bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Some tests for uniformity of circular distributions powerful against multimodal alternatives
Authors: Pycke Jean‐Renaud 
Published: February 2010

AbstractThe author introduces new statistics suited for testing uniformity of circular distributions and powerful against multimodal alternatives. One of them has a simple expression in terms of the geometric mean of the sample of chord lengths. The others belong to a family indexed by a continuous parameter. The asymptotic distributions under the null hypothesis are derived. We compare the power of the new tests against Stephens's alternatives with those of Ajne, Watson, and Hermans‐Rasson's tests. Some of the new tests are the most powerful when the alternative has three or four modes. A heuristic justification of this feature is given. An application to the analysis of archaeological data is provided. The Canadian Journal of Statistics 38:80–96; 2010 © 2010 Statistical Society of Canada
Testing the psychometric properties of the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ) in Turkish university students and community samples
Authors: Senol‐Durak Emre , Durak Mithat , Elagöz Feride Özlem 
Published: February 2010

AbstractWays of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ) has been extensively used to assess coping styles in the clinical or non‐clinical context. The present study investigates the psychometric properties of WCQ in Turkish culture and attempts to get its shorter version by using three separate and independent samples (two groups of university students and one community sample). The constructive study was conducted with a sample of full‐time university students (N = 472) and it indicated that the most relevant factor structure was seven‐factor model. The factors were planful problem‐solving, seeking refuge in supernatural forces, keep to self, seeking social support, seeking refuge in fate, escape/avoidance and accepting responsibility. After that, confirmatory factor analysis was performed to test the adequacy of these factors with two different samples. Study 1 was conducted with a sample of university students (N = 485) and Study 2 was conducted with a sample of community (N = 416). Results demonstrated that seven‐factor solution revealed better results in both samples in terms of goodness of fit indexes in confirmatory factor analysis. The results of reliability and validity analysis revealed that psychometric properties of WCQ were acceptable. In addition to getting shorter version of WCQ, the present study enhances cross‐cultural information that increases awareness about the coping styles in a non‐western culture. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Key Practitioners Message:• Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ) is a feasible measure especially for non‐native clinicians to understand the client's coping styles by exploring and being sensitive to his/her cultural values in order to establish therapeutic alliance throughout the therapy assess.• Turkish version of WCQ includes specifi c dimensions of seeking refuge in fate and supernatural forces.• Clinicians can assess behavioural as well as cognitive responses of coping behaviours by WCQ.• WCQ can be used to identify focal point of the therapy when dealing with depression, negative affect and self esteem problems of Turkish clients.
The impact of metabolic syndrome on left ventricular myocardial performance
Authors: Voulgari Christina , Moyssakis Ioannis , Papazafiropoulou Athanasia , Perrea Despoina , Kyriaki Despoina , Katsilambros Nicholas , Tentolouris Nicholas 
Published: February 2010

AbstractBackgroundMetabolic syndrome (MetS) is common and is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recent prospective studies suggested that MetS is associated with increased risk of heart failure. In the present cross‐sectional study, we examined the association between left ventricular myocardial performance with MetS.Materials and MethodsA total of 550 non‐diabetic subjects, 275 without MetS and 275 with MetS, matched for gender, age and body mass index and free of clinically apparent macrovascular disease were studied. MetS was diagnosed using the NCEP‐ATP III criteria. Left ventricular myocardial performance was assessed using the Tei index.ResultsBoth men and women with MetS had higher values of the Tei index, indicating worse myocardial performance, in comparison with those without MetS (p < 0.001). Participants with a cluster of more components of the MetS had higher Tei index values than those with fewer components of the MetS. In addition, among normotensive subjects, those with MetS had significantly higher Tei index values than subjects without MetS. Multivariate linear regression analysis, after adjustment for age and body mass index, demonstrated that MetS status and from the individual components of the MetS, high fasting blood glucose levels, higher blood pressure, low high density lipoprotein levels and high waist circumference were associated with worse myocardial performance.ConclusionMetS is associated with subclinical myocardial dysfunction in both men and women. Strategies to reduce the cardiovascular burden and the risk of heart failure associated with MetS should aim at prevention of the MetS and its related conditions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Continuous CD27 triggering in vivo strongly reduces NK cell numbers
Authors: De Colvenaer Veerle , Taveirne Sylvie , Hamann Jörg , de Bruin Alex M. , De Smedt Magda , Taghon Tom , Vandekerckhove Bart , Plum Jean , van Lier Rene , Leclercq Georges 
Published: February 2010

AbstractNK cells are important mediators of the early defense. In mice, immature and mature NK (mNK) cells constitutively express the TNF receptor family member CD27; however, mNK cells eventually lose CD27 expression and become resting NK cells. Interaction of CD27 with its ligand, CD70, enhances proliferation and effector functions of NK cells. We used mice that constitutively express CD70 on B cells (CD70‐Tg) to study the in vivo effects of continuous triggering of CD27 on NK cells. Continuous CD70‐CD27 interaction resulted in strongly down‐modulated CD27 expression on NK cells and gradually reduced absolute NK cell numbers. This reduction was most prominent in the mNK cell subpopulation and was at least partially due to increased apoptosis. Residual NK cells showed lower expression of activating Ly49 receptors and normal (liver) or decreased (spleen) IFN‐γ production. Nevertheless, NK cells from CD70‐Tg mice displayed higher YAC‐1 killing capacities. CD70‐Tg NK cells exhibited up‐regulated expression of NKG2D, which is in accordance with the increased YAC‐1 lysis, as this is mainly NKG2D‐dependent. Taken together, this study is the first to demonstrate that continuous CD70 triggering of CD27 on NK cells in vivo results in a severe reduction of NK cells. On a single cell basis, however, residual NK cells display enhanced cytotoxicity.
