julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
The X-Ray Population of NGC 300
2005-08-01

We present X-ray properties of NGC 300 point sources, extracted from 66 ksec of XMM-Newton data taken in 2000 December and 2001 January. A total of 163 sources was detected in the energy range of 0.3–6 keV. We report on the global properties of the sources detected inside the optical disk, such as the hardness ratio and X-ray fluxes, and spectral fitting of the brightest sources. We also present some properties of their optical counterparts found in B, V, and R images from the 2.2 m MPG/ESO telescope. Furthermore, we cross-correlate the X-ray sources with SIMBAD, the USNO-A2.0 catalog, and radio catalogues.
Hinaus aus der Selbstblockade – Ziele und Wege zur Reform des Förderalismus
2005-08-01

Abstract Rudolf Hrbek summarizes the arguments for the project of reforming German federalism. He describes the positions adopted at the beginning of the work of the Reform Commission set up in fall 2003 by the federal government and the state governments respectively. The Commission ended with a failure; there were some reform proposals in single issues, but no comprehensive reform proposal. His article tries to identify reasons explaining the failure. Hrbek recommends a new procedural approach: instead of the Reform Commission composed by members who as office or mandate holders would be affected directly by reform measures, a Convention should be established composed of a smaller number of members (representing a broader range of actors: e.g. local level, Land-Parliaments, elder statesmen). A broad mandate should enable the Convention to elaborate a reform proposal as package deal which the two houses of Parliament would then have to decide on finally. A major political function of the Convention would be to generate a broad debate on basic features of a federal system and in the meaning of “unity in diversity”, as a prerequisite for modernizing German federalism. Martin T. W. Rosenfeld states that for more than fifty years, there had been many attempts to reform the German system of cooperative federalism and to reduce the power of the federal level of government. But, so far, no one of these attempts had been successful. In 2004, the “Commission on the Modernization of Cooperative Federalism” had worked out a proposal for reforming intergovernmental relations in Germany. Rosenfeld points out that from the view of the theory of fiscal federalism, this proposal may be regarded as a step in the direction of more efficiency – but just as a very small step. Unfortunately, the decision-makers of the federal and the state level of government did not come to an agreement on the proposed reform. With regard to the current distribution of costs and benefits which arise for the decision-makers from the existing institutions of cooperative federalism in Germany, this result is not surprising for him. In his opinion an agreement on reforming intergovernmental relations is only likely to be achieved if relevant external changes will take place. Gerhard Schick emphasizes that one of the weaknesses of the commission was that excessive debt of jurisdictions was not seen as one of the core problems of German federalism, even though the debt burden might endanger the very existence of at least some of the states. This omission reflects both individual interests of participants in the commission and the fact that neither proponents nor opponents of competitive federalism put forward convincing and politically viable solutions. According to him, a new reform will need proposals to overcome the debt problem that avoid raising fears of tax competition and that reflect the asymmetrical character of German federalism.
A Novel Palladium-Catalyzed Arylation−Dehydroaromatization Reaction:  Synthesis of 7-Aryltetralones
2005-08-02

A new one-pot room-temperature palladium-catalyzed synthesis of 7-aryltetralones was discovered. This tandem process includes a palladium-catalyzed gamma-selective arylation of the enone 4 followed by a dehydrogenation-aromatization of the initial cross-coupling product. [reaction: see text]
Theological Information and Documentation Services of the Tübingen University Library
2005-08-02

ABSTRACT The aim of this article is to make known some useful theological information services provided by the Tübingen University Library. These services include not only monthly current awareness services for books and articles, but also and most importantly, cumulative databases for both. The database for books and periodical titles is the Library's OPAC accessible via the Internet. The database for articles from periodicals and collected works is called Index theologicus (IxTheo) and is published as a CD-ROM with quarterly or semi-annual updates, depending upon the version subscribed to, by the Mohr Siebeck Verlag in Tübingen. The article concentrates on describing the IxTheo and explaining its use.
Awareness of the Functioning of One's Own Limbs Mediated by the Insular Cortex?
2005-08-03

