bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multilayer pattern transfer for plasmonic color filter applications
Authors: Kaplan Alex F. , Xu Ting , Wu Yi-Kuei , Guo L. Jay
Published: December 2010

Contact printing involves transferring a material deposited on a prepatterned mold directly to a substrate with the application of uniform pressure and temperature. This process has traditionally been used to transfer metal layers to act as electrodes or masks for subsequent etch steps. In this work, the authors propose that devices with multiple layers, such as metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structures, can be transferred over using similar processing techniques. Using a SiO2 grating mold, the authors demonstrate the transfer of a MIM pattern to a flexible polycarbonate substrate in order to create a thin film, reflective color filter. This method could be optimized for roll-to-roll nanoimprint lithography and could be used to efficiently fabricate large-area structures on various substrates for display applications.
Noise analysis of carbon nanotube field effect transistors irradiated by electron beam
Authors: Chan Jack , Kidd Deborah , Burke Brian , Harriott Lloyd , Williams Keith
Published: December 2010

Using current noise measurement techniques, the authors have studied the effects of electron beam exposure on field effect transistors based on carbon nanotube channels. In the case of p-type semiconducting nanotubes, the authors find that high doses induce a potential barrier along the channel, and transport is dominated by the tunneling events across this barrier. The authors suggest that the barrier is induced by charges trapped in the underlying SiO2 barrier. Complementary studies on metallic nanotubes do not exhibit this behavior.
To charge or not to charge: 50 years of lithographic choices
Authors: Pease R. Fabian
Published: December 2010

The first integrated circuits were manufactured in about 1960 (year 1 of Moore’s law) and were patterned using optical lithography. Almost immediately, electron beam lithography was pursued as a high-resolution alternative and has been ever since, but optical lithography is still the preferred technique. However, after 40 years of optical lithography for the manufacture of integrated circuits, we may finally have reached the point where the cost of further pushing optical technology is no longer economically attractive. So now many lithographic techniques are considered as candidates. These techniques range from various forms of charged-particle lithography to various forms of uncharged-particle lithography and even to simple localized mechanical contact (nanoimprinting). It may be that a combination of techniques is chosen in some applications or that three-dimensional integration will keep Moore’s law valid without further shrinking of devices.
Waveguide-plasmon resonances in gold-capped silicon-nitride disk photonic crystal slabs
Authors: Shyu Jia-Hong , Lee Huang-Ming , Chien Jui-Hsing , Wu Jong-Ching
Published: December 2010

Waveguide-plasmon resonances of gold-capped silicon-nitride (SiN) disk photonic crystal slabs (PCSs) were investigated experimentally and numerically. The waveguide couplings were supported by the freestanding SiN membrane and the SiN-disk PCS. A tunable waveguide-plasmon resonance was modified by the SiN-disk height. When the SiN-disk height increased, the waveguide-plasmon resonances were enhanced and were blueshifted in optical-transmission spectra. The SiN-disk PCS was also fabricated to distinguish the presence of the waveguide-plasmon resonance in the gold-capped SiN-disk PCS from the guided resonance in the SiN-disk PCS. The finite-element method was used to calculate the optical transmittance of the gold disk array-coated SiN membranes, the gold-capped SiN-disk PCSs, and the SiN-disk PCSs. They were all in good agreement with the experiments.
BID, BIM, and PUMA Are Essential for Activation of the BAX- and BAK-Dependent Cell Death Program
Authors: Ren Decheng , Tu Ho-Chou , Kim Hyungjin , Wang Gary X. , Bean Gregory R. , Takeuchi Osamu , Jeffers John R. , Zambetti Gerard P. , Hsieh James J.-D. , Cheng Emily H.-Y.
Published: December 2010

Deadly Trio

The proteins BAX and BAK act as a key decision point, regulating apoptosis by controlling the permeability of the mitochondrial outer membrane. Evidence has been presented for two mechanisms of activation of BAX and BAK: an indirect mechanism where proapoptotic proteins neutralize the antiapoptotic effects of the protein BCL-2 and its relatives; or direct activation of BAX and BAK by BIM, BID, or PUMA. Analysis of the situation in vivo is complicated by the overlapping function of BIM, BID, and PUMA.

Ren
et al.

(p.
1390
; see the Perspective by

Martin

) thus analyzed triple-knockout mice lacking BIM, BID, and PUMA. Apoptosis during mouse development required a direct effect of one of these proteins to activate BAX or BAK, thereby promoting cell death.
Autophagy and Metabolism
Authors: Rabinowitz Joshua D. , White Eileen
Published: December 2010

Autophagy is a process of self-cannibalization. Cells capture their own cytoplasm and organelles and consume them in lysosomes. The resulting breakdown products are inputs to cellular metabolism, through which they are used to generate energy and to build new proteins and membranes. Autophagy preserves the health of cells and tissues by replacing outdated and damaged cellular components with fresh ones. In starvation, it provides an internal source of nutrients for energy generation and, thus, survival. A powerful promoter of metabolic homeostasis at both the cellular and whole-animal level, autophagy prevents degenerative diseases. It does have a downside, however—cancer cells exploit it to survive in nutrient-poor tumors.
Manufacturing Molecules Through Metabolic Engineering
Authors: Keasling Jay D.
Published: December 2010

