bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protective Role of Black Tea Extract against Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis-Induced Skeletal Dysfunction
Authors: Karmakar Subhra , Majumdar Sangita , Maiti Anasuya , Choudhury Monalisa , Ghosh Aniruddha , Das Asankur S. , Mitra Chandan
Published: June 2011

Aim. This paper aimed to examine the chemoprotective actions of aqueous black tea extract (BTE) against nonalcoholic steatohepatitis- (NASH-) induced skeletal changes in rats.Material. Wistar rats (body wt. 155–175 g) of both sexes, aged 4–5 months, were randomly assigned to 3 groups; Group A (control), Group B (60% high-fat diet; HFD), and Group C (HFD + 2.5% BTE).Methods. Several urinary (calcium, phosphate, creatinine, and calcium-to-creatinine ratio) serum (alkaline phosphatase and serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase), and molecular markers of bone turnover (receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and estrogen) were tested. Also, several bone parameters (bone density, bone tensile strength, bone mineral content, and bone histology) and calcium homeostasis were checked.Results. Results indicated that HFD-induced alterations in urinary, serum, and bone parameters as well as calcium homeostasis, all could be significantly ameliorated by BTE supplementation.Conclusion. Results suggest a potential role of BTE as a protective agent against NASH-induced changes in bone metabolism in rats.
Joint Assessment of Structural, Perfusion, and Diffusion MRI in Alzheimer′s Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia
Authors: Zhang Yu , Schuff Norbert , Ching Christopher , Tosun Duygu , Zhan Wang , Nezamzadeh Marzieh , Rosen Howard J. , Kramer Joel H. , Gorno-Tempini Maria Luisa , Miller Bruce L. , Weiner Michael W.
Published: June 2011

Most MRI studies of Alzheimer′s disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) have assessed structural, perfusion and diffusion abnormalities separately while ignoring the relationships across imaging modalities. This paper aimed to assess brain gray (GM) and white matter (WM) abnormalities jointly to elucidate differences in abnormal MRI patterns between the diseases. Twenty AD, 20 FTD patients, and 21 healthy control subjects were imaged using a 4 Tesla MRI. GM loss and GM hypoperfusion were measured using high‐resolution T1 and arterial spin labeling MRI (ASL‐MRI). WM degradation was measured with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Using a new analytical approach, the study found greater WM degenerations in FTD than AD at mild abnormality levels. Furthermore, the GM loss and WM degeneration exceeded the reduced perfusion in FTD whereas, in AD, structural and functional damages were similar. Joint assessments of multimodal MRI have potential value to provide new imaging markers for improved differential diagnoses between FTD and AD.
Modelling Cost-Effectiveness of Biologic Treatments Based on Disease Activity Scores for the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Spain
Authors: Beresniak Ariel , Ariza-Ariza Rafael , Garcia-Llorente Jose Francisco , Ramirez-Arellano Antonio , Dupont Danielle
Published: June 2011

