has been developed in order to take measure to meet increasing demands for quantitative analyses of small amount of organs. It becomes possible to quantitatively analyze organ samples of less than 1 mg collected from small experimental animals and also from patients by biopsy, and accuracy and sensitivity of the method were examined by comparing the results with those obtained by a powdered-internal-standard method and a chemical-ashing method. It is found that the method is quite effective for estimating therapeutic effect of CDDP (Cisplatin) since it allows us to quantitatively evaluate uptake of CDDP into organs by analyzing small quantity of samples taken from actual patients by biopsy. It is expected that the method will become a powerful tool for studies not only in fundamental and clinical medicines but also on practical diagnosis and treatment.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF FLUORIDE AND MULTI ELEMENTS OF SHARK TEETH BY PIXE
Authors: SAKURAI S. , ASAKAWA R. , HIROTA F. , SATO T. , SERA K. , ITOH J.
Published: February 2009

Biomineralization has two types, biologically induced mineralization (BIM) and biologically controlled mineralization (BCM). Shark teeth is a typical representative of BCM. We have measured concentrations of fluorine and multi elements in shark teeth collected in the south of Japan. As a result, it was confirmed that the sample preparation method, which was established for the biological samples, is applicable to the shark teeth samples and the elemental concentration was obtained in good accuracy and reproducibility. Moreover, we clarified that the shark teeth is composed of Fluorapatite by the combination with X-ray Diffraction. Fluorine concentration is found to be 5500 µg/g in the shark teeth. We have 100 samples of Shark teeth and are planning on reporting the findings of a study with larger samples in the near future.
THREE DIMENSIONAL IMAGING OF OTOLITHS
Authors: BARRY B. , MARKWITZ A. , DAVID B.
Published: February 2009

Otoliths are small structures in fish ears made of calcium carbonate which carry a record of the environment in which the fish live. Traditionally, in order to study their microchemistry by a scanning technique such as PIXE the otoliths have been either ground down by hand or thin sectioned to expose the otolith core. However this technique is subject to human error in judging the core position. In this study we have scanned successive layers of otoliths 50 and 100 µm apart by removing the otolith material in a lapping machine which can be set to a few µm precision. In one study by comparing data from otoliths from the two ears of a freshwater species we found that polishing by hand could miss the core and thus give misleading results as to the life cycle of the fish. In another example we showed detail in a marine species which could be used to build a three dimensional picture of the Sr distribution.
PIXE ANALYSIS OF ATMOSPHERIC NANO- TO MICROMETER-SIZE PARTICLES IN ROADSIDE ATMOSPHERE
Authors: SAITOH KATSUMI , SERA KOICHIRO , FUSHIMI AKIHIRO , FUJITANI YUJI , HASEGAWA SHUICHI , TAKAHASHI KATSUYUKI , KOBAYASHI SHINJI , TANABE KIYOSHI
Published: February 2009

In order to shed light on the problem of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) pollution of roadside atmosphere in the Tokyo metropolitan area, we carried out high time-resolution and size-resolved sampling of PM at the Ikegami-Shincho crossing in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. Elemental and ionic composition analysis of those samples was then conducted. The research results are important for the physicochemical characterization of nano- to micrometer-size particles in roadside atmosphere, enabling detailed analysis of the various roadside emission sources and atmospheric processes.
MULTI-TECHNIQUE APPROACH TO MEASURE SIZE AND TIME RESOLVED ATMOSPHERIC AND RADIONUCLIDE AEROSOLS
Authors: SHUTTHANANDAN V. , XIE Y. , DISSELKAMP R. S. , LAULAINEN N. , SMITH E. , THEVUTHASAN S.
Published: February 2009

