bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interplay between the heterotrimeric G-protein subunits Gαq and Gαi2 sets the threshold for chemotaxis and TCR activation
Authors: Ngai Jacob , Inngjerdingen Marit , Berge Torunn , Taskén Kjetil 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackgroundTCR and CXCR4-mediated signaling appears to be reciprocally regulated pathways. TCR activation dampens the chemotactic response towards the CXCR4 ligand CXCL12, while T cells exposed to CXCL12 are less prone to subsequent TCR-activation. The heterotrimeric G proteins Gαqand Gαi2have been implicated in CXCR4-signaling and we have recently also reported the possible involvement of Gαqin TCR-dependent activation of Lck (Ngai et al., Eur. J. Immunol., 2008, 38: 32083218). Here we examined the role of Gαqin migration and TCR activation.ResultsPre-treatment of T cells with CXCL12 led to significantly reduced Lck Y394 phosphorylation upon TCR triggering indicating heterologous desensitization. We show that knockdown of Gαqsignificantly enhanced basal migration in T cells and reduced CXCL12-induced SHP-1 phosphorylation whereas Gαi2knockdown inhibited CXCL12-induced migration.ConclusionOur data suggest that Gαi2confers migration signals in the presence of CXCL12 whereas Gαqexerts a tonic inhibition on both basal and stimulated migrational responses. This is compatible with the notion that the level of Gαqactivation contributes to determining the commitment of the T cell either to migration or activation through the TCR.
Genetic diversity and population structure of Plasmodium falciparum in the Philippines
Authors: Iwagami Moritoshi , Rivera Pilarita T , Villacorte Elena A , Escueta Aleyla D , Hatabu Toshimitsu , Kawazu Shin-ichiro , Hayakawa Toshiyuki , Tanabe Kazuyuki , Kano Shigeyuki 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackgroundIn the Philippines, malaria morbidity and mortality have decreased since the 1990s by effective malaria control. Several epidemiological surveys have been performed in the country, but the characteristics of thePlasmodium falciparumpopulations are not yet fully understood. In this study, the genetic structure ofP. falciparumpopulations in the Philippines was examined.MethodsPopulation genetic analyses based on polymorphisms of 10 microsatellite loci of the parasite were conducted on 92 isolates from three provinces (Kalinga, Palawan, and Davao del Norte) with different malaria endemicity.ResultsThe levels of genetic diversity and the effective population sizes ofP. falciparumin the Philippines were similar to those reported in the mainland of Southeast Asia or South America. In the low malaria transmission area (Kalinga), there was a low level of genetic diversity and a strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) when the single-clone haplotype (SCH) was used in the multilocus LD analysis, while in the high malaria transmission areas (Palawan and Davao del Norte), there was a high level of genetic diversity and a weak LD when SCH was used in the multilocus LD analysis. On the other hand, when the unique haplotypes were used in the multilocus LD analysis, no significant LD was observed in the Kalinga and the Palawan populations. The Kalinga and the Palawan populations were, therefore, estimated to have an epidemic population structure. The three populations were moderately differentiated from each other.ConclusionIn each area, the level of genetic diversity correlates with the local malaria endemicity. These findings confirm that population genetic analyses using microsatellite loci are a useful tool for evaluating malaria endemicity.
Identification of microbial DNA in human cancer
Authors: Duncan Christopher G , Leary Rebecca J , Lin Jimmy Cheng-Ho , Cummins Jordan , Di Chunhui , Schaefer Carl F , Wang Tian-Li , Riggins Gregory J , Edwards Jennifer , Bigner Darell , Kopelovich Levy , Vogelstein Bert , Kinzler Kenneth W , Velculescu Victor E , Yan Hai 
Published: May 2009

Abstract

Background
Microorganisms have been associated with many types of human diseases; however, a significant number of clinically important microbial pathogens remain to be discovered.

Methods
We have developed a genome-wide approach, called Digital Karyotyping Microbe Identification (DK-MICROBE), to identify genomic DNA of bacteria and viruses in human disease tissues. This method involves the generation of an experimental DNA tag library through Digital Karyotyping (DK) followed by analysis of the tag sequences for the presence of microbial DNA content using a compiled microbial DNA virtual tag library.

