bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinico-hematological Effects of Nanosilver Administration in Wistar Rats
Authors: Kumar Neeraj , Batra Munish , Verma Manish Kumar , Singh Jitendra , Chauhan Ramswaroop Singh
Published: March 2024

This study evaluated the haematological effects of the oral administration of silver nanoparticle in Wistar rats. A total of 35 rats, six weeks of aged, both male and female, were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 was kept as control and comprised of 20 rats. Group II comprised of 15 rats and the rats were orally administered silver nanoparticle mixed in distilled water at no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) dose rate of 30 mg/kg body weight/day daily for 90 days of experiment. Blood was collected from 5 rats from each group at 0, 30th, 60th and 90th days post-treatment. A traditional Manual method was used to measure Hematological parameters and data analyzed by one-way ANOVA (post hoc Dunnett's test). The hematological parameters studied were significantly altered in treatment group as compared to control animals. Morphology of erythrocytes indicates normocytic hypochromic anaemia. Our results indicated that the silver nanoparticles have adverse effects on general clinical condition and hematological parameters of rats at NOAEL dose.
A Comparative Analysis of Time Series Models for Onion Price Forecasting: Insights for Agricultural Economics
Authors: Vinay H T  , Pavithra V  , Jagadeesh M S  , Avinash G. , Harish Nayak G H
Published: March 2024

Onion price forecasting plays a critical role in agricultural planning, market stability, and consumer welfare. By predicting onion prices, stakeholders can make informed decisions regarding planting, harvesting, trading, and consumption, mitigating risks and ensuring sustainable supply chains. The present study aims to forecast monthly wholesale onion prices in Bangalore market by using various statistical techniques like Exponential Smoothing, ARIMA, SARIMA, BATS and TBATS models. The time series price data from January 2010 to December 2023 was utilized for the study. Models were trained on 80% of the data and validated on the remaining 20%. The performance of each model was compared based on the two metrics like Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE). Results revealed that the TBATS model was performing better as compared to other six models with less RMSE of 281.30 and MAPE of 0.1544 Additionally, the residuals of the TBATS model exhibited a random distribution. Therefore, the onion prices for January 2024 to December 2024 were forecasted using the TBATS model.
An Analysis of Indian Sugar Exports: Markov Chain Approach
Authors: Swarnalatha P. , Latha K. Naga , Ramesh D.
Published: March 2024

India, the world's leading producer and exporter of sugar, plays a crucial role in the food industry due to sugar's sweet flavour and its multifaceted applications as a sweetener, preservative, texture enhancer, colouring agent, flavouring agent, and bulking agent. In the year 2020- 21 India exported an impressive 70 lakh tonnes of sugar, following 59 lakh tonnes in 2019- 20. India's sugar exports reach as many as 121 countries, with Sudan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Somalia, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, and Iran being some of the most consistent importers.  The present study discusses the above approach envisaging the above analysis of Indian sugar exports to different countries from 2001-02 to 2020-21 employed Markov chain analysis, the results unveiled that Sudan retained the lion's share at 89.4% of India's sugar exports, followed by Myanmar at 57.3%, Somalia at 55.8%, Iran at 48%, the United Arab Emirates at 36.6%, Sri Lanka at 28.2%, Bangladesh at 10.7%, Pakistan at 5.4%, with the remaining 56.2% distributed among various other nations. Notably, India maintained loyal sugar exporters in Sudan, Myanmar, Somalia, Iran, the UAE, and Sri Lanka.
Tanggapan dan Indikator Tanggapan Siswa terhadap Kualitas Layanan Xin Miao Chinese Language Centre Sutorejo Surabaya
Authors: Wijaya Belinda , Widjaja Dinalia
Published: March 2024

Seiring dengan meningkatnya permintaan pusat pengajaran bahasa Mandarin, peluang pasar untuk pusat pengajaran bahasa Mandarin juga semakin besar, sehingga persaingan antar pusat pengajaran bahasa Mandarin dalam menawarkan berbagai metode pembelajaran semakin ketat. Pusat pengajaran bahasa Mandarin adalah usaha dalam bidang jasa atau layanan. Ketika pelanggan menggunakan layanan, pada dasarnya akan memperhatikan kualitas layanan. Pada penelitian ini, penulis meneliti bagaimana tanggapan siswa terhadap kualitas layanan yang diberikan oleh Xin Miao Chinese Language Centre Sutorejo dan indikator-indikatornya. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif, mewawancarai tiga belas orang siswa Xin Miao Chinese Language Centre Sutorejo untuk menganalisis tanggapan mereka mengenai kualitas layanan Xin Miao Chinese Language Centre Sutorejo berdasarkan teori HEdPERF yang dikemukakan Abdullah (2005),  serta mengukur kepuasan mereka terhadap layanan yang mereka terima menggunakan indikator kepuasan yang dikemukakan oleh Tjiptono (2005). Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa responden memiliki tanggapan positif terhadap kualitas layanan yang didapatkan. Mereka menyatakan bahwa layanan Xin Miao Chinese Language Centre Sutorejo sangat baik dalam setiap faktor. Semua responden juga menyatakan bahwa mereka secara umum puas dengan kualitas layanan yang diberikan oleh  Xin Miao Chinese Language Centre Sutorejo. Meskipun terdapat beberapa hal yang menimbulkan ketidakpuasan, hal tersebut tidak mempengaruhi kepuasan mereka secara keseluruhan terhadap Xin Miao Chinese Language Centre Sutorejo.
A “LITERATURA NECESSÁRIA” COMO CATEGORIA ESTÉTICA
Authors: De Brito Junior Antonio Barros
Published: March 2024