Assembly of Dinuclear CuII Rigid Blocks by Bridging Azido or Poly(thiocyanato)chromates: Synthesis, Structures and Magnetic Properties of Coordination Polymers and Polynuclear Complexes
Authors: Kolotilov Sergey V. , Cador Olivier , Gavrilenko Konstantin S. , Golhen Stéphane , Ouahab Lahcène , Pavlishchuk Vitaly V. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractReaction of a dinuclear cationic copper(II) complex of 4,4′‐[2‐(3‐hydroxyiminobutyl)imino]biphenyl [CuII2(LH)2]2+ with N3– resulted in the formation of a dinuclear azido [CuII2(LH)2(N3)2(H2O)2] complex or a 2D coordination polymer [CuII2(LH)2(N3)2]n. Reaction of the dinuclear complex with [CrIII(NCS)6]3– or [CrIII(NCS)4(NH3)2]– produced a 2D polymer {[CuII2(LH)2(CH3CN)2]3[CrIII(NCS)6]2}n or a 1D chain, constructed from tetranuclear units {[CuII2(LH)2][CrIII(NCS)4(NH3)2]2}n. Structures of the compounds were determined by X‐ray crystallography and complexes were characterised by the temperature dependency of the magnetic susceptibility and by ESR spectroscopy. Magnetic properties of homometallic compounds were fit with the model of a dimer with the Hamiltonian Ĥ = –JŜ1·Ŝ2. For heterometallic complexes χMT curves were fit as the superposition of magnetism resulting from both [CuII2(LH)2]2+ and the adjacent CrIII‐containing anion. J values for the complexes lie in the range from –12.74(4) to –17.77(8) cm–1. It was shown that the 4,4′‐biphenyl bridge efficiently mediates exchange interactions.
Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of 3′‐O‐Acetal‐Protected 2′‐Deoxynucleosides as Building Blocks for Nucleic Acid Chemistry
Authors: Rodríguez‐Pérez Tatiana , Fernández Susana , Martínez‐Montero Saúl , González‐García Tania , Sanghvi Yogesh S. , Gotor Vicente , Ferrero Miguel 
Published: February 2010

AbstractWe have developed a simple and convenient synthetic strategy for the preparation of tetrahydropyranyl, 4‐methoxytetrahydropyranyl, and tetrahydrofuranyl ethers of 2′‐deoxynucleosides, which are useful building blocks for nucleic acid chemistry. Enzymatic benzoylation provides an efficient alternative for protecting the 5′‐hydroxy group of the parent nucleosides in a regioselective manner. Subsequently, tetrahydropyranylation and tetrahydrofuranylation of the 2′‐deoxynucleosides at the 3′‐hydroxy group were accomplished with p‐toluensulfonic acid, MgBr2, or camphorsulfonic acid as catalysts. Deprotection of the 5′‐O‐benzoyl group furnished 3′‐O‐acetal‐protected 2′‐deoxynucleosides. The three‐step process is expected to enable the large‐scale synthesis of protected nucleosides.
