bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Contact between Electrode and Interconnect on Performance of SOFC Stacks
Authors: Guan W. B. , Zhai H. J. , Jin L. , Li T. S. , Wang W. G. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThis work investigates the effect of contact between electrodes and alloy interconnects on output performance of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks. The measured maximum output power density (pmax) of the unit cell increases from 0.07 to 0.1 W cm–2 by increasing the tip area of the interconnect from 40 to 60 cm2. The pmax increases from 0.07 to 0.15 W cm–2 upon the addition of nickel foam and Ag mesh on the anode and cathode side, respectively. An additional (La0.75Sr0.25)0.95MO3–σ cathode current collecting layer is re‐printed on the original cathode current collecting layer, which aims to further improve the performance of the stack and individual cell. The performance of a 3‐cell short stack assembled by the cells with a new cathode current collecting layer is evaluated by measuring the current–voltage curve. The results indicate that the pmax values of the stack and individual cells are enhanced from 0.07 to 0.37 W cm–2 and 0.15 to 0.5 W cm–2 at 850 °C, respectively. The performance of the whole stack and individual cells is greatly improved due to the interconnect embedded in the re‐printed new cathode current collecting layer.
Fully connected Bayesian belief networks: A modeling procedure with a case study of the Ganges river basin
Authors: Varis Olli , Rahaman Muhammad Mizanur , Kajander Tommi 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
The use of Bayesian Belief Networks (BBNs) in modeling of environmental and natural resources systems has gradually grown, and they have become one of the mainstream approaches in the field. They are typically used in modeling complex systems in which policy or management decisions must be made under high uncertainties. This article documents an approach to constructing large and highly complex BBNs using a matrix representation of the model structure. This approach allows smooth construction of highly complicated models with intricate likelihood structures. A case study of the Ganges river basin, the most populated river basin of the planet, is presented. Four different development scenarios were investigated with the purpose of reaching the Millennium Development Goals and Integrated Water Resources Management goals, both promoted by the United Nations Agencies. The model results warned against the promotion of economic development policies that do not place strong emphasis on social and environmental concerns. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2012; 8: 491–502. © SETAC
Implantation of green tea catechin α‐tricalcium phosphate combination enhances bone repair in rat skull defects
Authors: Rodriguez Reena , Kondo Hisamoto , Nyan Myat , Hao Jia , Miyahara Takayuki , Ohya Keiichi , Kasugai Shohei 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe purpose of the present study is to investigate effects of the combination of epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) and α‐tricalcium phosphate (α‐TCP) on bone regenerative capacity in a bilateral rat calvarial bone defect model. Materials and methods: Bilateral 5‐mm‐diameter calvarial defects were created in adult male Wistar rats and filled with preparations of EGCG (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 mg) combined with α‐TCP particles. This was done by dissolving EGCG in 100% ethanol (50 μL/14 mg) and dropping under sterile condition. The control group was left unfilled (n = 8). The animals were sacrificed at 2 and 4 weeks. Radiological images were taken, and histological analysis was done. Six animals from control (0 mg EGCG + α‐TCP) group and (0.2 mg EGCG+ α‐TCP) group were labeled with fluorescent dyes and histomorphometrically analyzed (n = 6) at 2 and 4 weeks. Results: Histomorphometric analysis revealed that the combination of EGCG and α‐TCP at doses of 0.1 and 0.2 mg yielded significantly more new bone formation than untreated control group at 2 and 4 weeks (p > 0.05). Mineral apposition rate at 0.2‐TCP group was enhanced compared with the one of the positive control α‐TCP group at 4 weeks (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The combination of α‐TCP particles and 0.2 mg EGCG stimulates maximum bone regeneration in rat calvarial defects, and this combination would be potentially effective as bone graft material. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2011.