Metabolic engineering has the potential to produce from simple, readily available, inexpensive starting materials a large number of chemicals that are currently derived from nonrenewable resources or limited natural resources. Microbial production of natural products has been achieved by transferring product-specific enzymes or entire metabolic pathways from rare or genetically intractable organisms to those that can be readily engineered, and production of unnatural specialty chemicals, bulk chemicals, and fuels has been enabled by combining enzymes or pathways from different hosts into a single microorganism and by engineering enzymes to have new function. Whereas existing production routes use well-known, safe, industrial microorganisms, future production schemes may include designer cells that are tailor-made for the desired chemical and production process. In any future, metabolic engineering will soon rival and potentially eclipse synthetic organic chemistry.
Circadian Integration of Metabolism and Energetics
Authors: Bass Joseph , Takahashi Joseph S.
Published: December 2010

Circadian clocks align behavioral and biochemical processes with the day/night cycle. Nearly all vertebrate cells possess self-sustained clocks that couple endogenous rhythms with changes in cellular environment. Genetic disruption of clock genes in mice perturbs metabolic functions of specific tissues at distinct phases of the sleep/wake cycle. Circadian desynchrony, a characteristic of shift work and sleep disruption in humans, also leads to metabolic pathologies. Here, we review advances in understanding the interrelationship among circadian disruption, sleep deprivation, obesity, and diabetes and implications for rational therapeutics for these conditions.
An Antagonistic Pair of
FT
Homologs Mediates the Control of Flowering Time in Sugar Beet
Authors: Pin Pierre A. , Benlloch Reyes , Bonnet Dominique , Wremerth-Weich Elisabeth , Kraft Thomas , Gielen Jan J. L. , Nilsson Ove
Published: December 2010

Just Beet It

Flowering time regulation is important for plants to maximize their reproductive output. By investigating copies of genes that are strong and central activators of flowering in many different species (homologs of the
FT
gene in
Arabidopsis
),

Pin
et al.

(p.
1397
) found that during evolution, the regulation of flowering time in sugar beet (
Beta vulgaris
) has come under the control of two
FT
-like genes. Functional differences in these genes owing to small mutations in a critical domain have caused a duplicated copy of the flowering promoter
FT
to turn into a flowering repressor in sugar beet. These changes may explain why cultivated beets are unable to flower until their second year after passing through the winter, a behavior important for increasing crop yield.
Video-Rate Molecular Imaging in Vivo with Stimulated Raman Scattering
Authors: Saar Brian G. , Freudiger Christian W. , Reichman Jay , Stanley C. Michael , Holtom Gary R. , Xie X. Sunney
Published: December 2010

Skin-Deep Raman Spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy allows for molecular identification via vibrational spectra at optical wavelengths. However, if the optical signal is scattered, as occurs when trying to image tissue, the signal becomes very weak, and it becomes difficult to image a sample with high time resolution.

Saar
et al.

(p.
1368
) now show that by improving the optics and electronics of the acquisition of the backscattered signal, stimulated Raman scattering spectroscopy can be performed at video rates on human skin, which should enable label-free studies of tissues and, for example, the tracking of the delivery of a drug.
Developing Health Workforce Capacity in Africa
Authors: Collins Francis S. , Glass Roger I. , Whitescarver Jack , Wakefield Mary , Goosby Eric P.
Published: December 2010

In Africa, programs to improve health will require major investments in institutions that can train and retain health professionals.
What Poison? Bacterium Uses Arsenic to Build DNA and Other Molecules
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: December 2010

In a
paper
published online by
Science
this week, researchers describe GFAJ-1, a bacterial strain that they say can replace the phosphorus in its key biomolecules, including DNA, with the legendary poison arsenic.
With Money Tight, White House Panel Offers New Path to Energy Research
Authors: Kintisch Eli
Published: December 2010

In a period of avowed austerity in Washington, D.C., can the government spark a technological revolution in energy without raiding the U.S. Treasury? A new report embraced by the White House says yes.
Tapping a Deep, 'Pre-Salt' Bounty
Authors: Regalado Antonio
Published: December 2010

Three years ago, a drill bit struck immense oil deposits deep off the coast of Brazil. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva promised to use the oil revenue for education and public health. But Brazil's R&D sector has been first to benefit.
The Lower Serum Immunoglobulin G2 Level in Severe Cases than in Mild Cases of Pandemic H1N1 2009 Influenza Is Associated with Cytokine Dysregulation
Authors: Chan Jasper Fuk-Woo , To Kelvin Kai-Wang , Tse Herman , Lau Candy Choi-Yi , Li Iris Wai-Sum , Hung Ivan Fan-Ngai , Chan Kwok-Hung , Cheng Vincent Chi-Chung , Lai Thomas Sik-To , Woo Patrick Chiu-Yat , Chan Eric Yuk-Tat , Yuen Kwok-Yung
Published: December 2010

