bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Apical periodontitis development and bacterial response to endodontic treatment. Experimental root canal infections in monkeys with selected bacterial strains
Authors: Möller Åke J. R. , Fabricius Lars , Dahlén Gunnar , Sundqvist Göran , Happonen Risto‐Pekka
Published: May 2004

In six monkeys, 160 root canals were inoculated with a combination of four bacterial strains belonging to species Streptococcus milleri, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, Prevotella oralis, and Fusobacterium nucleatum. In two other monkeys, 24 root canals were inoculated with a five‐strain combination consisting of these strains and a strain of Enterococcus faecalis. All strains were previously isolated from an infected monkey root canal. After 8–12 months, survival of the strains was recorded bacteriologically, and the reaction in the periapical region was radiographed. From 180 of 184 root canals, one or more of the bacterial strains were reisolated. The two facultative strains were more frequently reisolated than the anaerobic strains. Apical periodontitis was registered in the periapical region of more than 96% of root canals with reisolated bacteria but in none of those without reisolated bacteria. Endodontic treatment was carried out in two sessions with an interval of 14 d without interappointment dressings, and the effect was evaluated bacteriologically before and after each treatment. The chemo‐mechanical treatment reduced significantly the number of strains and bacterial cells. The facultative bacteria were more resistant to the treatment than the anaerobic bacteria. The five‐strain combination had a higher survival rate than the four‐strain combination.
Dr Fisher's Casebook
Authors: Fisher
Published: May 2004

Over the years I have been consulted by many people on aspects of their research. Many were just the one brief encounter; they never came back and I never heard whether my advice had been heeded. As I say now to junior colleagues: “You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you meet a prince”.
That Wretched Prior
Authors: Lindley Dennis
Published: May 2004

The foundations of statistics are of importance for all statisticians, whatever their interests, because they provide, in the method of maximisation of expected utility, a realistic, practical framework for the solution of most statistical problems. The method depends on probability and in this article Dennis Lindley discusses the need to improve our methods of assessing probabilities whenever we face uncertainty.
Principles of risk assessment for determining the safety of chemicals: Recent assessment of residual solvents in drugs and di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate
Authors: Hasegawa Ryuichi , Koizumi Mutsuko , Hirose Akihiko
Published: May 2004

ABSTRACT  Risk assessment of chemicals is essential for the estimation of chemical safety, and animal toxicity data are typically used in the evaluation process, which consists of hazard identification, dose–response assessment, exposure assessment, and risk characterization. Hazard identification entails the collection of all available toxicity data and assessment of toxicity endpoints based on findings for repeated dose toxicity, carcinogenicity or genotoxicity and species‐specificity. Once a review is compiled, the allowable lifetime exposure level of a chemical is estimated from a dose–response assessment based on several measures. For non‐carcinogens and non‐genotoxic carcinogens, the no‐observed‐adverse‐effect‐level (NOAEL) is divided by uncertainty factors (e.g. with environmental pollutants) or safety factors (e.g. with food additives) to derive a tolerable daily intake (TDI) or acceptable daily intake (ADI), respectively. These factors include interspecies and individual differences, duration of exposure, quality of data, and nature of toxicity such as carcinogenicity or neurotoxicity. For genotoxic carcinogens, low dose extrapolation is accomplished with mathematical modeling (e.g. linearized multistage model) from the point of departure to obtain exposure levels that will be associated with an excess lifetime cancer risk of a certain level. Data for levels of chemicals in food, water and air, are routinely used for exposure assessment. Finally, risk characterization is performed to ensure that the established ‘safe’ level of exposure exceeds the estimated level of actual exposure. These principles have led to the evaluation of several existing chemicals. To establish a guideline for residual solvents in medicine, the permitted daily exposure (PDE), equivalent to TDI, of N,N‐dimethylformamide was derived on the basis of developmental toxicity (malformation) and of N‐methylpyrrolidone on the basis of the developmental neurotoxicity. A TDI for di(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate was derived from assessment of testicular toxicity.
Method of separation and concentration of fetal nucleated red blood cells in maternal blood and its application to fetal diagnosis
Authors: Wada Seiji , Kitagawa Michihiro
Published: May 2004

ABSTRACT  A fetal diagnostic method that is without risk to the embryo has been long awaited in the field of gene diagnosis. Establishment of non‐invasive fetal diagnosis using maternal peripheral blood will greatly contribute to perinatal medical care. The lectin method that we have studied and developed selectively recovers nucleated red blood cells (NRBC) among fetal cells mixed in maternal peripheral blood.

Maternal blood, 7 mL, was collected with ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) treatment in each week of gestation and subjected to preliminary concentration by density centrifugation (Histopaque [Histopaque‐1077; Sigma Diagnostics, MO, USA], specific gravity: 1.095), and NRBC were separated and collected on slide glasses by the lectin method (soybean agglutinin [SBA]: 50 µg/mL).

To investigate selective adhesion of the erythrocyte fraction, the SBA concentration was set to 50 µg/mL, and the cells were labeled with CD11a and CD33 (anti‐white blood cell antibodies) and investigated by flowcytometry. Erythrocytes adhered at a high rate (87.0 ± 9.7%) while the adhesion rates of granulocytes, monocytes, and lymphocytes were low, confirming the usefulness of the method for separation and recovery of the erythrocyte fraction.

