bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disulfide bond decay during matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry experiments
Authors: Krásný Lukáš , Hynek Radovan , Kodíček Milan 
Published: August 2011

AbstractIn our laboratory, we have been studying the reductive processes that occur during matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) experiments. Recently, we have finished an analysis of the DHB matrix effect on the azo group in cyclic peptides. However, deep understanding of disulfide bond behaviour during a mass spectrometry (MS) experiment is much more important in proteomics as its reduction can cause serious errors in protein spectra interpretation. Therefore, we have focused on intra‐ and intermolecular disulfide bonds as well as disulfide bonds connecting cysteine and 2‐thio‐5‐nitrobenzoic acid (TNB, Ellman's reagent modification) in model peptides during MALDI MS measurements. While the reduction was not observed for intra‐ and intermolecular cysteine‐cysteine disulfide bonds, the disulfide connection between cysteine and TNB was always affected. It was proved that TNB and Ellman's reagent can act as a matrix itself. The results obtained enabled us to propose a reaction mechanism model which is able to describe the phenomena observed during the desorption/ionization process of disulfide‐containing molecules. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of accelerator mass spectrometry to macromolecules: preclinical pharmacokinetic studies on a polybisphosphonate
Authors: Salehpour Mehran , Håkansson Karl , Höglund Urban , Grahn‐Westin Annika , Nilsson Sten , Márquez Marcela , Possnert Göran , Holmberg Anders R. 
Published: August 2011

Data on the use of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) in conjunction with in vivo studies of macromolecular drugs are scarce. The present study shows the versatility of this technique when investigating the pharmacokinetics (PK) of a macromolecular drug candidate, a polybisphosphonate conjugate (ODX). The aforementioned is a polymer (molecular weight ~30 kDa) constituting a carbohydrate backbone with covalently linked ligands (aldendronate and aminoguanidine) and is intended for treatment of osteoporosis and the therapy of bone metastasis from prostate cancer. The conjugate is prepared through partial oxidation of the carbohydrate and sequential coupling of the ligands by reductive amination. 14 C was incorporated in the conjugate by means of coupling a commercially available 14 C‐lysine in the conjugation sequence. Fifteen rats were injected intravenously with 14 C‐labelled ODX (150 µg, 14 Bq/rat) and blood samples were collected at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 24 h post‐injection (3 rats/time point). Liver, spleen and kidney samples were collected at 4 and 24 h post‐injection. Blood from each time point (triplicate) were collected for AMS measurement determining the isotopic ratio (14 C/12 C) and consequently the drug concentration in blood.ODX showed a transient presence in blood circulation; 93% of the total dose was cleared from the circulation within 1 h. The half‐life after 1 h was estimated to be about 3 h; 0.7% of the administered 14 C dose of ODX remained in circulation after 24 h. The major 14 C accumulation was in the liver, the spleen and the kidneys indicating the probable route of metabolism and excretion. This study demonstrates the versatility of AMS for pharmacological in vivo studies of macromolecules. Labelling with 14 C is relatively simple, inexpensive and the method requires minimal radioactivity, eliminating the need for radioprotection precautions in contrast to methods using scintillation counting. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adhäsionsverhalten zwischen bewitterten 2K‐EP‐Beschichtungen und 2K‐PUR‐Beschichtungen – Einfluss der Bewitterung
Authors: Gurack Detlef , Krüger Gerd , Krotzek Alwin , Rudolf Andrea 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBei im Korrosionsschutz üblichen mit aminischen Härtern vernetzten aromatischen Epoxidharzbeschichtungen können sich infolge Bewitterung Oberflächenschichten mit veränderter chemischer Struktur bilden. Diese können Ursache für unzureichende Haftung nachfolgender Beschichtungen sein. Die Beeinträchtigung der Verbundeigenschaften hängt mit den Bewitterungsparametern zusammen. Prüfverfahren unter Einbeziehung von Freibewitterung weisen deshalb oft eine mangelhafte Reproduzierbarkeit auf. Wichtige Faktoren sind Auslagerungszeitpunkt und Dauer der Bewitterung.Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden Untersuchungen zum Haftverbund zwischen unterschiedlichen Epoxidharzbeschichtungen mit 2K‐Polyurethandeckbeschichtungen beschrieben und auf die besondere Problematik dieser Haftverbundprüfung eingegangen.Investigation of the adhesion behaviour between exposed 2K‐EP coatings and following 2K‐PUR coatings – influence of weathering. During weathering of coatings of aromatic epoxy resins, for corrosion protection usually crosslinked by amine based hardeners, the chemical structure of surface layers might be changed. Therefore the following coating layers can suffer from bad adhesion. The impairment of adhesion between intermediate coat and top coat depends on weathering parameters. So the testing methods, including outdoor exposure, show often insufficient reproducibility. Important parameters are the starting time and duration of weathering.In this paper investigations of the adhesion between several coatings of epoxy resins and top coats, consisting of 2K‐polyurethane are described. Here the special topic is the testing of adhesion between intermediate coat and top coat.