O artigo busca apresentar e conceitualizar a categoria estética da “literatura necessária”. Baseando-se na metodologia de Sianne Ngai, ele tenta mostrar, primeiramente, como a “literatura necessária” se constitui como uma categoria estética que exprime uma relação afetiva entre o público e a obra que, contrariamente à estética iluminista, é baseada na fusão dos elementos da autonomia e da necessidade. Depois, o artigo pretende mostrar os vínculos dessa categoria com mais recentes formas de trabalho e de produção, que são organizadas pela nova arquitetura de redes. Enfim, este trabalho sustenta que a “literatura necessária” enquanto categoria estética produz um juízo crítico que reconhece a necessidade como parte da dinâmica do capitalismo contemporâneo e, portanto, ela deve ser valorizada na experiência estética.
Effects of Impromidine‐ and Arpromidine‐Derived Guanidines on Recombinant Human and Guinea Pig Histamine H1and H2Receptors
Authors: Xie Sheng‐Xue , Schalkhausser Fabian , Ye Qi‐Zhuang , Seifert Roland , Buschauer Armin
Published: January 2007

Imidazolylpropylguanidines derived from impromidine and arpromidine are more potent and efficacious agonists at the guinea pig histamine H2receptor (gpH2R) than at the human H2R (hH2R) in the GTPase assay. Additionally, such guanidines are histamine H1receptor (H1R) antagonists with preference for the human relative to the guinea pig receptor. The purpose of this study was to examine structure‐activity relationships of guanidines at human and guinea pig H1R and H2R species isoforms expressed in Sf9 insect cells. Three impromidine analogues and six arpromidine analogues exhibited agonistic activity at H2R and antagonistic activity at H1R as assessed in the steady‐state GTPase assay. Species selectivity of derivatives was similar as compared with the parent compounds. None of the structural modifications examined (different aromatic ring systems and different ring substituents) was superior in terms of H2R potency and efficacy relative to impromidine and arpromidine, respectively. These data point to substantial structural constraints at the agonist binding site of H2R. Guanidines exhibited distinct structure‐activity relationships for H1R antagonism in a radioligand competition binding assay and the GTPase assay and for H1R inverse agonism. Our data indicate that it is difficult to obtain guanidine‐type agonists with high potency and high efficacy for hH2R, but those compounds may be useful tools for exploring the antagonist binding site and constitutive activity of H1R.
Activity based fingerprinting of proteases using FRET peptides
Authors: Sun Hongyan , Panicker Resmi C. , Yao Shao Q.
Published: January 2007

We have successfully developed a protease assay using fluorescence resonance energy transfer based peptide libraries, which allows not only general detection of enzymatic activities, but more importantly substrate fingerprinting of proteases from different classes. The method allows the generation of substrate fingerprints of a protease from both the nonprime and prime sites. Therefore, it is well suited for profiling of major metalloproteases such as thermolysin and MMPs. We envisage that this method will provide a useful tool in the emerging field of “Catalomics” for high‐throughput studies of proteases. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 88: 141–149, 2007.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The ‘Published Online’ date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
From the test tube to the cell: Exploring the folding and aggregation of a β‐clam protein
Authors: Ignatova Zoya , Krishnan Beena , Bombardier Jeffrey P. , Marcelino Anna Marie C. , Hong Jiang , Gierasch Lila M.
Published: January 2007

A crucial challenge in present biomedical research is the elucidation of how fundamental processes like protein folding and aggregation occur in the complex environment of the cell. Many new physico‐chemical factors like crowding and confinement must be considered, and immense technical hurdles must be overcome in order to explore these processes in vivo. Understanding protein misfolding and aggregation diseases and developing therapeutic strategies to these diseases demand that we gain mechanistic insight into behaviors and misbehaviors of proteins as they fold in vivo. We have developed a fluorescence approach using FlAsH labeling to study the thermodynamics of folding of a model β‐rich protein, cellular retinoic acid binding protein (CRABP) in Escherichia coli cells. The labeling approach has also enabled us to follow aggregation of a modified version of CRABP and chimeras between CRABP and huntingtin exon 1 with its glutamine repeat tract. In this article, we review our recent results using FlAsH labeling to study in‐vivo folding and present new observations that hint at fundamental differences between the thermodynamics and kinetics of protein folding in vivo and in vitro. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 88: 157–163, 2007.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The ‘Published Online’ date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
NMR analysis of G7‐18NATE, a nonphosphorylated cyclic peptide inhibitor of the Grb7 adapter protein
Authors: Porter C. J. , Wilce J. A.
Published: January 2007