The majority of patients with pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 had mild illness, but some, including those with no risk factors for severe disease, may succumb to this infection. Besides viral factors such as the D222/225G substitution of the hemagglutinin, host factors such as IgG2 subclass deficiency recently was reported to be associated with severe disease in a cohort of Australian patients besides other known risk factors, including underlying chronic illness, extremes of age, and pregnancy. We conducted a case-control study of 38 Asian patients with respiratory failure due to severe pandemic influenza and compared the results to those for 36 mild cases. None had selective IgG2 deficiency, but the level of IgG2 subclass was significantly lower in the severe cases (3.55 g/liter versus 4.75 g/liter;P= 0.002), whereas the levels of IgG1, IgG3, and IgG4 were not significantly different from those of the mild cases. Previous studies suggested that some IgHG2 and FcγRIIa genotypes were associated with IgG2 deficiency. The allelic frequency of the IgHG2 genotypes in our severe cases was not correlated with their levels of IgG2, while that of FcγRIIa was not significantly different from that of the general Han Chinese population (P= 0.216). Only the overall cytokine/chemokine profile (P= 0.029) and serum globulin level (P= 0.005) were found to be independently associated with the IgG2 level by multivariate analysis. The lower IgG2 level in our severe group might be related to cytokine dysregulation rather than being a significant risk factor for severe pandemic influenza. The importance of this finding for therapeutic intervention will require further studies of larger cohorts of patients.
Spherical Body Protein 4 Is a New Serological Antigen for Global Detection of
Babesia bovis
Infection in Cattle
Authors: Terkawi Mohamad Alaa , Huyen Nguyen Xuan , Wibowo Putut Eko , Seuseu Faasoa Junior , Aboulaila Mahmoud , Ueno Akio , Goo Youn-Kyoung , Yokoyama Naoaki , Xuan Xuenan , Igarashi Ikuo
Published: December 2010

Five
Babesia bovis
recombinant proteins, including merozoite surface antigen 2c (BbMSA-2c), C-terminal rhoptry-associated protein 1 (BbRAP-1/CT), truncated thrombospondin-related anonymous protein (BbTRAP-T), spherical body protein 1 (BbSBP-1), and spherical body protein 4 (BbSBP-4), were evaluated as diagnostic antigens to detect the infection in cattle. The recombinant proteins were highly antigenic when tested with experimentally
B. bovis
-infected bovine serum in Western blot analysis. Furthermore, five antisera that had been raised against each of the recombinant proteins reacted specifically with the corresponding authentic protein, as determined in Western blot analysis. Next, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) using these recombinant proteins were evaluated for diagnostic use, and the sensitivity and specificity of each protein were demonstrated with a series of serum samples from experimentally
B. bovis
-infected cattle. Furthermore, a total of 669 field serum samples collected from cattle in regions of
B. bovis
endemicity in seven countries were tested with the ELISAs, and the results were compared to those of an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), as a reference. Among five recombinant antigens, recombinant BbSBP-4 (rBbSBP-4) had the highest concordance rate (85.3%) and kappa value (0.705), indicating its reliability in the detection of specific antibodies to
B. bovis
in cattle, even in different geographical regions. Overall, we have successfully developed an ELISA based on rBbSBP-4 as a new serological antigen for a practical and sensitive test which will be applicable for epidemiologic survey and control programs in the future.
Impact of the Conjugation Method on the Immunogenicity of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Serotype 19F Polysaccharide in Conjugate Vaccines
Authors: Poolman Jan , Frasch Carl , Nurkka Anu , Käyhty Helena , Biemans Ralph , Schuerman Lode
Published: December 2010

7vCRM (Pfizer, Inc.) and PHiD-CV (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals) are two pneumococcal conjugate vaccines licensed for the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease and acute otitis media caused by the vaccine serotypes of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
. Neither vaccine contains serotype 19A, but both contain the closely related serotype 19F. No decrease in the incidence of serotype 19A disease has been observed following the introduction of 7vCRM, suggesting that this serotype 19F-containing vaccine provides limited cross-protection against serotype 19A. To investigate the impact that conjugation methods may have on antipolysaccharide immune responses and to determine whether this limited cross-protection is characteristic of the serotype 19F polysaccharide or rather of the 19F-CRM (cross-reacting material) conjugate, we compared naturally induced antibodies against serotypes 19F and 19A with antibodies induced after vaccination with different pneumococcal conjugate vaccines. We found that conjugation of the serotype 19F polysaccharide using reductive amination (as in 7vCRM) resulted in the formation of at least one additional epitope that is not present in the native form of the 19F polysaccharide or following 19F conjugation using a bifunctional spacer (as in the prototype vaccine 7vOMPC) or cyanylation (as in PHiD-CV). We also found that pneumococcal vaccines conjugated using cyanylation induce more opsonophagocytic antibodies against serotype 19F and a considerably higher level of cross-opsonophagocytic antibodies against serotype 19A than vaccines conjugated using reductive amination. In conclusion, these results suggest that the conjugation method can influence the functionality of the antibodies induced against the homologous serotype 19F and the cross-reactive serotype 19A of
S. pneumoniae
.
Novel Multiplex Real-Time PCR Diagnostic Assay for Identification and Differentiation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium canettii, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Strains
Authors: Reddington Kate , O'Grady Justin , Dorai-Raj Siobhan , Maher Majella , van Soolingen Dick , Barry Thomas
Published: December 2010