Background. The objective of this simulation model was to assess the cost-effectiveness of different biological treatment strategies based on levels of disease activity in Spain, in patients with moderate to severe active RA and an insufficient response to at least one anti-TNF agent.Methods. Clinically meaningful effectiveness criteria were defined using DAS28 scores: remission and Low Disease Activity State (LDAS) thresholds. Monte-Carlo simulations were conducted to assess cost-effectiveness over 2 years of four biological sequential strategies composed of anti-TNF agents (adalimumab, infliximab), abatacept or rituximab, in patients with moderate to severe active RA and an insufficient response to etanercept as first biological agent.Results. The sequential strategy including etanercept, abatacept and adalimumab appeared more efficacious over 2 years (102 days in LDAS) compared to the same sequence including rituximab as second biological option (82 days in LDAS). Cost-effectiveness ratios showed lower costs per day in LDAS with abatacept (427 €) compared to rituximab as second biological option (508 €). All comparisons were confirmed when using remission criteria.Conclusion. Model results suggest that in patients with an insufficient response to anti-TNF agents, the biological sequences including abatacept appear more efficacious and cost-effective than similar sequences including rituximab or cycled anti-TNF agents.
Column-integrated aerosol microphysical properties from AERONET Sun photometer over Southwestern Spain
Authors: Prats N. , Cachorro V. E. , Berjón A. , Toledano C. , De Frutos A. M.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. The aim of the present work is to carry out a detailed analysis of columnar microphysical properties obtained from Cimel sun-photometer measurements in the Southwest of Spain within the frame of the AERONET-RIMA network. AERONET inversion products are analysed, in particular the particle size distribution together with their associated microphysical parameters for both fine and coarse modes: concentration, effective radius and the fine mode volume fraction. This work complements previous works based on aerosol optical depth (AOD) and the Ångström exponent (AE) for a global characterization of atmospheric aerosol in this representative area of Spain and Europe. The analysed dataset spans between February 2000 and October 2008. Time series and statistical analysis has been carried out for these parameters in order to assess their typical values and seasonality together with their relationships with the AOD and AE. Mean values of volume particle concentration are 0.06 ± 0.07 μm3 μm−2 for total, 0.019 ± 0.015 μm3 μm−2 for fine and 0.04 ± 0.06 μm3 μm−2 for coarse mode; and of effective radius are 0.040 ± 0.19 μm for total, 0.14 ± 0.02 μm for fine and 1.96 ± 0.41 μm for coarse mode. The most relevant features are the clear bimodality of the volume particle size distribution, with a slight dominance of the coarse mode for the total climatology and under the prevailing atmospheric conditions of the site (coastal marine). There is a clear prevalence of the coarse mode in summer months, September and March in coincidence with the occurrence of desert dust intrusions and highest AOD values. During aerosol desert dust arrivals, the particle size distribution is practically mono-modal with strong prevalence of the coarse mode which also shows a shift of the modal radius to lower values. The size particle predominance defines the characteristic of the site and it has been analysed under two different approaches: with respect to particle number, using the Ångström exponent and with respect to particle volume, where the fine mode volume fraction Vf/Vt is taken.
Decreased summer drought affects plant productivity and soil carbon dynamics in Mediterranean woodland
Authors: Cotrufo M. F. , Alberti G. , Inglima I. , Marjanović H. , LeCain D. , Zaldei A. , Peressotti A. , Miglietta F.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. Precipitation patterns are expected to change in the Mediterranean region within the next decades, with projected decreases in total rainfall and increases in extreme events. We manipulated precipitation patterns in a Mediterranean woodland, dominated by Arbutus unedo L., to study the effects of changing precipitation regimes on above-ground net primary production (ANPP) and soil C dynamics, specifically plant-derived C input to soil and soil respiration (SR). Experimental plots were exposed to either a 20 % reduction of throughfall or to water addition targeted at maintaining soil water content above a minimum of 10 % v/v. Treatments were compared to control plots which received ambient precipitation. The throughfall manipulation experiment started in 2004 and we report data up to the 2009 growing season. Enhanced soil moisture during summer months highly stimulated annual stem primary production, litter fall, SR and net annual plant-derived C input to soil which on average increased by 130 %, 26 %, 50 % and 220 %, respectively, as compared to control. In contrast, the 20 % reduction in throughfall (equivalent to 10 % reduction of precipitation) did not significantly change soil moisture at the site, and therefore did not significantly affect ANPP or SR. We conclude that minor changes (around 10 % reduction) in precipitation amount are not likely to significantly affect ANPP or soil C dynamics in Mediterranean woodland. However, if summer rain increases, C cycling will significantly accelerate but soil C stocks are not likely to be changed in the short-term. More studies involving modelling of long term C dynamics are needed to predict if the estimated increases in soil C input under wet conditions is going to be sustained and if labile C is being substituted to stable C, with a negative effect on long term soil C stocks.
A framework for the quantitative assessment of climate change impacts on water-related activities at the basin scale
Authors: Anghileri D. , Pianosi F. , Soncini-Sessa R.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. While quantitative assessment of the climate change impact on hydrology at the basin scale is quite addressed in the literature, extension of quantitative analysis to impact on the ecological, economic and social sphere is still limited, although well recognized as a key issue to support water resource planning and promote public participation. In this paper we propose a framework for assessing climate change impact on water-related activities at the basin scale. The specific features of our approach are that: (i) the impact quantification is based on a set of performance indicators defined together with the stakeholders, thus explicitly taking into account the water-users preferences; (ii) the management policies are obtained by optimal control techniques, linking stakeholder expectations and decision-making; (iii) the multi-objective nature of the management problem is fully preserved by simulating a set of Pareto-optimal management policies, which allows for evaluating not only variations in the indicator values but also tradeoffs among conflicting objectives. The framework is demonstrated by application to a real world case study, Lake Como basin (Italy). We show that the most conflicting water-related activities within the basin (i.e. hydropower production and agriculture) are likely to be negatively impacted by climate change. We discuss the robustness of the estimated impacts to the climate natural variability and the approximations in modeling the physical system and the socio-economic system, and perform an uncertainty analysis of several sources of uncertainty. We demonstrate that the contribution of natural climate uncertainty is rather remarkable and that, among different modelling uncertainty sources, the one from climate modeling is very significant.
18FDG-PET/CT Assessing the Absence of Cell Viability and Excluding Metastatic Disease in a Case of Necrotic Choroidal Melanoma
Authors: Romero-Aroca Pedro , Montero-Jaime Manuel , Intriago Belén , Riu Frances , Peña-Gonzalez Karla B. , Almena-Garcia Matias
Published: June 2011

Purpose

To report a case of choroidal melanoma in which the absence of 18FDG-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) uptake in the whole body scan excluded the presence of any foci of metastases. Additionally, the PET/CT study correctly diagnosed the necrotic character of the lesion.

Methods

A 76-year-old woman with neovascular glaucoma, and without vitreous or retina visualization, was studied by our ophthalmology service.

