bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Altruism and Biology
Authors: Joyce Richard 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

In the vernacular, “altruism” is a psychological term; its application depends on the motives with which an action is performed. A's action is altruistic if and only if A's ultimate motive in performing the action is the furtherance of some other individual's (or individuals') welfare. A's action remains altruistic even if, as a matter of fact, the other individual receives no benefit (because of some unforeseen interference, say). And A's action remains altruistic even if, as a matter of fact, A (and A alone) benefits from the action, so long as that outcome was not A's ultimate motive. If A acts to benefit B but A's
ultimate
motive for doing so is that furthering B's welfare promises in turn to benefit A (via boosting A's reputation, say), then A's action is not altruistic but selfish. On the face of it, there is no reason to assume that this distinction is exhaustive. It seems possible that actions can be done for motives that have nothing to do with benefiting anyone, or can be done for mixed motives where benefits to both actor and other are important motivating factors but neither is ultimate.
Ancient Ethics
Authors: Nielsen Karen Margrethe 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThis essay will provide a survey of the major philosophical schools in ancient Greek and Roman ethics, from the time of Plato (429–347BC) until the end of the Hellenistic Period, when Cicero (106–43BC) wrote his dramatic summary of Epicurean, Stoic, and Peripatetic ethics,De finibus bonorum et malorum.
International Bill of Rights
Authors: Letsas George 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
The term “international bill of rights” refers to three documents drafted under the auspices of the United Nations, each proclaiming a list of fundamental human rights: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).
Multi‐objective H −  ∕ H ∞  fault detection observer design for Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy systems with unmeasurable premise variables: descriptor approach
Authors: Aouaouda S. , Chadli M. , Cocquempot V. , Tarek Khadir M. 
Published: December 2012

SUMMARYThis paper investigates the problem of robust fault detection observer design for nonlinear Takagi–Sugeno models with unmeasurable premise variables subject to sensor faults and unknown bounded disturbance. The main idea is to synthesize a robust fault detection observer by means of a mixed H −  ∕ H ∞  performance index. The considered observer is used to estimate jointly states and faults. Using the technique of descriptor system representation, we proposed a new less‐conservative approach in term of a linear matrix inequality (LMI) by considering the sensor fault as an auxiliary state variable. A solution of the problem is obtained by using an iterative LMI procedure. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tumor necrosis factor–inhibiting therapy preferentially targets bone destruction but not synovial inflammation in a tumor necrosis factor–driven model of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Binder Nikolaus B. , Puchner Antonia , Niederreiter Birgit , Hayer Silvia , Leiss Harald , Blüml Stephan , Kreindl Roman , Smolen Josef S. , Redlich Kurt 
Published: December 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate how tumor necrosis factor (TNF)–inhibiting therapy affects bone destruction and inflammation in a TNF‐driven mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis.MethodsIn order to evaluate the influence of TNF on osteoclastogenesis in vitro, different concentrations of TNF were added to spleen cell–derived monocytes in the absence or presence of different concentrations of RANKL. In addition, the effects of TNF inhibition on osteoclast precursors as well as local bone destruction in vivo were assessed by treating TNF‐transgenic mice with different doses of adalimumab.ResultsTNF stimulated osteoclastogenesis mainly by increasing the number of osteoclast precursor cells in vitro. This TNF effect was independent of the presence of RANKL. In the hTNF‐transgenic mouse model of destructive arthritis, low‐dose TNF‐inhibiting therapy with adalimumab had no effect on synovial inflammation but significantly inhibited local bone destruction and the generation of osteoclasts. This inhibition was accompanied by a reduction in the number of c‐Fms–positive osteoclast precursor cells in the bone marrow and a reduction of the osteoclast precursor pools in the blood and inflamed synovial membrane of hTNF‐transgenic mice.ConclusionLow‐dose TNF‐inhibiting therapy significantly reduces bone erosions by reducing the number of circulating and joint‐invading osteoclast precursors. This effect is uncoupled from its antiinflammatory action.
