bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dendritic Cells Support Homeostatic Expansion of Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells in Foxp3.LuciDTR Mice
Authors: Suffner Janine , Hochweller Kristin , Kühnle Marie-Cristine , Li Xingrui , Kroczek Richard A. , Garbi Natalio , Hämmerling Günter J. 
Published: January 2010

Abstract
Foxp3+CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are crucial in maintaining self-tolerance and limiting immune responses to pathogens. Shifting the sensitive balance between Tregs and effector T cells requires extensive knowledge of the homeostatic properties of the different T cell populations. For the investigation of Treg homeostatic expansion, we introduce in this study novel BAC transgenic mice, designated Foxp3.LuciDTR, coexpressing enhanced GFP, luciferase for bioluminescence imaging of Tregs, and the diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR) for specific ablation of Tregs. Of several founder lines, Foxp3.LuciDTR-4 mice displayed ∼95% Treg depletion following injection of DT, resulting in activation of conventional CD4+ T cells, probably due to lack of control by Tregs. In contrast, Foxp3.LuciDTR-3 mice displayed only ∼70% Treg depletion without concomitant activation of CD4+ T cells and represented, therefore, a suitable model to study Treg homeostasis in an environment where other T cell populations were not altered. After depletion, the Treg compartment recovered to its original size in ∼2 wk. This recovery was mediated in a thymus-independent fashion by homeostatic proliferation of the surviving, nondepleted Tregs. The proliferating Tregs acquired an activated phenotype and maintained their suppressive capacity. Studies involving DT-mediated depletion of dendritic cells in CD11c.DOG mice showed that dendritic cells were required for optimal Treg homeostasis. In addition, IL-2 was identified as an essential factor for homeostatic recovery of the Treg compartment. These results show that Treg homeostasis is specifically regulated by the size of the Treg compartment and is independent of proliferation of conventional T cells.
IL-23 Receptor Regulates Unconventional IL-17–Producing T Cells That Control Bacterial Infections
Authors: Riol-Blanco Lorena , Lazarevic Vanja , Awasthi Amit , Mitsdoerffer Meike , Wilson Brian S. , Croxford Andy , Waisman Ari , Kuchroo Vijay K. , Glimcher Laurie H. , Oukka Mohamed 
Published: January 2010

AbstractIL-23 plays an important role in autoimmune tissue inflammation and induces the generation of not fully characterized effector cells that mediate protection against pathogens. In this paper, we established the essential role of IL-23R in the host response against intracellular pathogens. IL-23 was critical for the expansion or maintenance of γδ and double negative (DN) αβ T cells. These cells were rapidly recruited to the site of infection and produced large amounts of IL-17, IFN-γ, and TNF-α. Notably, DN T cells transferred into L. monocytogenes-infected RAG2−/− mice prevented bacterial growth, confirming their protective role against intracellular pathogens. Our results show that IL-23 regulates the function of IL-17–producing γδ and DN T cells, two essential components of the early protective immune response directed against intracellular pathogens.
Mutational Analyses Reveal that the Staphylococcal Immune Evasion Molecule Sbi and Complement Receptor 2 (CR2) Share Overlapping Contact Residues on C3d: Implications for the Controversy Regarding the CR2/C3d Cocrystal Structure
Authors: Isenman David E. , Leung Elisa , Mackay Julia D. , Bagby Stefan , van den Elsen Jean M. H. 
