bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Total Synthesis of Phorboxazole B.
Authors: Li De‐Run , Zhang Dong‐Hui , Sun Cai‐Yun , Zhang Ji‐Wen , Yang Li , Chen Jian , Liu Bo , Su Ce , Zhou Wei‐Shan , Lin Guo‐Qiang
Published: May 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Terminal, Anionic Carbide, Nitride, and Phosphide Transition‐Metal Complexes as Synthetic Entries to Low‐Coordinate Phosphorus Derivatives
Authors: Cummins Christopher C.
Published: May 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Gold Nanoparticle Cored Polyferrocenyl Dendrimers: Modes of Synthesis and Functions as Exoreceptors of Biologically Important Anions and Reusable Redox Sensors
Authors: Daniel Marie‐Christine , Aranzaes Jaime Ruiz , Nlate Sylvain , Astruc Didier
Published: May 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Kost—Sagitullin Rearrangement and Other Isomerization Recyclizations of Pyrimidines
Authors: Danagulyan G. G.
Published: May 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Alkali Metal Phenylphosphandiides: [M2PnPhn] (M: Li, Na)
Authors: Stein Daniel , Geier Jens , Schoenberg Hartmut , Gruetzmacher Hansjoerg
Published: May 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Nucleophilic Aliphatic Substitution
Authors: Shorter J.
Published: May 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
The Coordination Chemistry of Pyridyl Oximes
Authors: Milios Constantinos J. , Stamatatos Theocharis C. , Perlepes Spyros P.
Published: May 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Thyrotropin‐Releasing Hormone (TRH)— Peptide Synthesis on a Fluorous Support
Authors: Mizuno Mamoru , Goto Kohtaro , Miura Tsuyoshi , Inazu Toshiyuki
Published: May 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Alkylperoxy Sulfonic Acids: Thermal Stability and Oxidizing Properties
Authors: Safiullin R. L. , Zaripov R. N. , Enikeeva L. R.
Published: May 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Applications of Microwaves
Authors: Lee J. , Hlasta D. J.
Published: May 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Diagnostic and extent of disease multigene assay for malignant thyroid neoplasms
Authors: Kebebew Electron , Peng Miao , Reiff Emily , McMillan Alex
Published: May 2006

BACKGROUND

Approximately 30% of fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies of thyroid nodules are indeterminate, nondiagnostic, or suspicious. The purpose of the current study was to determine the accuracy of novel candidate diagnostic markers to distinguish benign from malignant thyroid neoplasms, and to predict the extent of disease.

METHODS

A real‐time quantitative reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) assay of 6 novel candidate diagnostic and extent of disease marker genes (extracellular matrix protein 1 [ECM1]; transmembrane protease, serine 4 [TMPRSS4]; angiopoietin 2 [ANGPT2]; TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 [TIMP1]; ephrin‐B2 [EFNB2], and epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR]) was used in 126 thyroid tissues. To evaluate the performance of the scoring model for the diagnostic markers in combination, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was determined.

RESULTS

The levels of ECM1, TMPRSS4, ANGPT2, and TIMP1 mRNA expression were found to be independent diagnostic markers of malignant thyroid neoplasms. The AUC for the 4 diagnostic genes in combination was 0.993 with a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 94.6%, a positive predictive value of 96.5%, and a negative predictive value of 100%. In 31 thyroid nodule FNA biopsy samples, the scoring model had a sensitivity of 91.0%, a specificity of 95.0%, a positive predictive value of 92.9%, and a negative predictive value of 92.3%. The multigene assay correctly classified 93% of tumors into the correct risk group (low‐risk vs. high‐risk) with a sensitivity of 78.9% (true positive in high‐risk tumors), specificity of 92% (true negative in low‐risk tumors), positive predictive value of 87.5%, and negative predictive value of 92%. In 11 malignant thyroid nodule FNA samples, the extent of disease scoring model correctly identified 3 of 4 high‐risk differentiated thyroid cancers and 7 of 7 low‐risk differentiated thyroid cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

This novel multigene assay is an excellent diagnostic and extent of disease marker for differentiated thyroid cancer and would be a helpful adjunct to FNA biopsy of thyroid nodules. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Low‐Temperature EPR and Mössbauer Spectroscopy of Two Cytochromes with His–Met Axial Coordination Exhibiting HALS Signals
Authors: Zoppellaro Giorgio , Teschner Thomas , Harbitz Espen , Schünemann Volker , Karlsen Solveig , Arciero David M. , Ciurli Stefano , Trautwein Alfred X. , Hooper Alan B. , Andersson K. Kristoffer
Published: May 2006