Normally, we are aware of the current functions of our arms and legs. However, this self-evident status may change dramatically after brain damage. Some patients with “anosognosia” typically are convinced that their limbs function normally, although they have obvious motor defects after stroke. Such patients may experience their own paretic limbs as strange or as not belonging to them and may even attribute ownership to another person and try to push their paralyzed limb out of bed. These odd beliefs have been attributed to disturbances somewhere in the right hemisphere. Here, we use lesion mapping in 27 stroke patients to show that the right posterior insula is commonly damaged in patients with anosognosia for hemiplegia/hemiparesis but is significantly less involved in hemiplegic/hemiparetic patients without anosognosia. The function of the posterior insular cortex has been controversially discussed. Recent neuroimaging results in healthy subjects revealed specific involvement of this area in the subject's feeling of being versus not being involved in a movement. Our finding corresponds with this observation and suggests that the insular cortex is integral to self-awareness and to one's beliefs about the functioning of body parts.
PET in LRRK2 mutations: comparison to sporadic Parkinson's disease and evidence for presymptomatic compensation
2005-08-04

Parkinson's disease may arise from multiple aetiologies, including genetic mutations that are for the most part uncommon. We describe here the positron emission tomography (PET) findings in clinically affected and asymptomatic, high-risk members of two autosomal dominantly inherited Parkinson's disease kindreds with recently described mutations at the PARK8 locus, in a novel gene encoding a leucine-rich repeat kinase (LRRK2). Affected family members have L-dopa-responsive parkinsonism with loss of dopaminergic nigral neurons and pleomorphic subcellular pathology. Fifteen family members underwent PET using: 18F-6-fluoro-L-dopa (18F-dopa) to assess dopamine (DA) synthesis and storage, 11C-(+/-)-dihydrotetrabenazine (11C-DTBZ) for the vesicular monoamine transporter, and 11C-d-threo-methylphenidate (11C-MP) for the membrane dopamine transporter (DAT). Measurements were compared with normal (n = 33) and sporadic Parkinson's disease (sPD) (n = 67) control groups. Four clinically affected members had findings similar to sPD, with impaired presynaptic DA function affecting the putamen more than the caudate. In two affected members, D2 dopamine receptor binding was intact. Two asymptomatic mutation carriers had abnormal DAT binding with another two developing such abnormalities over 4 years of follow-up. In these individuals, 18F-dopa uptake remained normal, although two of them also displayed abnormal 11C-DTBZ binding. Our study demonstrates that the in vivo neurochemical phenotype of LRRK2 mutations is indistinguishable from that of sPD, despite the pathological heterogeneity of the condition. Furthermore, we suggest that compensatory changes including downregulation of the DAT and upregulation of decarboxylase activity may delay the onset of parkinsonian symptoms.
Functionally Diverse Complement of Large Conductance Calcium- and Voltage-activated Potassium Channel (BK) α-Subunits Generated from a Single Site of Splicing
2005-08-05

The pore-forming alpha-subunits of large conductance calcium- and voltage-activated potassium (BK) channels are encoded by a single gene that undergoes extensive alternative pre-mRNA splicing. However, the extent to which differential exon usage at a single site of splicing may confer functionally distinct properties on BK channels is largely unknown. Here we demonstrated that alternative splicing at site of splicing C2 in the mouse BK channel C terminus generates five distinct splice variants: ZERO, e20, e21(STREX), e22, and a novel variant deltae23. Splice variants display distinct patterns of tissue distribution with e21(STREX) expressed at the highest levels in adult endocrine tissues and e22 at embryonic stages of mouse development. deltae23 is not functionally expressed at the cell surface and acts as a dominant negative of cell surface expression by trapping other BK channel splice variant alpha-subunits in the endoplasmic reticulum and perinuclear compartments. Splice variants display a range of biophysical properties. e21(STREX) and e22 variants display a significant left shift (>20 mV at 1 microM [Ca2+]i) in half-maximal voltage of activation compared with ZERO and e20 as well as considerably slower rates of deactivation. Splice variants are differentially sensitive to phosphorylation by endogenous cAMP-dependent protein kinase; ZERO, e20, and e22 variants are all activated, whereas e21 (STREX) is the only variant that is inhibited. Thus alternative pre-mRNA splicing from a single site of splicing provides a mechanism to generate a physiologically diverse complement of BK channel alpha-subunits that differ dramatically in their tissue distribution, trafficking, and regulation.
SIRPβ1 Is Expressed as a Disulfide-linked Homodimer in Leukocytes and Positively Regulates Neutrophil Transepithelial Migration
2005-08-05

