bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT ABSORPTION IN NORMAL AND IN PATHOLOGICAL CEREBROSPINAL FLUIDS
Authors: Kovacs Ernest
Published: December 2009

Ultraviolet spectrophotometric studies were described in 402 cerebrospinal fluids (CSF's). Normal specimens exhibited a hyperbolic curve with end-absorption but no selective absorption. In CSF's of neurologically normal hospital patients absorption maxima were found, possibly dependent upon moderate increase of proteins (PR). In centrifuged meningitis samples peaks were demonstrated, scattered over the spectral region investigated. Fifteen per cent of the CSF's in this group exhibited absorption curves similar to the normal. In contrast, all but 2% of the poliomyelitis specimens exhibited absorption bands. The distribution of the maxima was compact; none under 2500 Å., and the vast majority in the middle zones from 2600 to 2900 Å., caused in part probably by nucleic acid (NA) and PR, or their derivatives. The samples of neurosyphilis, miscellaneous neurological, and psychotic cases exhibited a variety of absorption bands. In degenerative processes also selective bands suggesting some steroid compounds appeared. Some special features of ultraviolet spectrophotometry of the CSF were discussed. The described technique supplemented by chemical methods and applied critically may be a useful tool in clinical laboratory work.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF CEREBRAL ARTERIES: THE CONCENTRATION OF LIPIDS AND MINERALS COMPARED WITH THOSE IN THE INTERNAL CAROTID
Authors: Buck Robert C. , Paterson James C. , Rossiter Roger J.
Published: December 2009

The concentration of total cholesterol, free cholesterol, total phospholipid, nonlipid phosphorus, calcium, and fat-free dry residue was determined in the internal carotid and cerebral arteries obtained at autopsy from a series of 14 male subjects ranging in age from 40 to 85 yr. From these figures the concentration of cholesterol ester and percentage of the total cholesterol in the ester form was calculated.In terms of wet weight, there was, in general, no significant difference between the mean concentration of lipids in the internal carotid arteries and that in the cerebral arteries. On the other hand, the mean concentration of calcium and nonlipid phosphorus was much greater in the internal carotid arteries than in the cerebral arteries.By the method of rank correlation it was found that for both vessels the concentration of total, free, and ester cholesterol was significantly correlated with both age and the severity of the atherosclerosis. Ester cholesterol expressed as a percentage of total cholesterol was also significantly correlated with age and the severity of the disease process.For the internal carotid artery, the concentration of calcium and nonlipid phosphorus was correlated with both age and the severity of the atherosclerosis. This was in contrast to the cerebral arteries in which the concentration of calcium and nonlipid phosphorus was extremely low and was found to be correlated neither with age nor the severity of the disease process.
CARDIORENAL EFFECTS OF LARGE INFUSIONS OF DEXTRAN IN DOGS
Authors: Gowdey C. W. , Young I. E.
Published: December 2009

The production of hypervolemic dilution anemia in intact, anesthetized dogs by the continuous intravenous infusion of 6% dextran solution caused large increases in the cardiac output and urine flow. No consistent changes were observed in pulse rate or arterial blood pressure. The right auricular mean pressure usually increased early in the infusion, but later there was no consistent relation between right auricular pressure and cardiac output. The total peripheral resistance, glomerular filtration rate, and renal blood flow decreased. With infusion volumes exceeding 10% of the body weight, acute high-output heart failure occurred. The observed hemodilution was consistently greater than that expected from the volume of the infusion, because the dextran solution was, presumably, hypertonic.
A RAPID METHOD FOR FILTER PAPER ELECTROPHORESIS
Authors: Vesselinovitch S. D. , Funnell H. S.
Published: December 2009

A technique for filter paper electrophoresis and strip staining that permits the running time to be reduced to two hours or less is described. Some typical two hour electrophoretic patterns are illustrated and the clinical advantages of the technique mentioned. Details of a simple and inexpensive apparatus for electrophoresis on filter paper are given. Several variables affecting rapid and distinct protein separation, which were modified in the development of this method, and the relationships between these changes and the shortened running time are discussed.
IMPORTANCE OF THE VASCULAR FACTOR IN THE ETIOLOGY OF POSTHISTAMINIC GASTRIC ULCERS IN GUINEA PIGS
Authors: Kowalewski Konstanty
Published: December 2009

Large doses of histamine cause gastric hyperacidity and ulceration in guinea pigs. Colchicine prevents the hyperacidity but not the ulceration; posterior pituitary extract prevents the ulceration but not the hyperacidity. These findings suggest that the vascular component of the gastric response to histamine is more important than the secretory component for the genesis of histamine ulcers.
SIMULTANEOUS DETERMINATION OF KYNURENINE AND p-PHENETIDINE IN HUMAN URINE
Authors: Špaček M.
Published: December 2009

A simple, sensitive, fairly specific, and accurate procedure is described for the simultaneous quantitative determination of kynurenine and p-phenetidine in human urine. It is based on alkaline decomposition of kynurenine and conjugated p-phenetidine to yield o-aminoacetophenone and p-phenetidine, respectively.
METABOLISM OF MAMMALIAN ERYTHROCYTES: V. ROLE OF CATALASE IN THE OXIDATION OF RIBOSE-5-PHOSPHATE BY THE ERYTHROCYTE
Authors: Francoeur Marc , Denstedt Orville F.
Published: December 2009

