bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion of the frontal sinus
Authors: Philpott C M , Javer A R
Published: June 2010

Objective:

A 65-year-old man presented with a nine-month history of swelling in the midline of the forehead. After surgical intervention, this lesion was found to be a tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion of the frontal sinus. This case report and review aims to report this new location for tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion, and to discuss whether, in retrospect, there would have been alternative options to surgery.

Methods:

Case report and literature review.

Results:

Tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesions are rare. Although cases in the sinonasal tract have been described, none involving the frontal sinus have previously been reported. A review of the literature suggests that these lesions have an association with other fibroinflammatory lesions, and may be amenable to systemic steroid therapy.

Conclusion:

Each case should be managed on its merits, and a biopsy taken followed by subsequent screening for associated fibroinflammatory lesions. In the case of an isolated lesion, a surgical approach is probably favoured in a patient suitable for general anaesthesia.
Radiological observations on the olfactory fossa and ethmoid roof
Authors: Elwany S , Medanni A , Eid M , Aly A , El-Daly A , Ammar S R
Published: June 2010

Objective:

To establish normative dimensions for the depth of the olfactory fossa, the length and angulation of the lateral lamella of the cribriform plate, and the height of the ethmoid roof, in adult males and females.

Design:

The study assessed 300 high resolution, multislice computed tomography scans of the paranasal sinuses, which were evaluated using Merge Efilm software (version 2.0.0, build 37).

Results:

According to the original Keros classification, the type II olfactory fossa was the commonest type in men (66.7 per cent), while the type I fossa was commonest in women (53 per cent). A difference of 3 mm or more between the depths of the right and left olfactory fossae was present in 11 per cent of men and 2 per cent of women. The lateral lamella of the cribriform plate was significantly shorter and less oblique in men than in women. The length of the lateral lamella was greater anteriorly than posteriorly in both sexes. There was a statistically significant difference between the angle of the lateral lamellae, comparing right and left sides. The ethmoid roof was lower in women than men.

Conclusion:

The observed differences between men and women and between the right and left sides are of surgical importance, and should alert surgeons to the need for thorough, systematic pre-operative evaluation of computed tomography scans.
Breakfast skipping and its relation to BMI and health-compromising behaviours among Greek adolescents
Authors: Kapantais Efthymios , Chala Eftychia , Kaklamanou Daphne , Lanaras Leonidas , Kaklamanou Myrto , Tzotzas Themistoklis
Published: June 2010

Objective

The increasing prevalence of obesity worldwide is a major health concern. Our study, which is part of the First National Epidemiological Study of Obesity in Greece, aimed to assess (i) breakfast habits and their relationship to BMI in Greek adolescents, as well as (ii) breakfast skipping in relation to other health behaviours.

Design

Epidemiological survey throughout Greece. Participants completed a questionnaire concerning breakfast habits and many lifestyle parameters.

Setting

The survey was conducted in schools throughout Greece.

Subjects

Anthropometric measurements were performed on 6500 boys and 7778 girls, aged 13–19 years, from schools throughout Greece.

Results

Among both boys and girls, breakfast consumers had a lower BMI than breakfast skippers. Moreover, breakfast skippers among both boys and girls were found to smoke more than breakfast consumers. The proportion of boys and girls who ate breakfast was found to be greater among those who had never been on a diet than among those who had already experienced dieting. Leisure-time activity was greater in breakfast consumers than breakfast skippers; among boys, 71·8 % of breakfast consumers walked compared with 66·4 % of breakfast skippers, whereas 38·4 % and 35·0 %, respectively, exercised. Among girls, these percentages were 73·1 %v.68·7 % for walking and 36·7 %v.31·5 % for exercising.

Conclusions

We found that breakfast skipping can be part of a constellation of several unhealthy lifestyle parameters and is related to higher BMI in Greek adolescents.
The Effect of Periodic Vegetarianism on Serum Retinol and α-tocopherol Levels
Authors: Sarri Katerina , Bertsias George , Linardakis Manolis , Tsibinos George , Tzanakis Nikolaos , Kafatos Anthony
Published: June 2010

The Greek Orthodox Christian (GOC) diet is unique in that it regularly interchanges between an omnivorous to a vegetarian type of diet over the course of the ecclesiastical year, and no study to date has focused on its impact on antioxidant vitamins A (retinol) and E (α-tocopherol) status. Thirty-seven strict adherents of the GOC, mainly priests and nuns, (18 males, 19 females, mean age 43.0±13.1 years), and 48 age- and sex- matched controls (21 males, 27 females; mean age 38.6±9.6 years) were studied prior (pre) and at the end (end) of the Christmas fasting (CF) period (40 days), when meat and dairy products are prohibited. Fasters had been following all dietary recommendations of the GOC for a mean of 21.2±15.7 years. Compared to the control group, fasters had higher pre- retinol and pre- α-tocopherol levels. Fasters reduced their retinol (-0.8±0.6 μmol/l) and α-tocopherol levels (-8.0±6.6 μmol/L) during the CF period, whereas controls increased them (0.3±0.7 and 0.4±4.8 μmol/L, respectively, p<0.001). Nevertheless, values in both groups were well above the lowest cut-off points. All subjects had α-tocopherol:total cholesterol ratio >2.25, which is a cut-off value for the anti-atherogenic influence of α-tocopherol. Changes of serum α-tocopherol and retinol within the CF period correlated positively with changes in total cholesterol (p=0.013 and p=0.017, respectively), whereas the latter was also correlated with changes in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol:high-density lipoprotein (TC:HDL) ratio (p=0.021 and p=0.049, respectively). Dietary intakes of several nutrients did not correlate with concentrations of retinol and α-tocopherol in either study group. These results suggest that adherence to the GOC diet does not increase the risk of antioxidant vitamins A and E deficiency.
Impact of a Multiple-micronutrient Fortified Salt on the Nutritional Status and Memory of Schoolchildren
Authors: Vinodkumar Malavika , Erhardt Juergen G. , Rajagopalan
Published: June 2010