Results

Ocular ultrasound showed an 18 × 16 mm vitreous exophytic image compatible with choroidal melanoma; magnetic resonance gave a 17 × 15 mm exophytic image, highly intense at T1 and hypointense at T2, with cystic and necrotic images after a contrast injection. An 18FDG-PET/CT study revealed a clearly hypometabolic lesion, representing absence of cell viability and excluding active melanoma cells. No other uptake lesions were detected at the whole-body PET/CT scan, assuming the absence of extraocular metastases. The eye was enucleated, and the pathology study showed a 16 × 15 mm necrotic choroidal melanoma.

Conclusions

The 18FDG-PET/CT study correctly depicted the necrotic character of the choroidal melanoma and was able to exclude other foci of metastases.
Case Studies of the Economic Impact of Highway Bypasses in Kansas
Authors: Babcock Michael W. , Davalos Jose A.
Published: June 2011

The construction of highway bypasses has resulted in many economic benefits both for intercity motorists as well as residents of towns with bypasses. Despite the benefits of bypasses, they remain controversial. Local business owners in the town being bypassed fear that the reduction of traffic passing through the town will adversely affect their sales.

The purpose of this study is to add to the literature concerning the economic impact of highway bypasses on small towns. The measured impacts are (1) total employment of bypass towns, (2) retail sales of the towns' travel-related businesses, (3) employment of the towns' travel-related businesses, and (4) the bypass town as a whole.

To measure the impact of the bypasses on total employment of bypass towns, each of the nine sample towns was matched with a group of control towns. Total employment of each bypass town was regressed on total employment of its control towns and a bypass dummy variable used to measure the effect of the bypass. The equations were estimated by ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. The other three impacts were obtained by interviewing the owners and managers of 54 travel-related businesses located in the nine bypass towns.

The statistical results are consistent with the hypothesis that the bypass did not have a statistically significant effect on total employment of the bypass towns. In the opinion of most of the owners and managers of the travel-related businesses the bypasses had a negative impact on their retail sales and employment, and on the town as a whole. There was a substantial variation in opinion regarding the impact of the bypass on company retail sales, employment, and on the town as a whole among the industry groups in the sample.
A Multi-Objective Decision-Making Framework for Transportation Investments
Authors: Chowdhury Mashrur , Tan Pulin
Published: June 2011

This paper presents a framework based on multi-objective optimization that can be used to generate and analyze the most desirable transportation investment options based on their objectives and constraints. The framework, which is based on the surrogate worth trade-off analysis, could be applied to both discrete or continuous decision-problem scenarios. In a discrete problem, a pre-defined set of alternatives is available, whereas continuous problems are not characterized by a pre-defined set of alternatives. This framework was applied with the data generated for a Capital Beltway Corridor investment study. The multi-objective decision-making framework was found to be adaptable to this typical investment case study.
The Impact of Information Technology on Motor Carrier Productivity
Authors: McMullen B. Starr
Published: June 2011

This study examines the relationship between motor carrier productivity, marketing strategy, and use of information technology for a sample of U.S. general freight commodity carriers. We use a unique data set containing information on firm marketing strategy and information technology use collected in a survey of Class I and II motor carrier firms (U.S. Department of Transportation, 1999).
The measure of productivity used here is the non-parametric Malmquist Index as explained in Grosskopf (1993) and previously applied to general freight motor carriers by McMullen and Okuyama (2000). The Malmquist Index is decomposed into two components: economic efficiency change (EC) and technical efficiency change (TC).
A tobit model regression model is used to examine the relationship between firm productivity, marketing strategy, and use of information technology. Information technologies included in the tobit analysis are electronic data interchange (EDI) and satellite communications (SATCOM). We also include firm size, use of owner-operators, and percent unionization as explanatory variables in the tobit regression.
Results indicate that use of EDI has a positive and significant impact on economic efficiency (EC). Firms that try to market their product by providing service at the "lowest freight rate" are found to exhibit greater technical efficiency (TC), suggesting that productivity and cost measures that ignore marketing strategy may be biased. Finally, economic efficiency (EC) is found to be significantly greater for firms that are more heavily unionized.
Positive Train Control (PTC): Calculating Benefits and Costs of a New Railroad Control Technology
Authors: Resor Randolph R. , Smith Michael E. , Patel Pradeep K.
Published: June 2011

The purpose of this analysis was to quantify the business benefits of Positive Train Control (PTC) for the Class I freight railroad industry. This report does not address the safety benefits of PTC. These were previously quantified by the Rail Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC), which identified nearly a thousand "PPAs" (PTC-preventable accidents) on U.S. railroads over a 12-year period, and determined the savings to be realized from each avoided accident. The RSAC finding was that avoidance of these PPAs was not, by itself, sufficient (from a strictly economic point of view) to justify an investment in PTC.