Signal regulatory proteins (SIRPs) comprise a family of cell surface signaling receptors differentially expressed in leukocytes and the central nervous system. Although the extracellular domains of SIRPs are highly similar, classical motifs in the cytoplasmic or transmembrane domains distinguish them as either activating (beta) or inhibitory (alpha) isoforms. We reported previously that human neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN)) express multiple SIRP isoforms and that SIRPalpha binding to its ligand CD47 regulates PMN transmigration. Here we further characterized the expression of PMN SIRPs, and we reported that the major SIRPalpha and SIRPbeta isoforms expressed in PMN include Bit/PTPNS-1 and SIRPbeta1, respectively. Furthermore, although SIRPalpha (Bit/PTPNS-1) is expressed as a monomer, we showed that SIRPbeta1 is expressed on the cell surface as a disulfide-linked homodimer with bond formation mediated by Cys-320 in the membrane-proximal Ig loop. Subcellular fractionation studies revealed a major pool of SIRPbeta1 within the plasma membrane fractions of PMN. In contrast, the majority of SIRPalpha (Bit/PTPNS-1) is present in fractions enriched in secondary granules and is translocated to the cell surface after chemoattractant (formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine) stimulation. Functional studies revealed that antibody-mediated ligation of SIRPbeta1 enhanced formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine-driven PMN transepithelial migration. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments to identify associated adaptor proteins revealed a 10-12-kDa protein associated with SIRPbeta1 that was tyrosine-phosphorylated after PMN stimulation and is not DAP10/12 or Fc receptor gamma chain. These results provide new insights into the structure and function of SIRPs in leukocytes and their potential role(s) in fine-tuning responses to inflammatory stimuli.
B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in association with necrobiosis lipoidica-like lesions
2005-08-05

Sir, We report a 49‐year‐old white male, non‐diabetic patient who presented with erythematous, circumscribed, scaling, tender plaques and nodules on the dorsum of both lower legs of 8 months' duration (Fig. 1a). A punch biopsy showed dissection of the dermis by several layers of extensive necrosis, which was outlined by histiocytes and multinucleated cells suggesting the diagnosis of necrobiosis lipoidica (NL). However, nodular infiltrates of small inconspicuous lymphocytes were seen at the lower pole of these necrobiotic granulomas (Fig. 2a). Immunostaining revealed the presence of B‐lymphocytes with a phenotype typical for B‐chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B‐CLL) (CD20+, CD5+, CD43+ and CD3–) (Fig. 2b). The B‐cell infiltrate revealed a monoclonal rearrangement for heavy‐chain‐immunoglobulin region CD 2 and 3. Blood samples showed leucocytes 29 240 mm−3; phenotyping of peripheral blood cells by FACS‐analysis revealed 64% B‐cells with typical markers for B‐CLL such as HLA‐DR+, CD5+, CD19+, CD20+, slight CD22+, CD23+, CD11c+, FMC7+, CD43+, slight sIgG+ as well as a κ‐light‐chain‐restriction that indicates monoclonality.
Interstitial deletion del(10)(q25.2q25.3 ∼ 26.11)—case report and review of the literature
2005-08-08

