bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of CD14 variant with prostate cancer in African American men
Authors: Mason Tshela E. , Ricks‐Santi Luisel , Chen Weidong , Apprey Victor , Joykutty Jessy , Ahaghotu Chiledum , Kittles Rick , Bonney George , Dunston Georgia M. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBACKGROUNDAfrican American men have the highest rates of prostate cancer worldwide, and immunogenetic studies suggest that people of African descent have increased susceptibility to diseases of inflammation. Since genetic susceptibility is an etiological factor in prostate cancer, we hypothesize that sequence variants in the promoter region of the CD14 gene that regulate inflammation may modify individual susceptibility to this disease.METHODSThe CD14 promoter was screened for single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using dHPLC. One variant, −260 C>T (rs2569190), was genotyped via restriction digest in all study participants (264 cases and 188 controls). The association of disease status and the polymorphism was analyzed by unconditional logistic regression. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated, stratifying by ethnicity and adjusting for age. Two‐sided P‐values of ≤0.05 were considered as statistically significant.RESULTSEleven variants (four novel) were identified in the promoter region of CD14. A marginal association between the C genotypes (C/C + C/T) and prostate cancer was found (P = 0.07). When stratified by age, among men ≥55 years of age, the C genotypes were significantly associated with prostate cancer (P < 0.05). When stratified by self‐reported ethnicity, African American males who had the C genotypes were at a higher risk for prostate cancer (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONSThis is the first study to show an association between the C genotypes of the CD14 (−260) variant and prostate cancer which supports the hypothesis that genetic variation in the inflammatory process can contribute to prostate cancer susceptibility in African American men. Prostate 70: 262–269, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA), increases cell folate uptake and proliferation and suggests a novel role for PSMA in the uptake of the non‐polyglutamated folate, folic acid
Authors: Yao Veronica , Berkman Clifford E. , Choi Joseph K. , O'Keefe Denise S. , Bacich Dean J. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBACKGROUNDProstate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a unique folate hydrolase that is significantly upregulated in prostate cancer. In a mouse model, PSMA is able to facilitate prostate carcinogenesis, however, little is known about the mechanism by which this occurs. As PSMA is able to hydrolyze polyglutamated folates, and cancer cells proliferate directly in response to available folate, we examined if expression of human PSMA in PC‐3 cells confers a proliferative advantage in a microenvironment with physiologically relevant folate levels.METHODSProliferation and folate uptake of PC‐3 prostate cancer cells expressing human‐PSMA or vector alone was assessed in media containing low (LF; 1 nM), physiological (PF; 25 nM), or high (HF; 2.3 µM) folate with or without poly‐γ‐glutamated folate (Pte‐Glu5) or folic acid, and a specific inhibitor of the enzymatic activity of PSMA, 2‐(phosphonomethyl)‐pentanedioic acid (2‐PMPA). Folic acid was tested for its ability to competitively inhibit the enzymatic activity of PSMA.RESULTSProliferation of PC‐3‐PSMA cells grown in the presence of poly‐γ‐glutamated folate, was significantly higher than that of PC‐3‐vector cells, an advantage which was attenuated by the addition of 2‐PMPA. In media containing physiologic levels of folate, PSMA expression increased folic acid uptake approximately twofold over non‐expressing cells. Folic acid was able to inhibit hydrolysis ofN‐[4‐(phenylazo)‐benzoyl]‐glutamyl‐γ‐glutamic acid (PABGgG) by PSMA in a competitive inhibition assay.CONCLUSIONThese findings implicate PSMA in both the metabolism of polyglutamated folates, and in the uptake of monoglutamated folates. Under conditions of LF or PF levels, PSMA gives cells expressing it a proliferative advantage. Prostate 70: 305–316, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Integration of GaAs/In0.1Ga0.9As/AlAs resonance tunneling heterostructures into micro‐electro‐mechanical systems for sensor applications
Authors: Xue Chenyang , Hu Jie , Zhang Wendong , Zhang Binzhen , Xiong Jijun , Chen Yong 
Published: October 2009

AbstractDouble‐barrier quantum‐well resonant tunneling heterostructures of GaAs/In0.1Ga0.9As/AlAs have been used as pressure‐sensing elements of designed micro‐electro‐mechanical systems. The static experiments have been conducted on the heterostructure, in both positive and negative differential resistance (PDR and NDR) regions, showing a piezoresistive coefficient of 3.85 × 10−9 Pa−1, which is about seven times larger than that of piezoresistive silicon devices. At the same time, the devices also provided an improved dynamic response (119.6 µV · g−1 V−1) and signal‐to‐noise ratio (57 dB) in the NDR region.