Examples of potential business benefits include:

* Line capacity enhancement
* Improved service reliability
* Faster over-the-road running times
* More efficient use of cars and locomotives (made possible by real-time location information)
* Reduction in locomotive failures (due to availability of real-time diagnostics)
* Larger "windows" (periods during which no trains operate and maintenance workers can safely occupy the track) for track maintenance (made possible by real-time location information)
* Fuel savings

This paper presents the results of the analysis. It is important to recognize, however, that the state of the art in making these estimates is not sufficiently mature to make exact answers feasible. Presented here are the best estimates now possible, with observations as to how better information may be developed. Benefits were estimated in the above areas and the cost of deploying PTC on the Class I network (99,000 route miles and 20,000 locomotives) were calculated. The conclusions of the analysis were as follows:

* Deployment of PTC on the Class I railroad network (99,000 route miles, 20,000 locomotives) would cost between $2.3 billion and $4.4 billion over five years
* Annual benefits, once the system was fully implemented, were estimated at $2.2 billion to $3.8 billion
* Internal rate of return was estimated (depending on timing and cost) to be between 44% and 160%
An Ex-Ante Cost-Benefit Analysis of All-Terrain Vehicle Transportation Corridor in Southwest Alaska
Authors: Elder Lee , Seidl Andy
Published: June 2011

This research explores the construction of a geotextile ATV corridor connecting two separate village subsets, Oscarville-Napakiak and Akiak-Akiachak, in the Kuskokwim River delta. Cost-benefit analysis was used to compare the costs of constructing a geotextile trail to the benefits derived from the reduction of injuries, fatalities, and fuel consumption observed on the existing river transportation corridor during a 20-year period. Secondary data was collected for population estimates, fatality and injury rates, while the rapid rural appraisal approach was used to access the traffic rates between each village subset. The results reveal that the construction of a geotextile ATV corridor in the Alaskan bush would prove to be an economically feasible transportation alternative.
GIS Potential in Management of Pedestrian Accidents in Developing Countries
Authors: Obaidat Mohammed
Published: June 2011

The main objective of this work was to investigate the potential of utilizing geographic information systems (GISs) in identifying hazardous pedestrian accident-prone locations. The study was performed for roads in Irbid city-Jordan for the years 2002 and 2003. Pedestrian accident data was analyzed by pedestrian characteristics, driver characteristics, accident time and location, environmental conditions, vehicle speed and characteristics, and accident severity. Pedestrian accidents were correlated to operational factors, including traffic volume, vehicle speed, pedestrian volume, street length, and access points. Hazardous locations of vehicle-pedestrian accidents were identified using a GIS query builder. Results showed that there was a high potential for GISs in studying pedestrian accidents.
Operating, Financial and Total Leverage and the Effects on U.S. Carrier Returns, 1990-2003
Authors: Gritta Richard D. , Adams Brian , Adrangi Bahram
Published: June 2011

The U.S. airline industry has always been highly cyclical and somewhat fixed cost driven. The carriers are thus high in what financial analysts refer to as operating leverage. In addition, the majority of the airlines have followed aggressive debt strategies; that is, they have chosen to use large amounts of long-term debt finance to purchase assets. This results in a high degree of financial leverage. In the past, the resulting combined leverage has created severe financial problems for many in the industry. This paper will examine these different levels of leverage using elasticity measures borrowed from economic theory. The purpose is to examine the effects of this leverage during the years in which the carriers saw unprecedented growth and a return to profitability. It will also compare and contrast several carriers (such as Southwest) which have avoided the "boom and bust" cycle of this industry as well as the effects of 9/11. The sample will consist of the major U.S airlines and several of the group referred to as "nationals."
Emerging Commuting Trends: Evidence from the Chicago Area
Authors: Sööt Siim , Berman Joost Gideon , DiJohn Joseph
Published: June 2011

Over the last several decades, commuting distances have increased in both miles and travel time. This analysis focuses on the county-to-county commuting data from the Census Transportation Planning Package that show intercounty commuting has increased substantially. In the Chicago six-county region, these data indicate that three of the six counties are now (2000) net importers of workers. In the past, only Cook County (Chicago) had a net positive balance of workers.

In contrast to past trends, demographic changes now contribute to lower increases in the growth in the number of workers. Specifically, in the 1990s average household size stopped decreasing for the first time in 100 years. This was partially responsible for a decline in the portion of the population that was commuting, a statistic that had been steadily increasing. In fact, in previous decades there was a larger growth in the number of workers than in people, thereby adding substantially to peak-period traffic when population growth was modest. This has changed.

Furthermore, in past decades large increases in homeownership rates contributed to the growth of urbanized areas. This suggests that workers made housing choices that added to commuting distances. The ability and willingness to increase commuting distances made it possible for employers to find their employees from a larger geographic region.
A New Approach for Allocating Highway Costs
Authors: Hong Feng , Prozzi Jorge A. , Prozzi Jolanda
Published: June 2011

The allocation of highway costs is constantly debated among legislatures, highway agencies, and highway users as it directly relates to concerns about equity in terms of cost responsibility and actual user charges. One of the major challenges in highway cost allocation stems from the need to estimate pavement damage by different vehicle classes. Normally, the calculation of damage caused by heavy vehicles to the highway infrastructure utilizes the concept of Equivalent Single Axle Load (ESAL). This concept was empirically established after the American Association of State Highway Officials America (AASHO) Road Test almost half a century ago. Although the ESAL concept is widely used in pavement design, it has a number of shortcomings when applied for the estimation of pavement damage by different vehicle classes. Some of these limitations include: failure to account for specific infrastructure and environmental conditions, disregard of the differences in traffic configurations and composition, and the inability to capture different distress types. This leads to a fairly inaccurate and generic estimation of pavement damage by vehicle class.