Glassy Carbon Paste Electrodes for the Determination of Fructosyl Valine
Authors: Chien Hui‐Ching , Chou Tse‐Chuan 
Published: February 2010

AbstractNearly 200 million people worldwide have type‐2 diabetes. Glucose sensors are routinely used for diagnosis; however, the relative amount of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) may be a better marker. A working electrode made from bare glassy carbon paste was used for sensing fructosyl valine (Fru‐Val), a component of HbA1c. Amperometric measurements revealed a linear relationship between Fru‐Val concentration and the sensing current. The square correlation coefficient and the sensitivity were 0.999 and 5.26 μA mM−1, respectively. The minimum detection limit was less than 0.05 mM.
Joint turbo equalisation and carrier synchronisation for SC‐FDE schemes
Authors: Dinis Rui , Araújo Teresa , Pedrosa Pedro , Nunes Fernando 
Published: February 2010

AbstractIn this paper we consider the use of single carrier (SC) modulations combined with frequency‐domain equalisation (FDE) in future broadband wireless systems. We propose iterative receiver structures with joint equalisation and carrier synchronisation. The proposed receivers can be regarded as modified frequency‐domain turbo equalisers where we perform a decision‐directed frequency offset estimation within each iteration of the turbo equaliser.Our performance results show that the proposed receiver structure has good bit error rate (BER), even with moderate frequency offsets and in severely time‐dispersive channels. Moreover, our receiver has a relatively low implementation complexity, due to its fast Fourier transform (FFT)‐based frequency‐domain implementation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Non‐linear flux‐splitting schemes with imposed discrete maximum principle for elliptic equations with highly anisotropic coefficients
Authors: Pal Mayur , Edwards Michael G. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractFamilies of flux‐continuous, locally conservative, finite‐volume schemes have been developed for solving the general tensor pressure equation of petroleum reservoir simulation on structured and unstructured grids. The schemes are applicable to diagonal and full tensor pressure equation with generally discontinuous coefficients and remove the O(1) errors introduced by standard reservoir simulation schemes when applied to full tensor flow approximation. The family of flux‐continuous schemes is quantified by a quadrature parameterization. Improved convergence using the quadrature parameterization has been established for the family of flux‐continuous schemes.When applied to strongly anisotropic full‐tensor permeability fields the schemes can fail to satisfy a maximum principle (as with other FEM and finite‐volume methods) and result in spurious oscillations in the numerical pressure solution. This paper presents new non‐linear flux‐splitting techniques that are designed to compute solutions that are free of spurious oscillations. Results are presented for a series of test‐cases with strong full‐tensor anisotropy ratios. In all cases the non‐linear flux‐splitting methods yield pressure solutions that are free of spurious oscillations. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Carbon Nanotubes Based Nafion Composite Membranes for Fuel Cell Applications
Authors: Cele N. P. , Sinha Ray S. , Pillai S. K. , Ndwandwe M. , Nonjola S. , Sikhwivhilu L. , Mathe M. K. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractCarbon nanotubes (CNTs) containing Nafion composite membranes were prepared via melt‐blending at 250 °C. Using three different types of CNTs such as pure CNTs (pCNTs), oxidised CNTs (oCNTs) and amine functionalised CNTs (fCNTs); the effect of CNTs surface oxidation as well as functionalisation in composite membranes was investigated by focussing on three aspects: thermo‐mechanical stability, thermal degradation and proton conductivity. The oCNTs‐containing Nafion composite membrane exhibited concurrent improvement in most of the properties as compared to that of pure Nafion or other CNTs‐containing Nafion composite membranes.
Palladium and Palladium Gold Catalysts Supported on MWCNTs for Electrooxidation of Formic Acid
Authors: Chen C. H. , Liou W. J. , Lin H. M. , Wu S. H. , Borodzinski A. , Stobinski L. , Kedzierzawski P. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractNovel multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) supported Pd–Au catalyst for electrooxidation of formic acid was prepared and compared with a similarly prepared Pd/MWCNTs and with a commercial Pt–Ru/Vulcan catalyst. The catalysts were prepared by a two‐stage polyol method, followed by H2–Ar annealing and were characterised by using X‐ray diffraction, FE‐TEM and EDX. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used to test their catalytic activity towards formic acid electrooxidation and accessible metal surface in the catalyst layer. In the case of the precursor of Pd–Au/MWCNTs catalyst (before H2–Ar annealing), subsequent deposition of Pd and Au led to a material of the core‐shell structure, catalytically inactive. Annealing of the core shell Pd–Au/MWCNTs precursor in H2–Ar resulted in the formation of the novel Pd–Au/MWCNTs catalyst. A highly dispersed Pd–Au solid solution (average XRD particle size 4.8 nm) is formed, and the novel catalyst is more active than the Pd/MWCNTs one. Both the Pd–Au/MWCNTs and the Pd/MWCNTs catalysts turned out to be more active than a commercial, highly dispersed Pt–Ru/Vulcan catalyst.
