bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the information and resource needs of UK health and social care placement students
Authors: Callaghan Lynne , Doherty Alan , Lea Susan J. , Webster Daniel
Published: August 2008

Background:  Students on health and social care degree programmes spend 50% of their time on practice placements. Because of the diversity of settings and the need to evidence their work, it is vital to understand the information and resource needs of placement students.

Objectives:  The aim of this investigation was to understand the needs of placement students in terms of accessing resources whilst they are in the field in order to inform a guide to meet these needs.

Methods:  Focus groups were conducted with students on midwifery, social work and post‐registration health professions degree programmes on three different sites across the region. Data were analysed using Thematic Content Analysis.

Results:  Three themes emerged from the data: inequality, user education needs and students’ solutions and strategies.

Conclusions:  It is essential to speak to placement students in order to understand their needs in terms of accessing and using library resources. The timing and content of information skills training is key to meeting student needs while on placement.
From UHSL to UHMLG: the evolution of a group for health librarians in higher education
Authors: Wakeham Maurice
Published: August 2008

Background:  In 2007 the University Health Sciences Librarians Group (UHSL) merged with the University Medical Schools Librarians Group (UMSLG) to form the University Health and Medical Librarians Group (UHMLG). This paper traces the course of health librarianship in the UK which led to this event, from the perspective of the UHSL.

Methods:  The narrative has been developed from the Executive Committee minutes, newsletters and reports of events organized by the UHSL.

Summary:  The UHSL evolved from the Council of Polytechnic Librarians (COPOL) Health Sciences Group and the Standing Conference of National and University Librarians (SCONUL) Health Sciences Group. It sought to represent the views of health librarians working in the university sector. It also provided, through newsletters and study days, information, networking opportunities and professional development. UHSL collaborated with other relevant organizations to further its aims.

Conclusion:  The structure of professional support groups within health librarianship reflects the evolving nature of the health service, higher education and the social changes driven by technological developments.
Interlending and document supply trends in NHS North West health libraries 2003/2004 to 2006/2007
Authors: Glover Steven William , Addison John , Gleghorn Colette , Aalai Elham , Annis Shan
Published: August 2008

Background:  The Library and Information for Health Network North West (LIHNN) represents health libraries in Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Isle of Man, Lancashire, Merseyside and Wirral. LIHNN members take part in a regional co‐operative network supporting interlending and document supply.

Methods:  Data were analysed over a 4‐year period to identify trends and patterns. In addition, a literature review was conducted to compare trends seen in NHS libraries to those trends seen in other sectors and in other countries.

Results/trends:  Between 2003/2004 and 2006/2007 there was a significant drop in document supply activity reported by NHS North West libraries from 59 321 to 37 134 copies, representing a fall of 37.4%. During the same period, lending between libraries stayed constant.

Discussion:  The NHS supplies a significant number of documents to its users and it is investigating a number of options to increase efficiencies. The observed fall in document supply activity has been reported in several sectors and has been attributed to a number of cofactors. Although the fall in document supply activity is expected to continue, a critical mass of information is likely to remain behind subscription barriers and this, in turn, will necessitate supply from external sources.
Helicobacter pylori Infection and Iron Stores: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Muhsen Khitam , Cohen Dani
Published: August 2008

Background and Aims:  We carried out a systematic literature review and meta‐analysis to evaluate the existing evidence on the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and iron stores.

Methods:  Twelve case reports and case series, 19 observational epidemiologic studies and six intervention trials were included in the review.

Results:  Although only few studies controlled for multiple potential confounders, most studies reported a positive association, linking between H. pylori and decreased body iron stores in symptomatic and asymptomatic H. pylori‐infected subjects. H. pylori infection may be regarded as a risk factor for reduction in body iron stores and also for iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia, especially in high‐risk groups. The results of the meta‐analysis of thoroughly designed and analyzed studies revealed an increased risk for iron deficiency anemia; pooled odds ratio (OR) 2.8 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9, 4.2) and also for iron deficiency; pooled OR 1.38 (95%CI 1.16–1.65) among H. pylori‐infected subjects. The biologic mechanism by which H. pylori induces the alteration in the iron stores is not fully understood, but it seems to involve several pathways, including gastrointestinal blood loss, decrease in the absorption of dietary iron, and enhanced uptake of the iron by the bacterium.

Conclusions:  H. pylori is associated with reduced iron stores. Future research is needed to determine whether this relationship is a causal association and to better understand its biologic mechanism. The impact of anti‐H. pylori therapy on improvement of iron stores needs to be further evaluated in large and well‐controlled trials.
Monocyte and Macrophage Killing of Helicobacter pylori: Relationship to Bacterial Virulence Factors
Authors: Borlace Glenn N. , Butler Ross N. , Brooks Doug A.
Published: August 2008

Background:  Helicobacter pylori infection is an important health problem, as it involves approximately 50% of the world's population, causes chronic inflammatory disease and increases the risk of gastric cancer development. H. pylori infection elicits a vigorous immune response, but this does not usually result in bacterial clearance. We have investigated whether the persistence of H. pylori in the host could be partly due to an inability of macrophages to kill this bacterium.

Materials and Methods:  Monocytes and macrophages isolated from the peripheral blood of normal human controls were infected in vitro with five H. pylori isolates. The isolates were characterized for known H. pylori virulence factors; vacuolating cytotoxin (VacA), the cag pathogenicity island (cagPAI), urease, and catalase by Western blot and polymerase chain reaction analysis. The ability of primary human monocytes and macrophages to kill each of these H. pylori strains was then defined at various time points after cellular infection.