This paper proposes an innovative and more rational highway cost allocation approach based on the recently completed guide for the "Mechanistic-Empirical Design Guide of New and Rehabilitated Pavement Structures" developed under the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Project 1-37A. The Guide accounts for all factors that contribute to pavement deterioration, thereby addressing the shortcomings of an ESAL-based analysis listed earlier. Estimates for pavement damage attributable to each vehicle class can thus be accurately simulated. For the purposes of this study, traffic data collected at a weigh-in-motion station in Texas were used to estimate the highway cost shares of different vehicle classes, given different pavement structural capacities.
Motor Carriers' and Shippers' Perception of the Carrier Choice Descision
Authors: Premeaux Shane R.
Published: June 2011

This study investigates the perceived importance of 36 carrier selection variables to both motor carriers and shippers. The ranking discrepancies identified indicate that shippers and carriers do not classify certain motor carrier selection variables similarly. Fortunately, motor carrier perceptions have improved since the Abshire and Premeaux (1991) study. To enhance shipper satisfaction, carriers must emphasize the more important selection variables. Specifically, carriers need to focus on offering more flexible rates, respond effectively to emergency or unexpected situations, and provide information and services through a comprehensive, Web-enhanced, electronic-data-interchange.
Factors Affecting Locking Times at 600' and 1200' Locks on the Mississppi River with an Examination of Excessive Locking Time Charges
Authors: Meyer Seth D. , Kruse John
Published: June 2011

This research investigates factors influencing locking time as well as the source of variation in the locking time on the Upper Mississippi River, and includes tow characteristics and environmental conditions over 1992-2004. The newer 1,200 ft. locks reduce both locking time and time variation, improving efficiency on the system as a whole. Importantly, the analysis suggests lock capacity has declined over the 1992 to 2004 period for all locks. After correcting for tow and environmental characteristics, very little of the remaining variation is explained by a unique vessel identification number assigned by the Army Corps of Engineers, indicating that lockage fees based purely on relative locking times would not provide the intended result.
An Eye for the Air Traffic Controller Workload
Authors: Ahlstrom Ulf
Published: June 2011

The purpose of this paper is to outline an approach for workload measurements and optimization of air traffic systems and displays that match controller needs. Ill-designed systems and displays can cause safety hazards for aircraft by increasing controller workload and reducing situation awareness. To prevent this situation, researchers need to develop systems that allow effortless monitoring while being attentive to operator needs. Such systems, once developed, will increase operator and system efficiency and increase the safety of airline operations.
National Culture and Competitive Strategy Disclosure in Global Airline Strategic Alliances
Authors: Giapponi Catherine , Scheraga Carl
Published: June 2011

Corporate transparency, which involves financial, governance, and competitive strategy disclosure, may have implications with respect to the development and effectiveness of alliance systems. This study investigates the intensity of competitive strategy disclosure, which has received little attention in the literature by the members of the three major airline alliances, Star, oneworld, and SkyTeam. Through an examination of the corporate annual reports of each participant, the level of strategy disclosure is assessed. Further, based on the seminal work of Gray (1988) that explored the relationship between a country's cultural profile and the level of disclosure by corporations in that country, the study investigates the relationship between the intensity of disclosure and the cultural identity of each of the airline alliance members.
Synthesis and Optical Manifestation of NiO-Silica Nanocomposite
Authors: Chakrabarty S. , Chatterjee K.
Published: June 2011

NiO-silica nanocomposites with average diameter ranging from 2–40 nm were prepared by sol-gel method followed by the heat treatment varying from 400°C to 1000°C. The details of morphology and crystalline nature of all the as prepared samples were characterized by TEM, HRTEM, and XRD analysis. The planes obtained from SAED pattern supports the planes originated from XRD study. From the optical absorption study, it is revealed that the band gap energy of NiO can extensively be manipulated by composite formation with silica and the size variation of that nanocomposite. Absorption peak position varies almost linearly with the oxidation temperature of the samples. Photoluminescence spectroscopy reveals that NiO-silica nanocomposite, prepared at 600°C and below, shows strong emission at 3.62 eV, but the nanocomposites with bigger size greatly hinder the effect of selective emissivity.
The role of platelets in defence against pathogens
Authors: Clemetson K. J.
Published: June 2011