C‐type cytochromes with histidine–methionine (His–Met) iron coordination play important roles in electron‐transfer reactions and in enzymes. Low‐temperature electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of low‐spin ferric cytochromes c can be divided into two groups, depending on the spread of g values: the normal rhombic ones with small g anisotropy and gmax below 3.2, and those featuring large g anisotropy with gmax between 3.3 and 3.8, also denoted as highly axial low spin (HALS) species. Herein we present the detailed magnetic properties of cytochrome c553 from Bacillus pasteurii (gmax 3.36) and cytochrome c552 from Nitrosomonas europaea (gmax 3.34) over the pH range 6.2 to 8.2. Besides being structurally very similar, cytochrome c553 shows the presence of a minor rhombic species at pH 6.2 (6 %), whereas cytochrome c552 has about 25 % rhombic species over pH 7.5. The detailed Mössbauer analysis of cytochrome c552 confirms the presence of these two low‐spin ferric species (HALS and rhombic) together with an 8 % ferrous form with parameters comparable to the horse cytochrome c. Both EPR and Mössbauer data of axial cytochromes c with His–Met iron coordination are consistent with an electronic (dxy)2 (dxz)2 (dyz)1 ground state, which is typical for Type I model hemes.
Auditory temporal processing deficits in children with reading disabilities
Authors: Cohen‐Mimran Ravit , Sapir Shimon
Published: May 2006

The role of central auditory processing in reading skill development and reading disorders is unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine whether individuals with specific reading disabilities (SRD) have deficits in processing rapidly presented, serially ordered non‐speech auditory signals. To this end, we compared 12 children with SRD and 12 children without SRD on their ability to detect differences and similarities in pure tones of 1000 and 2000 Hz when these signals were presented in pairs (same or different tones, randomly ordered) with short (50 ms) versus long (500 ms) inter stimulous intervals (ISI). Results showed that the children with SRD had significant difficulty in discriminating between pure tones with short, but not long ISI, whereas the controls performed well with both short and long ISI. The two groups did not differ significantly on measures of attention (d2) and performance IQ, and there were no significant correlations between these measures and ISI performance. There were significant correlations between the short ISI performance and phonologic awareness test results when the two groups were combined. These findings support the specific rapid auditory processing deficit hypothesis of SRD. Examination of intra‐subject variability in performance indicated that children from the SRD group showed both decrement in performance with time on task and high overall variability in performance as compared to the controls. These findings underpin the importance of using time‐series analyses of performance. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Systematic Studies on Photoluminescence of Oligo(arylene‐ethynylene)s: Tunability of Excited States and Derivatization as Luminescent Labeling Probes for Proteins
Authors: Zhi Yong‐Gang , Lai Siu‐Wai , Chan Queenie K.‐W. , Law Yuen‐Chi , Tong Glenna S.‐M. , Che Chi‐Ming
Published: May 2006

Functionalized oligo(phenylene‐ethynylene)s (OPEs) with different conjugation lengths, p‐X(C6H4C≡C)nSiMe3 (n = 1–4; X = NH2, NMe2, H) were synthesized by Sonogashira coupling of (phenylene‐ethynylene)s and 1‐iodo‐4‐(trimethylsilylethynyl)benzene, followed by desilylation of the p‐substituted (trimethylsilylethynyl)benzenes with potassium hydroxide. The photoluminescent properties for the OPE series with different chain lengths and their solvatochromic responses were examined. The absorption maxima were red‐shifted with increasing numbers of –(C6H4C≡C)– units (n), and a linear plot of the absorption energy maxima vs. 1/n was obtained for each series. The emission spectra in dichloromethane showed a broad and structureless band, the energies of which (in wavenumbers) also fit linearly with 1/n. Both the absorption and emission wavelength maxima of the NH2‐ and NMe2‐substituted OPEs exhibited significant solvent dependence, whereas the parent OPEs (X = H) showed only minor shifts of the λmax values in different solvents. Substituent effects upon the photoluminescent characteristics of the OPEs and the tunability of the excited states were examined with the p‐X(C6H4C≡C)nSiMe3 (n = 2, 3; X = NH2, NMe2, H, SMe, OMe, OH, and F) series. The H‐ and F‐substituted counterparts exhibited high‐energy vibronically structured emissions attributed to the 3(ππ*) excited states of the (arylene‐ethynylene) backbone. For compounds bearing NH2 and NMe2 groups, a broad red‐shifted emission with a remarkable Stokes shift from the respective absorption maximum was observed, which can be assigned to an n → π* transition. The n → π* assignment was supported by MO calculations on the model compounds p‐X(C6H4C≡C)2SiH3 (X = NH2, H). Functionalization of the oligo(arylene‐ethynylene)s with the N‐hydroxysuccinimidyl (NHS) moiety enabled covalent attachment of the fluorophore to HSA protein molecules. A series of fluorescent labels, namely p‐X(C6H4C≡C)nC6H4NHS, (n = 1, X = NH2, NMe2, SMe, OMe, OH, F; n = 2, X = NH2, NMe2) and p‐Me2NC6H4C≡C(C4H2S)C≡CC6H4NHS were synthesized, and their conjugates with HSA (human serum albumin) were characterized by MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry, UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, and gel electrophoresis. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Karhunen–Loeve representations of turbulent channel flows using the method of snapshots
Authors: Handler R. A. , Housiadas K. D. , Beris A. N.
Published: May 2006