Results
To validate this technology and to identify pathogens that may be associated with human cancer pathogenesis, we used DK-MICROBE to determine the presence of microbial DNA in 58 human tumor samples, including brain, ovarian, and colorectal cancers. We detected DNA from Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) in a DK library of a colorectal cancer liver metastasis and in normal tissue from the same patient.

Conclusion
DK-MICROBE can identify previously unknown infectious agents in human tumors, and is now available for further applications for the identification of pathogen DNA in human cancer and other diseases.
Wear and Friction Testing of Hard and Soft Lubricious Coatings in Dry Sliding for Use in Small Arms Action Components
Authors: Shaffer S. J. 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
Use of liquid lubricants in dry and dusty environments can lead to malfunction or jamming of small arms weapon actions. To eliminate the need for liquid lubricants, dry or “lubricious” coatings are desired for various key interfaces of such components. The tribological performance of a variety of coatings was assessed under unlubricated sliding conditions to simulate a pin-in-slot component geometry. Coating screening tests were run using a cylinder-on-flat geometry and self-mated coated couples. Tests were run in both reciprocating and unidirectional modes, with sliding velocities up to 3.6 m/s, at room temperature and 150°C. Progressive wear of the coating was monitored using a replicating technique and the measured width of the wear scar on the cylindrical pin, from which the wear coefficient was determined. Failure of the coating was determined not by visual wear-through of the coating, which can be misleading, but by an increase in the coefficient of friction (COF) and/or the occurrence of galling. In the high speed unidirectional tests, friction could be measured directly. However, in the reciprocating tests, test rig design limited the speed at which the COF could be determined. An improved rig design resulted from this work. The screening tests ranked the tribological performance of the coatings using the coefficient of friction, the wear coefficient, and number of cycles to coating failure. The coating types assessed covered a broad range of hardness, composition, and deposition methods. Coating types investigated included hard vapor-deposited TiCN coatings, relatively soft organic PTFE-filled resin-bonded coatings, modified anodized coatings (for aluminum), electroless nickel alloy coatings, PTFE-filled electroless nickel coatings, phosphate pre-treatment combined with dry-film burnished MoS2, and a ferritic nitro-carburizing treatment. Substrates included medium carbon steel, D2 tool steel, and 6061-T6 aluminum.
Varnish Formation in the Gas Turbine Oil Systems
Authors: Sasaki Akira , Uchiyama Shinji , Kawasaki Mariko 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
The authors have investigated hydraulic and lubricating oil filter elements used in gas turbine systems which had varnish problems. The hydraulic filter elements were completely plugged with varnish and other degradation products at the first layer of the elements but the lubricating oil filter elements were not plugged with such contamination. However, the proofs of spark discharges of static electricity were found on the lubricating oil filter elements. This paper discusses the details of the investigation of the filter elements and one of the root causes of varnish formation in gas turbine oil systems.
Generalized Equation for Cooling Time Evaluation and Its Verification by CFD Analysis
Authors: Krukovskyi P. , Kobasko N. , Yurchenko D. 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