Results:  The five H. pylori strains showed contrasting patterns of the virulence factors. There were different rates of killing for the bacterial strains. Macrophages had less capacity than monocytes to kill three H. pylori strains. There appeared to be no correlation between the virulence factors studied and differential killing in monocytes.

Conclusions:  Primary human monocytes had a higher capacity to kill certain strains of H. pylori when compared to macrophages. The VacA, cagPAI, urease, and catalase virulence factors were not predictive of the capacity to avoid monocyte and macrophage killing, suggesting that other factors may be important in H. pylori intracellular pathogenicity.
Distribution of emm types and subtypes among noninvasive group A, C and G streptococcal isolates in western Norway
Authors: KITTANG BÅRD REIAKVAM , LANGELAND NINA , MYLVAGANAM HAIMA
Published: August 2008

Characterization of the reservoir of beta‐hemolytic streptococci in a community may shed light on the pathogenesis of severe infections caused by these bacteria. We used emm sequence typing to characterize group A streptococci (GAS), group C streptococci (GCS) and group G streptococci (GGS) in community isolates associated with noninvasive disease in western Norway. A total of 165 isolates during a 13‐month period were examined. Skin and throat isolates accounted for 123 and 16, respectively, and the remaining 26 isolates were from other non‐sterile sites. We identified 18 previously validated emm types and one novel subtype, emm11.7, among the 101 GAS isolates. The two predominant types, emm28 and 12, were found in 40.6% of the GAS isolates. Compared to other recent studies of noninvasive GAS infections from elsewhere in the world, we found a higher frequency of emm82 (5.9%) and emm87 (12.9%) and a lower frequency of emm1 (4.0%) and emm3 (4.0%). We found a different distribution of GAS emm types compared to a previous study from western Norway. Among the 64 isolates of GCS and GGS, 15 previously described emm types and four novel subtypes, stC1400.5, stCK401.3, stG6.3 and stG652.3, were found. stG6, stG643 and stG485 were the most prevalent types and accounted for 59.4% of the GCS and GGS isolates. The high proportion of skin isolates in the present study may indicate the existence of GAS, GCS and GGS strains with predominantly skin and soft tissue tropism in our community.
Immunohistochemical detection of BH3‐only proteins in ameloblastic tumors
Authors: Kumamoto H , Ooya K
Published: August 2008

Objective:  To evaluate expression of BH3‐only proteins in odontogenic tumors, expression of Bid, Bim, Bad, Noxa, and Puma was analyzed in ameloblastic tumors as well as in tooth germs.

Methods:  Nine tooth germs, 37 ameloblastomas, and five malignant ameloblastic tumors were examined immunohistochemically with antibodies against Bid, Bim, Bad, Noxa, and Puma.

Results:  Immunohistochemical reactivity for Bid, Bim, Bad, Noxa, and Puma was detected in the cytoplasm of cellular components in normal and neoplastic odontogenic tissues. Expression of these BH3‐only proteins was evident in odontogenic epithelial cells near the basement membrane in tooth germs and ameloblastic tumors. Acanthomatous ameloblastomas showed no reactivity for Bid, Bim, Bad, Noxa, or Puma in keratinizing cells, whereas granular cells in granular cell ameloblastomas reacted with these BH3‐only proteins. Basal and desmoplastic ameloblastomas and ameloblastic carcinomas showed immunoreactivity for the BH3‐only proteins in most neoplastic cells.

Conclusion:  Expression of Bid, Bim, Bad, Noxa, and Puma in tooth germs and ameloblastic tumors suggests that the BH3‐only proteins have a role in apoptotic cell death of normal and neoplastic odontogenic epithelium. Distinctive expression patterns of these BH3‐only proteins in ameloblastoma variants suggest that the BH3‐only proteins might be involved in tumor cell differentiation of ameloblastomas.
INHERITANCE OF GROWTH RATE IN NEUROSPORA CRASSA: CROSSES BETWEEN PREVIOUSLY SELECTED LINES
Authors: Papa K. E.
Published: August 2008

Continuous selection for fast linear growth rate in Neurospora crassa at 18°, 25°, and 35 °C was effective. Crossing plateaued selection lines within the same temperature revealed that different combinations of genes were synthesized in each line. Most of these differences could be attributed to non-additive gene effects. Twelve cycles of selection within progeny from crosses between selected lines were effective, although the growth rate reached previously in the fastest parent was not surpassed.Crossing plateaued selection lines improved at different temperatures generated new genetic variance, thus indicating the fixation of different alleles in different lines with temperature. The difference between lines selected at different temperatures could be explained be the additive effect of two to three genes. Estimates of the average genetic variance were found to be highest among the progeny from crosses involving 35°-selection lines and lowest from crosses involving 18°-selection lines
ABSENCE OF DIFFERENTIAL RNA SYNTHESIS BY THE X CHROMOSOMES OF COW LEUCOCYTES
Authors: Mann K. , Mukherjee B. B.
Published: August 2008