Ribose-5-phosphate has been found to be rapidly oxidized by the stroma-free hemolyzate of human, rat, and rabbit erythrocytes in the presence of ferricyanide under anaerobic conditions, or in the presence of methylene blue under aerobic conditions. Compounds resembling R-5-P, such as ribose, arabinose, xylose, glucose, glucose-6-phosphate, fructose-6-phosphate, and hexose diphosphate are not oxidized under these conditions. The oxidation does not involve DPN or TPN and it is completely inhibited by cyanide. The Ks is about 2 × 10−2 M. Under anaerobic conditions, in the presence of ferricyanide, the enzyme responsible for the oxidation is catalase. Purified catalase from beef liver or from rabbit erythrocytes yields the same results as the SFH from human, rat, or rabbit erythrocytes with respect to specificity, cyanide sensitivity, and the Ks value. Under aerobic conditions, catalase is responsible also for the oxidation of R-5-P, but the mechanism involves the peroxidase action of catalase. Catalase catalyzes the oxidation of R-5-P by hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a system which slowly generates hydrogen peroxide, such as the glucose–glucose oxidase or the hemoglobin – methylene blue systems.
METABOLISM OF MAMMALIAN ERYTHROCYTES: VI. HEME AS A CATALYST FOR THE OXIDATION OF GLYOXAL IN THE ERYTHROCYTE
Authors: Francoeur Marc , Denstedt Orville F.
Published: December 2009

The oxidation of glyoxal by ferricyanide or by molecular oxygen has been shown to be catalyzed by the stroma-free hemolyzate of human, rat, and rabbit erythrocytes. The catalysis is non-enzymatic and has been shown to be brought about by the heme of the blood pigment. Heat-denatured SFH, purified Hb, and cytochrome c yield the same results as fresh SFH. Evidence is presented that the mechanism of the catalysis involves a valency change in the heme of the blood pigment.
THE EFFECTS OF SINGLE LARGE INFUSIONS OF VARIOUS DEXTRAN SOLUTIONS ON HYPOVOLEMIC DOGS
Authors: Semple Robert E.
Published: December 2009

Standardized bleeding procedures were carried out on anesthetized dogs. Some animals received no therapy, some infusions of saline, and some received dextran infusions at times that varied from immediately to three and one-half hours after hemorrhage. With no therapy, one of eight animals survived; with saline infusions, 4 of 13 survived; and with dextran 23 of 24 dogs survived. There was often wound bleeding after dextran; this was not seen in saline treated animals but dextran treated animals recovered rapidly and no other ill-effects were noted. Dextran infusions were quantitatively retained in the circulation for an appreciable time and the volume and pressure of the circulating fluid were effectively restored and maintained. The amount of dextran excreted in urine was inversely related to the mean molecular weight of the infused material and the quantity excreted was the same as that observed in normal animals. The rate of disappearance of dextran by other than the renal route did not vary with the mean molecular weight, and indicated that the dextran molecule is catabolized at from 4.9 to 8.6 mgm./hr./kgm. body weight. About 50% of total plasma proteins of animals was lost by the hemorrhage and was replaced, after dextran infusions, within four days. There was no evidence, after dextran infusions, of dextran storage in kidney, spleen, or liver.
A METHOD FOR THE ESTIMATION OF GLYCERIDES IN BLOOD
Authors: Stewart R. D.
Published: December 2009

A method has been devised by which neutral glycerides may be determined in 0.1 ml. of whole blood. Lipid is extracted from the blood with alcohol–ether, dissolved in chloroform, and saponified. The liberated glycerol is then oxidized with periodic acid and the resulting formaldehyde distilled into sodium sulphite solution. The distillate is then reacted with chromotropic acid and the resulting color measured with a photoelectric colorimeter. A correction for formaldehyde derived from phospholipid may be applied if the blood lipid phosphorus level is known. The results of some typical analyses of blood from normal and diabetic subjects are given.
STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF VITAMIN B6 DEPRIVATION ON CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM IN THE RAT
Authors: Beaton J. R. , Goodwin M. E.
Published: December 2009

The results of in vivo and in vitro studies on carbohydrate metabolism in the vitamin-B6-deprived rat are reported. All comparisons were made with pair-fed control animals. Within five days of vitamin B6 restriction, rats have significantly lowered fasting levels of blood sugar and liver glycogen. These abnormalities are more marked after 21 days of deprivation and are accompanied by significantly lowered fasting blood levels of pyruvic acid and lactic acid. The activity of lactic acid dehydrogenase, one enzyme involved in carbohydrate metabolism, was measured in vitro and found to be significantly depressed in the vitamin-B6-deprived rat. The conclusion is drawn that an abnormal metabolism of carbohydrate occurs in rats deprived of vitamin B6. This abnormality is evident early in the deprivation period.
Design and synthesis of some biologically interesting natural and unnatural products based on organosulfur and selenium chemistry
Authors: Back Thomas G.
Published: December 2009