Tuberculosis (TB) in humans is caused by members of the
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex (MTC). Rapid detection of the MTC is necessary for the timely initiation of antibiotic treatment, while differentiation between members of the complex may be important to guide the appropriate antibiotic treatment and provide epidemiological information. In this study, a multiplex real-time PCR diagnostics assay using novel molecular targets was designed to identify the MTC while simultaneously differentiating between
M. tuberculosis
and
M. canettii
. The
lepA
gene was targeted for the detection of members of the MTC, the
wbbl1
gene was used for the differentiation of
M. tuberculosis
and
M. canettii
from the remainder of the complex, and a unique region of the
M. canettii
genome, a possible novel region of difference (RD), was targeted for the specific identification of
M. canettii
. The multiplex real-time PCR assay was tested using 125 bacterial strains (64 MTC isolates, 44 nontuberculosis mycobacteria [NTM], and 17 other bacteria). The assay was determined to be 100% specific for the mycobacteria tested. Limits of detection of 2.2, 2.17, and 0.73 cell equivalents were determined for
M. tuberculosis
/
M. canettii
, the MTC, and
M. canettii
, respectively, using probit regression analysis. Further validation of this diagnostics assay, using clinical samples, should demonstrate its potential for the rapid, accurate, and sensitive diagnosis of TB caused by
M. tuberculosis
,
M. canettii
, and the other members of the MTC.
Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay for Detection and Classification of Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase Gene (
bla
KPC
) Variants
Authors: Chen Liang , Mediavilla José R. , Endimiani Andrea , Rosenthal Marnie E. , Zhao Yanan , Bonomo Robert A. , Kreiswirth Barry N.
Published: December 2010

Carbapenem resistance mediated by plasmid-borne
Klebsiella pneumoniae
carbapenemases (KPC) is an emerging problem of significant clinical importance in Gram-negative bacteria. Multiple KPC gene variants (
bla
KPC
) have been reported, with KPC-2 (
bla
KPC-2
) and KPC-3 (
bla
KPC-3
) associated with epidemic outbreaks in New York City and various international settings. Here, we describe the development of a multiplex real-time PCR assay using molecular beacons (MB-PCR) for rapid and accurate identification of
bla
KPC
variants. The assay consists of six molecular beacons and two oligonucleotide primer pairs, allowing for detection and classification of all currently described
bla
KPC
variants (
bla
KPC-2
to
bla
KPC-11
). The MB-PCR detection limit was 5 to 40 DNA copies per reaction and 4 CFU per reaction using laboratory-prepared samples. The MB-PCR probes were highly specific for each
bla
KPC
variant, and cross-reactivity was not observed using DNA isolated from several bacterial species. A total of 457 clinical Gram-negative isolates were successfully characterized by our MB-PCR assay, with
bla
KPC-3
and
bla
KPC-2
identified as the most common types in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan region. The MB-PCR assay described herein is rapid, sensitive, and specific and should be useful for understanding the ongoing evolution of carbapenem resistance in Gram-negative bacteria. As novel
bla
KPC
variants continue to emerge, the MB-PCR assay can be modified in response to epidemiologic developments.
Evaluation of CLSI Agar Dilution Method and Trek Sensititre Broth Microdilution Panel for Determining Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Zhang Sean X. , Rawte Prasad , Brown Shirley , Lo Steven , Siebert Heather , Pong-Porter Sylvia , Low Donald E. , Jamieson Frances B.
Published: December 2010

Both the CLSI agar dilution method and Trek Sensititre broth microdilution panel for
Streptococcus pneumoniae
antimicrobial susceptibility testing were evaluated against the reference CLSI broth microdilution method using the most recently published CLSI breakpoints. While agar dilution was not an optimal method, the commercial panel appeared to be an acceptable method, with minor errors encountered for ceftriaxone, penicillin, and meropenem.
Pneumococcal Serotypes Causing Pneumonia with Pleural Effusion in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Yu Jigui , Salamon Douglas , Marcon Mario , Nahm Moon H.
Published: December 2010

To determine the prevalence of serotypes of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
responsible for pneumonia with pleural effusion, we determined the capsular polysaccharide (PS) type directly on 49 pleural fluid specimens collected from pediatric patients during 2007 to 2009 with laboratory-confirmed pneumococcal pneumonia by using monoclonal antibodies and a multiplex, bead array immunoassay. Because the fluids had to be heated to remove nonspecific reactivity before being tested in the immunoassay and type 19A PS is heat labile, the pleural fluid samples were also tested for serotype 19A capsule gene locus by PCR. Use of the multiplex immunoassay combined with type-specific 19A PCR allowed for serotype determination on 40 of 49 pleural fluids. Pneumococcal pneumonia with pleural effusion was associated with a limited number of serotypes, with types 1, 3, 7F/A, and 19A accounting for 75% of the typeable cases. The concentration of capsular PS in the pleural fluids was often greater than 1 μg/ml and sufficient to inhibit the opsonic capacity of sera from individuals who had received the 23-valent pneumococcal PS vaccine. Based on the serotypes observed before and after introduction of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, the recently licensed 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine may reduce the incidence of pneumonia with pleural effusions.
Rapid PCR Detection of Staphylococcus aureus Clonal Complex 398 by Targeting the Restriction-Modification System Carrying
sau1-hsdS1
Authors: Stegger Marc , Lindsay Jodi A. , Moodley Arshnee , Skov Robert , Broens Els M. , Guardabassi Luca
Published: December 2010

A PCR targeting
sau1-hsdS1
was developed for rapid detection of
Staphylococcus aureus
clonal complex 398 (CC398). High sensitivity (100%) and specificity (100%) were shown by evaluating the test on a large strain collection (
n
= 1,307). We recommend this test for accurate, rapid, and inexpensive diagnosis of methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA) CC398 in hospitals and on farms.
Strain-Specific Barriers against Bovine Prions in Hamsters
Authors: Nicot Simon , Baron Thierry
Published: December 2010

