julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Spectral analyses of DO white dwarfs and PG 1159 stars from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey
2005-09-30

We present a model atmosphere analysis of ten new DO white dwarfs and five new PG1159 stars discovered in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey DR star 1, DR2 and DR3. This is a significant increase in the number of known DOs and PG1159 stars. DO white dwarfs are situated on the white dwarf cooling sequence from the upper hot end (T-eff approximate to 120 000 K) down to the DB gap (T-eff approximate to 45 000 K). PG1159 stars on the other hand feature effective temperatures which exceed T-eff = 65 000 K with an upper limit of T-eff = 200 000 K and are the proposed precursors of DO white dwarfs. Improved statistics are necessary to investigate the evolutionary link between these two types of stars. From optical SDSS spectra effective temperatures, surface gravities and element abundances are determined by means of non-LTE model atmospheres.
Energy and Morse index of solutions of Yamabe type problems on thin annuli
2005-09-30

In this paper we consider the following Yamabe type family of problem (P_\\varepsilon) : \\quad -\\Delta u_\\varepsilon = u_\\varepsilon ^{\\frac{n+2}{n-2}}, \\, \\, u_\\varepsilon &gt; 0 in A_\\varepsilon , u_\\varepsilon =0 on \\partial A_\\varepsilon , where A_\\varepsilon is an annulus-shaped domain of \\mathbb R^n , n\\geq 3 , which becomes thinner when \\varepsilon\\to 0 . We show that for every solution u_\\varepsilon , the energy \\int_{A_\\varepsilon} \\, |\\nabla u_\\varepsilon|^2 , as well as the Morse index tends to infinity as \\varepsilon\\to 0 . Such a result is proved through a fine blow-up analysis of some appropriate scalings of solutions whose limiting profiles are regular as well as singular solutions of some elliptic problem on \\mathbb R^n , a half space or an infinite strip. Our argument involves also a Liouville-type theorem for regular solutions on the infinite strip.
Neutrinoless doubleβ-decay and neutrino mass hierarchies
2005-09-30

In the framework of the see-saw mechanism the normal hierarchy is favorable for the neutrino mass spectrum. For this spectrum we present a detailed calculation of the half-lives of neutrinoless double beta decay for several nuclei of experimental interest. The half-lives are evaluated by considering the most comprehensive nuclear matrix elements, which were obtained within the renormalized QRPA by the Bratislava-Caltech-Tuebingen group. The dependence of the half-lives on sin^2 theta_{13}$ and the lightest neutrino mass is studied. We present also the results of the calculations of the half-lives of neutrinoless double beta decay in the case of the inverted hierarchy of neutrino masses.
PIONIC ATOMS PROBING πNN RESONANCES
2005-09-30

The pion optical potential generated by the hypothetical πNN-coupled NN-decoupled dibaryon resonance d′(2065) is calculated to the lowest order in nuclear matter density. The contribution to the pion optical potential is found to be within the empirical errors, so the d′(2065) existence currently does not contradict to the observed properties of the π - -nucleus bound states. Future progress in the pionic X-ray spectroscopy can reveal contributions of πNN resonances to energy levels and widths of the pionic atoms.
Design and Analysis of Infectious Disease Studies
2005-09-30

