| 1. |
- Abdo, A. A., et al.
(author)
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DISCOVERY OF HIGH-ENERGY GAMMA-RAY EMISSION FROM THE BINARY SYSTEM PSR B1259-63/LS 2883 AROUND PERIASTRON WITH FERMI
- 2011
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In: Astrophysical Journal Letters. - 2041-8205. ; 736:1, s. L11-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report on the discovery of >= 100 MeV gamma-rays from the binary system PSR B1259-63/LS 2883 using the Large Area Telescope (LAT) on board Fermi. The system comprises a radio pulsar in orbit around a Be star. We report on LAT observations from near apastron to similar to 128 days after the time of periastron, t(p), on 2010 December 15. No gamma-ray emission was detected from this source when it was far from periastron. Faint gamma-ray emission appeared as the pulsar approached periastron. At similar to t(p) + 30 days, the >= 100 MeV gamma-ray flux increased over a period of a few days to a peak flux 20-30 times that seen during the pre-periastron period, but with a softer spectrum. For the following month, it was seen to be variable on daily timescales, but remained at similar to(1-4) x 10(-6) cm(-2) s(-1) before starting to fade at similar to t(p) + 57 days. The total gamma-ray luminosity observed during this period is comparable to the spin-down power of the pulsar. Simultaneous radio and X-ray observations of the source showed no corresponding dramatic changes in radio and X-ray flux between the pre-periastron and post-periastron flares. We discuss possible explanations for the observed gamma-ray-only flaring of the source.
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| 2. |
- Arvidson, R. E., et al.
(author)
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Opportunity Mars Rover mission : Overview and selected results from Purgatory ripple to traverses to Endeavour crater
- 2011
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In: Journal of Geophysical Research. - Hoboken : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0148-0227 .- 2156-2202. ; 116, s. E00F15-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Opportunity has been traversing the Meridiani plains since 25 January 2004 (sol 1), acquiring numerous observations of the atmosphere, soils, and rocks. This paper provides an overview of key discoveries between sols 511 and 2300, complementing earlier papers covering results from the initial phases of the mission. Key new results include (1) atmospheric argon measurements that demonstrate the importance of atmospheric transport to and from the winter carbon dioxide polar ice caps; (2) observations showing that aeolian ripples covering the plains were generated by easterly winds during an epoch with enhanced Hadley cell circulation; (3) the discovery and characterization of cobbles and boulders that include iron and stony-iron meteorites and Martian impact ejecta; (4) measurements of wall rock strata within Erebus and Victoria craters that provide compelling evidence of formation by aeolian sand deposition, with local reworking within ephemeral lakes; (5) determination that the stratigraphy exposed in the walls of Victoria and Endurance craters show an enrichment of chlorine and depletion of magnesium and sulfur with increasing depth. This result implies that regional-scale aqueous alteration took place before formation of these craters. Most recently, Opportunity has been traversing toward the ancient Endeavour crater. Orbital data show that clay minerals are exposed on its rim. Hydrated sulfate minerals are exposed in plains rocks adjacent to the rim, unlike the surfaces of plains outcrops observed thus far by Opportunity. With continued mechanical health, Opportunity will reach terrains on and around Endeavour's rim that will be markedly different from anything examined to date. Copyright 2011 by the American Geophysical Union.
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| 3. |
- Di Fatta, G., et al.
(author)
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Preface
- 2011
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In: IEEE International Conference on Data Mining. Proceedings. - : Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). - 1550-4786. ; , s. xlviii-xlvix
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)
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| 4. |
- Refojo, Damian, et al.
(author)
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Glutamatergic and Dopaminergic Neurons Mediate Anxiogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of CRHR1
- 2011
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In: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 333:6051, s. 1903-1907
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1) critically controls behavioral adaptation to stress and is causally linked to emotional disorders. Using neurochemical and genetic tools, we determined that CRHR1 is expressed in forebrain glutamatergic and gamma-aminobutyric acid-containing (GABAergic) neurons as well as in midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Via specific CRHR1 deletions in glutamatergic, GABAergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic cells, we found that the lack of CRHR1 in forebrain glutamatergic circuits reduces anxiety and impairs neurotransmission in the amygdala and hippocampus. Selective deletion of CRHR1 in midbrain dopaminergic neurons increases anxiety-like behavior and reduces dopamine release in the prefrontal cortex. These results define a bidirectional model for the role of CRHR1 in anxiety and suggest that an imbalance between CRHR1-controlled anxiogenic glutamatergic and anxiolytic dopaminergic systems might lead to emotional disorders.
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| 5. |
- Strietzel, Frank P, et al.