In this paper, a generalized analytical equation for cooling time evaluation is analyzed and compared with existing exact solutions and verified by computation fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. The process of quenching of semiaxles and cylindrical forgings in water flow is also considered. Two approaches are analyzed. The traditional approach focuses on quenching, which is based on Newton’s boundary condition between the solid surface and fluid. The second approach solves a conjugate heat transfer problem based on a full set of Navier–Stokes equations. CFD technology does not require knowledge of the heat transfer coefficients at the surface of steel parts. Both approaches and results of calculations were compared and the results showed that a generalized correlation can be used for cooling time calculation both for simple and complicated configurations. Calculation results coincide with each other, which indicates that the generalized equation is a suitable method for calculations and development of intensive quenching technologies. As an example, the processes for quenching semiaxle and cylindrical forgings are considered. CFD analysis successfully detected small stagnant zones at the surface of the steel. Such zones could be related to quench crack formation. These results can be used for designing and development of intensive quenching processes.
Evaluation and Expression of Uncertainty in the Determination of Alumina in Deodorants Using Complexometric Method
Authors: Kayal Nijhuma , Singh Nahar , Ojha V. N. , Gupta Prabhat K. 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
Recent studies reveal that aluminum has several adverse effects on human life and causes several diseases. There are various sources by which aluminum can enter into a human body: The deodorant is one of them. In this paper, the concentration of alumina (%Al2O3) has been assessed for three different deodorants (namely, A, B, and C) using an indirect complexometric method along with an uncertainty budget. The uncertainty in the measurement has been evaluated and expressed according to the requirements of the standard ISO/IEC 17025:2005. It has been identified that the uncertainty in the measurement arises mainly from repeatability, standardization of zinc acetate, and volume measurement, which have been evaluated and combined according to the EURACHEM guidelines. The concentrations of alumina were 0.81±0.01, 0.73±0.01, and 0.49±0.01 g per 100 mL, respectively, for A, B, and C deodorants. The uncertainty in the measurement varies from 1.2 % to 2 % for the three deodorants. The results show that a person using A and B brand deodorants receives, respectively, 65 % and 48 % higher exposure to aluminum on the skin than a person using the C brand.
The Effect of Curing Regime on Pervious Concrete Abrasion Resistance
Authors: Kevern J. T. , Schaefer V. R. , Wang K. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe current method of curing pervious concrete is to cover with plastic for 7 days, although no studies have been performed to determine if that is sufficient or even required. This paper presents results of combinations of four different pervious concrete mixtures cured using six common curing methods. The surface abrasion of the concrete was tested using a rotary cutter device according to ASTM C944. The results show that the concrete abrasion resistance was improved with a majority surface-applied curing compounds; however the surfaces covered with plastic sheets produced the lowest abrasion levels. A majority of the curing regimes also produced higher flexural strength than the control concrete. There was no significant difference observed in the strength between curing under plastic sheets for 7 or 28 days. Of the surface-applied curing compounds, the best abrasion resistance and highest strength concrete was that applied with soybean oil. The best abrasion resistance and highest strength overall was the mixture containing fly ash and cured under plastic for 28 days.
What We Ate Back Then
Authors: hillman jimmye 
Published: May 2009