Many more platelets are present in healthy mammals than are necessary for routine haemostasis. Thus, they could have other functions. Platelets have many of the attributes of innate immune function including Toll-like receptors. They also contain a wide range of anti-microbial peptides in storage granules. Platelets play an important role in bacterial infections, both in disease progress and in defence mechanisms depending on circumstances. Similar mechanisms are used in defence against fungi. Platelets are also involved in viral diseases, either in protecting from the immune system or in killing viruses that activate platelets. Finally, platelets have a role in defence against parasitic diseases, in particular malaria, that should not be ignored, and may aggravate some of the worst aspects. Platelets also have receptors for IgE and are implicated via parasitic disorders in development and problems of allergy.
Rubber, 10. Technology
Authors: von Langenthal Wolfram , Schnetger Jochen
Published: June 2011

The article contains sections titled:1.Latex Processing1.1.Latex Testing1.2.Transportation, Storage, and In‐House Distribution of Latices1.3.Compounding and Compounding Formulation1.3.1.Additives1.3.1.1.Colloidally Active Substances1.3.1.2.Rubber Chemicals1.3.1.3.Fillers and Pigments1.3.2.Compounding1.4.Processing Procedure1.4.1.Processing of Rubber Articles1.4.1.1.Dipped Goods1.4.1.2.Rubber‐Coated Metal1.4.1.3.Rubber Threads1.4.1.4.Cast Articles1.4.1.5.Molded Foams1.4.2.Processing of Functional Materials1.4.2.1.Can Sealants1.4.2.2.Adhesives1.4.2.3.Elastified Concrete1.4.2.4.Modified Mortar and Fillers1.4.2.5.Paints1.4.2.6.Bitumen Modifications1.4.2.7.Chewing Gum1.4.2.8.Acrylonitrile ‐ Butadiene ‐ Styrene (ABS) Polymers1.4.3.Application on Substrates1.4.3.1.Paper and Cardboard1.4.3.2.Carpeting1.4.3.3.Shoe Materials1.4.3.4.Textile Finishing1.4.3.5.Textile Printing1.4.3.6.Textile Finishing with Rubber Primer1.4.3.7.Gaskets1.4.3.8.Nonwoven Fabrics2.Solid Rubber Processing2.1.Internal Mixer (Kneader)2.1.1.Construction2.1.2.Mode of Operation2.1.3.Compounding2.2.Open Mill2.2.1.Construction2.2.2.Mode of Operation2.2.3.Compounding2.2.4.Prewarming2.3.Pellet and Strip Feeding2.4.Production of Sheeted and Reinforced Rubber2.4.1.Calenders2.4.2.Calendering Process2.4.3.Sheet Production in the Extrusion Process2.4.4.Vulcanization of Rubber Sheets2.5.Extruded Articles2.5.1.Extruders2.5.2.Vulcanization of Extrudates2.5.2.1.Batch Processes2.5.2.2.Pressure‐Free Continuous Vulcanization2.5.2.3.Continuous Vulcanization under Pressure2.5.3.Profile Geometry Measurement2.6.Molded Articles2.6.1.Production Process2.6.1.1.Molding Process2.6.1.2.Injection Molding2.6.2.Mold Cleaning‐Contamination2.6.3.Deflashing2.7.Solutions of Rubber Compounds
A non‐uniqueness problem of the Dirac theory in a curved spacetime
Authors: Arminjon M. , Reifler F.
Published: June 2011

The Dirac equation in a curved spacetime depends on a field of coefficients (essentially the Dirac matrices), for which a continuum of different choices are possible. We study the conditions under which a change of the coefficient fields leads to an equivalent Hamiltonian operator H, or to an equivalent energy operator E. We do that for the standard version of the gravitational Dirac equation, and for two alternative equations based on the tensor representation of the Dirac fields. The latter equations may be defined when the spacetime is four‐dimensional, noncompact, and admits a spinor structure. We find that, for each among the three versions of the equation, the vast majority of the possible coefficient changes do not lead to an equivalent operator H, nor to an equivalent operator E, whence a lack of uniqueness. In particular, we prove that the Dirac energy spectrum is not unique. This non‐uniqueness of the energy spectrum comes from an effect of the choice of coefficients, and applies in any given coordinates.
Lipid‐Mediated Signaling. Edited by Eric J. Murphy and Thad A. Rosenberger.
Authors: Woscholski Rudiger
Published: June 2011

CRC Press, Boca Raton 2010, XX+424 pp., hardcover $ 159.95.—ISBN 978‐0‐8493‐8141‐6
Pore Network Model and Simulation of Transport Process for Grain Drying
Authors: Chang J. , Yuan Y.‐J. , Yang D.‐Y. , Liu X.‐D.
Published: June 2011

A nonequilibrium model was developed and simulated by adopting a dual‐scale pore network approach. The distributions of temperature, moisture, and pressure in drying air, as well as the temperature and moisture content profiles in grain kernels were obtained from the pore scale model and the kernel scale model, respectively. A small test bin was built to conduct in‐bin drying experiments and to validate the model. The results from the experiments and the simulations indicate that the dual‐scale pore network approach could explain the drying process of the deep‐bed grain drying process well. The influences of grain bulk porosity and cereal particle size distribution were also investigated by numerical simulations.
A New Control‐Volume Finite‐Element Scheme for Heterogeneous Porous Media: Application to the Drying of Softwood
Authors: Carr E. J. , Turner I. W. , Perré P.
Published: June 2011