(author)
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Efficacy and safety of an intraoral electrostimulation device for xerostomia relief : A multicenter randomized trial
- 2011
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In: Arthritis and Rheumatism. - : Wiley. - 0004-3591 .- 1529-0131. ; 63:1, s. 180-190
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy in treating xerostomia and the safety of an intraoral electrostimulation device, containing stimulating electrodes, an electronic circuit and a power source. The device delivers electrostimulation through the oral mucosa to the lingual nerve, in order to enhance the salivary reflex. Methods: The device was tested on a sample of patients with xerostomia due to Sjögren’s syndrome and other sicca conditions in a prospective randomized multi-center trial consisting of two stages: (I) a double blind, cross-over designed stage to compare the effects of the electrically “active” device with the “sham” device, both used for one month, and (II) a 3- month open label stage to assess the long-term influence of the “active” device. Improvement of xerostomia severity from baseline was the primary outcome. Results: A total of 114 subjects were randomized. In Stage I, “active” device performed better than “sham” for patient-reported xerostomia severity (p<0.002), xerostomia frequency (p<0.05), quality of life impairment (p<0.01) and swallowing difficulty (p<0.02). At the end of Stage II, statistically significant improvements were verified for patient-reported xerostomia severity (p<0.0001), xerostomia frequency (p<0.0001), oral discomfort (p<0.001), speech difficulty (p<0.02) and sleeping difficulty (p<0.001), and for resting salivary flow-rate (p<0.01). Conclusion: Daily use of the device alleviated oral dryness, discomfort and some complications of xerostomia, such as speech and sleeping difficulties, and increased salivary output. The results show a cumulative positive effect of the device over the period of the study, from baseline to the trial’s end.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Benderius, Ola, 1985, et al.
(author)
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A simulation environment for analysis and optimization of driver models
- 2011
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In: Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics). - Berlin, Heidelberg : Springer Berlin Heidelberg. - 1611-3349 .- 0302-9743. - 9783642217982 ; 6777, s. 453-462
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A simulation environment for evaluation and optimization of driver models is introduced and described. The simulation environment features models of vehicles and drivers, as well as a representation of the traffic environment (roads, buildings etc.). In addition, an optimization framework based on stochastic optimization algorithms has been implemented as an integral part of the simulation environment. Given observed (time series) data of driver behavior and, possibly, vehicle dynamics, the optimization framework can be used for inferring driver model parameters. The simulation environment has been evaluated in two scenarios, one involving emergency braking and one involving a double lane change.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Oftedal, Bergithe E., et al.
(author)
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Measuring autoantibodies against IL17F and IL-22 in autoimmune polyendocrine syndromme type I by radioligand binding assay using fusion proteins
- 2011
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Immunology. - : Wiley. - 0300-9475 .- 1365-3083. ; 74:3, s. 327-333
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Autoantibodies against interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-17F and IL-22 have recently been described in patients with autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type I (APS I), and their presence is reported to be highly correlated with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC). The aim of this study was to develop a robust high-throughput radioligand binding assays (RLBA) measuring IL-17F and IL-22 antibodies, to compare them with current enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) of IL-17F and IL-22 and, moreover, to correlate the presence of these antibodies with the presence of CMC. Interleukins are small molecules, which makes them difficult to express in vitro. To overcome this problem, they were fused as dimers, which proved to increase the efficiency of expression. A total of five RLBAs were developed based on IL-17F and IL-22 monomers and homo- or heterodimers. Analysing the presence of these autoantibodies in 25 Norwegian APS I patients revealed that the different RLBAs detected anti-IL-17F and anti-IL-22 with high specificity, using both homo- and heterodimers. The RLBAs based on dimer proteins are highly reproducible with low inter- and intravariation and have the advantages of high throughput and easy standardization compared to ELISA, thus proving excellent choices for the screening of IL-17F and IL-22 autoantibodies.
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| 10. |
- Skinningsrud, Beate, et al.
(author)
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Multiple Loci in the HLA Complex Are Associated with Addison's Disease.
- 2011
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In: The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism. - : The Endocrine Society. - 1945-7197 .- 0021-972X. ; 96, s. 1703-1708
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context: A strong association between autoimmune Addison's disease (AAD) and major histocompatibility complex class II-encoded HLA-DRB1-DQA1-DQB1 haplotypes is well known. Recent evidence from other autoimmune diseases has suggested that class I-encoded HLA-A and HLA-B gene variants confer HLA-DRB1-DQA1-DQB1-independent effects on disease. Objective: We aimed to explore AAD predisposing effects of HLA-A and -B and further investigate the role of MICA and HLA-DRB1-DQA1-DQB1 in a much larger material than has previously been studied. Design: HLA-A, -B, -DRB1, and -DQB1 and a microsatellite in MICA were genotyped in 414 AAD patients and 684 controls of Norwegian origin. Results: The strongest association was observed for the DRB1 locus, in which the DRB1*03:01 and DRB1*04:04 conferred increased risk of AAD, particularly in a heterozygous combination [odds ratio 22.13; 95% confidence interval (11.39-43.98); P = 6 × 10(-20)]. After conditioning on DRB1, association with AAD was still present for HLA-B and MICA, suggesting the presence of additional risk factors. Conclusions: The major histocompatibility complex harbors multiple risk loci for AAD, in which DRB1 appears to represent the main risk factor.
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