Abstract Objectives To present the clinical, cytogenetic, and molecular cytogenetic findings of prenatally diagnosed interstitial deletion 10q25.2‐q26.1. The majority of distal 10q deletions are pure terminal deletions with breakpoints in 10q25 and 10q26. Only four patients have been described so far with interstitial deletions involving bands 10q25.2‐q26.1. Methods Postmortem physical examination and autopsy of the foetus after medically terminated pregnancy. GTG‐banding, reverse painting, and FISH analysis with BAC clones on amniocyte metaphases were performed to determine the extent of the deletion. Results At 20 weeks the eutrophic female foetus showed pronounced microretrogeny and hypertelorism, clubfeet as well as minor internal anomalies like pancreas anulare, atypically lobed liver, and missing choleocystis. Cardiac anomalies were not observed and the genitalia were of a normal female. The deletion encompasses 6‐Mb and is associated with hemizygosity for 30 genes, including the genes for beta‐tectorin, the beta‐1 adrenergic receptor, and the alpha‐2A adrenergic receptor. Conclusion An interstitial deletion del(10)(q25.2q25.3 ∼ 26.11) was confirmed by FISH with mapped BAC clones. Clinical and molecular cytogenetic analyses of further interstitial 10q deletions are necessary to assess whether the phenotypic manifestations differ between deletions that are interstitial compared to those that include also the terminal region of chromosome 10. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.
<title>Realistic modeling of coherent bremsstrahlung in diamond radiators</title>
2005-08-08

The processes of coherent and incoherent bremsstrahlung in thin diamond crystals and amorphous radiators are modeled and calculated by a Monte Carlo procedure. The implementation of realistic descriptions of the electron beam and the relevant physical processes have yielded an improved calculation of the measured intensities and photon polarizations.
Quantification of Quaternary Mixtures of Low Alcohols in Water:  Temporal-Resolved Measurements with Microporous and Hyperbranched Polymer Sensors for Reduction of Sensor Number
2005-08-09

The focus of this study is the quantification of multianalyte mixtures in water by the use of sensor arrays based on polymer layers. Reflectometric interference spectroscopy is used as a optical sensor system for temporal-resolved measurements of the interaction kinetics of analytes in water with the polymer layers. The principles and widespread possibilities of this approach are demonstrated using the quantification of quaternary aqueous mixtures of low alcohols from methanol up to 1-butanol. The sensitive layers consist of two hyperbranched polyesters and one microporous polyimide. Different time-dependent sensor signals are evaluated by artificial neural networks. Because the kinetics of sorption and desorption of the analytes differ significantly, the number of sensors needed for a quantification of analytes in mixtures can be reduced. A feature extraction allows identification of the most important differences of kinetic patterns of the analytes and allows improvement of the multivariate calibration. It is shown that a quantification of quaternary mixtures of methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, and 1-butanol is possible on the basis of only two polymer sensors.
Soluble MICA in malignant diseases
2005-08-10

Abstract The immunoreceptor NKG2D activates natural killer cells and costimulates CD8 T cells. The MHC class I–related MICA molecules are ligands of NKG2D and are expressed on malignant, but not on normal, cells. As NKG2D plays an important role in the immunosurveillance of tumors, studies suggest that release of MICA from cancer cells constitutes an immune escape mechanism that systemically impairs antitumor immunity. Here, we investigated the potential of soluble MICA (sMICA) as a marker in cancer. Analysis of sMICA in sera of 512 individuals revealed significantly ( p &lt; 0.0001) higher levels in patients with various malignancies ( n = 296, median 161 pg/ml) than in healthy individuals ( n = 62, median &lt;30 pg/ml). Patients with benign diseases ( n = 154, median 84 pg/ml) exhibited intermediate sMICA levels. In cancer patients, elevated sMICA levels correlated significantly with cancer stage and metastasis ( p = 0.015 and p = 0.007, respectively). While release of MICA is thought to impair tumor immunity, determination of sMICA levels may provide useful additional information in the diagnosis and staging of cancer. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An Auditory Brain-Computer Interface Based on the Self-Regulation of Slow Cortical Potentials
2005-08-10