For three‐dimensional flows with one inhomogeneous spatial coordinate and two periodic directions, the Karhunen–Loeve procedure is typically formulated as a spatial eigenvalue problem. This is normally referred to as the direct method (DM). Here we derive an equivalent formulation in which the eigenvalue problem is formulated in the temporal coordinate. It is shown that this so‐called method of snapshots (MOS) has some numerical advantages when compared to the DM. In particular, the MOS can be formulated purely as a matrix composed of scalars, thus avoiding the need to construct a matrix of matrices as in the DM. In addition, the MOS avoids the need for so‐called weight functions, which emerge in the DM as a result of the non‐uniform grid typically employed in the inhomogeneous direction. The avoidance of such weight functions, which may exhibit singular behaviour, guarantees satisfaction of the boundary conditions. The MOS is applied to data sets recently obtained from the direct simulation of turbulence in a channel in which viscoelasticity is imparted to the fluid using a Giesekus model. The analysis reveals a steep drop in the dimensionality of the turbulence as viscoelasticity is increased. This is consistent with the results that have been obtained with other viscoelastic models, thus revealing an essential generic feature of polymer‐induced drag reduced turbulent flows. Published in 2006 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma—Genetic portrait from chromosomes to microarrays
Authors: Karhu Ritva , Mahlamäki Eija , Kallioniemi Anne
Published: May 2006

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is the fifth leading cause of cancer death with a 5‐year survival rate of less than 5%. Although the role of a few known oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in the development of pancreatic cancer is fairly well established, it is obvious that the majority of genetic changes responsible for the initiation and progression of this disease are still unknown. In this review, the authors will discuss the results from various genome‐wide screening efforts, from traditional chromosome analyses to modern DNA microarray studies, which have provided an enormous amount of information on genetic alterations in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Exciting findings have emerged from these studies, highlighting multiple potential chromosomal regions that may harbor novel cancer genes involved in the molecular pathogenesis of this lethal disorder. These findings complete the picture of pancreatic adenocarcinoma as a genetically highly complex and heterogenous tumor type with an ongoing instability process. In addition, the precisely localized copy number changes offer a valuable starting point for further studies required to identify the genes involved and to characterize their potential functional role in the development and progression of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Role of all‐trans retinoic acid in neurite outgrowth and axonal elongation
Authors: Clagett‐Dame Margaret , McNeill Elizabeth M. , Muley Parag D.
Published: May 2006

The vitamin A metabolite, all‐trans retinoic acid (atRA) plays essential roles in nervous system development, including neuronal patterning, survival, and neurite outgrowth. Our understanding of how the vitamin A acid functions in neurite outgrowth comes largely from cultured embryonic neurons and model neuronal cell systems including human neuroblastoma cells. Specifically, atRA has been shown to increase neurite outgrowth from embryonic DRG, sympathetic, spinal cord, and olfactory receptor neurons, as well as dissociated cerebra and retina explants. A role for atRA in axonal elongation is also supported by a limited number of studies in vivo, in which a deficiency in retinoid signaling produced either by dietary or genetic means has been shown to alter neurite outgrowth from the spinal cord and hindbrain regions. Human neuroblastoma cells also show enhanced numbers of neurites and longer processes in response to atRA. The mechanism whereby retinoids regulate neurite outgrowth includes, but is not limited to, the regulation of the transcription of neurotrophin receptors. More recent evidence supports a role for atRA in regulating components of other signaling pathways or candidate neurite‐regulating factors. Some of these effects, such as that on neuron navigator 2 (NAV2), may be direct, whereas others may be secondary to other atRA‐induced changes in the cell. This review focuses on what is currently known about neurite initiation and growth, with emphasis on the manner in which atRA may influence these events. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 66: 739–756, 2006
Ligand‐induced dynamical regulation of NO conversion in Mycobacterium tuberculosis truncated hemoglobin‐N
Authors: Bidon‐Chanal Axel , Martí Marcelo A. , Crespo Alejandro , Milani Mario , Orozco Modesto , Bolognesi Martino , Luque F. Javier , Estrin Darío A.
Published: May 2006

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of human tuberculosis, is forced into latency by nitric oxide produced by macrophages during infection. In response to nitrosative stress M. tuberculosis has evolved a defense mechanism that relies on the oxygenated form of “truncated hemoglobin” N (trHbN), formally acting as NO‐dioxygenase, yielding the harmless nitrate ion. X‐ray crystal structures have shown that trHbN hosts a two‐branched protein matrix tunnel system, proposed to control diatomic ligand migration to the heme, as the rate‐limiting step in NO conversion to nitrate. Extended molecular dynamics simulations (0.1 μs), employed here to characterize the factors controlling diatomic ligand diffusion through the apolar tunnel system, suggest that O2 migration in deoxy‐trHbN is restricted to a short branch of the tunnel, and that O2 binding to the heme drives conformational and dynamical fluctuations promoting NO migration through the long tunnel branch. The simulation results suggest that trHbN has evolved a dual‐path mechanism for migration of O2 and NO to the heme, to achieve the most efficient NO detoxification. Proteins 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Variation of thermal resistance with input power in LEDs
Authors: Yang Lianqiao , Hu Jianzheng , Kim Lan , Shin Moo Whan
Published: May 2006

In this paper we report on the thermal analysis of high‐power light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) as a function of input power. The transient thermal measurement method using structure function was employed to investigate the thermal behavior of LEDs at different working conditions. It was shown that a 5 W LED package installed with four chips exhibited an increase of thermal resistance from 7.06 K/W to 8.83 K/W with the input current ranging from 50 mA to 700 mA at the ambient temperature of 25 °C. However, the thermal resistance for a 1 W LED package with one chip was decreased from 20.33 K/W to 19.54 K/W with the input current ranging from 50 mA to 350 mA. Based on our improved LED model, the different trends for the two packages are attributed to the difference in the power dissipated by internal series electrical resistances. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Caloplaca badioreagens, a new calcicolous, endolithic lichen from Italy
Authors: TRETIACH Mauro , MUGGIA Lucia
Published: May 2006