The patterns of ribonucleic acid synthesis by the two X chromosomes during mitotic interphase were studied at metaphase. Cultured cow leucocytes were pulsed with H3-uridine for 15 minutes, washed, resuspended in tracer-free medium and collected at different times after the end of the pulse. Autoradiography of the cells failed to show any significant differences in the number of grains located over the two X chromosomes. The incorporation of H3-uridine into RNA by both X chromosomes indicates that at least part of the 'inactive' X chromosome must be actively synthesizing some RNA.
GENETIC VARIANCE COMPONENTS IN CULTIVATED STRAWBERRY
Authors: Watkins R. , Spangelo L. P. S. , Bolton A. T.
Published: August 2008

Two methods of determining the relative importance of the additive, dominance and epistatic components of genetic variance indicated that the nonadditive variance (most of which was shown to be epistatic) constituted approximately 50% of the total genetic variance for 20 commercial characteristics of the cultivated strawberry. With nonadditive, particularly epistatic, variance being so important, genetic progress may best be achieved by a two-step breeding procedure involving small scale testing of all the progenies followed by large scale testing of the best progenies. Breeding procedures involving such methods as reciprocal recurrent selection, inbreeding and backcrossing would be more efficient as a means of generating special types of parents for such a program than they would be as isolated breeding procedures.
CYTOGENETIC STUDIES IN WHEAT. V. MONOSOMIC ANALYSIS OF VERNSTEIN STEM RUST RESISTANCE
Authors: McIntosh R. A. , Baker E. P.
Published: August 2008

The gene Srd 1v, conditioning stem rust resistance in C.I.7778 (T. turgidum durum group), transferred to hexaploid wheat (T. aestivum var. Vernstein) was found to be located on chromosome 2B in the latter cultivar by monosomic analysis. This gene, considered to be the same as that in Vernal Emmer (T. turgidum dicoccon group), is allelic, or closely linked, with the gene conditioning stem rust resistance in Timopheevii derivative C.I.12632. Lines in the Fageneration segregating for Vernstein and C.I.12632 resistances showed aberrant segregation ratios, resistance from C.I.12632 being preferentially transmitted.
KARYOTYPES OF TWENTY-ONE ANT SPECIES (HYMENOPTERA; FORMICIDAE), WITH REVIEWS OF THE KNOWN ANT KARYOTYPES
Authors: Crozier R. H.
Published: August 2008

Six dolichoderine species have haploid numbers: 9 (Iridomyrmex pilifer, I. sp. nr. pilifer, Dorymyrmex ?thoracicus, D. ?pulchellus), 13 (D. bicolor) and 16 (Forelius foetidus). Robertsonian changes could account for the differences between the Dorymyrmex numbers. The Iridomyrmex species, both Neotropical, have a different karyotype from Australian 9-chromosome Iridomyrmex. The species with numbers 13 and 16 have relatively more acrocentrics per karyotype than those with lower numbers. Five formicine species have haploid numbers: 8 (Oecophylla smaragdina), 9 (Brachymyrmex sp.), 15 (Lasius nearcticus), 21 (Polyrhachis rastellata), and 26 (Camponotus (Colobopsis) sp. (impressus gp.)). Although thelytoky has been reported for Oecophylla spp., a queenless greenhouse colony died out after producing an all-male brood; further work is suggested on Oecophylla populations where thelytoky has been reported. The 8- and 9-chromosome formicines have all chromosomes metacentric, while acrocentrics predominate in the higher-numbered species. The ponerine Proceratium silaceum has n = 18. Nine myrmicine species have haploid numbers: 10 (Pheidole dentata, P. dentigula), 11 Solenopsis molesta, Monomorium minimum, M. viridum, Meranoplus sp. (hirsutus gp.)), 12 (Leptothorax longispinosus), and 16 (Solenopsis aurea, S. geminata). Monomorium karyotypes have a small acrocentric, while all 11-chromosome Solenopsis chromosomes are metacentric. Reviewing the 92 known ant karyotypes supports some present taxonomic schemes but not others. Imai's (1966) suggestions, that polyploidy occurred in formicine evolution and that high numbers occur more frequently at 'high' latitudes, are not supported by present evidence.
GENETIC EVIDENCE FOR 'DARWINIAN' SELECTION AT THE MOLECULAR LEVEL. I. THE EFFECT OF THE SUPPRESSIVE FACTOR ON CYTOPLASMICALLY-INHERITED ERYTHROMYCIN-RESISTANCE IN SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE
Authors: Rank Gerald H.
Published: August 2008

A study of the suppressive factor of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its effects on the transmission of cytoplasmically-inherited erythromycin resistance showed that loss of erythromycin resistance was contingent on suppressitivity, and that strains carrying the suppressive factor continuously segregated progeny cells that lacked resistance. It was suggested that suppressitivity is due to the presence, in suppressive strains, of rapidly-replicating abnormal mitochondrial DNA, and that loss of erythromycin resistance (coded for by normal mitochondrial DNA) is due to the replicative superiority of abnormal mitochondrial DNA.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NUCLEIC ACIDS, HISTONE AND NON-HISTONE PROTEIN SYNTHESIS IN HUMAN LYMPHOCYTES STIMULATED WITH PHYTOHEMAGGLUTININ
Authors: Mukherjee Anil B.
Published: August 2008

The temporal relationship between the synthesis of histone and non-histone proteins and nucleic acids has been investigated by autoradiography in PHA stimulated human lymphocytes throughout the 72-hour culture period. It was found that a significant amount of3H-arginine and3H-lysine incorporation took place at a time when the cells were actively synthesizing DNA. Non-histone protein synthesis, as evidenced by3H-tryptophan incorporation, was found to be dependent on PHA stimulation in human lymphocytes. Inhibition of histone and/or non-histone protein synthesis leads to the inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis.
MUTANTS OF METARHIZIUM ANISOPLIAE WITH INCREASE VIRULENCE TOWARD MOSQUITO LARVAE
Authors: Al-Aidroos Karen , Roberts Donald W.
Published: August 2008