Objective: This study was conducted to test the efficacy of a multiple micronutrient-fortified cooking salt. Methods: A randomized controlled trial with a pre- and post-test design was used to study children 5 to 18 years of age, with an experimental (n=213) and control group (n=189). The children were sampled from 3 residential schools and were studied for 9 months. The experimental group received a multiple micronutrient-fortified salt containing vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, as well as folic acid, niacin, iron, iodine, and zinc. The control group received iodized salt. Biochemical measurements [hemoglobin, serum ferritin (SF), serum transferrin receptor (sTfR), C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha-1 acid glycoprotein (AGP), serum retinol, serum vitamin B12, serum folic acid, serum zinc, and urinary iodine (UI)] were measured at baseline and post-intervention. Hemoglobin was measured in all the children three times during the study period, while the remaining biochemical measurements were performed in a subsample of children. Children between 11 and 18 years of age were given cognitive tests to assess memory and attention. Results: There was a significant improvement (p<0.05) in all the biochemical measurements and memory tests in the experimental group when compared with the control group. Post-intervention in the experimental group, the increase in hemoglobin was 0.67 g/dL (p<0.05). Iron status and body iron stores increased significantly (p<0.05) in the experimental group compared to the control group, while serum zinc increased by 50 μg/dL (p<0.05), and the prevalence of retinol deficiency decreased from 57.1 % at baseline to 16 % post-intervention (p<0.05). Conclusion: The multiple micronutrients from the multiple micronutrient-fortified cooking salt were absorbed in the children and helped in combating micronutrient deficiencies.
Dietary Nucleotide Supplements in Infant Formula Modify the Expression of P-glycoprotein in the Intestinal Epithelium in vitro
Authors: Bebawy Mary , Rasmussen Christine , Sambasivam Shwetha , Bao Shisan
Published: June 2010

The effect of dietary nucleotides at concentrations found in supplemented infant formula on P-glycoprotein (P-gp) expression in colon cells was examined. We report that P-gp expression in colon cells was significantly decreased in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. When colon cells were co-cultured with lymphocytes, so as to mimic the involvement of gut-associated lymphoid tissue in normal gut pathophysiology, we observed a reversal of this effect with a demonstrated increase in P-gp expression. These findings have important implications on effects of nucleotide exposure on increasing drug bioavailability, reducing the capacity for xenobiotic efflux, and increasing the risk of inflammatory bowel disease in susceptible infants. Future studies are directed at defining both the mechanisms underlying these findings and effects of dietary nucleotide supplementation in vivo.
Selbstkonzeptentwicklung und der Einfluss von Zielorientierungen nach dem Übergang in die weiterführende Schule
Authors: Aust Kirsten , Watermann Rainer , Grube Dietmar
Published: June 2010

In einer Längsschnittstudie mit 238 gymnasialempfohlenen Fünftklässlern wird untersucht, wie sich das Fähigkeitsselbstkonzept im ersten Halbjahr nach dem Übergang von der Grundschule in ein Gymnasium und eine Integrierte Gesamtschule entwickelt. Fünf analysierte Messzeitpunkte liegen jeweils nur wenige Wochen auseinander. Auf der Basis eines quadratischen Wachstumskurvenmodells zeigen sich keine Veränderungen im Selbstkonzept im Mittel, allerdings unterscheiden sich die Schüler bedeutsam in ihren individuellen Entwicklungsverläufen. Weiterhin werden Effekte der Leistungsgruppierung sowie unterschiedlicher Zielorientierungen auf den Verlauf der Selbstkonzeptentwicklung untersucht. Bereits nach wenigen Wochen zeigt sich ein im Vergleich zur Gesamtschule negativer Entwicklungsverlauf des Fähigkeitsselbstkonzepts im Gymnasium. Zu Beginn des Untersuchungszeitraums gehen sowohl die Lernzielorientierung als auch (auf dem Gymnasium) die Annäherungsleistungszielorientierung mit einem positiven Selbstkonzept einher. In der Gesamtschule zeigt sich ein positiver Zusammenhang zwischen der Vermeidungsleistungszielorientierung und der Selbstkonzeptentwicklung.
Structure, variability, and salt flux in a strongly forced salt wedge estuary
Authors: Ralston David K. , Geyer W. Rockwell , Lerczak James A.
Published: June 2010