G7‐18NATE is a nonphosphorylated, cyclic peptide that specifically inhibits the Grb7 adapter protein implicated in several pathways critical to cell proliferation and migration. It has been shown that G7‐18NATE is able to compete with natural ligands for the Grb7 SH2 phosphotyrosine binding site, and to attenuate cell migration in a pancreatic cancer cell line. It is thus an important lead in the development of a selective inhibitor of Grb7 and potential novel anticancer therapeutics. The current study reports the solution properties of G7‐ 18NATE determined using NMR spectroscopy, in both water (pH 2–3) and phosphate buffer (pH 6.0), with 100 mM NaCl. The spectra reveal that G7‐18NATE exists in two distinguishable conformational states on the NMR timescale, most likely due to cis‐trans proline isomerization. In addition, the chemical shift data are consistent with a tendency of G7‐18NATE to form a turn about the YDN motif, known to be important for binding, and suggest that this turn is stabilized in low salt and low pH conditions. Low NH temperature coefficients of Tyr‐5 and Asn‐7 amide protons may reflect their involvement in the formation of hydrogen bonds that stabilize such a turn. Overall, however, the peptide does not form a rigid structure, but exists in a highly flexible state in solution. Averaged 3JNH‐αH coupling constants and a lack of interresidue NOEs are characteristic of such peptide solution behavior. This suggests that there is scope for increasing the rigidity of the peptide that may enhance its binding affinity and specificity for Grb7. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 88: 174–181, 2007.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The ‘Published Online’ date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Peptides as transmembrane segments: Decrypting the determinants for helix–helix interactions in membrane proteins
Authors: Rath Arianna , Johnson Rachel M. , Deber Charles M.
Published: January 2007

Although the structural analysis of membrane proteins is advancing, an understanding of the basic principles that underlie their folding and assembly remains limited because of the high insolubility intrinsic to these molecules and concomitant challenges in obtaining crystals. Fortunately, from an experimental standpoint, membrane protein folding can be approximated as the rigid‐body docking of pre‐formed α‐helical transmembrane segments one with another to form the final functional protein structure. Peptides derived from the sequences of native α‐helical transmembrane segments and those that mimic their properties are therefore valuable in the experimental evaluation of protein folding within the membrane. Here we present an overview of the progress made in our laboratory and elsewhere in using peptide models toward defining the sequence requirements and forces stabilizing membrane protein folds. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 88: 217–232, 2007.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The ‘Published Online’ date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Upregulation of aggrecan, link protein 1, and hyaluronan synthases during formation of perineuronal nets in the rat cerebellum
Authors: Carulli Daniela , Rhodes Kate E. , Fawcett James W.
Published: January 2007

Extracellular matrix molecules accumulate around central nervous system neurons during postnatal development, forming so‐called perineuronal nets (PNNs). PNNs play a role in restricting plasticity at the end of critical periods. In the adult rat cerebellum, PNNs are found around large, deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) neurons and Golgi neurons and are composed of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), tenascin‐R (TN‐R), hyaluronan (HA), and link proteins, such as cartilage link protein 1 (Crtl1). Granule cells and Purkinje cells are surrounded by a partially organized matrix. Both glial cells and neurons surrounded by PNNs are the site of synthesis of some CSPGs and of TN‐R, but only neurons produce HA synthetic enzymes (HASs), thus HA, and link proteins, which are scaffolding molecules for an organized matrix. To elucidate the mechanisms of formation of PNNs, we analyzed by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization which PNN components are upregulated during PNN formation in rat cerebellar postnatal development and what cell types express them. We observed that Wisteria floribunda agglutinin‐binding PNNs develop around DCN neurons from postnatal day (P)7 and around Golgi neurons from P14. At the same time as their PNNs start to form, these neurons upregulate aggrecan, Crtl1, and HASs mRNAs. However, Crtl1 is the only PNN component to be expressed exclusively in neurons surrounded by PNNs. The other link protein that shows a perineuronal net pattern in the DCN, Bral2, is upregulated later during development. These data suggest that aggrecan, HA, and, particularly, Crtl1 might be crucial elements for the initial assembly of PNNs. J. Comp. Neurol. 501:83–94, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Flow cytometry PRA using lymphocyte pools from random donors
Authors: Won Dong Il , Jung Hee Du , Jung Ok‐Ju , Huh Seung , Suh Jang Soo
Published: January 2007

Background:

Pools of lymphocytes from carefully chosen donors have been used for flow cytometry (FC) panel reactive antibody (PRA) assays. We intended to devise an FC PRA assay using mixed lymphocyte pools from a large number of randomly selected donors (RD FC PRA) to accurately predict the likelihood of a positive HLA crossmatch.

Methods:

Lymphocyte pools were prepared from randomly selected donors (N= 120). %PRA was calculated based on the anti‐IgG FITC histogram of the T cells. The proposed RD FC PRA assay was assessed in comparison with the bead FC PRA, antiglobulin‐augmented CDC (AHG‐CDC) PRA assay, and the expected %PRA calculated by summing up the antigen frequencies of the known specificities.