This workshop gathered 44 participants from 19 countries and represented a correspondingly multifaceted program concerning various diseases, public health issues and methodological innovations. The presentations and discussions highlighted again the crucial role that mathematical models and statistical analyses play in understanding the transmission of infectious diseases and in the development of strategies for their control. Mathematical transmission models and analyses are needed to assess potential control strategies (including determination of optimal strategies), to develop statistical analyses that allow for the dependence in data generated by transmission of infection and to keep track of aspects of the infection dynamics that one cannot observe in practice. Modeling approaches, data analyses and parameter inferences were applied to diseases like malaria, yellow fever, pneumococcal and meningococcal infections, hepatitis C and smallpox. Due to their current relevance, emerging infectious diseases and SARS attracted special attention and generated much discussion. These were complemented by talks on the public health issues of bioterrorism and interventions like vaccination and contact tracing and general aspects of control and eradicability of infections. While the research focus is motivated by real world applications, the need to accommodate complex population structures makes this area one requiring diverse and innovative mathematics and statistics. For example, the models draw on differential calculus, graph theory and multi-type stochastic processes with novel specifications of 'type'. The statistical analyses based on such models often require modern computer intensive methods with novel features, such as the use of random graphs for the transmission chains as latent variables. Furthermore, the methodological spectrum in this workshop comprised Bayesian approaches, computer simulations and the modelling of spatial structures and households. An evening discussion session on reproduction numbers focussed on the problems of its applicability, in particular with respect to infections in which density-dependent processes operate. The variety of topics made it necessary to organize a session for short talks and an evening with presentations where speakers presented current work on their individual laptops. This provided a very stimulating platform for collaborations and discussions because lecturers could interactively present the work on his/her specific computer environment to a specifically interested audience. This mode of presentation, which turned out to be a novelty at the Oberwolfach institute, could represent an appropriate alternative to poster presentations in future workshops. The workshop closed with a discussion session about future activities and open problems. On Thursday evening after a first class concert with piano recitals of Bach, Mozart and Chopin and Lieder of Schubert and Schumann an old Oberwolfach tradition was revived when participants from nearly all represented countries contributed to a most enjoyable variety program of poems and songs.
Fe(III) mineral formation and cell encrustation by the nitrate‐dependent Fe(II)‐oxidizer strain BoFeN1
2005-10-01

ABSTRACT Understanding the mechanisms of anaerobic microbial iron cycling is necessary for a full appreciation of present‐day biogeochemical cycling of iron and carbon and for drawing conclusions about these cycles on the ancient Earth. Towards that end, we isolated and characterized an anaerobic nitrate‐dependent Fe(II)‐oxidizing bacterium from a freshwater sediment. The 16SrRNA gene sequence of the isolated bacterium (strain BoFeN1) places it within the β‐Proteobacteria, with Acidovorax sp. strain G8B1 as the closest known relative. During mixotrophic growth with acetate plus Fe(II) and nitrate as electron acceptor, strain BoFeN1 forms Fe(III) mineral crusts around the cells. The amount of the organic cosubstrate acetate present seems to control the rate and extent of Fe(II) oxidation and the viability of the cells. The crystallinity of the mineral products is influenced by nucleation by Fe minerals that are already present in the inoculum.
Development of a DNA Microarray for Detection and Identification of Fungal Pathogens Involved in Invasive Mycoses
2005-10-01

ABSTRACT Invasive fungal infections have emerged as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Conventional identification of pathogenic fungi in clinical microbiology laboratories is time-consuming and, therefore, often imperfect for the early initiation of an adequate antifungal therapy. We developed a diagnostic microarray for the rapid and simultaneous identification of the 12 most common pathogenic Candida and Aspergillus species. Oligonucleotide probes were designed by exploiting the sequence variations of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the rRNA gene cassette to identify Candida albicans , Candida dubliniensis , Candida krusei , Candida glabrata , Candida tropicalis , Candida parapsilosis , Candida guilliermondii , Candida lusitaniae , Aspergillus fumigatus , Aspergillus flavus , Aspergillus niger , and Aspergillus terreus . By using universal fungal primers (ITS1 and ITS4) directed toward conserved regions of the 18S and 28S rRNA genes, respectively, the fungal ITS target regions could be simultaneously amplified and fluorescently labeled. To establish the system, 12 precharacterized fungal strains were analyzed; and the method was validated by using 21 clinical isolates as blinded samples. As the microarray was able to detect and clearly identify the fungal pathogens within 4 h after DNA extraction, this system offers an interesting potential for clinical microbiology laboratories.
Delineation of Patterns of Bone Marrow Mast Cell Infiltration in Systemic Mastocytosis
2005-10-01