When recovery of NRBC was investigated using this method, a mean of 6.57 ± 7.12 cells were recovered from 1 mL of maternal blood (May–Gluüwald–Giemsa stain). The number of recovered NRBC increased slowly with pregnancy, but differences were not significant. To confirm that recovered NRBC were derived from the fetus, NRBC were recovered by the lectin method in four patients suspected of 18 trisomy by echography and analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Three hybridization signals were detected in NRBC at a high frequency, showing that most cells were derived from the fetus and thus, fetal diagnosis may be possible.

Since the procedure of the lectin method we have developed is simple, and high concentration efficiency can be obtained at a low cost, it may be clinically applicable.
Prenatal trisomy 21 screening using the Lens culinaris agglutinin‐reactive alpha‐fetoprotein ratio
Authors: Yamamoto Ritsu , Minobe Shinichiro , Ebina Yasuhiko , Watari Hidemichi , Kudo Masataka , Henmi Fumiyo , Satomura Shinji , Fujimoto Seiichiro , Minakami Hisanori , Sakuragi Noriaki
Published: May 2004

ABSTRACT  For the purpose of improving the clinical efficacy of alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP)‐L3% in prenatal screening for trisomy 21, we calculated the multiple of the median (MoM) of AFP‐L3% (L3 MoM) and the ratio of L3 MoM to AFP MoM (L3 MoM/AFP MoM) in maternal serum. Maternal serum samples from 1822 women (maternal age 37.3 ± 3.8 years, and weeks of gestation 16.0 ± 1.0; mean ± SD) with unaffected pregnancies and 28 women (37.6 ± 4.6 years, 16.6 ± 3.1) pregnant with of trisomy 21 fetuses were obtained. The AFP concentration and AFP‐L3% in maternal serum were measured using a liquid‐phase binding assay. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) of AFP MoM, AFP‐L3%, L3 MoM, and L3 MoM/AFP MoM were 0.750, 0.868, 0.949 and 0.946, respectively. The AUCs of L3 MoM and L3 MoM/AFP MoM were significantly higher than AFP‐L3% (P < 0.05) and AFP MoM (P < 0.0005). However, no statistical difference was observed between the AUCs of L3 MoM and L3 MoM/AFP MoM. In conclusion, the L3 MoM should be an effective replacement for AFP‐L3% in prenatal trisomy 21 screening.
Effects of pure 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid on cultured rat embryos
Authors: Sameshima Kiyoko , Kobae Hidehiko , Fofana Djibril , Yoshidome Kouichi , Nishi Junichiro , Miyata Koichiro
Published: May 2004

ABSTRACT  2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D), a plant growth regulator, has been used worldwide as a herbicide. Previously we evaluated the prenatal developmental effects of 2,4‐D by feeding it to pregnant rats and found that it is maternally toxic and embryolethal, and it induces urogenital malformations in rat fetuses. In the study presented here, we investigated the effects of pure 2,4‐D on rat embryos in whole embryo culture. Rat embryos on day 9.5 of gestation were cultured for 48 h at several concentration levels with pure 2,4‐D (50–500 µg/mL). 2,4‐D caused a concentration‐related increase in the incidence of each malformation. Significant decreases in the number of somites were observed at a concentration of 100 µg/mL or more. At the concentration of 100 µg/mL, there was normal yolk sac circulation. This result suggests that 2,4‐D has a detrimental effect on somite development and directly damages developing embryos.
Peters’ anomaly with bilateral perisylvian polymicrogyria and abdominal calcification
Authors: Morimoto Mayumi , Takano Tomoyuki , Sakaue Yuko , Sawai Chihiro , Aotani Hirofumi , Koshida Shigeki , Takeuchi Yoshihiro
Published: May 2004

ABSTRACT  We report a neonatal case of Peters’ anomaly with bilateral perisylvian polymicrogyria and abdominal calcification. The male infant was born after a normal labor. Bilateral central corneal opacities with iridocorneal strands indicated Peters’ anomaly. The X‐ray and abdominal computed tomography demonstrated multiple calcifications beneath the diaphragma around the liver and the spleen. TORCH serology was negative. Intracranial calcification was not detected. Brain magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated bilateral perisylvian polymicrogyria. Abdominal calcification was suspected to be related to vascular disruption. Bilateral perisylvian polymicrogyria has been thought to result from ischemic events such as intrauterine hypotension or vascular occlusions. Based on these considerations, we conclude that a vascular disruption sequence may an important pathogenetic mechanism of Peters’ anomaly.
S Protein of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Associated Coronavirus Mediates Entry into Hepatoma Cell Lines and Is Targeted by Neutralizing Antibodies in Infected Patients
Authors: Hofmann Heike , Hattermann Kim , Marzi Andrea , Gramberg Thomas , Geier Martina , Krumbiegel Mandy , Kuate Seraphin , Überla Klaus , Niedrig Matthias , Pöhlmann Stefan
Published: May 2004

The severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) causes severe pneumonia with a fatal outcome in approximately 10% of patients. SARS-CoV is not closely related to other coronaviruses but shares a similar genome organization. Entry of coronaviruses into target cells is mediated by the viral S protein. We functionally analyzed SARS-CoV S using pseudotyped lentiviral particles (pseudotypes). The SARS-CoV S protein was found to be expressed at the cell surface upon transient transfection. Coexpression of SARS-CoV S with human immunodeficiency virus-based reporter constructs yielded viruses that were infectious for a range of cell lines. Most notably, viral pseudotypes harboring SARS-CoV S infected hepatoma cell lines but not T- and B-cell lines. Infection of the hepatoma cell line Huh-7 was also observed with replication-competent SARS-CoV, indicating that hepatocytes might be targeted by SARS-CoV in vivo. Inhibition of vacuolar acidification impaired infection by SARS-CoV S-bearing pseudotypes, indicating that S-mediated entry requires low pH. Finally, infection by SARS-CoV S pseudotypes but not by vesicular stomatitis virus G pseudotypes was efficiently inhibited by a rabbit serum raised against SARS-CoV particles and by sera from SARS patients, demonstrating that SARS-CoV S is a target for neutralizing antibodies and that such antibodies are generated in SARS-CoV-infected patients. Our results show that viral pseudotyping can be employed for the analysis of SARS-CoV S function. Moreover, we provide evidence that SARS-CoV infection might not be limited to lung tissue and can be inhibited by the humoral immune response in infected patients.
Early Detection of a Two-Long-Terminal-Repeat Junction Molecule in the Cytoplasm of Recombinant Murine Leukemia Virus-Infected Cells
Authors: Serhan Fatima , Penaud Magalie , Petit Caroline , Leste-Lasserre Thierry , Trajcevski Stéphane , Klatzmann David , Duisit Ghislaine , Sonigo Pierre , Moullier Philippe
Published: May 2004

We showed that a U5-U3 junction was reproducibly detected by a PCR assay as early as 1 to 2 h postinfection with a DNase-treated murine leukemia virus (MLV)-containing supernatant in aphidicolin-arrested NIH 3T3 cells, as well as in nonarrested cells. Such detection is azidothymidine sensitive and corresponded to neosynthesized products of the reverse transcriptase. This observation was confirmed in two additional human cell lines, TE671 and ARPE-19. Using cell fractionation combined with careful controls, we found that a two-long-terminal-repeat (two-LTR) junction molecule was detectable in the cytoplasm as early as 2 h post virus entry. Altogether, our data indicated that the neosynthesized retroviral DNA led to the early formation of structures including true two-LTR junctions in the cytoplasm of MLV-infected cells. Thus, the classical assumption that two-LTR circles are a mitosis-dependent dead-end product accumulating in the nucleus must be reconsidered. MLV-derived products containing a two-LTR junction can no longer be used as an exclusive surrogate for the preintegration complex nuclear translocation event.
PB1-F2, an Influenza A Virus-Encoded Proapoptotic Mitochondrial Protein, Creates Variably Sized Pores in Planar Lipid Membranes
Authors: Chanturiya A. N. , Basañez G. , Schubert U. , Henklein P. , Yewdell J. W. , Zimmerberg J.
Published: May 2004

A frameshifted region of the influenza A virus PB1 gene encodes a novel protein, termed PB1-F2, a mitochondrial protein that can induce cell death. Many proapoptotic proteins are believed to act at the mitochondrial outer membrane to form an apoptotic pore with lipids. We studied the interaction of isolated, synthetic PB1-F2 (sPB1-F2) peptide with planar phospholipid bilayer membranes. The presence of nanomolar concentrations of peptide in the bathing solution induced a transmembrane conductance that increased in a potential-dependent manner. Positive potential on the side of protein addition resulted in a severalfold increase in the rate of change of membrane conductance. sPB1-F2-treated membranes became permeable to monovalent cations, chloride, and to a lesser extent, divalent ions. Despite various experimental conditions, we did not detect the distinctive conductance levels typical of large, stable pores, protein channels, or even pores that are partially proteinaceous. Rather, membrane conductance induced by sPB1-F2 fluctuated and visited almost all conductance values. sPB1-F2 also dramatically decreased bilayer stability in an electric field, consistent with a decrease in the line tension of a lipidic pore. Since similar membrane-destabilizing profiles are seen with proapoptotic proteins (e.g., Bax) and the cytoplasmic helix of human immunodeficiency virus gp41, we suggest that the basis for sPB1-F2-induced cell death may be the permeabilization and destabilization of mitochondrial membranes, leading to macromolecular leakage and apoptosis.
Cross-Packaging of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Vector RNA by Spleen Necrosis Virus Proteins: Construction of a New Generation of Spleen Necrosis Virus-Derived Retroviral Vectors
Authors: Parveen Zahida , Mukhtar Muhammad , Goodrich Adrienne , Acheampong Edward , Dornburg Ralph , Pomerantz Roger J.
Published: May 2004

The ability of the nonlentiviral retrovirus spleen necrosis virus (SNV) to cross-package the genomic RNA of the distantly related human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and vice versa was analyzed. Such a model may allow us to further study HIV-1 replication and pathogenesis, as well as to develop safe gene therapy vectors. Our results suggest that SNV can cross-package HIV-1 genomic RNA but with lower efficiency than HIV-1 proteins. However, HIV-1-specific proteins were unable to cross-package SNV RNA. We also constructed SNV-based
gag-pol
chimeric variants by replacing the SNV integrase with the HIV-1 integrase, based on multiple sequence alignments and domain analyses. These analyses revealed that there are conserved domains in all retroviral integrase open reading frames (
orf
), despite the divergence in the primary sequences. The transcomplementation assays suggested that SNV proteins recognized one of the chimeric variants. This demonstrated that HIV-1 integrase is functional in the SNV
gag-pol orf
with a lower transduction efficiency, utilizing homologous (SNV) RNA, as well as the heterologous vector RNA of HIV-1. These findings suggest that homology in the conserved sequences of the integrase protein may not be fully competent in the replacement of protein(s) from one retrovirus to another, and there are likely several other factors involved in each of the steps related to replication, integration, and infection. However, further studies to dissect the
gag-pol
region will be critical for understanding the mechanisms involved in the cleavage of reverse transcriptase, RNase H, and integrase. These studies should provide further insight into the design and development of novel molecular approaches to block HIV-1 replication and to construct a new generation of SNV-based vectors.
Role of an Arbovirus Nonstructural Protein in Cellular Pathogenesis and Virus Release
Authors: Owens Randall J. , Limn Chang , Roy Polly
Published: May 2004