Results:

In 29 FC crossmatch positive sera, the positivity rate for the bead FC, RD FC, and AHG‐CDC PRA was 100, 100, and 79%, and the mean %PRA was 77% ± 0.205). In 19 sensitized patients with a negative FC crossmatch, the positivity rate was 21% using the RD FC PRA and 16% using the bead FC PRA, which suggested that both assays had similar abilities to detect low levels of HLA antibodies.

Conclusions:

The RD FC PRA assay allows easy panel preparation, reduces cost, and naturally reflects the probabilities of a positive crossmatch in the population to which the cadaveric donor belongs. Therefore, this new assay is expected to be useful as another approach to determine the % PRA. © 2007 Clinical Cytometry Society
Relationship between blood compatibility and water structure—Comparative study between 2‐methoxyethylacrylate‐ and 2‐methoxyethylmethacrylate‐based random copolymers
Authors: Hirota Etsuko , Tanaka Masaru , Mochizuki Akira
Published: January 2007

We have proposed that the excellent blood compatibility of poly(2‐methoxyethylacrylate (MEA)) is caused by freezing bound water contained in it on the basis of results on platelet activation (Tanaka and Mochizuki, J Biomed Mater Res A 2004; 68:684–695). To clarify the applicability of this mechanism to other indexes for blood compatibility, the relationship between complement activation and water structure was investigated by using two copolymers, poly(MEA‐2‐hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA)) and poly(2‐methoxyethylmethacrylate (MEMA)‐HEMA), where HEMA content was varied from 25 to 90 mol %. ESCA analysis revealed that the surface compositions of these copolymers (dry state) agreed with the compositions determined by 1H NMR. However, analysis by water contact angle (wet state) showed that their surfaces were quite different. The contact angle of poly(MEMA‐HEMA) depended on the monomer composition, whereas the angle of poly(MEA‐HEMA) was close to that of polyHEMA regardless of the monomer composition. The effect of HEMA content in the copolymers on complement activation (production of C3a) was investigated in an in vitro test. The activation by poly(MEMA‐HEMA) was enhanced according to the HEMA content, while the activation by poly(MEA‐HEMA) with 0–40 mol % of HEMA was weak and did not depend on the HEMA content. These properties are discussed from the viewpoints of the water structure observed by DSC and the surface structure. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2007.
Studies on the importance of sympathetic innervation, adrenergic receptors, and a possible local catecholamine production in the development of patellar tendinopathy (tendinosis) in man
Authors: Danielson Patrik , Alfredson Håkan , Forsgren Sture
Published: January 2007

Changes in the patterns of production and in the effects of signal substances may be involved in the development of tendinosis, a chronic condition of pain in human tendons. There is no previous information concerning the patterns of sympathetic innervation in the human patellar tendon. In this study, biopsies of normal and tendinosis patellar tendons were investigated with immunohistochemical methods, including the use of antibodies against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and neuropeptide Y, and against α1‐, α2A‐, and β1‐adrenoreceptors. It was noticed that most of the sympathetic innervation was detected in the walls of the blood vessels entering the tendon through the paratendinous tissue, and that the tendon tissue proper of the normal and tendinosis tendons was very scarcely innervated. Immunoreactions for adrenergic receptors were noticed in nerve fascicles containing both sensory and sympathetic nerve fibers. High levels of these receptors were also detected in the blood vessel walls; α1‐adrenoreceptor immunoreactions being clearly more pronounced in the tendinosis tendons than in the tendons of controls. Interestingly, immunoreactions for adrenergic receptors and TH were noted for the tendon cells (tenocytes), especially in tendinosis tendons. The findings give a morphological correlate for the occurrence of sympathetically mediated effects in the patellar tendon and autocrine/paracrine catecholamine mechanisms for the tenocytes, particularly, in tendinosis. The observation of adrenergic receptors on tenocytes is interesting, as stimulation of these receptors can lead to cell proliferation, degeneration, and apoptosis, events which are all known to occur in tendinosis. Furthermore, the results imply that a possible source of catecholamine production might be the tenocytes themselves. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comprehensive analysis of proteins of pH fractionated samples using monolithic LC/MS/MS, intact MW measurement and MALDI‐QIT‐TOF MS
Authors: Yoo Chul , Patwa Tasneem H. , Kreunin Paweena , Miller Fred R. , Huber Christian G. , Nesvizhskii Alexey I. , Lubman David M.
Published: January 2007

A comprehensive platform that integrates information from the protein and peptide levels by combining various MS techniques has been employed for the analysis of proteins in fully malignant human breast cancer cells. The cell lysates were subjected to chromatofocusing fractionation, followed by tryptic digestion of pH fractions for on‐line monolithic RP‐HPLC interfaced with linear ion trap MS analysis for rapid protein identification. This unique approach of direct analysis of pH fractions resulted in the identification of large numbers of proteins from several selected pH fractions, in which approximately 1.5 µg of each of the pH fraction digests was consumed for an analysis time of ca 50 min. In order to combine valuable information retained at the protein level with the protein identifications obtained from the peptide level information, the same pH fraction was analyzed using nonporous (NPS)‐RP‐HPLC/ESI‐TOF MS to obtain intact protein MW measurements. In order to further validate the protein identification procedures from the fraction digest analysis, NPS‐RP‐HPLC separation was performed for off‐line protein collection to closely examine each protein using MALDI‐TOF MS and MALDI‐quadrupole ion trap (QIT)‐TOF MS, and excellent agreement of protein identifications was consistently observed. It was also observed that the comparison to intact MW and other MS information was particularly useful for analyzing proteins whose identifications were suggested by one sequenced peptide from fraction digest analysis. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In healthy subjects without knee osteoarthritis, the peak knee adduction moment influences the acute effect of shoe interventions designed to reduce medial compartment knee load
Authors: Fisher David S. , Dyrby Chris O. , Mündermann Annegret , Morag Erez , Andriacchi Thomas P.
Published: January 2007