Inducible expression of kallikrein in renal tubular cells protects mice against spontaneous lupus nephritis
Authors: Shao Xinli , Yang Ru , Yan Mei , Li Yajuan , Du Yong , Raman Indu , Zhang Bo , Wakeland Ward , Igarashi Peter , Mohan Chandra , Li Quan‐Zhen 
Published: December 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo ascertain whether engineered expression of kallikreins within the kidneys, using an inducible Cre/loxP system, can ameliorate murine lupus nephritis.MethodsIn mice with a lupus‐prone genetic background, we engineered the expression of tamoxifen‐inducible Cre recombinase under the control of a kidney‐specific promoter whose activation initiates murine kallikrein‐1 expression within the kidneys. These transgenic mice were injected with either tamoxifen or vehicle at age 2 months and then were monitored for 8 months for kallikrein expression and disease.ResultsElevated expression of kallikrein was detected in the kidney and urine of tamoxifen‐injected mice but not in controls. At age 10 months, all vehicle‐injected mice developed severe lupus nephritis, as evidenced by increased proteinuria (mean ± SD 13.43 ± 5.65 mg/24 hours), increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine levels (39.86 ± 13.45 mg/dl and 15.23 ± 6.89 mg/dl, respectively), and severe renal pathology. In contrast, the tamoxifen‐injected mice showed significantly reduced proteinuria (6.6 ± 4.12 mg/24 hours), decreased BUN and serum creatinine levels (15.71 ± 8.17 mg/dl and 6.64 ± 3.39 mg/dl, respectively), and milder renal pathology. Tamoxifen‐induced up‐regulation of renal kallikrein expression increased nitric oxide production and dampened renal superoxide production and inflammatory cell infiltration, alluding to some of the pathways through which kallikreins may be operating within the kidneys.ConclusionLocal expression of kallikreins within the kidney has the capacity to dampen lupus nephritis, possibly by modulating inflammation and oxidative stress.
Matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization–imaging mass spectrometry: A new methodology to study human osteoarthritic cartilage
Authors: Cillero‐Pastor Berta , Eijkel Gert B. , Kiss Andras , Blanco Francisco J. , Heeren Ron M. A. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractObjectiveInformation about the distribution of proteins and the modulation that they undergo in the different phases of rheumatic pathologies is essential to understanding the development of these diseases. We undertook this study to demonstrate the utility of mass spectrometry (MS)–based molecular imaging for studying the spatial distribution of different components in human articular cartilage sections.MethodsWe compared the distribution of peptides and proteins in human control and osteoarthritic (OA) cartilage. Human control and OA cartilage slices were cut and deposited on conductive slides. After tryptic digestion, we performed matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization–imaging MS (MALDI‐IMS) experiments in a MALDI–quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer. Protein identification was undertaken with a combination of multivariate statistical methods and Mascot protein database queries. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry were performed to validate the results.ResultsWe created maps of peptide distributions at 150‐μm raster size from control and OA human cartilage. Proteins such as biglycan, prolargin, decorin, and aggrecan core protein were identified and localized. Specific protein markers for cartilage oligomeric matrix protein and fibronectin were found exclusively in OA cartilage samples. Their distribution displayed a stronger intensity in the deep area than in the superficial area. New tentative OA markers were found in the deep area of the OA cartilage.ConclusionMALDI‐IMS identifies and localizes disease‐specific peptides and proteins in cartilage. All the OA‐related peptides and proteins detected display a stronger intensity in the deep cartilage. MS‐based molecular imaging is demonstrated to be an innovative method for studying OA pathology.