The insect-borne
Bluetongue virus
(BTV) is considered the prototypic
Orbivirus
, a member of the
Reovirus
family. One of the hallmarks of
Orbivirus
infection is the production of large numbers of intracellular tubular structures of unknown function. For BTV these structures are formed as the polymerization product of a single 64-kDa nonstructural protein, NS1, encoded by the viral double-stranded RNA genome segment 6. Although the NS1 protein is the most abundant viral protein synthesized in infected cells, its function has yet to be determined. One possibility is that NS1 tubules may be involved in the translocation of newly formed viral particles to the plasma membrane, and NS1-specific monoclonal antibodies have been shown to react with viral particles leaving infected cells. In the present study we generated a mammalian cell line that expresses a recombinant single-chain antibody fragment (scFv) derived from an NS1-specific monoclonal antibody (10B1) and analyzed the effect that this intracellular antibody has on BTV replication. Normally, BTV infection of mammalian cells in culture results in a severe cytopathic effect within 24 to 48 h postinfection manifested by cell rounding, apoptosis, and lytic release of virions into the culture medium. However, infection of scFv-expressing cells results in a marked reduction in the stability of NS1 and formation of NS1 tubules, a decrease in cytopathic effect, an increased release of infectious virus into the culture medium, and budding of virions from the plasma membrane. These results suggest that NS1 tubules play a direct role in the cellular pathogenesis and morphogenesis of BTV.
Postattachment Events Associated with Viral Entry Are Necessary for Induction of Interferon-Stimulated Genes by Human Cytomegalovirus
Authors: Netterwald James R. , Jones Thomas R. , Britt William J. , Yang Shao-Jun , McCrone Ian P. , Zhu Hua
Published: May 2004

Utilizing a human cytomegalovirus-specific fusion inhibitor and an antiglycoprotein H antibody, we studied the role of virion fusion in interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) induction. Our results indicate that ISG induction does not occur when virion-mediated, post-high-affinity attachment events are inhibited by either reagent. Thus, virion-mediated postattachment events, such as fusion, are required for ISG induction.
Analysis of diversity of natural populations and commercial lines ofEchinaceausing AFLP
Authors: Mechanda Subbaiah M , Baum Bernard R , Johnson Douglas A , Arnason John T
Published: May 2004

An analysis of diversity of Echinacea native to North America, using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP®), was carried out to complement a previously undertaken taxonomic revision of Echinacea that employed multivariate morphometrics. A total of 53 940 AFLP fragments, of which 40 455 were polymorphic, were scored on 435 individual plants from 58 populations consisting of ±10 individuals per population. The resulting polymorphism was sufficient to distinguish each plant. A monomorphic AFLP band and a polymorphic AFLP band that migrated at the same position, taken from samples of four species and eight varieties, were cloned, and multiple clones were sequenced. The polymorphic band at the same position across fragments was not identical, with identity as low as 23% compared with 50% identity of the monomorphic band, both of which were at the 100% threshold of sequence similarity. Thus, the AFLP banding profiles, irrespective of their sequence identity, were treated as phenotypes for population genetic, discriminant, and phylogenetic analyses. Variance components within populations and among populations within species were of equal magnitude, but the partitioned variation was slightly higher among varieties than among populations within varieties. Since no species-specific or variety-specific AFLP fingerprints were found, canonical discriminant analysis was conducted, resulting in support for four species but not for the varieties. Similar results were obtained with cluster and principal coordinate analyses, based on genetic distances. To achieve identification using AFLP fingerprints, various classificatory analyses were performed, followed by bootstrapping for validation. An example to identify an unknown plant at the species level with a minimum of 10 AFLP fragments, with greater than 82% overall correct classification, is provided. Phylogenetic analysis of all 435 individuals supported only Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench and Echinacea laevigata (C.L. Boynton & Beadle) as separate entities, and only the three Echinacea atrorubens varieties and Echinacea pallida var. tennesseensis (Beadle) Binns, B.R. Baum & Arnason.Key words: Echinacea, population genetic analysis, multivariate analysis, AFLP band homologies.
The first coordination number for liquid metals
Authors: Cahoon J R
Published: May 2004

A simple and absolute method for the calculation of the first coordination number for any pure, isotropic liquid element is presented. The liquid density and the position for the first peak of the radial distribution function, assumed to be the atomic diameter, are the only parameters required. The coordination number for liquid metals that exhibit a BCC (body-centred cube) solid structure averages 7.4 while the first coordination number for liquid metals with a FCC (face-centred cube) or CPH (close-packed hexagonal) solid structure averages 7.1. Those liquid elements that have less closed-packed solid structures have a first coordination number less than 7.0. The calculation also correctly predicts the first coordination number for liquid Se to be 2.4, consistent with its chain-like structure. The calculated values for the liquid element coordination numbers are consistent with the decrease in density of a few percent that occurs upon melting and appear to be related to the EngelBrewer valence of the solid, which suggests that the electron structure of the solid may be retained upon melting. The first coordination numbers for liquid Ge and Si were calculated to be 5.0 and 4.7, respectively, larger than the value of 4.0 for solid structures. The increase in coordination number upon melting accounts for the increase in density of Ge and Si that occurs upon melting.PACS No.: 61.20.Gy
Physics of skiing: The idealcarving equation and its applications
Authors: Jentschura U D , Fahrbach F
Published: May 2004