Organosulfur and selenium chemistry has provided fertile ground for the discovery of novel synthetic methodology and for the design of bioactive molecules with potential therapeutic applications. Thus, acetylenic sulfones have been employed in novel strategies for the synthesis of nitrogen heterocycles, including several biologically active alkaloids. The conjugate addition of nitrogen nucleophiles containing ester or chloroalkyl substituents to acetylenic sulfones was followed by base-mediated intramolecular alkylation or acylation to afford variously substituted piperidines, pyrrolizidines, indolizidines, quinolizidines, decahydroquinolines, and 4-quinolones. The products include the dendrobatid alkaloids (–)-pumiliotoxin C, indolizidines (–)-167B, 207A, 209B, and 209D, as well as (–)-(ent)-julifloridine, (–)-lasubine II, myrtine, and two recently discovered alkaloids from the medicinal plant Ruta chalepensis , which had not been previously synthesized. Acetylenic sulfones were also incorporated on solid supports and employed in the types of cyclizations mentioned above, as well as for Diels–Alder reactions and a large variety of 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions. Conjugate additions of tertiary cyclic α-vinyl amines to acetylenic sulfones generated zwitterions that underwent exceptionally facile formal aza-Cope rearrangements to afford ring-expanded macrocyclic amines. An iterative version was developed and used in the synthesis of motuporamine A and B. With respect to organoselenium chemistry, two classes of compounds are described that function as novel mimetics of the selenoenzyme glutathione peroxidase (GPx), which protects cells from oxidative stress caused by the formation of peroxides during aerobic metabolism. They include cyclic seleninates and spirodioxyselenuranes, both of which efficiently catalyze the reduction of peroxides with thiols and are of potential value in the mitigation of oxidative stress. Their aromatic derivatives are generally less effective catalysts, but substituent effects can be used to modulate their activities. The mechanism of their catalytic cycles has been elucidated and Hammett plots indicate that the oxidation of Se(II) to Se(IV) is the rate-determining step for both classes. A methoxy-substituted aromatic spirodioxyselenurane provided the fastest rate for a small-molecule selenium compound that we have observed to date for the reduction of hydrogen peroxide with benzyl thiol.
Molecular dynamics simulations of N-methylacetamide (NMA) in water by the ABEEM/MM model
Authors: Qian Ping , Lu Li-Nan , Yang Zhong-Zhi
Published: December 2009

The N-methylacetamide (NMA) is a very interesting kind of compound and often serves as a model of the peptide bond. The interaction between NMA and water provides a convenient prototype for the solvation of peptides in aqueous solutions. We have carried out molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of a NMA molecule in water under 1 atm and 298 K. The simulations make use of the newly developed NMA–water fluctuating charge ABEEM/MM potential model ( Yang, Z. Z.; Qian, P. J. Chem. Phys. 2006, 125, 064311 ), which is based on the combination of the atom-bond electronegativity equalization method (ABEEM) and molecular mechanics (MM). This model has been successfully applied to NMA–water gas clusters, NMA(H2O)n (n = 1–6), and accurately reproduced many static properties. For the NMA–water ABEEM/MM potential model, two characters must be emphasized in the simulations. Firstly, the model allows the charges in system to fluctuate, responding to the ambient environment. Secondly, for two major types of intermolecular hydrogen bonds, which are the hydrogen bond forming between the lone-pair electron on amide oxygen and the water hydrogen, and the one forming between the lone-pair electron on water oxygen and the amide hydrogen, we take special treatments in describing the electrostatic interaction by the use of the parameters klpO=,H and klpO–,HN–, respectively, which explicitly describe the short-range interaction of hydrogen bonds in the hydrogen bond interaction region. All sorts of properties have been studied in detail, such as, radial distribution function, energy distribution, ABEEM charge distribution and dipole moment, and so on. These simulation results show that the ABEEM/MM-based NMA–water potential model appears to be robust, giving the solution properties in excellent agreement with other dynamics simulations on similar systems.
Remarkable high-yielding chemical modification of gold nanoparticles using uncatalyzed click-type 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition chemistry and hyperbaric conditions
Authors: Ismaili Hossein , Alizadeh Abdolhamid , Snell Kristen E. , Workentin Mark S.
Published: December 2009

Azide-terminated alkyl thiolate monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles (1-C12MPN) with a core size of 1.8 ± 0.2 nm were prepared. 1-C12MPN was modified in high yields via an uncatalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (click-type reaction) with a variety of terminal acyl–alkynes under hyperbaric conditions at 11 000 atm. The resulting 1,2,3-triazole modified MPNs (2-C12MPN) were characterized using 1H NMR spectroscopy and were verified by comparison of the spectra to those obtained for the products of the model reactions of 1-azidododecane with the same alkynes. TEM analysis showed that the high-pressure conditions did not affect the size of the gold core, suggesting that the only effect is to facilitate the chemical reaction on the particles.
A spectral displacement study of cyclodextrin/naphthenic acids inclusion complexes
Authors: Mohamed Mohamed H. , Wilson Lee D. , Headley John V. , Peru Kerry M.
Published: December 2009

The spectral displacement technique has been used to obtain 1:1 β-cyclodextrin (β-CD)/carboxylate anion equilibrium binding constants (K2) for some complex mixtures of naphthenic acids (NAs) and some examples of single-component NAs in aqueous solution. Three specific examples of single-component NAs were chosen with variable Z values as follows: 2-hexyldecanoic acid (Z = 0; S1), trans-4-pentylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid (Z = –2; S2), and dicyclohexylacetic acid (Z = –4; S3). The estimated K2 values for S1, S2, and S3 are as follows: 1.42 × 103 M–1, 52.2 × 104 M–1, and 13.1 × 104 M–1, respectively. The corresponding K2 values are 2.34 × 104 M–1 and 1.27 × 104 M–1 for commercial (Fluka) and industrial (Syncrude) sourced NAs, respectively. The magnitude of K2 for 1:1 complexes formed between β-CD and S1, S2, or S3 did not correlate with the degree of hydrogen deficiency (Z-series) but there was a correlation with the size of the guest molecules (n) examined in this study. The correlation between complex stability and the relative size of the lipophilic fragments of the guest molecule are related to the importance of the hydrophobic effect for inclusion of such carboxylic acid guest molecules within β-CD.
EXTENDED SYMMETRIES AND SOLUTIONS OF (2 + 1)-DIMENSIONAL NONLINEAR SCHRÖDINGER EQUATION WITH VARIABLE COEFFICIENTS
Authors: WANG JIA , LI BIAO
Published: December 2009