Caloplaca badioreagens is a new endolithic species of subgenus Pyrenodesmia characterized by a greyish brown, K+ reddish brown epithecium, and simple, non-capitate paraphyses. It is readily distinguishable from other endolithic Pyrenodesmias (C. agardhiana, C. alociza, C. erodens) by the presence of an unknown lichen substance in the excipulum and the subhymenium, forming large, rectangular crystal plates in GAW and GE. The new species was collected on hard limestone in three localities of central and southern Italy.
Personalised hypermedia presentation techniques for improving online customer relationships
Authors: KOBSA ALFRED , KOENEMANN JÜRGEN , POHL WOLFGANG
Published: May 2006

This article gives a comprehensive overview of techniques for personalised hypermedia presentation. It describes the data about the computer user, the computer usage and the physical environment that can be taken into account when adapting
hypermedia pages to the needs of the current user. Methods for acquiring these data, for representing them as models in formal systems and for making generalisations and predictions about the user based thereon are discussed. Different types of hypermedia adaptation to the individual user's needs are distinguished and recommendations for
further research and applications given. While the focus of the article is on hypermedia adaptation for improving customer relationship management utilising the World Wide Web, many of the techniques and distinctions also apply to other types of personalised hypermedia applications within and outside the World Wide Web, like adaptive educational systems.
Antibiotic use, gastroenteritis and respiratory illness in South Australian children
Authors: TALBOT-SMITH A. , HEYWORTH J.
Published: May 2006

This study examines the incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (AAD) in children in the community setting. Parents of 965 children aged 4–6 years and resident in rural/semi-rural South Australia completed a questionnaire on socio-demographic factors, and a 6-week daily diary detailing symptoms of gastroenteritis, antibiotic use, respiratory illness, and contact with someone with gastroenteritis. The incidence of AAD was 32·3%, falling to 23·5% when episodes associated with a respiratory illness were excluded. Respiratory illness in the previous 3 days (OR 6·76, 95% CI 4·87, 9·38), and contact with someone with gastroenteritis in the previous 14 days (OR 1·8, 95% CI 1·48, 2·19), were both associated with gastroenteritis. After adjusting for these, only the first day of antibiotic use was associated with gastroenteritis (OR 3·8, 95% CI 1·8, 8·06). Potential confounding factors, in particular inter-current respiratory illness, need to be considered when examining AAD.
The incidence of influenza-associated hospitalizations in children in Germany
Authors: WEIGL J. A. I. , PUPPE W. , SCHMITT H. J.
Published: May 2006

Since new vaccines and anti-viral drugs for influenza have become available, collation of actual and country-specific epidemiological data is essential. Since respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a well known paediatric airway pathogen and some epidemiological data exist already, a comparison between influenza and RSV seems warranted. From July 1996 to June 2001 the naso-pharyngeal aspirates (NPA) of children from birth to 16 years of age, admitted to one of the two paediatric hospitals in Kiel, Germany, were investigated by a nine-valent multiplex reverse transcriptase PCR assay. NPA were investigated in 60·8% of 3469 children admitted with an acute respiratory tract infection. Community-acquired or nosocomial infections (in parentheses) due to influenza A were diagnosed in 122 (10) children, due to influenza B in 14 (2) and due to RSV in 325 (24) cases. Patients with influenza A (median 752 days) and influenza B (median 966 days) were older than patients with RSV (median 168 days). The spectrum of disease presentation was broader in influenza than in RSV. In each winter, admissions with influenza were less common than those with RSV. Influenza B only occurred in 2 of the 5 years. The cumulative, population-based incidences per 100 000 children 0–16 (0–5, >5–16) years of age were 53 (123, 22) for influenza A, 16 (30, 9) for influenza B and 165 (453, 4) for RSV. Cardiac conditions and asthma were the major risk factors for admission to hospital with influenza A (RR 9·8, 4·1) and RSV (8·5, 2·1) infections. Underlying conditions were most common in influenza B. Low gestational age doubled the risk for admission to hospital with influenza A infection, but did not show a dose–effect relationship as in RSV. The burden of influenza-positive hospitalizations was about one third that of RSV. The incidence was similar to reports from the United States. Targeting children with underlying conditions, especially cardiac conditions and asthma in the German immunization programme is appropriate, as long as no policy for vaccination of the general paediatric population exists.
The contribution of transfusion to HCV infection in England
Authors: SOLDAN K. , RAMSAY M. , ROBINSON A. , HARRIS H. , ANDERSON N. , CAFFREY E. , CHAPMAN C. , DIKE A. , GABRA G. , GORMAN A. , HERBORN A. , HEWITT P. , HEWSON N. , JONES D. A. , LLEWELYN C. , LOVE E. , MUDDU V. , MARTLEW V. , TOWNLEY A.
Published: May 2006