GLOBAL CHANGE, SMALL ISLAND STATE RESPONSE: RESTRUCTURING AND THE PERPETUATION OF UNCERTAINTY IN MAURITIUS AND SEYCHELLES
Authors: Kothari Uma , Wilkinson Rorden 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThis article examines the forms of economic restructuring recently undertaken by Mauritius and Seychelles in response to recent changes in the global economy, which have a fundamental impact upon their socio‐economic landscape. We argue that both Mauritius and Seychelles have recently embarked upon programmes that do not actually attenuate their exposure to the vagaries of international trade but continue a historic pattern of development that addresses ailing economic performance by refining and then replacing one small set of industries with another. The latest phase of restructuring is merely the most recent instalment in this pattern. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New avenues for phage‐display library to produce a Cryptococcus‐specific anti‐idiotypic antibody of HM‐1 killer toxin
Authors: Mamunur Rahman M. , Enamul Kabir M. , Krishnaswamy Senthilkumar , Miyamoto Masahiko , Furuichi Yasuhiro , Komiyama Tadazumi 
Published: May 2011

AbstractExisting antifungal drugs are notable for their inability to act rapidly, as well as their toxicity and limited spectrum. The identification of fungal‐specific genes and virulence factors would provide targets for new and influential drugs. The display of repertories of antibody fragments on the surface of filamentous phage offers a new way to produce immunoreagents as defined specificities. Here we report the selection of Cryptococcus‐specific targets by using phage‐display panning from a cDNA library, where bactericidal antibodies have been developed against conserved surface‐exposed antigens. A single‐chain variable fragment (scFv) phage library was constructed from splenocyte of an immunized mouse by idiotypic vaccination with HM‐1 killer toxin (HM‐1) neutralizing monoclonal antibody (nmAb‐KT) that was used for selection against Cryptococcus neoformans membrane fraction (CnMF). Key elements were the selection against antigen (nmAb‐KT and CnMF) and the release of bound phages using competitive panning elution with CnMF at neutral pH condition. Isolated scFvs react specifically with C. neoformans and some other pathogenic and non‐pathogenic fungal strain's cell wall receptors by exerting strong antifungal activity in vitro. A high affinity clone, designated M1 was selected for detailed characterization and tested anti‐cryptococcal activity with IC50 values at 5.33 × 10−7 to 5.56 × 10−7 M against C. neoformans. The method described here is a new technique for the isolation of cell membrane specific immunoreactive phages in the form of scFv using CnMF that contained cell membrane associated proteins. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Systematic analysis of tropomodulin/tropomyosin interactions uncovers fine‐tuned binding specificity of intrinsically disordered proteins
Authors: Uversky Vladimir N. , Shah Samar P. , Gritsyna Yulia , Hitchcock‐DeGregori Sarah E. , Kostyukova Alla S. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAn intriguing regulatory mechanism is the ability of some proteins to recognize their binding partners in an isoform‐specific manner. In this study we undertook a systematic analysis of the specificity of the tropomodulin (Tmod) interaction with tropomyosin (TM) to show that affinities of different Tmod isoforms to TM are isoform‐dependent. Intrinsic disorder predictions, alignment of sequences, and circular dichroism were utilized to establish a structural basis for these isoform‐specific interactions. The affinity of model peptides derived from the N‐terminus of different TM isoforms to protein fragments that correspond to the two TM‐binding sites of different Tmod isoforms were analyzed. Several residues were determined to be responsible for the isoform‐dependent differences in affinity. We suggest that changing a set of residues rather than a single residue is needed to alter the binding affinity of one isoform to mimic the affinity of another isoform. The general intrinsic disorder predictor, PONDR® VLXT, was shown to be a useful tool for analyzing regions involved in isoform‐specific binding and for predicting the residues important for isoform differences in binding. Knowing the residues responsible for isoform‐specific affinity creates a tool suitable for studying the influence of Tmod/TM interactions on sarcomere assembly in muscle cells or actin dynamics in non‐muscle cells. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural, thermodynamic, and kinetic basis for the activities of some nucleic acid repair enzymes