In most cases, the diagnosis of systemic mastocytosis (SM) is based on histomorphologic evaluation of the bone marrow. We analyzed mast cell (MC) infiltration patterns in 57 cases of SM and 31 cases of mast cell hyperplasia (MCH). Tryptase immunohistochemical analysis was used for MC detection and CD25 to distinguish neoplastic from normal MCs. The following infiltration patterns were found: I, diffuse interstitial; II, focal, dense; III, focal, dense with an additional diffuse component, located preferentially around focal infiltrates; IV, focal, dense with an additional diffuse component evenly distributed throughout; and V, diffuse, dense. In 29 cases of MCH, MCs formed the type I pattern. The majority of SM cases exhibited patterns II to V; type IV was the most frequent (n = 36). Type V was seen in 3 cases of MC leukemia and 1 case of smoldering SM. In 1 case of SM, type I infiltration was found; the SM diagnosis was based on 3 minor SM criteria. Our data show that the infiltration pattern in SM correlates with the disease subtype and should be recognized as an important aspect in the histomorphologic evaluation of the bone marrow.
Central Nervous System Injury–Induced Repulsive Guidance Molecule Expression in the Adult Human Brain
2005-10-01

This is the first study of RGM in the human central nervous system. Following central nervous system injury, RGM, a novel, potent axonal growth inhibitor, is present in axonal growth impediments: the mature myelin, choroid plexus, and components of the developing scar.
The Association between Plasma Adiponectin and Insulin Sensitivity in Humans Depends on Obesity
2005-10-01

Abstract Objective : In humans, low plasma adiponectin concentrations precede a decrease in insulin sensitivity and predict type 2 diabetes independently of obesity. However, it is possible that the contribution of adiponectin to insulin sensitivity is not equally strong over the whole range of obesity. Research Methods and Procedures : We investigated the cross‐sectional association between plasma adiponectin levels and insulin sensitivity in different ranges of body fat content [expressed as percentage of body fat (PFAT)] in a large cohort of normal glucose‐tolerant subjects ( n = 900). All individuals underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and 299 subjects additionally a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp. In longitudinal analyses, the association of adiponectin at baseline with change in insulin sensitivity was investigated in a subgroup of 108 subjects. Results : In cross‐sectional analyses, the association between plasma adiponectin and insulin sensitivity, adjusted for age, gender, and PFAT, depended on whether subjects were lean or obese [ p for interaction adiponectin × PFAT = &lt;0.001 (OGTT) and 0.002 (clamp)]. Stratified by quartiles of PFAT, adiponectin did not correlate significantly with insulin sensitivity in subjects in the lowest PFAT quartile ( R 2 = 0.10, p = 0.13, OGTT; and R 2 = 0.10, p = 0.57, clamp), whereas the association in the upper PFAT quartile was rather strong ( R 2 = 0.36, p &lt; 0.0001, OGTT; and R 2 = 0.48, p = 0.003, clamp). In longitudinal analyses, plasma adiponectin at baseline preceded change in insulin sensitivity in obese ( n = 54, p = 0.03) but not in lean ( n = 54, p = 0.68) individuals. Discussion : These data suggest that adiponectin is especially critical in sustaining insulin sensitivity in obese subjects. Thus, interventions to reduce insulin resistance by increasing adiponectin concentrations may be effective particularly in obese, insulin‐resistant individuals.
Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7 (SCA7): First Report of a Systematic Neuropathological Study of the Brain of a Patient with a Very Short Expanded CAG‐Repeat
2005-10-01

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (ScA7) represents a very rare and severe autosomal dominantly inherited cerebellar ataxia (AdCA). It belongs to the group of CAG‐repeat or polyglutamine diseases with its underlying molecular genetical defect on chromosome 3p12‐p21.1. Here, we performed a systematic study of the neuropathology on unconventional thick serial sections of the first available brain tissue of a genetically confirmed late‐onset SCA7 patient with a very short CAG‐repeat expansion. Along with myelin pallor of a variety of central nervous fiber tracts, we observed i ) neurodegeneration in select areas of the cerebral cortex, and ii ) widespread nerve cell loss in the cerebellum, thalamus, nuclei of the basal ganglia, and brainstem. In addition, upon immunocytochemical analysis using the anti‐polyglutamine antibody 1C2, immunopositive neuronal intranuclear inclusions bodies (NI) were observed in all cerebellar regions, in all parts of the cerebral cortex, and in telencephalic and brainstem nuclei, irrespective of whether they underwent neurodegeneration. These novel findings provide explanations for a variety of clinical symptoms and paraclinical findings of both our and other SCA7 patients. Finally, our immunocytochemical analysis confirms previous studies which described the presence of NI in obviously degenerated brain and retinal regions as well as in apparently well‐preserved brain regions and retina of SCA7 patients.
Ankylosing spondylitis. Therapy and complications of 34 spine fractures
2005-10-01