Accurate quantifications of aerosol components are crucial to predict global atmospheric transport models. Recently developed International Monitoring System (IMS) network represents an opportunity to enhance comprehensive systematic aerosol observations on a global scale because it provides a global infrastructure. As such, a local pilot study utilizing several state-of-the-art instruments has been conducted at the peak of the Rattlesnake Mountain, Washington, USA, during three month periods (June-August) in 2003 to explore this opportunity. In this study, routine aerosol samples were collected using a 3-stage Cascade Impactor Beam Analyzer (0.07 to 2.5 µm) with time resolution about 6 hours on long Teflon strips while radionuclide aerosols were collected using Radionuclide aerosol sampler/analyzer (RASA) developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The elemental composition and hydrogen concentration were measured using proton induced x-ray emission (PIXE) and proton elastic scattering analysis (PESA), respectively. In addition, short and long-lived radionuclides that exist in nature were measured with same time resolution (6 hours) using RASA. In this method, high-resolution gamma-ray spectra were analyzed for radionuclide concentration. Combination of trace radioactive and non-radioactive element analysis in aerosols makes this investigation unique.
PIXE ANALYSIS OF ATMOSPHERIC AEROSOLS FROM ASIAN CONTINENT
Authors: YAMANAKA K. , ISHII K. , MATSUYAMA S. , TERAKAWA A. , KIKUCHI Y. , KAWAMURA Y. , OYAMA R. , YAMAMOTO T. , WATANABE M. , TSUBOI S. , OKURA S. , FUJIKAWA M. , YAMAZAKI H. , ARAO K.
Published: February 2009

A large amount of yellow sand dust from Asian continent transported to Japan by air, affecting traffic, climate and human health. The yellow sand is known as a natural phenomenon, but it is mixed with anthropogenic aerosols over the industrial area in East Asia and causes environmental pollution. In addition, atmospheric turbid phenomena are occasionally observed in spring of recent years over western part of Japan. This phenomenon is caused by the increase in the amounts of fine particles. For a better comprehension of such turbid phenomena, we collected aerosols at Nagasaki. At the same time, particle number concentrations were observed by OPC. The samples were analyzed by an in-air PIXE system at Tohoku University. Time series of elemental concentrations and particle number concentration were obtained. It found that the yellow sand dust phenomenon occurred when coarse particles reached high concentrations, and elemental concentrations of Si, Ca, Fe, Pb and Hg showed similar variations along with that of coarse particles. On the other hand, when fumes or mists were observed, concentrations of fine particles were also correlated with concentrations of S and Zn.
PIXE ANALYSIS OF SEDIMENTS AFFECTED BY THE DECEMBER 2004 INDIAN OCEAN TSUNAMI
Authors: KENNEDY JOHN , BARRY BERNARD , MARKWITZ ANDREAS , SRISUKSAWAD KANITHA , LIMSAKUL ATSAMON
Published: February 2009

The aim of this project is to apply particle induced X-ray emission analysis for the assessment of elemental variations in sediment samples collected after the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami event in Thailand. Samples were collected in June 2007 at two near-shore locations (C-1 and C-2) along the east coast of Phuket Island. The C-1 and C-2 sites received moderate and low impacts from the tsunami, respectively. For each location, sediment cores of 0.75m were collected. Sediment samples extracted from the cores were dried to constant weight at 60°C. All samples were prepared as a fine homogeneous powder by grinding and passing through a 125 µm sieve. Pellets were pressed from these samples. It was found by comparison with a suite of standard soils and sediments that the Si, Al and K contents of these moderate and low-impact Tsunami effected sediment samples are low by a factor of about two. Chlorine was detected at up to about 20000 ppm in both series with suggestions of a decrease at greater depth in the cores. Iron was detected in all samples, and was found at higher concentration in the samples from the C-1 site with a trend to higher concentration at greater depth. By contrast the two shallow C-2 samples showed a higher concentration than the deeper samples. Titanium was detected at the 1000–2000 ppm level in both series with no discernable depth trends.
PIXE ANALYSIS OF COPPER, CHROMIUM AND ARSENIC DISTRIBUTIONS IN CCA-TREATED TIMBER
Authors: KENNEDY JOHN , VOGELER IRIS , KO BYONG-GU , BOLAN NANTHI
Published: February 2009