Temporal dynamics of myelination in the zebrafish spinal cord
Authors: Buckley Clare E. , Marguerie Anita , Alderton Wendy K. , Franklin Robin J. M. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractKnowledge of the precise timing of myelination is critical to the success of zebrafish‐based in vivo screening strategies for potential remyelination therapies. This study provides a systematic review of the timing of myelination in the zebrafish spinal cord and a critique of techniques by which it may be accurately assessed. The onset of myelination was found to be 3 days postfertilization (d.p.f.); earlier than previously reported. This coincided with the dorsal migration and differentiation of oligodendrocytes and the expression of myelin basic protein (Mbp) transcripts and protein. Our data suggests that immunohistochemistry with zebrafish‐specific anti‐Mbp from 3 d.p.f. is the optimal histological method for myelin visualization, while quantification of myelination is more reliably achieved by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for mbp from 5 d.p.f.. Transgenic fluorescent lines such as olig2:EGFP can be used to assess oligodendrocyte cell number at 3 d.p.f. and the development of new, more specific lines may enable real time visualization of myelin itself. Quantitative ultrastructural analysis revealed that the myelination of zebrafish axons is regulated according to axonal growth and not absolute axonal size. This study confirms the use of the zebrafish larvae as a versatile and efficient in vivo model of myelination and provides a platform on which future myelination screening studies can be based. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The type 2 deiodinase Thr92Ala polymorphism is associated with increased bone turnover and decreased femoral neck bone mineral density
Authors: Heemstra Karen A , Hoftijzer Hendrieke , van der Deure Wendy M , Peeters Robin P , Hamdy Neveen A , Pereira Alberto , Corssmit Eleonora P , Romijn Johannes A , Visser Theo J , Smit Johannes W 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
The role of type 2 deiodinase (D2) in the human skeleton remains unclear. The D2 polymorphism Thr92Ala has been associated with lower enzymatic activity, which could result in lower local triiodothyronine (T3) availability in bone. We therefore hypothesized that the D2 Thr92Ala polymorphism may influence bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover. We studied 154 patients (29 men, 125 women: 79 estrogen-replete, 46 estrogen-deficient) with cured differentiated thyroid carcinoma. BMD and bone turnover markers [bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), cross-linking terminal C-telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide (P1NP), and cross-linked N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX)] were measured. Effects of the D2 Thr92Ala polymorphism on BMD and bone turnover markers were assessed by a linear regression model, with age, gender, estrogen state, body mass index (BMI), serum calcium, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and free triiodothyroxine (T4) as covariables. Sixty patients were wild type (Thr/Thr), 66 were heterozygous (Thr/Ala), and 28 were homozygous (Ala/Ala) for the D2 polymorphism. There were no significant differences in any covariables between the three genotypes. Subjects carrying the D2 Thr92Ala polymorphism had consistently lower femoral neck and total hip densities than wild-type subjects (p = .028), and this was accompanied by significantly higher serum P1NP and CTX and urinary NTX/creatinine levels. We conclude that in patients with cured differentiated thyroid carcinoma, the D2 Thr92Ala polymorphism is associated with a decreased femoral neck BMD and higher bone turnover independent of serum thyroid hormone levels, which points to a potential functional role for D2 in bone. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Enhancement of parathyroid hormone-responsive renal cortical adenylate cyclase activity by a cytosol protein activator from rat reticulocytes
Authors: Dr. Shane Elizabeth , Avioli Richard C. , Greene Virginia S. , Yeh Mary , Owens John M. , Bell Norman H. , Bilezikian John P. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractThe effects of the cytosol activator protein obtained from rat reticulocytes (RCAP) were investigated in a heterologous membrane system — partially purified cell membranes from dog renal cortex. RCAP enhanced the response of dog renal cortical adenylate cyclase to bovine parathyroid hormone (1–34) [bPTH (1–34)] from two- to three-fold. RCAP also enhanced the response to 5 μM arginine vasopressin, 10 μM glucagon, and 10 μM isoproterenol. Analysis of double-reciprocal plots of substrate concentration and enzyme activity indicated that bPTH (1–34) alone and together with RCAP increased the Vmax of the adenylate cyclase enzyme and did not alter the apparent Km of the enzyme for MgATP. Membranes from dog renal cortex contain 42K and 39K proteins that are ADP-ribosylated by cholera toxin and pertussis toxin, respectively, and appear to be the stimulatory (Ns) and inhibitory (Ni) guanine nucleotide binding proteins described in many other hormone-responsive membrane preparations. Similar to its effects in rat reticulocytes, RCAP inhibited ADP-ribosylation of Ns and enhanced ADP-ribosylation of Ni. The muscarinic agonist, carbachol, inhibited PTH-responsive adenylate cyclase activity in dog renal cortical membranes and this inhibition was reversed by RCAP. These results indicate that RCAP enhances stimulation of adenylate cyclase by a variety of hormones in a heterologous membrane preparation and supports the hypothesis that RCAP's site of action is common to all adenylate cyclase systems. RCAP may facilitate coupling between Ns and the catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase by a pertussis toxin-like effect to inactivate Ni. The dual effects of RCAP upon ADP-ribosylation of Ni and Ns α subunits suggest that a binding site for RCAP may exist at a site of homology between NSα and Niα.