The tidally varying circulation, stratification, and salt flux mechanisms are investigated in a shallow salt wedge estuary where fluvial and tidal velocities are large and the steady baroclinic circulation is comparatively weak. The study integrates field observations and numerical simulations of the Merrimack River estuary. At moderate to high discharge the estuary is short and highly stratified, while at lower discharges it shifts to a longer, more weakly stratified estuary; the transition occurs when the length of the salinity intrusion is similar to the tidal excursion. The Merrimack is highly variable at tidal time scales owing to the advection and mixing of a bottom salinity front. Salt flux is predominantly due to tidal processes rather than steady baroclinic or bathymetric shear. Tidal pumping is important near the mouth, but inside the estuary salt flux is due to tidal asymmetries in the elevation and thickness of the halocline that depend on the tidal amplitude and river discharge. Conditions in the Merrimack, including the salinity intrusion length and stratification, vary more with event to seasonal shifts in river discharge than with spring‐neap changes in tidal amplitude. An unstructured grid hydrodynamic model is used to simulate conditions in the Merrimack and model results are compared quantitatively against field observations. The model achieves a high skill against time series of water level, salinity, and velocity and captures the spatial structures of salinity, velocity, and salt flux observed in along‐ and across‐estuary transects. High model skills depend on accurate and well‐resolved grid bathymetry and low background vertical and horizontal diffusivities.
Boolean modeling of transcriptome data reveals novel modes of heterotrimeric G‐protein action
Authors: Pandey Sona , Wang Rui‐Sheng , Wilson Liza , Li Song , Zhao Zhixin , Gookin Timothy E , Assmann Sarah M , Albert Réka
Published: June 2010

Heterotrimeric G‐proteins mediate crucial and diverse signaling pathways in eukaryotes. Here, we generate and analyze microarray data from guard cells and leaves of G‐protein subunit mutants of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, with or without treatment with the stress hormone, abscisic acid. Although G‐protein control of the transcriptome has received little attention to date in any system, transcriptome analysis allows us to search for potentially uncommon yet significant signaling mechanisms. We describe the theoretical Boolean mechanisms of G‐protein × hormone regulation, and then apply a pattern matching approach to associate gene expression profiles with Boolean models. We find that (1) classical mechanisms of G‐protein signaling are well represented. Conversely, some theoretical regulatory modes of the G‐protein are not supported; (2) a new mechanism of G‐protein signaling is revealed, in which Gβ regulates gene expression identically in the presence or absence of Gα; (3) guard cells and leaves favor different G‐protein modes in transcriptome regulation, supporting system specificity of G‐protein signaling. Our method holds significant promise for analyzing analogous ‘switch‐like’ signal transduction events in any organism.
The phosphoproteome of toll‐like receptor‐activated macrophages
Authors: Weintz Gabriele , Olsen Jesper V , Frühauf Katja , Niedzielska Magdalena , Amit Ido , Jantsch Jonathan , Mages Jörg , Frech Cornelie , Dölken Lars , Mann Matthias , Lang Roland
Published: June 2010

Recognition of microbial danger signals by toll‐like receptors (TLR) causes re‐programming of macrophages. To investigate kinase cascades triggered by the TLR4 ligand lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on systems level, we performed a global, quantitative and kinetic analysis of the phosphoproteome of primary macrophages using stable isotope labelling with amino acids in cell culture, phosphopeptide enrichment and high‐resolution mass spectrometry. In parallel, nascent RNA was profiled to link transcription factor (TF) phosphorylation to TLR4‐induced transcriptional activation. We reproducibly identified 1850 phosphoproteins with 6956 phosphorylation sites, two thirds of which were not reported earlier. LPS caused major dynamic changes in the phosphoproteome (24% up‐regulation and 9% down‐regulation). Functional bioinformatic analyses confirmed canonical players of the TLR pathway and highlighted other signalling modules (e.g. mTOR, ATM/ATR kinases) and the cytoskeleton as hotspots of LPS‐regulated phosphorylation. Finally, weaving together phosphoproteome and nascent transcriptome data byin silicopromoter analysis, we implicated several phosphorylated TFs in primary LPS‐controlled gene expression.
Persistent photoconductivity due to trapping of induced charges in Sn/ZnO thin film based UV photodetector
Authors: Yadav Harish Kumar , Sreenivas K. , Gupta Vinay
Published: June 2010

Photoconductivity relaxation in rf magnetron sputtered ZnO thin films integrated with ultrathin tin metal overlayer is investigated. Charge carriers induced at the ZnO-metal interface by the tin metal overlayer compensates the surface lying trap centers and leads to the enhanced photoresponse. On termination of ultraviolet radiation, recombination of the photoexcited electrons with the valence band holes leaves the excess carriers deeply trapped at the recombination center and holds the dark conductivity level at a higher value. Equilibrium between the recombination centers and valence band, due to trapped charges, eventually stimulates the persistent photoconductivity in the Sn/ZnO photodetectors.
Observations of negative bias temperature instability defect generation via on the fly electron spin resonance
Authors: Ryan J. T. , Lenahan P. M. , Grasser T. , Enichlmair H.
Published: June 2010

We demonstrate “on the fly” electron spin resonance (ESR) in which the defect generation process in the negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) can be observed without recovery contamination. Elevated temperature and modest negative gate bias generates ESR spectra due to E′ center defects. The NBTI generated E′ center spectrum disappears upon stress condition removal, a result consistent with recovery. Our observations support the idea that NBTI is triggered by inversion layer hole capture at an E′ precursor site which leads to depassivation of nearby interface trap precursors.
Silicon surface passivation by an organic overlayer of 9,10-phenanthrenequinone
Authors: Avasthi Sushobhan , Qi Yabing , Vertelov Grigory K. , Schwartz Jeffrey , Kahn Antoine , Sturm James C.
Published: June 2010