The English HCV lookback programme has identified some individuals with transfusion-transmitted HCV infection. The path from the collection of donations from HCV-infected donors to the identification of infected recipients was constructed. The probability of different outcomes at each branch was derived from data collected during this programme. This path of probabilities was then used to produce a complete estimate of the number of recipients infected by blood transfusions (dead and alive at the end of 1995) by re-entry of blood components that fell out of the lookback at various steps prior to recipient testing, and entry of components from HCV-infected donations that were never identified for lookback. Less than 14 000 recipients were estimated to have been infected with HCV during the decade prior to the start of donation testing. Over 60% of these were expected to have died by the end of 1995. Transfusion has infected a large group of individuals. However, this group constitutes a very small, and declining, proportion of all HCV infections in the population.
Rubella antibody loss rates in Korean children
Authors: KI M. , KIM M. H. , CHOI B. Y. , SHIN Y. J. , PARK T.
Published: May 2006

We followed students in eight elementary schools for rubella antibody from 1993 to 1996 (602 pairs) and 1996–9 (588 pairs) in Gyeonggi Province, Korea. We tested rubella IgG and administered rubella vaccine to the children with the titres <10 IU/ml. The loss rates of rubella IgG during the follow-up periods were 14·3 and 15·8%, respectively. Among vaccinated groups, the loss rate was 18·8%, which was significantly higher than 13·8% of the mixture of natural and vaccine-induced immunity groups. The group that had the lower preceding antibody titre had a higher loss rate of 24·8% compared to 7·2% for the group whose titre was 40 IU/ml or above. In a multivariate analysis, age and gender were not related to antibody loss rate. Under this higher rubella antibody loss rate, in order to prevent congenital rubella syndrome, the immunization for women at childbearing age appears necessary until rubella can be eliminated or controlled.
Mass transfer between a multicomponent trapped gas phase and a mobile water phase: Experiment and theory
Authors: Geistlinger Helmut , Beckmann Annika , Lazik Detlef
Published: May 2006

Gas tracer experiments were carried out in dynamically compressed sediments to investigate the mass transfer between a trapped multicomponent gas phase and a mobile water phase. The saturation state of the column was characterized by three independent methods: (1) by gravimetric measurements, (2) by bromide tracer tests, and (3) by hydraulic conductivity measurements. For inverse modeling a new kinetic model was developed allowing volume change of the entrapped gas. The new kinetic model consistently explains oxygen elution curves, the time evolution of the integral gas saturation, and integral hydraulic conductivity. The sensitivity of three different velocity‐dependent mass transfer correlations to the dissolution process was investigated: (1) a classical square‐root, single‐sphere correlation, Sh ∼ Pe0.5, (2) a multisphere correlation, Sh ∼ Pen (n = 0.5–1.0), and (3) an empirical correlation, Sh ∼ Pe0.8. It was found that all correlations yield nearly the same elution curves for 10 gas tracer experiments with three different two‐component gas phases: O2/He, O2/N2, and O2/Ar and for different flow velocities ranging from 5 to 20 m d−1. For all gas tracer experiments a distinct minimum of the longitudinal dispersivity was found during gas dissolution, i.e., in the unsaturated state. For the saturated state we found that the experimental values could be described by Saffman's theory: p ∝ Pe ln (Pe) with a normalized mean square root error of 6%.
A 300 m long depth profile of metabolic activity of sulfate‐reducing bacteria in the continental margin sediments of South Australia (ODP Site 1130) derived from inverse reaction‐transport modeling
Authors: Wortmann Ulrich G.
Published: May 2006

Reaction‐transport modeling of dissolved species in interstitial water allows for the inversion of transport processes and thus facilitates the detailed investigation of signals which are usually blurred by diffusion and advection. Here I present a case study from the South Australian continental margin (ODP Leg 182, Site 1130) where I use reaction‐transport modeling to derive a depth transect of volumetric sulfate reduction rates. Site 1130, located on the shelf slope in 500 m deep water, is of special interest as an upwelling sulfate‐rich brine allows for an extended sulfate reduction zone which reaches to a depth of at least 300 mbsf. The obtained reduction rates vary from 600 pmol/cm−3 yr−1 at 30 mbsf to 63 pmol/cm−3 yr−1 at 300 mbsf. The depth‐integrated sulfate consumption equals 65 × 10−6 mol/yr cm−2, which is similar to other shelf slope settings without advecting sulfate. This suggests that the primary control on sulfate reduction rates is organic matter reactivity, rather than sulfate availability. However, similar to other ODP Leg 182 sites, the interstitial water chemistry in the upper 30 mbsf is inconsistent with a diffusive/advective transport system. While the actual process causing this remains elusive, pyrite burial rates from this zone suggest that sulfate reduction rates in this zone are at least 60 times higher than those derived from reaction‐transport modeling assuming diffusion and advection alone.
Mechanical modeling and InSAR measurements of Mount Sedom uplift, Dead Sea basin: Implications for effective viscosity of rock salt
Authors: Weinberger R. , Lyakhovsky V. , Baer G. , Begin Z. B.
Published: May 2006