A wild-type strain of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorokin, an imperfect fungus, killed 76% of Culex pipiens pipiens larvae within five days after spore administration. A spontaneous mutant strain was selected whose LD50 was less than half that of the wild type, and whose LT50 was one day faster. This mutant also showed early, dense sporulation, rapid in vitro spore germination, and enhanced production of destruxins. It is probable that at least one of these additional characteristics is related to the mutation to hypervirulence.
CELL CYCLE AND DNA SYNTHESIS IN THE MOSQUITO AEDES AEGYPTI
Authors: Marchi A. , Rai K. S.
Published: August 2008

Chronology of the cell cycle has been determined for brain cells in Aedes aegypti (L.) larvae by autoradiography. The time of the cell cycle is approximately 10 h and 30 min. Areas of late DNA synthesis in metaphase chromosomes were localized mainly on the female determining (= m) chromosome of the sex pair. Correlations between late replication patterns and C-banding are discussed.
REPRODUCTIVE BARRIERS DISTRIBUTED INMELILOTUSSPECIES AND THEIR GENETIC BASES
Authors: Sano Yoshio , Kita Fumiji
Published: August 2008

In order to look into species relationships, crosses were made in all possible combinations between 9 species belonging to the subgenus Eumelilotus; 504 crosses were made among 53 strains in total. The reproductive barriers found among the species were a crossing barrier (death of young F1zygotes), F1inviability and weakness due to chlorosis, F2breakdown due to the occurrence of chlorotic segregants (classified into lethal and weak types), partial F1sterility, and a segmental interchange. All the hybrids within species were normal. In crosses between M. alba and M. suaveolens, the hybrids of annual strains showed more pronounced F1and F2chlorosis than those of biennial strains. The hybrids of self-fertile species or forms tended to have a low reproductive potential. The F1chlorosis between the above two species appeared to be controlled by a set of complementary dominant lethals, or by alleles at one locus which express a disharmonious interaction in heterozygote. The F2chlorosis in the same species hybrid was controlled by two sets of duplicate recessive genes, chl1and chl2for the lethal type and chw1and chw2for the weak type. The chl2and chw2loci were linked with a recombination value of about 13%.
Panax Notoginseng Burk Attenuates Impairment of Learning and Memory Functions and Increases ED1, BDNF and β-Secretase Immunoreactive Cells in Chronic Stage Ischemia-Reperfusion Injured Rats
Authors: Chuang Chin-Min , Hsieh Ching-Liang , Lin Hui-Yi , Lin Jaung-Geng
Published: August 2008

Panax Notoginseng Burk (PN) has been reported to improve blood circulation, as well as learning and memory functions. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of PN on learning and memory functions in chronic cerebral infarct rats. A cerebral infarct animal model was established by blocking the blood flow of both common carotid arteries and right middle cerebral artery for 90 min followed by reperfusion for 4 weeks. PN (0.5 g/kg) was administered orally 3 days per week for 4 weeks, whereas the control group provided bait and water only. The learning and memory functions were estimated by measuring how successful rats were able to negotiate an 8-arm radial maze test; the test was performed after operation once a week for 4 weeks. Finally, the rats were sacrificed and their brains were removed. The brains were sectioned and analyzed for ED1, glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP), nuclear factor-κB, and brain derivative neurotrophin factor (BDNF) and β-secretase by immunostaining. Cerebral infarct rats given PN were able to successfully navigate the 8-arm radial maze test four weeks after cerebral infarction. PN also increased ED1, BDNF and β-secretase immunoreactive cells, but did not increase GFAP and NF-κB immunoreactive cells. PN attenuated the reduction in learning and memory functions induced by cerebral infarction in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injured rats; it also increased the amount of activated microglia and BDNF. These data suggest that the effect of PN, at least in part, is closely related to the increase in BDNF that was generated by activated microglia. The effect that PN has on astrocytes, NF-κB and β-secreatase immunoreactive cells requires further study.
AN INVERSE f(R) GRAVITATION FOR COSMIC SPEED UP, AND DARK ENERGY EQUIVALENT
Authors: RAHVAR SOHRAB , SOBOUTI YOUSEF
Published: August 2008

To explain the cosmic speed up, brought to light by the recent SNIa and CMB observations, we propose the following: (a) In a spacetime endowed with a FRW metric, we choose an empirical scale factor that best explains the observations. (b) We assume a modified gravity, generated by an unspecified field Lagrangian, f(R). (c) We use the adopted empirical scale factor to work back retroactively to obtain f(R), hence the term "Inverse f(R)". (d) Next we consider the classic GR and a conventional FRW universe that, in addition to its known baryonic content, possesses a hypothetical "Dark Energy" component. We compare the two scenarios and find the density, the pressure, and the equation of the state of the Dark Energy required to make up for the differences between the conventional and the modified GR models.
INFLUENCE OF SECOND-ORDER CORRECTIONS TO THE ENERGY-DEPENDENCE OF NEUTRINO FLAVOR CONVERSION FORMULAS
Authors: BERNARDINI A. E. , GUZZO M. M.
Published: August 2008