By generalized symmetry group method, some time-space-dependent finite transformations between two different (2 + 1)-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger equations (NLSE) are constructed. From these transformations, some (2 + 1)-dimensional variable coefficients NLSE can be reduced to another variable coefficients NLSE or corresponding constant coefficients NLSE. Abundant solutions of some (2 + 1)-dimensional variable coefficients NLSE are obtained from their corresponding constant coefficients NLSE.
HEAT CAPACITY OF 13- AND 19-ATOM PD–CO BINARY CLUSTERS: PARALLEL TEMPERING MONTE CARLO STUDY
Authors: ARSLAN HAYDAR , IRMAK ALI EKBER
Published: December 2009

Alloy nanoclusters are of interest because of their novel properties compared to bulk alloys. In this study, the thermal behavior of 13- and 19-atom Pd–Co binary clusters has been investigated by parallel tempering Monte Carlo technique using the Sutton–Chen many body potential. Clear changes in heat capacity curve are observed as a function of Pd–Co composition. We also found that, the 13-atom cluster melts in two stages and 19-atom cluster melts as a whole.
DENSITY WAVE IN A NEW ANISOTROPIC CONTINUUM MODEL FOR TRAFFIC FLOW
Authors: YU LEI , SHI ZHONG-KE
Published: December 2009

In this paper, we apply a new anisotropic continuum model proposed by Gupta and Katiyar (GK model, for short) [J. Phys. A: Math. Gen.38, 4069 (2005)] to study the density wave of traffic flow. The GK model guarantees the characteristic speeds are always less than or equal to the macroscopic flow speed and overcomes the wrong way travel problem which exists in many high-order continuum models. The stability condition of the GK model is obtained. Applying nonlinear analysis to the GK model, we can obtain the soliton, one type of local density wave, which is induced by the density fluctuation in traffic flow. The soliton wave, which is determined near the neutral stability line by the Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation, is discussed in great detail. The numerical results show that local cluster effects which are consistent with the diverse nonlinear phenomena observed in realistic traffic flow can be induced from the GK model.
MONOFRACTAL AND MULTIFRACTAL APPROACHES IN INVESTIGATING TEMPORAL VARIATION OF AIR POLLUTION INDEXES
Authors: SHI KAI , LIU CHUN-QIONG , AI NAN-SHAN
Published: December 2009

It seems evident that the understanding of the complex temporal evolution dynamic characteristics of air pollution indexes (APIs) can contribute to developing advanced techniques for air pollution forecasting. In this work, monofractal and multifractal methods have been successfully used to characterize the temporal fluctuations of APIs in Shanghai. It shows that APIs in Shanghai are characterized by scale invariance, long range dependence and multifractal scaling. Introducing a kind of variable window sizes method, we analyze the temporal evolution of the monofractal and multifractal behaviors of APIs. Some information about the temporal evolution dynamics of APIs is revealed. Our study suggests that the variable window sizes method can be help the analysis of air pollution time series temporal evolution dynamical mechanisms. This work could play an important role in the research of air pollution.
HOW TO MAKE FRACTAL TILINGS AND FRACTAL REPTILES
Authors: LAI PENG-JEN
Published: December 2009

Intensive research on fractals began around 1980 and many new discoveries have been made. However, the connection between fractals, tilings and reptiles has not been thoroughly explored. This paper shows that a method, similar to that used to construct irregular tilings in ℜ2 can be employed to construct fractal tilings. Five main methods, including methods in Escher style paintings and the Conway criterion are used to create the fractal tilings. Also an algorithm is presented to generate fractal reptiles. These methods provide a more geometric way to understand fractal tilings and fractal reptiles and complements iteration methods.
BOX DIMENSION AND MINKOWSKI CONTENT OF THE CLOTHOID
Authors: KORKUT L. , ŽUBRINIĆ D. , ŽUPANOVIĆ V.
Published: December 2009

We prove that the box dimension of the standard clothoid is equal to d = 4/3. Furthermore, this curve is Minkowski measurable, and we compute its d-dimensional Minkowski content. Oscillatory dimensions of component functions of the clothoid are also equal to 4/3.
Student and Faculty Perceptions of Undergraduate Research Experiences in Computing
Authors: Barker L.
Published: December 2009

Undergraduate research experiences are promoted and funded for their potential in increasing students’ likelihood of pursuing graduate degrees, increasing their confidence, and expanding their awareness of their discipline and career opportunities. These outcomes, however, depend on the social, organizational, and intellectual conditions under which students conduct research. Large-scale comparative studies suggest that computer science undergraduate researchers participate in fewer of the activities that lead to membership in a “culture of research.” This interview-based study illuminates the experiences of both undergraduates and their faculty research mentors in computer science summer and academic year programs. Twenty-five undergraduates and 31 faculty mentors, the majority women, were interviewed. Their stories reveal best and worst case research conditions for students, the special benefits to women who have experienced harassment in their classes, unconscious biases of faculty, the wisdom of faculty who guide undergraduates to successful research outcomes, and faculty’s perceptions of benefits for themselves, their departments, and the students they mentor.
Diagnosing Learners’ Problem-Solving Strategies Using Learning Environments with Algorithmic Problems in Secondary Education
Authors: Kiesmüller Ulrich
Published: December 2009

At schools special learning and programming environments are often used in the field of algorithms. Particularly with regard to computer science lessons in secondary education, they are supposed to help novices to learn the basics of programming. In several parts of Germany (e.g., Bavaria) these fundamentals are taught as early as in the seventh grade, when pupils are 12 to 13 years old. Designed age-based learning and programming environments such as Karel the robot and Kara, the programmable ladybug, are used, but learners still underachieve. One possible approach to improving both the teaching and the learning process is to specify the knowledge concerning the learners’ individual problem solving strategies, their solutions, and their respective quality.