We investigated the susceptibilities of Syrian golden hamsters to transmissible spongiform encephalopathy agents from cattle. We report efficient transmission of the L-type atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) agent into hamsters. Importantly, hamsters were also susceptible to the transmissible mink encephalopathy agent from cattle, which has molecular features similar to those of the L-type BSE agent, as also shown in bovinized transgenic mice. In sharp contrast, hamsters could not be infected with classical or H-type BSE agents from cattle. However, previous adaptation of the classical BSE agent in wild-type mice led to efficient transmission. Thus, this study demonstrates the existence of distinct “strain barriers” upon the transmission of bovine prions in hamsters.
Human IgG Subclasses:In VitroNeutralization of andIn VivoProtection against West Nile Virus
Authors: Hofmeister Yvonne , Planitzer Christina B. , Farcet Maria R. , Teschner Wolfgang , Butterweck H. Arno , Weber Alfred , Holzer Georg W. , Kreil Thomas R.
Published: December 2010

West Nile virus (WNV)-neutralizing intravenous immune globulins (IVIG) were fractionated into IgG subclasses, and the contribution of each subclass toin vitroneutralization of andin vivoprotection against WNV was evaluated. The results indicate that IgG1 (i) is the main subclass induced following WNV infection of humans, (ii) contained nearly all thein vitroWNV neutralization capacity, and (iii) mediates effector functionsin vivothat render it superior to other subclasses in protection against WNV. The importance of human IgG1 indicates that a candidate WNV vaccine should induce an immune response that includes WNV-specific IgG1.
Pathogenesis and Transmission of Triple-Reassortant Swine H1N1 Influenza Viruses Isolated before the 2009 H1N1 Pandemic
Authors: Belser Jessica A. , Gustin Kortney M. , Maines Taronna R. , Blau Dianna M. , Zaki Sherif R. , Katz Jacqueline M. , Tumpey Terrence M.
Published: December 2010

The 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza virus represents the greatest incidence of human infection with an influenza virus of swine origin to date. Moreover, triple-reassortant swine (TRS) H1N1 viruses, which share similar host and lineage origins with 2009 H1N1 viruses, have been responsible for sporadic human cases since 2005. Similar to 2009 H1N1 viruses, TRS viruses are capable of causing severe disease in previously healthy individuals and frequently manifest with gastrointestinal symptoms; however, their ability to cause severe disease has not been extensively studied. Here, we evaluated the pathogenicity and transmissibility of two TRS viruses associated with disease in humans in the ferret model. TRS and 2009 H1N1 viruses exhibited comparable viral titers and histopathologies following virus infection and were similarly unable to transmit efficiently via respiratory droplets in the ferret model. Utilizing TRS and 2009 H1N1 viruses, we conducted extensive hematologic and blood serum analyses on infected ferrets to identify lymphohematopoietic parameters associated with mild to severe influenza virus infection. Following H1N1 or H5N1 influenza virus infection, ferrets were found to recapitulate several laboratory abnormalities previously documented with human disease, furthering the utility of the ferret model for the assessment of influenza virus pathogenicity.
Post-traumatic stress in Crohn's disease and its association with disease activity
Authors: Cámara Rafael J A , Gander Marie-Louise , Begré Stefan , von Känel Roland ,   Swiss Inflammatory Bowel Disease Cohort Study Group
Published: December 2010

Objective

Violence, accidents and natural disasters are known to cause post-traumatic stress, which is typically accompanied by fear, suffering and impaired quality of life. Similar to chronic diseases, such events preoccupy the patient over longer periods. We hypothesised that post-traumatic stress could also be caused by Crohn's disease (CD), and that CD specific post-traumatic stress could be associated with an increased risk of disease exacerbation.

Methods

A cohort of CD patients was observed over 18 months in various types of locations providing gastroenterological treatment in Switzerland. The cohort included 597 consecutively recruited adults. At inclusion, CD specific post-traumatic stress was assessed using the Post-traumatic Diagnostic Scale (range 0–51 points). During follow-up, clinical aggravation was assessed by combining important outcome measures. Patients with post-traumatic stress levels suggestive of a post-traumatic stress disorder (≥ 15 points) were compared with patients with lower post-traumatic stress levels as well as with patients without post-traumatic stress. Also, the continuous relation between post-traumatic stress severity and risk of disease exacerbation was assessed.

Results

The 88 (19.1%) patients scoring ≥15 points had 4.3 times higher odds of exacerbation (95% CI 2.6 to 7.2) than the 372 (80.9%) patients scoring <15 points, and 13.0 times higher odds (95% CI 3.6 to 46.2) than the 45 (9.8%) patients scoring 0 points. The odds of exacerbation increased by 2.2 (95% CI 1.6 to 2.8) per standard deviation of post-traumatic stress.