We discuss the intermediate wave-packet formalism for analytically quantifying the energy dependence of the two-flavor conversion formula that is usually considered for analyzing neutrino oscillations and adjusting the focusing horn, target position and/or detector location of some flavor conversion experiments. Following a sequence of analytical approximations where we consider the second-order corrections in a power series expansion of the energy, we point out a residual time-dependent phase which, in addition to some well-known wave-packet effects, can subtly modify the oscillation parameters and limits. In the present precision era of neutrino oscillation experiments where higher precision measurements are required, we quantify some small corrections in neutrino flavor conversion formulas which lead to a modified energy-dependence for νμ ↔ νe oscillations.
EFFECTS OF UNDER CNT METALLIZATION LAYERS ON CARBON NANOTUBES GROWTH
Authors: YUNG K. P. , WEI J. , WANG Z. F. , TAY B. K.
Published: August 2008

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were grown on a Ni catalyst layer with four different types of under-CNT-metallization layers, namely SiO 2, Al , Cu and Cr , using hot filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD). The morphology and microstructure of the CNT films were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectrometer. It was found that the level of interaction between the Ni catalyst layer and under-CNT-metallization layer has significant effects on carbon nanotubes growing characteristics. It was observed that carbon nanotubes grown on SiO 2 under-CNT-metallization layer recorded the highest density and smallest diameter. When Cu or Cr under-CNT-metallization layers were employed, high density and larger diameter nanotubes were obtained. No carbon nanotubes were found on samples with Al under-CNT-metallization layer under similar growth conditions. These findings add significant reference values for selection under CNT metallization layers suitable for carbon nanotube interconnect applications.
VORONOI DIAGRAM OF A POLYGON IN CHESSBOARD METRIC AND MASKLESS LITHOGRAPHIC APPLICATIONS
Authors: SHIN HAYONG , PARK SEYOUN , PARK EONJIN , KIM DEOK-SOO
Published: August 2008

Lithography using photomasks has been the major workhorse in manufacturing printed circuit boards, semiconductors, and flat panel display devices. However, the cost of photomask is so high that it often becomes the bottleneck, especially when the production volume is low. For this reason, maskless lithography technology is recently gaining more attention, and hence, the computation of efficient lithography path becomes of greater importance than ever in order to obtain high throughput of lithography process. The target machine of this paper has a numerically controlled XY table on which a substrate is located and a variable size (square-shape) aperture in front of the light source. In this paper, we present an approach to efficient lithography path generation using Voronoi diagram and medial axis transform in chessboard metric. The properties and construction method of Voronoi diagram of a polygonal object in chessboard metric are examined. Then, lithography path generation scheme is explained. The proposed idea can also be applied to the fabrication of photomask itself and the rapid prototyping of a 3D model via layered lithography.
GENERALIZATIONS OF THE KOCH CURVE
Authors: DARST R. B. , PALAGALLO J. A. , PRICE T. E.
Published: August 2008

We present an iterative method to define a two-parameter family of continuous functions fa,θ: I → ℂ such that f1/3,π/3 is the Koch curve. We consider the two-cases θ = π/3 and θ = π/4 of these generalized Koch curves fa,θ(I). In each case we determine the pivotal value of a, the largest value of a for which the corresponding curve is not simple. We give characterizations of the double points of the curve (points on the curve that have two inverse images). In the case where θ = π/3 double points are vertices of equilateral triangles. When θ = π/4 the double points form Cantor sets in the plane.

We conclude with a more general result that proves that if the fixed set (attractor) of an iterated function system is connected, then it is a curve.
SUNSPOTS DATA ANALYSIS USING TIME SERIES
Authors: SHAIKH YUSUF H. , KHAN A. R. , IQBAL M. I. , BEHERE S. H. , BAGARE S. P.
Published: August 2008

The record of the sunspot number visible on the sun is regularly collected over the centuries by various observatories for studying the different factors influencing the sunspot cycle and solar activity. Sunspots appear in cycles, and last several years. These cycles follow a certain pattern which is well known. We analyzed monthly and yearly averages of sunspot data observed from year 1818 to 2002 using rescaled range analysis. The Hurst exponent calculated for monthly data sets are 0.8899, 0.8800 and 0.8597 and for yearly data set is 0.7187. Fractal dimensions1calculated are 1.1100, 1.1200, 1.1403 and 1.2813. From the study of Hurst exponent and fractal dimension, we conclude that time series of sunspots show persistent behavior.

The fundamental tool of signal processing is the fast Fourier transform technique (FFT). The sunspot data is also analyzed using FFT. The power spectrum of monthly and yearly averages of sunspot shows distinct peaks at 11 years confirming the well known 11-year cycle. The monthly sunspot data is also analyzed using FFT to filter the noise in the data.
Mechanisms of antidiabetogenic and body weight-lowering effects of estrogen in high-fat diet-fed mice
Authors: Bryzgalova Galyna , Lundholm Lovisa , Portwood Neil , Gustafsson Jan-Åke , Khan Akhtar , Efendic Suad , Dahlman-Wright Karin
Published: August 2008