Neutrophil cannibalism triggers transforming growth factor β1 production and self regulation of neutrophil inflammatory function in monosodium urate monohydrate crystal–induced inflammation in mice
Authors: Steiger Stefanie , Harper Jacquie L. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo identify macrophage‐independent sources of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) production during monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU) crystal–induced inflammation and to determine how TGFβ1 alters MSU crystal–recruited neutrophil functions.MethodsC57BL/6J mice were injected intraperitoneally with MSU crystals with or without TGFβ1‐neutralizing antibody. MSU crystal–recruited peritoneal and blood neutrophils were purified and cultured ex vivo. Peritoneal neutrophils were treated with the caspase inhibitor Q‐VD‐OPh, anti‐TGFβ1 antibody, or fluorochrome‐labeled apoptotic neutrophils. Neutrophils were analyzed for expression of annexin V, caspase 3, and TGFβ1 by flow cytometry or fluorescence microscopy, for superoxide production using the redox‐sensitive dye water‐soluble tetrazolium 1, and for TGFβ1 and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) production by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsEighteen hours after MSU crystal administration in vivo, TGFβ1 levels were elevated in peritoneal lavage fluids, and a significant number of peritoneal neutrophils were TGFβ1+. Purified blood or peritoneal neutrophils cultured ex vivo showed TGFβ1+ neutrophils coexpressing the apoptosis marker caspase 3 and increased TGFβ1 production, both of which dropped following inhibition of apoptosis. Live neutrophils that had phagocytosed apoptotic neutrophils showed greatest TGFβ1 expression. Superoxide production by purified MSU crystal–recruited neutrophils ex vivo was enhanced by anti‐TGFβ1 antibody treatment. Neutrophils purified from the peritoneum of MSU crystal–challenged mice treated with anti‐TGFβ1 antibody produced elevated levels of superoxide, but neutrophil IL‐1β production was unaffected.ConclusionNeutrophil cannibalism and TGFβ1 production have the potential to make a significant contribution to the controlled resolution of neutrophil‐driven inflammatory diseases such as gout.
Tumor Necrosis Factor α–Induced MicroRNA‐18a Activates Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Fibroblasts Through a Feedback Loop in NF‐κB Signaling
Authors: Trenkmann Michelle , Brock Matthias , Gay Renate E. , Michel Beat A. , Gay Steffen , Huber Lars C. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo elucidate whether the microRNA (miRNA) cluster miR‐17–92 contributes to the activated phenotype of rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts (RASFs).MethodsRASFs were stimulated with tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), and the expression and regulation of the miR‐17–92 cluster were studied using real‐time quantitative PCR (PCR) and promoter activity assays. RASFs were transfected with single precursor molecules of miRNAs from miR‐17–92 and the expression of matrix‐degrading enzymes and cytokines was measured by quantitative PCR and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Potential miRNA targets were identified by computational prediction and were validated using reporter gene assays and Western blotting. The activity of NF‐κB signaling was determined by reporter gene assays.ResultsWe found that TNFα induces the expression of miR‐17–92 in RASFs in an NF‐κB–dependent manner. Transfection of RASFs with precursor molecules of single members of miR‐17–92 revealed significantly increased expression levels of matrix‐degrading enzymes, proinflammatory cytokines, and chemokines in precursor miR‐18a (pre‐miR‐18a)–transfected RASFs. Using reporter gene assays, we identified the NF‐κB pathway inhibitor TNFα‐induced protein 3 as a new target of miR‐18a. In addition, pre‐miR‐18a–transfected RASFs showed stronger activation of NF‐κB signaling, both constitutively and in response to TNFα stimulation.ConclusionOur data suggest that the miR‐17–92–derived miR‐18a contributes to cartilage destruction and chronic inflammation in the joint through a positive feedback loop in NF‐κB signaling, with concomitant up‐regulation of matrix‐degrading enzymes and mediators of inflammation in RASFs.
Borderline Mean Pulmonary Artery Pressure in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis: Transpulmonary Gradient Predicts Risk of Developing Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Valerio Christopher J. , Schreiber Benjamin E. , Handler Clive E. , Denton Christopher P. , Coghlan John G. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and borderline mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) at cardiac catheterization are more likely to develop pulmonary hypertension (PH) than those in whom pulmonary pressure is normal.MethodsPatients with SSc in whom PH and significant interstitial lung disease had been excluded at baseline were enrolled in our prospective cohort. Analysis of followup data identified patients who met prespecified criteria prompting repeat catheterization to reassess for possible PH. Using Kaplan‐Meier, receiver operating characteristic, and Cox regression methods, we studied the development of PH and death.ResultsOf 228 patients in this study, 86 had borderline mean PAP (21–24 mm Hg) at baseline. Following prespecified criteria, 76 patients underwent repeat catheterization, and 29 of these developed PH. Two cases were related to disease of the left side of the heart. The average mean PAP increased from baseline (20.2 mm Hg) to followup (24.3 mm Hg) (P < 0.05 by Student's t‐test). Patients with borderline mean PAP were more likely to develop PH than patients with mean PAP ≤20 mm Hg (P < 0.001 by log rank test, hazard ratio [HR] 3.7). A transpulmonary gradient (TPG) ≥11 mm Hg at baseline also predicted PH (P < 0.001 by log rank test, HR 7.9). Incident development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was not benign, with a mortality of 18% within 3 years.ConclusionOur findings indicate that borderline mean PAP and an elevated TPG in patients with SSc predict progression to PH. These patients should be monitored closely for the development of PH. Our findings indicate that catheterization data are useful in patients considered at risk of PAH.