Merged organic-silicon heterojunction devices require the passivation of dangling bonds at the silicon surface, preferably with a low-temperature process. In this paper, we demonstrate the high-quality passivation of the silicon (100) surface using an organic molecule (9,10-phenanthrenequinone, PQ). PQ reacts with the dangling bonds, thus providing a bridge between organic semiconductors and silicon. We measure low recombination velocities (∼150 cm/s) at the PQ-silicon interface. Metal/organic-insulator/silicon capacitors and transistors prove that at PQ-silicon interface, the Fermi level can be modulated. The formation of an inversion layer with electron mobility of 600 cm2/V∙s further demonstrates the passivation quality of PQ.
Brillouin shifted third harmonic generation of a laser in a plasma
Authors: Singh Ranjeet , Tripathi V. K.
Published: June 2010

The process of Brillouin shifted resonant third harmonic generation of an intense laser of finite spot size in a plasma is investigated. The laser of frequency ω0 and wave number k⃗0 excites an ion acoustic wave of frequency ω≈kcs and wave number k⃗≈2k⃗0, where cs is the ion acoustic speed, in the primary stimulated Brillouin scattering process. The laser also exerts a second harmonic ponderomotive force on electrons. This imparts them an oscillatory velocity v2ω0,2k0. This velocity beats with the electron density perturbation associated with the ion acoustic wave to produce a density perturbation at Brillouin shifted second harmonic. This perturbation couples with the oscillatory velocity vω0,k0 due to the laser to produce Brillouin shifted third harmonic current density and the radiation field. The phase matching is satisfied when plasma density is two third critical.
Structure and transport properties of current-perpendicular-to-plane spin valves using Co2FeAl0.5Si0.5 and Co2MnSi Heusler alloy electrodes
Authors: Furubayashi T. , Kodama K. , Nakatani T. M. , Sukegawa H. , Takahashi Y. K. , Inomata K. , Hono K.
Published: June 2010

We report the structure and transport properties of current-perpendicular-to-plane spin valves (CPP SVs) with Co2FeAl0.5Si0.5 (CFAS) or Co2MnSi (CMS) Heusler alloy magnetic layers and an Ag or Cu spacer layer. A multilayer stack of sub/Cr/Ag/Heusler/(Ag or Cu)/ Heusler/Co75Fe25/Ir22Mn78/Ru was deposited on a MgO(001) single crystalline substrate by magnetron sputtering. Transmission electron microscopy observations showed epitaxial growth from the substrate to the top Heusler layer. The CPP SV with a CFAS/Ag/CFAS trilayer showed relatively large magnetoresistance (MR) ratios of 12% at room temperature and 31% at 12 K, with monotonous temperature dependence. However, the MR values of the SV with the CMS/Ag/CMS trilayer showed a different temperature dependence with a maximum value of 22% at 100 K. This might be related to the 90° couplings between the two CMS layers.
Strain and crystal defects in thin AlN/GaN structures on (0001) SiC
Authors: Faleev N. , Levin I.
Published: June 2010

High-resolution x-ray diffraction was used to compare strain relaxation and defect populations in thin GaN/AlN heterostructures (total thickness ≈480 nm) grown on (0001) SiC using metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) and hydride vapor epitaxy (HVPE) techniques. The results of high-resolution x-ray diffraction measurements (rocking curves and reciprocal space mapping) were corroborated using transmission electron microscopy. Differently grown films exhibited dissimilar strain relaxation and defect populations that were related to specific growth conditions. In the MOCVD films, grown under lower deposition rates, the elastic strain in the AlN and GaN layers was fully relaxed at the initial stages of the epitaxial growth yielding nearly similar densities of threading dislocation segments (TDS) in layer volumes. Additional, “secondary” elastic stresses in these layers were attributed to the excess of point defects. In the HVPE films, grown under higher (five to ten times) deposition rates, these layers were over relaxed and the density of TDS in the GaN layer was an order of magnitude larger than that in AlN. The MOCVD-grown sample was devoid of planar defects whereas the HVPE film contains significant densities of stacking faults in both GaN and AlN layers. Formation of “secondary” extended defects was interpreted in terms of creation and structural transformation of point defects during epitaxial growth. Differences in strain levels, types, and defect populations/distributions for the two heterostructures were attributed to the different growth rates for MOCVD and HVPE.
Viscous tilting and production of vorticity in homogeneous turbulence
Authors: Holzner M. , Guala M. , Lüthi B. , Liberzon A. , Nikitin N. , Kinzelbach W. , Tsinober A.
Published: June 2010

Viscous depletion of vorticity is an essential and well known property of turbulent flows, balancing, in the mean, the net vorticity production associated with the vortex stretching mechanism. In this letter, we, however, demonstrate that viscous effects are not restricted to a mere destruction process, but play a more complex role in vorticity dynamics that is as important as vortex stretching. Based on the results from three dimensional particle tracking velocimetry experiments and direct numerical simulation of homogeneous and quasi-isotropic turbulence, we show that the viscous term in the vorticity equation can also locally induce production of vorticity and changes of the orientation of the vorticity vector (viscous tilting).
Surface-passivation-induced metallic and magnetic properties of ZnO graphitic sheet
Authors: Zhang Yang , Wu Shun-Qing , Wen Yu-Hua , Zhu Zi-Zhong
Published: June 2010