The high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mouse is a model of obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance. The main objective of this study was to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the antidiabetogenic and weight-lowering effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) in this mouse model. C57BL/6 female mice (8 wk old) were fed on a HFD for 10 mo. E2, given daily (50 μg/kg sc) during the last month of feeding, decreased body weight and markedly improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Plasma levels of insulin, leptin, resistin, and adiponectin were decreased. We demonstrated that E2treatment decreased the expression of genes encoding resistin and leptin in white adipose tissue (WAT), whereas adiponectin expression was unchanged. Furthermore, in WAT we demonstrated decreased expression levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP1c) and its lipogenic target genes, such as fatty acid synthase and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1). In the liver, the expression levels of transcription factors such as liver X receptor α and SREBP1c were not changed by E2treatment, but the expression of the key lipogenic gene SCD1 was reduced. This was accompanied by decreased hepatic triglyceride content. Importantly, E2decreased the hepatic expression of glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase). We conclude that E2treatment exerts antidiabetic and antiobesity effects in HFD mice and suggest that this is related to decreased expression of lipogenic genes in WAT and liver and suppression of hepatic expression of G-6-Pase. Decreased plasma levels of resistin probably also play an important role in this context.
Heterogeneous distribution of basal cyclic guanosine monophosphate within distinct neuronal populations in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus
Authors: Powers-Martin Kellysan , Phillip Jacqueline K. , Biancardi Vinicia C. , Stern Javier E.
Published: August 2008

The supraoptic (SON) and the paraventricular (PVN) hypothalamic nuclei constitute major neuronal substrates underlying nitric oxide (NO) effects on autonomic and neuroendocrine control. Within these nuclei, constitutively produced NO restrains the firing activity of magnocellular neurosecretory and preautonomic neurons, actions thought to be mediated by a cGMP-dependent enhancement of GABAergic inhibitory transmission. In the present study, we expanded on this knowledge by performing a detailed anatomical characterization of constitutive NO-receptive, cGMP-producing neurons within the PVN. To this end, we combined tract-tracing techniques and immunohistochemistry to visualize cGMP immunoreactivity within functionally, neurochemically, and topographically discrete PVN neuronal populations in Wistar rats. Basal cGMP immunoreactivity was readily observed in the PVN, both in neuronal and vascular profiles. The incidence of cGMP immunoreactivity was significantly higher in magnocellular (69%) compared with preautonomic (∼10%) neuronal populations ( P < 0.01). No differences were observed between oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (VP) magnocellular neurons. In preautonomic neurons, the incidence of cGMP was independent of their subnuclei distribution, innervated target (i.e., intermediolateral cell column, nucleus tractus solitarii, or rostral ventrolateral medulla) or their neurochemical phenotype (i.e., OT or VP). Finally, high levels of cGMP immunoreactivity were observed in GABAergic somata and terminals within the PVN of eGFP-GAD67 transgenic mice. Altogether, these data support a highly heterogeneous distribution of basal cGMP levels within the PVN and further support the notion that constitutive NO actions in the PVN involve intricate cell-cell interactions, as well as heterogeneous signaling modalities.
Differential Activity-Dependent, Homeostatic Plasticity of Two Neocortical Inhibitory Circuits
Authors: Bartley Aundrea F. , Huang Z. Josh , Huber Kimberly M. , Gibson Jay R.
Published: August 2008

Chronic changes in neuronal activity homeostatically regulate excitatory circuitry. However, little is known about how activity regulates inhibitory circuits or specific inhibitory neuron types. Here, we examined the activity-dependent regulation of two neocortical inhibitory circuits—parvalbumin-positive (Parv+) and somatostatin-positive (Som+)—using paired recordings of synaptically coupled neurons. Action potentials were blocked for 5 days in slice culture, and unitary synaptic connections among inhibitory/excitatory neuron pairs were examined. Chronic activity blockade caused similar and distinct changes between the two inhibitory circuits. First, increases in intrinsic membrane excitability and excitatory synaptic drive in both inhibitory subtypes were consistent with the homeostatic regulation of firing rate of these neurons. On the other hand, inhibitory synapses originating from these two subtypes were differentially regulated by activity blockade. Parv+ unitary inhibitory postsynaptic current (uIPSC) strength was decreased while Som+ uIPSC strength was unchanged. Using short-duration stimulus trains, short-term plasticity for both unitary excitatory postsynaptic current (uEPSCs) and uIPSCs was unchanged in Parv+ circuitry while distinctively altered in Som+ circuitry—uEPSCs became less facilitating and uIPSCs became more depressing. In the context of recurrent inhibition, these changes would result in a frequency-dependent shift in the relative influence of each circuit. The functional changes at both types of inhibitory connections appear to be mediated by increases in presynaptic release probability and decreases in synapse number. Interestingly, these opposing changes result in decreased Parv+-mediated uIPSCs but balance out to maintain normal Som+-mediated uIPSCs. In summary, these results reveal that inhibitory circuitry is not uniformly regulated by activity levels and may provide insight into the mechanisms of both normal and pathological neocortical plasticity.
Effects of in vitro maturation on gene expression in rhesus monkey oocytes
Authors: Lee Young S. , Latham Keith E. , VandeVoort Catherine A.
Published: August 2008