Ideal carving occurs when a snowboarder or skier, equipped with a snowboard or carving skis, describes a perfectly carved turn in which the edges of the ski alone, not the ski surface, describe the trajectory followed by the skier, without any slipping or skidding. In this article, we derive the "ideal-carving" equation that describes the physics of a carved turn under ideal conditions. The laws of Newtonian classical mechanics are applied. The parameters of the ideal-carving equation are the inclination of the ski slope, the acceleration of gravity, and the sidecut radius of the ski. The variables of the ideal-carving equation are the velocity of the skier, the angle between the trajectory of the skier and the horizontal, and the instantaneous curvature radius of the skier's trajectory. Relations between the slope inclination and the velocity range suited for nearly ideal carving are discussed, as well as implications for the design of carving skis and snowboards. PACS Nos.: 01.80.+b, 45.20.Dd
Operator regularization and noncommutative ChernSimons theory
Authors: McKeon D G
Published: May 2004

We examine noncommutative ChernSimons theory using operator regularization. Both the ζ function and the η function are needed to determine one-loop effects. The contributions to these functions coming from the two-point function is evaluated. The U(N) noncommutative model smoothly reduces to the SU(N) commutative model as the noncommutative parameter θμν vanishes.PACS Nos.: 11.10.z
Telechelic poly(ε-caprolactones) with tethered mixed ligand ruthenium(II) chromophores
Authors: Farah Abdiaziz A , Pietro William J
Published: May 2004

Well-characterized templates of polymer-forming ligands and their ruthenium tris(α,α′-diimine) initiators were utilized to divergently ring open an ε-caprolactone monomer. The same polymers were also obtained through the synthesis of quinoline and bipyridine diimine ligands incorporating poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) chains. These polymers contain vacant molecular recognition sites, enabling subsequent chelation of these macroligands to metal precursors. Both methods provided telechelic (ε-caprolactone) ruthenium(II)-centered polyesters of various hierarchy. Solution properties and thermal behaviour of such polyesters are described.Key words: redox polymers, poly(ε-caprolactone), telechelics, metalpolymer complexes, macroligands, ring-opening polymerization (ROP).
The catalytic effect of boron substitution in MCM-41-type molecular sieves
Authors: Sundaramurthy V , Eswaramoorthi I , Lingappan N
Published: May 2004

A series of B-MCM-41 samples has been synthesized with a wide range of boron content (SiO2:B2O3 ratio from 20 to 200), using ethyl silicate ester-40 (ES-40) as the silica source and characterized by XRD, BET, FT-IR, 11B-MAS NMR, SEM, pyridine adsorption, TPDA, and chemical analysis. The interplanar d100 spacing varies from 40 to 45 Å, depending on the Si:B ratio. On calcination, a significant amount of four-coordinated boron is converted into less stable three-coordinated boron, and some boron is removed from the framework. The degree of deboronation increases with an increase of boron content of the sample. The B substitution in the MCM-41 framework results in only weak and mild acid sites. The isomerization of 1-hexene is found to be influenced by the boron content in the framework. The isomerization leads to both a hydrogen shift and skeletal rearrangement. The selectivity ratios of cis-2-hexene to trans-2-hexene and 2-hexene to 3-hexene were found to decrease with an increase of temperature and a decrease of the SiO2:B2O3 ratio of the catalysts. Skeletal isomerization starts at 250 °C, forming secondary products, and increases with an increase of temperature and an increase of boron content of the catalysts. Key words: ES-40, B-MCM-41, deboronation, catalyst characterization, XRD, BET, FT-IR, 11B-MAS NMR, SEM, 1-hexene isomerization, 2-hexene.
TIME AND MONEY TRADE-OFF IN COMPETENCE SET EXPANSION
Authors: LI HAN-LIN , SHUAI JIA-JANE
Published: May 2004

A competence set is a set of ideas, knowledge and skills for problem solving. To a decision maker, how to expand the current competence set in the most effective and efficient way is an important issue. This paper improves Li1 method of competence expansion problems by extending the original time static model into a time dynamic model. Both the time cost and the money cost of learning a new competence are considered simultaneously. A dynamic model of competence expansion is proposed which minimize the total expanding time subjected to the total budget plan in the expansion process. A numerical example is given to illustrate the methodology and results.
Arginine synthesis is regulated by dietary arginine intake in the enterally fed neonatal piglet
Authors: Wilkinson Dana Lee , Bertolo Robert F. P. , Brunton Janet A. , Shoveller Anna K. , Pencharz Paul B. , Ball Ronald O.
Published: May 2004