Objectives. Communication support for severely paralyzed patients with visual impairment is needed. Therefore, the feasibility of a brain-computer interface (BCI) using auditory stimuli alone, based on the self-regulation of slow cortical potentials (SCPs), was investigated. Methods. Auditory stimuli were used for task and feedback presentation in an SCP self-regulation paradigm. Voluntarily produced SCP responses and measures of communication performance were compared between 3 groups (total of N = 59) of visual, auditory, and cross-modal visual-auditory modality. Electroencephalogram recordings and training from Cz-mastoids were carried out on 3 consecutive sessions. Data of 1500 trials per subject were collected. Results. Best performance was achieved for the visual, followed by the auditory condition. The performance deficit of the auditory condition was partly due to decreased self-produced positivity. Larger SCP response variability also accounted for lower performance of the auditory condition. Cross-modally presented stimuli did not lead to significant learning and control of SCP. Conclusions. Brain-computer communication using auditory stimuli only is possible. Smaller cortical positivity achieved in the auditory condition, as compared to the visual condition, may be a consequence of increased selective attention to simultaneously presented auditory stimuli. To optimize performance, auditory stimuli characteristics may have to be adapted. Other suggestions for enhancement of communication performance with auditory stimuli are discussed.
Severity of Depressive Symptoms and Quality of Life in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
2005-08-10

Objectives. The authors aimed at investigating the occurrence of depression and the level of quality of life in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), an incurable neurodegenerative disease leading to progressive motor paralysis. They further wished to elucidate correlates of depression and quality of life, such as physical impairment, time since diagnosis, age, sex, and education. Additionally, the authors attempted to confirm previous studies that had shown quality of life to be underestimated by partners or caregivers. Methods. To assess severity of depressive symptoms, the authors used Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) and the ALS-Depression Inventory. To assess the patients’ quality of life, they used the Scales to Assess Quality of Life. The same questionnaire was presented to partners or caregivers to estimate the patients’ quality of life. Results. Severity of depressive symptoms was everything from not depressed to clinically relevant depressed. On average, quality of life was rated as satisfactory. Severity of depressive symptoms and quality of life showed a moderate positive relation to physical impairment and a weak negative relation to time since diagnosis. Partners or caregivers rated patients’ quality of life significantly lower than did the patients. Conclusions. Although depression occurs among ALS patients, it is not inevitable. Patients can remain free of depression and maintain a good quality of life. Depression should be treated, and patients have to be provided with unbiased information, including their medical and palliative care options.
Multiplex Human Papillomavirus Serology Based on In Situ–Purified Glutathione S-Transferase Fusion Proteins
2005-08-11

Abstract Background: More than 100 different human papillomaviruses (HPVs) can cause proliferative diseases, many of which are malignant, such as cervical cancer. HPV serology is complex because infection and disease lead to distinct type-specific antibody responses. Using bead-based technology, we have developed an assay platform that allows the simultaneous detection of antibodies against up to 100 in situ affinity–purified recombinant HPV proteins. Methods: Twenty-seven HPV proteins were expressed as glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins and affinity-purified in one step by incubation of glutathione-displaying beads in bacterial lysate. Spectrally distinct bead sets, each carrying one particular antigen, were mixed, incubated with serum, and differentiated in a flow cytometer-like analyzer (xMAP; Luminex Corp). Antibodies bound to the antigens were detected via fluorescent secondary reagents. We studied 756 sera from 2 case-control studies of cervical cancer. Results: Glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins bound with high affinity to glutathione-displaying beads (Kd = 6.9 × 10−9 mol/L). The dynamic range of multiplex serology covered 1.5 orders of magnitude, and antibodies were detected at serum dilutions &amp;gt;1:1 000 000. Imprecision (median CV) was ≤5.4%, and assay reproducibility was high (R2 = 0.97). Results on clinical samples showed high concordance with ELISA (κ = 0.846), but multiplex serology exhibited increased detection of weak antibody responses. Antibodies to the E6 oncoproteins of the rare HPV types 52 and 58 were associated with cervical cancer (P &amp;lt;0.001). Conclusion: Multiplex serology enables antibody analyses of large numbers of sera against up to 100 antigens in parallel and has the potential to replace ELISA technology.