Conclusions

CD specific post-traumatic stress is frequent and seems to be associated with exacerbation of CD. Thus gastroenterologists may want to ask about symptoms of post-traumatic stress and, where relevant, offer appropriate management according to current knowledge.
DYNAMIC POTENTIAL WELL GENERATION AND CONTROL USING DOUBLE RESONATORS INCORPORATING AN ADD/DROP FILTER
Authors: PIYATAMRONG B. , KULSIRIRAT K. , TECHITDHEERA W. , MITATHA S. , YUPAPIN P. P.
Published: December 2010

We propose a novel system of the dynamic potential well generation and control using light pulse control within an add/drop optical filter. The multiplexing signals of the dark solition with bright/Gaussian pulses are controlled, tuned and amplified within the system. The optical storage rings are embedded within the add/drop optical filter system, whereas the generated optical signals can be stored and amplified within the design system. In application, the storage signals can be configured to be an optical trapping tool which is known as optical tweezers, where the high field peak or well can be formed. The advantages are that the dynamic well can be stored and the array of well can be generated for multiple well applications. The difference in time of the first two dynamic wells of 1 ns is noted.
A COMBINED PCA–ICA STATISTICAL APPROACH AND QUADRATIC SPLINE WAVELETS FOR DETECTION OF R-PEAKS AND HEART RATE ESTIMATIONS IN ELECTROCARDIOGRAMS
Authors: CHAWLA MANENDRAPAL SINGH
Published: December 2010

The need for the possible improvements in the proposed algorithm is felt toward more effective filtering in the principal component analysis (PCA) preprocessing stage itself, as well for better variance threshold adjustment. Using composite wavelet transform (WT)-based PCA–ICA methods helps for redundant data reduction as well for better feature extraction. This article discusses some of the conditions of ICA that could affect the reliability of the separation and evaluation of issues related to the properties of the signals and number of sources. In this analysis, a new statistical algorithm is proposed, based on the use of combined PCA–ICA for the three correlated channels of 12-channel electrocardiographic (ECG) data. This study also deals with the detection of QRS complexes in electrocardiograms using combined PCA–ICA algorithm.

The efficacy of the combined PCA–ICA algorithm lies in the fact that the location of the R-peaks is accurately determined, and none of the peaks are ignored or missed, as quadratic spline wavelet is also used. With (WT)-based methods, PCA and ICA are used not only for preprocessing, but may also be used for postprocessing based on the requirements, whether ICA is used first then PCA or vice versa.
The Disaggregation of Within-Person and Between-Person Effects in Longitudinal Models of Change
Authors: Curran Patrick J. , Bauer Daniel J.
Published: December 2010

Longitudinal models are becoming increasingly prevalent in the behavioral sciences, with key advantages including increased power, more comprehensive measurement, and establishment of temporal precedence. One particularly salient strength offered by longitudinal data is the ability to disaggregate between-person and within-person effects in the regression of an outcome on a time-varying covariate. However, the ability to disaggregate these effects has not been fully capitalized upon in many social science research applications. Two likely reasons for this omission are the general lack of discussion of disaggregating effects in the substantive literature and the need to overcome several remaining analytic challenges that limit existing quantitative methods used to isolate these effects in practice. This review explores both substantive and quantitative issues related to the disaggregation of effects over time, with a particular emphasis placed on the multilevel model. Existing analytic methods are reviewed, a general approach to the problem is proposed, and both the existing and proposed methods are demonstrated using several artificial data sets. Potential limitations and directions for future research are discussed, and recommendations for the disaggregation of effects in practice are offered.
Delusional Belief
Authors: Coltheart Max , Langdon Robyn , McKay Ryan
Published: December 2010

Delusional beliefs are seen in association with a number of neuropathological conditions, including schizophrenia, dementia, and traumatic brain injury. A key distinction exists between polythematic delusion (here the patient exhibits delusional beliefs about a variety of topics that are unrelated to each other) and monothematic delusion (here the patient exhibits just a single delusional belief or else a small set of delusional beliefs that are all related to a single theme). A great deal of recent research has focused on identifying and investigating various different forms of monothematic delusion. We discuss a general theoretical approach to the understanding of monothematic delusions—a two-factor approach according to which understanding the nature and genesis of any kind of monothematic delusion involves seeking answers to two questions. The first question is, what brought the delusional idea to mind in the first place? The second question is, why is this idea accepted as true and adopted as a belief when the belief is typically bizarre and when so much evidence against its truth is available to the patient? We discuss in detail six different kinds of monothematic delusion, showing for each how neuropsychological considerations allow a first factor (responsible for the content of the belief) and a second factor (responsible for the failure to reject the belief) to be plausibly identified. Five difficulties confronting this two-factor account of monothematic delusion are then identified, and attempts are made to address each one.
The Neuroscience of Social Decision-Making
Authors: Rilling James K. , Sanfey Alan G.
Published: December 2010

Given that we live in highly complex social environments, many of our most important decisions are made in the context of social interactions. Simple but sophisticated tasks from a branch of experimental economics known as game theory have been used to study social decision-making in the laboratory setting, and a variety of neuroscience methods have been used to probe the underlying neural systems. This approach is informing our knowledge of the neural mechanisms that support decisions about trust, reciprocity, altruism, fairness, revenge, social punishment, social norm conformity, social learning, and competition. Neural systems involved in reward and reinforcement, pain and punishment, mentalizing, delaying gratification, and emotion regulation are commonly recruited for social decisions. This review also highlights the role of the prefrontal cortex in prudent social decision-making, at least when social environments are relatively stable. In addition, recent progress has been made in understanding the neural bases of individual variation in social decision-making.
The Development of Autobiographical Memory
Authors: Fivush Robyn
Published: December 2010