Arginine is conditionally indispensable in the neonate, and its synthesis in the intestine is not sufficient to meet requirements. It is not known how neonatal endogenous arginine synthesis is regulated and the degree to which proline and glutamate are used as precursors. Primed, constant intraportal and intragastric infusions of l-[U-14C]proline and l-[3,4-3H]glutamate, and intragastric l-[guanido-14C]arginine were used to measure whole body and first-pass intestinal arginine synthesis in 10 neonatal piglets fed generous (1.80 g·kg−1·day−1) or deficient (0.20 g·kg−1·day−1) quantities of arginine for 5 days. Glutamate tracer was not detected in arginine, indicating a biologically insignificant conversion of <1% of arginine flux. Endogenous arginine synthesis from proline had obligatory (0.36 g·kg−1·day−1) and maximal (0.68 g·kg−1·day−1) levels ( P < 0.05, pooled SE 0.05). Although first-pass gut metabolism is responsible for 42–63% of whole body arginine synthesis, the gut is incapable of upregulating proline to arginine conversion during arginine deficiency, compared with a more than threefold increase without first-pass gut metabolism. These data suggest that upregulation of proline-to-arginine conversion occurs via increased arterial extraction of proline by the gut or in nonintestinal tissues. This study demonstrates that dietary arginine is an important regulator of endogenous arginine synthesis in the neonatal piglet and that proline, but not glutamate, is an important precursor for arginine synthesis in the neonate.
Time-varying effective mitral valve area: prediction and validation using cardiac MRI and Doppler echocardiography in normal subjects
Authors: Bowman Andrew W. , Frihauf Paul A. , Kovács Sándor J.
Published: May 2004

Precise knowledge of the volume and rate of early rapid left ventricular (LV) filling elucidates kinematic aspects of diastolic physiology. The Doppler E wave velocity-time integral (VTI) is conventionally used as the estimate of early, rapid-filling volume; however, this implicitly requires the assumption of a constant effective mitral valve area (EMVA). We sought to evaluate whether the EMVA is truly constant throughout early, rapid filling in 10 normal subjects using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and contemporaneous Doppler echocardiography, which were synchronized via ECG. LV volume measurements as a function of time were obtained via MRI, and transmitral flow values were measured via Doppler echocardiography. The synchronized data were used to predict EMVA as a function of time during early diastole. Validation involved EMVA determination using 1) the short-axis echocardiographic images near the mitral valve leaflet tips, 2) the distance between leaflet tips in the echocardiographic parasternal long-axis view, and 3) the distance between leaflet tips from the MRI LV outflow tract view. Predicted EMVA values varied substantially during early rapid filling, and observed EMVA values agreed well with predictions. We conclude that the EMVA is not constant, and its variation causes LV volume to increase faster than is reflected by the VTI. These results reveal the mechanism of early rapid volumetric increase and directly affect the significance and physiological interpretation of the VTI of the Doppler E wave. Application to subjects in selected pathophysiological subsets is in progress.
Low-dose furosemide modulates taste responses in the nucleus of the solitary tract of the rat
Authors: Cho Young K. , Smith Michael E. , Norgren Ralph
Published: May 2004

Taste-evoked neural responses in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NST) are subject to both excitatory and inhibitory modulation by physiological conditions that influence ingestion. Treatments that induce sodium appetite predominantly reduce NST gustatory responsiveness to sapid stimuli. When sodium appetite is aroused with 10 mg of the diuretic furosemide (Furo), however, NST gustatory neurons exhibit an enhanced responsiveness to NaCl. In addition to inducing a sodium appetite, 10 mg Furo supports a conditioned taste aversion (CTA). A lower, 2-mg dose of Furo induces an equivalent sodium appetite, but not a CTA. To determine whether the anomalous electrophysiological results reflected the adverse effects of the 10-mg dose, we replicated the original experiment but instead used 2 mg of Furo. In chronically prepared, lightly anesthetized rats, the responses of 49 single NST neurons to 12 taste stimuli were recorded after subcutaneous injections of either 2 mg Furo or saline. There was no effect of treatment on NST neural responses to the four standard taste stimuli. In the NaCl concentration series, however, 2 mg Furo evoked significantly higher responses to the two highest concentrations of NaCl. There was no effect of treatment in the sucrose concentration series. Thus, unlike other methods that induce a sodium appetite, Furo increases NST neural responsiveness to NaCl. At least as far as the first central relay, sodium appetite apparently does not depend on specific changes in the sensory neural code for taste.
Direct regulation of lipolysis by interleukin-15 in primary pig adipocytes
Authors: Ajuwon Kolapo M. , Spurlock Michael E.
Published: May 2004

We recently provided evidence that interleukin-15 (IL-15) is expressed lowly in the pig adipocyte and that interferon-γ (IFN-γ) markedly increases this expression through a pathway regulated in part by protein kinase C (Ajuwon KM, Jacobi SK, Kuske JL, and Spurlock ME. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 286: R547–R553, 2004). In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that IL-15 acts directly on the adipocyte to regulate lipid accretion by enhancing lipolysis or suppressing lipogenesis. Using recombinant porcine IL-15, we determined that this cytokine stimulates lipolysis in a dose-dependent manner ( P < 0.001). Furthermore, comparative studies with other cytokines showed that IL-15 is more potent in its acute stimulation of lipolysis than either TNF-α, IL-6, or LPS ( P < 0.001). When specific inhibitors of protein kinase A or Janus kinase are present, the lipolytic effect of IL-15 is attenuated ( P < 0.01). These data indicate that, in addition to its regulation of muscle protein accretion and T-cell growth and development, IL-15 also targets the adipocyte directly to alter stimulate lipolysis. Thus, when induced by IFN-γ or other inflammatory mediators, IL-15 may be a significant homeorhetic factor that mobilizes and directs energy away from the adipocyte to other cells during the acute phase of the inflammatory response.
Cerebral carbohydrate cost of physical exertion in humans
Authors: Dalsgaard Mads K. , Ogoh Shigehiko , Dawson Ellen A. , Yoshiga Chie C. , Quistorff Bjørn , Secher Niels H.
Published: May 2004