First-principles calculations were used to investigate the electronic and magnetic properties of surface-passivated ZnO graphitic sheets. The results show that ZnO graphitic sheet with hydrogenation on both O and Zn atoms exhibits indirect band gap, while ZnO graphitic sheet is found to be metallic for hydrogenation on only O atoms and magnetic semiconducting for surface passivation by H or NH2 on only Zn atoms. The relative stability of ZnO graphitic sheet passivated by H or NH2 has also been discussed.
Optical gain in carbon nanotubes
Authors: Gaufrès Etienne , Izard Nicolas , Le Roux Xavier , Marris-Morini Delphine , Kazaoui Saïd , Cassan Eric , Vivien Laurent
Published: June 2010

Semiconducting single-wall carbon nanotubes (s-SWNTs) have proved to be promising material for nanophotonics and optoelectronics. Due to the possibility of tuning their direct band gap and controlling excitonic recombinations in the near-infrared wavelength range, s-SWNT can be used as efficient light emitters. We report the first experimental demonstration of room temperature intrinsic optical gain as high as 190 cm−1 at a wavelength of 1.3 μm in a thin film doped with s-SWNT. These results constitute a significant milestone toward the development of laser sources based on carbon nanotubes for future high performance integrated circuits.
Thermal conductivities of Si1−xGex nanowires with different germanium concentrations and diameters
Authors: Kim Hyoungjoon , Kim Ilsoo , Choi Heon-jin , Kim Woochul
Published: June 2010

The thermal conductivities of Si1−xGex nanowires (NWs) synthesized with Ge concentrations of 0.0%, 0.4%, 4%, and 9% and different diameters were measured from 40 to 420 K. The thermal conductivity of Si1−xGex NWs decreases as the Ge concentration increases due to alloy scattering. As the diameter of the Si1−xGex NWs decreases, the thermal conductivity decreases due to phonon boundary scattering. However, the thermal conductivity dependency on the diameter of the NWs is not significant. This indicates that alloy scattering should be the dominant scattering mechanism in Si1−xGex NWs. This study should provide a basis for designing efficient thermoelectric devices out of Si1−xGex NWs and Si1−xGex nanocomposites.
Demonstration of boron arsenide heterojunctions: A radiation hard wide band gap semiconductor device
Authors: Gong Y. , Tapajna M. , Bakalova S. , Zhang Y. , Edgar J. H. , Zhang Y. , Dudley M. , Hopkins M. , Kuball M.
Published: June 2010

B 12 As 2 / SiC  pn heterojunction diodes based on the radiation-hard B12As2 deposited on (0001) n-type 4H–SiC via chemical vapor deposition were demonstrated. The diodes exhibit good rectifying behavior with an ideality factor of 1.8 and a leakage current as low as 9.4×10−6 A/cm2. Capacitance-voltage measurements using a two-frequency technique showed a hole concentration of ∼1.8–2.0×1017 cm−3 in B12As2 with a slight increase near the interface due to the presence of an interfacial layer to accommodate lattice mismatch. Band offsets between the B12As2 and SiC were estimated to be ∼1.06 eV and 1.12 eV for conduction band and valance band, respectively.
Control of magnetic and electric responses with electric and magnetic fields in magnetoelectric heterostructures
Authors: Das J. , Li M. , Kalarickal S. S. , Altmannshofer S. , Buchanan K. S. , Li J. F. , Viehland D.
Published: June 2010

This paper reports on the tuning of both magnetic and electric responses with electric and magnetic fields for metglas-Pb (Zr,Ti)O3 based magnetoelectric (ME) heterostructures that can be promising for communication and sensor applications. The hysteresis loop results indicate a change in the in-plane magnetization due to application of voltages that leads to a tuning of the ferromagnetic resonance frequency by up to about 210 MHz with electric field. Furthermore, these structures show a high ME voltage coefficient that results in the detection of a 2 nT ac magnetic field and a low noise floor.
Influence of the oxidizing species on the Ge dangling bonds at the (100)Ge/GeO2 interface
Authors: Baldovino Silvia , Molle Alessandro , Fanciulli Marco
Published: June 2010

The nature of the defects present at various Ge/GeO2 interfaces has been investigated by means of electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) spectroscopy. GeO2 thin films were grown by atomic oxygen, ozone, and molecular oxygen exposure. The defect microstructure is sensitive to the oxidizing species, i.e., to the oxidation mechanism. Different EDMR spectra are correlated with the specific electrical response of the corresponding Ge/GeO2 metal-oxide-semiconductor structures.
Structural evolution during the sub-Tg relaxation of hyperquenched metallic glasses
Authors: Hu Lina , Zhang Chunzhi , Yue Yuanzheng
Published: June 2010

We report the structural characteristics during the sub-Tg relaxation in hyperquenched La55Al25Ni20 glasses. The sub-Tg relaxation is associated with the structural change in intermediate range order, as manifested by the appearance of a prepeak in the x-ray diffraction spectrum. Such structural change could be the source of the Johari–Goldstein relaxation in metallic glasses. The mechanism governing the evolution of the prepeak is different between the glasses with the fictive temperature below 604 K and those above 604 K. Cooperative motion of atoms in La-centered clusters was further discussed in terms of the atomic bond deficiency model.
Electrical impedance of an electrolytic cell in the presence of generation and recombination of ions
Authors: Derfel G. , Lenzi E. Kaminski , Yednak C. Refosco , Barbero G.
Published: June 2010