While I was growing up on a subsistence farm in Greene County, Mississippi, food was something we ate three times a day in order to survive and be healthy, and to provide energy for farm labor. Food was important to our family social life. Barbecues and watermelon cutting come to mind as ceremonies. With a mixture of tales, folklore and parable, the occasional delicacy captured our emotions. Father was chief provider, Mother was cook and dispenser, and we children had growing appetites.
I was perpetually worried as to how my poor father was going to secure our food. Mother baked fresh cornbread, and grits was always on the breakfast table, even on Sunday. I could read on Mother's face a persistent anxiety as she prepared and served what was available to her. The dishes were far from sensuous, but they were edible and nutritious.
Despite periodic hardships in the 1930s, the Hillman family never really went hungry. Gardens were the secret. That was long before the food processors and distributors had become so dominant in our lives, and before most cookbooks were written. We were hopeful there would always be something on the dining table, but there was uncertainty about what it would be. A local joke was: There's always collards, squirrel, catfish, or possum——and grits!!
Association of parathyroid adenoma and familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia in a teenager
Authors: Brachet C , Boros E , Tenoutasse S , Lissens W , Andry G , Martin P , Bergmann P , Heinrichs C 
Published: May 2009

ObjectiveFamilial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia (FHH) is clinically characterized by mild to moderate parathyroid hormone (PTH)-dependent hypercalcaemia, autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance, and normal to frankly reduced urinary calcium excretion in spite of a high serum calcium (clearance (Ca)/clearance (Cr)<0.01). FHH has a benign course and should be differentiated from primary hyperparathyroidism. It is usually caused by a heterozygous loss-of-function mutation in the calcium-sensing receptor gene (CASR).DesignWe report the case of a 16-year-old patient with hypercalcaemia and a mixed family history of parathyroid adenoma and mild hypercalcaemia. Serum calcium was 14 mg/dl with a serum iPTH of 253 pg/ml.ResultsA neck 99mTc-sesta MIBI tomoscintigraphy showed a definite hyperactivity in the left upper quadrant. A surgical four-gland exploration confirmed a single parathyroid adenoma. After surgical resection of a left superior parathyroid adenoma, the patient's hypercalcemia improved but did not normalize, returning to a level typical of FHH. An inactivating mutation in exon 4 of the CASR gene, predicting a p.Glu297Lys amino acid substitution was found.ConclusionsThus, this 16-year old patient presented with the association of FHH and a single parathyroid adenoma. The young age of the patient and the association of parathyroid adenoma and FHH in his grandmother argue for a causal link between CASR mutation and parathyroid adenoma in this family. This case contributes to illustrate the expanding clinical spectrum of CASR loss-of-function mutations.
Modified Von Langenbeck Cleft Palate Repair Using an Anterior Triangular Flap: Decreased Incidence of Anterior Oronasal Fistulas
Authors: Stewart Tara Lynn , Fisher David M. , Olson Jaret L. 
Published: May 2009

Objective: A complication following cleft palate surgery is the development of oronasal fistulas. Despite recent advances aimed at addressing this concern, rates of postoperative fistulas have remained unchanged and are reported at between 3% and 60%. Oronasal fistulas commonly occur between the hard and soft palate and at the anterior portion of the cleft. These fistulas lead to functional problems with nasal emission, hypernasal speech, and food regurgitation through the nose. For clefts of the secondary palate, we developed a modification of the Von Langenbeck technique in which an anterior triangular flap is used to decrease the incidence of postoperative fistulas. Method: A triangular flap composed of oromucosa was designed for isolated clefts of the secondary palate only. It is based at the anterior margin of the cleft and is used as a turnover flap to allow closure of the often very tight anterior nasal side. A retrospective chart analysis was performed from 2000 to 2007. All patients who had isolated clefts of the secondary palate and had undergone a modified Von Langenbeck procedure were included in the study. Patients were evaluated 4 to 8 weeks postoperatively for the presence of oronasal fistulas. Results: With the introduction of the anterior triangular flap, we show that 0 of 182 patients developed a postoperative oronasal fistula. Conclusions: This modification of the standard Von Langenbeck uses an anterior triangular flap and confers the advantage of assisting in nasal side closure of the anterior margin of the cleft; in doing so, it reduces the rate of fistula formation.
Biomechanical Properties of the Human Soft Palate
Authors: Birch M. J. , Srodon P. D. 
Published: May 2009

Objective: To measure biomechanical properties of the human soft palate and the variation across anatomic regions. Design: Ex vivo analysis of human tissue. Patients/participants: Ten palates harvested from 10 normal adult human cadavers (age range, 37 to 90 years). Interventions: Computer-controlled uniaxial stress-relaxation mechanical properties tested in physiological saline at 37°C. Main Outcome Measures: Measurement of Young modulus, Poisson ratio, and determination of viscoelastic constants c, τ1, and τ2 by curve-fitting of the reduced relaxation function to the data. Results: One hundred sections were tested from the 10 palates, representative of 10 anatomic zones. The mean Young modulus range was 585 Pa at the posterior free edge to 1409 Pa at regions of attachment. The mean Poisson ratio in the inferior-superior direction was 0.45 (SD 0.26) and in the lateral direction, was 0.30 (SD 0.21). The mean viscoelastic constants for 1-mm extensions were C  =  −0.1056 (±0.1303), τ1  =  11.0369 (±9.1865) seconds, and τ2  =  0.2128 (±0.0792) seconds, and for 2-mm extensions were C  =  −0.1111 (±0.1466), τ1  =  14.3725 (±5.2701) seconds, and τ2  =  0.2094 (±0.0544) seconds. Conclusions: The results show agreement with values of the Young modulus estimated by authors (Ettema and Kuehn, 1994; Berry et al., 1999) undertaking finite element modeling of the palate. However, other modulus measurements based on closing pressure are considerably different. The spatial distribution of viscoelastic parameters across the palate shows good consistency.
Throat Swabs Taken on the Operating Table Prior to Cleft Palate Repair and Their Relevance to Outcome: A Prospective Study
Authors: Rennie Andrew , Treharne Linda J. , Richard Bruce 
Published: May 2009