A goal of the research project described here is to design the learning environment so that it can identify and categorize several problem-solving strategies automatically. Based on this knowledge, learning and programming environments can be improved, which will optimize the computer science lessons in which they are applied. Therefore, the environments must be enhanced with special analytic and diagnostic modules, the results of which can be given to the learner in the form of individualized system feedback messages in the future.

In this text preliminary considerations are demonstrated. The research methodology as well as the design and the implementation of the research instruments are explained. We describe first studies, whose results are presented and discussed.
Injection of Urocortin 3 into the ventromedial hypothalamus modulates feeding, blood glucose levels, and hypothalamic POMC gene expression but not the HPA axis
Authors: Chen Peilin , Vaughan Joan , Donaldson Cindy , Vale Wylie , Li Chien
Published: December 2009

Urocortin 3 (Ucn 3) is a corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-related peptide with high affinity for the type 2 CRF receptor (CRFR2). Central administration of Ucn 3 stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, suppresses feeding, and elevates blood glucose levels, suggesting that activation of brain CRFR2 promotes stress-like responses. Several CRFR2-expressing brain areas, including the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) and the posterior amygdala (PA), may be potential sites mediating the effects of Ucn 3. In the present study, Ucn 3 or vehicle was bilaterally injected into the VMH or PA, and food intake and plasma levels of ACTH, corticosterone, glucose, and insulin were determined. Food intake was greatly reduced in rats following Ucn 3 injection into the VMH. Ucn 3 injection into the VMH rapidly elevated plasma levels of glucose and insulin but did not affect ACTH and corticosterone secretion. Injection of Ucn 3 into the PA did not alter any of the parameters measured. We determined that the majority of CRFR2-positive neurons in the VMH were excitatory glutamatergic, and a subset of these neurons project to the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARH). Importantly, stimulation of CRFR2 in the VMH increased proopiomelanocortin mRNA expression in the ARH. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that CRFR2 in the VMH mediates some of the central effects of Ucn 3, and the ARH melanocortin system may be a downstream target of VMH CRFR2 neurons.
Nuclear Phosphatidylcholine and Sphingomyelin Metabolism of Thyroid Cells Changes during Stratospheric Balloon Flight
Authors: Albi Elisabetta , Cataldi Samuela , Villani Maristella , Perrella Giuseppina
Published: December 2009

Nuclear sphingomyelin and phosphatidylcholine metabolism is involved in the response to ultraviolet radiation treatment in different ways related to the physiological state of cells. To evaluate the effects of low levels of radiation from the stratosphere on thyroid cells, proliferating and quiescent FRTL‐5 cells were flown in a stratospheric balloon (BIRBA mission). After recovery, the activity of neutral sphingomyelinase, phosphatidylcholine‐specific phospholipase C, sphingomyelin synthase, and reverse sphingomyelin synthase was assayed in purified nuclei and the nuclei‐free fraction. In proliferating FRTL‐5, space radiation stimulate nuclear neutral sphingomyelinase and reverse sphingomyelin synthase activity, whereas phosphatidylcholine‐specific phospholipase C and sphingomyelin synthase were inhibited, thus inducing sphingomyelin degradation and phosphatidylcholine synthesis. This effect was lower in quiescent cells. The possible role of nuclear lipid metabolism in the thyroid damage induced by space radiations is discussed.
A Conjugate Gradient Method for Unconstrained Optimization Problems
Authors: Yuan Gonglin
Published: December 2009

A hybrid method combining the FR conjugate gradient method and the WYL conjugate gradient method is proposed for unconstrained optimization problems. The presented method possesses the sufficient descent property under the strong Wolfe‐Powell (SWP) line search rule relaxing the parameter σ < 1. Under the suitable conditions, the global convergence
with the SWP line search rule and the weak Wolfe‐Powell (WWP) line search rule is established for nonconvex function. Numerical results show that this method is better than the FR method and the WYL method.
Turbine Airfoil Optimization Using Quasi‐3D Analysis Codes
Authors: Goel Sanjay
Published: December 2009

A new approach to optimize the geometry of a turbine airfoil by simultaneously designing multiple 2D sections of the airfoil is presented in this paper. The complexity of 3D geometry modeling is circumvented by generating multiple 2D airfoil sections and constraining their geometry in the radial direction using first‐ and second‐order polynomials that ensure smoothness in the radial direction. The flow fields of candidate geometries obtained during optimization are evaluated using a quasi‐3D, inviscid, CFD analysis code. An inviscid flow solver is used to reduce the execution time of the analysis. Multiple evaluation criteria based on the Mach number profile obtained from the analysis of each airfoil cross‐section are used for computing a quality metric. A key contribution of the paper is the development of metrics that emulate the perception of the human designer in visually evaluating the Mach Number distribution. A mathematical representation of the evaluation criteria coupled with a parametric geometry generator enables the use of formal optimization techniques in the design. The proposed approach is implemented in the optimal design of a low‐pressure turbine nozzle.
Meta-Analytic Structural Equation Modeling of the Influences of Family-Centered Care on Parent and Child Psychological Health
Authors: Dunst Carl J. , Trivette Carol M.
Published: December 2009