The electrical impedance of an insulating solid containing ions is evaluated in the presence of the generation and recombination of ions. The case of perfectly blocking electrodes is considered. It is shown that in the case where the diffusion coefficients of the positive and negative ions are equal, the expression for the electrical impedance coincides with the one valid in the absence of the generation and recombination of ions, with the bulk density of ions fixed by the chemical reaction describing the generation and recombination of ions. In particular, in the low frequency region, the resistance tends to the value corresponding to the plateau, and the reactance diverges as the inverse of the frequency. The case where the neutral particles, that by decomposition generate the ions, and the positive ions have a vanishing small diffusion coefficient with respect to that of the negative ions is also considered. In this situation, in the series representation, the resistance of the cell presents two plateaus. One in the low frequency region is related to the generation-recombination phenomenon. The other, with a resistance smaller than the previous one, ends at the frequency of Debye. This result is of some importance because it could be the mechanism able to explain the experimental data obtained with hydrogels doped with KCl.
Does Devolution Lead to Regional Inequalities in Welfare Activity?
Authors: Costa-Font Joan
Published: June 2010

A recurrent objection to incipient processes of welfare-state devolution is that inducing diversity in welfare activity hampers public service uniformity and opens the door to regional inequalities. However, limited empirical evidence has been reported to back this claim from experiences of welfare-state devolution. I draw upon empirical evidence of three welfare services—namely, health care, education, and long-term care in Spain, 1998–2006. I aim to explore whether devolution has shifted the patterns of regional inequalities in welfare activity, and examine the impact of regional economic development and political and fiscal devolution on the observed patterns of inequality in welfare activity. My findings indicate a reduction in regional inequalities in welfare activity after the completion of regional devolution of all three welfare services examined. This was especially noticeable in education but also occurred (less markedly) in health and long-term care. Political devolution was found to be associated with 34% of (the declining of) inequalities in health care activity, 22% of those in education, and only 4% of disparities in long-term care activity where local authorities have continued to play a heavy role, and inequalities are largely explained by regional differences in tax responsibilities.
Decentralisation and Educational Achievement in Germany and the UK
Authors: West Anne , Allmendinger Jutta , Nikolai Rita , Barham Eleanor
Published: June 2010

We examine decentralisation in school-based education, with particular reference to two countries, Germany and the UK. In section 2 we explore the notions of devolution and decentralisation. We examine different types of decentralisation and some of the ideas with which it is associated including, in education, improving educational standards. In section 3 we consider the decentralisation of education in Germany and the UK. We examine the decentralisation of political authority, policies pursued at national and subnational levels, and the delegation of responsibilities to school level. We then compare achievement levels in the two case study countries and explore whether particular policies, pursued at subnational levels, might be associated with differing levels of attainment. We argue that decentralisation in the field of education is multifaceted and complex, with different types of decentralisation coexisting. Our analysis suggests that certain policies, pursued as a result of decentralisation, may be associated with different educational outcomes, but it is not possible to draw definitive conclusions particularly in light of the differing political, policy, and socioeconomic contexts.
A fluorophore ligase for site-specific protein labeling inside living cells
Authors: Uttamapinant Chayasith , White Katharine A. , Baruah Hemanta , Thompson Samuel , Fernández-Suárez Marta , Puthenveetil Sujiet , Ting Alice Y.
Published: June 2010

Biological microscopy would benefit from smaller alternatives to green fluorescent protein for imaging specific proteins in living cells. Here we introduce PRIME (PRobe Incorporation Mediated by Enzymes), a method for fluorescent labeling of peptide-fused recombinant proteins in living cells with high specificity. PRIME uses an engineered fluorophore ligase, which is derived from the natural
Escherichia coli
enzyme lipoic acid ligase (LplA). Through structure-guided mutagenesis, we created a mutant ligase capable of recognizing a 7-hydroxycoumarin substrate and catalyzing its covalent conjugation to a transposable 13-amino acid peptide called LAP (LplA Acceptor Peptide). We showed that this fluorophore ligation occurs in cells in 10 min and that it is highly specific for LAP fusion proteins over all endogenous mammalian proteins. By genetically targeting the PRIME ligase to specific subcellular compartments, we were able to selectively label spatially distinct subsets of proteins, such as the surface pool of neurexin and the nuclear pool of actin.
Quantitative 3D imaging of whole, unstained cells by using X-ray diffraction microscopy
Authors: Jiang Huaidong , Song Changyong , Chen Chien-Chun , Xu Rui , Raines Kevin S. , Fahimian Benjamin P. , Lu Chien-Hung , Lee Ting-Kuo , Nakashima Akio , Urano Jun , Ishikawa Tetsuya , Tamanoi Fuyuhiko , Miao Jianwei
Published: June 2010