The purpose of this study was to evaluate shoe sole material stiffness changes and angle changes that are intended to reduce the peak knee adduction moment during walking. Fourteen physically active adults were tested wearing their personal shoes (control) and five intervention pairs, two with stiffness variations, two with angle variations, and a placebo shoe. The intervention shoes were evaluated based on how much they reduced the peak knee adduction moment compared to the control shoe. An ANOVA test was used to detect differences between interventions. Linear regression analysis was used to determine a relationship between the magnitude of the knee adduction moment prior to intervention and the effectiveness of the intervention in reducing the peak knee adduction moment. Peak knee adduction moments were reduced for the altered stiffness and altered angle shoes (p < 0.010), but not for the placebo shoe (p = 0.363). Additionally, linear regression analysis showed that subjects with higher knee adduction moments prior to intervention had larger reductions in the peak knee adduction moment (p < 0.010). These results demonstrate that shoe sole stiffness and angle interventions can be used to reduce the peak knee adduction moment and that subjects with initially higher peak knee adduction moments have higher reductions in their peak knee adduction moments. © 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 25:540–546, 2007
Variational transition‐state theory study of the atmospheric reaction OH + O3 → HO2 + O2
Authors: Ju Li‐Ping , Han Ke‐Li , Varandas António J. C.
Published: January 2007

We report variational transition‐state theory calculations for the OH + O3→ HO2 + O2 reaction based on the recently reported double many‐body expansion potential energy surface for ground‐state HO4 [Chem Phys Lett 2000, 331, 474]. The barrier height of 1.884 kcal mol−1 is comparable to the value of 1.77–2.0 kcal mol−1 suggested by experimental measurements, both much smaller than the value of 2.16–5.11 kcal mol−1 predicted by previous ab initio calculations. The calculated rate constant shows good agreement with available experimental results and a previous theoretical dynamics prediction, thus implying that the previous ab initio calculations will significantly underestimate the rate constant. Variational and tunneling effects are found to be negligible over the temperature range 100–2000 K. The O1O2 bond is shown to be spectator like during the reactive process, which confirms a previous theoretical dynamics prediction. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 39: 148–153, 2007
Sources of axonal calcium loading during in vitro ischemia of rat dorsal roots
Authors: Petrescu Nicolae , Micu Ileana , Malek Sameh , Ouardouz Mohamed , Stys Peter K.
Published: January 2007

A detailed understanding of injury mechanisms in peripheral nerve fibers will help guide successful design of therapies for peripheral neuropathies. This study was therefore undertaken to examine the ionic mechanisms of Ca2+overload in peripheral myelinated fibers subjected to chemical inhibition of energy metabolism. Myelinated axons from rat dorsal roots were co‐loaded with Ca2+‐sensitive (Oregon Green BAPTA‐1) and Ca2+‐insensitive (Alexa Fluor 594) dextran‐conjugated fluorophores and imaged using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Axoplasmic regions were clearly outlined by the Ca2+‐insensitive dye, from which axonal Ca2+‐dependent fluorescence changes (FCa.ax) were measured. Block of Na+–K+ATPase (ouabain), opening of Na+channels (veratridine), and inhibiting energy metabolism (iodoacetate + NaN3) caused a rapid rise inFCa.axto 96% above control after 30 min. Chemical ischemia (iodoacetate + NaN3) caused a more gradual increase inFCa.ax(54%), which was almost completely dependent on bath Ca2+, indicating that most of the Ca2+accumulation occurred via influx across the axolemma. Na+channel block (tetrodotoxin) reduced ischemicFCa.axrise (14%); however, inhibition of L‐type Ca2+channels (nimodipine) had no effect (60%). In contrast, Na+–Ca2+exchange inhibition (KB‐R7943) significantly reduced ischemicFCa.axrise (18%). Together our results indicate that the bulk of Ca2+overload in injured peripheral myelinated axons occurs via reverse Na+–Ca2+exchange, driven by axonal Na+accumulation through voltage‐gated tetrodotoxin‐sensitive Na+channels. This mechanism may represent a viable therapeutic target for peripheral neuropathies. Muscle Nerve, 2007
Integration of structure and control using an evolutionary approach: an application to the optimal concurrent design of a CVT
Authors: Portilla‐Flores Edgar A. , Mezura‐Montes Efrén , Álvarez‐Gallegos Jaime , Coello‐Coello Carlos A. , Cruz‐Villar Carlos A.
Published: January 2007