Polyamines are involved in the 1-α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-induced fusion of mouse alveolar macrophages
Authors: Hayashi Takamune , Shinki Toshimasa , Tanaka Hirofumi , Abe Etsuko , Suda Tatsuo 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
We have reported that 1-α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1-α,25-(OH)2D3] directly induces fusion of mouse alveolar macrophages at a very high rate (circa 70–80%) by a mechanism involving protein synthesis (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 80:5583, 1983; FEBS Letters 174:61, 1984). While examining further the mechanism of the 1-α,25-(OH)2D3-induced fusion of macrophages, we found that polyamines are involved in this mechanism. Mouse alveolar macrophages incubated with 12 nM 1-α,25-(OH)2D3 began to fuse at 36 h and the fusion rate increased linearly up to 60 h. Addition of as much as 0.05–5 mM α-difluoromethylornithine (α-DFMO), a specific inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, did not inhibit fusion appreciably, but addition of 0.05–5 μM methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG), an inhibitor of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, strikingly inhibited fusion. When macrophages were treated with both 12 nM 1-α,25-(OH)2D3 and 5 μM MGBG for the first 12 h and incubated further for 60 h in fresh medium containing 1-α,25-(OH)2D3, fusion was significantly inhibited, suggesting that the 1-α,25-(OH)2D3-induced synthesis of polyamines precedes fusion. The inhibition by MGBG of the 1-α,25-(OH)2D3-induced fusion was restored completely by adding 1 μM spermidine or spermine or 100 μM putrescine. None of the polyamines alone induced fusion. MGBG suppressed the 1-α,25-(OH)2D3-induced incorporation of [3H]-leucine into the trichloroacetic acid-insoluble fraction in macrophages, but its inhibitory effect was restored completely by adding 1 μM spermidine. When macrophages were incubated with [14C]-ornithine, the polyamine that accumulated most was [14C]-spermidine. 1-α,25-(OH)2D3 further enhanced the accumulation of [14C]-spermidine. The accumulation of [14C]-putrescine and spermine was not appreciably altered by the 1-α,25-(OH)2D3 treatment. Adding MGBG almost completely suppressed the accumulation of [14C]-spermidine and spermine, but it enhanced the accumulation of [14C]-putrescine considerably. These results indicate that spermidine or spermine is an important intracellular mediator of the 1-α,25-(OH)2D3 action in inducing protein synthesis, which in turn somehow induces fusion of alveolar macrophages.
Cyclosporine a inhibits calcemic hormone-induced bone resorption in vitro
Authors: Stewart Pamela J. , Green Orville C. , Stern Paula H. 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
We have investigated the in vitro effects of cyclosporine (CsA), a potent immunosuppressive agent, on bone resorption induced by calcemic hormones. CsA inhibited parathyroid hormone (PTH), prostaglandin E2, 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), and osteoclast-activating factor induced resorption of fetal rat limb bones in a dose-dependent manner. Established ongoing resorptive activity in bone was also inhibited by CsA. The CsA inhibition of bone resorption could be partially surmounted by higher concentrations of PTH and 1,25(OH)2D3. The inhibitory effects of CsA on limb bone resorption were reversible. Neither protein nor DNA synthesis were inhibited by treatment of limb bones with CsA. Thus, the inhibitory effect of this agent on bone resorption is not a cytotoxic one. These data could suggest that the induction of bone resorption by the calcemic hormones involves an immune cell derived mediator such as a lymphokine.