Authors: Nevinsky Georgy A. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractX‐ray structural analysis provides no quantitative estimate of the relative contribution of specific and nonspecific or strong and weak interactions to the total affinity of enzymes for nucleic acids. We have shown that the interaction between enzymes and long nucleic acids at the molecular level can be successfully analyzed by the method of stepwise increase in ligand complexity (SILC). In the present review we summarize our studies of human uracil DNA glycosylase and apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease, E. coli 8‐oxoguanine DNA glycosylase and RecA protein using the SILC approach. The relative contribution of structural (X‐ray analysis data), thermodynamic, and catalytic factors to the discrimination of specific and nonspecific DNA by these enzymes at the stages of complex formation, the following changes in DNA and enzyme conformations and especially the catalysis of the reactions is discussed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of the epitope for anti‐cystatin C antibody
Authors: Śladewska Anna , Szymańska Aneta , Kordalska Marlena , Lewandowska Agnieszka , Kołodziejczyk Aleksandra S. , Paraschiv Gabriela , Przybylski Michael , Czaplewska Paulina 
Published: May 2011

AbstractHuman cystatin C (hCC), like many other amyloidogenic proteins, has been shown to form dimers by exchange of subdomains of the monomeric protein. Considering the model of hCC fibrillogenesis by propagated domain swapping, it seems possible that inhibition of this process should also suppress the entire process of dimerization and fibrillogenesis which leads to specific amyloidosis (hereditary cystatin C amyloid angiopathy (HCCAA)). It was reported that exogenous agents like monoclonal antibody against cystatin C are able to suppress formation of cystatin C dimers. In the effort to find a way of controlling the cystatin fibrillization process, the interactions between monoclonal antibody Cyst‐13 and cystatin C were studied in detail. The present work describes the determination of the epitope of hCC to a monoclonal antibody raised against cystatin C, Cyst‐13, by MALDI mass spectrometry, using proteolytic excision of the immune complex. The shortest epitope sequence was determined as hCC(107‐114). Affinity studies of synthetic peptides revealed that the octapeptide with epitope sequence does not have binding ability to Cyst‐13, whereas its longer counterpart, hCC(105–114), binds the studied antibody. The secondary structure of the peptides with epitope sequence was studied using circular dichroism and NMR spectroscopy. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecularly imprinted polyaniline film for ascorbic acid detection
Authors: Roy Abani Kumar , S Nisha V. , Dhand Chetna , Malhotra Bansi D. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractMolecularly imprinted polyaniline (PANI) film (∼100 nm thick) has been electrochemically fabricated onto indium–tin–oxide (ITO) coated glass plate using ascorbic acid (AA) as template molecule. Fourier transform infra‐red spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) studies indicate the presence of AA in PANI matrix, which also acts as a dopant for PANI. Further, the AA selective molecularly imprinted PANI electrode (AA‐MI‐PANI/ITO) has been developed via over‐oxidation of AA doped PANI electrode which leads to the removal of AA moieties from PANI film. The response studies using DPV technique have revealed that this molecularly imprinted AA‐MI‐PANI/ITO electrode can detect AA in the range of 0.05–0.4 mM with detection limit of 0.018 mM and sensitivity of 1.2 × 10−5 AmM−1. Interestingly, this AA‐MI‐PANI/ITO electrode shows excellent reusability, selectivity and stability. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Azurin modulates the association of Mdm2 with p53: SPR evidence from interaction of the full‐length proteins
Authors: Domenici Fabio , Frasconi Marco , Mazzei Franco , D'Orazi Gabriella , Bizzarri Anna Rita , Cannistraro Salvatore 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe tumour suppressor p53 plays a crucial role in cell stress response and its anticancer activity is mainly down‐regulated by the oncoprotein Mdm2 that, upon binding to p53, blocks its transcriptional activity and promotes its ubiquitin‐dependent degradation. Targeting Mdm2–p53 interaction is believed to be the most direct of all p53‐activating strategies to treat tumours in which p53 has retained its wild‐type function. The bacterial protein Azurin has been shown to bind p53, inhibiting cancer cell proliferation likely through a post‐translational increasing of the p53 level. This apparent antagonist action with respect to the Mdm2–p53 functional interaction suggests that binding of Azurin to p53 might interfere with the Mdm2–p53 association and, thus, preventing p53 from degradation. Toward this end, a detailed kinetic characterization of the binding interaction of these three proteins has been performed by surface plasmon resonance. The occurrence of specific binary interactions of both Azurin and Mdm2 with p53, as investigated more appropriately in their full‐length conformation, is ascertained and the corresponding association and dissociation rate constants are measured. Interestingly enough, the three proteins are likely engaged in a ternary interaction, whose kinetics points out that binding of Azurin to p53 causes a significant decrease of the Mdm2–p53 association rate constant and binding affinity, without hindering the accessibility of Mdm2 to the binding pocket of p53. The Azurin‐induced p53 conformational change, as demonstrated by circular dichroism, suggests that the protein may affect Mdm2–p53 association through an allosteric mechanism, which could give an useful insight into designing new anticancer drugs. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Segmentation of the quadratus lumborum muscle using statistical shape modeling
Authors: Engstrom Craig M. , Fripp Jurgen , Jurcak Valer , Walker Duncan G. , Salvado Olivier , Crozier Stuart 
Published: May 2011

AbstractPurpose:To compare automated segmentation of the quadratus lumborum (QL) based on statistical shape modeling (SSM) with conventional manual processing of magnetic resonance (MR) images for segmentation of this paraspinal muscle.Materials and Methods:The automated SSM scheme for QL segmentation was developed using an MR database of 7 mm axial images of the lumbar region from 20 subjects (cricket fast bowlers and athletic controls). Specifically, a hierarchical 3D‐SSM scheme for segmentation of the QL, and surrounding psoas major (PS) and erector spinae+multifidus (ES+MT) musculature, was implemented after image preprocessing (bias field correction, partial volume interpolation) followed by image registration procedures to develop average and probabilistic MR atlases for initializing and constraining the SSM segmentation of the QL. The automated and manual QL segmentations were compared using spatial overlap and average surface distance metrics.Results:The spatial overlap between the automated SSM and manual segmentations had a median Dice similarity metric of 0.87 (mean = 0.86, SD = 0.08) and mean average surface distance of 1.26 mm (SD = 0.61) and 1.32 mm (SD = 0.60) for the right and left QL muscles, respectively.Conclusion:The current SSM scheme represents a promising approach for future automated morphometric analyses of the QL and other paraspinal muscles from MR images. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;33:1422–1429. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reproducibility of renal perfusion MR imaging in native and transplanted kidneys using non‐contrast arterial spin labeling
Authors: Artz Nathan S. , Sadowski Elizabeth A. , Wentland Andrew L. , Djamali Arjang , Grist Thomas M. , Seo Songwon , Fain Sean B. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractPurpose:To examine both inter‐visit and intra‐visit reproducibility of a MR arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion technique in native and transplanted kidneys over a broad range of renal function.Materials and Methods:Renal perfusion exams were performed at 1.5 T in a total of 24 subjects: 10 with native and 14 with transplanted kidneys. Using a flow‐sensitive alternating inversion recovery (FAIR) ASL scheme, 32 control/tag pairs were acquired and processed using a single‐compartment model. Two FAIR‐ASL MR exams were performed at least 24 h apart on all the subjects to assess inter‐visit reproducibility. ASL perfusion measurements were also repeated back‐to‐back within one scanning session in 8 native subjects and in 12 transplant subjects to assess intra‐visit reproducibility. Intra‐class correlations (ICCs) and coefficients of variation (CVs) were calculated as metrics of reproducibility.Results:Intra‐visit ICCs ranged from 0.96 to 0.98 while CVs ranged from 4.8 to 6.0%. Inter‐visit measurements demonstrated slightly more variation with ICCs from 0.89 to 0.94 and CVs from 7.6 to 13.1%. Medullary perfusion demonstrated greater variability compared with cortical blood flow: intra‐visit ICCs from 0.72 to 0.78 and CVs from 16.7 to 26.7%, inter‐visit ICCs from 0.13 to 0.63 and CVs from 19.8 to 37%.Conclusion:This study indicates that a FAIR‐ASL perfusion technique is reproducible in the cortex of native and transplanted kidneys over a broad range in renal function. In contrast, perfusion measurements in the medulla demonstrated moderate to poor reproducibility for intra‐visit and inter‐visit measures respectively. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;33:1414–1421. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reduced transverse relaxation rate (RR2) for improved sensitivity in monitoring myocardial iron in thalassemia