Published: January 2010

Abstract
We recently characterized an interaction between the Staphylococcus aureus immune evasion molecule Staphylococcus aureus binder of Ig (Sbi) and complement C3, an interaction mediated primarily through the binding of C3d(g) to Sbi domain IV. Events related to these studies prompted us to investigate via mutagenesis the binding interface of C3d for Sbi domain IV (Sbi-IV), as well as to revisit the controversial issue of the complement receptor 2 (CR2) binding site of C3d. Specifically, we had shown that Sbi domains III and IV fragment binding to C3dg inhibited the latter’s binding to CR2. Moreover, a published cocrystal structure of C3d bound to complement inhibitory C-terminal domain of extracellular fibrinogen-binding protein (Efb-C), a structural and functional homolog of Sbi-IV, showed Efb-C binding to a region on the concave face of C3d previously implicated in CR2 binding by our mutagenesis data but not confirmed in the CR2(short consensus repeat [SCR]1–2):C3d cocrystal structure. We have now analyzed by surface plasmon resonance the binding of a series of variant C3dg molecules to biosensor-bound Sbi-IV or CR2(SCR1–2). We found that mutations to the concave face acidic pocket of C3d significantly affected binding to both Sbi-IV and CR2, although there was divergence in which residues were most important in each case. By contrast, no binding defects were seen for mutations made to the sideface of C3d implicated from the cocrystal structure to be involved in binding CR2(SCR1–2). The results with Sbi-IV suggest a mode of binding highly similar to that visualized in the Efb-C:C3d complex. The results with CR2 confirm our earlier mapping studies and cast even further doubt on the physiologic relevance of the complex visualized in the C3d:CR2 cocrystal.
T Cell/Transmembrane, Ig, and Mucin-3 Allelic Variants Differentially Recognize Phosphatidylserine and Mediate Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells
Authors: DeKruyff Rosemarie H. , Bu Xia , Ballesteros Angela , Santiago César , Chim Yee-Ling E. , Lee Hyun-Hee , Karisola Piia , Pichavant Muriel , Kaplan Gerardo G. , Umetsu Dale T. , Freeman Gordon J. , Casasnovas José M. 
Published: January 2010

Abstract
T cell/transmembrane, Ig, and mucin (TIM) proteins, identified using a congenic mouse model of asthma, critically regulate innate and adaptive immunity. TIM-1 and TIM-4 are receptors for phosphatidylserine (PtdSer), exposed on the surfaces of apoptotic cells. Herein, we show with structural and biological studies that TIM-3 is also a receptor for PtdSer that binds in a pocket on the N-terminal IgV domain in coordination with a calcium ion. The TIM-3/PtdSer structure is similar to that of TIM-4/PtdSer, reflecting a conserved PtdSer binding mode by TIM family members. Fibroblastic cells expressing mouse or human TIM-3 bound and phagocytosed apoptotic cells, with the BALB/c allelic variant of mouse TIM-3 showing a higher capacity than the congenic C.D2 Es-Hba–allelic variant. These functional differences were due to structural differences in the BC loop of the IgV domain of the TIM-3 polymorphic variants. In contrast to fibroblastic cells, T or B cells expressing TIM-3 formed conjugates with but failed to engulf apoptotic cells. Together these findings indicate that TIM-3–expressing cells can respond to apoptotic cells, but the consequence of TIM-3 engagement of PtdSer depends on the polymorphic variants of and type of cell expressing TIM-3. These findings establish a new paradigm for TIM proteins as PtdSer receptors and unify the function of the TIM gene family, which has been associated with asthma and autoimmunity and shown to modulate peripheral tolerance.
Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Vaccination Mobilizes Innate Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Restraining In Vivo T Cell Priming via IL-1R–Dependent Nitric Oxide Production
Authors: Martino Angelo , Badell Edgar , Abadie Valérie , Balloy Viviane , Chignard Michel , Mistou Michel-Yves , Combadière Béhazine , Combadière Christophe , Winter Nathalie 
Published: January 2010

Abstract
Early immune response to the largely used Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) intradermal vaccine remains ill defined. Three days after BCG inoculation into the mouse ear, in addition to neutrophils infiltrating skin, we observed CD11b+Ly-6CintLy-6G− myeloid cells. Neutrophil depletion markedly enhanced their recruitment. These cells differed from inflammatory monocytes and required MyD88-dependent BCG-specific signals to invade skin, whereas neutrophil influx was MyD88 independent. Upon BCG phagocytosis, CD11b+Ly-6CintLy-6G− cells produced NO, which required the IL-1 receptor. Despite NO production, they were unable to kill BCG or the nonpathogenic Mycobacterium smegmatis. However, they markedly impaired T cell priming in the draining lymph node. Their elimination by all-trans retinoid acid treatment increased the number of IFN-γ–producing CD4 T cells. Thus, BCG vaccination recruits innate myeloid-derived suppressor cells, akin to mouse tumor-infiltrating cells. These propathogenic cells dampen the early T cell response and might facilitate BCG persistence.