An improved mesoscopic model is presented for simulating the drying of porous media. The aim of this model is to account for two scales simultaneously: the scale of the whole product and the scale of the heterogeneities of the porous medium. The innovation of this method is the utilization of a new mass‐conservative scheme based on the Control‐Volume Finite‐Element (CV‐FE) method that partitions the moisture content field over the individual sub‐control volumes surrounding each node within the mesh. Although the new formulation has potential for application across a wide range of transport processes in heterogeneous porous media, the focus here is on applying the model to the drying of small sections of softwood consisting of several growth rings. The results conclude that, when compared to a previously published scheme, only the new mass‐conservative formulation correctly captures the true moisture content evolution in the earlywood and latewood components of the growth rings during drying.
Cytoarchitecture and ultrastructure of neural stem cell niches and neurogenic complexes maintaining adult neurogenesis in the olfactory midbrain of spiny lobsters, Panulirus argus
Authors: Schmidt Manfred , Derby Charles D.
Published: June 2011

New interneurons are continuously generated in small proliferation zones within neuronal somata clusters in the olfactory deutocerebrum of adult decapod crustaceans. Each proliferation zone is connected to a clump of cells containing one neural stem cell (i.e., adult neuroblast), thus forming a “neurogenic complex.” Here we provide a detailed analysis of the cytoarchitecture of neurogenic complexes in adult spiny lobsters, Panulirus argus, based on transmission electron microscopy and labeling with cell‐type‐selective markers. The clump of cells is composed of unique bipolar clump‐forming cells that collectively completely envelop the adult neuroblast and are themselves ensheathed by a layer of processes of multipolar cell body glia. An arteriole is attached to the clump of cells, but dye perfusion experiments show that hemolymph has no access to the interior of the clump of cells. Thus, the clump of cells fulfills morphological criteria of a protective stem cell niche, with clump‐forming cells constituting the adult neuroblast's microenvironment together with the cell body glia processes separating it from other tissue components. Bromodeoxyuridine pulse‐chase experiments with short survival times suggest that adult neuroblasts are not quiescent but rather cycle actively during daytime. We propose a cell lineage model in which an asymmetrically dividing adult neuroblast repopulates the pool of neuronal progenitor cells in the associated proliferation zone. In conclusion, as in mammalian brains, adult neurogenesis in crustacean brains is fueled by neural stem cells that are maintained by stem cell niches that preserve elements of the embryonic microenvironment and contain glial and vascular elements. J. Comp. Neurol. , 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alteration of micromilled carbonate δ18O during Kiel Device analysis
Authors: Tobin Thomas S. , Schauer Andrew J. , Lewarch Evan
Published: June 2011

Isotopic analysis of carbonate material has been greatly facilitated by the development of autosampling devices such as the Kiel III Carbonate Device, allowing rapid automated analysis of small sample sizes. This analysis is facilitated by holding samples and acid at temperatures around 70 °C prior to reaction. In most situations this has no measurable effect on sample powders on practical timeframes, but, when analyzing exceptionally fine‐grained material produced by micromilling, the δ18O of both aragonite and calcite is altered by −0.1‰/day. Laboratories that use this technique should thoroughly test and correct for this phenomenon and avoid storing pre‐weighed materials within the Kiel Device or similar drying oven prior to analysis. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of phase I and phase II metabolites of benfluron and dimefluron in rat urine using high‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Jirásko Robert , Holčapek Michal , Nobilis Milan
Published: June 2011

Biotransformation products of two potential antineoplastic agents, benfluron and dimefluron, are characterized using our integrated approach based on the combination of high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation of phase I and phase II metabolites followed by photodiode‐array UV detection and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). High mass accuracy measurement allows confirmation of an elemental composition and metabolic reactions according to exact mass defects. The combination of different HPLC/MS/MS scans, such as reconstructed ion current chromatograms, constant neutral loss chromatograms or exact mass filtration, helps the unambiguous detection of low abundance metabolites. The arene oxidation, N‐oxidation, N‐demethylation, O‐demethylation, carbonyl reduction, glucuronidation and sulfation are typical mechanisms of the metabolite formation. The interpretation of their tandem mass spectra enables the distinction of demethylation position (N‐ vs. O‐) as well as to differentiate N‐oxidation from arene oxidation for both phase I and phase II metabolites. Two metabolic pathways are rather unusual for rat samples, i.e., glucosylation and double glucuronidation. The formation of metabolites that lead to a significant change in the chromophoric system of studied compounds, such as the reduction of carbonyl group in 7H‐benzo[c]fluorene‐7‐one chromophore, is reflected in their UV spectra, which provides valuable complementary information to MS/MS data. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mass spectrometric characterization of urinary metabolites of the selective androgen receptor modulator S‐22 to identify potential targets for routine doping controls
Authors: Thevis Mario , Thomas Andreas , Möller Ines , Geyer Hans , Dalton James T. , Schänzer Wilhelm
Published: June 2011