On the dynamics of steel structures with X‐type bracing
Authors: Knoedel Peter 
Published: August 2011

AbstractIn steel construction X‐type bracings are very often designed under the assumption that the compression diagonal will go slack and only the tension diagonal is accounted for in the structural analysis. With higher horizontal loads, when heavier diagonal sections are required, this assumption does not hold because the compression diagonal develops a considerable buckling load and thus will contribute to the horizontal stiffness of the bracing.If we look at the dynamic behaviour of such a bracing we will find, that we cannot define a natural frequency in the classical sense, since the stiffness of the system is switching during its cyclic motion. This has also implications on the maximum amplitude which will develop under harmonic excitation. These effects are investigated with realistic cross section of a steel structure; conclusions for practical design are given.Dynamisches Verhalten von Stahlbauten mit Kreuzverbäden. Kreuzverbände in Stahlbauten werden häufig unter der Annahme bemessen, dass die Druckdiagonale schon bei kleinsten Lasten ausfällt. Verschiebungen und Eigenfrequenzen werden dann unter ausschließlichem Ansatz der Zugdiagonalen ermittelt. Dieser Ansatz kann für Diagonalen mit Rund‐ oder Flach‐Querschnitten realitätsnahe sein. Wenn größere Horizontallasten abzutragen sind, wie dies häufig im Anlagenbau der Fall ist, werden z. B. Diagonalen aus Doppelwinkeln gewählt. Deren aufnehmbare Drucknormalkraft ist nicht mehr vernachlässigbar, so dass der oben beschriebene Ansatz nicht mehr realitätsnah ist.Im folgenden Artikel wird das dynamische Verhalten dieser Verbände genauer untersucht. Anhand eines stahlbautypischen Beispiels, welches einer Veröffentlichung von Çeltikçi et al. [1] entnommen ist, wird die tatsächliche Arbeitslinie eines Verbandsfeldes mit einem Schaltpunkt und unterschiedlichen inkrementellen Steifigkeiten entwickelt. Die Abschätzungen nach den üblichen ingenieurmäßigen Berechnungsverfahren werden einer numerischen Simulation gegenübergestellt. Als Ergebnis wird festgestellt, dass die vereinfachende Abschätzung, bei der nur die Zugdiagonalen angesetzt werden, hinsichtlich der dynamischen Amplituden auf der sicheren Seite liegt.