Study on trapping center and trapping effect in MSM ultraviolet photo‐detector on microcrystalline diamond film
Authors: Wang Lanxi , Chen Xuekang , Wu Gan , Guo Wantu , Wang Yunfei , Cao Shengzhu , Shang Kaiwen , Han Weihua 
Published: October 2009

AbstractA MSM (metal‐semiconductor‐metal) ultraviolet (UV) photo‐detector was fabricated on a high‐quality diamond film deposited by microwave chemical vapor deposition on a Si substrate. Charge‐based deep level transient spectroscopy (Q‐DLTS) was used for obtaining the information on activation energy (Ea), capture cross section (σs) and concentration (Nt) of trapping centers in the band gap of the diamond film. A shallow level with Ea = 0.213 eV, σs = 9.88 × 10−20 cm2 and Nt = 1.1 × 1011 cm−2 is present in the diamond film. The shallow level may not act as effective recombination center due to the so small activation energy according to the Schockly‐Read‐Hall statistics. The UV photo‐detector presents slow time response, high responsivity and high photoconductive gain under irradiation of 220 nm monochromatic light. These performances indicate that minority carrier trapping effect may play an important role in the UV photo‐detector. The photo‐generated minority carriers (electrons in this work) may be trapped by the shallow level during light irradiation process and then de‐trap slowly via thermal excitation or tunnelling effect after removing the light source, which contributes to the prolonged response time. The trapping effect can also reduce the carrier recombination probability, resulting in the high responsivity and high photoconductive gain.
Structure and carrier transport properties of hot‐press deformed Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3
Authors: Kitagawa Hiroyuki , Kurata Akira , Araki Hiroshi , Morito Shigekazu , Tanabe Eishi 
Published: October 2009

AbstractA hot‐press deformation study of Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 was undertaken to obtain polycrystals with a preferred textural orientation for use in thermoelectric applications. Source materials were prepared by mechanical alloying (MA) as well as hot pressing (HP) and they were deformed at 673–823 K by applying mechanical pressure in a graphite die. The materials were extruded in a direction opposite to the direction of the applied pressure. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) analyses indicated that the hexagonal c‐planes of the samples that were deformed at high temperatures preferably aligned along the direction of the extrusion. The Hall mobility increased as the deformation temperature increased and it showed a good correlation to the textural orientation.
The dominant role of tunneling in the conductivity of carbon nanofiber‐epoxy composites
Authors: Cardoso P. , Silva J. , Paleo A. J. , van Hattum F. W. J. , Simoes R. , Lanceros‐Méndez S. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractIn this work, epoxy composites reinforced with vapor‐grown carbon nanofibers were prepared by a simple dispersion method and studied in order to identify the main conduction mechanism. The samples show high electrical conductivity values. The results indicate that a good cluster distribution seems to be more important than the fillers dispersion in order to achieve high conductivity values. Interparticle tunneling has been identified as the main mechanism responsible for the observed behavior.