Microscopy has greatly advanced our understanding of biology. Although significant progress has recently been made in optical microscopy to break the diffraction-limit barrier, reliance of such techniques on fluorescent labeling technologies prohibits quantitative 3D imaging of the entire contents of cells. Cryoelectron microscopy can image pleomorphic structures at a resolution of 3–5 nm, but is only applicable to thin or sectioned specimens. Here, we report quantitative 3D imaging of a whole, unstained cell at a resolution of 50–60 nm by X-ray diffraction microscopy. We identified the 3D morphology and structure of cellular organelles including cell wall, vacuole, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, granules, nucleus, and nucleolus inside a yeast spore cell. Furthermore, we observed a 3D structure protruding from the reconstructed yeast spore, suggesting the spore germination process. Using cryogenic technologies, a 3D resolution of 5–10 nm should be achievable by X-ray diffraction microscopy. This work hence paves a way for quantitative 3D imaging of a wide range of biological specimens at nanometer-scale resolutions that are too thick for electron microscopy.
The silkworm
Green b
locus encodes a quercetin 5-
O
-glucosyltransferase that produces green cocoons with UV-shielding properties
Authors: Daimon Takaaki , Hirayama Chikara , Kanai Masatoshi , Ruike Yoshinao , Meng Yan , Kosegawa Eiichi , Nakamura Masatoshi , Tsujimoto Gozoh , Katsuma Susumu , Shimada Toru
Published: June 2010

In the silkworm
Bombyx mori
, dietary flavonoids are metabolized and accumulate in cocoons, thereby causing green coloration. Classical genetic studies suggest that more than seven independent loci are associated with this trait; however, because of the complex inheritance pattern, none of these loci have been characterized molecularly, and a plausible and comprehensive model for their action has not been proposed. Here, we report the identification of the gene responsible for the Green b (
Gb)
locus involving the green cocoon trait. In

+
Gb

animals, glucosylation at the 5-
O
position of dietary quercetin did not occur, and the total amount of flavonoids in tissues and cocoons was dramatically reduced. We performed positional cloning of
Gb
and found a 38-kb deletion in a
UDP-glucosyltransferase
(
UGT
) gene cluster associated with the

+
Gb

allele. RT-PCR and biochemical studies suggested that deletion of
Bm-UGT10286
(
UGT
) is responsible for
Gb
and
Bm-UGT10286
is virtually the sole source of UGT activity toward the 5-
O
position of quercetin. Our data show that the regiospecific glucosylation of flavonoids by the quercetin 5-
O
-glucosyltransferase can greatly affect the overall bioavailability of flavonoids in animals. Furthermore, we provide evidence that flavonoids increase the UV-shielding activity of cocoons and thus could confer an increased survival advantage to insects contained in these cocoons. This study will lead to greater understanding of mechanisms for metabolism, uptake, and transport of dietary flavonoids, which have a variety of biological activities in animals and beneficial effects on human health.
Interactions between DSIF (DRB sensitivity inducing factor), NELF (negative elongation factor), and the
Drosophila
RNA polymerase II transcription elongation complex
Authors: Missra Anamika , Gilmour David S.
Published: June 2010

Negative elongation factor (NELF) and 5,6-dichloro-1-β-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole sensitivity-inducing factor (DSIF) are involved in pausing RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) in the promoter-proximal region of the
hsp
70 gene in
Drosophila
, before heat shock induction. Such blocks in elongation are widespread in the
Drosophila
genome. However, the mechanism by which DSIF and NELF participate in setting up the paused Pol II remains unclear. We analyzed the interactions among DSIF, NELF, and a reconstituted
Drosophila
Pol II elongation complex to gain insight into the mechanism of pausing. Our results show that DSIF and NELF require a nascent transcript longer than 18 nt to stably associate with the Pol II elongation complex. Protein-RNA cross-linking reveals that Spt5, the largest subunit of DSIF, contacts the nascent RNA as the RNA emerges from the elongation complex. Taken together, these results provide a possible model by which DSIF binds the elongation complex via association with the nascent transcript and subsequently recruits NELF. Although DSIF and NELF were both required for inhibition of transcription, we did not detect a NELF-RNA contact when the nascent transcript was between 22 and 31 nt long, which encompasses the region where promoter-proximal pausing occurs on many genes in
Drosophila
. This raises the possibility that RNA binding by NELF is not necessary in promoter-proximal pausing.
Phylogenetic incongruence arising from fragmented speciation in enteric bacteria
Authors: Retchless Adam C. , Lawrence Jeffrey G.
Published: June 2010

Evolutionary relationships among species are often assumed to be fundamentally unambiguous, where genes within a genome are thought to evolve in concert and phylogenetic incongruence between individual orthologs is attributed to idiosyncrasies in their evolution. We have identified substantial incongruence between the phylogenies of orthologous genes in
Escherichia
,
Salmonella
, and
Citrobacter
, or
E. coli
,
E. fergusonii
, and
E. albertii
. The source of incongruence was inferred to be recombination, because individual genes support conflicting topology more robustly than expected from stochastic sequence homoplasies. Clustering of phylogenetically informative sites on the genome indicated that the regions of recombination extended over several kilobases. Analysis of phylogenetically distant taxa resulted in consensus among individual gene phylogenies, suggesting that recombination is not ongoing; instead, conflicting relationships among genes in descendent taxa reflect recombination among their ancestors. Incongruence could have resulted from random assortment of ancestral polymorphisms if species were instantly created from the division of a recombining population. However, the estimated branch lengths in alternative phylogenies would require ancestral populations with far more diversity than is found in extant populations. Rather, these and previous data collectively suggest that genome-wide recombination rates decreased gradually, with variation in rate among loci, leading to pluralistic relationships among their descendent taxa.
Jaw muscularization requires
Dlx
expression by cranial neural crest cells
Authors: Heude Églantine , Bouhali Kamal , Kurihara Yukiko , Kurihara Hiroki , Couly Gérard , Janvier Philippe , Levi Giovanni
Published: June 2010