Experimental behaviour of high‐strength concrete deep beams with web openings
Authors: Yoo Tae‐Min , Doh Jeung‐Hwan , Guan Hong , Fragomeni Sam 
Published: August 2011

SUMMARYThis paper focuses on an experimental study undertaken on high‐strength concrete (HSC) deep beams with various opening sizes and locations on the web. The test covers a wide scope of variables that have not been investigated in previous research. Apart from highlighting the experimental setup, failure loads and typical crack patterns of the test specimens are also reported. Experimental results are then compared with predictions using currently available design methods. The comparison indicates that the predictions using current design methods can overly underestimate or sometimes overestimate the ultimate strength of these HSC deep beams. Further, the reduction of ultimate strengths due to the existence of web openings is not considered adequately in these design methods. To rectify the shortcomings of current design formulae, a new design equation is proposed and compared with the experimental results and those from previous studies on the related topics. The accuracy and reliability of the proposed new equation is subsequently confirmed. With the outcome of this work, more experimental tests with various opening configurations including shape and location of web openings are recommended for future study. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of different multicriteria methods in selecting optimal biomechanical model parameters
Authors: Srdjevic Z. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractIdentification of model parameters is essential to biomechanical modeling. Different approaches for selecting optimal model parameters are in use, including compromise programming (CP), a multicriteria method. CP was successfully applied on the linear 4‐degree‐of‐freedom biomechanical model of the seated human driver identification problem. For verification purposes, the other multicriteria method called TOPSIS is used for solving the same problem. Whether CP or TOPSIS is applied, the identified model parameters give satisfactory and similar human model response on vibration excitation. This justifies and recommends the multicriteria approach for application in selecting the optimal, in a multicriteria sense, biomechanical model parameters.
Imaging of breast implants—a pictorial review
Authors: Juanpere Sergi , Perez Elsa , Huc Oscar , Motos Naiara , Pont Josep , Pedraza Salvador 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
The number of women with breast implants is increasing. Radiologists must be familiar with the normal and abnormal findings of common implants. Implant rupture is a well-known complication after surgery and is the main cause of implant removal. Although mammography and ultrasonography are the standard first steps in the diagnostic workup, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most useful imaging modality for the characterisation of breast implants because of its high spatial resolution and contrast between implants and soft tissues and absence of ionising radiation. MRI has the highest sensitivity and specificity for implant rupture, thanks to its sequences that can suppress or emphasise the signal from silicone. Regardless of the technique used, the overall aim of imaging breast implants is to provide essential information about tissue and prosthesis integrity, detect implant abnormalities and detect breast diseases unrelated to implants, such as breast cancer.
Falls among the Community-Living Elderly People in Hong Kong: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Fong Kenneth N.K. , Siu Andrew M.H. , Yeung Kenneth Au , Cheung Samantha W.S. , Chan Chetwyn C.H. 
Published: August 2011

Purpose To examine the base rate of falls for a group of community-living elderly people in Hong Kong. Methods This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of 554 elderly people aged 65 years or above living in various geographical regions of Hong Kong, who had completed assessments at a community centre over a period of 4 months. Participants were recruited by convenience sampling and stratified by age range according to the distribution in Hong Kong population. They were asked to report on their fall history for a period of the 12 months before joining the study. Results Of all the participants, 111 reported having fallen during the preceding 12 months. The fall rate was 29%, and the 1 -year prevalence of falls was 20%, dropping to 6.3% for two or more falls. Of all the falls, 47.7% occurred indoors whereas 52.3% occurred outdoors. Results showed female gender, Timed Up & Go Test, self-reported history of upper limb fracture, an intake of four or more types of medication, receiving rehabilitation services, and living with a couple only were independent predictors for fallers with at least one fall. There were no significant differences between the number of near-miss experienced by fallers and nonfallers in the past 12 months. Conclusion We determined the base rate of falls for a group of community-living elderly people of Hong Kong. Retrospective methods, which ask elderly people living in a community to recall their falls, may be used to identify risks preceding falls and to facilitate early intervention.
The Jewish Catacombs of Roman Melite
Authors: Buhagiar Mario 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe Roman city of Melite, on the central Mediterranean archipelago of Malta, had, in common with other provincial outposts of the Empire, a diaspora Jewish colony for which there is testimony in six hypogea that prominently display the seven-branched Menorah. There is apparent evidence for a religious, and perhaps administrative, set-up in a Greek inscription that marks the burial place of a gerousiarch and lover of the ‘commandments’ who could have been the head of a Council of Elders in the synagogue of the city, and of his wife, Eulogia ‘the Elder’. The title presbytera used in the text has a special significance and suggests that husband and wife held prestigious posts in the running of the colony. A second inscription incorporates the seven-branched Menorah and commemorates another woman, named Dionisia, who was known by the ritualistic name ‘Irene’. Two other texts appear to be simple farewell messages but are of interest because they are accompanied by a stylized painted Menorah and a boldly incised sailing vessel that has the appearance of a Roman ship. The paper takes a close look at these and other archaeological material related to Jewish presence and influence in Malta. The hypogea are discussed in the context of the Maltese culture of rock-cut burials, starting in the prehistoric period and finding special significance as the prototype influence on the Romano-Punic tomb.