PIXE is used for the elemental analysis of CCA treated timber samples, because of the simplicity of sample preparation, in-situ measurement of metal distribution, high sensitivity and the large number of samples which can be measured in a short time (typically less than 15 min per sample). The concentrations of Cr, Cu and As in the thin sections of treated poles from a vineyard were measured at 2 cm intervals from the centre of the pole. PIXE analysis indicated that in the case of fresh CCA treated timber the concentrations of Cu, Cr and As varied little with depth. In aged timber, the concentrations increased from the centre of the pole to the surface, indicating horizontal migration of these elements. The increase was greater for aged poles than for freshly treated poles, indicating surface migration of the CCA chemical with weathering. This was supported by data obtained in leaching experiments that indicated elevated concentrations of these metals in the extractants.
PIXE ANALYSIS ON AN ANCIENT SCROLL SAMPLE
Authors: SHUTTHANANDAN V. , THEVUTHASAN S. , IULIANO EDWARD , SEALES WILLIAM B.
Published: February 2009

For years, scientists have developed several new techniques to read texts of Herculaneum scrolls without destroying them. Recently, the use of a custom built high-resolution CT scanner was proposed to scan and then virtually unroll the scrolls for reading. Identification of any unique chemical signatures in the ancient ink would allow better calibration of the CT scanner to improve the chances of resolving the ink from the burned papyrus background. To support this effort, we carried out one pilot study to see whether the composition of the ink can be obtained from an ancient scroll sample using PIXE technique. PIXE data were collected and analyzed in two different regions of the ancient scroll sample (ink and blank regions). This preliminary work shows that elemental distributions from the ink used in this scroll mainly contained Al, Fe and Ti as well as minor trace amounts of Cr, Cu and Zn.
FREQUENCY DOMAIN RECONSTRUCTION FOR PHOTO- AND THERMOACOUSTIC TOMOGRAPHY WITH LINE DETECTORS
Authors: HALTMEIER MARKUS
Published: February 2009

This paper is concerned with a version of photoacoustic tomography, that uses line shaped detectors (instead of point-like ones) for the recording of acoustic data. The three-dimensional image reconstruction problem is reduced to a series of two-dimensional ones. First, the initial data of the two-dimensional wave equation is recovered from boundary data, and second, the classical two-dimensional Radon transform is inverted. We discuss uniqueness and stability of reconstruction, and compare frequency domain reconstruction formulas for various geometries.
NOTES ON STRAIN GRADIENT PLASTICITY: FINITE STRAIN COVARIANT MODELLING AND GLOBAL EXISTENCE IN THE INFINITESIMAL RATE-INDEPENDENT CASE
Authors: NEFF PATRIZIO , CHEŁMIŃSKI KRZYSZTOF , ALBER HANS-DIETER
Published: February 2009

We propose a model of finite strain gradient plasticity including phenomenological Prager type linear kinematical hardening and nonlocal kinematical hardening due to dislocation interaction. Based on the multiplicative decomposition, a thermodynamically admissible flow rule for Fp is described involving as plastic gradient Curl Fp. The formulation is covariant w.r.t. superposed rigid rotations of the reference, intermediate and spatial configuration but the model is not spin-free due to the nonlocal dislocation interaction and cannot be reduced to a dependence on the plastic metric [Formula: see text].

The linearization leads to a thermodynamically admissible model of infinitesimal plasticity involving only the Curl of the nonsymmetric plastic distortion p. Linearized spatial and material covariance under constant infinitesimal rotations is satisfied.