Background Spine fractures in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are extremely unstable and associated with a high complication rate. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the therapy and complications of these fractures in AS for a better understanding and management. Patients and methods A total of 32 patients with 34 traumatic spine fractures were treated from 1981 to 2002. Cause of trauma, fracture site, and neurological examination were assessed. Analyses of the management of the treatment and complications were performed. Results Banal traumas resulted mostly in spinal fractures at the C 5/6 and C 6/7 level. Two patients were treated conservatively, while the others were stabilized operatively. Before therapy was undertaken, six patients suffered from a cervical radiculopathy, ten patients had an incomplete and two a complete paraplegia. After therapy, neurological status improved in eight patients, but one had a deterioration of neurological symptoms. Conclusions Dorsal or combined dorsoventral stabilization of these fractures is necessary for better mobilization of these patients and to avoid further complications.
Lung function in military oxygen divers: a longitudinal study.
2005-10-01

It is increasingly recognized that professional diving may elicit adverse long-term effects on the lungs, but conflicting results have been reported from distinct diving cohorts. This study reports the longitudinal change in lung function in professional divers who employ closed-circuit oxygen rebreathing apparatuses. All oxygen divers who attended the German Naval Medical Institute between 1994 and 1999 for regular medicals underwent spirometry and were entered if they had at least two follow-up examinations. Forced expiratory flows and volumes at baseline and at maximum follow up were compared. There were 39 divers who presented at least 3 times during a median period of 5.8 (2.7-8) yr. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) amounted to 4.86 +/- 0.62 L and 5.89 +/- 0.67 L at baseline, and 4.83 +/- 0.64 L and 5.87 +/- 0.69 L at maximum follow up, respectively. The change over time was statistically not significant. Substantial exposure to elevated oxygen partial pressure while diving is not associated with an accelerated decline in lung function. Factors other than hyperoxia (e.g., venous gas microemboli and altered breathing gas characteristics) may account for the long-term effects that have been found in professional divers.
GENDER AND SOCIALLY DESIRABLE RESPONDING AS MODERATORS OF THE CORRELATION BETWEEN IMPLICIT AND EXPLICIT SELF-ESTEEM
2005-10-01

Pelham, Koole, Hardin, Hetts, Seah, and DeHart (2005) found that implicit and explicit selfesteem correlated more strongly among women than men. The goal of this study was to replicate this finding and test whether it was due to gender differences in socially desirable responding (SDR). Ninety-nine German students completed measures of implicit self-esteem (Implicit Association Test and name-letter technique), explicit self-esteem, and SDR. Contrary to the Pelham et al. study, the implicit-explicit correlation was stronger for men than women. SDR (especially its self-deception component) moderated the implicit-explicit correlation independently from gender, albeit in different directions for the two implicit measures.
Thoracoscopic Repair of a Right-Sided Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
2005-10-01

The presentation of a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) beyond infancy is rare, as it is a common cause for severe respiratory distress in the newborn. In contrast to the newborn period, delayed diagnosis of right-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (RCDH) is known as it causes less severe symptoms than left-sided CDH. A case of an 8-month-old girl is reported. Chest x-ray and ultrasound examination of the diaphragm for symptoms of pneumonia revealed an RCDH. Thoracoscopic repair could be performed. The further course was uneventful. Thoracoscopic repair of a RCDH proved in this case to be feasible and safe beyond the newborn period. It avoided the morbidity of a major thoracotomy or laparotomy and provided an excellent cosmetic result. To our knowledge, this is the first report of thoracoscopic repair of RCDH.
Investigation of horizontal gene transfer in poplar/Amanita muscariaectomycorrhizas
2005-10-01