High Efficiency Blue Organic LEDs Achieved By an Integrated Fluorescence–Interlayer–Phosphorescence Emission Architecture
Authors: Zheng Tianhang , Choy Wallace C. H. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThis paper presents a new strategy to develop efficient organic light‐emitting devices (OLEDs) by doping fluorescent‐ and phosphorescent‐type emitters individually into two different hosts separated by an interlayer to form a fluorescence–interlayer–phosphorescence (FIP) emission architecture. One blue OLED with FIP emission structure comprising p‐bis(p‐N,N‐diphenylaminostyryl)benzene (DSA‐Ph) and bis[(4,6‐di‐fluorophenyl)‐pyridinate‐N,C2']picolinate (FIrpic) exhibiting a peak luminance efficiency of 15.8 cd A−1 at 1.54 mA cm−2 and a power efficiency of 10.2 lm W−1 at 0.1 mA cm−2 is successfully demonstrated. The results are higher than those of typical phosphorescent OLEDs with a single emission layer by 34% and 28%, respectively. From experimental and theoretical investigations on device performance, and the functions of the used emitters and interlayer, such enhancement should ascribe to the appropriate utilization of the two types of emitters. The fluorescent emitter of DSA‐Ph is used to facilitate the carrier transport, and thus accelerate the generation of excitons, while the phosphorescent emitter of FIrpic could convert the generated excitons into light efficiently. The method proposed here can be applied for developing other types of red, green, and white OLEDs.
Population differences in the testosterone levels of young men are associated with prostate cancer disparities in older men
Authors: Calistro Alvarado Louis 
Published: January 2010

AbstractAlthough there is evidence that greater exposure to testosterone is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer, a recent analysis of 18 prospective studies found no relationship between levels of endogenous sex hormones and prostate cancer development. However, the reviewed studies were subject to methodological constraints that would obscure any potential relationship between prostate cancer and androgenic hormones. If prostate cancer risk is mediated by lifetime exposure to testosterone, then case‐control studies that concentrate on endogenous sex hormones near the ages that prostate cancer is diagnosed would provide limited information on cumulative testosterone exposure across the lifespan. Alternately, early adulthood has been suggested as the most salient period to evaluate the influence of steroid physiology on prostate carcinogenesis. As such, an exhaustive literature search was completed to obtain testosterone values reported for study samples of younger men, along with prostate cancer incidences for the larger populations from which the study populations were sampled. A novel analytical method was developed to standardize, organize, and examine 12 studies reporting testosterone levels for 28 population samples. Study populations were generally apportioned according to ethnicity and geographic residence: Americans of African, Asian, Caucasian, and Hispanic ancestry from several different regions within the United States as well as men from China, Germany, Japan, Kuwait, New Zealand, South Korea, and Sweden. Population differences in the testosterone levels of young men were significantly associated with population disparities in the prostate cancer incidence of older men (Spearman's rho = 0.634, p = 0.002). Am. J. Hum. Biol. 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modeling of freezing step during vial freeze‐drying of pharmaceuticals—influence of nucleation temperature on primary drying rate
Authors: Nakagawa Kyuya , Hottot Aurelie , Vessot Severine , Andrieu Julien 
Published: January 2010

AbstractTo optimize the primary drying step of freeze‐drying processes, it is very important to control morphological parameters of the frozen matrix. A mathematical model that simulates temperature profiles during freezing process of standard pharmaceutical formulations was set up and the ice crystal mean sizes were semi‐empirically estimated from the simulated thermal profiles. Then, water vapor mass transfer kinetics during sublimation step was estimated from ice phase morphological parameters. All these numerical data were compared with experimental data and a quite good agreement was observed, which confirmed the adequacy of the present model calculations. It was confirmed that, for a given formulation, the mass transfer parameters during freeze‐drying were strongly dependent on morphological textural parameters, and consequently, on the nucleation temperatures that fix the ice phase morphology. The influence of freezing rates was also predicted from the simulations, proving that an increase of cooling rates led to slower primary drying rates. Copyright © 2010 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mineral melting behavior of chinese blended coal ash under gasification condition