John A. Wheeler's lessons to an undergraduate student
Authors: Mills Allen P. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe author had the good fortune to write his May 1961 Junior research paper “Determination of the Curvature Tensor” under the guidance of Professor John Archibald Wheeler (July 9, 1911 – April 13, 2008). By a series of miraculous mishaps several of Wheeler's note sheets as well as his letter critiquing the paper were preserved and are exhibited here. While not valuable scientifically, this material is presented to illustrate the teaching lavished on an undergraduate and something about the character and philosophy of the teacher. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Measurement of oxygen transmission rate through foamed materials for bottle closures
Authors: Poças Maria F. , Ferreira Belmiro , Pereira Joel , Hogg Timothy 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe determination of the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) through closures in glass bottles is becoming increasingly important for quality control of different batches and for development purposes. The Mocon method for measuring OTR is globally accepted and used in different applications. However, one of the major drawbacks this method presents when applied to bottle/closures systems is the long time required to obtain stable measurements when 40 mm long closures are tested. This paper describes a method to obtain OTR values with samples of reduced thickness with much shorter measurements time, since the condition of steady state during measurements is achieved faster and compares the estimated full‐length commercial closure OTR with experimental values. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Linear quadratic tracking problem for discrete‐time systems with multiple delays in single input channel
Authors: Liu Shuai , Xie Lihua , Zhang Huanshui 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe linear quadratic tracking problem for discrete‐time systems with multiple delays in single input channel is considered. In this paper, we provide an approach without resorting to system state augmentation. The optimal tracking control is given in terms of the current state, the previous inputs, and the output of an auxiliary backward deterministic delay system which is formulated for the first time in this paper. The solution relies on a Riccati difference equation of the same dimension as the plant (ignoring the delays). The key to our development is the establishment of a duality between the optimal tracking control and the optimal smoothing estimation of an associated stochastic backward system as well as the introduction of the auxiliary backward deterministic delay system. An analysis of the computational complexity of the proposed approach and its comparison with that of the augmentation method, which is to incorporate the delayed inputs into the augmented state, are provided. An example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the results. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Segmented SLAM in three‐dimensional environments
Authors: Fairfield Nathaniel , Wettergreen David , Kantor George 
Published: October 2009

AbstractSimultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) has been shown to be feasible in many small, two‐dimensional, structured domains. The next challenge is to develop real‐time SLAM methods that enable robots to explore large, three‐dimensional, unstructured environments and allow subsequent operation in these environments over long periods of time. To circumvent the scale limitations inherent in SLAM, the world can be divided up into more manageable pieces. SLAM can be formulated on these pieces by using a combination of metric submaps and a topological map of the relationships between submaps. The contribution of this paper is a real‐time, three‐dimensional SLAM approach that combines an evidence grid–based volumetric submap representation, a robust Rao–Blackwellized particle filter, and a topologically flexible submap segmentation framework and map representation. We present heuristic methods for deciding how to segment the world and for reconstructing large‐scale metric maps for the purpose of closing loops. We demonstrate our method on a mobile robotic platform operating in large, three‐dimensional environments. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Developing monocular visual pose estimation for arctic environments
Authors: Williams Stephen , Howard Ayanna M. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractArctic regions present one of the harshest environments on Earth for people or mobile robots, yet many important scientific studies, particularly those involving climate change, require measurements from these areas. For the successful deployment of mobile sensors in the Arctic, a high‐quality localization system is required. Although a global positioning system can provide coarse positioning (within several meters), it cannot provide any orientation information. A single‐camera‐pose‐estimation system is presented, based on visual odometry techniques, which is capable of operating in the feature‐poor environments of the Arctic. To validate the system, a prototype rover was developed and fielded on a glacier in Alaska. The resulting pose estimates compare favorably to values obtained by hand registering the same video sequence. Although pose errors do accumulate over time, these errors are typical of a standard odometry system but obtained in an environment where standard odometry is not practical. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diagnostic accuracy and potential limitations of transvaginal sonography for bladder endometriosis