Autobiographical memory is a uniquely human system that integrates memories of past experiences into an overarching life narrative. In this review, I extend social-cultural models of autobiographical memory development and present theory and research that demonstrates that (a) autobiographical memory is a gradually developing system across childhood and adolescence that depends on the development of a sense of subjective self as continuous in time; (b) autobiographical memory develops within specific social and cultural contexts that relate to individual, gendered, and cultural differences in adults' autobiographical memories, and, more specifically, (c) mothers who reminisce with their young children in elaborated and evaluative ways have children who develop more detailed, coherent, and evaluative autobiographical memories.
Sex differences in vasopressin V2receptor expression and vasopressin-induced antidiuresis
Authors: Liu Jun , Sharma Nikhil , Zheng Wei , Ji Hong , Tam Helen , Wu Xie , Manigrasso Michaele B. , Sandberg Kathryn , Verbalis Joseph G.
Published: December 2010

The renal vasopressin V2receptor (V2R) plays a critical role in physiological and pathophysiological processes associated with arginine vasopressin (AVP)-induced antidiuresis. Because clinical data suggests that females may be more prone to hyponatremia from AVP-mediated antidiuresis, we investigated whether there are sex differences in the expression and function of the renal V2R. In normal Sprague-Dawley rat kidneys, V2R mRNA and protein expression was 2.6- and 1.7-fold higher, respectively, in females compared with males. To investigate the potential physiological implications of this sex difference, we studied changes in urine osmolality induced by the AVP V2R agonist desmopressin. In response to different doses of desmopressin, there was a graded increase in urine osmolality and decrease in urine volume during a 24-h infusion. Females showed greater mean increases in urine osmolality and greater mean decreases in urine volume at 0.5 and 5.0 ng/h infusion rates. We also studied renal escape from antidiuresis produced by water loading in rats infused with desmopressin (5.0 ng/h). After 5 days of water loading, urine osmolality of both female and male rats escaped to the same degree physiologically, but V2R mRNA and protein in female kidneys was reduced to a greater degree (−63% and −73%, respectively) than in males (−32% and −48%, respectively). By the end of the 5-day escape period, renal V2R mRNA and protein expression were reduced to the same relative levels in males and females, thereby abolishing the sex differences in V2R expression seen in the basal state. Our results demonstrate that female rats express significantly more V2R mRNA and protein in kidneys than males, and that this results physiologically in a greater sensitivity to V2R agonist administration. The potential pathophysiological implications of these results are that females may be more susceptible to the development of dilutional hyponatremia because of a greater sensitivity to endogenously secreted AVP.
Oxygen regulation of the epithelial Na channel in the collecting duct
Authors: Husted Russell F. , Lu Hongyan , Sigmund Rita D. , Stokes John B.
Published: December 2010

The Po2 within the kidney changes dramatically from cortex to medulla. The present experiments examined the effect of changing Po2 on epithelial Na channel (ENaC)-mediated Na transport in the collecting duct using the mpkCCD-c14 cell line. Decreasing ambient O2 concentration from 20 to 8% decreased ENaC activity by 40%; increasing O2 content to 40% increased ENaC activity by 50%. The O2 effect required several hours to develop and was not mimicked by the acid pH that developed in monolayers incubated in low-O2 medium. Corticosteroids increased ENaC activity at each O2 concentration; there was no interaction. The pathways for O2 and steroid regulation of ENaC are different since O2 did not substantially affect Sgk1, α-ENaC, Gilz, or Usp2–45 mRNA levels, genes involved in steroid-mediated ENaC regulation. The regulation of ENaC activity by these levels of O2 appears not to be mediated by changes in hypoxia-inducible factor-1α or -2α activity or a change in AMP kinase activity. Changes in O2 concentration had minimal effect on α- or γ-ENaC mRNA and protein levels; there were moderate effects on β-ENaC levels. However, 40% O2 induced substantially greater total β- and γ-ENaC on the apical surface compared with 8% O2; both subunits demonstrated a greater increase in the mature forms. The α-ENaC subunit was difficult to detect on the apical surface, perhaps because our antibodies do not recognize the major mature form. These results identify a mechanism of ENaC regulation that may be important in different regions of the kidney and in responses to changes in dietary NaCl.
Evidence for net renal tubule oxalate secretion in patients with calcium kidney stones
Authors: Bergsland Kristin J. , Zisman Anna L. , Asplin John R. , Worcester Elaine M. , Coe Fredric L.
Published: December 2010