Above a certain level of cerebral activation the brain increases its uptake of glucose more than that of O2, i.e., the cerebral metabolic ratio of O2/(glucose + [Formula: see text] lactate) decreases. This study quantified such surplus brain uptake of carbohydrate relative to O2 in eight healthy males who performed exhaustive exercise. The arterial-venous differences over the brain for O2, glucose, and lactate were integrated to calculate the surplus cerebral uptake of glucose equivalents. To evaluate whether the amount of glucose equivalents depends on the time to exhaustion, exercise was also performed with β1-adrenergic blockade by metoprolol. Exhaustive exercise (24.8 ± 6.1 min; mean ± SE) decreased the cerebral metabolic ratio from a resting value of 5.6 ± 0.2 to 3.0 ± 0.4 ( P < 0.05) and led to a surplus uptake of glucose equivalents of 9 ± 2 mmol. β1-blockade reduced the time to exhaustion (15.8 ± 1.7 min; P < 0.05), whereas the cerebral metabolic ratio decreased to an equally low level (3.2 ± 0.3) and the surplus uptake of glucose equivalents was not significantly different (7 ± 1 mmol; P = 0.08). A time-dependent cerebral surplus uptake of carbohydrate was not substantiated and, consequently, exhaustive exercise involves a brain surplus carbohydrate uptake of a magnitude comparable with its glycogen content.
Effects of carbohydrate supplementation on performance and carbohydrate oxidation after intensified cycling training
Authors: Halson Shona L. , Lancaster Graeme I. , Achten Juul , Gleeson Michael , Jeukendrup Asker E.
Published: May 2004

To study the effects of carbohydrate (CHO) supplementation on performance changes and symptoms of overreaching, six male endurance cyclists completed 1 wk of normal (N), 8 days of intensified (ITP), and 2 wk of recovery training (R) on two occasions in a randomized crossover design. Subjects completed one trial with a 6% CHO solution provided before and during training and a 20% solution in the 1 h postexercise (H-CHO trial). On the other occasion, subjects consumed a 2% CHO solution at the same time points (L-CHO). A significant decline in time to fatigue at ∼63% maximal power output (H-CHO: 17 ± 3%; L-CHO: 26 ± 7%) and a significant increase in mood disturbance occurred in both trials after ITP. The decline in performance was significantly greater in the L-CHO trial. After ITP, a significant decrease in estimated muscle glycogen oxidation (H-CHO: N 49.3 ± 2.9 kcal/30 min, ITP 32.6 ± 3.4 kcal/30 min; L-CHO: N 49.1 ± 30 kcal/30 min, ITP 39.0 ± 5.6 kcal/30 min) and increase in fat oxidation (H-CHO: N 16.3 ± 2.4 kcal/30 min, ITP 27.8 ± 2.3 kcal/30 min; L-CHO: N 16.9 ± 2.6 kcal/30 min, ITP: 25.4 ± 3.5 kcal/30 min) occurred alongside significant increases in glycerol and free fatty acids and decreases in free triglycerides in both trials. An interaction effect was observed for submaximal plasma concentrations of cortisol and epinephrine, with significantly greater reductions in these stress hormones in L-CHO compared with H-CHO after ITP. These findings suggest that CHO supplementation can reduce the symptoms of overreaching but cannot prevent its development. Decreased endocrine responsiveness to exercise may be implicated in the decreased performance and increased mood disturbance characteristic of overreaching.
Spike Patterning by Ca2+-Dependent Regulation of a Muscarinic Cation Current in Entorhinal Cortex Layer II Neurons
Authors: Magistretti Jacopo , Ma Li , Shalinsky Mark H. , Lin Wei , Klink Ruby , Alonso Angel
Published: May 2004

In entorhinal cortex layer II neurons, muscarinic receptor activation promotes depolarization via activation of a nonspecific cation current ( INCM). Under muscarinic influence, these neurons also develop changes in excitability that result in activity-dependent induction of delayed firing and bursting activity. To identify the membrane processes underlying these phenomena, we examined whether INCM may undergo activity-dependent regulation. Our voltage-clamp experiments revealed that appropriate depolarizing protocols increased the basal level of inward current activated during muscarinic stimulation and suggested that this effect was due to INCM upregulation. In the presence of low buffering for intracellular Ca2+, this upregulation was transient, and its decay could be followed by a phase of INCM downregulation. Both up- and downregulation were elicited by depolarizing stimuli able to activate voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCC); both were sensitive to increasing concentrations of intracellular Ca2+-chelating agents with downregulation being abolished at lower Ca2+-buffering capacities; both were reduced or suppressed by VGCC block or in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. These data indicate that relatively small increases in [Ca2+]i driven by firing activity can induce upregulation of a basal muscarinic depolarizing-current level, whereas more pronounced [Ca2+]i elevations can result in INCM downregulation. We propose that the interaction of activity-dependent positive and negative feedback mechanisms on INCM allows entorhinal cortex layer II neurons to exhibit emergent properties, such as delayed firing and enhanced or suppressed responses to repeated stimuli, that may be of importance in the memory functions of the temporal lobe and in the pathophysiology of epilepsy.
Topographic Representation of Odorant Molecular Features in the Rat Olfactory Bulb
Authors: Takahashi Yuji K. , Kurosaki Masahide , Hirono Shuichi , Mori Kensaku
Published: May 2004