Authors: Savelli L. , Manuzzi L. , Pollastri P. , Mabrouk M. , Seracchioli R. , Venturoli S. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the accuracy and the potential limitations of transvaginal sonography (TVS) in the preoperative evaluation of women with clinically suspected bladder endometriosis and to describe the sonographic features of the pathological condition in cases in which it was confirmed.MethodsIn the period between 2001 and 2006, we operated on 490 patients with clinically/sonographically suspected endometriosis. In 41 cases, bladder endometriosis was diagnosed at surgery and confirmed at histopathological examination. All patients underwent TVS in a standardized manner not more than 1 month before surgery. Findings at preoperative TVS were described and compared with those at laparoscopy in order to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of TVS.ResultsBladder endometriosis was correctly identified at TVS in 18/41 cases (43.9%) while 23/41 (56.1%) patients had a negative preoperative sonogram. The sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values of TVS for bladder endometriosis were 44% (18/41), 100% (449/449), 100% (18/18) and 95% (449/472), respectively, and the total accuracy was 95% (467/490). The detection rate was strongly related to mean lesion diameter as measured by the pathologist (mean ± SD, 42.5 ± 22.1 mm in the nodules detected vs. 28.9 ± 14.8 mm in the nodules missed; P = 0.029) and to a history of previous surgery for endometriosis (70.6% vs. 25.0%; P = 0.005). At TVS, the nodule was hypoechogenic, its morphology was either elongated (‘comma‐shaped’: 12/18, 66.7%) or spherical (6/18, 33.3%), and the site involved was the dome (11/18, 61.1%) or the base (7/18, 38.9%) of the bladder. Small anechogenic cystic areas within the nodule were seen in five of the 18 patients (27.8%) and a bright hyperechogenic rim was seen in 10 (55.6%).ConclusionsThe detection rate of bladder endometriosis by TVS depends on the size of the endometriotic nodules, with detected nodules being larger than those that were missed. A history of previous surgery for endometriosis increases the likelihood of bladder endometriosis being detected on ultrasound examination. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
X‐ray fluorescence determination of the FeO/Fe2O3tot ratio in igneous rocks
Authors: Finkelshtein A. L. , Chubarov V. M. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThis study was performed to search for the possibility of assessing the FeO/Fe2O3tot ratio in rocks using K‐ and L‐series of the X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrum. The uncertainty in the determination of the FeO/Fe2O3tot ratio was compared from the obtained ratios of Kβ2, 5‐/Kβ1, 3‐ and Lβ‐/Lα1, 2‐line intensities. The measurements were implemented by a conventional XRF spectrometer, S4 Pioneer. The assessment of the uncertainty in FeO/Fe2O3tot determination in mineral powder fractions proved that the Kβ2, 5/Kβ1, 3 ratio of lines could be selected as the analytical signal. A relative standard deviation of FeO content in the collection of 48 reference materials of igneous rocks varies within the range of 5–16%, depending on the range of the FeO/Fe2O3tot ratio and the FeO content. The best accuracy was attained for FeO/Fe2O3tot >0.45 with FeO contents varying within 5–15%. In the andesite and basalt samples, the relative standard deviation was <4%. In granite rocks, the error reached 23% at fairly low content of FeO <3%. For the igneous rock samples at a ratio FeO/Fe2O3tot >0.25, the XRF determination of FeO content can be performed at an accuracy comparable with that of wet chemical analysis. The XRF method is preferred because it is fast and convenient for sample preparation. It could be used as an analytical technique in routine geochemical investigations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rating vs. coding in animal personality research
Authors: Highfill Lauren , Hanbury David , Kristiansen Rachel , Kuczaj Stan , Watson Sheree 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAnimal personality research has become increasingly popular over the past few decades. The two main methods used to examine individual differences in animals are rating and coding. The rating method involves human scoring of an animal's behavioral tendencies along various behavioral dimensions, such ratings are typically based on the human rater's experience with the animal. The coding method also requires humans to score an animal's behavior, but differs in that the scoring is based on the animal's immediate behavior in a specific context. This brief report describes the use of both the rating and coding methods to examine personality within a group of 10 Garnett's bushbabies (Otolemur garnettii). The results indicated that individual personalities do exist in bushbabies, but also suggested that the rating method is heavily influenced by the rater's experience with an animal. Consequently, it is important that the nature of the rater's interactions with the target animals be considered when using the rating method to assess animal personality. Zoo Biol 29:509–516, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Community Responds to Collective Trauma: An Ecological Analysis of the James Byrd Murder in Jasper, Texas
Authors: Wicke Thomas , Silver Roxane Cohen 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe brutal murder of James Byrd Jr. in June 1998 unleashed a storm of media, interest groups, high profile individuals and criticism on the Southeast Texas community of Jasper. The crime and subsequent response—from within the community as well as across the world—engulfed the entire town in a collective trauma. Using natural disaster literature/theory and employing an ecological approach, Jasper, Texas was investigated via an interrupted time series analysis to identify how the community changed as compared to a control community (Center, Texas) on crime, economic, health, educational, and social capital measures collected at multiple pre‐ and post‐crime time points between 1995 and 2003. Differences‐in‐differences (DD) analysis revealed significant post‐event changes in Jasper, as well as a surprising degree of resilience and lack of negative consequences. Interviews with residents conducted between March 2005 and 2007 identified how the community responded to the crisis and augmented quantitative findings with qualitative, field‐informed interpretation. Interviews suggest the intervention of external organizations exacerbated the severity of the events. However, using strengths of specific local social institutions—including faith based, law enforcement, media, business sector and civic government organizations—the community effectively responded to the initial threat and to the potential negative ramifications of external entities.