In this paper, a concurrent design methodology to formulate the mechatronic design problem is presented. The methodology proposes to state the mechatronic design problem as a dynamic optimization problem. In order to explain the methodology, the concurrent design of pinion–rack continuously variable transmission (CVT) is carried out. Two optimization techniques, one based on a mathematical programming method and the other based on a novel evolutionary approach, are used to solve it. The behaviour of both approaches is compared, based on quality and the computational time required by each of them in a common platform. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interactions between the toxin Kid of the bacterial parD system and the antitoxins Kis and MazE
Authors: Kamphuis Monique B. , Monti Maria Chiara , van den Heuvel Robert H. H. , Santos‐Sierra Sandra , Folkers Gert E. , Lemonnier Marc , Díaz‐Orejas Ramón , Heck Albert J. R. , Boelens Rolf
Published: January 2007

The proteins Kid and Kis are the toxin and antitoxin, respectively, encoded by the parD operon of Escherichia coli plasmid R1. Kis prevents the inhibition of E. coli cell growth caused by the RNA cleavage activity of Kid. Overproduction of MazE, the chromosome‐encoded homologue of Kis, has been demonstrated to neutralize Kid toxicity to a certain extent in the absence of native Kis. Here, we show that a high structural similarity exists between these antitoxins, using NMR spectroscopy. We report about the interactions between Kid and Kis that are responsible for neutralization of Kid toxicity and enhance autoregulation of parD transcription. Native macromolecular mass spectrometry data demonstrate that Kid and Kis form multiple complexes. At Kis:Kid ratios equal to or exceeding 1:1, as found in vivo in a plasmid‐containing cell, various complexes are present, ranging from Kid2–Kis2 tetramer up to Kis2–Kid2–Kis2–Kid2–Kis2 decamer. When Kid is in excess of Kis, corresponding to an in vivo situation immediately after loss of the plasmid, the Kid2–Kis2–Kid2 heterohexamer is the most abundant species. NMR chemical shift and intensity perturbations in the 1H 15N HSQC spectra of Kid and Kis, observed when titrating the partner protein, show that the interaction sites of Kid and Kis resemble those within the previously reported MazF2–MazE2–MazF2 complex. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Kid2–MazE2 tetramers can be formed via weak interactions involving a limited part of the Kis‐binding residues of Kid. The functional roles of the identified Kid–Kis and Kid–MazE interaction sites and complexes in toxin neutralization and repression of transcription are discussed. Proteins 2007; © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
How lessons learned from using QFD led to the evolution of a process for creating quality requirements for complex systems
Authors: Hari Amihud , Kasser Joseph E. , Weiss Menachem P.
Published: January 2007

While the requirements document is an important product, and the importance of good requirements has often been stated, little attention has been given in the systems engineering literature as to the application of published techniques for eliciting requirements for new products. It is likely that this lack will be remedied in the future, and many of those techniques will be adopted and published in the systems engineering literature. However, just reusing those tools for creating specifications for complex systems is as fraught as the reuse of software without investigating the context from where the proposed reusable module was taken from and its suitability for use in the new context. This paper addresses that issue, in the context of Quality Function Deployment (QFD), which has been used in the commercial arena to elucidate and negotiate requirements for new products for at least 20 years. QFD has a lot to offer with respect to new products, but when used to specify the requirements for complex systems, has been found to have a number of deficiencies. This paper summarizes the top six lessons learned from 15 years of experience in using QFD in the elicitation, elucidation, and negotiation of requirements for complex systems and documents a process for creating requirements by identifying the customer's needs and transforming them into well‐written requirements. The most important contributions made by this paper are the modifications to QFD in the form of the decision table and the evolution of QFD into a process for defining requirements for complex systems named Quality Requirements Definition (QRD). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 10: 45–63, 2007
Regulatory processes and population cyclicity in laboratory populations of Anagasta kühniella (Zeller) (lepidoptera: Phycitidae) V. Host finding and parasitization in a “small” universe by an entomophagous parasite, Venturia canescens (Gravenhorst) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)
Authors: Matsumoto B. M. , Huffaker C. B.
Published: January 2007

Host finding by the entomophagous parasite, Venturia canescens (Grav.), parasitizing Anagasta kühniella (Zeller) was studied.

Studies utilizing fixed densities and dispersion patterns of the hosts where no choice of density groupings was offered showed that within the experimental conditions used, host density relationships were more important than dispersion. Decreasing the time hosts were exposed to a parasite from 72 hours to 24 hours did not alter the overall parasitization. In both cases progressively less hosts were parasitized as host density increased, which exemplified aHolling‐type of response. However, when host densities were varied within the same universe, independent of dispersion patterns, and the parasites were given a “choice” of host densities to attack, an increasing percentage of hosts in the higher host density groups were parasitized; thus a density‐dependent behavioral response was exhibited.
Measuring the structural similarity of two communities composed of the same species
Authors: Poole Robert W.
Published: January 2007