Linoleic acid intake, plasma cholesterol and 10-year incidence of CHD in 20 000 middle-aged men and women in the Netherlands
Authors: de Goede Janette , Geleijnse Johanna M. , Boer Jolanda M. A. , Kromhout Daan , Verschuren W. M. Monique 
Published: August 2011

We studied the associations of a difference in linoleic acid or carbohydrate intake with plasma cholesterol levels and risk of CHD in a prospective cohort study in the Netherlands. Data on diet (FFQ) and plasma total and HDL-cholesterol were available at baseline (1993–7) of 20 069 men and women, aged 20–65 years, who were initially free of CVD. Incidence of CHD was assessed through linkage with mortality and morbidity registers. During an average of 10 years of follow-up, 280 CHD events occurred. The intake of linoleic acid ranged from 3·6 to 8·0 % of energy (en%), whereas carbohydrate intake ranged from 47·6 to 42·5 en% across quintiles of linoleic acid intake. Linoleic acid intake was inversely associated with total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol in women but not in men. Linoleic acid intake was not associated with the ratio of total to HDL-cholesterol. No association was observed between linoleic acid intake and CHD incidence, with hazard ratios varying between 0·83 and 1·00 (all P>0·05) compared to the bottom quintile. We conclude that a 4–5 en% difference in linoleic acid or carbohydrate intake did not translate into either a different ratio of total to HDL-cholesterol or a different CHD incidence.
3D structural modelling of the southern Zagros fold-and-thrust belt diapiric province
Authors: TROCMÉ VINCENT , ALBOUY EMILY , CALLOT JEAN-PAUL , LETOUZEY JEAN , ROLLAND NICOLAS , GOODARZI HASSAN , JAHANI SALMAN 
Published: August 2011

Abstract3D modelling of geological structures is a key method to improve the understanding of the geological history of an area, and to serve as a drive for exploration. Geomodelling has been performed on a large 60000 km2area of the Zagros fold-and-thrust belt of Iran, to reconcile a vast but heterogeneous dataset. Topography, geological surface data and dips, outcrop surveys, and well and seismic data were integrated into the model. The method was to construct a key surface maximizing the hard data constraints. The Oligo-Miocene Top Asmari layer was chosen, as this formation was regionally deposited before the main Zagros collision phase and because the numerous outcrops allow proper control of the bed geometry in the fold cores. Interpreted seismic data have been integrated to interpolate the surfaces at depth within the synclines. Several conceptual models of fold geometry have been applied to estimate the best way to convert seismic time signal to depth. Several deeper horizons down to Palaeozoic strata were deduced from this key horizon by applying palaeo-thickness maps. During the construction, the 3D interpolated surfaces could be reconverted to time, using a velocity model, and compared with previous seismic interpretations. This exercise obliged us to revise some early interpretations of seismic lines that were badly tied to wells. The 3D modelling therefore clearly improves regional interpretation. In addition, the 3D model is the only tool that allows drawing consistent cross-sections in areas where there are no seismic lines. Emerging Hormuz salt diapirs were added to the model. Dimensions and shapes of the individual diapirs were modelled using a statistical survey on the cropping out Hormuz structures. Modelling reliably demonstrated that the diapirs, when piercing, show a constant mushroom shape whose diameter depends on the stratigraphic depth of observation. This observation allowed us to exemplify relations between the pre-existing diapirs and the anticlines of the area, and to highlight the morphological changes from the inner onshore areas to the coastal and offshore areas. In addition, one of the surprising results of this study was the observation of the increasing diameter of the diapirs at the time of the Zagros collision and folding event, with growth strata and overhangs on the flanks of the diapirs.