In vitro oocyte maturation (IVM) holds great promise as a tool for enhancing clinical treatment of infertility, enhancing availability of nonhuman primates for development of disease models, and facilitating endangered species preservation. However, IVM outcomes have remained significantly below the success rates obtained with in vivo matured (VVM) oocytes from humans and nonhuman primates. A cDNA array-based analysis is presented, comparing the transcriptomes of VVM oocytes with IVM oocytes. We observe a small set of just 59 mRNAs that are differentially expressed between the two cell types. These mRNAs are related to cellular homeostasis, cell-cell interactions including growth factor and hormone stimulation and cell adhesion, and other functions such as mRNA stability and translation. Additionally, we observe in IVM oocytes overexpression of PLAGL1 and MEST, two maternally imprinted genes, indicating a possible interruption or loss of correct epigenetic programming. These results indicate that, under certain IVM conditions, oocytes that are molecularly highly similar to VVM oocytes can be obtained; however, the interruption of normal oocyte-somatic cell interactions during the final hours of oocyte maturation may preclude the establishment of full developmental competence.
Effect of Perturbations in Coriolis and Centrifugal Forces on the Nonlinear Stability of Equilibrium Point in Robe′s Restricted Circular Three‐Body Problem
Authors: Hallan P. P. , Mangang Khundrakpam Binod
Published: August 2008

The effect of perturbations in Coriolis and cetrifugal forces on the nonlinear
stability of the equilibrium point of the Robe′s (1977) restricted circular
three‐body problem has been studied when the density parameter K is zero. By applying Kolmogorov‐Arnold‐Moser (KAM) theory, it has been found
that the equilibrium point is stable for all mass ratios μ in the range of
linear stability 8/9 + (2/3)((43/25)ϵ1−(10/3)ϵ) < μ < 1, where ϵ and ϵ1 are, respectively, the perturbations in Coriolis and centrifugal forces, except for five mass ratios
μ1=0.93711086−1.12983217ϵ + 1.50202694ϵ1, μ2 = 0.9672922−0.5542091ϵ + 1.2443968ϵ1, μ3 = 0.9459503−0.70458206ϵ + 1.28436549ϵ1, μ4 = 0.9660792−0.30152273ϵ + 1.11684064ϵ1, μ5 = 0.893981−2.37971679ϵ + 1.22385421ϵ1, where the theory is not applicable.
The Economical SU(3) C ⊗ SU(3) L ⊗ U(1) X Model
Authors: Dong P. V. , Long H. N.
Published: August 2008

The SU(3) C ⊗ SU(3) L ⊗ U(1) X gauge model with minimal scalar sector,
two Higgs triplets, is presented in detail. One of the vacuum expectation values u is a source of lepton‐number violations and a reason for mixing among charged
gauge bosons—the standard model W± and the bilepton gauge bosons Y±, as well
as among the neutral non‐Hermitian bilepton X0 and neutral gauge bosons—the Z and the new Z′. An exact diagonalization of the neutral gauge boson sector is
derived, and bilepton mass splitting is also given. Because of these mixings, the
lepton‐number violating interactions exist in both charged and neutral gauge boson
sectors. Constraints on vacuum expectation values of the model are estimated and u≃𝒪(1) GeV, v≃vweak = 246 GeV, and ω≃𝒪(1) TeV. In this model, there are
three physical scalars, two neutral and one charged, and eight Goldstone bosons—the needed number for massive gauge bosons. The minimal scalar sector can provide
all fermions including quarks and neutrinos consistent masses in which some of them
require one‐loop radiative corrections.
Staging of Breast Cancer in the Neoadjuvant Setting
Authors: Jeruss Jacqueline S. , Mittendorf Elizabeth A. , Tucker Susan L. , Gonzalez-Angulo Ana M. , Buchholz Thomas A. , Sahin Aysegul A. , Cormier Janice N. , Buzdar Aman U. , Hortobagyi Gabriel N. , Hunt Kelly K.
Published: August 2008

The use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy has become more prevalent in the treatment of breast cancer patients. The finding of a pathologic complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (no evidence of residual invasive cancer in the breast and lymph nodes at the time of surgical resection) has been shown to correlate with improved survival. The current version of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging for breast cancer has a pretreatment clinical stage designation that is determined by clinical and radiographic examination of the patient and a postoperative pathologic stage classification based on the findings in the breast and regional lymph nodes removed at surgery. Pathologic staging has not been validated for patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy; thus, prognosis is determined for these patients based on the pretreatment clinical stage. We hypothesized that clinical and pathologic staging variables could be combined with biological tumor markers to provide a novel means of determining prognosis for patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Two scoring systems, based on summing binary indicators for clinical and pathologic substages, negative estrogen receptor status, and grade 3 tumor pathology, were devised to predict 5-year patient outcomes. These scoring systems facilitated separation of the study population into more refined subgroups by outcome than the current AJCC staging system for breast cancer, and provide a novel means for evaluating prognosis after neoadjuvant therapy. [Cancer Res 2008;68(16):6477–81]
Mutation of Genes Affecting the RAS Pathway Is Common in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Case Marian , Matheson Elizabeth , Minto Lynne , Hassan Rosline , Harrison Christine J. , Bown Nick , Bailey Simon , Vormoor Josef , Hall Andrew G. , Irving Julie A.E.
Published: August 2008