Uniqueness of strong solutions of the infinitesimal model is obtained if two non-classical boundary conditions on the plastic distortion p are introduced: [Formula: see text] on the microscopically hard boundary ΓD ⊂ ∂Ω and [ Curl p] · τ = 0 on the microscopically free boundary ∂Ω\ΓD, where τ are the tangential vectors at the boundary ∂Ω. A weak reformulation of the infinitesimal model allows for a global in-time solution of the rate-independent initial boundary value problem. The method is based on a mixed variational inequality with symmetric and coercive bilinear form. We use a new Hilbert-space suitable for dislocation density dependent plasticity.
THE CURVATURE HOMOGENEITY BOUND FOR LORENTZIAN FOUR-MANIFOLDS
Authors: MILSON R. , PELAVAS N.
Published: February 2009

We prove that a four-dimensional Lorentzian manifold that is curvature homogeneous of order 3, or CH3for short, is necessarily locally homogeneous. We also exhibit and classify four-dimensional Lorentzian, CH2manifolds that are not homogeneous. The resulting metrics belong to the class of null electromagnetic radiation, type N solutions on an anti-de Sitter background. These findings prove that the four-dimensional Lorentzian Singer number k1,3= 3, falsifying some recent conjectures [1]. We also prove that invariant classification for these proper CH2solutions requires ∇(7)R, and that these are the unique metrics requiring the seventh order.
TOWARDS A DEFINITION OF QUANTUM INTEGRABILITY
Authors: CLEMENTE-GALLARDO JESÚS , MARMO GIUSEPPE
Published: February 2009

We briefly review the most relevant aspects of complete integrability for classical systems and identify those aspects which should be present in a definition of quantum integrability.

We show that a naive extension of classical concepts to the quantum framework would not work because all infinite dimensional Hilbert spaces are unitarilly isomorphic and, as a consequence, it would not be easy to define degrees of freedom. We argue that a geometrical formulation of quantum mechanics might provide a way out.
FRACTIONAL LAGRANGIAN FORMULATION OF GENERAL RELATIVITY AND EMERGENCE OF COMPLEX, SPINORIAL AND NONCOMMUTATIVE GRAVITY
Authors: EL-NABULSI AHMAD RAMI
Published: February 2009

Fractional calculus of variations and in particular the Fractional Action-Like Variational Approach has recently gained importance in studying nonconservative and weak decaying dynamical systems. Until now, in high-energy physics including cosmology and quantum field theories the derivative and integral operators have only been used in integer steps. In this work, we develop the fractional Lagrangian formulation of General Relativity based on the Cresson's fractional differential operators that generalize the differential operators of conventional Einstein's General Relativity but that reduces to the standard formalism in the integer limit. Our main aim is to build the multi-dimensional setting for the Einstein's field equations. The presence of a complex number in the Cresson's fractional derivatives forces the field equations to be complex and even noncommutative. An immediate consequence of this is that all gravitational and curvature fields are complexified and as a result may be decomposed into real part and complex parts. We have also indications that the fractional Einstein's field equations in the real space behave differently from those in the complex plane. Furthermore, we show how the generalization of the fractional Cresson's fractional derivative to the directional derivative at an arbitrary orientation θ leads to a spinor-like gravitational field equation in the sense of Penrose.
IL-6 loss causes ventricular dysfunction, fibrosis, reduced capillary density, and dramatically alters the cell populations of the developing and adult heart
Authors: Banerjee Indroneal , Fuseler John W. , Intwala Arti R. , Baudino Troy A.
Published: February 2009