Objective: The main objective of this study was to determine whether bacteria cultured from oral swabs taken at the time of surgery predicted postoperative fistula formation. Design: The study was a prospective longitudinal audit. Setting: The setting was a designated U.K. N.H.S. cleft center. Patients: Subjects consisted of the patients of a single cleft surgeon who were undergoing surgery for cleft palate repair or cleft fistula repair. Interventions: Oral microbiological swabs were taken from patients while they were on the operating table just before surgery. Main outcome measures: The results from microbiological culture of the swabs were recorded, as was the presence or absence of a fistula at 6 months postoperatively. Additional collected information was related to the severity of the cleft, whether the operating microscope was used during surgery, and whether the patient had developed a postoperative upper respiratory tract infection. Results: Positive swab cultures were not significantly associated with fistula formation. Use of the operating microscope was not associated with an increase or decrease in the number of fistulas. A fistula developed in all patients who experienced a postoperative upper respiratory tract infection. Conclusions: The practice of performing routine preoperative mouth swabs should be abandoned because the presence of bacteria in the mouth does not increase the risk of fistula formation.
The Frequency of Palatal Anomalies in Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome
Authors: Stoler Joan M. , Rogers Gary F. , Mulliken John B. 
Published: May 2009

Objective: Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome (SCS) is an autosomal dominant disorder with widespread phenotypic variability. Cardinal features include coronal synostosis, blepharoptosis, and limb abnormalities. Cleft palate can also occur, but there are few reports on its frequency. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of palatal anomalies in this population. Design: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 51 patients with SCS seen at Children's Hospital Boston over the past 30 years. Palatal findings in our patients were compared with those in the literature. To illustrate the phenotypic variability in SCS, we describe an unusual infant who presented for evaluation of cleft palate and blepharoptosis. Her father had only blepharoptosis; this was the clue to the diagnosis, which was confirmed by finding a deletion in the TWIST gene. Results: In our patients, high-arched palate was noted in 43%, bifid uvula in 10%, and cleft palate in 6%. These figures differed slightly from the combined percentages in published reports: 24% with high-arched palate, 2% with bifid uvula, and 5% with cleft palate. Conclusions: Palatal anomalies are relatively common in SCS. This entity should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a child with cleft palate, particularly in the presence of blepharoptosis, nasal deviation, and limb abnormalities in the patient or in family members.
How people react to a deadline: time distribution of conference registrations and fee payments
Authors: Alfi Valentina , Gabrielli Andrea , Pietronero Luciano 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
In this paper we present two simple mathematical models to describe human behavior in reaction to deadlines. When a real commitment (e.g. money) is involved, as in the case of a payment deadline, the expected reaction is to postpone it as close as possible to the deadline to minimize the risk of loosing the value. For low risk commitments this tendency is still present but expected to be looser. In order to test these predictions in a quantitative way, we performed data analysis for the total number of registrations and fee payments vs. time for the recent scientific conference “Statphys 23”, comparing it with the data of another conference in order to recover universal features. Two related models respectively for registrations (weak engagement) and fee payment (strong engagement) are then introduced which are able to explain in a simple way both behaviors, and which show an excellent agreement with real data.
Discrete angle rotations of Bi nanoparticles embedded in a Ga matrix
Authors: Be’er Avraham , Kofman Richard , Lereah Yossi 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
Spontaneous instabilities of nanoparticles are known to be influenced by the temperature, and strongly depend on the particle size. However, it is not clear what is the role of the surrounding material that is in contact with the particle. Here we report on the difference between spontaneous rotations of Bi nanoparticles embedded in amorphous SiO and those embedded in liquid Ga. The phenomenon was studied quantitatively by time resolved transmission electron microscopy using Fourier Transform analysis of highresolution electron microscopy images. While rotations of Bi nanoparticles embedded in amorphous SiO occur by all angles, the rotations of Bi nanoparticles embedded in liquid Ga occur by discrete angles. Our results point quantitatively, for the first time, to the role and importance of the contacting surrounding surface during the rotation of nanoparticles.