Deregulation of the RAS-RAF-mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase (MEK)-ERK signaling cascade is often caused by somatic mutations in genes encoding proteins which influence the activity of this pathway and include NRAS, KRAS2, FLT3, PTPN11, and BRAF. We report the first comprehensive mutational screen of key exons of these genes in a large cohort of unselected acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cases at diagnosis (n = 86) and in a more selected cohort at disease recurrence (n = 47) using the sensitive method of denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography. We show that somatic mutations that deregulate the pathway constitute one of the most common genetic aberrations in childhood ALL (cALL), being found in 35% of diagnostic and 25% of relapse samples. In matched presentation/relapse pairs, mutations predominating at relapse could be shown to be present at very low levels at diagnosis using allele-specific PCR, thus implicating the mutated clone in disease progression. Importantly, in primary samples, we show that mutations are associated with activated ERK and differential cytotoxicity to MEK-ERK inhibitors was shown for some patients. Inhibitors of the pathway, which are currently undergoing clinical trial, may be a novel therapeutic option for cALL, particularly at relapse. [Cancer Res 2008;68(16):6803–9]
CC-Chemokine Ligand 20/Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-3α and CC-Chemokine Receptor 6 Are Overexpressed in Myeloma Microenvironment Related to Osteolytic Bone Lesions
Authors: Giuliani Nicola , Lisignoli Gina , Colla Simona , Lazzaretti Mirca , Storti Paola , Mancini Cristina , Bonomini Sabrina , Manferdini Cristina , Codeluppi Katia , Facchini Andrea , Rizzoli Vittorio
Published: August 2008

The expression of the chemokine CC-chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20)/macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-3α and its receptor CC-chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6) by multiple myeloma (MM) and microenvironment cells and their potential relationship with osteoclast (OC) formation and osteolytic bone lesions in MM patients was investigated in this study. First, we found that MM cells rarely produce CCL20/MIP-3α but up-regulate its production by bone marrow (BM) osteoprogenitor cells and osteoblasts in coculture with the involvement of soluble factors as interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor α. MM cells also stimulate both CCL20/MIP-3α and CCR6 expression by OCs in coculture. Thereafter, we showed that CCL20/MIP-3α significantly increases both the number of multinucleated tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase–positive OCs and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB–positive OC progenitor cells similar to CCL3/MIP-1α. Finally, we found that blocking anti-CCL20/MIP-3α and anti-CCR6 antibodies significantly inhibits MM-induced OC formation. In vitro data were further expanded in vivo analyzing a total number of 64 MM patients. Significantly higher CCL20/MIP-3α levels were detected in MM patients versus monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance (MGUS) subjects and in MM osteolytic patients versus nonosteolytic ones. Moreover, a significant increase of CCL20/MIP-3α–positive osteoblasts in osteolytic MM patients compared with nonosteolytic ones was observed. Interestingly, no significant difference in BM CCL20/MIP-3α expression and level was observed between MGUS and nonosteolytic MM patients. Our data indicate that CCL20/MIP-3α and its receptor CCR6 are up-regulated in the bone microenvironment by MM cells and contribute to OC formation and osteolytic bone lesions in MM patients. [Cancer Res 2008;68(16):6840–50]
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-δ Induces Cell Proliferation by a Cyclin E1–Dependent Mechanism and Is Up-regulated in Thyroid Tumors
Authors: Zeng Lingchun , Geng Yan , Tretiakova Maria , Yu Xuemei , Sicinski Peter , Kroll Todd G.
Published: August 2008

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are lipid-sensing nuclear receptors that have been implicated in multiple physiologic processes including cancer. Here, we determine that PPARδ induces cell proliferation through a novel cyclin E1–dependent mechanism and is up-regulated in many human thyroid tumors. The expression of PPARδ was induced coordinately with proliferation in primary human thyroid cells by the activation of serum, thyroid-stimulating hormone/cyclic AMP, or epidermal growth factor/mitogen-activated protein kinase mitogenic signaling pathways. Engineered overexpression of PPARδ increased thyroid cell number, the incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine, and the phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein by 40% to 45% in just 2 days, one usual cell population doubling. The synthetic PPARδ agonist GW501516 augmented these PPARδ proliferation effects in a dose-dependent manner. Overexpression of PPARδ increased cyclin E1 protein by 9-fold, whereas knockdown of PPARδ by small inhibitory RNA reduced both cyclin E1 protein and cell proliferation by 2-fold. Induction of proliferation by PPARδ was abrogated by knockdown of cyclin E1 by small inhibitory RNA in primary thyroid cells and by knockout of cyclin E1 in mouse embryo fibroblasts, confirming a cyclin E1 dependence for this PPARδ pathway. In addition, the mean expression of native PPARδ was increased by 2-fold to 5-fold (P < 0.0001) and correlated with that of the in situ proliferation marker Ki67 (R = 0.8571; P = 0.02381) in six different classes of benign and malignant human thyroid tumors. Our experiments identify a PPARδ mechanism that induces cell proliferation through cyclin E1 and is regulated by growth factor and lipid signals. The data argue for systematic investigation of PPARδ antagonists as antineoplastic agents and implicate altered PPARδ–cyclin E1 signaling in thyroid and other carcinomas. [Cancer Res 2008;68(16):6578–86]
Large Forecast Degradations due to Synoptic Surveillance during the 2004 and 2005 Hurricane Seasons
Authors: Aberson Sim D.
Published: August 2008

Though operational tropical cyclone synoptic surveillance generally leads to smaller track forecast errors in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Global Forecasting System (GFS) than would occur otherwise, not every case is improved. Very large GFS forecast degradations due to surveillance are investigated. Small perturbations to model initial conditions may have a large impact locally or downstream in a short time. In these cases, the perturbations are due either to erroneous data assimilated into the models or to issues with the complex data assimilation system itself, and may have caused the forecast degradations. Investigation of forecast and observing system failures can lead to procedural changes that may eliminate some causes of future large forecast errors.