We present a mechanical model for the growth of an emerging salt diapir in a tectonically active basin. The analytical model is applied to and serves to constrain the effective viscosity of rock salt and strain rates during diapirism of the wall‐shaped Mount Sedom rock salt diapir, Dead Sea basin. The model is based on one‐dimensional flow of Newtonian viscous fluid (salt) in a vertical channel that has been driven by the load of the overburden and affected by shear along the channel walls. Because the Poiseuille (channel) flow profile is parabolic and the Couette (shear) flow profile is linear, a one‐dimensional model provides three sets of predicted profiles: topography, uplift rate, and shear strain. The present topography of Mount Sedom represents the shape of the Sedom diapir, and hence the effective viscosity of rock salt can be constrained by a model that best fits the present topography of the mountain. The resulting Sedom rock salt viscosity is determined to be between 2 and 3 × 1018 Pa s, and the associated strain rate is between 5 and 6 × 10−13 s−1. Geological structures indicate strain rates of 9 × 10−13 s−1 and 3 × 10−14 s−1 during the Holocene emerging stage and at the Plio‐Pleistocene pre‐emergent stage of the Sedom diapir, respectively. The uplift history of Mount Sedom predicted by the model and the current topography are compared to Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) measurements of salt uplift. The maximum uplift rates of Mount Sedom are 8.3 and 5.5 mm/yr for its northern and southern parts, respectively. The InSAR uplift profiles resemble topographic profiles obtained along the same traverses, implying that the uplift history during the last 14,000 years is stable. Steep uplift gradients observed by InSAR along the western margin of the diapir are higher than predicted by modeling of Newtonian viscous flow. This could imply that flow of power law viscous fluid may be more suitable than that of Newtonian viscous fluid for the Sedom rock salt at high strain rates above 8 × 10−13 s−1.
Climate response to volcanic forcing: Validation of climate sensitivity of a coupled atmosphere‐ocean general circulation model
Authors: Yokohata T. , Emori S. , Nozawa T. , Tsushima Y. , Ogura T. , Kimoto M.
Published: May 2006

Two versions of a coupled atmosphere‐ocean general circulation model (GCM) with different climate sensitivities are tested on global cooling following the Pinatubo volcanic eruption to investigate the validity of high climate sensitivities. The higher‐sensitivity version, with climate sensitivity of 6.3 K for doubled CO2 forcing, overestimates cooling due to the volcanic eruption, whereas the lower‐sensitivity version (4.0 K) produces results consistent with observations. A simple scheme for climate feedback analysis is devised and it is found that the difference between the two versions is attributed to cloud‐albedo feedback. This validation method is expected to provide additional constraints on climate sensitivity and possibly lead to reduced uncertainties in climate prediction.
A microstructural approach to model heat transfer in snow
Authors: Kaempfer T. U. , Schneebeli M. , Sokratov S. A.
Published: May 2006

The relation between heat flow through snow and microstructure is crucial for the comprehension and modeling of thermophysical, chemical, and mechanical properties of snow. This relationship was investigated using heat flux measurements combined with a microstructural numerical approach. A snow sample was subjected to a temperature gradient and the passing heat flux was measured. Simultaneously, the snow microstructure was imaged by X‐ray micro‐tomography. The heat flow through the observed ice matrix and its heat conductivity was computed by a finite element method. Comparison of measured and simulated heat conductivities suggests that heat conduction through the ice matrix is predominant. The representative elementary volume with respect to density and heat conductivity as well as the tortuosity factor of the ice matrix was determined. In contrast to the density, the tortuosity factor takes into account the relevant geometry of the ice matrix and has many advantages in heat transfer models.
Vesiculation rates of obsidian domes inferred from H2O concentration profiles
Authors: Castro Jonathan M. , Manga Michael , Martin Michael C.
Published: May 2006

Explosivity of rhyolite domes depends on bubble nucleation and growth. To understand these processes, we measure millimeter‐scale variations in H2O by synchrotron Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectromicroscopy on interlayered obsidian‐pumice samples. The H2O contents of all samples are above the 1‐atm solubility value (∼0.10 wt.%) and decrease systematically towards vesicular zones, indicating that gas bubbles were growing and that degassing of melt to atmospheric pressure was incomplete. H2O profiles are compared with models for water diffusion in order to constrain the temporal scale of vesiculation. Diffusion timescales range from 0.4 to 15 days, and represent the time between bubble nucleation and quenching. We use these results to estimate the duration of volatile exsolution and evaluate the timing of the formation of explosion pits frequently found on the surfaces of obsidian domes, though never witnessed.
Tests of the precursory accelerating moment release model using a synthetic seismicity model for Wellington, New Zealand
Authors: Zhou Shiyong , Johnston Steven , Robinson Russell , Vere‐Jones David
Published: May 2006

We have constructed a synthetic seismicity model of the Wellington region, New Zealand, including seven superfaults and 500 subfaults which are randomly positioned. From this model, a synthetic catalogue of 2000 years duration, containing events of magnitude 5.0 or more, has been generated. The properties of the catalogue, such as the long‐term slip rates, b value, average activity rate, and hypocenter distribution, are in accord with paleoseismic studies and the real seismicity over the last 40 years. Such a synthetic catalogue can replace the short, incomplete, and inhomogeneous historic and instrumental records in research which needs a long time duration and many strong shocks. We have used our catalogue to examine tests for the existence of accelerating moment release (AMR) before large events and compared the results with those from random (Poisson) catalogues. We find that (1) the apparent success rate is very dependent on the rules used to define the test window; (2) when appropriately defined, the AMR pattern occurs before about 20% of the strong (M ≥ 7.0) shocks with a typical precursor time of about 22 years; (3) the AMR pattern is found almost equally frequently before large events in random catalogues; and (4) there are some false alarms (AMR pattern without a large event). This extended study reinforces the conclusion in our preliminary report: that in synthetic catalogues of the kind we have constructed, the AMR pattern is essentially an artefact of the method of sampling.
Earthquake triggering by migrating slow slip initiated by M8 earthquake along Kuril Trench, Japan
Authors: Murakami Makoto , Suito Hisashi , Ozawa Shinzaburo , Kaidzu Masaru
Published: May 2006