Individual glomeruli in the mammalian olfactory bulb (OB) most probably represent a single odorant receptor (OR). The assembly of glomeruli thus forms the maps of ORs. How is the approximately 1,000 ORs represented spatially in the glomerular map? Using the method of optical imaging of intrinsic signals and systematic panels of stimulus odorants, we recorded odorant-induced glomerular activity from the dorsal and dorsolateral areas of the rat OB, and examined the molecular receptive range (MRR) of individual glomeruli. We then deduced the characteristic molecular features that were shared by odorants effective in activating individual glomeruli. Analysis of the spatial representation of the MRR showed that glomeruli with similar MRRs gathered in close proximity and formed molecular feature clusters and subclusters. Although the shape of the clusters varied among different OBs, the clusters were arranged at stereotypical positions in relation to the zonal organization of the OB. Examination of the spatial representation of the characteristic molecular features of odorants using structurally semirigid aromatic compounds suggest a systematic and gradual change in the characteristic molecular features according to the position of subclusters in the map. The topographic map of the characteristic molecular features may reflect a systematic spatial representation of the ORs and may participate in the neural bases for the odorant structure–odor quality relationship.
Sur la continuité automatique des épimorphismes dans les ☆‐algèbres de Banach
Authors: Oukhtite L. , Tajmouati A. , Tidli Y.
Published: May 2004

Nous étudions les problèmes de continuité automatique dans des algèbres de Banach avec involutions.
Nous obtenons aussi des nouveoux résultats concernant ☆‐idéals des ☆‐algèbres.

We study the automatic continuity problems for Banach algebras with involutions. We also obtain some new results concerning ☆‐ideals of ☆‐algebras.
Minimal sequential Hausdorff spaces
Authors: Nayar Bhamini M. P.
Published: May 2004

A sequential space (X, T) is called minimal sequential if no sequential topology on X is strictly weaker than T. This paper begins the study of minimal sequential Hausdorff spaces. Characterizations of minimal sequential Hausdorff spaces are obtained using filter bases, sequences, and functions satisfying certain graph conditions. Relationships between this class of spaces and other classes of spaces, for example, minimal Hausdorff spaces, countably compact spaces, H‐closed spaces, SQ‐closed spaces, and subspaces of minimal sequential spaces, are investigated. While the property of being sequential is not (in general) preserved by products, some information is provided on the question of when the product of minimal sequential spaces is minimal sequential.
Iterative approximation of a solution of a general variational‐like inclusion in Banach spaces
Authors: Chidume C. E. , Kazmi K. R. , Zegeye H.
Published: May 2004

We introduce a class of η‐accretive mappings in a real Banach space and show that the η‐proximal point mapping for η‐m‐accretive mapping is Lipschitz continuous. Further, we develop an iterative algorithm for a class of general variational‐like inclusions involving η‐accretive mappings in real Banach space, and discuss its convergence criteria. The class of η‐accretive mappings includes several important classes of operators that have been studied by various authors.
On almost automorphic solutions of linear operational‐differential equations
Authors: N′Guérékata Gaston M.
Published: May 2004

We prove almost periodicity and almost automorphy of bounded solutions of linear differential equations x′(t) = Ax(t) + f(t) for some class of linear operators acting in a Banach space.
Ger‐type and Hyers‐Ulam stabilities for the first‐order linear differential operators of entire functions
Authors: Miura Takeshi , Hirasawa Go , Takahasi Sin-Ei
Published: May 2004

Let h be an entire function and Th a differential operator defined by Thf = f′ + hf. We show that Th has the Hyers‐Ulam stability if and only if h is a nonzero constant. We also consider Ger‐type stability problem for |1 − f′/hf| ≤ ϵ.
Social-Capital Formation and American Fraternal Association: New Empirical Evidence
Authors: Kaufman Jason , Weintraub David
Published: May 2004

Rare membership and lodge data from a late nineteenth-century American fraternal order provide support for the existence of “bridging ties” among its members along class and neighborhood lines, though not across racial or gender lines. Lodge-related political activity centered on issues of exclusivity, such as the desirability of non-English speaking members. The order's system of government was more top-heavy and hierarchical than democratic; decisionmaking power resided with established members at the organization's national level. Overall, the data paint a picture of an American fraternal lodge unlike that represented in the contemporary literature about social-capital formation in the Golden Age of Fraternity.
Uncertainties of Derived Dewpoint Temperature and Relative Humidity
Authors: Lin X. , Hubbard K. G.
Published: May 2004

This paper presents an evaluation of derived dewpoint temperature and derived relative humidity, in which the dewpoint temperature is calculated using measured ambient air temperature and measured relative humidity variables and the derived relative humidity is calculated from measured dewpoint temperature. The derived dewpoint temperature and relative humidity are calculated using algorithms provided by the World Meteorological Organization. The method of uncertainty analysis, provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, is applied to calculate the uncertainties of an indirect measurement of derived dewpoint temperature and derived relative humidity. The results from the uncertainty analyses of derived and observed variables suggest that the use of derived dewpoint temperature and derived relative humidity involves risk because the uncertainties of modern dewpoint temperature and relative humidity sensors can create several degrees Celsius of error in the derived dewpoint temperature and several percent in the derived relative humidity.