Background. Family-centered care is now practiced throughout the world by physicians, nurses, and allied health care professionals. The call for adoption of family-centered care is based on the contention that the physical and psychological health of a child is influenced by parents' psychological health where family-centered care enhances parent well-being which in turn influences child well-being. We empirically assessed whether these relationships are supported by available evidence.Method. Meta-analytic structural equation modeling was used to test the direct and indirect influences of family-centered care and self-efficacy beliefs on parent and child psychological health. Data from more than 2900 parents and other caregivers in 15 studies were used for the analyses.Results. Family-centered care had indirect effects on parent and child psychological health mediated by self-efficacy beliefs.Conclusion. The relationships posited in the literature about family-centered care were supported by the study results.
An Automatic Design Flow for Data Parallel and Pipelined Signal Processing Applications on Embedded Multiprocessor with NoC: Application to Cryptography
Authors: Li Xinyu , Hammami Omar
Published: December 2009

Embedded system design is increasingly based on single chip multiprocessors because of the high performance and flexibility requirements. Embedded multiprocessors on FPGA provide the additional flexibility by allowing customization through addition of hardware accelerators on FPGA when parallel software implementation does not provide the expected performance. And the overall multiprocessor architecture is still kept for additional applications. This provides a transition to software only parallel implementation while avoiding pure hardware implementation. An automatic design flow is proposed well suited for data flow signal processing exhibiting both pipelining and data parallel mode of execution. Fork‐Join model‐based software parallelization is explored to find out the best parallelization configuration. C‐based synthesis coprocessor is added to improve performance with more hardware resource usage. The Triple Data Encryption Standard (TDES) cryptographic algorithm on a 48‐PE single‐chip distributed memory multiprocessor is selected as an application example of the flow.
Analysis and Optimization of a Combined Make-to-Stock and Make-to-Order Multiproduct Manufacturing System
Authors: Hadj Youssef Khaled , van Delft Christian , Dallery Yves
Published: December 2009

We consider a single-stage multiproduct manufacturing facility producing several
end-products for delivery to customers with a required customer
lead-time. The end-products can be split in two classes: few
products with high volume demands and a large number of products
with low-volume demands. In order to reduce inventory costs, it
seems efficient to produce the high-volume products according to an
MTS policy and the low volume products according to an MTO policy.
The purpose of this paper is to analyze and compare the impact of
the scheduling policy on the overall inventory costs, under
customer lead-time service level constraints. We consider two
policies: the classical FIFO policy and a priority policy (PR)
which gives priority to low volume products over high volume
products. We show that for some range of parameters, the PR rule
can significantly outperform the FIFO rule. In these ranges, the
service level constraints are satisfied by the PR rule with much
lower inventory costs.
A Pilot Study of Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator (uPA) Overexpression in the Brush Cytology of Patients with Malignant Pancreatic or Biliary Strictures
Authors: Gibbs John F. , Schlieman Michael , Singh Paramvir , Saxena Rakhee , Martinick Maisie , Hutson Alan D. , Corasanti James
Published: December 2009

We have previously demonstrated that uPA is overexpressed in pancreatic tumors. In an attempt to diagnose these tumors earlier, we sought to determine whether uPA could be identified in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography obtained brushings in patients with malignant pancreatic and biliary strictures. Secondarily, uPA was measured in the serum of this patient population. uPA overexpression was identified in the cytologic tissue in 8 of 11 patients (72.7%). Serum analysis demonstrated a 2-fold higher concentration of uPA in the pancreaticobiliary cancer patients (1.27 versus 0.56 ng/mL; ). Also, uPA overexpression correlated with serum levels (). This study confirms that uPA can be detected in the ERCP cytologically obtained tissue and is frequently present in a higher concentration in the serum of pancreaticobiliary cancer patients. A larger sample size will be required to address its value as a sensitive marker for the diagnosis of pancreatic or biliary cancers.
Nuclei ofTaxus baccata: Flavanols Linked to Chromatin Remodeling Factors
Authors: Feucht Walter , Dithmar Heike , Polster Jürgen
Published: December 2009

Microscopic studies of young needles and shoot tips fromTaxus baccatashowed that flavanols are localized in the nuclei. This observation is based on the histochemical staining of flavanols with the DMACA reagent. The colour that is obtained with this reagent varies from pale to deep blue, depending on the amount of flavanols. This study is focused on nondifferentiated cell lineages and on differentiating cells. The key point to note is that all nuclei of a cell lineage showed a uniform DMACA staining pattern based on the amount and structural appearence of nuclear flavanols. This points to transcriptional and epigenetic programming. However, comparing various cell lineages from different shoot tips and needles revealed a lineage-specific expression of nuclear flavanols. This result implied that both positional and developmental signals from neighbouring cells were involved in the nuclear flavanol binding of lineages. The cells of a developmentally advanced lineage loose their intimate contact and, then, they separate from each other to undergo an autonomous, individual sequence of differentiation. This in turn was accompanied by differences in the nuclear flavanol patterns of the single cells. Investigating different mitotic stages revealed a wide spectrum in flavanol staining intensities of the chromosomes. These observations should be linked to UV-VIS spectroscopical kinetic results indicating that nuclear flavanols bound to histones are involved in epigenetically regulated modification of chromatin. The kinetic studies show that catechin is relatively rapidly degraded by oxygen in the presence of -ions. However, this degradation reaction is strongly inhibited when histone proteins were added. This behaviour is a clear indication that coregulatory interactions exist between catechin and histones.
Existence and Uniqueness of Periodic Solutions for a Second‐Order Nonlinear Differential Equation with Piecewise Constant Argument
Authors: Wang Gen-qiang , Cheng Sui Sun
Published: December 2009