p53 Controls Autoimmune Arthritis via STAT‐Mediated Regulation of the Th17 Cell/Treg Cell Balance in Mice
Authors: Park Jin‐Sil , Lim Mi‐Ae , Cho Mi‐La , Ryu Jun‐Geol , Moon Young‐Mee , Jhun Joo‐Yeon , Byun Jae‐Kyeong , Kim Eun‐Kyung , Hwang Sue‐Yun , Ju Ji Hyeon , Kwok Seung‐Ki , Kim Ho‐Youn 
Published: December 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the connection between p53 and interleukin‐17–producing Th17 cell/Treg cell balance in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsTh17 cell and Treg cell frequencies were analyzed by flow cytometry, and cytokine levels in the supernatant were determined using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. The expression of transcription factors was analyzed by immunostaining and Western blotting, and the interactions between p53 and STAT‐3 or STAT‐5 were determined by immunoprecipitation–Western blot analysis. A p53 agonist was administered in the collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) model, and the effects in vivo were determined.ResultsCD4+ T cells from p53–/– mice decreased the activity of STAT‐5, lowered the level of phosphorylated STAT‐5, and compromised Treg cell differentiation. The protein p53 bound STAT‐5 directly, and this interaction was enhanced with increasing p53 activity. Under inflammatory conditions, p53 suppressed Th17 cell differentiation and skewed T cells toward Treg cell differentiation through the activation of STAT‐5 signaling cascades. In mice with CIA, injection of a p53 overexpression vector or an antagonist of Mdm2 had the effect of controlling arthritis development in vivo. The regulatory effect of p53 was recapitulated in the cells of RA patients, with more pronounced suppression due to the repressed status of p53 in RA.ConclusionWe demonstrated a link between p53‐mediated and STAT‐mediated regulation of Th17 cells/Treg cells in RA. Our results suggest that factors involved in this pathway might constitute novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of RA.
Large Two‐Photon Absorption of Terpyridine‐Based Quadrupolar Derivatives: Towards their Applications in Optical Limiting and Biological Imaging
Authors: He Tingchao , Lim Zheng Bang , Ma Lin , Li Hairong , Rajwar Deepa , Ying Yongjun , Di Ziyun , Grimsdale Andrew C. , Sun Handong 
Published: December 2012

AbstractDeveloping organic chromophores with large two‐photon absorption (TPA) in both organic solvents and aqueous media is crucial owing to their applications in solid‐state photonic devices and biological imaging. Herein, a series of novel terpyridine‐based quadrupolar derivatives have been synthesized. The influences of electron‐donating group, type of conjugated bridge, as well as solvent polarity on the molecular TPA properties have been investigated in detail. In contrast to the case in organic solvents, bis(thienyl)‐benzothiadiazole as a rigid conjugated bridge will completely quench molecular two‐photon emission in aqueous media. However, the combination of alkylcarbazole as the donor and bis(styryl)benzene as a conjugation bridge can enlarge molecular TPA cross‐sections in both organic solvent and aqueous media. The reasonable two‐photon emission brightness for the organic nanoparticles of chromophores 3–5 in the aqueous media, prepared by the reprecipitation method, enables them to be used as probes for in vivo biological imaging.