The origin of active predation in vertebrates is associated with the rise of three major, uniquely derived developmental characteristics of the head: (
i
) migratory cranial neural crest cells (CNCCs) giving rise to most skeletal skull elements; (
ii
) expression of
Dlx
genes by CNCCs in the
Hox
-free first pharyngeal arch (PA1); and (
iii
) muscularization of PA1 derivatives. Here we show that these three innovations are tightly linked. Expression of
Dlx
genes by CNCCs is not only necessary for head skeletogenesis, but also for the determination, differentiation, and patterning of cephalic myogenic mesoderm leading to masticatory muscle formation. In particular, inactivation of
Dlx5
and
Dlx6
in the mouse results in loss of jaw muscles. As
Dlx5/6
are not expressed by the myogenic mesoderm, our findings imply an instructive role for
Dlx5/6
-positive CNCCs in muscle formation. The defect in muscularization does not result from the loss of mandibular identity observed in

Dlx5/6
−/−

mice because masticatory muscles are still present in

EdnRA
−/−

mutants, which display a similar jaw transformation. The genesis of jaws and their muscularization should therefore be seen as an integrated
Dlx
-dependent developmental process at the origin of the vertebrate head. The role of
Dlx
genes in defining gnathostome jaw identity could, therefore, be secondary to a more primitive function in the genesis of the oral skeletomuscular system.
Regulation of Golgi structure and secretion by receptor-induced G protein βγ complex translocation
Authors: Saini Deepak Kumar , Karunarathne W. K. Ajith , Angaswamy Nataraju , Saini Deepti , Cho Joon-Ho , Kalyanaraman Vani , Gautam Narasimhan
Published: June 2010

We show that receptor induced G protein βγ subunit translocation from the plasma membrane to the Golgi allows a receptor to initiate fragmentation and regulate secretion. A lung epithelial cell line, A549, was shown to contain an endogenous translocating G protein γ subunit and exhibit receptor-induced Golgi fragmentation. Receptor-induced Golgi fragmentation was inhibited by a shRNA specific to the endogenous translocating γ subunit. A kinase defective protein kinase D and a phospholipase C β inhibitor blocked receptor-induced Golgi fragmentation, suggesting a role for this process in secretion. Consistent with βγ translocation dependence, fragmentation induced by receptor activation was inhibited by a dominant negative nontranslocating γ3. Insulin secretion was shown to be induced by muscarinic receptor activation in a pancreatic β cell line, NIT-1. Induction of insulin secretion was also inhibited by the dominant negative γ3 subunit consistent with the Golgi fragmentation induced by βγ complex translocation playing a role in secretion.
Engineered RNA viral synthesis of microRNAs
Authors: Varble Andrew , Chua Mark A. , Perez Jasmine T. , Manicassamy Balaji , García-Sastre Adolfo , tenOever Benjamin R.
Published: June 2010

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that exert posttranscriptional gene silencing and regulate gene expression. In addition to the hundreds of conserved cellular miRNAs that have been identified, miRNAs of viral origin have been isolated and found to modulate both the viral life cycle and the cellular transcriptome. Thus far, detection of virus-derived miRNAs has been largely limited to DNA viruses, suggesting that RNA viruses may be unable to exploit this aspect of transcriptional regulation. Lack of RNA virus-produced miRNAs has been attributed to the replicative constraints that would incur following RNase III processing of a genomic hairpin. To ascertain whether the generation of viral miRNAs is limited to DNA viruses, we investigated whether influenza virus could be designed to deliver functional miRNAs without affecting replication. Here, we describe a modified influenza A virus that expresses cellular microRNA-124 (miR-124). Insertion of the miR-124 hairpin into an intron of the nuclear export protein transcript resulted in endogenous processing and functional miR-124. We demonstrate that a viral RNA genome incorporating a hairpin does not result in segment instability or miRNA-mediated genomic targeting, thereby permitting the virus to produce a miRNA without having a negative impact on viral replication. This work demonstrates that RNA viruses can produce functional miRNAs and suggests that this level of transcriptional regulation may extend beyond DNA viruses.
Industrial apiculture in the Jordan valley during Biblical times with Anatolian honeybees
Authors: Bloch Guy , Francoy Tiago M. , Wachtel Ido , Panitz-Cohen Nava , Fuchs Stefan , Mazar Amihai
Published: June 2010

Although texts and wall paintings suggest that bees were kept in the Ancient Near East for the production of precious wax and honey, archaeological evidence for beekeeping has never been found. The Biblical term “honey” commonly was interpreted as the sweet product of fruits, such as dates and figs. The recent discovery of unfired clay cylinders similar to traditional hives still used in the Near East at the site of Tel Re

ov in the Jordan valley in northern Israel suggests that a large-scale apiary was located inside the town, dating to the 10th–early 9th centuries B.C.E. This paper reports the discovery of remains of honeybee workers, drones, pupae, and larvae inside these hives. The exceptional preservation of these remains provides unequivocal identification of the clay cylinders as the most ancient beehives yet found. Morphometric analyses indicate that these bees differ from the local subspecies
Apis mellifera syriaca
and from all subspecies other than
A. m. anatoliaca
, which presently resides in parts of Turkey. This finding suggests either that the Western honeybee subspecies distribution has undergone rapid change during the last 3,000 years or that the ancient inhabitants of Tel Re

ov imported bees superior to the local bees in terms of their milder temper and improved honey yield.