Evidence of a slow slip temporally ahead of the M7 earthquake doublet that occurred in November/December 2004 offshore of eastern Hokkaido, Japan, was registered in continuous GPS measurements. The GPS data suggest that a slow slip around a forthcoming rupture zone on the plate boundary triggered these earthquakes. This slow slip episode was itself triggered by the M8 Tokachi earthquake of September 2003. This is a demonstration of the geodetic visualization of the mechanism of a triggering of a subsequent earthquake caused by a preceding large earthquake. The geodetic data will improve the reliability of the warning of an occurrence of a subsequent earthquake after a large one that is currently dependent on only co‐seismic static stress increase.
A 7‐year increasing trend of 15N in sinking particles at the mouth of the Tokyo Bay
Authors: Sukigara Chiho , Saino Toshiro
Published: May 2006

A sediment trap experiment was conducted for 7 years with sampling at 7 days interval at the Tokyo Bay mouth. The δ15N of the trapped particles showed an increasing trend (0.17 ‰ y−1) from 1995 to 2001. The trend is larger in summer than in winter particles. During summer, the δ15N shows large variation where maxima increase while the minima stay nearly constant. The summertime elevation in δ15N is due to increased contribution of freshly derived 15N rich particles produced in the inner‐bay surface water. The high δ15N in trapped particles lagged one or two weeks behind the >50 mm d−1 rainfall events. Freshwater supplied by heavy rainfall appears to accelerate estuarine circulation and results in increased contribution of inner‐bay surface water particles. The increased frequency of the short‐term heavy rainfall events in metropolis Tokyo during our observation could be a cause for the 7 year increasing trend of δ15N in the sinking particles.
Measurement of Methylphenidate-Induced Change in Extrastriatal Dopamine Concentration using [11C]FLB 457 PET
Authors: Montgomery Andrew J , Asselin Marie-Claude , Farde Lars , Grasby Paul M
Published: May 2006

[11C]FLB 457 is a very high-affinity radiotracer that allows the measurement of dopamine D2/3 receptor availability in regions of the brain where densities are very low, such as the cerebral cortex. It is not known if [11C]FLB 457 binding is sensitive to the concentration of endogenous dopamine in humans in a manner analogous to [11C]raclopride and [123I]IBZM in the striatum. To test this possibility, extrastriatal [11C]FLB 457 binding was measured at baseline and after the oral administration of 40 to 60 mg of the psychostimulant methylphenidate (MP) in 12 healthy volunteers using positron emission tomography (PET) in a balanced-order, double-blind design. The dynamic PET data were quantified using a two-tissue compartment model with a metabolite-corrected arterial plasma input function. Two volunteers were excluded because of excessive head movement. In the remainder, MP caused significant reductions in the volume of distribution (VD) in temporal and frontal cortical regions and thalamus, suggesting that [11C]FLB 457 binding is sensitive to endogenous dopamine concentration. Moreover, the change in [11C]FLB 457 binding after MP correlated with the dose of MP (in mg/kg body weight) in all regions assessed. We conclude that MP in doses within the therapeutic range for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder causes increases in dopamine concentrations in extrastriatal regions and that [11C]FLB 457 PET may be a useful tool for the assessment of change in dopamine concentration in these areas in humans.
Tbx1
haploinsufficiency is linked to behavioral disorders in mice and humans: Implications for 22q11 deletion syndrome
Authors: Paylor Richard , Glaser Beate , Mupo Annalisa , Ataliotis Paris , Spencer Corinne , Sobotka Angela , Sparks Chelsey , Choi Chul-Hee , Oghalai John , Curran Sarah , Murphy Kieran C. , Monks Stephen , Williams Nigel , O’Donovan Michael C. , Owen Michael J. , Scambler Peter J. , Lindsay Elizabeth
Published: May 2006