Authors: Cheung Jerry S. , Au Wing‐Yan , Ha Shau‐Yin , Kim Daniel , Jensen Jens H. , Zhou Iris Y. , Cheung Matthew M. , Wu Yin , Guo Hua , Khong Pek‐Lan , Brown Truman R. , Brittenham Gary M. , Wu Ed X. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractPurpose:To evaluate the reduced transverse relaxation rate (RR2), a new relaxation index which has been shown recently to be primarily sensitive to intracellular ferritin iron, as a means of detecting short‐term changes in myocardial storage iron produced by iron‐chelating therapy in transfusion‐dependent thalassemia patients.Materials and Methods:A single‐breathhold multi‐echo fast spin‐echo sequence was implemented at 3 Tesla (T) to estimate RR2 by acquiring signal decays with interecho times of 5, 9 and 13 ms. Transfusion‐dependent thalassemia patients (N = 8) were examined immediately before suspending iron‐chelating therapy for 1 week (Day 0), after a 1‐week suspension of chelation (Day 7), and after a 1‐week resumption of chelation (Day 14).Results:The mean percent changes in RR2, R2, and R2* off chelation (between Day 0 and 7) were 11.9 ± 8.9%, 5.4 ± 7.7% and −4.4 ± 25.0%; and, after resuming chelation (between Day 7 and 14), −10.6 ± 13.9%, −8.9 ± 8.0% and −8.5 ± 24.3%, respectively. Significant differences in R2 and RR2 were observed between Day 0 and 7, and between Day 7 and 14, with the greatest proportional changes in RR2. No significant differences in R2* were found.Conclusion:These initial results demonstrate that significant differences in RR2 are detectable after a single week of changes in iron‐chelating therapy, likely as a result of superior sensitivity to soluble ferritin iron, which is in close equilibrium with the chelatable cytosolic iron pool. RR2 measurement may provide a new means of monitoring the short‐term effectiveness of iron‐chelating agents in patients with myocardial iron overload. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;33:1510–1516. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Signal to noise ratio and uncertainty in diffusion tensor imaging at 1.5, 3.0, and 7.0 Tesla
Authors: Polders Daniel L. , Leemans Alexander , Hendrikse Jeroen , Donahue Manus J. , Luijten Peter R. , Hoogduin Johannes M. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractPurpose:To compare diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measurements at ultra high field strength (7 Tesla [T]) in human volunteers with DTI measurements performed at 1.5 and 3 Tesla.Materials and Methods:The signal to noise ratio (SNR) and the uncertainty in fitted DTI parameters fractional anisotropy and primary eigenvector are assessed with tractography based regions of interest, measured in nine volunteers at 1.5T, 3T, and 7T with clinically available hardware configurations.Results:An increase in SNR is observed on the 7T system compared with the 1.5 or 3T system. The measured increase in SNR at 7T is larger than expected from field strength alone, indicating the large influence of improved receive coil hardware. Additionally, while the average fractional anisotropy remains relatively constant across field strengths, a decrease in uncertainty in the fitted values for fractional anisotropy and the principal eigenvector of the DTI tensor was found. Increased spatial heterogeneity of signal intensities is observed at 7T.Conclusion:Given the current hardware constraints, DTI at ultra‐high field strengths is possible with improved performance in selected regions of interest. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;33:1456–1463. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adiabatic localized correlation spectroscopy (AL‐COSY): Application in muscle and brain
Authors: Ramadan Saadallah , Mountford Carolyn E. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractPurpose:To describe an enhanced version of a localized correlation spectroscopy (L‐COSY) by introducing adiabatic radiofrequency (RF) pulses for localization in two dimensions. Adiabatic pulses will improve slice selection profile and reduce chemical shift artifacts. Optimized Mao and adiabatic hyperbolic secant pulses are tested in vivo.Materials and Methods:Region of interest is localized by a 90° nonselective adiabatic RF pulse followed by two pairs of adiabatic RF pulses and a terminal 90° RF sinc pulse. Slice profiles for both refocusing pulses and chemical shift artifacts are measured in a water–oil phantom for L‐COSY and AL‐COSY. In vivo results of both COSY sequences are shown from muscle and brain on a 3 Tesla (T) scanner.Results:Chemical shift artifacts were reduced with AL‐COSY compared with L‐COSY. Slice profiles of adiabatic pulses were found to be sharper and more symmetrical than those of traditional Mao pulses. One‐dimensional (1D) phantom studies showed longer T2 values using AL‐COSY sequence. Comparison of 2D spectra obtained revealed spectroscopic peak volume improvements in AL‐COSY and less residual water. In vivo 1D comparison showed more inphase and sharper peaks in AL‐COSY spectrum.Conclusion:The AL‐COSY sequence is an improved sequence due to sharper slice selection profiles, reduction of chemical shift artifacts, peak volume improvements in 2D techniques, and less J‐modulation. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;33:1447–1455. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.