Violence, partisanship and transitional justice in Zimbabwe
Authors: Bratton Michael 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTWhat determines people's willingness to consider punishment for human rights abusers? This article investigates this question in the context of Zimbabwe in the aftermath of the country's violent presidential election campaign of June 2008. Based on a national probability sample survey, the paper shows that exposure to violence was reportedly widespread and that attitudes to transitional justice are mixed. In considering how to handle abuses, Zimbabweans weigh the pros and cons carefully and, recognising that peace and justice are difficult to obtain simultaneously, generally prefer the former. The article analyses the various factors that together predict a citizen's proclivity to claim transitional justice in its most demanding retributive form. Reflecting power relations, the results indicate that political partisanship is almost as important as individuals’ personal experience of actual and threatened acts of violence.
Individual differences in syntactic priming in language acquisition
Authors: KIDD EVAN 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTAlthough the syntactic priming methodology is a promising tool for language acquisition researchers, using the technique with children raises issues that are not problematic in adult research. The current paper reports on an individual differences study that addressed some of these outstanding issues. (a) Does priming purely reflect syntactic knowledge, or are other processes involved? (b) How can we explain individual differences, which are the norm rather than the exception? (c) Do priming effects in developmental populations reflect the same mechanisms thought to be responsible for priming in adults? One hundred twenty-two (N= 122) children aged 4 years, 5 months (4;5)–6;11 (mean = 5;7) completed a syntactic priming task that aimed to prime the English passive construction, in addition to standardized tests of vocabulary, grammar, and nonverbal intelligence. The results confirmed the widely held assumption that syntactic priming reflects the presence of syntactic knowledge, but not in every instance. However, they also suggested that nonlinguistic processes contribute significantly to priming. Priming was in no way related to age. Finally, the children's linguistic knowledge and nonverbal ability determined the manner in which they were primed. The results provide a clearer picture of what it means to be primed in acquisition.
Expert knowledge, distinctiveness, and levels of processing in language learning
Authors: BIRD STEVE 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTThe foreign language vocabulary learning research literature often attributes strong mnemonic potency to the cognitive processing of meaning when learning words. Routinely cited as support for this idea are experiments by Craik and Tulving (C&T) demonstrating superior recognition and recall of studied words following semantic tasks (“deep” encoding) compared to structure-related tasks (“shallow” encoding). However, participants in C&T were not language learners but native speakers of English studying known English nouns. These experiments have never been directly replicated using nonnatives to establish the relevance of the findings to nonnatives and learners. The present study replicated C&T Experiment 5, comparing effects of shallow and deep encoding tasks on subsequent recognition of target words by native and nonnative speakers of English with equivalent short-term memory function. The results showed depth effects similar to C&T for all participants, indicating that C&T's results do generalize to less proficient speakers of the target language. It is crucial, however, that nonnative speakers of English benefited less from semantic encoding than native speakers, suggesting an effect of preexisting knowledge representations on mnemonic effects derived from semantic processing, and hence, a limit to the relevance of C&T for learners. Results are discussed in terms of the constructs of the mental lexicon, expert knowledge, distinctiveness and levels of processing in memory research and language learning.
Security Council Legislation, Article 2(7) of the UN Charter, and the Principle of Subsidiarity
Authors: TSAGOURIAS NICHOLAS 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThis article considers the relationship between the United Nations and its member states in view of the Security Council's assertion of legislative powers. It claims that the exponential growth in UN powers at the expense of the powers of its member states cannot be arrested by legal means, because of the nature of the UN system and the absence of legally enforceable criteria and compulsory dispute-settlement mechanisms. For this reason, it proposes a different approach to law-making in the area of international peace and security – one that is built around the principle of subsidiarity, as reflected in Article 2(7) of the UN Charter. The role of the principle of subsidiarity in this respect is to determine which authority is best suited to exercise legislative power and how such power should be exercised in order to attain the objective of peace and security more efficiently. It is thus contended that the principle of subsidiarity promotes co-operative relations between the United Nations and its member states by protecting the latters' jurisdictional authority from unnecessary interference.