Simple Robust Tuning of2DoF PIDControllers From A Performance/Robustness Trade‐off Analysis
Authors: Alfaro V.M. , Vilanova R. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThis paper presents the performance/robustness trade‐off analysis of servo‐control and regulatory‐control systems. In this analysis, first‐order‐plus‐dead‐time (FOPDT) and second‐order‐plus‐dead‐time (SOPDT) controlled processes with one‐degree‐of‐freedom (1DoF) and two‐degree‐of‐freedom (2DoF) proportional integral (PI) and proportional integral derivative (PID) controllers are considered. The analysis shows that for the same process, performance‐optimized1DoF PIcontrollers are more robust to changes in the process characteristics, but the optimal performance of these controllers is inferior to that of the correspondingPIDcontrollers. Regulatory‐control performance‐optimized PI andPIDcontrollers are less robust than the corresponding servo‐control systems, and a greater level of performance degradation is required in the former case to ensure that the robustness level becomes comparable to that in the latter case.On the basis of this analysis, a simply robust tuning method was developed for2DoF PIDcontrollers; the use of this procedure helps in achieving the desired level of robustness in closed‐loop control systems. The proposed tuning method allows the use of a single set of rules for the robust tuning ofPIDcontrollers forFOPDTandSOPDTcontrolled processes
Catalytic Mechanism of the Arylsulfatase Promiscuous Enzyme from Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
Authors: Marino Tiziana , Russo Nino , Toscano Marirosa 
Published: December 2012

AbstractTo elucidate the working mechanism of the “broad substrate specificity” by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa aryl sulfatase (PAS) enzyme, we present here a full quantum chemical study performed at the density functional level. This enzyme is able to catalyze the hydrolysis of the original p‐nitrophenyl‐sulfate (PNPS) substrate and the promiscuous p‐nitrophenyl‐phosphate (PNPP) one with comparable reaction kinetics. Based on the obtained results, a multistep mechanism including activation of the nucleophile, the nucleophilic attack, and the cleavage of the SO (PO) bond is proposed. Regarding the phosphate monoester, the results indicate that only some steps of the promiscuous reaction are identical to those in the native process. Differences concern mainly the last step in which the His115 residue acts as a general base to accept the proton by the O atom of the FGly51 in the PNPS, whereas in PNPP, the Asp317 protonated residue works as a general acid to deliver a proton by a water molecule to the oxygen atom of the CO bond. The shapes of the relative potential‐ energy surface (PES) are similar in the two examined cases but the rate‐determining step is different (nucleophile attack vs. nucleophile activation). The influence of the dispersion contributions on the investigated reactions was also taken into account.
Process Performance of a Biotrickling Filter Using a Flow‐Directional‐Switching Method
Authors: Wang Liping , He Shilong , Xu Jiangcen , Li Jie , Mao Zhen 
Published: December 2012

AbstractNon‐uniform distribution of biomass and the accumulation of excess biomass at the inlet of a unidirectional flow biotrickling filter (UF‐BTF) may lead to severe operating problems including increasing airflow resistance in packed bed, clogging, and low contaminant removal efficiencies, even performance loss. Therefore, a flow‐directional‐switching biotrickling filter (FDS‐BTF) was designed to improve performance such as the maximum elimination capacity and elimination efficiency. Toluene was chosen as the unique carbon source for microorganism. The results indicated that the purification performance of FDS‐BTF was superior to UF‐BTF. The maximum elimination capacity of FDS‐BTF was up to 480 g/(m3 h), which was 17.1% higher than that of UF‐BTF. After a 50‐day continuous operation, FDS‐BTF attained the stable purification performance and the outlet concentrations of toluene could meet the emission standard with inlet concentrations ranging from 720 to 1100 mg/m3 for an empty bed residence time (EBRT) of 23.9 s. The average well color development in FDS‐BTF was higher than that in UF‐BTF. It indicated that FDS‐BTF could improve the metabolic activity, which may improve the uniform distribution of biomass along the length of packed bed. When two systems were shut down, 24 and 48 h, respectively, the time that FDS‐BTF and UF‐BTF needed to restore the former elimination efficiency after a shut down of 48 h were 3–4 and 9–10 h. These data indicated that the purification performance of FDS‐BTF was superior to UF‐BTF.