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine responsible for many different processes including the regulation of cell growth, apoptosis, differentiation, and survival in various cell types and organs, including the heart. Recent studies have indicated that IL-6 is a critical component in the cell-cell communication between myocytes and cardiac fibroblasts. In this study, we examined the effects of IL-6 deficiency on the cardiac cell populations, cardiac function, and interactions between the cells of the heart, specifically cardiac fibroblasts and myocytes. To examine the effects of IL-6 loss on cardiac function, we used the IL-6 −/− mouse. IL-6 deficiency caused severe cardiac dilatation, increased accumulation of interstitial collagen, and altered expression of the adhesion protein periostin. In addition, flow cytometric analyses demonstrated dramatic alterations in the cardiac cell populations of IL-6 −/− mice compared with wild-type littermates. We observed a marked increase in the cardiac fibroblast population in IL-6 −/− mice, whereas a concomitant decrease was observed in the other cardiac cell populations examined. Moreover, we observed increased cell proliferation and apoptosis in the developing IL-6 −/− heart. Additionally, we observed a significant decrease in the capillary density of IL-6 −/− hearts. To elucidate the role of IL-6 in the interactions between cardiac fibroblasts and myocytes, we performed in vitro studies and demonstrated that IL-6 deficiency attenuated the activation of the STAT3 pathway and VEGF production. Taken together, these data demonstrate that a loss of IL-6 causes cardiac dysfunction by shifting the cardiac cell populations, altering the extracellular matrix, and disrupting critical cell-cell interactions.
PKA phosphorylation of HERG protein regulates the rate of channel synthesis
Authors: Chen Jian , Sroubek Jakub , Krishnan Yamini , Li Yan , Bian Jinsong , McDonald Thomas V.
Published: February 2009

Acute changes in cAMP and protein kinase A (PKA) signaling can regulate ion channel protein activities such as gating. Effects on channels due to chronic PKA signaling, as in stress or disease states, are less understood. We examined the effects of prolonged PKA activity on the human ether- a- go- go-related gene (HERG) K+channel in stably transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK)293 cells. Sustained elevation of cAMP by either chlorophenylthiol (CPT)-cAMP or forskolin increased the HERG channel protein abundance two- to fourfold within 24 h, with measurable difference as early as 4 h. The cAMP-induced augmentation was not due to changes in transcription and was specific for HERG compared with other cardiac K+channels (Kv1.4, Kv1.5, Kir2.1, and KvLQT1). PKA activity was necessary for the effect on HERG protein and did not involve other cAMP signaling pathways. Direct PKA phosphorylation of the HERG protein was responsible for the cAMP-induced augmentation. Enhanced abundance of HERG protein was detected in endoplasmic reticulum-enriched, Golgi, and plasma membrane without significant changes in trafficking rates or patterns. An increase in the K+current density carried by the HERG channel was also observed, but with a delay, suggesting that traffic to the surface is rate-limiting traffic. Acceleration of the HERG protein synthesis rate was the primary factor in the cAMP/PKA effect with lesser effects on protein stability. These results provide evidence for a novel mechanism whereby phosphorylation of a nascent protein dictates its rate of synthesis, resetting its steady-state abundance.
A SPECT Study of Sleep Disturbance and Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Ismail Z. , Herrmann N. , Francis P.L. , Rothenburg L.S. , Lobaugh N.J. , Leibovitch F.S. , Black S.E. , Lanctôt K.L.
Published: February 2009

Background/Aims: This study aimed to investigate the possible association of regional cerebral perfusion and sleep loss in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods: 55 AD patients were characterized as having (SL) or not having (NSL) nocturnal sleep loss based on standard AD scales assessing sleep over the previous 4 weeks. 99mTc-ethylcysteinate dimer SPECT scans were performed in a relaxed, wakeful state. Whole-brain analysis using Statistical Parametrical Mapping (SPM5) was performed to compare perfusion across groups. In addition, the AD groups were compared to normal control (NC) subjects of comparable age and gender to provide a context for interpretation of findings. Results: SPM analysis showed increased perfusion in the right middle frontal gyrus (R-MFG, Brodman area 9, p = 0.016, familywise-error-corrected) in SL versus NSL patients. Comparison with NC subjects confirmed that perfusion in the R-MFG among SL patients did not exceed that found in NCs (relative rather than absolute hyperperfusion). Conclusions: In this sample of mild-to-moderate AD patients, relative hyperperfusion in the R-MFG is associated with reports of SL. This region may play a role in regulating sleep.