About 35% of patients with 22q11 deletion syndrome (22q11DS), which includes DiGeorge and velocardiofacial syndromes, develops psychiatric disorders, mainly schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. We previously reported that mice carrying a multigene deletion (
Df1
) that models 22q11DS have reduced prepulse inhibition (PPI), a behavioral abnormality and schizophrenia endophenotype. Impaired PPI is associated with several psychiatric disorders, including those that occur in 22q11DS, and recently, reduced PPI was reported in children with 22q11DS. Here, we have mapped PPI deficits in a panel of mouse mutants that carry deletions that partially overlap with
Df1
and have defined a PPI critical region encompassing four genes. We then used single-gene mutants to identify the causative genes. We show that PPI deficits in
Df1
/+ mice are caused by haploinsufficiency of two genes,
Tbx1
and
Gnb1l
. Mutation of either gene is sufficient to cause reduced PPI.
Tbx1
is a transcription factor, the mutation of which is sufficient to cause most of the physical features of 22q11DS, but the gene had not been previously associated with the behavioral/psychiatric phenotype. A likely role for
Tbx1
haploinsufficiency in psychiatric disease is further suggested by the identification of a family in which the phenotypic features of 22q11DS, including psychiatric disorders, segregate with an inactivating mutation of
TBX1
. One family member has Asperger syndrome, an autistic spectrum disorder that is associated with reduced PPI. Thus,
Tbx1
and
Gnb1l
are strong candidates for psychiatric disease in 22q11DS patients and candidate susceptibility genes for psychiatric disease in the wider population.
Sox10 regulates ciliary neurotrophic factor gene expression in Schwann cells
Authors: Ito Yasuhiro , Wiese Stefan , Funk Natalja , Chittka Alexandra , Rossoll Wilfried , Bömmel Heike , Watabe Kazuhiko , Wegner Michael , Sendtner Michael
Published: May 2006

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (Cntf) plays an essential role in postnatal maintenance of spinal motoneurons. Whereas the expression of this neurotrophic factor is low during embryonic development, it is highly up-regulated after birth in myelinating Schwann cells of rodents. To characterize the underlying transcriptional mechanisms, we have analyzed and compared the effects of various glial transcription factors. In contrast to Pit-1, Oct-1, Unc-86 homology region (POU) domain class 3, transcription factor 1 (Oct6/SCIP/Tst-1) and paired box gene 3 (Pax3), SRY-box-containing gene 10 (Sox10) induces Cntf expression in Schwann cells. Subsequent promoter analysis using luciferase reporter gene and EMSA identified the corresponding response elements within the
Cntf
promoter. Overexpression of Sox10 in primary sciatic nerve Schwann cells leads to a >100-fold up-regulation of Cntf protein, and suppression of Sox10 by RNA interference in the spontaneously immortalized Schwann cell line 32 reduces Cntf expression by >80%. Mice with heterozygous inactivation of the
Sox10
gene show significantly reduced Cntf protein levels in sciatic nerves, indicating that Sox10 is necessary and sufficient for regulating Cntf expression in the peripheral nervous system.
Probing a protein–protein interaction by
in vitro
evolution
Authors: Thom George , Cockroft Alexis C. , Buchanan Andrew G. , Joberty Candotti Cathy , Cohen E. Suzanne , Lowne David , Monk Phill , Shorrock-Hart Celia P. , Jermutus Lutz , Minter Ralph R.
Published: May 2006

In this study, we used
in vitro
protein evolution with ribosome and phage display to optimize the affinity of a human IL-13-neutralizing antibody, a therapeutic candidate for the treatment of asthma, >150-fold to 81 pM by using affinity-driven stringency selections. Simultaneously, the antibody potency to inhibit IL-13-dependent proliferation in a cell-based functional assay increased 345-fold to an IC
50
of 229 pM. The panoply of different optimized sequences resulting from complementarity-determining region-targeted mutagenesis and error-prone PCR using ribosome display was contrasted with that of complementarity-determining region-targeted mutagenesis alone using phage display. The data highlight the advantage of the ribosome-display approach in identifying beneficial mutations across the entire sequence space. A comparison of mutation hotspots from
in vitro
protein evolution to knockout mutations from alanine scanning demonstrated that
in vitro
evolution selects the most appropriate positions for improvements in potency without mutating any of the key residues within the functional paratope.
Adenosine A2a blockade prevents synergy between μ-opiate and cannabinoid CB1 receptors and eliminates heroin-seeking behavior in addicted rats
Authors: Yao Lina , McFarland Krista , Fan Peidong , Jiang Zhan , Ueda Takashi , Diamond Ivan
Published: May 2006

Relapse is the most serious limitation of effective medical treatment of opiate addiction. Opiate-related behaviors appear to be modulated by cannabinoid CB1 receptors (CB1) through poorly understood cross-talk mechanisms. Opiate and CB1 receptors are coexpressed in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and dorsal striatum. These regions also have the highest density of adenosine A2a receptors (A2a) in the brain. We have been investigating the postsynaptic signaling mechanisms of μ-opiate receptors (MORs) and CB1 receptors in primary NAc/striatal neurons. In this article, we present evidence that MOR and CB1 act synergistically on cAMP/PKA signaling in NAc/striatal neurons. In addition, we find that synergy requires adenosine and A2a. Importantly, an A2a antagonist administered either directly into the NAc or indirectly by i.p. injection eliminates heroin-induced reinstatement in rats trained to self-administer heroin, a model of human craving and relapse. These findings suggest that A2a antagonists might be effective therapeutic agents in the management of abstinent heroin addicts.
A mixed bacterial infection of a bronchogenic lung cyst diagnosed by PCR
Authors: Fukasawa Chie , Ohkusu Kiyofumi , Sanayama Yoshitami , Yasufuku Kazuhiro , Ishiwada Naruhiko , Ezaki Takayuki , Kohno Yoichi
Published: May 2006

An unusual paediatric case of a bronchogenic cyst infected with both Haemophilus influenzae type b and Streptococcus pneumoniae is described, which was detected not by culture of the purulent cyst fluid, but by real-time PCR amplification for several potential pathogens of DNA extracted from the fluid.