Little is known about the renal handling of oxalate in patients with idiopathic hypercalciuria (IH). To explore the role of tubular oxalate handling in IH and to evaluate whether differences exist between IH and normal controls, we studied 19 IH subjects, 8 normal subjects, and 2 bariatric stone formers (BSF) during a 1-day General Clinical Research Center protocol utilizing a low-oxalate diet. Urine and blood samples were collected at 30- to 60-min intervals while subjects were fasting and after they ate three meals providing known amounts of calcium, phosphorus, sodium, protein, oxalate, and calories. Plasma oxalate concentrations and oxalate-filtered loads were similar between patients (includes IH and BSF) and controls in both the fasting and fed states. Urinary oxalate excretion was significantly higher in patients vs. controls regardless of feeding state. Fractional excretion of oxalate (FEOx) was >1, suggesting tubular secretion of oxalate, in 6 of 19 IH and both BSF, compared with none of the controls ( P < 0.00001). Adjusted for water extraction along the nephron, urine oxalate rose more rapidly among patients than normal subjects with increases in plasma oxalate. Our findings identify tubular secretion of oxalate as a key mediator of hyperoxaluria in calcium stone formers, potentially as a means of maintaining plasma oxalate in a tight range.
In vivo visualization of single-unit recording sites using MRI-detectable elgiloy deposit marking
Authors: Koyano Kenji W. , Machino Akinori , Takeda Masaki , Matsui Teppei , Fujimichi Ryoko , Ohashi Yohei , Miyashita Yasushi
Published: December 2010

Precise localization of single-neuron activity has elucidated functional architectures of the primate cerebral cortex, related to vertically stacked layers and horizontally aligned columns. The traditional “gold standard” method for localizing recorded neuron is histological examination of electrolytic lesion marks at recording sites. Although this method can localize recorded neurons with fine neuroanatomy, the necessity for postmortem analysis prohibits its use in long-term chronic experiments. To localize recorded single-neuron positions in vivo, we introduced MRI-detectable elgiloy deposit marks, which can be created by electrolysis of an elgiloy microelectrode tip and visualized on highly contrasted magnetic resonance (MR) images. Histological analysis validated that the deposit mark centers could be localized relative to neuroanatomy in vivo with single-voxel accuracy, at an in-plane resolution of 200 μm. To demonstrate practical applications of the technique, we recorded single-neuron activity from a monkey performing a cognitive task and localized it in vivo using deposit marks (deposition: 2 μA for 3 min; scanning: fast-spin-echo sequence with 0.15 × 0.15 × 0.8 mm3 resolution, 120/4,500 ms of echo-time/repetition-time and 8 echo-train-length), as is usually performed with conventional postmortem methods using electrolytic lesion marks. Two localization procedures were demonstrated: 1) deposit marks within a microelectrode track were used to reconstruct a dozen recorded neuron positions along the track directly on MR images; 2) combination with X-ray imaging allowed estimation of hundreds of neuron positions on MR images. This new in vivo method is feasible for chronic experiments with nonhuman primates, enabling analysis of the functional architecture of the cerebral cortex underlying cognitive processes.
On an Integral‐Type Operator from Zygmund‐Type Spaces to Mixed‐Norm Spaces on the Unit Ball
Authors: Stević Stevo
Published: December 2010

The boundedness and compactness of an integral‐type operator recently introduced by the author from Zygmund‐type spaces to the mixed‐norm space on the unit ball are characterized here.
Survey of the Aphid Parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) of Costa Rica with Information on Their Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea): Plant Associations
Authors: Zamora Mejías Daniel , Hanson Paul E. , Starý Petr
Published: December 2010

Species of Aphidiinae (Braconidae) have never been surveyed in Central America. Here we present the results of an initial inventory of the aphidiine species of Costa Rica and record the presence of ten species (four undetermined), in six genera. The material was obtained by rearing aphids from both crop and noncrop plants throughout the country. In total 2832 aphidiine specimens were reared from 24 species of aphids.Aphidius colemaniandLysiphlebus testaceipes, which are probably not native to Costa Rica, accounted for nearly 90% of all the specimens. Many of the other aphidiines are also probably exotic species, as are most of their host aphids.
Modified PSO Method for Robust Control of 3RPS Parallel Manipulators
Authors: Zhan Tung-Sheng , Kao Chih-Cheng
Published: December 2010

We propose an effective method to design a modified particle swarm optimization (MPSO) singularity control method for a fully parallel robot manipulator. By adopting MPSO to obtain simple and effective estimated damping values, the result automatically adjusts the damping value around a singular point and greatly improves the accuracy of system responses. This method works by damping accelerations of the end effector, so that accelerations along the degenerated directions are zero at a singular point. These velocities, however, may not be zero in some situations, in which case, fluctuations will be encountered around a singular point. To overcome this drawback, we propose a control scheme that uses both damped acceleration and damped velocity, called the hybrid damped resolved‐acceleration control (HDRAC) scheme. The MPSO optimization method can immediately provide optimal damping factors when used in an online application. Our proposed approach offers such superior features as easy implementation, stable convergence characteristics, and good computational efficiency. The main advantage of the HDRAC with MPSO in the 3RPS parallel manipulator control system is that it is not necessary for the system to plan its path for avoiding the singular point; thus, the workspace can be improved. Illustrative examples are provided to show the effectiveness of this HDRAC in practical applications, and experimental results verifying the utility of the proposed control scheme are presented.
A Facile Method for the Synthesis of Oxoketene-N,S- and -N,N-acetals from Reactions of Amino Compounds
Authors: Mathews Annie , Anabha E. R. , Sholly C. G.
Published: November 2010

2-Aroyl-3,3-bis(alkylsulfanyl)acrylaldehydes reacted with various primary amines, namely, o-phenylenediamine, ethylenediamine, and anilines to produce functionalized oxoketene-N,S-acetals and N,N-acetals in good yields. Imidazolo derivatives synthesized with o-phenylenediamine and ethylenediamine containing a formyl group could act as valuable starting materials for a variety of substituted heterocyclic compounds.