Fine roots of forest trees form together with certain soil fungi symbiotic structures (ectomycorrhizas), where fungal hyphae are in intimate contact with plant cells. Due to root cell degeneration, plant DNA is released and could be taken up by the fungus. The possibility that horizontal gene transfer might result in a risk for the environment should be evaluated before a massive release of genetically engineered trees into nature occurs, even though only a few convincing examples of horizontal gene transfer are known. Transgenic poplars containing a construct of the Streptomyces hygroscopicus bar gene under the control of the Cochliobolus heterostrophus GPD (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) promoter were generated by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The functionality of this construct in the ectomycorrhizal model fungus Amanita muscaria was previously verified by protoplast-based fungal transformation. 35,000 ectomycorrhizas, formed between transgenic poplars and non-transgenic A. muscaria hyphae, were isolated and transferred to selective agar plates. Putative herbicide-resistant fungal colonies were obtained after the first round of selection. However, none of these colonies survived a transfer onto fresh selection medium, nor did they contain the bar gene, indicating that no horizontal gene transfer from poplar to A. muscaria occurred during symbiosis under axenic conditions. However, since ectomycorrhizas are associated under natural conditions with viruses, bacteria and other fungi, these additional associations should be evaluated in future.
MASS SPECTRUM OF THE JP=1/2- AND 3/2- PENTAQUARK ANTIDECUPLETS IN THE PERTURBATIVE CHIRAL QUARK MODEL
2005-10-01

We study the recently discovered Θ + baryon in the context of the perturbative chiral quark model. The basic configuration of the Θ + is a pentaquark bound state, where the single particle wave functions are the ground state solutions of a confining potential. We classify the resulting pentaquark multiplets as the J P =1/2 - and 3/2 - flavor SU (3) antidecuplet. The full mass spectrum of the multiplets is determined by including the meson and gluon cloud contributions, which induce flavor SU (3) breaking. The resulting 3/2 - antidecuplet is about 185 MeV heavier than the 1/2 - one, mainly because of the semi-perturbative gluon effects. We assign the observed Θ + baryon as a member of the 1/2 - antidecuplet and discuss in particular its relation to the recent experimental signal for a Ξ -- baryon.
The Influence of Stimulus Array on Training of a Speeded Response
2005-10-01

Abstract We conducted two experiments to study the training of speeded responses to stimuli in a clock face array. Participants were trained on one clock face and later tested on either the same or a different clock face. The clock faces varied along 3 dimensions of change (left-right flip, up-down flip, and 180° rotation). Skill acquisition was reflected in decreases in overall, initiation, and movement response times in the training and test phases except that movement time reached an asymptote during training and did not decrease further during test. Test performance was best when training and test used the same clock face and worst when the training to test change involved an up-down flip. The transition to different clock faces was consistent with an interpretation based on the violation of expectations about target positions acquired during training. Consistent trial-by-trial feedback led to better initiation time but not movement time during training than periodic feedback, but this effect did not persist into the test phase.
5-DAY NONOBSERVED ARTESUNATE MONOTHERAPY FOR TREATING UNCOMPLICATED FALCIPARUM MALARIA IN YOUNG GABONESE CHILDREN
2005-10-01

Despite different recommendations from WHO and national authorities, artesunate monotherapy is increasingly used for treating African children with malaria. A 5-day course of oral artesunate (first day: 4 mg/kg body weight, observed intake; and 2 mg/kg body weight on the following days with nonobserved drug intake) yielded a PCR-corrected Day 28 cure rate of 90% (45 of 50 patients; CI 78–97%) in Gabonese children aged between 2 and 18 months. Artesunate was well tolerated, and no severe adverse events were reported.
Aortic Root Remodeling: Functional MRI as an Accurate Tool for Complete Follow-Up
2005-10-01

MRI provides an excellent, noninvasive, comprehensive tool for follow-up after valve-sparing aortic root reconstruction. The determination of regurgitant fraction, ventricular dimensions and functions, and graft diameters allows standardized imaging protocols with a high reproducibility, which may lead to this technique being favored for the follow-up of patients after aortic root remodeling.
Supported Organometallic Complexes. XLI [1] Enhanced Catalytic Activity of Ruthenium Interphase Catalysts Produced by a Surfactant‐Templated Sol–Gel Process
2005-10-01

Abstract Recyclable mesoporous ruthenium interphase catalysts have been synthesized by a surfactant‐templated sol–gel process. Their activity and selectivity in the direct hydrogenation of α,β‐unsaturated ketones are remarkably improved compared to their counterparts that were sol–gel processed without template molecules.