The primary purpose of this paper is to propose empirical measures of the structural differences between two communities of plants or animals composed of the same species. Structure is defined to consist of; 1) the species in the community, 2) the pattern of interactions as represented by the covariance or correlation matrix of successive observations on each species, and 3) the mean abundances of each species in each of the two communities. Statistical tests are proposed for testing whether the covariance matrices and the vectors of mean densities for each community are equal and empirical measures of the differences between the covariance matrices and mean vectors are proposed. Given unequal covariance or correlation matrices the factor analysis model is used to derive empirical measures of the degree to which each variable of the ecosystem is responsible for the observed defferences in the pattern of interactions in each community. These tests and measures were applied to data gathered byHunter(1966) on the abundances of six species ofDrosophilacensused monthly over a period of approximately two and a half years in two adjacent, but different habitats near Bogota, colombia. The two covariance matrices were significantly different indicating different patterns of interactions in the twoDrosophilacommunities.
Use of some essential oils as natural preservatives for butter
Authors: Farag R. S. , Ali M. N. , Taha S. H.
Published: January 2007

Thyme and cumin essential oils were used in the present study in an attempt to prevent butter deterioration during storage at room temperature. Butter oxidation and lipolysis were followed by measuring the acid, peroxide and TBA values. Lipolytic activity and total microbial and lipolytic bacterial counts were also measured. During butter storage, very little change in the peroxide and TBA values were found while a gradual increase in the acid value was noticed. The addition of cumin and thyme oils at 200 ppm to butter caused very little increase in the acid value. The data for lipolytic bacterial counts were in general agreement with the acid values. Thyme and cumin essential oils showed a greater anti‐hydrolytic effect and act as superior preservatives compared to BHT.
A mathematical consideration on the adaptation strategy of marine fishes
Authors: Tanaka Syoiti
Published: January 2007

Selections of life history is examined quantitatively for marine fishes based on mechanical models on survival, growth and maturation.

For survival model, usual exponential model is applied and for growth modelvon Bertalanffy growth curve is used.

Total assimilation, total egg production, mean duration of generation and equilibrium catch of one year class throughout its life are calculated. Effects on these quantities of manipulating parameters are examined particularly for K ofBertalanffy's growth curve, life span T and natural mortality coefficient M.

Three kinds of strategies are taken into consideration. They are to maximize (1) growth rate of population, (2) energy efficiency for egg production and (3) total egg production throughout the life.

Adaptation strategies are considered under the condition of no fishing. Strategists of first kind include anchovy and saury and have large K and M values and small T values. Strategiests of second kind include sardine and herring and have large values of all K, M and T. Strategists of third kind include tuna and flatfishes and have small K and M and large T values.

Referring to tuna, sardine and anchovy, three sets of parameter values are posturated and the effects of fishing are examined. Tuna type fish are most severely affected by fishing but sardine and anchovy type fish are affected moderately or slightly by fishing provided that only adult fish are exploited. Particularly anchovy type fish are considered to be quite tough against fishing.

Discussions are presented on such subjects as relation between environment and selection of life history, types of population fluctuation, and fisheries management problems.
Pea and lentil protein extraction and functionality
Authors: Swanson Barry G.
Published: January 2007

These studies have demonstrated that peas and lentils can be used as protein sources for flours, concentrates and isolates. Less research attention has been devoted to lentil protein extraction, probably because of the greater cost of lentils as compared to peas. Pin‐milling and air classification is well adapted to extracting pea flours to produce pea protein concentrates. Apparently, air‐classification can be applied successfully to starch rich legumes, but will not give satisfactory results with lipid rich legumes.

Wet processes, including alkaline and salt and acid solubilization, together with isoelectric precipitation or ultrafiltration, have been developed. The pea and lentil protein extracts of these processes exhibit comparable and complementary functionality to homologous soybean products. Air‐classified pea protein concentrates are different from soy protein concentrates because of residual starch which can be useful for particular functional applications. Pea isolates appear to exhibit better foaming properties and more solubility than soy isolates, but pea isolates have to be more concentrated than soy isolates to produce viscous dispersions. The economic feasibility of pea and lentil protein extracts is related directly to protein content of the flour, unique functionality of the extracts, marketability of the by‐products of extraction and the cost of peas or lentils.
Monomeric dihydroperoxide concentrates from autoxidized methyl docosahexaenoate
Authors: Fukuzumi Kazuo , Miyakawa Takero , Morohira Hidenori
Published: January 2007

An amount of 97% methyl docosahexaenoate (obtained from mackerel pike oil) was prepared, and then its autoxidized products were concd by a countercurrent extraction procedure. By partition chromatography, the autoxidized concs were separated into three fractions. From the first fraction, methyl docosahexaenoate monomeric dihydroperoxide concs were obtained for the first time, though the presence of the dihydroperoxide had been ascertained by the authors before. The dihydroperoxide concs were identified by determining the peroxide value, the mol wt, and UV and IR spectra. From IR data it was confirmed that weak absorptions due toa‐methylene groups and C=C stretching vibrations, respectively, were present in the concs. Thetrans‐trans conjugated diene andcis nonconjugated double bond absorptions appear as relatively strong bands, but thecis‐trans conjugated one is weak. Therefore, the molecules of the concs may have relatively symmetrical structures. The second fraction eluted after the first one contains the products to which the dihydroperoxides have changed on the chromatographic column.
Composition and structure of phospholipids in chicken muscle tissues
Authors: Peng C. Y. , Dugan L. R.
Published: January 2007

Lipids extracted from breast muscle and thigh muscle of one‐year old chickens on a standard MSU‐Z‐4 diet have been fractionated by silicic acid column chromatography into nonphospholipids, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl serine, phosphatidyl choline (lecithin), and sphingomyelins. Phospholipid fractions were identified by thin‐layer chromatography and the quantity of each determined by gravimetric analysis, analysis of the phosphorus content, and infrared spectra.