Based on a continuation theorem of Mawhin, a unique periodic solution is found for a second‐order nonlinear differential equation with piecewise constant argument.
Excreted/Secreted Proteins from Trypanosome Procyclic Strains
Authors: Atyame Nten Celestine Michelle , Sommerer Nicolas , Rofidal Valerie , Hirtz Christophe , Rossignol Michel , Cuny Gerard , Peltier Jean-Benoit , Geiger Anne
Published: December 2009

Trypanosomasecretome was shown to be involved in parasite virulence and is suspected of interfering in parasite life-cycle steps such as establishment in theGlossinamidgut, metacyclogenesis. Therefore, we attempted to identify the proteins secreted by procyclic strains ofT. brucei gambienseandT. brucei brucei, responsible for human and animal trypanosomiasis, respectively. Using mass spectrometry, 427 and 483 nonredundant proteins were characterized inT. brucei bruceiandT. brucei gambiensesecretomes, respectively; 35% and 42% of the corresponding secretome proteins were specifically secreted byT. brucei bruceiandT. brucei gambiense, respectively, while 279 proteins were common to both subspecies. The proteins were assigned to 12 functional classes. Special attention was paid to the most abundant proteases (14 families) because of their potential implication in the infection process and nutrient supply. The presence of proteins usually secreted via an exosome pathway suggests that this type of process is involved in trypanosome ESP secretion. The overall results provide leads for further research to develop novel tools for blocking trypanosome transmission.
Nonlinear Vibration Analysis for a Jeffcott Rotor with Seal and Air‐Film Bearing Excitations
Authors: Wang Yuefang , Wang Xiaoyan
Published: December 2009

The nonlinear coupling vibration and bifurcation of a high‐speed centrifugal compressor with a labyrinth seal and two air‐film journal bearings are presented in this paper. The rotary shaft and disk are modeled as a rigid Jeffcott rotor. Muszynska′s model is used to express the seal force with multiple parameters. For air‐film journal bearings, the model proposed by Zhang et al. is adopted to express unsteady bearing forces. The Runge‐Kutta method is used to numerically determine the vibration responses of the disk center and the bearings. Bifurcation diagrams for transverse motion of the rotor are presented with parameters of rotation speed and pressure drop of the seal. Multiple subharmonic, periodic, and quasiperiodic motions are presented with two seal‐pressure drops. The bifurcation characteristics show inherent interactions between forces of the air‐film bearings and the seal, presenting more complicated rotor dynamics than the one with either of the forces alone. Bifurcation diagrams are obtained with parameters of pressure drop and seal length determined for the sake of operation safety.
Phosphorylation Status of Fas-Associated Death Domain-Containing Protein Regulates Telomerase Activity and Strongly Correlates with Prostate Cancer Outcomes
Authors: Matsumura Yoshiaki , Shimada Keiji , Tanaka Nobumichi , Fujimoto Kiyohide , Hirao Yoshihiko , Konishi Noboru
Published: December 2009

Objectives: We investigated whether the phosphorylated Fas-associated death domain protein (FADD) at serine 194 regulated human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression, telomerase activity and cancer progression using prostate cancer cell lines and radical prostatectomy samples taken from patients receiving neoadjuvant hormonal therapy (NHT). Methods: We analyzed hTERT expression, telomerase activity and invasion capacity in prostate cancer cell lines overexpressing the wild-type or mutant form of FADD (S194D or A). FADD, phosphorylated FADD (p-FADD) and hTERT expression in viable prostate cancer cells following NHT were immunohistochemically examined using 50 prostatectomy samples. Results: Dephosphorylated FADD (S194A) overexpression enhanced hTERT expression and telomerase activity, resulting in increased cell proliferation and invasion capacity. In Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the patients with prostate cancer expressing low levels of p-FADD and high levels of hTERT had significantly higher rates of biochemical recurrence than those with high p-FADD and low hTERT expression (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The phosphorylation status of FADD at serine 194 could strongly affect survival and invasion of prostate cancer cells via modulation of hTERT expression and telomerase activity. p-FADD and hTERT expression may have potential as new biomarkers predicting the biochemical recurrence after NHT.
Hypertriglyceridemia in Watanabe Heritable Hyperlipidemic Rabbits Was Associated with Increased Production and Reduced Catabolism of Very-Low-Density Lipoproteins
Authors: Zhang Chuan , Jin Yingji , Liu Tiequn , Liu Feng , Ito Tsunekata
Published: December 2009

Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbit is an animal model for human familial hypercholesterolemia. Recently, we segregated a new mutant of WHHL rabbits with plasma levels of triglycerides (TG) >500 mg/dl (designated as TGH-WHHL). To investigate the underlying mechanisms for hypertriglyceridemia, we compared TGH-WHHL with WHHL rabbits with lower plasma TG levels (<250 mg/dl, designated as TGL-WHHL). A Triton WR-1339 injection experiment revealed that TGH-WHHL rabbits had increased secretion and decreased clearance of TG-rich lipoproteins. Furthermore, TGH-WHHL rabbits had lower a post-heparin activity of lipoprotein lipase and a higher cholesterol ester transfer protein activity than TGL-WHHL rabbits. Cultured hepatocytes isolated from TGH-WHHL rabbits showed a higher secretion rate of TG and cholesterol than those of TGL-WHHL rabbits. In addition, TGH-WHHL rabbits exhibited marked insulin resistance. These data suggest that hypertriglyceridemia exhibited by WHHL rabbits is caused by both increased production and impaired catabolism of TG-rich lipoproteins and associated with insulin resistance.
What Are the Consistent Predictors of Generic and Specific Post-Stroke Health-Related Quality of Life?
Authors: Owolabi Mayowa Ojo
Published: December 2009

Background: In order to improve post-stroke health-related quality of life (HRQOL), it is crucial to focus scarce health care and research resources towards its consistent determinants. Disparities in reported determinants of post-stroke HRQOL may be due to the use of different instruments (generic or specific) in different populations. This is the first study to identify factors which consistently influenced both generic and specific post-stroke HRQOL in the same study population. Methods: One hundred consecutive consenting stroke survivors were assessed using the stroke levity scale (SLS), modified Rankin scale (mRS), SF-36 and HRQOL in stroke patients (HRQOLISP) measure. Employing multiple regression analysis (R2 = 0.63), potential predictors were sought among age, gender, socioeconomic class (SEC), aphasia, post-stroke duration, side, type and number of strokes, SLS, mRS, social support and Likert scale-graded responses to laughter and negative-feeling frequency. Results: Gender, SEC and stroke type had no significant impact on HRQOL. The consistent independent statistical predictors of several facets of generic and stroke-specific HRQOL were stroke severity, disability, laughter and negative-feeling frequencies. Conclusions: While stroke severity, a component of physical health, impaired psychological health, psychological dysfunction in turn negatively influenced physical and other domains of health, thereby creating a vicious cycle. These multidirectional interactions may involve neural, social and existential mechanisms which remain to be confirmed, elucidated and exploited.
Is Moderate Atherosclerotic Stenosis in the Middle Cerebral Artery a Cause of or a Coincidental Finding in Ischemic Stroke?
Authors: Klein Isabelle F. , Labreuche Julien , Lavallée Philippa C. , Mazighi Mikael , Duyckaerts Charles , Hauw Jean-Jacques , Amarenco Pierre
Published: December 2009

Background: Few pathological data have focused on the causal link between intracranial atherosclerotic disease and parent artery stroke. The objective of this study was to investigate the cause of middle cerebral artery (MCA) atherosclerotic disease in patients with fatal stroke. Methods and Results: In 123 patients with unilateral MCA territory infarction we performed a case-control autopsy study evaluating the frequency of atherosclerotic plaque and moderate (<70%) or severe (≧70%) stenosis in the ipsilateral and contralateral MCA. Clinical history, risk factors, imaging data and general autopsy reports were available. The entire cerebral arterial tree was studied pathologically. MCA atherosclerosis (either moderate or severe stenosis) was more frequent in the ipsilateral (21.1%, n = 26) than the contralateral MCA (8.1%, n = 10). The corresponding odds ratio (OR) for the presence of atherosclerosis in the ipsilateral MCA relative to the contralateral MCA was 6.33 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.87–21.40]. This difference was found with both moderate (OR = 5.75, 95% CI = 1.45–22.76) and severe (OR = 7.18, 95% CI = 1.58–32.73) stenosis. Conclusions: Moderate MCA atherosclerotic stenosis may be responsible for parent territorial stroke. Novel arterial wall magnetic resonance imaging techniques should now be used to investigate in vivo the hypothesis that moderate MCA stenosis is a possible explanation in patients with nonfatal stroke of unknown cause.
Phospholipase A
2
–Modified Low-Density Lipoprotein Activates Macrophage Peroxisome Proliferator–Activated Receptors
Authors: Namgaladze Dmitry , Morbitzer Daniel , von Knethen Andreas , Brüne Bernhard
Published: December 2009

Background and Purpose—

Peroxisome proliferator–activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand-activated transcription factors modulating metabolic and inflammatory responses of phagocytes to stimuli such as fatty acids and their metabolites. We studied the role of PPARs in macrophages exposed to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) modified by secretory phospholipase A
2
(PLA).

Methods and Results—

By analyzing PPAR ligand–binding domain luciferase reporter activation, we observed that PLA-LDL transactivates PPARα and PPARδ, but not PPARγ. We confirmed that PLA-LDL induced PPAR response element reporter activation by endogenous PPARα and PPARδ in human THP-1 macrophages. By using THP-1 cells with a stable knockdown of PPARα and PPARδ, we showed that PLA-LDL–activated PPARδ altered macrophage gene expression related to lipid metabolism and lipid droplet formation. Although PPARα/δ silencing did not affect cholesterol and triglyceride accumulation in PLA-LDL–treated macrophages, PPARδ activation by PLA-LDL attenuated macrophage inflammatory gene expression induced by interferon γ and lipopolysaccharide.

Conclusions—

PPARδ activation by PLA-LDL does not influence lipid accumulation in PLA-LDL–treated macrophages. However, it attenuates macrophage inflammatory responses, thus contributing to an anti-inflammatory cell phenotype.