The potential health benefits of legumes as a good source of dietary fibre
Authors: Trinidad Trinidad P. , Mallillin Aida C. , Loyola Anacleta S. , Sagum Rosario S. , Encabo Rosario R. 
Published: October 2009

Dietary fibre has been shown to have important health implications in the prevention of risks of chronic diseases. The objective of the present study was to determine the potential health benefits of legumes as a good source of dietary fibre. Six to ten local legumes were studied as follows: cowpeas, mung beans, pole sitao, chickpeas, green peas, groundnuts, pigeon peas, kidney beans, lima beans and soyabeans. The following studies were conducted: (a) mineral availability,in vitro; (b) glycaemic index (GI) in non-diabetic and diabetic human subjects; (c) the cholesterol-lowering effect in human subjects with moderately raised serum cholesterol levels. The highest Fe availability among legumes was for lima beans (9·5 (sem0·1)) while for Zn and Ca, the highest availability was for kidney beans (49·3 (sem4·5)) and pigeon peas (75·1 (sem7·1)), respectively. Groundnuts have the lowest Fe (1·3 (sem1·1)), Zn (7·9 (sem1·3)) and Ca (14·6 (sem2·8)) availability. Legumes are low-GI foods ( < 55), ranging from 6 (chickpeas) to 13 (mung beans). Kidney beans showed significant reductions for both total (6 %) and LDL-cholesterol (9 %), and groundnuts for total cholesterol (7 %;P < 0·05). We conclude that mineral availability from legumes differs and may be attributed to their mineral content, mineral–mineral interaction and from their phytic and tannic acid content; legumes are considered low-GI foods and have shown potential hypocholesterolaemic effects. The above studies can be a scientific basis for considering legumes as functional foods.
Lipid content and fatty acids composition of mature human milk in rural North China
Authors: Wan Zhong-Xiao , Wang Xiao-Li , Xu Li , Geng Qian , Zhang Yumei 
Published: October 2009

To determine the lipid content and fatty acid (FA) composition of breast milk from fifty-two lactating women between ninth and twelfth lactation weeks in rural North China. The mothers were questioned on their dietary habits. Total milk lipids extracts were transmethylated and analysed using GLC to determine FA contents. The mean lipid content was 40·21 (sd 1·43) g/l. SFA constituted 35·92 % of the total FA. Medium-chain and long-chain SFA presented levels of 10·91 and 25·01 %, respectively. MUFA and PUFA constituted 32·59 and 19·97 % of the total FA, respectively. Oleic, linoleic and α-linolenic acid (ALA) presented contents of 31·26, 17·73 and 1·03 %, respectively. Arachidonic acid had a content of 0·30 %, while DHA content was 0·19 %. Not any form of trans FA were found in human milk samples. A maternal diet transition is proceeding in China. Further investigation on the analysis of human milk FA composition is needed to upgrade the human milk database in China.