Authors: Wu Xiaojiang , Zhou Tuo , Chen Yushuang , Zhang Zhongxiao , Piao Guilin , Kobayashi Nobusuke , Mori Shigekatsu , Itaya Yoshinori 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe fusibility and mineral melting behavior of Chinese blended coal ash under gasification condition were studied by standard ash fusion temperature (AFT) test, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and phase diagram theory. The experimental results show that the trend of blended ash's AFT is not linearly related to the blending ratios, but mirrors by changes in liquidus temperature from ternary phase diagram systems. The AFTs of those blended ashes whose main ash chemical compositions locate near the boundaries between two mineral regions or triple points are lower and change more evident than that of those blended ashes whose main ash chemical compositions are far away from the boundaries or triple points. With increasing mass fraction of low AFT ash in blended coal ash, the location of blended ash in ternary systems is changed from the mullite region to the anorthite region, as well as the dominant crystal mineral at deformation temperature (DT) is also transformed from mullite to anorthite via mullite–mullite and anorthite coexisting–anorthite. The fluxing minerals (anhydrite, wustite, albite, hercynite, augite) in low AFT ash can react with the refractory minerals (mullite, quartz) complicatedly to form new low‐melting minerals (anorthite, hercynite, fayalite, gehlenite) at high temperature (HT) (1273–1403 K). These minerals can also interact to form eutectic mixtures in FeO‐SiO2‐Al2O3 and CaO‐SiO2‐Al2O3 systems and act as the most key factors for lowing melting mechanism of blended ash under gasification condition. Copyright © 2010 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Traffic assignment by trip type using volume restraint and link restraint for application in small urban areas
Authors: Leftwich David Scot , Heimbach Clinton L. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThis research involved the development of a new traffic assignment model consisting of a set of procedures for an urbanized area with a population of 172,000. Historical, social, and economic data were used as input to conventional trip generation and trip distribution models to produce a trip table for network assignment. This fixed table was divided into three trip types: external‐external trips, external‐internal trips, and internal‐internal trips. The methodology used to develop the new traffic assignment model assigned each of the trip types by varying the diversion of trips from the minimum path. External‐external trips were assigned on a minimum path routing and external‐internal trips were assigned with a slight diversion from the minimum path. Internal‐internal trips were assigned with more diversion than external‐internal trips and adjusted by utilizing iterative volume restraint and incremental link restraint.A statistical analysis indicated that assigning trips by trip types using trip diversion and volume and link restraint produces a significant improvement in the accuracy of the assigned traffic volumes.
Thermal deformations in typical maglev guideway structures
Authors: Campbell T. I. , Siu S. W. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThermal gradients and related deformations induced in elevated Maglev guideways by temperature variations in their environment have been predicted by a mathematical model. The deflections induced by thermal gradients in typical guideways are found to exceed specified limits for acceptable operation of an electromagnetic suspension system vehicle unless measures are taken to reduce the thermal gradients and related deflections by suitable treatment of the guideway surfaces.
Simulation of fixed route bus travel time
Authors: Seneviratne Prianka N. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractTravel time on fixed route urban bus route is discussed. Given that the travel time is a function of three basic variables, Monte Carlo procedure is used to simulate trips during a specific time interval. Each variable is assumed to have a specific probability distribution with known or estimatable parameters. It is shown that this micro‐computer simulation model can be used for examining the effects of traffic management schemes, number of stops and passenger demand on travel time, and subsequently fleet size and level of service.
Multicriteria ranking of urban transportation system alternatives
Authors: Gomes Luiz F. A. M. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThis paper presents the fundamentals of a new method to rank urban transportation system alternatives, taking into consideration multiple criteria. Those criteria can be quantifiable or not. The new method is founded on Utility Theory and it makes use of absolute weighting and pairwise comparisons. It has important practical advantages over other existing methods, the most important among those advantages being its capability to be understood and accepted by professionals and by the public. A numerical example is included in the paper.