Drugs that promote anabolic processes with limited undesirable effects are of considerable therapeutic interest; some notable examples include those for the treatment of cancer cachexia and muscle‐wasting diseases. Anabolic properties are not only therapeutically beneficial to critically ill and debilitated patients, but are also desirable to athletes seeking artificial enhancements in endurance, strength and accelerated recovery. The use of anabolic agents in the clinical setting is being reconsidered with the emergence of a new class of drugs referred to as SARMs (selective androgen receptor modulators). SARMs have the potential to complement or even replace anabolic androgenic steroidal use with the benefit of a reduction of the undesirable side effects associated with steroid administration alone. Arylpropionamide‐based SARMs such as andarine (S‐4) and S‐22 have shown promising therapeutic properties and have attracted the interest of elite and amateur athletes despite the absence of clinical approval, and evidence for trafficking and misuse in sport has been obtained by doping control authorities.

In this communication, the elucidation of urinary metabolites of the SARM drug candidate S‐22 is compared with earlier in vitro metabolism studies. Following oral administration of illicit S‐22, urine samples were collected after 62 and 135 h and analyzed for the active drug and its major metabolic products. Liquid chromatography interfaced with high‐resolution/high‐accuracy (tandem) mass spectrometry was used to identify and/or confirm the predicted target analytes for sports drug testing purposes. S‐22 was detected in both specimens accompanied by its glucuronic acid conjugate. This was the B‐ring hydroxylated derivative of S‐22 plus the corresponding glucuronide (with the phase‐II metabolites being the more abundant analytes). In addition, the samples collected 62 h post‐administration also contained the phase‐I metabolite hydroxylated at the methyl residue (C‐20) and the B‐ring depleted degradation product ('dephenylated' S‐22) together with the corresponding carboxy analog that was previously reported for canine metabolism. The obtained data supports future efforts to effectively screen for and confirm the misuse of the non‐approved S‐22 drug candidate in doping controls. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative aspects in electrospray ionization ion trap and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry of malto‐oligosaccharides
Authors: Unterieser Inga , Cuers Julia , Voiges Kristin , Enebro Jonas , Mischnick Petra
Published: June 2011

Mass spectrometry is widely applied in carbohydrate analysis, but still quantitative evaluation of data is critical due to different ionization efficiencies of the constituents in a mixture. Different size and chemical structure of the analytes cause their uneven distribution in droplets (electrospray ionization, ESI) or matrix spots (matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization, MALDI). In addition, instrumental parameters affect final ion yields. In order to study and optimize the latter, an equimolar mixture of malto‐oligosaccharides (DP1‐6) was analyzed using varying target masses for ESI as well as different matrices and laser power for MALDI. The sodium adducts and derivatives for positive ion mode (hydrazones with Girard's T Reagent, GT) and negative ion mode (reductively aminated with o‐aminobenzoic acid, oABA) were studied. Negatively charged oABA‐labeled malto‐oligosaccharides turned out to be unsuitable for quantification of the malto‐oligomeric composition. Best agreement was achieved when applying target masses in the range of the highest homolog in the mixture in electrospray ionization ion trap (ESI‐IT) (1–2% deviation with GT label or as Na+ adducts). Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) gave best results when the laser power was adjusted significantly over the desorption/ionization threshold (1% deviation with GT label). Both parameters show significant influence on the determined oligomeric composition. Consequently, estimation and even quantitative determination of amounts of oligosaccharides in a mixture can be achieved when the analytes are labeled and the proper instrumental parameters are used. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis, characterisation, and mass spectrometric detection of a pegylated EPO‐mimetic peptide for sports drug testing purposes
Authors: Möller Ines , Thomas Andreas , Geyer Hans , Schänzer Wilhelm , Thevis Mario
Published: June 2011

Erythropoietin (EPO) and other erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents possess a high misuse potential in elite sport due to their ability to increase the oxygen transport capacity, which plays a vital role in enhancing endurance performance. Currently, a new generation of EPO‐mimetic peptides is under development from which peginesatide (also referred to as Hematide™), a pegylated homodimeric peptide of approximately 45 kDa with no structural relationship to erythropoietin, is the most advanced drug candidate undergoing phase‐III clinical trials. Since preventive doping research aims at the development of detection methods before a drug receives clinical approval, a selective and sensitive assay has to be established knowing that conventional doping control assays for EPO will not succeed in detecting peginesatide. Thus, a pegylated EPO‐mimetic peptide simulating the structure and properties of the lead drug candidate peginesatide was synthesised as a model compound for this new class of emerging drugs and characterised by means of gel electrophoresis, matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionisation (MALDI) mass spectrometry, as well as liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI‐MS/MS) after proteolytic digestion. Based on these results, a mass spectrometric detection method of the product in plasma was developed targeting a pentapeptide fragment after protein precipitation and subtilisin digestion. Its fitness for purpose was evaluated by the determination of selected method characteristics focusing particularly on specificity, recovery (ca. 60%), and limit of detection (1 ng/mL). Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.