The phospholipid content of thigh muscle (dark meat) lipids was higher than that in the breast muscle (white meat). Phosphatidyl choline and phosphatidyl ethanolamine were found in relatively greater amts than phosphatidyl serine and sphingomyelins. Enzymatic hydrolysis followed by gas‐liquid chromatographic analysis of the fatty acids liberated and those in the lysocompounds was used to establish the positional specificity of the fatty acids in the phosphoglycerides. The polyunsaturated fatty acids are located primarily at the ॆ‐position and the saturated fatty acids at the ॅ艂‐position. The qualitative and quantiative determination of the plasmalogens was also accomplished.
Gas‐liquid chromatography of glycerides
Authors: Kuksis Arnis
Published: January 2007

Available techniques are reviewed for gas‐liquid chromatography of mono‐, di‐ and triglycerides and their chemical modification products. Major emphasis is placed upon optimum separation and quantitative estimation of the recorded peaks. Nonlinear rates of temp programming are shown to be superior to linear rates for maximum resolution of complex glyceride mixtures. The use of short columns improves the recoveries of the components but may not provide a sufficient number of theoretical plates for all types of separations. The quantitative interpretation of the results is facilitated by the utilization of a flame ionization detector which gives correct weight response for the combustible carbon content of these materials.
A rapid low temperature method for preparation of methyl esters of fatty acids
Authors: McGinnis Gertrude W. , Dugan L. R.
Published: January 2007

A rapid method for preparation of methyl esters of fatty acids in lipids has been accomplished by forming the sulfuric acid complex of the lipid in ethyl ether at the temp of a dry ice‐acetone bath. Decomposition of the complex with methanol results in direct formation of methyl esters of the fatty acids. A comparison was made of gas liquid chromatography (GLC) analysis of fatty acid composition of several fats using methyl esters prepared by this and by two other methods. Results of this comparison reveal that the method is not only rapid but provides complete reaction with no apparent changes in the fatty acids.
Combination of thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography in the analysis on a microgram scale of lipids from wheat flour and wheat flour doughs
Authors: Graveland A.
Published: January 2007

Lipids were extacted on a microgram scale from 3 to 6 mg flour or from freeze‐dried dough by percolation. The impure extract was separated into 12 nonpolar and 14 polar lipids by TLC. Then the fatty acid composition of most of these lipids was determined by gas chromatography. The microscale method renders possible qualitative and quantitative determination of the composition of the lipids in minute quantities of flour and dough. The selectivity of different extraction solvents was studied. In both flour and dough the fatty acid composition of a given component is identical in the free and bound lipid fractions. In dough, the quantity of free lipids is less than in flour; the extent of the decrease depends on the atmosphere in which it is mixed. During mixing, the carotenoid pigments, α‐monoglycerides and the free linoleic acid and linolenic acid are oxidized. Oxidation is apparently a function of the concentration of oxygen and of lipoxidase.
Compositional data on sunflower seed
Authors: Earle F. R. , Vanetten C. H. , Clark T. F. , Wolff I. A.
Published: January 2007

Comparative data are provided on the composition of achenes from sunflower varieties Armavirec, Peredovik, VNIIMK 8931, Smena, Krasnodarets, Arrowhead and Mingren. Handseparated achene components were analyzed. Kernel oil from seed raised in northern United States or southern Canada typically contains about 70% of linoleic acid. In addition to other common acids, traces of C17, C20, C22, C24 acids and linolenic acid are present. The amino acid composition of sunflower kernel protein suggests that the meal may be a valuable ingredient of high‐quality feed or food materials. The hull is primarily cellulose, lignin and pentosans; hull lipid and protein differ in composition from the corresponding kernel constituents.
Melting and solidification characteristics of confectionery fats: Anhydrous milk fat, cocoa butter and palm kernel stearin blends
Authors: Ali A. R. Md. , Dimick P. S.
Published: January 2007

Differential scanning calorimetry measurements of crystallization and melting characteristics of commercial samples of anhydrous milk fat (AMF), cocoa butter (CB) and hydrogenated palm kernel stearin (PKS) in ternary blends were studied. Results showed that stabilization at 26°C (either for 40 h or 7 d) did not greatly affect the melting thermogram trace of PKS. However, the effect of stabilization became prominent as CB was added into the system. Deviation of measured enthalpy from the corresponding values, calculated for thermodynamically ideal blends, showed clear interaction between all three fats. At 20°C, the strongest deviation occurred at about the AMF/CB/PKS (1∶1∶1) blend, whereas at 30°C the deviation moved toward the CB/MF (1∶1) blend. The presence of 25% AMF in PKS had little effect on its solidification capability, but solidification was adversely affected with inclusion of CB.