A cost optimized steel bridge girder design for aashto ‐ WSD and LFD
Authors: Schelling D. R. , Fu C. C. , Hsu Y. T. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractA cost optimized design method of steel bridge girders is studied by using the specifications of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation (AASHTO) Working Stress Design (WSD) method and Load Factor Design (LFD) alternates. Here, cost trade‐offs for the steel plate (e.g., the base price plus extras for size, grade, testing and inspection, etc.), stiffeners and splicing are weighed throughout the entire span to minimize the objective function.The method is then applied to a set of over 30 steel bridge structures which collected from various state bridge inventories in order to obtain optimal cost configurations for both WSD and LFD methods. These results are analyzed by a linear regression model to define relationships between cost differences and bridge lengths. From these comparisons, conclusions are drawn to provide the guidelines. It is believed that effective application of these guidelines should lead to more economical designs, especially under the LFD method.
Efficient schedule merging for transit branch routes
Authors: Banks James H. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe scheduling of branch routes for urban transit systems poses several special problems, some of which are susceptible to relatively simple mathematical solutions. One of these is the problem of adjusting layovers so as to provide for smooth merging at minimum fleet size on routes with unequal travel times on different branches. This problem is shown to be analogous to a simple deterministic queueing or inventory problem. Minimum fleet size for such routes is shown to be equal to the mean vehicle cycle time divided by the headway on the trunk portion of the route.
Comparing two methods for multicriteria ranking of urban transportation system alternatives
Authors: Gomes Luiz F. A. M. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThis note shows a numerical comparison of TODIM and ELECTRE II, two alternative methods for multicriteria ranking of projects. Ranks obtained from both methods are compared at a level of significance of 0.01. The results suggest a practical advantage of TODIM over ELECTRE II.
Estimation of flow for evaluating and classifying pedestrian facilities
Authors: Seneviratne P. N. , Morrall J. F. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractShort term manual counts are used in many pedestrian studies to overcome time, cost, and equipment constraints. Depending on the count period, several techniques are available for expanding short‐term counts with the objective of estimating pedestrian volume over extended periods of time. When flow is highly variable and only a few short‐term counts can be conducted, the expanded values can contain large margins of error. This paper presents the findings of two studies on the development and verification of models for expanding short‐term (five‐, 10‐, 15‐minute) counts. Using data from the Central Business Districts of Calgary and Montreal, it is shown that such models can explain up to 90% of the variation in expected volumes. The paper also presents a methodology based on Bayesian theory for minimizing errors resulting from short‐term counts with large variances. The methodology, which takes into consideration the variance as well as the number of short‐term counts, also enables planners to update the short‐term counts on the basis of subsequent surveys.
Review of Eastern Harbour crossing bus routes
Authors: Lam William H. K. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe opening of the Eastern Harbour Crossing provided a new road link crossing the harbour which enabled the two bus companies (i.e. the China Motor Bus Company, CMB and the Kowloon Motor Bus Company, KMB) to develop a new cross harbour network to supplement the existing one. Two new cross harbour bus routes, namely, Route Nos. 601 and 606, were introduced on 22nd September 1989 together with the opening of the Eastern Harbour Crossing. After two months service, it is about the time to review the performance of the two new bus routes and to improve the frequency when demand warrants. In this study, boarding and alighting counts were carried out during the A.M. and P.M. peak periods, together with the bus speed and delay study. Comparison of bus speeds before and after the strike of the CMB staff was also given. In addition, passenger load counts were conducted on the maximum load points so as to evaluate the existing bus services. Finally, some important conclusions and suggestions have been drawn for possible improvements of the above two bus routes.
Modelling interdependencies among urban transportation system alternatives within a multicriteria ranking framework
Authors: Gomes Luiz F. A. M. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThis paper presents a technique for ranking interrelated urban transportation system alternatives under multiple criteria. The technique allows dealing with alternatives which are interdependent according to at least one major attribute. This feature is virtually nonexistant in the vast majority of multicriteria ranking methods which essentially consider a set of independent alternatives. A numerical example is included in the paper.